I enjoyed this book. I felt that the plot was interesting and I loved the adventure in it. I thought that the program that Gemma was a part of reminded me of Loveboat Taipei where they go with the program in order to connect with their culture but when they get to Taiwan there is a bit of leniency with how they are supposed to be acting.

I did not enjoy the writing itself that much though. I felt as though often the same thing would be repeated over and over in order to cement in whatever thing she was trying to say and the writing was very direct where if this thing is happening then this thing is said. I also felt as though Gemma was very quick to judge. She and Xander had their problems and she did not let it go for years. Her mom doesn't tell her a couple things cause she thought she was doin the best for her daughter and Gemma immediately can not let it go and repeatedly makes remarks on how she doesn't even know if she can trust what her mother says because she lied to her that one time.

I really loved seeing all the bits of Taiwan though. The food descriptions were mouth watering and it made me wan to go and explore a new country.

A delightful blend of mystery, romance, and self-discovery!

This story follows Gemma Sun, who journeys to Taiwan to uncover family secrets, only to find herself having to go to her ex-lover/now rival, Xander, who helps her with navigating the complexities of family secrets and more.

The chemistry between Gemma and Xander was electric! Their witty banter brought humor and lightness to the story. Once I got into this, I could not stop turning the page!

A fast-paced, unputdownable read full of humor, heart, friendship, and the love between family. I’d love to see this into an adaptation one day…

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾!

As someone who loves Gloria Chao, I was super excited to read Ex Marks the Spot. While it wasn't my favorite release of hers, I still really enjoyed it. I appreciated the humor and witty banter between Gemma and Xander. I also appreciated the themes of family, travel, friendship, identity and all the yummy descriptions of the food in Taiwan. I recommend this book for high school library collections.

I loved learning about Taiwan and Chinese culture, as well as connecting with Gemma and Xander, the main characters. The use of the puzzles and art and the location were lovely. It was such a well-told story about family, complications, and history.

Gemma has always seen things in different wavelengths, has been told she doesn’t know how to have fun, and was raised more American than Chinese. When a lawyer comes knocking with her grandfather’s will, who she was told by her mother died years ago, finds out he died two weeks ago and left a will with a puzzle to solve. Gemma loves puzzles and is determined to solve it hoping there is an inheritance at the end, that could help her pay for college and bills. The only thing, she now has to travel to Taiwan and the only way is to convince her ex to add her to his program so she can go without paying out of pocket.

This was a very fun read! I love puzzles, and although I couldn’t get the puzzles, I enjoyed the ride and thrills that came along with it!

I loved that this was more than just a treasure hunt. With Gemma coming out of her shell, gaining new friends, learning about herself, her family and her heritage, and finding lost love again. It had such a sad story included within this story, and made Gemma’s story all the more beautiful learning about her grandfather and doing it alongside her nemesis and previous love.

I also enjoyed how the romance played out because it wasn’t immediate. They had their ups and downs as the story progressed before they truly explained their feelings, and they just needed this adventure in order to be brave and do that!

There was also a lot of fun learning about the sites and food they ate in Taiwan. Makes me want to go visit one day!

I definitely recommend this one especially if you enjoy puzzles and treasure hunting!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ex Marks the Spot was SUCH a treat to read. A (I would call it) rivals-to-lovers treasure hunt on the other side of the globe. And while this story is technically a treasure hunt, it is mostly an exploration of self, identity, and culture. It deals with the heavy topic of estranged family, and personal struggles. I loved that the story didn’t just cover one person’s struggles, but many characters. You see various hardships through the lens of time, and strict cultural upbringings, whether that leads to rejection of the culture, or the enforcing of it, and what that means to a first- or second-generation American teenager. I just really resonated with Gemma as a character and loved her as a lead. I don’t want to go into any spoilers, because I think the unfolding of what happens in Taiwan, is obviously the fun part of the book.

Highly recommend this one. 😊

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the advanced copy of this novel to read pre-release. (I loved it!)

Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao is a contemporary YA that follows two rivals on a treasure hunt that spans the globe. Gemma Sun has spent her life wishing for more family and to learn more about her Taiwanese culture. It is her and her mom against the world because as far as she knew her grandparents were gone. But when a lawyer shows up with the contents of her grandfather’s will, she’s shocked to learn that he only just passed, and he’s left a clue to a scavenger hunt for her to know him better. The only catch….she has to travel to Taiwan, and her best chance of getting there is asking her high school rival and ex-boyfriend for help.

Gemma is an interesting character. Her growth throughout the story is what struck a chord with me. The story opens on her high school graduation. Gemma is excited and nervous about what the next chapter in her life will bring her. However her nerves stem from not knowing how she will afford it. Her mom already works two jobs to care for them, Gemma can’t ask her for more. So when the lawyer shows up with news about her grandfather and the first clue to a scavenger hunt, she hopes that an inheritance is at the end.

