This sweet love story was a cozy mug of tea the whole way through!

Chryssy Hua is a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner who uses her herbal blends to heal heartbreak, all while a family curse keeps her from being able to find lasting love herself. When she meets Vin Chao, a noted heartbreaker and famous cello player, they decide to lean into the publicity that their unlikely pairing generates by going on a few dates to raise both profiles. When a few dates turn into a couple more, Chryssy and Vin have to figure out how to break the generational patterns that have led them to heartbreak and attempt to write a new song.

I loved the open and honest communication in this one, particularly watching Vin mature and take hold of his own narrative. And who doesn’t love a good fake dating scheme?

Recommend for anyone who thinks a good opposites attract romance also needs some family curse intrigue!

This fake-dating trope rom-com was more than just a romance. It was healing. If you know me, you know that Lauren Kung Jessen is one of my favorite authors and I think this book is the best yet (and that's saying a lot because all her books are stellar.)

The book is magical. Chyrssy and Vin are highly relatable characters, both with real world issues, like burnout (Vin) and anxiety (Chryssy). Their fake dating to real romance is beautiful and made me swoon. I loved the music of their love song. I also adored the Eastern Traditional Chinese Medicine beautifully weaved into this book. This is truly a wonderful book that I could read again and again.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Lauren Kung Jessen for this ARC. This book is released on January 28, 2025 and you need to run to your local bookstore to get it.

I really wanted to like this book but it didn't work for me. I initially picked it up because I was intrigued by the combination of tea and traditional chinese medicine to heal a broken heart and the pairing of the two main characters sounding super interesting. however, the pacer felt off and there were parts in the book where it felt like something was missing because it just jumped from one scene to another one without a good mid=point. I also didn't feel the chemistry between the two main characters, and their banter felt forced and stilted. some of the lines in the book felt more preachy than actual dialogue in the book between main characters.
Disappointing for me but could work for someone else.

I wanted to love this because Red String Theory was one of my favorites but the book just felt disconnected. The story felt forced and I wouldn’t connect with the characters

I’m always down for a good faking dating storyline and Lauren Kung Jessen knocked it out of the park with Yin Yang Love Song. I loved how the relationship between Chryssy, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, and Vin, a cello prodigy/superstar, grew and changed honestly instead of feeling forced for the plot and the way two different families and their issues were woven together so realistically.

I’ve loved each of Lauren’s previous books and this might be my favorite. 4.5/5⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

Lauren’s books— and writing—always leave me in an introspective mood. Her fresh ideas keep me coming back for more.

Just like Lauren’s other books, you can expect very insightful dialogue in YYLS. The slow and steady brewing of Chrissy and Leo’s love story, paired with the tension brought by their close proximity? Delicious.

Another fun aspect of YYLS was Chrissy’s family. Asian family dynamics are so relatable to me, and I enjoyed reading this one. There’s one particular conversation about the family curse and the generational effect it had that Chrissy has with her dad that I thought was just brilliant writing.

Lauren’s books are most definitely my cup of tea. I am, and will always be, a fan.

Thank you so much for the ARC, Forever!

Mis reseñas se basan en los sentimientos que me generaron los libros, y este en particular me dio tranquilidad desde el primer capítulo.

Chryssy es una especie de sanadora que utiliza la medicina tradicional china para curar dolencias. Sin embargo, hay algo que nunca podrá curar: la maldición que afecta a todas las mujeres de su familia, que es no encontrar el amor.

Vin es un prodigioso violonchelista que, por alguna razón, piensa que debe hacer cualquier sacrificio para que sus padres y su hermano tengan una vida acomodada, incluso si eso significa crear una reputación de rompecorazones.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was sweet. I liked learning about TCM which is not in novels I read very often. I must admit though that the book had pretty slow pacing which made it a bit of a slog.

Yes, the fake dating romance is often overdone but this was cute, genuine and well done! Lauren does it again!

A heartwarming book about taking chances, family curses and believing in love.

I think readers will fall in love with Chryssy. She's super relatable and nice to read about. Vin is also a nice counterpart to her. I felt they complimented each other well and I liked them fake dating. Each character has their own journey and I think Jessen did a great job with showing their growth and development while also having them fall in love.

I liked seeing a different culture featured and playing a big part in the story as well.

Would recommend.

This book is fresh, unique, and totally romantic. Lauren Kung Jessen does it again!! Thank you for the opportunity to read it!

I was immediately intrigued by the unique premise of this book, but unfortunately, it fell a little flat for me.

