I was already interested in Lauren Kung Jessen’s 2025 book after chatting with her about her 2024 release, Red String Theory [Buy Bookshop Amazon LibroFM], but when her publicist called it her best book yet, I was even more intrigued. It’s a phrase that I hear a lot and don’t always agree with, but this time, it is 100% accurate.

Yin Yang Love Song [Buy Bookshop Amazon LibroFM] introduces us to Chryssy and Vin. Chryssy, whose full name is Chrysanthmum, is an herbalist who runs an inn with her aunties focused on healing heartbreak. She’s also launching her own floral tea line. While serving tea at a party, she meets Vin, half of the wildly popular cellist duo the Chao Brothers. They just so happen to have a reputation of being heartbreakers

Vin and his brother are preparing to go on tour, but things are a little rough on the brother… so they go to Chryssy’s inn. While there, Vin and Chryssy strike up a deal to fake date to help launch Chryssy’s tea and sell tickets to his massive tour. Chryssy thinks it’s safe because all the women of her family are cursed to not enjoy lasting love. A heartbreaker and a cursed heartbreak healer… what could possibly happen? Hehehe.

I absolutely adored Yin Yang Love Song. It was the perfect first book finished in 2025. Fake dating is almost always a great trope, and this is woven together well. Lauren paced their relationship well and made it believable with their foundation being something of substance and not just convenient chemistry.

As much as this is a fun romance novel, it’s also got a lot more depth to it, which I enoyed immensely. It explores family relationships, traditional Chinese medicine, perfectionism, anxiety, the impact of prodigy, and lasting love. These layers turned this story into something to savor.

I loved how much of herself Lauren wove into this story. I loved how perfect the title is once you get to the end. It’s just perfection. No notes.

105. G. WILLOW WILSON: Writing new & exisitng characters for Marvel and DC Comics – LiteraryHype Podcast

Send us a textThis week on LiteraryHype Podcast, I'm chatting with G. Willow Wilson about her many projects in the graphic novel world. She's the co-creator of Ms. Marvel, she's written iconic characters like Wonder Woman and Poison Ivy, and she writes novels and graphic novels of her own worlds as well. Willow is so smart and kind, and incredibly patient since we filmed this several months ago and technical issues delayed it and impacted the quality for the first portion. Bear with us for the first few minutes and it will improve. So sorry!FOLLOW WILLOWBUY THE BOOKSBookshopMs. Marvel Vol 1Poison Ivy Vol 1Alif the UnseenThe Bird KingThe Stoneshore RegisterBatman One Bad Day Boxed SetAmazonMs. Marvel Vol 1Poison Ivy Vol 1Black Cat Vol 1Wonder Woman Vol 1Alif the UnseenThe Bird KingThe Stoneshore RegisterLibroFMAlif the UnseenThe Bird KingSupport the showSupport the podcast by shopping:EtsyMy Bookshop.org listsLibroFM audiobooksTry Audible Plus Gift Audible Membership Glocusent LED Neck Reading LightTry Shameless Snacks10% Off at Once Upon a Bookclub10% off Goli VitaminsTWO FREE AUDIOBOOKS with new LibroFM Membership: Kindle Unlimited FREE FOR THREE MONTHS!Prime Television FREE TRIALJoin the fun!WebsiteInstagramTiktok…

1. 105. G. WILLOW WILSON: Writing new & exisitng characters for Marvel and DC Comics 22:52
2. 104. HELENA HAYWOODE HENRY: Writing Squid Game meets death row & AI in the legal system 30:27
3. 103. AMANDA FOODY & C.L. HERMAN: Flipping the Chosen One Trope and Unique Co-Writing Processes 23:11
4. 102: ROWANA MILLER: Secret societies, teen thrillers, and why kids make interesting writers 18:42
5. 101: JESSICA S. OLSON: A magical villain romance, heists, and selecting the best snacks 13:16