I really liked this author’s first book Seoulmates and couldn’t wait until her next book came out!

The Name Drop is told from two point-of-views and they come from Elijah Ri and Jessica Lee. They come from very different backgrounds. Elijah has lived a life of privilege and because of who his dad is he has his whole life planned out for him. Jessica’s family has been scrapping by and her dad hates his job. She can’t afford to go to the college she wants and plans to start with junior college. Their worlds collide when they decide to switch and see if the grass is actually greener on the other side.

I thought that the characters had decent character growth, especially Jessica. Elijah and Jessica both learn to stick up for themselves in different ways and they learn about one another along the way and fall in love. It was cute! There is also other things they learn and a couple things that Jessica learned corporations suck when it comes to misogyny and that everything given always has a price. It was interesting to see how it all played out.

Although I liked a lot of the book I felt like the climatic parts were very rushed. Elijah’s dad was a big deal but he hardly had any page time and he quickly came and gone. I also though the event they both put on would have had more to it but again, it was over so quickly. I wish there would have been more time to get to know Elijah’s mother and sister as well as Jessica’s friend. I guess the general consensus is that I just wanted more.

Overall, this was a good book. I liked the way the two man characters came together. They had some very sweet moments together and learned a lot about the real world.

This was a good story about two characters accidentally switching places with each other and then deciding to try it out for the summer.

Elijah and Jessica have nothing in common except their Korean names and the fact that they both have summer internships at the same company in New York. Elijah’s dad runs the company and Jessica’s dad is a low man on the totem pole. Jessica is planning on working hard and making good connections in her internship and Elijah knows that his dad has sent him for a cushy job that won’t require much from him.

But Jessica and Elijah get mixed up.
Jessica gets the status internship and Elijah gets the one where he’ll actually have to work. But it gives both of them an opportunity they’ve never had before. It gives Jessica time around powerful people, an expensive wardrobe and a luxe apartment to stay in.
It gives Elijah a chance to make friends and to figure out what he’s actually good at when his family name isn’t doing all the work for him.

Of course we can’t expect this life swap to go perfectly smoothly. It’s practically bound to fail. And Jessica and Elijah developing feelings for each other adds another interesting element.

I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. Thanks.

3.5 Stars rounded to 4

The Name Drop is a delightful rom-com that combines Korean cultural expectations with summer internships and budding relationships.

In perfect rom-com fashion, The Name Drop plays out cinematically with all the expected tropes. And it’s tons of fun. But if you look any deeper, you’re not going to find a whole lot.

The plausibility element is pretty low. Like if these kids going into these internships are the cream of the crop, wouldn’t they have done some research and seen some photos of the family that owns the company? I know things slip through the cracks, but would the airline really make that big of a mistake? And if you expected to be in coach, and your family is notoriously cheap, and suddenly you were in first class, wouldn’t you ask more questions? Or thank you father?

But this isn’t the sort of book where you’re supposed to ask those sorts of things. You’re supposed to sit back and enjoy the ride. And it’s a nice gentle one that you can relax into after a busy school day or on the weekend.

The Name Drop is a lighthearted romance with two main characters you want to root for. It’s a nice addition to the genre.

A case of mistaken identity leads to Elijah (Lee Yoo-Jin of South Korea) and Jessica (Yoo-Jin Lee of California) switching internship opportunities. Elijah gets to live with other young adults without the weight of who his dad is while Jessica experiences a life of luxury.

I liked how it started with physical attraction and gradually became something more. This was done especially well with glances here and there and multiple cute moments spread throughout the book.

The more difficult part of the book was the idea of them working. At times, it seemed as though Jessica and Elijah just kept going places without working. The responsible part of me kept wondering how they were getting their work done. (Heh...)

Readers who enjoy high school Korean dramas will enjoy The Name Drop. I certainly did. (3.5 stars rounded to 4 stars)

In this book, the hero and the heroine have the same ethnic name and this mistaken identity resulted in having both of them experienced what the other one would have doing in the same company. Both the hero and the heroine are interns, but in different tiers. The heroine gets to experience how a successor to the company has to deal with, whereas the hero learns what an unpaid and overworked intern experienced working for his father's company. As this charade continues on, the hero and the heroine began to fall in love with each other. How long can they keep this up before they are discovered, and how will their growing romantic relationship fare when the gig is up?

