Not the best, but it's a cute holiday restaurant rivals story. There's nothing new here and you know what you're getting, but it's cute.

Super cute YA Christmas romance!! I absolutely adored this book and the characters! The setting of it being in a dying mall and trying to save the mall really gave a sense of community to the story that I truly enjoyed. I loved the characters being from to 'rival' families and thought it brought some pretty amusing moments to the story. Loved the journey and the ending for this one!!

Perhaps my review would have been higher if I had read this book at Christmastime. Or even a month ago when it was snowing outside. It would have put me more in the mood for a Christmasy read.

Here is the thing: I loved the Korean representation in the book. As someone who enjoyed watching Kim's Convenience, I smiled at words like Umma and Appa and just the family dynamics of Chloe. Same with the Chinese family in Peter Li. Asian representation is not as common as it should be and I want to see that change.

The concept of dueling restaurants and enemies to dating is not original. It's kind of a Hatfields and McCoy's type of vibe. I knew how things were going to end basically before the book started. I mean, come on, two teens are needing to come together to save the mall (and their family restaurants) from being demolished? How do you think it is going to end? If you are thinking Hallmark.....you are in the right direction.

I have read reviews that talked about Peter and Chloe reading younger than 16. I'm inclined to agree. I wanted slightly more depth. Yes, the whole "I hate him because" logic just never works for me. Additionally, while I understand the subplot involving Chloe and a contest, it distracted from the overarching themes of the story. THAT plot getting a perfectly tied bow resolution.....yeah we REALLY went Hallmark.

I think many teens desiring a silly, not use much brain power, rom-com will be pleased with this book.

Note: a few chaste kisses. But language.

I thoroughly enjoyed "Christmas Clash" by Suzanne Park. The festive setting and engaging characters made it a delightful holiday read. Solid 4 stars!

I love a good Christmas book and this definitely delivered. Refreshing in all of the right ways, it was just what I was looking for and didn't even know I needed. 4/5 stars and would definitely recommend to a friend!

In this Christmassy YA rom-com, Chloe and Peter, whose families own rival restaurants, unite to save the Riverwood Mall from demolition, their teamwork bridging a long-standing feud. While the story can come off as engaging for a younger audience with relatable high school dynamics, there’s still a bit of tweaking required to incorporate the Christmas spirit and seasonal cheer. It also shows a nostalgic nods to mall culture, a mix of family traditions, and moments of unity over shared meals.

While the story attempts to capture the holiday spirit and unity amidst rivalry, it falls short in delivering a romance story, evoking the anticipated holiday vibes. While it can pass as a book suitable for younger readers, it misses the mark for those seeking a more nuanced and nostalgic portrayal of holiday-themed romances.

Special thanks to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Fire, Sourcebooks Fire, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.

If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads! #NetGalley #LifeLongLearning

This was a solid book. I think it was doing a lot of different things and this kinda left each thing feeling like it wasn't as developed as it should've been. Still a fun reading experience though!

This book is like a Christmas miracle, except it's summertime! It got me feeling all the warm and fuzzy vibes of the holiday season, with its festive spirit and feel-good generosity. Plus, it's so cool to see two lead characters who are proud of their Chinese and Korean heritage and how their cultures shape the story. It's like a double dose of awesome!
The story revolves around saving a mall from getting demolished, which would mean family businesses like Chloe and Peter's restaurants would be gone forever! It reminded me of the good old days of mall-going, where shop owners were like a big, happy family. The author did an amazing job of creating this tight-knit community that made me want to be a part of it.
Chloe and Peter's relationship is a classic case of opposites attract. Chloe is a spunky firecracker who won't let anyone tell her what to do, while Peter is a peacemaker who avoids conflict at all costs. Their witty banter and playful antics add a dose of humor to the story, and they make such a great team!
The book does an excellent job of representing immigrant families and showcasing their unique experiences. It's heart-warming to see how their similarities and differences bring them together as a community. Plus, Chloe's love for photography adds an extra layer of depth to the story.
The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the marketing of the book as an enemies-to-lovers romance. It was more like a family-disapproves-but-I-like-you romance. But that's just me being picky!
All in all, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good holiday-themed story with heartwarming characters and a strong sense of community.

This author is hit or miss for me, and this was a hit!

This was a happy little read before the holidays when life is CHAOS.

Fun, entertaining, family clashes, school, memories, challenges, and a lot more! YA read!

This YA romance by Suzanne Park is downright charming! I'm already a big fan of hers, and she just keeps outdoing herself. The story flows smoothly, filled with genuine moments that beautifully highlight themes like family, community, and the joys of food. While the romance is more subdued compared to other elements, it didn't diminish my enjoyment. The characters are so brilliantly developed and engaging that I found myself more intrigued by their personal journeys than their romantic connection.

A highlight for me was the portrayal of the characters' different Asian backgrounds – one Korean and the other Chinese. It's common to find BIPOC characters in romance novels, but they often share the same ethnicity. Seeing the unique experiences and dynamics of an inter-ethnic relationship was both refreshing and enlightening.

I absolutely adored this book and am eagerly looking forward to devouring more of Suzanne Park's works in the future!

Sometimes, in the midst of the madness of the holiday season, you just need a cute, light, feel-good read. I thought Chloe and Peter were both adorable. I liked how they had a family rivalry but something that brought them together - something to fight for (and a history to unravel).

Because both of their families own locations in a mall. And, as we're all probably noticing, malls are starting to become less and less populated, even during the holidays. If they are going to keep their family's locations open (and fight for the mall at the same time), they will have to work together.

I loved the cover, their secret dinner meetings to swap food, and their push to understand their family rivalry. Is this a realistic story? Probably not, but sometimes it's comforting for the good guys to win and for happy endings.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

I listened to the audiobook for this one and I will say that skewed my review a bit. The narrators were not my favorite. I straddle the line on whether or not I enjoy YA books and this straddled the line for me as well. The narrators for this made a lot of the scenes feel really whiny and a bit too juvenile for my taste. The storyline as a whole was enjoyable but maybe a little too young for me.

I loved reading the story of Chloe and Peter, who have families that have feuded for years. Their families have food court restaurants in the mall, but the holidays are coming and the mall is in trouble. Chloe is a photographer who wants to take her art from Mall Santa pictures to a higher level of fine art. Peter is struggling under the weight of helping his family succeed while carving out a life. They find moments to forge a friendship, and share dinners, and eventually sparks fly between them. They decide to work together to save the mall that houses the American dream for both of their families. This YA romance is super sweet and the banter and antics are adorable!

Really enjoyed this one. Suzanne Park has a sweet way of incorporating multicultural romance with the love and magic of Christmas. Super cute story.

Teen rivals to lovers romcom set at Christmas, what’s not to like!

I really enjoyed this one and definitely recommend it as a quick fun holiday read with a very sweet romance!

Suzanne Park writes the sweetest romance and slice-of-life stories and this one is no exception. I love her storytelling sprinkled in with Asian-American nuances and issues.

When the Riverwood mall is about to be sold to a developer, Chloe Kwan and Peter Li have to put aside their differences and work together to try to save the mall where their parents own restaurants. Can two teenagers save the mall, their parents livelihoods and their holiday season?

This novel is fun and lighthearted while working through how communities change and how difficult family dynamics can be. It shows how food, friendship and the holiday season can help solve problems.”

Rival restaurant families are being evicted after years of being at the local mall. Their teen children come together to try to save their restaurants but also fall for each other.

This was a cute enemies to lovers, YA clean romance. I really enjoyed it and felt like it was a good pallet cleanser between two heavier books. It was cute, short, and I was able to read along with the audiobook which was performed wonderfully by the narrator. All in all, definitely one I could see myself recommending to a younger reader (teens) for a holiday read!

3.5 rounded up.

"The Christmas Clash" by Suzanne Park is a delightful and multicultural romance that captures the magic of the holiday season and the challenges of navigating cultural differences. Park's storytelling prowess shines as she crafts a tale of love, family, and the joy of the festive season. The book's relatable characters and heartwarming plot create an immersive reading experience that resonates with young adult readers. Park skillfully addresses themes of identity, tradition, and the power of connection, adding depth to the narrative. "The Christmas Clash" is a heartwarming reminder that love knows no boundaries, and that the holiday season has a way of uniting people from different backgrounds, leaving readers with a warm and uplifted feeling as they follow the characters on their journey of love and cultural discovery.