Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for granting my request to read this e-ARC and provide my honest opinions.

River Langston Lee (our MMC) is seventeen years old, and he is rethinking all his life choices, from walking out of a very important exam (meaning he won't be able to attend university) to breaking up with his longtime girlfriend and leaving his co-managerial job at his parents cafe, Cafe Gong.

Being a teen comes with a whole lot of different emotions, different fears, and also a lot of I don't know. I love how all the teens in this book were portrayed from the MMC to the FMC and the side characters; the character development is just beautiful.

I have always loved to read a romance novel from the MMC's POV, and I need more Recs like these. Love a good young adult romance and found family trope.

4.25 ✰

💌”You’re insufferable as ever,” I grind out.
“Pretend all you want. You love me.”
“I do. I love you.” 💌

ahh why are they so cute im crying 🥹🥹 river lee & sarang cho — you will always have my heart.

💐 plot 💐

river lee, you poor misunderstood man 🙁 no one believed in him and it actually killed me. he’s always had his life planned out for him by his parents— his career choice, his studies. he is manager at cafe gong, his family’s business. or at least he was. until he quit. walked out of his SATs. dumped his long term gf (she deserved it). and went to work with the enemy— bingsu for two (the cafe across the street that is this close to running out of business).

why? idk. neither does he. and that’s okay, my guy is literally only 17 give him a breakkkk ❤️‍🩹 his parents are not the only reason he quit. when he thought he was having the worst day of his life, it only got worse 😭 a certain green-haired, emo, rude, prettyyyy customer just dumped coffee all over him. and in return, he dumped a bag of coffee beans down her shirt. so it’s safe to say he was gonna get fired regardless.

but when he gets a new job at the rival coffee shop, she is his new coworker!! so that’s nice 🥰

🧸 tropes 🧸

ღ workplace romance
ღ rivals to lovers
ღ third act breakup
ღ only one pov — mmc
ღ slowburn
ღ minimal (but amazing) romance
ღ found family

🫶🏼 my thoughts 🫶🏼

sujin witherspoon, you have earned yourself a fan in me!! I am, without a doubt, obsessed. 🫠 the love stories, the friendships, river finding himself throughout this whole book— it was beautiful. I loved how this gave off sitcom vibes and the story was about the friend group altogether, and their stories as well as the main characters. it was so nice to see, and I found myself getting attached.

the writing style is so addictive and fast paced which is crazy bc the romance was a slowburn? I don’t know how she does it. 🙈🙈not only did I stay up late to binge read, but I literally skipped my lecture and cancelled plans with my friends just bc I wanted to go home and finish it, I am in fact that obsessed. I will be reading her future books and I cannot wait for more!! 💗

river lee was literally a fanboy and his parents favourite disappointments. I ain’t never seen someone that looks so much LIKE ME!?!? 🤭🤭 I related to him a lot and I loved that the book was in his pov!! 🥹🫶🏼

🌻 conclusion 🌻

river and sarang were just the cutest. the way she blushed when they were bickering and he flirted with her whenever he got uncomfortable or flustered— ADORABLE. the way they promised to never lie to each other, even when they’re lying to everyone else.

my only complaint is the third act breakup HURT. she literally said to him “your life has no purpose” OUCH. it’s a good thing it didn’t last very long bc my heart was so broken and could nawt handle more.

thank you to netgalley and the publishers for sending me this arc in exchange for an honest review!!

This book was so much fun! I love reading books that heavily involve social media when the author clearly has experience with social media because when done right, it’s super entertaining. I adored how the videos in this book were described like screenplays! I also just had a great time reading the romance that gradually emerged between the main characters. It was so sweet! And finally, I really appreciated that this book depicted a character who doesn’t really want to go to college because I feel like a lot of young adult books expect that of kids, and that isn’t always what people want to do with their lives.

ARC Review Of Bingsu For Two Written By @sujinwitherspoon

Publishing Date : January 14 , 2025

Thank you @netgalley for giving me the ARC of this book in exchange of an honest Review ☆

What a LoveLee book ♡. If you're looking for a Enemies-to-Lovers with lots of banter this is for you.

Bingsu For Two is the perfect book to quench the thrist of all the enemies-to-lovers fans. The dynamic between River and Sarang is both entertaining and heartwarming🤗.

Their initial bickering to fake dating to finally admitting their feelings ahhh soo cutee😚😚💕. The novel's portrayal of a cozy Korean cafe is incredibly inviting. The descriptions of the bingsu creations and the lively atmosphere of the shop add a sense of warmth and comfort to the story.

The friendship of all the characters was soo heartwarming, every character has their own journey and their personal struggles and growth throughout the novel makes this book even more delightful. The love story of River and Sarang was filled with adorable and funny moments, heartwarming gestures and their first meeting was soo chaotic, i cracked up soo hard at that🤣🤣

Also Dario, Kai, Vanna, Isabette they all are soo cute their banter and chaotic moments were soo funny. Bingsu For Two is such a feel-good romance that left me smiling like a fool.

One more reason why I love this book so much because of how much I related to River's character, I also don't know what to do what to say but gradually we all learn his character growth was amazing✨️

Bingsu for Two is a delightful and heartwarming read that is perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Better than the movies With its charming characters, captivating setting, and sweet love story, it's a book that will leave you wanting more. A must read for all enemies-to-lovers trope fan✨️

A bunch of teenagers run family-owned coffee shops. One is small and struggling. The other is rapidly expanding and has lost its family feeling. River walks out on the SATs, his girlfriend and his job at the family coffee shop. He ends working at Bingsu for Two, run by green-haired Sarang, who he is attracted to but also hates on site. River and Sarang and the rest of the gang work together, with River’s Internet skills, to save Bingsu.
A fun and dramatic romp, with more focus on coffee than bingsu. Well-rounded characters and great relationships.
Thank you to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for this DRC.
#BingsuforTwo #NetGalley

Absolutely LOVED this adorable, hilarious YA romcom. First things first, this was a romCOM, which I appreciate because so often we do not get actual romcoms. I adored the laugh out loud chapter titles, and the epistolary elements in this were SO GOOD. It’s a book I would have loved to have as a teenager.

Bingsu for Two was a super cute story about a boy who leaves his family's coffee shop to work for the competitor, only to find a niche as an internet sensation that requires playing that he's in love with the coworker he hates. Fun, quick, and cute, I enjoyed this read.

Cute rom-com-y debut novel, with lots of social media nods and crispy Seattle weather/coffee shop-cafe setting. Main character River is a 17 year old who we meet walking out of the SAT the day after breaking up with longtime girlfriend. Teen readers might enjoy the shifts from prose to texts, to posts, to an embedded screenplay. First novel by a Korean American female novelist. Slightly unrealistic idea that kids are running the show at these businesses, which perhaps makes this even more appealing to teens! Thank you to Union Square & Co and NetGalley for the eARC!

This was so cute! The characters were dynamic and likable without being unrealistic. Sarang and River's dialogue was fun and smart to read, and I loved the whole Bingsu for Two crew. I liked how the drama wasn't just one big moment, but there were a few moments that were dramatic and kept me on the edge of my seat as I read the book. I already have patrons in mind who will absolutely love this, and I can't wait until this is out so I can recommend it. Thank you to Union Square & Co. and NetGalley for this ARC!

thank u netgalley for sending me this cute ennemies to lovers!
following a story that happens in a coffee shop was so much fun and original!
i loved seeing the different energy and mindset of every characters and seeing their personalities bringing different part to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an eARC of this book! I had such a great time reading Bingsu For Two, which is even clearer when you see I finished in just a few days LMAO

We follow our main character, River Langston-Lee, who has recently dumped his girlfriend and just walked out of his SATs. Oh, and he quit his job at his parents’ cafe. Without spoiling too much; River ends up landing a job at Bingsu For Two, another cafe nearby which is nearly falling apart. He has a not-so-great relationship with his new coworker, Sarang Cho, but that doesn’t deter him from wanting to make the best of his time working there.

However, (or maybe not), River accidentally posts a video of him and his bossy coworker to his fandom account, and they garner tons of views, creating a whole audience for them. The problem is that the fans seem to ship River and Sarang, and so the two end up deciding to pretend that they are most definitely together, which is a bit of a struggle.

I had such a fun time reading this book! At first I was a little unsure about the format of using and including social media, but everything read pretty smoothly and naturally. That AO3 screenshot made me giggle, I think there are definitely people that will enjoy the social media formatting. The way that the videos were described was also done very well! I could imagine it so clearly!

River is a very relatable character, who does make me face palm sometimes with his decisions, but at the same time you develop an understanding for his choices, even if they’re not the smartest. You can at the very least look at it and think: yeah that’s just River, LMFAO. Also, I was surprised that this book was from River’s POV only, to the point that I reread some parts at first because I was confused lolol. But I think it was great! I feel like I’ve read a lot of books from the POV of the girl/woman, so this felt like a nice change.

Now onto River’s relationship with Cecelia, or well… lack thereof since they broke up. Seeing River come to realize things and then finally take action was so satisfying, even if the journey towards that was a little frustrating at times.

Next I’ll talk about the actual love interest, Sarang! It took me a little while to warm up to her as a character, also because of their first encounter. However, the book definitely succeeded in making me really like her character, and these two are adorable together.

Seeing Sarang and River’s relationship develop was really interesting, and it didn’t feel unnatural. It sort of made sense at the end if that explains it lmao. And I loved that it really did have some development instead of them being head over heels from the start— that also wouldn’t make sense considering some of the plot points.

The other side characters were all so lovely and distinct in their own way! They really felt full-fledged, they weren’t just there for the main character(s), they had motivations and ideas of their own.

I also thought the relationship with his parents and him being half Korean was written well — I cannot speak to the experience of being Korean-American specifically, but I did recognize some elements that some children of immigrants in the West experience. It would have been interesting to see more of River connecting with that part of his identity, but since this is a romance novel, I kinda get why that wasn’t explored. Would’ve been really cool though!

Overall, I absolutely LOVED Bingsu For Two, and I cannot wait for its release!

This is one of those books that will stick with you long after you’ve finished reading it. It’s got it all—an adorable found family cast of chaotic characters, a slow burn enemies to lovers romance, an aesthetic Korean coffee shop setting, and multimedia format that will have you squealing and kicking your feet at its hilarity and genius. You'll honestly have such a fun time reading this and would definitely recommend

I absolutely adored this book! It has such strong themes while also being a funny, laugh out loud, lighthearted YA rom com. River was such an amazing character to have the story told from. It’s rare that we see YA novels written from a masculine perspective rather than from the feminine perspective but it was so refreshing!!!!! I usually don’t like social media in novels, but I made an exception for this one. River being a fanboy and knowing how to navigate everything was so funny. I hated that he was in such a toxic relationship in the past, but glad he found Sarang. Them two together are just so chaotic, I love to see it. Every time there was a scene of them together, I was laughing or smiling so hard!!!!! I also loved the queer side characters and relationships. This book was very diverse and I loved that. Overall, I think this was a wonderful debut novel and I can’t wait to see what SUJIN has in store for us next. 10/10.

A charming romcom that sweeps you off your feet from the very first page. Set in a cozy Korean coffee shop, the story follows River and Sarang, two opposites stuck together in a slow burn, enemies to lovers romance. The plot moves at a lively pace, keeping you hooked while allowing the characters to develop in a natural and satisfying way.

River, with his lovable and chaotic personality, is a joy to follow. His growth throughout the story is both humorous and heartfelt, making him an easy character to root for. Sarang, meanwhile, is tough and determined, fighting to keep her family’s café alive. Her initially prickly dynamic with River evolves beautifully, with their banter and eventual mutual respect adding depth to their relationship.

The supporting cast adds a vibrant touch, from quirky café employees to River’s meddlesome ex. Each character brings a unique charm to the story, making the world feel rich and inviting. The social media elements, woven into the plot, are handled skillfully, striking the right balance without feeling overwhelming.

What truly makes Bingsu for Two stand out is its blend of humor and heart. Witherspoon masterfully balances laugh-out-loud moments with touching emotional beats, creating a story that feels both lighthearted and meaningful. The romance builds steadily, leading to a deeply satisfying conclusion.

In short, Bingsu for Two is a delightful, heartwarming read that leaves a lasting impression with its witty dialogue, lovable characters, and perfect mix of romance and humor.

This was very easy reading, full of found family love, and banter! Whilst I couldn't personally connect much to the main couple, I liked the characters individually and this book shines from accepting all the mess that goes into growing up, finding your dream and chasing your heart.

At times, the writing felt forced with its enemies to lovers angle and I didn't really feel the chemistry build up even though I usually EAT UP fake dating.

