Thank you @readforeverpub for the #gifted eARC of LUNAR LOVE!

I remember first learning about the Chinese Zodiac in 5th grade and being absolutely fascinated by it. So when I was offered a chance to read LUNAR LOVE, I jumped at it!

LUNAR LOVE follows Olivia Huang Christensen, the newest Head Matchmaker at Lunar Love, as she takes over the family company. During her first week in charge, she has a run in with Bennett O’Brien who is the creator of a new dating app called ZodiaCupid who’s app also using the Chinese Zodiac to make matches.

Liv instantly decides Bennett is the enemy and that she must take him down to save her family business. But she’s also insanely attracted to him…

Things I loved:
- Olivia and Bennett’s bakery meet-cute
- Olivia and her Po Po’s sweet relationship
- The whole Dodger’s food runner scene
- How the author handled mixed raced MCs embracing different aspects of their cultures
- Learning more about the Chinese Zodiac
- He fell first.

Things I didn’t love:
- How Olivia just decided that Bennett was the enemy and couldn’t seem to wrap her brain around their businesses coexisting even though everyone else said it could
- It felt like a one-sided enemies-to-lovers trope.

LUNAR LOVE came out on January 10th!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4898027525
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CnSAqzkpH5o/

Women’s Fiction meets Romance.

I’m starting a new term. It’s called romance-lite. It’s not a bad term, but I’m going to start using it every time I read a book that’s women’s fiction but because it has an HEA and a romance involved in the growth of the heroine, it’s called a romance. Did I want more spice on the page? You bet I’ll always vote for more sensuality. But before we dig into all the things I wanted, let’s backtrack a second.

The book is pure catnip; two matchmakers pitted against each other. With our heroine Olivia being the inheritor of a decades old-school matchmaking business based on the Chinese Zodiac that her grandmother started. She’s up against an upstart tech-driven hero, Bennett, who’s launching a dating app with inspiration from the Chinese Zodiac. It’s a match made to fail since not only are they competitors but their signs aren’t compatible. Trope cat-nip in a bottle. Add in a loving grandmother, a pair of fun matchmaking employees, and one woman’s drive to uphold years of tradition and prove she can successfully keep a legacy alive. What’s not to love?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, from the meet-cute to the end. There was a bit of predictability in how the story would play out. I had some feelings where things might go on the resolution front, but the author keeps everything fresh with the inner-workings of the book. From the devious actions of Olivia towards the start, to a match-making competition. This book offered up fresh looks at romantic scenarios. Along with being diverse and own voices with a unique insight into life with character of mixed heritages.

So, what keeps this from 5 stars? I mentioned the romance-lite. While there is a romance prevalent throughout the story, since we’re talking about matchmakers, the journey is really Olivia’s. The story stays in her POV the entire way. She requires the most growth. Though, I won’t lie I wanted to be in Bennett’s head. There are a few other things that border on spoiler territory that kept this out of the top marks for me.

Overall, I’m interested to see what this author has planned next, and hopefully she’ll give us a story in the same world. There were plenty of side characters I was interested in. If you ever wondered what a Jackie Lau and Kristin Higgins -style book would be like, then Lunar Love may be right up your alley.

~ Landra

3.5⭐
G for closed door

A book about dating and the Chinese New Year and enemies to lovers of competing business partners and showcasing mixed Chinese American heritage sounded so exciting to me, but ultimately this book did not live up to my expectations. I wish Lauren had hired a business consultant to help write her book because, as a corporate girlie, I found so many decisions made by Olivia as a business owner did not make sense.

The culture showcased throughout this book was so special and I loved all the traditions this book shared. But the characters felt extremely flat and the plot was predictable. And I just thought the competition of an in person matchmaking service vs online dating felt very dated. Olivia would know people who got married from meeting on an app. This book just wasn't it for me unfortunately! If you love horoscopes and want to learn more about Chinese American heritage, I think this would still be worth picking up.

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

What’s the best way to honor tradition? Should we adapt it to the modern world, changing to fit the way we live now? Or can we better honor it by keeping things exactly the way they’ve always been? That’s the dilemma at the heart of Lunar Love.

