I read Lauren Kung Jessen’s debut novel, Lunar Love, and absolutely fell in love with the witty banter and the story that included culture and love. When I saw she was coming out with a second book and it was available for advanced review? Y’all… I ran! I crossed my fingers and I got approved! Red String Theory is every bit as good as Lunar Love, BUT I think I love it MORE! Rooney is hilarious and witty and I felt super connected to her. I loved seeing everything unwind (pun intended?)! The fact that the author threw back to Lunar Love made it even more special!!!

Red String Theory publishes on 1/9/24, so make sure you read Lunar Love *and* grab this to read immediately after!!!

With so many love stories banking on miscommunication; I loved that Red String Theory offered us fresh, wholesome, and healthy look at a love story. From the get go, I loved both main characters, their energy and passion into the careers, and their thoughtfulness towards each other.

I found the myths and science fascinating and it really added something unique to the storyline like her first book, Lunar Love did. I found myself also looking up the facts that the book shared (like, I didn't know adult butterflies only lived on average 2 weeks!), and it was just overall great bonus to an already entertaining story.

The romantic in me was a goner for the Red String Theory and I definitely recommend the read.

You know how some books you can see as a movie in your head? That's Red String Theory. Totally cinematic with Before Sunrise and Serendipity vibes.

It's set against a NYC (and later LA) backdrop with opposites attract MCs drawn together by fate. Rooney, who makes art under the moniker Red String Girl (RSG), seredipitious-ly meets Jackson Liu, a NASA engineer in NYC on business. They have one glorious evening running around NY before saying goodbye without a way to reach other. Until fate intervenes...

So great to see a mixed Chinese American MC in the arts, even if she's working in her more famous artist mom's shadow. I loved that Rooney's the loquacious, free thinking one without falling into a quirky, open-to-the-universe artist stereotype. And the juxtaposition between the belief in fate and factual science is handled just so well.

High five to Lauren and her editors for using "the" before freeway numbers in LA. We notice these things.

CW: Achievement to get parents to recognize/love a kid, single parent,

Fate or Choice? Which one does love fall under?

Rooney and Jack meet in NYC and end up spending the entire night running around the city and having a whirlwind date. Rooney thinks it must be fate, until they can’t find each other the next day.

Lauren Kung Jessen has done it again - Red String Theory is a beautiful story of love, belief and second chances. I adore the discussions of Chinese culture and familial expectations. Jessen writes unbelievably sweet characters and swoon-worthy romances!

A perfect cozy romance pick for the winter!

Rooney Gao is an artist who believes the Red String of Fate will one day bring her to her one true love. Jack Liu is a NASA engineer who deals with hypotheses and tests, and the power of choice. Can fate work with one magical night in New York despite their differences and physical separation?

This was a really cute read! The banter was both fun and funny (yes, there is a difference).
Rooney and Jack were so different with their art and science backgrounds, but it's adorable how they were able to incorporate them in their relationship and tried to understand the other in the way they would like to be seen.

Jessen delves into a discussion of fate vs choice, but doesn't try to convince the reader to just believe in one. Rather concluding that it is possible for both to coexist.

There's also great cultural representation here, since it's a story about two Asian Americans trying to stay connected to their roots.

Read if you like:
💕 Soulmates
✨ Chance meetings
🧶 Chinese mythology
🔥 Slowburn strangers to lovers
🐈 Cats and ice cream

Other details:
Dual POV
Closed door; kissing only and no strong language

Thank you to the author and Forever for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This enchanting romance questions whether fate or choice makes the biggest difference in our lives, and it does it in such a beautiful way.

Rooney believes in fate, especially the red string of fate that ties soulmates together. Her art incorporates red string in grand exhibits, and she is as bold as her artwork. Jack doesn’t believe in fate- he believes that we are in control of our lives through our choices. When these two opposites meet cute and have an enchanting night together in NYC, Rooney is left questioning whether Jack is truly her string mate.

