4.5

A modern-day retelling of the classic Mulan story, perfectly adapted to tell a story of family, the love between parent and child, the defense of legacy, and falling in love. Oh, and how to tell the man you love that you’ve been lying to him about one important/non-so-important thing.

I love that Sutanto interpreted this story through the lens of first and second generation American immigrants, who fought hard to build a life for their families, trying to balance between upholding their cultural heritage and succeeding in a new country. You can see both the challenges and the pride each generation has had in their journey, but also that no choice they made was perfect, or even the right one.

Both Mulan and Shang were encouraged by their parents to pursue their passions, irregardless of traditional gender roles, but that parental support doesn’t mean their paths were easy. Mulan deals with sexism in her company and industry as a whole on a daily basis, and that’s before she feels she has to step into her father’s shoes to impress the ultra-conservative Li family. Shang deals with the mockery of his family for his “womanly” cooking skills, and constantly has to bite his tongue around his sexist uncles to avoid family conflict. Both have pulled on masks to an extent that they are almost never comfortable in their own skins - until they meet each other.

Mulan goes through a journey of self-discovery that is similar to her ancient predecessor. Yes, she is amazing at her job, and an excellent daughter, but she has to code-switch between multiple versions of herself to satisfy everyone around her, so much so that she doesn’t even know who the true Mulan is. It’s only when she’s comfortable and encouraged to make choices based on what SHE really wants that Mulan finally starts getting to know herself, and seeing what could be a truly happy life. Although I wish she had been honest with everyone from the start <spoiler>(or at least before she started sleeping with Shang)</spoiler>, I understand that these lies are the driving tension of this story. And I was relieved to hear that <spoiler>as hurt as he was, Shang knew that Mulan hadn’t been lying about anything that happened between them. Though I wish his text would have said, “I need some time. I don’t want to break up, I love you no matter what, I just need a few days to get my head straight and deal with my family.”</spoiler>

As much as this story is about Mulan, it’s also about Auntie Jiayi, Shang’s mom, and the way her brothers have always sidelined and minimized her in the family business. I love not that she not only won the daughter-in-law contest with her sister-in-laws (lol) but she finally stood up to her brothers and helped Mulan prove to them that their family business and legacy is still viable and valuable, provided they are able to open their eyes and minds to new ideas.

I have loved the whole Meant to Be series, and this one is not to be missed. Mulan is a challenging story to retell and maintain all the elements of family expectation, legacy, and love, but Sutanto has done an excellent job doing just that, adding in so much real chemistry between Mulan and Shang that every interaction made me want to smile and giggle. I also really appreciated the afterward and reading how much telling this story means to Sutanto and her parents, third generation Chinese immigrants in Indonesia who dealt with a lot of the same issues as American immigrants. It’s truly touching. And the title “Worth Fighting For” is perfection - obviously it’s a quote from the Disney movie but it fits so well the core of the book, everything in their lives that is worth fighting for: the family business, legacy, happiness, each other.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for an advance copy of this book for review purposes. Release date is June 3, and you can preorder a copy today!

✨ARC Review✨

I had high hopes for this one but it ended up being okay. The insta-love/lust of it threw me off, and while I did enjoy the banter between Mulan and Shang, their relationship happened very quickly and almost completely off-page so I wasn't exactly invested in them. Add to that the inevitable third-act breakup because of course they break up when Shang finds out Mulan has been hiding who she really is, and I was done. Their conflict was resolved very quickly too, with hardly a conversation to show for it?!

Sexism is also a HUGE theme in the book and it grated on my nerves because all these characters are the actual worst and the women just take it?! Pissed me off.

Good thing it was a short read so I could get through it quick.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

In a cheesy more modern twist, on the strong and fierce Mulan, this book is, if there can even be, a braver and stronger Mulan than ever. i loved how Jesse was able to incorporate so many important aspects in this book, which I would say really was so enjoyable and confidence boosting to see!

This book is cheesy, as the Meant to Be series is, but as a Shang girly, I loved it!! I feel like this story incorporated a message portrayed in the original Mulan, in a more relatable way. With Mulan from this contemporary romance, she is a businesswoman and feels as though she cannot fit in to the job in which she is in, which feels so realistic and relatable. And I feel like the family of Mulan and Shang's, it was super encouraging to see how parents who may be from other regions of the world, can also be understanding in emotions that first generation kids have. And I thank jesse fro making me see that in this new twist on this beloved classic.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I loved this Mulan retelling!
Jesse Q. Sutanto has become one of my favorite authors and as expected, Worth Fighting For was so so good.
I love that the plot still had Mulan as the warrior we all know and love, showing and proving that women are just as smart and powerful as men…. but set in modern day.
Oh and Shang?? Absolutely just as dreamy as in the movie *chefs kiss*
Also, side note, I LOVED the little Easter egg that Jesse threw in as a nod to her most recently released book (I would say which one but I don’t want to spoil the surprise)

If you’re looking for a fun retelling that’s a quicker read, has no unnecessary drama, is witty, funny, has romance, and fights for feminism, this is for you.

Release Date: June 3, 2025

Thank you Jesse Q. Sutanto, Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Quotes I Loved:
“People have told me that I have a similar smile, but mine is nowhere near as irresistible as his. He’s basically Asian Santa.”

“He looks good enough to pounce on and do really bad things with.”

“I drink in the way his eyes turn into crescent moons, his entire face going soft and tender while he laughs, and the way he places one large hand on his chest. My god, I am in so much trouble.”

“I know I’ll never settle for less than this kind of love, a love that is strong, and yet tender-hearted, a love that is worn soft round the edges, like a comfortable pair of socks.”

“I read online once that a shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows is the sluttiest thing a man could wear, and I agree whole-heartedly.”

“Do not get in between me and my carbs.”

Mulan was a badass woman warrior in history and Jesse Sutanto portrays that beautifully in this contemporary retelling. I have always loved the story of Mulan. That was then amplified when Disney made a movie about her. Sutanto does an amazing job or twisting the tale into a contemporary storyline without loosing the original meaning and lessons from the original. In my opinion you could not have found a better author to take on Mulan's story and blow it out of the park.

Mandy Harris
Angel Wings Bookstore

The newest installment of Disney's Meant To Be series follows Mulan as she navigates the "man's world" of finance. A sudden turn of events causes Mulan to assume the identity of her father and take his place as the head of the company to secure a deal with a very traditionally family owned whiskey company. Disney love story and Jesse Q. Sutanto humor makes for a great addition to the series.

Jesse Q. Sutanto always does a wonderful job weaving her experiences as a woman of color into her writing. Her love and respect for her family history comes through in her writing, and this was one of the best parts of the book. I enjoyed the themes of overcoming stereotypes and being who you are. However, most of these themes were explored via telling and not showing. Coupled with the juvenile narration and dialogue, I struggled to enjoy the story alongside the actual message it conveyed.
The romance was built on insta-love from the beginning, and Shang didn't feel very real to me as a character, which made the romance plot less enjoyable.
Overall, I appreciate Sutanto's ability to craft a story of feminine strength and family ties. If the story and characters had been a little stronger, I would have liked it a lot more!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the eARC!

“Mulan" has been my favorite Disney movie since its release in 1998 because it featured a strong woman who wasn't rescued by a handsome prince—she saved herself. I was absolutely delighted to discover that the "Meant To Be" series, which had previously adapted other Disney movies into contemporary romance novels, was tackling Mulan. "Worth Fighting For" by Jesse Q. Sutanto did not disappoint!In this modern adaptation, Mulan fights to fulfill her father's business dreams rather than battling in the military. She takes her father's place by pretending to be him in business meetings to impress fellow business owner Shang. The novel features strong character development, delightful settings, and clear connections to the original Disney story.If you've enjoyed other books in the series or are simply a fan of the Mulan movie, I definitely encourage you to pick this one up. Thank you to Hyperion Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance copy!

Mulan is one of my favorite Disney movies and I love the Meant to Be Series. Was "Worth Fighting For" my favorite? No, but it was a solid modern retelling. I had a hard time liking the characters, which is quite different from the movie. Just the general take wasn't for me but I know it will hit right for others. 3/5 for me.

A fun Mulan retelling set in modern times. I liked the friendship between Mulan and Mushu. The characterization of Shana’s mom was good. The story was fun and light; it was a little predictable.
Shang’s character could have been more developed, as well as James. This book had closed door romance and no frills writing. At times it read a little like YA.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the digital ARC; all opinions are my own.

Another great addition to the Meant To Be series, this adaptation of Mulan will have fans swooning.

I’m not a diehard Disney fan, but I have been enjoying the Meant To Be series. For those unfamiliar, this series does modern remakes of classic stories that Disney has based movies on. A different, popular romance author writes each book, and they are written for a more adult audience. This is the fifth book in the series, and I knew I had to read it because I am a massive fan of Jesse Q. Sutanto. I honestly couldn’t think of a better author to tell this story.

In my opinion, the coolest thing about this series is that the authors appear to have been given quite a bit of artistic license. These really are adaptations, and it has been so fun to see how the authors would modernize these classic stories into something that feels fresh and new. Worth Fighting For is no exception. Actually, at first I had a bit of a hard time getting into it, if I’m honest. In the book, Mulan is a bigwig at her father's finance company. She’s had to work very hard to get where she is, and is surrounded by finance bros constantly mansplaining things to her. When her father has a heart attack, she has to step up and take over as the lead on a new acquisition that is really important to her father. Except that the whiskey company they are trying to buy is owned by a very traditional company that won’t deal with anyone but Mulan’s father, and so she pretends to be her dad to save the deal. This is a very different take on the Mulan story, and at first, it didn’t feel high-stakes enough to me compared to the original. I’m happy to say that I changed my mind as I got more into the story. The themes are all there, and they are just right.