Olivia is a matchmaker, taking the helm of the traditional Chinese zodiac-based company her grandmother started fifty years ago. Bennett is launching a vaguely Chinese zodiac-influenced dating app, and their relationship gets off on the wrong foot because Olivia sees this as encroaching on her territory. They’re opposite signs of the zodiac, and as the reader, we follow Olivia as she starts to see that despite that, she and Bennett have way more in common than she could have ever expected.

They have chemistry as adversaries and even more as tentative friends turning into more. Bennett is super sweet and thoughtful, as well as analytical and data-driven, and that’s exactly the kind of guy Liv doesn’t realize she needs. It’s fun to watch her slowly fall. And her whole extended family is so wonderful and adds so much to the book, especially her beloved Po-Po.

Still, I wanted a little more. Their different methods of matchmaking were the crux of the book, but we really didn’t see either of them at work. We see Olivia in maybe one matchmaking session, and I think it could have really helped emphasize why she loved her job so much if there was more of it on the page. And while I loved the representation of Olivia and Bennett’s culture – the food and family traditions – I would have loved to read even more about the Chinese zodiac itself.

This is a fun enemies to lovers romance, just in time for Chinese New Year. Liv is finally taking over the family matchmaking business, based on the Chinese zodiac. The business, Lunar Love, has a reputation for making matches that last a lifetime.
Her competitor is LA’s most eligible bachelor, Bennett, who is launching an app called ZodiaCupid. It uses Chinese zodiac information as well.

They have a meet cute at a bakery but don’t realize they’re competitors. They end up making a bet that they can find the perfect match for the other using their respective methods.
They go on a few accidental dates and are really attracted to one another. Liv needs to figure out how to reconcile the two dating methods so she and Bennett can be together.

I really liked the characters and Liv’s personal growth as she tries to be more flexible in her thinking.
I recommend this book, 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre/tropes: romance, enemies-to-lovers

If you’re looking for a sweet, heartwarming read please pick up a copy of 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲! I was smitten with this story instantly.

Olivia inherits her grandmother’s successful, decades-old matchmaking business. What makes it unique is that their methods and algorithms rely on traditional Chinese zodiac to pair the best couples. It’s hands on and personal. Olivia faces some challenges upon taking over the business, namely bringing it into the 21st century while also honoring the rich heritage and tradition that have made Lunar Love so successful. She’s also facing added pressure from an app that incorporates the Chinese zodiac and modern technology that could steal her clients. But taking down the competition isn’t easy when she’s falling for its owner, Bennett.

There’s so much to love about this story - its love of family and respect for tradition. Olivia almost has tunnel vision with regards to that and has to learn to strike a better balance. She acts immaturely or unprofessionally at certain points, but she does collect herself. She and Bennett have chemistry; she‘s just in denial. I loved that romance is held in such high regard. It just felt good to feel that as I was reading.

𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 was a joy to read. Not to mention that the author had me running to my local Chinese grocery store for treats that were mentioned in it. Romance lovers, this is one to read!

Thanks to @readforeverpub & @netgalley for my ARC. This is my honest review.

This book was light heart and cute. As soon as I started reading I knew I wasn't going to put it down until I finish. There's enemies to lovers, great banter and a really great plot.

This book was super cute and, as an Asian-American myself, it’s always wonderful to see bits and pieces of my culture reflected back to me. I love a good slow-burn Enemies-to-Lovers/Opposites Attract story, and I really commend the author here because the banter?? The banter between our two leads, Alice & Bennett, is IMPECCABLE and reads so naturally right off the bat. I also was really invested in and enjoyed the non-romance aspects of this book as well, as a matchmaking business rooted in the Chinese mythology & zodiac makes for a real unique story. I definitely would recommend this book to others & can’t wait to see what the author publishes in the future!

Lunar Love is an excellent debut novel by Lauren Kung Jessen. Upon reading the synopsis, I was intrigued and I have to say this book did not disappoint. We have my favorite trope enemies to lovers which brings lots of witty banter that is sure to keep you entertained for hours. Olivia and Bennett are the ultimate opposites attract as their stubbornness leads them to find lots of things they have in common and help one another grow throughout the novel. I absolutely loved the representation of biracial cultures. Incorporating Chinese and Taiwanese tradition in this novel, allowed us to take a closer look at cultures outside our own. Learning about the zodiac and how it can be interpreted was the highlight of the novel as it is a topic that I hold dearly and truly fascinates me.

