This book was enjoyable!

I loved the writing and the story and the adventure it took the characters on. I loved how it discussed culture and even if I'm not Chinese like the main character, I could relate to some aspects as half Hispanic. The romance wad sweet and even though it took a little to get into, it was a fun read.

Thank you NetGalley for and E-ARC

The story is fine! In the end it didn't re-invent anything, but it was a cute YA romcom that I think a lot of people will relate to and absolutely enjoy. We need more stories like this one, and I'm happy they're being made.

This was a cute, yet heartwarming YA novel about coming of age and discovering your roots, along with an enemies-to-lovers slash second-chance travel romance. I know that's a mouthful, but this book is all of that and it works. It's full of compelling language, all told from MC Gemma's point of view, and ends up reading quite quickly It's fun and cut, but also has a ton of heart. Plus, there's a family twist that was completely unexpected but absolutely adorable. Like, I was desperate to figure out how this book would end.

“I am a mix of all my experiences.”
🗺️
Gemma has had to struggle her whole life. She grew up with a single mom who works multiple jobs and now just graduated in a valedictorian tie with her ex-boyfriend. At the same time she learns her mother’s father has died and left her something in his will. Gemma learns it’s the beginning of a treasure hunt that takes place in Taipei. She hates to do it, but ends up begging her ex, Xander, to let her into a summer abroad program so she can afford to go. Once there it turns out she and Xander must work together in order to find the treasure at the end. The journey ends up being more than the two bargained for.
❌
Oh my goodness! This was such a well-researched & well-written YA romance book. I loved learning so much about Taipei and its surrounding locations. It felt like I was there too. Fans of Loveboat Taipei and The Inheritance Games will love this novel as I believe it’s a great blending of what made both those series’ so good. Gloria Chao how did you think of all those clues?!Amazing! Also, I got very teary at the end. Tropes include #enemiestolovers #secondchanceromance, travel, & treasure hunt. This title releases December 31!

CW: death of a grandparent, abandonment, classism, grief, generational trauma

Knowing nothing of Taiwanese culture, I was amazed at how well Gloria Chao was able to weave it within the overall structure of exes to enemies to friends to lovers - all with an incredible puzzle structure that kept me hooked even more so than that aspect.

The concept of family, identity, and acceptance is one that I'm constantly trying to integrated in my classroom library, and the intersectionality of this title makes it a perfect choice to have on shelves.

Oh, my god. A new favorite. A romance with a bit of adventure and longing? Perfection. I need more like… right now would be nice.

Super cute and charming for anyone looking for a light read. The pacing and writing are spot-on for a teen YA. However, the clues did feel a little too convoluted to be unraveled by two teenagers. Thanks to penguin teen for an advanced copy!!

While the plot was different, this story reminded me of A Banh Mi For Two, which I really enjoyed. I really enjoyed Ex Mark's the Spot. While the story is centered around two teens are, essentially, rebelling against their mothers there were so many enjoyable elements. I really loved how this book explores Chinese culture and how this was interwoven into Gemma's experiences and perspective while Xander provides more context. The author did a good job of illustrating this sk it felt natural and interesting as the reader. Speaking of Gemma and Xander, they were well-developed and interesting characters. I was glad we got to see them grow individually, conjointly, as well as see the growth in their relationships with their mothers. Also, I don't want to spoil too much of the story,but the mytstery and puzzle elements of the story were a nice added touch that was enjoyable to read.

I love a good puzzle and following the story and clues with the main characters in this book was really fun. I enjoyed it being set in a different country, and I enjoyed trying to visualize the places they visited. I enjoy stories where people connect with who they are and where their family comes from. The stories of multiple generations and families were woven throughout and some were heartbreaking. I think I'd read this again, and it was a fun ARC that wasn't even on my radar. Thank you NetGalley!

thank you to NetGalley and to Penguin Teen for the ARC!

Ex Marks the Spot follows Gemma Sun, who finds a puzzle in her grandfather's will that sends her on a treasure hunt through Taiwan with her ex. She discovers hidden family secrets and learns about her identity, heritage, and future.

This was a quick, easy but very fun read! I loved the premise of this and how I felt completely submersed in Taiwans culture. It truly made me want to book a ticket so I could try all the yummy food they had!

