3.75 stars

Chryssy practices traditional Chinese medicine, specifically working with teas. She and her aunts run a retreat where clients come for healing from heartbreak. Enter the Chao Brothers - world-famous violinists. Leo’s heartbroken, and Vin’s cynical. While she agrees to help Leo recover, she also agrees to fake dating Vin - for reasons - and during this time she tries to convince him to bring more balance to his life. But she can’t fall in love because the women in the family are cursed to never find love. Her growing feelings for Vin test that.

This is a slow burn that places the central focus on Chryssy and Vin overcoming their own hurdles - mainly that of self-care, work-life balance, managing private and public expectations, and that blasted curse. I didn’t quite sense their chemistry though; Chryssy appeared kind of neutral to me as she didn’t seem to get excited by much. Vin was just stressed all the time. I did find anything to do with TCM fascinating so I enjoyed when Chryssy lit up working with teas or explained about them. Honestly, I admire her for prioritizing her own health and well-being which is why she got into TCM. And she’s not shy about encouraging others to do the same. I thought the family curse subplot was interesting, too.

Highlights:
🫖 Dual POV, romance, fake dating, low spice
🫖 Family curse
🫖 East Asian rep
🫖 TCM, healing, well-being, life balance
🫖 All the women are named after flowers

It seems it’s become tradition in the past few years for me to read a book by Jessen around the new year. 𝗬𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴 is a sweet and thoughtful romance, and perfect if you’re looking for something even-keeled, and quietly inspiring.

Thank you @readforeverpub & @netgalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. 𝗬𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴 is available January 28th.

What do you get when you cross one half of a bad boy cellist duo known for breaking hearts and a Chinese herbalist known for fixing broken hearts? You get a delightfully satisfying love story that will warm your soul.

This is the kind of story that is meant to be slowly savored not devoured. I enjoyed dipping into a few chapters every night and watching Vin's bad boy persona slowly melt as he and his brother fell under the spell of the Hua family's healing retreat.

I'm a total sucker for a good fake dating trope and this one definitely hit the spot. Especially as she helped him realize he needed change in order to be happy with his career path and fall in love with music again while she (and her entire family) needed to realize that their supposed curse may be nothing more than a self fulfilling prophesy.

The aunties were such a hoot. The scene with the boat race had me in stitches as Vin was so confused about their enthusiasm for not being last.

This book is equal parts funny, heartwarming and reflective and if you're looking for a feel good romance that will maybe give you a different outlook on life even if just for the time you take to enjoy it, then I recommend you check this one out.

3.5/5

I am truly a huge Lauren fan and I absolutely adore her work; however, this one didn't live up to the expectation of her last books.

I always love how she weaves Chinese mythology throughout and makes it the core focal point of the novel. The whole idea of a cursed line of women with the main . The familial meddling was such a fun aspect to this novel. I loved how specific each woman in Chryssy's family was and I really enjoyed that Lauren spent the time highlighting that while not losing sight of the main relationship between Chryssy and Vin.

I really enjoyed Chryssy's character growth over the course of the novel. She gets hit with some pretty life alternating realizations that directly clash with her believe in love. The way she reacted, gave herself a moment, and then moved on to help the greater good of her family, really made me respect her as a FMC.

I also really liked the Chao Brothers!!! I thought that their dynamic and conflict really heightened the conflict and effortlessly engrained itself into the main plot.

Overall, I truly did like this, but it did fall a little flat for me. (I just love The Red String Theory wayyyy too much; sue me)

Thank you Forever Publishing, Lauren Kung Jessen, and Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Yin Yang Love Song by Lauren Kung Jessen!

Yin Yang Love Song by Lauren Kung Jessen
Genre: contemporary romance
Format: eARC
Rating; ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5 out of 5 stars - rounded up to 4 for NetGalley and Goodreads)

A sweet dual POV romance. I loved how close each main character was with their family. The tradition Chinese medicine component was super interesting as well. I wish I felt a little more of a connection between the main characters, however! They were both likable but I didn’t see their chemistry as much as I wanted to!

❤️ dual POV
❤️ AAPI rep
❤️ famous musician
❤️ TCM
❤️ fake dating
❤️ lovable cast of characters

This book was so wholesome and cute. I had the warm fuzzies the whole time. I love Laurens books beacsuse they are always cute and fun rom-coms but I also learn something about a different culture that I was unfamiliar with. If you like Traditional Chinese Medicine, family curses or hot Cello players then pick this one up!

