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The Teacher's Match: A Clean and Uplifting Romance
A new career. A new school.
And a very inconvenient new crush.
Joanna Lin is determined to avoid her mother’s matchmaking. With a new career as an art teacher at a Mandarin immersion school, Joanna refuses to let anything or anyone distract her. Especially her charming new colleague Jack Sun. His kindness and passion for teaching—not to mention those dimples!—are practically irresistible. But anything beyond friendship is impossible, especially when Jack’s moving to Taiwan at the end of the school year. But as spring—and the school’s Dragon Boat Festival—draws closer, love might send all of their careful plans tumbling overboard.
And a very inconvenient new crush.
Joanna Lin is determined to avoid her mother’s matchmaking. With a new career as an art teacher at a Mandarin immersion school, Joanna refuses to let anything or anyone distract her. Especially her charming new colleague Jack Sun. His kindness and passion for teaching—not to mention those dimples!—are practically irresistible. But anything beyond friendship is impossible, especially when Jack’s moving to Taiwan at the end of the school year. But as spring—and the school’s Dragon Boat Festival—draws closer, love might send all of their careful plans tumbling overboard.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published April 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 13, 2025
This was an interesting read, and a fine novel about characters finding themselves. As a romance, unfortunately, it didn't really work for me.
What I liked: the setting, a Chinese-language immersion K-5 school in Michigan. Our main characters are new teachers at the school: Joanna is an art teacher, and Jack is a last-minute sub for a fifth grade class. The author weaves in quite of bit of culture, including an annual dragon boat festival/race that everyone at the school contributes to. As a new, English-only teacher, Joanna is tasked with learning enough Mandarin to pass the first level of the Chinese Proficiency Test by the end of the year in order to land a permanent position. These is also some discussion about bringing upper-level language study to the school system, so that the children who graduate from the elementary school can continue their studies. I found all of this very interesting!
I also liked our main characters, when they weren't being pushed around the board in service of the plot. Joanna is a first-generation American with immigrant parents, who was raised with very little active Chinese culture (which I found surprising, actually). She does not speak or read the language. She is coming off of a pivot to a new career and a disastrous relationship, as well as her father's death. She desperately wants to succeed in her new career as an art teacher for reasons that make a lot of sense.
Jack, on the other hand, was born and raised in Taiwan and sent to the States as a 12-year-old for an American education, with an eye on taking over the family textile business as an adult. He dutifully completed school, but instead of taking a business degree, he went into education and found a passion for teaching. He is cool and confident and an excellent teacher, one the school district is delighted to bring on board at the last minute. He's feeling the pressure of returning to his family and business after his own father's death, and is struggling with the idea of giving up a career he enjoys so much for one he knows he isn't suited for.
The author has a lot to say about identity, and it's pretty elegant without being preachy or strident.
What I didn't like: unfortunately, the romance is more of a plot contrivance than an actual romance., IMO. It's a bit of a shortcut for both Joanna and Jack to work on their issues in order to have their HEA. These two don't even kiss until the penultimate chapter, which is way too late in the story for all that they go through. I also wasn't a fan of Jack . Mercifully, Joanna calls him on it, but .
And, the cardinal sin of romance tropes, all of the angst could've been avoided with a single, open and honest conversation.
I also was not fond of the secondary characters, who seemed only to exist to match-make our main pair and/or potentially serve as foils for their not-really-romance during the spring semester of the school year. Joanna ties herself in knots trying not to let her feelings for Jack show, but as it turns out, everyone can read her like a book and they're all good-naturedly rooting for her to get together with Handsome Jack. It was too much for me, frankly.
Still, there is a hint of a possibility at the end of the book for Jack's brother Jonathan to be the hero in his own novel, with Joanna's mother playing matchmaker to him, and I'd actually liked to read that. He seems much more secure in himself and his career, and the machinations of international matchmaking could be very interesting. Either way, I'll definitely keep an eye out for more of this author's work, especially if she continues to use interesting characterizations and settings!
What I liked: the setting, a Chinese-language immersion K-5 school in Michigan. Our main characters are new teachers at the school: Joanna is an art teacher, and Jack is a last-minute sub for a fifth grade class. The author weaves in quite of bit of culture, including an annual dragon boat festival/race that everyone at the school contributes to. As a new, English-only teacher, Joanna is tasked with learning enough Mandarin to pass the first level of the Chinese Proficiency Test by the end of the year in order to land a permanent position. These is also some discussion about bringing upper-level language study to the school system, so that the children who graduate from the elementary school can continue their studies. I found all of this very interesting!
