You are quickly immersed into this family and will be craving sushi throughout the book. Jack Jr. is funny and witty and there’s a lot of heart in this book.

A story that looks at what it means to truly get a second chance. Sometimes you don't know what you're missing in life until it's taken away. In the case of Jack Jr, his bond with his family had been fractured, and after waking up from a coma he had a chance to reform it.
There is great world and character building, and everything felt so believable. It does help that Fort Lee is a real place, and a real Korean hub for cuisine. It also brings up COVID, but not in a way that felt annoying like other stories that try to force it as a sub-narrative. This story is both lighthearted and humorous (such as a character literally pancaking into a bus after chasing it), yet so hard hitting emotionally (the fight between Jack Jr and his brother was dramatic but felt real).
One of my favorite aspects of the novel is that we never truly know how Jack Jr ended up in the coma. How did the car get off the road? He was seemingly happy with his life at that point, but there was no evidence to point to an accident.
Highly recommend this book to anyone!

Incredibly unlike Flux, Chung's sophomore novel strays from Sci-Fi and lands itself right in the middle of a Korean family's sushi shop. From the jump, I was invested in Jack Jr. I spent the first tenth of this read gripped with needing to know what happened - how did he end up in a coma? Where was Ren? The rest of the read took me on a plumet into a thick family dynamic. Well written and incredibly layered, I Leave It Up to You leaves your heart aching but so satisfied when it's through. This is one of those books you wish you could read again for the first time - take it slow when you pick it up. I see this one getting some critical acclaim.

Thanks to NetGally for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What Yellowface was to Babel, I Leave It Up to You is to Flux. Something completely different and yet so incredibly well written that you end up having even more respect for the genre-defying authors!
On the surface, the plot seems a bit prosaic - family restaurant, gay son that leaves for the allure of the big city, a few family health crises later and everyone realises what's "truly important in life." And yet, the story does not feel tired or tropey. It feels like being welcomed into a family hospital room and into their Korean sushi bar to cry tears of joy, sadness and anger with them.
I ended up losing a whole weekend because I was so engrossed in this "something about nothing story" so fair warning to you!

Jack Jr. wakes from a two year coma to a changed world. The life he had before the accident has vanished, and
he is now reconnecting with family he hasn't seen for ten years. Falling back into the life he had before he left,
Jack Jr. will discover more about family and what he wants to do with his life.
#LeaveituptoYou #RandonHouse #Ballantine #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this read!! It kept me interested the whole time and had a really good plot!! Can’t wait to check out more books by Jinwoo Chong!!

I could not have loved this warm and wonderful book more. One of my favorite family novels, this will be on my best of 2025 list for sure!!

I expected one thing going into this story and came out of it with something completely different but in a surprisingly good way. I Leave It Up To You opens with the protagonist, 30-year-old Jack Jr., waking up from a two-year medically-induced coma in a hospital in New Jersey with no memory of how he got there. Upon waking up to a brand new world with no knowledge of covid either, Jack Jr. is drawn to his very awkward but kind male nurse.

Confronted with grisly details about things like catheter removal, I was steeling myself for a very grim and depressing story about a gay Korean sushi chef turned New York advertising copywriter, about to get married to his longtime lover, who drives his car into the Hudson River and almost dies. A lot of it was heavy, but it was far from grim.

Instead I got a queer While You Were Sleeping, the kind of story where it is not just a romance between two love interests but you're falling in love with the protagonist's colorful and charming family, as well.

Jack Jr.'s calling had been working as a sushi chef, a vocation he loved and had done all his life. He expected to inherit the restaurant from his father, until family secrets come out and he storms out on his family and never comes back.

Until the coma happens, the medical miracle happens, and he gets a do-over. The love of his life is now married to someone else, and the life he thought he wanted made him miserable. He returns to the family sushi restaurant and his dysfunctional yet loving family accepts him like he never left.

The romance is more of a subplot than the focus of the book but I found the love story between Jack Jr. and his aspiring playwright nurse to be charming.

