A perfect lockdown book about overcoming our own expectations and finding pride in self-satisfaction. There’s also a super cute romance and a really wonderful mother-daughter bond to round it all. So delightful!

If you prefer a sweet romance, without all the spice, this is a great book for you. This book does a perfect job of showcasing the growing attraction between Jess and Daniel without adding any explicit scenes to it. It also does a good job of showcasing the confidence Jess learns to have in herself.

Overall I enjoyed the concept of this story, childhood rivals to friends to something more, all while on a journey of self-discovery. I think Suzanne did a great job of balancing Jess's personal development and growth with the growing friendship/relationship she has with Daniel.

As I'm used to reading from at least two different perspectives...the single narrative in this book threw me off a bit. Personally, I feel like having at least two narratives adds important depth to a story. Since the story is mostly about Jess and her growing confidence and self-esteem I really would have loved to see her mother's narrative. As her mother has always been critical of Jess, constantly comparing her accomplishments to Daniel's...I feel that seeing her side of the story would have been great.

The story does show her mother saying that she is proud of Jess and all she's accomplished but I really would have enjoyed hearing the inner monologue of mom. To hear/see/feel how proud mom is of Jess since she struggles to outwardly show it. I never realized I had a preference for seeing multiple perspectives until I didn't have that option.

I enjoyed the story and look forward to seeing what else Suzanne writes. It would be fun to explore more stories of the people we met through Jess. This world was full of fun characters that I would love to see explored further.

Unfortunately this is a DNF from me as I'm just not getting on with the writing style. It seems a bit basic and unrealistic, like this isn't how people talk. It feels amateurish to me so I won't be finishing as I'm not invested in the story.

Is there anything better than a book set in your hometown? I'm from the DC suburbs so, while the area is often in books, my actual hometown is not. But this book is set in Nashville, my adopted home, and I loved all the familiar references! I shopped, eaten, and driven many of the places described in So We Meet Again.

Park's delightful rom-com novel focuses on Jess Kim and her transformation from passive workaholic to fierce female entrepreneur and general badass. It also focuses on her relationship with Daniel, the impressive PK-turned-high-tech-lawyer she's known since elementary school (can someone say enemy to lovers?). I absolutely adore the journey Jess, her family, and her business take and love the way the book ended (it wasn't exactly as I expected). I did find the progression of Jess's relationship with Daniel unrealistically hot-cold at times, which is the only reason I'm not giving this book five stars. It's an amazing read though!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this!
I’m not usually much of a romance fan but I loved that this book focused on her starting her own business. It also dealt with family & friends. I loved every minute of this book and could not put it down, I’ll definitely be recommending this book to everyone I know!

Jess has a successful Wall Street career and is in line for a promotion. When she is not only passed over for the promotion but is also laid off from her job for lacking leadership skills, Jess moves back to Nashville to live with her parents as she regroups. She begins a Korean cooking channel on YouTube for busy workers, which goes viral when Jess’s overbearing and opinionated mother butts into her video. Thus begins a new life for Jess as she begins to find her way among family, friends, and a new potential love.

The relationship between Jess and her mom is one of the highlights of the story. I love Jess. She is a hard-working entrepreneur, strong and resilient, and a bit foul-mouthed. She refuses to let her job loss get her down, and she works hard to reinvent herself. Jess goes through such a great personal journey throughout the book as she gains confidence and a strong sense of self, and learns to trust herself and others. Her work ethic is something to be admired, as is her relationship with her parents.

Jess’s mother is a spitfire, and she totally steals the show, both literally and figuratively. She is so funny, and it’s when she is on camera with Jess that the channel goes viral. Jess and her mom have fabulous chemistry, and it’s clear that they love each other very much. They have a close mother-daughter bond that I think many readers will relate to. Their relationship is frustrating, fun, and, above all, filled with love. I so related to this, as my mother, much like Jess’s, used to drive me insane, riddle me with guilt, and then envelop me in support, compassion, and unwavering love.

The slow-building romance between Jess and her old school nemesis Daniel is another highlight of the book, though it is not the main focus of the story. When Jess’s mom tries to set Jess up with the now-successful lawyer Daniel, Jess is none too pleased. However, the more she gets to know him, the less she wants to resist him. Good-looking and confident, Daniel is quite different from the boy Jess remembered from high school. I found Daniel positively swoon-tastic, and he and Jess have great chemistry. I love their easy and witty banter, and I’m always a sucker for a good enemies-to-lovers romance. Of course, their relationship is not without obstacles, and his job conflicts with her new career. However, it was lovely to see their relationship slowly bloom as they maneuvered through these new problems.

I also like that the novel touches upon relevant and relatable issues like inequities and sexism in the workplace, women’s rights, and racism, all of which Jess, her family, and her friends face throughout the story. Sadly, this makes the story even more realistic, as these are common issues in current American culture.

And the food!! I want to try all of the delicious-sounding food. Jess has so many clever and yummy Korean-inspired meals and hacks, and I want a taste of all of them! A wonderful, heart-warming story about starting over, believing in yourself, and taking chances, the novel also highlights the complexities of love, friendship, success, and family. I enjoyed this book very much and think readers who are looking for a charming story with great characters, a sweet enemies-to-lovers romance, and a lot of delicious food will also adore it. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Avon, and Suzanne Park for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

(Will post links closer to publication.)

