He Is My Bride

by Sam Ledroit

Shanghai’s most eligible billionaire bachelor has finally fallen in love –with a man!

As the sole heir to a billion-yuan empire, Wu Hanjun was destined to marry an upper class girl, but during a whirlwind assignment in New York the young jet-set has fallen hard for Li Ying, a party-loving middle-class student –a man.

To convince the traditional Wu family to bless their marriage, Hanjun and Li Ying hatch a daring to pass Li Ying as a woman to fool all of Shanghai.

As Li Ying transforms into a convincing woman and enters Shanghai in crossdress, he must navigate the backstabbing, cut-throat circles of the city’s ultra-wealthy elite and face the ruthless Wu family, who will stop at nothing to take over his boyfriend’s company… All while wearing high heels and couture gowns worth more than his life.

If you’re a fan of BL novels, enjoyed ”Crazy Rich Asians”, or just love a good mix of drama, comedy, and steamy m/m romance, come get lost in Shanghai’s outrageously opulent setting and join Hanjun and Li Ying as they fight for their happy ending in this spicy contemporary lgbtq+ romantic comedy!

Genres: M M Romance, Romance

496 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2025

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I loved this book so much honestly, with its exploration into a cultures I am not as familiar with and how families in different standings interact. I loved Li Ying’s and Wu Hanjun’s personalities, I thought they were very believable which made it really nice to read about them and made the plot feel more realistic. I love seeing how much they cared about each other, and how much they were willing to give up and sacrifice just to be together. It made the ending feel more conclusive and their relationship feel more real and lovable. I definitely recommend, it was an amazing read and one I think many people will be able to enjoy.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Can my review just be that? This book explores so many themes, but one of the most powerful ones for me is our desire to be accepted and what we’re willing to give up for that. I apologize for not writing the names, I keep getting them confused because the family is so big, but both MCs are ready and willing to sacrifice who they are just to be accepted. And that is so sad. I understand that the family does not live in a country where homosexuality is accepted at all, but they should still be able to love them anyway, right? But it goes deeper than that: greed, desire for power, hatred, stereotyping, expectations, conditional love and acceptance with strings attached. It was a doozy. Not due to its size, it there were so many themes masterful interwoven in this story, that it took me a while to process it all. This is a book that I think would help me to reread, knowing the end, to see things more clearly, since hundreds is 20/20, and I got so enmeshed in their story, rooting for them, while still mad at both of them for having to change who they are, while sympathizing with their need to do so. Beautiful, and I’m glad I had a chance to read this and learn more about the culture as well as seeing how people will bend over backward for those they love, even when they don’t deserve that effort.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[gab_e_reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again I had the pleasure of reading a book that was different for me! Cross-dressing, Shanghai setting, Chinese tradition and family dynamics, all topics that I haven't come across so often in the book world so far. I really enjoyed immersing myself in this world. Li Ying is such an enchantingly lovable character who loves with all his heart and will do anything for the love of his life. You just have to like him. But Hanjun has won a special place in my heart. He may come across as a bit cold at times, but you can't help but be amazed at how deep and unconditional his feelings for Li Ying are in the end ❤️. Seeing how they find their way together and how they deal with each other was great. Plus I really liked these spicy scenes 🔥🌶️!
I was also very impressed by the way they dealt with difficult situations, especially with their families. Even if there was not always understanding for the actions of the others, they tried to get closer again and family cohesion is very important.
I can heartily recommend this story, and think Sam has written a great debut!

[Jessie J melka · Rating 4 out of 5]

{he is my bride}
Arc review by Jessie Melka
___________•___________

He is my bride is a new debut novel my Sam Ledroit

Li Ying was such a lovable character I fell in love with him instantly his personality is just so sunny and bright. He’s a very lovable person. While, we get a lot of Li Ying’s personality portrayed we don’t see as much of Hanjun as I would have loved the bit we do see is basically a lot of his jealousy which was incredibly hot other than that Hanjun is the quiet type maybe a bit too quiet sometimes when it comes to his opinions except for at the end of the story where he finally speaks up against his uncle

While the story itself was really interesting and kept my attention most of the time I found it was unnecessarily long at times and part of it unnecessary to the story, which is why my rating is portrayed as it is besides the negative I want to really talk about my appreciation for learning this Shanghai/Chinese traditions I had no idea she was such a big part of their culture

Li Ying And Hanjun’s relationship was really sweet and strong. I think they went through a lot and still came out of it strong Li Ying really showed how much he loves Hanjun through his actions I found that really heartwarming and sweet pretending to be a woman so he could marry the one he loves. He must’ve been going through so much preparing to be someone he’s not.

