The Meant to Be series stays a hit or miss for me, with some all time favorites and some major lows.

While this is far from my least favorite in the series (looking at you, If the Shoe Fits), I have to say it was not my favorite either. I think Mulan is not only one of the best but also one of the most important and impactful Disney films ever made. I also think it is a story that is so intricately dependent on its setting that it makes it a hard one to transport to a modern world. Unfortunately, that difficulty showed in this book.

The biggest thing I didn't like was making Mulan a- and this is exactly how the book describes it- "finance bro." In this economy particularly I don't like being put into a position where I'm rooting for the big equity firm making multi-million dollar deals. Maybe that's just me, but I also don't think that's the career Mulan herself would choose if she was in a modern AU. But I digress.

I also took some issues with the overall plot. I understand why they didn't go with Mulan pretending to be a man, as that is both impractical in a modern business setting and also could end up transphobic if not done correctly, but I think the lie she ended up telling felt a little forced. If working with a woman was going to be a dealbreaker for this firm, it realistically would have been a dealbreaker no matter what. Meaning, whether they were working with Zhou's daughter, or if Zhou had been a woman the whole time, it shouldn't have made that big of a difference. If anything, telling the truth about Zhou probably would have made them sympathetic and been the better option. I don't know, I know we had to have a lie/scheme in there somewhere to make it like the plot of the movie, but it felt like such a pointless lie and I feel like she could've won them over even easier without it.

My other major issue with this book was that rather than relying on the extremely feminist themes already inherent to the story of Mulan, this book felt like it needed to really TRY to sell how feminist it was. It was girlboss feminism, and as a feminist, I'd rather just have real feminism than the girlboss variety. Mulan was a powerful legend in her own right without needing to try to be a ~girlboss~ and that will always hit harder, in my opinion. This is just a matter of opinion though. I know plenty of people who do enjoy that kind of thing more than me. AND even with my issues, I will say, the end with Auntie Jiayi was a really powerful moment, so it still hit at times.

The book also fell back a lot on what I consider to be cringe, millennial humor. But I'm not a millennial, I'm gen Z, so maybe I'm just not the target audience there. The book never really made me laugh, though, despite very clearly trying it's hardest. Mushu in particular was not very enjoyable to me, although what happened with her at the end was actually very sweet.

All this aside, I didn't hate the book! I really loved learning more about the experiences of Chinese immigrants, I think it's so important to read and learn about immigrants, now more than ever. I also loved the way Shang was written and thought the romance between him and Mulan was very sweet (although I didn't love how she was still lying about her identity at the start of their relationship since that wasn't how it was in the original.) There was plenty to like about this book even if it wasn't my favorite.

Thank you to the folks at Hyperion and NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC of this book.

I'm going to start this with I LOVE the Meant to Be Series. Jesse Sutanto did not disappoint me this book based on Mulan. It's fun to read how authors interpret the Disney princess stories into a book that is modern.

In this book Mulan works for her dad's company. There are many sides of Mulan, but as the book continues she realizes what is actually her. When her dad has a heart attack, Mulan steps in for him to purchase the company Wutai Gold whiskey, knowing the Uncles of the company wouldn't respect her as the daughter of Zhou and a women, she pretends that she is Zhou. Mulan falls in love with the company's CEO, Shang. The family eventually finds out that Mulan is not Zhou. It was fun to read how Mulan persevered to turning her story into her happily ever after!

This is a must read along with all the other books in the Meant to Be series.

A wonderful and modern retelling of Mulan this book is such feel good fun. The main characters are easy to love and Mushu doesn't disappoint. There are a few parts that seem cheesy or maybe ridiculous but they keep the book light and moving. Thanks #netgalley for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for early access. I have read two others out of this series. So I was very excited to be able to read this so soon! The storyline was great and the characters were great! I definitely recommend grabbing this book when it hits the shelves. I can’t wait to get a physical copy to add to my collection.

Sleep is good but this book is better. I clung to it until the wee hours of morning, setting it aside only when I'd devoured the last word at 1:30 am. The Meant To Be series has my heart (three down, with "Tangled Up in You" eagerly waiting on my TBR), and "Worth Fighting For" is a dazzling new book in this captivating series.

