This was a nice surprise with the Mulan retelling. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this arc.

Good god, I love this Meant to Be series so much.

Mulan drove me a bit crazy at times but I’m sure I would drive her crazy so… live and let live, girl.

I would love to say that this book was a great book, or even a good book, but sadly it just was not for me. A lot of this had such GenZ style lingo and writing. It was a little cringey to see in a book, even a modern romance. I do feel that the ending felt a little rushed as well and that the last 25% of it was pushed through too fast. I don't think this was a bad book by any means, I just think all in all that this was not for me and not one I would recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC!

3.5/5 ☆

Mulan was one of my favorite Disney movies growing up and I was excited to be given the chance to read this modern retelling. I appreciated how instead of the army, Mulan has to navigate the world of finance to explore being one of the few women in a male dominated industry. I love that Shang was more developed and involved in the story, and his mom was such an admirably strong woman! His family was a fun addition to the plot as well. I also loved the references to the movie throughout.

Overall, this was an engaging, plot-driven modern retelling of one of my favorite childhood movies and I’ll be sure to check out the others in the series!

I really enjoyed this addition to the Meant to Be series! Sutanto’s personal connection to the culture and history of the story of Mulan made this even more meaningful, and I think led a feeling of authenticity to the experience of a daughter in an Asian family. The experience of a woman—a woman of color, especially—in the male-dominated business world is more universal, and I found myself really empathizing with and relating to Mulan throughout the book. The nods to the Disney film were very cute and I loved the new spin on the story. A really satisfying read overall.

A woman trying to prove her worth in a 'man's world,' or more like a very misogynistic company. I loved how Jesse Q. Sutanto interpreted Mulan. I love Mulan because of her strength of character but her innate softness, and JQS captured both in this story. Shang is to die for; to be honest, I loved him more than the character he's inspired from. The story was fun, closed-door, and it kept the essence of Disney's original Mulan.

I liked it so much that now I'm going to read the rest of the books in this series.

This book is for you if you like:
- Mulan (Duh!)
- A work-related romance
- A badass businesswoman
- An emotionally intelligent MMC (Male Main Character)
- Acts of service and cooking as his love language.

I enjoyed this book overall. 3.75 rating. I think I will try the book when the audiobook is available and it has been edited. I think for a retelling, the book really leans into the fairytale disney HEA. However, when applying it in a modern setting, it's hard to suspend belief during some parts of the book.

Overall, I enjoyed the story, and I enjoyed most of the romance. I was annoyed AF with Shang's family and especially James, but he is set up as the bad guy, so it makes sense. I understand, again, pretending to be her father, but having a several month ongoing relationship with Shang with a different name was rough.

Personally, I would not get over that if I was in a relationship, regardless of the intentions. That's a big breach of trust. There could have been a much cuter way to try and resolve that, but it's not my book. The ending was cute, but again, that suspension of belief of this 180 degree and the big social media push. I have a hard time with that, so it was not my favorite.

Overall, some great and enjoyable parts, but was not my favorite read of the year.

"Worth Fighting For" is the latest modern retelling of a Disney fairytale in the "Meant to Be" series, this time it is the story of Mulan. Mulan runs a business with her father, Fa Zhou, and when he falls ill she has to convince Wutai Gold to join her company, including their hot and stoic CEO, Li Shang. I honestly liked Shang a lot better in the book than I did in the movie, though I do miss Donny Osmond's singing voice.

Things I enjoyed:
-The nods to the movie from the horse, to the coursing river, to crickets being an issue in the office they were all very clever.
-Shang being better developed and more emotionally available. If you have seen Mulan II you know what I mean.
-The Chinese culture sprinkled throughout was interesting to learn.
-Mulan holding her own no matter what the other businessmen threw at her.

Things I did not enjoy:
-The sexism
-James, he just needed to be thrown under the bus.
-Mushu got to be a bit much at times, and maybe that is partially because I don't like the character she was based on either, but her wise cracks just weren't funny to me.

Overall, a good book and one that I will certainly return to again.

**Thanks to Netgalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC in exchange for an honest review**

A delightful modern retelling of Mulan. In this story, Mulan is working at her father’s finance company. When he falls ill just before meetings to invest in Shang’s family’s whiskey company, Mulan takes his place, and his name, in the negotiations. Entertaining hijinks ensue.
• Mulan = strong female lead
• Mushu = hilariously entertaining sidekick
• Shang = openminded male lead
• Classic male/female stereotypes turned upside down
Hands down, the best story in the “Meant to Be” series so far.

One thing I love about the Meant to Be stories is that I know they're going to be a fun little time and a great little twist on stories I grew up on. Mulan was MY GIRL growing up, so I went into this retelling pretty eager.