The night that Rooney and Jack spend together is nothing short of magic. Stardust seems to surround them as they are each the best version of themselves, sparkling and witty and seemingly made for each other. I was utterly charmed by the entire evening.

Jack works for NASA, and outer space and stars are just as noteworthy in this read as fate and chance. Our main characters have multiple meaningful discussions on these topics, and I had to save several quotes that really made me think about my own beliefs in fate and control.

I really enjoyed the touches of culture that were written into this book as well, from the Lunar New York and lantern ceremony to the traditional Chinese ritual called the zhua zhou ceremony. I found these fascinating and loved learning something new.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is such a good story! I absolutely adored Lunar Love, so I knew immediately that I wanted to read Red String Theory. I really didn’t think it could beat Lunar Love, but it did!

I absolutely loved Rooney, the main character, and her outlook on life and passion for her art. The other main character, Jack, was likable for his own reasons. I found myself relating to both of them in different situations. There was even an Olivia and Bennet cameo!

Lauren Kung Jessen has easily become one of my must read authors! Add this one to your TBR, it’s out 1/9!

“The only difference between fate and free will is perspective.”

This was a very good read! I loved the theme of fate vs science and how each character interacts based on what they believe. Rooney, an artist who chooses to remain anonymous because of her famous artist mother and goes by Red String Girl, believes 100% in fate. Jack, who works for NASA doesn’t believe in it.

Following the red string theory, that you’re connected to someone by a red thread of fate, Rooney becomes inspired in her art. Her and Jack meet in a way that only fate could’ve made possible. But is fate also keeping them apart? The beginning is very reminiscent of Serendipity, which is name dropped a couple of times as Rooney’s favorite movie.

I also appreciate that the author, who is mixed race Chinese American, writes about mixed race characters and emphasizes the importance of including them. She says in the acknowledgments “I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to feel seen and to be represented.”

Thank you NetGalley and Forever for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. This one publishes January 9th!

This was a warm lighthearted romcom. The story is told in dual POV, and it follows Rooney and Jack. Rooney and Jack are an opposites attract type of relationship. Jack is a system engineer at NASA and is a firm believer in science and rational while Rooney is an artist who believes in fate and destiny and wears her heart on her sleeve. Rooney is silly and I found myself relating to her. She’s definitely quirky but in that real and raw sense that you just can’t help but root for.

I really appreciated how Lauren Kung Jessen took the classic fate vs choices and gave it a twist. Incorporating the Chinese myth of the red thread of fate was so fun and I loved how while Rooney fought for her belief in destiny, Jack fought for his belief in science and facts. We see both characters grow and learn not just about how their own ideas and choices affect their lives. This story also explores family dynamics, friendships, career development and what it means to have success. There is also a bit of second chance romance and it’s definitely not an insta love type romance.

Overall I think this was a fun heartfelt romcom that fans of Lauren’s other book Lunar Love and the movie Serendipity would enjoy.

Red String Theory

By Laura Kung Jessen -I read Lunar Love and gave it 5⭐. This is a standalone but H/h Olivia and Bennett make an appearance.

Setting: NYC/CA

Genre : Contemporary Romance, Adult Fic, Multicultural interests

Page count📖 : 344 kindle

Publication date: 1-9-24 , read 1-1-24

Rating: 4/5 ⭐

Spice level 1/5 🌶️ kissing only

🤷🏾‍♀️WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ choice vs fate
✨ Chinese culture
✨ artist/scientist
✨ opposites attract
✨ dual POVs
✨Similar to Serendipity-the movie from 2001 starring John Cusack and a nod to Love, Actually

⚠️:parental neglect and abandonment

Summary: Rooney is an artist who believes in the Red Thread of Fate. In Chinese culture the color red symbolizes happiness and it is often displayed at Chinese weddings. The myth states that two people are destined to marry their soul mates through a small red thread attached to our ankles at birth. It brushes against the significant person they are meant to connect to for life. Rooney wears red and uses red string in all her portraits and installations. Jack is an engineer for NASA who believes life's mysteries can be explained by science. They have a meet cute and have the best date ever walking around NYC. Five months later, they meet again when Jack chooses Rooney's artwork for the Artist-in-Residence program that supports a mission to Mars. Working together they argue about fate versus choice. Which one will be the cause of them falling for each other or going their separate ways?

