Rooney is an artist who creates public installations under a pseudonym, trying to distance herself from her famous artist mother. She has a chance meeting with Jack one blustery day in New York and they spend an evening following fate around the city. Although he’s not a believer in fate, he is still enchanted by her and actually has a fun night. They lose contact for romance reasons and somehow reconnect on a work-related project months later. Turns out Jack is a NASA guy who has reinstated an artist-in-residence program and nominated Rooney’s art (not realizing it was her). When they meet again, they try to keep things professional, but it’s like fate keeps bringing them together.

This was a very fun, interesting read that definitely makes you think about fate vs coincidentally meeting your right person!

Rooney is an artist who does string works, mostly of animals. Her latest is a large installation in one of NYC’s big parks about how the strings all lead to another and your “other half.” Jack is an astronomer and runs into Rooney at a print shop down the street from her installation, where they flirt then he happens across her string theory and adds his own note to it. They somehow end up at the same party that night and hit it off further, but get separated and living on opposite sides of the country, eventually have to let go.

Fast forward to them trying to find each other and out of the blue, through work, end up back together doing a combination astronomy art (I know, this one is still making me scratch my head because it seemed forced), bringing them together to see if the red string theory meant that they were fated or if it was just a twist of fate that they kept running into each other.

It was a fun and intelligent and thought provoking read, which I definitely recommend - and look how gorgeous the cover is! It’s well written and smart and the characters were very smart. I really enjoyed it.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and this is my honest feedback.

Red String Theory follows NYC based artist, Rooney Gao, and LA based NASA engineer, Jackson Liu. Rooney has based her entire personality on the red string theory of fate and Jack very much believes in scientific proof and fact. Rooney and Jack have a meet cute and spontaneous adventure one night in NYC. They plan to keep in touch but Rooney incorrectly types Jack’s number in her phone. They spend weeks trying to find each other to no avail. Will fate bring them together again??

Read if you like:
🧬 science vs fate
👩‍❤️‍👨 opposites attract
2️⃣ dual POV
🔥 slow-burn
❤️ LOVE

I loved this book with my whole entire heart. It is SUPER cute and so sweet. Rooney and Jack are both lovable and relatable characters. Lauren’s writing is absolutely beautiful. There is so much meaning and thought on every single page of this book. When I have a physical copy and annotate it, it will be hard not to highlight the whole thing!

I absolutely loved the concept of fate vs. choice and how the dynamic played through Rooney and Jack’s relationship. They started out unable to see past their own beliefs but through each other were able to learn new perspectives. Their chemistry was great and everything between them felt natural. The love between them was genuine and gentle and never cringey or cheesy. Also really loved Rooney’s relationship with her mom!!

Red String Theory was such a joy to read and evoked so much thought and emotion. I am a right brained, emotional and creative type that heavily believes in fate, the universe, soulmates, etc… and I am dating a very logical thinking and realistic scientist that laughs at my far fetched thinking… so to say that this book resonated with me would be an understatement.

@laurenkjessen is 100% an auto-buy author for me!

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Release date: January 9, 2024

Red String Theory is a modern day romance that utilizes the age old legend of fate and the idea that two people who are destined for each other can be strung together by an invisible red thread.

Rooney and Jack meet one cold and snowy New York day at a print shop, where both of their orders had a mishap. Blocks from the print shop, Jack stumbles across Rooney’s red string art installation at Washington Square, though he doesn’t know she’s the artist behind the clever concept.
Hours later, they happen to meet again at a Lantern Festival party and are paired together to send off a lantern into the full moon sky.
The two of them hit it off instantly and spend the rest of the night on a tour of the city, where Rooney and Jack indulge in midnight dumplings, Times Square escapades, a speakeasy, and more.

When a phone number is written down incorrectly, they end up tirelessly searching the web for each other to no avail, until five months later, when Jack’s team relaunches their art-in-residence program, fate brings them back together once again.

Rooney and Jack both need this project at NASA to do well — for him to get a promotion, and for her to gain financial independence.
Rooney’s presence really encouraged Jack to open up and become more social and personal with his coworkers, which was character development that I loved seeing.
They both have great compatibility that isn’t forced, but with their differences in beliefs, it opens up a discussion to question if it’s truly fate, or just a series of choices and timing that led them to where they are now.

