I absolutely love when I can recognize people I know (or even myself) in book characters, and that happened to me while reading Gloria Chao’s newest novel: Ex Marks the Spot. From the opening chapter when we meet our ‘enemies’ I recognized two of my friends, though I can pretty much guarantee that they won’t end up together, lol. Nor either of them be setting off on the wondrous, puzzle filled adventure to learn about their family’s past any time soon, but that is most definitely what happens for Gemma and Xander. This was my first introduction to Ms. Chao’s work and I have to say it has left me quite impressed. I look forward to checking out more of her work real soon. If you enjoy some adventure in romance or some romance in your adventure, definitely check this one out. I’d like to thank PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of Ex Marks the Spot.

Ex Marks the Spot takes readers on the journey of a lifetime with a lovably naive young character. It combines challenging puzzles and vibrant cultural touches with romance, mystery, and a whole lot of family drama for a read that’s fun-filled and entirely satisfying.

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery.

Before I start my review on this amazing book, I’d like to thank NetGalley and publishers for allowing me to read the arc.

4.7 ⭐️

I read this a couple days ago and it’s all I think about. I loved the portrayal of the mother-daughter relationship and Gemma’s struggle after graduation. The embarrassing, heartfelt, and upsetting moments made me feel like I was in the room with them. I never got bored reading it because of how fast-paced it was! The plot twists and clues kept me on the edge of my seat with the adventure she went on to learn about her late grandfather.

As the story progresses, we meet Xander, her ex-boyfriend who got on Gemma’s every nerve but as they inevitably worked together on the puzzles, she realizes she might not be the only one who regrets the breakup. I love that he teaches her to have fun and appreciate everything around her. She learns that she does not need to handle all the burdens of her life by herself and that she can have the freedom to embrace her inner child, which was unfortunately taken away at a young age. The tension between Gemma and Xander was amazing and the ending was everything I could ask for between them! If you loved The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, then this is perfect for you!

This book includes:
Rivals to Lovers
Adventure
Mystery
Rom-com
Plot Twists
and much more!

Gloria has never disappointed me and I think this may be my favorite book of hers yet. What a wonderful was to end 2024. Heart warming, touching, family dynamics, learning who you are in this world...It had everything. Absolutely stunning

4.25 stars

A heartfelt story about both connecting with your roots and treasuring the family you have built. Gemma has always felt disconnected from her Taiwanese heritage because of her single mom’s insistence that they adapt to American ways and customs, which left her feeling like she wasn’t Chinese enough or American enough for either culture. She also has long felt a sense of competition with and resentment towards her former friend/boyfriend Xander, who seems like he has the perfect family, a connection to his heritage, and an easy path in life, which he takes for granted. Of course, things aren’t always what they seem, and while following the puzzles the grandpa she never met left for her in his will, Gemma and Xander learn more about both themselves and their grandfathers’ pasts, and also experience a change in attitude about how they can look towards their futures.

I’m not a big fan of miscommunication in general, so I lot of Gemma and Xander’s conflict was frustrating to me, but I realize other people’s words and actions can be hard to interpret, especially when you’re a teenager, and one on the autism spectrum, which I suspect Gemma is. <spoiler>I feel so bad for both kids in this situation. They spent 3+ years apart because Gemma assumed a fight meant their relationship was over (I’m assuming based on what she’d seen from her mother’s relationship with her family and others), and Xander assumed it was just a fight they’d get over, and didn’t realize how badly Gemma was hurt. After that point, everything was misinterpreted: what Xander thought were olive branches being ignored or pushed aside, Gemma thought were pointed attacks she was doing her best to weather. I’m so glad they were able to finally be truthful and honest with one another, because they are clearly both happier that way.</spoiler>