This is the sophomore book written by the author. This book also had the same artist who created the book cover, which I found really beautiful. The premise of mistaken identity in the form of a K-drama-ish story is definitely interesting, and if one doesn't delve deeper into realistic expectations, then this book will be enjoyed by said reader. With that in mind, I did enjoy the story of these two particulars characters falling in love with each other. More details could be added for giving the characters more depth and how some situations could have been resolved, but it didn't detract from the overall story. It was an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more books from the author in the future.


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

She's the poor girl who had to struggle to get everything she's wanted, he's the rich boy who doesn't want any of the thing's his wealth has given him, and a chance mistake at an airport in which they're mistaken for the other because they share the same name leads to the most unlikely summer internship while they take a chance and live in the other's life and possibly find romance. Jessica Lee has struggled financially all her life, budgeting and just trying to get by. She's finally found an internship that would give her the opportunity to make connections that would help her get recommendation letters to go to college. Elijah Ri is the son of the CEO of the Haneul Corporation and is expected to be the next future CEO despite how much he doesn't want it. Elijah grew up rich, throwing money at problems has been the way he was taught to deal with issues, but it's lonely being forced to live in this lifestyle, being seen as a disappointment by his father, and never being allowed to be himself. Elijah is meant to be working at his dad's company for the summer but when Elijah and Jessica have a mix up at the airport because they share the same Korean name suddenly, Jessica is being treated as the new executive-in-training and being flown first class while Elijah is being put in an internship in a tiny place living with 10 other interns. Elijah and Jessica realize the mix up but come up with the idea to keep up the charade as Elijah wants freedom from his father and wants to actually experience things while Jessica will get the chance to live like the other half for the first time. They both agree to help each other keep up the act but while doing so they begin to spend more time together and explore New York as romance blooms between them, but for two people who come from different worlds and live different lifestyles, can romance work? This was a really cute ya rom com about mistaken identity and two opposites attract. Elijah and Jessica are so different but they work perfectly together, they care about each other and balance each other out. I loved the ending for them and this was just a fun feel good read!

*Thanks Netgalley and Inkyard Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

What I liked about the book:
1. This was just so stinking cute. The perfect little summer romance.

2. I liked how different Elijah and Jessica were, but how much they both grew as people.

Jessica is a goody two shoes, who has had to work for literally everything in her life. She has a plan for everything, including working her butt off for the rest of her foreseeable life to try to prove her place in this world. I loved getting to see her relax and enjoy the present during the story.

Elijah starts out as this entitled boy who has no sense of himself or what true worth is, always rolling through life using his bank account. However, he is strong, hardworking, and fierce, and boy do we get to see him discover all of his potential!

I did love how both of them have never felt like they have lived up to others’ expectations of them. Fortunately, that is incorrect for one of them, and fortunately it grows to not matter for the other because they live up to their own!

3. I loved how the book definitely called out inequality on several levels: race, class, and gender. I feel this makes the book relatable for many readers.

4. I loved watching the intern project develop! I was actually invested in their project and wanted to see how it turned out! This was such a fun addition to the office-romance trope.

5. Speaking of, I love me a good office romance! This was brilliant. They were described as shy, teenagers experiencing love for the first time perfectly.

6. I very much enjoyed the two main friends as well and that they seem to have a little romance of their own going on ❤

What could have been better:
1. For being in New York, they did do a couple of touristy things, but I wanted more!!! For me, I think the story could have used more locations and experiences to give it that extra pop.

Thank you to NetGalley, Inkyard Press, and Susan Lee for the advanced copy of this book. The opinions expressed above are voluntary and my own.

A full review has been posted to Eulalie Magazine.

This is more like a 2.75.

The Name Drop is a quick, enjoyable read. The more you think about it, the more things don't quite work, but if you are in the mood for something a bit lighter, this is a solid choice. The first half of the book is a solid three stars, but things start to fall apart in the final 20% of the book.

