From Beijing, with Love: A Novel

by Bei Lin

A candid exploration of identity and the love we deserve, this steamy rom-com will remind you that sometimes you have to get a little lost before you can find yourself.

Daniel Wu’s life in Amsterdam is far from spontaneous. When his boyfriend dumps him on the same day a work mishap lands him on leave, he breaks all his rules by impulsively escaping to Beijing to visit his best friend Poppy.

There’s just one hitch—Poppy isn’t there.

Alone in the foreign city his late father grew up in, Daniel wants nothing more than to fly home early. After all, running away is what he does best. But then Poppy signs him up for a tour of the Great Wall.

Enter Yang Li, the PhD student moonlighting as a tour guide. A transplant to Beijing, Yang has never felt at home in the bustling capital—or with himself. Cynical and disciplined, he isn’t the least impressed when Daniel shows up to their tour hours late. The tour is painful in more ways than one, but at least it’s a one-time ordeal.

Then life pushes them together again and again, until time spent together over stunning sights and mind-blowing eats feels less like vacation and more like finally finding home.

From Beijing, to Xi’an, to Tokyo, will they confront their own ghosts—past and present—to find their happily-ever-after?

Brimming with humor, wanderlust, and emotional vulnerability, this charming debut is perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Alexis Hall.

Genres: Romance, LGBT, Queer, M M Romance, Adult, Contemporary, Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

Expected publication September 29, 2026

About the author

Bei Lin is a Chinese Canadian writer based in Vancouver. She has lived on three continents and visited over thirty countries. Travel and food are her passions, along with giving her characters their well-deserved happily-ever-after. When she’s not writing, she’s daydreaming about her next trip and eating chocolate cake. You can find her on Instagram (@Beilin_writes) or her website https://beilinauthor.com/.

Reviews

[annes_mesmerizing_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating 4.5 stars.

I requested From Beijing, With Love solely because of two things. First of all, I loved the cover. I immediately saw the resemblance to Tom Vellner’s Thirty Love, another book I adored. Both covers are illustrated by the same artist. Then my eyes fell on the word Amsterdam, and I hit request without reading any further. I love finding books written in English with a connection to my home country, especially now that my own YA story is set in Amsterdam.

So, did I know much about this book when I started reading? No. Did I love it from the first page? Definitely.

I adored anxious mess Daniel from the moment I met him, although I have to admit that I needed a little time to warm up to Yang. Under that cool, controlled facade is such a sweet, lovable guy. The two of them are so good for each other. Yang is incredibly patient with Daniel’s OCD, and Daniel in turn helps Yang open up more and more.

The story feels light, yet it tackles heavier themes like OCD, the loss of parents, meeting parental expectations, and being queer in China.

For a long time I thought I would rate this debut 4 stars, but I smiled so much while reading. I loved the Dutch references, and I connected to so many themes and places in the story. A cat café, for example. And because of the cat café I rounded my rating up from 4.5 to a beautiful 5 stars.

Just one thing, Bei Lin 😅: luckily most Dutch moms are sweeter and more lovable than Daniel’s mom.

Thank you, Alcove Press and NetGalley for this wonderful ARC!

Follow me on Instagram

[Lochi's Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always on the lookout for romance novels, especially debut romance novels written by Canadians, and when I came across the stunning cover of From Beijing, With Love, I quickly worked to secure a copy. My thanks to Bei Lin and Alcove Press for entrusting me with an early copy and for giving an enthusiastic reader a book to satiate my curiosity.

From Beijing, With Love is the tenderhearted romance novel I didn’t realize I needed. I’ll admit, I’ve recently gone down a rabbit hole searching for a book that could deliver the same romantic feeling I had while watching Crazy Rich Asians, but I wanted something more grounded, more intimate, and more rooted in Asia itself. This book landed perfectly.

Set primarily in China, with a brief but memorable stop in Japan, we follow Yang and Daniel’s slowly blooming, shyly blushing romance. Bei gives us two characters who unexpectedly lean on one another, gently nudging and sometimes pushing each other to grow into themselves and their feelings.

From the vivid food descriptions to the informative insights into tourism and culture, I thoroughly enjoyed this debut, and I can’t wait to see what Bei writes next.

[Gabbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing debut!!! I loved it so much. This sweet, tender queer love story did not disappoint. As soon as I saw the cover I wanted it and I’m so thankful for the ARC.