The conversation the TARP kids have about their grandparents was really fascinating - it’s so true that when we’re young, we often don’t think of our parents or grandparents as distinct people with lives and histories of their own. So often, we don’t get the chance to know them as humans before they’re gone, so it’s important to treasure those connections when we can - provided they are loving and uplifting. It was really special getting to know Gemma’s Gong Gong throughout their treasure hunt journey, and seeing how much he cared about those around him and regretted some of his past decisions. I’ve been to some of these places in Taiwan and can picture the beauty and serenity of them, particularly Sun Moon Lake. <spoiler>I’m so glad that Gong Gong was able to be as truthful as he could be about his life and his past, even though he felt like it had to wait until after his death to be revealed.</spoiler>

I think my biggest frustration with the characters in this book was with Gemma’s mom. She is clearly a loving, caring, hardworking person, but I believe she made a mistake when she kept Gemma from her heritage and her grandfather, and that was hard to see. No one is perfect, though, and she does acknowledge the error eventually and regret it, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Luckily Gemma grows to the point that she can confront her mom and discuss their feelings openly, repairing and strengthening their relationship instead of allowing hurt and resentment to fester and separate them.

There’s also an interesting discussion about legacy - does it matter if your name lives beyond you? What if you are an artist? Is it enough if your art is recognized as brilliant if no one knows that you are the creator?

All in all, this is definitely one I would recommend, especially to young adults and others who are interested in stories about the children of immigrants, reconnecting with lost heritage, and found family.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy of this ebook for review purposes.

I only made it to page 120 before I decided I just couldn’t finish it. The writing was good and I loved all the cultural references included but I just couldn’t get into the story. The main character came across a little whiny and the puzzles that Gong Gong put together just seemed really far fetched.

In this enemies-to-lovers treasure hunt adventure across the globe, Gemma learns about the meaning of family and what she is truly capable of.

The relationship between Xander and Gemma was believable, relatable, sweet, iluminating, and the slow burn I needed in my life. I love that the story was not centered around the romantic aspects, but they were like a delicious sidedish.

The settings were vibrant and picturesque, and I loved how much I learned about Taipei! The author put special "easter egg"places and dishes that are special memories with her parents and their home. This fact made me love the story even more than I already did.

The scavenger hunt aspects were fun! The clues and puzzles were clever! Even the title of this book is more clever than you might first think.

And that cover! Those colors are stunning, and the artist captured the essence of Gemma and Xander to a T.

Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Books for the Advanced Reader Copy!

"Ex Marks the Spot" follows recent high school graduate Gemma Sun just as her summer vacation before heading off to college starts. She has everything figured out; she is going to find a summer job to help her single mother pay her pricey college tuition when one day she opens the door and meets a lawyer who says that her grandfather passed away... but Gemma was always told that her grandfather died years ago! After taking the will and a mysterious clue to a supposed scavenger hunt for his inheritance, Gemma embarks on an adventure in Taiwan to not only find the treasure at the end but also learn more about the grandfather she never knew she had! The catch? She needs the help of her nemesis, her charming ex-boyfriend!

Admittedly, I thought this book would be full of corny "I hate my ex but I still love him" tropes and solely focus on trying to rekindle the romance. However, I was wrong! The book was more about Gemma's connection to her culture and her drive to learn more about her estranged family which I felt was the much stronger part of the narrative. While I am not of Asian descent, I resonated a lot with Gemma's longing to feel more connected to her family's cultural identity. Many of the realizations Gemma had about herself and her ties to her family and culture almost moved me to tears multiple times! I personally loved learning more about Taiwanese culture and places mainly because of how well Gloria Chao wrote them! I could really envision all the places Gemma visited and could feel how much heart Gloria put into describing them. Also, despite how hesitant I was about the romance portions, I did enjoy them. Nothing felt too forced or rushed; everything made sense to where Gemma was emotionally in the book. The multiple twists in the scavenger hunt and the grandfather's past really threw me for a loop, and I enjoyed it! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!

"Ex Marks the Spot" is truly a one-of-a-kind book. It has so much heart and soul, and the way Gloria Chao crafted this whirlwind story about a young girl trying to find her place in the world after everything she knows gets thrown out the window is spectacular. To see how far Gemma has grown in the epilogue of the book is so heartwarming!

