Rooney and Jack meet on one magical day in NYC. It seems like fate keeps pushing them together, and they go on an adventure together through the city. They have so much fun together, and at the end of the night, Rooney gets Jack's number. However, the number she calls doesn't work, and she spends time searching for him. Jack searches for Rooney, but they both can't find the other one. Jack goes home to LA, where he works as an engineer for NASA. Rooney is an artist, and she has a creative block, which prevents her from being able to make anything.

When Rooney gets an exciting opportunity to be an artist for NASA, she takes it and heads to LA for a year. She is surprised when she sees Jack because she didn't know that he worked there. As they reconnect, they decide to remain friends as they work the project together, but will this situation last?

I liked to learn about the lantern festival and Lunar New Year. I really enjoyed learning about NASA and the mission that they were working on. I also enjoyed the connection between Rooney and Jack. I wanted more of it, and I really kept waiting for more romance.

Overall, this was a very sweet story. Thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for an ARC of this book.

i really enjoyed the red string theory! rooney and jack cross paths multiple times one day in new york, but a incorrectly typed phone number has them scrambling to find the other person again. there were times were this one was a little long for me but i found it so fun and whimsical tying together science and fate!

This review was made possible via an ARC through NetGalley

Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen is a contemporary romance where Rooney, an artist and the anonymous Red String Girl, has a single night of fun with Jack, a NASA scientist, and their two worlds collide in an artist x scientist fight against their obvious connection.

I loved how this combined the red string of fate in East Asian folklore with string theory, a theoretical framework in physics not only in the title but also as a major theme of the work. We very often separate art from science, but the two actually have some commonalities. It’s nice to see that highlighted in ways that also showcase culture, history, and in topics related to what is happening now and the future.

Rooney’s character arc was one of my favorites in contemporary romance. I loved how she wanted to carve a place for herself independent of her mother while also being a literal piece of her mother’s art in some ways. It exemplifies that idea we hear that some parents view their children as extensions of themselves in Rooney being an extension of her mother’s artistry.

Jack was extremely relatable to me because I, too, am awkward with coworkers and struggle to connect to the people around me and I, too, do not like office parties or office politics and would rather just focus on my work. But even if I relate, Red String Theory highlights the human elements in office work and why it is so important to have connections with others.

I would recommend this to fans of opposites attract contemporary romance, readers who are unfamiliar with contemporary romance and are willing to give it a try, and readers who are looking for scientist x artist romances.

Red String Theory is the second book I've read by Lauren Kung Jesssen and I absolutely loved it. Her debut, Lunar Love, was also very good, and Red String Theory incorporates some of the same themes - Chinese heritage, what it feels like to be mixed-race, and how fate can bring us love. Jessen also incorporates food (in the author's note I found out that she has a "Food and film blog" called a Dash of Cinema, and there are recipes included in the book!
The set up - Rooney is the daughter of a famous artist, and also an artist in her own right. In order to break into the art world on her own merit, Rooney calls her "Red String Girl" and she does public art installations using her tag RSG. Jack is an engineer at NASA, working on a project that is focusing on Mars. When Jack comes to NYC, he meets Rooney at a Printer (think UPS store) and then sees her art installation. He takes her note on the installation, and leaves one of his own. Later, Jack and Rooney meet up at a Lantern release party to celebrate the end of the Lunar New Year celebration. Rooney brings out a whole new side of Jack, and they chase their lantern around NYC to a Jazz club, and a dumpling restaurant. When a mistyped number ends their connection, will they ever be reunited? Of course they will! This is a romance! But for me, the themes ran deeper into connection, the bravery to open yourself up to change, and be open for new experiences. If you are looking for a "spicy" romance - this is not it. If you want a touching story of two people connecting, celebrating their heritage, and discovering career success and love - this may be the book for you. Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced reader copy.

The author of Lunar Love returns with another must-read. I loved the dynamic between the engineer Jack(son) and artist Rooney. When they happen to run in to each other not once, but a few times... then have an eventful night over Lunar New Year in NYC, is it fate or choices?

Throw in astronomy, NASA, art, family, food - what's not to love?

Looking forward to the next book!

Thank you to Forever/Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC!

One thing about @laurenkjessen is she is going to write a beautiful, laugh out loud, swoon-worthy, fun, fast paced and informative romance…BUT THAT’S NOT ALL!!! Her romances are so well rounded; full of food, family, and friendships!

This book was so extra special with the fated mates troupe, the anonymous “Banksy”-esque public art installations, the eccentric characters and the perfectly paced romance!! Did I mention the MMC works for NASA?! Like how cool!!! This book had MAXIMUM HILARIOUS, COMFY COZY, SWOONY VIBES and I’ll never forget it!!

