I loved the will they or won’t they moments of this one! The slow burn romance was great. And loved the dash of mystery!

I'm not sure I would call this book a rom com. I felt like the mystery of Stephen's disappearance and the storyline about Renee's family business dominated the book more than the love story. The title is atrocious. It is too frivolous and doesn't accurately capture the feel of the book. Otherwise, I liked it. It just felt like the book wasn't sure what it wanted to be.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This was hard to get into. I had to DNF after 10%.
I'll keep the rest of my thoughts to myself.

I dnf’d this book. I was really hopeful about it but I was getting confused with all the different ket names and couldn’t follow along.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an e-arc of this book!

I really enjoyed this book. While it had a lot going on, it handled it all quite well!

Typically, more girl-boss millennial MCs both me, but Renee was a really compelling MC, and I thought her emotional journey and growth during this book were super well-written; she has to come to terms with what she wants out of her career and relationships (with men and family), and in this, she had to make some pretty hard decisions. Ket was a good love interest, but I found Renee's POV more appealing. His head was hard to get into.

Plot-wise, Ket and Renee's family problems, which became intertwined professionally, were written with much care toward family dynamics, commitments, gender roles, and queerness. Renee's were, again, more appealing, even though the major mystery was on Ket's side of things.

I have two major criticisms of this book: first, I think some of the writing was a little choppy, and people didn't use contractions, which is a major pet peeve of mine; second, I think the ending was a little rushed, and I would have liked to see a bit more at the end.

My expectations of this book were sky high because, well, Zen Cho...and I was not at all disappointed! I devoured it over a couple of days. The Friend Zone Experiment is delightful, easy-to-read, and perfectly paced, with convincing characters and an intriguing plot involving business corruption and a mysterious disappearance. One thing (of many) that I adore about Cho's writing is that her characters are not only vivid and compelling, but grapple with problems that feel incredibly relatable. Even if you're not competing to inherit your family's multi-million dollar business, Renee's yearning for approval from and connection with her dysfunctional family strikes a chord. I found myself cheering for her throughout the book--she's tenacious and brave. Cho's depiction of Ket Siong's steady reserve, deep listening, devotion to his family, and strength of character was a breath of fresh air. Highly, highly recommended for a page-turning read with heaps of chemistry but also a subtle and moving exploration of love, family, and self-acceptance.

I really like the concept behind this book, but the execution of the story fell flat for me. There were too many subplots and melodrama that got in the way of the romance. I didn't finish it as I lost interest.

(Review scheduled to post on my blog 7/20/24)
Renee Goh left her family in Singapore years ago. Now living in London, she has a swanky flat and runs her own successful fashion business, far away from her bullying older brothers and family expectations about the proper place and behavior for a good Asian girl. Her glamorous but tidy world is shaken up when her father calls to ask her to consider taking over the enormous family business, Chahaya, just hours after her secret K-pop boyfriend breaks up with her on what was supposed to be an intimate vacation.
Into this chaos steps Yap Ket Siong, the man who broke her heart when they were both at uni a decade ago. She doesn't know what he's doing in London, but his attention is just as focused on her as he was then, and he's even better looking. But Ket Siong's life has changed for the worse in those past 10 years. A close family friend in Malaysia went missing - kidnapped very close to their house - when he was protesting the destruction of old-growth forest to make an oil palm plantation. Since then, he's had to give up his career as a concert pianist to go into hiding with his mother and older brother.
Renee really has her hands full already keeping her own business going andputting together a presentation for a possible project between Chahaya another large Asian company (while keeping the owner's nephew/ her abusive ex away from putting his hands all over her.) Between that and her recent breakup, she really shouldn't be starting another relationship. But Ket Siong is so easy to be around - surely it couldn't hurt if they were just friends, right?
Ket Siong, for his part, has reason to believe that both of the giant corporations Renee is working with have caused major misfortune is his family's life. Certainly hanging out near someone as high profile as Renee isn't keeping him off the radar of whoever it was caused their friend's disappearance. But once again, with life so stressful, how can he stay away from someone who makes him happy?
This is a lot of frothy and moderately steamy fun, with outrageously beautiful, talented, and sometimes very rich people falling for each other. Under that, though, are some serious looks at class, misogyny, and social justice. It's a winning combination.

💛🧡 The Friend Zone Experiment ARC Review 🧡💛

Thank you so much to Zen Cho and Tor Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this book!

The Friend Zone Experiment is a standalone contemporary romance. After a breakup, Renee runs into her childhood friend and first love, Ket Siong. She doesn’t have time for a new relationship, but life might have other plans for her

This was an interesting read. While I enjoyed the relationship between the two characters, a lot of this plot was centered around family dynamics and corporate drama which sometimes made it feel like there was a lot going on. This book bounced between the past and current timeline and it wasn’t super clear when jumps happened, so I struggled sometimes to figure out which timeline I was in.

Overall this was a three star read for me. An interesting read overall. This book did have some build up to spicy scenes, but they were mostly closed door, so overall one flame for spice

If you’re a fan of childhood friends to lovers with lots of secrets and corporate drama, then absolutely pick this one up!

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 Renee is a FMC with so many admirable qualities. While she comes from a wealthy family and could so easily fly by on her dime, she has worked tirelessly to build her fashion brand, her dream. Fashion forward and living life on her own terms in London. When she is broken up with by her boyfriend and offered a chance to take over the family business, she also happens to reconnect with an old flame, Yap Ket Siong. Zen Cho tackles the universal themes of independence, estrangement from family, and finding the balance of living your own authentic life that young adults face…yet just on a grand, culturally rich scheme in The Friend Zone Experiment. In the midst of all of these life changes…can you be friends with an ex who broke your heart?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review is on Goodreads and will be posted on instagram closer to publication date and on Amazon when published!

very interesting story. it was giving crazy rich Asians vibes, but it was good overall.
Didn't get the romance feel of it. I feel like the title can be misleading.
i love the cover of the book, which is why i was so eager to read the book.