I have to cut this review short here but I did read this book a 3.5 out of 5 almost a four star rating, but I would love to wake him to see you who love to read about the Secret identity trope
but remember to form your own opinions and not just listen to me
Until next time, my loves…

Rating: 3,5/5
Spice: 3/5
Angst: 2,5/5
Would I read again: maybe

(I received an advance copy for free and I’m leaving this review voluntarily)


👠Grumpy x Sunshine
💍ADHD Rep
👠Secret Identity
💍Mild Angst
👠Billionaire
💍Future CEO X Med student
___________•___________

[Adeselna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

“He is my Bride” is Sam Ledroit's debut novel, and it has a great premise for a debut. Li Ying and Hanjun are in love, and they are living together in New York. Li Ying is finishing his medical studies while Hanjun is working. Since he is the heir to a pharmaceutical empire, his uncle tells Hanjun he needs to marry a woman in order to get the company, and that is when Hanjun decides to plan for Li Ying to pass as a woman. Li Ying goes through a transformation to fool everyone that he is a Chinese woman.

I loved Li Ying’s character, while the romance is written in a 3rd POV, I really enjoyed Li Ying, I think the narrator showed a lot of his thoughts and how he felt most of the time. He was competent at his work, but he also enjoyed the lavish lifestyle Hanjun provided him. He was not afraid to be more feminine, and there was a point where I really started to resent Hanjun because Li Ying was going to sacrifice a lot of things for Hanjun, and he seemed very closed. On the other hand, I felt that Li Ying loved exploring his more feminine side and he was willing to live forever as a woman just to make Hanjun happy.

Hanjun had some glimpses where I believed he was the right person for Li Ying and their love was worth the sacrifice, but other times he demanded a lot from Li Ying. Li Ying was ready to give up everything in his life to follow Hanjun, and he just kept asking for him to give up more and more things. I think the main issue is that the novel is in 3rd POV, but we rarely are told how Hanjun feels. He is very closed in terms of feelings, and it’s easier to focus on Li Ying as he is more open and honest. We don’t witness them falling in love. When the romance starts, they are already living together, so we don’t see them falling in love, but we do see how far they are willing to go to save their love and be able to marry in a society that is very judgmental. I really wanted to see more of Hanjun and his feelings, I felt he had a lot to say about his emotions that were overshadowed by Li Ying’s transformation and him trying to fool the aunties. I never doubted that Hanjun loved Li Ying, I think it’s clear that he is Hanjun’s forever person, but we only get some glimpses of his feelings, and I think Hanjun would be a very complex and deep character. Every time he appeared and talked about his doubts and his feelings, I really loved that, and I wanted more.

I really loved the ending, I thought it was the perfect ending where everyone was happy, and I felt that it was the right ending for them, where no one was erased and no one sacrificed their personality or their life for happiness.

“He is my Bride” is a journey not to find love but how to keep it in a society that does not accept queer love and the lengths that one person will go to keep the ones they love happy. It has funny moments, some serious and others that are really adorable.

[VersaiVex_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

MM secret identity romance/ cross dressing/ gender bender romance/ personal stylist/ Rich elite games/ traditional family/ true love wins/ Rich vs well off

This book is almost 500 pages of everything I fell in love with when I found gender bender manga. I'm adding the personal label of gender bender + cross dressing into two different subgenres here.

