Happy Endings was a really enjoyable book that had some moments that just didn't sit completely right with me. I'm not sure if it was the characters themselves, their action, or just how central the plot was. I feel like there was so much more that could have been expanded on, and when I think about the settings, it's all pretty unfocused.

The romance was cute, though.

I thought it was okay. Honestly I enjoyed the concept and the idea of it more than the actual execution. Some of the love scenes especially felt a bit stiff, and therefore pulled me out of the story. I did otherwise enjoy the relationship arc and watching these characters grow into themselves. I'd be interested in a different book from this author as it may have just been this one which lagged a bit, but I saw a lot of potential.

This was a DNF for me. I just couldn't get behind the relationship, but there are some good things going on with the representation and unique aspects of the storyline.

It started off pretty cute, but I honestly disliked the main character. She did not recognize the impact of gentrification on a neighborhood and refused to acknowledge that her own actions could be harmful and made it seem like her partner was the a-hole (who was a Black man). I'm surprise a Southeast Asian wrote it, as the women in the story are so #girlboss, which is so white feminist. I thought the book was okay.

OMG THIS BOOK IS WONDERFUL!!! I feel like I've been on a bad book streak, and this book broke it. I love that diverse "own voices" books have become more inclusive, including the AAPI community. Trixie and Andre knew each other in NOLA and dated each other seriously until he literally abandoned her and broke up with her on a post-it (Hello SATC fans....) Fast forward two years where they run into each other at Andre's restaurant in the DC metro area, where Trixie is hosting a pop-up for her sex toy business. I'll be honest in that I pictured Trixie being involved in a MLM and I wasn't sure how she was going to open her own boutique for sex toys, but I suspended that issue like I do for a lot of real life vs. novel life issues. Basically, the steam is still there between Trixie and Andre, but Trixie struggles to trust him and Andre is... basically a blockhead. The "oh no they aren't going to make it" last minute obstacle made me so mad at him. I'm glad he came around (loved the hospital waiting room scene!) This is a must read this summer. Can't wait to read the next book obviously because the Boss Babes clearly had some unresolved things that can be explored!

I just got to say that I love the diversity in this book. I love reading about interracial couples. Who cares what race they are. If they love each other, that's what matters. But these two characters need a bit of time to heal. That's right, it's a second chance romance trope. So you know we are going to get the grovel, angst, and fire. I expected an insane reunion moment but it did not live up to my expectation. It started off with a bang but then fell off.

honestly, i did really like the whole plot about the sex toy business, and i was really excited about that part since i really like the roommate by rosie danan. and since sex is a big point in both of these books, i kinda just expected to like it, but i was wrong lol. like, i do feel like the sex was steamy, which is always really cool, and i did like to read about that part of it. but, i also feel like there was zero emotion in this book. like, they would fuck, and then that was it.

and the whole plot with the anger issues just annoyed me so much. like, they never really brought up anything about it, which kind of made me dnf this. and he was such a dick about everything, especially when someone didn't want to hook up with him anymore he had this major freak out, which he should respect if she didn't want to hook up, he just freaked out, which i thought was so weird.

but, i did really like them talking about their family and the different talks about the families culture and the food they ate, since it all sounded so good. but, with that being said, i wish the family kind of told them to chill the hell out with the whole MLM crap, since it's just a big ass scheme and i feel like they should have been like 'damn don't do that, it's not right.'

Happy Endings - 3.5⭐

This was fun, super steamy, and full of yummy food (there are recipes!👏) and girl power with strong female friendships - just the way I like my rom-coms. I appreciated the deeper and more serious aspects of the story, like living up to family expectations and the threat of neighborhood gentrification. Trixie's perspective of how it can be confusing to be a child of immigrants and trying to figure out which part of her is more important, as well as learning to navigate sex and pleasure when it was taboo for her growing up, I found to be really enlightening.

