Thank you to the publisher, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and Netgalley for providing me with an early copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

This book was really sweet! I loved the integration of the red string theory. I remember first hearing about that folk tale and absolutely loving it, so it was really cool to see it woven in (pun intended) to a romance novel.

I think the pairing was cute and all the characters/relationships were super well constructed, especially the mother/daughter one.

I had some issues with the miscommunication, but thats to be expected for me, and in this case it didn't really detract from the book.

I was super into this book in the first half, and although my focus dwindled in the second, I still enjoyed it!

I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the character development and the exploration of fate versus choice in this romantic comedy. The slow burn is slow and while it captures the culture beautifully, it was difficult to keep my attention. As such, I read it disjointedly over time and had difficulty connecting immersively. This just comes down to preference for the reader. I am not generally a fan of a slow burn. I did enjoy the acts of serendipity and could appreciate the story and the writing for what it was. I would recommend to those that are looking for a cozy romance with that spark of fated soul mates.

A great new book from Lauren Kung Jessen that feels like a combination of La La Land and To All the Boys I've Loved Before! The mash up of multi-cultured main characters who have a lot of depth plus a constant discussion of the realities of fate (and fated mates).
This contemporary romance includes philosophical thoughts, a scientific MMC, an artist and freethinking FMC, a bit of an fated mates situation (but don't tell the MMC, Jack, that!👀), and a slow burn opposites attract (grumpy X sunshine situation).
I really enjoyed getting to learn more about different cultures (such as learning about the Red String of Fate🧣) and getting to see these two characters meet, miss each other, meet again, and try to make things work! It was a little hard for me to get into the book at the beginning (just to establish character relationships, understand the Red String of Fate, etc.) BUT after the first chapter or so, I was HOOKED! This was such a fun read and I can't wait to see all the hype surrounding this on release day! Thank you so much to Forever for a free e-ARC of this amazing book!💖

I was super lucky to get an eARC of the Red String Theory, thank you to Forever and NetGalley.

The Red String Theory By Lauren Kung Jessen, is a sweet opposites attract romance. When Fate believing Rooney and NASA scientist Jack keep meeting is it meant to be? Or is there a science to love?

Overall I really enjoyed The Red String Theory, it is definitely a slow burn where you really get to see what motivates the characters. Some of the conversations between characters feels a little awkward, but overall the relationship is one you can really root for. I have one question for you, are you ready to find out where will the red string of fate lead you?

loved this romance about fate and stringmates and the color red. I loved that they met each other and did fun things and found love. I love that they waited til they weren't working together to have a relationship. Loved that fate was mentioned and that they have a night to remember and that they met up again for work.

4/5 stars
0/5 spice

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Red String Theory" by Lauren Kung Jessen is about Rooney and Jack and their pull towards each other; but is it by fate or choice?

Rooney, an artist who believes and lives her life guided by the red string of fate, a Chinese myth that your soulmate/stringmate is bound to you by a red thread, is a mature and optimistic wears-her-heart-on-her-sleeve strong FMC. On the other hand, Jack Liu is a scientist at NASA who steadfastly believe in a more logical, analytical, has-to-see-it-to-believe-it guy. And so ensues a beautiful story of their opposing beliefs which made for engaging debates throughout the story and lots of witty banter and cute moments as they try to "test" fate.

"Red String Theory" is a spice free romance, and focuses on their emotional connection and how they help each other - he helps her re-ignite her inspiration and she helps him advance in his career by empowering him to cultivate his relationship skills.

This is a sweet and heartwarming romance that explores the question of fate versus choice weaved with Chinese myth beuatifully. While I enjoyed this story and would recommend to anyone who likes a heartwarming slow-paced romance, there were moments when I wanted to see more character development and felt like there was that missing component of really making a reader feel the emotions of turmoil that could really elevate this.

#RedStringTheory #NetGalley

4.5 stars. This is a feel good and heartwarming novel with themes including fate and believing in yourself. It takes place in two of my most favorite cities: LA and NYC. I loved how the author explored the concept of fate while including cultural details of being Chinese American. I enjoyed all of the characters and thought they were all well developed. The alternating POV between Rooney and Jack kept the story moving along well. There are also tons of science and astronomy references as well as fun puns and jokes throughout. I haven’t read the authors other book, but after reading Red String Theory I’m definitely adding the other to my list!

