The Christmas Clash is a YA rom-com where two former enemies team up to save both their parents’ restaurants and their mall community. The romance was super cute and there were quite a few funny moments. I loved Chloe’s passion for photography, especially because this went against typical expectations for first-generation kids who are expected to become doctors or lawyers.

On a more serious note, this book showed the struggles of small businesses in the dying mall industry and how this disproportionately hurts immigrants and those for whom English is a second language.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and it definitely brought me back to my teenage days working at the mall! It was my first novel by Suzanne Park, but I’m sure it won’t be my last.

Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Fire, NetGalley, and Suzanne Park for the opportunity to read this advance copy.

Such a cute story! I relished the setting of the suburban mall, and the vivid descriptions brought back such good memories. Peter and Chloe complement each other well. I loved diving into their different personalities—and getting to virtually enjoy the cuisines of their family restaurants.

The holiday atmosphere added a special touch to the story, making it an even cozier feel-good rom-com.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I think I would have rated this higher if I had not felt slightly misguided on the premise of this book. It was a little more plot-heavy than I was expecting--the romance was a side plot, and hardly even present at times. This was not necessarily a bad thing, it's just not what I was expecting. I wouldn't have minded as much if the save-the-mall plot had not dragged on so much. The plot felt very stagnant at times, like I would read 20 pages and nothing really happened. Most of the plot action didn't occur until the end, so it was really hard to stay motivated to finish.
I did really enjoy how the plot tackled real-world issues concerning the problems that many small-business owners are facing today and the extra disadvantage that POC face in such situations. The depiction of the landlord and the injustice of the restaurant owners in the mall was really well done! I felt so bad for all of the owners and it showed me a new perspective of the downfall of malls that I've never considered before, which I greatly appreciate.
For being marketed as a Christmas novel, I honestly forgot it took place during Christmas time for most of the book. I'm not entirely sure why it is called "The Christmas Clash," as the main plot has nothing to do with the holiday season despite taking place in the winter months and the holiday-themed jobs that the two main characters have, of which have little importance in the book overall.
Right off the bat, I really liked Chloe and Peter and their relationship dynamic. It was really easy to root for them. However, I feel like their relationship transitioned from a rivalry to a friendship to a romantic relationship too quickly. I lost interest in their relationship about halfway through the book because it felt too forced and I just couldn't really see their connection too well. I think more banter and friendly interactions before they first kissed would have been really beneficial because my favorite part of their relationship was when they were just becoming friends again! I also wish they had a more direct and serious conversation regarding the nature of their relationship, as that never happened, which made it feel even less realistic. In general, I felt like the characters could've been a little more fleshed-out. They all felt two-dimensional at points, and their conversations felt too planned and impractical. The conversations didn't flow naturally, which made it hard to stay engaged in the story.
Overall, this is a great read as long as you aren't going in for the holiday feel or the romance!

I liked reading it, I was invested pretty quickly in the outcome and I liked both main characters, even though for me as an adult reader the story sometimes dragged on a little. I'm used to reading more about the romance and less about the backstory 😊 That's why it's a 3* read for me, simply a matter of taste and slightly different expectations.

In the beginning I was a bit sceptical because the plot sounded very similar to A Pho love story. But I was very happy to see that that was actually something good. The plots did have similarities in tropes and such but they where both very unique.

I loved how the book got to the point and how healthy and realistic the MCs relation was. Even though I am East Asian there was a lot I could relate to. The relationships that both MCs had with the other characters where realistic but different.

So this book is totally for you if you liked A pho love story and my mechanical romance. It’s also perfect for the holidays as it’s set around Christmas time and has alla the feels.

Suzanne does it again! A great read, and perfect for anyone who loves a holiday themed story. Suzanne constantly writes wonderful stories that I keep coming back to.

It was a decent enough story. I do not think I was necessarily the main target audience since it did read a little younger than what I think I was expecting. It felt a lot like other stories I have read before, but it did still have some unique qualities that made it different. Will probably read from this author again in the future, even if this book was not necessarily my favorite read of the year.

Thank you to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for the ARC for an honest review.

Suzanne Park has always been hit or miss with me, but she does shine very well with YA more than she does with adult rom-coms. This was no exception. I really enjoyed Chloe and Peter, and I really enjoyed reading their different experiences as a 2nd generation Korean-American girl and a 3rd generation Chinese-American boy. Both of their experiences were different, but not any less important or significant.

As the daughter of an Italian immigrant who owned and ran a restaurant for nearly 20 years before he passed, I was able to connect to Chloe and Peter on that aspect. I also know what it's like to feel inferior to another sibling, except my brother is younger. I'm glad to see Chloe and Peter accept who they are towards the end of the book, but also know that they have a lot of growth ahead of them.