I honestly don’t have anything bad to say about this. The vulnerability and communication was perfectly timed. Their love story takes place mainly in a week spanned and it was so believable and I think that goes to show Bei Lin’s writing skills and storytelling!!

[Bookevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was love at first sight for me. They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but I am enamoured by the cover of From Beijing, With Love and what’s under the cover? A tender love story that explores cultural identity, self-love and finding love in the most unexpected places.

Bei Lin’s debut novel follows the story of Daniel Wu who finds himself on the plane to Beijing after a horrendous breakup and career-ending incident. What was supposedly a trip to meet up with his best friend, Poppy, ends up being an adventure in one of the most bustling cities in the world. See, spontaneity is not usually in Daniel’s DNA but who could say no to an unexpectedly charming local guide who offers to show you his Beijing?

As a Chinese gay reader, I felt so seen in the pages of From Beijing, With Love. Bei Lin writes with such heart and tenderness as the story explores the different cultural backgrounds of Daniel and Yang and ultimately learning more about themselves as their feelings for each other grew deeper. For me, what stood out was the book’s exploration of queer love within the Chinese community that is still so rooted in tradition and how it shaped Yang’s personal journey as a queer man. The book also explores Daniel’s OCD and I loved reading about how Yang so easily understood and accepted him for who he is. That, my panda friends, is love.

Most of the book is set in Beijing, but the couple also end up visiting Xi’an, where Yang grew up in. I loved how we got to see the different facets of China captured through the eyes of Daniel and Yang, and reading their experiences made me want to go back. But who knows? Perhaps my husband and I might just make a trip one day. Just for the food (us). Or the amazing local niche perfumeries (me).

From Beijing, With Love is perfect for you if you’re looking for a romance that celebrates queer love, multiculturalism and acceptance. An opposites-attract love story that will have you giggling, blushing and sighing by the characters’ incredibly wholesome journey of finding each other.

eARC courtesy of Alcove Press on NetGalley

[meesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

RAAAH this was so cute and everything i wanted from a read rn. this book pleasantly surprised me. travel. love. food as a love language. this was tender and quiet which i really liked. it really spoke to me. i wasn’t expecting to get all the feels but i truly did. 5 stars. i genuinely have no notes.

thank you netgalley and the publishers for the arc!

[tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a few weeks since I read From Beijing, with Love and I have truly thought about it every day since. I ended up binge reading this over a weekend, and my god - the whirlwind of emotions I experienced. I probably ugly cried a grand total of 5 times.

This is such a tender and heart-achingly poignant story of self-discovery and exploration on behalf of both of our MMCs, who each have their own internal struggles that they navigate throughout the course of the story. Not only was I discovering Beijing alongside Daniel and Yu, but I was also observing as each of them discovered themselves and each other.

As someone who struggles with severe OCD/anxiety, I can also say that this is the most accurate depiction of OCD that I've ever read. I felt so seen - Daniel's characterization was like looking in a mirror. I connected with him so deeply, and couldn't help but root for him to succeed in working through his struggles.

I will be screaming about this book until the day it releases and beyond.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Endlessly sweet, charming and heartwarming!! From Beijing, With Love is complete sunshine in a book, celebrating heritage journeys, queer love, multiracial representation, and the loveliest opposites-attract romance. Daniel Wu, in true uncharacteristic spontaneity, books a trip from the Netherlands to Beijing after a disastrous and toxic breakup, and career-ending incident. When his one friend in the city turns out to be unavailable that week, Daniel is immediately introduced to Yang, a seemingly grumpy Beijing PhD student who works as a private tour guide. The two clash at the start, with Daniel wrestling with his anxieties and dual heritage, while Yang is working hard to gain his advisor’s approval while coming to terms with his conflicting feelings for Daniel. What’s great is that the story follows both of their POVs, so we can follows the thoughts and hearts of these men as their misunderstandings and initial assumptions turn into rising feelings and understanding for one another. It also emphasizes the point that as humans, we’re not all we seem from the outside— we are sometimes layered with past hurts, mental health complications, cultural expectations, and not always equipped to articulate these parts of ourselves.
I loved falling in love with Beijing alongside Daniel, getting to learn about the cultural significance of this ancient city as well as the local culture. I loved peeking into Yang’s intellectual yet deeply vulnerable brain and the ways he pushes himself to be brave and loves his family. And the way Bei Lin described each meal in this novel— from Beijing kaoya to zhajiangmian— was so descriptive, visceral, and absolutely spot-on. I found myself drooling more than once as Daniel tasted and explored the food I grew up eating.
As someone of mixed heritage, hearing Daniel’s story was so important to me. I resonated with his concerns of feeling “othered” or not enough, and there’s a quote that I will be savoring for a long time:
“"I'm half Chinese," Daniel gave his standard answer. "My dad was Chinese."
"Oh, then you are Chinese too. There's no half, third, or quarter," Yang's dad said with a hand wave like Daniel had been ridiculous. He let out a hearty chuckle. "We leave the math to the classroom."”
I’m so grateful for the chance to have read this book, and I love the characters of Yang and Daniel so much and their fun banter. Just two nerdy boys finding a sense of home within each other. Thank you Alcove Press and NetGalley for this ARC!

