I liked this book! It was a good change of pace from my typical read. I think this would be a great book for teenagers, not only in reading level, but some of the themes really speak to teen struggles. I thought the puzzles were a little repetitive/underdeveloped but overall, a good book!

I really enjoyed this coming of age, found family, adventure romance. It was a lot of fun to see Gemma going from someone who feels they are responsible for the well-being of her and her mom to someone who can still do that and have a little bit of fun.

The treasure hunt adventures Gemma and Xander had with the TARP group in Taiwan was definitely the best part of this book. I found myself googling locations throughout my time reading it and now I want to book a trip to see all of them in real life!

The enemies to lovers romance was really slow and at one point I felt like I'd be fine with just her building friendships with the rest of the TARP participants but by the end I found the romance to be very sweet.

This is filled with friendship and healing on so many levels. I enjoyed it so much. I 100% recommend!

After graduating HS Gemma has some serious nerves about the future and how she will pay for college. When she finds out that she has a grandfather she didn't knew existed and an inheritance that is hers if she travels to Taiwan and solves the puzzles he set. Of course during all this she can't do it alone and she reluctantly gets help from her ex- boyfriend/friend and HS academic nemesis who is also of Taiwanese decent. Great puzzles and self discovery but I actually didn't care for Gemma and her personality.

Gemma thought she had only her mother as family, and that her Taiwanese culture was lost. One day a man shows up to tell her that her grandfather passed away, and there's a treasure hunt that will lead to her inheritance. She must go to her grandfather's home in Taiwan and will need her ex Xander's help. Gemma discovers that the treasure hunt is more than money—it's about finding family, her cultural roots, and maybe even finding true love.

Immigrants often are faced with a choice: assimilate and lose the culture they had been born with, or double down and cling harder to it. Gemma's mother wanted to be as American as possible, so Gemma grew up without learning Mandarin or any stories, foods past ramen, or folklore. She felt self-conscious about it, especially with her ex-boyfriend Xander, who was her co-valedictorian, able to speak the language, and knew more about Taiwanese culture. He even set up a program to help students go to Taipei over the summer to reconnect with her roots. Because of her grandfather's mysterious treasure hunt, she asks for a spot in his program to learn more about her grandfather. She didn't think she would care about the program or the other students in it, especially when she felt so self-conscious and continued to barrel through the clues, hoping for an inheritance that could pay for college.

Gemma has "a different wavelength" that helps her with art and puzzles, but sometimes has her feeling left out in social situations. With this trip, she winds up reaching out to her roommate and other students, learning about her grandfather's life, and the Mandarin language itself. Along the way, clues reveal secrets that her grandfather had kept, and even about Xander's grandfather, as the two had known each other in Taipei. I appreciated the language lessons Gemma learned as the novel progressed because the ideograms make for great puns and visual clues. The city and neighboring towns are so vividly described, it's like we get to learn about it along with Gemma and get a chance to experience the discoveries with her. Just as she learns to trust in other people and relax, she also learns to appreciate the family she has and the legacy that they left behind. As the child of immigrants myself, her story really resonated with me, and I appreciate it that much more.

Thank you so much to Penguin Teen for the free copy of the book!

This book will be released on December 31st, 2024.

This was so cute! I don't normally read synopsis when I read book but I did read this one and I thought it sounded like a fun YA read. And it was!

Gemma was raised by a single mother with no connection to any of her family members. But Gemma learns that her grandfather died and left her a treasure to find. She is hoping to find inheritance at the end.

I love seeing Gemma explore Taiwan and learn about her culture! Her grandfather led her on such maze through the country! So many family secrets are unlocked and I felt bad because her mom kept him from her all her life. Gemma paired up with her middle school boyfriend Xander on the trip to help since his family was also involved in the hunt.

I know this is a young adult book but I was hoping for a wee bit more swooniness between Xander and Gemma. I did like that they talked about what cause their breakup 4 years prior and how it all pretty much ended over miscommunication. I like how they reconnected though over this treasure hunt.

If you are looking for an adventure YA through Taiwan filled with riddles and reconnections!

Gemma starts college in the fall and doesn't have enough money for it. She learns that her grandfather has passed away and that he left her a treasure hunt. She hopes on the other side is the money she needs for college and happily accepts the hunt. However, the only way she can go to the country the hunt is at, she needs to make allies with her ex-boyfriend. I was expecting way more than what the book gave. in my opinion, It took too long for Xander to be introduced fully to the hunt. I think I was a third through the book before he actually joined it. The romance also didn't feel believable to me and wasn't actually introduced till the last half of the book. There was also a slight love triangle, and that put me off a little. I also guessed the big plot twist at the end between Xander and Gemma's grandfathers. It was a good twist, but it didn't shock me as much because I guessed it.

I know Xander makes up names for Gemma that show that she isn't fun but one of mine is that she is a "fun sponge". She sucks up all the fun! She really wasn't that fun, and I wasn't attached to her. She was boring to me and for most of the book, she was mad at someone. it was either her mother, grandfather, or Xander and that got tiring very quickly. And if I see her mention one more time that she gets judged about her puzzle centered brain, I will scream. nobody ever cared or knew about her puzzle mind. That means that nobody ever made fun of her for it. That drove me crazy. However, there was one thing I liked about her. Her stress about money for college is something I am worrying about since I started college recently.

