Chryssy Hua Williams’s family is cursed, and her 9th break-up proves it! None of the women in her family have ever found lasting love. Chryssy is a Chinese herbalist and runs a wellness center for the brokenhearted with her aunties. In a chance meeting of celebrity cellist Vin Chao (known to be a heartbreaker), they strike up a deal. They’ll fake date, and when he “breaks” her heart, he’ll see an increase in ticket sales and she’ll see an increase in publicity and business.

This book was so cozy for me! Chryssy and the aunties put so much care into those suffering from heartbreak at the retreat. They are skilled at observing people so thoroughly that they know exactly what each person needs to heal. I really enjoyed learning more about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). I also loved that Chryssy and Vin were both going on personal journeys. The book explored mental health and burnout beautifully. Chryssy and Vin’s relationship was a slow burn and such a sweet journey to love.

Thank you to Lauren Kung Jessen, Forever, and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Read if you like:
💕 Fake dating
💕 Forced proximity
💕 Celebrity musician MMC
💕 Dual POV
💕 Closed door romance

Yin Yang Love Song by Lauren Kung Jessen is so full of heart, culture, and an ensemble of secondary characters that are just delightful.

I sincerely loved the Own Voices element of this book, and I can't wait to go back and read her previous book.

Chryssy and her family run an inn for the heartbroken. Since they believe they are cursed to never find true love, they want to help others heal from heartache. One day, Chryssy is seen talking with Vin, a rock star cellist who is one half of the duo, the Chaobreakers. Social media starts speculating about the new romance and the two decide to use it to their advantage. They will date for a while and break up before anyone gets hurt. They both get good publicity and hopefully sales.

What a beautiful story! I loved Chryssy and her family’s legend of Hua women. None of her aunties or her mom were able to make a relationship last. Their inn sounds like an incredible oasis of relaxation and therapy. There’s a spa and acupuncture and Chryssy’s own blend of special teas. Vin is a very well rounded character who is always told who he should be. But he’s his own person and he connected with Chryssy right away. I appreciated the conflict with his brother (the other part of the Chaobreakers) and speaking up for the brothers at their record label.

This was a very meaningful and genuine story. Each of the characters reflected on their parents’ relationship and it made them think about what they wanted in a romantic partner. They also used a beautiful metaphor about writing your own love song throughout the whole book. I also learned a lot about Traditional Chinese Medicine

I did enjoy this story over all and loved the idea of highlight TCM.

The parts that I loved were the characters and their backstories. What I would have loved more of was the romance. We don't get to see the MC"s on page together as much as I would have liked.

Perhaps I had the wrong expectations going into it, but I would say this is a great "finding yourself" story with a dash of romance. It's still overall an enjoyable read.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an arc. All opinion expressed are my own.

*rounding up my 3.5 to a 4

Thank you, Forever Romance, for an early copy of "Yin Yang Love Song," by Lauren Kung Jessen!

I knew I had to get my hands on this book as soon as I saw it features a PR romance, nosey aunties, and a family curse—three of my favorite romance tropes! The Hua Family's journey back to love is both hilarious and heartwarming, and watching Chryssy and Vin's relationship bloom can cure anyone's heartsickness.

While the references to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are intriguing to learn more about, the speeches and discussions about mental health tend to distract from the plot of the romance. I'm all for mental health awareness in books, but a character heart-to-heart every other chapter is unnecessary. I kept going because I wanted to know if/how the curse was broken, but the resolution for both this and the romance felt rushed. However, this is the first book I've read from this author. After speaking with other readers, this is the vibe her previous novels give off as well.

If you're looking for a low-stakes romance and are a fan of Lauren Kung Jessen's books, you should give this one a read. "Yin Yang Love Song" is out at your favorite local bookstores now!