[M.M. Wakeford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartstoppingly tender love story with two likeable characters you instantly want to root for.

Reeling from a hurtful break-up and a mishap at work that could cost him his job, Daniel books a flight to Beijing, planning to visit his best friend, Poppy. It’s a spontaneous decision, something very unlike Daniel, who has OCD and usually likes to plan things minutely. Only on arrival, he finds that she’s gone off on a business trip for a week, leaving him stranded alone in an unknown city—and that she’s also booked him on a guided excursion to visit the Great Wall of China.

Reluctantly, and feeling very much out of his comfort zone, Daniel embarks on this sightseeing trip with Yang, a physics PHD student who moonlights as a tour guide for extra money. They don’t get off to a good start. Daniel keeps Yang waiting in the hotel lobby for two hours, then hardly says a word to him on the three-hour car journey. But as the two slowly begin to unpeel the layers and move beyond these awkward first impressions, they find themselves unexpectedly drawn to one another.

The two main characters are beautifully drawn, their back-story layered into the narrative, giving them depth and poignancy—Yang, firmly in the closet, striving to please and do what’s expected of him while also carrying the grief of losing his beloved mother at age ten; Daniel, the perpetual outsider trying to fit in, trying to cope with his anxieties and never feeling quite normal. And what I liked most about this touching love story was how Daniel and Yang truly felt seen and accepted by the other, flaws and all.

“This is you. Your needs, boundaries, limits, flaws, and all. It’s all you. It’s a package deal. There’s no picking, mixing, and matching what parts of you that I like or don’t like. Or what’s convenient and easy for me. It’s either that I can love the whole package, or I can’t.”

As well as being a romance, this book explored themes of identity, being true to oneself, and the bonds of friendship and family—all themes that spoke eloquently to my own personal experience of straddling two very different cultures. On top of it all, we also got to vicariously experience the delights of authentic Chinese food. An impressive debut and a page-turning read that I wholeheartedly recommend.

[Dísir · Rating 4 out of 5]

“From Beijing with Love” reads very much like a love letter to cross-cultural experiences, distilled down to two men who wouldn’t have met if not for serendipity or rather, the sly machinations of a meddling friend.

Daniel’s description as a queer half-Dutch and half-Chinese man, who’s also a transplanted Canadian now living in Amsterdam—it’s quite a mouthful to begin with—is himself the shining symbol of the book’s cross-culturalism, when he stumbles into Chinese culture which he really knows little about. Yang Li, on the other hand, is the unfortunate soul tasked with educating him about the Great Wall, though their first meeting is pretty much a disaster through and through.

But these two find their way to each other, as though an invisible line has connected them from the very start.

I was almost concerned at first, that this was going to read like a glossy tourist brochure. Instead, Daniel’s and Yang’s short time together is underpinned by food, heritage and shared human experiences, where every step they take is a simultaneously discovery of self and the wider, incredibly diverse world that exists outside set routines. The allure, I think, is how relatable these two are as they wade their way through the thorny issues of gender and identity from different ends of their experiential spectrum while learning of ways to be together within a short time frame.

Yet therein lies the complication. Conservatism or the lack thereof dictates so much in here; Daniel’s defiant openness is a contrast to Yang’s cautious and closeted life such that even the spaces in between require careful treading upon. Bei Lin dives into this with eloquent sensitivity that turns Daniel/Yang’s story into a quiet, slow-burn tale where middle ground is finally found through acceptance and compromise, though it isn’t without the requisite bit of angst towards the end.

The story wraps up fairly abruptly though--I did find myself asking what happened with Yang’s father or his friends back in Beijing in the end after the turn of events, but never really found that closure.

Still, this is beautifully done and this book is probably going to stay in my mind for a while.