This was a great retelling of Mulan - where she is fighting for her place in the finance world. When her father falls ill, it's up to her to go to Shang's ranch and convince him to complete the merger.

First and foremost, this book is such an easy read. Sometimes I feel like I'm aging out of certain types of contemporary books, and the first part of the book made me feel that way a little bit. But as I read more, I was unable to put this book down. Mushu is the best sidekick for Mulan and was so loyal, I loved her.

As for Mulan and Shang - if you like Instalove this book is definitely for you. I loved all their scenes together and almost wanted more! I also loved the importance of culture in this book, especially as someone who is Asian and adheres to similar values.

Thank you to Jesse Q Sutanto, Hyperion Avenue, and Netgalley for an earc in exchange for an honest review.

Note to self: stop going into books blind lol... I went into this book not knowing that this was a Mulan retelling. I even almost DNF'ed this book for the petty reason that it had the names Mulan and Mushu in it, but I enjoyed the beginning of the story.

A little about the book A Mulan reimagining set in the Bay Area amongst finance bros. Mulan works at her father's (Zhao) finance company. Zhao wants to invest in a misogynistic whiskey company. The deal hinges on him, the only one the whiskey company will do business with. When he falls ill, Mulan pretends to be him. The whiskey company is owned by Shang, his mother, and her incredibly anti-female brothers and nephews.

About my thoughts: the book without knowing it was a retelling really gave it justice. The romance between Mulan and Shang was so well written. I kept giggling and laughing at the amazing banter between the two MCs. While this has a modern spin you can definitely feel the message of the troubles women have working in male dominated industries. This book was so amazing and I can't wait to read more books from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you publisher and Netgalley for this eARC. This was my first read by this author & definitely will not be my last. I really enjoyed this one. Can’t wait to read more by this author.

What a fun retelling! These Meant to Be books are a great time. I thought the call backs to Mulan (Mulan, Mushu, the horse, the basic plot, Shang, etc.) were a perfect mix of new ideas from the author. Sometimes the retelling elements can be really heavy-handed, but this book's were fun without being overbearing.

Likes:
-retelling elements
-Mulan and Shang were SO CUTE
-Mushu and Mulan's supportive friendship
-Mulan's parents?!--supportive AF
-Shang's mom is a queeeeen
-Showing Mulan as a boss

Dislikes:
-the sexism was crazyyyy (I get that's the point, but it was a lottt sometimes)
-Mulan trying to prove herself
-Mulan literally getting hurt twice and people laughing at her

This book made me cry four times, so that's how you know the emotional beats were on point! This book has a great message and was a fun, plot-driven, closed-door spice story. I had a great time reading it!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review.

My beloved Mulan VHS tape got a lot of plays in my youth, so I was thrilled when I learned that the next book in the Meant to Be series would be a Mulan retelling. I read this book to help keep the Sunday scaries at bay, and it absolutely was a great read for that!

Mulan is a hedge fund manager at her father's firm. She's the first one in and the last one to leave night to prove she deserves a place at the table. When her father has a health crisis in the middle of an acquisition, As his daughter, Mulan is the best person to continue his work, but the company has a reputation for being misogynist, which is confirmed when she reads some of the emails exchanged between her father and the company's SEO. Mulan quickly realizes the only way the SEO, Shang, and his uncles will get on board with her ideas is if she pretends to be her father.

This all sounds fine and dandy until the company invites Mulan to come to their family ranch....

Given that her father grew up on a farm in China and spoke about his experiences in those emails with Shang, the family expects that Mulan will be able to read a horse, round up cattle, sheer sheep and more! With the guidance of her cousin Mushu and Tik Tok, Mulan is ready to prove that she is her father!

I loved this story so much - it took me back to those days as a 11, 12 year old belting out "I'll Make a Man Out of You" and swooning for Li Shang. I loved seeing a Disney film in which the heroine wasn't a helpless princess saved by her prince. Jesse Q. Squanto did a fantastic job weaving in all of these elements - lyrics from the soundtrack were interspersed throughout the story, Shang was kind and handsome, and Mulan was a fierce heroine.

Just like when a book is made into a movie, this retelling differed a bit from the story of Mulan, and I really struggled with the biggest change. In the movie, Mulan is, to say it lightly, a hot mess. She's clumsy, loud, and deemed a disgrace by the matchmaker - she's ultimately a disappointment to her family, which makes her growth throughout the film all the more enjoyable to watch. In the book, Mulan is an accomplished hedge fund manager who already makes her family proud, which made her arc less satisfying. All that being said, I don't think that it makes the book any less enjoyable to read.

