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!

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the swoons, the butterflies, and the cuteness of the characters growing and falling for one another. I loved the duel POV, to provide different perspectives. I did feel like the book ended and wrapped fairly quickly. The epilogue provided an end point that I wish we would have gotten to a bit more in the book. Overall I loved the story and the author, but I was looking for a bit more time to get to the ending.

The Name Drop is a bit like a prince and the pauper retelling. Elijah, son of the CEO of a big corporation, and Jessica, on an internship for same company, share the same Korean name, which causes a lot of mix-ups resulting in them switching places. They decide to stay in each other's positions, with Jessica being able to make connections and Elijah not living under the thumb of his father.

I did not finish this book because it ended up not being very interesting to me. I was a bit bored and was expecting it to have more cute scenes. I wasn't interested in their company project, a hackathon. I can see how certain people would like it and know who to recommend it to, but it just wasn't for me.

I uploaded my review to Goodreads. I will upload the review to Amazon on the release date.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Susan Lee for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for the Name Drop coming out September 12, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

When Elijah Ri arrives in New York for an internship at his father’s elite tech company, Haneul Corporation, he expects the luxury treatment that comes with being the future CEO—even if that’s not what he wants. But instead, he finds himself shuffled into a group of overworked, unpaid interns, all sharing a small apartment for the summer.

When Jessica Lee lands in New York, she’s eager to make the most of her internship at Haneul Corporation, even if it means working hard. But she’s shocked to be introduced as the new executive-in-training intern with a beautiful brownstone all to herself.

Elijah and Jessica meet and realize the source of the mistake: they share the same Korean name. But they decide to stay switched—so Elijah can have a free summer away from his controlling dad while Jessica can make the connections she desperately needs to get college recommendations.

As Elijah and Jessica work together to keep up the charade, a spark develops between them. Can they avoid being found out—and total disaster—with their feelings and futures on the line?

I’ve read several of Susan Lee’s books and love her writing. I’ve been watching Kdramas for a long time and of course this book gave all the kdrama vibes. I love that more Korean books are coming out for English readers. I thought the initial setup was a little implausible. Having the same name is one thing, but no one knew it was supposed to be the CEO’s son? Seems a little odd. But after that, things got pretty fun. I enjoyed the differences in Elijah and Jessica. They came from different worlds, even though they’re both Korean. So they had to work together. It was a sweet story and I also enjoyed the side characters.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Korean dramas and books!

Elijah is less than thrilled to be working at his father’s tech company for the summer. Jessica needs this internship to prove herself and gain recommendations. When they both arrive in New York for the start of their programs, they find that they have been assigned each other’s positions due to having the same Korean name. Rather than correcting the mistake, Elijah suggests that the swap will be better for Jessica’s future.

The Name Drop is a fun twist on the “mistaken identity” trope. This is a YA romance. One of the main issues that the author tackles throughout the storyline is misogyny in the workplace, specifically in an office setting. The Name Drop also has an underlying theme of familial obligation and expectations.

While there is a romance that develops, the character growth is the main focus of the story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press!

This book was so sweet! I really enjoyed Seoulmates, by Susan Lee, and I couldn't wait for The Name Drop to come out. The Prince and The Pauper trope was really fun, and I enjoyed the characters and their growth throughout the book. It wasn't realistic, but what romance book is? I would recommend it to someone who likes super sweet, quick reads with almost zero spiciness, I'm purchasing it for my Library's YA collection.

“It’s like she’s a magnet I’m drawn to, and any time she’s in the same vicinity, my body decides the space between us ceases to exist.”

The Name Drop by Susan Lee
Pub Date: September 12th, 2023
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨(4.5/5)
Spice: (0/5)

Review:

Jessica is leaving home for the first time to intern at Hanuel Corp in New York City. Elijah is a well traveled chaebol who has never worked a day in his life but is expected to be in the executive training program at Hanuel Corp in New York City. Jessica and Elijah have very similar Korean names which caused a series of Fortunate events.

I truly enjoyed this misadventure. I love a split perspective story. Getting to see Jessica succeed and Elijah discover himself for the first time was a great adventure. There are some great New York spots mentioned too.


If you like:
- Crazy Rich Asians
- Family drama
- Young Love
- High Fashion

QOTD: What is your favorite secret spot in NYC?

Thank you to Net Galley and Inkyard press for proving me with an eARC of this novel.


#bookstagram #instabook #igreads #bookish #booksta #bookworm #romance #romancebooks #ireadromance #romcomreads #romcombooks #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookrec #netgalley

The Name Drop is yet another super cute Korean YA romance from Susan Lee!! I really enjoyed this case of mistaken identity between Jessica and Elijah, who also served the classic K-drama trope of rich boy falls in love with the quiet, working class girl. The coming-of-age subplot of Elijah and Jessica balancing meeting their parents' expectations while also doing what they want to do with their lives was also thoughtfully depicted. I think many children of immigrant parents in particular will be able to relate to their journeys! I definitely recommend this YA romance for fans of K-dramas and Susan Lee's debut novel, Seoulmates!