Overall, this is a must read for those who enjoy an enemies to lovers romance where the main characters are truly opposites. It is also a book I would recommend based on culture as it expands our knowledge and understanding. I cannot wait to see what other works Lauren has in store for us.

I really loved Olivia and Bennett's romance. It was fun watching these two matchmakers with different approaches fall in love. The story was original and entertaining, and I liked that it didn't take some of the plot directions I thought it would. Lauren's writing style was easy to read and engaging, and the book hooked me from the very beginning. I can't wait to see what she writes next.

“𝕃𝕚𝕗𝕖’𝕤 𝕥𝕠𝕠 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕣𝕥 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕓𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝 𝕞𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕤𝕖𝕝𝕗 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙”

Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen
Genre: Contemporary Romance (Closed Door) 
Publishing Date: January 10, 2023

Lunar Love brings together tradition and innovation in a meet cute, sweet romance. 

🌙 Olivia has inherited her dream role; CEO of her Grandmother’s matchmaking business, Lunar Love. Lunar Love is steeped in tradition using the Chinese Zodiac and in person touches to find compatible love matches. With her heart full she starts her transition only to find the company is barely staying afloat. With that soul crushing news Olivia, a fiercely determined Horse, decides she will do whatever it takes to return Lunar Love to being a profitable business.  

🌙 When chance encounters with attractive, witty Bennett, Olivia can’t stop herself from thinking about him. That all comes to a halt when she finds out that he has launched a dating app, based upon the Chinese Zodiac. Any romantic thoughts she might have felt for him are extinguished and she goes on the offensive, zeroing in on his business as the reason for her own company’s failings. While placed in a hard situation to rescue the family business, Olivia chose to be laser focused on deception. I held my breath at some points thinking there is no way she is going to do that or say that. Thankfully Bennett came through with being either unaware or so caught up in the moment that it smoothed over Olivia's tenacity.

🌙 Bennett stole the show in this book. His ability to share from the heart why he believed in his business and why was a focal point. I loved that he shared his love of data and analytics with students and his overall personality shone. I really wished we could have seen this world from his point of view. Olivia was quick to dismiss most of Bennett’s qualities and turned them around to all the negative aspects of a Rat. Her focus was clear, but I wish her armor had more cracks in it. 

🌙 I truly enjoyed the way the author wrote about Olivia’s family. The closeness of this family was endearing. They spend weekly dinners together and the traditions are detailed and warm.The food descriptions were incredible. There are even recipes in the back of the book. I would love to try Bennett’s pumpkin, sage and brown butter sushi recipe. 

🌙 Thank you to read forever for my gifted copy of the book. I am so grateful for your generosity.

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.

Within the first chapter, I knew I was going to love this book. How did I know this? Because within the first page, I highlighted and wrote notes 4x! It had such a beautifully captivating start that I knew I was in for a genuine story about love and family. What I didn't expect was to fully laugh and sob several times throughout the book!

The two main characters, Bennett and Olivia, and a few side characters, particularly Po Po, were rich in personality with relatable or understandable qualities. I admired Olivia's drive and passion for her family's business and the culture and traditions behind the Chinese Zodiac. At times, I disliked the main male character, Bennett, but overall, he had more redeemable characteristics than not. One thing that felt missing from the story was more in-depth storylines and personalities for Nina, Alisha, and Colette.

The plot was paced well, making it easy to finish the entire book in two days. Towards the 3/4 mark, there is an annoying miscommunication trope moment, but thankfully, it is solved within a chapter. If it had gone any longer, I would've screamed and likely dropped the rating down by at least 2 stars. However, this was not the case, and the characters acted incredibly maturely, which I was so happy about. There was a nice mix of lighthearted and hilarious moments with touching, emotional ones. There were also detailed descriptions of food and Chinese tradition, which I especially appreciated as a Chinese-American woman.

