Hangry Hearts had a lot of really sweet ingredients—first love, food that made me hungry every other page, and that classic friends-to-enemies-to-lovers slow burn—but the vibes just didn’t fully land for me. I liked Julie and Randall individually, and their chemistry had its moments, but I never fully felt the emotional stakes between the families or got swept up in the romance. It was cute, it was easy to read, but it didn’t leave a huge impact. That said, if you’re into soft YA romances with big family drama and even bigger food cravings, this might be your jam—I just wanted a little more spice to go with the sweetness.

While at the heart it's a romance, this book is also about family bonds and forgiveness. A really great, quick read. But do not read this book if hungry. The food descriptions will have you ordering takeout or hitting up your local farmer's market!

The set up for the community project was over with in the first 30% of the book and I would have enjoyed it lasting longer, it seemed to repeat things after that. <spoiler> Although the calling of a third grader "fat" in the beginning from a MC about took me out of the story all together, I hope that is not in the finished copy. </spoiler> The reps and family aspects are very well done, the grandmas were the highlight! All in all, I just don't think this book was for me, but I hope the ones that it is for love it.

Thank you to St. Martins Press, Wednesday Books and Netgalley for access to an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

First thank you to st. Martins press and NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.0 stars

Synopsis: Randy and Julie and their families were best friends until a tragedy stuck them. Now their grandparents are enemies so they don’t talk. However when they are paired up with others for a school program, they find they not only miss each other but want more. The only thing is their families are fighting.

What I liked: the representation was amazing in this book and think would be good for kids in high school. The story was cute but very wordy. I also found it confusing how pov would change mid chapter. May

Family rivalry, check. Former bbfs, check. Delicious food, check. Awkward school group project, check. Romance, check. Drama, check. Hangry Hearts is a telenovela set around Asian food in a good way. Randall and Julie used to be best friends/found family before the Incident that caused a rift between their grandmothers and the families. The feud has grown over the years affecting not only their Saturday market food stalls, but at school as well. Told in alternating POVs, both Randall and Julie have to reexamine and reevaluate what they meant to each other and what they want for themselves as they are forced to work together as part of a group project for school.

This book is pure comfort. Hangry Hearts is a heartfelt, funny, and food-filled YA romance that dives into complicated family histories, community ties, and that irresistible spark of first love. Julie Wu and Randall Hur have the kind of slow-burn, second-chance chemistry that keeps you rooting for them through every awkward school project meeting, beachside kiss, and steaming bowl of Taiwanese breakfast.

The Pasadena Farmers Market setting was a total win—vibrant, sensory, and such a great backdrop for their families' decades-long rivalry. And can we talk about the food? Jennifer Chen weaves in culture and flavor so naturally, you’ll be craving dumplings by chapter two.

I loved how the story explored bravery—not just in love but also in standing up to family expectations, speaking up when it’s hard, and choosing your own path. The Lunar New Year was a turning point, and it was beautiful and symbolic without being heavy-handed.

One thing I didn’t love: for a book that’s otherwise super thoughtful and inclusive, there’s an offhand comment about a third-grader being fat that didn’t sit right. It felt unnecessary, especially in a story rooted in empathy and nuance.

Hangry Hearts is full of charm, cultural richness, and swoony moments. It's a sweet story about healing old wounds and chasing new beginnings—with plenty of heart along the way.

This was not for me, BUT I think those that like a sweet younger romance type read would love it.

The food descriptions were 🤌🏽. I love it when author makes it so easy to imagine things while reading.

I absolutely adored this over the top enemies to lovers YA Romeo and Juliet retelling that has the offspring of two feuding Asian American farmer's market vendors falling in love while forced to work together on a school project.

The FOOD in this book abounds and will have you drooling from start to finish!! It was definitely a highlight for me. I also really liked that there was a trans masc main male character who was wholeheartedly accepted by his nuclear family.

While there was a lot of drama, there was also a ton of heartwarming found family, multigenerational friendships and trans joy. I truly enjoyed this sophomore novel so much and would recommend for fans of books like A pho love story, Bingsu for two, Cafe con lychee or Fake dates and mooncakes.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and finished copy in exchange for my honest review!! This was the perfect start to my #TransRightsReadathon2025 !!! BTW the cover design/illustration by Leni Kauffman is chef's kiss!!!

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐈𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞:
🥟 food
💖 romance
⚔️ rivals
☠️ Romeo & Juliet vibes
🗣️ dual POV
★ LGBTQ reps

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
This book had a cute storyline and I enjoyed the Romeo and Juliet inspired vibes. It’s definitely a YA book - some of the writing felt a little young & repetitive, and the pacing was rushed at times. But the overall story was sweet! And all the talk of food will leave you hungry!🤤

I enjoyed the modern day twist on Romeo & Juliet. I thought the characters were interesting to get to know, and I enjoy a good romance. Really enjoyed this book!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely.

