I really enjoyed Lunar Love, so I was excited about Red String Theory. I loved it! As a science person, I greatly enjoyed all the science talk and the comparison to art. Jessen’s writing is beautiful and the story is so sweet. It was a little slow in the middle but made up for it. I can’t wait to read what she comes up with next.

Rooney is an artist and wholeheartedly believes in signs. Jack believes in black-and-white, science, and structured facts. When the lives of Rooney and Jack collide they will find out if they were always meant to be or if it was just by chance. Red String Theory examines how our lives are connected and if we make our destiny. This was an equal discussion of fate vs choice and had excellent characters. Rooney and Jack balanced each other perfectly and gave each other room to grow. Their relationship was based on trust and respect and relied on time to give them perspective. Each one adds to the movement of the story and at the end the reader is satisfied.

This book not only scratched my romantic yearning and love for a love story but also the existential need to understand the universe and how things work out behind the scenes. I loved the character development and multiple point-of-view narration. I was rooting for the couple from page 1, and the plot brought many twists and developments I did not expect to come across, but enjoyed nonetheless.
I devoured this book after finishing Lunar Love, and the storyline overlap brought me so much joy. The book was perfect to last me through a flight out of town, vacation, and completed on the return flight home. I enjoyed the conversations involved in the story and the plot and storylines throughout the entire novel. THANK YOU, Lauren Kung Jessen! RSG 4EVER

Red String Theory is the latest romance novel from Lauren Kung Jessen. I really enjoyed her debut, Lunar Love, so I was eager to read this new one, an opposites-attract romance that explores the idea of whether or not some people are fated to be together.

Rooney is a Chinese-American artist who wholeheartedly believes in the Chinese legend that everyone is tied to their soulmate by the red string of fate. She believes in this idea so passionately that she has even created an outdoor art exhibit that is inspired by it. Jack is a NASA engineer who is all about science and facts. He doesn’t believe in fate at all but on a trip to New York, he happens across Rooney’s red string art and is very intrigued by it.

When Jack later meets Rooney, he has no idea that she is the red string artist, but the two of them really hit it off and end up spending the most magical night seeing all of the sights around the city and just enjoying each other’s company. By the end of that night, they both feel that they have a special connection and Jack tells Rooney his number so that they can keep in touch after he heads back home. Sadly, Rooney mistypes the phone number and Jack is lost to her. When fate unexpectedly reunites them months later as coworkers, Rooney is convinced that this is a sign and that Jack must be her soulmate.

I really enjoyed this one. I’m always on the fence about whether or not I believe in fate, so as Jack and Rooney find themselves debating the topic, I could understand where they were both coming from since they were each voicing some of my own thoughts on the subject. Ultimately though, I just loved them together so much that I was just rooting for them to find a way to agree to disagree and just be happy together.

Jack and Rooney’s magical night in NYC was a highlight of Red String Theory for me, as was the inclusion of so many elements from Chinese culture. This was a sweet romance, but at the same time, a thought provoking read, which is a combination I enjoy. I look forward to reading more from Lauren Kung Jessen.

Thank you, Forever, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my written review.

This is the second book written by Lauren Kung Jessen. I read her debut novel and enjoyed it, so I was happy to read her second book.

Rooney has the motivation to be an artist, just like her mother Wren did. Rooney is determined to do this on her own without using her mother’s fame to succeed. The story follows Rooney and Jack’s journey and questions of fate. I was happy for the cameo of a couple of characters from her first book - so fun.

I enjoyed this book and loved learning about some of the Asian customs that were described in it: the lantern ceremony and Zhua Zhou were interesting. I loved the recipes at the back of the book!
This is a sweet, feel-good book. I enjoyed it even more than her debut novel, and I can’t wait to see what inspires her in the next book. Now I need to find one of those lantern ceremonies!"

The Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen
Stars: 4
Rating: G

Perfect if you like:

Fated love stories
Modern art
Discussions about the nature of fate and coincidences
Space camp
Learning about aspects of Chinese culture

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

In 2005, my then boyfriend and I went to New York City to see The Gates, Christo and Jean-Claude’s installation of orange flags throughout Central Park. It was a wonderful experience, wandering around a frozen park in February, seeing all the color and these beautiful silks moving in the wind. Dan and I got engaged on that very same trip, which felt like a culmination of a fateful journey that had started for us when we met on New Year’s Eve at the Government Center T Station years before.

Rooney and Jack meet by chance at a copy shop in Manhattan on a cold day in February, right at the start of the Lunar New Year. Jack is getting copies for a presentation and Rooney is having papers printed for her anonymous exhibit in Washington Square, where she has wrapped the triumphal arch there in red string. They chat and part way, no plans to ever see each other again. Later that night, they are both at a Lantern Festival party, thrown by a friend of a friend of a friend of both of them. After launching their lanterns, they begin to follow them and thus begins an epic night for the two in New York. When they part, a series of missteps means they have no way of finding each other again. But then, as fate and FATE would have it, they are thrown together in Los Angeles. Rooney and Jack will just need to figure out how much trust they have in each other, and the universe, so see if they have a future.

Reading The Red String Theory made me think a lot about fate and coincidence; what things bring people into our lives and into our orbits. Rooney and Jack each have a strong belief system, but can the other person see,and even embrace, that belief system even if it feels anthema to them? Coincidentally, earlier this year, I had read a history of the Apollo space shuttles, and then here I was, reading a romance about two people who are brought together by NASA. As the two characters were falling in love during a tour of a clean room, part of me was like, yes Lauren Kung Jessen, a dust free environment is crucial to the creation of any object that gets launched into space!

I meant to get this review out before the Lunar New Year, my timing is always off. Regardless, The Red String Theory is the perfect read for the holiday or anytime. And either before or after, pick up Lunar Love as well (Liv and Ben have a nice cameo in this book).

Lunar Love was one of my favorite 2023 romance reads and I was beyond excited for the release of its author’s second book!

But first, let me tell you about what the Red Thread of Fate means:

“It’s a Chinese legend where Yue Lão, the god of love and marriage, connects two people by the ankles with a red thread. Those two people are then destined lovers, regardless of place, time, or circumstances. The magical string may stretch or tangle, but never break.“

Super interesting, right?? After all the romance books I’ve read, I get super excited when I come across a romance book with an interesting concept: What determines who you’re meant to be with? Fate or your own choices?

This book will remind you of Serendipity and Tangled! Elite romance vibes, right?

Male lead works in NASA. Female lead is an artist. And so some parts were a little bit too art/ space heavy for me.

I love the undeniable chemistry between the two leads and how their relationship evolved throughout the book. However, she believes in fate and destiny, he believes in science and making your own choices. And sooo, there was a dialogue in the book that I wasn’t a super fan of. While I do get the purpose of the scene, I’m not one to convince someone to be with me, so that part was a little aggravating for me. Lol. But that’s more of a me thing. I would still recommend picking it up and adding it to your romance TBR!

Things to expect from the book:
🥟 late night food trips in NYC
🏮 Lantern Festival
🍨 ice cream
🐱 cats
💗 Fate tests
🌵 Cactus Tours
🎈 cameo from Lunar Love couple

Thank you so much @readforeverpub for the book!!

💭 Do you believe in fate/ destiny?
☕️ As a control freak, it really helps me not to overthink every decision I make by thinking that there’s a bigger force in the universe that will lead me to where I’m supposed to be.

Rooney believes in fate and Jack believes in facts. The two cross paths and discuss the Red String of Fate theory but unfortunately lose touch. Will the fate bring them back together?

Between a string artist and a NASA engineer, we see a mix of ideologies but also openness toward each other. The first part gave me whirlwind romance / hallmark vibes but I love the idea of connecting by chance and exploring the city together! The biracial, Asian, and STEM rep was a nice mix along with the varying family dynamics (ex. single mom, distant parents, raised by grandparents) and LA / NYC backdrop. Though the romance slowed and things were became more work-focused, I still liked the adventures, conversations, and the ending 🥺 Overall, this was a fun, light-hearted read!

Thanks NetGalley and Read Forever Pub for my arc!

