I wish this hadn't started right in the middle of an event; I don't like beginnings that make you feel like you missed something. However, it got better as it progressed and I genuinely enjoyed the concept and the way it all played out.

Thank you @ReadForeverPub and Netgalley for the review copy.

Lauren Kung Jessen emerged as one of my favorite authors in 2024 - not just from reading her first two books last year but also getting to meet her in person at, like, 3 different events (!!). She is so kind, warm, and thoughtful, and those feelings translated into my reading experience with Yin Yang Love Song.

I highlighted so many quotes in this book that hit home for me. As someone who fancies herself a bit of a “recovering perfectionist,” the healing elements and conversations that occurred between the characters in this story — not just Vin and Chryssy but the side characters as well — put words to feelings I have been working through the past few years. Some of the passages served as reminders of what is important in life and love, which I really appreciated given the current state of our world. Vin and Chryssy had reservations about relationships, but watching their fake dating scheme turn into genuine friendship and feelings was not only heartwarming but also felt authentic.

If you are looking for a gentle romance with lots of music, floral notes, and reflection, I highly recommend Yin Yang Love Song.

I really enjoyed the concept of this, but I struggled with the execution of it. I had a hard time believing the chemistry between the two main characters. I also found the dialog to be cheesy at times, which took me out of it more than I liked.

🌱 Book Review 🌱

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest opinions.

Publication: Out now!

Rating: Not for me

This was a cute read and definitely helped combat those winter blues. I did find that the romance between Vin and Chryssy not believable and too slow for me. I loved learning about the herbs that were used from traditional Chinese medicine!

For fans of:
🌱 First person POV
🫖 Dual POV
🌱 Fake dating
🫖 Curse breaking
🌱 Chinese American rep
🫖 Herbalist and Musician
🌱 Traditional Chinese medicine

I loved Lunar Love and Red String Theory, so I was beyond excited to start this book. The idea was so fun, I really enjoyed the backstories of both the MMC (his life as a prodigy-turned workaholic musician) and FMC (TCM specialist/ cursed woman) and their journeys to figuring out what they wanted. I had a bit of a hard time really getting invested, especially in the first half, but in the end I bought into the story and the romance.

3.5 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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!