This is a reimagined version of Mulan where a woman tries to prove her herself as wrong and powerful.

3.5⭐

This is a Mulan retelling set in San Francisco. Mulan is a VP at a finance company her father owns and has to step in for him when he gets sick.

I loved the premise of the story. It was fun to see the pieces Jesse used to keep the Mulan acting as Zhou plot from the movie going here in the book.

So many of the side characters are hilarious. Looking at you Auntie Jiayi and Mushu 😂

The only thing that brings it down for me is the pace. It starts off real slow and isn't until they get back from the Ranch trip that I felt it really picked up.

However if you're a fan of the movie, I think you'll enjoy this cute book.

Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC!

This was a great modern retelling of Mulan, successfully capturing the theme of women empowerment and struggles in a male-dominated world. I absolutely loved the use of quotes and lyrics from the movie, without being too forced. She nailed this, and it fits perfectly into the Meant To Be series!
Thank you to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

I just finished Worth Fighting For by Jesse Q. Sutanto, and wow—what an emotional rollercoaster! This book packs a punch with its heartfelt storytelling, humor, and characters that feel like they could step right off the page.

The romance was beautifully layered, with just the right mix of tension, vulnerability, and moments that made my heart ache in the best way. Jesse Q. Sutanto has a way of making you root for the characters while also throwing in unexpected twists that keep you hooked until the very last page.

If you're looking for a story with love, resilience, and a lot of heart, Worth Fighting For is a must-read. This one will stay with me for a long time!

I enjoyed reading Worth Fighting For by Jesse Q Sutano. I think the author did a great job with the modern take on the classic Mulan story and the humor was on point. I loved finding the little Easter eggs linking the story to the Disney animated movie as well.

There is nothing I love more than a Disney retelling. This Mulan inspired romance was everything I'd it would be. I'm obsessed with this entire series!

This meant to be series just gained another winner! I loved the feminine boss babe energy from start to finish. As perfect as the love story is (I mean Shang is perfect cmon) it almost takes a backseat to the self discovery and growth of every character. Loved it so much and can’t recommend enough

Worth Fighting For is the fifth book in the Meant to Be series, in which different authors are writing modern romance retellings of classic princess stories. I was super excited to hear that Mulan was up next! And then I was a little nervous because Worth Fighting For has one of my least favorite tropes - it starts with a lie about Mulan’s identity (which, duh) that you have to just watch and wait to see it unravel.

Despite this, I really enjoyed Worth Fighting For! Mulan and Mushu (her human cousin in this version) were an entertaining pair and, as in the movie, Mushu continually gets Mulan deeper in trouble while trying to help. Shang is a progressive, feminist sweetheart, and his connection with Mulan is super well written.

A few scenes happened a little two quickly, and the love was a little too instant for my taste, but it was still a great read!

3.5 stars. A retelling of Mulan is a hard task and it gets a bit outlandish…but I love this author and she keeps her signature sense of humor and I knew what I was getting into having read 3 other books in this series. They’re just fun to read.

This book surpassed my expectations on many levels. Mulan is my favorite Disney princess movie, so I was both excited and apprehensive going into reading this book. But I was pleased to find that there was a really good balance between keeping what I loved from the original story, and updating the elements for this new format. I thought Mulan's characterization was really good - Jesse Sutanto did a really good job showing how Mulan handled being in a male-dominated field without being too "girlbossy". That part definitely rang true for me. I also loved Mulan's relationship with her dad, and how much she both loves him and feels uncertain about where she stands with him. My favorite part of the original movie was Mulan's relationship with her father, so I'm really glad that carried over to the book.
I also generally liked the love story, although I do think when you do an adaptation of Mulan, the love story immediately kind of becomes secondary. Mulan's main story just isn't really about finding love as much as some of the other Disney heroines. Don't get me wrong, this book is definitely still a contemporary romance and centers Mulan and Shang's love story much more than the Disney movie, but I would still say the romance is secondary to the main plotline of Mulan trying to accomplish the merger for her father. Still, we do get some nice sweet moments between the two of them.
The experience of being the child of Asian immigrants was very well done - some parts, like the aunties mainly talking about matchmaking, veered into "slightly overdone" territory, but in general, it felt super realistic. Auntie Jiayi was great, I loved that she got some moments to shine at the end. However, it did feel like at some points I was being told rather than "shown" how fun it was to be a part of a big boisterous Asian family. I would have liked to see Mulan have some more positive experiences with the aunties/uncles/cousins. I also felt like using the name Mushu for the cousin/best friend was a little distracting and unnecessary - I just kept thinking of food the entire time. I know Mulan is a legitimate name in Chinese, but I don't think Mushu is. If she'd been given a different name, it would still have been clear to me she's meant to represent Mushu from the movie.
The biggest reason this isn't a full five stars is because there are some moments where you have to stretch to find realism (I know we're talking about a lighthearted romance novel here, and it's not that deep, but it still does feel distracting). Mushu talking Mulan up in general. Mulan confidently trying to shear sheep after just watching a few videos. Mulan heroically enacting a plan together to save the merger by making last-minute changes to a banquet in less than two days. Typical rom com stuff, so again, it's really not that bad, I'm just picky.
But even with all this, I'm super satisfied with this book.