This book was a constant rollercoaster of two men just wanting to be in love and marry on another. For Li Ying, that is as easy as breathing, even though he seems to struggle with not being chosen in his life.... until Hanjun.
I will say this is a 2x secret identity, but Li Ying doesn't actually know that Hanjun is the heir to his families dynasty. Which involves more wealth, privileges' and social politics and inner family fighting than most people would ever see in their life.

Throughout the book, Hanjun constantly thinks of himself as selfish and is failing his true love by asking him to pose as a woman so they can marry and he can take over the family legacy. I wholly agree. I wanted to smack the crap out of him for doing what he did and put Li Ying through in order to be together.

Now, having some grasp of the formalities and traditions of Chinese culture will help you out a lot here. As someone with an Anthropology degree ( Studies human culture) I had 0 issues understanding or believing the amount of stress Hanjun is under in order to take over the family legacy. So don't be afraid to google some things in order to understand why the Hanjun's family is they way they are.

I highly enjoyed the clothing, hair, makeup, jewelry & cross dressing aspects to this book. Descriptions were great and really put forth how much Li Ying is out of his depth throughout the book.

And don't worry..... there are plenty of spicy times. I love when the stoic tops gets possessive and aggressive ;) I loved their couple dynamic so much. Li Ying and Hanjun both stuck to their true nature, but the cross dressing kind of amplified their heat for sure. I love how much Li Ying teases Hanjun until he loses control.

We get a good backstory on Li Ying and understand him a bit better as the book goes on. Besides that the side characters helped move the storyline along and helped with the facade Li Ying was going with.

Overall, I really really enjoyed this book. If you love Yaoi or male x male manga, anime, etc I think you will honestly love this. It reads out just like everything I've read in manga. Popping in with hints of fashion, elite political games & good heat, this book really kind of covers it all.
I would add that I wish the ending was a little bit more expanded. It felt just a little rushed imo, but it doesn't harm the storyline or flow in anyway.

[Carol (§CoverLoverGirl§) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twisted family drama set mostly in Shanghai where the top ranking Wu family rules the roost. There is a succession war happening between theWu’s and the Wang’s who are cousins. Caught deep in this ‘modern day war’ are Wu Hanjun, next in line and the person He wants to marry Li Ying.

Hanjun works for Wu Pharma, the familyOwned business and is currently based in New York.For the past two years he has lived with Li Ying in Hanhun’s Luxury apartment. Li Ying is trying to complete His finals at Medical school in New York. He is not wealthy, having been brought up in the Qian Family as a foster child, he was lucky uncle Qian paid for his Education.

Now Wu Yiheng, Hanjun’s uncle has given him a few months to pack up and return to Shanghai, marry and starA family and assume his Role as Head of the Family business. Heartbroken, Hanjun does not want to leave Li Ying behind and between them they hatch up a very risky plan.

What a delicious plan it is that they devise with Li Ying’s friend Annie Lu. The fun and games that start almost as soon as they arrive in Shanghai, with Li Ying on a short break to meet the Formidable Wu family. All hell breaks loose in the social activities and their big plan.

Hanjun, the quiet, shy man hides his huge passionate and kinky nature behind a scowling but handsome face. Li Ying is completely the opposite in so far as they love socialising and being the soul of the party. Their passion for each other knows no bounds.

Apart from enjoying Hanjun and Li Ying’s alone times together, the events in Shanghai seem very slow moving, I guess because of the social Procedures of the society they live in. It kept me on tenterhooks till the last page. I felt I was watching one of my KDramas, especially those where the family hierarchy try to interfere in their offspring’s love lives. There is so much more excitement here, but I don’t want to spoil your own reading pleasure. Get the book and enjoy, especially the Epilogue, 😍🥰❤️

Author Sam Ledroit has written an extremely well constructed plot and storyline, unbelievably it is their debut novel. How he manages all those family characters, their names and positions, and to keep both the Shanghai and New York elements straight in the storyline is beyond me.

I hope Sam is working on more books that will have such exciting plots and characters that are as interesting as Li Ying and Hanjun.

I received an ARC copy via author and I leave this review voluntarily.

