Book Review: Chloe and the Kaishao Boys

Chloe and the Kaishao Boys by Mae Coyiuto

Chloe Liang is turning 18 soon and has never dated anyone. In the Philippines, it is marked with a debutante's ball, prompting her Filipino-Chinese family to set her up with Kaishao Boys. And this is all when she's about to move to America for college to follow her dreams as an animator. Disclaimer: A review copy was provided by the publisher.

If you are new to this blog, this is a site dedicated to reverse harem. It's when there are three guys or more who are romantically interested in the heroine. Since yours truly is a Filipina and the title and premise are well about Kaishao Boys, reading this was a priority. But this was not a reverse harem in a traditional four flower-sense. (see Levels of Reverse Harem) In a way. it can be a reverse harem if we put it from the perspective of one of her aunts: The trick to meeting boys is to collect and select. You’re supposed to collect as many potential suitors as possible before you select the best one. Bless her wisdom!

After reading non-stop Japanese light novels it took a while to get reacquainted with young adult reading hat mode. But before you know it, you can't put it down and you'll start enjoying the weird metaphors and their cringey families. It has a slice-of-life-ish feel and a cute romance that is not contrived. The writing captures the innocence of youth. The drama. The angst. Chloe's dilemmas are anything but chill but you'll get mellow vibes. Chloe and the Kaishao Boys take me back to my roots of Sweet Dreams 'pocketbooks' of my high school.

Being a Filipina I get all the jargon, the pop culture references...everything. Even then, it was hard to empathize with anyone at first but by end of the book you'll love them all and it is like they're all someone you know in your clan reunion. And of course, love Chloe. She seems so unassuming and low-key but she has a competitive streak and a one-track mind that needed a bit of nudging.

Pinoys (Filipinos) have these cliche assumptions of the Fil-Chi community so it's enlightening to get to know more of the family dynamics on a more personal level. There were also a ton of cheesy comical situations thanks to her family but the fun moments were the subtle ones. Like Chloe's memorable line: Shit. Was I on a date?

Kaishao is Hokkien for “to introduce.” It’s when friends or family introduce you to single potential partners. The first kaishao is hilarious. Her family's idea of meet-cute is one for the books. The second kaishao is equally hilarious. I was dying. Well, the last candidate is predictable but it's okay just to balance it out. Japanese light novels have illustration inserts, especially from the most critical moments which would have been perfect for the meetings with the boys. The cute cover art of the book is totally asking for it. Let's normalize more illustrations pretty please!

Debuts are a big deal in my country. And I can already imagine the debut party as a climax in a movie. Calling dibs that this will be your next THE romcom movie after To All The Boys I've Loved Before. The novel is not just about Chloe and the Kaishao Boys. It is pretty clever in sidetracking you. It ended on a cliffhanger and the only consolation is that it has a sequel or trilogy potential. And I'm recommending this not because I'm a Filipina, I'm recommending this because I simply loved it. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

UPDATE: Attended a book signing with the author last December 17, 2023 and she recognized the name of the blog from the reviews!

Purchase titles/ related to the titles mentioned: (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases):

Chloe and the Kaishao Boys https://amzn.to/3YnB3ja

The To All the Boys I've Loved Before Paperback Collection (Boxed Set): To All the Boys I've Loved Before; P.S. I Still Love You; Always and Forever, Lara Jean https://amzn.to/3ZmkjdC

Love Reverse Harem Garden? Follow on: Youtube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tiktok

If you enjoyed this post please consider buying Kofi. Shares and whitelisting of the site are also appreciated. :)

Comments

👑 18 Treasures: Favorite Reverse Harem Reads from 2020-2025 (Manga, Manhwa, Webtoons & Novels)

Hello, Wallflowers! This is Ayreesa. I recently shared my 18 Gems : reverse harem reads from 2007–2019 that shaped me. Now it’s time for my personal favorite* reverse harem reads from 2020 to present , listed in the order I read them. Personal favorite = Some are problematic. 😅Sorry! Who knows, this might turn into one of your treasured favorites, too! Winning a copy of Mia and the Forbidden Medicine Report back in 2020 gave me the push to request review copies and start covering licensed titles + licensing news . I’d love to cover even more stories, but both time and budget keep me from reading everything on my list. To make the most of my schedule, I share quick impressions and mini-reviews on Patreon. If you’d like to help me keep exploring new titles, you can support me through Patreon or Ko-fi . E very bit means so much! This is Part 2 of 4 of Reverse Harem Garden 18th birthday series . In the Philippines, a debut ball includes dancing with...