*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley

[Lucy Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would first like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so cute!!!! I wasn’t sure what to expect when I went into it and I seriously enjoyed every moment of reading this book. One of the things that I sometimes find are a bit off in romance novels – especially debut novels such as this – is the pacing. The story is either too fast or too slow or leans too heavily on tropes that makes the story feel like a cliche drag. This story didn’t do any of that. This story was very well paced between the busy and slow moments, and the writing and descriptions were beautiful and kept me interested without leaning too heavily on tropes. This story felt real and so did the characters.

Both Yang and Daniel felt like such real people with real backgrounds and issues and personalities. They were easy to get to know and understand while still maintaining the one thing that makes humans, humans – complexities and multitudes. I think part of this was that their story together was a huge part of the story, but it wasn’t their whole story. Yang had personal issues with his PhD program and his family accepting him. Daniel had personal issues with his job, his ex, and his OCD. But all of that created each character as a whole and didn’t feel like separate storylines that just happened to be linked to each other – they were all cohesive to make a good story.

I also really appreciated the way that mental health was handled in this story. The reactions Daniel had from his OCD and the way that Yang understood and handled them as well as Daniel’s previous experience with is ex all felt real and not stereotyped. Daniel’s own thoughts about himself and his own struggles were important to the story without taking away from the large story as a whole and I feel like that’s what it is like for so many people with a large variety of mental health issues – including myself. I feel like that was handled very well in this story.

Overall, I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 star rating. I seriously enjoyed it and had a hard time putting it down once I had started. I will 100% buy a physical copy when it comes out.

[Rory · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the simplest of terms: I really enjoyed reading this novel. It's always a pleasure to read a queer novel with a happy ending following characters with intriguing backgrounds, and what I particularly liked here was the way Bei Lin explored these backgrounds and the identities of the characters. The cast felt diverse in an authentic, meaningful way, and their personal histories were woven naturally into the story, making for a very satisfying character exploration. Yang's storyline in particular interested me most. His relationship with his traditional Chinese family was compelling and emotionally resonant. I appreciated that the author didn't try to neatly resolve all of the conflict surrounding his sexuality and his family's opinions on it, and rather chose to acknowledge that some problems don't have easy solutions. Yang's decision to choose himself and pursue his own happiness in spite of it all, was a satisfying character arc and made him a memorable character. It holds up a realistic mirror for what many queer people face. Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, nor is it stormclouds and thunder all the time. There is an inbetween which I feel is worth exploring more in the world of fiction, so I'm please this author has contributed to that.
I also loved the novel's descriptions. The story felt like a curated tour through parts of the world I, myself, have never seen, yet could envision with the author's help. The descriptions of Dutch culture were quite specific, however, and some things that were mentioned made me question if it would be understood by someone who is not familiar with certain references. (Personally though, as a Dutch person, it was fun to see parts of my culture and customs reflected in a foreign language novel for once).
You can feel the love Bei Lin has for all cultures explored in this novel, describing customs, people and places with a kind of passion and admiration that had me experiencing a little wonderlust through her words. By the end, this novel had genuinely made me want to visit China someday, to feel the warmth of the people that the author described so vividly, and experience the country much like Daniel got to.
And who knows, perhaps I'll be lucky enough to pick up my own charming tour guide on the way.

[Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Alcove Press and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. This was a super cute story! After messing up at work and then being dumbed by his boyfriend Daniel decides to travel to Beijing to see his best friend Poppy. The thing is he never travels spontaneously, traveling is usually months of preparation. But he had a panic attack that sent him out of the country. The only problem is Poppy isn’t in Beijing, she’s in another city for a week. She doesn’t want Daniel to just sit in the hotel for the week until she gets back so she books him a private tour of The Great Wall. Yang is in the final years of his PhD program and hoping to get a postdoctoral fellowship at his university. While attending he works as a tour guide to make money. When him and Daniel meet it’s a disaster. Daniel’s OCD and anxiety makes the trip uncomfortable and Yang quickly loses his peppy tour guide attitude. That should be the end of their relationship but somehow they keep ending up in each other’s orbits. And as they do the more the attraction grows. But Daniel eventually leaving to return to his country they both know there’s an expiration date on their possible relationship. Would a short time together be worth it if they can’t have forever? Being from America I love reading books where we get to explore countries that I’m not familiar with. The descriptions of the food, culture, and history of China made me long to see it myself! I loved both Daniel and Yang and their journeys of self discovery and acceptance! Bei Lin’s depictions of disability are relatable, and I love the way that Yang worked with Daniel to help him feel safe, seen, and understood! I loved the teasing and jokes between them, as well as Poppy! A charming story that had me in my feels and gave me the warm and fuzzies!

[liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so glad I picked this book up, it was the perfect read for a chilly Sunday.
I really liked the writing in this, it really helped me have a really fast read, I was just flying through the story and it's always a delight when that happens.

I love stories that move along with the character as they physically move places, it's like their feelings expand alongside it and that's so engaging.

I was very satisfied with how Lin dealt with Daniel's OCD and anxiety, it's a complex subject that you can easily miss the mark but it was satisfyingly done here. That's not all that Daniel is but both still play major roles in the character dynamics and aren’t just tossed in for plot convenience.

But my favorite part was how the book tackled the queer experience for poc living in conservative countries. I could really feel how isolated Yang felt, how walking that line of wanting to be yourself but afraid to lose everything else will back you into a corner and how hiding is then not a choice but a survival mechanism. To me that that's always a very nice nuance to have and I especially loved it here.

If I have one thing to point out, though, it’s the pacing at the very end. It felt a bit too rushed for me, after spending the whole book deeply invested, I really wanted a little more time to sit with Yang and consequently a few more pages to sit with what that meant for his future and we didn't get that.

Despite that, I really, really enjoyed this book. It was so sweet and tender and ultimately a story about finding yourself, about looking at the massive, terrifying unknown and going for it anyway. It's an all-around love story; for travel, food, for the people you meet along the way and most importantly, for yourself.

Thank you to Netgalley and Alcove Press for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ashley : bostieslovebooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks Alcove Press and NetGalley for the gifted DRC book.

Things aren’t going well for Daniel. He gets dumped just when something terrible happens at work, landing him on leave. Out of character, he impulsively flees to Beijing to visit his best friend, Poppy, but she’s not there. Daniel wants to fly home, but Poppy signs him up for a Great Wall tour where he meets Yang, a PhD student working on the side as a tour guide. What was to be a one time thing turns into something more as Daniel and Yang continue spending time together – sightseeing, eating lots of food, and finding anything but a simple vacation.

I was initially drawn to this book for the queer and OCD rep and loved that it would be taking place across Beijing, Xi’an, and Tokyo. You can tell that travel and food are passions for Lin in the way she writes. It’s vibrant and full of wonder and appreciation for the sights; you could taste the delicious Asian foods, experiencing them right alongside the characters.

Identity, sexuality, cultural expectations, familial relationships, grief, and self-acceptance were explored with nuance. The mental health rep, specifically OCD and anxiety, was handled with care. It was integral to the story but not the only defining thing about the character which was nice to see that he wasn’t reduced to a stereotype. Getting to follow the path of Daniel and Yang opening up to become emotionally vulnerable with each other was great, especially how that played a role in each of their own healing journeys.

I really enjoyed this MM romance. Read this one if you’re looking for queer joy, especially if you love to travel!

[maila · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story that is so sweet, emotional, tender and thought-provoking, but in the most beautiful way

Daniel, never for spontaneity, books a flight to Beijing as his life crashes around him. Hoping to spend two weeks with his best friend Poppy, is surprised to find she is out of town and so he will have to manage without her for the first week of his trip. When she organises a tour guide, he meets Yang, a PhD student and part-time tour guide, the two find themselves in one another’s orbit continuously thus beginning the start of what is a beautiful friendship turned romance.

This slow burn romance was so much more beyond the surface. Both Yang and Daniel were dealing with a lot as individuals so when they came together, it was just this beautiful friendship turned romance that allowed each of them as individuals to really flourish as people and unknowingly help each other through their heartbreak, grief, self-acceptance and anxiety.

It wasn’t easy with Daniel’s OCD, anxiety, constant self-doubt and struggling to connect with his heritage; never feeling like he quite belongs and Yang still very deep in the closet, facing pressure in his academic career and family, but the story was told with such sensitivity.
It just felt so real when you learn more about these characters and their mindsets. I also really loved the very detailed aspect such as when they were eating certain foods when they were visiting certain tourist attractions, it was very detailed. I felt like I was there with them.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and alcove press for this eARC

[Evita · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley and Alcove Press for letting me read an early copy of this book!

