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The New Year Boyfriend
At 27, Winnie is on the verge of becoming an old maid. And she’s just fine with that. In medical school and studying for admission to an exclusive training program, Winnie just needs a few more years to get her life in order before she can even think about getting married.
But her mother has other plans.
Winnie’s mother orders her to return home for Chinese New Year to meet a young man she is sure Winnie will agree to marry if she only meets him. But Winnie won’t let anything—even her overbearing mother—stand in the way of her own goals and dreams. So she does the one thing she is sure will get her mother off her back—she hires a New Year boyfriend.
Kai’s life is a wreck. Working two jobs to help pay for his mother’s cancer treatments, Kai has no time for family, fun, or love. But when he sees a job advertisement for posing as a New Year boyfriend, he can’t pass up the opportunity for some quick and easy cash.
It was supposed to be strictly a business arrangement. But as Winnie and Kai’s worlds come crashing down around them, their fake relationship might be the only real thing they have left.
But her mother has other plans.
Winnie’s mother orders her to return home for Chinese New Year to meet a young man she is sure Winnie will agree to marry if she only meets him. But Winnie won’t let anything—even her overbearing mother—stand in the way of her own goals and dreams. So she does the one thing she is sure will get her mother off her back—she hires a New Year boyfriend.
Kai’s life is a wreck. Working two jobs to help pay for his mother’s cancer treatments, Kai has no time for family, fun, or love. But when he sees a job advertisement for posing as a New Year boyfriend, he can’t pass up the opportunity for some quick and easy cash.
It was supposed to be strictly a business arrangement. But as Winnie and Kai’s worlds come crashing down around them, their fake relationship might be the only real thing they have left.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 20, 2018
2 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 21, 2018
Rating: 3.5 stars
The New Year Boyfriend is a great contemporary romance with a fake relationship and then a friends to lovers trope. This is a sweet/clean romance and the focus is as much on the relationships of Winnie and her family and Kai and his mom as it is on their relationship with each other.
My heart broke for Kai and his mom over and over again, and I love how hard he tries to be a dutiful son and how much he clearly loves his mom and his family. He's faced with some really hard decisions, and there aren't really any good answers for him.
I felt really bad for Winnie and for how damaged her relationship with her family is. There were times where I really didn't care for her as a character or as a person. There seem to be a lot of romances about a woman who is super career focused to the detriment of her relationships and the rest of her life, and maybe I'm just getting tired of this trope/plotline? I'd like more strong heroines with a great work/life balance please! Winnie has a lot of growing up to do, and it's great to see her go through some of that growth throughout this book.
Midway through the book, the plot seemed to kind of zoom quickly and then stall out in sort of odd pacing, and some of the stuff with Chang just seemed really odd and kind of forced. There is also, of course, the normal amount of suspension of disbelief required when reading this book which you need for just about every fake relationship romance you'll read. On the plus side, I love the way Kai and Winnie reconnect after their original arrangement is concluded, and the way everything wraps up in the end is just really wonderful and satisfying all around (especially when I had just been tearing at my hair and going "Oh noooo, how can this possibly work out for them?!")
The New Year Boyfriend is a great contemporary romance with a fake relationship and then a friends to lovers trope. This is a sweet/clean romance and the focus is as much on the relationships of Winnie and her family and Kai and his mom as it is on their relationship with each other.
My heart broke for Kai and his mom over and over again, and I love how hard he tries to be a dutiful son and how much he clearly loves his mom and his family. He's faced with some really hard decisions, and there aren't really any good answers for him.
I felt really bad for Winnie and for how damaged her relationship with her family is. There were times where I really didn't care for her as a character or as a person. There seem to be a lot of romances about a woman who is super career focused to the detriment of her relationships and the rest of her life, and maybe I'm just getting tired of this trope/plotline? I'd like more strong heroines with a great work/life balance please! Winnie has a lot of growing up to do, and it's great to see her go through some of that growth throughout this book.
