Review by Booklist Review
Korean American Lee delivers another fluffy rom-com, following The Dating Dare (2021), one that, unfortunately, presents a shallow depiction of anxiety disorders. Overachiever Lizzy Chung is very close to making partner at her downtown L.A. law firm, but panic attacks are preventing her from reveling in the rewards of her hard work. As the bookkeeper for his family's business, Jack Park could not be more proud of his childhood best friend, whom he's been crushing on secretly for decades, but hasn't pursued because he's stuck in the "friend zone." After collapsing in court, Lizzy decides to take a three-week leave of absence to visit Jack in Weldon, California, giving Jack a chance to turn their friendship into love. She rents a room attached to a musty old bookstore that she breathes new life into while reassessing what makes her happy. Lee's novel shines brightest when she's describing the sights, smells, and flavors of Korean culture and cuisine; if only she injected that same descriptive zest into her characters and their predicaments. Fans will want this for sure.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Best friends realize their feelings for each other in this dry romance from Lee (The Dating Dare). Los Angeles attorney Elizabeth Chung heads on a three-week vacation to the sleepy town of Weldon to decompress with her childhood friend, Weldon local Jack Park, after a trial leaves her feeling drained. She rents a room attached to a small bookstore, excited to escape into romance novels and reconnect with Jack. But unbeknownst to Lizzy, Jack has loved her since they were kids, and their sudden proximity makes it harder than ever to hide his true feelings. This doesn't matter for long, as soon Lizzy realizes that her own feelings have also deepened into something more. But with their friendship on the line and the long distance between their two homes, they must decide if it's worth risking what they already have for a chance to build something even better. While Lee admirably immerses her audience in Korean American culture, the cookie-cutter characters and lack of any real conflict results in a predictable romance that falls flat. This one misses the mark. Agent: Sarah Younger, Nancy Yost Literary. (July)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Los Angeles lawyer Lizzy Chung is burned out. Years of overachieving and overworking have left her with increasingly unmanageable anxiety attacks. After fainting in the courtroom during her first trial, Lizzy takes a leave of absence to rest and recharge. She heads to Weldon, CA, home of her best friend, Jack Park, and rents a room above a local independent bookstore. Jack is thrilled to have his bestie in town, but he's worried that she'll find out he's been in love with her for the past twenty years. He knows he's not good enough, or smart enough, to be more than her friend. Reunited for more than a quick meal, all they've had time for in the past few years, Lizzy can't stop staring at Jack. When did he get so attractive? Lizzy and Jack are likeable characters, dissatisfied with the paths their lives have taken. Their challenges--career and relationship--are well-written, and readers will empathize with Lizzy's need for connection and Jack's desire to stand on his own. VERDICT Lee has written another heartwarming, upbeat, rom-com featuring Korean American protagonists in the ultimate friends-to-lovers plot. Her third "A Sweet Mess" installment is a solid purchase.--Heather Miller Cover
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
When a beleaguered lawyer books a trip to visit her best friend, her three-week vacation turns into a trial run for their romance in Lee's friends-to-lovers novel. At 30 years old, Elizabeth Chung can't help but feel the waning thrill of living a high-stakes, career-oriented life in the big city. As a senior counsel at top Los Angeles law firm Nelson Peters, Lizzy has a workaholic lifestyle that's placed her well on the path to becoming a partner. Although her choice of profession keeps her strict mother appeased, "conflict-averse" Lizzy can't help but feel burned out despite her success. Lately, she only finds solace in two things: the nearby Hideaway Bookstore and the company of her best friend, Jack Park, a bookkeeper at his parents' brewery. Little does Lizzy know that Jack has harbored a powerful, two-decades-long crush on her, but he would never risk their friendship by acting on his feelings. When Lizzy suffers a panic attack while reciting the opening statement at her first trial as lead counsel, she finds herself craving nothing more than Jack's calming presence. She opts to take a three-week vacation and visit him in his hometown of Weldon, California, where they volunteer to revamp the quaint Sparrow Bookstore together. With Lizzy in town, Jack finds it even harder to conceal his infatuation, but could it be that his feelings are not as unrequited as he thinks? Lee's third novel is delightfully mature; her lead characters communicate with ease and gratifyingly go for what they want regardless of the consequences for them. Her writing is the perfect combination of funny and joyful, with lines like "His eyes crinkled at the corners as his lips spread into a crooked grin, and an answering smile blossomed in her heart and spread across her face," and "Jack with tools makes Lizzy a very horny girl." Lee seamlessly spins a tale that offers her readers laugh-out-loud moments, with touching pages of raw honesty and heartfelt passion. A romance full of heart and second chances. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