I'm a mature woman reading this teen/young adult book clearly targeted for that demographic. I loved it, though. I enjoyed the introduction to Chinese culture and places as experienced through Gemma., while learning more from Xander's explanations. The tension between these two, as well as their chemistry, is palpable. The teens are both rebelling against their mothers, but this trip to explore their origins brings them closer - to their mothers, to each other, and amongst the two families. The food descriptions were interesting but I couldn't relate since I'm of German/Russian origin. The puzzles and the treasure hunt, however, are the highlight of this tale. There are numerous different types of puzzles to solve, and all were part of this exciting adventure. If I was Gemma, I would have been thrilled to learn more about my Grandfather in such a novel and exciting way! I was carried along as the hunt progressed, excited about the next steps - all while still absorbing the different culture.

Spoiler: Throughout the whole story, Gemma never gave her Grandfather any credit for being the wronged party. in her family. When her mother got pregnant, she never gave him the opportunity to support her - she just fled and never looked back. All of Gemma's hardships were because of her mother's decisions - where is the accountability there?

Anyway, other than disliking Gemma's mother, I loved this adventure! It was exciting and fun, and it was heartwarming!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Reader Group for giving me the opportunity to read and review an early copy!

Ex Marks The Spot is a young adult book filled with enemies-to-lovers, self-discovery, exploring one’s roots and a fantastic treasure hunt that proves not everything is truly as it seems.

When Gemma Sun receives a letter from her estranged grandfather sending her on a treasure hunt that forces her to work with her ex. This book was absolutely adorable! So well researched and so deeply touching. The book was fast paced, funny and gave such a beautiful insight into Taiwan and the culture.

I think this book did a wonderful job at portraying the feelings you have when you realize you know nothing about the place you’ve come from. Even if you do not come from Asian descent I feel like that’s an emotion that many children of immigrants experience in their lifetime and Gloria did an excellent job at putting those emotions into words!

Ex Marks the Spot is overall an excellent and emotional book that is a love letter to Gloria Choa’s culture that comes across so deeply in her writing!

3.5 stars! ~ this was a quick fun read that I enjoyed very much. I love the elements it took on discussing asian cultures, upbringings and assimilation when it comes to immigrant families/parents. Overall this was a quick fun read. I wish the angst and banter frm Xander and Gemma were a little bit more fleshed out and background of their relationship could have been more explored. Otherwise entertaining read!

This is such a cute and heartwarming story. Gloria Chao cleverly combines the adrenaline of a treasure hunt with Gemma learning about her culture and her grandfather who she never knew. Requiring her ex to solve the treasure hunt and having their pasts inextricably linked works really well with the enemies to lovers story.

I read this in one sitting and felt like I was there beside Gemma as she navigated growing up and making friends and understanding and making peace with her mother while also navigating a foreign country. Luckily she has a great group of fellow summer program students there with her to help with both the treasure hunt and with connecting to her Chinese culture that her mom always kept her separate from.

Highly recommend this one. It's a lot of fun and the treasure hunt to discover Gemma's grandfather's past adds a level of excitement and intrigue that other learning-about-your-past-and-culture books don't always manage.

*Thanks to Viking Books for Young Readers for providing an early copy for review.

"Ex Marks the Spot" by Gloria Chao is the kind of YA book that feels like a comforting rom-com marathon mixed with an epic treasure hunt—it's adventurous, swoony, and has just the right amount of family drama to keep you hooked. Honestly, who doesn’t love a good rivals-to-lovers situation, especially when it involves a high-stakes hunt for a mysterious inheritance in Taiwan?

Our main girl, Gemma, gets a major curveball when she finds out her long-lost grandfather just passed away and, oh, by the way, there's a treasure hunt involved. The twist? She has to travel to Taiwan to follow the clues, which means reaching out to her ex and former high school nemesis, Xander. Cue the awkward tension and lots of reluctant teamwork vibes. But it’s also kind of perfect—because you can practically feel their bickering turning into something much cuter as the pages turn.

The adventure in Taiwan is where the magic really happens. Gloria Chao brings Taipei to life with all its hustling bustling night markets, colorful temples, and mouth watering food. It’s like you’re right there alongside Gemma and Xander, figuring out clues, stuffing your face with street food, and getting swept up in the city’s vibrant energy. And let’s be real, it’s not just about solving puzzles—the trip becomes a journey for Gemma to discover her roots, connect with the culture she never knew, and uncover some pretty touching family secrets along the way.

As for Xander, he’s definitely more than just Gemma’s annoying high school rival. We get to see his sweet, caring side as they navigate this wild treasure hunt, and their chemistry is so fun to watch develop. They go from bantering to having real heart-to-hearts, and the slow burn between them makes you want to cheer them on the whole way.