Like the description says, Jessica Kim is an investment banker who is laid off from her Wall Street job, setting off the story that leads her back home to figure out what she wants to do with her life and also right into the path of Daniel Choi, the guy who she used to compete with in school and the guy she can't help but feel very attracted to.

I liked this book. It was cute and I related to a lot of it. Jess not only shares my name, but also works in the finance industry like me and I KNOW how frustrating the hierarchy and boys club attitude can be. Having to reset your life at 30? I know that too. And Daniel Choi? I like him too. I do love a good looking, confident hero in a business suit.

The only downsides to this book were it was very light on the romance and not steamy. But I enjoyed Jessie's relationships with her mom and her friends and all the effort that she put into her business. Though the business seemed to glide along almost TOO well. I really just wish there had been more romance and more Daniel over all. I think I prefer my romances to do the dual POV between the Hero and Heroine, but this book only follows Jessie's POV.

Over all, I really liked the book and the characters and would recommend it.

Jessie Kim is on track to be a high-power investment banker. That is, until her firm needs to make some layoffs and only the old boys' club is safe. She moves home to live with her parents in Nashville to try her hand at entrepreneurship. But when she finds out her childhood nemesis Daniel Choi is also in Nashville between jobs and way hotter than she remembers, she's not ready to give up her old competitive habits.

This is such a fun, feminist, uplifting romcom! Jessie's experience in a male-dominated field and her frustrations with workplace sexism were realistic and relatable, and I think the way it affected her confidence and drive worked well. I adore foodie fiction, so I loved everything about Jessie and her mom's cooking. Her business maybe worked out a little too easily and the romance part of the book could have been a little stronger, but overall, I really enjoyed it.

We’ve all had that moment in life where it seems everything crumbles at once. So We Meet Again is a relatable tale of picking yourself up by your bootstraps mixed with a former arch-rival turned hottie dynamic. I found Jessie to be such a relatable character. On one hand she knows she’s smart and driven, and on the other she’s lost and unsure. I always love a good Glow Up (and a little bit of romance)

This book was great! It was a little predictable for me and I just didn't feel the chemistry. It was a total its-me-not-you type of read for me.

The story opens with our main character Jess Kim, working as an investment banker. She’s expecting a promotion but soon realizes that she has bee passed over. After hearing sexist and racist comments from her coworkers, she abruptly quits and heads to her parents in Tennessee. She runs into an old childhood friend Daniel Choi, who is a very successful lawyer and helps Jess get her new business started.

I loved the mother-daughter relationship it felt very real and the development throughout the story was perfect. I also love the support from Jess’ friends. The romance between Jess and Daniel progressed smoothly and I loved that their relationship was not the main storyline. The banter was light and humorous and the conflict was believable.

<i>So We Meet Again</I> showed us the extreme perseverance and bravery of starting a business the way Jess did. The writing was wonderful and the depictions of the food was amazing.

I really enjoyed this read. I feel like it leans more on the contemporary fiction more than it does romance. While there is romance it is not the main focus. Which I found enjoyable, others may be disappointed if they are looking for more romance.

Release Date: 8/3

Thanks Avon and Harper Voyage and Netgalley for the advanced copy to review.

Loathe at First Sight was so much fun, that I was so giddy to see So We Meet Again available on NetGalley. This was another fun, adorable romance by Suzanne Park. Jessie Kim and Daniel Choi were great characters with lots of chemistry. There was the perfect amount of drama (familial and otherwise), to this otherwise light-hearted romance.

Jessie Kim is a hard worker with tons of potential - but her bosses don't see it that way. After she's laid off from her i-banking job due to "lack of leadership skills", she retreats to her parents' home in Tennessee to regroup and figure out what's next. Along the way, she runs into Daniel Choi, an old school nemesis who appears to have the world on a string. Daniel helps support Jessie as she relaunches her Korean food YouTube channel, Hanguk Hacks. Can Jessie succeed on this new career path, and she will she find even more than just business success?

This book is incredibly heartwarming - I loved seeing all the characters' journeys! Lots of women will relate to Jessie - passed over at work, not sure of their next moves, trying to figure out life in today's complicated world. Seeing her parents and friends support her was really moving. Jessie's mom is the MVP of the book - her culinary antics on Hanguk Hacks were hilarious and relatable, and it was clear how much she loved her daughter. Daniel was truly swoon worthy - Park shows you the man behind the seemingly perfect exterior. And the food!! I was salivating as Jessie cooked Korean staples with an American twist.

More authors these days are injecting serious topics into their fiction, and Park doesn't shy away from the lard subjects. We see how misogyny and anti-Asian racism affect Jessie and her friends and family. I think this heaviness adds to the story and grounds it in reality, and I hope it can also help educate readers. 4.5 stars rounded to 5!

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for providing an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review posted to Goodreads 4/25/21.
Review will be posted to Instagram closer to pub date 8/3/21.