Valentine's Day 2025 #1

While this started off promising, as in my best Jessen yet, I found myself falling off the bandwagon once fake dating turned into instalove.

First of all, I don't care that Hua means flower. I can't take the name Chrysanthemum seriously. Or the spelling Chryssy. r/tragedeigh

None of that matters. The Hua women are cursed. While all can fall in love, none of them stay in love. How far back does this curse go? Who initiated it? Is there a cure?

What I love about Jessen's books are the multiracial Chinese American cast she adds, that mirror her own family. Chryssy is a multiracial Chinese American. So is Vin, the male lead. I love a multiracial man that plays a string instrument. Jem Carstairs, is that you?

--

collecting quotes for my review:

(1)

what she doesn't know is that I can't get my heart broken. To be heartbroken means you have to care. Caring requires a certain degree of vulnerability, which means opening yourself up to love. And that is exactly what I'm not doing anymore.

If I'm ever in a relationship again, it needs to be casual. A middle ground with no highs or lows. I just need to be with someone I can tolerate, maybe even enjoy being around, but not someone who I'll be in shambles over when the relationship ends. Because it always, inevitably, without a doubt, ends.

(2)

"love is like snow. It's sudden and beautiful, and then it turns into dirty, gray slush. Melts and disappears before you've even had a chance to enjoy it."

(3)

"The Chao Brothers are Italian-Chinese Americans. Chao is their last name, but 'ciao' in Italian is used for 'hi' and 'goodbye.'

At this moment, I'm grateful for my rules. They keep me immune from men like this, with their good looks and even better memories.

"I don't know you well enough to hate you."

(4)

right now I'm just sad. Can't I just be sad for a little bit?"

(5)

"You listened to my podcast. I watched your interviews. And I googled you.

"I'd like to try something if that's okay. It's nothing weird. I just want to look at your tongue."

(6)

According to the family legend, the curse goes like this: The women of the Hua family are doomed to never find lasting love.

The rule I now live by? Prevention is the cure. It's a key TCM principle that I think applies perfectly to our situation. Prevent yourself from falling in love, and you avoid the pain.

(7)

"Smells like exhaust, false hope, and regret."

"Romance is like wearing rose-colored glasses," I say. "It's too intimate. It creates confusion and makes relationships complicated. Better to keep things practical."

"You're okay with kissing, but not hand-holding? Isn't kissing romantic?"

This man is potentially dangerous. I need to make sure. I tug him toward me, our lips meeting again. Yep. He's a dangerous one.

(10)

I'll say that the man has excellent oral hygiene. I'll leave it at that."

"It just seems that it would be hard to kiss a man like that and not develop some sort of feelings. I don't want to see you hurt. For real, that is."

They've already assumed the worst of Vin. Yes, it's his reputation, but there's so much they don't know about him.

I'm failing to see any reason why you should have that look on your face right now."

(12)

This delights me. Watching someone learn how to cook is like watching people fall in love. It's a lovely mess at first, and then soon enough you're regretting all the meals you never made.

"Have you ever gotten exactly what you wanted at the exact wrong time?"

Something tells me Vin couldn't be my Just Right relationship. Without barriers and rules in place, he'd become Too Right.

"I want to know what your version of perfect looks like." "That one's easy for me, too," he says. "I want what my parents have. After all these years, they're still going strong."

(13)

You couldn't stop looking at her. You thought she was pretty the moment you saw her," Leo says. "Your eye twitched."

(14)

Vin kisses like a heartbreaker.

A thought so disruptive pops into my mind that I can feel it all the way down in the depths of my chest. Do I like this man? My heart squeezes in response. It's official. I've caught feelings. I sink into the kiss. If I'm going to be crushed, it might as well be fun.

(15)

Vin's mouth pushes against mine, urgently but gently, like I'm sheet music and he's reading me, determining how hard or soft he wants to play each note. The man kisses me like he needs air.

We're as vulnerable as we can be right now, but even though we're half-naked, it's still not as exposed as we've been before with each other. I feel safe and comfortable with this man. Like if I really wanted to leap feetfirst, I could. And he wouldn't just catch me. He'd be right there jumping with me.

(17)

"'Love' is a strong word. I mean, yeah, I like the guy." Dad laughs. "Is that what it's being called these days?" he asks. "In my day, when two people looked at each other the way you and Vin look at each other, it was called love."

"Is this a millennial thing? I'm lost," he says. "So you're happy, and that's...bad?" "Exactly." "I don't understand the world anymore."

If you go into a relationship thinking about the end, you won't enjoy it while it's happening. That's no way to exist."