The treasure hunt itself is a blast—think puzzles that keep you guessing, twists that keep the stakes high, and emotional discoveries at every turn. But the real treasure isn’t just the inheritance (shocker!)—it’s all the things Gemma learns about her family, her late grandfather, and herself. It’s kind of the perfect mix of adventure and heartfelt growth.

This book is light, emotional, and filled with just enough twists and sparks to make it impossible to put down. This book is all about adventure, love, and finding your place—even if it means roping in your ex along the way.

This was a wonderful tale from start to finish! I HAD to finish it in one go because my mind wouldn't let me think of anything else. The riddles/puzzles that covered both Chinese and English were ones that I'd never heard of before and didn't even know was possible. The descriptions of Taiwan and the night markets made me feel like I was back chowing down on all my favorite eats and the whiff of stinky tofu on the breeze. I LOVED this and would highly recommend it for you!

Gemma Sun has always believed it was her and her mom against the world. But when she unexpectedly learns that her grandfather has recently passed- a grandfather she believed had died when she was much younger- Gemma begins to question everything she ever knew. Her grandfather set up a treasure hunt in his will and Gemma is determined to complete it, even if it means dealing with her academic rival.

This was an absolutely fantastic read. I would have completed it sooner, but I just didn't want it to end. There were a couple moments in the beginning where I almost couldn't keep reading. I am very susceptible to secondhand embarrassment and YA novels tend to use that frequently. But it was a nice change in pace that this one only had a couple moments.

I loved the growth that all of our characters gain throughout the novel, no matter how small of a role they played. There were multiple characters that were dealing with figuring out what their Taiwanese heritage meant to them, and they each found themselves in ways that worked for each of them. And in terms of our heroine, Gemma's character developed in multiple ways. She connects with her heritage after growing up completely Americanized, her relationship with her mother is both weakened and strengthened, and she even learns more about her rival.

Also, I am an absolute sucker for a good treasure hunt. And this one was a well thought out hunt that felt reminiscent of National Treasure. The ultimate conclusion of the hunt was so satisfying. Plus, adding a dash of potential romance and you can't really go wrong!

If Gloria Chao's other works are as beautifully written as this, then I will absolutely be reading more!

This started off so promisingly. The main character’s inner thoughts were quite funny to read about and I liked the writing style. I also liked seeing Taiwan as Gemma learned about her homeland and all the descriptions of food were making me hungry!

However, this lost quite a bit of steam for me toward the middle and through to the end. I didn’t think Gemma and Xander had much chemistry, and they didn’t really spend much time together until later in the book. I also found the clues of the scavenger hunt to be totally random and obscure and yet somehow two teenagers were able to piece them together with little difficulty. This felt like it was trying to emulate the twists and turns of The Inheritance Games but these clues were just so vague that it made the scavenger hunt hard to follow.

Overall this wasn’t a bad book, but I was expecting more from it than what I got, particularly from the scavenger hunt aspects.

I don't even know where to begin with how much I loved this book. Intertwined with a fun mystery and young love, there are really thought provoking topics and insights. When Gemma and Xander graduate high school, the nemeses have no reason to see each other again, until Gemma's grandfather dies and sends her on a treasure hunt half way around the world that may or may not have an actual treasure at the end. This is worth every word!

Chao has been hit or miss for me and, in this book started out feeling a lot like a miss. Gemma starts out as a sympathetic character, someone who isn't perfect but seems to always play second fiddle to Xander. Xander is played up as the typical foil. But as the story starts to unfold, I found myself disliking Gemma the more I warmed up to Xander, and I"m not sure that was the objective of the story. I was probably 100 pages from the end when I kind of got back to rooting for Gemma to find the "treasure." And I did hope that it was all she wanted. Maybe it was the point where she and Xander find out the truth about their grandfathers.

But overall, the book was enjoyable. The quest parts felt a little too much, and I had to take most of them on fait, because I really didn't care one way or another about how they got from point A to B to C. I also figured out most of the plot twists, including the big reveal at the end. So, anti climatic I guess, although the fact that the big reveal was in the epilogue 5 months after leads me to believe that Chao didn't really care if I figured it out before and was underwhelmed at that point.

The characters are enjoyable enough. The relationships are believable. And the secondary players remain secondary which is just fine.

So, while I didn't think this would get a 4 star from me, in the end, I bumped it up because the ending was satisfying and worked through some of the things that had irritated me throughout. But there were huge chunks when they were figuring out the clues when I really just wanted to skip ahead.