What do you think?
Rate this book
Lunar Love
This sweet, enemies-to-lovers debut rom-com filled with Chinese astrology will undoubtedly prove to be a perfect match with readers of Helen Hoang, Jasmine Guillory, and Sarah Adams.
Always a matchmaker, never a match...
Olivia Huang Christenson is excited-slash-terrified to be taking over her grandmother’s matchmaking business. But when she learns that a new dating app has made her Pó Po’s traditional Chinese zodiac approach all about “animal attraction,” her emotions skew more toward furious-slash-outraged. Especially when L.A.’s most-eligible bachelor Bennett O’Brien is behind the app that could destroy her family’s legacy . . .
Liv knows better than to fall for any guy, let alone an infuriatingly handsome one who believes that traditions are meant to be broken. As the two businesses go head to head, Bennett and Liv make a they’ll find a match for each other—and whoever falls in love loses. But Liv is dealing with someone who’s already adept at stealing business ideas . . . so what’s stopping him from stealing her heart too?
Always a matchmaker, never a match...
Olivia Huang Christenson is excited-slash-terrified to be taking over her grandmother’s matchmaking business. But when she learns that a new dating app has made her Pó Po’s traditional Chinese zodiac approach all about “animal attraction,” her emotions skew more toward furious-slash-outraged. Especially when L.A.’s most-eligible bachelor Bennett O’Brien is behind the app that could destroy her family’s legacy . . .
Liv knows better than to fall for any guy, let alone an infuriatingly handsome one who believes that traditions are meant to be broken. As the two businesses go head to head, Bennett and Liv make a they’ll find a match for each other—and whoever falls in love loses. But Liv is dealing with someone who’s already adept at stealing business ideas . . . so what’s stopping him from stealing her heart too?
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 10, 2023
About the author
Lauren Kung Jessen
3 books498 followersLauren Kung Jessen is a mixed-race Chinese-American writer with a fondness for witty, flirtatious dialogue and making meals with too many steps but lots of flavor. She is fascinated by myths and superstitions and how ideas, beliefs, traditions, and stories evolve over time.
From attending culinary school to working in the world of Big Tech to writing love stories, Lauren cares about creating experiences that make people feel something.
She also has a food and film blog, A Dash of Cinema, where she makes food inspired by movies and TV shows. She lives in Nashville with her husband (who she met thanks to fate—read: the algorithms of online dating), two cats, and dog.
From attending culinary school to working in the world of Big Tech to writing love stories, Lauren cares about creating experiences that make people feel something.
She also has a food and film blog, A Dash of Cinema, where she makes food inspired by movies and TV shows. She lives in Nashville with her husband (who she met thanks to fate—read: the algorithms of online dating), two cats, and dog.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,519 reviews
March 27, 2023
such a bummer when a book with a promising concept doesn't deliver in the way you hoped it would. this book sounded SO exciting and i was ready to learn more about the Chinese zodiac & Chinese culture thru our heroine. but the actual romance wasn't much to my liking.
i almost universally do not vibe with romances that start under false pretenses. it creates a sense of dread in a reader that is so not needed. in this book, our heroine knows who the hero is (a founder of an app that rivals her family business) and he does not know who she is or her intentions (to gather intel and bring down his app). you see them start to date & he opens up and shares intimate details of his past with her. all the while you're thinking to yourself "oh my god she is lying to this man, she sucks," which i know was not the author's intention.
i would have liked to see the enemies to lovers plot line come in sooner here. these two know who the other person is, they try and set each other up with other people, and we get to watch funny failed dates while they try not to fall for each other in the meantime. it might be formulaic, but formulas can sometimes be the key to success with romance.
that being said, this book was well crafted and i'm excited to see what this author does in the future.
i almost universally do not vibe with romances that start under false pretenses. it creates a sense of dread in a reader that is so not needed. in this book, our heroine knows who the hero is (a founder of an app that rivals her family business) and he does not know who she is or her intentions (to gather intel and bring down his app). you see them start to date & he opens up and shares intimate details of his past with her. all the while you're thinking to yourself "oh my god she is lying to this man, she sucks," which i know was not the author's intention.
i would have liked to see the enemies to lovers plot line come in sooner here. these two know who the other person is, they try and set each other up with other people, and we get to watch funny failed dates while they try not to fall for each other in the meantime. it might be formulaic, but formulas can sometimes be the key to success with romance.
that being said, this book was well crafted and i'm excited to see what this author does in the future.
February 15, 2023
Yes! Another sweet-swoon- light hearted romance including my favorite tropes :enemies to lovers, rivals to lovers and opposites attract to warm your heart!
A matchmaker heroine who conducts her business by following the traditional principles of Chinese astrology and a hero who believes to mash up astrological elements with algorithms to create a best matchmaking app: they are competitors and absolutely not compatible ( heroine is horse and hero is rat so they have no future according to Chinese astrology)
Olivia Huang Christenson inherits her family’s Chinese zodiac matchmaking business Lunar Love. She takes her duty very seriously. She makes thoughtful and personalized matches based on people's compatible animal sign traits.
When she finds out a dating app may threaten her grandmother PoPo’s traditional approach and steal their customers with its modern and fresh solution for dating, she declares war!
The founder of start up dating business is Bennett O’Brien: the same guy she had an entertaining morning banter at her favorite bakery and the very same guy she thought why he didn’t ask for her number.
But Olivia can be merciless enemy when she has to protect her family business. She is ready to play dirty to spy on her new enemy to learn more about his dating techniques.
But she finds herself in a bet when they both attend a panel. Both of them try to match the most appropriate candidate for each other.
Olivia will choose compatible girl for him by following traditional sources as Bennett will find her dream guy by his dating algorithms. Both of them will chaperone each other during the dates.
Olivia wants to win the bet but why she feels nervous when she sees him dating with another woman. And why Bennett seems so upset when she tells him she’s having fun with her date?
Overall: the book started a little slow at first but when the fight between Olivia and Bennett gets heated, pace is picked up and I truly enjoyed their attraction and chemistry. I get a little frustrated because of Olivia’s stubbornness and her repetitive remarks that they were not compatible enough but I still enjoy this story and things I learned about Chinese zodiac!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing(Forever) for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
A matchmaker heroine who conducts her business by following the traditional principles of Chinese astrology and a hero who believes to mash up astrological elements with algorithms to create a best matchmaking app: they are competitors and absolutely not compatible ( heroine is horse and hero is rat so they have no future according to Chinese astrology)
Olivia Huang Christenson inherits her family’s Chinese zodiac matchmaking business Lunar Love. She takes her duty very seriously. She makes thoughtful and personalized matches based on people's compatible animal sign traits.
