Review by Booklist Review
In this quirky rivals-to-lovers story, 30-year-old Nami's start-up is in trouble. Though she's worked hard to build a great app and an even better coding team, she's falling short of funds to keep the business running. She plans to sell her business to a corporation until she learns that the negotiator they've sent to work out the deal is none other than her high-school nemesis, Jae Lee, who beat her out for valedictorian. Jae, who thrills at the challenge posed by a worthy competitor, is excited to be going head-to-head with Nami once more. But as they hammer out the details of the sale, Nami and Jae discover there might be something more to their relationship than pure rivalry. Their love story is set against the backdrop of relatable and charming family dynamics, including Nami's complex feelings about her sister's upcoming dream wedding. Despite Nami's and Jae's immature antics, their good chemistry will keep readers engaged.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Tanamachi (The Second You're Single) shines in this enemies-to-lovers rom-com. On Nami's 30th birthday, reeling from the broken engagement that derailed her carefully planned life, she makes a wish to find her soul mate--and unexpectedly receives a text from her high school nemesis, Jae Lee. As teens, Nami and Jae competed in everything from academics to tennis; she has never forgiven him for beating her by 0.245 points to become class valedictorian. Now they're pulled back into each other's orbits as the ruthless tech giant Jae works for sets out to buy Nami's struggling startup. Despite the timing of their reunion, Nami refuses to believe that Jae could be her soul mate, labeling him her "hate mate" instead. The old competition between them heats up once more, this time in the boardroom--and then in the bedroom. Nami and Jae are more alike than either would care to admit, making it easy to see that, underneath their animosity, lies genuine compatibility. Readers will cheer on this pair of sparring hearts. Agent: Deidre Knight, Knight Agency. (Jan.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
When corporate negotiations reconnect two former academic rivals, fiery hate invigorates their tedious lifestyles. Nami Reid is the "World's Best Boss." It says so on the coffee mug she was gifted by the tech-company employees she considers family and will do everything in her power to keep, despite funding problems. Jae Lee, who beat her to valedictorian in high school, is now the VP of acquisitions at the affluent but evil company looking to buy Nami's enterprise. Jae and Nami reignite their feud, only to realize their similar competitive drives might make them the perfect match. Nami is a relatable main character as she yearns for a soulmate and worries she's neglected her personal life. Jae, despite his success and ego, struggles with expectations as an eldest son. Together, they challenge each other's beliefs about past heartbreaks and present heartless work, all while having great romantic chemistry. VERDICT With witty insults, drunk dancing, and pranks, Tanamachi's extra fun follow-up to The Second You're Single is positively enjoyable and should be suggested reading for those who loved books by Sally Thorne and Suzanne Park.--Hazel Ureta
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