In "Central Places," Delia Cai masterfully unfolds the intricate tale of Audrey Zhou, a woman caught between the life she meticulously crafted for herself in the bustling streets of New York City and the unshakeable grip of her small-town roots in Hickory Grove, Illinois. Audrey's journey back home, a place she fled from at the first chance, brings her face-to-face with the unresolved tensions of her past—a strict, immigrant family that never understood her ambitions, friendships paused in time, and the lingering allure of a high school crush, Kyle, who represents everything her polished fiancé, Ben, is not. As Audrey navigates the complexities of introducing Ben to her life's origins, Cai paints a vivid portrait of a woman grappling with the dichotomies of identity, love, and the concept of home. Delia Cai's debut novel is a poignant exploration of the tangled web of expectations and self-discovery, set against the backdrop of a multicultural America. With each page, the reader is drawn deeper into Audrey's internal struggle, as her return to Hickory Grove unravels the facade of her seemingly perfect life in New York. Through sharp, insightful prose, Cai challenges the notion of what it means to truly find one's place in the world. "Central Places" is a compelling story of reconciliation—with one's past, one's family, and ultimately, one's self. It is a testament to the enduring question of where we belong, and the paths we take to find that answer.