When she finds out a dating app may threaten her grandmother PoPo’s traditional approach and steal their customers with its modern and fresh solution for dating, she declares war!
The founder of start up dating business is Bennett O’Brien: the same guy she had an entertaining morning banter at her favorite bakery and the very same guy she thought why he didn’t ask for her number.
But Olivia can be merciless enemy when she has to protect her family business. She is ready to play dirty to spy on her new enemy to learn more about his dating techniques.
But she finds herself in a bet when they both attend a panel. Both of them try to match the most appropriate candidate for each other.
Olivia will choose compatible girl for him by following traditional sources as Bennett will find her dream guy by his dating algorithms. Both of them will chaperone each other during the dates.
Olivia wants to win the bet but why she feels nervous when she sees him dating with another woman. And why Bennett seems so upset when she tells him she’s having fun with her date?
Overall: the book started a little slow at first but when the fight between Olivia and Bennett gets heated, pace is picked up and I truly enjoyed their attraction and chemistry. I get a little frustrated because of Olivia’s stubbornness and her repetitive remarks that they were not compatible enough but I still enjoy this story and things I learned about Chinese zodiac!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing(Forever) for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
November 20, 2022
What a devastatingly cute romcom by debut author Lauren Kung Jessen!
It was so freaking cute and I loved that I learned so much about Chinese culture especially through the lens of mixed race characters living in America. Jessen did an amazing job mixing traditional romcom tropes with the exploration of Chinese traditions and Zodiac beliefs.
Before I jump into a nicer review I just wanna say that the banter in this story was immaculate.
The build-up as so damn good and I really enjoyed both characters on their own and together??
Everytime they met up I just knew it was gonna be a good time. There are moments where I was on the subway reading and had to pause to control my facial expressions only to realize I had a mask on - a blessing in disguise amirite.
You could feel the damn chemistry between these two and I for one loved the build-up and pay off. It felt so natural.
This books serves up:
- Chinese Zodiac
- Rivals to lovers
- Asian American/Mixed Race rep
- Death and grief
- Technology enthusiasts and entrepreneurs
The Chinese culture and discussions on traditionalism versus modern beliefs of love and compatibility was incorporated so well. I loved Liv's grandma - Popo - and what she meant for Liv and Bennett. Seeing the two of them navigate and have discussions on what it means to be mixed race with a focus on their Chinese identities was really well done and interesting. I felt like Jessen did a wonderful job making Liv and Bennett feel so real.
I honestly needed more! I didn't want to let Liv and Bennet go yet - where's that extended epilogue Ms. Jessen?
Thank you so much to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Lunar Love will be published on January 10, 2023 so make sure to add it on Goodreads, put a library request for it and get those pre-orders in!
--------------------------
Synopsis:
In Lunar Love, the main lead Liv inherits her family matchmaking business from her grandmother the OG matchmaking queen and founder of Lunar Love. The founding principle of Lunar Love is that compatibility in similarities and Zodiac is the guide to a perfect relationship.
Enter Bennett, a sweet and gorgeous new guy in town, making Liv's heart flutter but also threatening the very existence of her legacy business. Bennett is in the early phases of creating a dating app rooted in using Chinese Zodiac to make opposites attract matches. Not only does this go against what Liv has grown up believing but it's also a direct hit to Lunar Love.
They're almost complete opposites and rivals but Liv is finding it far too easy to fall in love with Bennett.
It was so freaking cute and I loved that I learned so much about Chinese culture especially through the lens of mixed race characters living in America. Jessen did an amazing job mixing traditional romcom tropes with the exploration of Chinese traditions and Zodiac beliefs.
Before I jump into a nicer review I just wanna say that the banter in this story was immaculate.
The build-up as so damn good and I really enjoyed both characters on their own and together??
Everytime they met up I just knew it was gonna be a good time. There are moments where I was on the subway reading and had to pause to control my facial expressions only to realize I had a mask on - a blessing in disguise amirite.
You could feel the damn chemistry between these two and I for one loved the build-up and pay off. It felt so natural.
This books serves up:
- Chinese Zodiac
- Rivals to lovers
- Asian American/Mixed Race rep
- Death and grief
- Technology enthusiasts and entrepreneurs
The Chinese culture and discussions on traditionalism versus modern beliefs of love and compatibility was incorporated so well. I loved Liv's grandma - Popo - and what she meant for Liv and Bennett. Seeing the two of them navigate and have discussions on what it means to be mixed race with a focus on their Chinese identities was really well done and interesting. I felt like Jessen did a wonderful job making Liv and Bennett feel so real.
I honestly needed more! I didn't want to let Liv and Bennet go yet - where's that extended epilogue Ms. Jessen?
Thank you so much to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Lunar Love will be published on January 10, 2023 so make sure to add it on Goodreads, put a library request for it and get those pre-orders in!
--------------------------
Synopsis:
In Lunar Love, the main lead Liv inherits her family matchmaking business from her grandmother the OG matchmaking queen and founder of Lunar Love. The founding principle of Lunar Love is that compatibility in similarities and Zodiac is the guide to a perfect relationship.
Enter Bennett, a sweet and gorgeous new guy in town, making Liv's heart flutter but also threatening the very existence of her legacy business. Bennett is in the early phases of creating a dating app rooted in using Chinese Zodiac to make opposites attract matches. Not only does this go against what Liv has grown up believing but it's also a direct hit to Lunar Love.
They're almost complete opposites and rivals but Liv is finding it far too easy to fall in love with Bennett.
Read
May 13, 2023DNF @ 26%. I just can't get into the writing style or the characters. I really like the concept and the way the author writes the Chinatown setting but the story and characters feel very stiff and unnatural. I liked the first scene but things kind of went downhill from there. Olivia's inner thoughts, emotions, and motivations feel way too juvenile given her background and age.
Disclaimer: I received an eARC through Netgalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Disclaimer: I received an eARC through Netgalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 25, 2024
A sweet contemporary romance between a matchmaker and the app creator of a dating service, both centered around Chinese zodiac traits. The beginning of this book started off rocky for me as I didn't love the deceit taking place, but the plot quickly changed for the better and I enjoyed the book a lot more after about 40%. I thought this covered a lot of great topics such as family, loyalty, Chinese zodiac, mixed race heritage, and what makes people compatible. I would definitely try another book by this author in the future.
January 11, 2023
Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen
Contemporary romance. Own voice, Chinese-American. Present tense.
Olivia has just taken over running Lunar Love, her grandmother’s matchmaking business that’s based on the Chinese zodiac signs. She meets a man she may actually be interested in herself, until she finds out he’s a rival, building an app, also using the zodiac signs. Liv and Bennett end up making a bet on who can make a better match.