Traveling to Taiwan is a bonus. She’s always felt less than because she doesn’t know her culture. Her mom wanted to fully assimilate which means they didn’t eat Taiwanese foods or speak the language. So asking Xander for help is a blow to her ego. Xander is from the same culture except he speaks fluently their language and knows their customs and foods. She feels insecure around him, asking for his help. Xander has formed a program called TARP, which is going for two weeks to Taiwan to explore the culture. He initially is reluctant to help her, but surprises her with an expenses paid trip.

I loved the immersive nature of the book. The author does a fantastic job of using the appropriate language and then saying what it is so that as the book goes and Gemma is learning so are you as the reader. The scavenger hunt/treasure hunt adds some mystery and intrigue to the story. Gemma has always loved puzzles, and it seems so did her grandfather. I loved figuring them out with her, and it is something she shares with Xander. Their relationship builds naturally throughout the book. The enmity that is between them seems mostly one sided, and it is through Gemma’s maturing that she recognizes that.

Overall, I really enjoyed Ex Marks the Spot. I loved the setting and how the author introduces and immerses us into the culture. The treasure hunt was so much fun, and the romance that buds between Gemma and Xander is sweet. If you are a fan of puzzles, romance, and travel, I highly recommend it.

Audiobook Note: I also received an ALC of this book so I listened as I followed along at my normal 2x speed. The narrator is great. I liked listening as I personally struggle with languages and get stuck on pronunciations. It was nice to be able to hear how certain words were pronounced. If you are a fan of listening, I highly recommend it.

"Ex Marks the Spot" is a witty and engaging adventure that blends humor, romance, and mystery seamlessly. The protagonist’s journey is filled with charming quirks and relatable struggles, making her both endearing and compelling. The plot is fast-paced, with unexpected twists and moments of lighthearted fun that keep the reader hooked. The author’s writing style is clever, with sharp dialogue and vivid descriptions. While the romance is enjoyable, it sometimes feels predictable, and a few side characters could have been developed further. Overall, it's a delightful and entertaining read that will appeal to fans of romantic comedies with a touch of adventure.

I wasn't sure about this book at first but I grew to like it. It was interesting to see Gemma learn all about her grandfather and what he did with his life. It wasn't as much of a romance as the title and description suggest but that didn't bother me at all. I enjoyed seeing her learn about her culture and all of her families secrets.

I received an arc through netgalley.

I am not the typical reader for YA, but EX MARKS THE SPOT by Gloria Chao has changed me with a terrific story that is engaging, relatable even though I have never been to Asia nor experienced many of the thrills and disasters of the amazing Gemma Sun -- a wry-voiced and appealing protagonist forced into close proximity with her despised ex to resolve questions of her identity and heritage. I loved Gemma and enjoyed her banter with clever, witty Xander -- their opposition felt natural as did their working together on a treasure hunt and evolving their relationship past petty assumptions and asides. I enjoyed the settings, the food, the relationships, the entire experience of this fast-moving, tightly wrought story. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

Ex Marks the Spot is a second standalone novel by Gloria Chao and was an adventurously wild ride!

I love that even though it starts with high school, it is not a teenage story. While they are teenagers, they are adult teens and go on an interestingly wild adventure and journey. This makes the dynamic of the characters much different than expected and I’m so here for it!

Not to mention the location being in Taiwan and Gemma being fairly new to it! As well as the various other locations that come into play as the story progresses. It pulls me into the ride as well. I love the family secrets that have yet to be discovered or uncovered I should say. As well as things turning into a treasure hunt in the process.

Let’s not forget the puzzles! I’m a puzzle girl and anytime I have the chance to solve something, especially when it is intertwined with a story and helps to push the narrative forward, or backwards, I’m diving in. Puzzles add to the adventure and help build the relationships overall, so yes please!

I didn’t know what to expect going into this book, but I’m glad I chose to read this. It was lots of fun. Plus the romance. 😉

I can easily see this being adapted into a movie or series.

Who doesn’t love a good rivals to lovers story? This would be great for readers 15 or older due to the nature of the story and the characters’ ages. It’s a fun adventure and romance melted into one and would be enjoyed by many. I highly recommend checking it out.

Other books to read are When You Wish Upon a Lantern, Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes, and The Inheritance Game

*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of Ex Marks the Spot from Gloria Chao via NetGalley

One thing you should know about me: YA books with scavenger hunts are auto-reads. That is exactly how Ex Marks The Spot ended up on my TBR.

As much as I love reading about scavenger hunts, Gemma’s mystery-filled trip to Taipei and everything that ensued still has me scratching my head. Happy coincidences happen frequently in YA contemporary novels, but nothing could have prepared me for how well this scavenger hunt worked out.

To put it simply, the hunt is entertaining but highly unbelievable.

Despite the almost impossible circumstances of this trip, I loved the chance to get to know a bit about Taipei. Food books are another must-read for me, so reading about countless delicious-sounding dishes was such a highlight. Also, the setting led to deep talks about the Asian diaspora and the different ways a person can be Asian American which made me so happy.