I devoured this. I love the series, and this is a fantastic addition to the series. I want this to be a movie!

The Advanced Review Copy (ARC) was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Worth Fighting For offers a contemporary retelling of Mulan, tackling themes of sexism and cultural expectations with humor and heart. While the story incorporates familiar elements from the Disney film, it shines in its exploration of Mulan's struggle for identity in a modern setting. However, the pacing of the romance felt somewhat abrupt, and certain plot points, like Mushu's antics, seemed less effective. Despite these flaws, Worth Fighting For is an enjoyable read for Disney fans and those seeking an empowering story about challenging gender roles. I received a copy of this book for review purposes.

This was cute enough! This is my first time reading anything from the Meant to Be series, so I wasn't sure how faithful it would be to the Disney story versus the original fairy tale versus contemporary romance tropes. It took me a while to picture Mushu as something other than a dragon with Eddie Murphy's voice, but most of what was taken from the fairy tale and movie were the names. The themes of the strength of women in the face of sexist expectations were well written in the contemporary setting.

The best part of this book is how it talks about gender roles, particularly in immigrant families trying to meet the hypermasculine gender roles of America. I didn't know much about that, so it was interesting to read. You can always count on Sutanto for providing such a loving critique of elements of American culture and Chinese culture, one that makes you think and makes you laugh at the same time.

Honestly, the reason why this is a three is because of the writing itself. If I had to read the words "finance bro" one more time, I was going to scream. Same with reading another one of Mushu's lies that Mulan has to cover for, it felt pointless to the love story and the fight against sexism. The romance also didn't develop super well? It was absolutely nothing for so long, and then it took off way too fast and lowkey gave me whiplash...like you're telling me you slept with this man while he was moaning your DAD'S name?? That's a no from me.

Anyway I'm going to go watch Mulan now. Bye!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Ave for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Mulan has always been one of my favorite Disney princesses, and I’ve always related to her the most—especially since she was the first Asian princess. So, when I picked this up, I wasn’t sure how this retelling would compare to the classic movie or even the first book in this series (which, while fun with its Disney Easter eggs, wasn’t a favorite of mine). But wow—this book had me hooked within the first few pages!

For starters, it kept a lot of the magic of the original Disney movie by using familiar names like Mulan, Mushu, and Li Shang. This modern retelling sets Mulan in San Francisco as a finance professional, and honestly, that transition felt so realistic for her character. While Grandma, Little Brother, and Khan don’t make appearances, there are plenty of other supporting characters who add so much humor and heart to the story.

Speaking of humor, this book is hilarious! I found myself snickering at Mushu’s antics and the over-the-top but oh-so-familiar shenanigans of the typical Asian aunties. If you’ve ever been part of a culture where you just go along with things because “that’s what we do,” you’ll relate!

There were so many details that made me smile, from the crickets to the cringe-worthy (but accurate) situations Mulan finds herself in—just like in the movie. The will-they-won’t-they tension between Shang and Mulan was perfect, and their relationship, though a closed-door romance, felt so genuine and heartwarming. They balanced each other out beautifully, and their dynamic was just adorable.

This retelling really nailed Mulan’s core themes of bravery and loyalty while also exploring her struggles with identity—especially her realization about the “masks” she wears and how she doesn’t fully recognize herself anymore. The nods to the iconic flower that blooms in adversity and the mouthwatering descriptions of all the food were just the icing on the cake!

The ending was genius. The way Mulan saves the day (or in this case, the company) was epic, and it wrapped everything up so well. It managed to stay true to the heart of the original story while feeling fresh and modern.

Thanks NetGalley for the read! This is by far my favorite book in the Meant to Be series—it was written so well! If you love Disney, Mulan, or strong female heroines, this book is absolutely for you. Highly recommend!

As a lifelong Disney lover and a Mulan fan, I was thrilled to dive into this modern retelling of such an iconic story. Thank you to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for the eARC—it was a joy to experience this book early!

