The Friend Zone Experiment by Zen Cho is a delightful and heartwarming contemporary romance that explores the intricacies of friendship, love, and the blurred lines that often lie between the two. Zen Cho, known for her captivating storytelling and nuanced characters, delivers yet another engaging read that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant.

The novel follows the story of Renee Goh, a beautiful thirty-year-old, beautiful, who runs a glamorous women’s clothing company in London and is dating a hot Taiwanese star. But Renee is lonely where she practically lives at the office, and now she’s just been dumped by her supposed boyfriend. But fate isn’t done with her. That same night, Renee bumps into her first love, Yap Ket Siong. Despite the past, the circumstances force them to reconsider their feelings for each other.

The Friend Zone Experiment delves into themes of love, and the often-complicated transition from one to the other. Cho masterfully captures the tension and excitement of two people discovering that their bond might be deeper than they initially thought. The novel also explores the fears and uncertainties that come with changing a longstanding friendship, making it relatable to anyone who has ever found themselves in a similar situation. Zen Cho’s writing is witty, engaging, and full of heart. Her characters are well-developed, with relatable flaws and endearing qualities that make them feel like real people. The dialogue is sharp and often humorous, adding a lighthearted touch to the story.

For fans of contemporary romance and stories about enemies-to-lovers, The Friend Zone Experiment is a must-read. It’s a testament to the power of love, and the magic that happens when the two combine.

I really want to love Zen Cho's books, but her writing feels bonedry to me, even in a romance. I was having so much trouble focusing on the story, and to be honest I found this very boring. Not even the romance could spice things up for me. I guess this was just firmly not for me.

dnf at 41%

I was so confident that I was easily going to like this one and maybe this expectation was a big factor in my ending up not liking a lot of things in this book—it is never good to start a book with high expectations, you know? I always end up disappointed. But this is why I’m going on a mini rant about my reading experience.

First things first, I did not finish this book. My impressions were pretty solid by 20% through and though I really tried to finish, after an intimate scene and almost halfway done, there wasn’t anything hopeful to change my mind. So, I stopped reading.
My thoughts below are an explanation of why I dnf’ed this book rather than a review.

I had difficulty getting into this book because the narration was in the third person. I’m not used to such style when it comes to romance books but this especially made the telling of the story detached and dull. Additionally, since the story was already very out of my norm (aka it’s about very rich people and I’m but a peasant), it made it extremely hard to find a connection, much less become sympathetic.
I did not like the introduction to the main character, Renee, where the break-up with her popstar boyfriend immediately happened. I would have preferred to get to know Renee more, see her work, and her character than just being told then maybe I could have cared more about the entire thing.

Actually, that—being told rather than shown—is how I could describe what I read. We are told that these characters were interesting but there wasn’t much to show for. Renee was your pretty and successful lead in the ‘she is not like other girls’ trope but incredibly lackluster. Ket Siong was… just there and he’s handsome. We are told they have tension but, honestly, I found them bland with no chemistry. We are told there is a complex family but the brothers were clear and simple evil. I don’t understand why Renee even bothered. Their scheme (online s*x harassment blackmail) was criminal and I don’t like how it was just thrown there with no thought of how messed up that is instead, she’s focused on her chances with her inheritance.

Lastly, there were a handful of lines/sentences that didn’t sit right. It’s not necessarily explicitly bad but it came off weird:
— “She had wondered over the years if he was gay and that was why things had gone wrong when she’d fallen for him. But she wasn’t wearing a blouse under her jacket, and there was something about the way Ket Siong’s eyes were carefully avoiding her neckline that made her think that wasn’t it.” and “There was no normal way to say, I’m straight, in case you were wondering. You probably aren’t but just in case.”
— “Renee was an adult, and London was relatively safe. Broadly. Most women got home unmolested from a night out.” The choice of words was jarring.
— Casual body-shaming to compare the MMC’s handsomeness and apparently, show how the FMC is devastating at flirting: “Renee looked at him, considering. “It’s a good thing she hasn’t seen you now. Jeroen’s started balding, he can be a bit insecure.””
— And especially, “Not having sex—that she’d done, obviously—but she’d never previously slept with anyone she wasn’t already in a relationship with. It was the kind of thing white people did.”