🥰 What I liked:
Rooney's mother Wren had so much personality. She said what she wanted, did what she wanted, and became a famous artist. She was a great mentor and cheerleader for Rooney even though she wanted to do things on her own. Gōng Gong, Jack's grandfather, was another "voice of reason." He raised Jack while his parents travelled the world. He told Jack that he needed to stop trying to get attention and praise from his parents, and just follow his heart. I loved the cameo from Olivia and Bennett and the zhuā zhōu tradition.

😞 What I didn't like:
There were too many philosophical conversations about fate and choice. The scientific jargon went over my head (I was an English major, lol). I'm a hopeless romantic who believes there is someone for everyone. Also,
I didn't think the epilogue was needed because it was just more of them talking about fate and science.

🙏🏿Thanks to NetGalley and Forever publishing for this ARC ❤️! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are mine alone.

Romance and STEM combine in this wonderfully sweet tale of second chances and the strong pull of Fate! I absolutely loved following this journey with Rooney and Jack as they navigate through how to love each other along with finding themselves and addressing the challenges of balancing love and growing their careers. Absolutely recommend this book!

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

Do you believe in fate? Rooney does. She grew up believe that her stringmate is out there, connected at the ankle to hers with a red string. And fate will bring them together. So when she meets Jack for one magical night, she is looking for signs that they are meant for each other.

This is an opposites attract romance. Jack is a scientist who prioritizes free will and the plans we make. His discussions with Rooney reminded me of the long, philosophical conversations my friends and I had during late nights in college. I really enjoyed the conversations and reflecting on my own current perspective. And I especially liked how the story concluded.

I also enjoyed the amazing descriptions. The author's writing was so evocative with its awareness of metaphor choice. It transported me to the many settings from museums to NASA. And the food descriptions... I want all the dumplings and ice cream now. The art was as gorgeous and made me want to visit my local museum this week.

This was so thoughtful and thought-provoking. I know it is one I will be thinking about in quiet moments to come.

RED STRING THEORY was a book that I felt could have been a great book. It had a lot of the elements that make the romance genre so fun, while also incorporating characters of color and Chinese mythology into modern situations. However, I had so many problems with almost all aspects of this book that I truly did not like it and found it to be very difficult to get through.

What I liked about this book is that I really do love that the author incorporates part Chinese mythology and applies it. I had never heard of the Red String of Fate, and found that idea to be really cool to be input into a modern setting and situation. The idea of that blend, taking the traditional and repurposing it to create something uniquely different, was really special and fun. I appreciated the blend of cultural myths and identity into a new genre.

And, unfortunately, that is all the positives I really had for this book. I understand what the author was trying to do here in this novel. She was trying to take Rooney, our FMC, and utilize the sunshine trope and Jack, our MMC, and utilize the grumpy trope while also introducing Asian American influence and Chinese cultural information and identity. But what ended up happening was unsuccessful and quite honestly, dull. Rooney ends up being a manic pixie dream girl in my opinion (her middle name is Something...literally, that's the middle name) and she is almost toxically upbeat and positive. The Red String of Fate idea is her whole personality at the beginning of the novel. She wears red constantly and even her artwork is defined as such. Jack is a bland male lead. Just as Rooney is obsessed with the Red String of Fate, he is all about cold, hard science. Combined, they had little to no chemistry and boring interactions all bogged down by the ideas of fate vs. free will. I found myself just reading to get through this novel, rather than actually enjoying it.

To me, this book was a big miss. However, that doesn't mean that another individual will not enjoy it. I think if you really appreciate Chinese culture integrated into a new genre, the sunshine/grumpy trope, some more serious moments in your romance, and low angst, this could be the book for you. I am in the minority of reviews, so what I didn't like could be something that you really enjoy!

Thank you to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review!

“You can control yourself, the way you act. Trying to control everything else around you is a losing battle.”

Talk about some words I need to be reminded of, just like one of the characters in this book needed. Thank you to Forever for an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Red String Theory is a beautiful story that covers romance, space, art, and Chinese-American culture - talk about an interesting mix of topics! While the topics may sound distant, the story weaves them together perfectly, almost as if it’s done with red string. There is excellent dialogue, well-defined characters, and the perfect balance of science and fate in this read. As a fact-based high school math teacher who loves to read romance novels, I loved this union. While reading I found myself thinking of my experience viewing space shuttle Discovery’s final launch at Kennedy Space Center in 2011 and then a few pages later thinking of art exhibits and murals I’ve been moved by viewing. The mix, along with the descriptions of Chinese-American traditions, felt like such a special blend of something I didn’t know I needed to read.
Red String Theory was the last book I read in 2023, and I am thrilled to end the year with such a great read. I had tears in my eyes for the last 10% of the book - in the best way. This one really got me in my feels. What an amazing way to end a great year of reading!

3.5 stars. I really wanted to love this book as the premise was really promising — an artist who believed in the red threads of fate fatefully meets a NASA engineer who doesn’t believe in fate.

Unfortunately the pacing was a little slow for me and I didn’t connect with the characters early enough to make the book feel engrossing (which was what I was looking for when I picked it up). I did finish it and appreciate what Lauren Kung Jessen was doing, so I will probably try her next one.

Thanks to Netgalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Lauren Kung Jessen for the ARC.

This was a really interesting story - I enjoyed learning about the Chinese culture of the red string.

Rooney is an artist who does a huge installation, however it doesn't last long - but as fate would have it, it lasted as long as it needed to. And caught the attention of NASA scientist, Jack, in town for a conference. They meet and have an incredible night of memories. Lots of great dialog and interesting talk between Rooney and Jack. It's their great interactions that keep the story moving - fate vs science and a fun romance.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for sending me an advanced copy for review!

It is such a sweet book! It has some science sprinkled with some magic in the form of fate intertwined (no pun intended, lol). The slow burn that Rooney and Jack have is the type of slow burn that will make you want more. They are so sweet, and their conversations are so deep and soulful that it makes you, as a reader, sit back and think about your perspective on fate and choices. I loved that Olivia and Bennett made a cameo, also!

The concept of art and space (space as in, astronomy) were really cool! I especially enjoyed the ideas behind the public art displays!

I felt like the book had a strong start wrt the connection between the MCs, but it fell a little flat for after the 50% mark? It felt like they were both too entrenched in their own headspaces about fate vs choice and it didn't really give a lot of space for the relationship to grow

-- got an advanced copy from Netgalley

4.5 stars
This is a fun, entertaining read. Jack and Rooney are interesting, captivating, intriguing, relatable, entertaining characters. I enjoyed them as individuals and a couple. Their romance is very fitting for them and the story. I love the thread running through every aspect of this story – Fate/Destiny, whatever you want to call it. This story is so fitting for holidays and the spirit of the season. Kung-Jessen manages to balance complete opposites in thinking and melds them together in an awesome read. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 stars

This was a sweet love story but I felt like something was missing for me.

Based on the movie Serendipity, this story focuses on fate (both popular culture and the Red String of Fate from Chinese culture) and love. Both Rooney and Jack were lovable characters and I definitely rooted for them. I absolutely loved the cultural elements, the NASA elements, and the discussion of art.

However, this story was a bit slow-paced and I wasn't really a fan of the main characters interacting with each other so much lol. I know this doesnt really make sense, but I wanted more yearning and longing during the period where they were apart. It just felt like they found each other too quickly. I also feel like the book could have been a little shorter. I wanted more romance, and less discussions.

Pub Date: 1/9/24

This eARC was provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.