I'm starting 2025 reading cute, romantic, and wonderful love stories. I knew I would love this book because fake dating is my favorite trope. But adding TCM, an inn that heals broken hearts using a holistic approach, herbal teas and cooking, good-looking cello players, and a handful of aunties makes the book even better. I really enjoyed the getting-to-know process between Chryssy and Vin and how the fake dating benefited both of them. Vin selling tours, Chrssys's small family business gaining popularity, and Leo's (Vin's older brother) healing process. I also like the Hua family curse, the truth and mystery behind it. Aside from the romance, I love how the book discussed balancing lifestyle, the Yin and Yang of our bodies and our lives. I also liked how they compared life to music and flowers. I also loved how they encouraged each other to face the music together. This is my first book by the author. I really enjoyed her writing style, which is witty, flirtatious, cute, and romantic.

This was a cute story and I enjoyed how the characters went from fake dating, to friends, to lovers. I enjoyed that the characters were able to connect on a deep level through music, heartbreak, and tea.

I genuinely appreciated the relationship depicted between this couple; it was endearing, and their chemistry came through vividly on the page. The incorporation of Chinese culture and medicine was something I really enjoyed, as it stood out as the best part of the book. The author handled discussions about stress in both personal and professional life with great sensitivity. However, despite all this, I would have preferred a bit more depth in the characters and the narrative. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

This is such a cute and cozy romance read 🩷 I loved the concept of fake dating the bad boy cellist! I really enjoyed Lauren’s writing and that the book is told in dual POV. We love a dual POV romance ✨ Guys when he repeated “next time” in his head and got excited 🥹 that really got to me. I also loved when Vin said “he wasn’t your love song” I mean SWOON. So sweet. The aunties are hilarious 😂 The added mystery of the family’s curse and trying to undo it added a nice element to the book. The book also goes into burnout and trying to find a healthy balance in life and how it’s okay to change your career later in life as your passion changes and I love that!! Putting your health first is so important. I don’t want to ruin it by any spoilers. I smiled so much while reading and I also laughed so many times. I can’t wait to dive into Lauren’s other books. So happy to have all of my copies personalized 🩷

Yin Yang Love Song is a dual POV romance story which will steal your heart. If you've ever been afraid in love - and who hasn't - then you have to read this one. I loved the family aspect and characters in Yin Yang Love Song. At the same time, I was drawn most to Chryssy's character development. While it's easy to describe Yin Yang Love Song as fake dating, it's really a story about facing our fears. About realizing that we can close ourselves off, that we can hold ourselves back even when we think we aren't, and let our fears dictate our actions.

Y’all Lauren Kung Jessen does it again!
I ADORED Yin Yang Love Song by Lauren Kung Jessen.
YYLS was such a pleasure to read. The characters are wholesome and wonderfully developed. I thoroughly enjoyed the main characters here.
I just enjoy this authors writing so much!
This was such a great story.
This is highly enjoyable, heartwarming romance that you simply cannot afford to miss.
It has been such a privilege to read all of her books before release and each one is special in their way.
She does not disappoint!

If you are looking for a delightful, lighthearted and funny romance with lovable characters and exquisite writing, look no further. This was my first novel by Lauren King Jessen, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Chrissy and her ‘aunties’ are running the Wildflower Inn where they practice traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture - they also heal heartbreak and are about to launch their own herbal tea brand, In Full Bloom. For generations, the Hua family women have been under a curse to be heartbroken and to never find lasting love. Reason enough for Chrissy to shy away from relationships and love. But when she runs into the famous cellist, Vin Chao, who has a reputation of being a heartbreaker, they strike a deal: they’ll fake date, then he’ll break her heart to increase his ticket sales and, in return, he will promote her business. It all works out - until they get more than what they bargained for.
The story is told in alternating POV’s by Chrissy and Vin. It goes deep into their past and delivers a slowly developing plot.
I was a huge fan of the aunties with all their flowery names and also liked both of the MCs’ families, including the adorable pet bunny, Goji. I was intrigued by the inclusion of Traditional Chinese Medicine and learned a lot about health benefits of flowers and herbs. I loved the food and music references. Everything was so well researched and perfectly described. If I ever get heartbroken, I want to go to the Wildflower Inn. And I’m reminded in an author’s note ‘that I can take breaks and rest, I can change my life if I want to, I don’t have to be perfect and can bloom even if nobody is watching’.
All in all, I had a great time reading this novel, and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
I would like to thank Netgalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Ms Lauren Kung Jessen for the opportunity and joy to read this advance copy. The above is my honest review and own opinion. 4⭐️. Publication date is 1/28/25.