I may be nitpicking. I wish there were more nuance to these (hopefully, it's discussed more in the later half of the book) but from what I read, it irritated me. It’s questionable writing and was the cherry on top of my not liking this book, dnf’ing.

TL;DR I would be hard-pressed to recommend this book. I truly did not enjoy it. I think I would direct readers to the author’s fantasy books. I mean, I haven’t read them but I have seen more positive praise and good representation. 🤷‍♀️

I’m a fan of Cho’s previous work and this is might be her first contemporary romance set in the heart of a London. Love the diverse rep but the story was really slow and a bit cliche. It’s a very “Asian” story — if you watch a lot of dramas — you’ll figure out the plot quite quickly.

Unfortunately the title didn’t match the synopsis. I wanted a more fun and light-hearted romance but it was very “we’re just friends but keep crossing the line” but nothing is happening.

I did actually like the dark storyline in the background (think rich people getting away with murder sub plot) but the main storyline just didn’t have much spark to it.

Overall it was okay, and an easy read.

I really like Zen Cho's Sorcerer to the Crown books, and I was excited to see a new, contemporary romance from her! I could not put this book down; I enjoyed the characters, the plot was tight, and I found the writing strong and engaging.

Renee and Kat Siong are both likable characters. I appreciate that they have believable flaws they need to work on as well as realistic points of miscommunication, regret, and triumph. Cho really made me root for the characters without writing perfect, smarmy leads, and I love this book for that.

I also enjoyed the story overall. There were interesting mystery elements, business intrigue, family drama, and a good, slow reveal of backstory. The romance elements are not spicy, but the tension and spark remains, The book reminded me of reading the "Crazy Rich Asians" books. I quite liked "The Friend Zone Experiment" and I will keep an eye out for more of Cho's work!

The description of this book as Crazy Rich Asians meets Love and Other Words is very accurate in my opinion! This is a contemporary romance with second chance, friends to lovers, and a bit of mystery. I enjoyed this book! The main characters, Renee and Ket Siong, had sweet and funny banter. The story was also interesting because it was a lot more than just romance. It focused a lot on Renee’s life, business success, and family drama. So, I’d say this book is also in the women’s fiction genre.

In addition, the structure of this book’s storyline was unique. It had a slower pace with short chapters and a mix of then vs. now and dual POV chapters.
Overall, if you love contemporary romance, strong women, second chance, friends to lovers, and/or family drama, definitely check out The Friend Zone Experiment!

A thought-provoking, K-drama-esque romance that was everything I imagined it would be and more!

Delving into the complex (and slightly dysfunctional) bonds of family, class, corruption and ethics, Zen Cho’s social commentary-infused prose was a masterclass in nuance that had me glued to my seat.

The emotional depth in our main characters was really well executed and the backstory that unwinds between them added a layer of complexity to their second chance romance that I found compelling.

I do think the romance aspect does occasionally take a back seat to some of the more important issue (like corruption, unethical business practices and family struggles) which is perfect if you love your romances to have a little depth.

Overall, an engaging contemporary romance with a cast of flawed but compelling characters that fans of Crazy Rich Asians definitely want to consider checking out!

Thank you to the publisher for my ARC and ALC in exchange for my review!

I enjoyed this read from Cho. I'm not usually a romance reader, but I have enjoyed all of the books by Cho that I have read. That said, to me the romance here was the B-plot. There was very little spice, romantic interactions, and conflict. What took centrestage was the story of Renee's relationship with her domineering father and grasping brothers as well as Ket Siong's family loss.

The portrayal of family obligation and the fight for acceptance was done well and I liked the depiction of Renee having come into her own yet still having doubts and fighting to see her worth and how it does not need to be connected to her father and his perceptions of her.

Ket Siong's role here was pretty much bodyguard as his story really revolved around Renee and his brother. I really wish more had been done to develop his character path and arc.