This will be great for culinary romance lovers and enemies to lovers. This one wasn't for me, but I know other readers will love it.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book. I thought the storyline was great and also the character development. I would recommend this book.

Hangry Hearts is a YA-romace about to former friends who are now rivals. Julie and Randall grew up together but eventually they turned into rivals. Their families are also rivals which causes some drama with they are forced to work together on a school project. They team up with another student London for their project and jealousy starts to fly. Honestly, the writing in this story felt more middle grade than YA. The plot wasn't too exciting and there wasn't much to keep me entertained. I did finish it but it was just ok.

This was such a cute read! It’s funny and sweet and I loved the themes of friendship and family and acceptance. Romeo & Juliet vibes?? Sign me up! I loved and how we see Julie and Randall rekindle their friendship…and it maybe it turns into something more!

It’s hard for them because their families are rivals…but it is the year of the Dragon! Could the Lunar New Year provide not only a second chance for Randall and Julie, but for their families as well?

I loved all the food references and the representation in this book. Randall is a trans boy and we see how that affects him. Overall this is a heartwarming read…but I wouldn’t start this book hungry!!!

✨What To Expect:
💖 YA Romantic Comedy
🥀 Romeo & Juliet Inspired
🧺 Farmer’s Market
🗡️ Rival Families
✌️ Second Chance
🐉 Year of the Dragon
🥟 All The Food!

Thank you Wednesday books and the author for a free advanced reader copy of this book.

BLURB
Randall and Julie’s families have been feuding for years. Their rivaling restaurants are ran by their grandmothers who have been fighting for years. When they are forced to work on a school project together, it seems that their feelings might differ from their families.


REVIEW
This was a cute YA, Romeo and Juliet retelling. I found that the switching of POVs in the middle of chapters was a little hard to follow for me, but I still enjoyed it for the most part. Great representation of different types of Asian family dynamics, trans representation, and overall a fun read.

I don't think I was the right reader for this book. Although the premise was cute, it fell flat for me, and I ended up DNFing it at about 20%.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for the e-ARC of this title to read and review. There was a lot that I wanted to like about this book, but ultimately I didn't feel like any of it came together at all. I felt like I was reading maybe an *outline* of a great YA food-based romance book, with some sections of potential plot and ideas for snappy dialogue - but none of it felt fully-formed and scenes didn't flow together. I think the storytelling and plot richness was completely missing here, just reaching moments where things kind of happen, but then end just as quickly. Seemingly important points are brought up but then are never mentioned again, time passes for no apparent reason for those jumps, and there aren't a lot of chances to get closeness to any of the characters, their personalities, or their emotions.

I appreciate that there was some trans joy rep for a character with heartwarming support from Grandma, but it ultimately didn't go much deeper.

I have slightly conflicting feelings about this book. The concept is super cute and I do think for the most part it was executed well. However, I don't personally think I would call this a Romeo and Juliet inspired story like it is described as. Yes the families are "rivals" but to me describing such a cute wholesome YA book as even inspired by Romeo and Juliet gives the wrong impression. This book however was super good and cute, there were some aspects that I thought were a little strange or out of place (such as the constant mention of random none speaking or very minor roled characters races, to me it did kind of just seem like it was getting included to be like "but we did have diversity" and not as a "this is just a part of everyday life". Maybe that was just me though) I also definitely feel like these characters somehow read as both middle schoolers and 20 years old at the same time when they are supposed to be high schoolers and they didn't feel like high schoolers at all to me

Hangry Hearts is the story of Julie and Randall- two ex-friends whose families are now in a legendary feud. When they are forced together for a class project, neither of them expect sparks to fly between them. As Julie and Randall reignite their friendship, they start to crush on each other. But since their families would riot if they came clean about their feelings, do they even have a future together?

Hangry Hearts is a lighthearted and sweet YA. The descriptions of food were mouthwatering and I enjoyed how Julie and Randall had such a strong connection to their families through food. Don’t read this book hungry! I loved the LGBTQ rep and how accepting their families were. Hangry Hearts is as much a story about families and the ties that bind them together as it is about romance. I really enjoyed the relationship between the two grandmothers and learning about the reason behind their feud. Hangry Hearts is a deliciously sweet YA! Readers who enjoy stories about complex and loving families, tasty food, and LGBTQ rep will enjoy this book.

Thank you so much to Jennifer Chen, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc.

I had a hard time getting into this one. It didn't felt like a true enemies to lovers. I really liked the characters. Randall was my favorite. I love how dedicated he is. I think I would have loved that book better with feedback from the past to understand what the feud was about in the beginning.

I would have love to see time when they were still friends too before the feud.