[Stacey T · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel features a MM romance that explores family expectations and the lengths two people will go to be together. Li Ying is a medical student who enjoys life, even though he hides his sexual orientation from his foster family. His foster mother has never truly wanted him, so it’s best for him to keep a low profile, even if some family members might support him. Unexpectedly, Li Ying meets the man of his dreams, which feels like a dream come true. However, when he must return to Shanghai, the future of their relationship hangs in the balance. Wu Hanjun, the heir to Wu Pharma, is being called home and struggles to find a way to keep his boyfriend. Unfortunately, their love faces the challenges of cultural and traditional expectations that are unlikely to accept them, especially with rivals looking to undermine his position in the family. In a bold move, they devise an audacious plan: passing Li Ying off as a woman so they can marry. This decision leads them to China, where they must win over their families while maintaining their guise. As their wedding day approaches, the doubts that plague both men, combined with the relentless schemes of their rivals, threaten to derail their chances at happiness.
This is the author's debut novel, and it was an enjoyable read. The story is unique, offering a glimpse into an unfamiliar culture and a different level of wealth (at least for me). The characters' personalities are believable, and the family drama adds a layer of realism to the plot. While the pacing was a bit slow at times and could have benefited from some editing, I was pleased with the conclusion. I appreciated the strong love connection between the protagonists and the sacrifices each was willing to make for the other. Also, if you get the bonus material, it provides a peek into the early start of their relationship which I felt was missing from the book. Overall, it's a great story highlighting that finding and loving the right person is more important than money, work, or even family bonds. I look forward to reading more from this author. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cavak · Rating 3 out of 5]

He is My Bride is a cute story. Liked the whimsy it invoked right away. It reminded me of a lot of rom-com Asian dramas that are out there. There's this fantasy element to it.

Li Ying is the fun and social type. Hanjun is the strong and silent type. While I like that dynamic, I'm a bit bummed that they sorta don't grow beyond their character archetypes. Just when you think it could happen, everyone falls back into line, so to speak. And a lot like an Asian drama, the actual turns for their characters don't happen until practically the end. So we don't get much time to savor the change.

I also was a bit surprised at how many sex scenes were wormed into the story. Okay. I guess.

Unfortunately, like many Asian dramas, I also had this thought the whole time while I was reading: "If the Shanghai family wasn't rich, what would the rest of the plot be like?" It's a severe escapist fantasy version of Shanghai, to where I felt like that it didn't really capture the dizzying heartbeat of the city. It's just enough Chinese culture in there to not make it seem like any other city. I wanted a bit more than shopping escapades and traditional family values to characterize the setting.

Then again, maybe this isn't the sort of book. Maybe all you want to read is two gay men who are devoted to one another trying to fandangle their love in another cultural lens. Maybe you want to have dozens of passages of extravagance. Maybe you want a story that acknowledges homophobia with the least amount of trauma and violence as possible. Maybe you want a semi-spicy story that has a glimpse of feeling and finding family. Maybe you want a story that isn't all that heavy and ultimately ends up happy.

He is My Bride is for you then.

I enjoyed my reading experience overall. The middle ground felt wobbly at times, but I'm grateful the ending keeps things lighthearted. Surprisingly, given the circumstances behind it. Hope Ledroit keeps writing.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Zephorah Dove · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the wildest ride ever that surprisingly ended in a realistic manner. I loved our main couple and was rooting for both their upcoming nuptials and freedom to live in their truth.

As a fan of gender bending shows, this was everything and more. I loved seeing Li Ying dabble in his femininity but also make it known that he didn't necessarily want to be a woman. The duality in his sexuality and gender expression was beautiful.

The spicy scenes were spicy (not too crazy) but the scenes between Li Ying and Hanjun were full of love, vulnerability, and...consensual smut. Well, consensual well written smut. It took me so long to finish this because every time I tried to read on my commute, it was a sex scene that I had to quickly close out of. In a time where BL is a hot commodity, it was refreshing the read about a gay couple without all the frills, angst, and tragic plotlines. We just got to see them be human and love one another.

Overall, I enjoyed this read and recommended it to anyone who enjoys gender bending tropes and couples who are truly smitten with one another.

