Staff Writer: Julie
Published Date: January 14, 2025
Number of pages: 320
Format: Physical Book
Genre: Romance, Teen
Tags: Teen, Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Friendship, Warring Businesses
Cardigan Rating: 3.5 of 5
River’s family owns a series of coffee shops. They are going to build one right across the street from a failing shop called Bingsu for Two. After a series of events, River visits the other shop and manages to get a job. He and another worker, Sarang, bicker and fight all the time until they don’t anymore.
This is a great enemies-to-lovers story. The main characters are fully fleshed out with problems of their own, which get exacerbated when dealing with each other. The tension is there the entire time, with neither realizing it. There is a great group of side characters, other workers at the shop, that bring in drama, levity, and keep the story moving. You root for Sarang and River to get together and hurt when the major fallout happens. Thankfully, it is resolved, and there is a happy ending.
The main “villain” in the story, Cecelia, sometimes does feel a little over the top. One can’t believe she would go so far just to get into a good college and have a good resume. I kept shaking my head at her antics over social media and with others.
There is some kissing and innuendo, but nothing overtly graphic. Lunar New Year is on Tuesday, February 17, so this is a quick, fun read perfect for the holidays.