This coming of age rivals to lovers YA romance was more angsty and heavy than I was expecting. To be honest it was just an okay read for me. Nothing super standout but I would still recommend it for fans of books like Fake dates and mooncakes or A Banh mi for two or anyone who likes learning more about Korean American cafes and books about food. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

This book is the epitome of why I love reading YA stories. Not only is it relevant and interesting, but diverse voices are perfectly represented. It's got a phenomenal enemies to lovers romance, I learned so much about korean treats, and it explored interesting issues relevant to the modern day. It was so good that I purchased a copy to donate to my local library!

This was everything I look for in a YA romcom. And bonus points for nerdiness. I love these characters and this found family so much. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more from this author. The audiobook was very well done.

Bingsu for Two was such a pleasant surprise, for me!

The family business trope has been done many times in YA, and this is probably my favorite time seeing this trope, to date! I loved the chosen family/friendship dynamics, and there was just enough drama to keep things zesty but not too stressful. River and Sarang had such good chemistry, and I absolutely love how obsessed with Sarang River was.

This book has so much to offer - from comedy to romance to family drama to coming of age. All of these topics were handled with so much care and the story ended up being so fleshed out and lovely all around.

I can't wait to read more from Sujin Witherspoon!

‘Bingsu For Two’ by Sujin Witherspoon is a heartwarming YA novel following a small, family Korean café as it faces monetary and social challenges. River Langston-Lee is the son of a successful competitor of bingsu for two. He feels lost in life, a lack of self-confidence and other teen emotions. When he impromptu quits his job at his parents’ café, he joins bingsu where he finds not only friendships but purpose as a new marketing campaigner.

I liked the setting of this book, the characters were full of life and the plot was engaging with regular ups and downs that kept you going. The found family trope was really well done as the characters genuinely seemed to have a connection and love for one another. The cozy setting also enhanced this as the café seemed like a safe space for the group.

I just didn’t like River, maybe because he was a teen acting like an adult but without the life and common sense. He was constantly making terrible decisions that hurt people but always found a way to act the victim and not take any responsibility for what he did. He thought that as long as he was having fun it was alright.

In terms of the audiobook format, I absolutely loved the narrator he did a great job at voicing all the characters. I would listen to more things that he is narrated. The pacing was good and you could listen at any pace you liked without it causing any audio problems. The only downside is that there was a lot of social media elements like texting where hearing peoples names said regularly could be frustrating.

Can I just fangirl over this book for a minute? You know when you start a book and from the first feel you get you’re already smiling and you instantly KNOW you’re going to love it? That was me the minute I started this book. It was an instant understanding that I was reading something special!

This book wholeheartedly captured me. The characters and their individual interactions and dynamic had me cracking up. The writing is sweet and incredibly witty. This was so heartfelt and I was not ready for it to end. I listened to this one in the span of a few hours because it was just so delectable.

River has just imploded his life… broke up with his high school sweetheart, walked out on SATs, and epically quit his job as co-manager at one of his family’s cafe chains. How does he end up working for the competition, you might ask…?

Bingsu For Two is a small business with virtually NO business. They are failing and when River steps in, making them go viral with an accidental public post, things start to spiral quickly. Business is booming, but River walks a fine line of getting caught by his parents.

The best part of working at Bingsu For Two, though? The incredibly feisty green haired girl who hates his guts!! The feeling starts out mutual, but as the two have to work closer and closer to keep the shop in business, that bitterness turns into something sweeter.

The antics in this book are fantastic. This book may be VERY online, but Witherspoon does it in the most perfect way. I will be screaming about this book to anyone who will listen for a very long time! If you happen across this one, PLEASE do yourself a favor and pick it up! So worth it!

Audiobook/Book Review 📖🎧

thank you so much partner @unionsqandco & Brilliance Audio for the gifted copy & audiobook!

Bingsu for Two
by Sujin Witherspoon
Narrated by Keong Sim

About the book 👇🏽

Meet River Langston-Lee. In the past 24 hours, he’s dumped his girlfriend, walked out of his SATs, and quit his job at his parents’ cafe in spectacularly disastrous fashion—even for him.

Somehow, he manages to talk his way into a gig at a failing Korean cafe, Bingsu for Two, which is his lucky break until he meets short, grumpy, and goth: Sarang Cho. She’s his new no-BS co-worker who’s as determined to make River’s life hell as she is to save her family’s cafe.

