I loved this book, Lucie Yi is the heroine that we can all root for. From her troubles with fertility to the general slow burn romance, I really enjoyed it.

Lucie Yi wants to have a baby and the clock is ticking. She’s no longer waiting around for Mr. right and decides to take matters into her own hands. She decides to sign up for a co-parenting website to find a partner to procreate with.
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Collin meets all her requirements. It doesn’t matter that her family doesn’t approve or that her ex reappears in her life. What matters is Lucie is finally trying to get the life she actually wants and she needs to do it no matter the cost.
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Thank you #gpputnamsons and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

I didn't finish this book - I was intrigued by the premise but just didn't really find the characters relatable. I loved the cover and the idea, but this one just wasn't for me.

This rom-com was absolutely adorable from beginning to end! I had such a fun time reading it. Clever plot, interesting characters, great banter, lots of humor...this story has it all. I really enjoyed getting to know Lucie and she felt totally relatable.

The odds were stacked against my enjoyment of Lucie Yi's story due to the tropes in play: babies and/or pregnancy plots, second-chance romance, friends-to-lovers, and love triangles. I should note that in this case, the pregnancy plot was thoughtful and outside the norm, which worked in its favor. Lucie decides at 38 that if she wants to have children biologically, she might need to get unconventional. She's been grieving for two years after a miscarriage and the subsequent dissolution of her engagement. With no romance on the horizon and the clock ticking, she uses an online tool to match with potential co-parents. She then proceeds to get pregnant, move home to Singapore, and fall into a love triangle with the one who got away (when he cheated on her post-miscarriage, yuck) and her new friend and baby daddy, Collin. Mark's controlling and traditional if earnestly in love with Lucie, whereas Collin's more relaxed if emotionally constipated. Love triangles only work for me when the reader is just as undecided as the character. In this case, I could see why Lucie was conflicted given her perspective (feelings are hard), but the reader knows where she should turn her affections, so it's all a bit frustrating to experience secondhand. Compared to the author's previous book, I was disappointed to find that Lucie Yi has all the self-sabotaging of Last Tang Standing with none of the humor to balance it out, making it feel more grim and tense.

There were things I liked, as well. I appreciate stories that approach weighty life issues, ones where characters have to communicate about tricky, real-life things like how they will raise their children. There were times when Lucie and Collin could compromise and others where one person was able to convince the other of their point of view. I also liked a side plot about a friend who is tired of the pregnancy/romance drama discussions in the group chat. But its potential wasn't met since it mostly involved a communication freeze between the friends and it lurks unresolved until the bitter end.

And speaking of the end, things take a sudden turn after the grind of the book's drama at around the 90% mark. I found it annoying that the conclusion was quite good if it didn't feel so long overdue, wasn't so squished with content, and therefore rushed by a whirlwind of events. Of personal importance to me was that a side character is revealed to be aromantic without fanfare or much conversation. We learn this is part of the reason she got divorced and that she experiences pressures and painful advice about how she hasn't met the right person yet to explain away how she feels. I'm here for any and all aroace representation, but you know it's a flyby if I don't even think of getting weepy. It would only take one substantive conversation to warm my heart or rend it open, but this rep felt like an offhand afterthought, though at least not a harmful or demeaning one. The friendship makeup was also too little, too late for the impact it could have had. Re-cementing the bond with her best friend after Lucie's major life upheavals was an excellent side plot that didn't get its time in the sun. Touching family moments also came in at the final hour, particularly siblings banding together so that their parents can't pit them against one another. In terms of romance, there's a nice message about how friendship and conscious choices are the best basis of love rather than expecting fate, passion, or romantic gestures to carry the brunt of the work. I liked where the story ended up, but the journey was so fraught and dogged with such an abrupt turnabout towards healing and life wisdoms, that it couldn't save the day for me. I spent way too much of this read wishing for it to be over. I think a reader who doesn't mind love triangles or who gets a lot from stories about pregnancy and the desire for motherhood will find more here to dig their teeth into.

This was an atypical will they or won’t they romance novel about a woman who is aging and decides to go on a dating site to find a platonic partner to raise a child with. She starts to get feelings for him when her Ex fiancé comes back into her life. And through it all, she must deal with judgement from her Asian family and friends who question her unorthodox path.

I thought the book was such a fun read, I listened mostly on audio. Lauren Ho is a phenomenal author who masters the subplots and characters to draw an authentic and genuinely flawed character. Even if the ending was predictable, all the gross stuff about pregnancy she brings up was not!

