Super cute story about two strangers from different worlds connected by the same name and heading to New York. Loves this whole Identity switch idea with a positive outcome.

A kdrama in book form! This book was so much fun and will appeal to a wide variety of young readers. Much like Lee’s previous book Seoulmates, the inventive unique story will delight young readers. Highly recommended.

New from the author of Seoulmates comes a story of mistaken identities, the summer of a lifetime, and a love to risk everything for.

When Elijah Ri arrives in New York City for an internship at his father’s massive tech company, Haneul Corporation, he expects the royal treatment that comes with being the future CEO—even if that’s the last thing he wants. But instead, he finds himself shuffled into a group of overworked, unpaid interns, all sharing a shoebox apartment for the summer.

The premise is very similar to The Prince and the Pauper, and it's a classic for a reason. I loved the updated story being set in New York City with college kids that want to experience life on the other side. I've never watched a K-drama (I know, I know) but from what I know of k-dramas I feel like this book would fit right in. The drama was very over the top drama. The characters were very over the top in their mannerisms. No where in the real world would I ever expect two teenagers to get away with the stunt they pulled, so all of the over the top antics and mannerisms totally worked for me. Because I don't think it would ever really happen, I was more than happy to gloss over the parts that aren't necessarily realistic but added drama for drama.
I will say, it's a pretty short book and towards the end I feel like parts of the climax and resolution were a little rushed. I wish that the main characters were able to showcase how they had changed more. I feel like Elijah was shown more how he changed and we were more just told that Jessica changed.
I really enjoyed how the story ended. Most of the time I feel like romances want to wrap up and everyone is happy and every single person in the book has changed because of this couple, and that did not happen. I don't want to give spoilers but I enjoyed the ending.

This book was really cute! It was like reading a K-drama script. I loved the dynamic of the characters. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a non-spicy quick romance.

made-for-Netflix YA romance book that I couldn’t put down!
📛
Meet Elijah Ri and Jessica Lee: two teens headed to NYC for a summer internship program, only Elijah’s is the executive training program since he’s the CEO’s son and Jessica is there for lowly intern work. When their positions get switched they quickly realize it’s because they have the same Korean name. When Elijah offers a deal to stay in their switched lives, Jessica can’t let this opportunity pass her by. While each learns a lot about themselves in their switched lives, they also grow closer to one another, but when the CEO finds out what they did, what happens to their tenuous relationship and positions in the company?
📛
Okay: I’m calling it. @susanleewrites is an official auto buy for me! I loved Seoulmates and her second title is just as sweet and cute and perfect for a @netflix show or movie (give her a call!) This book is out 9.12!

CW: racism, microaggressions, misogyny, emotional abuse, classism

Mistaken identity + an unexpected romance…YES please!! Thanks again to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for feedback.

Susan Lee does it again with her second novel!! She brings together two individuals from different backgrounds, where they both end up working/interning at the same corporation for the summer. Elijah wants a break from his well-off lifestyle (and to be away from his father who wants him to one day work at the corporation that he’s CEO of and take over for him), while Jessica wants to show what she’s made of and make a name for herself. What they both don’t know is that a chance meeting at an airport will lead them on a journey of mistaken identities as they travel to New York. Future chance meetings between Elijah and Jessica turn into a deal of the pair swapping places so they can do what they want during the summer while working, but it eventually turns into a little something more between the two. I really loved this storyline and will continue to ready anything Susan Lee writes - the subtle nods to K-pop, names, and hobbies that I caught: genius! Kim Namjoon (BTS and even Seventeen) would be so proud of you! I look forward to adding this to my forever collection and celebrating on Namjoon’s birthday with you! 💜

3.5 stars

overall an enjoyable, quick, and interesting read.
i mainly feel like this story could have just more. like more character development and more of a developed plot, but in all, it's a fun romcom that touches on sexism and standards in the workplace. the main characters, Jessica and Elijah, are adequately likeable, and i did enjoy their connection and developing relationship.

a pretty good read, but nothing too special.

thank you netgallery & inkyard press for this e-arc!!

Jessica and Elijah are both on a flight to NYC for a summer internship at a Korean tech firm—the company Jessica’s dad works in and Elijah’s dad owns. Jessica’s supposed to be a regular junior intern while Elijah is supposed to be on executive track. But the funny thing is they have the same Korean name. No one realizes the switch. Both with their own personal goals, they keep the switch… and happen to also fall in love during the whole thing. But how long can they keep sneaking around before everything blows up in their faces?

I enjoyed the opposites attract, forbidden romance, and all the Korean rep (which tbh gave it that K-drama sprinkle). I loved how Elijah was more than just an entitled teen who was used to having things served to him on a silver platter and how his mom and sister backed him up from his dictator dad. Definitely an easy read to binge on a summer afternoon!