The "enemies to friends to lovers" wasn't as strong in this as I would have liked. There wasn't a lot of drama between Chloe and Peter, and they developed into friends far more quickly than I expected. But when you have a crisis such as their beloved mall being threatened to sell, you kind of have to get over yourself to get things done. I would have liked to see their parents interact more towards the end of the book, but parents are parents and sometimes just a small change can be enough.

This was a quick read and one I enjoyed none the less.

I had mixed feelings about this one. I thought it was cute and I'm glad they came together to save the restaurants. I also loved the food. But I think we needed a bit more depth in the families.
Some parts were really hilarious and I liked the side characters too.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

This was such a feel good enemies to lovers story that will steal your heart. I love that these two families have restaurants (foodie rom coms are my favorite) and that they are rivals. I love how the two teens come together, sort of pushing the rivalry aside. I loved the side character although Elias almost steaks the show. All in all this book had me smiling and turning pages late into the night.

It may be July, but I’m reading Christmas books! A classic enemies to lovers Christmas romantic comedy of the You’ve Got Mail variety. Perfect light and fluffy read for the holiday season or if you’re craving that Christmas feeling in summer like me!

I don’t understand why so many reviews seem to love this book. Enemies to lovers is a trope I like but this one was confusing. The reason for the family feud did not seem realistic and did not feel resolved. The dialogue between the characters did not feel authentic. The supporting characters were occasionally funny, definitely supportive, but one dimensional as people. Chloe and Peter never even discuss their relationship, just kiss once in a while and then make out at the end in his car.

The only real thing I liked about this book was the cover, which is adorable. There are more engaging YA romances that I’d put in my classroom. Although coming from a mature content point of view, this one would be classroom appropriate as far as content.

Suzanne Park is an insta-read author for me and this new story did not disappoint. A fun read that is perfect year-round despite its holiday theme. YA readers will love the budding relationship between the main characters. Highly recommended!

Chloe Kwon can't stand Peter Li. It's always been that way. Their families don't get along either: their parents operate rival restaurants in the Riverwood Mall food court Korean food for the Kwons and Chinese food for the Lis. Now it's the holiday season and Chloe's the photographer at the mall's Santa's Village, and Peter works at the virtual reality North Pole experience right across the atrium. It's all Chloe can do to avoid Peter's smug, incredibly photogenic face.
But it turns out the mall is about to be sold to a developer and demolished for condos. Eviction notices are being handed out right before Christmas. Their parents don't know what to do, and soon Chloe and Peter realize that the two of them need to join efforts to try to save the mall. Just when it seems like they can put aside their differences and work closely (very closely) together, they discover that the Kwon and Li feud goes far deeper than either of them realize...
Really enjoyable read totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire
I just reviewed The Christmas Clash by Suzanne Park. #NetGalley

The premise of this book intrigued me, I enjoy stories that are "enemies to lovers". This was a cute story that followed that trope. Chloe and Peter are rivals, but when they find out that the mall their parents' restaurants are in is being sold to build condos, they decide to work together to stop the demolition. There are some cute scenes in this book, and I liked seeing Chloe and Peter work together and put an end to their rivalry. Overall, this was a cute read.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

THE CHRISTMAS CLASH by Suzanne Park doesn't come out until October, but I was able to snag an ARC on NetGalley when they dropped yesterday.

I don't read a lot of YA these days, because it feels kind of weird to read about characters who could literally be my children, but I am a Suzanne Park completist and will read whatever she writes. And, as expected, I enjoyed this one too! The characters are realistic teenagers, with as much maturity as insecurity. And the main conflict, the quest to save a dying mall, is a great idea, and so relevant to so many of our communities.

chloe and peter are enemies but they come together to save the mall. Both of their parents both have a restaurant there. They slowly help each other out and fall in love. chloe is an artist and up for a grant and peter and her help to try and save the mall. Great story and romance.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read and review your titles. I really not the opportunity!

I do appreciate it and continue to review books that I get the chance to read.
Thanks again!

*3.5

Chloe and Peter are adorable and I wish the book would have leaned into their romance a bit more. The book was plot heavy which is fine but it felt like the romance was the side plot instead of the main one as the book is promoted.

I received an arc through netgalley.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

While both Chloe and Peter worked at Christmas-related kiosks at their local mall, this book didn't seem much like a holiday novel. That being said, there was a solid storyline that was strong and interesting enough it made up for the book not seeming "holiday-centered". The characters were well developed and enjoyable. In fact, Chloe's parents were among my favorites.

Overall, this may not be the book to put you in the Christmas spirit, but it is still worth the read.