I have read Lee’s debut novel which was greatly written and let me tell you that this one did not disappoint. This book follows Elijah and Jessica who both work together in the same building. This is one of those books that I will call it to be a K-drama on screen to on pages. It was a very entertaining book as it had both drama and romance. There were many conflicts in the beginning compared to the ending when the story began to slow down. The characters were fun and I loved seeing the MC’s development throughout the book. They grew so much independently and together. There are a few side characters but none that I would say are very involved with the story. The romance is workplace romance and forced proximity. The ending was cute and overall it was a great YA book. I like Lee’s adult books more but for their first YA one I have to say that they did well.

*this arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*

The Name Drop feels like K-drama, it's fun and cute but also has a little social criticism.

It's summer and Jessica and Elijah are flying to New York for an internship at Haneul Corporation, They have opposite backgrounds, but something in common, their Korean name, Lee Yoo Jin; which creates confusion and Jessica is the one who benefits from it. Elijah is the son of the CEO and future leader of the company, a position he is not interested in, and Jessica is smart but doesn't have the money or connections to attend a good college.

It reminded me a little of The Prince and The Pauper , where they take each other's identity, but as soon as Jessica realizes the mistake tries to talk to Elijah so that each one takes their rightful place, but to him, this confusion is a a breath of fresh air and convinces her to continue with it, since they will both benefit from them. Elijah will have a summer like a normal teen, and Jessica will have connections.

They are likable and fun, Jessica is smart, goal-driven, and ambitious, while Elijah is a little lost, he is smart but the pressures from his father don't let him discover what he wants. They become friends instantly. There is romance but it's slow, they are more friends with a crush and an instant attraction, but they are focused on doing a good job in Haneul, meeting their goals, and finding themselves.  Also, I love the secondary characters, I would like to have more scenes with the interns, they look like a fun group.

It's a lighthearted story but touches on realistic problems, such as parental expectations, classism, misogyny in the work environment, and how competitive collages (or work) are today, Not only do you need good grades, but also recommendations or connections. 

The setting was fun, I love walking the streets of New York and visiting popular places such as Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, and Broadway. 

Overall, it was a fun and heartwarming story, a little coming of age about two teens making their way, working hard, and achieving their goals.

Read it if you want:
Cute YA story
Teens with realistic problems
A story with a little of Cinderella and Prince and Pauper's inspiration 
K-Drama vibes

Thank you to Netgalley, Inkyard Press, and Ms. Lee for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

This is a cute young adult romcom featuring a name-confusion situation that leads to a Prince and the Pauper-style plotline. Jessica and Elijah (Americanized names) are both interns at Haneul Corporation for the summer. However, Jessica is coming in as a (purportedly) middle-class candidate, hard-working but not financially well-off, and heading subsequently to community college with her new references and connections in hand. In contrast, Elijah is the son of Haneul's CEO and is expected to run the company when his father retires. Because the two of them share the same Korean name, their identities are mistaken at the airline which sets in motion a chain of events resulting in their positions being switched: Jessica is misidentified as the new "Executive Intern," housed in a luxe brownstone, and cosseted while Elijah must room with 11 other interns in a so-called "crappy" apartment in a less desirable part of town and is given grunt work.

The two of them quickly figure out what happened but decide to continue with mixup: Jessica will get the chance to succeed she always wanted and Elijah will have a no-pressure summer. Of COURSE the two of them catch feelings and OF COURSE things implode by the end. This is not a new trope. I'm not sure how accurate the details were - the entire premise requires significant suspension of belief - but it was still a fun story. I most enjoyed the parts where Elijah was "learning" about "real life" for the 99%. Buying underwear at a store that sells other things; the horror! I laughed out loud. A cute summer read.