Xander was okay. You didn't really see a lot of him until he actually joins the hunt. Even then, I thought he didn't have anything that really stood out about him. All we know about him is from Gemma's pov, that obsesses about a cardboard dog and how he didn't take anything seriously. It would have been nice to get a Xander pov since his grandfather is included in the hunt.

The other characters were okay. Didn't really like any of them but also didn't hate them. They weren't really unique and only really were known for one thing. Some of them were annoying and I didn't know why a lot of them were there, except they had to be because of TARP.

It was an okay book. It wasn't anything unique to me but could be a five star to someone else! We all have different book tastes, and this just wasn't fit for me. I wish the characters were more developed, and that Xander was introduced to the hunt earlier than he was. overall, I just wanted more than what was given, and it just felt like a typical YA book to me.

Well-written and engaging; perfect for fans of young adult books. Definitely got Gilmore Girls vibes from the mother/daughter relationship. Give me a swoony-worthy enemies to lovers story any day.

A splendid and entertaining YA read! I think this is wonderfully written and will well received by younger readers.

Gloria Chao writes some of the sweetest, ooey gooiest YA rom-coms, her last being friends-to-lovers romance When You Wish Upon a Lantern. Her forthcoming novel goes the complete opposite direction, bringing on the witty banter and hate goggles in an enemies-to-lovers adventure. Ex Marks the Spot follows FMC Gemma and her ex-boyfriend/rival Xander as they travel to Taiwan to solve the puzzles her late grandfather left her. Puzzles that could possibly lead to an inheritance she desperately needs for college tuition.

Gemma is super reluctant to work with Xander, especially with their history, but even more so when she discovers that their grandfathers supposedly had a hostile history too. There are many secrets their families have kept from them, and the only way to unbury the truth is to unbury whatever treasure is waiting for them. Gemma is a serious, no-nonsense kind of girl, but with the help of Xander and the other students on this trip, she starts to see the beauty in slowing down. In stopping to smell the Niu Rou Mian. In just having fun. And with every step — every puzzle, clue, destination — she learns so much about her tragic family past… and about the boy she thought she hated.

I always enjoy the lively Asian culture in Gloria’s books, but it’s more fresh and exciting here, since Gemma is only now getting the chance to connect with her heritage. She’s seeing everything in a new light, and it definitely sings the theme of new beginnings. I loved how she gradually lowered her walls for Xander — their partnership was as cute as expected, full of cheesy puns and silly nicknames. A little too much cheesiness at times, but eh, I like my dorky couples. What did bother me was the kinda-sorta love triangle. It didn’t really go anywhere and didn’t need to be in the book, but it also didn’t take away from the charming romance. Nothing could take away from Gemma’s eye rolls and Xander’s smirks.

(Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the advanced galley!)

I liked this one better than WHEN YOU WISH UPON A LANTERN because it felt more genuine and wholehearted. It was definitely a love letter to Taiwan as much as it was to the grandparents who hid their secrets and buried them. I loved the treasure hunt and decoding the puzzles along with Gemma and Xander. I think this was done so well! It reminded me of my favorite Lily Chu’s books - a good romance with a good game/puzzle to get into. I didn’t like how there were some dead giveaways about the mystery of the grandfather’s life and how it felt like we the reader didn’t have to work hard to figure out the hints about the romance and the art scattered everywhere. Overall, this was a lovely book about Taiwan, family secrets, and ofc enemies-to-lovers.

gloria chao kills it again! i especially loved the themes of exploring asian american identity, and the puzzles were very fun and well-crafted

Ex Marks the Spot is about Gemma and as she discovers her family's legacy through a treasure hunt across Taiwan. This was a cute, refreshing read. The dynamic between Gemma and Xander was sweet and fun. What really pulls the story together is the foundation of family and culture, a thoughtful but exciting read.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao is a first person-POV YA contemporary second chance romance with themes of identity as it relates to your grandparents as well as your cultural heritage. Gemma and Xander dated four years ago before a science project tore them apart. Now, Gemma views them as rivals while Xander turns everything into a joke. When Gemma learns that her grandfather has passed and charged her with a bunch of puzzles to solve in Taiwan, she needs Xander to help her get there and solve the mystery her grandfather left behind.

As the child of an immigrant and an immigrant myself, I absolutely adored how Gloria Chao explored the full spectrum of how immigrant households do and do not pass on culture, language, attitudes, food, etc. Gemma’s mother has chosen assimilation so Gemma grew up with very little of her grandfather’s Taiwanese culture and Mandarin wasn’t spoken in her house. On the flip side, Xander can read Chinese and speaks Mandarin as well as having a pretty big knowledgebase of Taiwan. The other members on the trip with Gemma and Xander represent everything in between Xander and Gemma’s experiences: some grew up with American-style breakfasts and others grew up entirely on Chinese food, some can speak Mandarin and others only know bits and pieces. There is something very special about seeing all of these different ways immigrants are raised with and without their heritage in one book.

