This is a sweet, clean romance that delivers a refreshing take on workplace love and cultural nuance. The story follows Joanna Lin, who’s just embarked on a new career as an art teacher at a Mandarin immersion school. Determined to steer clear of her mother’s well-meaning matchmaking efforts, Joanna is focused on her professional goals—until she meets Jack Sun, the charming new fifth-grade teacher whose warmth, kindness, and irresistible dimples quickly unsettle her carefully drawn boundaries. What makes this novel stand out is its gentle, slow-burn romance, perfectly balanced with the pressures of a new job and the looming reality that Jack is destined to return to Taiwan at the end of the school year.

While the initial premise might seem familiar, its engaging dialogue and the relatable internal conflicts of both Joanna and Jack elevate the story. Their evolving connection is portrayed with sensitivity, capturing the bittersweet tension of pursuing a relationship when time is short and circumstances are uncertain. Ultimately, this is an uplifting, heartwarming romance that reminds us that sometimes the most inconvenient crushes can lead to the most transformative experiences.

Two new teachers...

Joanna Lin is the new art teacher at a Mandarin immersion school in Michigan. Jack Sun is the new fifth grade teacher, filling in for a friend on maternity leave. He has obligations back in Taiwan. A very sweet read, with Joanna feeling very New Adult (NA). A sweet clean read with two teachers at the center of the story.

Teacher's Match by Kristi Hong
A Clean and Uplifting Romance
A new career. A new school.
And a very inconvenient new crush.
Joanna Lin is determined to avoid her mother’s matchmaking. With a new career as an art teacher at a Mandarin immersion school, Joanna refuses to let anything or anyone distract her. Especially her charming new colleague Jack Sun. His kindness and passion for teaching—not to mention those dimples!—are practically irresistible. But anything beyond friendship is impossible, especially when Jack’s moving to Taiwan at the end of the school year. But as spring—and the school’s Dragon Boat Festival—draws closer, love might send all of their careful plans tumbling overboard.
This is Joanna Lin and mom Carol's story.
This is Jack Sun and mom's story.
Today’s arrived. It’s really here.
Joanna Lin drove down the pretty, tree-lined street that led to Lakeland Elementary School. She pulled into the staff lot and parked her car in the first space facing the entrance of the one-story, red-brick building, which looked just as charming as its photos online. Joanna wondered which of the windows might belong to her new classroom. She pictured the miniature chairs soon to be occupied with little bodies, the neat stacks of fresh crayon boxes waiting to be opened, the bulletin boards ready to be filled with drawings and art projects—art projects taught by ME, eek!
He paused for just a second before displaying a dazzling, double-dimpled smile and extending his hand for her to shake. “Hi, I’m Jack Sun, the new fifth grade teacher.”
“Hey, us new kids have to stick together, right?” Jack held the door open for her as they stepped into the hall.
“Thanks, Mr. Sun. By the way, what did you say at the end of your Mandarin speech that made everyone giggle?” Jack looked at Joanna right in the eye. “I said, ‘Maybe I’ll find a reason to stay longer.’”
I recommend this book.
The Teacher's Match by Kristi Hong is a 4 star book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.

Focused on her new teaching career, Joanna resists the advances of charming colleague Jack, knowing his impending move to Taiwan makes a relationship impossible. However, as spring approaches, their carefully constructed boundaries may be swept away by unexpected romance.

This is a fun and heartwarming romance. The characters are likeable and relatable, with strong chemistry between them. The plot is enjoyable, with significant obstacles to the romance. I liked the slow burn.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This is a cute romance that takes place against the background of a Mandarin immersion elementary school with a large group of school personnel making up the secondary cast. Joanna has recently changed careers completely and is now the new art teacher at the school, and Jack is the new fifth grade teacher. The two bond organically because they’re the “new guys” at work and it’s sweet and pure to watch their crushes develop. They have issues and obstacles to overcome before they will give into their feelings and allow their relationship to progress, and they’re able to learn from one another throughout this process. Both characters’ mothers played a large part in the story and their meddling made me chuckle. I thought the story was okay until the final 1/3 of the story, when it finally began to pick up. I really like the way the ending unfolded.

There is a quite a bit of Taiwanese and Chinese culture, food, and language woven into the story.

I received a copy of this HQN Heartwarming title from the publisher via NetGalley-thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book, Harlequin!