Since I enjoyed Last Tang Standing, I was interested in checking out Lauren Ho's sophomore novel, especially since the premise sounded really interesting. I'm so glad I did!

This rom-com was absolutely adorable from beginning to end! I had such a fun time reading it. Clever plot, interesting characters, great banter, lots of humor...this story has it all. I really enjoyed getting to know Lucie and she felt totally relatable. Her parents were so frustrating to me, especially toward the end. I loved her conversations with her friends, as those were the most candid parts of the story. Lauren deals with grief in a sensitive way throughout the novel, as well.

It was hard to feel bad for Lucie when two guys were interested and wanted to be with her. Sometimes the timeline would seem confusing, like they would skip days or something. Neither of these issues kept me from enjoying the novel to its fullest though.

If you're looking for a fun and fast-paced romantic story, look no further!

Movie casting suggestions:
Lucie: Maggie Q
Weina: Liza Lapira
Suzie: Tiya Sircar
Collin: Dennis Oh
Mark: Daniel Henney
Ivy Chen (Lucie's mom): Joan Chen
Hannah: Julia Ling

Loved this one! I had high expectations after the author's previous book, and this one did not disappoint. Lauren Ho's humor is laugh-out-loud funny.

I always look forward to Lauren Ho's books and was really excited to read this one. i enjoyed it alot! Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this one. Can't wait for the next one!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I would definitely classify it as more women's fiction with a romance subplot rather than an all out romcom, but despite the slight mismarketing I really did like this story and would definitely recommend it!

I'm not one to shy away from love triangles (I really love the angst they bring), but I think even if you are someone who does tend to avoid them I would still recommend this book. The love triangle was very low stakes, mainly because Mark was an easily unlikeable character making the choice very clear. I think the character development was really well done! I also think the miscommunication was executed properly making it easy to understand where the characters were coming from. There was a nice balance of funny and heartfelt moments, which I think can be hard to pull off in stories like this. The book was slightly heavier than I was expecting, dealing with issues such as pregnancy loss, grief, and cheating. I think the author handled each topic very authentically, which I appreciated.

I think the co-parenting premise of the book was quite refreshing and the commentary surrounding that subject was really well done. It gave insight into parenting in other countries vs. the US. Lucie's relationship with Collin as well as her relationship with her friends was really well developed, especially her friendships I love strong friendships in books. I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading more works from this author.

Okay, first of all, "disorientated" was in this book unironically as if it is a real word, so major demerits right the fuck there. Why does my computer think it's a word?? It's not!

The thing here is I actually really like this story, but this is not a well written book and even more to the point, the editor didn't do anything, and that makes me really angry because I'm an editor and a writer and a teacher and it's like everybody failed to do their job here. All the pieces to make a competent (on a craft and mechanical level) and compelling story are here, but it feels very Creative Writing 101, where I constantly was like "yes, this is the natural thing to happen here; too bad it's all in summary instead of scene" or "OBVIOUSLY this is why this is happening, but why are you telling me instead of showing me" or "yes, this would make sense if you had baked that into the character from the beginning instead of waiting until it needed to be an issue to actually do any sort of characterization or show them with this behavior." Sooooo much telling me about a thing and trying to convince me it had been present throughout the story instead of absent until the literal moment you're telling me.

I was thrown a few times with Britishisms and Singaporeisms I was unfamiliar with, which is fine because that's true to the characters and the setting for the most part, but what was really poorly done was everything American--there are a couple Americans in this book and they do not speak American English and it is incredibly jarring and obvious, and I never understand when a writer cannot "hear" their characters.

Also, I can literally only think of one other time in my life I have called a female character unlikeable and actually meant that I truly find them irredeemable, obnoxious, terrible, or whatever else, but now it's happened again. Lucie is boring, uptight, insensitive, and totally not cute and dorky even though occasionally the narrator tries to make us think she is by being like "She likes PUNS; isn't that adorable," and again, everything and everyone is two dimensional and tell-not-show until the moment a plot point needs it to be, and then it's like "obviously this had been happening the whole time and this explains this thing." There is so much potentially interesting stuff to mine and explore, at least for me, a person who knows next to nothing about Singapore, because gender and marital status and professionalism and workplace politics and stuff are a really big part of this story, but everything was so flat that I didn't even get any good social commentary or, like, nuanced insight into a culture I'm unfamiliar with, just generic stuff poorly executed.

The plot is such a great idea! The components are all A+! Nothing was executed well! That is so frustrating!