In addition to my reviews on Goodreads and Storygraph, I will post a review of this book closer to release day on my bookstagram account @thecozybookgal

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Book Review: "Worth Fighting For" by Jesse Q. Sutanto 💼❤️

This was SO GOOD!!!! Step into the bustling world of finance and familial traditions for a delightful modern retelling of Disney's beloved Mulan. This book beautifully fuses the charm of the classic tale with contemporary challenges, creating a story that's as empowering as it is entertaining. 🏦🌾

Mulan Fa, the brilliant and determined daughter of a private equity titan, is armed with wit and grit as she navigates the male-dominated world of finance. When her father falls ill, Mulan steps up, pretending to be him to secure a crucial acquisition with a traditional whiskey family. The humor and heart begin as she heads to their ranch, disguised, with her hilarious cousin and confidante Mushu by her side. 🤝🤣

Jesse Q. Sutanto captures the essence of Mulan's journey—self-discovery, courage, and breaking gender norms—in a modern setting. The comedic and intelligent writing had me laughing out loud from start to finish, especially with Mushu's vibrant presence. The banter between Mulan and Shang is nothing short of delightful, building a romantic tension that perfectly complements the narrative. 👩‍💼👨‍🌾💕

The book artfully includes elements of Chinese culture and language, enriching the storyline with authenticity and depth. This respectful nod to culture shines through the pages, making this retelling not only romantic and funny but also culturally resonant. Sutanto expertly weaves in the dynamics of immigrant families, highlighting Mulan's struggle and triumph in a world that often underestimates her. 🌏👩‍👧‍👦

For fans of the original Mulan story, "Worth Fighting For" offers a nostalgic yet fresh take, paying homage to beloved characters while introducing new ones that you'll instantly fall in love with. The humor is spot-on, the romance is a slow burn that captures the heart, and the story is an absolute page-turner. 📚🔥

In conclusion, Jesse Q. Sutanto brilliantly revives the spirit of Mulan for the modern reader. Packed with laughter, love, and life lessons, this novel is a must-read for anyone who appreciates clever retellings with strong, dynamic characters. "Worth Fighting For" is not just a fun story; it's a testament to empowerment and resilience. Highly recommended to anyone looking to get lost in a world where courage and charm win the day! 🌟🏆

A heartfelt five stars for this standout addition to Disney’s Meant to Be collection. Shu Musun Mu's adventures, wisdom, and antics make it a book to remember and Mulan's journey is as inspiring as ever. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you Netgalley and Hyperion Avenue for the eARC! All opinions are my own.

Remember watching Disney’s Mulan as a kid? Well, Worth Fighting For by Jesse Q. Sutanto is the modern day Mulan story you didn’t know you needed in your life. In this retelling, Mulan is a finance bro who is working for her father and try to prove herself. Shang is the CEO of his family’s whiskey company, which Mulan’s father’s company wants to buy (of course!). The beginning of the book was a bit slow, but once the plot really got going I thought it was very enjoyable. I feel that just like the movie, this book has a big theme of self-discovery within it and I think that is something that was done very well. On top of the self-discovery I liked relationship between Mulan and Shang and how that was formed. Once we got near the end though, I did feel like it was a bit rushed and I felt like I wanted a little more. Did it ruin the book for me? No.

Overall, if you’re into a modern retelling of Mulan give Worth Fighting For a try!

3.5/5 stars

These are some of my favorite romance books! I am a major Disney fan and these are all so well done. This one, modeled after the story of Mulan, was amazing. I felt the chemistry and loved it so much. Going to recommend this, and the whole series, to my Disney-loving friends.

you know, this was a good idea in theory, just not all well thought out in my opinion.

i think what bugged me the most about this book wasn't plot (which was very fast paced and semi-enjoyable) or the instalove (i can't say i liked it, considering most of shang's and mulan's interactions were basically summarized rather than actually seeing them fall in love), but the way it's so dated. the dialogue the way millenials think gen z sounds like, and on top of that, i really kinda hate reading common slang words used in books anyway. it dates the book and if it is going to be used, it should be subtle, rather than loud and obnoxious.

that small detail took away most of my actual enjoyment for the book; i felt so tired while reading it because of the second hand embarrassment i got from the dialogue. the characters were fine, but everything else about this felt mashed together. the more i think about it, the more i think that this was just...not good.

sorry guys. i love mulan as much as the next person, but this was unfortunately not for me.

Jesse Q Sutanto is an auto-buy author for me, so I requested this as soon as I saw it, having no idea that it was part of Disney's Meant to Be Collection or that it was a modern take on Mulan and I really, thoroughly enjoyed it.

