Frankly in Love by David Yoon offers a heartfelt narrative blending humor and complex cultural dynamics. Readers praise its authentic portrayal of teenage struggles and emotional intelligence. Critiques focus on a slow pace and occasional predictability. Despite some flaws, the novel's charm and insightful exploration of identity make it compelling.

Readers who would enjoy Frankly in Love by David Yoon are typically young adults who appreciate contemporary, diverse narratives exploring identity and relationships. Fans of To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han and The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon will find similar themes of cultural complexity and teen romance.

Frankly in Love by David Yoon follows Frank Li, a Korean American teenager struggling to balance his cultural heritage with his American identity as he navigates family expectations, budding romance, and self-discovery. The story centers around his secret relationship with a white girl named Brit, his fake relationship with Joy Song to appease their parents, and the challenges and growth he experiences along the way. The narrative includes racism and mentions an armed robbery and panic attacks.

Humorous / Romantic / Emotional / Heartwarming / Contemplative

- Frankly in Love is David Yoon's debut novel, blending romantic comedy with a thoughtful exploration of cultural identity.
- The book's author, David Yoon, is married to Nicola Yoon, a fellow writer known for her works like Everything, Everything and The Sun Is Also a Star.
- The story of Frankly in Love was inspired by Yoon's own experiences growing up as a Korean-American and navigating cultural expectations.

**Frank Li**  
The protagonist and narrator, Frank is a Korean American high school student who navigates the complexities of cultural identity, family expectations, and his evolving understanding of love and friendship.

**Joy Song**  
A childhood friend and love interest of Frank, Joy is a confident and intelligent young woman with a passion for technology and engineering, navigating her own cultural challenges alongside Frank.

**Brit Means**  
Frank's first love interest, Brit is a curious and daring girl whose relationship with Frank challenges traditional cultural norms and highlights themes of interracial relationships.

**Q Lee**  
Frank's best friend, Q is an introspective and empathetic character who provides humor, support, and thoughtful discussions on life and identity, sharing a deep bond with Frank.

**Frank's Dad**  
Frank's traditional Korean father, who is hardworking and embodies the values of sacrifice and perseverance, striving to provide for his family while grappling with cultural and generational differences.

David Yoon

Novel

Frankly In Love

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Teaching Guide

Before You Read

Explore Frankly in Love reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Frankly in Love | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Frankly in Love and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Frankly in Love Summary

Background

Frankly in Love Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-9

Frankly in Love Chapters 1-9 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 10-15

Frankly in Love Chapters 10-15 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 16-27

Frankly in Love Chapters 16-27 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 28-37

Frankly in Love Chapters 28-37 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Frankly in Love Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Frankly in Love Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Frankly in Love Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Frankly in Love Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Frankly in Love Essay Topics

Introduction

Frankly in Love Teacher Introduction

Before Reading

Frankly in Love Before Reading

During Reading

Frankly in Love During Reading

After Reading

Frankly in Love After Reading

Frankly in Love

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Frankly in Love?

Reading Age

Book Details