Cliche Or Not Critiques

Imperfect Triangle

Author: 

First Impression: Alright so from hearing the title, I assume it's either a mathematical type story or one about a love triangle. After reading the blurb I'm leaning towards love triangle. 

Hook: Looks like I'm right about the love triangle. Let's start with your blurb. It's very vague and kind of all over the place. You have all these different ideas and they don't really connect to each other. The cover is fitting, I guess, but not very eye catching. However, I like your writing style. Pardon me for the word choice, but the best way I can describe it is...soft. If it was a color, it would be a pastel blue or green. I really like it, and your choice of similes and metaphors are interesting.

Plot: So the MC, Xue, lives and works at a herbal tea shop with her friend Jin's grandma, and also works at a coffee shop. The story takes place in Hong Kong which is a nice break from the America/Britain based stories. Anyways, there's this rich CEO guy who has like a crush on her, but oh no, surprise surprise, Xue has a crush on her best friend Jin! Anyways, so it turns out that Jin is actually not a great person and kept getting into fights so his grandma kicked him out. But then, Xue reunites with her bestie on a date with the CEO, cause now Jin works for him. Does Jin feel the same way about Xue that she feels about him? Is the CEO guy going to be a love rival? Has Jin completely turned his life around? Do one or multiple characters have a deep, dark secret? Probably yes to all. 

Language: There are a few grammar/spelling errors and sometimes the sentences seem awkward and clunky. Since you're not a native English speaker I won't nag you a lot about it, but I'd recommend getting an editor or looking over it a few times.

Characters: 

Xue: Alright, so I feel like I have a little bias against her. I really don't like characters who are in love with/obsess over someone who probably doesn't return their feelings. idk. I feel like it transforms strong and interesting characters into a lovesick, self pitying puddle. But luckily, Xue isn't that bad. Yeah, she's not the most interesting, unique, or independent person, but I feel like she does at least try, can stand up for herself and say no to people when she needs to. Is she cliche? Well, not really...Is she unique and interesting? Same answer. But is she tolerable and not annoying? Yes. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt, maybe she'll grow as a person over the course of the book. She's alright.

Jin: Not going to lie, from what you've told us so far, he seems like the typical bad boy. But then again, you've told us very little about him so far so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

CEO guy (I'm sorry but I forgot his name oops): It seems to me that the Rich CEOxpoor girl romance stories are the modern equivalent to princexpoor peasant girl stories. However, I'm actually very glad that you didn't go the Mr. Gray route and make him an absolute arse. It's so refreshing to see a rich CEO love interest who is actually genuinely caring and kind, to the MC at least. So yes, thank you for that.

Grandma: I can see where she's coming from, but honestly, why does Xue put up with her?

How Cliche Your Story Is: So, I'd say like a 7. Yes, there's a bad boy who gets into fights, there's a poor but hardworking girl and a rich CEO, but I'm giving you points for the grandma character, and the whole Chinese setting, including the tea shop.

How Well You Dealt With The Cliches: 7 or 8. Now, I'll admit, this high score is mostly attributed to the CEO guy. THANK YOU for not making him a complete jerk! Also, I feel like Jin has the potential to be something very interesting and unique, to rise above the stereotypical bad boy role. Also, I like how Xue seems sweet and loyal, and not irritating. 

Overall Grade: B+. Yes, there are some cliche aspects. Yes, the plot isn't very thrilling, high-stakes or gripping. But this story seems...sweet. Like a nice, introspective tale focusing on three different people and their lives. I'd recommend this story for anyone who likes simpler tales, or is tired of the books that go at breakneck speed with complicated plot lines and needs a little break.