I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. Even as an adult I found this book fun. Elijah and Jessica are wonderful and the relationship that they have with the other interns is good too. It is a summer that gets a little mixed up. Jessica is the executive-in-training intern and gets treated as such. Elijah is sharing a tiny apartment with the rest of the interns. They discover that all that was for Elijah and not Jessica but they don't switch back. The love story part gave me K-drama vibes and I love it.

Things I liked about this book:

- The workplace setting was very fun, and I felt like the main conflict that was happening between the two main characters was a good main plot.
- the ability to relate to the fmc, she was sweet and kind and so hardworking that I felt like I could see myself in her a little bit.
- The friendship in this book between the mmc and his roommates while he was interning, it felt very sweet and wholesome to see him be so accepted by complete strangers and then eventual friends and workmates.
- The plot, LOVED the way the story played out.

Although I really enjoyed this one, I felt like a couple things felt off to me, it was still one of my better reads of the year, but it fell short in terms of being a 4+ for me. I will continue to read more from this author, because besides the few things that fell short for me, I still enjoyed my time getting to know these characters and their story.

Susan Lee delivers another fun romantic comedy featuring two teens with the same Korean name- causing a mixup that ends up suiting them both in ways they never would have expected. Well written, fun dialogue, a good teen book that many will enjoy.

Your everyday tale of switched identity. Elijah and Jessica just happen to have the same Korean name and when they show up to work for the summer they are mistaken for each other. Rich kid Elijah jumps at the chance to be a nobody at the company he is set to inherit one day. While Jessica needs the recommendation in order to get into the dream schools with scholarships that she desperately needs. Elijah and Jessica become closer as the summer progresses and they surprise everyone around them with what they can accomplish. But in the end the summer may just blow up in their face. Readers will find themselves rooting for Jessica and Elijah throughout the book. This book looks at the themes of hard work, gender roles and stereotypes, and friendship.

WHAT WORKED FOR ME

My overarching favorite part of this book is the tone and style of writing from Lee. She embodies the comedy part of rom-com that had me giggling out loud while reading this book. When I said this book made me fall in love with what YA romance can be, I'm not even a little bit exaggerating. This book feels like a love letter to New York that we get to view through the eyes of our two main characters - who, yes have the same name.

The set-up of this book is a play on mistaken identity that I've not seen done in a romance of any kind. The fact that each individual accepted that it was totally fine until they get to their respective housing and are like "uh, this is weird". Each character is given the space to grow as an individual and then together. The general message, in my opinion, is that speaking up for those you care about may not be the easiest to do, but it is worth the sacrifice you may have to make to do so (very prevalent in our current world).

Candidly, it's been several months since I've read this and know I'm forgetting details. But this book had everything I love in romance: stolen moments, mutual pining and the journey that you want to see two characters go on. I found myself rooting for these young ones to succeed in what they were doing, and kicked my feet in the air over the cute moments at the same time.

WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME

Honestly, there is not a single thing I can think of that didn't work for me with this story. There's nothing that left me wanting more. If anything, it made me even more excited to read Seoulmates and anything Lee publishes in the future.

"Always be the first to arrive and the last to leave," I hear my mom's calming voice and words of wisdom in my head."

Jessica is the most relatable main character I've met in quite a while. I absolutely adore her. "I can't help.but feel a little like Alice in her own big-city Wonderland."

Elijah is my favorite shade of morally grey, with a jeart of gold. From the moment he opened his K-pop playlist to Seventeen, I was a goner.

And together? Well. Let's just use the word unstoppable. The focus on the gamer community really made these two relatable.

Possibly my favorite thing about this book is the author's attention to detail. Whether we're seeing New York from the eyes of someone used to Seoul, or seeing a huge company from the eyes of someone wanting most to succeed, the author pulls us in.

"We're standing over the greatest city in the world and anything feels possible."

"Lee Yoo-Jin, party of two."

It was okay! I thought the beginning was a bit longer than necessary considering we already know how it's set up from the synopsis. I thought the characters could've been more developed, but overall, it was a chill read. I'd call this a nice palette cleanser.