All in all, Ex Marks The Spot is a fun read that I’d recommend to:

- anyone looking to experience secondhand adventure
- readers looking to summer vibes to chase away the winter weather
- people debating which vacation destination should be next (hint hint: it’s Taipei)

Bottom line: If my next reviews are out of schedule, it’s because I’m having the time of my life in Taipei; thank you to Gloria Chao for the inspiration.

Huge Thanks to Penguin Group (Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers) and NetGalley for the ARC! 💖✨ Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao is dropping on Dec 31, 2024, and it's 384 pages of adventure, culture, and a sprinkle of romance! 🌟

✨ Tropes & Themes ✨
✧ Enemies to Lovers 💘
✧ Second Chance Romance 💋
✧ Treasure Hunt 🗺️
✧ Family Secrets 🕵️‍♀️
✧ Cultural Exploration 🍜
✧ Rivals to Lovers 💖
✧ Misunderstandings 🤦‍♀️

Okay, so I was so hyped for Ex Marks the Spot—treasure hunt, Taiwan, family secrets... What could possibly go wrong, right? Well... turns out, it just wasn’t my vibe. 😅 As a huge puzzle and mystery lover, I was expecting an epic scavenger hunt, but the puzzles? They didn’t really hit the mark for me. They were kinda convoluted and hard to follow, leaving me more confused than intrigued. 🧩💫

Now, let’s talk about Taiwan! The cultural aspects were EVERYTHING. 😍 The setting was so vibrant, and I loved how Gemma explored all the delicious food. 🍲 If the book had focused more on that and less on the confusing puzzles, I would've been all in!

As for the romance... I needed ALL the Gemma and Xander moments! 😍 But noooo, we had Brett swooping in and stealing the first kiss (like, Gemma—what are you doing?! 😩). The chemistry just wasn’t there for me, and it was a little disappointing that Gemma and Xander didn’t have more screen time together.

The rivalry? Built on a misunderstanding. Classic, but also a bit overdone, you know? 🤷‍♀️ It kinda felt like a missed opportunity for more character depth and development. 😔

Overall, this was a fun, quick read if you're looking for something light and breezy. Would I recommend it? Sure! But if you’re into puzzles that’ll make you think or a slow-burn romance, this might not be your jam. 💕

This was cute for the age demographic! Loved the enemies to lovers story and connecting with your native roots. And who doesn’t love a good treasure hunt??? This was so entertaining and inspiring!

Fresh from graduating high school, Gemma has her life turned upside down. She finds out that her grandfather, who she thought had been dead for years, recently passed and left her a clue for a treasure hunt. Reeling from the lies from her mother, Gemma decides to join a group going to Taiwan so she can uncover the truth. This group has her ex-boyfriend/rival, Xander, in it so I knew we were going to get some very entertaining scenes. With each clue she unravels we find out more about the family that Gemma never even knew. And she has to find help from her ex or she will never figure it all out.

I adored this book, anything with puzzles and finding oneself I just love. The romance is not the main focus which I am thankful for, this is all about Gemma's adventure. Some of these parts to her adventure will lift you up while another might break your heart. I was cheering her along the entire time and devoured the book in less than 24 hours. If you are a fan of young adult books with lots of adventure, you need to pick this one up.

"Ex Marks the Spot" is a heartwarming YA story set in Taiwan that is sure to satisfy those who enjoy coming-of-age stories. The main character gets entangled in a family feud and struggles to reconcile with their identity. The story explores diaspora identity and the search for oneself.

Gloria Chao’s “Ex Marks the Spot” is a great read about Gemma and her Taiwanese heritage. There are some aspects of the story that seemed a bit unbelievable to me, but I really enjoyed the treasure hunt, which is a fun aspect of this story and is a great way to keep things moving along. If you need a fun book to read, give “Ex Marks the Spot” a try.

I have always enjoyed learning about Chinese/Asian culture. This is a beautifully written tale about a young woman, Gemma Sun, and her desire to know about her heritage. Her mother is of the opposite opinion; that they assimilate to the American culture that Gemma was born into and not look back.

Gemma, a young lady raised by a single mother, understands what sacrifice is. She knows what hard work is. She has always aimed to get good grades and not make trouble in order to reach her end goal of getting into a good university. She is thrown a curve ball when she is given her grandfather's will and sets out on an adventure of a lifetime. She embarks on a journey of discovery. Will she finally know where her cultural roots are? Will she learn more about the Grandfather she never really knew? What treasures will she unearth?

This is truly a magical story all about discovering that things aren't always black and white. There are many shades of grey. It's about turning one's preconceived notions on their end. The writing style has the story flowing like a winding river and taking the reader along on a rafting adventure through the calm placid waters and the turbulent, bubbling areas to hopefully land on firm shores with knowledge and acceptance.

This story was so cute. You could definitely tell that it was a young adult Romance based on how the characters were interacting with each other. There was a lot of tension between the two main characters, but it each led them to discover the main problems that they were trying to find out.

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!