I love the Asian American representation, the botanical nods, and the musical motifs. Getting to read about love in all different forms and stages in life was certainly heartwarming! However, there wasn't enough tension for me--I understand Vin's want to get over his Heartbreaker reputation, and Chryssy's want to get over her family curse, but the chemistry just wasn't jumping off the page in my opinion. Maybe because the pacing was a bit slow? I also felt like their relationship was a bit too forced at times (which I know is a big part of fake dating, don't come at me) and their dialogue is high on the cheese level. If that's your style--yay! Then this book is for you. However, I'll stick by my previous Lauren Kung Jessen favorite novel--Lunar Love.

I also really appreciate the feminist lens at the end of the novel!

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC!

I've studied herbalism and traditional medicines for a long time, so it was very cool to see the TCM incorporated into this non-traditional love story. We have one person who believes she is cursed and can never have true love, constantly getting her heart broken. We have another who is constantly breaking others' hearts, and yet the two figure out a way to help each other out, professionally, through a fake relationship. There is a lot woven throughout the story about slowing down, living life to the fullest, and really experiencing all the emotions. I love the wittiness of the dialogue amonst the characters, and found the story behind the curse intriguing!

3.5⭐️

Yin Yang Love Song explores ambition, the healing of heartbreak, and the oppressive effects of carrying other people’s dreams (and curses) through a fake dating deal between Chryssy, a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner and acupuncturist, and cello rockstar Vin Chao. While the beginning felt clunky, and the dialogue was occasionally awkward throughout the book, once it hit its stride, this was a really romantic story full of heart and hope that had me swooning and tearing up. This is for all the people who have held themselves back from love because they’re afraid of getting hurt, and for all those who regularly take on other people’s heartbreak because you can’t bear to see the ones you love endure pain.

I liked the journey that both protagonists took; there was balance between the two, and I liked how they came to a head in the third act. I was surprised at how full and heartbreaking Vin’s storyline was–I feel like usually the FMC gets more focus, so it was a pleasant surprise. Still, I felt so deeply for Chryssy as she felt unworthy of love because of the Hua family curse.

Overall, this was charming and unexpectedly emotional, and I liked how TCM and acupuncture were handled! Thanks to Forever and NetGallery for the e-ARC.

This story is a beautiful celebration of love in all its forms, and I found myself rooting for Chryssy and Vin as they confront their demons and discover the magic of true connection. A must-read for fans of heartfelt romances that leave you grinning from ear to ear.

Charming story about abiut Chryssy,a TCM practitioner and Vin, a talented cellist who performs with his brother.
Leo ,nicknamed the Chaobreakers. After numerous breakups, Chryssy has always believed in the family curse about
Hua women being unlucky in love. Leo is dealing with heartbreak and unsure of whether their musician lifestyle
can be sustained. Vin sees ttheir careers and fame as a way to repay the sacrifices their parents made for
the brothers' musical traning. Vin begins to question what he owes his parents and himself as
Chryssy deals with whether or not she will let the family curse dictate her life.
Family members complete the picture.
#YinYangLoveSong #Forever #GrandCentralPublishing #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this one! I read Red String Theory earlier this year, and I loved how wholeheartedly the main character believed in the part fate played in relationships. This one is about a curse, but again, the characters are so earnest in their belief of the curse, that you can’t help believing it a little bit, too. It seems that no matter what topic Jessen covers, she puts the characters’ whole hearts into it, so you can’t stop yourself from getting sucked into their beliefs, too.

Overall, Yin Yang Love Song was a really sweet read. It did drag a bit at times, but the characters were all likable and pretty well developed. There’s no major drama, just enough to keep things interesting. It’s just a nice story about people trying to figure out how to be their best selves, and figuring out how to be together along the way, too.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC of this book!

At this point, I will read anything by this author! She just such a fabulous job of incorporating Chinese culture and family dynamics into her romance books. There was a lot of good healing in this book which have been a prominent feature in her other works as well. Can't wait to listen to this one as an audiobook and pick up a copy for my best friend who I know will love this one as much as I did.

Lauren Kung Jessen is the queen of cozy reads!! I’m so happy that I was able to read another one of her amazing books. Thanks Forever Pub and Netgalley!

This book would probably be your cup of tea if you like cozy and charming love stories, family curses, fake dating tropes, and chemistry filled tension.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publisher for allowing me to have an ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review.
If I’m not reading romantasy or dark romance I’m an absolute sucker for a cozy feel good romance with fake dating and undeniable chemistry. Which Yin Yang Love Story has all of.

It’s a beautiful story filled with healing and understanding, and touching on the concept of family curses. I loved the feel of the whole thing and am looking forward to reading another book by this author.