⭐⭐⭐1/2

the name drop, susan lee

The Name Drop by Susan Lee is the borderline young adult/new adult mistaken identity romance of my dreams. Korean-born Elijah Ri is chaebol but lives a lonely life at the top of the financial food pyramid, so as reluctant future CEO, he expects to be treated like a prince at his internship for his father’s tech company, Haneul Corporation. However, he finds himself living and working with a small cohort of overworked, underpaid Korean American overachievers. California-born sweet naive hardworking Jessica Lee, fresh out of high school with plans to attend community college before figuring out where she wants to transfer to, has won a super competitive summer internship at Haneul Corp in New York. She has everything to lose but strives to prove herself as the mistaken sole intern in the Executive Training Program, which was meant for Elijah. Once they figure out that these mistakes happened because they share the same Korean name, Elijah and Jessica agree to work with each other to ride the summer out to the (hopefully not bitter) end. Together, they live out their dreams meant for the other while they explore the city and the romance between them.

I’ll admit, I was initially skeptical of Elijah because I’m not used to reading a rich, privileged teenage boy be so self-aware of his golden spoon in life and therefore do what it takes to live as a “normal” everyday person. However, I adore Elijah. He’s a lonely creature who just wants to be seen and heard, and he’s seen and heard by Jessica. Elijah is a prime example of why I love reading dual POV in romance—reading all the little moments of infernal dialogue of his falling in love with Jessica, *chef’s kiss.*

Additionally, I really appreciate the discussion between Elijah and Jessica and what it means and the expectations that come with being Korean in Korea versus being Korean in the United States. As the American-born daughter of Filipinx immigrants, I lived out my own first experience of being a Fillipina American visiting the motherland at 11 years old, and reading this discussion felt so /validating/ and affirming to my shock at not having been Filipina enough for the Philippines while growing up not being American enough for the United States.

I’ve spent years craving to read fun, lighthearted romance books written by and featuring people of color, particularly Asian Americans, and The Name Drop is one of those books that teenage me would have LOVED walking into a bookstore and found with Asian and Asian American characters displayed so proudly on the cover.

Between Seoulmates and The Name Drop, you can bet that Susan Lee has found herself a loyal lifelong reader, and I’m excited for anything and everything that she writes. Thank you, Netgalley and Inkyard Press, for the ARC!

Jessica Lee is excited to be one of the ten students picked to be interns at Haneul Corporation in NYC to get the needed connections for future scholarship references. Her father is less than excited for her to be working at the place he despises his work. But after flying first class, getting a personal driver and arriving at a three story brownstone, Jessica doesn't see how her father dislikes the company so much. Elijah Ri, is not looking forward to his summer internship working at his father's company, Haneul Corporation. All he wants is to have a normal summer that other teens have and not be associated with the Lee family name. But when he is subject to flying economy, sharing a bus with nine other interns, and sharing a small apartment with all of them, he is confused, but also delighted. On the first day of work, after a chance encounter, Jessica and Elijah meet only to find out that they have the same Korean name. Desperate to have what is normal for the other, they agree to keep up the appearances. After all, it wasn't their fault that they have the same name. As they work together to keep their fathers in the dark, they get closer to each other and the other interns. Will everything work out as they risk being found out?

Susan Lee peppered comparisons between Korean American and Korean lifestyles and culture throughout the book that add to the character's experiences. For fans of kdramas, kpop, and rom-coms, this book full of mistaken identities will be an enjoyable, lighthearted read. Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I've debated giving The Name Drop 3 or 4 stars but have landed on 4 stars because the book did make me smile and laugh a lot for about the first 40% or so. I also liked the epilogue. However, the middle chunk was pretty boring. I enjoyed reading about Elijah and Jessica, our two Korean main characters and seeing the different life paths they were stuck on but it got super repetitive! I wish Elijah and Jessica had more interactions to see their relationship really build and I wish that they had more thoughts in their inner monologue's that really showed their individual growth. Everything that happened after the Hackathon just kind of threw me for a loop and didn't make sense to me. It all just got wrapped up too quickly. The Name Drop is still a cute read and I loved the overall plot!

Thank you Netgalley and Inkyard Press for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and Inkyard Press for the e-arc!

This book was a bit of a hit and miss for me. Overall, I liked it, both Jessica and Elijah were interesting characters and it really seemed like they wanted to carve a good path for themselves in life which I can respect. They had some cute moments that made me root for them to have their happy ending. And in the end, even though they come from two totally different paths in life, they were able to end up together. I also liked how so much of New York was talked about and explored. It felt like the setting itself also mattered.