I still have yet to decide which 5.0⭐️ @laurenkjessen novel is my favorite ( Lunar Love or Red String Theory), BUT I DO KNOW THAT YOU SHOULD READ BOTH BECAUSE THEY ARE WORTH IT AND YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!

I received an e-galley of Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen from Forever via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rooney believes in fate and destiny; especially that of the red string of fate - the idea that soulmates are tied together by red string. This inspires her work as an artist where she goes by Red String Girl, creating large installations using red string. When she meets Jack, it seems like the two are really tied together as they keep running into one another by chance and the two spend an entire night out in New York City together. Despite Jack not believing in fate - he believes in facts and choices, the two are nevertheless drawn to one another - but then are separated once the night ends with Jack's phone number written on Rooney's hand incorrectly. Months pass before it seems that fate once again brings the two together. But whether it's truly fate or just coincidences, Rooney and Jack both have to navigate whether what they felt has been real and whether their connection is by fate or choice.

I really like the way in which Lauren Kung Jessen writes - having read her debut. novel, Lunar Love. She takes these ideas of love and fate from Chinese culture and brings a modern contemporary touch to it that connects with readers. In Red String Theory, I love that we get to play with the idea of the red string of fate and it's being tested by the romantic and creative soul of Rooney and the scientific and rational Jack. The entire time I was reading this story, I was rooting for these two characters and don't we all love a good diverse love story? I definitely do.

✨ Review ✨ Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen

I enjoyed Lunar Love but I am obsessed with Red String Theory. This book is very very loosely connected to Lunar Love (Jack, one of the main characters does kids' STEM mentorship with the MMC from LL). The book starts with Rooney, an anonymous installation artist known as Red String Girl, and Jack, a NASA scientist in NYC for a presentation. Both are brought together at the world's worst copy shop, and fate and their choices keep bringing them together.

There was something so light and refreshing about this book as the characters bantered about free choice vs. fate, science vs. art, and so many things that seem diametrically opposed and yet aren't. The book is filled with these overlapping connections as we see nature as art and science in art and art as a way to connect to scientific concepts. This sounds really dull but it made it such a delight to read.

From dumplings and lanterns to clouds and butterflies, this book finds beauty in the small things that surround Rooney and Jack. LKJ made me giggle at the details (the clean room operator named Dusty, Rooney's fear of butterflies, the printing mix-ups) and I just found this as a total joy to read. I also loved the side characters like Rooney's mom and bff and the different characters we met at NASA!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: contemporary f/m romance
Setting: NYC and LA
Pub Date: January 9, 2024

Read this if you like:
⭕️ finding joy in the small things
⭕️ dumplings, clouds, the Hollywood sign, and red string
⭕️ clever, fun banter and chat

Thanks to Forever Books and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for my eARC. All opinions are solely my own.

This was a cute story based on Chinese legend about the Red String of fate. We're following Rooney, believer in signs and fate, taking the Red String Theory to the max; and Jack, NASA-worker, perfect-guy, and fate-skeptic.

Much of this book was predictable and I wish there was more of it that I didn't see coming. I wasn't really sure about the romance in it -- it felt a bit forced in parts.

It's written in a dual POV, which is something that I enjoy, and I felt like it really worked for this type of plot.

I think my favorite parts of this book were the growth between the two MCs and their own families, not between the two.

Overall it was a nice fun read. I'd recommend this one for anyone who likes rom-coms, fated lovers, or opposites attract.

Thank you to Forever Pub for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had to DNF this one at 29%. Overall, the romance up until this point felt completely forced. Their Serendipity-like whirlwind of a day felt very detached and nothing truly memorable happened. I switched to the audiobook, hoping that I could keep going this way, but I felt like the male narrator had zero emotion behind his words and it made the story feel totally boring. I LOVED the author's debut, Lunar Love, so I was really excited to read this one, but I could not get into it.

This was very cute and Jessen has definitely solidified herself as an auto-read for me. I enjoyed LUNAR LOVE but feel like it was missing a bit of oomph. Truthfully, I feel similarly about this one, but the concept was right up my alley. I looove the discussion of fate vs. choice; it's something I enjoy exploring in other genres (like time loop and parallel universe/life stories) - it was fun to see in a contemporary romance! Red string theory has always been of interest to me in particular.

I enjoyed these characters for the most part but definitely found myself a little bored halfway through. Rooney and Jack were sugary sweet and sometimes corny in their dialogue. I enjoyed watching them get to know each other. They stayed true to themselves and their beliefs, which made for some fun debates. They both learned from each other and Jack came out of his shell a lot thanks to Rooney. 

