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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
the premise was interesting but the writing wasn’t very developed.
emotional
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
Rich in Chinese culture and with Lauren's signature charm, RED STRING THEORY at once educates readers on the red string of fate legends of Chinese mythology while also being a lighthearted and lovable rom-com. It follows Rooney Gao, artist and firm believer in the red string of fate: that her one true love is out there, at the other end of her string. She creates bold art featuring the red strings of fate under the pseudonym "Red String Girl." One day, one of Rooney's most ambitious projects to date is tragically (and IMO, cruelly) destroyed. On that same day, Rooney runs into out-of-towner Jack Liu (who is a freaking Engineer for NASA, no big deal) and they share a pretty magical evening. Unfortunately for Rooney, she realizes too late that she mis-typed his number in the text she sent to his (at the time dead) phone before they parted. Rooney spends the next several months trying to find Jack, who does the same, even while thinking that Rooney chose not to text him.
Fate, of course, has other plans, and Rooney and Jack are thrust together again.
This book was absolutely adorable. Lauren truly has such a way with witty banter that is so charming and so easy to fall into. I was lucky enough to receive an audiobook from NetGalley and read this book in one afternoon, because I couldn't stop listening! I love that Lauren so expertly incorporates food in her books in a way that will leave you DROOLING, and I'm sure my favorite local Chinese restaurant appreciates her for that, too, because they will be getting ALL the orders from me over the next few weeks. I also love how Lauren always includes mixed-race characters. While I'm not mixed-race, some people very close to me are, and I'm always so thankful to see that often-overlooked representation on the page.
Seriously, if you want a cute, low stakes rom com that will have you grinning from ear to ear, RED STRING THEORY is the book for you! Fans of LUNAR LOVE will also particularly love a cute little cameo, but you didn't hear that from me!
Fate, of course, has other plans, and Rooney and Jack are thrust together again.
This book was absolutely adorable. Lauren truly has such a way with witty banter that is so charming and so easy to fall into. I was lucky enough to receive an audiobook from NetGalley and read this book in one afternoon, because I couldn't stop listening! I love that Lauren so expertly incorporates food in her books in a way that will leave you DROOLING, and I'm sure my favorite local Chinese restaurant appreciates her for that, too, because they will be getting ALL the orders from me over the next few weeks. I also love how Lauren always includes mixed-race characters. While I'm not mixed-race, some people very close to me are, and I'm always so thankful to see that often-overlooked representation on the page.
Seriously, if you want a cute, low stakes rom com that will have you grinning from ear to ear, RED STRING THEORY is the book for you! Fans of LUNAR LOVE will also particularly love a cute little cameo, but you didn't hear that from me!
I got very far before dnfing so I am going to rate it. I don't despise this but I was just very bored. The plot and the characters were quaint just not memorable. Also it was a little too on the nose; I mean the girl believes in fate and the guy works at NASA and is very pragmatic..need I say more?
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.
I adored the author's debut, Lunar Love, so I was really excited for Red String Theory, and it did not disappoint!
The book revolves around the idea of fate, based on the myth of the "red string of fate" connecting us with the person we're meant for.
Our main characters could not be more different. We have Rooney, the daughter of a famous artist who is an artist herself, trying to make it in the art world without her mom's fame overshadowing her. Working under the pseudonym "Red String Girl", she is known for her art and installation using red string. She deeply believes in the concept of the fate and the red string of fate and is searching for her 'stringmate'.
And then we have Jack, an engineer at NASA, who thinks that fate is not fate but rather a series of coincidences and choices that were made.
Their paths intertwine and while they disagree on whether it was by fate or coincidence, they slowly start falling in love.
It was a really sweet story and I loved the romance. I think the whole 'fate' concept was a bit on the nose at times, but that didn't stop me from sobbing at the end.
Another big theme of the book was how our parents define us and how so often we want to prove ourselves to them. Even though their parents were very different, Rooney and Jack had similar experiences and I personally thought this whole aspect of the book was very well done.
As a white woman, I can't make a qualified statement about the mixed race rep, but from an outsider's perspective, I really enjoyed the look into Chinese culture.
I also thought that the setup was quite unique, the whole NASA / installation art constellation was something I've never seen done. It felt a bit unrealistic at times but it was certainly entertaining.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book a lot and would certainly recommend!
I adored the author's debut, Lunar Love, so I was really excited for Red String Theory, and it did not disappoint!
The book revolves around the idea of fate, based on the myth of the "red string of fate" connecting us with the person we're meant for.
Our main characters could not be more different. We have Rooney, the daughter of a famous artist who is an artist herself, trying to make it in the art world without her mom's fame overshadowing her. Working under the pseudonym "Red String Girl", she is known for her art and installation using red string. She deeply believes in the concept of the fate and the red string of fate and is searching for her 'stringmate'.
And then we have Jack, an engineer at NASA, who thinks that fate is not fate but rather a series of coincidences and choices that were made.
Their paths intertwine and while they disagree on whether it was by fate or coincidence, they slowly start falling in love.
It was a really sweet story and I loved the romance. I think the whole 'fate' concept was a bit on the nose at times, but that didn't stop me from sobbing at the end.
Another big theme of the book was how our parents define us and how so often we want to prove ourselves to them. Even though their parents were very different, Rooney and Jack had similar experiences and I personally thought this whole aspect of the book was very well done.
As a white woman, I can't make a qualified statement about the mixed race rep, but from an outsider's perspective, I really enjoyed the look into Chinese culture.
I also thought that the setup was quite unique, the whole NASA / installation art constellation was something I've never seen done. It felt a bit unrealistic at times but it was certainly entertaining.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book a lot and would certainly recommend!
emotional
funny
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:
Yes
This freakin’ book !!! Add it to your TBR ASAP!
I am glad I got to end 2023 with this 5-star gem.
I immediately fell in love with every single one of the characters in this book and the overall plot line pulled me in from the get go. I loved that the book also paid homage to Chinese culture and various Chinese practices. It was beautiful to be able to read through the POV of an MC that shares so many similarities with me too. Being Filipino-American, part Chinese, a software engineer, and an artist, I felt like it was, dare I say, fate ;), for me to read this. And to top it all off, this book also explores an interesting theory that has always pondered me: Is fate real, or is it just a coincidence fabricated from our daily choices?
I am glad I got to end 2023 with this 5-star gem.
I immediately fell in love with every single one of the characters in this book and the overall plot line pulled me in from the get go. I loved that the book also paid homage to Chinese culture and various Chinese practices. It was beautiful to be able to read through the POV of an MC that shares so many similarities with me too. Being Filipino-American, part Chinese, a software engineer, and an artist, I felt like it was, dare I say, fate ;), for me to read this. And to top it all off, this book also explores an interesting theory that has always pondered me: Is fate real, or is it just a coincidence fabricated from our daily choices?
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
eeeeek this was so cute !!!
as a fellow believer in fate and a lover of the Red String Theory, i ADORED the premise of this book. i loved both of the MCs and understood each of their feelings and motivations. even though they could’ve easily come across as unrealistic insta love, their chemistry was so well-written and fated that it was immediately emotional and compelling! i loved their story from start to finish! and the tension…. oooo i ate it up !!
as a fellow believer in fate and a lover of the Red String Theory, i ADORED the premise of this book. i loved both of the MCs and understood each of their feelings and motivations. even though they could’ve easily come across as unrealistic insta love, their chemistry was so well-written and fated that it was immediately emotional and compelling! i loved their story from start to finish! and the tension…. oooo i ate it up !!