As soon as I saw the book cover of The Name Drop, I just had to read the book! The characters were so vivid, given the fantastic art on the book cover. 

The writing style makes this a breezy and fun read. For a rom-com, it was a light-hearted read. I appreciate the representation of Korean-American culture and its diversity. It's honestly great to see diversity being represented.

This story touches on Jess and Elijah, who shared the same Korean name, "Lee Yoo-Jin" and, ironically, their names on official documentation. (Apparently, this name is unisex name). They happened to be boarding the same plane and will be interning in the same company during their summer stay in NY. This leads to crazy mix-ups as Jess and Elijah are from two completely different worlds, with Elijah being the son of the CEO of the company they are working at and is part of the Executive Intern Program while  Jess is a lowly intern in the company. When both of them figured out the mix-up, they decided to stay mixed up, giving Elijah the freedom to be independent and make his own decisions, which he always wished he could do and Jess the opportunity to get the recommendations she desperately needs for her university applications. This gets complicated when they are both assigned to work on a big project together and slowly develop feelings for each other.
 
I love the vividness of how the author describes and pays homage to NY, like the $1 pizza slices! That's definitely a NY specialty. We also got previews of significant landmarks like Central Park, Rock Observation Deck, Grand Central Station and The NY Public Library. 

This book hits the opposite attract theme. Elijah's and Jess's lives could not be more different, but at the core of it, they share the same values of independence, hardworking, caring and the ability to fight for the things they want. So, it wasn't surprising that they would gravitate towards each other. 

Let's talk about the not-so-good stuff. I find it unbelievable that the counter agents at the airport could make such a crazy mistake even though they had the same names. One would think they checked the passport identification number and the gender associated.  Once you remove Jessica's determination and Elijah's rich boy status, both characters appear bland; there is a lack of character building here where it's hard to find why they are the way they are. This is very evident in the way the last few chapters were rushed, and we only see the outcome of the play but not how they got there which is equally as important. While I don't doubt the existence of mygosnistic tendencies in companies, I don't think it would exist so broadly, especially in the executive levels of an internationally renowned company in the USA. The USA frowns heavily on this and would have extensive labour laws , + female employees will probably call for harassment left and right. 
I find that some of the author's research here is severely lacking on both these aspects.

While I found this book a fun read, it wasn't the kind of book that would grip me and want me to keep reading. It was a solid read but it wasn't an amazing read. Hence the 3 stars.

"The Name Drop" by Susan Lee offers a refreshing twist on the classic mistaken identity trope. This casual and easy-to-read book had me thoroughly entertained from start to finish.

The story introduces us to Elijah Ri, who arrives in New York City expecting the royal treatment at his father's tech company, Haneul Corporation. Instead, he's thrown into a group of overworked, unpaid interns sharing a cramped apartment. On the other hand, Jessica Lee, also interning at Haneul Corporation, anticipates a typical internship experience but is stunned to be introduced as the executive-in-training intern with a luxurious brownstone to herself.

The mix-up arises when they both share the same Korean name, and instead of correcting the error, they decide to embrace the confusion. Elijah gets a taste of freedom from his controlling father, while Jessica seizes the opportunity to make connections for her college recommendations.

As Elijah and Jessica navigate their switched identities, a charming spark begins to develop between them. The story keeps you engaged as you wonder whether they can successfully maintain the charade and the growing feelings they have for each other, all while their futures hang in the balance.

What I particularly enjoyed about "The Name Drop" is how it takes a common premise and infuses it with fresh energy and humor. The characters are relatable, and their chemistry is palpable. The mistaken identity theme adds layers of humor and intrigue to the plot, making it a delightful and enjoyable read.

Overall, "The Name Drop" is a light-hearted and engaging story that explores the complexities of identity and connection. It's a perfect choice for those looking for a fun and heartwarming read that will leave you with a smile. Susan Lee has crafted a charming tale that proves that sometimes a mix-up can lead to unexpected adventures and even love.

Jessica joins the internship program at Haneul Corporation in the hopes of securing a letter of recommendation at the program’s end. Elijah is forced into an executive-in-training intern training program at the same company in order to prepare to one day take over as CEO for his father. Coincidentally, both have the Korean name Lee Yoo-Jin and, in a case of mistaken identity, they are each ushered into the other’s program. But when the two figure out the mistake, they decide to stay switched allowing Jessica the ability to set herself apart to secure her future and Elijah the ability to live out from under the thumb of his overbearing father.

A classic case of mistaken identity, but so much more fun! The switch is a little hard to believe (seriously, how and why is no one double checking?!), but it’s easy to ignore because the story that comes from it is so wonderful.

On the surface, Jessica and Elijah both seem like characters that are easy to figure out, but each of them has a hidden depth that reveals itself as we read more from their respective POVs. They each learn a lot throughout the story, about each other, about how the other half lives, and especially about themselves. It feels a bit magical to be able to watch them blossom into their own and step into the life they want, even (and especially) when they are carrying such a big secret from everyone around them.