I also liked our main characters, when they weren't being pushed around the board in service of the plot. Joanna is a first-generation American with immigrant parents, who was raised with very little active Chinese culture (which I found surprising, actually). She does not speak or read the language. She is coming off of a pivot to a new career and a disastrous relationship, as well as her father's death. She desperately wants to succeed in her new career as an art teacher for reasons that make a lot of sense.
Jack, on the other hand, was born and raised in Taiwan and sent to the States as a 12-year-old for an American education, with an eye on taking over the family textile business as an adult. He dutifully completed school, but instead of taking a business degree, he went into education and found a passion for teaching. He is cool and confident and an excellent teacher, one the school district is delighted to bring on board at the last minute. He's feeling the pressure of returning to his family and business after his own father's death, and is struggling with the idea of giving up a career he enjoys so much for one he knows he isn't suited for.
The author has a lot to say about identity, and it's pretty elegant without being preachy or strident.
What I didn't like: unfortunately, the romance is more of a plot contrivance than an actual romance., IMO. It's a bit of a shortcut for both Joanna and Jack to work on their issues in order to have their HEA. These two don't even kiss until the penultimate chapter, which is way too late in the story for all that they go through. I also wasn't a fan of Jack . Mercifully, Joanna calls him on it, but .
And, the cardinal sin of romance tropes, all of the angst could've been avoided with a single, open and honest conversation.
I also was not fond of the secondary characters, who seemed only to exist to match-make our main pair and/or potentially serve as foils for their not-really-romance during the spring semester of the school year. Joanna ties herself in knots trying not to let her feelings for Jack show, but as it turns out, everyone can read her like a book and they're all good-naturedly rooting for her to get together with Handsome Jack. It was too much for me, frankly.
Still, there is a hint of a possibility at the end of the book for Jack's brother Jonathan to be the hero in his own novel, with Joanna's mother playing matchmaker to him, and I'd actually liked to read that. He seems much more secure in himself and his career, and the machinations of international matchmaking could be very interesting. Either way, I'll definitely keep an eye out for more of this author's work, especially if she continues to use interesting characterizations and settings!
March 31, 2025
Teacher's Match by Kristi Hong
A Clean and Uplifting Romance
A new career. A new school.
And a very inconvenient new crush.
Joanna Lin is determined to avoid her mother’s matchmaking. With a new career as an art teacher at a Mandarin immersion school, Joanna refuses to let anything or anyone distract her. Especially her charming new colleague Jack Sun. His kindness and passion for teaching—not to mention those dimples!—are practically irresistible. But anything beyond friendship is impossible, especially when Jack’s moving to Taiwan at the end of the school year. But as spring—and the school’s Dragon Boat Festival—draws closer, love might send all of their careful plans tumbling overboard.
This is Joanna Lin and mom Carol's story.
This is Jack Sun and mom's story.
Today’s arrived. It’s really here.
Joanna Lin drove down the pretty, tree-lined street that led to Lakeland Elementary School. She pulled into the staff lot and parked her car in the first space facing the entrance of the one-story, red-brick building, which looked just as charming as its photos online. Joanna wondered which of the windows might belong to her new classroom. She pictured the miniature chairs soon to be occupied with little bodies, the neat stacks of fresh crayon boxes waiting to be opened, the bulletin boards ready to be filled with drawings and art projects—art projects taught by ME, eek!
He paused for just a second before displaying a dazzling, double-dimpled smile and extending his hand for her to shake. “Hi, I’m Jack Sun, the new fifth grade teacher.”
“Hey, us new kids have to stick together, right?” Jack held the door open for her as they stepped into the hall.
“Thanks, Mr. Sun. By the way, what did you say at the end of your Mandarin speech that made everyone giggle?” Jack looked at Joanna right in the eye. “I said, ‘Maybe I’ll find a reason to stay longer.’”
I recommend this book.
The Teacher's Match by Kristi Hong is a 4 star book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.
A Clean and Uplifting Romance
A new career. A new school.
And a very inconvenient new crush.