The cover for The Friend Zone Experiment gave me some cute rom com vibes but it was actually a second chance contemporary romance with a side of corporate intrigue and complicated Asian families! Not that I mind that because it actually made the story very interesting!⁣
⁣
Renee Goh has been running a successful clothing company after moving from Singapore to London to focus on her interests. Though she comes from a wealthy family, her relationship with her father and brothers is quite strained. And just after she's been dumped by her boyfriend, she gets a surprise. Her father calls to tell her that he's planning on retiring and she's in the running for the position of CEO of their company. But she'll have to prove herself by cooperating with one of her brothers - who has also been aiming for this position.⁣
Another blast from the past comes in the form of her first love - Yap Ket Siong. They were close friends who were something more for a very short while, but he broke her heart abruptly before moving back to Malaysia. When she runs into him again at an exhibition, the spark between them is rekindled. But, he has his own share of secrets and Renee is determined to remain as friends this time around. Will they give their relationship a second chance?⁣
⁣
I loved the setting and enjoyed the way drama was woven into the plot along with the romance but without any of the angst. Renee was quite tenacious and ambitious but she also had a vulnerable side. Ket Siong was more of the silent type but spoke through his actions. I liked the fact that he never really resented anyone else for his family's circumstances but was determined to investigate his friend Stephen's disappearance.⁣
I absolutely hated Renee's family though - especially her brother 😤

Overall, this was an enjoyable read with some romance, intrigue and drama mixed in together!❣️✨

The Friend Zone Experiment
Zen Cho

All I needed to see was the mention of Crazy Rich Asians, and knew I had to read this one.

This one was a second chance, contemporary romance with a dual POV and family drama filled. I enjoyed that this book took me to a completely different life than mine. I mean, a life of luxury and all the money you could ever imagine to have… If I had just one day to live it up, yes please! There was family drama, as well as political drama in this one.

Our MC’s Renee and Ket are exes and he’s the one that broke her heart years ago. I really enjoyed the rekindling of their relationship. It was a fade to black romance. Which I appreciate because my daughter wanted to read this one as well.

If you love, contemporary romance, second chance, romance, family, drama, or fade to black romance check this one out.

“You cannot create without living. Come and get some inspiration. You might meet someone and fall in love, that’s very inspiring.”

Zen Cho’s The Friend Zone Experiment marks her entrance into contemporary romance, diverging from her usual fantasy genre. The novel centres on Renee Goh, the daughter of a wealthy businessman, who is striving for her father’s approval and inheritance against her older brothers. Her past love interest, Yap Ket Siong, re-enters her life, rekindling old feelings and unresolved issues from their university days.

The book delves into the complex dynamics of family, class, corruption, and ethics, adding layers to the central romance. Renee’s struggle for respect and recognition within her family and the high-stakes rivalry with her brothers are particularly engaging, drawing readers into her world.

However, the novel is not without its flaws. The writing lacks Cho’s usual wit and playful humour, as a result, at times the prose feels rather flat. The characters, particularly Renee, come across as lacklustre and the narrative often feels more suited to a YA audience than an adult one.

Renee’s character is marked by a complex mix of determination, vulnerability, and unresolved emotions from her past love. However, her rich girl persona with all her privileges makes it hard for the reader to connect and empathise with her all that much due to the constant whining.

On the other hand, Ket Siong’s character, while endearing, is overshadowed by the overwhelming family drama. His personal interests and struggles are given minimal attention, making him seem more like a supporting character in his own story. The resolution of his conflicts also feels rushed, and Renee’s role in his life is not sufficiently explored.

The relationship between Renee and Ket Siong is a slow-burn, second-chance romance peppered with mystery. Their backstory, which unfolds through flashbacks, adds some depth to their relationship but also feels somewhat tedious. The pacing is frustratingly slow, and the eventual revelation of their past misunderstandings feels anticlimactic.

Overall, The Friend Zone Experiment is a mixed bag. It offers some compelling moments and intricate family dynamics but falls short of Cho’s usual brilliance. The novel’s mistitling and lack of depth in character development make it less satisfying than expected. While it provides a different take on contemporary romance, it ultimately misses the mark in delivering a memorable and engaging story.

I was so excited when I got chosen for this tour since it falls under my Malaysian reads month and I’m interested to see how this author chooses to tackle the romcom genre seeing this is her first foray into this genre.

The writing style makes this a breezy and fun read. For a rom-com, it was a light-hearted read even though it touches serious topics like family bonds and dysfunctions, class, values, romance and corruption.

