Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Fake dating blossoms into true love in this cozy and uplifting contemporary from Kung Jessen (Red String Theory). Chrysanthemum "Chryssy" Hua Williams is haunted by her family curse, which has doomed all Hua women to never find lasting love. After several painful breakups, she's resigned herself to a loveless existence, instead throwing herself into her work as a Traditional Chinese Medicine chef and acupuncturist who specializes in healing heartbreaks. Everything changes when Chryssy meets Vin Chao, one of the two brothers who make up the renowned cellist duo the Chao Brothers, also known as the Heartbreakers due to their reputations as serial daters. Chryssy and Vin soon realize they could help each other: Chryssy needs a brand ambassador for her new product line, and Vin could use a new relationship to distract the media while his brother recovers from his own recent heartbreak. They agree to pretend-date and then break up at the end of June, but despite their best efforts, the line between what's real and what's pretend blurs and feelings creep in. The narrative alternates between the leads' perspectives, but unfortunately Chryssy's and Vin's voices are often indiscernible from each other. Still, this is a minor flaw in an otherwise endearing love story. Anyone looking for a feel-good take on the fake relationship trope will be charmed. (Jan.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Chryssy Hua Williams is a traditional Chinese herbalist specializing in healing heartbreak. Together with her aunts, she runs an inn and healing center for the brokenhearted, which is ironic, since the Hua women are cursed to never find true love. Cellist Vin Chao, one half of the Chao Brothers musical group, is known as a heartbreaker--none of his relationships have lasted longer than a month or two. When Chryssy and Vin have a conversation at a child's birthday party, social media blows it out of proportion. Vin's publicist wants him to run with it, as the publicity is helping sell concert tickets. So Vin makes a deal with Chryssy; if she will fake-date and then break up with him, he'll help promote her family's business. It seems like a perfect deal, but as they get to know each other, warning bells start to ring--this fake relationship could get very real if they don't watch out. The protagonists are well-developed, and secondary characters provide levity as they push Chryssy and Vin together at every opportunity. VERDICT With fluid writing and an unputdownable story, Jessen's (Red String Theory) witty rom-com leans hard into the fake-dating trope with great success.--Heather Miller Cover
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Chrysanthemum Hua Williams, a professional heartbreak healer with a love life that's literally cursed, and Vin Chao, a handsome musical prodigy with a rocky dating history, devise a fake-dating plan that will help both of them. What could go wrong? Chryssy's family is cursed. While her uncles have all had long and happy marriages, generations of Hua women--Chryssy included--have been destined never to find lasting love, experiencing everything from prom night breakups to cheating spouses. Still reeling after a broken engagement, Chryssy has thrown herself into her job as a Traditional Chinese Medicine chef and acupuncturist, living and working with her three aunties at the Wildflower Inn, a holistic retreat on Washington's Whidbey Island. She's determined to help other people overcome their heartbreaks using acupuncture, herbal medicine, and mindful movement. Enter Vin Chao, half of the famous pair of rock cellists known as the Chao Brothers and a renowned serial dater who's captured the hearts of many, including Chryssy's aunties. After a chance encounter at the Wildflower Inn during which they irritate each other, they wind up striking a deal: Vin and Chryssy will fake date one another to help their respective careers. Vin thinks a public breakup will sell tickets for the Chao Brothers' upcoming world tour, while Chryssy thinks having Vin's name attached to the Wildflower Inn will attract visitors. But after an unexpected kiss, Vin and Chryssy find themselves struggling to balance their fake relationship with very real feelings. Jessen has crafted another charming, heartwarming romance that highlights Chinese culture as well as finding true love. The chapters alternate between Chryssy and Vin's points of view, and readers will be rooting for both of them to figure out how to break an ancient curse and discover more about themselves and each other along the way. A charming novel full of Chinese traditions. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