From Beijing With Love follows Daniel, who after a breakup decides to connect with his dad’s roots and spontaneously books a trip to China. Once there he meets Yang, a grumpy tour guide who is very unimpressed with Daniel’s ignorance.

This is the kind of romance book that I love: A chaotic start with a bunch of misunderstandings between the main characters, but somehow they keep coming back to each other. I loved seeing both their friendship and their attraction starting to grow. Daniel had OCD and a lot of anxiety, and this was clearly something Yang didn’t expect. Yang on the other hand was driven and determined, but felt he had to hide who he was from his closest people. So, they both had a lot to learn and challenge about themselves and the other person.

As someone who loves to travel, I adored that this was set during one of the MC’s trip. All the new places Daniel visited (some I’ve visited too), the historical background information, the cultural references, and all the delicious food descriptions definitely had me wanting to book a flight immediately.

The romance aspect was believable and really sweet. I love stories where a character is allowed to be themself and be loved and appreciated for who they are.

If you love travel, food, and queer love stories that are very sweet and a bit spicy, From Beijing With Love should definitely be on your radar. It comes out September 29th so give it a pre-order if it sounds like something you’d enjoy!

[Indie-Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.

I have been in such a slump with ARCs. I've DNFd the last 3 ARCs I've tried because they've all been so bad and boring. So this was such a delight to read.

The writing style is great and I got really absorbed in it. This book gave me exactly what I wanted from a vacation romance, too. Beijing felt like it's own character in this story, and the descriptions of the places they visited made me want to search up those areas to see what they look like. And the descriptions of food are fantastic.

Both main characters have solid personalities and individual wants and desires, and I could sympathise with both of them for the problems they individually had. Daniel has just had a bad breakup, a huge fuck up at work, and he has OCD so travelling is really difficult for him. Yang works as a tour guide part time while working on his PHD, and he's at a pretty stressful time in his academic journey. Plus, he's a gay man living in China, which is not super easy.

The two characters do not make a great impression on each other at first, but after a few more encounters, they start to understand each other better and fall for each other. The romance felt really genuine and sweet. And, okay, it's a BIT insta-love because they've known each other for 2 weeks, but like. A lot happened in those two weeks!

I also really liked Poppy as a side character. And Yang's grandmother.

[ChristineReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a deep emotional connection and a read that will hit you in the feels I highly recommend this book. It's sweet, endearing, cozy, and real.

Daniel flys to China after a disaster at work and being dumped by his boyfriend. Not really the spontaneous type, he lands to find out the best friend (Poppy) he is on his way to visit is actually out of town. After a terrible flight, lost luggage, and a feeling of dread, Daniel is mentally planning his return trip home....only to have Poppy schedule him a tour to the Great Wall. Yang is not impressed by Daniel, he's two hours late to their tour, and not talking at all. However these two do eventually get past their initial clashing and build a friendship.

After spending time together the two start to build a relationship, it tackles anxiety, OCD, cultural beliefs and differences. In a story about building connections, taking down bridges, and learning to be yourself (and okay with yourself) we get a beautiful story about love and friendship.

I couldn't put it down it was a really good read. As a reader I absolutely loved it. I do wish there had been some mention of ERP therapy for OCD, but I get that that is a personal thing and there may have no been time for it with the novel. Thank you to the publisher for providing an advanced readers copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 Stars

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this gorgeous cover and just had to request the ARC !
This was a really cute romance overall, between Daniel - who suffers from huge anxiety and panic attacks and is fleeing from job problems and a bad breakup - and Yang - a cool and serious closeted PhD student who part times as tour guide, and quietly suffers under all the parental expectations so typical in Asian families (and which I found so relatable).

The start of Daniel and Yang's relationship is a bit rocky, to say the least, their first meeting is disastrous and I quite enjoyed their bickering in that initial phase (I did wish we could've gotten more of that later on, as I love good banter). Their relationship progresses quickly but in a way that felt natural. Between Daniel's OCD and anxiety, Yang's school and family issues, and the fact that their time together comes with a set expiration date, it was enough to keep the plot engaging till the end. I also enjoyed Poppy's character, she's the ultimate BFF and sidekick.

The fact that the story is set in China and Japan was also a big plus, as I loved all the descriptions of sights, culture, and especially delicious food, as they spend time in Beijing, then Xi'an and finally Tokyo.

