When investment banker Jessie Kim is laid off in a virtual meeting and then overhears why (“she’s already being overpaid anyway for a woman” and “Asians are worker bees, not someone who can drum up new deals”) she delivers an “eff you guys” speech and storms out.
After moving back home to Tennessee to live with her loving but meddling mother and father, she runs into her childhood nemesis—golden child Daniel Choi—at the local Asian grocery store. The smart, charming lawyer appears to have it all…while Jessie has nothing.
Jess begrudgingly accepts Daniel’s help to relaunch her long abandoned Korean cooking YouTube channel: HANGUK HACKS, showcasing easy meal prep for busy professionals. But just as she discovers Daniel’s life isn’t as perfect as it seems and there’s more to him than meets the eye, he shows up for a life-changing business opportunity, and their rivalry is back on . . .
Release Date: Aug 3, 2021
Heat Level: Sensual
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: Avon
Price: $10.99
Jessie is very successful in her career and has plans to accelerate. When the company she works for, passes her over for a promotion, Jessie decides to take matters into her own hands. She decides to return to her hometown and figure out her next step. Jessie steps out onto the culinary scene with her own video which becomes sensational after her overbearing mother jumps in.
Now she is facing a whole newfound success and happiness that she hasn’t experienced. Jessie gets a little bit of help from a family acquaintance which leads to some sparks flying. Just as she is settling into a routine, her former employers want to buy her out and her new beau is in charge of it.
I think I would have enjoyed this a bit more if it was a full-on romance or the romance was a little more prevalent in the story. While I did enjoy the overall story, the truth is that this is more a women’s fiction novel in my eyes. The story focuses primarily on sexism, family dynamics, a little romance and character development.
The book is a slow burn. At times, I felt like the story was taking too long. Since the romance takes the back seat, it was hard holding my attention. Yes, I did like how Jessie had to learn how to deal with her mother. Yes, I loved all of the descriptions about food. However, I got burned out by the pacing of the story.
I did enjoy how Jessie’s relationship with her mom unfolded. The dynamic between the two characts felt realistic. In various cultures, daughters can have a hard time bonding and pleasing their mothers. They both have some bending and healing to do but the journey is well crafted and I actually enjoyed Jessie’s mom a lot. The growth and confidence that Jessie gain by the end of the book left me satisfied.
Overall, if you like women’s fiction with strong family ties then I recommend this book.
~ Samantha
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