Absolutely loved this adorable story! The connection of science and art, choice and fate, all coming together was delightful. I was rooting for them the entire book! Also, as a knitter I loved her red hand knits. And I loved the cameo of Lunar Love. Ps: I’m craving dumplings and ice cream now.

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬💭:
I enjoyed Lunar Love last year and I was excited to see that the author had another one coming out this year! It is not a follow up to the book, but, you would be glad to know that the book couple from Lunar Love Olivia and Bennet are going to make a fun lil cameo on this one!

Thank you for my copy Forever Publishing!

𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐛📝:
Rooney believes in fate and the little Chinese legend saying you are tied to your one true love by a red string of fate. When she meets Jack, she believes he could be the one because he’s perfect. But he is a skeptic. When their magical night turns into a lost cause, fate decides to play a game as they find a way back to each other.

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. A cute interplay between fate and choice, what could be more debatable in the game of love? I enjoyed the meet cute, the family dynamics and how fate just happens to bring the two MCs together. I love how the two were just complete opposites, and yet found a middle ground. Proof that opposites do attract! The storyline also brought in some women’s fiction themes that gave this book more depth and the fun little facts about NASA and art were great quirks that this book will charm you with.

𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚: 𝘕𝘈𝘚𝘈, 𝘢𝘳𝘵, 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴, 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘥𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘮, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘱𝘢, 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵

If Invisible String is one of your favorite songs, this book is for you.
The story told with alternating perspectives of Rooney, an artist from NY who believes in fate and Jack, NASA engineer from LA who believes in chance and choice, meet one evening and enjoy an amazing evening together only to believe that the night may be the last time they see each other. By chance, or fate, their paths cross again to create a wonderfully cute second chance rom-com that gives all Serendipity vibes.
The pace of the book was a bit slow for me, but if you enjoy slow burn love stories, you’ll definitely love this one.

“May fate bring us close enough to choose.”

Super serious question alert: Are you team CHANCE (fate) team CHOICE (every decision alters your life) or a healthy mix of the two?

I’m a total sap, so I love the idea of fate and that two people could be connected from the start and be brought together if they’re meant to be. Realistically though, I think every decision we make affects the course of lives and could bring us to our person based on the circumstance at hand.

Rooney Something Gao, aka Red String Girl, is a hardcore string mate believer and lives and breathes all things fate. Literally, it’s what her latest art installation is based on. Jack No-Middle-Name Liu lets logic guide every aspect of his life, from his love life to his NASA job, making him a skeptic solarmate believer. Until Rooney and Jack collide in a twist of fate day together in NYC and then reconnect a year later, derailing both of their preconceived notions about love.

Lauren Kung Jessen did it again! LUNAR LOVE was the sweetest romcom read so I was dying to get my hands on a copy of RED STRING THEORY to live out another adorable love story. Even better, Jessen parallels some characters from Lunar Love in this one, which was a welcomed surprise. If you’re looking for the perfect romcom with great Asian-American rep, this is for you!

HUGE shout out to @foreverbooks for the digital galley access!! When I tell you I’ve had this book on my list since LKJ announced it…

This is a super cute romance thatI had a great time with :-). I love learning about new cultures via romance. The last Lauren Kung Jessen was a deep dive on Chinese astrology via matchmaking. This story was all about Chinese traditions and folklore and it just made me giddy!

We also got to see some of our favs from Lunar Love. Highly recommend this one :-)

I loved the diversity, Chinese American heritage representation, (and food!!) and our main characters. Red String Theory is a Ute and unique contemporary romance. I liked the emphasis on the concept of soulmates and fate - the symbolism of “red string” and Rooney’s work was cute. Familial love is also explored in Rooney’s relationship with her mother, an equally important part of the story. Loved the NYC back drop and the artsy tidbits.

I really liked the set up of the novel, but it was too predictable/did not hold enough tension. Since it was obvious how the two characters would get together, there needed to be either a quicker pace or a different structure to propel the story along.