Midway through the book, the plot seemed to kind of zoom quickly and then stall out in sort of odd pacing, and some of the stuff with Chang just seemed really odd and kind of forced. There is also, of course, the normal amount of suspension of disbelief required when reading this book which you need for just about every fake relationship romance you'll read. On the plus side, I love the way Kai and Winnie reconnect after their original arrangement is concluded, and the way everything wraps up in the end is just really wonderful and satisfying all around (especially when I had just been tearing at my hair and going "Oh noooo, how can this possibly work out for them?!")
February 11, 2021
Loved this
Friend was reading & recommended. I’m glad I picked up. Romance takes place in Australia & Shanghai. Includes friendship, family misunderstandings & rebuilding relationships, cute meet, and touches on a number of important issues. Both MCs make mistakes and are relatable.
Friend was reading & recommended. I’m glad I picked up. Romance takes place in Australia & Shanghai. Includes friendship, family misunderstandings & rebuilding relationships, cute meet, and touches on a number of important issues. Both MCs make mistakes and are relatable.
December 3, 2018
Great Holiday Book!!
Enjoyed it so much!!
Recommend it so much!!
My first book by this author and it will not be my last!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Enjoyed it so much!!
Recommend it so much!!
My first book by this author and it will not be my last!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 9, 2018
The New Year Boyfriend - I enjoyed Ms. Gong's Animal Companions series and wanted to try something different. This is very well written and a better edited book than most native English speakers write. There's very few editing errors and they are very minor. The storylines immerse the reader into a world of determination, love, fear, loss and lessons learned. The old managed marriage system meets the married for love system head on and the crash is difficult for everyone involved. All the characters are likable, realistic and doing the best they can for what they feel is right. There is humor amongst the angst, wisdom amongst the mistakes and plenty of love to carry everyone through the heartbreaks and hardships. I didn't put the book down until I was finished. As with the other books, I found this on Booksprout. 5*
The Animal Companions Boxed Set 1 - 3: These are well written stories by a nonnative English speaker; she did an excellent job writing in English. Expect tears as well as joy from each of these stories. The storylines and characters are well thought out and the vivid descriptions introduce the reader to two worlds not common to outsiders. Girls are not valued by these societies and these three stories are wonderful, heartwarming, heartbreaking and show what actually is important in life.
The stories are clean, and the violence and hardships faced are suitable for children. Less violent than The Call of the Wild, which is a good book for children of all ages. I found Ms. Gong's books on Booksprout. Minor editing needed, but nothing distracting, and these books are actually better edited than what passes for edited nowadays. 5 stars.
A Girl and Her Elephant - Interesting, likable characters that have honor and try to do the right thing in the face of adversities. Safi has a wonderful personality. Emotional, smooth flowing and well written filled with suspense and plenty of love and determination. 5*
A Girl and Her Panda - Another heart wrenching story that easily makes the tears flow, but leaves heartwarming feelings. The emotions run the gamut as this story flows through the pages leaving the reader immersed in this heartbreaking story. Again, the characters are interesting and likable, and filled with determination in the face of great adversity. PanPan is an amazing personality. 5*
A Girl and Her Tiger - I found this story a bit unrealistic, main character wise. Her actions are impulsive and emotional, therefore, not thinking of the consequences from her actions, and she does bring destruction in her wake. Her relationship with the tiger is wonderful, but she's dangerous for the tiger also. This story doesn't seem to have the flow of Elephant and Panda, and it was difficult to accept her when she was really out of control.
She does persevere through many ordeals and shows her fighting spirit and determination. The real British influence on her India blows her mind completely after trying to bring a British criminal to justice. She should grow up to be a major force, if she can overcome her emotions and let logic rule. I know India's history and culture and this book rings true on the history. 4*
The Animal Companions Boxed Set 1 - 3: These are well written stories by a nonnative English speaker; she did an excellent job writing in English. Expect tears as well as joy from each of these stories. The storylines and characters are well thought out and the vivid descriptions introduce the reader to two worlds not common to outsiders. Girls are not valued by these societies and these three stories are wonderful, heartwarming, heartbreaking and show what actually is important in life.
