Sutanto blends humor, heart, and familial chaos into another winning contemporary novel. The story juggles complex emotions with laugh-out-loud moments, highlighting generational expectations and personal growth. Some characters felt slightly underdeveloped, but the protagonist’s journey is relatable and empowering. It’s feel-good fiction with bite.

I’ve really enjoyed this series, but this book wasn’t the best of the bunch. The premise was good and it was a clear modern interpretation of Mulan. I found certain events to reflect the movie (reflection - see what I did there?), but other parts just didn’t project the same feelings as the movie. Mulan is one of my favorite original Disney movies, so I missed those feelings. I understand this couldn’t be an entire war, but I’m not sure a financial acquisition was some equivalent of the “war” analogy. I don’t think I got enough depth from Mulan, although Mushu was absolutely perfect! I did want Cricket, but it would be hard to include a character who never speaks. The Aunties were a lovely addition and it was really obvious from the start what role James was playing. Some parts just weren’t necessary (shared tent - share with Mushu instead!) and that’s part of what made sections feel forced and took away from the romance. I just didn’t feel engaged with the story and the ending was just so cheesy! I understand it’s romance and Disney, but the emotion of Mulan and her father didn’t come through and the dialogue was what really made it rough. Overall, it was still a good modern adaptation, and is YA appropriate (presumed closed door intercourse), although the spice really didn’t need to be included or alluded to based on the original movie. Good for the series, but could’ve been better. 3.5⭐️, 1🌶

This was fantastic! I enjoyed every minute of it. I loved the nods to the Mulan movies but to see it in a contemporary romance was chef's kiss! The humor was spot on, and the romance was perfection!

✨Modern Mulan meets Corporate Chaos✨

What do you do when your father gets sick and the only way to save his company… is to literally pretend to be him?
You grab a briefcase, fake a baritone, and march into the business world like a boss.
Enter: Mulan, corporate edition 🥲💼

Jesse Q. Sutanto gives us a Mulan retelling like no other, set in the high-stakes world of private equity, family expectations, and a whiskey brand deal that involves ranch retreats, cattle wrangling, and one suspiciously attractive CEO named, wink wink, Shang👀

The banter is ✨sharp✨, the romance is ✨slow-burn✨, and the vibes? Perfect for fans of Dial A for Aunties, Crazy Rich Asians, or anyone who wants their rom-com with a little cultural spice and corporate mess.

Jesse nails the balance between laugh-out-loud humor and real convos around gender roles, imposter syndrome, and the emotional weight of legacy. So yes, this book is fun, flirty, smart… and 100% worth fighting for.

All of the Meant to Be series have been cute enough, and that’s how I would rate this one also. There were several interesting and modernized Mulan updates, but I also don’t think that Mulan and Shang’s relationship timeline moved in a believable way. They moved into a romantic place out of seemingly nowhere and it seemed to progress weirdly for me. The different challenges Mulan had to accomplish were fun and funny, and I liked the family dynamics and cultural elements that were discussed. Overall, the romance was the least interesting thing, which was the problem since it was supposed to be a romance book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion for this ARC!

Mulan works at her father's venture capitalist firm, and she is very good at her job. When her father is hospitalized, she pretends to be him to secure a deal with a family-owned whiskey brand- one that has very traditional gender role ideas and does not want to work with a woman. Mulan pretends to be very alpha, and she and her cousin accompany the family to their farm and distillery in an effort to show them just how manly and capable she can be. Besides the tests they put her thru, Mulan is also going by her father's name which becomes an even bigger lie when she starts to have feelings for their CEO son, Shang. Can Mulan come clean and be herself and still land the deal?Will Shang's family ever trust her and move past their masculine only ideals?

I really enjoyed this modern update on Mulan. I have liked all of this Meant to Be Disney series of updates and even though Mulan is not my favorite princess movie, this book was both interesting and well written, even when it had moments of less than believable scenarios. This book (and series) would be great for teen and young adult readers who like Disney movies and want a familiar, yet fresh take, on the movies.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review.

This is a fun romance based on mistaken identity. It’s the updated version of Disney’s Mulan, and the author does a good job bringing the story into the modern world.
When Fu Mulan’s father has a heart attack and is hospitalized, Mulan has to land the big whiskey account her father has been working on. Unfortunately, they’re an old fashioned company and they’ve made it clear that they won’t negotiate with a woman.
Mulan knows she can get the account, and in desperation she pretends to be the person running the negotiations by taking her father’s name. This leads to some really funny situations where she has to go through with some of the things her father talked about, like cattle wrangling and axe throwing. Worse yet, she and the head of the company have chemistry and fall for each other. How is she going to explain to him?