The Meant to Be series has quickly become a favorite of mine, and this installment brought a fresh take on Mulan that really resonated with me as an adult who adores Disney classics. The nods to the original movie are perfectly placed, delivering just the right amount of nostalgia while building on the themes of perseverance, identity, and empowerment in a modern-day setting.

I especially loved how the challenges women face in male-dominated spaces—like business and finance—were woven seamlessly into the story. Mulan once again represents all the women who’ve ever had to work twice as hard to prove their worth, and her journey felt so authentic and relatable. While I’m not usually drawn to books heavy on financial themes, the author did a great job balancing that with Mulan’s personal growth and determination.

The romance was a sweet addition, though I found myself wishing for a bit more depth in that area. Even so, watching Mulan shine in her own right made this book a satisfying and empowering read.

Overall, this was such a fun and inspiring twist on a Disney classic, and I’ll definitely be seeking out the other books in the series. If you’re a Disney adult like me—or simply someone who loves stories of strong, determined women—this book will win you over.

This was so good! I sped through it and love these retellings. Totally recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Jesse Q. Sutanto!

Thank you to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for the eARC.

I have really grown to love the Meant to Be series. I have always a fan of the Disney princess movies and love the rewritten modern day books that are a part of this series. That being said, Mulan is one Disney princess movie that I have never really enjoyed. Knowing this, I did my best to keep an open mind for this book. Given that it is a modern day retelling, I hoped that I would have a different opinion of the story than my opinion of the Disney movie.

Unfortunately, I didn't feel this Meant to Be retelling was as good as the others. I found it really hard to get into. Maybe it was all the finance talk which is not something I'm interested in at all. I felt the beginning of the book moved really slow. I enjoyed the different things Mulan did to impress the men (shearing sheep, herding cows, etc.) but it just wasn't enough for me to keep me interested. I did enjoy the book more once we started seeing the romance but even that I felt was weak.

I did like how the Chinese culture was woven into the book and I liked that the challenges for women in business were a big part of this book. The overall book just wasn't one that I enjoyed as much as other books I've read and this is my least favorite in the Meant to Be Series so far.

Thank you, Hyperion Avenue, for the ARC via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

As a self-proclaimed "Disney adult," I thoroughly enjoyed this modern retelling of Mulan! Even though I knew what the underlying story was going to be, I enjoyed each minute of it watching it unfold. The nods to the original Mulan throughout are perfectly placed and give the appropriate amount of nostalgia to my childhood.

Mulan once again represents all the girls/women who feel forced to work twice as hard in a male-dominated arena for their worth to be seen. Who have been told time and time again that they are not enough.

This was my first book in this series ~ but I will be seeking out the others for sure!

I am always skeptical with retellings, especially one that is so specific like Mulan! How could someone turn her bad A story into a contemporary romance? But Jesse Sutanto was the perfect person to do this! I genuinely enjoyed this clever take on one of my favorite movies EVER. Mulan is funny, bold, brave, and brilliant, just as she is in the movie, it just looks different as she tries to convince an extremely sexist company to sell to her father's firm, posing as him. Honestly I did get some second-hand embarrassment for her at a few parts, but I feel like that is true to her character in the movie as well.

Also Shang's whole vibe was SO cute. I loved the banter between him and Mulan. Mushu being a hilarious sidekick cousin that got Mulan into trouble was also perfection. My only gripe is that it felt just a bit too long in some parts! However, I genuinely enjoyed this entry in the "Meant to Be" series. :)

I jumped to read this Advanced Reader Copy so quickly because I've read the whole Meant to Be series and I love the movie Mulan. However, this was just okay for me.

Mulan works at an acquisition firm with her father and he falls ill so she has to pretend to be him to seal the deal to buy out a local, super sexist whiskey company.

This book dives into being a woman in Chinese culture and an immigrant in America. I really appreciated the author's care with these topics. I definitely cried during the acknowledgements.

However, there are a lot of things I didn't like about the book. It seems repetitive and choppy and wildly unrealistic. Mulan is in a situation where she has to put on a mask or act a certain way in her family and career, but she also complains a lot about that and it is hard to be in her mind the 20th time she roasts the finance bros.

Usually the romance would redeem the story but I didn't believe in the couple. Shang was basically perfect and had no flaws but also no personality.

The third act with Mulan and Mushu working together was probably my favorite part. I also enjoyed the heart to hearts with the parents and those in the older generation.

I would recommend this book to those who have enjoyed this author's other books. Worth Fighting For comes out in June 2025.