*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

Tradition goes head to head with modernity in this fun, fresh, and oh-so satisfying book by Lauren Kung Jessen. When Liv inherits her Pó Po’s business of matchmaking through the Chinese Zodiac, the first thing she does (or so it feels like) is make an enemy with an up-and-coming app developer. Bennett O’Brien's goal is to make the zodiac more... applicable to today's audience through his app ZodiaCupid-- focusing heavily on an algorithm rather than more traditional elements of matchmaking.

As so many other reviewers have pointed out, Jessen does an amazing job at building realistic characters and an interesting, and fresh plot. A classic enemies to lovers romance, this book is for anyone who is a fan of sparkling banter, hot romance, and off the chart chemistry!

Although this is quite predictable, it was still very enjoyable. I liked learning about the different customs. The hero, Bennett, was very likable, but the heroine was rather irritating. Of course, when one character writes out an article bashing the hero’s business, but plans never to publish it, you know what exactly is going to happen.

I also didn’t buy the idea of the heroine’s matchmaking service based on Chinese astrology. It didn’t seem that there was any way that, in the 21st century, this could be a money making enterprise and support several full-time employees.

But, if you’re willing to suspend disbelief, this was still an enjoyable read with the heroine’s grandmother, Po Po, winning the book.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Lauren Kung Jessen's book tells the story of Olivia, a third generation matchmaker who uses the zodiac calendar and the traits attached to it as a recipe for success when matching clients in L.A. But she has met her match (literally) when she bumps into Bennett, the creator and owner of a new dating app called ZodiaCupid, basically a tech version of what her very traditional family business has been doing for decades. Olivia wants to hate Bennett and uses there initial first interactions as opportunities to get dirt on him and his business, but eventually she starts to see that although they are technically incompatible, perhaps there is something to be said about the concept of opposites attract.

This book definitely has the enemies to lovers trope and I was a bit turned off about it fairly early on, but I got over it pretty quickly. There is a bit of a bet between Olivia and Bennett about finding love for each other, and it reminded me a bit of How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, one of my all time favourite rom coms, so I stuck with it and I am glad I did! I found that though predictable at times, it was pretty hard to put down. I'm also not sure how I felt about their dates always ending up being together rather than with the people they arranged them with. In a way I guess I just wanted them to give up the act and date each other if that was what they wanted, but then I guess the book would have had no plot line lol. I really liked the romantic scenes and first dates peppered throughout the story and the cultural aspects related to lunar new year and family tradition, which was a big part of why I chose this book to begin with.

Overall, it was a quick and easy read and it was well written. I would definitely read future books from this author and am glad I had the chance to read this one, thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the chance to read and review it!

A mixed race romance about two entrepreneurs who both can’t get out of their own way - I LOVED Lunar Love! So well written, with beautifully complex characters. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

I really loved this book! The Chinese-American character representation was wonderful and I enjoyed learning about Olivia's culture. Her interactions with her family were so sweet and her relationship with Po Po was so special. The Chinese zodiac aspects were fun and it got me excited to look up my zodiac information while reading! The meet-cute between Olivia and Bennett was so cute and I loved how we got to see the enemies-to-lovers trope play out. I loved the dates they set up for each other and how it all played out with the competition between them! Although there wasn't any steam in this one, the chemistry and banter was top notch between Olivia and Bennett. I didn't want this one to end, I was smiling the whole time while reading. It's definitely one of my top romance reads for 2022!

What a debut! As an amateur matchmaker and overall meddlesome person, I loved the plotline. An old-school matchmaking service vs their zodiac-based dating app counterpart - it's made to be enemies to lovers. But more than that, we get to examine character's conflicts with their cultures and the struggle of owning a small business, all while exploring Los Angeles through their lenses. It's definitely towards the sweeter side, but I don't fault them for that. It's more plot-focused than steam-focused and that is OKAY!! Ya girl loves a plot. And these characters are just phenomenal, I adored seeing how Liv interacts with her family and coworkers. Maybe a book for Alisha or Colette next? Either way, I'm a Lauren Kung Jessen fan for SURE now.

*Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I dare you not to fall in love with Lauren Kung Jessen’s writing in Lunar Love. 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. Fantastic rivals-to-lovers and opposites-attract romance with lovable characters and a fun plot.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) & NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this digital arc

Read this book if you like: Matchmaker, multicultural romance, enemies to lovers, one POV (hers), Chinese culture

Olivia Huang Christenson a matchmaker who has trouble with her own love life. She is excited and nervous to be taking over her grandmother’s matchmaking business. 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. The two businesses go head to head so Bennett and Liv make a deal. They’ll find a match for each other and whoever falls in love loses.