As a proud 90's Disney kid, I’ve somehow managed to dodge Mulan - though that soundtrack? Pure fire! "I’ll Make a Man Out of You" is a certified banger. Yet, I know enough to appreciate this book's clever reimagining of the classic tale. The little nods to the Disney original don’t go unnoticed. And if you're anything like me, prepare for a delightful earworm of tunes after reading certain lines. The feisty cousin Mushu, while not a dragon, adds a spark of hilarity and one of the many aspects that made this book so funny. Laughter bubbled up within me on numerous occasions.

Jesse Q. Sutanto, a new to me author, has won me over with her engaging narrative style. Her talent for painting vivid scenes without losing momentum in the story is noteworthy. It’s obvious she’s poured a lot thought and emotion into this book. The book is a testament to her thoughtfulness and emotional investment, blending tradition with modern flair, humor with heartfelt moments. One moment I was chuckling heartily, the next, blinking away a surprising tear (a couple of those "ok but why am I crying" moments).

The book also doesn't shy away from the authenticity of the daily struggles women face in the professional world, particularly in male-dominated fields. You'll find yourself rallying behind Mulan, incensed at the injustices she faces. This tale, while romantic, is more a journey of self-discovery and unapologetic self-acceptance. A must-read through and through!

I found this book to be eye opening about Chinese culture. A lot of what I know about Chinese culture, comes from mainstream media or inaccurate sitcoms and movies, so it was interesting to read about in a family setting. I had never heard of the author Jesse Sutatno, so I did a little research to see if she is a trusted source in the culture (she is!). I can’t wait to read her other books.
Now onto Worth Fighting For - I enjoyed it. I like the strong, independent woman Mulan is and how she works hard to overcome stereotypes put on her due to her gender and ethnicity. Mulan and her new love interest, Shang, are a great match and I love how they bond over his love of cooking. It is also a bonus that Shang is a mama’s boy, but not in a creepy, crazy way. Shang and Mulan face controversy, and while I do wish Shang had been more understanding initially of Mulan’s position, and I am happy the way the situation is wrapped up.
My one main issue with the storyline - Mulan says she is very family-oriented but some of her actions seem to go against that assertion. After the trip to the farm, Mulan is very wrapped up in her new relationship and I kept wondering “What about your dad and mom? Shouldn’t you be at the hospital?” Her actions didn’t seem to align with the strong, independent woman she wanted to portray.

I really liked this installment in the Meant to Be series of Disney retellings. Mulan was always a favorite of mine, especially the music and the time period when n which it’s set. This book was true to the feeling of the story without simply being relocated to a different place. It’s a financial war, starring late 20s-aged people, set in SF, for starters. Not the same really. But the feeling IS so like Mulan. I dug it. 💜📚

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!


It’s SO cute! It’s a modern retelling of Mulan, and it’s done so well! I enjoyed the authors writing style, humor, and respect for the original story. I felt she did a great job honoring Mulan while writing it with a fresh perspective and bringing it up to date.

If you enjoyed Mulan as a child, if you like stories following strong women, or if you just want to read something with cute, laugh out loud banter, read this!

A Mulan retelling set in the world of finance and whiskey-making? Absolutely yes. Sutanto's re-envisioning of this classic takes the bones of the legendary story—duty, deception, and finding one’s true self—and reshapes it into a fresh, contemporary romance with sharp writing and emotional depth.

The setup is fantastic: after her father suffers a heart attack, Mulan steps in to close the deal he was working on, except there’s a catch—she has to do it under his name because the family owners are very traditional and won't sell the company to a woman. That’s how she ends up on the working ranch owned by the family, where she has to prove she's worthy of buying the whiskey company by doing the things her father has described in his emails. Unfortunately for her, and hilariously for us, her father grew up on a farm in China. I really liked Mulan but became her front-row cheerleader when she gave herself the pep talk: "You are a different person. You watched a TikTok." On the ranch, she gets to know Sheng, the company’s forward-thinking CEO. The slow-burn (and then not-so-slow burn) romance is full of tension, longing, and moments that make you want to yell at both characters to just admit their feelings already.

Even seemingly secondary characters get their due in this retelling. I adored Sheng's mother, Auntie Jiayi, who is fully rooting for Sheng & Mulan's relationship from the start. Auntie Jiayi has been constantly underestimated by her brothers and continues to find ways around their rigid gender biases. Mushu, Mulan's cousin and conspirator, isn't sure what she wants in life but finds some of her true passion by the end of the story.

I also really loved how the book explored identity, legacy, and proving your worth without losing yourself in the process. Even with all the business and family drama, the romance stays front and center in the best way. If you love a loyal heroine who refuses to back down and is also strong enough to own her "stuff", this one is definitely worth picking up.

