e-Audio, 09:38:25
Narrated by: Yu-Li Alice Shen & Andrew Grace
Release Date: January 9, 2024
Published by: Hachette Audio
Read from: January 11-12, 2024
Companion Novel
Source: Library’s Libby
TW: Abandonment
For Readers Interested In: Racial/Ethnic Diversity (Chinese American), Romance, Chinese legend, Star crossed lovers, Realistic Fiction, Sparkly Covers, Own Voices, AdultThis charming fated-love rom-com about two star-crossed lovers will appeal to readers of Helen Hoang, Jasmine Guillory, and Sarah Adams.
Just a date . . . or a twist of fate?
When it comes to love and art, Rooney Gao believes in signs. Most of all, she believes in the Chinese legend that everyone is tied to their one true love by the red string of fate. And that belief has inspired her career as an artist, as well as the large art installations she makes with ( obviously ) red string. That is until artist’s block strikes and Rooney begins to question everything. But then fate leads her to the perfect guy . . . Jack Liu is perfect. He’s absurdly smart, successful, handsome, and after one enchanting New York night—under icy February skies and fueled by fried dumplings—all signs point to destiny. Only Jack doesn’t believe. And after their magical date, it looks like they might be lost to each other forever . . . until they’re given one more chance to reconnect. But can Rooney convince a reluctant skeptic to take a leap of fate?
*MY THOUGHTS*
Want to know something funny? I learned about this book because I read about the Red String of Fate legend in a YA book. I actually went to go look up more about it and I found this book. And I had already read Jessen’s debut book, so I just went ahead and added it because I knew I was going to want to read it lol
So I thought Lunar Love was just ok. I wanted more of them together. So when I listened to this one, I was so happy to see them have so much more time together. And even though they were both on opposite sides with their beliefs, I thought they were the cutest! I think that may have been because of Rooney. She was so cute and she was an artist. I love the way the author incorporated the actual string and the theory into their love story. It was so original and so authentic. I also loved the way they got together. They may have had different beliefs, but it seemed like they were just explaining the same thing, but through their own eyes. It absolutely gagged me that they were basically just describing the same events, but in different ways. When they finally came together to compromise and let the other in, they created magic. And I LOVED that.
The plot of this one moved much faster in than the previous one. And there was much more going on too. I guess it was because it was art, but I was so invested. I’m not an artist, but I wish I could have seen her art. (I actually read another book last year that had red string out in public and I’m glad to have this good representation now.) And I loved how daring she was too. She didn’t immediately start out that way, but she worked up to it and even for that small thing, I was impressed.
The characters in this are also a big part of why I enjoyed this. Her mom was hilarious! I don’t think I would have enjoyed her art as much (because WEIRD) but I’m still all for creative expression lol Jack’s grandfather was also an absolute delight. The other minor characters were also good. And that’s how I knew that I was hella into it. Liv and Bennett were also there! I was glad to see the new things they had going on in their lives. It was super cute.
This book was so cute. I was not expecting to like this one as much as I did. I was fully expecting to read another book like the last. But it was really that and so much more. I hope you’ll go pick up both of them!
Overall, I give this
