I really enjoyed the characters, the prose, and story. My only complaint is that I felt the ending left something to be desired and that some of Tang’s language around the portrayal of multiracial people. 

There are some genuine strengths to this story, and I was very invested most of the way through. However, the ending was incredibly unsatisfying. I know it might be a realistic ending, and obviously, the main character has a LOT to heal and grow from, and that's going to take time.
It just left me a bit disappointed. 

How can a book be sad and lighthearted at the same time- I’m not sure but Kat Tang accomplished it. The premise of this story interested me right away and it was a quick and engaging read. It felt like there were mini-stories throughout with the thread of the no-named stranger and his relationship with young Lily as a constant. This wasn’t a surface-level story though with flashbacks of the main character’s traumatic past, his relationship with his mother, and his aim to atone for what happened in his life before. 

Overall, it was easy to fall in love with and feel for the characters. I enjoyed the story of the main character searching for his purpose with hopes of doing the right thing and bringing happiness to others, while unfortunately making collateral damage along the way, all with a modern storyline and theme.