In terms of romance, this is not recommended for people who are looking for their next delicious smutty romance to dive into. I'd give this romance a G-rating, and although I wish it had been a little spicier, the characters and storyline were strong enough without it.

This was a fun read, and I'd like to thank NetGalley and Forever Grand Publishing for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a cute read! I loved following Olivia's story in taking over her family's matchmaking business. I thought it was such a cool concept matching people based on their Chinese Zodiac, and it was so interesting to see how much the process meant to Olivia and the lengths she's willing to go to protect her legacy. The back and forth she had with Bennett was amazing, their banter was top-tier! I love the ways their differences cause them to oppose and challenge each other, and ultimately bring out the best in each other.

Overall, I highly enjoyed this one and can't wait to see what Lauren Kung Jessen comes up with next!

This definitely read like a debut novel. I didn't feel any chemistry between the main characters 😕 the Chinese zodiac bits were the most interesting to read about in my opinion as well as the women led business and family dynamics.

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The heroine is taking over her grandmother's matchmaking business and has certain ideas about matchmaking. She meets the hero without knowing who he is, but when she realizes that he's behind a matchmaking app that is too similar to her family's legacy. The heroine and the hero make a deal about finding a match for each other, and whoever falls in love first is the loser. The heroine is determined to win, but she doesn't realize that her plans will not fall into place when fate takes charge.

This is a contemporary romance filled with Chinese matchmaking history and told in a first-person viewpoint. I did find the first meeting between the heroine and the hero quite cute, and the plethora of Chinese history quite fascinating. But I did find the story plodded along tediously in some parts of the book. I did like the hero more than the heroine in this book and would have liked to have the hero's point-of-view to enrich the reading experience. I did enjoy the group of secondary characters that surrounded the main couple, especially the heroine's family and co-workers. Overall, a solid romance book.


**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own.**

Olivia and Bennett are both in the matchmaking business. While they both utilize Chinese zodiac animal traits to make matches, their approaches are very different. Olivia has just taken over the family business and believes in compatible animal matches and very hands-on client interactions. Bennett is launching a dating app that relies on algorithms and data that only takes animal traits into consideration when making matches.

It soon becomes clear that there are very strong feelings growing between them as they butt heads over whose approach is best. If you are looking for a flirty, fun rom-com, look no further. As an added bonus the recipes for the swiss rolls and dumplings that are made in the story are included at the end of the novel.

I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Olivia is a matchmaker who works to match people in person based on the Chinese zodiac. On her grandmother's 90th birthday, she takes over the family business, Lunar Love. Their business specializes in getting to know their clients well and matchmaking people in person. But she quickly learns of a new competitor, an app that uses the Chinese much more loosely, run by Bennett O'Brien.

At times, I found it hard to like Olivia. She went from being a strong, entrepreneurial heroine to being unkind and questionably ethical. I was most pleased when she and Bennett seemed on more equal footing with less deception. Thus, I preferred the latter portions of the to the middle.

I especially appreciated that both Olivia and Bennett were mixed race Chinese Americans. Both struggled with their identities, and as they learned more about their culture, so did I.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

This is such a sweet romance with fantastic dialogue and banter as well as characters with real depth. What do you get when you have the owner of a astrological matchmaking service run by her Chinese grandmother versus an app which uses astrological signs in a different way to find matches? You get this sparkling debut by Lauren Kung Jessen. Olivia is happy to take over her grandmothers traditional Chinese matchmaking business but is very upset when she learns about an app that has made this approach all about “animal attraction “. She’s worried that this app by Bennett would ruin everything that her grandmother had created.

As the businesses begin to compete with against one another Olivia and Bennett agree to match make for each other and see that whoever’s match takes that person loses the competition. Unbeknownst to both of them their perfect matches seem to be each other.

The interactions between the main characters really keep you involved during the entire book. The secondary characters only add to the reading closure. It’s also nice to see how people have an idea of other heritage is that isn’t always the reality. It was fun to see the progression of Olivia and Bennett’s relationship as well as Olivia‘s discovery of herself. All in all I found this to be a must read book if you are looking for a good romance