Such a great read! I devoured this way quicker that I expected. The romance between them was cute and romantic but I think what I loved the most were the non romancey things that made the story. The way that she spoke on misogyny in the work force and certain pressures that family can put on teens. Susan Lee is definitely an author that I will keep up with. Seoulmates is up next on my tbr hopefuls!

This book was a great follow up to her debut novel. I'm usually a little nervous going into an author's second book when I loved the first one but this book did not disappoint. I love the growth you get to see in both characters and the glimpse you get to see of their friends and families that support them, and for those people that don't support them, they were so well written that it made it so easy to hate them. Susan Lee is quickly becoming an auto-read author for me.

The Name Drop starts with a slow introduction of Lee Yoo-Jin... or was it Lee Yoo-Jin...

Susan Lee weaves together the lives of Jessica Lee(Yoo-Jin Lee) and Elijah Ri(Yoo-Jin Lee) in such a way that their stories get more and more compelling and sweet as you read. I loved seeing them through each others' eyes and their banter and friendships, not only with each other, but also with their friends. Each character is feels real and even New York City has a pulse.

A beautifully painful aspect of the book deals with the relationships Jessica and Elijah have with their fathers. It was masterfully done, even if it was triggering at times. Susan Lee humanizes the story and shows evil versus ignorance(lack of understanding).

My favorite part of the book is just how integral communication is—the banter, the honesty, the authors ability to write both monologue and dialogue!

I received an advanced reader's copy from Inkyard Press in exchange for an honest review.

“I’m not trying to be harsh. I’m not. I’m all for this switch you and Elijah agreed to. You needed this shot. And honestly, he definitely seems like someone who could use a break. I’ve just seen too many of these Cinderella movies to know that if you get swept away by it, the clock is gonna strike midnight before you’re ready and all you’re left with is a pumpkin and some rats.”

“That won’t happen to me. When it’s time for this to end, I’ll be ready to give it all up. For sure,” I say. I have to be. Because at the end of the day, what choice do I have?

-New York city setting, internship with a switch up of a lifetime, friends to lovers
-Elijah is the heir to Hanuel Corporation, a massive tech company, but instead finds himself mixed in with the other interns
-once Elijah and Jessica realize the mistake that they both have the same Korean name, they decide to trade internship opportunities
-the read was easy and cute but I think it lacked a bit of development of the characters, also wished there was more with the third act drama and ending
-thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for this ARC 🩷

3.8⭐️

This book is a cute friends to lovers teenage romance. I enjoyed the plot of the book but I felt like there were some parts that could have been expanded on to make the writing more cohesive. I enjoyed the characters but also felt like they could have been developed more.

The Name Drop by Susan Lee is a sweet childhood friends-to-lovers story.

Elijah and Jessica were so much fun to be around. Their personalities jumped off the page’s I couldn’t help but smile and flip the page’s continuously.
Lee's writing is so memorable and so fun to read. She kept me engaged and wanting to do absolutely nothing but keep my eyes glued to my Kindle.
A light-hearted summer romance with a lot of feels, you'll fall in love with the characters who will have you cheering for them the entire time.
The entire book is so warm and inviting, and with such a fabulous cast of characters, and the wit, humor, warmth, and emotion of the story simply shines off the page.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Inkyard Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I adored Susan Lee’s Seoulmates and was so excited to read The Name Drop. Loved the premise and the characters were well written. I wanted it to keep going!

This book was such a wild ride!

The characters voices burst off the page, I found Elijah to be executed really well, which can be difficult for boy pov's in YA.

The story hinges on a brief moment of mistaken identity that the characters absurdly lean into... and the consequences are hillarious, alarming and ultimately make for an engaging read.

Mmm, this book was a hard No... It lacked chemistry and feeling. And to me, I need to FEEL like the characters are fully engaged and I need to feel that they are connected and have chemistry. It wasn't there. And I am sad because I am always looking for books that can deliver that korean drama feeling. Unfortunately, it wasn't this. I love the cover. I can easily imagine my favorite Korean actor and actress to play these parts. But I can't force the chemistry as a reader. I'm going to go cry in a corner now.

I loved the premise of this book of two people who have the same name swap internships over the summer. I fell in love with Elijah and Jessica and how they found out what they wanted to pursue in terms of college and potential careers over the summer by being put in a situation that they would have never experienced if not for the fact things got mixed up as a result of them having the same name. And I, of course, loved seeing them fall in love with each other throughout the novel. This was a really cute read for the beginning of my summer.

This was such a sweet and fun read. I enjoyed every minute of these characters and their journey. This is perfect for fans of friends to lovers and honestly was just so wholesome. I loved the setting, the writing style, and the slow burn.