thank you to penguin for the ARC!

this is pretty much your classic YA romance, but with the fun twist of a treasure hunt, plus the cultural references i enjoyed in AMERICAN PANDA. my favorite part of the book was definitely the discussion on connecting with one's roots and family (and of course the descriptions of travel and food). without spoiling, some of the puzzles and characters' actions did feel a bit far-fetched to me, but it didn't really detract from the book. gemma and xander's relationship was honestly my least favorite part (maybe i've just outgrown YA romance?), but they were ultimately a pretty cute couple. if you want a light YA with a lot of heart, this is definitely one to check out.

The cultural context was interesting, but the storytelling elements/pace were pretty predictable and felt a little generic.

Rating: 4/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

This book is about Gemma who has been raised by a single parent from Taiwan and Xander, her old friend/crush who is also from Taiwan parents. Gemma has graduated and then finds out that her grandfather, who she has never met, has passed away and has left her and her mother something. She is determined to find out what he has left them, but Gemma’s mother doesn’t want to. With college right around the corner she is hopeful that it is money so that her mother doesn’t have to worry but she finds out that it’s a puzzle that she has to figure out but, she finds out that she will have to go to Taiwan and the only way to do that is to go with the TARP group and she will have to kiss butt to Xander to make sure that she can go.

I thought this was a sweet YA romcom, about two Taiwanese teens who live in America and want to learn more about their culture and for Gemma to find out what the treasure is that her grandfather has left her. The more that the plot starts to come out the cuter the book gets. I liked that the author gave us back history about the characters and then we got to see them work together. I loved that we were able to go on adventures with the characters to see what the next piece of the puzzle was. I liked that we got to see the characters understand more about their parents and to see the group talking about how their families act and to see the growth of the characters develop throughout the book as well. I thought the pace of the books was done just right. I didn’t feel like it was lagging at all. I found the characters easy to connect with and they were likable.

I liked the banter between Gemma and Xander, but I really loved when Xander didn’t like when the other boys would flirt with Gemma, it was funny to read. I found with both characters their way of slowly healing the riff that came between them to have been sweet. I loved watching them work through their past and their families' past to heal their friendship/more. I do love a second chance romance, and this was a perfect book to start the year with. Watching them on this journey was fun, with a lot of emotions and a cute YA romcom with a lot of adventures in it and banter that you will be dying of laughter.

I want to thank NetGalley and Penguin for the opportunity to review this book.

Ex Marks the Spot is the book I needed growing up as a kid whose parents came from Taiwan but grew up in the States. It is a Bildungsroman that captures the experience of growing up in American and not being American enough, yet visiting the “homeland” and not being Asian enough. I loved every moment of it!

Gemma graduates high school without knowing much about her own family history, but is sent on a wild treasure hunt - including to Taiwan - when an estate lawyer approaches her with her late grandfather’s will. The middle of the book feels very Inheritance Games-ish, with lots of twists and puzzles to figure out. With each new puzzle is a different piece of Gemma’s past that we learn about.

In the meantime, Gemma must reconcile with her ex, and current enemy Xander, as he holds the key to some of the clues, such that their fates are entwined. It’s a slow burn enemies to lovers trip for them, but also wholesome and cute.

My favorite parts were visiting all of the top spots on Taiwan - including the Palace Museum and all of the major cities, and ALL OF THE FOOD. I was consistent hungry reading this. Taiwan doesn’t get enough representation in literature, and I loved how much the beautiful island shone through as its own character in this book! I’m looking forward to the next one from Gloria Chao!

Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Group/Viking Books and Gloria Chao for the ARC.

ex marks the spot is a wonderful book that talks about understanding your culture and heritage, and that, sometimes, there might be more to people than you think. this book shows that the world is not all black and white.

going into this, i thought romance would be the main plot, yet i found that it was instead a sublot. the main focus of this book is gemma's self-discovery journey/treasure hunt. while i usually like the romance of a book to the main plot and get slightly bored if it isn't, that did not happen with this book. i was soo hooked to the treasure hunt! i was always on the edge of my seat, trying to figure out the next clue and absolutely dying to know what happens next. i simply never wanted to put it down!