This is a very cozy, entertaining story about second chances, family, redemption and of all unlikely things, Korean-Japanese fusion food. The colorful descriptions of sushi and cooking made my mouth water.

This was a heartwarming, well-written book with absolutely beautiful writing that also had deep things to say about human nature, family, lost chances and what it means to age well. I thought this book was utterly delightful.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book hit hard. I loved the characters and relationships so much. It felt like a real family dealing with so many complicated things. I loved the daily look into their lives, the struggles, the hope, the love. I loved how it opened with Jack Jr. waking up and everything that came after. It was a little strange to read about covid, but I enjoyed that while it was a part of the story it wasn't the entire story.

The huge lesson from this book is of how life is short and we really shouldn’t be sad for long. It’s not worth it to be sad. I’m happy about the conversations that happened with the family. To me, I saw parts of my family reflected back, as I am sure others will. The disfunction and miscommunication, but also the effort being put forth to work on those things with each other. Also Emil 😭. Also so refreshing to not have the queer relationship be the reason that the family is dysfunctional.

The writing was so enveloping and sucked me in right from the first page. I felt different while reading this book, it just felt so real to me. Like I could walk down to my local sushi place and find them all there. Just the slowness made me want to savor life, savor this book. Savor being awake and happy, and living. This book is a hug when you need it, a warm cup of tea when you’re looking for it, and the conversation you’ve felt like you’re missing right now. Instantly loved. I have never read a book about the main character waking up from a coma, but this was way more than I ever expected. I just want to read this again. I want to cry and smile all over.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for a copy of this ARC, my opinions are my own.

**Book Review:**

*I Leave It Up to You* is a deeply introspective novel that explores themes of healing, self-discovery, and the complexities of relationships. The story follows Jack Jr., a Japanese-Korean gay man who wakes up in a hospital after being in a coma for nearly two years. With no memory of why he's there, he’s told that he drove his car into the Hudson River. His boyfriend, Ren, has moved on and married someone else, but Ren’s family, who owns a sushi restaurant, takes Jack in as he begins to recover. As Jack rehabilitates, he can’t shake his thoughts of Nurse Emil Cuddy, who played a key role in his recovery, and his journey becomes one of healing not only his body but his heart.

This novel is not a fast-paced thriller, but a slow-burn, slice-of-life story that focuses on the emotional intricacies of healing and self-rediscovery. It’s about reconnecting with family, understanding oneself, and navigating the complexities of relationships after a traumatic event. The writing is gentle yet poignant, offering readers a window into the struggles Jack faces as he rebuilds his life while dealing with the ambiguous feelings surrounding his past.

The pace is deliberately slow, which may not suit those looking for a quicker plot or a more mystery-driven narrative, but it beautifully suits the contemplative tone of the book. The dynamics within Jack’s family and his relationship with Ren are tenderly explored, and the subtle, often heartbreaking moments of growth are what make this novel resonate. At times, certain scenes reminded me of the TV show *The Bear*, but with a unique Korean flair, blending culture with the rawness of personal struggle.

Overall, *I Leave It Up to You* is a novel that will likely be adored by readers who appreciate quiet, reflective storytelling. While its slower pace and the ambiguity surrounding certain aspects may leave some wanting more, its depth and emotional richness will make it a meaningful read for others. A poignant journey of healing that is well worth the time for those in the mood for a reflective, slice-of-life story.