Thank you so much to the author for the advanced readers copy!!

[Storm In A Teacup · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. Li Ying was such a joy to read—fun, bold, and willing to do whatever it took to be with Wu Hanjun. There’s a perfect mix of tension and humour throughout the story, but what really shines is the deep, unwavering love between these two. Whether in or out of drag 😉, they make the most adorable couple.

Wu Hanjun has the strong, silent type down to an art form, but there’s never a doubt about how deeply he loves Yi Ling. His quiet devotion practically leaps off the page, and it’s impossible not to fall a little bit in love with them both.

I also loved learning about the traditions of Shanghai, from the vibrant celebrations of Lunar New Year to the quiet rituals of brewing and drinking tea the traditional way. These moments added so much richness to the story and made me feel fully immersed in their world.

Overall, this is a joyful, heartfelt story of love and devotion—about doing whatever it takes, no matter how wild, to be with the person you love. Highly recommended 👌

[Adriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Li Ying has to pose as a woman so his boyfriend Hanjun can inherit his family’s pharma dynasty. It's a bit of a wild premise, but it turns out to be incredibly moving. There’s tension, care, quiet strength, but also the feeling of being crushed by expectations that leave no space for who you really are. There's so much pain tucked into the margins. Watching Li Ying navigate those layers of performance, expectation, and shame was heartbreaking—and at times hard to read.

But Sam doesn’t flinch from it. They let it sit, real and raw. And turn this into a broader, powerful critique of the traditional honor system—how its weight can fall hardest on those already made vulnerable. The pressure, the silences, the erasure of anything that doesn’t fit are portrayed with clarity and compassion. It’s uncomfortable, and necessary, and deeply affecting.

Hanjun is torn and unsure, but loves Li Ying deeply. He feels a little distant at times, though; we get flickers of depth (especially at the cemetery), but I wanted more of him. His thoughts, his feelings.

And can we talk about Anne? She was everything—this amazing steady rock of love and support for Li Ying. Along with Amy and Hanjun’s cousins, she was a literal bright spot in a story packed with family pressure and quiet suffering. Those characters brought warmth when it was needed most.

A few points of criticism, though. The time skip between their first meeting and “we’re boyfriends now” came a bit fast for me. I would’ve loved to see more of those tender in-between moments. There’s also a lot of detail—outfits, brands, jewelry—but that whole world is built on appearances after all, so it still kinda works. And yeah, there are a few word choices that didn’t land for me, the writing style feels a bit young in parts and the book could definitely be tighter, but honestly, I was still hooked; none of it broke the spell. Especially the last chapters gave it so much depth, which pulled it all together.

In the end, this story gave me all the feelings—heartache, hope and tenderness. Yes, it's a debut that’s a little rough around the edges, but so full of heart. I absolutely recommend.

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are various levels of drama featured in this story. First, there is the fact that Wu Hanjun is not only the selected heir apparent to Wu Pharma and within the company there is a struggle for control and succession building. The Wu and Wangs are cousin and patriarch of the Wangs is trying his best to position his family members for a takeover. Hanjun's uncle does not want this. He wants Hanjun, who is living in New York with the man he loves, to move back to Shanghai and to marry. Hanjun wants to marry Li Yun - but marriage to a man is not something that will be expected at home. This couple does go to visit Shanghai and they are trying their best to navigate external expectations and their own desire to be together. What they do to be together is creative and risky but ultimately they use what they have at their disposal to end up where they want to be - together. Change among certain members of their families is slow but this pair perseveres in doing what they can to end up together.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Alexis_lovesbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I did not think this book was not for me. There was too much secrecy. Hiding things from his family was one thing; however, the thing he kept from his future husband is another. Li Ying went out in so much effort so that they could be together and had to hide it all from his family, and his fiancé couldn’t even be honest with him. This wasn't just a weekend; it was going to be the rest of his life. When they brought up the fact he would likely have to hide from his own children, my heart broke. It was redeemed by the fact he is also facing familial and societal pressure and that Hanjun didn’t force Li Ying into it. 

