"This book is about everything that makes life worth living—art, food, love, sex. Full Exposure is a joy to read. What a novel!" — Eric Nguyen, author of Things We Lost to the Water
“Reading a book by Thien-Kim Lam is like a night out with your besties—a guaranteed good time full of laughter, tears, and sex-positive relationship advice. I will read anything she writes!” — Lyssa Kay Adams, author of The Bromance Club
“Winning characters and memorable Mardi Gras meet-awkward combine to make Full Exposure the perfect New Orleans escape. Thien-Kim Lam crafts a warm, sexy story that's as sweet and delicious as a fresh beignet.” — Ruby Lang, author of Clean Breaks
"Thien-Kim transports you into a vibrant, sensual, super-high-def version of a love story... not just between the wonderful planner Josie and frustrated dreamer Spencer, but with the city of New Orleans itself. Full Exposure is a delicious read." — Cathy Yardley, author of Ex Appeal
"I can't resist a romance with beignets! Full Exposure is a delightful story about two people finding their place in the world...and with each other. I loved spending time with these characters and seeing how they were shaped by their families and communities. Definitely recommend!" — Jackie Lau, author of Donut Fall in Love
"In this delightfully steamy read, Lam creates characters with great chemistry and packs this romance with the history of Vietnamese culture in New Orleans." — Library Journal
"Lam is establishing herself as the queen of sex-positive multiracial romance." — Booklist
"Smart, sexy, and full of heart, Happy Endings packs a witty punch!" — Lyssa Kay Adams, author of The Bromance Book Club
“Lam’s debut is full of heat and heart…a sweet and sexy romance.” — Kirkus Reviews on Happy Endings
“Thien-Kim Lam's Happy Endings is a sparkling debut full of heart, heat, food, friendship and family. I loved following Trixie and Andre's journey as they discovered their strengths and found their way back to each other.” — Ruby Lang, author of House Rules
"Happy Endings is a big-hearted and delightfully sex-positive second chances romance that had me craving delicious soul food and fanning myself as I read. Trixie and Andre's passion for their work and each other will make you root for their HEAs, not just in love, but in business too." — Adriana Herrera, USA Today bestselling author
“Unabashedly sex-positive, Happy Endings is a paean to second-chance romance—as well as friendship, family, food, and inclusive communities. The story’s undeniable warmth makes it a pleasure to read” — Olivia Dade, author of Spoiler Alert
12/09/2022
Washington, DC, native Josie Parks is making the best of circumstances. When her client's bachelorette photo shoot in New Orleans is canceled, Josie decides to tackle her own personal "30 things to do before 30" checklist. Next on her list is capturing the magic of the city and her first Mardi Gras parade with her trusty camera, nicknamed Ruby. A little overzealous at catching a gorgeous set of oversized beads, Josie smacks a handsome bystander on the side of the face. Spencer Pham, the handsome bystander, has recently returned to his hometown and is trying to get some documentary footage of the parade. He is instantly smitten with Josie and vows to show her the lesser known Vietnamese side of New Orleans. Soon romantic and creative sparks start to fly, and Josie and Spencer begin to wonder if it's possible to fall in love when you only have one week together. VERDICT In this delightfully steamy read, Lam (Happy Endings) creates characters with great chemistry and packs this romance with the history of Vietnamese culture in New Orleans.—Nicole J. Suarez
2023-01-12
A vacation fling in New Orleans leads to an artistic partnership and the possibility of true love.
Planner, list-maker, and boudoir photographer Josie Parks was supposed to be traveling from her home in Washington, D.C., to New Orleans for a photo shoot, but when her client cancels, she decides to take the trip anyway for a much-needed vacation as she reevaluates her career goals. At the Mardi Gras parade, instant attraction sparks between her and Spencer Pham, a New Orleans native who's just returned home after losing the data analyst job he loathed. Spencer has long dreamed of being a filmmaker, and his latest idea is to make a documentary about his grandfather, founder of the first all-Vietnamese krewe in New Orleans. Josie and Spencer agree to help each other with their creative pursuits and even decide to team up for an art competition. Spencer brings out a spontaneous and relaxed side to Josie, but eventually she has to wonder if their relationship has a future. The New Orleans setting is richly described, and its diverse residents are highlighted. Josie and Spencer are charming, and their chemistry is hot. While there’s much that is delightful in the story, however, it lacks depth. The romantic arc is low-stakes as the couple meshes well from the start, and the character growth is shallow. This combination leads to a lack of tension throughout, making the novel feel uninspired.
Underbaked plotting and characters in a vibrant setting.
