“I’m sorry I loved missing you.” Oh Elijah.

This is a perfect teen romcom. The set up of our mains having the same Korean name and causing a mixup is fun, Jessica and Elijah are great leads and our supporting case is fun as well. I had a heck of a good time reading. The balance of humor, emotion, real world issue and romance was excellently done, Susan Lee is such a good writer! I haven’t yet read her previous book Seoulmates but I’m changing that soon and look forward to whatever she writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book came along at exactly the right time for me. I’ve been battling a sinus infection, so I really needed a sweet, fun story, and THE NAME DROP totally delivered. It’s got some tension, for sure, as it explores the pressure of expectations from both Elijah and Jessica’s families. But on the whole, it’s got a starry-eyed feel to it. Jessica gets to live her dream as an executive intern, living in a luxurious apartment and running a team of interns. Elijah gets to explore New York City with people his own age who have no idea who he is. He has control of his time and actually gets to make friends.

I loved the pacing of the relationship between Elijah and Jessica, too. It felt like they hit all the right moments, from initial distrust to grudging partnership to friends to more. And their connection felt really genuine to me.

Overall, I think this was a really sweet, fun romance featuring a summer internship and teens figuring out their life plans beyond high school.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

Thank you Netgalley, Inkyard Press, and Susan Lee for allowing me to read this ARC. 🎮

"Elijah, grow up and get in line."
"What if it's not what I want?" Elijah asks. *And for the first time, I realize he's just as young as I am. That at this age, how can we possibly know what we want for the rest of our lives?*

This book follows Jessica and Elijah, two young adults who are interning at Haneul, a gaming company. But they come for opposite worlds and find themselves in a switched opportunity thanks to their shared Korean name.

This book reads like a combination of Freaky Friday and The Parent Trap and it was a joy to read. I love a good fluffy young adult book to break up my more popular reading genres as a palette cleanser and this absolutely did the trick, but not without making me think about my own young adult life when I was the characters age. I loved that Susan draws full circle on this notion that as a young adult, we barely know what we like and don't like, so how could we possibly know what we want to do with our lives or commit to huge responsibilities when we've barely scratched the surface of what is out there. And not only that, but that change, no matter what stage of life you're in is OK. It's an adventure, so take the jump. The character themselves are cute and relatable from their feelings in social settings, to the wonder of exploring a new place and taking it all in. The romance is the equivalent to the young puppy love you might have experienced as a young adult. An absolute joy of a read, I will for sure continue to keep Susan Lee in my TBR for future works.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🍭 YA, no spice, but some kissing 💋
Tropes
• Unequal Social Status
• Mistaken Identity
• Young Love

✨ Book Review ✨

A big thank you to @inkyardpress @netgalley for the #gifted copy of #TheNameDrop !!

⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 The Name Drop by Susan Lee

A young woman and young man swap identities during a summer internship.

What to expect:

💋 Romance
🔄 Identity Switch Up
👔 Office Romance
💝 Friends to Lovers

Quick thoughts:

✨ Name switch up was unique.
✨ Grass is always greener on the other side.
✨ Side characters were cute.
✨ Wasn’t feeling the chemistry.

Overall thoughts:

Eager to take full advantage of her summer internship, Jessica Lee isn’t quite sure what to expect from the Haneul Corporation but it certainly wasn’t a first class airplane seat or her own fully stocked private brownstone in NYC. Something can’t be right.

Elijah Ri is also heading to NYC for his own form of internship or really corporate training to be the next CEO of Haneul Corporation after his father but why is he sitting in the worst seat on the plane and sharing a small apartment with ten other interns?

What starts out as a simple mixup of their shared Korean name becomes something way more as the summer progresses.

I have mixed feeling about this book. I think because I really wanted to like it more than I did but I honestly felt bored with it about a quarter of the way through.

It started off interesting with the idea of a mixup but really at any point along the way either one of them or both of them could’ve set it straight which bothered me a bit! Although, I was relieved when they fully realized what was happening and decided to team up instead of just letting things continue to happen without speaking up.

There is a sweet romance in this one but I just wasn’t feeling the chemistry. I wanted to sooo bad! 😂 I couldn’t get into it though and it ultimately fell flat for me.

The characterizations were a little off for me too, especially with Elijah. He’s from South Korea which I loved and I was hoping so see more of that culture shine through him but he comes off very American. There were times I thought he was actually from NYC.

I liked how classism and sexism were both addressed throughout the story. I also liked the grass is always greener on the other side aspect and getting to see how the other side lives.

This wasn’t my favorite read but it could be yours so I’d say definitely give it a try and let me know what you think!

