Overall this was a cute and enjoyable story, though I did find myself bored at times. Both Gemma and Xander annoyed me at times, but Gemma did exhibit some growth over the course of the book.

one will, an epic adventure across taiwan, two ex lovers, thirteen hints, and a lot of untold stories. will this trip across the ocean fix everything or be the reason everything falls apart?

ex marks the spot [★★★★★]

AHHHH I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!! ex marks the spot is the perfect coming of age book that encapsulates the cultural identity crisis and that feeling of not fitting in anywhere right. this book shows the desperate attempt of a dying man to connect with his child 🤧 also miss gloria??!?! your brain is insanely impressive cause this treasure hunt? i would've failed 500 times within just the first clue (and that's being generous)

“𝘼𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪…” 𝙄 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙨. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚, 𝙄 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚. “𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜.”𝙃𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙚—𝙗𝙤𝙮𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙥𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙮𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚. “𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙯𝙯𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙨𝙖𝙮 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙉𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝘼 𝙋𝙖𝙣.”

gemma is our adorable protagonist who feels completely lost in life and wants to learn about her culture and her family. and she gets the perfect opportunity: her grandfather’s will. so now all she needs to do is get to taiwan to start this epic treasure hunt. but that would mean getting help from her annoying ex. ugh who wants that? but desperate times call for desperate measures *sigh*

i may not be chinese, or asian american, but as a third culture kid, i could painfully relate to gemma’s struggles with culture. and throughout the book we see the treasure hunt evolve from a means of inheritance into something way more important. it shows us who gemma’s grandfather aka gong gong was, and what led him to make the mistakes he did. i absolutely loved this aspect of the book, because it serves as a reminder: they might not be right, we can atleast try to understand them better.

this is your book, if you love:
🗺️ treasure hunt
🏮 set in taiwan
💔 lovers-to-rivals-to-???
🥹 found family
😭 unexpected plot twists

also the puns and jokes and all in this book is top tier! even the title itself is one big pun 🤭 ex marks the spot is out now!!! thank you so much to @coloredpagesbt @penguinteen @gloriacchao for this opportunity to be part of the book tour!

Gemma Sun and her mom have always relied only on each other to make ends meet, so Gemma is surprised to learn that she has a grandfather who recently passed away and left her some kind of inheritance. Documents containing clues to a treasure hunt will lead her to his apartment in Taipei, Taiwan. Hoping there will be money to help pay for her college, Gemma decides to accept the challenge. In order to get paid travel to Taiwan, Gemma reaches out to her rival and former boyfriend Xander Pan asking to join his Taiwanese American Roots Pursuit (TARP) summer program. Gemma meets new friends, learns about her culture, and partners with Xander to solve the puzzles that lead to her inheritance.

I enjoyed the adventure of Gemma taking her first trip to Taiwan and being able to learn more about her Taiwanese culture by sightseeing, trying new foods, and learning more of the language. I also appreciated that Gemma was able to feel connected to her grandfather through their common interest in creating and solving puzzles and in art.
The relationship between Gemma and Xander was playful and sweet.

I would recommend this book to any reader who enjoys a lighthearted YA romance with an international adventure.

Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC of the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. The puzzles really kept me wanting to continue the story. I also really enjoyed getting some cultural information as the story moved along. I have never been out of the US so books really help paint the pictures for me.

I also enjoyed the romance aspect of the story. It was really sweet to see how the 2 MCs developed by the end of the book.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a sweet love story or puzzles!

I really enjoyed my first Gloria Chao novel! I own American Panda but haven't read it yet (story of my LIFE) and I will definitely be striving to read it in February! Ex Marks the Spot was a lot of fun! A bunch of puzzles to a possibly hidden treasure at the end? Plus rivals to couple?! I can't call it rivals to lovers because there is no "loving" in this so we will leave it open-ended, do what you want! lol.

I had a bit of a hard time keeping up with everything in this book, but over all it was a good story. I enjoyed the treasure hunt the two main characters set out on when they went to Taiwan. I have to agree that this book is reminiscing of "Loveboat Taipei". I was a fan of both books.
Gemma and Xander made the story interesting, and we got to see what a misunderstanding can do to friends.
This book is well worth a read! :)

Gemma has always loved puzzles, and always seen clues in seemingly innocent places. When she's given her grandfather's will - a grandfather her mother told her had died years ago - she sees the start of a treasure hunt. But the clues are leading her to where he spent the last years of his life - Taiwan.

There's no way Gemma can afford to travel to Taiwan - she still doesn't know how she's going to pay for her first semester of college. Except, there is a program at her school. Unfortunately run by one of her least favorite people - her ex boyfriend who she now calls Xander Pander. He can't take anything seriously and is always clowning around, looking for jokes and approval. Still, she sucks up her pride and begs, and against all odds, he finds a way for her into the program. She's now part of TARP, and on a paid trip to Taiwan with other kids around the nation wanting to connect with their roots.

Gemma is hoping for an inheritance, a way to solve her financial problems and get her into the college of her dreams. Instead, she finds herself getting to know her grandfather, his hopes and his flaws, and the part of her culture her mom has always refused to acknowledge.

This journey was great, with Gemma getting to explore another country, with kids her own age and with similar backgrounds. At first, she feels like the odd man out - she doesn't know Mandarin, something she's always felt ashamed of - and so many of the references go over her head. Soon she finds out that the other TARPers - the name unfortunately grows on her - have similar feelings of inadequacy when it comes to knowing all about their family's pasts. As she explores Taiwan with her grandfather's words, and even has to rope in Xander to help, she finds roots where there'd only been empty space before.

Wonderfully written, thank you to the publishers through NetGalley for the early copy of this one!

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ebook.
Rating: 3.5

“Ex Marks the Spot” by Gloria Chao follows Gemma, a recent high school graduate. She begins to realize there’s more to life—and more to her small world—than the tunnel vision she’s had for almost her whole life. She’s raised by her single mother, who it turns out, hasn’t been honest to her daughter about her only recently deceased grandfather. To learn more about him (and a potential life changing inheritance), she must go on scavenger hunt in Taiwan and ask her only serious ex-boyfriend, Xander for help.

The journey that follows ended up being so sweet—I loved the FMC point-of view and the self-exploration/growth the reader gets to see. The puzzles created by the grandfather are so well done, and while maybe the list could be hard to follow at times—it ended up making sense. The couple of plot twists with the grandfather were well set up (and maybe a bit predictable?). They were still interesting and fun to get too—for example (spoilers incoming****skip this paratheses if you don’t want to know!!*** The grandfather ends up being the secret artist “X” whose work they see at a museum exhibit, minus one painting. It really wasn’t too much of a surprise as his clues were repetitive “to get to know me,” “x marks the spot,” and he saved all of his repainted works. There was also one piece of work missing, and it was a major clue. Also, the fact that he was in a relationship with Xander’s grandfather, they are not ex-business partners. It’s clear that her grandmother abandoned the marriage around the 60’s because of his secret relationship. There’s also a couple of works that show relationships between the same gender***)

The scenery, the descriptions, even historical references were very well done. I cannot tell you how the food descriptions—ugh—sent me! I desperately want to go to Tawain for the street side snacks, for this perfect tangy/spicy soup. I did read both the NetGalley ARC and waited a bit longer for the audiobook to become available (which was very well done, especially reading Mandarin). There are some novels that I read that are YA, where my reaction is usually along the lines of “well….it is YA, lower your expectations,” but this isn’t how I felt all. The romantic tension was closed door, and very tender. I also got vibes that our FMC maybe neurodivergent (she feels excluded—some of that is her own actions, for sure, but other times--) it’s clear that she thinks about things differently. The reason for the break up as freshman was a big misunderstanding, and she just assumed the teasing/jokes was bullying and not him trying to be friends. It seems like she had a hard time, at least from her own point of view, in connecting with others/feeling grounded in friendships. Also the thought process/way she makes connections: painting, the puzzles, even her own growth and re-evaluating—all of that was well done and highlighted that’s she a bit different (at least to me).

I think this a great YA book that expands to new adults as well. I would say my final rating is a 3.5. I enjoyed it quite a bit, and I’m happy to recommend to readers who want a touch of romance, but more adventures/puzzles. This a great book for recent high school graduates especially, as I think there’s a lot that young people let out into the world as adults for the 1st time—can relate too. I think some of her initial feelings in the first half of the book made me feel frustrated as a reader. But a lot of that is just miscommunication—my least favorite in a book.

A fun YA romance centered around a treasure hunt. The main character, Gemma, doesn't have the money for college after graduating high school, but she learns that her grandfather left her a treasure hunt as her inheritance, which may just allow her to afford college. BUT she needs help from her ex-boyfriend Xander, who is pretty much the last person she wants to ask for help. Gemma must travel to Taiwan to work through all of the clues in the treasure hunt. Of course, there will be fun and romance along the way.

A great story about a young girl finding out she had family still alive in Taiwan at one point and traveling to discover their family history, culture and even love.

Our main character Gemma has just graduated from high school and is about to start college in autumn, but she doesn't have enough money.

Fortunately for her, she learns that her late grandpa left her a treasure hunt. And this treasure might just be what she needs to afford college.
Unfortunately for her, she needs the help of her ex-boyfriend.

This book has everything you often find in YA romcoms - a love triangle, enemies-to-lovers and cute, heartfelt moments.


The main issue I have with the story is that the romance didn't feel quite right. I wish it was more developed.
But I did enjoy the descriptions.
Honestly, I think I'm getting too old for these books.

But if you're the target audience, you'll like this book a lot more than me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin group for the ARC.

I thought this was going to be a cute YA romcom. It was so much more than that!

It was about growth, finding oneself, finding her culture and her past and accepting the life she had. It was heartbreaking at times but overall so hopeful.

I have a couple other books by this author on my TBR that will be going up the list now.

I love a story with puzzles - I thought they were incorporated into this story perfectly.. I was so appreciate of the diverse cast of characters. For me, the only downside was a miscommunication trope, which I desperately despise.

This book was really cute! The puzzles were really well thought out and interwoven into the story in a really interesting way! I loved Gemma's growth as a character and how much we get to learn and grow with her throughout, and the overall message was lovely.

“You never hide, though. You’re always yourself, even when it’s difficult or embarrassing. You show your passion, even when others make fun of you trying. Not everyone can do that. I admire you, Gemma.”

Ex Marks the Spot was a super entertaining novel. Gemma is on a treasure hunt, and she definitely takes us with her, as everything is made for the reader to try solving her late grand-father’s puzzles. She’s on a hunt for her inheritance in order to pay for college, but in the way she finds her heritage, and discovers the culture she comes from and learns how to make it hers.
If I loved the enigmas, and found the book pretty addictive for them (even though some were a lot), I loved even more how Gemma progressively discovers everything her mother hid from her –and why she did so. It was a coming of age story as much as it was an empathy exercise, and an original way to speak about Family Secrets.
The romance was a bit secondary here, but cute either way. It’s a second chance that relies a lot on miscommunication which is a trope I truly like in YA as it is so very reliable.
If you want a light book with just a tiny touch of angst, with a mystery that involves you, fast paced and with a secondary romance, then this book might be the right one for you!

Thank you to the author, Penguin Teen and ColoredPages Book Tour for the gifted copy. My opinions are my own.

Rate 3.5/5

Thank you, Penguin Teen, and Net Galley, for the beautiful finished copy of Ex Mark the Spot! This was such a fantastic read! I was captivated from the graduation incident to the end of the hunt. Gloria, you did an incredible job! I can still smell the food you described in the book; the love story was delightful.

While I'm not usually a fan of the miscommunication trope, I truly enjoyed it here. It wasn't overbearing like in some books; it was done just right. If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers stories, family secrets, second-chance romance, and a good old-fashioned treasure hunt, this one is for you! It's out now wherever books are sold.

Rep: Neurodiversity (Autism-coded), Taiwanese-American characters, LGBTQIA+ side characters

This. THIS is why reading diversely and making space for stories that are not from your own culture is SO incredibly important. This book is so incredible at giving voice to an experience and culture that are not my own. It also allows us to see the similarities between experiences. I, too, have complex family struggles and know what it is like to hide things from the world - even if it isn't quite as intense. The representation is a standout, though some aspects are more nuanced than others.

What a heartfelt, fun, and emotional coming-of-age story. It blends family drama, Taiwanese-American cultural exploration, and a touch of bantery young romance. Chao delivers a treasure hunt that isn't just about solving puzzles but about uncovering family secrets, embracing identity, and finding love and acceptance in all its forms.

Gemma feels separate from her culture in a way that she yearns to find. The themes of complex family dynamics, hidden truths, and emotional healing are universal, but I love how this one is told. This is why stories like these are so important—they give voice to underrepresented perspectives while highlighting the shared human experience. It explores the fact that people are nuanced and a product of their experiences.

The relationship between Gemma and Xander is fun and charming. Their rivals-to-lovers arc is engaging and endearing. The mystery itself is well-crafted, filled with clever puzzles designed to make these characters grow, and that keeps the pacing tight. Though, obviously, the puzzles are a bit simplistic given that it is a young adult story. Chao paints a vivid picture of Taiwan, immersing readers in its culture, food, and bustling streets, making the setting as much a character as Gemma and Xander. I don't want to spoil anything by going into too much detail about the things I loved, so I'll stop here.

This is a story about growing up and discovering yourself and your roots. It’s fun, touching, and brimming with authenticity. A wonderful coming-of-age story that made me laugh, cry, and fall in love with its characters. Super easy read.

Thanks so much to Penguin Teen, the author, and Colored Pages Book Tours for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

I struggled to read the book due to the ePub format, which was disappointing since it seemed like something I would enjoy. However, I will be borrowing it from my library since the premise has me intrigued.

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, Gloria Chao and NetGalley!

This book revolves around Gemma following riddles and clues, written by her grandpa, across Taiwan where her family is originally from. As she gets further into the riddles, she learns more about her grandpa, her mother, and Xander, her first boyfriend. She bands together with Xander as they travel across Taiwan to find the treasure where x marks the spot.

Xander and Gemma start as “enemies” because Xander once broke her heart in middle school. When I read YA books, they always make me giggle a little bit because two people can be “enemies” from having dated in first grade and then he threw a bug on her and she’s hated him ever since. I also think that the authors sometimes forget that their characters are 16 years old and make them do wild things that no 16-year-old would ever do. Gloria Chao did a great job of avoiding the latter problem (having 16-year-olds do not 16-year-old things). I think the reason why they are enemies is a little ridiculous but I suppose it adds to the plot.

A lot of the twists and turns throughout the book, I didn’t see coming. I also couldn’t figure out a single riddle which really humbled me. It probably didn’t help that it was in a different language but even translated, I had no idea.

Overall, I thought this was a fun, light read. It’s perfect for any YA audience with the focus mainly on the adventure and no steamy bits at all. I recommend picking this up when you want a break from your heavy, adult reads!

I enjoyed this story about a girl discovering her culture and learning more about her grandpa she never knew. As a person of Chinese descent, it was interesting to read Gemma's point of view as I could relate to many of her thoughts and feelings. I loved all the tidbits that evoked nostalgia of when she was in Taiwan. Nods to the Shilin Night Market and all the yummy foods there are in Taiwan was fun. Overall, this is a great story that embraces your cultural identity.