Thank you to Random House Publishing for an eARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Jack Jr wakes form a two year coma and has to face the family he left a decade ago and hasn’t seen since, as well as the COVID pandemic. This book was a wonderfully slow slice of life, character-driven story focusing on the beauty in mundane, everyday life. That’s usually right up my alley, but there were a few things about this book in particular that just didn’t work for me. First, I don’t enjoy consuming media about COVID times (it’s just too soon for me), so a big heads up if you’re the same way. Secondly, as someone who’s spent a lot of time around hospital systems and healthcare, the some of the beginning hospital scenes and the romance subplot really took me out of the book, so much so that I had to set the book down after two chapters and didn’t come back to it for a couple weeks. There were also some past memories that were introduced with a lot of suspense, but the build up to these reveals was too much and unnecessary. It made parts of the book confusing because you didn’t have the background context for why characters were acting a certain way to really care, and I don’t think it was necessarily to hold back on revealing those moments for so long. Juno and Jack Jr.’s dad were both really strong characters that I really connected with and cared about throughout the story. Jack Jr. wasn’t a flat character, but I didn’t feel as connected to him as I did to his dad and nephew, which also meant I wasn’t as connected to the core of this book about the growth of the main character. I appreciated the grounding reminder from this book of the importance in family and that everything will work out in the end. This book accepts you and says “take a breath, you’re doing alright.”

Jack Jr. has been in a coma for 2 years. After finally waking up in the hospital, he has to learn the meaning of his life again. He learns a lot about love, sacrifice, and family secrets, all revolving around his aging father's Korean-Japanese restaurant business. It's rather slow moving and somber. The ending was sweet and satisfying, but it seemed like it took a long time to get there.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review I Leave It Up to You.

Our story begins with Jack Jr. waking up one day in the hospital after a 2 year long coma. While he's been asleep, the whole world has gone into shut down from COVID and he is now left to maneuver through all of the changes over the last 2 years he has missed. JJ must come to terms now with his long term partner, Ren, starting a new life and marrying someone new, and being reunited with his family after being separated for 10 years since moving to New York and leaving New Jersey behind.
I Leave It Up to You takes us on Jack Jr.'s journey through his physical and mental recovery of missing so much of his life. He now must decide if he wants to make amends with his family and take over the family sushi restaurant.

The characters were the shining moment of this novel. The writing style was able to build, piece by piece, Jack Jr's relationships with his family and really showcase how they were both before his coma and how they were able to grow into something beautiful after recovery.
I really loved the moments where JJ fell in love his Japanese-Korean culture again through food and the art of sushi. Something that was so lost to him from being away from home for so long, he was able to discover again and build something so special.
While all of the relationships in the story were fantastic to watch, JJ and Juno, his teenage nephew, was the true star of the show. Their dynamic was so funny but also made JJ much more lovable.

The story did start off a bit slow and was a bit confusing at first to try to figure out what was going on, but it was an enjoyable story to maneuver through towards the end. I would definitely recommend this if you enjoy modern fiction and reading about culture and family dynamics.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC!

This was a very interesting read as you help Jack Jr regain his footing after awakening from a two year coma. I wasn't sure about this as I started but it had me hooked enough to get me across the finish line of reading it. The pacing of it was a bit slow for my taste but I genuinely enjoyed all the food description bits vs the conversations that ensued. I don't think it adequately captured what it's like to have that kind of a blowout in an immigrant family nor as easy to close up and tie with a bow. It was a good attempt but not quite spectacular.

(ARC review)

The beginning of this book hit hard - what do you do when you wake up from a two-year coma to find that almost everything in your life has left you behind? In the case of I Leave It Up To You, you go back to the family that you once left behind and learn to live again. This was an emotional read about reconciling with identity, family, and making up for lost time.

Pulls you in and holds on, you feel you are part of their life, the restaurant just around the corner. Complex dive into family dynamics and relationships, with all the secrets and insecurities bubbling to the surface. Two years lost, but new directions found.

I enjoy slice of life books and this is it! The book follows a Japanese-Korean gay man who wakes up from a coma after two years. He is processing a lot and thinking about his nurse. This book is about healing, community, and love. What an amazing book and should be shared with anyone spending a lot of time in a hospital or has a long healing journey ahead of them.

I really wanted to love I Leave It Up to You, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The premise was intriguing, and I was ready to get pulled into the story, but it ended up being a slower read than I expected. It just didn’t grab me the way I’d hoped, and I found myself putting it down more often than I wanted to.

