A closed door romance with a family curse on love. It was about Vin and Chryssy working through heartbreak together with the help of their families. It had very likeable characters but long chapters. I listened on audio which made the chapter length more bearable. Not to mention dual narrators always helps! The dual POV of Chryssy and Vin was good and the story was good. The play on floral character names was fun too.

Yin Yang Love Song by Lauren Kang Jessen. Thank you @hachetteaudio @readforeverpub for the ALC! The book is out today!

The audiobook is narrated by Eunice Wong & Eric Yang. I enjoyed it. The narrators were both great. Solid option if you like audiobooks and decide to read this book!

I really liked this authors first two books and I liked this one too! I think her writing is great and I’ll definitely keep reading her books in the future.

This one follows Chryssy, a Chinese herbalist with a family curse (re: love & breakups) and Vin, a famous rock cellist with a bad boy image. They have a fake dating agreement, they will date, he will seemingly break her heart, increase ticket sales to his shows, and he will promote her family’s business. But of course they catch real feelings and who is surprised, not us. Obligatory fake dating sarcasm, can’t help it sometimes 🤣 anyway, again, I liked the book and would recommend it and her other books!

read for: traditional Chinese medicine, tea, music, fake dating, a splash of magical realism, dual POV, closed door romance

There are some small quick nods to the previous books in her books but they are all stand alones. Not a series at all.

💛🧡

What a sweet story! When Chryssy meets Vin Chao, he offers her a deal. They will fake date and then he will break her heart which will increase tickets for his show and he will promote her business. What seems like a good plan.. might not be after all. Especially when they have unexpected chemistry!!
I definitely recommend this book, especially if you like:

Family relationships
Fake dating
Dual POV

I loved getting to listen to this on audiobook. I think the narrator did a wonderful job! Who doesn’t love a good romance story that makes your heart feel warm!

Thank you NetGalley, Hachette Audio and Lauren for the ALC!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication: Jan 28 2025

#NetGalley #YinYangLoveSong

Jessen writes such heartwarming rom-coms! There's always a cozy blend of romance, family, and finding yourself.

Yin Yang Love Song is a story of generational curses, Chinese traditional medicine, and finding work/life balance. I thought the heartbreak curse of Chryssy's family was such an interesting plot point - especially how our perceptions affect how we live our lives!

Oftentimes poignant and charming, Yin Yang Love Song is like a warm mug of tea on a cold day.

I did this more in audiobook format even though I had both. I loved and enjoyed this.

I always feel like when I read Lauren's books, I could also be reading it as a manga. They just feel so vibrant, sweet, innocent. They give me all the feels. These two were just adorable and I loved them.

Narrators were on point, I can't wait to read more by this author.

I got an alc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

One of the things I have started looking forward to every January is a new book release from Lauren Kung Jessen. From Lunar Love to Red String Theory to now Yin Yang Love Song, Jessen introduces readers to Chinese traditions and charming, contemporary love stories. I especially appreciated the focus on the role of Chinese medicine in this book. Plus, who doesn't love a rockstar cellist (especially as I have 2Cellos on repeat when I work)?

Many thanks to the author, my favs at Forever, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

LKJ stories are always so fun and sweet, and this one was no different! I loved Chrissy and Vin and their fake dating scheme and the way their relationship grew. I thought the musical elements and the pieces of Traditional Chinese Medicine and herbalism throughout were fascinating and the family dynamics and themes of heartbreak and healing were awesome. Highly recommend!

First of all thank you so much for the advanced listening copy! For me, Eunice Wong’s narration fell a bit flat and wasn’t as engaging as I would have liked. However, Eric Yang was perfect for Vin and brought his character to life so well! So it was a fifty/fifty split on this audio version for me. Again, thank you!

