Assalamualaikum, good day dearest!
Title: Duet Me Not
Author: Lilian Li
Pages: 344
Genre: Slice of life, Sport, Romance, Young adult
Publisher: selfpub
Year published: 2023
ISBN: 978-629-98290-0-3
Blurb:
"I can be your practice makes perfect."
ASHVIN didn't mean to join the Penang State Synchronized Swimming team. He didn't mean to go viral when he jumped into that pool and danced with that girl. It all started as a dare to ask his crush to prom, but all it takes is one dare, one wrong choice, to turn his world upside down.
JUNE will do anything to get to the Malaysian national team, even if it means performing duet with the most annoying boy she's ever met. With less than three months to win over the council and save her stadium from closing, she needs his help. In exchange, she teaches him how to ask out the girl of his dreams from her own (zero) love experience. After all, like synchronized swimming, practice makes perfect.
Even in love. Right?
After House of Koi and loving the story so much, I really anticipated the author's new book, although I took my time to finally read it. Like HOK, this book offers a young-adult romance, a heartwarming friendship and a familial bond.
Because of the prom-dare arranged by the Gila Geng Gang, Ashvin stuck with June learning synchronized swimming. Their first encounter was an unpleasant one. After accidentally becoming a viral sensation, June begrudgingly agreed to coach Ashvin in exchange for him to duet with her for the home performance.
First and foremost, June and Ashvin are really cute! Ashvin particularly, was really charming albeit cringy at times. I love how he nicknamed her, from the moment they first met. Boy, he falls hard and fast but is dumb enough to not understand his own feelings. That moment when he told The Gila Geng Gang, and they were like, 'duh, you just know it?' was so funny! The determination that he had to really learn the sport despite June's torture was admirable. And the compassion he had towards August. Damn, this kid is perfect in every way.
June's a strong-willed person and craves perfection, especially from herself. She spent more of her time in water than on land. Her goals were to make it to the national team and eventually, the olympics. I love her character arc, from a goal-centric and serious person who solely focused on herself, her sports and her team to a more socialized and fun person as she connects with Ashvin and his Gila Geng Gang.
The romance between these two was a slow-burn, not that I mind. I love how they slowly opened up with each other, becoming familiar with the other's ticks and moods with just one look, and how they helped each other figure out and understand themselves better. Besides the romance aspect, I enjoyed reading about the friendship between Ashvin and his gang. The brotherhood they had to help each other and not to mention, did synchro just to help August. Swoon-worthy!
We cannot talk about a sport-focused book without talking about the said sport. Well, synchronized swimming is neither a familiar nor unfamiliar sport to me. I definitely had heard about it and watched some of it on TV before. However, I have never paid close attention to it. I love the way the author explained each movement, making it easier to imagine the dance they are doing.
This book is everything I need. A light, fluffy, some tears here and there read. The ending was perfect even though I wished for it to be longer. Anyway, congrats to the author for this beautiful piece!
-thes
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