(20)

"Love doesn't happen that fast," I say quickly, though the crack in my voice says otherwise.

(21)

I've heard Paris is romantic."

"Wow. You know how some people's guilty pleasures are looking at expensive homes on Zillow and fantasizing other lives?" I admit. "That's me with kitchens."

"You can disassociate later.

It's too romantic. I can't handle that shit right now."

"I thought that kind of thing only happened in classic literature.

(22)

I think I've identified where your heart might be a little broken."

(24)

"Our hearts go through so much. Stress, heartbreak, love." She sighs deeply. "And still, they keep us alive."

--

🥃 Take a shot every time an Asian child is named something their parents can't pronounce
🥃 Take a shot every time I read a book where the cast of characters is named after florals

--

too early to tell but I think I'm going to love this miles more than LUNAR LOVE and RED STRING THEORY

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Forever

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was a refreshing and captivating experience, and I found the writing to be both engaging and accessible. The story flowed smoothly, making it easy to stay connected to the plot and characters without feeling lost or overwhelmed. The author struck a perfect balance, keeping things interesting while still making the content feel approachable. Overall, it was a wonderful read, and I would definitely recommend it to others who are looking for an enjoyable and easy-to-digest book.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review. Chryssy is such an amazingly relatable character. Her feeling that love is cursed with her and her family and taking holistic measures to better oneself. When Chryssy meets the handsome musical Rockstar, Vin Chao, she can't deny a connection there. When Vin proposes a fake dating to benefit his image in the media, Chryssy agrees. As soon as they get physically close holding hands and kissing, they both know this feeling is different than all the others they have dated.

Thank you for an advanced copy!

This book drew me in because of the tropes I had read the first by this author and did not finished that book.

This is a DNF for me. I got to about 30% and while interesting it just didn’t capture my attention to keep reading and wanna finish the story. Cool POV and really like the characters, especially the aunties.

May come back later to finish, but at the moment this is not for me. This was very interesting & like the characters and the dual POV, but I’m in a slump and nothing is working for me at the moment.

This delightful rom-com blends Chinese traditions with a family curse, featuring Chryssy, an herbalist, who finds herself fake dating Vin, a bad boy celebrity cellist. I loved Chryssy and Vin, and the supporting cast, especially Leo and the aunties, is such a highlight!

I loved the perfect mix of laughs and swoon-worthy moments, all wrapped around messages about slowing down to savor life and embracing the art of reinvention. If you want a heartwarming read celebrating love and cultural richness, this book is for you!

Thank you to Forever Publishing for a copy of this book.

A fun romance. I enjoyed the culture it brought to life. I really loved her last book too. Thank you for lettting me read early.

I absolutely adored the dedication: “To those looking for their love song.” Right after, there’s this beautiful quote: “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished” by Lao Tzu. It set the tone perfectly. And then the opening hooked me with this gem: “We learn the value of love through loss.” I was all in from there.

One thing that really resonated with me was how the story ties physical symptoms to emotions. I’ve felt that in my own life a few times, so it hit home. Plus, fake dating? One of my absolute favorite tropes! The romance, the banter, the chemistry—it’s all there, and I actually prefer that it’s fade-to-black, which made it even better for me. I loved how the book weaves in healing from heartbreak, not just for the main characters but even showing how the heartbreaker can hurt too. So good!

This book surprised me—it’s shorter than I expected, but it’s so deep and beautiful. It’s all about love, family, and self-discovery, with this big emphasis on healing and rest. I was obsessed! It even inspired me to run to 99 Ranch for some chrysanthemum tea. The little details—like the pearl lesson at her dad’s restaurant, the flower names for the Hua women, the dragon boat race, all the music references, and that mysterious family curse—made it so rich. I’m not super familiar with Traditional Chinese Medicine, but now I’m itching to book another acupuncture session.

Honestly, this book was a treasure. Highly recommend! A quick thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this gem—I’m so grateful!

Read If You Like:
- Fake dating and celebrity romance tropes
- Stories rich in Chinese culture and traditions
- Family dynamics and multigenerational curses
- Heartwarming rom-coms with vibrant characters
- Novels by Helen Hoang and Jasmine Guillory

Chryssy Hua Williams, a Chinese herbalist, co-manages a healing retreat for the broken-hearted alongside her aunties. Despite her initial skepticism about the Hua family curse—believed to doom their love lives—Chryssy's string of nine failed relationships has her reconsidering. Enter Vin Chao, a renowned cellist with a reputation as a heartbreaker. A chance encounter between Chryssy and Vin at a child's birthday party sparks unexpected media buzz, leading Vin's publicist to propose a mutually beneficial arrangement: a fake relationship to boost his concert ticket sales and promote Chryssy's family business. As they navigate this faux romance, genuine chemistry develops, challenging their initial plans and beliefs.

