I really, really wanted to love this one, but unfortunately it was a little bit of a swing and a miss for me. I think I was trying to draw too many parallels between Sutanto's story and the OG Disney Mulan, and kept getting distracted by all of the ways that the characters were different. Hello? Mushu is supposed to be a dragon.

The "finance bro" and "hard-ass feminist" stereotypes also came on a little strong for me. Mulan's mom is so traditional she still wears a dragonfly brooch but tells Mulan that "Fate and Destiny are [her] bitches?" My pó po would never.

All in all, I think that this could be (and will be) a hilarious and engaging story for many readers out there- but it just wasn't for me!

**Thank you very much to NetGalley & Hyperion Avenue books for the eARC! All opinions are my own.**

I've read the Cinderella version in this series and really enjoyed it, so I was SO excited to get approved for the ARC of this version! As much as I tried, I could NOT get myself to enjoy it. I dont know if its just too different than the classic Mulan or I just couldnt get past the fact that Mushu was a female, this book was not my favorite and it broke my heart!

While I usually don't love "mistaken identity" tropes, this reimagining of Mulan is so enjoyable! In Sutanto's hands, the story is equally funny and touching. And her cousin Mushu is the PERFECT sidekick! Taking on her dad's identity and fighting his upcoming battle stays true to the Mulan legend while spinning it into a tale of being comfortable with letting people see who you really are. This is a great addition to the "Meant to Be" series.

“Worth Fighting For” is the best song and now the most fun “Mulan” retelling! I adore Jesse Q. Sutanto’s writing style and humor. The contemporary retelling was creative and unique, yet still in line with the original story. She even included many winks to original beloved “Mulan” scenes. In this story, Mulan is a “finance bro” working alongside her father. He’s trying to make an important deal go through when he has an accident. Thankfully, this potential acquisition has never met Zhou in person, so Mulan can pretend to be her father and try to save the deal. Mushu was also included as a character, and she was the best!!

For those who love:
🪷Mulan retelling
🪷Workplace romance
🪷Mushu!!!!
🪷Forced Proximity
🪷Only One Tent
🪷Ranch life
🪷Large Families

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

When I heard about this book in the Disney movie re-write series Meant to Be, I immediately knew I wanted to read it! I heard the author speak and she was very fun and dynamic. She absolutely brings that energy to the writing.

As a re-telling of Mulan, I thought this had just the right balance of movie homage and independent story. I've watched the movie but am not an ardent fan. This book sets Mulan in the cut-throat world of finance, a bro-dominated field complicated by misogyny all the time but even more-so when the company is working to acquire a whiskey company that only sees value in masculinity through a narrow lens. When Mulan's father, the head of the finance company, is unexpectedly out of commission, Mulan has to prove her worth to everyone in the family-owned Wutai Gold company in order to close the deal. She pretends she has been communicating with the family, not her father, and that she is the one with a long history of performing manly, outdoorsy tasks. Shenanigans ensue.

Mulan, aided by her cousin Mushu, do their best to win over the family at their ranch by performing all the tasks set before them. Mulan falls for CEO Shang and immediately has to reckon with her deception. It's enough to make her feel bad but not tell them the truth and ruin the budding relationship with a guy that's perfect for her.

This closed-door romance was fun, funny, and sweet. The dynamics between Mulan, Shang, and Mushu were definitely strongest. Some of the ways that Mulan interacts with her parents were strange and fell a little flat considering they were supposed to be a lynch-pin of the story. Overall it really hit the spot and I enjoyed it.

I flew through this book—as I do with all of Jesse Q. Sutanto’s novels. Her signature wit shines through every character, and the Auntie vibes are absolutely unmatched. This story is the perfect blend of humor, heart, and just the right touch of romance (low spice, which is honestly so refreshing!). I loved how the story champions inner strength and unapologetically celebrates women and their strengths. If you’re a fan of Mulan, love a good laugh, and appreciate a fast-paced, feel-good romance read, this one’s an easy yes.

