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.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hyperion Avenue for the eARC. I love the Mulan cartoon but this one didn’t bring the magic that story has for me. This one just wasn’t for me. Mulan pretends to be her father to close a deal. She deals with so much sexism throughout the story. Cute moments with Shang but just okay story overall.

This story is being marketed as a modern day re-imagining of Disney's Mulan. Like the other books in the "Meant to Be" series, it is an adult, closed-door romance novel.

We follow Mulan, as she works in her father's hedge fund and is working in a male-dominated field. Shortly into the story, she witnesses her father suffer a medical emergency and needing to spend extended time in the hospital to recover. Her father told her she needed to "close the deal" on a family-owned whiskey company, which is run on Shang's family farm. The family owned company has a reputation of being very closed-minded towards making changes and focusing on a "manly" image. Mulan works hard to convince Shang and his family to sell their family business to her father's firm.

What I love most about Sutanto's writing, is the way she depicts families and ensemble characters. After reading both the Dial A for Auntie's series and Vera Wong, it is clear she has perfected the art of writing the family dynamics, where each character's voice is heard and is unique to the story. I really enjoyed reading about Shang's family, and Mulan's family as well. In a lot of ways, the original story was present in the re-imagining, and I enjoyed the Easter Eggs throughout the story.

Some of the areas within the story that I didn't think worked, where some of the pacing within the visit to the farm. I found myself struggling to pick up the story at times, but the romance between Shang and Mulan really grew organically throughout this part. The story also focused a lot on the miscommunication trope which does not always work for me. I think the third act "break-up", which was not really a break up, as not really needed.

Overall, I did enjoy this story! I found the second half to be more original and enjoyable than the first. I would recommend this one to anyone who enjoyed the original source material, folks who enjoy a full cast of characters and for those who need a strong female to lead to root for.

Great retelling! I loved the direction this took; the way Mulan came to know her real self through this experience was so beautiful. MUSHU. WAS. PERFECT. Such a great blend of shenanigans and pep talks.

Jesse Q Sutanto’s clever whit shines through in the latest Meant To Be Installment. More than that is the joy in watching Mulan grow into the “real Mulan”, no mask needed.

It was super fun finding the movie references. And I loved Mushu’s little nod to Vera’s wonderful tea. IYKYK

#JesseQSutanto
#MeantToBe
#WorthFightingFor
#Mulan

This is probably closer to a 2.75 but I rounded up. I also apologize in advance for this review because I hate that I didn’t enjoy this book.

This was one of my more anticipated books for this year and I’m so bummed it was a miss for me. A modern retelling of Mulan yet somehow this story manages to be too much toxic masculinity, too feminist, and also too weak. I don’t know how all three existed at the same time and yet here we are. I also worried that either I’m too close to the Disney movie Mulan or I’m not close enough to Chinese culture because I felt like so many moments were almost there and then fell apart in the last seconds for no reason I was able to discern. There are a handful of nods to the Disney film and classic moments we loved, but there are even more moments where I assumed a nod to the film was building up…places I could imagine the reference easily added into and then it just never happens. And I don’t really know why it kept getting close and then stopping.

The plot itself was weak to me. Mulan’s family owns an acquisition company that wants to buy Shang’s family Whisky company. The acquisition company is full of finance bros (a phrase I never want to hear ever again) and the whisky company is…toxically masculine because women apparently aren’t allowed to drink whisky. Mulan’s father had been corresponding via email with Shang when he falls ill so Mulan takes on his name and pretends she was the person from the emails. That’s….it. She doesn’t pretend to be a man. She just pretends to have a different name. Think Pat as a male or female name...that’s the plot. Mushu has somehow become a forgettable cousin who joins Mulan on a trip to Shang’s family ranch where all his uncles and cousins are also macho men…but Shang is notably called effeminate for cooking and liking audiobooks and cleaning his home. For some unclear reason, Mulan spends 50% of the book convinced Shang is just as bad as the other guys even though he repeatedly shows himself to have zero of those qualities and Mulan talks in circles saying it’s the first time she’s to taking off her “mask” so many times that I can’t figure out why she thinks the mask is still there. The first 30% of the book is super slow and is so Gen z heavy in the writing that I almost gave up. The ranch part is easily the best for plot even though the writing is 50% having the hots for Shang and then telling herself to be professional. Literally she is so into Shang at all times that she wonders to herself if she just perverted multiple times and constantly asks why everything she says to him sounds like innuendo. Mushu has no real influence on any plot and has a random conclusion and Mulan is shunned for….using a fake name. For me, Shang’s mother was a really redeeming part of the story for me and her backstory and journey to America is really where the heart of this book was. The romance was flat and felt lopsided to me. Insta-romance that had no real depth that I could see and Mulan was supposed to be a strong warrior but just…was using a pseudonym.

This may be something current romance readers enjoy, but coming from the Disney Meant To Be series I just expected more. And I wanted Mulan to be that strong warrior we loved in the film.

Tropes:
Insta-romance
One bed
Forced proximity
Cowboy
Workplace romance