First let me say I don’t like lies or secrets as a troupe and that’s how this started out. Fortunately they both confessed well before the half way mark, so the story got better for me. The clear attraction and joy Liv and Bennett find in their time together put a smile on their faces as well as my own. There are sad parts in this story that took me by surprise, both because hints were well hidden and it’s unusual in main stream category romance.
In full, the it’s a fantastic love and life story. The baseball game food antics had me laughing.
The text is heavy with traditional food and traditions. There are discussing questions included at the end of the book as well as a list of the characters by their animal and birth year. Also included are a couple of recipes for items made in the story.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
Contemporary romance. Own voice, Chinese-American. Present tense.
Olivia has just taken over running Lunar Love, her grandmother’s matchmaking business that’s based on the Chinese zodiac signs. She meets a man she may actually be interested in herself, until she finds out he’s a rival, building an app, also using the zodiac signs. Liv and Bennett end up making a bet on who can make a better match.
First let me say I don’t like lies or secrets as a troupe and that’s how this started out. Fortunately they both confessed well before the half way mark, so the story got better for me. The clear attraction and joy Liv and Bennett find in their time together put a smile on their faces as well as my own. There are sad parts in this story that took me by surprise, both because hints were well hidden and it’s unusual in main stream category romance.
In full, the it’s a fantastic love and life story. The baseball game food antics had me laughing.
The text is heavy with traditional food and traditions. There are discussing questions included at the end of the book as well as a list of the characters by their animal and birth year. Also included are a couple of recipes for items made in the story.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
January 13, 2023
I enjoyed this one. The two main characters are great with the right amount of sarcasm, cute moments and laughs. Po Po was my all time favorite character, such wisdom and heart. I loved how this story just wraps you in like a blanket, makes you read the entire thing in one sitting. The ending was tough and sad, but I couldn't of chose a better way to wrap it up.
December 30, 2022
This was a magical slow-burn featuring the enemies to lovers and opposites attract tropes. I was equally invested in the non-romantic elements of this book as I loved the heroine’s family business and was rooting for its success from the start.
Enemies to lovers is one of my favourite tropes so it’s no wonder that I devoured this book so quickly. Add in the fact that the heroine, Liv, and the hero, Bennett, are matchmaking industry rivals and I was sold.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
4 stars
Enemies to lovers is one of my favourite tropes so it’s no wonder that I devoured this book so quickly. Add in the fact that the heroine, Liv, and the hero, Bennett, are matchmaking industry rivals and I was sold.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
4 stars
January 8, 2023
This book had so much potential! Marketed as an enemies-to-lovers romance involving competing Chinese Zodiac matchmakers, I’m expecting Emily Henry-level banter and angst. NOPE.
Olivia was very unlikable and one-dimensional. This woman was only ever talking about food or matchmaking. She completed manipulated and lied to Bennett throughout the story. Bennett was boring, but appeared genuine. There’s no evidence to why he would be interested in Olivia.
The cherry on top of this story is Olivia and Bennett DISCO DANCING BY THEMSELVES at her Pó Po’s funeral. So awkward.
Also included embarrassing dialogue and unnecessary plot lines.
Bonus points for making me hungry and teaching me I’m compatible with Dragons.
Olivia was very unlikable and one-dimensional. This woman was only ever talking about food or matchmaking. She completed manipulated and lied to Bennett throughout the story. Bennett was boring, but appeared genuine. There’s no evidence to why he would be interested in Olivia.
The cherry on top of this story is Olivia and Bennett DISCO DANCING BY THEMSELVES at her Pó Po’s funeral. So awkward.
Also included embarrassing dialogue and unnecessary plot lines.
Bonus points for making me hungry and teaching me I’m compatible with Dragons.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2023
It's Jan 10, 2023! Happy Pub Day to this delight of a book <3.
----
A rivals-to-lovers, opposites attract romance that all starts with a meet cute over bakery buns.
I was thrilled to read a book that focuses on an aspect of my culture (Chinese Zodiac--hi, I'm an Ox!) and I'm so happy I enjoyed it!
Olivia and Bennett could not be more different. While Liv is focused on preserving tradition with her family's match making business, Bennett is an entrepreneur looking to modernize the Chinese Zodiac with his online dating app. Liv's actions lead her to make a bet with Bennett: they'll try to find a match for the other and whoever falls in love first, loses.
These two had some of the cutest interactions. Their bet brings them together time after time, we get to see them empathize with one another and slowly fall for the other. I adored both of these characters for their quirks as well as their faults.
Now the writing leaned a little stiff and the dialogue was a touch more formal than I expected, but there's heart as well as charm. There's also a didactic feel with little factoids and explanations about the Chinese Zodiac. Alongside this sweet slow-burn, the book tackles topics such as identity, imposter syndrome, compatibility, and of course tradition vs modernity. I was a touch annoyed with Liv and her juvenile antics, but Bennett later calls her out on it, and they work things out in the end.
Overall, this was charming and quite fun to read! This book will be published on January 10, 2023 and I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone.
CW: grandparent death
EDIT TO ADD FOR MY FELLOW SMUT READERS: they only kiss in this...sorry.
Thank you Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the e-copy as well as a physical copy in exchange for an honest review!
----
A rivals-to-lovers, opposites attract romance that all starts with a meet cute over bakery buns.
I was thrilled to read a book that focuses on an aspect of my culture (Chinese Zodiac--hi, I'm an Ox!) and I'm so happy I enjoyed it!
Olivia and Bennett could not be more different. While Liv is focused on preserving tradition with her family's match making business, Bennett is an entrepreneur looking to modernize the Chinese Zodiac with his online dating app. Liv's actions lead her to make a bet with Bennett: they'll try to find a match for the other and whoever falls in love first, loses.
These two had some of the cutest interactions. Their bet brings them together time after time, we get to see them empathize with one another and slowly fall for the other. I adored both of these characters for their quirks as well as their faults.
Now the writing leaned a little stiff and the dialogue was a touch more formal than I expected, but there's heart as well as charm. There's also a didactic feel with little factoids and explanations about the Chinese Zodiac. Alongside this sweet slow-burn, the book tackles topics such as identity, imposter syndrome, compatibility, and of course tradition vs modernity. I was a touch annoyed with Liv and her juvenile antics, but Bennett later calls her out on it, and they work things out in the end.
Overall, this was charming and quite fun to read! This book will be published on January 10, 2023 and I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone.
CW: grandparent death
EDIT TO ADD FOR MY FELLOW SMUT READERS: they only kiss in this...sorry.
Thank you Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the e-copy as well as a physical copy in exchange for an honest review!
