Love the premise and I was rooting for Cecily from the start because I adore a second chance storyline. Going home to see family can be stress inducing under the best of circumstances with an easy, loving and accepting family . All Cecily wanted to do was get in and out with as little conflict as possible with her judgmental bully of a mother and to avoid seeing Jeffrey, her obtuse ex. She can never catch a break! So many questions are come to mind on Cecily journey. Can she forgive the almost unforgivable? Should she listen to her head or heart? Will Jeffrey own up to the tsunami of a mess he created when he abruptly ended their engagement and left for her to clean up and give her a heartfelt apology? Will all of the family drama, expectations, personal drama, will they/won’t they tension ultimately lead to a happily ever after for Cecily? It’s a long and winding road to everyone figuring it all out together.

I was very excited to read another book by an Asian author, especially one that is romance and includes a major holiday like Lunar New Year.

The biggest issue I had with the narration was that the voice actor didn’t seem to express the correct emotions with the scene. As I listened, there were moments where it felt a bit off, and it ended up pulling me out of the story.

Outside of the narration, I had a difficult time getting into the story. It took approximately 35% of just setting up the story before it really got interesting for me. I found the characters to be too perfect, which also caused some disinterest in that regard. I just really didn’t care about what happened to them.

Additionally, there was an over explanation of various cultural/Asian aspects and traits. It interrupted the flow of the book because there would be so many awkward insertions of stereotypes. While most stereotypes are rooted in truth, I felt it created the feeling of “other” with the characters.

Instead of letting the reader figure out this is Asian parenting or saying it in a more subtle way, it had to be very obviously pointed out to the reader over and over again. Perhaps this book is geared towards an audience that isn’t Asian/Chinese, so it would serve a greater purpose with these insertions.

I understand why the stereotypes were used - they are meant to help the audience relate/understand, but they can also be subliminally harmful. Oftentimes, the model minority stereotype is perpetuated, and I felt that come through in the story. It’s why I prefer my characters to be more flawed. There was some of that with the character of Jeffrey, where he’s a med school dropout. But he also found success in Hollywood as a screenwriter. I guess I was hoping to hear more of his struggle and journey, but we only get to the part where he “makes it.”

I didn’t feel like the conflict was romance book-worthy. I appreciated that it’s different and not your normal romance trope, but it didn’t feel as powerful as typical romance tropes. I think if it had been expanded, it could have been really great.

There was one scene that I didn’t quite understand. It’s when Rachel asks Cecily about visiting her in San Francisco, and Cecily is overly sensitive about Rachel not wanting to stay with her. Considering that Rachel and Cecily are barely friends at this point, I’m not sure why Cecily is hurt by it. It just doesn’t make any sense to me and frankly made me dislike Cecily.

I really do feel that this book had such great potential, but it fell flat for me. I went into this book with the same expectations I have for every romance, but if the romance is going to have cultural elements, then I’m expecting those cultural elements to blend in seamlessly. I just didn’t get that with this book. As a debut novel, I’m not going to put too much stock in it. I don’t want to like a book just because the author is Asian, but because it’s a good story that incorporates those Asian elements.

Cecily is an attorney who lives in San Francisco and is trying to live up to her parents overly high expectations. Mainly, trying to make sure that she gets married and starts giving them grandchildren. Her last relationship ended badly when Jeffrey broke off their engagement. When they are both flying back home for the holidays, they end up on the same plane and reconnect. Cecily makes a list and is calling the New Year the year of Cecily. As they spend more time together, they have their second chance romance.

I enjoyed this read and learning a little about how the Asian New Year is as well as how the parents interact and want to show that their kid is the best. There is a spicy scene, but nothing too crazy.

This book was pleasant to read! It was surprising to me and I wasn’t expecting to like it so much. The author touched on Asian parental drama between both a son & daughter. And also reiterated the importance of culture and filial piety.

I liked that Jeffrey was flawed and knew exactly how to sweep Cecily off her feet. I also truly enjoyed that she was a lawyer & was unwilling to change her as a person, but adapt. I enjoyed their flirting and banter and can’t wait to read the second book!

Give this a try :) OH and it has a spicy scene so be prepared!!

❤️🧧 The Year of Cecily by Lisa Lin 🧧❤️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (audiobook)

Cecily is a successful attorney living in San Fransciso. At 35 years old her family is really amping up the pressure for her to get married and start a family, but she’s just not over the betrayal of her previous engagement. She’s decided that this year is going to be the year of Cecily. She’s going to avoid conflict with her family, stop working so much, and branch out. It’s going to start when she goes back to New York to spend Lunar New Year with her family.

Jeffrey’s biggest regret is letting her go. Going back to New York for Lunar New Year, he has a plan. He’s going to earn a second chance, no matter what it takes.

An adorable second chance romance! Jeffrey is a complete cinnamon roll and Cecily is a bad*ss who knows what she deserves. I really enjoyed this!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this audiobook free of charge from the publisher via NetGalley for the purposes of reviewing and feedback.

I like to read and hear about culture. This audiobook started when Cecily put down some new years resolutions. She had to travel to New York for Lunar New Year until she reunited with her ex Jeffery.

Inside this audiobook is related to culture, holidays, reunions, family, being honest, and getting out of that comfort zone.

Thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to listen to this audiobook for a review.

Such a great story of love family she forgiveness and the perfect read to start the beginning of the year. The bits of humor were a perfect balance of the more serious cultural themes and family dynamics. I could relate to the characters and appreciated their growth and ownership on the roles they have to play to achieve the relationships they want to have. The audio version was well done and I look forward to more from this author!

My first read from Lisa Lin and I was impressed! The year of Cecily is a great new years read! I enjoyed her new years resolution, learning more about Asian culture and of course the love story of her and Jeffery. The narrator was awesome as well. A great read.

So glad I got to read this book on the weekend of Lunar New Year! Representation is super important and I love what Lisa Lin did with developing her characters and creating a holiday romance with the backdrop of Chinese culture.

As a first grade teacher, I do know that children (and all humans!) thrive from seeing themselves in pages of books and on the small and big screen. This book lent a beautiful mirror to our friends who come from a Chinese American culture and a beautiful window for other people to learn more about the traditions that our Chinese American (and others) hold dear.

I loved the character development and the breezy romance feel of this book. I loved the determination of all the characters and how they sought to improve themselves, their circumstances, and their family ties. Thank you to Lisa Lin, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for providing this ARC to me in exchange for my honest opinion. ❤️

This was such an interesting story because it shows a culture that I never really saw growing up in a small southern town. It was intriguing to see how a Chinese American family interacts and deals with issues and drama. The characters were amazingly written! Cecily is so strong and independent but in a real way! Jeffrey and Cecily’s banter was so cute and witty! I’m glad I chose to go a little outside of my comfort zone with this one!!!

If you love a second chance romance, witty banter, laugh out loud dialogue, and meddling families, The Year of Cecily' is for you!

Cecily and Jeffrey were engaged 10 years ago, but he broke it off 3 months before their wedding. They haven't spoken since then, but they reconnect when they return home to Brooklyn to celebrate Lunar New Year with their families. After thy reconnect, Jeffrey tries to win back Cecily to show her that they are meant to be after all.

As the New Year begins, Cecily makes a list of things that she wants to accomplish in the new year. I loved that the idea of a list kept coming up throughout the book, and it really tied in with the overall story.

Cecily and Jeffrey's banter is hilarious! I laughed out loud many times as I listened to the audiobook. Their chemistry was amazing. Since they've known each other since they were kids, they really know how to push each other's buttons in all the right ways. I love how both characters grew together, and they also encouraged each other to grow on their own. The book was steamier than I expected it to be, and I was pleasantly surprised by it! The narrator did an amazing job with this book!

I would definitely recommend this book! I was so excited when I found out that a second book is coming out in this series. I can't wait to read it!

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an ALC of this audiobook. What an amazing debut for author, Lisa Lin.

I liked it… but it did not pull me in and keep me engaged the whole time. There were lots of “a new weeks later” or “months later.” The time hopping keeps you from being fully brought in and invested.

I liked Cecily and Jeffrey individually, but not necessarily together. Which I hate to say., but it felt forced to me. I was also not the biggest fan of the narrator.

This one was not for me, but it may be for you!

Thank you NetGalley for the audio ARC!!

3.5 stars

Cecily created a list of resolutions, the big one is to not run into Jeffrey, the one who broke her heart, when she goes back home to Brooklyn for the Lunar New Year. She wasn’t back home for very long when she ran into the one person she didn’t want to see, Jeffrey. Can they regain each other trust, can they give their relationship another try but will family, the Lunar New Year, and a genealogist get in their way for a second chance,

I enjoyed the book and felt Cecily’s struggle with Jeffery. Communication is very important in relationships and younger couples seem to lack that. This is something I too had to learn. It seemed a bit quick for Cecily to jump into bed and start a relationship but then again everyone does have their own timeline and circumstances. There wasn’t any real tension or relationship blow ups, so it made for a easy read without anxiety. I would recommend this to those who want a straightforward easy-going romance without all the drama.

I listened to the first chapter at normal speed. The narrator’s voice was fine and easy to follow. The narrator read a little slower than I usually listen to and sped it up to 2.0 speed.

#NetGalley and Dreamscape Media provided an Advanced Listeners Copy

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own." Thank you Netgalley.

The Year Of Cecily was such a fun second chance romance to listen to. Kat Riley did such a good job narratoring this story 5 star read 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟



Happy Reading
Lisa📚

This was a refreshing romance book. Second-chance romances are always a favorite of mine, and this one made sense to me. I understood why Jeff called off their engagement 10 years before, even if he should've communicated with Cecily better. The rift that always comes in romance stories made sense as well; Cecily wasn't over the broken engagement and it came up during an argument. Despite the rift, Cecily and Jeff communicated better than 99% of couples in romance stories and I was glad to see that.

Jeff put in so much effort to show Cecily how he felt and it made me swoon. His character had so much growth throughout the story and I was rooting for them so hard.

The Year of Cecily is a second-chance romance that follows Cecily Chang who sets resolutions for taking control of her life in the new year. It's a fun and quick read that's well balanced between the lighthearted romance and the heavier topic of familial expectations.

3.5/5

Cecily comes from a traditional Chinese family who celebrates Lunar New Year (she describes it as "bigger than Thanksgiving & Christmas combined''). She flies from San Fran back home to New York City every year to celebrate, which means running into her ex-fiance Jeffrey. Cecily has a list of resolutions she'd like to accomplish, and the story follows her journey over the next year. I really enjoyed this audiobook. The characters were relatable, and as someone who is not familiar with Chinese culture I feel like I learned a lot without it overtaking the storyline. There's a lot of good lawyer puns & the steamy parts were just right. Congrats to Lisa Lin for an amazing debut novel.

4.5🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
This was such a cute rom-com about a second chance at love. Cecily a successful lawyer (FMC) vowed to make positive changes to her life this Lunar New Year 🧧 She then runs into the one that crushed her heart a decade ago. All realistic problems and the chemistry of the characters was great! My favorite part was the parents and families involvement in all the drama lol. As a Hispanic, I know moms, dads, cousins, aunts, and everyone else criticizes and meddles in each other’s business as well. The great combination of romance and comedy, and I’d only change a bit of the details in the spicy scenarios. The narration in this audiobook was spot on perfect and made it such an enjoyable read!
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscapes for this audiobook ARC!
#TheYearof Cecily

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook version of this book. Everything I write is of my own thoughts, feelings, and opinions. I am in no way affiliated with Dreamscape Media. I am not compensated for my review.
I have to be honest it took me a little while to get a good feel for the book. I am rating it a five star because the author wrote a beautiful love story, and she was able to put so much cultural information in the book. Here is a very quick synopsis is this, at a young age Cecily & Jeffery have known each other and grown up together. They end up falling in love getting engaged and planning a wedding. then Jeffery leaves her without explanation.. She goes on to be a very successful lawyer he is successful in the film industry. At a lunar new year they end up redkindling. She makes him prove to her he loves her and is in it for real this time.

The Year of Cecily was a sweet easy listen! I love a 2nd chance romance! Cecily & Jeff were so endearing & I loved how real life their relationship was! It was just fairytale & fantasy. I also really enjoyed learning more about the Chinese culture and especially the Chinese New Year! This was an incredibly delightful book!