Thank you so much to Hachette Audio for an early copy of this audiobook!💖

Yin Yang Love Song is a gorgeous love story that includes cursed in love vibes + fake dating + celebrity romance + forced proximity + so much more! And this story cannot be contained by just tropes, there's also amazing themes of personal growth, family strength, an element of suspense about a love CURSE, and a theme of traditional Chinese medicine! I can't really define how much I enjoyed this book! There were so many cute moments and the book boyfriend vibes are STRONG! I loved so many aspects of this book and cannot wait for more Lauren Kung Jessen book! 🫶

Chryssy Hua Williams never fully embraced the notion of the Hua family curse, but after enduring more breakups than she can remember, she’s starting to think there may be some validity to it. Alongside her aunties, she runs a distinctive healing retreat center for the heartbroken. When Chryssy has a chance encounter with the infamous celebrity cellist Vin Chao, it creates quite a stir. He proposes a deal: they will enter into a fake relationship, he’ll “break” her heart (which will help boost ticket sales), and in return, he’ll promote her business.

True to the spirit of all Lauren Kung Jessen's works, Yin Yang Love Song is an adorable and heartwarming read rich with Chinese traditions. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters! They brought together a delightful mix of personalities. The narrative was charming and left my heart feeling joyful. The storyline was well-paced and brought a smile to my face!

Chinese herbalist Chryssy Hua Williams and famed celebrity cellist Vin Chao enter into faux dating scheme to boost their business and ticket sales respectively. After their fake relationship takes a very real turn, the two must decide how to proceed, all while fighting Chryssy’s familial curse that has left a long line of Hua women brokenhearted.

Yin Yang Love Song was a heartwarming romance that left me feeling light. I delighted in Chryssy and Vin’s journey and loved how central Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was to the story. This was a deeply introspective novel full of healthy conversations surrounding personal growth. I learned a lot about TCM as a whole and left wanting to implement more of these practices into my daily life.

When it comes to audiobooks, I enjoy when dual POV novels are narrated by two separate narrators. It keeps me firmly cemented in the story when each character has a distinct speaking voice. Eunice Wong (Chryssy) and Erik Yang (Vin) both did a spectacular job narrating this book! They really brought Chryssy and Vin to life and I could glean every bit of humor and emotion that the characters were feeling through their performances. It was also helpful to hear the narrators pronounce certain TCM terms. It made for a smooth listening experience and I was able to soak up information I hadn’t been familiar with before.

Thank you Hachette Audio for providing me with an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5⭐️

Jessen’s stories are some of the most lovely, cozy, and charming I have ever read. I love how the central themes in her stories are family and honoring traditions. I always come away from Jessen’s stories with a heart full of hope and warm fuzzies.0

The premise of Chryssy’s family healing hearts while trying to break their own generational curse had me intrigued, and my favorite scenes were those with the entire family. There was such a warmth and welcome present in those moments that made your heart feel safe and cared for. It was fascinating learning more about tea and Chinese medicine, and the intention of healing the whole body. I also adored Jessen’s author’s note - it was such a wonderful reminder to take care of yourself and SLOW DOWN in this world that is so focused on hustle.

While there were many aspects of the story I loved, Vin’s character left me a little confused and frustrated. I understand why he was guarded but he was incredibly selfish and quite rude on more than one occasion to Chryssy, which I didn’t care for.

Overall, this was very sweet but I wasn’t quite sold on the fake dating. I would love for Leo to get a book! I adored his character!

I did really enjoy the dual pov and the dual narration was wonderfully performed!

Chryssy (short for Chrysanthemum) is a chef and traditional Chinese medicine herbalist. She also believes that she, alongside all of the women in her family, are cursed to never have lasting love. Vin is a rock cellist along with his brother. Their lack of lasting relationships has earned them a reputation as "heartbreakers". When Chryssy and Vin meet, a picture is taken out of context. To get the record label off his back Vin devises a plan to fake date Chryssy while his brother takes part in the heartbreak healing retreat that Chryssy and her aunties run on Whidbey Island.

Through the entire first half of this book, I thought it was a five-star romance. The tension and slow burn between Chryssy and Vin were excellent and I loved their connection. Plus the aunties are hilarious. However, as the story developed and the curse became more and more important, I became annoyed. The curse was a huge part of the story but brought down the plot overall.

All in all, it was a fun story that I recommend. The two narrators were excellent and made it a very engaging listen.

