This read is a captivating journey of love and fate. “If We Ever Meet Again” by Ana Huang is a mesmerizing tale transcending borders, cultures, and expectations. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Shanghai, this steamy romance takes readers on a whirlwind journey. It’s one that will leave their hearts racing and their emotions tangled in a web of desire.

The story revolves around two seemingly incompatible souls: Farrah Lin, an aspiring interior designer, and Blake Ryan, a former college football star. Fate brings them together during their year abroad in Shanghai, and what begins as a chance encounter soon blossoms into something deeper. But there's a catch: Farrah's best friend is dating Blake, and their forbidden attraction threatens to unravel their newfound connection.

Huang masterfully weaves together themes of love, sacrifice, and destiny. Farrah's vulnerability and determination make her a relatable heroine, while Blake's brooding charm and hidden depths keep readers guessing. Their chemistry sizzles off the pages, leaving readers breathless and yearning for more.

The vivid descriptions of Shanghai, from the bustling streets, the neon-lit skyline, to the hidden alleyways, add an enchanting layer to the narrative. As Farrah and Blake explore the city together, readers are transported to a world where every moment crackles with anticipation.

It's not just the setting that captivates; it's the emotional rollercoaster that Huang skillfully constructs. From stolen glances to stolen kisses, the tension between Farrah and Blake is palpable. Their love story unfolds gradually, allowing readers to savour each stolen moment. And when obstacles threaten to tear them apart, their resilience and unwavering commitment keep hope alive.

The supporting characters, like Farrah's quirky roommate, the enigmatic street food vendor, and Blake's loyal friends, add depth and authenticity to the narrative. Huang's attention to detail ensures that every character feels like someone you'd meet in real life.

“If We Ever Meet Again” is not just a romance; it's a celebration of the human spirit. It reminds us that love knows no boundaries, that sometimes fate intervenes when we least expect it. Huang's prose is lyrical, her pacing impeccable, and her ability to evoke emotions unparalleled.

As the final pages approach, readers will find themselves torn between wanting to savour every word and racing to discover Farrah and Blake's fate. And when the last sentence is read, they'll be left with a bittersweet ache, and a longing for more stories set in this enchanting world.

This is a passionate, heartwarming novel that will leave you believing in the magic of love, even across oceans and time zones. Huang has crafted a masterpiece that lingers long after the final page. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a love story that defies convention and leaves an indelible mark on the heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

First off, Ana Huang is a great author. Her writing style is great. However this book was a little cliche and just overdone for me. The story was heartfelt with good characters you can relate to but the overall trope is overdone at this point.

I wanted to love this and was very excited to read my first Ana Huang but I felt it was very cliche and lacking. I do know this is meant to be read as a duet, but just felt the ending was extremely rushed and I am not a fan of the two tropes that came in at the end either.
Overall it just felt short and finished at a poor end point for me.

This is such a great book!

Ana Huang does a fantastic job with character development and world-building. The city of Shanghai is beautifully described and I felt like I was right there too. Farrah and Blake are both interesting and relatable characters. They both have an intense and electric connection from the moment they first met. I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow throughout the book. I was hooked the entire time and I am excited to read more.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good romance book. I can't wait to continue Farrah and Blake's story in the next book!

Thank You NetGalley and Bloom Books for a free copy of this book!

I do not have a lot to say about the book. It was another meh book. I give it one "star" which is too bad since I like this author and the past books. There was a lot of sex - which I typically dont mind, but for some reason it felt over done.

Ana Huang's "If We Ever Meet Again" is a delightful and heartfelt new adult romance. The story follows Farrah Lin and Blake Ryan as they navigate love and life while studying abroad in Shanghai.

Farrah is focused and ambitious, while Blake is the charming Australian who slowly reveals his deeper, more vulnerable side. Their chemistry is electric from the start, and watching their relationship unfold is both exciting and emotional.

One of the standout features of this novel is how vividly Huang depicts Shanghai. You can almost feel the city's energy and culture through her writing, making the setting feel like another character in the story.