While I loved Trixie and her friends, Andre's character was just a little too flawed for me. There were several instances where I thought I just wouldn't be able to come back from his actions and forgive him, but Trixie about half blames herself for some of his selfish responses. Thank goodness she still did what she wanted and followed her dreams, rather than let his irrational thought process and ego derail her plans. With that being said, I'd totally love a spin-off on Xavier, or Keisha and the Boss Babes. I loved the author's note explaining her purpose for the book in smashing stereotypes and empowering people to talk about sex and pleasure.

Read if you enjoyed: The Roommate

A passionate second chance romance from debut author Thein-Kim Lam. The story delivers on tension, chemistry, and steam.  Elements of women’s fiction and representation of interracial relationships add dimension to an already innovative plot- given the nature of the type of business the heroine runs.  An engaging narrative of friendship, family, and inclusivity.  The ultimate in HEA

Happy Endings is a great combination of family expectations, friendships, and spiciness. This book is about Trixie, who is determined to make her sex toy business a success. She tries a new pop-up store option in a restaurant that come to find out is co-owned by her ex, Andre, who broke up with her on a post-it note. This was a steamy second chance romance. I loved that both characters came from such strong backgrounds and their families played such a huge role in this novel, and that they both came from such rich and diverse cultures. However, my one complaint about this book is that towards the end, the timing seemed too rushed.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Avon Harper Voyager + Netgalley for the e-ARC of HAPPY ENDINGS by Thien-Kim Lam.

A rom-com about a owner of a sex toy business featuring a second chance romance, soul food, and all the sex positivity I have come to want in romances. I highly recommend adding this one to your reading TBR for summer and anytime.

I was really intrigued by the blurb of this book. Trixie is a child of Vietnamese immigrants and is making her way in the world selling sex toys and teaching sex positivity. Andre is running his mom's restaurant after she passed away and feeling like the world is weighing him down. They dated a few years ago and Andre broke up with her with a post-it note. Of course they are reunited when they least expect it, namely being when Trixie is selling her sex toys at a bachelorette party at Andre's restaurant.

In the end, this book was only okay. I didn't really feel the connection between the characters and they felt immature. Andre kept secrets, Trixie thought owning a sex toy business would make her parents happy after they disowned her for not being a doctor or lawyer, and the two of them really only connected with sex. A strong relationship that does not make. I skimmed to the end and felt the drama was made a little high just because. It wasn't really my cup of tea but major props to the author for writing about sex positivity and POC representation.

So was such a lovely read.
There’s been a rise of sex positive romance books coming out and I couldn’t be happier about it. This is one of those books.
This was also an own voices story which I applaud as well.
This is a story about fighting and working towards what you want, despite tradition and expectations.
This is an inspiring love story. I enjoyed every moment! I can’t wait to see what else this author writes.
Thank you Avon publishers and NetGalley for the arc. This in no way effected my opinions or review on the book.

I was really hoping for more with this book considering it has great BIPOC rep, and seriously that is so good. That being said where was the character development? These characters felt very flat to me, and I was so ready to cheer them on. The steamy scenes felt anything but sexy and a bit forced instead. I'm giving it 4 stars for its representation and sex positivity.

HAPPY ENDINGS by Thien-Kim Lam is now out in the world and I can't wait for people to get their hands on Trixie and Andre's story.

Trixie Nguyen is ready to prove that her sex toy business can thrive, and Andre Walker is determined to save his mom's restaurant, Mama Hazel's, from gentrification in the neighborhood. these exes don't expect to run into each other again--especially after their bad breakup--but when Trixie arrives at Mama Hazel's for a pop-up event, sparks fly.

I absolutely loved the sex positivity in this book. Trixie sells sex toys, yes, but at her events she teaches people about the benefits of using toys, safe sex, and how people shouldn't be embarrassed or ashamed to ask their partner for what they want. it's a non-traditional career but Trixie's good at it, and she knows. as an Asian-American, I could relate to the struggles Trixie was facing with her traditional Vietnamese parents, trying to convince them that she could be successful in the industry. I really enjoyed seeing her relationship develop with her parents at the end of the story.