This was already a DNF for me. 100% not a book I vibe or connect with. I’m sure other will enjoy this (mainly moms) but I’m not the target audience

I rate this book with 3 5 ⭐️

I love the idea of Tinder co-parenting. It's actually something I would probably consider. Although I know it would be hard not to fall for a co-parent especially a good one like Colin. I love how easy Lucie and Colin got comfortable with one another. Things looked promising until they moved to Singapore. That's were things got rocky not only for the characters but for me as a reader. Mark, Lucie's ex coming into her life was huge complications and I just didn't feel him. He was annoying. Love all the second chance gestures but I wish there were less him parts of the book and more Colin. Lucie thinking about Mark and her other rush decisions was annoying too. The avoidance and poor communication between Colin and Lucie could have lessen the complications of the story. There were other issues in the story that I felt was really important and not resolvef. Strict Asian parents relationship with their children, unfair treatment for pregnant employees, being a single friend when your friends are either married or having kids, Hannah's divorce, Colin and his dad relationship. I have to be honest I almost DNF the book mid way because of Mark but I'm glad I continued reading because I love the last few chapters when characters expressed themselves. I only wish the discussion of the issues were not all packed and rushed in the end. I am glad Lucie chose to be happy than follow what is expected of her culture wise. I wish the romance had more chapters and I wished that characters had more chapters to show their growth

Lucie Yi is not a Romantic
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Genre: Romance
Format: Audiobook
Date Published: 6/21/22
Author: Lauren Ho
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Narrator: Cindy Kay
Goodreads Rating: 3.52

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Penguin Group and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Management consultant Lucie Yi is done waiting for Mr. Right. She signs up for an elective co-parenting website to find a suitable partner with whom to procreate—as platonic. Collin Read checks all of Lucie’s boxes. When they match, it doesn’t take long for Lucie to take a leap of faith for her future. When Lucie becomes pregnant, the pair return to Singapore and, sure enough, her traditional conservative parents refuse to look on the bright side. Even more complicated, Lucie’s ex-fiancé reappears, sparking unresolved feelings. Suddenly her straightforward arrangement is falling apart before her very eyes, and Lucie will have to decide how to juggle the demands of the people she loves while pursuing the life she really wants.

My Thoughts: This story is narrated by primarily Lucie with Collin having some chapters, from their perspective. I received the arc from Penguin but wanted to do the audio on this one so I used Libby to listen to the audio and it was fabulous. The narrator was spot on and really gave life to Lucie and Collin, as well as the supporting characters. Her parents are very traditional Singaporean culture and do not agree with her choice. Once she stands in her truth, when she discovers what her truth is, I was cheering her on! The plot was a unique premise and what drew me to the book and I believe it was executed well. The characters were well developed with depth, witty banter, chemistry, and just brilliantly written. The author’s writing style was complex, emotional, light humor, and kept me engaged throughout the story, in fact, I was sad when it ended. The supporting characters were done so well that a spin off novel could be done as well. I highly recommend picking up this book that is already released?

Lucie feels like she is getting older, and she really wants kids. She just broke up with another boyfriend, so she decides to look online for a sperm donor. The site she decides on is an elective co-parenting one.
Lucie wants to move back to Singapore, and the site matches her with a guy named Collin who meets all her requirements.
When they get there her parents are shocked at the idea. Then Lucie sees her ex-fiancé, and things get very complicated.
I enjoyed this book, 3 stars.

Synopsis:
An ambitious career woman signs up for a co-parenting website only to find a match she never expected, in this unflinchingly funny and honest novel from the author of Last Tang Standing.

Management consultant Lucie Yi is done waiting for Mr. Right. After a harrowing breakup foiled her plans for children—and drove her to a meltdown in a Tribeca baby store—she’s ready to take matters into her own hands. She signs up for an elective co-parenting website to find a suitable partner with whom to procreate—as platonic as family planning can be.
 
Collin Read checks all of Lucie’s boxes; he shares a similar cultural background, he’s honest, and most important, he’s ready to become a father. When they match, it doesn’t take long for Lucie to take a leap of faith for her future. So what if her conservative family might not approve? When Lucie becomes pregnant, the pair return to Singapore and, sure enough, her parents refuse to look on the bright side. Even more complicated, Lucie’s ex-fiancé reappears, sparking unresolved feelings and compounding work pressures and the baffling ways her body is changing. Suddenly her straightforward arrangement is falling apart before her very eyes, and Lucie will have to decide how to juggle the demands of the people she loves while pursuing the life she really wants.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have mixed feelings about this book.