This was such a cute young adult romantic comedy and reminded me so much of a k-drama, it was feel-good and cheesy. Unfortunately both the main characters were... too much to handle. Jessica seemed too air-headed and "quirky" as a lot of typical YA characters, and Elijah was a bit cocky and overly fortunate that he was a becoming arrogant. It was a cute story and was enjoyable to read.

This book was really fun! I enjoyed it a lot. I felt like it was different than a lot of romances I’ve read. I haven’t read many they meet because of work romances so maybe that’s why 😂 It was enjoyable and I always love it when a romance book has 2 povs. Elijah and Jessica were good characters and they had a lot of growth throughout the book. I’m excited to read her other book Seoulmates!

The Name Drop sounded like a good coming-of-age YA fiction and romance mixed into one when I first saw The Name Drop. I hadn't read a lot of books that had Korean-based culture wound in and I was interested to learn more as I enjoyed this book.

Right off the bat I loved this story. Jessica is such a fun character and a bit type A with her control and wanting things to go perfect. I loved how she wanted to break away from her family and earn her spot in the world. She was naive and a little sheltered almost, which was fun to read as she grew. Elijah was entitled, but at the same time not snooty about it. I knew the two characters would form some kind of connection, so it wasn't a surprise, but the journey was the joy of this story.

I loved learning about the male-dominated culture of Koreans as that aspect of this book was wound in. As a female, I found it sad for the women in the story, but I also found the empowerment was great. While I know this book is not a history of Korean culture, I really enjoy learning about the little tidbits I didn't know and think that added something more to the enjoyment of this book. The characters were easily loved (or hated) and the story flowed smoothly. I almost wish there was more to it. That would be my only complaint. I wanted more. Maybe a sequel?

Susan Lee's story was a fun, quick read that had me digging myself out of a recent readings lump quite quickly. I cannot wait to go check out her other book I have now heard so much about. An absolute must-read for fans of YA Fiction!

This took my a while to read, not that I didn't like it but I tend to read YA books when I'm in the mood and it didn't seem like the perfect one to start this book, however I finally finished it! While I do feel like the characters could've been more fleshed out, I loved every moment they had together and the almost parent-trap vibes of it all (obviously without the twin/sibling part).

I think for what this book was and it being her 2nd book, Susan Lee did such a great job at capturing the essence of these two characters and bringing them together to create something sweet and fun. So for that, thank you Netgalley and Inkyard Press for this arc!

(3.75 stars)

I received an e-galley of The Name Drop by Susan Lee from Frenzy Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Elijah and Jessica are both going to be interning at Haneul Corporation, but while Elijah is the son of the CEO , Jessica is supposed to be one of many overworked, unpaid interns chosen for the summer. The two share the same Korean name - Lee Yoo-Jin - and right from the start, a case of mistaken identity takes Jessica to the executive offices and Elijah finds himself in the summer of this dreams, not controlled by the life that his father has set out for him. As the two realize the mistake and make the decision to trade positions for the summer, Elijah and Jessica find themselves experiencing new things and also finding a connection between themselves that goes beyond birthright and money.

This was a cute and fun YA novel about mistaken identity, secrets, adventure, and love. I enjoyed the way in which the two get caught up in their situations. I really liked Jessica and found myself really rooting for her - as one does for the poor girl caught up in the drama of a Korean conglomerate, much like in a Korean drama. And so, for any fans of Korean dramas, The Name Drop is perfect for your dose of romance in YA form.

genuinely one of my favorite reads of 2023. susan lee's debut seoulmates was good, but this was even better.

our two main characters, elijah and jessica, have the same legal korean name. this would normally not be an issue since jessica and elijah lead very separate lives - jessica comes from a middle class family with her dad as an employee of haneul corporation, a korea-based company with a large us base. elijah, on the other hand, is the son of the company's owner, which means he'll eventually become ceo despite his older sister actually wanting the job while he doesn't (at all).

unfortunately or fortunately, a case of mistaken identity due to their shared name results in jessica inadvertently switching spots with elijah, getting a first class ticket to her internship, along with getting chauffeured to a fancy brownstone in nyc for the summer, one that even comes with a full time housekeeper. elijah gets the intern treatment, sharing a tiny dorm with other interns, a tight food budget, and the corporate version of busywork when he should be learning how to be ceo.

when elijah and jessica run into each other, they piece together what might have happened, but they no longer want to swap back - jessica wants to take advantage of her new authority to get a move on a career she really wants and elijah wants a summer away from his father.

it takes a lot of work for them to build the lie and maintain it, and with that, the duo grow closer and closer which blossoms into romance!!! i really really loved the (imo) very real depiction of what it's like to work at a large tech corporation - sure the international ones might be "worse" but we're all bottom of the barrel to the execs and c-suiters. the romance was prioritized slightly less than their hijinks and it was perfect - this is the kind of chaos i enjoy reading in a single sitting.

