Never Thought I'd End Up Here

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811CMfBEN4L
Author(s)
Age Range
12+
Release Date
June 03, 2025
ISBN
978-1546110675
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Leah Zhang has just ruined her cousin's wedding. She didn't mean to wish the bride a depressing marriage and poor health, but she's forgotten most of her Mandarin. Her parents stage an intervention: Leah will be sent on a travel program across China's most beautiful cities. To them, it’s the perfect opportunity for Leah to get back to her roots. To Leah, it’s simply a much-needed escape.

But before Leah can even begin to enjoy the luxurious hotels, stunning scenery, and mouth-watering cuisine, she finds that also on the trip is cynical, sarcastic Cyrus Sui, who’s somehow only gotten more annoyingly handsome since the day he told a lie that ruined her life.

While Leah might be tempted to shove him off the peak of the Yellow Mountain when nobody’s looking, she can’t get rid of him just yet. After all, she might never get another chance to get revenge.

Yet the deeper they wander into China’s provinces, the deeper Leah finds herself falling in love ― with the boy she once thought she despised, the home she never thought she’d call her own, and the parts of herself she thought were already lost.

Editor review

1 review
Never thought I'd end up here
(Updated: June 21, 2026)
Overall rating
 
4.0
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
After quitting modeling, Leah Zhang is not sure what to do with her life. After a disastrous event at her cousin's wedding, her mother suggests she attend a two-week travel program in China. To Leah's horror, the boy who ruined her life is also there. Only Cyrus isn't what she thought. Or is he? Little by little, the sarcastic boy she knew opens himself up. To not only himself but also Leah.

What worked: Adorable romance set in China, where a former classroom nemesis shows up and slowly melts the barrier between them. This is a cute romcom that is sure to appeal to fans of LOVE BOAT, TAIPEI.

Leah breaks the stereotypical 'mean' girl mold that people assume of models. If anything, anxieties hide insecurities. It doesn't help that rumors of her expulsion from a previous school haunt her. I really like how the author shows the inner turmoil Leah goes through by not only trying to make her perfectionist mother proud, but also trying to 'fit' in at her new school. Leah's insecurities do hold her back at first, but slowly she learns to open up around others, including Cyrus.

The best part of this novel has to be, hands-down, the dialogue between Cyrus and Leah. It's punchy and the pacing is great! The romance starts as enemies and grows into something much more. Cyrus has his own insecurities. Leah and Cyrus's relationship is believable and one to cheer on!

I loved the Chinese backdrop as well. Leah is exposed to her culture in more ways than just the language. I also loved the contest where the students set off to use their Mandarin skills in the local areas.

Great pacing, a sweet romance that is sure to appeal to those who love books set in foreign lands.
Good Points
1. Cute romcom
2. Perfect for fans of LOVE BOAT, TAIPEI
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User reviews

1 review
Overall rating
 
5.0
Plot
 
5.0(1)
Characters
 
5.0(1)
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5.0(1)
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5.0(1)
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charming, laugh-out-loud YA rom-com
(Updated: June 21, 2026)
Overall rating
 
5.0
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
5.0
This was a charming, laugh-out-loud YA rom-com that’s equal parts enemies-to-lovers and heartfelt journey of self-discovery. The story follows Leah Zhang, a former model from LA who, after a linguistic mishap at her cousin's wedding, is sent on a two-week cultural immersion trip across China. Her parents hope this will reconnect her with her roots; Leah sees it as a much-needed escape. However, the trip takes an unexpected turn when she discovers that her former classmate and nemesis, the sarcastic Cyrus Sui, is also part of the program. As they travel through China's picturesque landscapes, Leah grapples with old grudges, budding feelings, and a deeper understanding of her heritage.

What follows is a hilarious, emotional adventure filled with scenic cities, awkward tension, and unexpected sparks. Leah’s voice is funny, relatable, and real, and her slow shift toward understanding her roots feels genuine and warm. If you love banter, travel stories, and finding yourself where you least expect it, you should check this book out.
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