This book introduces intriguing elements, including Renee’s first love, Yap Ket Siong, who reappears after breaking her heart during university. Their passionate night together contrasts with Ket Siong’s dangerous pursuit of vengeance for his family. While the premise holds promise, the execution falls short. The story’s pacing occasionally drags, and character development lacks depth. Cho’s writing style is engaging, but the emotional impact could have been stronger.

Overall, I didn't hate this story, but I didn't love it either. Solid middle of the road read for me.

Initially when reading this book, it felt like a mix of succession, crazy rich Asians, and maybe a little when Harry met Sally, but it didn’t end up panning out that way. This book was definitely not a “rom com” although it’s marketed that way. Renee and Ket Siong had so little chemistry and I wish they just talked to each other more?? Nearly no spice, and fade to black scenes were kind of awkward.

I have been a devoted reader of Zen Cho, and continue to be awed by the originality and her ability to mix sci-ci/YA motifs and Asian traditions. So there was no way I would not get my hands on her first romance novel, The Friendzone Experiment.
The heroine, Renee is a thirty-year-old, Singapore-bred, beautiful and successful woman who owns a thriving women's clothing company and lives in London. She is estranged from her family for quite a long time, but out of nowhere her father calls and asks her if she wants to compete against her brothers and take over Chahaya, one of the largest conglomerates in SE Asia. At around the same time, she bumps into her college sweetheart Yap Ket Siong who seems to be seeking the reason for the death of his Malaysian friend...
It's romance intertwined with mystery/suspense sprinkled with a bit of "Crush Landing on You" themes, and I immensely enjoyed reading about Renee's past/present relationships with family/friends/men, the Malaysia/Singapore roots, the business etc.
As a romance lover I would have loved more zsa zsa zsu moments between Renee and Ket Siong, but the mystery part was very intriguing so I am not complaining. It's fantastic to see a lot of great romance novels with Asian heroines coming out this year with different sub-genres. I love each and every one of them, and keep coming back for more.
Thank you to @netgalley for the opportunity to read the ARC!

4.5 stars

Once I realised that this isn't a romcom as marketed(pretty much within the first chapter), but more of general fiction with shades of family saga and a romantic sub-plot, I was able to truly dive in with adjusted perceptions and enjoy the ride. Both leads are well-crafted, three dimensional, and actually act their ages. I also appreciated how they both have very valid non-dramatic-plot reasons for avoiding their feelings and staying apart/as friends. Both had their own personal journeys of growth and healing to do -- they were easy to root for as individuals and a couple. It was refreshing to read a book that managed to balance the fun (and humorous) with the realistic, whether it was the plot's and the characters' interrogation of their own privilege and their part in the world's inequalities, or the lack of caricatures that proliferate many such stories (instead, here we got a solid supporting cast with their own depth without taking away page time from the leads). I love Zen Cho's fantasies, but now I'll be keeping an eye on any future contemporary stories that she writes!

for the ARC!
ChatGPT
Renee and Yap Ket Siong shared moments of uncertainty in college, teetering between romance and friendship, until Yap Ket Siong had to return home for undisclosed reasons, leaving Renee heartbroken. Fast forward several years, Renee is now a successful businesswoman with a powerful father, although she can't rely on her family for anything but judgment. Despite her success, she feels lonely. When she encounters Yap Ket Siong again, old feelings resurface for both of them, but they hesitate to act on them for various reasons. This slow-burn romance, laced with a bit of mystery, was enjoyable to read, and I found myself rooting for both Renee and Yap Ket Siong, individually and as a couple. This was my first time reading Zen Cho, but it won't be my last. Thanks to Bramble for the ARC!

I picked this up on an absolute lark since I've really enjoyed the author's fantasy work and am so glad. I'm not typically a romance or contemporary reader but the characters just just so endearing. A lovely break and romantic escape; I'd definitely check out another by her in this vein.

My initial impression of this novel was that it was like the Southeast Asian version of the tv show Dynasty. It has: siblings duking it out for the CEO position of a business empire, attractive badass girlboss with bad taste in men, the-princess-and-the-pauper type of romance, tons of daddy issues, and a healthy sprinkling of backstabbing all around. This much is true. At one point it even started feeling like a Hallmark Christmas movie or those novels where a jaded workaholic reunites with their childhood sweetheart in their hometown while saving said hometown in the process.

However, what I did not expect was the casual acknowledgement of rampant corruption in the Malaysian government that makes it possible for businesses to go around laws meant to protect the environment. No one’s hands are clean, not even the protagonist. Romance as a genre is largely fantasy but that one aspect sure was grounded in reality. I would have liked to see more of the political fallout instead of a neat summary, but I can get how that might ruin the warm and fuzzy vibes expected of a romance novel.

This was such a fun contemporary romance read. I really enjoyed it. I found the character to be entertaining and the plot to move at a good pace that kept my interest throughout the novel as the plot went up and down

A deftly written contemporary romance between an ambitious, successful woman from a powerful (but unpleasant) family and an old flame who hurt her badly back in college and who for family reasons has ended up in a low-key, modest life in London. The relationship between the two leads feels real and appealing. Cho writes with careful nuance to the complex situations they find themselves in and offers a lot of well observed interactions between people and social settings. The story's HEA feels earned (including for secondary characters). A good read.