August 27, 2024
Olivia is taking over her family’s matchmaking business. Tapping into her heritage, the business revolves around compatible matches using the traditional Chinese Zodiac approach. However, her plan to revamp the business gets derailed when a new app is trying to modernize Chinese Zodiac dating with the convenience of current-day dating apps. This was a really cute book that is infused with love, dating struggles, and funny banter between the two main characters. One thing that I truly appreciated was Jessen's way of identifying the struggles of Asian American/Mixed Race people. As someone who has personally gone through these struggles, it was refreshing to be seen in a book that was able to identify the strong feelings of wanting to follow tradition but also wanting to get with the times. The natural flow of the book was wonderful, I love a good meet-cute (which this book totally has), and I love how everything was centered around family. This is an adorable RomCom for anyone looking for a sweet, wholesome book! – Alyssa C.
March 2, 2024
Love moves in phases. New love is a barley there whisper in the night sky, a slow burn into brightness. The relationship matures in the first quarter, advancing into full illumination--two compatible people becoming whole. The immediate passion wanes but doesn't disappear. Instead, the initial flash evolves into a steady glow. Like the moon, love is dependable. You don't have to see the moon or love to know they're there.
2.5 stars
This beautiful beginning passage had me really excited for this one, but that was the only highlight of this book.
I could not stand the FMC and her viewpoint on matchingmaking and love in general. It wasn't her viewpoint that was the issue, it was that she basically embodied My Way or the Highway, which is so narrowminded and honestly damaging to the self. She said some pretty nasty things to the MMC, which was pretty unwarranted, and I just never got behind their relationship and what he saw in her.
And the MMC in comparison was really basic. He didn't jump off the page at all and had no real depth that I could detect. Not to mention he was attracted to Olivia for some ungodly reason.
This is definitely the lowest rating I've given a book that I've finished. I almost DNF'd but it was pretty fast read, so I decided to stick it out. Sorry for all the negativity 🥺
2.5 stars
This beautiful beginning passage had me really excited for this one, but that was the only highlight of this book.
I could not stand the FMC and her viewpoint on matchingmaking and love in general. It wasn't her viewpoint that was the issue, it was that she basically embodied My Way or the Highway, which is so narrowminded and honestly damaging to the self. She said some pretty nasty things to the MMC, which was pretty unwarranted, and I just never got behind their relationship and what he saw in her.
And the MMC in comparison was really basic. He didn't jump off the page at all and had no real depth that I could detect. Not to mention he was attracted to Olivia for some ungodly reason.
This is definitely the lowest rating I've given a book that I've finished. I almost DNF'd but it was pretty fast read, so I decided to stick it out. Sorry for all the negativity 🥺
April 3, 2023
I keep waffling on 4 or 5 stars but you know what?? This was a freaking delight & I sobbed all the way through the ending so we’re going with 5. It feels like a classic rom com in book form, but it is also the reason I cry every time I hear Dancing in the Moonlight
CW: Death, toxic relationships
I work for the publisher; opinions my own
CW: Death, toxic relationships
I work for the publisher; opinions my own
August 15, 2022
✨Somebody please be my matchmaker✨
I think this is the first book in a long time with a writing style that won me over more than the characters or the romance. I loved Lauren’s writing style and her authorial voice is incredibly strong. From page one, Olivia had such a presence on the page and I could really hear her in my head as if she was talking to me.
This is single POV and probably more women’s fiction than romance. It also draws inspiration from You’ve Got Mail but it doesn’t feel like a blatant rip-off of the script. There were nice odes along the way, but it was thankfully it’s own thing. There’s a certain thing that happens at the end that made me *unhappy* and definitely solidified the WF feel.
✨
The relationship was cute, but a lot of times it felt extremely one sided. I loved and appreciated Olivia’s prickliness and ability to say what was on her mind, but man that first date was ROUGH and she always grilled the guy and jumped to conclusions and just straight up couldn’t see beyond compatibility.
They both did end up doing some mildly shady things though and I really appreciated how her article and identity and everything weren’t actually the cause of any fallout! Everything was revealed before 50% and it was SO refreshing. We still got a breakup but it was for a different (but also pretty expected) reason.
The author tried to position Olivia’s views on compatibility as being colored by her past relationship and a few other factors, but it still didn’t quite make sense to me. Her shift by the end although the natural conclusion, still felt rather abrupt and kind of unbelievable.
✨
The few times Olivia and Bennet kissed, the chapter was immediately over and we never got to see how they interacted after the kiss, how they said goodbye, how they acted. It always time jumped to Olivia at Lunar Love or somewhere decidedly not with Bennett. I needed a bit more from these interactions to fully get a feel for the relationship.
My favorite moment of theirs was the Dodgers game because the tension there was perfect. Also good 10/10 tastes better at a ballpark, especially branded hotdogs. More Dodgers game vibes and less jump cuts!
✨
I loved seeing the different approaches (traditional and modern) to dating based on the Chinese zodiac, as well as both Olivia and Bennett’s reasons for being in the business of love. (Bennett’s backstory made so 🥺). I think I would have fun with the app, but I would definitely need the kick in the ass to go on dates that Olivia would give me as my matchmaker.
Overall, this one started out strong (and DELICIOUS omg I was drooling during their meet cute please I want moon cake) and had an incredibly solid backbone, but the relationship needed a bit more depth. I was also frequently perplexed and confused about Olivia’s views on compatibility (and it being the only way to fall in love). As mentioned above, something happened at the end with little to no warning and I simply wish it Didn’t. (I’ll list it in the CWs but it is a spoiler so you’re warned.) These things did impact my overall enjoyment of the book and left it solidly in the “good” but but not “great” category.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 0🌶*/5
*Generally 1🌶 pepper on my spicy scale means there’s at least some sexual talk or content or something to be closed out of. However here, sex was never mentioned and nothing was ever alluded to. The book never gave a sexy vibe so this did make sense.
CWs: death of parent in the past, death of grandparent in the present
Thanks so much to the publisher for the read now eARC via NetGalley! All opinions are honest and my own.
I think this is the first book in a long time with a writing style that won me over more than the characters or the romance. I loved Lauren’s writing style and her authorial voice is incredibly strong. From page one, Olivia had such a presence on the page and I could really hear her in my head as if she was talking to me.
This is single POV and probably more women’s fiction than romance. It also draws inspiration from You’ve Got Mail but it doesn’t feel like a blatant rip-off of the script. There were nice odes along the way, but it was thankfully it’s own thing. There’s a certain thing that happens at the end that made me *unhappy* and definitely solidified the WF feel.
✨
The relationship was cute, but a lot of times it felt extremely one sided. I loved and appreciated Olivia’s prickliness and ability to say what was on her mind, but man that first date was ROUGH and she always grilled the guy and jumped to conclusions and just straight up couldn’t see beyond compatibility.
