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alexutzu's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
😍 The good:
The discussions about traditions related to life, love and death, as well as some of the heavier topics and quotes were a great addition. The character development was interesting to follow and somewhat wholesome, while the story had some plot twists that made me want to read more.
😅 The not-so-good:
The romance side was obviously rather predictable and overly cheesy, though this is a characteristic of the genre. The female main character didn't have the best personality out there though, being overly paranoid and competitive, judging her love interest quite a lot. The book also dragged at times, as the middle part was not that interesting and many things were crammed in the end, but my interest was already lower until I got to that point. The narrator was not the best out there either.
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Racism
amberinpieces's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death of parent, Infidelity, and Death
elizabethgreads's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
It was a nice lunar new year romance but not a memorable book over all.
I enjoyed the funny banter but could have used more sensory descriptions at times it was hard to picture settings. That author did a great job with food descriptions and every time a food was describe I wanted to try it.
Moderate: Grief, Death, and Infidelity
Minor: Toxic relationship
kdailyreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
- the movie You’ve Got Mail
- Meant to Be Mine by Hannah Orenstein
- Beach Read by Emily Henry
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity
vivboyd98's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Infidelity
bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Classism, Infidelity, Racism, and Death of parent
meredith_williams_'s review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity
erinmjustice's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Death
Minor: Infidelity
decklededgess's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Wow this was such an unexpectedly soft book. Steeped in Chinese culture, this book uses the Chinese Zodiac as a propeller for the plot. The two main characters have companies that use the Zodiac to help people find relationships. Olivia has a 50 year old family run matchmaking company, and Bennett has a startup dating app. They butt heads over the concept of tradition and culture despite both of them having near identical cultural backgrounds and upbringings. This adds a delicious tension to their rivals dynamic.
I loved the competitive aspect of the story as well, where they give each other the challenge of finding a love match using their own methodologies to prove who has the better matchmaking strategy. It brought in an interesting element of forced proximity that naturally allowed Olivia and Bennett to grow together and learn about each other while still pitting them against each other.
The family aspect of the whole story was really lovely as well. It grounded the story in love and culture, something I find a lot of "founder of dating app" romance books lack. The book was sweet, rich in love and culture, and poetically written as well. A stunning novel!
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Death, and Death of parent