I thought that this book was one of the cutest romances I've read this year. I haven't previously read a romance book that centered itself around the idea of fate or destiny, and I thought that the author did a great job of implementing these into the story. Rooney and Jack's relationship is so adorable and heartwarming, and they have natural chemistry despite being total opposites. Their interactions felt really natural which is so important in romance stories. I loved the description of this book, and it completely lived up to the expectations.

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen is about Rooney who is an artist hiding behind her anonymous alias after she spends a incredible night showing a stranger she met named Jack around New York City while he’s there for business. When Rooney goes to text Jack in the cab, and realizes there was a miscommunication and she doesn’t have his correct number, the two go looking for each other, and find one another when they’re least expecting it.

Lauren Kung Jessen easily became an auto-buy author for me after her debut novel, Lunar Love. Red String Theory just confirmed that fact.

Jack and Rooney had GREAT chemistry. These two never felt forced, their banter was natural, and it felt like they truly were stringmates and made for one another.

I loved how this story included so much Chinese culture and mythology. As a white woman, that’s not a topic I know a lot about, but I love learning about other cultures and getting that exposure and knowledge through a great fiction book was such an awesome experience.

Lauren Kung Jessen is 2/2 on writing 5⭐️ books in my opinion, and if you’re not reading her, you need to start.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!!!

I thought this book was fun and cute. It could be a little sad at time and I liked how it handled the subject of loneliness. I liked how Jack and Rooney changed each other a little bit for the better. I will also say that one of my favorite parts of the book is the Chinese tea egg recipe and the red bean ice cream recipe at the end of the book. I had never seen this in a book and I loved it, I love food and can’t wait to try both recipes. I have a tendency to crave most food I read about so this is great.

We need a film version of this fate-filled love story! This delightful novel is woven around the ideas of fate, destiny, choice, love and missed connections.

Rooney is an artist, working to prove herself, and make a living from her art. She believes deeply in fate, and that theme comes up regularly in the art she creates. Jack works at NASA. He’s methodical and measured as works to get a promotion, and try to prove himself to his parents.

Rooney and Jack connect in New York City and spend an unexpected and magical evening together. Is it fate? Coincidence? I loved the discussion and arguments on either side of the fate vs. choice debate. I really enjoyed how the author incorporated these ideas, along with art, food, witty banter, and Chinese culture. Both Rooney and Jack evolve, learn, and grow throughout the book and it’s really lovely to witness.

Jack’s Gong Gong was a really special character - I would have loved to learn even more about him. I also liked how both Rooney and Jack’s family dynamics were included, but feel like we just scratched the surface with Jack’s parents.

This is a heart-warming love story, and I hope for all of us that we get it as a movie someday.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book felt like that first bite of ice cream where you're just so happy you decided to take a chance on the random ice cream shop you passed by. It's so sweet and delicious that you can't help but smile. Maybe you took a risk and said yes to a flavor you would normally wouldn't. What brought you to that ice cream shop? Was it fate, or was it a series of decisions that led you there? This is the conversation between Rooney and Jack that persists throughout the book as their orbits draw them nearer to each other.

Lauren Kung Jessen brought together themes of mythology, science, and art seamlessly. Rooney and Jack's chemistry felt natural. Like magnets, Rooney and Jack are opposites that attract. They had A+ banter with lots of A+ puns. I am proud to say I was giggling and kicking my feet throughout the book. This book has lots of interconnected plot points, and Lauren made sure to dot her I's and cross her T's. No sign or coincidence, depending on who you ask, was left unattended.

If you're looking for a sweet, clean romance, I highly recommend Red String Theory. I can't wait to read Lunar Love and whatever comes next for Lauren.

I’d like to thank NetGalley + Forever Publishing for this gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review. And my honest review? I absolutely loved it.

Lauren excels at coming up with remarkably unique and refreshing concepts, but what’s even more impressive is her ability to execute them in a way that feels accessible, even when she’s describing the job of a systems engineer at NASA.

Rooney and Jack are plagued by an age old question — fate or choice? Are we destined to end up somewhere, with someone? Do the stars align to bring to fruition our desires? Or do the choices we make lead to our successes in both love and work?

Watching these two learn to understand the other’s perspective was such a joy to watch, and proved that fate and choice can coexist and, often, play off each other. The chemistry was out of this world and the banter second to none. It’s clear that Lauren took her time to do research and really build these characters from the ground up — and it paid off.