Thank you Forever Pub and Hachette Audio for my gifted copies. All opinions are my own.

I’ve really enjoyed Lauren Kung Jessen’s books. This was such a comfort read for me.

I alternated between the ebook and the audiobook. I really enjoyed the narration by Eunice Wong and Eric Yang.

Chryssy and Vin meet at an event. He and his brothers are famous cellists know for their music and heartbreaking ways. Chryssy and her aunts help heal heartbreak at their inn with traditional medicine. They strike up a fake dating agreement when they figure they can help each other.

I love fake dating so I knew this would be a good one! The women in Chryssy’s family believed they are cursed to not have lasting love. This book has a little mystery as Chryssy and Von try to solve the mystery of the curse. Despite pretending to be in a fake relationship they start to develop a friendship which blossoms into more.

There is something just so comforting about Lauren Kung Jessen’s books. I was nervous for Vin and Chryssy that their relationship wouldn’t last, but most of this felt like a comforting hug. Her books just have a constant smile on my face. I also loved learning more about Yin Yang and traditional medicine. I really hope we get more books from her soon!

Yin Yang Love Song by Lauren Kung Jessen
Contemporary romance. Own voices. Mixed race Chinese American.
Chryssy Hua Williams is an herbalist at her family run healing retreat. She doesn’t want to believe in the family curse of predetermined heart break, but after counting her own 9 unsuccessful relationships, she’s given up on love. She’s going to keep her heart safe and uninvolved.
Van Chao is a famous rock cellist touring with his brother. They are known as being heartbreakers but it’s really an over exaggerated marketing ploy by their label. When Chryssy offers herbal tea at one of their engagements, they talk and realize their problems are similar. If they tell the world and family they are dating, even tho it’s fake, they can help each other build their brands and business. The more they are together, the more they question their motives. Does Van want to be a heartbreaker and does Chryssy want him to leave because of the curse? The answer is no for both of them. Now they have to figure out how to solve their looming breakup.

🎧 I alternated between an ebook and an audiobook narrated by Eunice Wong and Eric Yang. Each narrator performs their POV and it’s easy to tell who it is, not only because of chapter heading, but clear differences between male and female narrator. Probably the chapter headings were unnecessary in the audio version. Both do only slight variations of the voices in their chapters but since it’s their POV, it’s not an issue.
The two narrators are totally compatible with tone, speed and volume which can be hard to achieve.
Both print and audio are done well and are easy to follow. There were distinct voices for the female extended family so preferred the audio in general.
I do increase my speed to 1.5 which closer matches my reading and conversational speed.

Emotionally rich, romantic and charming. Belief can be powerful. So can love. I enjoyed their compatibility from the start and their growing closer. Low angst. Chryssy has a unique ability to look at things from a different perspective or angle. A priceless skill.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Hachette Audio.

Lauren Kung Jessen writes absolutely beautiful books! I have been beyond honored to read all of her books before release and they are all amongst my favorite cozy romances. The way she intertwines romance, banter, tropes and learning is unmatched. I’ve learned so much about Asian culture in each book and I can’t wait to learn more!! This book was extra fun for me because I’ve always had interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine and even used acupuncture during my IVF journey and pregnancy! Chryssy and Vin grow together in such a way that you can relate no matter where you are in your life. This book was officially released TODAY and EVERYONE needs to read it!

Lauren Kung Jessen is back with her third romance, Yin Yang Love Song. When a celebrity bad boy teams up with a woman who works at a family business, their complementary missions seem like the perfect duet: They’ll fake date to play up his heartbreaker image and promote her heartbreak-healing retreat. But what happens when their breakup plans no longer seem like the right course?