I am absolutely loving this series! This is the fifth installment so far and every book can be read as a standalone, but if you are a Disney princess / contemporary romance fan - this is a must read!

I was hoping for something more like Twelfth Night or Mulan passing for a man as she does in the Disney movie. I even hoped for a lesbian love story. That is not what this is. While well translated to a contemporary US setting, it’s more like Auntie Mame’s trip to the South. Enjoyable, at times humorous, but overall it struggles to escape being trite. I suspect the author was constrained by the publisher’s requirements.

Past Meant to Be books have been so clever with their takes on Disney movies, and Worth Fighting For is no exception. I’d never seen Mulan but was still excited to pick up on some nods to the movie, and I bet there are subtler things movie devotees would pounce on.
Docked one star because it didn’t feel natural to root for the private equity firm to succeed (considering all the trouble these firms cause in real life), and yet I can see its purpose here: showing one of the most hyper-masculine work environments possible, and raising questions about how men and women are encouraged to act.
P.S. Don’t read this book on an empty stomach, as there are so many delicious-sounding meal descriptions!

dnf at 57%

1⭐

-spoiler free-

14+

romance: 7/10 (lots of innuendo, dirty jokes, and sexualiztion of your favorite Disney characters 🤠🤠)

cursing: 3/10 (shit, ass, hell. I think that’s it as far as I read)

violence: 0/10

other: drinking

tropes: office, forbidden romance

first person, present tense

publish date: 6-3-2025


–OVERVIEW–

I tried SO hard to love this, but I just couldn’t take this one anymore.

I feel like I’m dishonoring my ancestors or smth by not finishing so many asian rep books, but this one was downright just trashy.

the Mulan movies were alr very feminist, but this is a whole other level.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all here for female empowerment, but this rubbed me the wrong way for some reason.

I had so many problems with this book.

1. Mushu.
Just no. As much as I love Mushu in the movies, she just pmo so badly and I can’t explain it.
Her humor was nothing like the Mushu I know and love, and was so stiff. Not once did I laugh at this book, not a single time. I feel like that’s just a loss considering this is a romantic COMEDY, but you win some you lose some ig 🐿️💅

2. The dynamic.
This was also nothing like the movie. I went in expecting smth and that was not delivered upon. I got no tension, I got no pining.
It was just straight lust from the first encounter and it made me want to vomit.
Literally THE SAME DAY Mulan meets Shang, Mushu says smth not at all relating to Shang (she was in fact talking abt horses) and Mulan’s mind was alr in the gutter when it came to him.
This isn’t how I want my favorite characters from my childhood.

That’s all I’m gonna mention rn bc your girl has had 4 hours of sleep this week and I can’t focus anymore...

Don’t get me wrong, I adore this author. Jesse writes some banger thrillers and I own most of her other books. But this one just wasn’t it for me.



–PLOT–

Finance bro falls for the whiskey bro


–CHARACTERS–

Mulan
⤷ She’s not like other girls…she’s a finance bro

Shang
⤷ He’s not like his family…he’s a feminist

Mushu
⤷ She should’ve been a dog or an annoying little brother or smth, also where did cricket bro go?


–CONCLUSION–

I wouldn’t recommend this book, maybe don’t read it 🥲


–PLAYLIST–

The Man - Taylor Swift
Enchanted - Taylor Swift
Gorgeous - Taylor Swift
Yours - Conan Gray

3.5 rounded up to 4!!! This was such a sweet retelling of an incredibly famous story. As a Disney lover, this was like a warm hug. I was skeptical going in, but Sutanto has a special way of writing that pulls you in and hangs on tight!

Thanks to NetGalley, Jesse Q. Sutanto, and Hyperion Books for the eARC of Worth Fighting For in exchange for an honest review.

As a lifelong Mulan fan and avid reader of Jesse Q. Sutanto’s works (Vera Wong is one of my all-time favorite books!), I was thrilled when I was notified I got the ARC for Worth Fighting For!

Hua Mulan is reimagined as a girl stuck in the male-dominated finance field at her father’s investment firm.

Shang is the CEO of Wutang Gold, a family owned whiskey company that is largely run by the sexist world view of his family members. The whiskey company believes in toxic masculinity and of course no one but a man could buy Wutang Gold. When Mulan has to strike a deal with them for her father, she decides the only option is to pretend to be her father so that they take her seriously.