the way this treasure hunt was made is absolutely brilliant. its truly genius and deserves a round applause for the way it was crafted. i found all the clues to be so intriguing, and it was amazing how each clue was connected to the next. the past really did always affect the future (if you know, you know hehe).

and that plot twist... WOW!! i was absolutely SHOOK I TELL YOU SHOOK. i was laughing while reading that scene because of the way it blew my mind. never would have EVER have seen that coming. (absolutely loved the twist though, it brought in so much more nuance).

the chemistry between xander and gemma was a really slow burn and i enjoyed it. i loved their little moments as they figured out the clues together, and all that they went through for each other. it was really cute.

last but not the least, i loved the whole learning about your heritage part. i adored how each of the side characters interacted with each other, how they made jokes about being asian/being taiwanese, and i related to it so much because i always love having similar experiences with others when it comes to my upbringing, because it's something many don't understand unless you share the culture. i also just loved learning about the taiwanese culture, it really was educating hehe.

who doesn't want to read a scavenger hunt around taiwan????

this book is a perfect mix of mystery, discovery, and romance. it reads very ya and thats completely okay because it is a ya book, i do just think my time for this story has passed. i loved the elements of the story that were gemma exploring taiwan because it felt like i was exploring right along with her. i also loved how fast paced the beginning of this story was. even if that was a bit unrealistic i didn't mind because the story just moved right along. i probably couldn't explain to you every hint of the scavenger hunt but i really enjoyed reading the adventure gemma and xander went on. maybe its me being dumb but i still can't figure out if she got money at the end. like i know the whole point was understanding her family and rebuilding the relationship with xander, but college is expensive and i would be slightly pissed if i did all that for seemingly nothing.

*thank you net galley and viking for the ARC*

This started out slowly for me and I wasn’t a fan of Gemma in the beginning but as the story went on and the quest became apparent, she transformed into a more likable and relatable character. I loved the puzzles her grandfather put together and the journey through Taiwan was a neat way to see it. The ending was perfect for the story and had all the heartwarming scenes you want to close out the story.

I love an enemies to lovers story, throw some family secrets in, and have it set in Taipei!?! Yes please! I enjoyed the story and would read more from the author!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Gloria Chao’s Ex Marks the Spot is a heartwarming and adventurous tale that blends treasure hunting, cultural exploration, and the sparks of rekindled romance into a delightful read.

Gemma is a relatable and determined protagonist whose journey is as much about self-discovery as it is about unearthing a hidden inheritance. The story’s treasure hunt premise adds a playful layer of intrigue, taking readers on an exciting adventure through Taiwan's vibrant landscapes and cultural heritage.

Xander, Gemma’s ex and reluctant travel companion, provides both comedic tension and heartwarming moments as the two navigate old wounds and unexpected feelings. Their chemistry is a slow burn that keeps the romantic subplot engaging without overshadowing the story’s deeper themes.

What truly stands out is the book’s exploration of family and identity. Through Gemma’s journey, Chao beautifully weaves in reflections on reconnecting with cultural roots and understanding the complexities of familial relationships. The vivid descriptions of Taiwan’s traditions and scenery enrich the narrative, making it both an emotional and immersive experience.

While some of the treasure hunt’s clues felt a bit predictable, the overall charm and emotional depth of the story more than make up for it. Ex Marks the Spot is a compelling read for fans of contemporary romance and heartfelt coming-of-age tales.

4.5 Stars

Ex Marks the Spot is an enemies-to-lovers contemporary novel that also explores relationships and the power that comes from celebrating the past.

The mystery/puzzle element is what’s going to draw people in. Through it, author Gloria Chao takes readers to historical landmarks and museums around Taipei, introducing culture through complex clues and answers.

For such a fast read, Ex Marks the Spot really does have a lot to it. It’s wonderfully layered and easy to get lost in. This is a fun option heading into the new year.

This is the first book I've read by Gloria Chao, and it won't be the last. The storyline was complex, with a fantastic mystery, and great insight into Taiwanese culture and nuances of Chinese characters. The characters themselves were multifaceted, and the romance was a great enemies to lovers trope.

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys mysteries and romance. This will be a great addition for high school libraries, public libraries, and classroom libraries.

