2/5 Stars

Thank you to Hatchette Audio and Forever for providing me with an arc to read.

I enjoyed this book but I also know it won’t stand out in my mind compared to other romance books I’ve read. I really loved the cultural aspects of this with fate being heavily discussed and some other things. This was a fun concept and I think it is a solid read and many will enjoy it.

Rooney believes in fate, so much that she has based her entire artist career off it. Most of all she believes in the Chinese legend that everyone is tied to their own true love by a red string of fate. But when fate leads her to Jack, he’s perfect, smart, handsome, charming and successful. But after a wonderful night, somehow the number he shared with her was wrong accidentally and can’t find a way to reach him. When life gives them a second chance though they have to fight to not let their feelings affect their work and decided whether they believe in fate or not…

I liked Rooney and Jack together but at the same point I didn’t feel the chemistry as much as I have with other books. I didn’t believe their I love yous which is rare for me. I felt like it was more of platonic “I Love You” than a romantic one which in a romance is an issue.

I enjoyed both the narrators and they are the reason I finished this book. They kept me engaged and made it pleasant.

I do think a lot will enjoy this but as an avid romance reader it wasn’t for me and I recognize that.

Red String Theory was such a sweet and loving story that I all wanted to do was give it a big ol’ hug. I especially loved the cultural aspects and the drool-worthy food descriptions. Rooney and Jack were equally loveable and their witty banter was so enjoyable to hear. They balanced each other between Rooney’s belief of fate and Jack’s logical mind. Also, having a part of the story take place at NASA was so cool! I loved the descriptions and the background of Rooney’s art in tandem with Jack’s intelligent explanations for the non-astronauts about Mars made me want to revisit the art museum and also the science centre and have more of an appreciation for what I’m seeing and experiencing.

This book was absolutely adorable! Even though there was no spice the chemistry between the two main characters was off the charts!

Even though the characters were complete opposites they worked extremely well together. I guess you can say opposites do attract and work for this couple! Can I also just sAy how much I loved their communication skills with eachother. Everything about this book just gave me the feel goods.

The dual narration was fantastic!

Thank you so much to Hachette Audio & Forever for the complimentary audio!

I had never heard of the red string theory until this book and the concept of it is wild!!! And I really want to know how many individuals are set on this theory to find their love connection.

I thought this was such a unique story and I'm not sure how NASA and artist go together. Not so much in the individuals themselves but bringing together their jobs but for whatever reason it worked and it brought Rooney and Jack together. I love following them through their first meeting and essentially date in New York City. I thought they had such great chemistry during this and I could feel their attraction when they were able to reconnect in California. Even with things being predictable I still was interested in their story and their back and forth proving that they were in fact brought together by fate.

Rooney's relationship with her mother was beautiful. I love how close they were and how much Rooney admires her mom. I love that she wants to make it in the art world without her mom's help.

I thought both narrators Yu-Li Alice Shen and Andrew Grace did a great job with their characters! I thought the narration was so creative and both narrators would talk back and forth in conversation. I hope this becomes a new trend when we have dual POVs with dual narration. It just really adds that extra element to the listening.

I really enjoyed this and can't wait to go back to read Lunar Love!

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC! This was such a sweet story - I loved the Red String Theory (the belief in fate and "string mates") and found the love story between Rooney and Jack very compelling. The juxtaposition of fate and choice, as emboldened by the two main characters' beliefs was interesting, their chemistry and repeated fated or chance run-ins (based on how you look at it) kept the story fresh. I would have loved a little steam as the chemistry between the characters was excellent, but the fact that this is a closed-door romance takes nothing away from the story. The inclusion of art was fun, I loved how Rooney became inspired by her love for Jack. This was a cute, sweet romance that felt like a fresh take on a classic rom-com. 3.5 stars!

I enjoyed this book so much. I loved seeing the way Rooney and Jack’s paths continued to cross and the way they navigated their working relationship. I also love that while at first glance this book may seem to be about fate, it’s also very much about choice. Yes, life keeps bringing Rooney and Jack together, but they also have to choose each other and I loved seeing them both come to that realization.

The audio listening experience was great and I always love a good dual narration.

Thank you so much Forever for my ALC! I loved the audio and the narrators who truly brought Rooney and Jack to life!

Artist Rooney was raised by her famous artist mother and wants to be established on her own. Believing that her red string person (aka her soulmate)will eventually find her, she serendipitously meets Jack who is in town for his work with NASA. They spend hours together exploring the city and crushing on each other but are separated the next day.
Months later, Rooney has been selected by NASA to bring to their latest mission to the masses in artistic form. Jack and Rooney are stunned but thrilled to be together again. They grow in their feelings and Rooney believe Jack is her red string partner while Jack expresses doubt. Each need to trust that the universe will bring them together if they are meant to be.

Read if you love:
-the movie Serendipity
-themes of fate vs science
-grumpy/sunshine trope
-Asian American rep

I loved Rooney! Her sense of style mixed with her relaxed attitude and fierce love of her tribe of loved one made her such an endearing character

I really loved this book. Usually when I read a closed door romance I feel like I want more that I never get and I feel kinda lacking. However this closed door romance does not make me feel like that!! The author has a way with words and writes about fate in such a raw and wonderful way! There is so much charm and wit in this book. It really makes you appreciate all the things in life even the little things!

Red String Theory by Lauren Kong Jessen was super sweet. Two things I thought it did shockingly well were the insta-love trope and the inevitable breakup. I don't particularly like either in books, and I thought both were highly successful here. I also enjoyed the theme of fate and learning about the cultures of the two main characters.

However, despite the above, I had issues with the romance. At first, I adored Rooney and Jack. The scenes of them walking around N.Y. during the "dumpling hours" of their first "non-date" were nearly perfect. Yet, as the story continued, I didn't care about them as a couple. It was almost like two different people wrote the book. The story's pacing issues might be to blame, but I felt they lacked chemistry. I also would have liked more of the grandfather. You get a lot of Rooney's family & friends but not nearly enough of Jack's grandfather, who was a great character.

A note about the steam factor: This is squeaky clean.

The audio is a duet narration. Seriously, I never tire of listening to books this way. It adds so much to the story. I thought both narrators did a great job. I especially liked Jack's narrator.

Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Forever Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Do you believe in soulmates? Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen takes the Chinese legend of being tied to your soulmate by a red string, and brings it into modern times with the story of an artist and a scientist who are brought together for one wonderful night, and then lost to each other. Until fate gives them another chance...

I listened to the audio of Red String Theory, narrated by Yu-Li Alice Shen and Andrew Grace. The narration by two actors was excellent, and helped bring the characters to life. I especially thought Andrew Grace's voice was a great match for the character of Jack.

The story was somewhat predictable, though the way it came together was fun and entertaining. After reading/listening to Red String Theory, I am looking to read Lunar Love, and any other novels by the author.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the audio copy of Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen. The opinions in this review are my own.

Author Lauren Kung Jessen does such a fantastic job weaving romance with science, art, and Chinese culture in her newest work "Red String Theory."

Artist Red String Girl is known for making a splash with her installations made of a single red thread, combining art with a deeper theme. Jack is a NASA engineer, and not typically one for art he's taken by RSG's Fate installation in a New York Park. One night in New York seems all the memory Jack will have of the mystery girl that swept him off his feet at a Chinese lantern party, but at least he has the memory.

Looking for a promotion, getting involved in extracurriculars at work, and branding himself a team player, Jack joins the artist in residence initiative at NASA, throwing Red String Girl's name in the running. Little did he know RSG's real identity is the girl from New York that swept him off his feet. What follows is a beautiful ride through Los Angeles, New York and the "we work together, we can't" romance of these two.

I loved Lunar Love! So I was excited to see that Lauren Kung Jessen was coming out with another book. Both books are stand-alone, but Olivia from Lunar Love makes an appearance in this book. I loved the crossover.

This book was a fun, easy read. I enjoyed learning about Chinese traditions and folklore. I love the idea of fate. So I was really drawn in to this story. Rooney and Jack were easy characters to root for. I enjoyed the dual POV and getting to have Jack’s POV too.

There was a reference to the movie Serendipity in the book. That was my favorite movie for years. So I loved the reference! I’ve loved the idea of fate since that movie came out 20+ years ago.

Definitely recommend reading this book if you enjoy Chinese traditions, love, and clean romance.

A heart felt rom-com, featuring 2 Asian-American main characters. Fabulously told through the 2 points of view of Rooney and Jack, who are extremely likable and I easily found myself rooting for them to find their way to one another. Their romance revolves around Rooney's belief in The Red String Theory that you are tied to the person in which you are destined to be with by an invisible red string. This is just one example of the representation of Chinese traditions holidays and folklore throughout this book.

Rooney is an artist that creates anonymous art displays, she does not want to be tied to her famous mother so she never uses her name but she is a famous artist nonetheless. While Jack is a NASA engineer who believes in facts not fate. But Rooney and Jack's paths are constantly passing so could there be some truth and Rooney's beliefs?

The storyline unfolds at a good pace and has characters that are easy to like and care about. The plot is well-conceived and wonderfully written as a perfect opposite attract story. The telling of their story through dual points of view gave the character's a bit of extra depth, I enjoyed the opportunity to know what each character was thinking as the story progressed.

The audiobook narration by Yu-Li Alice Shen and Andrew Grace was superbly done. I enjoyed listening to this fate filled story told by dual narration (each narrator spoke the male of female dialog respectively no matter what point of view was being told throughout that specific chapter).

This book reminds me of one of my favorite movies, Serendipity, but has it's own unique way of using fate to draw Rooney and Jack together. I hope you enjoy this delightful book as much as I did!

