The Girl Most Likely To

Rachel Dang was once voted “Most Likely To Succeed” in high school. Now 38, single, and newly unemployed, Rachel feels her life is off track. An invitation to her high school reunion rekindles memories of her first crush, Danny Phan, the boy she used to tutor and chat with on AOL Instant Messenger. As Rachel navigates her past and present, the story oscillates between high school memories and current events, blending nostalgia with a search for closure. Tieu, known for her ability to weave cultural authenticity into her narratives, delivers a story that resonates with anyone who has grappled with the pressure of expectations and the longing for what might have been. The novel captures the essence of early-2000s culture and explores the pressures of societal expectations for Asian Americans, but the slow pace and numerous side characters may distract from the central romance.