The stories are clean, and the violence and hardships faced are suitable for children. Less violent than The Call of the Wild, which is a good book for children of all ages. I found Ms. Gong's books on Booksprout. Minor editing needed, but nothing distracting, and these books are actually better edited than what passes for edited nowadays. 5 stars.
A Girl and Her Elephant - Interesting, likable characters that have honor and try to do the right thing in the face of adversities. Safi has a wonderful personality. Emotional, smooth flowing and well written filled with suspense and plenty of love and determination. 5*
A Girl and Her Panda - Another heart wrenching story that easily makes the tears flow, but leaves heartwarming feelings. The emotions run the gamut as this story flows through the pages leaving the reader immersed in this heartbreaking story. Again, the characters are interesting and likable, and filled with determination in the face of great adversity. PanPan is an amazing personality. 5*
A Girl and Her Tiger - I found this story a bit unrealistic, main character wise. Her actions are impulsive and emotional, therefore, not thinking of the consequences from her actions, and she does bring destruction in her wake. Her relationship with the tiger is wonderful, but she's dangerous for the tiger also. This story doesn't seem to have the flow of Elephant and Panda, and it was difficult to accept her when she was really out of control.
She does persevere through many ordeals and shows her fighting spirit and determination. The real British influence on her India blows her mind completely after trying to bring a British criminal to justice. She should grow up to be a major force, if she can overcome her emotions and let logic rule. I know India's history and culture and this book rings true on the history. 4*
November 25, 2018
This story pulls at the heartstrings and is filled with family relational issues and heartache. The family dynamics in Winnie’s life was full of asian obligation and living up to her parent’s expectations. Forging out on her own to obtain the medical degree she’d always dreamed of, has Winnie lying to her family for years.
It’s not as though she had been breaking the law, she is attending Medical School in Australia and battling the prejudices of being a foreign Chinese woman in a sea of narrow minded men. It hasn’t been easy for her, but when she finally confessed to her mother, it was as though she committed a crime.
Her controlling and overbearing mother’s main focus was to have Winnie marry an acceptable man and start a family. Sorry to say that although the mom is pictured as the unfeeling villain, this situation is all too common in Asian families.
As we follow Winnie’s struggles to placate her family and still try to live her dreams we see how convoluted and messy her life becomes. This is highlighted with the introduction of Kai, who poses as her fake boyfriend to keep Winnie’s mom off her back.
Kai is sweet, loving. and spends most of his time trying to raise money for his beloved mom’s cancer treatment. The differences in Kai and Winnie as they deal with their mothers are apparent. When Kai confesses to his mother that he did break the law and is facing jail time, his mother is still loving and accepting towards him. He values his relationship with his mother and is grateful for any and all the time spent with her knowing that her cancer is looming and threatening all that he holds dear. This allows Kai to try to have Winnie make peace with her mother even after she coldly disowns Winnie from the family.
This well written book gave an insightful glimpse of the complexities of trying to grow up in an atmosphere and culture where family obligation is a major part life.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It’s not as though she had been breaking the law, she is attending Medical School in Australia and battling the prejudices of being a foreign Chinese woman in a sea of narrow minded men. It hasn’t been easy for her, but when she finally confessed to her mother, it was as though she committed a crime.
Her controlling and overbearing mother’s main focus was to have Winnie marry an acceptable man and start a family. Sorry to say that although the mom is pictured as the unfeeling villain, this situation is all too common in Asian families.
As we follow Winnie’s struggles to placate her family and still try to live her dreams we see how convoluted and messy her life becomes. This is highlighted with the introduction of Kai, who poses as her fake boyfriend to keep Winnie’s mom off her back.
Kai is sweet, loving. and spends most of his time trying to raise money for his beloved mom’s cancer treatment. The differences in Kai and Winnie as they deal with their mothers are apparent. When Kai confesses to his mother that he did break the law and is facing jail time, his mother is still loving and accepting towards him. He values his relationship with his mother and is grateful for any and all the time spent with her knowing that her cancer is looming and threatening all that he holds dear. This allows Kai to try to have Winnie make peace with her mother even after she coldly disowns Winnie from the family.
