I asked for an Earc because I thought the cover was cute and the story was just as cute! I really loved how sassy Sarang is! She's everything I wanted to be when I was a teenager. River was fun but frustrating at times. As you would expect. I did feel like the book dragged on and then everything happened in the last 75ish pages. I still overall loved this book and thought it had a great message of being true to yourself and doing things because you want to not because of someone else!

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a fantastic read and stellar debut. The characters leaped off the page, and the story was an ideal balance between tropes and originality. It also didn't feel like something I had read before, which was refreshing. I would definitely recommend this one, and I'm already looking forward to the author's future works!

I had the pleasure of reading Bingsu for Two during the holiday season. The cozy vibes this book gives off were perfectly comforting. Sujin Witherspoon does a wonderful job at bringing the stress and chaos of young adult life off the page. River's turmoil and uncertainty of how to build a life of his own, outside of his parents' designs, is raw and realistic. The found family element of this novel is strongest of all; exactly what River needed at this point of his life. It was also a joy to read a YA novel from a MMC's POV. While there are plenty of books that do the same, River's POV was refreshing and lively to others I've encountered this past year. Recommended to fans of Jenny Han.

The Vibes:
Contemporary Young Adult
Workplace Romance
Rivals to Lovers
Single POV - MMC
Slow Burn
Third Act Breakup
Found Family

After quitting his family's coffee shop chain, River begins working at a struggling bingsu cafe with his best friend. The bingsu cafe then goes- accidentally and incredibly- viral for its loveably quirky teenage/young adult staffers. A fake dating, rivals to lovers ya book for the ages.

I wholeheartedly adored this book! River was such a goofy, frustrating, kind hearted character. His voice was so distinct and genuine, I actually laughed out loud reading his thoughts. He was an excellent, flawed, genuine protagonist.

Did I think some of the actions and scenarios were unrealistic? Absolutely. Did it take away from my enjoyment? 100% no. River's voice was so entertaining. The cast of characters were each so distinct in their personalities and identities, it was hard not to fall in love with them all. . Not to mention the banter between all of the characters was fantastic, and the main love story between River and Sarang was lovely.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a wonderfully written ya rom com. It has a beautiful balance of light hearted fun and deep issues like familial burdens, societal expectations, and the dark side of social media. Sujin Witherspoon phenomenally wove dark truths with humor, love and found family, to create an authentic story for all ages.

A huge thank you to Sujin Witherspoon, Union Square & Co, and NetGalley for the ARC <3 <3 <3

Bingsu for Two is a cozy, contemporary YA romance. MMC feels the pressure of working for his parent's main stream coffee shop, and recently broke up with his girlfriend who co-manages the newest coffee shop with him. Right from the beginning the MMC quits the store and scrambles to find a job to spend time away from his family, and hide the fact he's struggling to find his own in life and senior year in high school. He winds up working for another korean coffee shop around the corner that he originally sought to shut down. When the MMC incidentally posts a video to social media, the little coffee shop becomes an instant hit, rivaling his parents' store.

What I did not enjoy: the unbelievable situation where a senior in HS or two of them, would be co-managing a coffee shop. Seems a little off.

What I did enjoy: I really loved not only the relationship building between the two MC's, but also the relationships of the supporting characters, too. There was definitely some truth in the parent and child relationship within Asian families, including the external/internal expectations and dash of guilt that can be present.

Overall, I did enjoy this book. Sujin did well in creating this adorable romantic comedy, which includes fake dating, rivals to lovers, friends to rivals, and dare I say. dash of found family. If you are looking for a book that's a slow burn, cutesy kind of romance (clean), I would recommend this book.

Thank you Netgalley, Union Square & Co. - A subsidiary of Sterling Publishing | Union Square & Co. and the author for the opportunity in an exchange for an honest review.

I will be posting to socials.

this book surprised me (in the best way ofc)!! the main thing that initially drew me to it was the fact that it's written from the boy's perspective, rather than the girl's, something you don't often find in romance / contemporary novels. having the inner monologue of the guy was very refreshing!

ms sujin witherspoon has also achieved the impossible: mentioning pop culture, gen z slang, and social media without it feeling cringe or out of place. i feel like she's probably the first person to achieve this hehe. i also loved the twt / ao3 pages and how realistic they looked - it was like looking at the actual social media page without it being a poorly copied version, in the wrong font might i add, that you usually find in these types of books.

i also don't usually enjoy contemporary / rom-com novels as the stakes aren't very high so they tend to bore me, but this one certainly didn't! i went into it with few expectations but ended up finishing most of it in one day. the story was very gripping but enjoyable, and very immersive. i could really feel river's stress throughout the entire book, especially near the end.

i'm not usually a fan of the grumpy / sunshine dynamic because sometimes, the "grumpy" one comes off as more of a bully than a potential partner that's just a little annoyed at everything. this novel, however, did this trope very well! sarang is "grumpy" but in the funny, sarcastic way and not the "i'm a complete bitch" way! she's charismatic and her and river's character types and personalities bounce off of each other very well.

lastly, the side characters!! i was so surprised to see that this is ms witherspoon's debut novel because everything so far has been near perfect, especially the side characters. they usually get left to the wayside or forgotten about completely once the main character (and possibly love interest) doesn't need them anymore, almost like accessories to the mcs that are easily discarded from the narrative once the author gets bored of them. luckily though, this didn't happen here!! all the side characters are very fleshed out, have their own struggles and, like sarang and river, have their own problems. none of the characters are 100% perfect yet still get good development, like the main characters. i especially loved dario/kai's relationship development and vanna's character.

through river and the other characters, the author is able to deliver a very good critique of society and those who fall through the cracks of it.

lastly, river!! again, with the male mc of a rom-com, something i'd love to see more of! it was still very fun to have a main character who's a fandom-loving otaku. i feel like, especially in contemporary fiction, there isn't a lot of mention of people like river, so it's so fun to have a main character like him + it likely made the social media references so much easier to not cringe at.

overall, a very interesting and funny novel. it doesn't drag at all, and it's a very enjoyable read! <3

"Bingsu for Two" serves up a tantalizing tale of enemies turned lovers, all nestled within a quaint Korean café. The narrative spins around River Langston-Lee, a young man grappling with life's curveballs, who ends up at the beleaguered Bingsu for Two. There, he encounters Sarang Cho, his straight-talking, goth colleague. Their fiery rivalry takes an unexpected twist when River inadvertently shares a video of their uproarious antics, catapulting them into a whirlwind of fake dating stunts aimed at rescuing the café from its troubles.

Sujin Witherspoon has a remarkable talent for bringing to life characters that resonate deeply with readers. River's transformation from a wandering teenager to a young adult who discovers his place in the world is a touching and authentic tale. Meanwhile, Sarang, whose hard shell conceals her delicate insecurities, balances River wonderfully. Their development, both as individuals and as a couple, is depicted with extraordinary richness and subtlety.

The author's prose dances with a lively rhythm, effortlessly intertwining humor and genuine emotion. The playful exchanges between River and Sarang shine brightly, infusing the story with a delightful charm. Additionally, the clever choice to incorporate a script format in select parts offers a refreshing twist, enriching the narrative in a wonderfully distinct way.

The novel embarks on an enchanting journey through the realms of self-discovery, family bonds, and the strength found in community ties. It bravely navigates the tumultuous waters of adolescence, grapples with the weight of parental expectations, and underscores the significance of charting one’s own course. The clever use of a fake dating scenario serves as a brilliant backdrop for the characters’ evolution and the blossoming of sincere emotions.

With skillful artistry, the author weaves together a tapestry of literary devices that elevate the narrative. The shifting viewpoints of River and Sarang offer a rich, multifaceted glimpse into their inner worlds. Meanwhile, the infusion of social media nuances breathes contemporary life into the tale, making it resonate deeply with today's readers.

The rhythm of this book dances gracefully between spirited, witty escapades and contemplative pauses, striking the perfect harmony. Its unique structure, intertwining classic storytelling with a script-like style, captivates and invigorates the reader's journey.

"Bingsu for Two" flows effortlessly, beckoning readers in with its approachable prose. The conversations feel genuine, and the vivid imagery transports us straight into the lively ambiance of the café and its charmingly eccentric characters.

Sujin Witherspoon's debut novel is a true gem in the realm of young adult romance. With a delightful blend of wit, warmth, and characters you can't help but connect with, this story is irresistibly engaging. Its heartfelt messages about embracing oneself and the power of community echo profoundly, ensuring it lingers in your thoughts long after the last page.

If you’re a lover of contemporary romance or young adult tales, I can’t recommend Bingsu for Two enough! It boasts a captivating narrative, well-crafted characters, and a distinctive writing style that make it essential reading. Whether you crave a sweet romance or a story rich with deeper insights, this book has something special to offer on every level.

"Her love turned me brave enough to ask the question, and the answer all along has been her."

River Lee and Sarang Cho have my heart, and I’ll forever scream that!

The story starts with River having the worst day of his life—walking out of his SATs, breaking up with his girlfriend, and quitting his job at Café Gong. Fortunately, he gets another job courtesy of his best friend. There’s one catch: his co-worker, Sarang, is the girl he encountered at the café when he quit his job. To make things more interesting, the café belongs to Sarang’s family.

Sarang. This woman is literally the definition of a huge softie on the inside, but I’ll never understand why she was so rude to River during their first interaction. As time goes by, it becomes clear how much she truly cares for the people around her and her family’s business. Hands down to her for being so willing to sacrifice her dreams just so her sister could pursue hers.

River. It’s heartbreaking how misunderstood his character is. He doesn’t know what to do with his life, and the pressure from his parents just makes everything harder for him. Give him a break—he’s only 17! He’s not supposed to have everything figured out.

I truly enjoyed how this story focused on River’s journey to find himself rather than solely on their romance. I believe many teenagers and even adults can relate to River’s struggles. Living a life trying not to be a disappointment is hard because you’re sacrificing yourself for others’ validation. What also made it so good was the found family and the relationship between River and Sarang.

Overall, this book was such a good read, and I definitely would’ve finished it quicker if I didn’t have school responsibilities. The main characters were so cute, and I love them so much, including all their friends. The found family in this book made everything feel so special.

I had very high hopes for this one, but unfortunately it ended up not really working for me. At the start of the book, we're being thrown into the story - River has already broken up with his girlfriend, he's walking out of the SATs, and he's quitting his manager job at his parents' coffeeshop franchise. I felt like I was missing a lot of context as to why River is blowing up his life like that, and I was waiting for his motivations to become clear, but by the end, I can't say I'm exactly sure. This left me kind of lost in the book and I didn't feel super connected to the story, because I didn't understand why River was doing the things he was doing. I also had a little bit of a hard time suspending my disbelief as to why both Café Gong and Bingsu For Two would put high schoolers in charge. I did think the friendships and romance in the book were sweet and often funny, but this book didn't work as well for me as I was hoping it would.

I'm a sucker for the found family trope and this has one of the best ones I've read in a YA romance🥹🫶🏻

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is more than a rom-com cuz it primarily focuses on the self-discovery of River, and his journey of trying to break the walls that he's built around him for years. River has always tried to live by his parents' wishes and that meant dating the girl who's approved by his family and keeping the facade on even though he doesn't feel the same about her anymore; to studying hard to get into the college that his dad went to, and so on. And when everything comes down within the past few hours, he doesn't know who he is anymore or what he wants to do with his life. And everything changes when he meets Sarang who somehow brings out his true self and who also happens to be the only person who riles him up!! It was a heartwarming journey to have witnessed River's growth from not being able to articulate his real feelings to his parents to standing up for what he really wants, and that really made me feel so proud of him.

On the other hand, we have Sarang Cho who runs the quaint coffee shop called Bingsu for Two along with her elder sister. Even though she comes across as cold and harsh, she's completely the opposite once you get to know her. The way she cares about everyone working in their cafe, and the things she's ready to do for them made me admire her so much. As much as she hates River at the start and doesn't want him to work there, she cares for him too and looks out for him whenever he faces a crisis. And their relationship development was my favorite aspect of the book cuz it was the slowest of the slowburn and I'm always here for it!! They were so adorable together, and their banter hit hard every single time.

I loved the other characters a lot too - Kai, Dario, Vanna, Betty, Hanuel, they were all amazing! We also got the sweetest queer relationships here, and I was swooning and cheering for them from the start till the end. Also I don't think I've hated a character as much as I did Cece, gosh she's awful and manipulative, and so cheap!!

Also the entire book felt like watching a kdrama from the 2010s and it just felt so good!! So if you're someone like me who loves kdrama and kpop, I highly recommend that you check this one out!!

I really enjoyed this book! Thoughtful, well-rounded characters and an interesting storyline that provided insight into a world that was totally new to me. The teen relationships and family pressures felt very believable. River's character development kept the pages turning and there were just the right number of twists and turns.

I wish this book was for me but unfortunately there were some parts I couldn't get over 😭
Pros:
I liked the inclusion of different media in the book. I always think letters or texts or journal entries a la Princess Diaries is fun.
There is the start of some really good character development!
Description of the food, yum!
Everything else for me was just over the top. I don't know if it's the age of the characters or that the cast was too large but by the time I was understanding the arc they were going through we had moved on. Something about each of the characters felt unfinished and unsatisfying.
I love banter as much as the next person but the romance between the main two characters felt like banter for the sake of banter. It wasn't quite like throwing tropes in a book but it was on the verge.

I loved the Found Family trope; it was quick and easy to read. I wish we had more insight into the other characters, though, as the only one with character development seemed to be River. I wanted more from the rest of the cafe crew.

Bingsu for Two is a perfect book when you want to get cozy but still kept on your toes.

I like the enemies-to-lovers trope and when I started this, it has the elements but with added cuteness. I admit I cannot understand Sarang at first but she grew on me. River's personality is different from her, but they somehow jived.

I like that there is character development in this book, not only with the 2 main characters but the others as well.

This is cute, funny and has substance.

Thank you Netgalley and Union Square & Co for the eARC!

I was provided a complimentary copy through NetGalley by Union Square & Co. in exchange for my honest review. I’m so excited for Bingsu for Two to hit the shelves on January 14, 2025!

Perfect for fans of Better Than The Movies and Fake Dates & Mooncakes, Sujin Witherspoon’s debut in the YA romcom universe is a delectable, adorable romance comedy between a grumpy goth girl and an adorable loser teaming up to save a family-owned Bingsu café from shutting down. What I loved about this book was how very lighthearted and hilarious it was. The yearning and the banter between the characters were something I cherished in every chapter. I could go on and on about this book for days and I will never get tired of saying how much I enjoyed this! The writer herself put so much love and appreciation of her heritage in the way she brought this book to life, and I could feel it in the moments between River, Sarang, and the rest of the crew. I also loved how she used Hangul to convey some words and phrases in this book (I got to use my Korean :D it was so fun). Lastly, as a child of immigrant parents, I always appreciate diaspora in literature, specifically those that highlight the experiences into shaping the way the characters navigate the story. I wholly recommend this tasty romcom! (I am not kidding with yall it was so so so good like perfectly cliché perfectly funny like yum I ate this entire thing up).

A charming and humorous cozy romance that had me grinning from ear to ear. I’m a sucker for the found family trope and this book had that in heaps. There’s something so special about family that you choose. The cozy cafe vibes really added to that as well. The characters felt like a friend group I would’ve crossed paths with at school, their personalities all worked so well together.
The conversations around the pressures that children of Korean immigrant parents face were also insightful and timely.

The tension between Sarang and River was incredibly well done but the romance between them felt underdeveloped. River was also a bit of an amber flag, dragging his relationship with Cece for 4 years to drop her like a sack of potatoes. I get it though, he had a lot to work through.

Overall still very enjoyable.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

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✨️