With THE FRIEND ZONE EXPERIMENT (Tor Trade, paperback, $18.99), Zen Cho brings us a beautifully soapy second-chance romance set in modern-day London. The former concert pianist Ket Siong has a tight-knit family and a teaching job that feels like a comedown; the heiress Renee Goh has a terrible family but a self-made career she adores. The pair were best friends at university until they broke each other’s hearts with a near-miss hookup; now one chance encounter reignites all that long-ago yearning.

There’s a lot going on here — corporate back stabbing, a missing activist — but the romance buzzes like a live wire. Ket Siong’s quiet care gives weight to Renee’s drive, and her quickness lightens the emotional burdens he’s been concealing.

AH i loved this one SOOO much. I love a good second chance romance esp when there wasn't just a miscommunication trope. There is a huge emphasis on family values and the little parts of culture. I was so happy to see them come together as adults, I would read so much more by this author !!

There was nothing wrong with this story; however, I never felt that connection with either of our main characters by the end that I had hoped to feel. It was a fun read, and other relatable moments kept me interested, which garnered my "liked it" rating. Overall, it's a solid contemporary romance, but I wouldn't reread it.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this free eARC!

This book started out well and exciting and then completely fell flat. It's unbelievable how unremarkable it felt for me by the end when I was really enjoying the drama at first.

I was pleasantly surprised by the intricacy of the plot and simultaneously written women-empowerment, family dynamics, queer, and corporate social responsibility themes of this second-chance romance.

I know it's not about him, but I wish we got more about the male main character's career outcomes.

I think the cover is misleading. Or maybe not completely misleading, but not as representative of the story (as opposed to one scene, and not the most impactful ones [IMO] either) as I think it could be.

I would read more from this author.

i'm so sorry. i tried, but i couldn't get through this. the plot was all over the place and the fact that it went back and forth between the past and the future didn't help at all. hard to grasp the story and i'm not patient enough for this kind of narrative.

I will read anything Zen Cho writes. Loved this one so much that I went ahead and got myself a physical copy, the highest praise I could give. This was a charming story about two Southeast Asians in London, who have found their way back to one another after an event that separated them in uni. Years later, they are back in each other’s lives and the attraction is still there, but are they better off as friends?

I enjoyed the characters, both fairly realistic and with their human fallibilities. I loved the specific Southeast Asian references that rooted them to the cultures that raised them, even in London. The way I cackled at the ageing Malay rockstar visual - so specific and accurate! The taboos around queerness was also deftly handled. I especially enjoyed the shades-of-1MDB intrigue at the heart of the book, Ket Siong and Renee both somewhat embroiled in it via family. It is a flashpoint that encourages Renee to confront her privilege and values, though I’m glad the author resolved this in a way that was satisfactory yet realistic. Families bind us, for better or worse, especially in Southeast Asian cultures. They are our strength and our weakness. It makes sense that so much of what happens is as a result of familial cultures and filial piety. Knowing that we can make our own choices, here aided by being in diaspora, can be terrifying but also fulfilling and, as a resolution, undoubtedly familiar.

An entertaining read that splices a cute love story with social commentary on East-West Malaysian politics and the corruption rife in Malaysian politics and conglomerates, how decent everyday people can get dangerously caught up in its webs. So many elements of Southeast Asian cultures celebrated through the perspective of its Malaysian and Singaporean ethnic Chinese characters, highlighting its melting pot diversity, but also universal in its themes of love, family, and the opportunities of diaspora.

Perfect romance book with diverse characters and tons of swoony moments! I loved getting to know these characters, their story, and see what happened next.

Renee, from a wealthy Singaporean family, moves to London to distance herself and grow her business. Ket Siong, along with his brother and mother, also relocates to London after their friend Stephen is kidnapped while protesting a company’s attempt to destroy an ancient Malaysian rainforest. Renee and Ket Siong, who had a brief fling ten years ago in university, haven’t stopped thinking about each other. They reconnect in London and gradually find their way back into each other's lives. Their romance unfolds gently, as they support one another—Renee in her competition to lead the family business (with a touch of Succession drama) and Ket Siong in his desperate search for Stephen. There’s some light miscommunication along the way, but nothing too frustrating, and the ending is perfectly delightful. Overall, it’s an enjoyable read that would be great for the beach, though it didn’t quite make its way into my list of favorites. Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this free eARC!

I just finished The Friend Zone Experiment, and it’s such a cute and heartfelt friends-to-lovers story! Set against the glamorous backdrops of London and Southeast Asia, it follows Renee Goh, a successful entrepreneur who seems to have it all—except for those meaningful relationships we all crave. What starts as a journey through family dynamics and cultural exploration slowly blossoms into a tale of rediscovery, love, and second chances.

I really enjoyed the international setting and how the story dives into family dynamics, especially as Renee reconnects with her first love, Yap Ket Siong. That said, the pacing felt a bit slow for my taste. While the emotional tension between the characters builds nicely, I found myself craving a bit more of the spice that typically makes romances pop. The book leans more toward family drama with a sprinkle of romance, so if you’re looking for something light and fast-paced, it might not hit the mark.

That said, the layers of Renee’s estranged family, her business pressures, and her unresolved feelings for Ket Siong definitely add depth to the story. It was an entertaining read, especially for fans of slower, character-driven romances with a cultural twist. If you love slow-burns focused on personal and cultural growth, The Friend Zone Experiment could be just the escape you’re looking for!

The Friend Zone Experiment mainly tells us the life of Renee, a businesswoman who is dealing with her family because her father is about to retire and name his successor. Furthermore, the arrival of an old love will make her love life a little more complicated.

On this occasion I will start with the only point that I did not like and that is the fact that the romance part of the story is displaced to third place due to everything that the protagonists are facing. And it wouldn't be something that I would normally dislike, however, in a book where its main label is romance, I do owe a little more romantic interaction between the two.