This well written book gave an insightful glimpse of the complexities of trying to grow up in an atmosphere and culture where family obligation is a major part life.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 12, 2019
Winnie is a goal-driven student with no respect from her peers, colleagues, and especially her family. Coming from a traditional Asian upbringing, Winnie’s task was rooted in her from the start: get a job and find a husband. But she didn’t want to get married. Her only focus was on her medical career.
For Winnie, having a Chinese mother was grueling and overbearing. The mantra that “boys were preferable to girls” was an established fact in Chinese families, making it harder for Winnie to be independent. Girls from most cultures would be able to relate and attest to this. Winnie’s mom is so bossy with ordering her to come home for Chinese New Year and telling her that she will marry this Chang fella. Kinda scary. What was Winnie supposed to do? She couldn’t ignore her family duty, but she also refused to get married. Maybe if she were to show up with a boyfriend, she might get her mother off her back.
Kai is an IT guy moonlighting as a taxi driver just to earn money to pay for his mother’s hospital bills. Then he hears about an article about posing as a New Year boyfriend for Chinese girls that just need a front for the family. Hey, if it pays, right?
Right away, you feel for each character’s predicaments.
Story was a little lagging and the writing was fairly simple. It actually takes a while for this deal to be made. A lot of family drama made the whole thing draining. A few of the tid bits on Chinese culture was interesting, but I wish the story would’ve been more amusing. The obligation of family was an overbearing weight on independence. I could totally relate to Winnie wanting to be her own woman and liver her own life.
I’m all for multicultural fiction, and this one was a decent read on love and Chinese culture.
For Winnie, having a Chinese mother was grueling and overbearing. The mantra that “boys were preferable to girls” was an established fact in Chinese families, making it harder for Winnie to be independent. Girls from most cultures would be able to relate and attest to this. Winnie’s mom is so bossy with ordering her to come home for Chinese New Year and telling her that she will marry this Chang fella. Kinda scary. What was Winnie supposed to do? She couldn’t ignore her family duty, but she also refused to get married. Maybe if she were to show up with a boyfriend, she might get her mother off her back.
Kai is an IT guy moonlighting as a taxi driver just to earn money to pay for his mother’s hospital bills. Then he hears about an article about posing as a New Year boyfriend for Chinese girls that just need a front for the family. Hey, if it pays, right?
Right away, you feel for each character’s predicaments.
Story was a little lagging and the writing was fairly simple. It actually takes a while for this deal to be made. A lot of family drama made the whole thing draining. A few of the tid bits on Chinese culture was interesting, but I wish the story would’ve been more amusing. The obligation of family was an overbearing weight on independence. I could totally relate to Winnie wanting to be her own woman and liver her own life.
I’m all for multicultural fiction, and this one was a decent read on love and Chinese culture.
February 3, 2022
So, my feelings for this are mixed. On the one hand, I loved that this was set in Sydney, Shanghai and Harbin (Simu Liu's hometown!) and we get a sense of life in contemporary China. For a communist country, there is apparently no socialized medicine, which we learn because Kai's mother has cancer and Winnie's sister had to get an emergency C section and all of those expenses were paid for out of pocket because the families didn't have health insurance.
This is a fake relationship trope which was fine, great even, because the reason for why Winnie needed a fake boyfriend was so specific to cultural expectations. But that's also the reason that this was almost a DNF for me because the Winnie's been lying to her family for 2 years. They believe she's a nurse in Shanghai when she's actually in medical school in Australia - without her family's financial support, which is totally bananas. To pile on, her mother has basically arranged to marry her off to a local rich family's son, Chang, who used to bully her in school and he's a total douche, and there's a secondary plot with Kai stealing company secrets to sell to their competitor because he needs money to pay for his mother's cancer treatments (shades of The Kiss Quotient's Michael) only he gets caught, but everything is tied neatly in a bow at the end.
And as I was reading it, I was thinking that this OTT plot is just the kind one would expect in Chinese dramas...and when I viewed it from that lens, it all kind of made sense.