I fell in love with this premise. I wanted something adventurous, something that would pull me into another culture. While I could wish there was more cultural references and scenes besides food, I do understand. This was more about her grandfather and the inheritance he may have left behind ( not to mention the drama between Xander and Gemma's families).

The main characters were relatable and interesting, I loved their interactions even when they were at odds. Sometimes things aren't always how they seem- take the big family mystery, and why Gemma's grandfather felt the need to start the treasure hunt. Slowly letting her understand his culture, and his life, he led her to understand herself and her past better as well. I thought that was a sweet if melodramatic way of doing things (seriously, just call your daughter and say you were a stubborn mule). I loved the other characters as well, including the TARP members.

Let's talk about Xander. He was always pushed by his family, especially his mother. He knew she hated Gemma's family, and why, but he couldn't let her go. Unfortunately, a joke gone wrong in middle school made her let him go. He needed answers as to why, needed to understand and maybe get some sort of relationship back. If needling her into letting him go on a treasure hunt was the only way... well, he'd make it happen. Even when I thought he was being immature and a jerk, I kind of loved him. The love story is really sweet.

I really enjoyed this book with it's intrigue and food references that made me want to eat everything. It was a fun, fast read. For me it was a four star book.

★★★★

As far as adult content goes, there's some language and flirting. It's all very tame and I would recommend this for any age.

Thank you Viking Books and Gloria Chao for an advanced copy of this book

This was such a heartwarming, fun read. The journey she goes on the find connect to her roots is definitely one this in the Asian diaspora can relate to. I thought the amazing race type game her gong gong set up for her was so fun and sweet.

Also I loved the growth between Gemma and Xander. I really enjoyed that the plot was not driven by romance, but that romance was made possible after Gemma going on this journey to connect to her gong gong.

Would definitely recommend if you love a good wholesome ya romance with cultural ties.

This was an adventure filled with banter and adventure while exploring family history and complicated relationships. Gemma and Xander's snark was so much fun, and as someone with a rudimentary understanding of my ancestral language, I really loved that Gemma muddles her way through fragments of Mandarin. It absolutely made me feel seen and reminded me that I need to pick up my workbooks again! I also really enjoyed the elements of the treasure hunt and uncovering the story of Gemma and Xander's grandfathers. It hit me in a way that I didn't quite expect, and was a wonderful reminder to take the time to appreciate the beauty of life.

A second chance romance featuring a treasure hunt that may just lead to the inheritance of a lifetime.

Gemma has always been able to rely on her mother for everything and would never have once considered that she was hiding secrets from her. That is, until a strange man comes to her house telling her that her grandfather died several weeks ago. This wouldn't be shocking, except that her mother told Gemma her grandfather died long before she was born. And what's more, Gemma's grandfather has left her a series of riddles that may lead to his inheritance, which could solve many of Gemma's financial struggles. Unfortunately, in order to pursue this treasure hunt, Gemma has to find a way to make it to Taiwan, the country in which her grandfather lived his entire life. With no other option, Gemma has to beg her ex-boyfriend Xander for help and the two set off on the adventure of their wildest dreams. Gemma is reluctant to work with him, but she quickly begins to remember all the reasons that she used to like Xander so much.

This is second chance romance like it is meant to be! I don't think I've read many YA second chance romances, and I thought that this was a really refreshing take. I mean, when you date as fourteen-year-olds, so much changes in the four short years that is high school. I thought it was fun to see Xander try to charm Gemma as she tried to keep her grudge alive (I must say, this didn't work out very well for her *laughs*).