This review is TOO subjective because since I recived the ARC, I read the first chapter and I realized that the story was about pregnancy and motherhood, I knew that I was not going to love it; these plots are not my thing. I kept reading because despite everything, its narration is fluid and I wanted to see where it was going.

Lucie is turning 40, is single and wants with all her heart to be a mother. Seeing that time is running out, that her biological clock is ticking, she decides to enter a website designed to match men and women who want to have a child BUT not a romantic relationship. This is how she meets Collin, a man who also longs to be a father but love is not his thing.

They see each other, there is chemistry, time passes and there is a pregnancy. The co-parenting modality they will take is shared 50/50. They will live together in different rooms, costs in half and give that baby a good growth. Everything seems ideal.

But then Lucie's ex-fiancé comes back with this "he's going to therapy and wants to win her back and shit". At the same time Lucie has her "trip" of forgiveness with the past, she also begins to have feelings for Collin, and well, there romance, a love triangle, of course, and a predictable ending.

Lucie is the daughter of religious conservatives, and I liked that the book talk about illegitimate babies, relationships outside of marriage, and the emotional toll they put on a woman, ONLY on the woman if she chooses to mother without a husband. Real bullshit at its finest.

I liked Lucie; she is a hard-working, focused, empowered and strong woman, although her emotional decisions sometimes leave you a bitter taste.

At the beginning of her relationship with Collin everything feels somehow artificial, it was difficult for me to get into a rhythm, but I suppose that given the premise of raising a baby without a love relationship, it was something on purpose.

I had a huge conflict with Lucie's ex and his role in the story. I am in favor of going to therapy and solving traumas and mental health, BUT I am spiteful haha ​​and in Lucie's place I would not have forgiven that asshole even if he had taken therapy twenty thousand years. Good for him wanting to be a better person, but not near Lucie. I hate that.

The evolution of the characters is almost entirely seen only in Lucie. It's narrated from their point of view, but it's also because the other characters seemed like ghosts that appeared from time to time and didn't let me get to know them.

I think there was a bit of padding where it shouldn't. Scenes and situations were lengthened more than necessary, but also, the end was mega rushed. It was predictable, yes, but I think the jump between "conflict" and "solution" while obvious, was given to me very abruptly and I didn't connect.

For the rest, it's a nice story, it's one of those that I don't recommend but I don't do-not recommend either. Rather, I would say that everyone should read it and make their own opinion. ♥

Such a great journey that took me from New York to Singapore on a memorable adventure!

Lucie Yi is a quirky unconventional character who decides that she’s done waiting for the right guy to be a mom and joins a matching site — except not for dates, but finding a co-parent.

You can guess what’s coming – of course the perfect match to raise a kid together has romantic potential!

This novel took me on a whirlwind of parenting and romance, and travel to new locations. With so many memorable scenes like the grief dinner party, and the most original premise of dating for a parent match.

It’s hard to put a new spin on the fake relationship and love triangle tropes, but with Lucie Yi is Not a Romantic, author Lauren Ho succeeds in a way that was escapist and difficult to put down. Loved this one!

Thank you to NetGalley for the Arc of this book. ***This book can be triggering if you have had miscarriages. I really enjoyed Lauren Forsythe's last book, but had mixed feelings about this one. In this novel Lucie wants a baby and feels time is running out and having had a bad break up chooses to use an app to find a baby daddy; chaos and love triangle ensues. Lucie makes a lot of choices that most of us wouldn't agree with, but that's the beauty of books to take you into a world you aren't normally used to.
Not my favorite of the author's, but will keep reading her!

This ended up being a DNF for me. I think it was just the wrong time for me and I hope to come back to it later.

Lucie Yi Is Not A Romantic is a charming book about the title character who decides to have a baby with someone she meets on a co-parenting website. Lucie is in her late 30s and highly successful in her personal career, working in New York and Singapore. Her past relationship fell apart, but she desperately wants a baby. She matches with Colin from a website for people that want to become parents, but aren’t presently in the place to. I really liked the characters in this book. Lucie is relatable and ambitious, but also has flaws. Colin is adorable, but has his own shortcomings. Lucie becomes pregnant and they move to Singapore where they plan to raise their baby. Lucie’s ex returns to her life leading to complications for her. The story is little bit windy and long, but I was invested in the characters. I especially liked the depiction of her close friendships. I liked pondering how and why we raise our children as we do and the role that our families play in that. Overall, a fun read with substance.

Thank you Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.