[Jo B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an incredibly sweet, layered read that dives into complex topics with a lot of care.
This author did a really good job of showing the nuanced issues both these characters are facing - Daniel’s anxiety and intense OCD but also his disconnect from his own cultural and racial identities and Yang’s own anxiety, perfectionism, and family expectations. I wish we got a little more into the family aspects of Daniel’s character - there were intriguing snippets about his mom and the tension between her and his dad’s family, but I could have used a deeper dive.
The relationship between the two characters also felt like a really nice natural progression - even though their timeline was so quick. I never felt like their next steps were rushed at any point, and even when their actions and miscommunications were frustrating, it made sense for their characters to act the way they did.
My maybe one complaint is that both the ending and the epilogue felt a little perfunctory - I would have loved to linger in the happy ending a bit longer.
Overall, wonderful main and supporting characters, and a story that shows a lot of love and care for the characters, the setting, and the history that the book sprinkles throughout.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove for the eARC!

[B.E. Traj · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC READ

I am thankful to the author, Alcove Press, and NetGalley for this eARC.

The premise immediately hooked me because I have been wanting to read more Asian diaspora stories with a touch of queer themes. At first, the pacing felt a little slow, but once I continued, I found myself enjoying every single moment between Daniel and Yang.

This is Bei Lin’s debut novel, and it truly blew me away. She has a gift for explaining Chinese culture and painting vivid pictures of places like Beijing and Xi’an. Her descriptions of food are especially outstanding. The way she captures how dishes look and taste made me feel hungry every time Daniel and Yang shared a meal.

The highlight of the book is the relationship between Daniel and Yang. Their interactions are heartfelt and layered, with boundaries, needs, and choices explored in a way that feels natural rather than preachy. The timing of their vulnerabilities being revealed is perfect, making their connection feel authentic and deeply moving.

Overall, this is a must-read novel. It is tender, culturally rich, and beautifully written. Bei Lin’s debut left me satisfied and eager to see what she writes next.

P.S.: Love the RPDR Reference.

[Ash [Ginggercakes] · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW: death of a parent, terminal illness, anxiety, OCD, homophobia, grief

Yang had the sudden urge to grab Daniel’s hand again, to pull him away from his monsters to somewhere safe, but he didn’t know how to save someone from their own thoughts.

You can’t convince me that this isn’t a book about food tourism with a romance sub plot but the romance and the relationship between Daniel and Yang was so heartwarming and sweet. I really liked the chemistry between all of the characters, it felt very natural and the character growth was consistent throughout the story and was very well expressed. The writing style wasn’t my favorite, I’m not a huge fan of third person, I think it holds characters at a distance but after a while I barely noticed and was able to really dive into the character’s emotions and complexities. Sometimes the inner monologues (Daniel) felt a little silly, but I think that’s just part of his character — he is all drama and trauma and I loved that about him. This was such a sweet book and I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publishing house affiliated, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

[Jemma Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautiful.

I need a physical copy of this book to sit proudly on my bookshelf.

The way Bei Lin has written Daniel & Yang is beautiful.
The fiercely loyal and unbreakable friendship between Daniel and Poppy is beautiful.
They way Bei Lin describes different locations around Beijing, Xi'an and Japan is beautiful.
The way she describes the food!! I felt as if I was reading a travel book alongside an incredible romance!

I knew from the first few chapters I was going to be hooked. What's happened with Daniel's job? What's happened in his relationship? Why is he on an aeroplane?

This book touches upon grief, anxiety, feeling you're not enough, homophobia, parental pressures and OCD yet it's so warming and a gorgeous story ❤️

Looking forward to any future books Bei Lin writes.

Thank you to Netgalley, Alcove Press & Bei Lin for the opportunity to read From Beijing, With Love. It was a joy ✨️

[Kelsee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this. What a beautiful book that seemed to come to me at exactly the right time.

First of all, it was so meaningful to me to read about a character with OCD. Daniel’s mental health journey is so relatable and really resonated with me. After all, he said it best - we are all just people doing our best in life.

It was so enchanting to follow Daniel and Yang throughout their travels and I loved learning more about the places they visited through them - and my mouth was truly watering hearing about the food!

Bei Lin does an amazing job immersing you in Yang and Daniel’s inner worlds. I felt as though I truly got to know them, as well as many of the side characters. Also, that twist? Too damn good. I never would have expected it, but it really was so perfect for the plot.

Please do yourself a favor and dive into From Beijing, With Love. You might just find your way home, too.

Thank you to the author and to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. The cultural aspect of it was really cool and felt authentic (as someone who has never been to any of these places). It started a bit slow, and they certainly had some very awkward, cringy meetings early on. Daniel was a bit of a mess and a little hard to feel connected with initially, but I did like them more as their relationship progressed. There was a little bit of like - guys… just talk to each other - towards the end, but things resolved nicely. I liked Poppy as well, she was a great character.

I also really liked seeing the personal cultural journey that Daniel went on throughout the story. It felt like a pretty important, deeper type of journey. And Yang had his own type of journey as well. Overall I really enjoyed this story and would be interested in checking out more from this author in the future.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Nicki Markus · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Beijing, With Love was a thoughtful and delightful MM contemporary romance tale. Both Daniel and Yang were well-drawn characters, and both of them developed and grew over the course of the novel. Their relationship felt real and believable, as did the general scenarios that played out. The pacing of the story was excellent and kept me engaged from start to finish. I was able to really get behind the characters and root for them, and there was also some useful cultural information imparted too which, as someone learning a little bit of Chinese at present, I found interesting. All in all, a fun and sweet read that I would recommend to fans of contemporary MM romance. There's plenty of angst along the way, but there's also a happy ending as pay off. I am giving it 4.5 stars.

I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Dawn Serra · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, tender, sweet story of love. I really enjoyed the gentle unfolding that happened between Daniel and Yang. It felt real and swept me up quickly - two flawed characters learning about themselves as they learn about each other while navigating heartbreak, queerness in China, grief and loss, friendship, and the weight of expectations.

Bei Lin paints a rich and realistic portrait of Beijing - the good and the bad, the challenging and the majestic, the past and the present. There were many moments when I laughed, cringed, ached, and longed alongside the characters.

Low on spice (1 out of 5), high on romance and sweetness (4.5 out of 5), I highly recommend this book to romance lovers and especially MM romance folks.

So grateful I got to do an advanced read of this book courtesy of Alcove Press and NetGalley. Thank you!

[Heather Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start by saying that I love this cover and that's what drew me in. I was hooked by the end of the first chapter. This was such a tenderhearted read. Daniel is a bit of an anxious mess but I adored him. Yang turns out to be such a sweetheart. They were so good for each other. They don't get off to a good start but as they continue to spend time together they start to open up to each other. They find a sense of home in each other. Yang helps Daniel see that his anxieties are a part of him and all of him deserves love. Daniel helps Yang to be brave and be himself.

Aside from two lovable MCs I loved the descriptions of the sights, culture and food. I pretty sure I spent most of this book hungry. This was an amazing debut and I'll definitely read more from this author! Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for my early copy!

[Alix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Alcove Press and Netgally, for the ARC!
I knew I was going to love this book for a few reasons, but mostly because of Daniel and how extremely relatable he was to me. I GET IT! Felt so seen by his character and all his growth. But here are some other reasons I really loved this book:

- The Food! Anytime a meal was involved, it just added a sense of intimacy and freedom!
-The Mental Health Rep. Like I said, I totally got Daniel and his anxieties. Even Yang’s need to be perfect 100% of the time was so on the nose for me.
-Feeling like you don’t fit in. I get it, I always feel like I’m not Mexican enough, even though I am Mexican. At the same time, though, I don’t feel American (US) enough. It's hard, so when you find a place that feels like home, it makes all the difference in the world.

Overall, a fantastic read! And I think it will be in my top 10 reads for 2026

[Athena · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I guess we are. Just wayward birds trying to find their way home.”

Daniel, who struggles with anxiety, travels to Beijing to visit his friend, Poppy, after having some personal setbacks at his job and in his relationship. When he lands in Beijing, he finds out that Poppy is out of town. Poppy arranges a tour of the Great Wall for him, where he meets Yang, a stoic PhD student and part-time tour guide. Though they initially clashed at their first meeting, they continue to spend time together and get to know one another. Yang envies Daniel’s free-spirit personality. While he has to conform to society’s expectations in China. When Yang is around Daniel, he begins to feel more authentic. Their time together is limited; they’re figuring out if they can be together.

It’s a cute, grumpy/sunshine romance book that showcases that someone will love you despite your setbacks. The relationship growth between Daniel and Yang felt very natural, as if they had known each other for a long time, despite having known each other for only two weeks. The progression of their relationship just made me giddy throughout the book.

The descriptions of the cities and sites were well written; it felt like I was there. The food descriptions made me hungry, especially the zhajiangmian.

Thank you Alcove Press and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC! I enjoyed reading it!