🧋 My thoughts:

This is such a fun and sweet enemies to lovers story! I seriously adore a coffee shop setting for any book and this was so good! I hybrid read and listened to the book and I’d recommend both versions. The audiobook narrator did a wonderful job bringing this story to life and holding my attention. If you enjoy YA romance stories, this one has some great tropes! Including but not limited to fake dating, work place romance, and enemies to lovers. Bingsu for Two is out now!


Happy reading 📖☕️🧋

Bingsu for Two is a YA novel full of classic tropes, which I usually enjoy—even if I’m no longer the target audience. This time, though, it just didn’t click for me.

The story follows River Langston-Lee, a high school senior working at his family’s Korean café. Unhappy with his situation, he quits and starts working at the competition, Bingsu for Two. That’s where the tropes—and the lying—begin. River entangles himself in a web of deception, sometimes for personal convenience, sometimes to help others, but lies are lies.

Where was I invested? The drama between the rival cafés. How could these teenagers have so much influence in running them? I was genuinely curious to see how this conflict would be resolved.

Where wasn’t I invested? The love story. I didn’t feel connected to the characters, and even though the story is told from River’s perspective, I often struggled to follow his reasoning. Maybe that’s intentional—after all, being a teenager can be confusing.

A big plus for the audiobook version was Keong Sim’s narration, which added a lot to the experience.

Overall, while the premise had potential, Bingsu for Two didn’t fully draw me in. But for readers who love YA romance with a side of family drama and café rivalries, it might be worth a try.

This was cute. I’m not the target audience, but I did enjoy the shenanigans that the characters got up to and I know that the YA age range folks would all really relate to this story.

"Bingsu for Two" by Sujin Witherspoon

This book is chaotic, adorable, and impossible to put down! ☕💚
"Bingsu for Two" is more than just a swoon-worthy enemies-to-lovers romance— I love the heartfelt exploration of family expectations, self-discovery, and forging your own path. River, a directionless but charming barista, finds himself working at a struggling Korean cafe alongside Sarang, his grumpy, no-nonsense co-worker.

I think what makes this book really stand out is how Witherspoon balances laugh-out-loud humor with deeply emotional moments. The story is packed with nuanced cultural representation, heartfelt friendships, and an authentic look at the pressures of growing up in a family business. Plus, the cafe setting is so cozy and atmospheric, you’ll wish you could grab a bingsu of your own! I definitely crave some bingsu after reading this book.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

I loved this book so much! It was so cute! Perfect enemies to lovers coffee shop romance.

River gets the chance to work at Bingsu for Two. His new coworker Sarang is determined to make his life hell. When River accidentally uploads a video of coworkers to his popular fandom amount, new fans ship him and Sarang. River needs to decide if he wants others let others keep controlling his life or if stand up for a place that’s become a home. What will he do? What about Sarang? Seems like she not as heartless as he thought she was.

I loved getting to listen to this. The story was so fun and sweet at the same time. I enjoyed how minimal the romance is. I would definitely recommend this book if you enjoy romcoms!

I can’t wait for Sujins next book! I really enjoy her writing and how quickly I was able to listen to this book. The narrator did a wonderful job! Also, how cute is this cover?! I want to go hang out at Bingsu for Two!

Thank you so much NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing and Sujin for the E-ALC!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#NetGalley

I received an advanced listening copy of this audiobook for review. This is my own opinion.

Bingsu For Two is an adorable, angsty teen about River and his seventeen year old existential crisis. (Don’t feel bad, buddy, most of us know very little at that age.) River’s parents own a successful chain of cafes in Seattle, and he and his (HORRIBLE) girlfriend are co managers of the newest one. The book starts with River walking out of his SAT the day after breaking up with his girlfriend. He immediately goes to quit his job at the family’s shop. He then gets coffee dumped on him by a grumpy girl with green hair and goes to work for HER family shop, which just so happens to be one he tried to run out of business.

This book is filled with LOTS of teen drama, social media drama, exes in the workplace, family drama, and it was SO much fun. Everything that could possibly go wrong for sweet little River went wrong.

*I will note that his fandom activities are mentioned, and he’s very active in his fandom community, but after he accidentally uploads a video about the cafe to his fandom account, very little of his fandom stuff is mentioned, other than the fact that it exists. If you’re coming into this book expecting a lot of fandom, it’s not super present. I’m not bothered by the lack, and I don’t miss it in the story, but I think it does bear noting if you’re actively seeking fandom culture content!

I really enjoyed this one! Definitely recommend for fans of Ash Poston’s YA series or if you enjoyed A Banh Mi for Two (which is actually kind of an amusing coincidence given the titles—but the vibe is there!).

Thanks to Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing/Audio for the ALC!