3.5/5 Stars

The Name Drop follows Jessica Lee as she embarks to New York for an internship opportunity. While on the way there a series of mishaps occur, a first class upgrade, a personal driver waiting for her, a high end living arrangement and the continuous bumping in with a handsome fellow Korean American. Turns out, Jessica and Elijah Ri have the same Korean Name and all of her accommodations were actually meant for him!

This book reads like a Korean Drama, which as a Korean Drama fan, was a good time. In addition to being a fast paced, cute little rom com - there were societal issues that were addressed as well. A lot having to do with Jessica being a women in the work force which I think was resolved in a way that is palpable for a YA novel. Of the two characters, I really like Elijah a lot. I love reading a "how the other lives" story and it was fun to see his experience.

Thank you to NetGally and Inkyard Press for an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Name Drop by Susan Lee is a classic example of mistaken identity between two teenagers at a summer internship. It's a fun, romantic, YA novel that dabbles in the cultural expectations of respect and strong work ethics within the Korean community.

Both Jessica and Elijah come from very strict Korean families and are traveling to New York City to participate in a summer internship with a large tech company. The catch is Jessica is a regular, low level intern needing this job to better her college options while Elijah is the heir apparent to his father's role, the CEO. Through a number of mistaken identity moments the two teens meet and decide to remain in their switched roles. Maybe each can learn something from the other's set of responsibilities, and possibly make it through the summer without getting caught by anyone in the company.

Susan Lee does a wonderful job of balancing the new world attitudes of 18 year olds with the old world expectations of their families. It's an enjoyable read for the Young Adult genre. Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for the opportunity to read The Name Drop.

This book was an easy, straightforward read about two people who happen to share the same Korean name, which causes lots of mix-ups and confusion. One is rich and one is low-income. One is meant for CEO-dom while the other barely managed to get in as an intern. The relationship was cute and no-drama, although there really wasn't all that much romance between them. I plan to read Seoulmates by the same author, and I know now that I can expect a sweet, easy read with lots of Korean influence.

The Name Drop was such a delightful twist of the Prince and the Pauper. I thought it was also fun that they could have the same Korean name. Elijah gets to spend the summer in an apartment with nine other interns and one bathroom!! And Jessica gets the gorgeous Brownstone all to herself with a housekeeper, and a new wardrobe from designers she hasn't heard of, while Elijah purchases underwear in a drug store. I laughed, I was outraged, and even shed a tear or two.

I definitely had higher expectations going into this read. I felt like the story was underdeveloped. I didn’t feel any connection with the characters. The storyline had potential I just think it wasn’t executed properly.

***Thank you NetGalley and Inkyard Press for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Inkyard Press for this ARC!

"The Name Drop" is a teen rom-com centered around Jessica and Elijah and the confusion caused by their shared Korean name. Elijah, the son of Haneul Corporation CEO, is heading to NY for an Executive Training internship at Haneul and Jessica is excited about her opportunity to be an intern at Haneul during the summer. Their shared name causes Haneul to mistakenly place Jessica in the Executive Training internship while Elijah becomes an intern in the summer program. With differing views on their respective internships, both Jessica and Elijah decide to continue with the swap and live like the other for the summer. Will they be able to keep the ruse or will they be caught?

I enjoyed reading this book. Particularly, Elijah's character progression throughout the book made me like him more as the story unraveled. Jessica and Elijah's realizations that each other's life was not what they expected imparted a deeper understanding of each other resulting in a captive reader. While the overall story was captivating, the end of the book leaves you with more questions than answers. The conflict resolution was contradicted a chapter later and made it seem like part of the book was missing. The last two chapters left me flabbergasted wondering why did the characters go through with The Parent Trap-style swap at the beginning of the book. Although the ending was expected, the character and story inconsistencies detracted from the overall story.

My Thoughts:
Susan Lee offers up a cute rom com of mistaken identity and trading places. When two young people from very different backgrounds just happen to have the same Korean name, Jessica gets the chance of a lifetime to fly first class, live alone in a brownstone in New York with her own driver, assistant and chef and get a chance to actually make a difference in a company that treats all women like mindless coffee concierges.

Elijah, the future CEO of Heneul Corporation finds himself in coach and sharing a small apartment with the other interns. He loves it, so is eager to keep his and Jessicaʻs secret to themselves. Until his older sister comes to New York.

This is predictable, but still fun. The added Asian expectations and misogyny are great add ins to this classic switched places, poor versus rich lifestyle trope.