I absolutely BAWLED my eyes out reading this book. I loved it so much. Bennett is the sweetest man ever. 😭 Liv had to grow on me because she's a little abrasive and pessimistic at first. She was just afraid and putting way too much pressure on herself to succeed in her family business. The characters are developed perfectly. I loved learning about the Chinese culture, including the Chinese Zodiac. I will recommend this book to anyone and everyone. This comes out January 10th. I can't say enough how much I loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Forever Books for the gifted e-book! ❤️

3.5. There was a lot in Lauren Kung Jessen's debut Lunar Love to enjoy and really draw me in. Most importantly, it was very special to see a mixed-race lead AND love interest, and that it was part of the story and world without being the entire focus. I have rarely ever seen a mixed-race Asian character, and seeing that character navigate it in an everyday way was wonderful. Her Chinese family, especially her grandmother, and culture were highlights of this novel, and I'd love to see how else Kung Jessen explores them. Of course, the focus on zodiac matchmaking was a fun, unique premise, but I felt also authentically and thoughtfully explored.

However, I felt the characters were underbaked, both the side characters and even the leads to a degree. I found the dialogue stiff, particularly for a romance where you need the characters' connection to really come alive. It didn't feel lived-in or natural enough. I think there's certainly promise though and I'd like to read her next novel! I'm always hoping for more mixed-race representation and exploration of Asian culture though different facets. Also, absolutely gorgeous cover.

3.5 stars

This book is beautifully written. I loved Lauren Kung Jessen's prose and descriptions of Chinese traditions and culture. I have never learned so much while reading a romance book lol. I also have to give a shout out to the food featured in this book. All of the dishes and pastries are so elegantly described that I do not recommend reading this on an empty stomach. A mix of You've Got Mail and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, I loved catching those references and seeing them interpreted in this book.

That being said, as beautiful as the writing was, I just didn't connect with the characters. This book is told in Olivia's pov, and to me, she was unlikable and it was a little irritating to read only from her pov. Her personality took me out of the romance and it was very hard for me to root for her and Bennett. I think if it was written in dual pov, I would have connected with the characters more. I also wasn't a fan of the big twist 80% into the book. It felt like it came out of nowhere and I don't see how it was necessary.

This was a good debut novel and I can't wait to see what this author writes next!

I really enjoyed reading this book! I thought the whole set up with the dueling matchmakers was really cute. The competition between the two of them was really fun to read, I liked seeing the love interests go head to head. I also really enjoyed the family drama, I thought it really fleshed out the story and the characters.

Lunar Love is a super cute rom com debut by Lauren Kung Jessen.
I was so excited to read about the Zodiac and the Lunar New Year. Olivia and Bennet are Perfect such fun characters to follow. This is going to be a very anticipated read in 2023!
Rivals to Lovers, matchmaking, astrology, and mouth watering food! What more can I say? This book definitely pulled me out of a slump.

Thank you Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing me with a arc in exchange for my honest review.

Lunar Love drew me in with a beautiful cover and classic romance premise. Olivia has recently become the owner of Lunar Love, a family-run Chinese matchmaking business. Bennett is the owner of ZodiacCupid, an app that threatens to undermine Lunar Love’s business. Can two rival business owners with completely different opinions find a way to compromise or something more? Olivia and Bennet find themselves connecting over matchmaking, being mixed race, and what true compatibility looks like.

Lunar Love made me more curious to learn more about the Chinese zodiac and I enjoyed how they both used it in different ways. There is a great discussion guide and Q&A with the author at the end of the book. At times Olivia could be pretty rigid in her point of view, to the point where it was tedious to read. Bennett was always charming and I loved watching him convince Olivia that he was genuinely someone she should take a chance on. Lunar Love was a lighthearted and enjoyable romance. I’ll look forward to reading more from Lauren Kung Jessen! I would recommend Lunar Love to fans of Roselle Lim and Jackie Lau.

Thank you so much to Lauren Kung Jessen, Forever, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Olivia Huang now runs her grandmother’s matchmaking business, Lunar Love. Bennett O’Brien is developing a dating app with the same Chinese zodiac based matching principals. Will Bennett’s sleek new app make Lunar Love irrelevant?

Get ready for:
🥊Battle of the businesses
⚡️Rivals to lovers
🧧A peek into Chinese traditions
🐉 Insight into the Chinese zodiac
🥮 All the yummy Asian treats

This was a light and fun rom-com read! Some great conversations around tradition vs. adapting to modern times, and the pros & cons of being stubborn vs. open minded.

Definitely appreciated the Chinese American representation and themes of grappling with one’s identity and heritage, especially as mixed race.

Thank you to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for this arc!

Olivia works at her family's matchmaking business based on the Chinese zodiac and she loves love. Her auntie is retiring and Olivia is set to take over. She has a meet cute with a man in the bakery shop. At a conference later on, she sees bakery boy pedaling an app using the Chinese zodiac. Olivia is pissed and gets to work finding out more about the app and bakery boy.

