I loved the last book I read by this author so I was excited to read this one. It was a good read - a lot of issues were tackled. I just wish there was more romance. All in all a great read.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

When it comes to titles, Lily Chu keeps it simple and I respect that. For The Takedown, it feels even more complex. This time, we’re following Dee Kwan who is a diversity consultant and a chronically positive person. Things are looking up for her as she’s recently gotten promoted but it all comes crumbling down.

After her boss announces he’s shutting down his company, Dee is forced to reevaluate her life and career. Coupled with the fact that her family is moving into her house, a dark cloud starts to descend over her. The one bright spot is Questie, a puzzle game she plays with Teddy, her online friend.

Of course, the two eventually decide to meet up and things are looking up for her. Dee’s able to find a job, become friends, and maybe more with Teddy, and is doing her best. From there, it’s a full takedown on every level as everything Dee holds dear is slowly taken away and things only get worse as the book goes along.

While the title focuses on the takedown of a company and a horrible designer, this book takes everything down about Dee, strips it away, and makes her start anew. Lily Chu truly doesn’t give our girl a break until the very end. All in all, this book feels like a departure for Lily Chu yet she keeps the same glittering writing style and trademarks we’ve come to love about her stories.

My only complaint is that I wish there was more romance. While this story was mostly about Dee, I’d love to have seen more scenes between her and Teddy. The two were such nerds and I adored their chemistry. Hopefully, we’ll see more when Lily Chu releases her next book, though.

Lately, I find myself picking books with unsurprisingly annoying protagonists (if you read the blurb), then getting frustrated with how annoying they are. Whose fault is this? (I know, it's mine, obviously. I wish I had someone else to blame though) Dee generated some pretty mixed emotions in me. Her toxic positivity (inspired by mom) grated. Her professions of competence ("I got this") felt baseless. When she did do something well (besides her online puzzle game), I was surprised. I simultaneously thought her character grows out of its toxic positivity mold unbelievably quickly but also that the book pacing is too slow. I'm impossible to please, apparently? I did like that Dee does outgrow it though (with veerry gentle nudges from Teddy - a total cinnamon roll hero), but overall I found the pace of the book quite slow. The romance proceeds quickly (felt mostly solidified before 50%), and then the corporate espionage part of it dragged on for the rest of the book.

So why does this book still get four stars? I love that 1) the female MCs in all of this author's books are mostly relatable and have a cool hobby that I want to do (create a calendaring/organizational app?? play IRL puzzle games and know too much trivia??) 2) the male MCs in all of this author's books embrace fashion and beauty and things that you might not typically see in a traditional rom-com (alpha male, roar). 3) Dee is a DEI consultant (sounds like the WORST job), which the author uses for effective commentary on society. 4) there is strong Asian representation in terms of MCs and associated storylines of dealing with racism with family members, workplace, etc. I will continue to read anything by this author!

My thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC via netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I wish I would have liked this more. Lots of business scenes. In my perception, a significant portion exceeding 70% of the content in this book is dedicated to depicting the various incidents that take place at Dee Kwan's highly unpleasant place of employment. Her gradual and passionate romance with Teddy, the son of the CEO, is given somewhat less attention in terms of page space.

Thank you so much to #netgalley and #lilychu for this ARC for an honest review.

This book wasn’t what I was expecting.

It was better.

The Takedown tackles DEI (and the lack thereof) in the fashion industry, racism in interracial relationships, toxic positivity, and so much more in this wide spanning romance.

An easy five stars for Lily Chu.