I can tell you right now this is gonna be a new favorite for a lot of folks ..
super charming romance with lovely elements from the Korean American community. love the story of a young woman using losing her Wall Street job as an opportunity to pivot and create a business all of her own! and not just that but the way she involved her parents and made Korean food accessible to the masses. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hungry after read this one. loved it from start to finish!

Two things I can say about this book: in my opinion so far this is the best book Ms. Young has written and the genre of the novel is closer to women’s fiction than romance.

I adored the depictions of yummy Asian food which made me order so many take outs and devoured them as if they were my last meals. And the other thing I truly loved was the sweet bitter mother-daughter relationship!

There’s also realistic, a little harsh approach to racism, sexism which were discussed with bold and powerful dialogues. I have to say I liked the honest perspective of the author even though some parts were a little exaggerated but most parts include important and sensitive messages which were strict to the point.

The story begins with inequality and sexism in the office introduces us efficient, hard worker investment banker Jess Kim doesn’t get the promotion she highly deserved. Accidentally at the virtual meeting she learns the sexist and racist comments of her bosses about her which is the last straw forcing her to resign.

As soon as she moves back to her home town Tennessee to share her childhood house with intimidating, domineer Korean mom who tries to set her up with pastor’s charming kid Daniel Choi, even though she hates the idea, she cannot resists the charm of the young man.

Jess concentrates on her new start up business- she becomes YouTube vlogger- producing videos about making easy meal prep for people who stuck long hours at their offices. ( of course when her know it all mother appears out of nowhere sabotaging her video production and accidentally bringing more viewers and investment opportunities, things get so much better)

The blurb advertised us the main conflict between Daniel and Jess: Daniel becomes general counsel of her old firm which is interested to buy her off but actually they have earlier conflict about the grocery chain Jess has meal kits.

The book is a little slow burn than I expected and it’s centered on dysfunctional the mother- daughter relationship. So the romance parts between Daniel and Jess are a little overshadowed.

This book is still sentimental, thought provoking, entertaining contemporary read. If you keen on reading romcom/ romance, you might be a little disappointed because it’s mostly about family dynamics, great Asian foods and inequality in work environment which still make the book quite enjoyable read.

I’m rounding up 3.5 stars to 4 mother- daughter, YouTube, raising my glass for women empowerment stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

My goodness was this a tasty book! Be warned, this is yet another release that you should not read on an empty stomach. I came out of this craving bulgogi and banh mi. I loved how Jessie grew throughout the story from a tentative banker to a forceful entrepreneur. The relationship between her and Daniel was an adorable enemies to lovers slow burn that didn't suffer from the classic miscommunication issues. Overall a delectable story with a splash of romance.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

This was my first book from Park and I really enjoyed it! Jess is a character I wanted to follow along with immediately, and her professional as well as her personal struggles were incredibly relatable. I was also hooked on her chemistry with Daniel from minute one, and her dynamic with her parents in particular was a very charming one that felt rooted and complex. The only thing that was a little confusing to me was how quickly Jess's new show took off; the timeline of the book felt somewhat rushed to me in terms of her going from having a livestream YouTube channel to being internationally successful, and even the obstacles she ran into seemed to be resolved very quickly with no long-term ripple effects. I didn't mind it being a lighter or low-stakes romance, and ultimately it was a very fun read, but I would've liked to see at least one bigger hiccup prior to the conflict towards the end.

Things I loved about this book:
-The MC’s entrepreneurship (I’m a sucker for start ups)
-The complicated relationship that the MC has with her parents
-Enemies to lover style romance
-The side characters

Things I didn’t love
-The speed of the plot (there was quiet the lull in the middle)
-The unfinished business the MC has in NY and the lack of resolution there. This just feels like a loose end and I would have loved to the MC tie it up.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I don’t think it will be a reread for me.

Thank you to the publisher and @netgalley for a copy of this. I loved this book so much!! What did I love about it:
- The food!! I want to create these hacks to make some delicious Korean meals
- The connection between Jess and Daniel, I love the banter and slow burn between them
- Jess’ parents are the best. They reminded me a lot of my parents. In one scene where she is picking up rice for her mom, it totally brought back some memories for me.
- The friendships. I love how supportive Jess’ friends were with her business venture
- Sexism in the work place. As a banker, I see how much it is really a male dominated industry. I love how Suzanne incorporated a relevant topic without It being in your face but makes you think about it.

Suzanne Park has delivered such a cute feel-good contemporary romance that you'd want nothing more but to dive into it headfirst. As a person of Asian heritage, any books that are deeply rooted in one's ethnicity is something that I treasure with all my heart. So We Meet Again is nothing short of that. When I say I fell in love with this book, I am not kidding.

First, let's talk about the two adorable--even if sometimes dumb--characters, Jessie Kim and Daniel Choi. Their interactions are such a laugh-out-loud kind of comedy, they filled this book with the vibrance of their personality. They may have had their ups and downs but they always found their way back together. The hint of their rivalry as children really hooked me to the plotline; there is just a lot of emotional baggage to delve into in this one.

I loved everything about this; the simplicity of it, richly drenched in culture references, and the way Park captured these characters' flaws and vulnerabilities.