This had a couple of chaste kisses and hugs so if you're looking for steam, move along because you won't find it here.
This is a fake relationship trope which was fine, great even, because the reason for why Winnie needed a fake boyfriend was so specific to cultural expectations. But that's also the reason that this was almost a DNF for me because the Winnie's been lying to her family for 2 years. They believe she's a nurse in Shanghai when she's actually in medical school in Australia - without her family's financial support, which is totally bananas. To pile on, her mother has basically arranged to marry her off to a local rich family's son, Chang, who used to bully her in school and he's a total douche, and there's a secondary plot with Kai stealing company secrets to sell to their competitor because he needs money to pay for his mother's cancer treatments (shades of The Kiss Quotient's Michael) only he gets caught, but everything is tied neatly in a bow at the end.
And as I was reading it, I was thinking that this OTT plot is just the kind one would expect in Chinese dramas...and when I viewed it from that lens, it all kind of made sense.
This had a couple of chaste kisses and hugs so if you're looking for steam, move along because you won't find it here.
November 12, 2018
How does a dutiful daughter (or even a not-so-dutiful daughter) say no to an overbearing mother? The answer is "You don't" but then comes the problem of how to hide the fact that you are not living in Shanghai and working as a nurse but in Australia, studying as a medical student? Again, you don't tell your mother that. Which leaves you in a whole web of lies that just spins out of control. And that is what happens to Winnie. It gets even worse when Mother has plans for her to marry, settle down and have children with the horrible rich kid who used to set fire on her hair when she was at school... and he hasn't outgrown his obnoxiousness either.
A sweet romance from the pen of Zoey Gong, easy reading and hopefully happily ever after? If so, the characters certainly have a lot of heartache to go through before that happens. I like the fact that although it s a sweet romance, Zoey weaves the threads of everyday problems, temptations and difficulties into her story. The lack of money felt by Winnie and Kai are both true to life, it is so easy to see how depleting healthcare can be to a bank account and the worry and pain that cancer impacts on loved ones. It is also heartbreaking to realise that even in this day and age, there are parents who believe that they know best and are not prepared to budge and give in to the dreams and wishes of their children. All in all, a lovely, fresh, young romance. I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
A sweet romance from the pen of Zoey Gong, easy reading and hopefully happily ever after? If so, the characters certainly have a lot of heartache to go through before that happens. I like the fact that although it s a sweet romance, Zoey weaves the threads of everyday problems, temptations and difficulties into her story. The lack of money felt by Winnie and Kai are both true to life, it is so easy to see how depleting healthcare can be to a bank account and the worry and pain that cancer impacts on loved ones. It is also heartbreaking to realise that even in this day and age, there are parents who believe that they know best and are not prepared to budge and give in to the dreams and wishes of their children. All in all, a lovely, fresh, young romance. I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
November 22, 2018
The New Year Boyfriend by Zoey Gong 11-20-2018
This book is quite a departure from Zoey Gong’s Animal Companion series. She proves her versatility with this touching romantic comedy. Aimed at a larger audience, this hits the spot for the holidays.
Winnie is a Chinese student attending medical school in Australia. She is determined that nothing will keep her from her goals. Her life has been one of serious study. She doesn’t have time for much of a personal life aside from a few friends in medical school with her.
Winnie’s biggest problem stems from her inability to tell her family about her real life. They don’t even know she has left China, let alone that she is in medical school. Her family think she is a nurse, and still in China. Winnie holds down a job after classes to have money to send home.
Her mother wants to see Winnie married. It has been two years since she has visited her family. This year her mother demands her attendance for the Chinese New Year holiday. She is setting Winnie up to meet a young man with the intention of having Winnie marry locally.
In desperation Winnie decides to hire a New Year boyfriend to deter her mother. Will Winnie find someone to take home to meet her parents? How will Winnie ever tell her family the truth about her life?
I was gifted a copy of this book from Booksprouts and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book is quite a departure from Zoey Gong’s Animal Companion series. She proves her versatility with this touching romantic comedy. Aimed at a larger audience, this hits the spot for the holidays.