Rooney is an artist who trusts in the power of fate. Jack is a NASA engineer who is guided by facts and science. After sharing an enchanted night around New York City, they come to realize that they might have had just that one night-accepting that their paths may never cross again. When they are reunited and given another chance to reconnect, Rooney is sure that their reunion is due to fate and that Jack might just be her stringmate.

This book is a sweet, feel good, slow burn romance. I loved both Rooney and Jack as main characters and I loved the family relationships represented in this story too. This is my second read from Lauren Kung Jessen and her other book, Lunar Love is also a favorite of mine, thus securing her as an auto-buy author of mine from now on.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was seriously the cutest book!! I was so excited to read this book after loving her other book, Lunar Love. I’m so glad I loved this one just as much. Right from the start I knew I was going to, I did not want to put it down. I loved the characters and I loved how Rooney believed in fate, it’s something I believe in as well, so that was so fun! This book is a semi slow burn, with a closed door romance. If you’re looking for something sweet and romantic to read, I recommend checking this book out!

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

I liked the idea of this book more than the actual book itself. An “opposites attract” romance with fated mates? Sign me up. However, the plot of Red String Theory was a little bit unbelievable and I didn’t connect with the love interests as much as I would have liked to. Honestly, the character I felt the most attached to was Gōng Gong, Jack’s grandfather, who is only in a handful of scenes. I would LOVE to read a book about his life. I would like to give Jessen’s writing another try in the future as she is obviously talented and this book just didn’t work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

CUTENESS! Red String Theory is pure CUTENESS!

I’m so happy I finally got to read a book by Lauren Kung Jessen because that means I can be excited to read her other love stories, too ♥️ Red String Theory has everything you want in a romance: it explores fate. It has a meet-cute. It has kicking-your-feet-because-it’s-too-adorable moments.

Plus, it’s the perfect read for these chilly post-holiday months!

I know it’s going to be be quite a while before I stop thinking about Rooney & Jack’s sweet romance. Definitely pick this one up during your next book-shopping/library trip— you won’t be disappointed!

I wasn’t in love with Lauren Kung Jessen’s debut novel, Lunar Love (review here). But I still enjoyed her approach to romances, her writing, and the sound of her second novel, Red String Theory. I’m glad I gave this one a chance - especially in audiobook form - as it was a really enjoyable romance that I’m still thinking about, a few days after finishing it.
Here’s the book’s description:

Just a date . . . or a twist of fate?
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?
Like the heroine in Lunar Love, Rooney is a bit too set in her views on romance (and fate). I appreciated that she believed in love so much and I love the idea of stringmates (when two people are connected by an invisible string and are considered soulmates) but it seemed so limiting and I felt it was really harming her romantic life. But, as an artist, she was curious so even with her set beliefs about love, she did try to approach life a little differently.

I loved that Rooney was an artist and Jack worked at NASA. These are not careers you may expect to see collide in a romance but it was so much fun. Their views on the world could not have been more different but it was a beautiful example of how a couple can succeed (and thrive) because they approach things differently but love and respect the other and their opinions. And the way they supported each other? Gah, it was so wonderful.

While the romantic relationship between Rooney and Jack was, you know, kind of the point of the romance, I think the story was made stronger by the familial relationships included. Rooney and her mom had a tight and unique bond since it had been just the two of them against the world for Rooney’s whole life. And while Jack didn’t have a close relationship with his parents, his grandfather had been a constant in his life and I adored every scene Gong Gong was in.

Finally, a note on the audiobook! I find romances can sometimes be less enjoyable on audiobooks for some reason but the narrators for this one? Oh, they sold me on the story immediately. Yu-Li Alice Shen and Andrew Grace were the narrators for Red String Theory and they did a great job. I liked that it was dual narration and, bonus, they read all the dialogue too. I have listened to many books where the narrator does a terrible opposite gender voice and the story and my enjoyment is harmed because of it. It was a really enjoyable narration and I would definitely listen to either narrator again.

Red String Theory was a delightful, sweet romance from Lauren Kung Jessen. I’m so happy to have read it and look forward to reading her next book.

*An egalley was provided by HBG Canada and an ALC was provided by Forever, both via NetGalley, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*