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What doesn’t break you makes you write a novel about it.
Think Sex and the City—if Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha were Asian Canadian immigrants navigating not just love and career, but complexities of intergenerational baggage, cultural curveballs, and all the gendered nonsense the world throws at them. This isn’t a sob story. It’s the sisterhood and sass you love, with a sharper edge and a deeper heart.
Each protagonist, born in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Korea, is unapologetically flawed, yet incredible strong. Breaking: it’s not what happens to you, but what you build from the pieces. Join our heroines on a journey of reclamation, where identity, dignity, and resilience don’t just survive—they steal the show.
Sanctuary or battleground?
A signature element of the author’s storytelling is the use of environment as emotional metaphor. Banff’s Rockies symbolize endurance; the CN Tower stands tall against uncertainty. These iconic landscapes become battlegrounds and sanctuaries as our heroines’ inner lives evolve. Take a sneak peek below to see whether your favourite landmark is referenced!
Chapters
1
Elizabeth’s announcement at Chan Centre, UBC
13
Aurora in Hong Kong for the first time since 1997
18
Lily on Stanford campus in Palo Alto, California
26
Lily overlooking Taipei 101 during Covid-19 pandemic
42
Aurora in Montreal: French-English-everything-between
46
Elizabeth’s selfie with wild penguins in Melbourne
About the author
Amanda Sung
Amanda is a Taiwanese-Canadian writer who crafts her stories from the inside out—How to Break a Girl drawn from the scars and triumphs of her own journey as a satellite child growing up in Canada without parents.
Her work isn’t just imagined—it’s lived, with each character carrying a piece of her, infused with the hard-won wisdom of a childhood spent navigating displacement and an adulthood forged by survival.
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Amanda holds a Bachelor in Communication from Simon Fraser University and a Master of Journalism from the University of British Columbia. How to Break a Girl evolved from her graduate thesis—originally conceived as a memoir, now reimagined as fiction.
She is also known as an empathetic leader with over 15 years of experience in marketing and branding. Storytelling, one of her superpowers, is evident in How to Break a Girl, where she explores the complexities of an immigrant’s life through varied lenses.
When she isn’t writing, she can be seen at the gym or a cocktail bar. She has also hosted segments for Novus TV and modelled for Regent Hotel (pictured above). Be sure to check out her piano covers on Instagram!
What readers said
★★★★★
This story will resonate with many. I envision prequels, sequels, screenplays and speaking tours. The best is yet to be. ✨💕
★★★★★
When Amanda strings words together, they sparkle. How to Break a Girl follows three courageous women from country to country and continent to continent, giving the book a compelling international appeal. It’s a dazzling portrait of modern womanhood—messy, resilient, and fiercely real.
★★★★★
A thoughtful novel that explores themes of culture, identity, family, and the lasting impact of the past. Through vivid detail and compelling voices, it captures the complexity of intergenerational experience and the struggle to find a sense of self. The writing is sincere and engaging, offering a meaningful reflection on memory, trauma, and resilience.
★★★★★
This story is a deeply moving, emotionally intelligent exploration of trauma, resilience, love, and identity. The writer portrays past and present, allowing you to feel the lingering shadows of childhood pain while also celebrating the fragile beauty of trust and love. This is not just a novel about love; it’s about survival, self-discovery, and the quiet courage it takes to allow someone into your heart.
★★★★★
Three words that describe How to Break a Girl and its author: Bold. Vulnerable. Promising. This book is more than just a story about female friendship—it’s about surviving trauma, reclaiming your voice, and learning how to love (yourself and others) despite everything. The dialogue is sharp and witty, the cultural references are spot-on, and the emotions feel deeply lived in.
★★★★★
Amanda’s writing is just… stunning. Her style is poetic in nature but grounded, rich in emotion without ever feeling overdone. This debut novel is raw, emotional, and very well-written—one of those rare reads that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page. I look forward to the author’s next book.
upcoming event
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Meet your local author
Richmond, British Columbia
10% off EVERYTHING at Fresh Press Coffee, No. 3 & Cook Road, 2-3 P.M. on November 29 ✂️🏷️
Fine print: with a purchase my debut novel on the spot with a bonus of mu autograph and personalized handwritten note for you 📖✍🏻
RSVP on Luma or EventBrite 🗓️