The characters are well-developed and relatable. Farrah's journey of self-discovery is inspiring, and Blake's mysterious past adds an intriguing layer to his character. Their romance is a rollercoaster of sweet moments and heart-wrenching challenges.

The book does have some minor flaws. The pacing can be a bit uneven at times, and a few secondary characters could have been fleshed out more. But these are small issues in an otherwise engaging read.

Overall, "If We Ever Meet Again" is a beautiful blend of romance and personal growth. Ana Huang's writing draws you in, and the emotional depth of the story makes it a memorable read. If you're into new adult romance, this book is definitely worth your time.

I love Ana Huang and this is another great book of her's. I loved Blake and Farrah and i need them to get back together in the next one. I can't wait to read the next book.

I loved this book and can’t wait for the second one.
If We Ever Meet Again is the first book I've ever read from Ana Huang, and she did not disappoint. This book is filled with great characters. I enjoyed Farrah and Blake characters, and I enjoyed how the author gave their relationship time to develop and grow making their romance believable. This cannot be the end of Farrah and Blake because I need more. I hope the truth is revealed in the next book so we can get back to more Farrah and Blake. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book in this series, as well as other books from this author.

This was my first Ana Huang and I loved it!!!! Based on other reviews it seems like this was the right call, the people who started with Twisted Love didn't enjoy this one as much so I'm glad I started here! I thought the writing was beautifulI loved Blake and Farrah, they were fun and the banter was on point! I loved the friend group, though they did blur together a bit because there were so many side characters. All the exploring they did while studying abroad was wonderful, I was so immersed and Shanghai as the main backdrop was fantastic, made me want to go there tomorrow! The ending was infuriating and I see why people dropped stars for it but this is the first in a duology and I KNOW there is more to the story and Blake wouldn't do my girl Farrah dirty like that!!!!!

I'm not willing to give this a bad rating but it was a DNF for me. I usually live Ana Huang, but I didn't love this.

Thank you NetGalley, Bloom Books and Ana Huang for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This books is centered around a group of college students studying abroad in Shanghai. The main characters, Blake and Farrah, have an early (literal) run in where Farrah thinks Blake is a conceited jock but find themselves part of the same friend group.

Farrah is a 19yr old who has a lot of pressure from her mom but has confidence and skill in what she wants to do - interior design.

Blake is 21yr old former football star who walked away from the game despite having a potential NFL future. His father did not approve of him quitting. His mom’s main concern seems to be him getting him back together with his ex girlfriend who his parents assumed he’d have a future with.

Despite the rocky start, Farrah and Blake strike up a friendship, Blake decides early on she’s off limits even though he finds himself drawn to her.

I enjoyed this story. I’m well outside my college years so that was weird to try to put myself into. I did struggle keeping the friends straight. I obviously hated the ending but am interested to see what happens in the next book.

If we ever meet again by Ana Huang

This is not a normal romance, as there's no HEA in the first book. It's considered to be part of a duet. You have to get to the second book in the series for it. It's not bad. But it's not my favorite book. 2.5 rounded up.

Farrah wants to be an interior designer. Blake doesn't know what he wants. He's been a football star but escaped to Shanghai to figure things out. They meet while in Shanghai on a year away from their studies. I liked the characters enough to read the second book to find out how their story ended.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the copy.

3.75/5 stars
1 to 1.5/ 5 spice

This is about Farrah Lin and her group of friends that are in Shanghai for a year for school. Farrah has a crush on Leo, but he is dating her best friend, so she refuses to mess with that. Then she meets Blake and ex football star, and they become really good friends, which develops into more. I loved reading about their relationship and how they were so open with eachother. The ending left me mad, and definitely on a cliff hanger where I need to read the second book to see if what I am thinking is going on really is or not. My first Ana Huang book, but plan on reading more. Thank you Netgalley for the privilege to read this.

Not Ana Huang’s best work by far.

I can’t dock off as many points as I normally would since this is a republish of her debut novel from 2020 and I want to give her some grace, but I was not a fan. The twisted series is much better, and it’s almost crazy that they’re from the same author. This book felt very YA and childish.

Starting off with the break up in the first chapter, then going back to relive the happy couple, knowing their untimely demise just felt blah to me.

Overall, it was a quick read just not my favorite and I probably won’t read the second in the series.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for the arc of this book!

Thank you Ana Huang, Netgalley and Bloom Books for the opportunity to read an arc edition of this book. I found this book to be enjoyable but at the same time, I struggled to get into it the way I typically do when reading romances. I didn't find the characters to be especially relatable or likable and while I knew it ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, unfortunately it didn't make me yearn for the next book. I was almost content with it ending where it did. What I did love was the exploration of complicated family dynamics and the adventures in Shanghai. Overall, this wasn't a favorite for me, but it was entertaining.

I received this NetGalley ARC in exchange for an honest review! I want to give a huge thank you to NetGalley, Bloom Books, and Ana Huang for this opportunity. I am beyond grateful!

Genre: romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy: 🌶️
Trigger warnings: Alcohol, Cheating, Death (talks of), Manipulation, Pregnancy, Rape (in my opinion in, it constitutes as rape), Past Relationship, Lying, Unsatisfactory Ending (It is definitely necessary to read the second book in the duet because the ending is so not satisfying and leaves off on a cliffhanger.)

This book made me feel:

This book felt like I was reading more of a life focused story with romantic aspects, but the focus was definitely on the point of time in the characters lives they were each at. I loved how real the characters felt. As the story went on you learn more and more about each of them, but there is especially a lot of focus on the early-twenties questions of what am I going to do with my life, what will I do with my degree, will I ever fall in love? I really enjoyed how the focus of the story felt much more relatable and realistic. I’m also just an absolute sucker for characters/books/plots and what-not that make me feel connected to them because they are relatable.

It was so fun to read about Shanghai as a setting too. I loved every second of it. The food that had my mouth watering and the sights that I wish I could see for myself. Plus I grew up learning Chinese in school (3rd to 6th grade so I don’t remember everything) but it was fun to recognize the words being used. I really miss learning Chinese and this made me want to pick it back up even more.

There was a bit of “touch her and I’ll hurt you” that had me kicking my feet, giggling, with a massive smile on my face!

Also the cousin name drop!!! Had me squealing.

Binge-eating, watching K-dramas and ice-skating!

After finishing the book I definitely need to read the next one. I have to see them have a happy ending. It was absolutely frustrating and I wanted to shake our characters and put some sense into them. I also just wanted to stand up for them as well and point out to them the real villain of the story. I’m honestly a bit horrified at how Blake’s family reacted to the news and how Blake acted. The whole situation is just completely wrong and I’m hurting for Farrah because he should just tell her the truth. I personally, as long as he actually told all the information, would definitely take him back after what he did. The whole way the plot twist has been handled is the only reason my rating is lower otherwise it would be five stars. I just really cannot justify how the characters handled the situation.

Favorite Character:

🛋️🖌️🥡🥮
I really loved Farrah, one of our two main characters. She just made me reminisce on a lot of things: I really miss learning Chinese (and languages in general), I love trying new foods (especially if it’s a different culture's food), when I was younger I dreamed of being an interior designer so I am honestly living through her. I still honestly would love to be an interior designer but now I just live through all the personal projects I can do for myself. I’m constantly, like her, daydreaming about decorating and redecorating my room or my future house (especially my future house). Literally it is one of my favorite past times, to just imagine what I want my house to look like.

💸🛍️👠🥘
I also am really curious about Kris. She just seemed like a really interesting character. Completely not like myself, but I’m really looking forward to her book. I think it’ll be fun and she definitely brought a different personality to the table and I really enjoyed it.

The whole cast of characters was really fun. They had such great found family vibes and the ending was really bittersweet to watch them all part ways, but I’m looking forward to the future books and I’m definitely going to watch out for future interactions between our characters.

Favorite quote: ✨📚✈️🇨🇳💖🫂🎇🎓⭐️

If only they'd met sooner or under different circumstances…

She recognized a few other
Chinese characters but not enough to form a coherent phrase.