I will never get enough of the space and moon puns, or of Lauren’s intricate descriptions that make me feel like I’m in the scenes I’m reading. Her attention to detail makes her an excellent storyteller and I love reading what she writes. She could write a grocery list and I’d give it five stars.

But in all seriousness, the way she weaved art, science and love together was breathtaking, and to make it accessible for readers who, like me, are not familiar with the inner workings of these theories or jobs is no easy feat, but she pulled it off — and now I have a newfound respect for authors and all of the research they do to make their stories believable.

There is no sophomore slump for Lauren. This is a home run of a second book and I can’t wait for everyone to read it.

This book was soooo cute!! Jessen has yet again created the sweetest contemporary rom-com!
Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen was such as pleasure to read. The characters are wholesome and wonderfully developed. This author does a remarkable job of giving her characters whole lives and realistic personalities, which makes this romance novel stand out from the crowd.
Rooney and Jack were delightful and I loved following their journey!
The plot was paced well, making it easy to finish the entire book in two days.
It was adorable, fun and enjoyable.
This endearing rom-com about two star-crossed lovers was overall moving, magnificent and satisfying!
I love this authors writing and her stories always keeps me entertained!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Forever for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

In Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen, aspiring artist Rooney Gao meets Jack Liu while they celebrate the Lantern Festival during the Lunar New Year in New York. They are both handed a paper lantern to light and release into the air, and on a whim, they follow the path of the lantern floating above the New York streets.

Rooney keeps wondering if Jack is the person at the end of her string, her string mate, the one she is meant to be with in life. Jack is a NASA engineer who is all science and hard facts and he doesn't believe in myths or legends.

The novel is also the story about the young artist Rooney who uses red string to create her art, both small and large. How she moves away from the shadow of her famous artist mother to establish herself as an independent artist is one of the main themes of the book.

Love and her belief in the red string of fate leads her on in her quest for artistic independence. She and Jack try to test if fate and destiny are real, as opposed to hard and scientific facts. They create the Red String Theory, a list of activities to see if or how fate might intervene. The first activity is to do something they would not normally do, and see where it leads.

A cute and entertaining romance with myth and belief in old traditions leading on the two characters, Rooney and Jack. A five star read, for all the cleverness in character delineation and plot devices.

A sweet, joyful romance that celebrates the interconnectedness of fate and choice as two characters with opposing views on the subject learn to find a middle ground. As with Lunar Love, Kung Jessen weaves the flutters of falling in love with a look at the impact of family and heritage on personal viewpoints, and a thoughtful discussion about the nature of belief, like how science or technology can interweave with faith in beautiful ways. We also get a fun glimpse inside the professional worlds of the two leads in this one. She's a large scale public artist looking for new inspiration and struggling with the challenges of pursuing a creative career. He's working at NASA and trying to get a promotion by building personal relationships with work colleagues. The imagery is lovely throughout, from a lantern-lighting ceremony to the constructed string exhibits to the little details like a flower made of recycled plastic or a secret location in the middle of New York City, where two strangers can find meaning in even the smallest of things. Full of memorable characters and thoughtful dialogue, this one definitely left a smile on my face.

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 a delightful exploration of love, fate, and the intricate interplay between the two. This book captivates readers from the very first page with a charming blend of Chinese myth, multicultural representation, and the eternal debate of fate versus choice.

Rooney Gao, an artist who fervently believes in the red string of fate, is a relatable protagonist who wears her heart on her sleeve and her beliefs in her art. Her character is endearing, and her journey through artist's block and self-doubt add depth to the story. On the other hand, we have Jack Liu, a scientist at NASA who staunchly believes in choices and rationality, offering a contrasting perspective that sparks engaging debates throughout the narrative.

The chemistry between Rooney and Jack is palpable, and their witty banter and humor create an engaging dynamic. The author excels in building anticipation, making readers root for this unlikely pair as they navigate the mysterious forces that seem to pull them together.

Incorporating the Chinese myth about the red string of fate is a unique and captivating story element. It adds depth to the characters and underscores the central theme of destiny versus free will. The multicultural representation is handled with care and authenticity, making the story feel inclusive and genuine.

While the plot revolves around a missed connection and a seemingly chance encounter, the author skillfully weaves the narrative, keeping readers guessing whether fate or choice truly binds Rooney and Jack. The story unfolds in a way that keeps you invested, making it a compelling and heartwarming read.

