Red String Theory

by Lauren Kung Jessen

Overview

In this charming rom-com about two star-crossed lovers, a woman whose life is guided by her belief in the red-string of fate finds her perfect match—but his skepticism about true love puts a knot in their chances.

“I devoured this! Beautifully written, DEEPLY romantic, real, funny, heartfelt.” ―Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author

When it comes to love and art, Rooney Gao believes in signs. Most of all, she believes in the Chinese legend that everyone is tied to their one true love by the red string of fate. And that belief has inspired her career as an artist, as well as the large art installations she makes with (obviously) red string. That is until artist’s block strikes and Rooney begins to question everything. But then fate leads her to the perfect guy ...

Jack Liu perfect. He’s absurdly smart, successful, handsome, and after one enchanting New York night—under icy February skies and fueled by fried dumplings—all signs point to destiny. Only Jack doesn’t believe. And after their magical date, it looks like they might be lost to each other forever ... until they’re given one more chance to reconnect.

Can Rooney convince a reluctant skeptic to take a leap of fate?

Booklist: The Biggest, Buzziest Romance Books of 2024

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538710289
Publisher:	Grand Central Publishing
Publication date:	01/09/2024
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Lauren Kung Jessen is a mixed-race Chinese American writer with a fondness for witty, flirtatious dialogue and making meals with too many steps but lots of flavor. She is fascinated by myths and superstitions and how ideas, beliefs, traditions, and stories evolve over time. From attending culinary school to working in the world of Big Tech to writing love stories, Lauren cares about creating experiences that make people feel something. When she’s not writing novels, she works as a content strategist and user experience writer. She also has a food and film blog, A Dash of Cinema, where she makes food inspired by movies and TV shows. She lives in Nashville with her husband (who she met thanks to fate—read: the algorithms of online dating), two cats, and dog.
 

Editorial Reviews

I devoured this! Beautifully written, DEEPLY romantic, real, funny, heartfelt.”
 —Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author

“Jessen impresses with this surprising and sophisticated contemporary romance. It’s unusually cerebral for a romance, marrying a believable love connection with a thoughtful meditation on how humans make meaning in life. The result is smart, sensitive, and striking.”
 —Publishers Weekly

"A lighthearted slow burn that's full of hope and heart. Delightful, inducing squeals and sighs in equal measure."
 

 —Kirkus

"There’s nothing I love in romance more than fated mates, and Lauren executes it beautifully in RED STRING THEORY! Her writing is as sparkling and smart as ever! Lauren delivers laughs, heart, and swoon all in one ridiculously fun story!” —Sarah Adams, New York Times bestselling author of Practice Makes Perfect

"A love story to Manhattan... Lauren Kung Jessen keeps getting better, and I can't wait to see what she delivers next!"

 —Meredith Schorr, author of Someone Just Like You

”A sweet, joyful romance that celebrates the interconnectedness of fate and choice as two characters with opposing views on the subject learn to find a middle ground. Full of memorable characters and thoughtful dialogue, this one definitely left a smile on my face.”—Jacqueline Firkins, author of Marlowe Banks, Redesigned

"A stunning romance that perfectly balances questions of fate with the art of true love. Lauren Kung Jessen’s prose is immersive, engrossing, and dripping with romantic tension, bringing every page to life as readers root for her characters to get out of their own way and give in to their out-of-this-world chemistry. A delicious opposites attract romance with the most rewarding of slow-burns, this is an absolute must read!" —Mazey Eddings, author of The Plus One

“Jessen impresses with this surprising and sophisticated contemporary romance. It’s unusually cerebral for a romance, marrying a believable love connection with a thoughtful meditation on how humans make meaning in life. The result is smart, sensitive, and striking.”
 —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

2023-10-07
Fate intervenes after two strangers spend a perfect, snowy evening together in New York City.

Rooney Gao and Jackson Liu are opposites in almost every way. Rooney, an up-and-coming artist and hopeless romantic, believes in—and has been inspired by—the Chinese legend that everyone is tied to their soulmate by an invisible red thread wrapped around both of their ankles. Jack lives his life by the numbers. As a systems engineer at NASA, he’s had little time for romance, let alone the idea that true love exists. That all begins to change when, after a chance meeting at a Lantern Festival party, Rooney and Jack spend a perfect night together exploring the streets of Manhattan. Their chemistry is palpable from the moment they lay eyes on one another, but any chance of consummating a new relationship is thwarted when Jack accidentally gives Rooney the wrong phone number after they exchange a heartwarming kiss. In a twist of fate, Jack and Rooney are given a second chance months later when their jobs reunite them. As they spend more time together, it becomes increasingly clear that they’re meant to be, but, of course, love never comes easily. For someone who believes in fate and chance, Rooney seems frustratingly determined to keep things as by-the-books as possible so as not to risk losing Jack again, and the book is hindered by a general lack of spice despite Rooney and Jack's undeniable chemistry. Despite this, Jessen’s second romance novel is delightful, inducing squeals and sighs in equal measure.

A lighthearted slow burn that's full of hope and heart.

Kirkus Reviews