As usual, Farrah couldn't help mentally redecorating the space.

Besides, Farrah wasn't a stranger to unrequited love. She had a habit of falling for guys she couldn't have, even when she didn't know they were taken yet.

He knew what he didn't want to do. Now he had to figure out what he did want to do.

"Remember, we're studying abroad. What happens in Shanghai stays in Shanghai."

We're not going to force you to do something you don't want to do. If you're really uncomfortable with the idea, you can leave, and no one will judge you for it.

She needed to stop living in the clouds and return to reality.

And those were only a few words out of how many you'd spoken to him throughout your life?

something about this place made her believe in magic, and she deserved to give it one last shot.
She owed it to herself.
No regrets.

But in the end, the universe gets its way

They stared up at the sky. The stars beamed back, twinkling with joy.

You're perfect."
"No one's perfect."
"You are. To me."

Fate was the only thing that trumped time.

And now that she'd walked amongst the stars, how could she not believe in fate? How could she not believe in love?

Of all the cities in all the world, they ended up here. But what if they hadn't? Even if one person chose another city, this whole year would've been different.

I love Ana Huang, she is one of my favorite authors, and so when I came across this I was so excited! I actually really liked it! It wasn't like her Twisted series or Kings of Sin series but it was sweet and a very cute romance. I will be reading the second one to finish out their love story! I highly recommend this!!

✨ARC REVIEW✨
This is Ana Huangs debut book that came out in 2020 but @read_bloom is releasing it to North America bookstores!

Release date: June 25,2024
Pages: 294
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5

Tropes✨
-Strangers to friends to lovers
-Forced Proximity
-Study abroad
-Opposite attracts
-Third person pov

Farah is an American studying in Shanghai for a year, and there she meets Blake, also an American on a study abroad year. He’s an ex-football star who thinks love is a lie, and she’s a budding interior designer who dreams of true love. They shouldn’t fall for each other, but they do. But love doesn’t always run smoothly.

So here’s my honest review:
This was such an easy read, and I found myself totally invested in Farah and Blake’s relationship. I loved their friendship group as well but keep in mind these characters are in their early 20s. This is book 1 in a series made up of 4 books, but only 1 and 2 focus on Blake and Farah, Also this isn’t like twisted series. Many ppl have read twisted series and had high expectations for these but as I stated above this was her first debut. This ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I’m dying to read book 2 which is set 5 years in the future. Overall I loved it! I can never go wrong with Ana Huangs books I will say my only issue was the third person style. It’s not my favorite but overall love this book and definitely will continue to read the rest of this series.

Even though this isn't a five star read for me, all the respect for Ana Huang cause she was BOLD with her plot choices. Not only is this a duology romance which I don't think I've ever read before, but the first chapter is the break up scene. The rest of the book flashes back 8 months to show how they fall in love pre-break up.
I think the break up is maybe why this book didn't work for me, it felt like a prequel. No one wants to go into a romance knowing the couple breaks up, it negates the 'happily ever after' that we are reading a romance book for. While this one sort of gets a pass since it is a duology, I would have preferred one book with flashbacks, more akin to Happy Place by Emily Henry. And maybe this is just a marker of it being a few years old (and being re-released) but again, its such a bold format.
Once I got over the fact that this is going to be two lengthy books with one story essentially, I got pretty into it. I definitely cried during the break up so I know it was hitting well. My only other critique... the pregnancy. I am half hoping that he did actually knock her up and doesnt remember, but also half hoping that she is lying about him being the father. Both versions come with issues since 1) consent was very iffy if he was black out drunk, or 2) she is an awful girl and is lying about something really big. I guess I just have to read book two!

I am in love with Farrah and Blake. I was so scared after finishing the prologue and honestly parts of me still are because I NEED to know what happened right now! Ana Huang makes me wish I was taking a year abroad in Shanghai, it seems so beautiful and irreplaceable. Found family in her books always makes my heart ache so I am hoping this is not the last we see of this entire group together. I need the second book before I lose my mind...