I appreciate the representation of Malaysian and Singaporean culture even though the story mostly takes place in the UK where both leads are Malaysians but studied and eventually decided to migrate abroad. Both leads Ket Siong and Renee are from completely different worlds yet they met during their uni days, fell in love and circumstances lead them apart only to meet again many years later, giving you the second chances vibe. We also get flashbacks which eventually lead us to understand what circumstances drove them apart.

I do love some of their interactions and how strong both characters are even though so much huddles are thrown their way. Renee’s family is crazy dysfunctional and I cannot even imagine having siblings like hers.

Let's talk about the not-so-good stuff.
I find the emotional aspect and the serious topics more like a brief touchpoint as opposed to diving into the heart of them. This makes the book very chicklit focus which makes it a fun read, it wasn't the kind of book that would grip me and want me to keep reading. It was a solid read but it wasn't an amazing read. Hence the 3.5 stars.

Thank you to @brambleromance @coloredpagesbt and @zenaldehyde for this gifted ARC as part of #TheFriendZoneExperimentTour

*Renee Goh’s journey in this book is both relatable and captivating. On the surface, she appears to have it all—a successful career, beauty, and a glamorous boyfriend—but beneath that facade lies a profound loneliness and estrangement from her family. I enjoyed how the story explores her struggle to reconnect with her roots while facing the challenges posed by her wastrel brothers and her father's expectations.

The unexpected reunion with her first love, Yap Ket Siong, adds emotional depth to the narrative, especially as he grapples with his own dangerous quest for vengeance. At times, I found myself relating to Renee’s journey of self-discovery and the quest for approval from family while navigating the complexities of love. This book beautifully captures the tension between ambition and personal fulfillment, making it a compelling read that resonates on many levels.*

The Friendzone Experiment by Zen Cho

This is a delightful blend of romance, drama, and personal growth. The story follows Renee Goh, a successful businesswoman in London who seems to have it all but is secretly struggling with loneliness and family estrangement. Her life takes a turn when she reconnects with her first love, Yap Ket Siong, leading to a journey of self-discovery and second chances.

What I Loved:
- Complex Characters: Renee and Ket Siong are beautifully flawed, making their journey relatable and engaging. Their past and present interactions are woven seamlessly, adding depth to their relationship.
- Cultural Nuances: The book offers a rich tapestry of cultural elements, from Renee's Singaporean heritage to her life in London, providing a refreshing backdrop to the romance.
- Emotional Depth: The narrative tackles themes of family expectations, personal ambition, and the quest for approval, resonating with anyone who has faced similar struggles.

What Could Be Better:
- Pacing: At times, the story's pace slows down, particularly in the middle sections. However, the engaging characters and emotional stakes keep you invested.
- Renee was irritating at times. I mean I just wanted her to stand up for herself.

Final Thoughts:
This is a heartwarming and thought-provoking read that explores the complexities of love and family. Zen Cho's storytelling shines through, making this book a must-read for fans of contemporary romance.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Genre-wise this is obviously a huge divergence from Zen Cho’s previous books, but her gift for dialogue and a vivid sense of place is still the same. Reading the book was an interesting experience for me and I would love to hear the author talk about her influences, because to my non-expert eye it wasn’t quite hitting the expected plot beats of a romance *novel* so much as a romance *drama* — there were so many scenes that I could almost see playing out in a kdrama, complete with the stylish coat plus chunky sweater combo on the male love interest. (No complaints! The implicit romance of him putting his scarf on the heroine — woof!) I was incredibly invested in finding out what had happened in the subplot revolving around Stephen, and frankly I would have loved even more from Ket Hau’s point of view, even though it pulled the narrative away from Renee and Ket Siong a bit at times. I loved the realism of the happy ending. Looking forward to whatever Zen Cho writes next!

The latest by zen cho, who is usually known for her fantasy, tackles contemporary romance, class divide and a cultural clash within a southeast Asian immigrant setting in London. A fun romance read that had Emily Henry meets succession vibes.