This book was such a fun read. I loved the banter between Bennett and Olivia. I especially loved Po- Po. I loved learning more about the Chinese zodiac and Chinese customs.

An enemies to lovers romance infused with culture, identity and family

Olivia is taking over the helm of her family matchmaking practice based on the Chinese Zodiac called Lunar Love. On a bakery run she runs into a man named Bennett, and through a few more chance encounters she realizes her is the developer of a dating app, ZodiaCupid. The app matches people based on their Chinese Zodiac as well and Olivia believes he is their direct competition and will put her out of business. Will they find a spark despite incompatibility, and the odds being against them?

This was so good. Matchmaking and matchmakers are a niche trope that I love in romance. Bennett was such a perfect love interest, he was patient, kind, forgiving, and willing to wait out Olivia's worries. I love the sense of culture, identity and family woven through this story.

First, I'd like to thank NetGalley and Forever for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. As always, it's such an honor to get to read an author's work ahead of their publication date.

Lunar Love follows Olivia, who is taking over the family business, a matchmaking service called Lunar Love, that has been around for several decades. She's intent on finding perfect, compatible love matches for her clients—and not herself—until she meets Bennett. But when she meets him at Lucky Monkey Bakery, she has no idea that he's the CEO of a startup called ZodiaCupid that could put her out of business. In her quest to prove that she can successfully keep the business going and that traditional matchmaking is better than dating apps, she challenges Bennett to see who can make who fall in love first using their business. But will she get in her own way by refusing to evolve and open her heart to the possibility that the perfect match isn't always 100% compatible?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As someone who enjoys astrology, it was actually such a delight to learn about Chinese astrology and how it can be used in terms of matchmaking and learning about yourself in general. I also loved learning more about the Chinese culture in general, including different traditions for weddings and funerals, and the various amount of delectable treats I've never heard of.

I was also excited to read a book that was chock full of diverse characters. It's not a secret that the rom com genre is pretty dominated by white authors, and it was so exciting to see another culture being represented and celebrated. AND the concept was so original. As a fan of Hallmark, I can confidently say this would be a GREAT book to film adaptation. If anyone at Hallmark is reading this...get on it!

I also really enjoyed the characters, but I do think Bennett won me over more than Olivia did. Olivia started to get a bit annoying to me when she continued to dig her heels in the ground because she just HAD to be right and things just HAD to be her way. But Bennett, bless him, continued to fight for her so they could have a chance to explore their feelings for each other.

However, the book lost me around the 80% mark. From about 80% until the end...everything felt rushed. We get this intense 'third-act breakup' type scene on the rooftop at ZodiaCupid's Halloween party...and then Olivia is hiking with Alisha and they have the most generic conversation ever (the dialogue started to feel impersonal) and then Olivia is suddenly acutely aware of how ridiculous she's been. Then in the next chapter, she goes to tell Bennett she was wrong...but can't because at that moment she gets a call from her dad that her Pó Po has died. I understand that...that's life, people die unexpectedly, but...it gets...more rushed from here.

An old friend who Olivia 'mismatched' earlier on, and who we've been briefly told about throughout the book, comes and sees her at the Lucky Monkey Bakery, which is where Olivia goes after she hears the news. And they reconcile quickly and then they're...making swiss rolls together with the owner. This felt like the weirdest, quickest way to tie up that loose end before the book ended.

THEN...and remember, Bennett and Olivia haven't even spoken yet, Bennett goes to the funeral (makes sense, he knew her Pó Po), but Olivia starts dancing during the middle of the funeral (it makes sense in context)...but Bennett gets up and starts dancing too? And it felt so off because they hadn't even had a discussion yet...which comes after, and again, the dialogue felt generic and inauthentic, which was a far cry from the rest of the book.

The last 20% felt like the author was trying to tie up as many loose ends as possible...and it FELT rushed, so I felt hurried as I read it, just trying to get to the end. It was such a shame because I enjoyed everything up until that point, but the ending left much to be desired. I think the last 20% could've been sprinkled throughout the book so that it ended neater, but overall I did enjoy this book and I would definitely recommend it.

I’m so happy that there are starting to be more romances that feature diverse characters and different culture. This story was overall very enjoyable and I really liked seeing our main character grow through her relationship with Bennett.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-book in exchange for 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.

This was a really intriguing debut that just didn't fully coalesce for me - in particular, I found Liv's insistence on relying solely on astrological matches to be a little irrational? Certainly she knows people with happy marriages who also have inauspicious zodiac combinations. There were also a few dangling subplots that I think detracted from the overall plotline. Still, I definitely enjoyed this book and will be looking out for Kung Jessen's next one!