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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
‘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.
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.
3/5 stars, because the book went places but didn't make sense getting there.
In the first chapter, we're introduced to Mei Li, workaholic and incredibly successful marketer who toils 70+ hours per week for Livin, an "experiential lifestyle company." Mei has an incredibly loving and supportive fiance, Joey, who although not quite as ambitious, still holds his own financially. We're painted an adorable picture of true love, from their first adorable date to their every day life in the present day.
...But then Mei meets the hot scruffy fish professor and suddenly every one of Joey's flaws has been a big problem from the start and she's questioning her relationship. Don't get me wrong, Joey's use of "my baby" at the end of every sentence would drive anyone away, but we don't even get a hint of Mei thinking he's annoying or embarrassing until after she meets Professor Hotfish, who actually kind of seems like a jerk? The first real conversation she has with him, she tells him how much she loves her job and what she does while he fires back with how it's just a bunch of spoiled rich hypocrites and how can she enjoy working there.
I'm sorry, if someone shares their passion with you, you don't immediately start criticizing them, especially if you're a POTENTIAL LOVE INTEREST IN A ROMANCE NOVEL.
The best part of this story is seeing Mei come into her own and figure out where she's going and what she really wants out of life, outside of what is expected of her from everyone else. Kudos to Mei for growing a spine and making her own choices.
Thank you to author, publisher, and Netgalley for allowing me to read.
If you’re a fan of those "I have my life totally together until a man from my past ruins everything" tropes, then buckle up because this one is a mood.
The story centers on Mei Li, who is basically the definition of "hustle culture" personified. She’s pulling 80-hour weeks at a tech startup called Livin and is engaged to Joey, a guy who is basically her safe harbor after a messy childhood. But then because there's always a "but", she runs into Alexandre Brodeur at a family thing. He’s the brother of her sister's husband, and apparently, 20 years of academic research has turned him into a total smoke show with "intelligent eyes" and a "magnetic effect". Suddenly, her perfect, stable life feels like a cage.
The book leans heavily into the contemporary romance and literary fiction space, focusing on that "impossible choice" between the life you think you want and the one that actually makes you feel alive. It’s got that sharp, modern tech-world backdrop that makes the burnout feel very real and very relatable. I’ll be honest, the "choosing herself" theme is a bit of a cliché, but Eng writes it with enough grit and electric tension that you actually care if Mei torches her wedding plans for a guy she hasn't seen in decades. It’s a classic love triangle setup, but it feels more about Mei’s identity crisis than just which guy has the better jawline.
The ending is about her realizing that "having it all" doesn't mean having the perfect resume and a fiancé, it means actually liking the person she sees in the mirror. She ends up in a much more uncertain place, but for the first time, it’s a place she chose on her own terms.
Double Happiness is ultimately a powerful story about redefining your mindset to choose joy and peace, amidst overachieving work cultures and familial expectations. It’s also a love letter to New York City, not just in its setting but in its pure appreciation of the diversity of food and people. Mei is fantastic at her job in marketing, but slowly realizes the toxicity of the company culture. She is also in an engagement that doesn’t support or match her personal growth and maturity. Meanwhile, Alexandre has left the world of research for teaching as a professor, but is grappling with the shame and disappointment of not achieving tenure. In their platonic (and ultimately romantic) relationship, these two push each other to make decisions that improve their mental health, social lives, and end the cycles of professional toxicity they’re in. While the message in Double Happiness was powerful, and I loved the deep dives into the tech and academia world, the writing felt a bit stiff— the pacing didn’t always feel natural and the dialogue sometimes sounded too formal or unrealistic. It felt difficult to truly connect with the protagonists and their decisions. But what I appreciated were the maturity of the relationships, emphasis on diversity and inclusivity in professional and personal spaces, and the sibling relationships across the protagonists. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
I was invited by the publisher to review this book. Mei unexpectedly reconnects with Alexandre, whose brother is married to her sister, at a family gathering and feels a powerful attraction, but her life is already planned. Engaged to Joey and working hard hours at a popular tech startup, Mei values the stability she fought hard to achieve after an unstable childhood. But Alexandre is changed after years away researching, and is able to draw her into deep conversations and stir up feelings. Mei begins questioning her priorities and desires. With her wedding approaching, she must choose between security and passion, and ultimately figure out what it means to truly have it all.