They both did end up doing some mildly shady things though and I really appreciated how her article and identity and everything weren’t actually the cause of any fallout! Everything was revealed before 50% and it was SO refreshing. We still got a breakup but it was for a different (but also pretty expected) reason.
The author tried to position Olivia’s views on compatibility as being colored by her past relationship and a few other factors, but it still didn’t quite make sense to me. Her shift by the end although the natural conclusion, still felt rather abrupt and kind of unbelievable.
✨
The few times Olivia and Bennet kissed, the chapter was immediately over and we never got to see how they interacted after the kiss, how they said goodbye, how they acted. It always time jumped to Olivia at Lunar Love or somewhere decidedly not with Bennett. I needed a bit more from these interactions to fully get a feel for the relationship.
My favorite moment of theirs was the Dodgers game because the tension there was perfect. Also good 10/10 tastes better at a ballpark, especially branded hotdogs. More Dodgers game vibes and less jump cuts!
✨
I loved seeing the different approaches (traditional and modern) to dating based on the Chinese zodiac, as well as both Olivia and Bennett’s reasons for being in the business of love. (Bennett’s backstory made so 🥺). I think I would have fun with the app, but I would definitely need the kick in the ass to go on dates that Olivia would give me as my matchmaker.
Overall, this one started out strong (and DELICIOUS omg I was drooling during their meet cute please I want moon cake) and had an incredibly solid backbone, but the relationship needed a bit more depth. I was also frequently perplexed and confused about Olivia’s views on compatibility (and it being the only way to fall in love). As mentioned above, something happened at the end with little to no warning and I simply wish it Didn’t. (I’ll list it in the CWs but it is a spoiler so you’re warned.) These things did impact my overall enjoyment of the book and left it solidly in the “good” but but not “great” category.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 0🌶*/5
*Generally 1🌶 pepper on my spicy scale means there’s at least some sexual talk or content or something to be closed out of. However here, sex was never mentioned and nothing was ever alluded to. The book never gave a sexy vibe so this did make sense.
CWs: death of parent in the past, death of grandparent in the present
Thanks so much to the publisher for the read now eARC via NetGalley! All opinions are honest and my own.
February 15, 2023
The story takes forever to start. Almost no chemistry between the two main characters. Got bored thirty percent into it.
December 6, 2022
I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Of course the founder of our new competition is a Rat, my exact opposite sign.
Olivia is poised to take over her Pó Po's Chinese zodiac matchmaker business, Lunar Love, from her aunt when she learns that an entrepreneur has developed an app called ZodiaCupid. It's taking the same business of matching people by their Chinese zodiac animal signs but also using an algorithm. Lunar Love has started to struggle with people wanting fast and easy and Olivia is instantly upset at this new app, what she sees as cheapening a system that is very near and dear to her heart and taking potential business away from her.
Many moons ago, I did love being in love. I used to fall in love easily. Too easily. Now I know better. I’m wiser. More careful.
Told in first person point-of-view and present tense, Lunar Love, was a story of rivals-to-lovers and opposites attract. I have a personal problem of it being more difficult for me to fully connect with characters and a story that uses first person pov with present tense, so my overall feelings are colored by that, if other readers have no such problem, their enjoyment would probably be more. With Olivia leading readers, we see that she's nervous but ready to take over Lunar Love and even though her life revolves around love, she definitely takes a more pessimistic view of her personal love life. It's alluded to and then fully revealed why at around midway, that Olivia has been burned before. The situation involved her best friend Colette, a guy Olivia set Colette up with, and an opposites attract guy Olivia was dating. It reaffirmed that only compatible signs should be matched together to Olivia. Olivia also has the habit of meeting someone and then playing out how the relationship would go, in a negative light, as their animal sign traits would have them clashing. Olivia is that character that believes in love, was burned by it, and now is scared to ever put herself out there.
“You pick a match for me, and I’ll let my algorithm pick one for you, and we’ll see who finds love.”
Bennett O'Brien comes into the picture with one of the best meet-cutes I've ever read, they negotiate and flirt over a pork bun and vanilla roll!, and the reader can feel the instant sparks. I will say, with this written all from Olivia's pov, I still felt like Bennett's feelings and thoughts came through in a way that, I the reader, could “see”; I didn't feel like I didn't know where Bennett stood at all times. Olivia learns who Bennett is and decides to game the system on ZodiaCupid and get a date with him, thinking to hide her identity to get insider knowledge of her competition. They go on a couple dates where their chemistry is still evident but Olivia lying for nefarious reasons will have the reader feeling more for Bennett. The jig is up around 35% and Bennett reveals some secrets of his own. With their identities known, a bet gets made and we have Olivia and Bennett trying to find each other love.
I grip his hand tighter and pull him closer. Our cheeks graze as I bring my lips up against his ear. “I hope you’re ready to fall in love.”
They show up at each other's dates and it's obvious that Bennett isn't fully into this because he has feelings for Olivia. Olivia struggles to get past her feelings about being burned and we get some push and pull moments. Around 70% the bet gets called off and Olivia tentatively seems to be coming out of her protective shell but the author gives us that 3rd act break-up and the last 20% has Olivia working through her emotions, Bennett delivering a public act of love, and a sad event that probably puts a dent in calling this a rom-com.
Because compatible or incompatible, we’re all just trying to love and be loved, however that might look.
With this being told in first person pov and present tense, characters other than Olivia didn't shine as well for me, Bennett being the exception. Olivia's relationship with her grandmother delivered some emotion and who she had the best scenes with, other than Bennett. Olivia's sister and work employees Alisha and Randall felt too much to the side of the story, instead of in it and didn't add those dimensions and layers I would have liked. This was also a few kisses only romance, so you're going to have to get your sparks from conversation, Olivia and Bennett do have fun, cute, and some sparking chemistry through their by-play. If you don't struggle with pov and tense choices like I do, this would be a solid debut to pick-up, especially with that very charming and fun meet-cute.
Of course the founder of our new competition is a Rat, my exact opposite sign.
Olivia is poised to take over her Pó Po's Chinese zodiac matchmaker business, Lunar Love, from her aunt when she learns that an entrepreneur has developed an app called ZodiaCupid. It's taking the same business of matching people by their Chinese zodiac animal signs but also using an algorithm. Lunar Love has started to struggle with people wanting fast and easy and Olivia is instantly upset at this new app, what she sees as cheapening a system that is very near and dear to her heart and taking potential business away from her.
Many moons ago, I did love being in love. I used to fall in love easily. Too easily. Now I know better. I’m wiser. More careful.
