SO WE MEET AGAIN

A young professional finds her life drastically upended when she loses her job and is forced to move back home with her parents only to find inspiration from her former childhood rival.

Jessica Kim has been putting in her dues at her thankless Wall Street job for a while now, but when she’s unceremoniously fired (over Zoom, no less), she has to give up her lease and move back to her hometown of Nashville and in with her parents. Of course, right when life seems to be at its lowest is when she unexpectedly encounters Daniel Choi, a former classmate and pastor’s son now all grown up and working as a successful lawyer. The lingering tension between them isn’t entirely rooted in old competitive tendencies, either. When Daniel gives Jess the idea for a new professional endeavor—livestreaming Korean cooking tutorials—she hardly expects that her mother will crash the party or that their on-camera dynamic will become an overnight viral sensation. But as Jess’ channel skyrockets in popularity, she’ll have to decide what’s worth prioritizing: family and the guy she might be falling for or building her brand. Jess’ career success is achieved rather quickly, and she surmounts the limited obstacles a bit too easily, but the plot is packed with mirth and mouthwatering meal descriptions, and the book addresses the heavier subjects of workplace sexism and racism with deftness and care. Ultimately, the relationships, both romantic and familial, are what make this novel such a satisfying experience.

A charming contemporary romance with heart, humor, and home cooking.