Julia Song is Undateable is engaging and entertaining women’s fiction with plenty of family drama, a friends-to-lovers trope, and a generous side of spice.
Julia Song is Undateable by Susan Lee
Genre/Categories/Setting: Contemporary Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Friends to Lovers, Family Drama, Meddling Family, He Falls First, Korean Culture, Southern California #spicey
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My Summary:
Welcome to my stop on the Harlequin Trade Publishing Fall 2925 Blog Tour for Julia Song is Undateable. Thanks #NetGalley @HTP_Books | Canary Street Press for a complimentary eARC of #JuliaSongIsUndateable upon my request. All opinions are my own.
Julia Song is the founder and CEO of popular Starlight Cosmetics. She is a self-made success, but she feels increasing pressure from her Korean family because she is not married. Julia agrees to be set up for three dates and, because she thinks she’s “undateable,” she enlists the help of a coach, her childhood friend Tae Kim. We soon discover that Julia was his childhood crush. It gets complicated.
My Thoughts:
Spicey
Followers of this blog need to know that this is a bit spicier than I usually review. The author includes at least two open-door, explicit bedroom scenes.
Engaging
If you’re OK with spice, the story is engaging and entertaining. I enjoyed a peek into Korean culture and learning about the pressure young women face to find a husband, preferably a doctor or lawyer!
Third Act Breakup
Following the formula for romance, we have a third-act breakup. I consider it the weakest part of the story because it seemed forced and immature. I don’t think she had strong reasons for not believing him or trusting him, and this caused him to take similar actions.
Never fear, a friends-to-lovers trope and the ultimate reconciliation is satisfying!
Content Consideration: open-door romance
Recommending Julia Song is Undateable:
Fans of stories with Korean culture, complicated family drama, and a successful female lead will enjoy this entertaining story.
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Meet the Author of Julia Song is Undateable, Susan Lee
Susan Lee is the author of the critically acclaimed and reader favorite young adult romantic comedies SEOULMATES and THE NAME DROP. Her work has been featured in national outlets such as Buzzfeed, NPR, and Pop Sugar. Kirkus Reviews calls Susan’s voice “honest, fresh and thoughtful”. A graduate of UC San Diego, Susan built a career as an HR executive at some of today’s hottest companies, until she realized that writing stories was a more impactful and powerful form of resistance and change. Now she channels her energy into writing Happily Ever Afters for those historically underrepresented in Romance. When she is not writing (or painfully procrastinating from writing), Susan can be found down the rabbit holes of her many obsessions including listening to Kpop, binge watching K-dramas, collecting sneakers, building mechanical keyboards, and obsessing over her two adorable, but ill-behaved chihuahuas.
QOTD:
Do you love stories set in different cultures?
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I really enjoyed this one, but could have done without those two steamy scenes at the end. The story up to that point was clean and fun. I thought the break was a bit contrived as well, but glad it was sorted out. Nice to have you back, Carol. I hope you are doing well. 🤗
I read your glowing review and I feel bad about mine…part of it is just my mood right now…
Thanks for thinking of me. 💖 I’m ok…the travel, burial, is behind me…lots of special family time….just starting on estate stuff (cleaned out mom’s closet today)….and thinking about my neglected reviews! This is a blog tour so I had to post today…but it’s priming the pump and I need to do my end of month posts. I’m working on my lackluster Oct reading wrap up tonight. Going through the motions basically.
How about those games?! I’m sure it will be a back and forth 7 game series….exciting baseball!
It is hard to get back into full swing after a terrible loss,, Carol Don’t be too hard on yourself. We don’t all love the same books, and yes, mood has a lot to do with it.
I am enjoying the games, but did go to bed at the end of the 12th inning the other night. Yes, I also think it will go all 7 games.
Very nice review, Carol. I was just thinking of you this evening when your post came through. Hope you are well.
Thanks for thinking of me. 💖 I’m ok…the travel, burial, obituary, etc are behind us…lots of special family time….just starting on estate stuff (cleaned out mom’s closet today)….and thinking about my neglected reviews! This is a blog tour so I had to post today…but it’s priming the pump and I need to do my end of month posts. I’m working on my lackluster Oct reading wrap up tonight. Going through the motions basically.
Welcome back. A shame about the third-act break-up which didn’t quite work.
Thanks. 3rd act breakups are generally tiresome and predictable!
Lovely to see your post, Carol and that doing you’re okay. Thanks for the warning about the steamy scenes, definitely not my thing!
It was good except for the steam! I’m writing my end of month posts and will attempt a full return! Hoping my mojo returns.
Welcome back, Carol, and I hope you’re okay. Thinking of you as you navigate what’s ahead💜
Thanks! I’m jumping back in with this blog tour and my end of month posts. I’m still distracted mentally!
I like the sound of this one! Thanks for the content consideration. I appreciate that! Hope you are doing well!
I would have appreciated less spice but it was engaging and interesting! I’m slowly emerging from my heavy-hearted month, thanks for asking!