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Forever for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book in my opinion was better than the first. Although it didn't hook me right away I truly did enjoy the FMC. The artist who believes in fate and then the scientist who believes in facts trope was done very well. 

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

“Gravity is invisible, but we can measure it. What are the gravitational effects of fate but people being pulled toward their destined soulmates?”

I am such a fan of Lauren Kung Jessen's writing. I really enjoyed her debut novel, but I think I loved this one more.

I particularly enjoyed the thought provoking exchanges between Jack, the science guy, and Rooney, the artist who believes in fate. The dialogues were written so well, and I had such a fun time reading.

NASA/space + art = one happy reader. Absolutely recommend picking this up!

Thank you so much for the eARC, Forever.

I absolutely adored Lunar Love, so I was really excited for this one. This one didn't hook me right away, so I ended up setting it to the side for now. I'll probably come back to it later, but for now, it was just a really slow start.

A sweet romance between an artist who believes in fate and a scientist who believes in facts. It was fun to read about Rooney’s artistic process and conceptual art. While I didn’t personally connect to the characters or feel their chemistry, I think fans of opposites attract and one true love/soulmate plot lines will enjoy the story. 2.5 stars.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

3.5⭐️

An absolutely endearing story with a dash of swoon and stardust. I adored Lunar Love and was so excited to dive into Lauren’s newest novel. The topics of art and space were beautifully intertwined with discussions of fate, choice, family, and love, and Lauren painted stunning visuals against the backdrops of NYC and LA. Lauren gives a fun, while honest and vulnerable peek inside the creative process - the observations, relationships, moments, and beauty in even the smallest of places that spark inspiration.

This exploration of fate and choice was well balanced and was wonderfully represented in Rooney and Jack’s characters - Rooney being more spontaneous, creative, and believing in signs, whereas Jack was more matter of fact and believed “you make your own fate.” In peeling back their layers, there was such tenderness and vulnerability in how Rooney and Jack approached life and love. It was wonderful to witness their growth and how they, in time, were able to reach a place where they took chances on the unknown - people, opportunities, and their hopes and dreams - and became active participants in their lives, not fearing but enjoying the magic that transpired.

While the burn and overall pacing might have been a tad too slow for me personally, this was still very sweet and I loved the message of family, possibility, and love.

If you loved Lunar Love as much as I did, you will absolutely adore Red String Theory! It's very similar in themes as to the movie Past Lives, so if you liked that, too, you'll love this book! It's so hard not to fall in love with these characters because of her writing. You can feel the chemistry between the characters just leap off the page!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher's for this Advanced Readers Copy of Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book! Here is my honest review:

If you’re a fan of romantic comedies and slow-burn romances, this book is for you.

Red String Theory follows optimistic struggling artist and New Yorker, Rooney Gao, who sets out to buy back a video of her birth that has been sold as a work of art. She is an idealist who believes in fate and the Red String Theory which inspired her latest art installation, Entangled. She meets Jack Liu who’s in town for work and these two instantly connect, despite seeming like complete opposites at first. Their connection really shines in their endless banter and how they open themselves up to the other’s mindset.

I love how their relationship plays out. Their dynamic reminds me a lot of my favorite romcoms - no drama, just factors in their lives pulling them apart and fate (and their choices) bringing them back together. There were moments where I basked in their connection and other times where I wanted to shake them both but I suppose that is what kept me invested in their story.

Another thing I appreciated was the lovely relationship between Rooney and her mom. As an Asian-American myself, it was refreshing to see a healthy mother-daughter relationship in which both are honest and communicative with each other as well as equally proud of their culture and actively practicing the language together.

Although this took me a while to read, I’m glad I read it and would recommend this to my friends who also enjoy a good romcom.

"Red String Theory" by Lauren Kung Jessen is a heartwarming rom-com that revolves around the concept of fate and the red string of destiny, telling the tale of two star-crossed lovers.

