REVIEW: Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen

In Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen, Olivia Huang Christenson believes wholeheartedly in everything her grandmother has taught her while working at Lunar Love, her family’s in-person matchmaking company. Based on the Chinese zodiac, each match is carefully researched and chosen for a reason. Compatibility is key. Unfortunately, Liv has learned the hard way that relationships between incompatible people typically end in misery. That’s why, when it’s her turn to take over running Lunar Love, Liv is going to keep as many traditions as possible in place–and continue to use the zodiac as her guide.

“Wait, so I’ll take the time to handpick you a custom match, and you’ll let your algorithm do the work?” I ask.
“That’s how our businesses work, isn’t it?” Bennett says. “You pick a match for me, and I’ll let my algorithm pick one for you, and we’ll see who finds love.”

A chance meeting at a local restaurant brings handsome and oh so very smart Bennett O’Brien into Olivia’s orbit. Their first encounter was filled with delicious tension. Their second encounter? It has them at odds, causing a rivalry between them and their very different views on creating love matches. Liv is set in using her Pó Po’s traditional ways. She knows it to work so why mess with it? Bennett, however, takes pieces of the Chinese zodiac and uses them in an algorithm for his dating app, ZodiaCupid, which makes Olvia’s eye twitch. As they try to prove which method is best, their attraction only grows. And she tries to dislike him. She really does. But soon Bennett is becoming a part of Liv’s daily life that she can’t imagine doing without.

‘There are no manuals for what to do when your business competitor turns into your pseudo-client and then turns into someone you kiss.’

A delightful debut that blended diverse characters and traditions with a spark-filled matchmaking rivalry, Lunar Love was a terrific introduction to Lauren Kung Jessen’s writing.

‘Maybe there is beauty in opening yourself up to the love you don’t expect and the traits that will keep you guessing. Because compatible or incompatible, we’re all just trying to love and be loved, however that might look.’

I am all about books that showcase diversity, no matter the genre. And Lunar Love was crafted with care when it came to the main characters being Chinese American, as it explored not only the Chinese zodiac in relation to matchmaking but also Olivia’s and Bennett’s family traditions. I loved that, although the two lovebirds came from different approaches to matchmaking, their interest in helping people find love was inspired by their own loved ones. While Olivia believed in upholding the traditions her beloved Pó Po used for several decades at Lunar Love–very strictly based on Chinese astrology–Bennett brought a modern touch to his business with his (loosely) zodiac-based dating app.

The clash of conventional vs. contemporary ideals led to some wonderful banter between Bennett and Olivia. Some of it quite funny, other parts insightful and poignant. But there was no mistaking the connection they shared–even as they tried to deny what they felt. Particularly Olivia. It felt honest that she had a tough time letting go of her views on matches only being made on compatibility, given her own romantic history. Thankfully, there was data-collector Bennett (such a wonderful beta hero!) to open up Olivia’s eyes to love with someone who might seem on paper to be incompatible.

From their sweet, unforgettable meet cute to the slow burn romance that transpired afterwards and the great secondary cast, Lunar Love hit all the bells and whistles I look for in a romance. It didn’t hurt that Lauren Kung Jessen also included mouth-watering food in what seemed like almost every scene–*and* included recipes at the end. Talk about a win-win for readers!

QOTD: Which do you think you would trust more: an in-person matchmaking service or an online dating app?

Book Info:

Publication: January 10th 2023 |  Forever |

This sweet, enemies-to-lovers debut rom-com filled with Chinese astrology will undoubtedly prove to be a perfect match with readers of Helen Hoang, Jasmine Guillory, and Helena Hunting.

Always a matchmaker, never a match…

Olivia Huang Christenson is excited-slash-terrified to be taking over her grandmother’s matchmaking business. But when she learns that a new dating app has made her Pó Po’s traditional Chinese zodiac approach all about “animal attraction,” her emotions skew more toward furious-slash-outraged. Especially when L.A.’s most-eligible bachelor Bennett O’Brien is behind the app that could destroy her family’s legacy . . .

Liv knows better than to fall for any guy, let alone an infuriatingly handsome one who believes that traditions are meant to be broken. As the two businesses go head to head, Bennett and Liv make a deal: they’ll find a match for each other—and whoever falls in love loses. But Liv is dealing with someone who’s already adept at stealing business ideas . . . so what’s stopping him from stealing her heart too?