Now, leaving this aside, I think that one of the positive points is the construction of Renee as a character, because I could see an intelligent, strong, loyal, vulnerable and determined woman.
I really liked seeing how she faced her family and built a new life away from them.
Regarding the male lead, Ket Siong... I feel like he was a little overshadowed by circumstances and Renee. I loved seeing how gentlemanly, responsible, and dedicated to his family he is, but I feel like I need to see more of him to get to know him and get attached to him.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the ARC.

I have very much enjoyed Zen Cho's novels before, but this was a DNF for me - I was just looking for a novel that started a bit more quickly. That's about me as a reader though, not a commentary on this novel!

I don't generally read second chance romances but I enjoyed this one. I think it was done really well and the reason behind it being a second chance romance was reasonable. I also like the family rivalry aspect as that is one of my favorite themes in shows/books. The book also had kdrama vibes which I also enjoyed. The chemistry between the fmc and mmc was also enjoyable. Overall, it was a good, light read.

Title: The Friend Zone Experiment

Author: Zen Cho
Genre: Romance

Rating: ★★★★

From the outside, Renee Goh's life looks like the epitome of perfection. She's a stunning thirty-year-old running a chic and profitable women's clothing company in London, and to top it all off, she's been dating a hot Taiwanese pop star. But looks can be deceiving…….

Renee is lonely. Estranged from her family in Singapore and practically living at her office, she faces a harsh reality when her supposed boyfriend dumps her. Why is she ruining her perfectly Instagram-ready makeup by crying over a guy she barely saw anyway?

Just as she's about to dive into a pity party with a pint of Ben & Jerry's, Renee's father calls with a bombshell: he's retiring and considering her as the next CEO of the family conglomerate, Chahaya Group, in Southeast Asia. This news is huge. Renee craves her father's approval, but the thought of working with the brothers who drove her out of Singapore is daunting.

Then fate throws another curveball. That very night, Renee bumps into her first love, Yap Ket Siong, who shattered her heart during their university days. They share a magical night together, but Ket Siong is entangled in a dangerous quest for family vengeance. By the light of day, is there any hope for rekindling their romance?

Why I Loved It:

The Friend Zone Experiment by Zen Cho is a delightful rollercoaster of emotions and intrigue. Renee is a character you can't help but root for, with her blend of vulnerability and fierce ambition. The contrast between her glamorous public persona and her private struggles makes her incredibly relatable.

The family dynamics add depth and drama, especially the tension between Renee and her brothers. The prospect of her taking over the family business while dealing with past wounds and current rivalries keeps the stakes high and the pages turning.

Renee's reunion with Ket Siong is the cherry on top of this engaging story. Their past and present collide in a way that is both heartwarming and fraught with tension. Ket Siong's quest for vengeance adds a thrilling layer to the romance, making you wonder if they can overcome the shadows of their past to find a future together.

Zen Cho masterfully balances humour, heartache, and hope, making The Friend Zone Experiment a must-read. Its blend of romance, family drama, and personal growth kept me engaged from start to finish.

If you're looking for a book that offers a fun escape while touching on deeper themes of love, family, and self-discovery, this is it!

Thank you to Pan Macmillan | Macmillan, The Author Zen Cho & Netgalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

Ahh I loved this!!! Zen Cho is such an engaging author and I love friends to strangers to lovers romances. Ket Siong and Renee have my heart.

Had to DNF at like 10%. Wasn’t much character development and it honestly didn’t keep my attention! Maybe I wasn’t the audience for it..

I really enjoyed this romance novel,

I connected well to the characters and enjoyed th realistic romance.

Well written and easy read.

Definitely wasn't for me. I feel like I was lied to, sorry. The title doesn't match the plot, for starters. The plot isn't bad but I won't say I enjoyed this one. It was just meh.

Renee Goh is ready to wallow when her boyfriend dumps her, but gets a surprise phone call from her father to whom she hasn’t spoken in years. He is retiring and he is considering her as well as her brothers to take his role of CEO of the family run conglomerate after a trial: she and her brother have to prepare a pitch an win a contract with another company. Renee never thought it possible before but she knows her success with her company speaks for itself. Renee is all in and ready to compete and win that job even if it means working with the brother that tries blackmailing and undermining her in the process.

At the same time, Renee runs into her university love, Yap Ket Siong. After a night together agree to be friends but is proving to be more difficult than she originally thought.

What can you expect from this book?
💌 second chance romance
💻k-drama vibes
📖 family drama
🌷 golden retriever mmc
📚Side character queer rep

This book read just like a k-drama, from the slow burn friend zone to romance plot, to the family drama over the company. It was an entertaining read that never got boring.

I enjoyed reading the chemistry between the characters, it was almost palpable, they complement each other. We have Renee who is a girl boss that won’t budge and is proud of how far she has gotten and in contrast we have Yap Ket Siong who dreamed of being a pianist but now is living in London teaching children.

The plot was intriguing it kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what were Renee’s brothers going to do next, as well as how the side plot with Yap Ket Siong was going to turn out.

The ending felt a little too unrealistic but otherwise than that I would say this is the perfect book to read if you are looking for a light romance with a male character that gives off golden retriever vibes.

i've heard a lot of good things about Zen Cho's other books so when this romance by her was on here i was so excited to get it! though, i'm afraid this one missed the mark for me, just a little. i had to force myself to finish it because although i didn't outwardly dislike it, i didn't really enjoy it all that much, either. i feel a bit indifferent -- but i'd definitely 100% be open to giving anymore of her work another chance -- might dive into some of her audiobooks of her previous work, but yeah. not sure this was the right fit for me narratively speaking.