I recommend this book, 4 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

If you’re a Disney fan you’ll adore this book. Admittedly- this is my first in this Meant To Be series of books and my tbr has grown with the others added.

I’m a huge @jesseqsutanto fan. Vera Wong is a favorite of mine and couldn’t wait to see what she came up with for this retelling.

No spoilers here but for true fans of Mulan you’ll see all the Easter eggs. In this story Mulan has to win the sale of a company in the shadow of her father’s legacy with sellers that have traditional values surrounding gender roles. Mulan and her cousin Mushu will be as swift as the coursing river (you know you’re singing it now too) as they race to secure this buy out and make Mulan’s father proud.

And don’t you worry. Shang is portrayed as the kind, funny, and progressive guy he was in the movie.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Run and grab this one you won’t be disappointed. Thanks to @netgalley and @hyperionavebooks for this #advancedreaderscopy - pub date was: 6/3/25. My work life kept me from posting before it was released.

#2025bookchallengebook45of100
#worthfightingfor
#endofschoolmessedwithposting

The latest installment in the Meant to Be series is Jesse Q. Sutanto’s Worth Fighting For. This contemporary Mulan retelling brings China’s most famous female warrior into the 21st century in the best way. 

In present day San Francisco, Mulan is fighting finance bros in her job at her family’s private equity firm. Her dad is talking up acquiring a whiskey distillery, but Mulan isn’t convinced. When her dad has a health crisis and can’t make it to a pivotal meeting, Mulan steps in. Except this whiskey company is also family run, and is known for their intense patriarchal ways-- including sexism. In an effort to overcome this sexist worldview, Mulan pretends that she's Zhou, her father, and adopts his story of growing up on a farm in China and memorizes all the details he included in his emails with the whiskey company's CEO, Shang. Except when Mulan meets Shang, he doesn't meet her expectations of extreme patriarchy.

Sutanto’s well-known and well-loved wit shine through on every page. Mulan and Shang are as lovable as ever, in any era. Mushu becomes a beloved cousin, though the sassiness stays the same. The emperor is an equally engaging and interesting character, though you’ll have to read and decide for yourself who they become.

Hilarious hijinks, a swoony romance, and a deep discussion of overcoming sexism and racism populate this book. From tackling toxic masculinity to finding your true self after years of masking, this gorgeously written novel balanced humor and heart, silliness and seriousness. The result is an impossible to put down novel as lovable as the inspirational material.
Special thanks to the author, Hyperion Avenue, and NetGalley for a digital galley so I could share my honest opinions.
Worth Fighting For is available now.

Happy reading!

I thought this book was incredibly cute while also touching on topics that I myself have experienced somewhat, coming from an Asian family. It was well executed and the progression of the characters was well done. I felt like even the side characters had their personalities shine through. The love between Mulan and her parents while also feeling the guilt of trying to be the perfect child was very relatable. I really enjoyed Mushu and how everyone believed in her potential and helped her find her calling instead of her just being another character that didn't have a back story or purpose. The only thing I found tough was the almost "insta love" between Mulan and Shang. How they went from only meeting for a few days to spending the night at each other's apartments felt rushed but in some ways I have seen it happen in real life so it wasn't completely unbelievable.

I typically dont read YA as I am more into adult and mature themes with more emphasis on romance but I found this story reflected a lot of what I've experienced in real life and that made me want to continue.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Worth Fighting For by Jesse Q. Sutanto

This book was a romcom retelling of Mulan set in today’s society. It was a solid, fun read. The love and tension between the two main characters was believable and enjoyable. There were a few quirks throughout the plot that took off a star or two but otherwise it was a pleasurable read.

PS. It was a cute surprise that Vera Wong from Stutanto’s other series made a quick mention in the book. Such a fun Easter egg!!

I loved Jesse Q. Sutanto's Aunties series, so I was really excited to see that she was writing the fifth Meant To Be novel, a reinterpretation of the story of Mulan. However, I really struggled with this book. It may have been the wrong time for this book for me, or maybe I just prefer the author's mystery writing to romance, but I simply could not get into this book. Mulan was a mess, but Shang was the feminist hero we needed, but otherwise the characters felt like caricatures, the plot was outlandish, and I just struggled to get invested.

Thank you to Hyperion Avenue for gifting me with an ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

This book is the first I have read by Jesse Q. Sutanto and it is fantastic. I have read all of the others in the "Meant to Be" series and I believe this is the best one. "Worth Fighting For" is a clever adaptation and modernization of the Disney film "Mulan." The fast, comedic pacing of this novel is balanced with swoony romance in the best ways. The characters are lovable and there is excellent character building here. This was a perfect summer read. I plan to read more Jesse Q. Sutanto titles in future.

