Tag Archives: Jackie Lau

Grumpy Fake Boyfriend by Jackie Lau

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Grumpy Fake Boyfriend
Author: Jackie Lau
Series: Kwan Sisters #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I always enjoy Lau’s writing. It’s funny and upbeat, and just incredibly cute. Plus, her romances are generally a quick and easy read that is light hearted and a good departure from reality. In this case, Naomi and Will are a great opposites attract story. I love that Naomi is incredibly bubbly and sweet. She’s the eternal optimist without being naïve and annoying. It’s that strength of character that leads to a great story – someone who is strong and believes in herself. Plus, ultimately the way in which this story unfolds is somewhat her fault – she manages to manipulate and manoeuvre the situation she finds herself in to her liking.

Will is a great contrast to Naomi – where she is extroverted, bubbly and outgoing, he is seriously introverted. I definitely related to him way too much. I mean, he enjoys his time going out for the weekend with Naomi and her friends. But, he also has his moments when he just needs to disappear and hide from the world for a bit. I am also like this – I struggle to engage with others to a certain point. And I also had a family that, growing up, didn’t quite “get” my need for solitude. Even with the best intentions, like Will, I know how much it can smart to have people constantly push you to be more social when it’s just not something you are comfortable with.

Although Naomi and Will may be total opposites, they spend this entire story building one another up. Naomi supports and accepts Will’s need to be withdrawn at times. She even encourages his solitude when it’s necessary without having any expectations of him. Will on the other hand is able to build up Naomi’s self-esteem and encourage her to just be herself. Regardless of what he or anyone else wants. They spend the entire story getting to know one another and building each other up – exactly what should happen in a healthy relationship.

Grumpy Fake Boyfriend was a seriously cute and adorable romance. It’s filled with Lau’s humour and wit. I honestly adore her writing, and I can’t wait to read more of the books I have on my bookshelves by her. This was definitely an impossible to put away story and it gave me so much joy and optimism from the very first page.

<- More Jackie LauMr. Hotshot CEO ->

Image source: Kobo

Her Pretend Christmas Date by Jackie Lau

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Her Pretend Christmas Date
Author: Jackie Lau
Series: Cider Bar Sisters #2.5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2020

Thoughts

Her Pretend Christmas Date was a really fun little Christmas novella. I mean, I do love a bit of that whole fake relationship trope. But the fact that Julie asks the absolutely horrible blind date to be her fake boyfriend made it all that much better. Plus, it’s just fun to read about a couple that on paper don’t work at all. But, in reality, are actually a really phenomenal match.

I did feel kind of bad for Julie in this story, I mean, having your family constantly question your decisions and choices must be exhausting. I may not love the idea of lying to ones family to get them off your back. But, in Julie’s case, I completely understand. Particularly when the desperate request actually ends up in a pretty wonderful happily ever after.

To contrast Julie’s love of life and chaos, Tom was a wee bit of a stick in the mud. Again, total opposites attract story line. But I did love how, even though he is fairly inflexible, he absolutely adores how Julie constantly drags him out of his comfort zone. And the different ways in which she does that. Personally, I also kind of love when someone drags me out of my comfort zone, but I’m also someone who is a little bit off kilter at times.

This novella was completely predictable, but seriously enjoyable. I mean, it had all of the fun Christmas vibes and the sweet romance. But, add to that it also had just enough spice and action to keep in interesting. I also loved reading about how different people from different parts of the world celebrate Christmas. Something I’m always fascinated by.

<- His Grumpy Childhood FriendThe Professor Next Door ->

Image source: Goodreads

Not Your Valentine by Jackie Lau

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Not Your Valentine
Author: Jackie Lau
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I’m always up for a good friends-to-lovers trope. I mean, what better way to find your perfect match, then to be with someone who has already shown that they know you and like you? Plus, Lau also fully embraces the fake dating trope. Which is another bit of insanity that I always enjoy. Two tropes I love, centred around Valentine’s Day… of course I was going to just devour this short novel.

I love that both Taylor and Helen don’t just fall in instalove. And although one of them has had feelings for a little bit longer, there isn’t that unrequited love aspect either. Instead, it’s two friends spending a lot of time together. Getting to know one another more deeply. And just generally going together and as a couple.

Along with the two tropes I mentioned above, this is also the sunshine grump trope. Although, I love that the grumpy is Helen and she’s kind of valentines hating. Contrastingly, Taylor is all about the love hearts and confetti. They work so well together, even though I found Helen’s constant feeling that she was unlovable a little bit difficult at times.

Thus was a really cute and fun romance. But it was also a great journey into how some immigrant American family dynamics work. Probably one of the reasons I’m loving Lau. She writes beautiful and fun romances. But she also introduces me to a family dynamic that is entirely foreign to me.

<- More Jackie LauThe Unmatchmakers ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Unmatchmakers by Jackie Lau

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: The Unmatchmakers
Author: Jackie Lau
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

There are so many laugh out loud moments in this witty contemporary romance. As in literal laugh out loud moments. I’m kind of glad that I read this novel late at night when no one else was home… I would have looked a little bit unhinged while reading this to casual observers. (Alright, that happens more often than not, but I digress). Lau is able to carve out not only a fun romance, but one that is distinctly humorous and incredibly witty. I love how Neil and Leora have parents who go against pretty much every stereotype that you read about in books. The many, many funny moments also drive them to decide to finally stand up for themselves and carve out a relationship with their respective mothers that actually works and feels accepting and healthy.

There are obviously a lot of stereotypes about Asian mothers running rampant in our media. The fact that this novel uses those and then willingly goes against them was very brilliantly done. The loud yelling and chaos made me fall in love with both of the mothers, even as they are driving their children completely insane. I also thoroughly enjoyed how the three mothers are all a pretty cohesive unit. One that bands together in their unmatchmaking ways. But also, when they have a rupture in their plans, finds a way back to each other. It’s that friendship that I would love to have in my old age – women I have raised children with and experienced the world with, still by my side. Still causing shenanigans and chaos.

Neil and Leora are such a wonderfully cute couple. I love that their whole story is a slow-burn romance. Although there’s that instant moment of connection and sexual tension, the time it takes for them to actually consummate their relationship? It’s definitely a serious build up. One that Lau is able to reward you for fully. I got to a point pretty quickly where I was turning each page really quickly and ripping through this book – just because I wanted to see the slow burn pay off! Of course, it’s totally rewarded, but it took a whole lot longer to get to that moment. And it’s not quite as graphic as some of the romances that I’ve read recently, another thing that I actually found paid off beautifully.

This was such a beautiful contemporary romance. It had wonderful summer feels, with the fantastic setting. But it was also about two people finding their own happiness and path in life. Then owning that with parents who are sometimes a little bit overzealous with ensuring their offspring’s happiness. I’m most definitely a Jackie Lau fan now and can’t wait to dig into more of her books!

<- Not Your ValentineMore Jackie Lau ->

Image source: Goodreads