🌸 Spring Reverse Harem 2025 🌸 (anime, dramas, manga, manhwa, webtoons and light novels)

Hey there, wallflowers! 🌸 Spring is here, and if you're new to Reverse Harem Garden, I also include kinda and unconfirmed reverse harem titles. And I have actually created five different levels of reverse harem and to know more about it, I highly recommend checking out Levels of Reverse Harem after this. This list will be updated continuously, so stay tuned. Let me know if I missed anything. Happy watching and reading! And a few disclaimers: There's a separate spring list on Patreon so make sure to check it out. Follow Reverse Harem Garden's socials. ( Youtube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tiktok ) Titles that haven’t been reviewed yet are considered unconfirmed reverse harem. Dates may change, and videos might not be available in all regions. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. Ko-fi – If you enjoyed this post, you can support me wi...

All-Time Top Ten Reverse Harem Anime

Hello Wallflowers! I am not going to do a decade in review since I did that already a couple of years ago. but I am loooong overdue for my top 10 anime. I actually made one coincidentally a decade ago but it's a consolidated top 10 of everything from anime, manga and dramas as the titles are fewer back in 2010. I should have done it sooner but it's the nagging feeling that I should finish everything before I can post this. What if there's a hidden gem in my backlog that piled up beginning 2015 (due to pregnancy)? Fast forward to last year and major life events later, I have finished nine anime in eight months. It felt like forever. And after that, I found out I could actually start the list even without watching the backlog. LOL But the good thing is I was able to finish it and that has put off a lot of guilt feelings from me. I mean who blogs about reverse harem and never watches past the first episode??? Sadly, I don't remember most of the story of the anime...

Reverse Harem Dramas 2024, 2025 and TBA video

Here are the reverse harem dramas for 2024, 2025 and TBA. Some may not be full-blown reverse harem, while others are not confirmed. This video was released 3 days earlier on Patreon. Please subscribe, like, comment and share! Thank you! Love Reverse Harem Garden? Follow on: Youtube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tiktok If you enjoyed this post please consider buying Kofi . Shares and whitelisting of the site are also appreciated. :)

English Otome Mobile Apps

English otome apps are now available in smartphones! The art and the bishies are eye candy and the premises are engaging. These are all paid apps but they all come with free prologues to tempt your wallets. Finally, English games that are accessible! I wish I can just pay it in my local currency rather than credit card. "Pirates in Love" is the first title of Voltage Romance Sims. It's available both in itunes and play. You'll have to pay for each characters and epilogues. I really want to play Eduardo! "My Forged Wedding" is also from Voltage and are also available in itunes and play . The prologue doesn't give away the details as to why exactly they need to fake the wedding but check out the video above to have an idea why. I'm gravitating to Saeki (the ladies man) and Yamato (the rude guy). Also, the "uncle" seems to be play-able character in the future. Interesting. ...

Light Novel Review: I Reincarnated as Evil Alice so the Only Thing I'm Courting is Death!

I Reincarnated as Evil Alice so the Only Thing I'm Courting is Death~( Akuyaku Alice ni Tensei Shita node, Koi mo Shigoto mo Houki Shimasu!) Written by Chii Kurusu Art by: Minato Yaguchi Translated by: Emma Schumacker While carrying out her secret executioner duties Alice bumps her head and realized she is reincarnated into her favorite otome game which won the Deadliest Game of the Year award. Together with the bad boy butler, Jack; sinful man, Leeds; the Tweedle twins and walking death flag, Earl Knightley. Disclaimer: A digital review copy of this book was provided by the publisher. She knows the ins and outs of the story but the routes are not moving forward just like it goes in the game. I felt lost at first too with the story and was wandering aimlessly with Alice. And when she decided her purpose, I was not convinced. It is fast-paced it's just that the premise was different in how the story played out. But those who are patient are rewar...