From the Publisher:
When Elijah Ri arrives in New York City for an internship at his father’s massive tech company, Haneul Corporation, he expects the royal treatment that comes with being the future CEO—even if that’s the last thing he wants. But instead, he finds himself shuffled into a group of overworked, unpaid interns, all sharing a shoebox apartment for the summer.

When Jessica Lee arrives in New York City, she’s eager to make the most of her internship at Haneul Corporation, even if she’s at the bottom of the corporate ladder. But she’s shocked to be introduced as the new executive-in-training intern with a gorgeous brownstone all to herself.

It doesn’t take long for Elijah and Jessica to discover the source of the mistake: they share the same Korean name. But they decide to stay switched—so Elijah can have a relaxing summer away from his controlling dad while Jessica can make the connections she desperately needs for college recommendations.

As Elijah and Jessica work together to keep up the charade, a spark develops between them. Can they avoid discovery—and total disaster—with their feelings and futures on the line?

Publication Information:
Author: Susan Lee
Publisher: Inkyard Press (September 12, 2023)

This was cute. Had huge Kdrama vibes and I was so here for it! The story itself did feel a bit predictable and I did feel that the characters lacked some depth, but mostly I just enjoying it for what it was.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun and lighthearted read.

I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley. As always, my opinions are entirely my own.

This was a good YA book, with tropes from romance and K-dramas alike! I look forward to all her other books as I did like her first book too

Susan Lee was a new-to-me author with her debut, Seoulmates, and I enjoyed it so much I came back for more with this new release. I was not disappointed. The characters are slightly older than the ones in the debut novel, but only by a little. Now, I can’t say I’m a huge YA romance fan, but I don’t turn my nose up at it, either. But I enjoyed this story a bit more with Elijah and Jessica just out of high school and trying to find their own ways. There was tremendous growth for both main characters, and the mistaken identity storyline with the characters not of the same gender was actually a fresh take, making the plot a bit more interesting. However, if Korean drama is not your cup of tea, I don’t think you’ll enjoy this story as much as I did. That said, I have enjoyed learning more about the Korean vs. American Korean cultural differences and similarities recently, so I found it fascinating and educational on top of entertaining. With some funny moments, some heartwrenching moments, and some absolutely soul-crushing moments, as well as heartwarming ones, this coming-of-age story was wonderfully written and hard to put down when life intruded upon my reading time.

NICUnurse’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭑

I'd love to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a chance at reading this book! I was really involved in it and and I marathoned it in one entire sitting.

Originally, I gave this book a four star review, but after reading another review by a different reader (one who is an Asian Regional Director in a multinational gaming company with a branch in Seoul itself, as quoted by her), I had to drop my grade down another star on how the reviwer pointed things out that broadened by views and empathized more on the concerns that I had which made it originally a four star review instead of a five.

The reviewer Nochu_Dee pointed out that the misogyny in the workplace is heightened to an abnormal level and none of the female characters did nothing to change it. Jessica is made to take notes and sit there and be cute during meetings, not given real attention to her work, etc. She and the ML's sister point this out how its unfair and yet... they do nothing to stop it, or bring it up to those who protect things like that from happening. They just kind of shrug their shoulders and 'oh well' it when you can see it's eating them up on how they're treated.

She points out that at one point the FL's father was someone high up at Microsoft. ... Yet, they're still living frugally and woah-oh-no-ing about spending money. So is he still not making a lot of money at this new job? It was just strange to me that he has a high up position still and yet still acts like he doesn't make a lot of money.

There was also the fact that Elijah was too American for someone who never traveled much and g0t much exposure outside of Korea. He adjusted way too fast from his sheltered life-style and there wasn't a lot of talk or comparison to America and Korean to make me believe he was just a fish out of water rich boy from Korea.

Still, I've been watching a lot of K-Dramas' and this was a cute idea and it did keep me interested, just after reading the review I wished the author actually did some better research and or spoke to the above reviewer about their book before completing it.

**ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review**

The Name Drop by Susan Lee was a Korean rom-com following two high schoolers from very different backgrounds with the same Korean name. They accidentally end up getting switched around at their internships, and they like it so much, they decide to stay switched for the summer. Now, this is a far cry from the fantasy books I normally read, so take everything I say with a grain of salt. This story had a kdrama feel to it and I love kdramas, but something about the writing in here was lacking a bit for me. There were lots of important topics brought up throughout the story which I enjoyed, but I couldn't seem to really connect with the characters like I usually do and the ending especially just seemed so contrived and far too easy after all the tension buildup throughout the rest of the novel. All in all, however, it was a fast, fun read, and I by no means regret reading it.

The Name Drop by Susan Lee, 304 pages. Inkyard Press, 2023. $18.
Language: R (84 swears, 45 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Jessica (18yo) has learned the hard way that success takes money. Since she doesn’t have enough, Jessica’s plan is to make the right connections at her New York internship with the Korean company her father works for. Elijah (19yo) is expected to take over as CEO of the family business one day, but he doesn’t want anything to do with it. The only positive thing about this forced internship is that his dad agreed to let Elijah go to the New York office. Through a series of mixups, these struggling new adults have the opportunity to get everything they want out of the summer.
Feeling just like a Kdrama, Jessica and Elijah’s story hits all the right misunderstandings, humor, and budding romance moments. Their story is full of hope and encouragement—even with an unexpected ending. Books and movies too often tell us that happily ever after means getting the perfect ending. While the ending for Jessica and Elijah is anything but perfect, everything does work out. And happily ever after can still exist in that.
The majority of characters are Korean. The mature content is for innuendo.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Jessica Lee is on her way to New York for an internship at Haneul Corporation. She plans to stand out as an intern and make the connections needed to apply for college scholarships. Her plan is immediately sidetracked when she winds up switching places with Elijah Ri, son of Haneul Corporation's CEO, because they have the same Korean name. Despite the initial confusion and mix up, they decide to keep their new positions and Jessica gets the chance to be part of the Executive Training Program, while Elijah decides he wants to stay as an intern to experience what it's like to be around people who have no idea who he or his family is. This gives them both the opportunity to try something different and they grow closer as they learn more about each other. However, Haneul is a rigid place and eventually their switch is discovered and they have to deal with the consequences. Overall, a cute story of two teens taking advantage of an unexpected mix up and discovering their strengths. The book touches on issues of class and gender bias, particularly in the corporate world. Fans of kdramas will like this one.

Susan Lee knows how to write a light-hearted romance. This story is sweet in many ways because the characters all seem so innocent and earnest. I enjoyed how readable the book is because Susan does an excellent job of making the story progress quickly and keeping the tone upbeat throughout, with only a handful of moments that carry a lot of drama.

I think that this is the perfect book to read to get out of a slump because it’s just really light and uncomplicated. It’s like experiencing a rom com in written form. The stakes aren’t super high and the characters seem familiar and uncomplicated.

I think that at times it’s a bit frustrating because Lee doesn’t delve very deeply into character development or themes or setting. Everything is kind of surface level, which is okay if that’s really all you’re looking for in a quick, fun read. If you’re the kind of reader who wants more, this will definitely leave you wanting.

The story is short and moves quickly, making it the perfect summer read. It doesn’t do any deep-diving and there aren’t any lulls, either. It’s just a short, sweet story and I think it’s Hallmark-esque plot is enjoyable because it leaves room to just enjoy the ride the story takes you on.

If I could change one thing about this story, it would be to have the characters fleshed-out more. On the whole, they are very surface-level, a bit one-dimensional. Jessica is the typical do-gooder trying to make her way despite the setbacks she has in life (i.e. coming from a poor family and trying to save up any way she can). Elijah is they typical rich boy who doesn’t really know anything about the “real world” but learns to love doing actual work and helping others.

Their romance is sweet, but it’s barely there. I wish Lee put more time into having the two main characters learn more about each other, have deeper conversations, and spend more time together. As it is, the story is too short to really encompass this.

All of the other characters are bit parts that don’t really bring much else to the story. They are props to get the plot going in certain directions. It’s fine, since I think the story is really just supposed to be cotton-candy-fluffy-happy rather than a serious romance story.

I did enjoy the book. Despite it’s lack of depth, I think it’s the perfect summer read. It’s light, it’s really cute, and the humorous plot is enough to carry it. I like that it’s a quick read and that the characters are cute together. I don’t really need much else when I’m just looking for something to take me to another place and get my mind off of things. It’s easy to read and it made me happy.

3.5 Stars
This was a cute YA romance. Perfect for fans of K-dramas.

During Elijah Ri and Jessica Lee's travel to New York for an internship, they experienced an unfortunate misunderstanding. They both share the same Korean name, and as a result, Jessica unintentionally occupied Elijah's business class seat at the airport and inadvertently took Elijah's ride. Thankfully, Elijah and Jessica figured out the mix-up not soon after. However, they decided to stay switched. How long can they keep up the charade without being discovered?

The story was predictable and a tad cheesy, but still quite enjoyable overall. Would recommend it to fans of YA romance and K-dramas.

*** Thank you to NetGalley, Susan Lee, and Inkyard Press for graciously sending me a copy of the novel to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***