This was very Hallmark-like in its innocence but also in it's occasionally cheesy moments. I don't like using the term "clean" for romance ever but in a sense this was so innocent and pure lol. A little too cutesy, but well worth the read!

An amazing sequel; perfect for fans of Alexis Daria and Helen Hoang. Cute and beautifully woven characters and plot!

Stellar (get it) book from my friend Lauren. Lauren and I connected over our Mixed-Chinese heritage and Red String Theory shares that wholesome feel good family centered dynamics that her debut, Lunar Love had. I loved the progression of relationship between Jack and Rooney, who fate kind of brings them together in places they least expect. This book just does a good job of making you feel happy and I absolutely had a good time reading it.

What an amazing book! I loved this book with my whole heart. I will probably have to reread it because I read it so quickly.

I really tried hard to get into this book. I loved this authors first book. But I just really did not enjoy this one.

Red String Theory (RST) is the second book i've read from Lauren Kung Jessen and this one did not disappoint!

Beginning in NYC and ending in LA, RST tells us the story of fate and love as seen through the eyes of Chinese-Americans, Rooney and Jack. RST evokes giggly squeals, jumping up and down, and moments of awe. But, it also evokes feelings of sadness, compassion, and frustration as RST is not just a love story but a coming of age story. Both Rooney and Jack are likable characters and in RST you see them learn to truly love themselves; not just each other.

As an LA native, Kung Jessen depicts life on the West Coast perfectly. The settings such as Santa Monica beach/pier, Huntington Gardens, NASA's JPL, and the Hollywood sign bring about nostalgia to the reader who is familiar with the area.

RST dives into the balance between art and science; fate and theory. It's a perfect book for romance nerds and lovers of sweet, not spicy, contemporary romance. RST is a wholesome romance book. RST also delves into family dynamics and identity issues. Just as Jack is "layered," so is RST.

Highly recommend this second book by Lauren Kung Jessen and looking forward to the next one!

This book just made me smile! I was so sucked into Rooney and Jack’’s story from the night they spent together in New York City to their spontaneous meeting at NASA. I loved their conversations especially around fate. They had such a good friendship despite both of them wanting more.

It was so cool to get to see NASA and JPL through Rooney’s eyes as she got to experience a lot of what astronauts do in order to be inspired and create art. I loved how both Rooney and Jack were pushed outside of their comfort zones. I also loved learning about Rooney’s art and how that was inspired. The brief cameo of Bennett and Olivia from Lunar Love. I really loved the ending!

I listened to the audiobook and thought both narrators perfectly embodied their characters.
I can’t wait to see what Lauren Kung Jessen writes next!

Thank you to the author, publisher and @NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

If you like the movie Serendipity, all things fate related and maybe a little bit of space and stars, then Red String Theory is for you!

Jessen just has a way with words that I adored in Lunar Love and RST just continues that love affair.

I also loved all the STEM representation! Nerds for the win 🤓 Both of these main characters are just fantastic and I enjoyed reading about them ♥️ The whole book was just a warm, cozy hug full of loving feelings!

While I had problems connecting with the characters in both this and Lunar Love, what I love about these books is the multiracial Asian Americans featured. Rooney is a biracial Chinese American, like the author. Jack is Chinese, Japanese, and white. I won't speak for multiracial people, but I presume when you "pass" for one ethnicity, oftentimes your other one gets ignored. Much like the "one drop" rule.

My problem with these novels is I don't wholly believe in Chinese superstitions or astrology, and they play in heavily in these stories. That's not to say I didn't enjoy myself. I did. I'm not sure why three star ratings are so anathema to people. Three stars means I liked it. You should worry if I go lower.

Rooney is an artist living in New York, who makes art anonymously, in part because her mother is a famous artist. This, I liked, because it's quite hard to find Asian Americans in the arts. How many of us are doctors, lawyers, or accountants? I'm an accountant, so I should be the last to judge...

Jack is a scientist at NASA. I should totally have the hots for him, but he just fell a little short for me. While I won't say I was in love with Rooney, at least her personality was rooted in something. I didn't quite feel the chemistry, but neither did I with Olivia and Bennett, who make a small cameo.

As a Los Angeles transplant, I did enjoy the sites of the city. Lauren was right on the money with traffic. Who in their right minds would invite someone to the beach at sunset? With this traffic? From the eastside? No way.

The Red String Theory is a delight to read. This is a fun and interesting twist of the Instalove trope. What happens when you there's love at first sight, but life has beat you up a bit so far seems as foreign as space should be. Jack and Rooney try to follow social rules while struggling will the pull of chemistry and when you're life changes in an instant.. “May fate bring us close enough to choose.”