I also resonated with Andre's dedication to saving his family's restaurant. while it was very noble of him to think he could do it all himself, I'm glad that he was finally able to accept help from those around him. I can understand the familial pressures there also, of wanting to be successful and supporting his family. but there's no need to carry the weight of that alone, and I'm glad Andre didn't have to face it alone.

now, it wouldn't be a romance without some stream and y'all...this book delivers. not only do Trixie and Andre work through their professional lives in this book, but they also rekindle their relationship with each other and work through whether or not they can fix what happened two years ago when Andre left and ghosted Trixie. there is a lot for them to work through, but the reunion is worth it.

I should also mention that you should have some snacks ready when you read this book because the food references are *chef’s kiss*. there are mouthwatering descriptions of both Vietnamese and Louisiana soul food that are guaranteed to make your stomach growl. I wanted nothing more than to have some pho or gumbo next to me while reading! HAPPY ENDINGS is out today and I can't wait for you all to get your hands on it. (and look at that cover--it's just gorgeous!)

a huge thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the digital arc!

I had a fun time reading this book. I liked the characters for the most part. There were some writing style things that I don't prefer (mainly that Trixie refers constantly to her and her friends as the "boss babes." Many times the two main characters would think about how much they were into each other but I didn't really see it in their interactions. A lot of the second chance romance was just sex, which is fine (they do agree to become friends with benefits) but they would start having sex after arguments or deep discussions. That kind of threw me for a loop, especially as it felt like they would stop the conversation and just be like "sex? sex!" The natural flow into it seemed to be missing for me. That being said, I do think the author knows how to write a good sex scene. I had no issues there except for some word usage, but that's a super personal thing and hard to make work for every single person who reads it. Although the characters had deep discussions and shared things about themselves, it wasn't clear to me exactly what they saw in each other. Andre was kind of a jerk most of the time to many of the people he was around. Trixie was also a little frustrating in her indecisiveness. But the book would be boring without any conflict. I do think Trixie and Keisha were my favorite characters. They both have a determination and zest for life that made me want to read more about them. I also love the little old ladies in the community. I do think a lot of people will really enjoy this story. 3.5 stars from me!

A sex-positive, #ownvoices novel with a biracial couple that is also a debut? Sign me up! This rom-com and its representation was exactly what I needed in my reading list.

I listened to the audio version of this book--thank you to HarperAudio for the ALC. I thought the production value was great. The narrator spoke clearly and was a good fit for the characters.

I loved that this book focused on food and culture. Nothing brings people together like a delicious meal, and these food descriptions made me hungry!

I’m not always the biggest fan of second chance romances, mostly because I think it’s unrealistic that people change enough to make up for past mistakes. And this does apply in this case--Andre was a bit of a jerk. Until the last few pages, he consistently put his own needs ahead of Trixie’s, going so far as to get mad at her for furthering her career in a way that really had no bearing on his own.

The female friendships in this book made up for a meh male lead, though. I loved Trixie’s friends and how they all built each other up. The sex-positive talk was great, especially as Trixie made a point to include all ages, genders, and sizes. Obviously, the sex scenes were amazing as well! Definitely a high level of steam.

There is so much I enjoyed about this story. Trixie is living in DC after her boyfriend of two years dumped her with a post-it note a la Berger in Sex and the City (RUDE!). She is a sex toy saleswoman and damned good at her job while also dreaming of opening her own store one day and proving to her Vietnamese parents that she is just as successful as her lawyer sibling. I really liked Trixie, she was strong and independent and refused to settle. Lam says in her Author's Note that she set out to defy stereotypes with Trixie and she definitely succeeded. It was so nice to read such a sex-positive heroine who cares about her job.

Andre, the post-it note dumpee, allegedly has a very good reason for the horrible ghosting. He says he left because he wanted Trixie to make up with her family and he also returns home to help run his mother's restaurant after a cancer diagnosis. Andre is a great male lead in this story and I loved his passion for food and living up to his mother's legacy.