One of the main reasons for this was the characters. They felt a bit flat — like I was only seeing the surface of who they were. I kept waiting for more layers to be revealed or for a moment where I’d feel a real connection to them, but it never really happened. Their motivations and inner worlds could have been explored more deeply, and I think that would’ve made the story more compelling.

That said, there were still some things I appreciated. Certain scenes had really thoughtful, reflective writing, and I could see glimpses of something more profound. It’s clear that Jinwoo Chong has an interesting perspective as a writer, and I think some readers might connect more with the story than I did.

Overall, it wasn’t a bad read, just not one that left a lasting impression on me. If you like slower, more introspective stories with subtle themes, you might still enjoy it. I just wanted a little more depth and connection.

If you are looking for a fast paced mystery thriller type book, this one is not it. But, if you are looking for a slower paced, slice of life type book about reconnecting with family and getting to know yourself, this one will hit the mark. This is a book that I can see will be adored by many readers but on the flipside, I could see readers not giving it the chance it deserves due to the slower pace and the sense of ambiguity relating to a couple of matters.

Certain scenes reminded me of the tv show "The Bear" with a Korean flair.

I really enjoyed this little novel and even though I'm not a sushi person I can appreciate the art a bit more now.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

December 13th, 2024, 09:57 am
I Leave It Up to You Book Review
Book: I Leave It Up to You

Author: Jinwoo Chong

Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars


I would like to thank the publisher, Ballantine Books, for sending me an ARC. I had never heard of either this book or the author before the publisher reached out. I must say that I did end up being very surprised at how much I enjoyed this one. It was one of those stories that sucked me in.


In this one, we follow Jack Jr., who has just woken up from a two-year coma to find his life completely changed. His job in advertising is gone, his Manhattan apartment is no more, and the man he loved has moved on. It's been ten years since he last saw his family, and now, with no one else to turn to, he returns to Fort Lee, New Jersey. There, his parents believe he never left, and their struggling sushi restaurant, Joja, awaits him. Jack finds himself back in the life he left behind, working with his father on early morning fish runs and helping at the restaurant while his mother keeps track of the few customers. He also tries to reconnect with his brother James, a recovering alcoholic and becomes a mentor of sorts to his teenage nephew. While Jack starts to appreciate the life he once abandoned, he still feels the pull of a different future. The story explores the messiness of second chances, self-discovery, and the complicated relationships we have with those we love.


The writing style is the type that pulls you in right away. This is a family drama, with romance, and day-to-day life. There is nothing more to it. We follow Jack Jr. after he has woken up from a two-year coma and he now must make sense of the world around him. It’s after COVID and he has no idea what happened. He doesn’t understand why people are wearing masks or what went on. The man he loved is gone. Everything that he has ever known has been turned upside down. He is now back with his family who he has not seen in years. This is what the story is and it doesn’t try to be anything more. At least, that is what it seems like on the surface. As you read, you get to see more.

The way the characters are written and presented makes them seem real. They are a family, that is a mess. There is no other way to put it. Life has let all of them down in some way or another. It’s ugly and messy. Jack Jr. finds himself back in this family and now must deal with the fact that he was not there. The way Jack reacts to everything is so well done. We don’t know about everything that went on because Jack doesn’t know what happened. Like Jack, we must uncover and piece everything together. It’s very confusing at times, but that is how it is for Jack.


The mixture of American and Korean culture also makes this book stand out. The family owns a sushi restaurant and it is the centre of life. It is what is keeping the family afloat, but it is also what is bringing the family down. It has caused a lot of stress and fights among the family. Yet, it is still there. Through all the good and bad times, the restaurant is still there. I do think that without the restaurant the story would not have been as strong. It is through the restaurant that we see Jack Jr. work through things and see who and what he is supposed to be.


This is a heartbreaker, but it is done in a way that feels right. I know that doesn’t sound right, but everything that happens in this book is human. It’s all human nature and human emotions, which is why I think I latched onto it so far. Everything feels real and all so right.


If you are looking for a book about second chances and finding your way, I highly encourage you to pick this one up.


This book comes out on March 4, 2025.


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