This was a good listen! I enjoyed both the narrators of this story! It definitely had me thinking about fate and free will and the choices we make every day- how it shapes us and brings new people into our lives.

Thank you for the ALC for my honest review.

DNF at 50%

This one immediately pulled me in with Rooney and Jack's initial meeting, and Jack working for NASA. However, it fell apart for me once the time jump happened since the story felt like one long conversation without anything actually happening.

Read if you like:
🌏 Asian American Characters
✨ Fate
🎨 Artist FMC’s
❤️ Romance
🔀 Opposites Attract
🧼 Clean Romances

If you love books that explore fate and love this one will be for you!!!

This book takes the look of fate from Rooney’s perspective mixed with looking at it in a more theoretical way with Jackson.

Rooney is outgoing and funny and jokes quickly with those around her not knowing strangers, while Jackson is her opposite and introverted and needing plans in advance and fearful of making friends with his coworkers.

I love how they are so different yet, compliment each other so well and connected in a way that was organic and set the stage for their story to play out so beautifully!

If you are looking for a romance to add to your list- I would recommend this one for an adorable romance without spice.

Thank you so much Hachette Audio for my ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Opposites attract as an artist and a scientist try and test out fate and determine if the other holds their string. I connected with the story because I am a firm believer in fate playing a part in life.

I liked that the couple met and were pulled apart right away and spent part of the book dreaming about the other. It added a little more to me rooting for them. And I loved the Easter egg from Lunar Love (but it is not necessary to read it before reading this one).

What I always gain from books with multiracial characters is they showcase their culture and I get a glimpse into their world. I especially loved the lantern lighting and Jack’s perspective as a scientist and the environment.

As I switched back and forth from the audio and the book, I loved how the audiobook was constructed. Usually you have each narrator narrate their part in a dually narrated audiobook, but in this one, when a conversation happened, instead of the narrator of that chapter doing a voice for the other character, both narrators voiced the conversation so you hear the two voices you’ve grown to associate with the characters. Yu-Li Alice Shen and Andrew Grace do a terrific job of bringing Rooney and Jack to life. Capturing her free spirit and his scientific reserve and doubt.

Appreciated how the author married science and art in this novel. So many times we are told something can’t be both, when really in order to do many parts of life and professions well means we have to have both. I felt that it was a bit slow at times, but appreciate, all the research and background that must have gone into learning about NASA and astrology.

I love fiction books that include real life history or legends because then I could spend an absurd amount of time googling and learning something I was unfamiliar with. The New York/LA backdrops were great helped set the setting for the characters. The journey between Rooney and Jack was swoon worthy, the amount of times they met in a single day is quite frankly fate even if Jack doesn't acknowledge it.
the narration was so good, very engaging voices and paired well with the story.

I’m so bummed about how much I disliked this book. All of the jokes felt so corny and forced. I also felt the idea about her buying back the video of her birth and her mom being completely unsympathetic so weird. The FMC seemed a bit delusional and it seemed like the MMC was just humoring her.

This is a sweet, second chance romance that explores fate, choice, and the dynamic between two people with with opposing passions. Rooney is an artist and a dreamer while Jack is a scientist and a skeptic. The Chinese legend of the red string of fate ties into Rooney's beliefs, adding a touch of serendipity in Manhattan.

The story delves into family dynamics and Chinese culture, with Jack's grandfather standing out as my favorite character. Despite my appreciation for these unique elements, the lack of chemistry between Jack and Rooney left the story feeling a bit flat for me.

Still, if you like a closed door romance with a unique storyline I would recommend giving it a try.

PS: The narration is top tier

A sweet rom com. I loved the culture shared in this story. I just wish there was a bit more chemistry between or MCs. Still an enjoyable listen, just not as memorable as I was hoping for.

Rooney is Red String Girl, an anonymous artist. She also believes in a Chinese legend about love. The legend proclaims that everyone is linked to their true love by the red string of fate.

Jack is a NASA scientist, who doesn’t believe in love or fate. The pair meets by chance (or is it fate?!) and have an epic date. Unfortunately, Jack has to leave the next day, and Rooney has the wrong number for him. Rooney is convinced she’ll never see Jack again, but they are reunited and face the choice of believing in fate or losing each other.

I really enjoyed this book. It was so interesting and engaging.. The dual POV was fantastic - I always love hearing both characters' sides of a story! I wish there was a bit more romance, but it was still a really sweet story. I listened to the audio and the narrators were both fantastic.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ARC.