Told in first person point-of-view and present tense, Lunar Love, was a story of rivals-to-lovers and opposites attract. I have a personal problem of it being more difficult for me to fully connect with characters and a story that uses first person pov with present tense, so my overall feelings are colored by that, if other readers have no such problem, their enjoyment would probably be more. With Olivia leading readers, we see that she's nervous but ready to take over Lunar Love and even though her life revolves around love, she definitely takes a more pessimistic view of her personal love life. It's alluded to and then fully revealed why at around midway, that Olivia has been burned before. The situation involved her best friend Colette, a guy Olivia set Colette up with, and an opposites attract guy Olivia was dating. It reaffirmed that only compatible signs should be matched together to Olivia. Olivia also has the habit of meeting someone and then playing out how the relationship would go, in a negative light, as their animal sign traits would have them clashing. Olivia is that character that believes in love, was burned by it, and now is scared to ever put herself out there.
“You pick a match for me, and I’ll let my algorithm pick one for you, and we’ll see who finds love.”
Bennett O'Brien comes into the picture with one of the best meet-cutes I've ever read, they negotiate and flirt over a pork bun and vanilla roll!, and the reader can feel the instant sparks. I will say, with this written all from Olivia's pov, I still felt like Bennett's feelings and thoughts came through in a way that, I the reader, could “see”; I didn't feel like I didn't know where Bennett stood at all times. Olivia learns who Bennett is and decides to game the system on ZodiaCupid and get a date with him, thinking to hide her identity to get insider knowledge of her competition. They go on a couple dates where their chemistry is still evident but Olivia lying for nefarious reasons will have the reader feeling more for Bennett. The jig is up around 35% and Bennett reveals some secrets of his own. With their identities known, a bet gets made and we have Olivia and Bennett trying to find each other love.
I grip his hand tighter and pull him closer. Our cheeks graze as I bring my lips up against his ear. “I hope you’re ready to fall in love.”
They show up at each other's dates and it's obvious that Bennett isn't fully into this because he has feelings for Olivia. Olivia struggles to get past her feelings about being burned and we get some push and pull moments. Around 70% the bet gets called off and Olivia tentatively seems to be coming out of her protective shell but the author gives us that 3rd act break-up and the last 20% has Olivia working through her emotions, Bennett delivering a public act of love, and a sad event that probably puts a dent in calling this a rom-com.
Because compatible or incompatible, we’re all just trying to love and be loved, however that might look.
With this being told in first person pov and present tense, characters other than Olivia didn't shine as well for me, Bennett being the exception. Olivia's relationship with her grandmother delivered some emotion and who she had the best scenes with, other than Bennett. Olivia's sister and work employees Alisha and Randall felt too much to the side of the story, instead of in it and didn't add those dimensions and layers I would have liked. This was also a few kisses only romance, so you're going to have to get your sparks from conversation, Olivia and Bennett do have fun, cute, and some sparking chemistry through their by-play. If you don't struggle with pov and tense choices like I do, this would be a solid debut to pick-up, especially with that very charming and fun meet-cute.
December 22, 2022
Olivia (Liv) Huang Christenson is about to take over her grandmother’s matchmaking business. To celebrate, Liv is tasked to make a pastry run for her grandmother at their favorite bakery. Liv just needed to get her grandmother’s favorite pastry — a cocktail bun. Just as Liv was about to grab the last cocktail bun, another pair of tongs swiftly snatches it away. Surprised and annoyed by the stranger’s bold move, Liv confronts the “Bakery Guy” and tests his will and negotiation skills. Liv ultimately prevails but she can’t get over the butterflies that she feels being in close proximity to him. Little does Liv know that the “Bakery Guy” will be her competition in the Chinese zodiac matchmaking business.
Lunar Love was such as pleasure to read. The characters are wholesome and wonderfully developed. I thoroughly enjoyed the main characters of Liv and Bennett (Bakery Guy.) Liv is a traditionalist with strong feelings that love develops through complementary traits. Bennett on the other hand is tech savvy and modern. He firmly believes that opposites attract and that two opposites balance each other out. Sparks fly when these two diametrically opposed matchmakers confront each other in a competition to win a publicity spot that could ultimately make or break either one of them. It was the banter between Liv and Bennett that I found so entertaining and often humorous. It was fun to be a part of their banter and eventual attraction.
There isn’t any steam to Lunar Love and I loved that it was a clean and chaste romance. Though I suspect that some readers would want that steam at least somewhere in the novel. But for me, it was perfect. Add in the family drama and you have a wholesome Hallmark movie-like romance like no other. Five wonderful stars.
I received a digital ARC via NetGalley from Forever (GCP) as well as a physical ARC directly from Forever (GCP.) The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
Lunar Love was such as pleasure to read. The characters are wholesome and wonderfully developed. I thoroughly enjoyed the main characters of Liv and Bennett (Bakery Guy.) Liv is a traditionalist with strong feelings that love develops through complementary traits. Bennett on the other hand is tech savvy and modern. He firmly believes that opposites attract and that two opposites balance each other out. Sparks fly when these two diametrically opposed matchmakers confront each other in a competition to win a publicity spot that could ultimately make or break either one of them. It was the banter between Liv and Bennett that I found so entertaining and often humorous. It was fun to be a part of their banter and eventual attraction.
There isn’t any steam to Lunar Love and I loved that it was a clean and chaste romance. Though I suspect that some readers would want that steam at least somewhere in the novel. But for me, it was perfect. Add in the family drama and you have a wholesome Hallmark movie-like romance like no other. Five wonderful stars.
I received a digital ARC via NetGalley from Forever (GCP) as well as a physical ARC directly from Forever (GCP.) The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
July 23, 2024
Compatible or incompatible, that is the question.
𝘓𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘳 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 follows Olivia, the newest representative of the 50 year long matchmaking service navigating the struggles of her newfound ownership as well as what it means to face competition, especially when it arrives in the form LA's most eligible, handsome bachelor.
- ~ -
Olivia Huang Christenson is a determined and fierce woman but her headstrongness can also sometimes be perceived as stubbornness, especially when it comes to finding The One for the matchmaker who can't be matched.
Bennet O'Brien is the perfectly incompatible match for our Dragon zodiac sign. He balances her, makes her stronger and ultimately loves her like no-one else has before; a match well made indeed.
Together they were as scrumptious as a freshly baked Bo Lo Bao. Their banter, when they were put against each other was radiating with tension and angst despite the hesitations.
Aside from all the romance aspect, I think the insight into the Chinese culture and Chinese manner of zodiac matchmaking was interesting to learn about.
And all the information Pó Po had acquired throughout the years as well as her own secrets and wisdom added character to the plot.
Lastly I'd say, despite everything I loved in the story ten years will still be too early before I hear the words compatibility and/or incompatibility again.
- ~ -
4.08 / 5✩
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 (𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨) 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 & 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.
