Morality tale in modern clothing. This page-turner didn’t feel like a lit novel but was well written. The story revolves around Ivy Lin— born in China, raised in the US. She does not fit in w her traditional immigrant family any more than she does w American children. To compensate for her feeling of otherness as a scholarship student in a tony private school, Ivy learns—with her grandmother’s approval and assistance—to boost items. This at least quells her immense sense of not possessing what she wants: friends, clothes, an all-American, preppy family.

One of Ivy’s most interesting qualities is her lack of conscience. She learns early on that no one is on her side and develops a chilling kind of self-preservation. She disappoints her parents w their old school expectations and is not the model minority her peers imagine she must be. What she has is a fierce desire for self-preservation.

In middle school, Ivy falls for Gideon Speyer, a golden boy from a family where wealth and status are inherited. She runs into his sister when they are adults and ingratiates herself into his world. Because Ivy is not genuinely in love, she is never comfortable or honest, just trying to fake it until he proposes and she lands her dream American life.

I’ve left out a major character who challenges Ivy’s pretense and seems to actually view and appreciate her because he shares many qualities w her. Like her, he’s amoral.

None of the characters are likable or sympathetic, which increased my perception that this was a morality tale.