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sunshinekmp's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Bullying, and Racism
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual content
Minor: Cultural appropriation
unicornbanzaiiking's review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
This was a fun read and it was pretty cool following along with Jessie's business and the romance was pretty sweet. Some great interactions and her internal voice was so spot on. There was a lot to like about this story.
There was also a lot of dialogue that was difficult to read...you know that vegan friend you have who goes out of their way to tell you they are vegan but doesn't just stop at saying vegan, has to say, "I only eat an ethically sourced organic whole foods plant based diet" while they drink a local organic kombucha with the label out so you can read it. Yeah that level of pretentiousness was how even the "authentic" and "genuine" characters talked.
This story might also lead you to believe that the only people who work hard in business are struggling people of color and that the only people who get promoted are lazy racist sexist caucasian males. Sigh.
There was also a lot of dialogue that was difficult to read...you know that vegan friend you have who goes out of their way to tell you they are vegan but doesn't just stop at saying vegan, has to say, "I only eat an ethically sourced organic whole foods plant based diet" while they drink a local organic kombucha with the label out so you can read it. Yeah that level of pretentiousness was how even the "authentic" and "genuine" characters talked.
This story might also lead you to believe that the only people who work hard in business are struggling people of color and that the only people who get promoted are lazy racist sexist caucasian males. Sigh.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
touchegiantsquid's review
funny
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Asians that majored in economics and didn't go into academia? This is the kind of representation I'm looking for! Spice level: 0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Sexism
theshivaniyadav's review
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Sexism, and Cultural appropriation
kdailyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Sexism
Minor: Sexual content
chapterobsessed's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Another hit by the amazingly talented Suzanne Park!
Jessica Kim returns home after being let go from her job and has to start over and better, stuck living with her parents. Could things get any worse? Enter Daniel Choi, Jessica’s childhood nemesis. 😉
I was so excited to get to read this book. I love a good enemies to lovers and this one didn’t disappoint. I read it all in one sitting as I have with all of Suzanne’s books! Honestly, she can do no wrong. Auto-buy author for LIFE!!
Things I loved:
- Childhood nemesis.
- Yummy Korean food.
- Lovable characters.
- YouTube Cooking Videos.
- Fast-paced/binge-worthy.
- Did I say FOOD?!
Things I didn’t like:
- Men who can’t comprehend sexual harassment.
- Men who think women shouldn’t be paid the same as them and using Korean stereotypes.
- The book ended. 🥺
Thank you Netgalley, Suzanne Park, Avon and Harper Voyager for the wonderful opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment, Racism, and Misogyny
monkeymagee's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Plot was interesting and refreshing. I felt the characters were one dimensional, and needed more developing (more so Daniel than Jess) to have a better connection with a reader.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
nebraskanwriter's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Living in Nashville, this was a fun book to read all the places the author name drops are actual restaurants/bars/street names around the area. However, Daniel and Jessie’s love story just wasn't for me. I kind of got lost in the sauce (pun intended) with all the business ventures and felt like Daniel and Jess hardly had any time to grow their relationship from arch-nemesis to swooning over his biceps. I just feel like the relationship could have been a little bit more fleshed out, it felt like 90% of the book was about her becoming an entrepreneur and getting her business off the ground while the other 10% were her and Daniel’s interactions.
BTW: there is no open-door love scene. They’re on the bed and it fades to black. If you were looking for an explicit love scene, its not here. Not that all romances have to have open-door love scenes but I was kind of disappointed by that since they were interrupted I kid you not like at least 5 times before “it” actually happened. And then I was like “oh snap this is finally happening!” ..... psych, we are fading to black.
BTW: there is no open-door love scene. They’re on the bed and it fades to black. If you were looking for an explicit love scene, its not here. Not that all romances have to have open-door love scenes but I was kind of disappointed by that since they were interrupted I kid you not like at least 5 times before “it” actually happened. And then I was like “oh snap this is finally happening!” ..... psych, we are fading to black.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Racism, and Xenophobia
thenovelmaura's review
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is exactly the fun, food-filled read that you'd expect based on the cover, with the added bonus that it tackles racism and sexism in a male-dominated workplace. I greatly admire Park's skill at incorporating real issues into these lighter stories, just as she did in Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous. I agree with other reviewers who say this is structured more like a women's fiction novel than a romance. Most of the focus is on Jess finding her calling and connecting with her mother and becoming an entrepreneur, and the romance aspects complement the plot rather than dominating it. It was refreshing to see so much growth from Jess and a realistic look into the hard work of starting a business!
Honestly, my biggest issue with this one is that the book description spoils the entire plot of the book. Not the author's fault at all, but I couldn't believe it when I was 85% of the way through at one of the events mentioned in the description still hadn't happened yet. So I do recommend avoiding the description if possible before picking it up!
Honestly, my biggest issue with this one is that the book description spoils the entire plot of the book. Not the author's fault at all, but I couldn't believe it when I was 85% of the way through at one of the events mentioned in the description still hadn't happened yet. So I do recommend avoiding the description if possible before picking it up!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
aqtbenz's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Racism