Lauren Kung Jessen masterfully intertwines themes of identity, family, and tradition in this delightful rom-com. The narrative offers a fresh perspective on the fake dating trope, enriched by the inclusion of Chinese cultural elements and the endearing dynamics of Chryssy's aunties. The story delves into the complexities of modern love, the weight of familial expectations, and the journey toward self-discovery. With its engaging plot and well-developed characters, this novel is a must-read for fans of heartfelt romantic comedies.

Thank you Forever for my gifted ARC!

Tropes:
Slow burn
Closed door romance
Fake Dating

This book was so much fun. I loved the rom com element, but also the culture that was brought to the book.

Chryssy and Vin are actually the best. I LOVE the fake dating trope, and they pull it off so well. Jessen does such an amazing job of writing well rounded and relatable characters. Everything feels intentional, and I love that.

Add in family, music, and culture, and you get a good book that is engaging but also different than the run of the mill rom coms you can find.

Yin Yang Love Song by Lauren Kung Jessen is a tender romance between Chryssy, a Traditional Chinese Medicine herbalist cursed to never find everlasting love and the heartbreak cellist, Vin… what could go wrong! After their supposed meet cute went viral, the two decide to fake date to help boost each of their careers. The lines quickly blur between what is pretend and what is reality as their time together challenges their way of life and how they see themselves. As always with Lauren Kung Jessen, the characters feel effortlessly authentic. I absolutely loved the coastal Washington setting. I loved getting to know the side characters as well! One of my favorite things about reading is being inspired to learn more about something that will better my life. I am super excited to get more into herbal remedies, specifically herbal teas!

This is absolutely another new gem by Lauren Kung Jessen.

I felt that the story between Chryssy and Vin was fun to follow as they attempted to navigate fake dating and heartbreak.

This book is perfect for anyone that enjoys celebrity stories, slow burns, dual POVs, and self-care vibes. I enjoyed also learning about Eastern medicines as well through this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for gifting me this ARC.

A charming and cozy rom-com featuring some of my favourite tropes—fake dating, close proximity and celebrity dating. Chryssy, a love-cursed Traditional Chinese Medicine herbalist whose work heals the brokenhearted, agrees to fake date rock star cellist prodigy Vin Chao who, along with his fellow cellist brother Leo, are renown for being heartbreakers. Vin needs to cause another splashy tabloid heartbreak to sell out their next upcoming world tour, while Chryssy is launching a new tea business and could use the boost in publicity from dating a mega celebrity.

The story is told in dual perspectives alternating between Chryssy and Vin. This feel-good story was more of a slow burn, focusing on love, personal growth and healing. It did take me a little while to get through because the pace was quite slow, but the journey was worth it in the end. Bonus note: I adored Chryssy’s family.

Thank you @readforeverpub for the #gifted ARC of YIN YANG LOVE SONG by Lauren Kung Jessen (out Tuesday January 29, just in time for Lunar New Year). They also provided a copy of the ALC. It's a romance that is 1st person, dual POV. Chrysanthemum (Chryssy) and Vin both have reasons to enter in a fake dating arrangement. Vin, a rock star cellists known for breaking hearts, needs to sell concert tickets for his next world tour. (Someone(s) at Forever must have a thing for cellists). Chryssy, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, needs help promoting her family's upcoming tea line. However, this is more than the two of them falling in love, and navigating their feelings. It's each of them working through past heartbreak, trauma, and opening themselves to possibilities once they are able to see and feel things clearly.

This is now my favorite LKJ novel. Can we please get a story for Leo? If not a full novella, at least a bonus story? He deserves an HEA.

In regards to the audio, both Eunice Wong, and Eric (or is it Erik?) Yang are new to me narrators, though both have extensive audio credits. I enjoyed listening to them narrate, and they each brought just the right amount of worry and anxiety to their respective characters.

Always glad to be introduced to a new-to-me author! I found Yin Yang Love Song to be a satisfying read. I loved the voice and to be honest, I’m always looking for new pairings (there are SO many lawyers!) so I loved that the main characters were a Chinese herbalist and a cellist (come on, who doesn’t love the cello??).

Thank you to Forever for making this available to read and review through NetGalley.