5/5

A mix-up with names at the airport leads to a summer of opportunities. Elijah and Jessica decide to take advantage of the airport’s mix up and swap jobs for the summer. Elijah, set to spend the summer in New York at his fathers company, decides to go incognito and live the summer as a regular intern and leave the executive training program to Jessica. Elijah is from a 1% family in Korea and Jessica from a middle class family in Southern California, the two get to explore New York City together and realize they enjoy spending time together. This is a beautiful coming of age story about breaking free from toxic family values and learning who supports you in living the life you want and finding happiness. This book also tackles class and financial privilege, misogynistic companies too set in their old ways, as well as complex family dynamics. This book is for romance readers, YA readers, and anyone who wants to read about someone else’s family drama for a few hundred pages. This is my first read of Susan Lee’s and I’m looking forward to jumping right into Seoulmates asap (which is already on my bookshelf ready and waiting)!

I absolutely love Susan Lee and her work!! I loved the setting, the characters, the development, this was such a great YA romance that I would recommend!

🩷 Korean American representation
🩷 Slow burn romance
🩷 Hilarious Hijinks
🩷 Trading places

I finished this book in just a few hours! The premise is great: because of a mix-up with their Korean names, FMC Jessica Lee and MMC Elijah Ri end up trading places while doing their internship at the NYC location of a major Korean company. Jessica is mistaken for an executive level-intern and enjoys all the perks: the glam Upper East Side apartment, designer clothes, and housekeeper and Elijah ends up bunking with 10 other interns in a one-bathroom apartment.

What I enjoyed the most is how Jessica & Elijah see the good in each other and encourage each other to be the best version of themselves. Susan Lee cleverly writes an engaging B-story (which is quite the skill, in my opinion) that really raises the stakes for these two. I also love the supporting characters -my fave is Elijah's sister who should definitely have her own story, and I totally ship #Ellson (Ella and Jason).

The Name Drop is a fun, romantic comedy that takes place in one of my favorite places, my hometown NYC. My family moved to Queens in 1995, I went to college and law school in NYC, worked/played in NYC, and my fam is still there. I LOVE that two main characters get to explore NYC while exploring their feelings for each other. What an awesome place to fall in love! I practically yelled "KISS ALREADY" in almost every chapter. They were just so darn cute!

I attended the book release party held at Meet Cute Bookshop @meetcutebookshop (which I definitely recommend visiting if you're in SD). She’s a master at getting authors together and had a panel with Ali Hazelwood, Rosie Danan, & Christina Lauren. Loved it! Susan also gave out these awesome goodies. She's such a generous soul and I love that she’s our hometown hero.

And lastly - how beautiful is this cover?! Artist Michelle Kwon @michi.kwo is amazing!

While this was a cute YA romance that I did enjoy reading, I would probably never read it again and only talk about it with a friend if they brought it up first. This is not to say I didn't enjoy the book or Susan Lee's writing because I am definitely going to be reading her next book. I just didn't really connect with the characters that well, but would 100% recommend it to fans of cute YA romances and K-dramas.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Thank you! I read this right on the cusp of fall and it felt like the perfect way to end summer! A cute summer romance set in NYC, felt like I was watching a movie!!

A fun rom-com with a unique premise and lovely romance set to the backdrop of New York City. Highly recommend.

It was a cute little summer romance. I enjoyed the office romance and young love. I liked watching them grow together and experiencing love for the first time. It also touched on important topics such as inequality on several levels like race, class, and gender. I also enjoyed watching their internship project develop. However, I did not enjoy the 3rd act breakup and wished the setting of new york had more of a character in the book. It was missing something.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this earc.
I just reviewed The Name Drop by Susan Lee. #TheNameDrop #NetGalley