I read a lot of coming of age story of Chinese students. Living up to their parents expectations, wanting to break free, or forging their own path into the world. Not wanting to disappoint their parents, being an over achiever. BUT.... None of them tell it as atmospheric as this one. It felt so real on so many levels. It critize the gap in education for which only the rich could afford. The struggle of not being privilege enough that fail is not an option. Where the only way to move forward is to work your ass off on a very slippery slope bcs there are no safety net once you slipped.

Laced with a sweet high school romance that start from academic rivals (it's one-sided rival actually bcs the male character didn't feel the same way or acknowledging that they're rivals), to business partners, to friends, and into something more, If You Could See the Sun is an okay read.

Alice is a persistent FMC who'll take you in her shoes to feel the frustration on the social gap she felt among her friends, justification for her questionable decisions (even though the crime is still the crime, and she has no accountability for this matter), and her consciences to act in the end. It has tiny bits spark of magic which I didn't expect 😂 it wasn't too much, but it could be better written or better explained in the book. It comes out to nowhere and disappear just like that.

An ambitious, beautifully written coming of age story. 

If you like Instant Karma by Marissa Meyer, you'll love this!!!!