So much of this story was so great: second chance romance, amazing food descriptions, and friends with benefits. However, some of it did fall a little flat for me. The motivations of the characters were a little all over the place and the book wants to tackle so many issues. Andre is dealing with his mother's death, putting his sister through school, horrible debt, guilt from leaving Trixie and so much more. Trixie is dealing with her own familial guilt, wanting to start out on her own, and maybe wanting to be a therapist? Also the book starts to discuss gentrification and never fully gets there.

I loved Trixie's friends and the "Boss Babe's" and a lot of the discussions of living in America and being "American" while also being the children of immigrants and what that means. I wish maybe the book had focused more on a few ideas instead of trying to cover so many different things. The ending also wraps up a little too neatly and there are some threads left dangling.

Overall I did very much enjoy this romance and was rooting for Trixie and Andre to get over themselves and realize they are better together. This would be a lovely romance to pick up and get lost in, but make sure you don't read while hungry!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for an e-ARC of this book!

Happy Endings is a second-chance romance about Trixie, a sex-positive Vietnamese-American who is working towards opening her own sex toy shop and Andre, who's working to save his family's restaurant.

Things I liked about this story:
- The blending of cultures: This book is filled with diverse characters that I loved!
- The female friendships: the Boss Babes were great!
- The chemistry between Trixie and Andre: there is no doubt these two had it and it was a very spicy read!

Things I struggled with:
- Character development: I felt like we needed more about Andre to really understand why he was the way he was. Also, even though I liked Andre, he did really annoy me at times.
- The Romance itself: while their chemistry was off the charts, I felt like a lot was left undeveloped and the ending was very rushed. I feel like Andre needed to do more to win back Trixie after acting the way he did.

Overall, I liked the premise and enjoyed my time reading it, but didn't love it. That being said, if there are follow-on stories about some of the characters in this book, I will most likely pick them up!

Rating: 3 stars

Happy Endings is a romance centered around female empowerment. Set in D.C., Trixie has found her passion working as a salesperson for a sex toy shop. She loves educating people about sex and pleasure, and she wants people to find their voices to be able to talk about what makes them feel good. Unfortunately, she's bothered by an ex-boyfriend from the past who unexpectedly pops up in her neighborhood. They instantly hate each other for infringing on their new separate lives, and so begins this second chance, enemies-to-lovers type book.

There are many things to like about this book, from its diversity to its side characters. Trixie talks about what it's like to be the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, discussing both hardships and wonderful things. She shares that in common with her friend Zoe, and it's nice to have them able to relate to one-another within these pages. Andre and his sister Keisha talk about what it's like to be from D.C., and have this gorgeous relationship with their community. They discuss the downsides to gentrification, Andre raging at people coming in and changing his neighborhood so it's more accessible for the upper class. The Boss Babes, (what a cliché name!) are a great group of female entrepreneurs, and I found it delightful to have that representation. And Xavier, Andre's best friend, is so unapologetically himself.

Trixie and Andre both have complex dynamics with their families going on, and this book explored those unresolved feelings well. The overarching theme of unconditional love and how we project our expectations onto others without giving them the chance to have their own emotional reactions rang true for me. I enjoyed taking the time to self-analyze my own perceptions and biases.

This book is heavy on the sex. I don't read many romances that share it all, but this is one of those books where there's not much left to the imagination. It makes sense for a book about a person selling sex toys for a living! However, if you prefer the fade to black style romance, this one may not be for you.

The downsides to this book were that Andre and Trixie seem to have the same problem with communication over and over, and it began to feel a bit repetitive. Some of the scenes and moments were very cliché and felt a bit childish. The writing style was not overly complex, so it was definitely a page-turner, but at the same time I was hoping for a little more going on. I also felt like much of the book was predictable, and going into many of the scenes I was able to predict little nuances before they came to fruition. Not many twists to be had.