Of course, things don’t go as planned, and soon Mulan finds herself at the ranch of the family who owns the whiskey business, trying to prove she’s “manly” enough to lead their company. A city gal through and through, Mulan faces a number of new challenges like cattle wrangling and sheep shearing. At night, she furiously watches how-to TikTok videos and then she fakes her way through various situations with funny and delightful results. It was so fun to read as Mulan fumbles with some tasks and nails others. I was definitely cheering for her. Perhaps the best part about it is watching Mulan grow in confidence with each new job she tackles.

One of my favourite characters in the book is Mushu. In this book, Mushu is Mulan’s cousin who works at the finance company with her and accompanies her to the ranch as moral support. She is hilarious. Most people see Mushu as a bit of a disaster; she only got the job with the company because her uncle owns it, for example, but as the story goes on, readers will see how smart and capable she is in her own right. I won’t spoil it for you, but Mushu does get her own version of a happy ending that had me cheering.

Jesse is well-known for her books featuring incredible Asian Aunties and I’m delighted to say there is one in this story. There are a few actually, but Shang’s mom Auntie Jiayi is the one that really shines. She is not front and centre for most of the story but she plays an instrumental role near the end that I just loved.
Now this is a modern romance after all, so I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about the chemistry between Mulan and Shang. Shang is a bit of an enigma at the beginning of this book. He comes across as severe and like the rest of his family (that is, misogynistic) when we first meet him. As the story progresses, we get to know him a little better through his actions, and we come to realize he is not like his family at all. I just loved Shang. The attraction between him and Mulan is fairly immediate, but they take their time getting to know each other because of the business deal. I liked this for them. It felt more realistic. At the ranch, they get thrown together in a few different ways, including a delicious forced proximity evening when the whole group goes camping for an evening. Only one tent! Need I say more? This book isn’t particularly spicy; it is pretty closed-door for the most part. Overall, I loved Mulan and Shang together.

Whether you’re a Disney fan or not, Worth Fighting For is a fun read for all romance lovers.

Thank you, Disney Publishing Group and Hyperion Avenue, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a great retelling of this classic Chinese tale and the fun Disney version. The author did a fantastic job reinventing the themes and plot points from the movie. If you love Mulan, you will love this book.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ebook to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Worth Fighting For is a bold, empowering retelling of Mulan . It’s full of heart, rebellion, and unstoppable courage. i loved it and it definitely did not disappoint!

I had so much hype in my head about this book, between my love for Mulan and my previous read of Jesse Q Sutanto. It did not disappoint!

A modern retelling of Mulan full of hilarious turns. It was a joy to read.

Jesse Q. Sutanto does it again—with humor, heart, and a bold heroine I rooted for from page one. Worth Fighting For reimagines Mulan not on the battlefield, but in the high-stakes world of corporate takeovers. And somehow, it works brilliantly. Mulan, now the sharp and resourceful daughter of a private equity mogul, is thrown into the lion’s den when she impersonates her ailing father to secure a critical deal. What follows is a week of whiskey tastings, team-building retreats, and awkward axe-throwing—all while maintaining her cover. And then there’s Shang, the stressed, brooding (and very attractive) exec who slowly becomes more than just an obstacle. Sutanto strikes the perfect balance between laugh-out-loud moments and meaningful commentary on gender roles, cultural expectations, and imposter syndrome. Mulan's voice is funny, vulnerable, and incredibly relatable. The romantic tension is deliciously slow-burn, and when it pays off, it really pays off.

✨️Mulan retelling
✨️Insta- love
✨️Forbidden romance
✨️one bed

This is very a close retelling of the classic Mulan but set in modern day, which is set in the world of high-stakes finance and whiskey dynasties. It did start out to be rather slow. The insta love between Shang and Mulan was very cute though. It wasn't super cheesy. The experiencing the Chinese culture through story form was one of my favorite aspects of the book. This was an adorable sweet read.


A big thanks to Netgalley and Hyperion Avenue Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

expected publication June 3, 2025

A Mulan retelling? Sign me up. This whole series (series? interconnected stories? collection?) is so fun as a Millennial who grew up watching all of these movies in VHS form. I love that they're getting retellings & we're now seeing them in the romance world. So fun! This one was perfect & a fun take on the story of Mulan. I think it did a great job of taking the messages of Mulan -- female independence, having to work harder because of being a female, etc. -- and set them in a more relatable and current world, where people who are reading this face those issues daily.

This series is a joy and it's newest edition is no exception. I love the way Mulan was adapted to a corporate setting. Mushu was the star of the show. (Sorry Mulan!)

I love Mulan. It's one of my all-time favorite Disney movies. I do own the first 4 in this series but haven't read them all yet.

I love that they're stand alone. You can read them in any order.

This was good. I definitely got Mulan vibes! I enjoyed the modern day retelling.

I absolutely HATED MUSHU though! I kind of wish she was an animal or something and not an annoying female 🤦‍♀️ I could not with her character.

I'd give this 3.75 stars! Thank you for the ARC.