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.

loved this romance between a herbalist and musician and both are healing their hearts and finding love and trying to end a curse . Loved leo and the aunties.

Chryssy is a chinese herbalist who never believe in the family curse until after ninth breakup. She runs in with cellist and bad boy Vin and everyone is talking about them. He'll fake date her and help her promote her business.

A terrific follow up to Red String Theory. Love how the main characters work together. a very romantic book with many swoony moments.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

Another win for me from Lauren Kung Jessen!!! She does not miss!! This book is full of love (of all sorts), family and food! LKJ really has the innate talent to make books that give all of the cozy warm heartfelt vibes and always tossing in some fun and fresh moments that are unforgettable!!!!

⭐️This book comes out in Jan 2025⭐️


Special thanks to Forever Pub for the early review copy of this book!!!!

As a Chinese person, I LOVE the incorporation of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Yin Yang Love Song. Like with all her books, Jessen does such a fantastic job incorporating all the elements of love, self-discovery/healing, and knowledge of the Asian culture.

Yin Yang Love Song marries two passions herbalist and cellist worlds which is contrasting (like Yin and Yang!) and does it well.
If you are a fan of subtle, slow burn, behind closed doors, fake dating love story - this will be the perfect read.
It features a family curse and slight meddling (those are always fun), a little bit of sleuthing, brotherly banter, and the barrier breakdown of one's expectations. My favorite scenes are the ones they showcase late night cooking and tea benefits talks.

I continue to advocate for healthy love awareness and this is a story that is a big giant checkmark for that.

A curse of always experiencing heartbreak swirls around Chryssy (short for Chrysanthemum) and the women in the Hua family. A small business owner, entrepreneur, and heartbreak healer that incorporates TCM in healing practices; Chryssy’s love life has been filled with heartbreak. The curse seems doesn’t seem to be breaking anytime soon. But when she meets Vin, a talented cellist, there’s undeniable chemistry but she’s cautious. There’s something there, budding, and hopeful. But should she explore it and risk the curse? Can the Hua family break the curse? Will she fall in love only to endure the tortuous experience of heartbreak again? My dear readers, that’s the beauty of Lauren’s Yin Yang Love Song.

Give me a tortured musical prodigy at a cross roads. A heroine that loves tea, baked goods, and the urge to heal. Lauren composes a study of heartbreak, healing, and most importantly, listening to your body and resting. Something that I haven’t seen in a long time. Framing heartbreak differently, pursuing it through a new lens. De-mystifying a curse and rooting it in reality. All done so well.

Lauren’s message at the end really encapsulates the book: “you are allowed to rest, you can change your life or your mind any time you want, achieving perfection is impossible and that you can bloom even when no one is watching”.

Yin Yang Love Song is a treasure trove of good quotes but this one shines: “When it comes to matters of the heart, I believe everyone has some sort of heartbreak inside of them, whether they’re aware of it or not”. My only feedback has to be the pacing, it definitely could’ve picked up in areas so I'm bumping it down to 4.5 stars.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Forever Publishing for providing an ARC.

Great book!!! Enjoyed the characters and the plot. It’s an easy read. Would read another book by this author.

3.5/5!

I really liked the incorporation of TCM - it was done in a way that really added something to the story and kept things interesting! And I loved the use of the fake dating trope. I thought it was clever in this case!

I know this is a romance and all, but I actually really loved reading about the Chao brothers! It’s always nice to read about sibling dynamics and I became invested!