Winnie is a Chinese student attending medical school in Australia. She is determined that nothing will keep her from her goals. Her life has been one of serious study. She doesn’t have time for much of a personal life aside from a few friends in medical school with her.
Winnie’s biggest problem stems from her inability to tell her family about her real life. They don’t even know she has left China, let alone that she is in medical school. Her family think she is a nurse, and still in China. Winnie holds down a job after classes to have money to send home.
Her mother wants to see Winnie married. It has been two years since she has visited her family. This year her mother demands her attendance for the Chinese New Year holiday. She is setting Winnie up to meet a young man with the intention of having Winnie marry locally.
In desperation Winnie decides to hire a New Year boyfriend to deter her mother. Will Winnie find someone to take home to meet her parents? How will Winnie ever tell her family the truth about her life?
I was gifted a copy of this book from Booksprouts and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 13, 2021
It is an established fact that I have little patience or affinity for the genres termed "chick-lit" or romance. However, every now and then a novel comes along that is actually enjoyable, entertaining, and can entice even I - a jaded reader who has little patience inane authors or badly written prose - to read more than a handful of pages.
This, my friend, is such a novel.
It does of course hit all the genre staples, but it is written in lively and engaging prose. It understands its characters, their situations, and fleshes them out with alacrity, including the familial emotional ones/states. The dynamic tension between characters (all except for a scene in the middle of the book) is deftly and expertly done. (that scene can be excused, no one is perfect)
The handling of the different locales, and how the characters move within those environments, is also very well done. Ms. Gong is either writing from experience, or has truly done her homework.
Overall this is a light, entertaining, humorous (in the right places), and yes.. satisfying read.
4 stars.
What.. you are still here?
Go to your local bookshop and get a copy..
Now.. shoo! :)
This, my friend, is such a novel.
It does of course hit all the genre staples, but it is written in lively and engaging prose. It understands its characters, their situations, and fleshes them out with alacrity, including the familial emotional ones/states. The dynamic tension between characters (all except for a scene in the middle of the book) is deftly and expertly done. (that scene can be excused, no one is perfect)
The handling of the different locales, and how the characters move within those environments, is also very well done. Ms. Gong is either writing from experience, or has truly done her homework.
Overall this is a light, entertaining, humorous (in the right places), and yes.. satisfying read.
4 stars.
What.. you are still here?
Go to your local bookshop and get a copy..
Now.. shoo! :)
Did Not Finish
February 4, 2022DNF'd this book at about 20%
I'm sure it's because of the difference in experiences. I was raised in the United States, the character was raised in mainland China, but I thought the author was heavily leaning in on the stereotypes of Chinese parents (marrying off children, slightly overbearing), and expectations for women (for them to be wives and mothers). Like giant NOPE.
The FMC has been telling her parents for TWO YEARS that she's a nurse in Shanghai, while she's actually an obstetrics intern in Sydney Australia. Umm, how do her parents not know she became a doctor? I know it's not the same type of undergraduate+med school program here in the US, but I just don't believe that parents would rather their daughter be a stay at home wife than a doctor. Also after her internship she wants to work in orphanages? Um, not sure the author knows what obstetricians do.
Then we've got the MMC that has money problems because he's paying for his mom's cancer treatments. I don't mind that part do much, but he might be taking a bribe to help a rival company. Yeah, just another NOPE from me
I'm sure it's because of the difference in experiences. I was raised in the United States, the character was raised in mainland China, but I thought the author was heavily leaning in on the stereotypes of Chinese parents (marrying off children, slightly overbearing), and expectations for women (for them to be wives and mothers). Like giant NOPE.
The FMC has been telling her parents for TWO YEARS that she's a nurse in Shanghai, while she's actually an obstetrics intern in Sydney Australia. Umm, how do her parents not know she became a doctor? I know it's not the same type of undergraduate+med school program here in the US, but I just don't believe that parents would rather their daughter be a stay at home wife than a doctor. Also after her internship she wants to work in orphanages? Um, not sure the author knows what obstetricians do.