🎧 Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen: This is a sweet romance told via alternating viewpoints by Rooney, a New York visual artist, and Jack, a NASA engineer. Rooney believes in fate, especially the Chinese legend that everyone is tied to their one true love by the red string of fate. Jack believes in science and proving coincidences. As the two keep running into each other, they have to work through their own insecurities before deciding if they are meant to be. Jack’s wise grandfather tells him, “We believe what we want to believe to give our lives meaning”.
I can be judgmental about audiobook narrators, but the two for this book were so easy to listen to. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you @netgalley and @HachetteAudio for this gifted audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Audiobook Review
Overall 4 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 3.5 stars

Red String Theory was a very cute romcom about fate and choices. I really liked the discussion about the red string of fate and how Rooney and Jack went about testing the theory. Fans of the movie Serendipity will love the slow burn romance (kissing only) and it was fun to see these two opposites fall in love. The third act conflict wasn't my favorite and felt somewhat abrupt, but the ending was so sweet. The majority of the story takes place in Southern California too and I loved knowing many (if not all) of the different locations referenced. That traffic scene where Rooney and Jack are trying to get to Santa Monica was all too relatable. LOL

I was very pleasantly surprised when I started the audiobook and discovered that it was duet narration. Having Yu-Li Alice Shen read all the female characters and Andrew Grace all of the male characters, really enhanced the story. Both employed a variety of voices to give each character a distinct sound. Definitely recommend the audiobook if you read this one!

*I voluntarily listened to a review copy of this book*

Duet narration! DUET NARRATION! Not dual...DUET!

I love this style of narration and I wish more publishers would do this in their audiobook productions.

Honestly, I feel like this is a 4 star book for me because I enjoyed it, but I don't know if I'd read it again (which is what I usually reserve my 5 stars for), but I can't in good conscience give this only 4 stars. There's nothing wrong with this book. Not a single thing.

Rooney is an artist, who believes in the Red String Theory - that soulmates are connected through red string and fate will bring them together. She's an artist who goes by...Red String Girl, and her whole life revolves around art. Everything. But let me stop you there, friends! It's not done in the annoying "I'm an ARTISTE!" way that we often get with quirky girls or manic pixie dream girls. She's....just an artist. I love this representation. So much. Thank you Lauren Kung Jessen for writing an artist who is simply a human who does art and isn't so dang annoying.

And Jack. Jack likes logic. He needs to know why things are the way they are. He works for NASA. Yup, it's opposites attract baby!!!! Jack doesn't know Rooney is RSG, and Rooney doesn't know he works for NASA.

They share a few hours together in New York and then due to a mix up of phone numbers, they never see each other again. Until Jack recommends RSG as a collaborative artist with a NASA program, and the two are thrown together again for a year long program.

Can they stay professional? Are they each other's stringmates?

I really enjoyed this.

Do you believe in fate? What about the red string theory?

Rooney is an artist, who whole-heartedly believes that each person is lead to their soulmate (or string mate.) Her mom is also an artist, who made her very well-known. To become her own person, she chooses to be Red String Girl, or RSG. She creates art from red string.

Jack works for NASA. He doesn't think fate is real. Everything has an explanation.

The two meet, can Rooney convince Jack that they were supposed to meet and that fate brought them together?

I loved Lunar Love, and realized I needed to read this one as soon as I saw that Lauren Kung Jessen published it. (I loved the nod to the Lunar Love MC, too!!) It was a quick listen, and I LOVED that there were two narrators. When Jack spoke, his narrator spoke and when Rooney had dialogue, her narrator spoke, no matter the POV. I think this really helps me listen to books to know that I am hearing the correct character this way.

If you love a good fate troupe, this one is for you!

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette for the advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review!

“May fate bring us close enough to choose.” 🏮🧶♥️

Thank you @readforeverpub for the eARC and ALC of RED STRING THEORY - I adored it! I absolutely loved Lauren Kung Jessen’s first novel, LUNAR LOVE, so I was ecstatic to be able to read her second novel early, and it truly did not disappoint.

A Chinese legend explains that everyone is tied to their one true love by the red string of fate - a sentiment that Rooney Gao, an anonymous artist that goes by Red String Girl, has held close all her life. When she meets Jack Liu, a successful and handsome guy, she must figure out if fate is stepping in or if she is reading the signs wrong.

This is just an adorable, closed-door romance; I adored our main characters, both of which were driven professionally. And, the “third act breakup” felt completely realistic and purposeful - something that would actually happen in real life. On top of that, you get: one perfect day; soulmates; missed connection; workplace romance; and fantastic multicultural rep - with an emphasis on Chinese myth, food and culture.

Fans of the movie SERENDIPITY and Taylor Swift’s INVISIBLE STRING will definitely enjoy RED STRING THEORY. {And, for fans of LUNAR LOVE, you get a small cameo from our LL couple and a peak into their HEA!}

CW // discussion of birth; invasion of privacy

Dual POV
Alexa, play "Invisible String" by Taylor Swift.
This is a beautiful contemporary romance novel and is my first book from this author. I'll have to check out her debut novel, "Lunar Love" next!

Jack and Rooney are multi-dimensional characters that bring out the best in each other. There is no smut in this book, which I am totally okay with. To be honest, I can't entirely imagine them getting down and dirty. They seem too innocent for that. They seem like the old couple that you see on a park bench or at a restaurant that you wonder what their story is and how long they've been together! <3

I absolutely love Rooney's belief in fate and Jack being more skeptical. It was definitely interesting to see their journey as they learn more about each other.

The narrators for Jack and Rooney were also lovely!

This was absolutely delightful. It had me smiling throughout and tugged at my heart strings at some points. This is just a perfect recipe. FMC who is an artist who is very into fate + MMC who is a scientist and very logical = super cute rom-com. The audio narrators did such an amazing job bringing this story to life.

@HachetteAudio #RedStringTheory #NetGalley

Red String Theory- When a person is born, an invisible, red string is tied to them, connecting them through time, space, and circumstances, with their soulmate on the other end.

Rooney Gao has been living and breathing art since the moment she was born, the only thing stronger than our love of the arts is that fate. A strong believer in the Chinese legend of the red string. She believes that her faded made is out there, they are just waiting for tangled strings to unwind and find each other.

On the other side (figuratively and literally), scientifically minded, Jack Lou believes in theory, reason and logic.

When a magical day in New York City brings both local, Rooney and west coast visitor, Jack together in multiple locations and ways, even Jack can’t help falling under the sway of the red string theory.

But is their string strong enough to keep them together from across the country and when their jobs get in the way?

The sweet romance was an absolute delight, and I think fans of Abby Jimenez will love this one too! I absolutely loved how Lauren Kung Jessen we together both the artistic and scientific world in parallel as she create a world where both Rooney and Jack can live at the end of their strings together.

I had the absolute pleasure of listening to the audiobook narrated by Yu-Li Alice Shen and Andrew Grace. Their seamless narration captivated me. The narration brings these characters to life, creating an immersive listening experience that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. The dual narrators complement each other beautifully and do an excellent job portraying not only the characters but the spirit of them as well.

Overall, I was very impressed with this book and I will be definitely keeping an eye out for more from Lauren Kung Jessen!

Thank you to Hachette Audio (Forever) and NetGalley for my advanced listening, copy. Ions are my own.

Rich in Chinese culture and with Lauren's signature charm, RED STRING THEORY at once educates readers on the red string of fate legends of Chinese mythology while also being a lighthearted and lovable rom-com. It follows Rooney Gao, artist and firm believer in the red string of fate: that her one true love is out there, at the other end of her string. She creates bold art featuring the red strings of fate under the pseudonym "Red String Girl." One day, one of Rooney's most ambitious projects to date is tragically (and IMO, cruelly) destroyed. On that same day, Rooney runs into out-of-towner Jack Liu (who is a freaking Engineer for NASA, no big deal) and they share a pretty magical evening. Unfortunately for Rooney, she realizes too late that she mis-typed his number in the text she sent to his (at the time dead) phone before they parted. Rooney spends the next several months trying to find Jack, who does the same, even while thinking that Rooney chose not to text him. 

Fate, of course, has other plans, and Rooney and Jack are thrust together again.

This book was absolutely adorable. Lauren truly has such a way with witty banter that is so charming and so easy to fall into. I was lucky enough to receive an audiobook from NetGalley and read this book in one afternoon, because I couldn't stop listening! I love that Lauren so expertly incorporates food in her books in a way that will leave you DROOLING, and I'm sure my favorite local Chinese restaurant appreciates her for that, too, because they will be getting ALL the orders from me over the next few weeks. I also love how Lauren always includes mixed-race characters. While I'm not mixed-race, some people very close to me are, and I'm always so thankful to see that often-overlooked representation on the page. 

I also loved both audiobook narrators, and the way the audiobook was recorded. In Rooney's chapters, the male narrator spoke any time Jack was speaking, and in Jack's chapters, Rooney's narrator spoke for her. It isn't something I remember experiencing in an audiobook before, and it was a nice experience that I hope to see (okay okay, hear!) more often!

Seriously, if you want a cute, low stakes rom com that will have you grinning from ear to ear, RED STRING THEORY is the book for you! Fans of LUNAR LOVE will also particularly love a cute little cameo, but you didn't hear that from me!

I just truly adored every aspect of this book!!! From the fate aspect, to the culturally diverse representation, to the STEAM feature. Lauren Jessen is a master at bringing real, raw, and relatable characters to life. Rooney and Jack are so perfectly imperfect. Their relationship had so many great elements of mystery, authenticity, and fun. I loved the little fate challenges and how they both accepted each other for who they were.

I really enjoyed the audio version. The dual character narration along with dual POV really brought the book to life!

Lots of tear filled, heartwarming, and chills-inducing moments. I found myself so emotional reading this book. If you believe in the red string theory or in fate playing a pivotal role in life, you'll LOVE this one!