💎18 Gems: Reverse Harem Reads That Shaped Me from 2007-2019 (Manhwa, Manga & Novels)

Hello wallflowers! This is Ayreesa. These 18 titles span 2007–2019 , my ultimate scanlation era . I didn't include series that already have anime adaptations and focused on stories I’ve finished or followed through many volumes. They are arranged in the order I read them. If you are new to reverse harem, treat these as hidden gems of reverse harem, but be warned that some tropes may feel dated or problematic today. This is Part 1 of 4 of Reverse Harem Garden 18th birthday series . In the Philippines, a debut ball includes dancing with 18 boys who each offer a rose—known as the 18 Roses—and receiving 18 candles and messages from girls. Some even add their own twist with 18 gifts, 18 bills, or even 18 shoes… you get the idea. Some are kinda reverse harem. See Levels of Reverse Harem. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases 1. Hot Gimmick manga by Miki Aihara Manga Review Hot Gimmick, Vol. 1 https://amzn.to/42fIZIa Hot Gimmick S https...

News Roundup: I Was Reincarnated as the Heroine on the Verge of a Bad Ending Gets Anime, Red River Anime PV, The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen Premiere Date, and More!

DISCLAIMERS: -Some are not confirmed reverse harem unless reviewed. -Some may fall under kinda reverse harem. See more of Levels of Reverse Harem . -a s an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases : anime and drama news The light novel I Was Reincarnated as the Heroine on the Verge of a Bad Ending, and I'm Determined to Fall in Love! has been green-lit for an anime adaptation. More information on ANN . A dating sim enthusiast wakes up in the body of Reine Waynewright: an adorable otome heroine in a fantasy game! Reine discovers that in this world, she's a lowly F-rank student at the magical Heartfelt Academy, bullied by her classmates and snubbed by her love interests for her lack of talent. Determined to avoid a Bad Ending, Reine resolves to study hard, practice her magic, and pass the exams to increase her rank! If she grinds hard enough, she may be able to change her fate: make new friends, improve herself, and maybe even fall in love along the...

Reverse Harem Dramas 2025, 2026 & TBA

@reverseharemgarden The Reverse Harem Dramas 2025, 2026 & TBA video is here! You won’t find this lineup anywhere else. Patrons under Leaf Tier get early access and pdf zine version. Don't miss reverse harem videos. Please follow! IF YOU ENJOYED THIS VIDEO YOU CAN SUPPORT THROUGH: ko-fi.com/ reverseharemgarden patreon.com/reverseharemgarden reverseharem.blogspot.com/ Music by Noblana - Migrant Walk via @hellothematic #reverseharemdramas #menoftheharem #theremarriedempress #reverseharem ♬ original sound - ayreesa The Reverse Harem Dramas 2025, 2026 & TBA video is here! You won’t find this lineup anywhere else. Patrons under Leaf Tier get early access and pdf zine version. Don't miss reverse harem videos on Youtube or Tiktok . Please subscribe/follow! Ko-fi – If you enjoyed this post, you can support me with a Ko-fi! Every cup helps keep the garden blooming. ☕ Purchase titles/ related to the titles mentioned: (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifyin...

Manga Review: I was Reincarnated as the Villainess in an Otome Game but the Boys Love Me Anyway! Vol. 4

I was Reincarnated as the Villainess in an Otome Game but the Boys Love Me Anyway! Vol. 4 Manga by: Ataka Light novel: by Sou Inaida Art by: Hachipsu Wen Mystia attends the sports festival with plans of triggering romance routes for Raid and Alice. Then Helen from Raid's childhood makes an appearance. Check out Volumes 1 to 3 reviews . Disclaimers: A review copy was provided by the publisher and spoilers ahead. The series is a mixed harem or everyone is in love with her or doting on her on a bit obsessive side. The four capture targets are not on full throttle yet. In the earlier volumes, we see glimpses of the household staff having their own agenda all for Mystia. And despite a mysterious force sabotaging her and NPCs who are jealous of her, everyone is interested or kind to her. The girls are not left unscathed. There's the heroine of the game, Alice. Feena seems to be acting like a very abnormal capture target too. And I'm pretty sure she will be friends with the new r...

Reverse Harem Garden

Search This Blog