I enjoyed seeing Li Ying explore his feminine side. Him experiencing girlhood for the first time and all the joy and fear associated with it was heartwarming. I’m glad that he had a support system through Anne. She was my favourite character throughout the book. 

Overall I enjoyed the book and was satisfied with the ending.

[Demi Goddess Solis · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐3/5) - A Glamorous but Flawed Gender-Bending Romance

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What I Loved:
Li Ying completely stole my heart as the bubbly, extroverted protagonist who transforms himself to fit into Shanghai's elite society. His journey of exploring femininity, from the joy of discovering high fashion to the fear of being exposed, was both heartwarming and poignant. The supporting character Anne was an absolute gem, providing much-needed comic relief and emotional support.

The premise itself is fantastic - a gay couple pretending to be straight in conservative high society, with all the glittering gowns and dangerous secrets that entail. Some moments, particularly when Li Ying realizes he might have to hide his true self from his future children, packed a real emotional punch.

What Didn't Work As Well:
The writing style felt uneven to me, with abrupt POV shifts and some awkward phrasing that reminded me of Wattpad stories rather than a polished published work. While I adored Li Ying, I struggled with Hanjun's character - his constant secrecy, even from his own fiancé, made it hard to fully root for their relationship at times.

The book also could have delved deeper into the emotional complexity of its premise. For a story about such high-stakes deception and social pressure, some moments felt surprisingly surface-level.

Final Thoughts:
This is a fun, tropey romance with a unique gender-bending twist and plenty of glitz and glamour. While the execution isn't perfect, Li Ying's charm and the dramatic Shanghai setting make it an entertaining read. Recommended for fans of cross-dressing romances and Crazy Rich Asians-style drama, but go in expecting more style than substance.

Content Notes: Cross-dressing, familial pressure, LGBTQ+ discrimination (challenged), financial/class disparities.

[Kim Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delighful read ☺️ it's something different for me and I was excited to dive into it since the tropes intrigued me.

Hanjun wants to be with Li Ying, who happens to be a guy. Hanjun's family is kind of.. traditional and a bit uptight so they plan to trick them and pretend that Li Ying is a woman 🙈 it's pretty entertaining and surprisingly spicy for the two of them, and I had fun while reading it, too 🤭

Both MCs are cuties in their own way and I love the possessiveness they had for each other.

This book was an entirely different type for me and honestly I'm glad I discovered it. There were also a lot of loveable side characters (and some despiteful ones too 🫣).

This book is for everyone who loves to read about a loving, possessive future CEO loving who they love no matter what their family thinks.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I love the premise of the secret identity/genderbending/cross dressing tropes and while I've seen (not read) Crazy Rich Asians, the drama and suspense peaked my interest as well. Good world building and wonderful characters. I loved both Li Ying and Hanjun. The chemistry between them sizzled. This was certainly not an easy road with family duty and expectations, threatening rivals, and keeping up appearances. What would happen when the truth of Li Ying's identity comes out, as always happens at some point? Will the journey make the two of them stronger together or pull them apart? I liked the dynamic between them and the way their relationship developed. This is the first book I've read by this author and I would read more. 5 stars.

P.S.- I am obsessed with this gorgeous cover!

[Ami (Amireadsitall) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story hit me hard not just because of the romance, but because of the heartbreak tucked inside the need to be loved and accepted. The two main characters are tangled in a web of expectations so tight. It’s not just about family disapproval or cultural pressure it’s about identity, power, conditional love, and the cost of survival in a world that tells you who you should be. Every layer was intentional: the longing, the quiet rebellion, the heartbreak of bending for people who won’t meet you halfway.

I absolutely loved getting a glimpse into another culture it was portrayed with such care and heart. This story was truly beautiful from start to finish, and the ending left me smiling through tears. I highly recommend giving it a read.

[Laura Wilke · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the plot is a bit far fetched, I really enjoyed reading this one. The interaction and relationship between the main characters was delightful. They’re definitely an opposites attracts couple. There’s plenty of humor and snappy dialog. The pacing is pretty good. The novel is a big long but I’m not sure what, if anything, could have been trimmed down. The writing kept me engaged through to the end. The last act contains some extra drama. It’s not hard to guess that something is going to happen. You can kind of see the train wreck coming but it was still a bit of a surprise when it does. All in all, I had a good time.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Emma Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wild, fabulous ride from start to finish—equal parts drama, romance, and high-stakes fashion fantasy. He Is My Bride takes the heart of a BL love story, the glitz of Crazy Rich Asians, and adds a delicious dose of chaos and couture.

Wu Hanjun, Shanghai’s golden billionaire, falls hard for Li Ying—a bold, charming student who has zero interest in fitting into China’s upper crust. Their plan to pass Li Ying off as a woman to win over Hanjun’s ultra-traditional family is completely ridiculous… and it totally works. The stakes are high, the gowns are higher, and every chapter sparkles with wit and over-the-top tension.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amie · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I liked this book, to be honest, I found it way too long.
The story idea was a good one, but there was way too much detail going on and too many characters to keep track of, that I felt lost at some parts.
Li Ying was a great character and it was like a crazy roller coaster ride with all the ups and downs he went thru.
Hanjun, while stoic, showed how much he loved Li Ying with his actions, which was nice to see.
The ending was great-not everything was tied up in a neat bow, which was a nice change from most books.
It is quite a commitment to read, but overall, in the end, it is worth it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Crex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Li Ying’s outfits? Absolutely stunning Anne really did her big one. I don’t have too much to say overall, except that it was way too long, and I hated how Li Ying and Wu Hanjun barely had any real intimate moments. Most of their time together was just sex, and honestly, it started to annoy me so much I began skipping scenes. The only times I didn’t skip was when they were with family or friends because the drama made it so much interesting..
I do believe Hanjun loved Ying, but the man kept way too many secrets even right up until the end. I was just sitting there like, wtfff. It got exhausting.
That said, despite all this, I still had a good time with it 😍.

[Priscilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I loved the concept of the plot which had caught my interest, it was the execution of the story that made it hard to read through. It felt unnecessarily long as there was a lot of mundane events that don't drive the plot but focuses on Li Ying's personality as an outsider. Wu Hanjun's character doesn't really shine through and seems to just tolerates Li Ying's extrovert self. It is also written with a lot of traditional Chinese references which will make it hard for the reader to follow.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[long2 -`♡´- · Rating 3 out of 5]

He Is My Bride is a novel that mixes sweetness, drama, and romantic warmth, using disguise, secrets, and family expectations as its main sources of conflict. It does explore themes of love, identity, and acceptance in a heartfelt way.

However, the story often feels overly long, with certain sections dragging on and some romantic moments leaning toward being too idealized or repetitive. While there are touching scenes, the pacing issues and uneven character depth make the reading experience less engaging at times.

₊˚ʚ Thanks to Booksirens and Sam Ledroit for the ARC.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book, it was a steamy romance that was realistic and had that element that I was hoping for. The characters were so well written and had that concept that I enjoyed about this type of book. Sam Ledroit wrote this well and left me wanting to read more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. It is a very well written story with several elements entwined along with a given insight into another culture. I like how Wu Hanjun and Li Ying fell in love and how they devised a way to be together. I liked how they faced the challenges that came up. The story kept my interest from start to finish.

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hidden gender trope

I really enjoyed this.
While the plot is a bit far fetched it was still absolutely enjoyable.
The main characters are polar opposites.
There's a fair bit of banter between them and humorous situations.
There's also lots of drama and a bit of a surprise I didn't see coming.

[Issa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Complicated dynamics with a fun premise. There was a lot of humor mixed in with the heartbreaking drama. There were a few aspects I didn’t like the secrecy between them, Haijun being too quiet, and It felt a little long. Overall I think it was enjoyable and it kept my attention. I think a lot of people will enjoy it!

[Mogi B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book I had been wanting to read for a while. Was finally glad I was able to read it. I genuinely enjoyed it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dreamcatcher]

DNF @ 7%