What It's About:
Mulan, an only child, works incredibly hard at her dad's firm proving that she has earned her position in the company legitimately (rather than through nepotism). Her dad, Zhou, has set his sights on acquiring a company, but after looking at the numbers, Mulan disagrees with him. When Zhou is suddenly & unexpectedly unable to finish the deal, Mulan promises she will secure it for him - Just one teeny-tiny problem... The family (The Li's) who owns the company is very traditional and will only work with a man and only trust Zhou. No problem for Mulan - She will pretend that she is Zhou (since all communication so far had been via email).

Mulan (posing as Zhou) and her cousin, Mushu, head off with the Li family to their ranch/distillery where Mulan is put to the test, proving she is "man enough" to take over and save their company. Hilarity ensues (so many funny moments) and attraction forms between Mulan and Shang Li.

This is a no spice contemporary romance that includes mistaken identity and defies gender stereotypes.

My Thoughts: I loved it (I am a huge fan of this author and of Mulan). I enjoyed the humour (Mushu is a great character!), I enjoyed Shang's mom's story and I enjoyed Mulan's family.

Here we go again! The next-up in the Meant to be Series is my girly, Mulan! Being obsessed with Tangled Up With You (despite it being a completely different author than the duo that is Christina Lauren), I am not gonna lie, my expectations were pretty freakin’ high for this book. Which, okay, maybe this was my first mistake. But a girl’s gotta dream… so, no. I am at no fault friends.

First things first! The positives. With Mulan being my favorite Disney film, I will say, I did enjoy this more than the live-action film. They did what should be a no-brainer, and KEPT Shang as the male lead. I would say “duh,” but as we all know, Honghui would say otherwise. Another positive: there is romance! Thank you God, because for some reason Disney is, like, grossed out by it according to the last gajillion animations. And one last positive? Jesse Q. Sutanto is a good writer and can write an entertaining plot. I appreciate this, as so many books often lose me with an utterly boring plot.

Okay, now moving on to what I did not like about this novel. The big one? Mulan did not feel like the animated Mulan, but the instant bad-ass Mulan we get from the live-action. From mere personality qualities alone, I knew this novel would not inflict emotions anywhere near those which the animated film makes me feel. What I love so much about Mulan is that she’s insecure & unsure about who she is, who she thinks she “should” be, and who she WILL be. Everyone mistakes Mulan for this girl bred and oozing with bravery, when in reality, she is first and foremost, a scared young woman. Do not fight me and go read/listen to the lyrics of Reflection instead. It is only when Mulan fears something more, that she bravely steps in for her father as his faux son. I have always LOVED this about Mulan. The love for her family, her HUMILITY, and her servitude towards her family is her true calling that leads her to self-discovery. And dang, just how beautiful is it, to selflessly live for the ones you love most? She literally saves her family and country because of it and that just makes me wanna cry to be completely honest.

Instead, in Worth Fighting For we have this version of Mulan who is obsessed with social status, money, and fighting a mental battle her “finance bros” that she cannot stand even though Shang himself, exposes her identity as ONE. Mulan does not pretend to be her father, Fa Zhou, merely out of her father’s need, but in my opinion, this obsession with having to prove herself to others as a female in the finance world. This would not bug me as much/be cool if she 1) did not already know how good she was and 2) if her parents did not appreciate her and recognize her as the awesome daughter/working class member that she is. Like girl, you rock and your family knows it, what is the actual problem here? I also say this because the fake identity is again, imo, completely pointless and blown out of proportion. There was absolutely NO reason it should have gone on for that long, but okay.

I could honestly keep going for quite a bit longer, but to nip this review in the bud I just wanted to drop real quick that the romance between Mulan and Shang did very little for me. Mulan’s constant eye-goggling/descriptions of Shang’s beauty felt repetitive and honestly, pretty shallow. Okay, do NOT get me wrong—as the reader I want to FEEL how hot Shang is through the heat radiating off the pages, but alsoooOOOOO, I truly believe that actions speak louder than words and that sometime, this course of action makes the reader FEEL more. So, personally I would have loved to read more moments mixed in where Mulan became flustered with “oo la laaa moments” only after having conversations that centered either bonding, arguing, and/or dissing one another, i.e., Shang is supposed to be quite the hot jerk, not the freakin’ cinnamon roll featured in Mulan 2?!!

Which alas brings me to my final thoughts: like the live-action & Mulan 2, I am overall—and it PAINS me to say this—disappointed in this retelling of our beloved Mulan. I think as a novel separate from Mulan, it is great! But since the names are literally used as is, there is no escaping that this Meant to Be novel is worth fighting…..for?

Special thanks to Netgalley for this ARC! I do think you all should still read this! I am not a hater, I promise! Congratulations to Jesse for this novel! I know lots of Mulan fans will feel differently than meeeee!