Though I am not usually the biggest fan of slow burn romances, it didn’t bother me at all in this book. The friendship and trust between Jessica and Elijah is at the center of their relationship and Susan takes time to develop that first and foremost, leading to the reader feeling a deeper connection between the two when they finally act on their emotions.

The story leads up to a big event put on by the interns and that is when everything comes to a head. While the lead up felt perfectly paced, everything after felt a little rushed. It is a subtle, but noticeable, shift - though I found that it also kind of worked for the story that was being told.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review.

I am a fan of Susan Lee ever since I've read Seoulmates. Her writing keeps me nose deep in a story. This was so cute I found it to be quite lovely in a young love way. I always root for the love that I feel in a story and this had me rooting. It was quick and very enjoyable. A young adult romance that was so cute, I was here for it.

The quick cut: A teen girl and guy with the same name end up getting switched at an internship at a tech company. Chaos ensues when staying switched gets more difficult.

A real review:
Thank you to Inkyard Press for providing the arc for an honest review.

It can be awkward when someone mistakes you for somebody else, even more so when it happens in a tense situation. How do you correct the other without it getting awkward? This is the case with their Korean name for Elijah and Jessica.

Jessica's dad works at the technology company, Haneul Corporation, but he's always been about earning your way. So when Jessica gets an internship at his company, she's dedicated to proving her worth and making the most of this opportunity. Elijah is also in the Haneul internship, but he's not excited to be there. He's never been interested in taking over the family business, but his dad the CEO has made it clear that's the only option. When these two teens in the same internship program with the same Korean name end up swapped, each one agrees to keep up the ruse for their own purposes. Will the swap work out?

This book has a really cute couple at the center who learn a lot from each other, but you have to seriously forget the concept of reality to do that. Maybe I'm wrong here, but if you work for a family corporation that has handed down the CEO role from 1 generation to the next, you'd think everyone would know who the boss's kid is. Considering how much a jerk the CEO is, I know I would memorize who he is.

Jessica is doing what it takes to earn her way to a college degree without putting her family into debt. I can relate considering I did the same thing: going to community college before a four year program. The stress is real, but in the end it's worth it for the payoff. She does what it takes to make her dream happen.

Elijah knows his life isn't reality for most and he's itching to experience life like others do. The internship swap gives him a chance to prove what he's capable of and see what it's like when everything isn't handed to you. It's interesting seeing his storyline play out, but without saying too much I do think that he ends up not accomplishing what he sets out to. To be honest, his ending is disappointing at best.

A contemporary romance that requires a suspense on reality.

My rating: 3 out of 5

K-Drama lovers, gather round! This is the book for you!

I really enjoyed this even though I do believe it's meant for a bit of a younger audience. The characters are charming, their situation is so ridiculously unbelievable, but you can't help but root for them.

Overall, super cute story for a quick fun read.

4/5 stars

This book is a cute rom-com that combines the vibes of a sweet K-drama and a cheesy Disney channel film. Basically, if you enjoy either of those things you’ll enjoy this.

Also, naturally, this book requires a little suspension of disbelief.

The story kicks off with a case of mistaken identity because Elijah and Jessica have the same Korean name. While they both suspect something is amiss. It isn't until they come face to face in an elevator that they put two and two together. But, after talking it through, they decide to stay in the positions they were placed. That way Jessica can get professional experience and Elijah can have a summer free from his dad's control to truly figure out what he wants for his future.

From there it's your classic office romance. The two work together with their fellow interns to put on an event corporate doesn't care much about but is their passion project. In between they grow close, transversing the city to arrange for the event, visiting famous NYC tourist destinations, etc.

Nothing in this book is decidedly new. But it's done in a way that is enjoyable and realistic. Such as its approach to sexism and classism in the workplace. By the end those things are addressed, however, they aren't magically solved. I appreciated that let's be honest those issues still exist today and unfortunately will likely persist for time to come.

Overall, this was a quick, enjoyable read for those who like classic romantic comedies.

3.5. As much as I enjoyed the K-drama vibes of this book, there's a lot of implausibility in the plot that gave me pause as I was reading (e.g., the name mix-up through official channels, the homogenous workforce, some of the financial details, etc.). I did, however, appreciate that not everything is resolved in a perfect or traditional way. Plus, the romance is pretty cute.

This is a fun young adult meet-cute. It's fairly predictable, but it is fun and I enjoyed the journey. Some of the events felt implausible, but if you can suspend reality, it is a fun read.

This novel carried me away to New York City and showed me places I've never traveled to before. It also introduced me to a bit of Korean culture I haven't encountered yet. The best part of this dual point of view novel was the characters--I adored Jessica and Elijah as individuals and as a romantic couple.

The premise of two young strangers switching their roles at a major Korean-owned and run company made me want to read this book to find out how this played out. I had to consciously suspend my beliefs many times because the idea that these two could actually pull this deception off successfully wasn't well portrayed. I would have liked to see more in-depth looks into the daily work Jessica and her team did and more about how Jessica and Elijah made this situation work. But, that being said, I was also having too much fun reading to want to not believe.

Overall, this was a quick read with lots of humor and heartfelt moments that brought out all the emotions in me.