Thank you to Net Galley, Forever, and Hachette Audio for the DLC. All opinions are my own.

No one wants to believe in the Hua family curse but breakup after breakup has them convinced. Chryssy and her aunties run a healing retreat center for the broken hearted. A run in with Vin, a musical prodigy also known for breaking hearts sparks rumors about the two of them dating. They decide to take advantage of the media buzz to benefit their careers thinking they’re both cursed to end up alone anyway. But all it takes is one kiss and a whole lot of unexpected chemistry to land them in hot water.

I understand why everyone adores this author, her writing is beautiful. The story flows incredibly well and I completely lost track of time listening to Chryssy and Vins story.

They’ve both lost so much because of their beliefs, running from a curse that’s been built up by people around them. Thinking the only way not to end up alone is breaking the curse they try to solve the mystery. I don’t want to spoil anything but the ending is so heartwarming.

Get yourself a cup of tea and get comfy because once you start reading it’s difficult to put it down.

Read this if you like
💙Fake dating
💫Family relationships
🌼Dual pov
🫶🏼Celebrity Cellist x Chinese herbalist

Chryssy Hua, a Chinese herbalist, meets musicians Vin and his brother Leo at an event. The brothers are known as the heartbreakers but in reality, Leo is heartbroken after a recent painful breakup. Chryssy’s family believes that all Hua women have been cursed to experience only heartbreak and have created a healing inn for those suffering from it. Vin needs Leo healed so they can go on their tour so they move into the Hua’s inn to fast track the process. Vin also needs Chryssy to be his fake girlfriend to he can break up with her and maintain his reputation. The two end up spending a lot of time together and while real feelings begin to form, between Vin’s label requiring him to be a single and Chryssy’s family curse they are not sure they can make it.

This was a fun romance and I read/listened the whole book in a day. For me the mix of romance, traditional remedies and cooking were a recipe (pun intended) for a great read. I read and listened to this one and the audiobook narrators were wonderful and I loved that there were voices and POVs for both Chryssy and Vin (I find these books work better with the dual POV). I personally liked this one better than her last and it was such a nice surprise.

Thank you to Hachette Audio for the ARC to review

Thank you Netgalley and hachette audio for the free ALC. My opinions are being left voluntarily. I really enjoy Lauren's books. I love learning about Chinese traditions culture and the benefits of stuff . I have loved all of her books and look forward to reading more.

Recommend giving it a try.

4.5/5☆

This was my first book by Lauren Kung Jessen, but won’t be my last. I am literally checking out her previous books as I type this review.
At first, I felt a little eye-roll-y at the heartbreak hotel and how serious the character took herself. But once I got past that and let myself enjoy the story, I really enjoyed it. This is truly an adorable romance with just enough real-life levity to ground the story. Thanks so much to Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for granting access to this book and audiobook

Lauren Kung Jessen has done it again!! She has written another fantastic romance. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Chryssy and Vin and witnessing them fall in love throughout the book was magical! I also enjoyed learning about different types of herbs and Chinese medicinal culture.

For the audiobook portion, I thought that Eunice Wong did a great job (as always). I was not familiar with Erik Yang as an audiobook narrator, but now that I have listened to one book by him, I would be interested in listening to more audiobooks narrated by him in the future!

Lauren Kung Jessen always has a fascinating hook to her stories and incredible female characters. Getting to know Chryssy and her aunts were a highlight of this book. While I didn't dislike Vin per se, I didn't find him a compelling lead, and didn't get as invested in their romance as I'd hoped. Both the audiobook narrators did a nice job.

This was such a sweet romance. Fake dating doesn't always work for me but I really enjoyed how it was used in this book. Chryssy and Vin had great chemistry immediately and transitioned from friendship to love interest so smoothly. I adored all of the side characters too. I don't know a lot about traditional Chinese medicine but really enjoyed learning about it through Chryssy's business. This was my first Lauren Kung Jessen book but it will not be my last.

I read this on ebook and audio. I particularly enjoyed the audio. Eunice Wong and Eric Yang brought a lot of life to the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.