Forever | 19 January 2023 | 336 pgs
Source: Purchased
Love finds its way through a mixture of tradition and modernity in this debut romcom by Lauren Kung Jessen.
Olivia Huang Christenson, a mixed-race Chinese American, is elated to take over her grandmother's matchmaking business known as Lunar Love. Through Chinese zodiac, they make thoughtful and personalised matches based on their clients' compatible animal sign traits. Because of Olivia's grandmother's legacy and the successful rates over decades, Olivia has high expectations of herself and she'd see that the matchmaking business would continue to strive under her lead.
But with today's information technology and various social platforms, it didn't take long for someone like Bennett O'Brien to take matchmaking business to another whole new level - a dating app with the traditional Chinese zodiac approach. When Olivia finds out that ZodiaCupid is making the headlines and views as a threat to their family business, she is ready to meet head-on in a deal with Bennett. The rule is simple: they'll find a match for each other and whoever falls in love loses. But it seems like fate has already found these two people despite their differences and their zodiac incompatibility for they'd already met each other way before learning their real identity.
This enemies-to-lovers trope is one of my favourite setups for a romcom and mixes with the Old meets New concept (traditional matchmaking vs online dating), I know it'd make a fun read. I also loved the diverse cast of characters and read more about the Chinese American living lifestyle, the Chinese culture/traditions and even their foods. Olivia and Bennett are both interesting characters and it was always fun to read their banter and see how they fall for each other eventually. The story was sweet and predictable, but it also made a good escapism so different from the other books I usually read. Last but not least, I want to thank Lark for putting this book on our buddy read list. Now go check out her review here and see what she thought of this book. 
Posts
This was a fun one to read together! I liked all the Chinese culture and food and zodiac parts in this one, too. Great review as always, Melody. :D
Lark - Thanks, Lark! Our buddy reads are always fun and most of all I love discussing the books with you as we go along. Can't wait for our next read already! :D
This sounds really cute and I don't mind a bit of predictability as long as I'm enjoying the storyline!
This has been on my to read list for ages. I have yet to get to it, hopefully before the next lunar new year! Have a good week.
Iliana - It was a good read. I'll definitely read more by this author.
Harvee - I think this book is a good fit for Lunar New Year, and Valentine's Day too, since two of these occasions are mentioned in the story. ;) You too have a good week, Harvee!
I like this premise! I think the chinese Zodiac is fun.
Greg - The Chinese Zodiac element is one of the things that drew me in to this story. :)
I can understand why Olivia would be upset about Bennett’s app! This sounds like a fun contemporary romance.
Diana - It was a fun read; and all the more reading it together with Lark. :D
I bet I would love this one! It sounds so delightful.
Wendy - Yes, I think you might enjoy this book, Wendy. ;)