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Synopsis

Authors Juniper Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars. But Athena is a literary darling while June is a nobody. Who wants stories about basic white girls?, June thinks. So when June witnesses Athena’s death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse, stealing Athena’s just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers during World War I.

So what if June edits Athena’s novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? So what if she lets her new publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song—complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo? This piece of history deserve to be told, whoever the teller. That is what June believes, and The New York Times bestseller list agrees.

But June cannot escape Athena’s shadow, and emerging evidence threatens her stolen success. As she races to protect her secret she discovers exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.

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What I thought

I gave Yellowface three stars, and honestly, that feels about right.

The book kicks off brilliantly. Hooked from page one. June is audacious, messy, and unapologetically flawed, which makes her a fascinating protagonist to follow. She makes questionable choices, but in a way that keeps you reading—half horrified, half rooting for her and all the while thinking, “She is one hot mess.”

The peek behind the publishing curtain is where this book really shines. You get little glimpses of the grind authors endure: months of writing and revising, endless manuscript submissions, agents, deadlines, and the peculiar politics of book launches. Some of the insider chaos had me snorting with laughter. The petty rivalries, social media drama, and literary gatekeeping made me think, “So this is what authors really deal with? No wonder June’s spiraling.”

But then… the middle. Ugh. Here’s where the book loses a bit of momentum. The tension fizzles out, some subplots drag, and I found myself skimming a few chapters, thinking, “Come on, give me the chaos I signed up for!” It’s not bad—it’s just a bit… meh compared to the punchy opening.

And the ending? Predictable, but satisfying. Someone June had pissed off at some point in her career, comes back to haunt her. I had that classic “well, of course” facepalm moment, and I couldn’t help but grin. It’s the perfect literary karma: messy decisions meet predictable consequences.

Tone-wise, the writing is witty and sharp, with just the right amount of satirical bite. It’s fast, easy to read, and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny. A perfect for a break from heavier, longer reads.

Facepalm Moments I Loved:

• June thinking she could get away with publishing someone else’s manuscript. Bold.
• The petty literary feuds that escalate way too fast. I mean, I’ve argued over book club picks, but June’s level of chaos… next level.
• Realising halfway through that June is probably her own worst enemy, and yet… you can’t look away.

Overall, Yellowface was a decent palate cleanser during my 1000-page reading challenge. Quick, easy, and interesting, with just enough drama and insider commentary to keep it engaging.

Would I keep my copy? Probably not—but I’d recommend it as a light, entertaining read if you’re curious about the publishing world, or just want a messy, chaotic story to pass a few hours.

You can grab your copy of Yellowface by R. F. Kuang from trusted retailers:

• Buy on Amazon UK
• Support Indie Bookshops via Bookshop.org UK

Until next time…