The second book by Jesson does not disappoint! I absolutely love this one as much as the first! Continuing the idea of each person has a red string that connects them to their loved one, this book digs deeper into this idea and keeps you hooked!

Was it fate that I picked this book up? Maybe!

I just adore Lauren Kung Jessen's books. They're sweet, educational, and plotted like a Rube Goldberg machine. This one combines two of my favorite things - art and NASA. Rooney is a ball of chaotic sunshine that I'd love to eat dumplings with and Jack is an uptight engineer who I'd love to have on my team at work. Together they make each other question everything and it's a match made in heaven (Seriously, Lunar Love couldn't pick a better one)

Disclaimer: This is what I call a "no door" book: a few kisses, but nothing sultry happening off-screen. A-okay by me, but it is something people want to know going in!

*Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I absolutely loved Lunar Love, so I was beyond excited when I was approved for an ARC of Lauren Kung Jessen's book. I've even been in a major romance book mood lately, so I was so happy to start this recently. However, the story quickly devolved for me and I am sad to say I DNFed the story at 20%. I liked the antics at the beginning with the print shop and art installation mishaps, and the meet cute again at the lantern release, but otherwise this book didn't work for me. I felt like the reader was being pummeled in the head with the "red string theory" aspect of the story and I got bored of that quickly. The conversation between the two MCs did not flow well in my opinion and felt stilted. I was bored and uninterested and decided not to continue reading. I know other bookstagrammers who received ARCs and loved this book. so maybe I'm an outlier here. I think smoother dialogue and more nuanced discussion of the red string theory would have saved the story for me. Thanks anyway for the ARC.

I thought this was a cute read with a more innocent romance. I definitely enjoyed these characters more than the ones from Lunar Love, but the pace was a bit too slow for my pace. The connection between the two MC’s came across as platonic and made it hard to believe there were any real sparks. The side characters weren’t fleshed out and only popped up to further the plot so the story felt sort of flimsy. I liked all the talk of fate but was hoping it would hit deeper than what I got from the book. It was an okay read that would be perfect for anyone looking for a sweet, nice romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Red String Theory is an utterly charming romance between a free-spirited artist and a NASA engineer. Rooney and Jack meet by chance in New York multiple times in one day. They end up spending a magical evening together. They lose touch, unable to find each other, but feel altered by that night.

Rooney very much believes in fate and serendipity, while Jack is more science-minded and believes our actions solely dictate our lives. They eventually connect again and though they are very different, they see the beauty in the other person and how they are. The novel is told in dual perspectives, which I really liked. Rooney and Jack are so adorable and likeable. Each on the cusp of furthering their professional careers. I really enjoyed this romance and getting to know Jack and Rooney.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

4.5 stars.

Red String Theory just made me so happy while reading. The premise is one of my favorite things…soulmates. How could I not be happy??

Rooney, our FMC, is an artist that has based her entire art identity about the red string theory: a theory that each person has a red string attaching them to their soulmate. Upon chance, she meets Jack, who is the scientist to her artist and doesn’t believe in fate. They spend one beautiful day together and circumstances mean they are apart until another chance meeting. Hmmmmmm Jack…that sounds like fate to me.

I thought Red String Theory was adorable. It includes a lot of information about Chinese culture and shows how both Rooney and Jack struggle with their identities and where they fit (obvs together, duh).

Overall, this is a smut-free romance that is sweet and heartwarming. It’s my second by Lauren Kung Jessen and I hope it won’t be my last.

Thank you to Forever Publishing for the review copy.

Look, I’m incredibly biased. Lauren Kung Jessen is one of my favorite/go-to closed-door romance authors. This was sweet, full of swoon-worthy banter, and I loved the integration of mythology and science of red string theory! I will continue to read and recommend anything by LKJ <3

First I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC copy of Red String Theory by Lauren K. Jessen. First I will note that I loved the author's debut novel and when she announced the release of this title, I had it in my wishlist to purchase almost from the date she announced its upcoming release on Instagram. Which made me so excited when I was approved for the ARC of this book!!!!! I read this book while on a cross country road trip and I will say that I thought it was smart, funny, and charming. I loved the dynamic between the FMC and MMC and thought the premise of love based on fate or choice was a unique trope that is not super common in romcom novels. This is a closed door book with very minimal physical contact (some kissing). It was definitely a slow burn novel that focused on the intellectual dialogue of the characters and their relationship development over the course of a year. It definitely gave vibes of Serendipity (the movie) and I enjoyed it tremendously. Definitely read this book if you get the chance! The author is definitely still an auto-buy author for me!

This book had no business being so darn cute!!!!!!!! I’m usually into romance books with spice, this has no spice aside from a few kisses, but wow- the connection between the characters was beautiful. I loved how real it was and how it happened over time, no instant love here. I read this authors previous novel called LUNAR LOVE and really enjoyed it but I LOVED this one. It was so well written and I loved how the two MCs progressed on their own journeys which ultimately brought them together.