When Mulan steps in for her sick father during a major business deal, she disguises herself as him to close a high-stakes merger with a traditional, male-dominated whiskey empire. What was supposed to be one quick meeting turns into a week at a rugged ranch with the company’s skeptical (and very attractive) heir, Shang. Secrets, sparks, and sharp banter fly in this swoony rom-com about ambition, identity, and love.

This might be my favorite book in the Meant to Be series so far. It brought back all the chaotic fun of the original Disney film, complete with standout side characters—especially Mushu, who absolutely stole the show. Sutanto nailed the balance between humor and heart, while also touching on deeper themes like gender roles, toxic masculinity, and what it means to succeed as a woman in a man’s world.

Mushu and Shang’s mom were everything. Honestly, I’d read full spin-offs for both of them. And Mulan? She wouldn’t have made it through without her wildcard cousin Mushu, who’s also trying to figure out her place in the world (relatable, much?).

If you were a Mulan fan growing up (and let’s be real, who wasn’t?), this one’s a must-read.
Thank you NetGalley & Hyperion Avenue for the ARC! 3 stars :)

Loved this book! I haven't read any other books in the Meant to Be series, but really enjoyed Jesse Q. Sutanto's Aunties series, so I thought I would try Worth Fighting For. I was a little unsure of how it would all come together, but Sutanto did an excellent job reimagining the Disney version of Mulan's story into a modern rom-com. Lots of Mushu-instigated awkwardness, humor, and just enough romance made this a super fun read.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Jesse Q. Sutanto, and the publisher of the book for the eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Mulan's story told in a modern day romance about family expectations, mistaken identity, and high stakes business.

As the right hand of her father’s company, Mulan knows what it takes to succeed as a woman in a man’s world. She has to work twice as hard, and be twice as smart. So when her father has a health scare in the middle of critical business, she is determined to see it through. There’s just one problem. The whiskey company Mulan's father wants is very manly and has a very old fashioned family running it. It is lead by the dedicated and overworked Shang. He only trusts, Mulan's father. Mulan doesn't want it to fail, so she is determined to see if through by pretending to be her father. It's only email right? Well those emails soon turn into an invitation to Shang and his family's ranch. Can she convince them that she is the head CEO they've been working with? Not really, but the sparks between Mulan and Shang will be harder to ignore.

I LOVED this book. Mulan is my favorite Disney movie/character. I liked how it followed that story line but in a more modern way. The only thing I did not like was how toxic the men were. A woman can be a powerful CEO and should not be treated like they can't.

Can she keep her head in the game and make her father proud, all while trying not to fall into a trough, or in love with Shang?

I am so obsessed with this series and I thought this was the perfect edition. I loved the whole concept and how it tied in perfectly to the original Mulan while also updating the story for the modern lens. Shang was the perfect hero and I really enjoyed Mulan's character arc. Give me a Mushu book please!

Interesting retelling of Mulan. Fun cute romance read. Diverse representation.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

I received a digital arc from the publisher via Netgalley though all thoughts are my own.

This was an anticipated read as I was a big fan of Disney Mulan when it came out and was excited to read a Mulan retelling. It was well worth the wait and I loved that this was sent in modern times and Mushu was such a treat.

I loved that it showed the struggles Mulan felt trying to prove that she more than deserves to be in a line of business that is male dominated and how she eventually realizes that she doesn't have to prove anything because she's awesome just as she is.

I loved how Mushu helped balance out Mulan and showed that she's for sure someone you want to have in your corner and dives fully into anything she sets her mind to. I also loved that she was hyping up Mulan and how Mulan turned things around and hyped up Mushu in return.

I also loved the romance that developed between Mulan and Shang who really balance each other out and brought out the best in each other.

Mulan's relationship with her parents is so special and I was grinning from ear to ear when they told Mulan that they loved her just as she was, how they were so supportive and proud of her.

I adore Shang's mom who is sweet but also fierce and full of surprises.

I highly recommend this book particularly if you are a fan of Mulan and retellings.

3.25/5 - I received an ARC of this one on NetGalley!

"Worth Fighting For" is a modern-day Mulan retelling, written part of the Disney "Meant to Be" series. Overall, this story was a quick read and many aspects of it were cute. I enjoyed the last 30% the most and thought the ending wrapped everything up nicely. However, there was a stretch in the middle where I found myself losing interest in the story. At times, I felt the writing was lacking and some parts were cheesy. If you love Disney and/or Mulan, I think you'll enjoy this one! It just wasn't up to the same par as other romance novels I have read recently.