I thought Mei was very relatable, in that sense that many of us are striving for something better than what we had - but do we settle for secure and possibly dull, or exciting? Do we follow brains or heart? Plus Mei struggled with work-life balance, which I think many of us know all about. I can't say I personally liked Alexandre, but I can see why Mei would be drawn to him. I really just enjoyed Mei's overall journey.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton/Tiny Reparations Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I finished this book with mixed feelings. There were many things that I appreciated throughout the book but also some big distractors that took away from my overall enjoyment while reading.
I enjoyed the overall plot of a workaholic Mei realizing close to her wedding that she's feeling unfulfilled and like there's something better out there for her. Not only within her relationship, but professionally as well. I loved that the author focused on inclusion, life/work balance, racial disparities (within companies, advertising, and individuals), and the positive focus on mental health therapy. The characters I found to be endearing and their family system easy to connect with.
However, the book felt very predictable and kind of cheesy at times to me. I'm not sure if it was the writing style or if I just didn't connect with some of the characters/themes. I overall enjoyed reading, it just wasn't one of my favorites!
I greatly appreciated Heather Eng's novel. I breezed through it in a day. As someone of Chinese heritage, I loved and resonated with Mei, the main character's principles of inclusivity, and references to the type of food they would eat! I haven't had much exposure to books with which I can culturally identify. The book also discussed the capitalist social norm of working hard, which frequently results in sacrifice and self-abandonment, as well as how difficult it is to redefine and recognize what is truly important in our one short life. It was fun following Mei grow and find her way on her romantic journey. The novel was well-written and paced to keep me interested. I'm looking forward to reading more from Heather Eng! Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was such a refreshing and engaging read.
Mei is a woman striving for stability, success, and the ideal marriage with a man she believes is perfect for her, but she quickly learns how wrong she is. From the start, her relationship with Joey felt unsettling, and the relentless hours she dedicated to work were genuinely anxiety-inducing to read about.
Then comes Alexander. I truly appreciated the balance he brought to Mei’s life and how their dynamic evolved throughout the story. The author beautifully portrays how the right person can complement and challenge you in meaningful ways. Watching Mei’s personal growth and their journey together was both rewarding and heartfelt.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Happy to read Asian fiction - and to be honest - the workaholic culture resonates. I don't have to be single to understand the work on vacation, work on holidays, work all day on weekends culture. I do that when necessary, but luckily not as all-consuming as Mei in the story.
I am very glad Mei found her way, her love and stop letting work and the worry for money (I understand this totally - is it an Asian thing?) dictate her choices. Alexandre isn't Asian - but I guess everyone faces their parents' expectations in somewhere, toxic or not and we try our best to not disappoint them.
This is a light read (heavy on Asians because we relate) and I couldn't put it down until I finished. Waiting for more books from this author!
Mei Li has it all: a job she loves, a man she loves, a nice apartment in Queens. Really quickly though the cracks start showing: her fiancé is “goofy” - or a man child? He keeps her “grounded” or does he lack ambition of any sort? Reacquainting with her brother-in-law’s brother, Mei gets a fresh perspective on her life. Meanwhile her demanding job gets more demanding and before long Mei is doubting all her life’s choices.
I’ve mixed feelings about the book - on the one hand it irked me that every emotion was written out (show, don’t tell is overused,maybe, but it would’ve been recommendable at times) and details broke the flow (why was it a Prius rental car? Did that matter? Advance the plot? Implied anything? -if so: what??) on the other hand I kept saying “one more chapter and then I’ll go to bed”. I literally read 2/3s of the book in one sitting.
I received a pen eARC from NetGalley in return for my honest opinion Out May 19 2026
i really thought this book was interesting! i loved the influence of culture and inclusion throughout the book, even though i’m not part of the culture explored, it still made me feel seen. i would say the ages of the characters was refreshing to see in a book like this - they’re normally a bit younger. the third act conflict came rather late in the book - it was interesting to see how the author wrapped everything up nicely.
overall, i enjoyed it, would recommend to a friend!
This book was a pretty interesting read, though I had mixed feelings about it. Mei seems happy with her fiancé, Joey, and her demanding job. She has stability and love, even if they both have their flaws. Then Alexandre, her sister’s brother-in-law, moves in nearby—beardless this time. Suddenly, Mei starts seeing him differently; he’s attractive and has strong opinions. He questions her company’s culture and even Joey’s behavior, which makes her start rethinking her life choices.
I totally get wanting more from life and not just settling for anything. That part of Mei’s journey makes sense. But it feels a bit odd that it took Alex to help her realize what she really wanted. Joey and her job were never perfect, but they didn’t seem like issues until Alex, someone she barely knew, voiced his disapproval.
The novel dives into love, ambition, and identity in an interesting way. Still, some character changes felt a bit too influenced by outside opinions instead of coming from personal growth.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tiny Reparations Books for the e-ARC.
I did not like this. Based on the title and blurb, I was anticipating more of a magical realism situation or perhaps more depth to the decision making by the FMC. Instead, I felt like some of the choices were rushed and lacking in the support needed to make it make sense to the reader. I ended up fast-reading the back half just to get through it – not for me!
*Thanks to Dutton – Tiny Reparations Books and NetGalley for the ARC!*
Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC from Net Galley. I really enjoyed this story!! The workaholic FMC who discovers there just MAY be more to life than work, and using work as a distraction. How relatable! It takes a charming academic professor to make Mei realize she may be selling herself short in both the work and love department. The way these two characters are woven together really highlights their own struggles and respective growth.
Thank you to NetGalley for my early readers copy of this book!
This was SO close to being a 4 star read but a few things kept me from getting there. Overall I enjoyed this so much, it felt like watching a 90s romcom!
Liked: -the characters & settings -the second half of the book picked up for me, I was on the edge of my seat -the will they/won’t they of everything
Disliked: -emotional cheating, I can’t stand cheating in books -some of the writing felt a little too on the nose
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for allowing me to read this.
I devoured this book in a day. I am not the biggest fan of third person POV writing, but it did not bother me one bit with this book. Such a realistic story about choosing yourself and when you choose yourself, you’ll find your true someone else.
I could not put this book down! I really enjoyed how diverse the characters are and how they are all so similar, yet so different! Both Mei and Alexandre are both workaholics, but their careers are completely different from one another. It's a great story about self reflection, growth and identity but also a beautiful love story.
Thank you Dutton and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy.
I LOVED this book! I read DOUBLE HAPPINESS in one sitting and found myself wanting more after it was over. The writing is clear and crisp. The characters are well developed and very relatable. I laughed and cried along with Mei, whose journey to find what is meaningful in life swept me up from the first page. I am already looking forward to seeing what the author writes in the future!
What a great debut! This book was so fun to read, as the characters seemed so real. I almost gave up on this book at 30% as I was getting annoyed by one character that quickly resolved. I am so glad I stuck through with it. It was so poignant to follow Mei’s character and her choices in life. I will absolutely read Eng’s next work! Thanks to NetGalley and Tiny Reparations for the early read.
It was fine but the writing could have been smoother. Just didn’t feel like the cover or blurb explained the book well because I was expecting something else and what I got was emotional cheating and a bunch of dumb excuses to break up with a guy she fell out of love with just because someone better came along. The stakes were low so I skimmed most of it.