However, the book just seemed a bit too unrealistic. It's hard to believe that their identities could get swapped in an airport of all places. Jessica started off as a really good character, but she was just a bit too naive for me. She knew the company was horrible from the start, but at the end, all of a sudden, she thought the ruthless CEO could have a change of heart. I just felt like it was a bit out of nowhere.

All in all, it was a cute book, the cover is absolutely amazing, and Susan Lee is slowly becoming an author I am excited to see more books from.

Thank you so much to Inkyard Press for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review! I’ll miss this imprint :(

The Name Drop follows Elijah and Jessica, who arrive for summer internships. Elijah is the son of the CEO of the Haneul Corporation and Jessica is a future intern. A little too late, they realize they have the same Korean names and have switched places, but they decide not to change back.

I thought this was a fun and cute romance! I learned more about Korean culture and Susan Lee tackled heavy topics like sexism in an approachable way.

Overall, I’d definitely recommend it to fans of the prince and the pauper trope and Lee’s other book, Seoulmates!

Susan Lee is becoming one of my favourite authors!

The Name Drop is the story of 2 people, with the same name, that have an internship in New York working for a Korean company. Although they have the same name these 2 couldn’t be anymore different.

Both having the Korean name Lee Yoo-Jin, Jessica and Elijah switch places by accident and decide to not tell. They will both have the summer internship they have been hoping for.

I loved the characters. Jessica and Elijah are total opposites but this lovable and work so well together. The side characters were entertaining and made me laugh. Hope to see more of Jason and Ella.

Susan Lee did a great job at making American-Korean culture shine in this book. The book is perfect for readers that like Kdramas and Kpop.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced readers copy and to Inkyard press so allowing me to review this book before the release!

You've done it again! I loved these characters so much! They were so uniquely different, but many of their experiences mirrored each other's...obligations, personal growth, and the fear of life after high school. I think at some point, many of us can understand the pressures of family expectations and the effect it can have during your teenage years, especially trying to navigate what we want and what our parents want for us. This story hit on a lot of important topics while adding in the fun of exploring friendships, life, and love during a summer in New York. I can't wait to read this one again. Thanks so much, NetGalley and Susan Lee for the opportunity to read and review this novel; I actually devoured it.

Susan opened the door to YA romance for me last year with Seoulmates. The story takes place in San Diego, where I’m from. That’s what initially drew me to it and then fell in love with her writing and the story. When I heard she was releasing a second book, I knew I just had to read it as well.

The Name Drop is about a case of mistaken identity. Jessica is headed to NYC for a Summer internship at the company her dad works for. Elijah is going through executive training at the same company where his father is the CEO.

They just happen to have the same Korean name, Yoo-Jin Lee, so they get mixed up and essentially thrown into each other’s lives. Picture the Parent Trap, except names instead of faces. Once they figure out what’s been going on, they decide to take advantage of the mistake. She wants the opportunity and he wants the freedom.

I loved these characters. They’re really into each other and it’s super cute. Jessica tends to overshare (“verbal regurgitations”) and I identify with that SO much. The side characters are fun too. I don’t know if it’s in Susan’s plans, but I’d love to see an Ella and Jason book (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). It’s definitely also a love letter to NYC, the way Seoulmates was a love letter to San Diego.

Overall, I really loved it. I have become a FAN of Susan’s and will continue to read anything she writes.

Thank you to Inkyard Press and NetGalley. I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Imagine 2 people- same name. Going to the same place but doing different things- living totally opposite lives.
A big mishap happens where Jessica is living Elijah’s life and vice versa. But at the same company- Elijah’s family’s company where Jessica’s dad works as well: Poor vs Rich. Instead of switching back when they realize Jess takes Elijah’s spots and Elijah takes Jessica’s.

2 kids who just want to know what it’s like to live the opposite of their lives. While adding a bit of romance in there as well. This story is super cute. Boy falls first. I just really loved the relationship and how they worked so well together. How they both grew as people, it was just wonderful to experience and I really enjoyed this.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in Exchange for my honest opinion!