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Gemma Sun has been raised by her single mom, without any other family in the picture, for her whole life. She’s just graduated high school when she finds out that the grandfather she thought had died when she was little actually just died weeks before. And he’s left her … a box of newspaper clippings.
What becomes clear soon enough is that the box is just the first of a long set of clues in some kind of treasure hunt. Gemma is both sad and angry that she never got to meet her grandfather, but this is a way to get to know him a little. And maybe, just maybe, though it sounds like he had no wealth to speak of, somehow the hunt will end in money. Because Gemma and her mom have both been working for years and still the cost of college seems impossible to pay.
It also becomes clear Gemma’s going to have to go to Taiwan, where her grandfather has been living for decades and her mom grew up. Unfortunately, again, she has no money to get there. Enter Gemma’s ex from when they were both 14: Xander, a wealthy and privileged guy who happens to run a program that connects Taiwanese youths with their heritage. She’s been annoyed by Xander for four years, but she swallows her pride and asks him for help.
Then she’s off to Taiwan, where she gets to explore many parts of her heritage that her American-focused mom hasn’t shared. And where she has to try to piece together the clues to solve this set of puzzles.
Ex Marks the Spot has a fun mix of elements: it’s a sweet romance; it’s a story about an Asian-American teen trying to figure out where she fits in; it’s a treasure hunt. I enjoyed all the elements and how neatly they fit together.
Most of the book is set in Taiwan, and it is one of the stars of the book. Gloria Chao makes it shine, with descriptions of beautiful places, delicious foods, and interesting bits of culture and language. I certainly felt compelled to want to visit myself sometime!
A clean story that ticks all the boxes. (And if you loved Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ The Inheritance Games books, you’ll likely enjoy this.)
Rated: Mild. Profanity includes a dozen instances of moderate profanity, a handful of uses of mild language, and around 20 instances of the name of Deity in vain. There are a few instances of kissing.
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*I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