I am extremely grateful to Hachette Audio, Forever Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this wonderful book and am happy to leave my honest review.

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. The narrators did an excellent job in the depth of their performances. Each character had a distinct voice and did not blend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Hachette Audio for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
While Red String Theory is a rom-com, the author doesn’t shy from more serious themes of tradition, anonymity, and fate vs. fact. I loved how these themes were woven into both the characters and story. However, I did have a hard time connecting with both Rooney and Jack as characters and felt like the chemistry between them suffered as a result.
As far as the audiobook performance, I really enjoyed both of the narrators. This is one of those rare audiobooks were the narrators voice their characters regardless if the chapter is written in their characters POV.

This was a sweet romance and I enjoyed learning about the Red String Theory.

Rooney and Jack - opposites attract. She is artsy, follows her feelings and believes in fate and soulmates. He is a scientist, and his beliefs are steeped in facts and choice.

I enjoyed the dual POV and the narration was well done. I also enjoyed learning some Asian culture. And Rooney's mom may have been my favorite character.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hatchette Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Red String Theory was such a breath of fresh air. This book was light, fun, and full of so many moments that both made me smile but also think about different things in new ways. I loved the concepts discussed in this book as it separated it from other romance books in my opinion!

Thank you NetGalley and Forever for the opportunity to listen to this ARC.

Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to listen to the audiobook. I enjoyed the story, especially the Chinese traditions that are mentioned in the storyline.

I don't believe in love at first sight, but I enjoyed the development of their relationship. I enjoyed the narrators and the fact that there were two narrators for each character and it wasn't just one making a "masculine" voice.

I would recommend this book if you like:
- Insta love
- Chinese traditions
- Slow burn romances

Is Destiny A Choice?
Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen

I was given an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Rooney Gao is an artist who feels she has always lived in the shadow of her famous artist mother. Her mother’s breakthrough piece was a live video of the birth of her daughter, Rooney. Rooney feels that because of her notoriety since birth, she has to create under the alias, Red String Girl (RSG). RSG’s creations all use red string to convey messages about destiny and interconnectedness. Rooney believes strongly in fate, especially the story from a Chinese myth about how soulmates are tied together with a red string of fate. One cold winter afternoon, in New York City she meets Jack Liu. Jack is a NASA engineer from California who absolutely does NOT believe in fate, destiny, or the red string of fate. They have a meet-cute in a copy shop that has screwed up both of their orders, and Rooney gives Jack her red scarf. They part and both realize they kind of miss the other person. Then they run into each other again the same night at a party. They release a paper lantern together and on a whim follow one of the lanterns from the party, which takes them on adventures all over the city. Eventually, their night ends with a kiss and Jack goes back to California. They do exchange numbers, but Rooney doesn’t put it into her phone correctly and they lose touch. If it feels like I’m giving away too much of the plot, all of this is just the first couple of chapters! Will our lovers find each other again? Are they each other’s string-mate?

This book was adorable. Rooney’s unshakable belief in destiny and soulmates was endearing, and she and Jack had excellent banter. I was hard-core rooting for them in the end. I loved watching Jack eventually become a bit of a romantic. Rooney could be a little bit Manic Pixie Dream Girl sometimes, but she was an artist who was raised by a nomadic artist, so it made sense.

I listened to the audiobook, and I found both of the narrators to have pleasant voices, and I LOVED that it was true duet narration, instead of just alternating chapters. Between this and Butcher & Blackbird, I am spoiled and want all audiobooks to do this going forward.

4 Stars

Red String Theory is a delightful rom-com, featuring two Asian-American main characters. Chinese traditions and holidays are highlighted throughout the book and that added to the story immensely. Most of the action takes place in Los Angeles and some in New York City, two of my favorite places and it was fun to picture Rooney and Jack in those familiar environs. (The scene of them stuck in a massive traffic jam, trying to get to Santa Monica, certainly rang true.)

Rooney is a string artist, hiding her identity behind the name Red String Girl, partly because her mother is a famous performance artist and Rooney doesn’t want people to assume anything about her because of her mom. Jack is a NASA engineer and believes in science and choice, while Rooney believes in signs and in fate, especially the Chinese legend of the red string that ties two soulmates together. This was a great opposites attract story.

I listened to the audiobook and it was beautifully in what is referred to as “duet narration.” In duet narration, the male narrator speaks all the male dialog and the female narrator speaks all the female dialog, no matter whose POV the chapter is reflecting. I loved it. The narration was a main reason I rated this 4 stars instead of 3. Yu-Li Alice Shen and Andrew Grace did terrific jobs.

Jack’s grandfather was a favorite side character. Rooney’s mom was a bit harder to warm up to, but by the end of the book, her humanity shines through.

This is a standalone novel but two characters from Lunar Love make a brief appearance.

Thank you to Forever for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook. All opinions are my own.