Thank you Netgalley and Union Square & Co for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Bingsu for Two” by Sujin Witherspoon is a hilarious and heartwarming rom-com that follows River, a down-on-his-luck young man who finds himself in the middle of a chaotic life spiral. After walking out on an exam, quitting his parents’ café job, and dealing with a painful breakup, River’s life feels like a series of bad decisions. When he stumbles upon a new job at Bingsu for Two—a trendy Korean café—he’s forced to work alongside Sarang, the rude customer from his previous job. Their tense relationship evolves into a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance. What I actually enjoyed the most in this book (even more than the romance) is the found family troupe, as shown through the barista family River gets to make in the book. I absolutely love the found family troupe, and it’s really well done in this book.

River is a standout protagonist. His messy, chaotic energy and poor decision-making skills make him a compelling and entertaining narrator. His growth throughout the story, particularly regarding his relationships with his ex-girlfriend and family, is well-developed and relatable. River’s arc from feeling lost and disappointed in himself to finding purpose and confidence is both heartwarming and humorous. His new role as a barista and accidental social media manager brings out some of the book’s most fun moments, especially as he and his coworkers bond over viral videos and café events. The multimedia format, which includes tweets and texts, adds a fresh, engaging layer to the storytelling. I had so much fun reading this book that I was flying through it; it’s very fast-paced, and the humor makes it even more of a joy to read.

Sarang, River’s love interest, starts off as a prickly and bossy character, making their initial interactions tense and awkward. I did find Sarang’s early rudeness a bit uncalled for, but the slow burn of their relationship feels rewarding. Their romance takes time to develop, offering a refreshing break from the often overused insta-love trope in rom-coms. The tension between them is gradually replaced with mutual respect and affection, culminating in a sweet and believable love story. Their enemies-to-lovers transition is a bit underdeveloped (the transition happens too quickly for my taste), but the found family troupe more than makes up for this.

One of the highlights of “Bingsu for Two” is the vibrant cast of secondary characters. River’s coworkers, particularly Kai, are richly developed and add depth to the café’s found-family dynamic. Each character has a distinct personality, and their interactions bring warmth and humor to the story. The side romances are just as engaging as the main one, leaving me wishing for spin-off stories featuring these characters.

Overall, “Bingsu for Two” is a delightful rom-com with a unique premise, lovable characters, and a perfect blend of humor and heart. Sujin Witherspoon delivers a story that balances chaotic fun with emotional depth, making this book an enjoyable and memorable read for fans of the genre.

4,25⭐️

First, thank you NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for the ARC.

Bingsu for Two by Sujin Witherspoon is a fast-paced contemporary YA book.

I loved River and Sarang’s relationship, but at the same time, I would’ve liked to see more of its development.
Regardless, I really liked the whole cast of characters and the found family vibes.
In addition, I also found it quite refreshing to read a YA contemporary book with the POV of the MMC.

In general, I enjoyed Sujin Witherspoon’s debut novel and I look forward to reading more of her books.

This story had its charming moments. I enjoyed the witty humor, cozy cafe atmosphere, the sense of found family, and fun fandom references. However, I struggled to connect with the characters, especially River. His personal struggles felt shallow, lacking the emotional depth and backstory needed to truly engage me. The subplot involving an employee quitting to join a competitor and lying about wage fraud for her sister's sake felt unnecessarily messy and hard to sympathize with. Moreover, the chemistry between River and Sarang was underwhelming, leaving their relationship feeling flat and unconvincing. While the premise had potential, more emotional depth could have made this a standout. It had enjoyable moments, but ultimately, it left me wanting more.

Thank you to Netgalley and Union Square & Co. for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was a cute story and I have to admit, I love all the Seattle references. The whole group is fun and has a nice found family vibe to it.

It loses stars for me because 1) I thought the relationship between River and Sarang was undeveloped. There wasn't enough interaction between the two of them for their transition from enemies to lovers feel realistic. and 2) lots of the plot points did not happen till later in the book and felt undeveloped. For example, the fake dating trope happened around the 40% mark and there didn't really seem to be a reason for its existence.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Union Square & Co for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review!!

This book could not have found me at a better time!!

There were definitely some very important reminders of things I needed to be told when I was 17, that I still need to hear now even though I’m 20, that “Maybe it’s fine not to have answers for everything all the time”, “And maybe it’s okay to still be figuring out who I am, or what I’m supposed to be doing,”.

River was such a relatable character to follow in so many aspects, and I absolutely adored his character growth, and found family in Bingsu For Two. The whole cast of characters, made this book something truly special!

I cannot recommend enough checking out this incredible book!!🩷