Rooney Gao is an artist who finds inspiration in the idea that everyone is connected to their true love by the red string of fate, a Chinese legend. Her art installations often revolve around this theme. However, when she faces a creative block, she begins to question the very beliefs that have driven her career.

Then, fate intervenes, and she meets Jack Liu. Jack appears to be the perfect man – smart, successful, handsome, and charming. Their initial encounter during an enchanting night in New York seems like destiny itself. But here's the twist: Jack doesn't believe in the concept of fate. After their magical date, it appears that their paths might never cross again. However, the universe gives them one more chance to reconnect.

The story explores the clash between a firm believer in fate and someone who's skeptical. It's a delightful exploration of love and destiny with a lighthearted touch. Rooney's determination to convince Jack to embrace the idea of fate makes for an engaging and heartwarming narrative. Their journey is not just about the possibility of love but also the possibility of changing one's beliefs.

"Red String Theory" is a charming and entertaining read that will resonate with fans of romantic comedies. It captures the essence of the red string of fate concept and the idea that sometimes, love has a way of finding us even when we're skeptical. Readers who enjoy stories of serendipity, fate, and the magic of unexpected love will find this novel a delightful and heartening addition to their reading list.

Pub date: 1/9/24
Genre: romance, ownvoices
Quick summary: Artist Rooney believes in the concept of soulmates connected by the red string of fate. When she meets Jack, they'll test the theory that the string may stretch or tangle, but it will never break.

I loved Lauren Kung Jessen's previous book, LUNAR LOVE, and the concept of the red string is a great basis for a novel. As an art history fan, I enjoyed Rooney's large-scale art installations and her struggle with artistic inspiration, as well as living in the shadow of her famous artist mother. Scientist Jack provided a nice counterpoint to Rooney, setting up discussions of fate vs. choice. This one was a little too much of a slow burn for me to love it as much as LUNAR LOVE, but clean romance fans will likely enjoy this one!

Thank you to Forever Publishing for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book had such a cute plot. I loved the idea of fate and the red string theory. As an asian american, seeing this culture and visibility is so rewarding and inspiring. I loved all the interactions between Rooney and Jack. This was such a slow burn, however, the chemistry was a little bit of a let down for me. It read more as YA than romance and I was hoping for more progression in their relationship. I did enjoy the epilogue and all the character growth.

This book is a cute cozy romance and will be perfect for those who don’t want any spice or open door scenes.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 stars

As a Chinese person myself, I actually never heard of the Red String Theory, so that's why I wanted to pick it up. We follow Rooney Gao (an artist) and Jackson Liu (a NASA scientist based in California). The two protagonists meet in New York City where Rooney is holding an outside art exhibit depicting the red string theory. Jack doesn't quite believe in fate being that he's a scientist and only sees the world through facts and data. However that same day, they bump into each other and end up spending the night hanging out.

Is it fate? Maybe. Jack gives Rooney his number, but as expected, the number is wrong, so they lose communication after Jack leaves New York City to return to California for his job. Five months later, they bump into each other yet again when Jack accidentally hires Rooney for a NASA/artistic program. (Context: Rooney is an anonymous artist, so Jack thought he was hiring this anonymous artist.) Fate has brought these two back together again, so will they or won't they end up together?

General thoughts: I really liked the concept of this book. Normally I'm more like Jack where I don't quite believe in fate, but sometimes I do wonder if something like a red string attaching you to your person is a real thing. Sometimes I think about that with my current partner. I love the incorporation of Chinese culture and family dynamics since we need more diversity in books! It also goes back and forth between Jack's and Rooney's POV so you get to see them work through their feelings and such. However, I wasn't a huge fan of Jack and Rooney as a couple. There is nothing wrong with them; it's just that I didn't connect with them.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to people!

Rooney and Jack are such sweet characters! I love the fate vs choice theme that is woven so well into the plot. My favorite part was the clear communication between the main characters. No miscommunication happening here!! Red String Theory is a clean romance and imo the perfect lighthearted read 😊

Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! Pub date Jan 9, 2024