I absolutely loved this book! It was so cute and funny. I loved the main characters relationship and also the side characters. I was so invested into the treasure hunt. I would read it again and again. I just loved it so much!

The awkwardness of being a teenager mixed with adventure, puzzle solving, lovers to rivals to friends to lovers romance, cultural discovery, and learning that parents are people too is what makes ‘Ex Marks the Spot’ the special read that it is. I immediately felt kinship with Gemma. She is an overachiever who can make embarrassing mistakes and makes some pretty brash decisions. I loved reading about her falling in love with her culture and learning things about her grandfather whom she never met.

Reading this adventure was the essence of what life is all about. Gemma learns so much about herself and her relationships with friends, family, and what she wants in a love match throughout the story. She discovers new foods she love, art to appreciate, she begins to learn a little bit of the language she always wished she’d grown up learning.

Gemma learns to lighten up and to take the hate goggles off towards Xander and see the things in him she didn’t see before. She learns that her mom has her own past and reasons for bringing her up the way that she did. She learns to open up and share more of herself and let people into her life.

Gemma grows so much in this story and I felt like an older sister to her reading her story. There are aspects of her life and experience that I have also gone through and I understand her frustrations and her anger. I enjoyed reading her story so much.

The important part of Gemma’s journey is how she comes to discover those important life lessons. Coming along for the ride with her is what makes the experience of reading this story so special. I highly recommend ‘Ex Marks the Spot’.

A YA romance with an Inheritance Games vibe. It’s a second chance romance + enemies to lovers mixed with a bit of “coming of age” as Gemma learns more about her roots and what family means.

3.5 stars

I loved absolutely everything about this book! It follows Gemma, who has just graduated high school and learns of her grandfather's passing. Never knowing about her grandfather, she confronts her mother for hiding the truth. It seems like there's a puzzle and inheritance left behind by her grandfather, one that Gemma wants to discover. Meanwhile, her mother is completely against the idea, as she never had a great relationship with her father. Gemma does everything to convince her mother, who refuses to pay for Gemma's travels back to Taiwan in search of her grandfather's inheritance. With no other choice left, Gemma is forced to beg her ex and archnemesis, Xander, to add her to a student program to Taiwan. Somehow, Xander gets her into the group, and Gemma goes to Taiwan. Having known next to nothing about her heritage, this journey is about connecting with one's roots and learning about heritage. And, of course, that isn't everything, as there may be more to Gemma and Xander's relationship than simply exes and enemies.

There are so many different elements to this book: romance, mystery, family, etc. As the child of an immigrant single mother, Gemma's life with her mother was never easy. Her mother spent much of her time working to provide for the two of them, and Gemma grew up thinking she had no other family. Throughout the story, they changes and development that this mother-daughter relationship goes through are both heart wrenching and heart warming. They love each other unconditionally, but neither of them are perfect. They hurt each other despite their mutual love. Gemma didn't learn much about her heritage from her mother and sees this trip as a way to connect to her roots. She learns about the culture and food as she travels throughout Taiwan with others like her. And she realizes that not everyone has a perfect relationship with their culture. Some are very connected, completely fluent in the language and traditions. Others are more like Gemma, who know close to nothing and want to learn. As the child of immigrants, I loved this aspect of the book. So many of my friends come from a similar background as I do, yet we're all different. But that doesn't make any of us more or less worthy of our heritage.

Gemma's grandfather's puzzles and the mystery of his life are very fun. I loved following along with Gemma as she worked through the various puzzles and learned about her grandfather's life, piece by piece. It seemed like Gemma inherited her grandfather's knack for intricate puzzles. Learning about Gemma's grandfather also helped her mother understand her father better. It seems like parents and children have different ideas for their future and wellness, but at the same time, both are aiming toward happiness, just in different ways. This is evident in Gemma's relationship with her mother, and her mother's relationship with her own father.

The romance was a really cute enemies/rivals/exes to lovers. Having known each other in the past, it seemed like Gemma and Xander understood each other to an extent, but I loved seeing their relationship develop. Old misunderstands were cleared up, and new connections were formed.

Overall, I loved how eventful this book was. And even with so much happening, everything was connected in a seamless manner that made sense. To me, this is the perfect YA mystery-romance, and loved the deep exploration of family and heritage!

4 stars

This is my third read from this author, and it's a good one. Rather than just a traditional YA romance, there are some great additions that make it extra special, including but not limited to a fantastic setting, solid cultural elements, puzzles!, and a lot of self-discoveries.

Gemma, the m.c., runs in a bit of a tropey space. Her single mother is working multiple jobs to keep them afloat - barely. This causes stress for both parties, but they love each other intensely, so they are extremely fortunate and wealthy in this way. Gemma also shares an enemies to lovers situation with Xander, which keeps her busy for other obvious reasons. When Gemma learns the truth behind some of the mysteries surrounding her family and background, she wants to know much more about who she truly is. This element of self-discovery, which plays out in an especially memorable and creative way, is a highlight of the book, and it brings her closer to understanding everyone in her life (herself included, of course).

I really enjoyed the messaging about challenging communications in the modern era. Whether the ruptures come from misunderstandings, secrets, or diversions, we are all always struggling to know each other and ourselves better, and Chao captures this aspect (within families, friendships, and romances) successfully.

I enjoyed this most recent installment from Chao and look forward to more from this author.

I enjoyed this book! I really liked the treasure hunt and how it was organized. I thought the clues were clever and well done, and I really liked that it was a mix of English and Mandarin and that Gemma, the FMC, was learning about her culture as well as her Gong Gong (grandfather) while completing the hunt.

I thought the pacing was well done and the story flowed easily. The writing style fit really well with the story, and I appreciated the explanations of the puzzles and especially the Mandarin ones. I also liked Gemma’s narration, and I enjoyed reading about her experiencing Taipei and her culture.

The story that she learned about her Gong Gong was sweet and a bit sad, but I liked how it was told through the clues of the treasure hunt. I also liked that she needed Xander’s help to complete the treasure hunt, and how his strengths were her areas of weakness and vice versa. The hate goggles Gemma had on were described well, and I understood her feelings about Xander. I really liked that she got to know him, and the romance that bloomed from the experience. Xander was a fun character, and he balanced Gemma out really well.

The ending was really good, and I loved how everything worked out. The treasure hunt had a good ending, and so did Gemma and Xander. I’d definitely recommend this fun YA read.

3.25! This one was a quick and fun read. The Taiwan setting and all the food? Absolutely perfection, I really loved. The puzzles kinda lost me and the romance didn’t fully hit bc why wasn’t there more Gemma and Xander when they had so much potential??? Still, it’s cute and worth a shot if you’re into something light and easy.

Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao was such a fun read. As someone who loved visiting Taiwan the descriptions in this book transported me back to all the sights and sounds of Taipei. I could practically taste all the yummy foods that Gemma was eating because the writing was so descriptive of each dish. This is a book of self discovery and identity within asian heritage. With each clue, Gemma was discovering herself and reconnecting to her roots.

I loved reading the clues and discovering the mysteries of the treasure hunt. It reminded me of when I read the inheritance games and I got to play along with the characters in the story. The clues started simple and evolved to be more complex as the story evolved. For the characters, the banter between Gemma and Xander was so cute and shows how they both worked well together. It's a second chance type of romance of opposites personalities rediscover their love for each other.

This book had so much heart and was a love letter for Taiwan. Each page kept me entertained and excited to see what would Gemma discover next in her adventure. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery, cute enemies-to-lovers, and books with a heartwarming message.

Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao [ Penguin Young Readers Group #NetGalley ]

In Ex Marks the Spot, Gemma sets out to find out more about her family about a grandfather she never met and long presumed dead - through the will and secret codes that he leaves behind. When the clues point to the family home in Taiwan - that is precisely where she decides to go - with the help from her decade-old rival and classmate, Xander.

This novel was everything I like about Gloria Chao books - all the cultural understanding - and set in Taiwan, a place that I've traveled to and loved. In fact, as Gemma set off on her adventure - it was like I was there with her as she travels to all the places that I went to. It was like getting to return to this country of fascinating history, delicious eats, and beautiful landscapes - through Gemma's eyes.