As a self-proclaimed massive Mulan fan, I was super excited to read this, especially seeing how much I have enjoyed other books by the same author. But it unfortunately did not live up to my expectations.

Let me start with what I enjoyed. The ranch part of the story was very fun. I love me a good city-girl-goes-to-the-country trope, and this one delivered.

I also loved the food descriptions! They made my mouth water. I need Li Shang to come to my house and cook me dinner now.

Finally, I really liked how Mushu was integrated into the story. I think the author did a phenomenal job at keeping the character true to the movie while adding her own twist to it.

Now, for what didn't work for me.

The first part of the book made me uncomfortable, to the point where I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue reading or not. I wasn't the biggest fan of the writing, which felt odd to me considering how much I have enjoyed Jesse Q. Sutanto's work in the past. I didn't love how song lyrics were integrated into the story; it felt like fan service rather than good writing.

Additionally, some of the discourse felt a little repetitive. Mulan's character kept repeating how tired she was of finance bros, but she was basically one herself. Don't get me wrong, I am a feminist and was glad to see a story where feminist themes were highlighted. However, I feel like we never got deeper. The whole sexist comments by the Li family storyline became old and Mulan's comments on finance bros got tiring.

I'm also sad to report that I wasn't a big fan of the romance. I'm not sure why, but I didn't really connect to either character, so I never ended up rooting for their relationship. They had their moments, but I liked them better as friends than as romantic partners.

Not a bad retelling overall, but it wasn't my favorite I've read in this series.

This one was not for me. I love Mulan, it's one of my favorite Disney movies, so I was so excited to read this, but it doesn't translate well in a retelling that's set in finance. The writing was clunky and felt very disjointed in places, and I just didn't find myself caring about the characters at all. There's insta attraction but it comes off as very juvenile, despite the fact that Mulan is supposed to be 28 years old. Also never want to see the term "finance bro" ever again.

This is my third book by Jesse Q. Sutanto and it’s another hit for me! I loved all three of her books. This was funny, witty, and I enjoyed the banter between Shang and Mulan. It’s a bit of an insta-love which isn’t my favorite but this one just worked for me, I loved it!

Did not finish. The premise was fun and I was excited for a Mulan retelling, but it did not work for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this E-Arc in exchange for my honest review 🩷

This review/all opinions are strictly my own

Release date: June 3, 2025

Mulan was one of my favorite Disney movies as a kid. Once I saw the title and cover of this book, I knew immediately that I had to read this modernized retelling! This is the first book in the ‘Meant to Be’ series that I have read. I loved Mulan and Mushu’s banter. Mushu was literally so funny, I loved her personality! I also loved the banter between Mulan and Shang and also how almost instantly their connection formed. I loved how awkward mulan was when her and Shang first met. It was so cute how embarrassed she was of looking like a fool because she thought he was the most beautiful man she had ever laid eyes on. So freaking adorable! The slow burn between them was addicting and I was dying and kicking my feet the whole time while reading to find out what would happen between them! Reading this made me feel so much nostalgia, however I really enjoyed the way Jesse painted this new version of the story we all know and love. The way Shang is such a gentlemen, so respectful to his mom and to Mulan, how sweet he was, is absolutely everything and I could not get enough of him! If you love Disney, romance, and comedy, I highly recommend you read this book!

Tropes:
Workplace romance
Forbidden love
Slow burn
One bed

This book was so fun. I love all the Mulan elements that were included. The love story was so cute and Shang's family was perfection. There were a few parts that were a little slow. But for the most part, I loved it. I laughed and I swooned. This was a perfect retelling!!!

As a Disney girl, I was super excited for this one since it was a modern day Mulan retelling. I thought this was a good read but wish the ending wasn’t so rushed. I also didnt know this was book 5 of a series so I will be going back to read the others

If the term finance bro is said one more time…*throws kindle across the room.*

I was very much looking forward to this retelling of Mulan and I’m so sad to say the entire retelling was absolutely lost in translation. This could have literally been any character and not specifically Mulan. And why was Mulan made into a finance bro? Cringe. Just absolutely cringe.

