White Ivy by Susie Yang | Review

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White Ivy by Susie Yang (debut)
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: November 3, 2020
Length: 368 pages
Amazon

{A Bit of Backstory}

Single Sentence Summary

Ivy, a young woman restless and unsure of what she wants in life, runs into a high school crush and is convinced she’s found her answers.

From the Publisher

“Raised outside of Boston, Ivy’s immigrant grandmother relies on Ivy’s mild appearance for cover as she teaches her granddaughter how to pilfer items from yard sales and second-hand shops. Thieving allows Ivy to accumulate the trappings of a suburban teen—and, most importantly, to attract the attention of Gideon Speyer, the golden boy of a wealthy political family. But when Ivy’s mother discovers her trespasses, punishment is swift and Ivy is sent to China, and her dream instantly evaporates.

Years later, Ivy has grown into a poised yet restless young woman, haunted by her conflicting feelings about her upbringing and her family. Back in Boston, when Ivy bumps into Sylvia Speyer, Gideon’s sister, a reconnection with Gideon seems not only inevitable—it feels like fate.”

The Draw

• I always love trying debut authors.
• Girl who learned thieving from her grandmother.
• Woman who yearns for success at any cost.

{My Thoughts}

White Ivy by Susie Yang tells the story of a young woman, Ivy, whose parents immigrated to the United States when she was only 2.  Ivy, left behind in China while her parents gained a footing in the U.S.,  joined them at 5, but always felt a little removed from her family. They were hard on her, and she was embarrassed by them. Just as Ivy began to be interested in boys and having a social life, her parents upended her world by first sending her off for a summer in China and then moving the family to a completely different state.

All this leads to Ivy being a very discontent young woman. In a career she picked solely on convenience, moving through unsatisfying relationships, Ivy wants something more. With a little luck and some of her own engineering, Ivy reconnects with her teenage crush, Gideon, the only son of a moneyed Boston family. The attraction seems immediate and with lightening speed the two are a couple. Ivy is thrilled. It’s everything she’s ever wanted, despite many red flags, and her own wavering emotions. Ivy will not let go.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with Ivy, even though I didn’t always like her or her duplicity. But, Ivy was not alone in that quality. Almost every character in White Ivy had secrets to hide, making it a story that kept me guessing. From the midpoint I suspected where Ivy’s story would end, but Yang’s stellar writing neatly layered on the clues, while still managing some surprises. With each new piece of information, I felt more and more confident in the ending, and wanted Ivy to open her eyes, but in fact, she didn’t want to see. And, that is the heart of White Ivy. Grade: B

If you liked this book you might also enjoy:

• Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney – Novel about the friendship of two young women, one of whom becomes involved with a married man – the husband of another friend. (my review)
• The Mothers by Britt Bennett – Nadia’s life is set adrift following her mother’s suicide, causing her to make choices over the course of one summer that reverberate throughout her lifetime. (my review)

Note: I received a copy of this book from Simon & Schuster (in print and via NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review.