𝘓𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘳 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 follows Olivia, the newest representative of the 50 year long matchmaking service navigating the struggles of her newfound ownership as well as what it means to face competition, especially when it arrives in the form LA's most eligible, handsome bachelor.
- ~ -
Olivia Huang Christenson is a determined and fierce woman but her headstrongness can also sometimes be perceived as stubbornness, especially when it comes to finding The One for the matchmaker who can't be matched.
Bennet O'Brien is the perfectly incompatible match for our Dragon zodiac sign. He balances her, makes her stronger and ultimately loves her like no-one else has before; a match well made indeed.
Together they were as scrumptious as a freshly baked Bo Lo Bao. Their banter, when they were put against each other was radiating with tension and angst despite the hesitations.
Aside from all the romance aspect, I think the insight into the Chinese culture and Chinese manner of zodiac matchmaking was interesting to learn about.
And all the information Pó Po had acquired throughout the years as well as her own secrets and wisdom added character to the plot.
Lastly I'd say, despite everything I loved in the story ten years will still be too early before I hear the words compatibility and/or incompatibility again.
- ~ -
4.08 / 5✩
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 (𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨) 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 & 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.
March 5, 2023
“There are no manuals for what to do when your business competitor turns into your pseudo-client and then turns into someone you kiss.”
This slow burn rom com made me smile, laugh, cringe, and even cry! Kung Jessen really sets the atmosphere with so many mouth watering food descriptions as well as moon-themed songs interwoven to invite the reader to fall in love. We follow Olivia and Bennett as they struggle with themselves as dedicated business owners, mixed raced individuals searching for belonging, and stubborn romantics. They both go through loss and heartbreak while learning that there can still be happiness and connection afterward. Tradition verses modernity is a huge theme.
“Maybe it’s not completely unreasonable to think that the merging of traditional and modern can actually do some good in the world.”
"You don't have to be compatible with someone in order to love them, Olivia. There is such a thing as attraction the
not even a chart or algorithm can explain, It's an indescribable science.”
"Sometimes in life, there isn't a point. Sometimes we demand that there is. We pray that there is. And sometimes, we make a point when one isn't needed. When things are actually quite simple."
My favorite parts were the cute ass dates and the grandmother/granddaughter interactions 🥰
I’m a 1994 dog by the way! What’s your Chinese Zodiac?
This slow burn rom com made me smile, laugh, cringe, and even cry! Kung Jessen really sets the atmosphere with so many mouth watering food descriptions as well as moon-themed songs interwoven to invite the reader to fall in love. We follow Olivia and Bennett as they struggle with themselves as dedicated business owners, mixed raced individuals searching for belonging, and stubborn romantics. They both go through loss and heartbreak while learning that there can still be happiness and connection afterward. Tradition verses modernity is a huge theme.
“Maybe it’s not completely unreasonable to think that the merging of traditional and modern can actually do some good in the world.”
"You don't have to be compatible with someone in order to love them, Olivia. There is such a thing as attraction the
not even a chart or algorithm can explain, It's an indescribable science.”
"Sometimes in life, there isn't a point. Sometimes we demand that there is. We pray that there is. And sometimes, we make a point when one isn't needed. When things are actually quite simple."
My favorite parts were the cute ass dates and the grandmother/granddaughter interactions 🥰
I’m a 1994 dog by the way! What’s your Chinese Zodiac?
January 22, 2023
Lunar Love tells the story of Olivia Huang Christenson and Bennet O’Brien, who—logically speaking—should not be together. Olivia just took over her grandmother’s Chinese zodiac-based matchmaking business. Bennett is launching a dating app that is also based on the Chinese zodiac. They’re business rivals and, even worse, she’s a Horse and he’s a Rat—very incompatible signs. However, inconveniently, there’s an undeniable attraction and they feel a pull towards each other.
As an Asian-American reader, I loved the idea of this story. I also liked the various Los Angeles settings and the mouth-watering food descriptions. The author really knows how to set the scene. But for me, there wasn’t enough enough chemistry between the lead characters and the dialogue seemed stilted at times—I just couldn’t get into the story as much as I wanted to enjoy it. The book explores important topics like ethnic identity and modern dating, so I hope there are other readers who are able to appreciate it.
As an Asian-American reader, I loved the idea of this story. I also liked the various Los Angeles settings and the mouth-watering food descriptions. The author really knows how to set the scene. But for me, there wasn’t enough enough chemistry between the lead characters and the dialogue seemed stilted at times—I just couldn’t get into the story as much as I wanted to enjoy it. The book explores important topics like ethnic identity and modern dating, so I hope there are other readers who are able to appreciate it.
January 19, 2023
I have never connected more with my heritage than when reading Lunar Love. As we are three days away from Lunar New Year, this book has reminded me of the importance of tradition and family. The story, at its core, is a love story but invites readers to investigate themes of culture, tradition vs modernity, grief, history and love. The characters are well-developed and will truly make your heart melt. At the end of the day, Jessen reminds us that we are all worthy and deserving of love.
December 7, 2022
Validating, heartwarming, sweet, honest, romantic, light, fun
Lunar Love is a book I’ve been excited about since the moment I knew it was coming out. If you know me at all you know that I’m a big advocate for better mixed race representation in media because it’s personal to me. It’s far too often that our stories are written by someone else and our mixed identity is used as a tool for the author to make some comment about race.
To them, sometimes we are used as proof that racism no longer exists and sometimes we are said to be abominations or freaks of nature for just existing. But it’s far more rare and far more special when someone who understands that we are just people doing our best when the world pushes such contradictory expectations onto us. Someone like Lauren.
Continue reading...
Bookish Brews | Ko-Fi | Twitter | Pinterest | Tumblr | Facebook
Lunar Love is a book I’ve been excited about since the moment I knew it was coming out. If you know me at all you know that I’m a big advocate for better mixed race representation in media because it’s personal to me. It’s far too often that our stories are written by someone else and our mixed identity is used as a tool for the author to make some comment about race.
To them, sometimes we are used as proof that racism no longer exists and sometimes we are said to be abominations or freaks of nature for just existing. But it’s far more rare and far more special when someone who understands that we are just people doing our best when the world pushes such contradictory expectations onto us. Someone like Lauren.
Continue reading...
Bookish Brews | Ko-Fi | Twitter | Pinterest | Tumblr | Facebook
June 29, 2022
I dare you not to fall in love with Lauren Kung Jessen’s writing. Lunar Love is a sweeping romance that celebrates the deep-rooted family legacies that shape us and how these traditions evolve into our own. Brimming with crackling chemistry from page one, Olivia and Bennett prove that those who may appear the most incompatible on paper may just be our perfect match.