Cho explores the cultural clash between generations, generational trauma, romance and friendship all in the same world. Especially women wanting to prove within a culture that relegates them too domestics. Our protagonist Renne is not afraid to voice her opinions and her character arc Was an interesting one. She goes from strong headed individual to someone that wants more but without sacrificing her only needs as well as keeping the relationships intact.

The second chance romance is also played well with back-and-forth of past and present of all the characters and stories, and not just our leads. The push and power between their believes and the choices that they make, reads well.

There are essentially two books in this one. While there is a mix of personal and professional for our lead heroine, I missed the seamlessness of Emily Henry. The book pays attention to one at a time and abruptly shifts between the two. It hampers the reading experience and also makes for an unnecessarily longer read.

Despite its shortcomings, it is a cute little red and a cute little second romance Novel. With crazy rich Asians meets Emily Henry meet succession vibes, it is definitely a cute little read.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing for this eARC in exchange for a review

Renee's life is great - she owns a successful business, lives in a fantastic flat near Hyde Park, and is dating a hot pop star. Sure, her relationship with her family is fraught with drama, and her boyfriend dumps her in the opening chapter before betraying her trust in a devastating way, but she knows she's fortunate. Early in the book, she reconnects with her first love, Yap Ket Siong (they met in college but he had to abruptly return to Malaysia, where he's from). They spend an incredible night together before Renee puts him firmly back into the friend zone. Ket Siong is simultaneously grieving the loss of a dear friend and determined to unravel the mystery surrounding his disappearance.
In my opinion, this is not a romance novel, but has a romantic subplot. The beginning of the book is rather tension-filled and a bit sad as we learn about Renee's family and Ket Siong's friend Stephen. Throughout the story, we find Stephen had disappeared while working for an NGO protesting the deforestation of protected land in their home country of Malaysia. This resulted in Siong's family fleeing the country and resettling in London and staying off the radar. After quite some time of not speaking, Renee's father reaches out to let her know he's retiring and is considering her (as well as her two brothers) to take over as CEO of their very powerful and lucrative company back in Singapore (where she's from)
That makes it seem like there's a lot going on with the plot, and there is - but in a good way. I think the stories of Renee's professional life and complications and Ket Siong's search for the truth about Stephen take center stage with their romantic subplot weaving beautifully throughout the book.

I really enjoyed the references to places in Malaysia - while I am by no means an expert, I have visited Kuala Lumpur and I love when a book reminds me of real places I've seen. A lot of the book talks about events that unfolded in Malaysia - specifically in Sarawak which is on a completely different island but there are a few references to KL The rest is set in London with loads of references to places there too.

The Friend Zone Experiment is well-written and the mystery plot was particularly well done. There were twists I did NOT see coming, and in the end, everything is wrapped up nicely. I'll definitely read more by this author. My only criticism is - strangely - the title. Based solely on the title, I had expected something more like a fake dating type situation or something...they're friend zoned and decide to "experiment" by giving it a shot. But it didn't feel like that. I mentioned previously I feel the book wasn't a ~romance~ novel. The mystery/intrigue plot was a lot more prominent and I probably enjoyed it more than I would have if it had been more of a traditional romance.

🌟 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars)
Review: “The Friend Zone Experiment” is a delightful blend of family dynamics, class struggles, and modern romance set in London. Zen Cho’s writing captures heartfelt moments with a touch of humor. Renee’s journey—from unexpected CEO prospects to reuniting with her first love—keeps readers engaged. If you’re seeking a charming and relatable read, this book won’t disappoint! 😊📖

So exciting to see Zen Cho branch out into other genres! I loved the CRAZY RICH ASIANS vibe of the story, and parts reminded me of the high drama and excitement of a K-drama romance.

This took me a little bit to get into, honestly thought it was going to end up being a book not for me, BUT. Once it started rolling it really gave.
This second chance romance had a high stakes plot that kept me guessing and on edge. (My favorite traits in books as a true fantasy girlie).
I really didn’t know what to expect going in, and I was pleasantly surprised. I spent the whole time rooting for Renee and Ket Siong. Would definitely suggest this for anyone looking for a contemporary romance with Asian characters and culture and a plot that keeps you on your toes and is just as intriguing as the slow burn romance.

Thanks to Bramble for the early access! 🥰