Any story that acknowledges subjects such as connecting to one's ancestors, culture, and feeling like one is living on the border between two worlds are stories for me. I love diving into cultures that are different than mine, so traveling across the world to Taiwan was super fun and enlightening. Seeing Gemma struggle with speaking Mandarin and not being familiar with the food and the traditions due to her mother assimilating to American society was a tad disappointing to see, but it was nice seeing her reconnect with her culture and other young people that grew up in similar boats to her. Gemma connecting with her deceased grandfather was also really sweet, and I honestly didn't see how Xander's family tied into it all, which had me pleasantly surprise.

The mystery aspect of this book was probably the weakest link for me, but it was still fun to see Gemma and Xander solve puzzles and riddles in a matter of moments. Some people are truly built for these things, and it was great seeing them light up as they worked on cracking the code and learning more about the secrets that connect their two families.

My favorite part of this book is Xander. He is super smart, charismatic, and a bit impulsive, but I could tell from the get-go that he was a super sweet boy and that once we got to see the softer side of him, I would fall in love with him as a character. His sense of humor clicked with me, so I found his interactions with Gemma to be real amusing. I was practically begging Gemma to just give in already and stop holding on to the grudge she held for him. And I practically squealed when Gemma was forced to bring him into her treasure hunting. I was so ready for it, and I was not disappointed by the many scenes that they shared afterwards.

Overall, "Ex Marks the Spot" is a super cute second chance romance that features a treasure hunt that takes the reader all across Taiwan. I really enjoyed Gemma and Xander; they are super smart, witty, and their banter is top notch. The themes covered in this book include connecting with one's family, walking the border between two cultures, and prioritizing what's important in life. I'm glad that I was able to get my hands on this one; I really love how the second chance romance was approached, and I truly had a blast reading it. I will definitely be recommending this one!

Gloria Chao’s books just keep getting better. I finished this in one sitting because I just couldn’t stop reading once I got started. Gemma is a super lovable protagonist, Xander has incredible chemistry with her, and the mystery between their families’ drama had me totally hooked. Came for the cute romance and discovering your roots, stayed for the intricate story that unfolded.

3.5 rounded up.

It took me a while to get into this story. Gemma seemed so determined to hold onto her grudges against her ex, her new one against her mom, and one against her dead grandfather that the first portion of the book majorly ticked me off. Yeah, it was crappy of everyone to do what they did, but she got so much out of what happened. A mom who loves her to death, a basically paid-for trip to Taiwan to explore her roots, and an ex-boyfriend who bent rules and went above and beyond to help her.

The beauty of this story was change. Changes in the main characters, changes in family dynamics, changes in perspectives. The scavenger hunt was well-designed and the journey through Taiwan was beautiful. Did it end up being the revelation I hoped? Not at all, but once the story gained momentum, I wasn't terribly disappointed by that.

I was introduced to Chao when she wrote American Panda. It was a book that was my "first read" of a new year and I adored the romance, humor, and authenticity of the book. I've read her others but this one is on par with what I felt reading American Panda. The popularity of clue-based mysteries such as [book:The Inheritance Games|52439531] and [book:A Royal Conundrum|156740460] has made it's way into this generational quest to find out who Gemma is before she goes off to college. Taking an opportunity with her ex's project TARP, she travels to Taiwan after being given a clue from her dead grandfather who recently passed away (though she had been told he was dead a long time ago).

She wants to discover secrets that her mother seems to want to bury and her grandfather's story unfurls in a series of clues which brings her closer to Alexander (Xander) her competitive ex. It involves a secret relationship that could never be out in the open, relatives she didn't know were alive, and what the connection is between Xander's family and hers.

It's creative, though I personally am not into breaking codes/figuring out clues, but it works to create additional tension while sharing parts of the story that need to be told. And of course, what do you think happens between archenemies Gemma and Xander? Wouldn't want it any other way!

Read if you like:
💋Second Chance Romance
💋Enemies to Lovers
💋Fake Dating
💋Forced Proximity
💋Opposites Attract
💋Friends to Lovers

With its mix of classic romance tropes, including enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and family drama, this novel delivers a fun, emotional ride filled with relatable characters and witty banter.