January 12, 2023
TITLE: LUNAR LOVE
AUTHOR: Lauren K Jessen
PUB DATE: 01.10.2023 Now Available
SYNOPSIS: Swipe Above
Liv is set to take over a family business that has been in their family for generations, Lunar Love - a matchmaking business in LA based on the Chinese Zodiac. But, Bennett O’Brien takes the basis of Lunar Love and creates an app risking the business that has been in Liv’s family for generations.
I loved the journey it took for Liv and Bennett to find their love for each other - though it started rough, I loved the banter, the themes about identity, and the importance of tradition while also being able to adapt. I also loved the setting since I am from Los Angeles, so this made for a wonderful read for me. As a Chinese American I felt seen reading this book, and also feel that this will resonate with many readers who just want to find love and our own happy ever after.
AUTHOR: Lauren K Jessen
PUB DATE: 01.10.2023 Now Available
SYNOPSIS: Swipe Above
Liv is set to take over a family business that has been in their family for generations, Lunar Love - a matchmaking business in LA based on the Chinese Zodiac. But, Bennett O’Brien takes the basis of Lunar Love and creates an app risking the business that has been in Liv’s family for generations.
I loved the journey it took for Liv and Bennett to find their love for each other - though it started rough, I loved the banter, the themes about identity, and the importance of tradition while also being able to adapt. I also loved the setting since I am from Los Angeles, so this made for a wonderful read for me. As a Chinese American I felt seen reading this book, and also feel that this will resonate with many readers who just want to find love and our own happy ever after.
November 2, 2022
I was excited to jump into this one, especially because I am Asian American and I live in the Los Angeles area. It was fun to see so familiar places and parts of my culture on the page! Lauren Kung Jessen described some of the traditions in Chinese culture beautifully, especially the parts about how we honor those who have passed.
This book was enjoyable, but there were some things I didn't love about it. I felt like that there were too many coincidences that were not very plausible. I also didn't love Olivia - she was a little annoying because she came out of the gate with this adversarial attitude for no real reason. I loved Bennett and he was a swoon-worthy book boyfriend!
If you're a fan of You've Got Mail, you'll enjoy this one!
Steam level: 🔥
⚠️: death of a loved one, mention of infidelity (not between the main characters)
I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher.
This book was enjoyable, but there were some things I didn't love about it. I felt like that there were too many coincidences that were not very plausible. I also didn't love Olivia - she was a little annoying because she came out of the gate with this adversarial attitude for no real reason. I loved Bennett and he was a swoon-worthy book boyfriend!
If you're a fan of You've Got Mail, you'll enjoy this one!
Steam level: 🔥
⚠️: death of a loved one, mention of infidelity (not between the main characters)
I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher.
July 25, 2023
My enjoyment of this one came in waves. It started off really, really great. Following two matchmaking services using the Chinese zodiac, Olivia offers a more traditional in-person service, whereas Bennett is in the process of developing an app.
Initially there is a bit of a hidden identity storyline, with Olivia gathering information on her business rival. I loved the one-sided-enemies tension to their relationship. Sometimes characters hiding their true intentions can come across as shady, but surprisingly this conflict was resolved fairly early on. There was much more to the story!
A larger focus was on the the adorable wager Olivia and Bennett eventually agree upon, each using their services to match the other with a perfect partner. The planned dates were so fun—unintentionally getting jealous in the process, of course. I loved the sweet build of their relationship.
At the end of the day, my biggest issue was Olivia. Her close-mindedness became a little silly for me. She believes opposites DO NOT attract, and a perfectly compatible zodiac match is the only option for a successful relationship. With everyone around her, even her own family, encouraging her relationship with Bennett, I found her stubbornness went on too long ...
(heat level: kissing only)
Initially there is a bit of a hidden identity storyline, with Olivia gathering information on her business rival. I loved the one-sided-enemies tension to their relationship. Sometimes characters hiding their true intentions can come across as shady, but surprisingly this conflict was resolved fairly early on. There was much more to the story!
A larger focus was on the the adorable wager Olivia and Bennett eventually agree upon, each using their services to match the other with a perfect partner. The planned dates were so fun—unintentionally getting jealous in the process, of course. I loved the sweet build of their relationship.
At the end of the day, my biggest issue was Olivia. Her close-mindedness became a little silly for me. She believes opposites DO NOT attract, and a perfectly compatible zodiac match is the only option for a successful relationship. With everyone around her, even her own family, encouraging her relationship with Bennett, I found her stubbornness went on too long ...
(heat level: kissing only)
January 16, 2023
“Love is mostly like the moon. Whereas the moon and all its phases are predictable, love is not.”
So cute and an amazing debut! I loved learning about the Chinese culture and more about Chinese zodiac signs, I’m the year of the rooster! 🐓
If you love romcoms, I think you’ll love this. Had the perfect romcom mix and I found the dialogue witty and the main characters the likable enemies to lovers that were also rivals. One falls first, the before I knew you type because I heard about you. Enjoyed the relatable pop culture references and of course, the this day in age on dating. Pó Po 🥹🥹🥹
So cute and an amazing debut! I loved learning about the Chinese culture and more about Chinese zodiac signs, I’m the year of the rooster! 🐓
If you love romcoms, I think you’ll love this. Had the perfect romcom mix and I found the dialogue witty and the main characters the likable enemies to lovers that were also rivals. One falls first, the before I knew you type because I heard about you. Enjoyed the relatable pop culture references and of course, the this day in age on dating. Pó Po 🥹🥹🥹
![Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1645808644i/7494844._UX200_CR0,6,200,200_.jpg)
February 15, 2024
I wanted to like it better than I did, but I really, really hate the trope of "beloved secondary character dies so that the two leads can realize they love each other." I had a feeling it was coming, but I hoped Jessen wouldn't do us dirty. She did.
Overall, Olivia and Bennett had good chemistry from the start, but it kinda fizzled for me by the end.
Overall, Olivia and Bennett had good chemistry from the start, but it kinda fizzled for me by the end.
January 11, 2023
I really enjoyed this enemies to lovers #ownvoices debut romance that sees two rival Chinese matchmakers pitted against one another as they fight to see whether the traditional or more modern methods work best. I loved learning more about the Chinese zodiac and the way people use it to find their matches.
The chemistry and banter between the two main characters was top notch for me and overall this was thoroughly enjoyable (especially being a rat like Bennett). Recommended for fans of books like Sophie Go's lonely heart's club by Roselle Lim. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
Steam level: kissing only
The chemistry and banter between the two main characters was top notch for me and overall this was thoroughly enjoyable (especially being a rat like Bennett). Recommended for fans of books like Sophie Go's lonely heart's club by Roselle Lim. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
Steam level: kissing only
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,519 reviews