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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
Cute premise and story - but as someone who works at JPL where Jack works, I wasn't satisfied by the characterizations of the aerospace engineers. This wasn’t the focus of the book but I couldn’t suspend my disbelief.
"If you knew where your lantern was going, would it be as beautiful of a journey?"
This is the question Laura Kung Jessen is asking in the form of characters Rooney and Jack.
We meet Rooney (Red String Girl), an Artist who believes in fate and all its possibilities. Rooney meets Mr grumpy Jack, a serious NASA systems engineer, who puts his faith in fact, decisions and outcomes. When the meet-cutes happen, the two connect for one short evening. The evening reminds me of 'before sunrise'; the nightime exploration around New York gave both of them plenty of oppoetunities to share their theories on fate and love. However fate and FATE took them temporarily in different directions. When united, they explore what this means.
"Don't wait around forever being an observer in your own life"
I really enjoyed thinking about both POV's, I feel I can be Jack or I can be Rooney, depending on who else is around me. I liked the references to the world, how connected we are/can be, and how much agency we actually do have.
However, I did feel the last third of the story was repetitive, and actually this didn't fit into Rooney's developing arc as a confident woman with agency in work, life and love. Jack's arc was held back by occasional memories of seeking validation from his parents, but this didn't make much sense as his gong gong was a consistent presence in his life and regularly encouraged him to live his life. Talia, Rooney's best friend is a good supporting character who needs her own story!
Altogether, it was a cute easy read for a lazy weekend. This is a standalone story, but some characters in Laura K Jenssen's first book Lunar Love also makes an appearance.
This is the question Laura Kung Jessen is asking in the form of characters Rooney and Jack.
We meet Rooney (Red String Girl), an Artist who believes in fate and all its possibilities. Rooney meets Mr grumpy Jack, a serious NASA systems engineer, who puts his faith in fact, decisions and outcomes. When the meet-cutes happen, the two connect for one short evening. The evening reminds me of 'before sunrise'; the nightime exploration around New York gave both of them plenty of oppoetunities to share their theories on fate and love. However fate and FATE took them temporarily in different directions. When united, they explore what this means.
"Don't wait around forever being an observer in your own life"
I really enjoyed thinking about both POV's, I feel I can be Jack or I can be Rooney, depending on who else is around me. I liked the references to the world, how connected we are/can be, and how much agency we actually do have.
However, I did feel the last third of the story was repetitive, and actually this didn't fit into Rooney's developing arc as a confident woman with agency in work, life and love. Jack's arc was held back by occasional memories of seeking validation from his parents, but this didn't make much sense as his gong gong was a consistent presence in his life and regularly encouraged him to live his life. Talia, Rooney's best friend is a good supporting character who needs her own story!
Altogether, it was a cute easy read for a lazy weekend. This is a standalone story, but some characters in Laura K Jenssen's first book Lunar Love also makes an appearance.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for my eARC. All opinions are solely my own.
This was a cute story based on Chinese legend about the Red String of fate. We're following Rooney, believer in signs and fate, taking the Red String Theory to the max; and Jack, NASA-worker, perfect-guy, and fate-skeptic.
Much of this book was predictable and I wish there was more of it that I didn't see coming. I wasn't really sure about the romance in it -- it felt a bit forced in parts.
It's written in a dual POV, which is something that I enjoy, and I felt like it really worked for this type of plot.
I think my favorite parts of this book were the growth between the two MCs and their own families, not between the two.
Overall it was a nice fun read. I'd recommend this one for anyone who likes rom-coms, fated lovers, or opposites attract.
This was a cute story based on Chinese legend about the Red String of fate. We're following Rooney, believer in signs and fate, taking the Red String Theory to the max; and Jack, NASA-worker, perfect-guy, and fate-skeptic.
Much of this book was predictable and I wish there was more of it that I didn't see coming. I wasn't really sure about the romance in it -- it felt a bit forced in parts.
It's written in a dual POV, which is something that I enjoy, and I felt like it really worked for this type of plot.
I think my favorite parts of this book were the growth between the two MCs and their own families, not between the two.
Overall it was a nice fun read. I'd recommend this one for anyone who likes rom-coms, fated lovers, or opposites attract.
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
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Yes
this was the first romance book i really enjoyed and i'm so happy, i can't believe the author has only one other book??
she made a fucking installation OUT OF THE SCAR ON HIS MOUTH. he did a grand gesture! they fell in love with each other bc of their personalities and not bc of her boobs! red string! chinese traditions! i'm happy!
she made a fucking installation OUT OF THE SCAR ON HIS MOUTH. he did a grand gesture! they fell in love with each other bc of their personalities and not bc of her boobs! red string! chinese traditions! i'm happy!
I am such a sucker for Lauren Kung Jessen and her fluffy and thoughtful romances- loved this book!
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