Read this if you like:
•fate
•the red string theory
•strangers to lovers
•insta love
•opposites attract

This book was cute. It was a slow burn. The concept was cool. Thank you Forever for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Rooney Gao was born in museum. You can say art has been with her since the day she was born. The film helped lead her mom to her successful career as an artist. Rooney wants to be success like her mom. But instead of riding off her mom’s success, Rooney chooses to remain anonymous in her work. She strongly believes in the red string of fate and incorporates that into her art.

While preparing for an upcoming project, Rooney runs into Jack Liu. She leaves him with her red scarf. As fate would have it, they meet again at a lantern party. Rooney spends the evening acting a personal tour guide for Jack around NYC. As their night comes to an end, Jack send Rooney off in a taxi and a simple good night kiss. Two strangers, returning to their normal life.

Rooney begs the taxi to turn around, but when she gets back to the restaurant, Jack is nowhere to be found…One kiss, a wrong number and they’ll never see each other again…

Jack works for NASA and has been passed up for multiple promotions. But not this time, he’s determined to break that cycle. Jack suggests Red String Girl, RSG, an artist he remembers from his trip to New York for an upcoming work project. Little does he know, this project will bring him back to Rooney. Is it a coincidence or is it fate??

Perfect if you like:
🧣Strangers to Lovers
🧣Artist X NASA
🧣Opposites Attract
🧣 Insta-Love
🧣Fated Mates yarn
🧣Dual POV

My thoughts:
This is Lauren Kung Jessen’s second novel, and it lived up to the hype!

Rooney throughout the book inspires Jack to step out of his comfort zone. He makes friends with his coworkers, he takes risks he never would have before. On the opposite end, Jack helps Rooney become re-inspired for her installations.

I loved the Asian representation throughout the book. Between all the myths and traditions, absolutely loved it!

There are lots of art & science references. I felt like I might have learned a handful of Snapple facts about Mars and the solar system! Also, I love allll the older 90s/2000s movie references.

Jack’s Fate Test #6 had me in happy tears. The sweetest acts of love. Do you believe in fate and soulmates?

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for the ARC in exchange for my honest review 💛

I loved the premise of this book - red string of fate. And I love how opposite Rooney and Jack were. Rooney lived her life on fate. Jack lived his on science.

I did find this book on the slow side and struggled getting into it though

"Red String Theory" by Lauren Kung Jessen is an enchanting rom-com that weaves the delicate threads of fate into a heartwarming love story.

Rooney Gao, a believer in the red string of fate, finds her artistic inspiration and love life entangled in this whimsical tale. The narrative is sprinkled with charm, drawing parallels to the works of Helen Hoang and Jasmine Guillory. As an artist, Rooney's struggle with creative block adds depth to her character, making her journey relatable.

The introduction of Jack Liu, the perfect guy who challenges the concept of destiny, adds a delightful twist. The story unfolds against the backdrop of New York, with a magical date under February skies and the aroma of fried dumplings. Jessen skillfully crafts a narrative that captures the essence of love, destiny, and the courage it takes to embrace the unknown.

"Red String Theory" is a delightful continuation of Jessen's storytelling prowess, leaving readers with a warm and hopeful feeling.

Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own.

Red String Theory follows artist Rooney as she finds romance and a deeper knowledge of herself. When she first meets Jack, a scientist who couldn’t be more different from her, they never expect to see each other again. Rooney believes in the possibility of fate and Jack believes in science. When Rooney is chosen to work on an art program at NASA, she is shocked to see Jack again. As Rooney struggles to channel her creativity, she gets to know Jack better. Is there a future for their relationship when so many things stand in their way?

Red String Theory is an imaginative and lighthearted romance. Jack and Rooney get a second chance at romance when their paths cross in unlikely ways. I loved Rooney’s artistic visions and really appreciated her creativity. It was relatable how at times she felt artistically blocked. I loved how she grew in confidence and was able to put on shows that showed her true artistic vision. Jack is a very scientific guy who learns to embrace a little bit of fate along the way. I enjoyed the ultimate message that the red threads of fate do not mean that something is bound in stone, but rather are meant to give magic and hope along the way. Readers who enjoyed Jessen’s debut Lunar Love will equally adore this book. Readers seeking second-chance romance, a hint of magic, and a sweet love story will enjoy Red String Theory.

Thank you to Lauren Kung Jessen, Forever, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc

I had jumped at the chance to get my hands on an ARC of Lauren Kung Jessen’s second novel, Red String Theory (RST) after I had the opportunity to read an ARC of her debut, Lunar Love (LL) last year. I like that she wrote such sweet characters in LL, with a lot of cultural and food references. But RST wasn’t it for me. @ imnotabeautyg and I did a buddy read for RST, and it was fun discussing our thoughts even though we both read at our own paces. I’ve come to realize that I prefer non-structured buddy reads because there’s too much pressure to keep up with a schedule, and lately I’m not able to accommodate many reading commitments because life feels weirdly busy for me at the moment.

I feel like I struggled to get through this book, even though I liked the concept of it. I felt like a good chunk was overly written and it was distracting from moving the plot along. I liked the MCs, Rooney and Jack, individually, but I just didn’t sense their chemistry and thought their connection was flat. I did like their meet cute (and set in NYC? ☺️) but after that, I didn’t have much interest in their relationship.

My favourite character in the entire book is Jack’s Gōng Gong/grandfather, who makes his own ice cream and was just so sweet 🥹🍦.

While RST was sadly not it for me, I am still a big fan of the author and look forward to reading whatever she writes next.

Thank you so much @readforeverpub and @hbgcanada for the ARC.

This was a very fun read!

I had a blast delving into the complex themes of fate, love, and choice - and all within the heartwarming backdrop of Asian representation. Weaving (pun intended) in the Chinese myth of the red string of fate was a very distinctive and engaging way to move the story along, and I learned so much! The other theme of intertwining NASA/space/science concepts with fate was also a very refreshing perspective to read.

I fell in love with Rooney right way: she's so relatable, fun, and is very three-dimensional, Her relationship with her mother was uplifting to read about, and both of their appreciation for art and their Chinese culture were absolutely delightful. On Jack's side - I loved his relationship with Gong Gong! I want to give Gong Gong the biggest hug, and his facts were some I'll remember for a long time.

I enjoyed my read, but I had a few critiques. First - Jack has many endearing moments, but I didn't love him as much as I loved Bennett in Kung Jessen's debut, Lunar Love. It's not that he was a bad person - I just didn't connect with him. I really wanted to because I absolutely loved Rooney and her POV, but Jack's didn't quite click with me. Secondly (this is just my opinion! Take it with a grain of salt, please) the book was too insta-love to me, and thus didn't feel as realistic. I get that they're stringmates and they needed to establish their connection right away, but the couple was a bit too in-love from the very first encounter. (If insta-love happened to you and your significant other, I'm madly jealous. I just not the biggest fan of insta-love in books). There wasn't enough emotional tension, solely external factors that kept them apart, which wasn't as appealing to me. Finally, I really enjoyed how the ending came about, but their connection didn't resonate with me until the last quarter of the book or so. The pacing was a tad slow and drawn out, but after the 75% mark, I was more engaged.

Overall, it was a very tender and sweet read! I know there will be diehard fans of this book in no time.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!

The premise of this story was what got my attention and I found the Chinese culture interesting. The story felt repetitive talking about fate and the main character, Rooney’s quest for whether she found her match or not knowing what fate has in store with her connecting her with Jack. I felt like it was too long winded in the beginning with one night that seemed to go on and on. I was also confused about her art and the string exhibit. It was very hard to understand.

I absolutely love Lauren Kung Jessen’s writing style and wholesome love rom-coms. I was thrilled to have read her second novel after falling in love with Lunar Love. I absolutely adore how the author weaves her culture and experiences into her books and her characters’ lives. For a person unfamiliar to Chinese lore, Lauren Kung Jessen does a fantastic job in explaining her culture without it feeling like and interruption to the narrative.

Overall this is a great read about destiny (fate) versus free will. Following Rooney and Jack’s adventures as they tested their theory was enjoyable. Their chemistry was undeniable however reluctant Jack was to accept his fate. The ending was just as sweet and exactly what I expected from the author.

I loved this authors debut novel but this follow up felt too similar to the first. It agai. Follows the culture that is the red string of fate and ultimately didn’t bring me anything new. I loved the diversity and inclusion of the different characters but I didn’t feel overly connected or drawn to them like I did in her last. I liked the idea of choice vs fate but there’s just something about this book that bored me. It was cute, glad I read it but I will forget it pretty quickly

Thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC copy!
2.5 stars
I have such mixed feelings on this book. Unfortunately it didn’t quite hit it for me. I’ll say that I love the concept and representation. Bringing the idea of the red string of fate into a contemporary romance is a match made in heaven. Unfortunately that’s the extent of my positive feelings. I felt the main thing this book suffered from was slow pacing. There were frequent parts where the dialogue would go back and forth too much without really advancing the plot. I found a couple of instances as well where there would be some assumptions the reader would have to make before it was clearly spelled out.
The characters in this I didn’t hate but didn’t love. Personally, I think it would have been better suited for a single POV vs dual. I usually love dual POVs but I found that this actually got a bit confusing for me at times
As much as I seriously wanted to love this book and scream it from the rooftops, it wasn’t my cup of tea.