As a young reader in the late ’90s, I, along with many others, came across a book series set at a now-famous magical boarding school in the English countryside. Of course, this led me to develop an ardent boarding school fantasy of my own. The idea of being immersed in a completely new world where I could “find myself” was exciting. Perhaps this very fact is part of what sparked my interest in Abigail Hing Wen’s 2020 debut novel many, many years later. 

Loveboat, Taipei is the story of Ever Wong, a sheltered Asian American high school grad forced by her parents to attend a summer immersion program in Taiwan before matriculating into the Honors Program in Medical Education at Northwestern. Soon after arriving at “Chien Tam,” she quickly discovers its real reputation among its attendees as ”Loveboat,” the ultimate, parent-free destination for rich, up-and-coming Chinese youth to enjoy the many delights of Taipei. The novel, with its gorgeous descriptions of movement and city life as well as its nuanced main cast of characters, is the ultimate boarding school story. It bubbles with glamorous escapades in the city and messy, lively romance, all of which is balanced out with a satisfying coming-of-age story. 

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