This book and writing is very much catered to Gen Z which I felt I could have gotten past if the writing had been better. It lacked so much fluidity and the repetition drove me nuts.

One thing I do give major props to the author is how well she wrote the Lis family dynamic and being an immigrant. While I myself am not Chinese but as a Latina, I have seen the hard path of fitting into this country as my parents found their place here. It’s so true how you try so hard to adapt to what you think being an American is and it really shapes you in that way.

The ranch chapters were absolutely lost to me and I felt like it was a retelling of Toy Story, not Mulan. Mushu being a girl threw me off and I could only picture her as Awkwafina in Raya. Like literally pictured her as a dragon.

Mulan and Shang’s romance was what I had hoped after we hit the 50% mark but even then, it was hard believing their chemistry at times. This is also closed door with suggestive dialogue.

Overall, I’m sure there will appreciate this story. Unfortunately it wasn’t for me. Thank you NetGalley, Hyperion Avenue and Jesse Q. Sutanto for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

The next book in the Meant to Be series, featuring Mulan. Very interesting read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue (Disney) for the free electronic advanced reader.

*ARC Review*
Jesse Q. Sutanto’s Worth Fighting For takes the essence of Mulan and breathes new life into it, delivering a whirlwind of finance, family, and romance set against the backdrop of modern-day San Francisco. I knew going in that Mulan would step into her father’s shoes, but the way Sutanto layered in corporate intrigue, sharp gender commentary, and sizzling banter took this story beyond my expectations. This book is for a younger age range. I would categorize this book as young adult.

The romance between Mulan and Shang? Absolutely electric. Their exchanges had me grinning, their chemistry had me kicking my feet—Shang is the perfect mix of broody, witty, and genuinely kind-hearted amidst his family's deep-seated sexism. And speaking of his family… James is insufferable, his father and uncles a close second. The misogyny Mulan faces in the whiskey world felt frustratingly real, and her resilience made the entire journey even more compelling.

My only struggle was the initial stretch—about 10% of the book leaned heavily into Gen-Z-style dialogue and humor, which took a moment to settle into. But once the plot took off, I was hooked. The pacing flowed effortlessly, and there were few moments where I felt the momentum wane.

At its core, Worth Fighting For delivers everything you’d hope for in a retelling: heart, humor, and a powerful message about fighting for your place in a world that insists you don’t belong. I can’t wait to see what Sutanto does next!

Thank you to Jesse Q. Sutanto, Hyperion Avenue, and NetGalley for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Worth Fighting For is the perfect modern-day retelling of Mulan. In the corporate world of investment banking, When her father falls ill, Fa Mulan sets out to take his place (and his identity) to complete a deal with the Shang family whiskey company. Prejudice and sexism stand in her way and she much charm the hearts and minds of the Shang family in order to achieve her goal.

Mulan has always been one of my favorite stories and most frequently rewatched Disney movie. This retelling did not disappoint.

The only place I felt lost was when there was lots of discussion about the business and financial side of things. I think that this story could have found a different setting.

All in all, I really enjoyed this story!

I wanted to love this, because I LOVE this author. I think what really didn't sit well with me, was that the character names were all the same. As a child of the 90s, I just couldn't make the leap. I could see it maybe working for others, but for me, these characters will always get down to business to defeat the Huns!

I was THRILLED to get this ARC because I'm a huge Jesse Sutanto fan and Mulan is an amazing story on its own. I wanted to love it, but the gaps in logic really ruined it for me. It was so distracting that I couldn't enjoy the normal witty dialogue that are in Sutanto's books.

Thank you to NetGalley for for the ARC for an honest review.

really fun romance between two cool characters in Mulan (here, VP of her father's venture capital firm) and Shang (here, a director of his family's whiskey company). 5 stars. tysm for the arc.