At its heart, Mulan is the story of overcoming adversity and proving yourself despite others’ misconceptions. Sutanto absolutely delivered on this and I loved reading this new take on a favorite story!

I really enjoyed this book! I loved how the author decided to parallel the plot with the Disney movie, it definitely has the same elements and themes while still being it's own work. I love how emotional the last few chapters were especially and the internal conflict with the main character, it really made me cry, but overall definitely a fun fast paced read that made me smile

This is another in the Disney stories. Retellings, this one is based on Mulan. I have only seen the Milan movie once and it was a very long time ago, but I do understand the gist of the story. Here we have the only daughter of 2 Chinese immigrants who threw a series of misfortunes and her father's illness. It pretends to be him (it was nevwr aowcified zhou was man) to impress a company that his company wants to buy where she works (where she works also) the company in question is a very mancentric, so she reads through her father's emails and discovers he has told them stories of growing up on the ranch back in china, so she ends up at the company's ranch and distillery, trying to be a the country girl it has as much fun as it sounds.That's a very good story, of course we have to throw in the good looking c. EO of the company who is not man centric, like his founding uncles. There's a lot of attraction and will he find out the secret? Will he not find out the secret?Read it and find out very good book


Thank you, net galley for a arc.In exchange for an honest review

I love the Meant to Be series and was eagerly awaiting this installment. This retelling of Mulan is so fun and funny in a modern setting! Fans of the series will love this addition!

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

Screenshot 2025-02-28 at 11.33.46 AM
title: Worth Fighting For

author: Jesse Q. Sutanto

publisher: Hyperion Avenue

publication date: June 3, 2025

pages: 288

peppers: 2 (on this scale)

warnings: mysogeny

summary: In this modern Mulan retelling, Mulan is a finance bro whose father ends up hospitalized just before making the deal with a man-centric whiskey company run by the Li family. In order to get the deal, Mulan pretends to be Zhao, the senior partner of the company, which would work fine if she didn't have to prove how good she was as a rancher.

tropes:

fish out of water
woman in a man's world
big family-little family
what I liked: the basic Mulan retelling.

what I didn’t like: a little repetitive and she didn't do anything that wasn't her except change her name

overall rating: 3 (of 5 stars)

4.25 ⭐️
I was so happy when I was accepted to receive this ARC because I have read and loved all the other books in the Mean to Be series and was eager to read this next installment.

This Mulan retelling had everything I wanted. Mulan was a badass, Mushu was hilarious, and Shang was soft-hearted and a sucker for Mulan the minute they met. I think Sutanto did a wonderful job incorporating the themes and feelings from the movie into a modern-day setting. You were frustrated every time Mulan had to deal with a sexist or misogynistic comment, you laughed when Mushu was quirky and kept getting Mulan into sticky situations, and you swooned when Shang and Mulan were flirty and adorable. I especially loved the scene where they swapped traditional gender roles – Mulan wanted to chop wood outside at the Lis family estate, so Shang showed her where it was and then returned inside to make dumplings. I also loved the moments when we saw Mulan and her father Zhou's relationship dynamic and how much love and respect there was between them.

I knew where the story was headed, yet I loved it all the same. I was just along for the ride. I was hooked from the first sentence, which was a nod to Pride and Prejudice – another novel with a spirited and confident heroine.

Memorable Quotes:
"Fate and destiny are my bitches, didn't you know?"
"The patriarchy is so tiresome."
"I am Hua Mulan, daughter of Hua Zhou and Hua Li, and the Lis would do well not to underestimate me."

I wish the author had included a few more easter eggs and references relating to the movie, but I loved the ones I did find. Here are a few I noticed:
The firm Hau Zhou owns is called Eighty-Eighty Capital. The animated Mulan movie is 88 minutes long.
They reference a Vera when talking about tea. Vera is the main character of one of Jesse Q. Sutano's other books.
A very recognizable moment is when Mulan says, "Who is this girl staring back at me? 'Why is my reflection someone I don't know?'" This is obviously a lyric in the song Reflection.
"You are the flower that blooms in adversity." As I was looking up the Ballad of Mulan, I discovered that her name was Hua Mulan, as it is in this book, and not Fa Mulan like in the movie. I also learned that Hua Mulan means Magnolia flower, and I thought this quote reflected that so beautifully.


Spicy rating: 0.5/5 🌶️ Moments leading up to closed-door scenes.

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