The puzzles do require some knowledge of Chinese characters to solve, but you do need a deeper knowledge of how Chinese languages work (such as homophones) and Taiwan in order to solve all of them. I’ve studied Japanese for a while so I could figure out some of the puzzles focused on the characters that I knew but was completely lost any time pronunciation came in or it required a knowledge of Taiwan beyond the very basic things that I knew. All of this gets tied into something very cool and also heartbreaking that Gloria Chao did with Gemma and Xander’s grandfather’s and I think a reader paying attention to the explanations can pick up on what is coming even without that deeper knowledge.

Gemma and Xander have one of my favorite romances in YA this year. Gemma sees patterns and loves puzzles in a way that really resonated with me as someone who is autistic. Meanwhile, there is something about how single-minded Xander can be while also being very caring and understanding even when he needs a minute that is exactly what Gemma needs. They work well together but they have a shared history that they need to analyze in order for them to actually come together and restart their relationship.

I would recommend this to teenage readers who are children or grandchildren of immigrants or immigrants themselves, readers who love a YA romance that also places emphasis on identity, and those looking for a more romance-focused contemporary book about solving puzzles

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for an electronic advanced readers copy of this novel.

Gemma is an overachiever, forced to do well in school in order to try to make a better life for herself. For as long as she can remember, she and her mom have been alone in the world. Gemma has an ex from junior high, another Asian called Alex, who has become super annoying Xander in high school. He seems to be always making fun of her for not knowing how to speak Taiwanese nor know enough about their culture. Forced to be co-valedictorians, Xander has the more popular speech and Gemma is ready to put him and high school behind her.

That all changes when a lawyer visits Gemma and her mom. It turns out her grandfather, who she thought had passed away long ago, had actually only recently died. Eager to learn more about her grandfather, she soon discovers that her inheritance is actually a series of puzzles she needs to solve, starting with her grandfather's apartment in Taiwan. With no way of getting there on her own, she begs Xander to let her in a Taiwanese heritage summer program, which takes high schoolers to Taiwan to discover their roots.

Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao is a fun and entertaining novel about family, being Asian and finding out who you are. The novel describes many interesting places in Taiwan and many delicious foods. I really enjoyed this and would recommend it to others - a quick and unique book!

Thank you, Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This beautifully written YA novel follows Gemma on a journey of self-discovery as she reconnects with her Asian heritage. The story blends a modern enemies-to-lovers romance with a treasure hunt steeped in cultural history and language. As Gemma unravels clues in Mandarin, readers are introduced to rich aspects of Asian culture—food, traditions, and language—making it both an immersive and informative experience.

The romance, slow-burning and rooted in mutual growth, adds depth to the plot. The historical context of same-sex persecution in the 1960s and 70s adds an emotional layer to the characters’ personal struggles.

The treasure hunt is engaging, intricate, and cleverly tied to Gemma’s quest for identity, making the book both a thrilling and heartwarming read

I enjoyed this enemies to lovers read! It was well paced and I really enjoyed all the puzzles. I wish I could visit all the places that were visited and I would love to try all the food because it all sounded so amazing

Gloria Chao’s Ex Marks the Spot is a charming, witty rom-com that effortlessly blends humor, romance, and personal growth. The characters are vibrant and relatable, with a delightful enemies-to-lovers dynamic that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Chao masterfully explores themes of love, forgiveness, and finding your own path, making this a perfect pick for fans of heartwarming and fun reads. A delightful escape with plenty of heart!

What a fun journey of self-exploration with puzzle-solving, travel-discovering, and enemies-to-lovers-ing! Despite some silly (but minor) miscommunication, Gemma and Xander's relationship unfolds beautifully; I was cheering for them by the end. Also, I REALLY want to visit Taiwan now...

This was a fun scavenger hunt YA story set in Taiwan. Gemma's grandfather, who she never knew, dies and his will sends her on a scavenger hunt in Taiwan, a place she's never been and a culture her mother never introduced her to. With the help of her ex-boyfriend (who she still very much dislikes), she goes on to solve riddles and learn more about both her grandfather and herself. I enjoyed this one quite a bit; I was learning right along with Gemma, and I loved being immersed in the culture of Taiwan. It was fast-paced and had a fun group of characters. There was also a very fun twist that comes out in the last third of the book. I recommend this one, especially for fans of LOVEBOAT, TAIPEI.

This book had me laughing from the very first chapter! Gemma is such a fun character, and her tension with Xander is so obvious—they definitely still have a thing for each other. After discovering that her mom has been hiding a huge family secret, Gemma decides to join a group called TARP (led by Xander) on a trip to Taiwan. The goal? To uncover the truth about her long-lost family and the treasure she believes her grandpa left behind.

Throughout the journey, Gemma meets a cast of amazing people, and her growing connection with Xander is absolutely adorable. The family secrets are intriguing, and the adventure was so engaging that I didn’t want it to end. It’s a thrilling read with humor, heart, and plenty of surprises!