"Red String Theory" is a clean romance, focusing on the emotional connection between the characters rather than physical aspects, making it suitable for a wide range of readers. The book also has a playful and whimsical side, with plenty of puns and lighthearted moments that add to its charm.

In conclusion, Lauren Kung Jessen's "Red String Theory" is a sweet and heartwarming romance that explores the age-old question of fate versus choice freshly and engagingly. With well-developed characters, a touch of Chinese mythology, and a healthy dose of humor, this book is a delightful addition to the genre. While I thoroughly enjoyed this story, I rated it four stars because there were moments when I wished for more depth in character development. Nevertheless, it's a must-read for anyone who believes in the power of destiny and the red string that ties us to our true loves.

Guys, gals, & non-binary pals, let me tell you I LOVED this book. We have star-crossed lovers, second chance romance, and main characters grappling with science versus fate, all through the lens of Chinese Americans trying to stay connected to parts of their Chinese culture. This is a wholesome, no smut romance.

Rooney, the FMC, is an artist obsessed with the Red String Theory, a Chinese legend that everyone is tied to their one true love by a red string of fate. Jack, the MMC, is an engineer at NASA and a firm believer in science and free choice. The reason I love this book so much is the author doesn’t pit fate and free choice against each other, but brings it together in a really beautiful way:

“May fate bring us close enough to choose.” ❤️

If you liked Christina Lauren’s Soulmate Equation, you should definitely pick up this book: it’s more interesting, written better, and an easy way to support a female Asian American indie author.

I really don't have any critiques of this book. However, while most aspects of the book were wrapped up nicely, there were some parts I wanted just a bit more from. I wasn't fully satisfied with how things ended with Jack's family; I felt like the way his parents were written foreshadowed some kind of reunion/confrontation and then we didn't get anything. I also felt like the mention of Gong Gong's familiarity with criminal activity was a fun foreshadow that wasn't ever picked back up either. The book goes into great detail about how all of the fate hypothesis tasks are resolved, except for returning the lost object of the ID badge? I know the point was the interaction in the butterfly exhibit, but it felt a little disjointed continuity wise to completely skip over the physical return of the ID badge in comparison with how the other tasks were written about. I love that Jessen writes this book in a way that's clearly interested in identifying privilege (especially contemplated in the context of Rooney's upbringing), and I wanted a little bit more of that recognition when Rooney is talking about engaging in criminal activity with the luxury of not having to worry about police brutality, ending up in jail, etc.

Thank you for NetGalley and Forever for sending this review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! This was a really sweet book! The Rooney and Jack were just delightful. Their time together just felt almost magical, probably because this whole book is beautifully written. I think the dialogue was the best and strongest part of this book. I enjoyed every conversation between our two main characters. The concept of this romance is so interesting. I usually don't go for books about soul mates or fate, but the fate vs. choice woven into the plot of Red String Theory really worked for me. The pacing overall is great and I found myself very engrossed in the plot early on. This is definitely a worthwhile read!

Rooney and Jack have been pulled together, but is it by fate or is it a choice? They certainly seem to be drawn together by the universe and Rooney can see all the signs. She has grown up believing in the red string of fate; a Chinese myth that your soulmate is bound to you by a red thread around your ankle, and no matter what happens in life it will never break. She believes in it so fiercely that she has even intertwined it into her personality as an artist.

Jack is a scientist at NASA and doesn’t believe in fate. He thinks that we choose our own destiny, and he can’t quite know what to believe of Rooney other than he finds himself not wanting to be apart from her.

They meet two times in one night, on the lantern festival, and it seems too odd to be coincidence. They can’t help but spend a magical night roaming NYC together, getting to know each other, knowing that he is leaving back to CA the next day and it can’t be anything more than one night. Will they ever be able to find their way back to each other again? It’s up to fate I suppose…

This was a cute romance that gave a look at what it feels like to find your stringmate! This was a clean romance (just kissing), and it had you rooting for them the whole time. The characters and the plot were so well written, it pulled you right in! I devoured the first half of the book in one sitting (I only stopped because I had to go to bed). The interconnected web of fate through this book was really special in how our two main characters came together. I also loved their playful sense of humor and puns, it had me smiling so much!

Tropes:
- Chinese myth
-multicultural representation
-soulmates
-missed connection
-forbidden office romance