The story centers around Nina, who’s navigating the complex terrain of family expectations and her own desires when she crosses paths with her ex, Mason. Forced into a fake-dating situation due to circumstances beyond their control, the two are thrown back into each other’s lives, leading to plenty of awkward, humorous, and undeniably romantic moments. Chao does a fantastic job of building the tension between Nina and Mason, creating a slow-burn romance that is both frustrating and utterly satisfying.

The enemies-to-lovers trope is executed perfectly, as Nina and Mason's initial animosity gradually gives way to rediscovered chemistry. Their interactions are laced with humor, but also deeper emotional moments as they confront past wounds and learn to trust each other again. The fake dating element adds a fun layer of complexity, as they both try to navigate their feelings while keeping up appearances, but it’s their shared history and unresolved feelings that make their journey of rediscovery so compelling.

In conclusion, *Ex Marks the Spot* is a fun, touching, and ultimately uplifting romance that will have you rooting for Nina and Mason every step of the way. If you’re a fan of second-chance love stories, fake dating, and emotionally resonant rom-coms, this book is a must-read. Gloria Chao has crafted a story full of heart, humor, and a romance that feels real, making it the perfect escape for anyone looking to smile, laugh, and swoon.

Thank you so much to the publisher for my gifted ARC!

I enjoyed this one! I loved learning about the culture, loved the treasure hunt concept, and the romance was sweet!

Academic rivals and exes have to work together to uncover a secret treasure that connects both their families... that is if they can even stand to be near each other, but if working together means finally facing what went wrong in their relationship, maybe there is more at the end of this treasure hunt than a treasure. Gemma's entire life has been about her and her mother against the world, her mother has hidden her past and refuses to tell her about anything relating to her grandparents or her dad, in fact she refuses to tell her anything about her ties to taiwanese culture. Yet when a mysterious man shows up at Gemma's door telling her that her grandfather whom her mother had told her had died, is recently passed and leaves her map of his things, Gemma is determined to get her inheritance. One problem: in order to complete said hunt she has to go to Taiwan... and that means asking for help from her ex and her academic rival, Xander. Gemma and Xander can barely stand to be in a room together yet to her surprise he helps her... and when she discovers more clues she realizes she needs more of Xander's help because the clues include to him and his family..... now Gemma and Xander must run around Taiwan and find the clues to find the truth about how their families are related and why their families hate each other.... while facing their own feelings for one another. This was definitely a unique YA story about your own cultural roots, relationships, and family relations. It definitely focuses on the journey of Gemma as she wrestles with her difficult family relationships and discovering herself. The romance is extremely light and doesn't really happen until 70% into the book. Overall if you are looking for a YA book that focuses on family secrets and discovering your cultural roots, give this a go.

Release Date: December 31,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

There are so many things to love about this book. The characters, the Taiwanese culture, the adventure, and the mouth-watering descriptions of the food!

I thought this book was going to be all romance based on the title, not that that would be a bad thing, but the title actually has another meaning - Ex Marks the Spot of a breathtaking adventurous journey of self-discovery through an international treasure hunt.

Gemma Sun has always believed her mom was her only living family. When a strange man shows up at her high school graduation and later, her home, she’s catapulted onto a journey to discover her cultural roots and learn about her recently departed grandfather. Along the way, she learns lessons about life, love and family that only a journey of this magnitude could reveal.

I did not want this story to end. I miss the characters already. This is such a quick, enthralling and entertaining read. I highly recommend it to readers of all genres.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group/Viking Books for Young Readers, and Gloria Chao for the opportunity to read this early DRC.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Colored Pages Book Tours and Viking Books for providing this eARC!

A treasure hunt, the adventure of a lifetime to get to know her Gong Gong posthumously, all alongside her ex, Xander Pan - Gemma Sun is such a wonderful main character to follow in this stunning book!

The importance of family, truth, and making sure to have fun in the overwhelming chaos of life are beautifully explored.

I highly recommend checking out this wonderful book!!