I’ve come to really appreciate the Chinese culture and mixed race representation that Jessen brings to her stories, and she’ll always be an auto-buy author for that reason (as well as the shared culinary background and awesome integration of it).
Some of the things the characters were sharing about their childhoods hit so hard and resonated in a way where it outweighed the downfalls of the slow burn nature of the romance.
The dialogue is equally charming and cheesy, though almost too cheesy for my tastes at times which is where I think I struggled.
This also felt to me a little too much like women’s fiction, which is not a bad thing, just not something I came in expecting.

Bonus: I loved the Bennett and Olivia crossover from Jessen’s debut “Lunar Love”!!

Read for the combination of:
- dual pov
- opposites attract
- introverted mmc + extroverted fmc
- anonymous artist + NASA engineer
- red thread of fate
- a lot of delicious food
- lunar new year lanterns
- workplace environment
- fate vs choices
- bicoastal


<i>“I taught you about the Red Thread of Fate not to keep you from living and loving but to remember that there are bigger things happening in the world beyond ourselves. That we can influence the world, but that the world can also influence us.”

“You’re afraid to believe in fate and admit that you can’t control everything. The thing about control, Jack, is that you never really have it. Control is an illusion to help you feel a little bit better about the chaos that is life.”

“You make me want to explore the unknown. I love the idea of taking the scenic route, but could we still use GPS?”</I>

Love the premise and was excited to read, but the writing and voice were subjectively not quite my thing.

Unfortunately this ended up being a DNF for me a bit shy of halfway through. I was really intrigued by the concept of incorporating the red string theory into a contemporary romcom but I just couldn’t get into the story despite multiple tries. I have been in a reading slump so that could be a large factor at fault and I may try to pick this up again at some point in the future. But for now it was just too slow and not grabbing me.

This was such a sweet romance! Jack and Rooney meet and Rooney is convinced it’s fate. Jack isn’t so sure. They spend a magical night together in New York and then chance has them meeting again at Jack’s job.

I loved all of the bits of Chinese culture that were scattered throughout this novel! It was so fun getting to know Rooney and her family/friends, alone with Jack and his grandpa. I adored their meet cute, the falling for each other, and the kisses were so so sweet. That final grand gesture was *chef’s kiss.* I need to go back and read Lunar Love now!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I will read anything that Lauren Kung Jessen writes. This book was adorable and cozy! Everything about it made me just want to curl up in a blanket, by the fire and to eat some dumplings. All of the discussions around your thread-mate was super interesting and I loved learning more about Chinese culture through this plot!

Do yourself a favor and read this adorable book!

So truly amazing. The fate vs science question is a tale as old as time and I loved observing Rooney and Jack tackle it and come to terms with eachother's beliefs. The writing was breathtaking and flawless. It felt like I was in another world sometimes. I'm not always one for a star crossed lovers set up, but this really worked.

When it comes to love and art, Rooney Gao believes in signs. Most of all, she believes in the Chinese legend that everyone is tied to their one true love by the red string of fate. And that belief has inspired her career as an artist, as well as the large art installations she makes with (obviously) red string. That is until artist’s block strikes and Rooney begins to question everything. But then fate leads her to the perfect guy . . .Jack Liu is perfect. He’s absurdly smart, successful, handsome, and after one enchanting New York night—under icy February skies and fueled by fried dumplings—all signs point to destiny. Only Jack doesn’t believe. And after their magical date, it looks like they might be lost to each other forever . . . until they’re given one more chance to reconnect. But can Rooney convince a reluctant skeptic to take a leap of fate?

This was such a fun and interesting concept for a romance novel. Jack and Rooney are the definition of opposites attract! It's fun to see them challenge each other's beliefs and how they eventually come out better because of it. This book revolves heavily around fate which I find super interesting. I am not sure if I believe in fate, but this book definitely gave me an interesting perspective on it. I don't normally love a slow burn, but I thought this one was done well. Lastly, I really liked the secondary plot with their family pressures. Roony is trying to step away from her mother's shadow and doesn't want to use her nepotism to get farther, while Jack has these absentee parents who put the focus on achievement over anything else.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 1/9.

2.5/5

I didn't like this book nearly as much as Lunar Love (in which the characters do make an appearance in this book).

Fans of the movie Serendipity will likely enjoy this romance novel about fate set in both New York and LA. The story, told in dual POV, follows Rooney Something Gao (yes, her middle name is Something...) an artist who believes in fate, and Jack Liu, an engineer with NASA who believes in science. They meet one day in New York and go on a date together before Jack heads back to LA. A year later, they encounter each other again - is it fate? Coincidence? Was it meant to be?

While I loved that this book included elements of the Red String of Fate (which is a story I've heard of as a kid, as it is quite well-known in Chinese culture) and liked the banter between Rooney and Jack, I didn't enjoy the slow pacing or the long and repetitive philosophical discussions about fate.

LKJ is officially an auto-buy author for me (or auto-request on Netgalley ?). I LOOVEEED RED STRING THEORY! The characters have perfect banter and chemistry, and I really felt their care for one another. The Red String Theory game Rooney and Jack played was the perfect way to create some narrative tension. Plus, I loved that both of them came to realize that both fate and choice can coexist. So lovely and sweet, and I think I can say I loved this one even more than LUNAR LOVE.

My only complaint is that I could have used a little more fleshing out of Jack’s parental issues. I think that could have added more drama to the story, and an opportunity for Rooney to show grace and support for him.


RED STRING THEORY out 1/9/24! Thank you for NetGalley and Forever Pub for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

“Red String Theory” is a charming, feel-good romance, that is sweet and slow. Rooney believes in fate. Jack is a scientist. Their opposing beliefs lead them to test fate. Rooney and Jack intersect in serendipitous ways as they begin to fall in love.

For those who enjoy:
🏮Opposites Attract
🏮Fated Love
🏮Slow Burn
🏮Artist + NASA engineer
🏮Chinese Culture

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

One fateful day artist Rooney Gao and NASA employee Jack Liu have a chance meeting. Followed by *another* chance meeting that night. Leading them to chasing a floating lantern through the city, having an adventure and learning little things about each other.
But not the big things, like what they actually do for a living or full names. Just a failed exchange of phone numbers and single kiss.

After months of searching on both of their parts, a second - or I guess third - chance encounter has them connecting again but on different, progressional, grounds and a ‘will they or won’t they’ situation begins.

The budding romance is a good part of the story, but even more it is about Rooney’s struggle for agency in her own art and Jack’s learning how to make the personal connections he needs to succeed and more forward in his job.
The story blends science, art, romance and fate that feels magical.

If you liked the vibes of the movie Serendipity, but wish it was ✨more✨ then I think you’ll love this book!
(Seeing the movie referenced in the book was perfect, just as I was thinking this and after I stopped to add it to my notes - fate?)

While I wouldn’t have made all the same choices as Rooney - I had Some Thoughts on why she wanted the money and her resistance to some specific help, but they’re spoilery so *zips lips* - I did enjoy the journey and how everything tied together. All’s well that ends well, and it ended very well!

Thank you to NetGalley and forever for the ARC!

I wanted to fall in love with this book as I enjoyed this author’s debut. However, the pacing was slow and I found myself not interested so DNF early on.

Red String Theory is a sweet rom-com with Chinese mythology incorporated into the plot. Ro and Jack are fun and very cute. A solid book all around!

Rooney has always believed in signs. When her day goes off plan and ends with her running into Jack several times, it feels like fate has played a part. When she realizes she wrote his phone number down wrong though, the two spend months trying to find each other. Does fate have plans for the two to reconnect?

Ahhh, ok this book took me way too long to read because I started it while in the throws of RSV, but I loved it so much! I just adored how Rooney believed so strongly in fate, meanwhile Jack was such a skeptic. It truly did feel like fate was trying to bring these two together though. This story had a little romance, a lot of heart, and a little bit of fateful magic and I high recommend it!

Red String Theory (ARC)
Lauren Kung Jessen
5⭐️

Pub Date: 1/9/2024

First few chapters and I'm already reeling! It's too cute, how Jack and Rooney met. Rooney was just so warm right away and Jack was immediately intrigued. Their first encounter was already so magical and romantic. The details were written so well that it definitely conveyed the emotions. The descriptions and the romance are clean and subtle but gosh, did it creep in! So many subtle moves!!! There's something about the writing style that makes my heart pound like crazy! And yet, this is one of those books that also gives you the warm, fuzzy feeling and the butterflies in your belly as well! I had a TON of butterflies reading this book. Jack is too cute 😭 so serious and yet his charm just comes out with Rooney. And Rooney! She's so silly! Not cringe-silly but actually magical and carefree. So many gasps, silent screams and giggles for this book. The plot is fluff! I love it.

Yes, since it's fate vs science, it got deep with the technical and destiny stuff. I admire the details and the amount of research done. I'm sure it was rough with two opposing subjects (although take my word as a grain of salt on the tech stuff since I'm no expert). The tech talk did lose me just for a very short while but LKJ reeled me back in with a bang on the romance. The battle between fate and science is evident here, but it also wrapped up and came together well.

I really like how LKJ was able to bring Chinese culture into her book. I relate so much to these characters (like the love for rice and tangyuan- ofcourse it's food that I relate to 🤣). And I'm sure this book will be very much enjoyable to her non-Asian readers as well.

💭 what's your favorite non-american food?
--- this is hard for me since I like most Asian flavors. I did recently eat at an indigenous cuisine restaurant and all the food were amazing!

4 stars!

"Red String Theory" by Lauren Kung Jessen is a super sweet insta-love meet-cute about fate, connection, art, and getting out of your comfort zone. This story is like one giant hug from the cosmos. Rooney and Jack's story is teeming with chemistry despite not containing any spice at all. Rooney is an artist who is also the daughter of a famous artist, though she doesn't want any help when it comes to making a name for herself. She's hosting an art installation in Washington Square Park where her string art is on display front and center. Rooney bumps into Jack after a flyer printing mishap, and there is an instant connection between them. He's in town for work and will soon return to California. Rooney winds up going to a Chinese lantern festival after her art installation gets shut down and, once again, finds herself in Jack's orbit. They decide to follow the lantern that they let go into the night and wander the streets of New York City until the early morning hours. They eat, talk, run, around, and connect on a deeper level than they ever could have expected. The night comes to a close and they lose each other. One year later, Rooney is offered an artist-in-residence fellowship in California at NASA, and lo and behold, Jack is her superior! His science-oriented world clashes with her fate-based one as he yearns for explanations for what she deems serendipity.

I think that the target audience will eat this up. I will admit, it's a little slowly paced in the middle-to-end portion, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the heck out of this. It's just so dang sweet! I loved Rooney and Jack both together and separately. I found them to be spectacular characters. I love how they are polar opposites but remain mostly open-minded about what the other has to say. Rooney wants to make a name for herself without her mom's help. She's headstrong in her beliefs. Jack is a tender soul, but won't admit it to anyone. His scientific worldview is altered by Rooney's love of fate as they work on their "red string theory" together. This book also contains a lot about different aspects of Chinese culture, which was fun and eye-opening to read about. All in all, this is a great little book!

Thank you to NetGalley, Lauren Kung Jessen, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Alexa, play Invisible String by Taylor Swift ✨〰️✨

After reading and loving Lunar Love, I was sooo excited when I got approved to read an advance copy of Red String Theory through netgalley!!

This book was so sweet and such a fun read while still being really meaningful. I liked how they explored their relationships with their parents, both the good and bad, and how it shaped their actions and in many ways, the lives they chose for themselves.

Jack and Rooney both grew so much and I loved how their perspectives of fate vs. choice changed for each of them. I also love grandparents being included stories, so of course I enjoyed the parts with Jack’s gong gong ♥️ And I’m a big sky/cloud enthusiast, so i thought the NASA storyline and all the parts talking about the sky and clouds were so perfect ☁️ Oh and I loved the NYC setting in the beginning!!! Prob my fav part of the book was them on their first night together 🫶🏼

I definitely recommend if you want a sweet, playful, heartfelt romance!