The setting is clearly why I wanted to read Bonjour Shanghai. I love learning about and exploring cities in Asia. When culture, people and scenery come together to create a lovely atmosphere it also makes a story feel more unique and satisfying. But this book also has the distinction of being a new adult novel, about a college age girl.
Did the Shanghai in Bonjour Shanghai sweep away this Fangirl?
I didn’t realize that Bonjour Shanghai was the second book in a series. But don’t worry I didn’t feel like I missed anything jumping to this book. Over 20% was reestablishing what happened to Clementine at Parsons School of Design the previous semester. And we didn’t get to China until 39%. You really need to be ready to sympathize and fall for Clementine to enjoy Bonjour Shanghai.
Clementine wants to be a fashion journalist.
She’s going to Parsons because she wants to write about fashion. Bonjour Girl is the name of her blog where she writes about eco-fashion and interviews people to bring awareness to different fashion causes.
It was clear the author did tons of research about this and she incorporated it quite naturally into the story. In particular I enjoyed the moments where I learned more about this segment of fashion. But I also loved that there were so many different activities Clementine did in her blogging and fashion efforts. It made her dream feel quite genuine.
And she won a semester at a fashion college in Shanghai.
But she isn’t sure she wants to take it. Her best friend is a talented designer she hits up the best restaurants with and dishes about boys to. Her boyfriend is a photographer trying to expand his business in the Big Apple. And suddenly they both have personal issues. Should she stay to support them?
This was a realistic quandary that college aged people go through. What is more important, the people in their lives or their career? There is no right answer. A lot of time is spent on Clementine figuring out the answer to this problem. It wasn’t what I wanted to focus on, but it was part of her major dilemma in the story.
But another boy is waiting for her when the plane lands.
Henry is good-looking, fashionable and has the same passions. Clementine meets him online and they clearly click. And he knows Shanghai like the back of his hand, and has all sorts of contacts. When does the line blur between friends and… more?
I didn’t really like Jonathan. And since I hadn’t read the first book I wasn’t invested in him at all. Then with the me2 situation he gets involved in I was rooting for Henry big time. Plus Henry was Clementine’s guide around the city. Henry and Shanghai become linked. So while I got a very real sense of all the best fashion locations in Shanghai they were all tainted by Henry. While I was happy Clem figured out what she wanted and the direction of her blog, the love triangle overwhelmed any Shanghai moments.
Using a location like Shanghai means a ton of research.
It was so obvious all of the research done by the author about fashion. And while we were in New York I felt like Clementine definitely lived there. The same wasn’t true for Shanghai. I did appreciate the different fashion places mentioned, like the vintage store Henry took her to visit. But I didn’t get a sense of what it was like to live in Shanghai. They took a lot of taxis but that’s no different than New York. Shanghai felt like a gimmick to change up the story.
But Clementine grew up dealing with her blogging struggles in China.
Okay, I didn’t feel Shanghai. But I did feel Clementine’s journey. Her struggles were the same as all college kids. She felt like a real blogger with a niche and a passion. Showing off who she is through the clothes she wears was so realistic and genuine for a fashion lover. And teens could really benefit from reading about Clementine following her heart and remaining true to her values.
Bonjour Shanghai follows a college age girl as she works through different choices that will change the course of her future. Clementine is a great example for teen readers with big dreams, reminding them to stay true to their heart and values.
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