Joanna Lin is determined to avoid her mother’s matchmaking. With a new career as an art teacher at a Mandarin immersion school, Joanna refuses to let anything or anyone distract her. Especially her charming new colleague Jack Sun. His kindness and passion for teaching—not to mention those dimples!—are practically irresistible. But anything beyond friendship is impossible, especially when Jack’s moving to Taiwan at the end of the school year. But as spring—and the school’s Dragon Boat Festival—draws closer, love might send all of their careful plans tumbling overboard.
This is Joanna Lin and mom Carol's story.
This is Jack Sun and mom's story.
Today’s arrived. It’s really here.
Joanna Lin drove down the pretty, tree-lined street that led to Lakeland Elementary School. She pulled into the staff lot and parked her car in the first space facing the entrance of the one-story, red-brick building, which looked just as charming as its photos online. Joanna wondered which of the windows might belong to her new classroom. She pictured the miniature chairs soon to be occupied with little bodies, the neat stacks of fresh crayon boxes waiting to be opened, the bulletin boards ready to be filled with drawings and art projects—art projects taught by ME, eek!
He paused for just a second before displaying a dazzling, double-dimpled smile and extending his hand for her to shake. “Hi, I’m Jack Sun, the new fifth grade teacher.”
“Hey, us new kids have to stick together, right?” Jack held the door open for her as they stepped into the hall.
“Thanks, Mr. Sun. By the way, what did you say at the end of your Mandarin speech that made everyone giggle?” Jack looked at Joanna right in the eye. “I said, ‘Maybe I’ll find a reason to stay longer.’”
I recommend this book.
The Teacher's Match by Kristi Hong is a 4 star book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.
May 26, 2025
Kristi Hong’s debut for Harlequin Heartwarming, The Teacher’s Match, is a delightful romantic charmer that ticks all the right boxes.
Joanna Lin has got enough on her plate having just got a job teaching at a Mandarin immersion school. With a mother keen on finding her a husband, she certainly does not need any distractions of the romantic variety and just wants to concentrate on her job and do the best she possibly can at her new school. However, she hadn’t counted on having her head turned by a charming new colleague who has definitely got under her skin, Jack Sun.
Jack adores his job and his kindness and patience makes him an ideal sounding board for Joanna who is still finding her feet. A friendship quickly develops between the two of them and the more time they spend in one another’s company, the more they find themselves drawn to one another. However, with Jack moving back to Taiwan at the end of the school year, a future is completely out of the question for him and Joanna…or is it?
Are the best laid plans about to go completely awry? Or should Jack and Joanna stick to just being good friends and colleagues?
Kristi Hong’s debut is a sweet, sassy and sparkling contemporary romance that will steal readers’ hearts. The Teacher’s Match is a gorgeous romantic read with a perfectly matched hero and heroine who will have readers rooting for them from page one until the very last line.
Uplifting, emotional and wonderfully romantic, The Teacher’s Match is a terrific debut from Kristi Hong perfect for snuggling up with.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Joanna Lin has got enough on her plate having just got a job teaching at a Mandarin immersion school. With a mother keen on finding her a husband, she certainly does not need any distractions of the romantic variety and just wants to concentrate on her job and do the best she possibly can at her new school. However, she hadn’t counted on having her head turned by a charming new colleague who has definitely got under her skin, Jack Sun.
Jack adores his job and his kindness and patience makes him an ideal sounding board for Joanna who is still finding her feet. A friendship quickly develops between the two of them and the more time they spend in one another’s company, the more they find themselves drawn to one another. However, with Jack moving back to Taiwan at the end of the school year, a future is completely out of the question for him and Joanna…or is it?
Are the best laid plans about to go completely awry? Or should Jack and Joanna stick to just being good friends and colleagues?
Kristi Hong’s debut is a sweet, sassy and sparkling contemporary romance that will steal readers’ hearts. The Teacher’s Match is a gorgeous romantic read with a perfectly matched hero and heroine who will have readers rooting for them from page one until the very last line.
Uplifting, emotional and wonderfully romantic, The Teacher’s Match is a terrific debut from Kristi Hong perfect for snuggling up with.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 11, 2025
This is a cute romance that takes place against the background of a Mandarin immersion elementary school with a large group of school personnel making up the secondary cast. Joanna has recently changed careers completely and is now the new art teacher at the school, and Jack is the new fifth grade teacher. The two bond organically because they’re the “new guys” at work and it’s sweet and pure to watch their crushes develop. They have issues and obstacles to overcome before they will give into their feelings and allow their relationship to progress, and they’re able to learn from one another throughout this process. Both characters’ mothers played a large part in the story and their meddling made me chuckle. I thought the story was okay until the final 1/3 of the story, when it finally began to pick up. I really like the way the ending unfolded.
There is a quite a bit of Taiwanese and Chinese culture, food, and language woven into the story.
I received a copy of this HQN Heartwarming title from the publisher via NetGalley-thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book, Harlequin!
There is a quite a bit of Taiwanese and Chinese culture, food, and language woven into the story.
I received a copy of this HQN Heartwarming title from the publisher via NetGalley-thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book, Harlequin!
March 28, 2025
Joanna Lin is intent on doing a good job with her first teaching experience after a bad experience when she worked as a paralegal. To do so, she learns she needs to learn Mandarin in order to be considered for a permanent position in the Immersion School where nearly all classes are taught in Mandarin. Only her Art class and a couple of others are provided in American English.
The new 5th grade teacher--filling in for the previous one on maternity leave--turns out to be a gifted teacher whose mother expects him to come home to Taiwan to help his younger brother run the family textile business.
But Joanna and Jack are attracted to each other. She has no intention of leaving the USA and he can't see himself staying even though he would prefer to do so. How will this conundrum be resolved?
The new 5th grade teacher--filling in for the previous one on maternity leave--turns out to be a gifted teacher whose mother expects him to come home to Taiwan to help his younger brother run the family textile business.
But Joanna and Jack are attracted to each other. She has no intention of leaving the USA and he can't see himself staying even though he would prefer to do so. How will this conundrum be resolved?
April 5, 2025
Two new teachers...
Joanna Lin is the new art teacher at a Mandarin immersion school in Michigan. Jack Sun is the new fifth grade teacher, filling in for a friend on maternity leave. He has obligations back in Taiwan. A very sweet read, with Joanna feeling very New Adult (NA). A sweet clean read with two teachers at the center of the story.
Joanna Lin is the new art teacher at a Mandarin immersion school in Michigan. Jack Sun is the new fifth grade teacher, filling in for a friend on maternity leave. He has obligations back in Taiwan. A very sweet read, with Joanna feeling very New Adult (NA). A sweet clean read with two teachers at the center of the story.
April 12, 2025
A fantastic book by a new-to-me author! The Teacher's Match hits all the right notes. I was hooked from page one until the happily-ever-after. Looking forward to more from Kristi Hong!
August 4, 2025
This is definitely a new favorite 🙂
April 1, 2025
Focused on her new teaching career, Joanna resists the advances of charming colleague Jack—his impending move to Taiwan makes a relationship impossible. But as spring approaches, their carefully constructed boundaries are swept away by unexpected romance.
This is a fun and heartwarming romance. The characters are likeable and relatable, with strong chemistry between them. The plot is enjoyable, with significant obstacles to the romance. I liked the slow burn.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This is a fun and heartwarming romance. The characters are likeable and relatable, with strong chemistry between them. The plot is enjoyable, with significant obstacles to the romance. I liked the slow burn.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
September 3, 2025
This is a sweet, clean romance that delivers a refreshing take on workplace love and cultural nuance. The story follows Joanna Lin, who’s just embarked on a new career as an art teacher at a Mandarin immersion school. Determined to steer clear of her mother’s well-meaning matchmaking efforts, Joanna is focused on her professional goals—until she meets Jack Sun, the charming new fifth-grade teacher whose warmth, kindness, and irresistible dimples quickly unsettle her carefully drawn boundaries. What makes this novel stand out is its gentle, slow-burn romance, perfectly balanced with the pressures of a new job and the looming reality that Jack is destined to return to Taiwan at the end of the school year.
While the initial premise might seem familiar, its engaging dialogue and the relatable internal conflicts of both Joanna and Jack elevate the story. Their evolving connection is portrayed with sensitivity, capturing the bittersweet tension of pursuing a relationship when time is short and circumstances are uncertain. Ultimately, this is an uplifting, heartwarming romance that reminds us that sometimes the most inconvenient crushes can lead to the most transformative experiences.
While the initial premise might seem familiar, its engaging dialogue and the relatable internal conflicts of both Joanna and Jack elevate the story. Their evolving connection is portrayed with sensitivity, capturing the bittersweet tension of pursuing a relationship when time is short and circumstances are uncertain. Ultimately, this is an uplifting, heartwarming romance that reminds us that sometimes the most inconvenient crushes can lead to the most transformative experiences.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews