Kisses, Codes, and Conspiracies

by Abigail Hing Wen

Overview

An instant national bestseller, from the author of the Netflix hit,"Love in Taipei." Tan Lee finds himself embroiled in an unusual love triangle, all while trying to defuse a heist in this novel by New York Times bestseller Abigail Hing Wen.

"Full of danger, secret codes, unlikely allies, and stolen kisses, this page-turning adventure will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. You won't be able to put it down!" —Joanna Ho, New York Times bestselling author of The Silence That Binds Us

After a magical kiss at Prom, best friends Tan Lee and Winter Woo agree to cool it off, a plan that goes awry when their parents jointly head off to Hawaii and leave Tan and Winter to babysit Tan's sister Sana together. If that isn't complicated enough, Rebecca, Tan's ex-girlfriend from Shanghai arrives on his doorstep with money stolen from her billionaire father and thugs on her heels.

Tan soon finds himself on the run through the San Francisco Bay Area, dealing with the Rebecca Conspiracy, trying to out-manuever international hackers and protect his friends, family and sister—and his own heart.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250883223
Publisher:	Square Fish
Publication date:	08/12/2025
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	14 - 18 Years

About the Author

Abigail Hing Wen is the New York Times and Indie bestselling author of the Loveboat series. Her first novel, Loveboat, Taipei, has been adapted into the Paramount+ original movie Love in Taipei. She holds a BA from Harvard, a JD from Columbia Law School, and an MFA from the Vermont School of Fine Arts, and, like some of her characters, is obsessed with musicals and dancing. When she’s not writing stories or listening to her favorite scores, she is busy working in artificial intelligence in Silicon Valley, where she lives with her family.

Editorial Reviews

A USA TODAY Bestseller

An instant Indie Bestseller

"[An] action-packed adventure, complete with hostages and an all-out rooftop showdown . . . A fun romantic thriller that offers plenty of excitement." —Kirkus Reviews

"In her first standalone romance, Wen (Loveboat, Taipei) sets up a roller coaster of an adventure that features relationship drama, international espionage, and a babysitting gig gone awry. ....Wen’s authoritative approach to ciphers and codes—and Tan’s gradually developing belief in his own technological skills—add verve to quintessential rom-com conflicts, including a potential love triangle and a will-they-won’t-they romance."—Publishers Weekly

"The mix of high school drama with espionage is executed seamlessly, making the story both relatable and exciting. Wen’s writing style is crisp and engaging, with a good balance of dialog and description. Her ability to convey the tension and excitement of espionage, as well as the emotional nuances of teenage life, makes the book a compelling read. A must-read for any YA audience, but especially those who savor romance laced with a bit of mystery and action." — School Library Journal

“Abigail Hing Wen cracks the code with this fast-paced heist romance, full of her trademark smart and savvy characters facing difficult choices. Loved it.” —Stacey Lee, New York Times bestselling author of The Downstairs Girl

“A riveting hi-tech thriller that delivers intense action alongside the sweetest romance. With her signature wit and intelligence, Abigail Hing Wen poses complex moral questions in this heartfelt novel that speaks to the importance of ingenuity and the power of found family.” —Samira Ahmed, New York Times bestselling author of Internment and Hollow Fires

"Full of danger, secret codes, unlikely allies, and stolen kisses, this page-turning adventure will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. You won't be able to put it down!" —Joanna Ho, New York Times bestselling author of The Silence That Binds Us

From the Publisher

2024-05-04
Seventeen-year-old Tan Lee thought living with his crush was awkward enough, until his ex-girlfriend showed up with stolen goods.

After Winter Woo’s dad died, she and her mom rented rooms in the Lees’ house so they could stay in Palo Alto, California. Although the attraction between the Chinese American teens is mutual, Tan and Winter are mindful of their position as landlord and tenant and agree to remain platonic. When all three parents leave for a Maui vacation, Tan braces for a week of being around Winter with only Sana, his 5-year-old sister, as a buffer. Things go smoothly until the unexpected arrival of Rebecca Tseng, Tan’s ex, whose wealthy, controlling parents whisked her home to Shanghai several months ago. Rebecca has run away with her father’s Tang dynasty gold coins to pawn to fund her new life. But after Winter’s 911 call—an attempt to get legal protection for Rebecca that instead draws the attention of men sent by Rebecca’s father to capture her—they’re all forced to flee. The ensuing chase takes the foursome around the Bay Area as they try to protect the coins—which are not what they at first seem—from their pursuers. Cryptography enthusiast Tan is better at cracking codes and ciphers than sorting out his feelings. His romantic dithering occasionally trips up the otherwise action-packed adventure, complete with hostages and an all-out rooftop showdown.

A fun romantic thriller that offers plenty of excitement. (Thriller. 13-18)

Kirkus Reviews