Then we've got the MMC that has money problems because he's paying for his mom's cancer treatments. I don't mind that part do much, but he might be taking a bribe to help a rival company. Yeah, just another NOPE from me
December 26, 2018
ONE INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE!!!
OMG! Wow! Talk about explosive. A whirlwind of emotions and events really pulls those heartstrings. Through all their combined and separate trials and tribulations they find themselves. All the drama, uncertainty, fear, anxiety, lies and deceit increases steadily while tension spirials as the plot thickens. Twists and turns abound with unexpected circumstances and unpredictable surprises that make for one thrilling experience. The characters are complex and believable with such depth and individually it's easy to relate. The characters and scenes are written with such realism it really pulls this little jewel together beautifully. Zoey did an amazing job bringing this read. Fantastic job Zoey, thanks for sharing this little guy with us.
OMG! Wow! Talk about explosive. A whirlwind of emotions and events really pulls those heartstrings. Through all their combined and separate trials and tribulations they find themselves. All the drama, uncertainty, fear, anxiety, lies and deceit increases steadily while tension spirials as the plot thickens. Twists and turns abound with unexpected circumstances and unpredictable surprises that make for one thrilling experience. The characters are complex and believable with such depth and individually it's easy to relate. The characters and scenes are written with such realism it really pulls this little jewel together beautifully. Zoey did an amazing job bringing this read. Fantastic job Zoey, thanks for sharing this little guy with us.
November 22, 2018
This sweet story is about a Chinese girl, Winnie, who is being pressured by her mother to marry. She even goes to the extreme of picking out a guy and setting up a meet between the two families. To stop, or stem, the manipulation, Winnie hires a guy, Kai, to pretend to be her boyfriend during the Chinese New Year. He is desperate for money because of his mother's cancer and the high cost of medical care in China. A pretend relationship is tested to the max. Yet, both can't deny their developing feelings for each other. Terrific story! Very satisfying ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 26, 2018
A lovely way to pass an afternoon.
Winnie, a medical intern in Australia, hires Kai, a computer programmer and taxi driver, to be her New Year's Boyfriend to stop her mother from arranging her marriage. As the story progresses lies get out of control, feelings are hurt and finding you way in the world becomes difficult without telling the truth. This is a sweet story about being true to yourself while not forgetting about your culture and history.
I received a free copy of the book from the author via Booksprout. I had the opportunity to review or not.
Winnie, a medical intern in Australia, hires Kai, a computer programmer and taxi driver, to be her New Year's Boyfriend to stop her mother from arranging her marriage. As the story progresses lies get out of control, feelings are hurt and finding you way in the world becomes difficult without telling the truth. This is a sweet story about being true to yourself while not forgetting about your culture and history.
I received a free copy of the book from the author via Booksprout. I had the opportunity to review or not.
December 3, 2018
This is not my usual choice in books but I have read this author's stories and I thought I should try it. Maybe I should read this type of book more (romance) or at least by this author. I loved this story and recommend this (and others of this author's books) to anyone who enjoys reading about different cultures. I highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 27, 2018
A cute story that flowed from page to page, this is the first book by this Author that I have read but I will be looking for more by her. Winnie and Kai’s story is sweet and shows the love of family. I like the way things worked out for Kai. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 6, 2018
She may be almost an old maid according to her mother but she is doing just find as she is. Her mother wants her home to meet a new boy so she decides to hire one. He needs money so agrees but it may become more. See just where this take will take you
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 24, 2018
Another fantastic story by this superb writer. Winnie is happy going to school and doing whatever she wishes. Unfortunately her Mother is not happy with that. Winnie is ordered to come home for New Years. Loved every bit.
November 11, 2018
I enjoyed this book. I love how things worked out in the end.
November 26, 2018
This is a wonderful story to read. I really loved reading this story and recommend it to everyone.
January 21, 2019
Winnie is feeling her mother's pressure to marry and hires Kai to be her New Year boyfriend. Nothing goes according to plan and her mother only gets more angry. An interesting read.
November 26, 2018
This is the first book that I've read by this author. It is a well written and fast paced story. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews