Double Happiness

by Heather Eng

Caught between a relentless tech job, her adoring fiancé, and an unexpected new flame, Mei must learn what it means to choose herself

When Mei Li runs into Alexandre Brodeur at a family function, there’s no denying their chemistry. It turns out Alexandre, whose brother is married to Mei’s younger sister, is back in town rebuilding his life after two decades toiling away in academic research. Somehow, Alexandre’s different from the young scientist Mei met years ago. His intelligent eyes and quiet air of mystery have a magnetic effect, drawing her in like never before.

But Mei’s carefully constructed life has no room for Alexandre. She’s engaged to Joey, a fellow Queens native who keeps her grounded as she pulls eighty-hour weeks at Livin, the tech world’s hottest startup. After a childhood marked by financial and emotional turmoil, Mei finally has the stability she’s always craved.

In Mei’s brief moments away from her crushing workload, Alexandre is an uncomfortably enticing presence. It doesn’t take long for their thoughtful conversations and his electric gaze to get under her skin, leaving Mei to wonder what she really wants in work, life, and love.

With her wedding date fast approaching, Mei has to make an impossible choice between two very different men. And after she does, she still must figure out what it truly means to have it all.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Aapi

368 pages, Paperback

Expected publication May 19, 2026

About the author

I’m a third-generation Chinese American who grew up in Queens, New York. I graduated from Boston University with a journalism degree, and worked as a newspaper writer, magazine editor, and senior marketing leader in the tech industry. DOUBLE HAPPINESS is my first novel.

I live in Manhattan with my husband and daughter. Outside of writing, I’m a lifelong ballet dancer, enthusiastic reader, and beach lover.

Reviews

[Harleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I have mixed feelings about this one. I loved the characters and really appreciated the diverse cast. The FMC was especially relatable, which made the story easy to get into.

The story follows Mei, who seems to have it all: a fulfilling career and a fiancé she loves. Everything appears stable until Alexandre enters her life. After meeting him, it felt like a switch flipped. She suddenly dislikes her job and calls off her wedding. I wasn't entirely sure whether Alexandre helped her recognize things she had been overlooking or if she wanted to be with him instead, because they made more sense and were much more compatible. That shift felt a bit abrupt, and I found myself questioning her motivations.

Neither MMC was entirely likable. Joey was goofy and aloof, while Alexandre came off as self-deprecating and cynical. I would have been okay if Mei had chosen neither of them.

I still binged this book and enjoyed it overall. I am rating it 3.5 stars because I admire Mei and her strength and resilience as a woman of color, and her journey of overcoming adversity to become a confident, successful woman outweighs my dislike of her love interests.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tiny Reparations Books for the arc!

[Mai H.]

ANHPI TBR

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Tiny Reparations Books

[CS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so beautifully written that it’s hard to believe it’s the author’s debut novel. So much more than a romance, “Double Happiness” explores what it means to pursue what you want in life, and what truly matters. All of the characters are painfully realistic and relatable, as are the tough decisions that Mei, the main character, grapples with. Who hasn’t struggled with work-life balance or knowing when to leave a relationship? The author captures these conundrums with wit and wisdom, and I eagerly awaited to see what Mei would do for the entire book—the tension is palpable. The story stays with you long after you finish the book. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this talented and promising author.

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I binge read this book at work! It was well written.
It will definitely stay on my mind for real.

I love the characters, they were well written. Mei’s character is a relatable in terms of her job and anticipations from life in general.
I also, love the way the book went.

The reason why this book is not a five star read is because, i am somehow not a big fan of the MMC. I feel like i’ve read better ones which made my standard a little high.
Also, romance seemed like a subplot and i’ve been finding this interesting lately.

Thank you to Heather Eng and Netgallery for the ARC copy, in exchange for my honest review.

[Laurel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had all the makings of a light, enjoyable romance, but for some reason it didn’t land for me. It all felt pretty superficial and forced. And the title made me think there might be a more interesting twist. Meh.

Thanks to NetGalley for an opportunity to read this advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Helen Wu ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

Wow, I’m pleasantly surprised by Double Happiness. I love a diverse cast (and not just token characters), the boss-lady energy, the “he falls first” trope, and the strong sibling dynamic. The academia setting felt so relatable, and the way workaholism was used to mask heartbreak hit close to home. I also appreciated the inclusion of mental health discussions—though I wish it could’ve been touched on a bit more. And oh, the disappointment feelings that our parents made us carry…ugh. Not fun.

When Mei was caught up in the corporate ladder climb and those golden handcuffs—pushing through 100-hour work weeks just to prove her worth—I couldn’t help but think how much I don’t miss that stage of life. At the end of the day, this book serves as a gentle reminder that work is not everything. We really need to focus on living. In the moment. Right now. We are enough. We deserve good things. We don’t need to prove anything to anyone anymore.

I went in expecting a light, quick romance, maybe even an insta-love (I was bracing myself for the ick!)—but instead, I found a layered story full of relatable life choices, tough decisions, and a wonderfully respectful slow burn. What a read. Definitely recommend. Thank you NetGalley and Dutton for the e-ARC.

[jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Tiny Rep Books for the ARC of Double Happiness! This book was challenging for me to get through and I didn’t love it as much as I wanted to. I felt like the writing was okay and the story felt too choppy. The idea of someone being so immersed into work and not having that work life balance was interesting, but also it felt like having a man change that (that is not your fiancee) was wild to my brain LOL. I’m thankful to have been able to receive the book, but it fell too short for me. 🫩

[Courtney N · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars ⭐️ !
(Rounded up to a 4 for Goodreads)

A soul-searching, thought-provoking and life-affirming story.

If you have ever felt lost in your adult life, like you’ve messed up beyond anything that is repairable, like your purpose is lost in the wind, this story may just offer you something worth while.

My appreciation for this book runs deep as it explores so many things I find important. It really took the idea of imperfect characters and dug into them with bravery and honesty.

We follow Mei who is recently engaged and working her way up at her dream job. We meet Alexandre who takes a good job and has moved home to find a better work/life balance. You’d think everything was figured out for the two of them, but like all things in life, we find there are still big lingering questions that beg for answers. We go on a journey of self-exploration, mistakes, tough choices, and unseen resolutions.

I enjoyed the writing in this, I loved the premise and the touching on heavy topics like women & racial discrimination in the workplace, usage of AI, corrupt companies, mental health, family, etc and there were some highlightable quotes throughout.

While I appreciated this story and found the writing to be compulsively readable - I can’t deny that I struggled to like the main characters, buy into the romances or find any side characters compelling. I’m a big fan of imperfect characters, but I struggle when I don’t feel the characters are learning or growing in their arc and unfortunately this felt like that.

I struggled with Mei’s hypocrisy and Alexandre’s immaturity and both of their dependencies on everyone else to guide them. I also struggled with the side character’s complete lack of flaws or depth and to be honest (without spoiling anything) the character they wanted me to dislike seemed like the most fair, honest and redeemable character of them all. That story line and the way it was handled left a poor taste in my mouth and I so it didn’t stay a fun story to keep believing in towards the end.

With all of that being said, I do think this is a worthwhile read because it sparks thought, conversation and self-reflection which is such a great quality in a book.

[Mayra Alejandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mei is a workaholic who thinks she has it all figured out: Work, money and a fiancé. But after she meets Alexandre she starts seeing things through a different perspective.
I really liked this books because it not only focusses in the romantic aspect but also in the inner turmoil you can brew when you don't know exactly how to break certain tendencies.

The romance part was done amazingly and it resonated with me a lot. Mei was definitely settling down with a trashy partner at the beginning of the story.

I see this book being turned into a short tv. series in the future. The characters are well written and the story has a perfectly synced rhythm.

ᯓ How many stars do I give to this book? 5 stars ★★★★★ out of 5 ★★★★★

ᯓ I want to thank NetGalley and Tiny Reparation Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

ᯓ This doesn't affect in any way the contents of my review. All opinions and comments expressed are my own.

#NetGalley #DoubleHappiness

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book because I felt like the plot was easy to follow, the characters had relatable flaws, and the ending was believable and not too cheesy. I learned about topics I didn’t expect and the toxic culture of corporate America. A romance filled with depth related to the characters passions and their misgivings. I found myself looking forward to my nightly reading so I could see where Mei’s journey would take her. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

[gillian milton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is a great beach read! It’s easy to get through and definitely light-hearted. That being said, it does get rather boring and slow in some parts. I also feel like there is something missing from the plot. What about their childhood? Can we get a glimpse of them when they were younger?
Ultimately, I think it was a strong novel for this author’s debut! Congratulations!
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for allowing me early access to this novel!

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author writes well. The story flowed and there was not anything wrong with it. Your standard romance novel with the standard tropes. One mildly spicy scene.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

This was a nice light romance read. I enjoyed Mei, her sister, niece, and brother-in-law the most. I also enjoyed the sub-plot of Mei and her experience in the workplace. I didn't fall in love with the MMC and honestly think this still would have been a good story without Joey. I love a romance that has me giggly and kicking my feet, but unfortunately that was not the case for this. At times I felt like the pacing was off as well, but I will say the book got better as I read. I know this is Heather Eng's debut, but I will check out her future books!

Thank you Tiny Reparations Books Marketing and NetGalley for this e-ARC!

[Rayo Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for granting my request to read this e-ARC and provide my honest opinion.

Mei Li has a job she loves and a fiancé who dotes on her, but all of this starts crumbling when she meets Alexandre (her sister’s brother-in-law).

One thing I loved about this book was that we had a woman in tech at the forefront. She was accomplished (regardless of the work/life balance situation at LIVIN’), and I love that for our FMC!!!

But… regarding her relationship, especially with her fiancé, I was confused. Initially, we were introduced to Joey (her fiancé) who loved Mei, didn’t give her crap about the hours she put into her work, and was confident in his skin. Sure, he had weird hobbies (but who doesn’t 🤷). Fast forward to when Alexandre was introduced, and suddenly it felt like the author wanted to force us to hate Joey (which I didn’t!). Out of nowhere, after meeting Alexandre, she started having doubts about her husband-to-be. Issues that had never bothered her suddenly got under her skin, and I kept asking myself: was it because she was embarrassed by Joey, or did she subconsciously want a reason to leave now that a “hot” new interest was in the picture?

And the way Alexandre constantly butted in and gave unsolicited opinions about Mei’s relationship was jarring! Like, what do you mean Mei settled because she isn’t with you? 🤦 So forgive me if I didn’t really dig Mei and her “hot” new interest. The chemistry wasn’t there, the self-deprecating remarks he made, judging someone because of his clothing choice and hobbies—guyyy!! Then calling out Mei but doing the exact same thing he told her not to do? Thinking of making a move on another man’s girl? 🤦

Overall, I loved Mei and totally related to her, but concerning the love interests, it was just off.

Thank you once again for the e-ARC.

[Liliya Gateva · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re giving your all in a job that only takes, you’ll see some truths you’ve been ignoring in the story. If you’ve settled in a relationship because you don’t believe you deserve better, you’ll have to face a hard reflection in Mei’s story.
I really struggled with the beginning of this book. The first 20% frustrated me so much that I read three other books before coming back to it. The robotic “I love climbing the ranks”, the false blurb for a tech startup, the cliché conversations… I was fuming. But, thankfully, it changes.
Mei is utterly annoying until we get Alexandre in the picture. Bless this guy. My favorite character, a breath of fresh air. He saved Mei’s life and, in a sense, this book.
And because I’m still fuming about it, Heather Eng, you have vast marketing experience, what happened? I need to get these inconsistencies off my chest…

Things I disliked
Reading is my biggest and favorite form of escapism. I love being swept away in other worlds and stories. Mostly I read after work so my brain can stop designing, making strategies, planning, and writing emails. So reading about marketing was not on the books for me when I started Double Happiness. Especially when the blurb literally says “tech job” for our main character, and in reality she works for a rental company. A “startup” with 12 thousand employees?
I was following the details that felt incorrect more than I was being drawn into the story. Here’s how my notes looked, because I genuinely couldn’t make sense of it…
There’s a VP of brand marketing, her manager, and a Chief Marketing Officer, but Mei is “the highest-ranked marketing employee”? As a senior director of brand marketing? And this person is presenting the three-year brand vision for New York’s highest-valued private company? I wonder what the CMO does then. He is the epitome of bad management, 0 common sense, only profit in mind, but still…
And why is every work-related statement an HR dream, if they could program us? She’s excited about climbing the ranks? Excited? Really, Mei? I get that this was part of her character arc, but it could’ve been written more believably.
Someone who works seventy-hour, or eighty in the blurb, weeks has the time to eat burgers on boardwalks on summer afternoons and “every Friday” goes for Nepalese momos and eats dinner holding hands? When you have 12+ hour days, god forbid weeks, there’s a laptop glued to you. There’s no time to go exploring cuisines in the city. If you’re hyper-focused and you love your job with Mei’s passion, there’s no romantic whimsy served with the “seventy-hour week.” This is exactly why people end up having the “I’m not really living” breakdown, which does happen later in the story. I understand the need for the hustle narrative, but this bit didn’t fit at all.
Her mission about expanding how the company is perceived through diversification of their communication makes a lot of sense for her character, but technically, the vision and direction of the company won’t come from her position.
I also have an issue with how the business model is described, since Livin is literally a development company.
All the technicalities wouldn’t have annoyed me as much if the story-building didn’t rely so much on them.

Things I loved
The parts I loved though… Ali, Luc, and Kaia felt like family. The warm, fuzzy kind. The kind that will hold interventions for you out of love.
Mei and Alexandre. I’ve never rooted so much for characters that drove me crazy with their actions. It was pretty clear we were waiting for conflicts and burnout, and Mei should listen to her own advice. The number of times I was sure “okay, this is it” was proportional to the number of times I’ve ignored my own advice.
The realization that work is not life, or rather Livin is not living, came in like tides until a big wave submerged it all. That one hit too close to home.
The story itself holds so much promise. As it slowly unfolds, the characters grow from unbearable, and sometimes unbelievable, to asking questions that made me reflect on my own life and decisions. There’s a realness in settling for what you think you deserve, not imagining you deserve so much more. The possibility of happiness and love. A life lived.
How Mei’s work realizations hit at the same time as her seeing the true face of her partner and her love choices was brilliantly done. I did root for her to choose different. Better. It’s the hope we have for ourselves reflected in these characters.
And oh, how much I enjoyed Alexandre’s character. The contrast, the support, the maturity… Eng made that attractive. As I mentioned, my favorite character. And I would never root for the other guy. He was the guy.
Sadly, I found too many points in Mei’s work and company politics that I could associate with. “Livin” the dream by being the most toxic and gaslighting workplace… unfortunately, a lot of people will find themselves in that part of the story. I hope we can learn from Mei’s awakening before it’s too late.

Thank you, NetGalley and Tiny Reparations Books, for this ARC.

[Ryo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for free in a Goodreads giveaway.

Romance and work drama made this an occasionally interesting and entertaining read, with distinct characters and an indictment of toxic tech startup culture, but the book also pretends that the main characters need to make some tough decisions that aren't really decisions at all because of how obviously terrible one of the choices is portrayed in the book.

Mei works at a startup called Livin, sort of a Airbnb-like company where she works ridiculous hours. She's engaged to Joey, a man she met randomly only a year before. Mei's sister, Ali, lives upstate, and Ali has Mei over for a welcome-back party for Ali's brother-in-law, Alexandre, who has left a tenure-track position in Oregon to take up a teaching position at a nearby university in New York. Mei and Alexandre had met previously, but he's changed since the last time they met, and there's an obvious attraction between them. Meanwhile, Joey's behavior, with his lack of ambition at his job, insensitive jokes, and fixation with labeling obscure music files, becomes increasingly irritating. The predictable relationship between Mei and Alexandre forms, and they both learn to enjoy life more, but not without some obligatory setbacks. The romance part, though entirely predictable, I found quite cute, and even though Mei and Alexandre both have irritating qualities at times, it is obvious that they are good for each other. It also shows a dark side of tech company culture, with overwork and burnout contributing to mental health issues. The struggle Mei has with wanting success and financial security but also having to work an unhealthy amount of hours is a very real one that feels realistically depicted in the book.

I had several problems with some of the choices characters have to make in the novel, in that they weren't really choices. Joey's behavior becomes increasingly problematic, to the point that it's hard to believe that Mei was ever with him to begin with, even if she found it comforting to talk to someone who grew up where she did. The back of the book mentions there being a choice between two men, but it's obvious from the start that there really isn't a choice at all. The only thing I had sympathy for in Joey was that Mei keeps pushing him to be as ambitious as she is at her job, when that's not necessarily what he wants. But he is obviously terrible in many other ways, so there's no surprises with the fate of his and Mei's relationship. It would have been far more interesting had Joey actually been a good match for Mei. The environment at Mei's startup, Livin, while realistic in some aspects, is so extreme in its toxicity in other ways that there really is no other choice for Mei than what she ends up doing. To be fair, it's reminiscent of WeWork, with the crazy CEO, rapid expansion, and then later problems, but the management that Mei interacts with is regularly so toxic and also completely oblivious to their own insensitivity that it's shocking that this many terrible, incompetent people have come together. But perhaps that's the point, that these types of people tend to flock together like this and end up running things.

I thought the romance was cute, if very predictable. And the book is a good reminder of the importance of friends and family, and how toxic tech work culture can be. I just wish that the main characters actually had real decisions, both in love and in work, by making the alternatives seem at least somewhat reasonable, instead of having one obviously terrible choice that needs to be avoided. There would be much more tension if it was unclear what the characters were going to end up choosing.

[MaReads Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

A modern, adult, emotionally sharp romcom that proves a “green flag” fiancé can hide a giant red flag, and that some loves lift you higher instead of weighing you down.

4⭐️/5 — 1🌶️/5 (1 chater/43)

Toxic relationship
Toxic workplace
Second chance romance
He falls first
They help each other

I put off reading Double Happiness for a while, but once I started, I ended up really enjoying it.

What hooked me immediately? ADULT characters (36 and 42!) and a deeply mature exploration of real-life issues:
-co-dependency
-family pressure
-work pressure
-ambition vs fulfillment
-self-worth
-comfort vs real happiness
-emotional responsibility

🧔🏻 Joey: from green flag… to giant red flag
I was suspicious from the start:
1 year together → engaged → moving in at 10 months. Too fast for me.
But I also get it, dating at 36 isn’t dating at 20.

At first, Joey seems great:
- he supports Mei career
- he accepts her higher salary
- he “understands” how her work is important to her

But it quickly unravels.
We see that he:
-avoids responsibility
-refuses to prepare for his exam
-depends on Mei for everything (hello manchild syndrome)
-wallows in self-pity
-lets her go to mini-golf alone with Alexandre (like on a date with another man???)

And when she says she wants to cancel the wedding? He turns into a completely different person.
Suddenly he’s yelling, judging, planting insecurities in her, weaponizing her fears.
Joey: the fake green flag hiding a huge red one.

🧔🏻Alexandre: the REAL green flag
I loved him. He’s mature, thoughtful, self-aware, kind, and genuinely supportive. During the vacation scenes, he sees everything Mei tries to hide.
His lines? Absolutely devastating in the best way:
“Just look out for yourself.”
“Don’t you think you’re worthy of more?”
“You deserve it all.”
“I’m one hundred percent sure about you.”
His messages after her breakup, present but not pushy, were absolutely perfect. And the fact that he turns down a job offer that would drag him back into his dark past? Growth, maturity, emotional responsibility.

Alexandre : the real green flag that makes you swoon.

👩🏻 Mei: strong, ambitious, heartbreaking to watch
I loved her boss-woman energy: she works hard for the life she wants, she is ambitious, she stands on her own two feet.
But she also broke my heart when:
-she saw Joey’s red flags but hoped they’d magically fix themselves
-she spiraled after canceling the wedding
-she pushed her family away
-she fell deeper into Livin’s toxic environment
-she hid things from her loved ones, including her relationship with Alexandre
I just wanted to shake her and yell:
“You deserve better! Walk away and stop doing stupid things!”
Her pact with Alexandre, lifting each other up, was so touching.
And that final scene, where she rushes to stop him from accepting a job that would ruin him again? Beautiful.

Double Happiness is heartfelt, honest, modern, and deeply relatable. It tackles burnout, cultural expectations, ambition, red flags, co-dependency, and the courage to choose yourself. 
I saw so much of my own experiences reflected in these characters.
A smart, mature romance that balances realism with hope.

Thank you NetGalley, Heather Eng, and Dutton/Tiny Reparations Books for sending me this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not quite what I expected based on the blurb, the cover, or the title. As such, this review is going to end up being about my reading experience almost as much as the book. Hopefully it will help the right readers find it, because for the right audience, I think this one will really resonate!

This book had A LOT going on, despite being a very fast, easy read. I'm going to break it down into the two main parts as I saw them.

The romance: The blub definitely leaned into the romance aspect of this one, emphasizing the choice our FMC faced between loveable, goofy Joey and the more sensitive but troubled Alexandre. I thought this would be the focus of the book, and I came in with the expectation that these two men would present different but equally viable options for the the life Mei envisioned for herself. I thought she was going to choose between them as part of a larger choosing-what-she-wants theme. Instead, this felt like the classic right-guy vs wrong-guy set up of many a romcom. As soon as Alexandre entered the scene, Joey stopped looking so loveable and started looking like a manchild. The transition was a bit too abrupt for me, but ultimately a did a great job of showing how having options changed Mei's perspective. Joey was Joey throughout; it was Mei who saw him anew.

Another note on the romance: There was never any mystery about what Mei was going to choose. I thought there might have been based on the blurb, but as soon as chapter two rolled around and we got a POV chapter from Alexandre, it became immediately obvious where things were going. I did find the two-POV approach off-putting at times. While classic for a romance, it was not what I might have expected from a book that seemed to want to be about Mei finding herself.

Livin the Dream: Mei's Work Life: THIS was the story I wanted to read. I wish this had been the main plot and the romance had been simplified to just Alexandre and sidelined to a more supporting-plot role. I'm glad I didn't DNF this book (the opening romance felt formulaic enough that I almost DNF'd at about the 20% mark), because this plot really picked up in the second half and I was genuinely invested. Mei's particular struggle is being a woman of color in a corporate setting dominated by white men in power. That said, I think anyone who has ever worked as a cog in the corporate machine will really identify with this plotline regardless of background. It is so hard to stay true to oneself when one's livelihood is on the line and each concession is small, just one little thing, but there are so many of them in the end. Additionally, workplace manipulations can be subtle enough that they slip under one's guard. I loved how Mei saw the bad, and even though she saw it, wanted to stay because she thought maybe she could fix it. Maybe she could improve the Livin culture. That was such a poignant reason for her to agree to be part of a company doing unjust and unkind things. The inclusion of AI in Livin's shifting culture was especially timely and relevant.

Ultimately, this book was a 3.5 star read for me, rounded up to four because it ended stronger than it started.

Thank you to Tiny Reparations Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this!

[Siegrist · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Oh stop! No one’s a wheel. We’re Legos. We break apart and form new combinations, and they all work”

“Double Happiness" tells the story of marketing creative Mei Lin, her sister Ali, brother-in-law Luc, niece Kaia and her broader extended circle. It’s also the story of Joey, a not-quite-right fiance and Alexandre brother of Luc and a possible new love. How will all the Legos fall into place here …

Mei is in middle management at a fast growing firm, ironically called ‘Livin’. She is good at her job and is well-remunerated but it takes absolutely everything from her. She clings to financial security because of her early life experiences where money was scarce. Alexandre has shared this obsessive drive as a biology academic but is in a period of transition. They have much in common when they reconnect early in the book.

Alexandre’s thoughtful and considerate nature begins to highlight Joey’s selfish immaturity. The kindest way to describe Joey is that he is unevolved. A turning point for Mei is a racist joke that Joey double downs upon and defends.

‘This couldn’t be happening. She was having the “I’m not racist conversation with her fiance.’

‘Double Happiness’ is a great example of the capacity of genre fiction to offer wisdom and insight. If one of the happinesses of the title is love the other could easily be work. Heather Eng is interested in how work fits into a life, how it can sustain or constrain. Heather’s own journey from marketing to novelist adds authenticity to this aspect of the novel. Mei is proudly Chinese American - her ideal wedding dress is a red gown with a cheongsam bodice and a tulle skirt - and the novel gives voice to her particular experiences as she navigates a corporate world filled with over-entitled white men and their sycophantic underlings.

Food is almost a character in the novel - Heather describes many delicious meals and restaurants - as is place. Manhattan, Queens and Hawaii are rendered with affection and detail.

As a romance it’s unusual. Given the non-quite-right boyfriend hangs around for half a book, the structure is a little different to a usual romance but I quite liked that. It’s like life really. The relationship between Mei and Allesandre was caring and believable, and there's just a glimmer of spice in there too.

Thank you so much Heather Eng for writing this book. Thank you also to the publisher Tiny Reparation Books and to Netgalley for the opportunity to read Double Happiness before it is published in May 2026. It’s a lovely book and I hope it finds a wide appreciative readership.

[Jessica Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heather Eng’s debut novel, Double Happiness, is a beautifully crafted story about a young woman named Mei navigating her way through life while weighing the “safe” path against the future she truly believes she deserves. The novel also features one of my favourite tropes: a love triangle. However, beyond the romance, Eng creates a thoughtful exploration of identity, ambition, and self-discovery.

Stepping into Heather Eng’s novel was especially relatable to me as a Canadian-born Chinese girl. Mei is a headstrong workaholic with her entire future carefully planned out. Like many children of first-generation immigrants, she follows a strict checklist of what happiness is supposed to look like. That certainty begins to shift when a new friend enters her life — someone who reflects the person Mei could eventually become.

The storyline resonated with me on a much deeper level because of how closely it reflected not only parts of my own experiences, but also those of many close friends. While certain moments in the novel were somewhat predictable, they felt reassuring rather than disappointing. Mei’s journey highlights a struggle so many of us face: choosing between the version of happiness we have been taught to pursue and the future we genuinely want for ourselves.

I especially appreciated how Heather Eng incorporated Mei’s cultural background throughout the novel in a subtle and authentic way. Rather than constantly emphasizing Mei’s identity, Eng allows it to naturally shape her relationships, ambitions, and internal conflicts. That balance made the story feel far more genuine, especially compared to many recent books where cultural identity can come across as overly forced or performative. In Double Happiness, Mei’s background is simply a part of who she is, which makes her character even more authentic and relatable.

One of my favourite aspects of the novel was the romance storyline, particularly the love triangle. While I found myself wishing there had been even more development and tension between the characters, I appreciated that the romance ultimately served a larger purpose in Mei’s personal growth. Rather than simply choosing between two different men, Mei is also choosing between different versions of herself and the kind of future she wants to create. I especially loved that her journey toward self-discovery did not require her to end up alone in order to “find herself.” Instead, Eng allows Mei to grow into her independence while still embracing love, which made the ending feel both satisfying and refreshing.

[Gaby Cast · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book is about finding yourself in your 30s, re-evaluating your priorities, and the complexities of not settling for the life you THOUGHT would make you happy when you were younger. All this and one tiny love triangle (emotional affair?). Personally, I didn’t like either of the “love interests”. Joey was a bit immature, had a quirky hobby (his music thing really wasn’t that weird), and was content with his place in life. Overall, he was just not the right partner for Mei, but then it felt like the author was pushing for readers to hate him to justify Mei cheating on him (that joke felt out of character and was so weird). Because yes, she was having an emotional affair with Alexandre. Alexandre is cynical, a recovering workaholic, and a bit pompous. He meets Joey once and immediately feels like he would be better for Mei. I didn’t buy the instant connection between Mei and Alexandre. The switch from her being so sure of Joey to suddenly fantasizing about Alexandre was abrupt and jarring. I understand that Alexandre and Mei are supposed to bring out the best in each other and those versions are what they’re each in love with, but their communication was pretty awful. It was also just really frustrating reading Mei’s perspective because she was in such denial about a ridiculously toxic work environment and kept having “realizations”, but would immediately fall for obvious manipulation and kept reneging on her promises to her family and Alexandre. I really wanted to shake her sometimes because even when faced with the cold hard truth several times, she refused to accept it. Her perspective made me feel incredibly anxious. The story was predictable, but interesting enough to finish. The pacing was a bit inconsistent and dragged in several places. The repetitive nature of Mei’s character arc didn’t help that matter. I really didn’t care for Alexandre so his perspective didn’t add anything for me. I’m also not sure that I would call this a romance book because so much of the main relationship was rushed and felt very superficial. I would have preferred if maybe Joey was cut out altogether and the story focused more on just Mei’s journey without needing Alexandre to be the catalyst for her shift in priorities.

[Kate Marolt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this book a lot. I don't understand the title? But I appreciated being immersed in a working world and mindset so thoroughly opposite my own. Mei works in marketing at a huge startup where 90 hour work weeks are the norm. I can't relate to this at all, as I would literally never... but I've also never worked in corporate so I realize there are people who actually do this. It felt like reading a caricature because I just don't understand why you would ever choose that path. THAT BEING SAID, I appreciated the portrayal of how for Mei, work is a way to find safety through climbing the ladder, making money, and securing herself a place in the world. This book also really shows what happens when work and achievement are used as a coping mechanism and border on (or go full-blown into?) addiction mode and are the place you spiral down into when other things are falling apart or you want to avoid disappointment, conflict, or difficult decisions.

All that being said... I haven't even touched on the romance aspect of this book yet. *spoilers ahead* I'm glad Mei didn't end up with Joey because he was extremely cringe from the get go. I realize that was the point, but man was that hard to read. It also seemed odd that after their engagement ended we just never heard about him again? I kept waiting for him to come back, even tangentially. Alexandre was an interesting MMC as well- their chemistry was believable, and I enjoyed some of their moments together, but they also just could not communicate effectively about their feelings for each other even one ounce. It was annoying. And again, I just don't understand how people get so caught up in their identities of who they are at work that they can't see that it's destroying their lives and health. I realize we all live in late-stage capitalism, and when your parents think you're downgrading and your whole life was built around your job, making a change is probably pretty devastating, but like... he was awfully cynical about everything. I also didn't love that for both of them, the other person was like the *reason* they were making a change.

It sounds like I didn't like this book but I actually really did. I read the whole thing in 2 days and couldn't wait to see how it all turned out. I enjoyed the writing and would read more from this author!

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you to Heather Eng and Tiny Reparations Books for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a good read! This is perfect for someone needing a reminder about life's importance and learning how to prioritize yourself over your work. It's an introspective look at a mid-30s woman who initially thought she had her life planned out—working on becoming VP of marketing at her company, getting married to the love of her life, and finally being able to save for her future. When she runs into her sister's brother-in-law, Alexandre, she can't fight these unnerving feelings of connection.

Mei has been grinding at work for years to make a name for herself. She is working weekends and working insane hours each week to get ahead. Her fiancé, Joey, has been her lifeline, keeping her grounded. They bonded over their shared childhood memories of living in Queens. He can be a breath of fresh air and keeps her laughing constantly. However, she must decide whether he really is the love of her life. After many insightful conversations with Alexandre, she begins to reflect on her life and her choices. Is she as happy as she thinks she is?

This was a very interesting novel! I loved the diversity, especially the fact that no one was a token character. Many of the side characters had fleshed-out backgrounds, which helped them feel grounded and real. It is more than a romance, though I did enjoy the romance too. Mei struggles to figure out her next steps and work-life balance. I completely related to her in this regard because who has not battled with an equal work-life balance? I loved the emphasis on living life outside of work and how that can be just as, if not more, fulfilling. It is a good reminder for anyone to figure out what is important to prioritize in life.

The only drawbacks were my frustration with the main characters towards the end of the novel. It seems like they had progressed in their journeys, but then they continued to make the same decisions. It seemed like as soon as they each learned their individual life lessons, they would make another decision to undo the work they had just done.

Overall, I think this is a beautifully written, engaging story that you will want to finish in one setting. It's a romance that explores resilience, forgiveness, and self-discovery.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely binged this one; it’s hard to believe that this is a debut novel as the writing was just excellent. The story flowed so beautifully, and I really loved the overall message of the importance of choosing yourself as you only have one life.

The FMC was relatable, which I think is what made this book so easy to binge! She felt real and likable - she’s a workaholic and in a relationship that she seems to be settling for. From the start her relationship just felt odd, they were supposed to be getting married but seemed as though they were on completely different levels. I found myself wondering how they could even have a conversation - she was so focused on her job and not much else, and he was immature and juvenile and didn’t have much ambition. So, I wasn’t all that surprised when she called the whole thing off - she should have much earlier in the story but alas, sometimes it really does take us a long time to realize things!

Alexandre, aka - the other man, wasn’t initially my favorite either. He was coming off of a major career shift following a mental health breakdown and seemed more cynical and judgemental rather than supportive. He was at least more mature and he did at least try - the conversation between them felt natural and real and it was easy to see how they could be really drawn to one another. I enjoyed that they had space from one another following her breakup - he still reached out but from a caring place and she threw herself into her job more so. And man - that job of hers…. Talk about a toxic environment. The whole livinpalooza thing made me feel sick to my stomach, and then it just got worse. Mel was so focused on financial goals that she really seemed blinded by the realities of the situation. I enjoyed that therapy came into place as she for sure had some trauma and baggage to work through!

I enjoyed the ending and how they both still were working on themselves, it felt real and was truly the most realistic way to end the story. Altogether this one is good and should be on your radar with its upcoming release! It’s one heck of a good one from a debut author!

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mei's life is everything she ever dreamed of. She is leading a marketing team at an up and coming online property rental start-up and a promotion is in sight. She's engaged and living in a building with a doorman--something she would have never dreamed of as a kid. Sure, her job isn't perfect. She's expected to work ninety-hour weeks and never take a day off and the CEO is somewhat problematic. And, sure, moving back to Queens from the Upper West Side isn't really what she envisioned for herself. And who cares if Joey isn't exactly the type of person she always assumed she would end up with. She's living the American dream. That is, until she bumps into Alexandre at a family function. His brother is married to Mei's younger sister and he has moved back to his hometown to rebuild his life after burning out as a research scientist.

I feel like the publisher's description is a little misleading. The synopsis makes it out to be a sort of a love triangle type romance, but the book is so much more than that and putting it in that category doesn't do it justice. The book is really about Mei coming into her own in her mid-thirties. At the beginning of the book, she believes that what she wants is her high powered, high pressure, ninety-hour work week at an up and coming startup, even though she secretly hates her job and is burnt out. She believes she wants a future with her fiance because he is the only person she has ever dated who has loved her for who she is. Yes, Alexandre opens her eyes to the fact that she has other choices, and pushes her to identify what her priorities actually are, but it's not in a "choose me" way. I liked the way he saw her and recognized facets of himself in Mei and wanted to support her so she didn't make some of the same mistakes he had made in the past. Mei has the opportunity to completely redefine her life with many people there to give her a soft landing.

Thank you to Dutton, Tiny Reparations Books and NetGalley for an eARC of Double Happiness.

[Topo Chicas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heather Eng’s Double Happiness is a stirring novel that explores several very widespread, contemporary issues that plague those living in modern western society, especially those of diverse cultures or communities. In it, it was a richly crafted story involving modern workplace expectations, modern family dynamics, and modern love stories, whether between two people from the same background or very different backgrounds. All of this set to the background of the protagonist’s point of view, being that of a single Asian-American workaholic.

Having close first-generation single Asian-American friends myself, a lot of the traditions and foods mentioned in the book were familiar to me, but it is lovely that this book might open the minds of other readers who could learn more about other cultures through it, and that I could learn more about cultures that are not my own. Also, it could potentially bring peace and comfort to those of similar cultures or backgrounds, had they been experiencing similar trials and tribulations in their own lives or love lives.

The protagonist, Mei, is so driven that perhaps she takes certain aspects of a fully lived life for granted. There are those who would find her life at the beginning of the story aspirational, though. She is a marketing manager who has a lovely salary with everything that she has dreamed of as a child at her fingertips. Should she be happy and just keep working harder, or is something missing? That’s the question that I pose for her and anyone reading this novel. At what point is one really, “Living the dream”?

This book is a double helping of introspection and also self- and cultural-awareness by most of the main characters in the book, but it’s also a story of different kinds of romance and love. It is prose that comes off as written as a gentle form of activism, in my humble opinion.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tiny Reparations Books for this digital ARC!!

[BookByBook karenreadslotsofbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW - Double Happiness by Heather Eng 3.5⭐
PUB DATE: May 19, 2026
Contemporary Romance

Synopsis: FMC Mei is a highly driven professional climbing the ranks of a demanding global company and has lost any sense of work-life balance. Her fiance Joey is a devoted partner who does not share the same work ethic as Mei and is more interested in his nerdy hobbies and “doing everything together”. At an event, Mei meets up with her brother-in-law”s brother, Alexandre, who has moved back to the area to reclaim his life after spending years consumed by work. The attraction is immediate, but Mei tries to ignore it. As work continues to take a toll on her well-being, wedding planning ramps up, and Mei’s family and Alexandre keep encouraging her to put herself first, Mei starts to question what she really wants in life and what changes she needs to make to make it happen. Can she achieve happiness in her love life and work life?

My Thoughts: This contemporary romance is a steady paced look at the need to self reflect and not lose sight of what’s important in life. I found this to be an enjoyable read with likeable and relatable characters. Eng’s characters portray the real difficulties twenty and thirty somethings face as they navigate achieving professional success in a world that demands 24/7 access to their time and staying true to what truly makes them happy when constantly being disillusioned by the false narratives painted by social media and the digital world.
I enjoyed the plot. It had some substance while overall keeping a lighthearted feel. The author developed chemistry between the characters while keeping the spice level really low and almost completely closed door. I recommend reading this book if you are a romance reader that enjoys low spice, morally centered characters and a feel good read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton | Tiny Reparations Books for the digital copy of Double Happiness by Heather Eng.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me—and I really wish it had been, because I think there were some interesting topics to explore here, if only the author had pushed things a bit further.

My primary complaint is that, while the prose is well written, the plot lacks tension. Even the promise of a love triangle falls flat because there is never any question as to who Mei will choose.

Joey wasn’t a character—he was a plot device. Someone Mei was perfectly happy with until Alexandre came along. And listen, that can be reason enough on its own. Sometimes you don’t realize you’re on the wrong path until the right path presents itself.

My problem is that, as written, Mei’s reasons for suddenly souring on her relationship with her fiancé feel thin and even snobbish. I think there was a better way to explore Mei and Joey’s incompatibility without suddenly making him a buffoon.

And there was enough interesting territory to explore between Alexandre and Mei without the manufactured conflict that Joey provided. He’s simply a means of keeping our protagonists from getting together too early in the book, and Mei doesn’t seem to learn much from her failed almost-marriage aside from the fact that she’d rather be with Alexandre.

I’d honestly have preferred if the Joey plot had been lifted out entirely because, once he’s gone, the book has a chance to dig into deeper issues—like what it really means to be successful, and how much of our happiness we’re willing to sacrifice at the altar of our careers.

I’d definitely like to give this author another chance, but this book just didn’t work for me.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Dutton Books for providing this advanced copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinions.

[Chanté Dove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me early access to this book to review.

I want to start by saying that in my opinion, the cover 0f this novel does not match its contents. Why did I think there would be so much more drama between the main character and the men in her life?

In reality, "Double Happiness" is a really touching and reflective novel that follows our main character Mei as she navigates her high stress job and her impending wedding, while also coming to terms with some suppressed feelings that are starting to surface.
Mei is a flawed but relatable main character who has found comfort and familiarity in her life, even if it doesn't necessarily meet the expectations that she had for herself. And the novel is essentially about Mei learning that she deserves more in all aspects of her life, while simultaneously taking the necessary risks and escaping the comfort that has sheltered her all this time.

I enjoyed the side characters a lot and immensely appreciated the reflective element that characters such has Ali, Luc and even Alexendre offer both to Mei and us as the readers. They put a lot of the decisions she makes into perspective and challenge her self-destructive tendencies.

Again, the cover threw me off so much. I expected there to be alot more interpersonal drama because of the high contrast silouhettes and while there are a few moments that do make you hold your breath, they pass with very little fallout for our main character. And maybe that is the one thing I wish this book had a little bit more of- the feeling that there were possible downsides to the choices Mei made and less of everything working out the way it should.

Overall, a really lovely read with good characterisation and great pacing.

[Leese · Rating 3 out of 5]

📖 Double Happiness by Heather Eng
📲 Read via ebook
Thank you Tiny Reparations Books for providing this book for review via NetGalley!

💼

“This is your life. Your decision. You may not always have had choices, but you do now. If this isn’t what you want, only you can change that.”

I think honestly everyone can relate to the feeling of settling in an aspect of your life because it feels like the safe option or the idea of changing things seems too risky. I am constantly guilty staying with something much longer than I need to thanks to the good ol’ sunk cost fallacy 😅 Double Happiness by Heather Eng really held a mirror up to my face and said “ahem!!! this you??” 😂 I absolutely loved and needed to hear the reminder that no matter your age, no matter how much time you’ve invested, it’s never too late to make a change. Even if you don’t know what will happen after making that decision, the fact alone that you CAN make the decision is such a gift.

In this book, our FMC Mei Li has quite the realization that she’d been letting her relationship and career take her far from who she was. Watching her break out of the life she started to settle for was challenging at times but honestly so real because who wouldn’t second guess making huge life decisions?? I really appreciated the way Heather structured this book as we got to see Mei learn through others and learn from her own experiences.

If you’d love to read an eventful story about characters in their late 30s/early 40s all about decision making and prioritizing what matters in life, definitely pick up Double Happiness when it publishes on May 19th! 🌼

“I don’t want to forget this view. Or this feeling.” “Of what it’s like to be alive.”