Why I Chose This Book:
I really enjoyed Lunar Love when it came out a few years ago, and though I missed Red String Theory, I was excited to learn about Yin Yang Love Song. First, I love anything to do with music; here, Vin and his brother are part of a popular strings duo (something like Lindsey Stirling). Second, Chryssy runs a heartbreak retreat that utilizes natural, herbal remedies. Third, this book is set in my home turf, the greater Seattle area. How could I resist?

What I Liked:
- Chryssy has been dumped eight times… thanks to a generations-long family curse
- Vin is known for breaking hearts… but part of that is due to his celebrity image
- Healing broken hearts with tea, flowers, and other natural remedies
- Vin is a cellist in a popular duo with his brother
- Family dynamics for both Chryssy and Vin
- Getting to know the greater Seattle area, from clamming to exploring Pike Place Market
- Fake dating with a planned breakup
- How much do the stories we tell ourselves impact our lives?

Final Thoughts
Yin Yang Love Song is such a feel-good romance. I love the themes of natural healing and fusion music, the contrast of always dumping your partners versus always being dumped, and seeing your family’s relationships as something to fear or strive for. This was a wonderful romance, and I will be reading more from Lauren Kung Jessen for years to come. First on my list: Red String Theory!

A closed door romance with a family curse on love. It was about Vin and Chryssy working through heartbreak together with the help of their families. It had very likeable characters but long chapters. I listened on audio which made the chapter length more bearable. Not to mention dual narrators always helps! The dual POV of Chryssy and Vin was good and the story was good. The play on floral character names was fun too.

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
Yin Yang Love Song by Lauren Kung Jessen
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 352 / Genre: Romcom
Release Date: January 28, 2025
🥳#HappyPubDay!🎉

Chryssy Hua Williams and all the women in the Hua family line believe they are cursed to never find love. Cellist and heartthrob Vin Chao is known for breaking hearts. When the two meet they agree to fake date for a couple of weeks, during which they’ll pose together in the media to boost likes and engagement. The ruse works perfectly until the fake part starts feeling real.

I loved this adorable romcom. I especially enjoyed the healing tips that came with Chryssy’s profession as a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbalist. And the recipes for lavender bath bombs and lavender egg tarts at the very end were an especially nice surprise.

This is book is out today and is a perfect read for both Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day.

Thank you, @LaurenKJessen, @ReadForeverPub, and @NetGalley for my gifted copy.

ugh i LOVED this one! it was my first Lauren Kung Jessen book and i was not disappointed! this book was so unique and full of so many endearing themes!

For a rom-com, it was a fun read with a great representation of Chinese-American culture with a focus on Chinese medicine practices like acupuncture, the use of flowers as herbs and the concept of yin and yang and classical music. It’s great to see diversity being represented.

This story starts on Chryssy who meets Vin, a famous cellist who is part of the Chaos brothers duo at a house party thrown by a famous couple. Due to some exaggerated pictures, the public seems to think they are dating! As Vin needs the publicity for his upcoming tour tickets and with Chryssy launching a tea business, they decided to fake date their way through - with some family curse and drama in the mix.

This book hits the opposite attract theme. Vin and Chryssy could not be more different with different flaws thrown in. Vin strives for perfection and Chryssy just wants to find everlasting love..but at the core of it, they do share the same values of strong bonds to their family, knowing what they want to be in life and thriving for their careers. So, it wasn't surprising that they would gravitate towards each other.

The not so good stuff: This book was boring and there were some draggy moments. I found myself struggling to pick up the book to read, which is unusual since I tend to read romance very fast. It was a lot of tell vs show. I also find Vin and Chryssy’s romance very surface level - there was no depth to their attraction or chemistry - where is the banter?!! It was loads of talking but no push/pull moments - the tension was missing~! I ended up skimming the later half of the book just to push myself to finish it.

While I found this book a fun read, it wasn't the kind of book that would grip me and want me to keep reading. It was a solid read but it wasn't an amazing read. Hence the 3 stars.