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The Museum of Modern Love
Not yet published
Expected 13 Oct 26"A yearning rush that builds into a full tidal wave of desire."
—Stephanie Perkins, New York Times-bestselling author of Overdue and Anna and the French Kiss
Tonight, inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art—somewhere between the hours of 8 PM and 5 AM—Auden Peck will fall in love with Miki Kawamura.
That’s Miki’s plan, anyway. And the plan is destiny.
See, Miki’s grandparents fell in love after accidentally being locked in the Met overnight in 1965. And now, after too many almost-confessions, hopeless romantic Miki will finally tell her best friend Auden that she loves him by retracing the path through the museum that her grandparents took that fateful night.
But destiny has other plans. For it’s not Auden who joins Miki on her midnight tour, but Lou McSweeney—the world’s most jaded cynic, and Miki’s ex. How can she possibly confess her feelings for Auden when she’s stuck sparring with this arrogant jerk? And is it possible that her original plan was not destiny’s true course after all?
For fans of Lynn Painter and Jenny Han, The Museum of Modern Love is an irresistible instant classic about the thrilling, often infuriating, rush of first love, guaranteed to sweep you off your feet.
A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
—Stephanie Perkins, New York Times-bestselling author of Overdue and Anna and the French Kiss
Tonight, inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art—somewhere between the hours of 8 PM and 5 AM—Auden Peck will fall in love with Miki Kawamura.
That’s Miki’s plan, anyway. And the plan is destiny.
See, Miki’s grandparents fell in love after accidentally being locked in the Met overnight in 1965. And now, after too many almost-confessions, hopeless romantic Miki will finally tell her best friend Auden that she loves him by retracing the path through the museum that her grandparents took that fateful night.
But destiny has other plans. For it’s not Auden who joins Miki on her midnight tour, but Lou McSweeney—the world’s most jaded cynic, and Miki’s ex. How can she possibly confess her feelings for Auden when she’s stuck sparring with this arrogant jerk? And is it possible that her original plan was not destiny’s true course after all?
For fans of Lynn Painter and Jenny Han, The Museum of Modern Love is an irresistible instant classic about the thrilling, often infuriating, rush of first love, guaranteed to sweep you off your feet.
A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Audible Audio
Expected publication October 13, 2026
About the author
Mariko Turk
5 books182 followersMariko Turk grew up in Pennsylvania and studied creative writing at the University of Pittsburgh. She went on to get her PhD in English from the University of Florida with a concentration in children’s literature. She now lives in Colorado with her husband and daughter.
Her debut novel, The Other Side of Perfect, was a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2022 pick. Her next YA novel, I'll Be Waiting for You, won the Colorado Book Award for young adult fiction. Her third book for teens, The Museum of Modern Love, is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection.
For updates, follow her on Instagram @marikoturk or sign up for her newsletter here! https://www.marikoturk.com/
Her debut novel, The Other Side of Perfect, was a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2022 pick. Her next YA novel, I'll Be Waiting for You, won the Colorado Book Award for young adult fiction. Her third book for teens, The Museum of Modern Love, is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection.
For updates, follow her on Instagram @marikoturk or sign up for her newsletter here! https://www.marikoturk.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
What a great love letter to that classic book, art, museums, and family. I was looking up paintings and museum artworks like it was my job!
I was truly touched by her grandparents' story, start to finish.
I was truly touched by her grandparents' story, start to finish.
April 20, 2026
2.5/5 rounded down. Unfortunately, this book was too YA for me. Book the writing and the subject/context was just too juvenile for me. The overarching plot was super cute- a night in the Met between Miki and her long-distance-best-friend-secret-love recreating the love story of her grandparents.. It was hard for me to get past the very high school talk, but I think the author did a good job at creating the dialogue for the intended audience.
I don’t love a miscommunication trope and I really didn’t love the actual plot of Kiki falling in love with her ex-boyfriend, Lou, from last summer and then pretty much leaving the whole main idea of Auden to dry up.
The book was fun, just not for me personally! I think this would be well liked by the middle school/young high school audience!
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for this arc!
I don’t love a miscommunication trope and I really didn’t love the actual plot of Kiki falling in love with her ex-boyfriend, Lou, from last summer and then pretty much leaving the whole main idea of Auden to dry up.
The book was fun, just not for me personally! I think this would be well liked by the middle school/young high school audience!
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for this arc!
May 14, 2026
Art is one of my favorite things. I felt like this book had me jumping in head first into the Met. I’ll have to visit myself someday. I think the love story was sweet and a little predictable, but for the audience this book is set for… it’s perfect.
March 21, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Publishing for this book.
Rating: 3.5 stars (rounded up)
The Museum of Modern Love by Mariko Turk is a cute YA novel that that really encapsulates the beauty and human feelings revolving artistic expression. I really like how the author integrates her local background of growing up in PA to moving to FL as a major influence of the setting in the novel. Especially the for main setting of Miki Kawamura’s internship at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
“The Met” is this central place in these three weeks during Miki’s internship where the Falling In Love Tour plan is supposed to unfold inspired by her Grandmother Hana and Grandfather Kenshin. Miki’s friend/ex Lou takes this interesting ride with her along the way as she tries to win someone’s heart. But who will it be….?
This is a bit of a slow burn at first and this is a YA novel for content, but the convergence and descriptions of art and love and the young infatuation will take hold of your mind and make you think deep!
Rating: 3.5 stars (rounded up)
The Museum of Modern Love by Mariko Turk is a cute YA novel that that really encapsulates the beauty and human feelings revolving artistic expression. I really like how the author integrates her local background of growing up in PA to moving to FL as a major influence of the setting in the novel. Especially the for main setting of Miki Kawamura’s internship at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
“The Met” is this central place in these three weeks during Miki’s internship where the Falling In Love Tour plan is supposed to unfold inspired by her Grandmother Hana and Grandfather Kenshin. Miki’s friend/ex Lou takes this interesting ride with her along the way as she tries to win someone’s heart. But who will it be….?
This is a bit of a slow burn at first and this is a YA novel for content, but the convergence and descriptions of art and love and the young infatuation will take hold of your mind and make you think deep!
August 25, 2026
Oh, how I ADORED this. I came away with a whole new appreciation for art and an overwhelming desire to visit a museum, find an exhibit that speaks to me, and stare at it until I’ve forgotten what time it is and security has to politely ask me to vacate the premises.
This is a story about art, but more than that, it’s about what art asks of us. The way it makes us look inward. The way it can hold up a mirror we didn’t know we needed. Two people can stand in front of the same painting and walk away having two completely different, equally valid experiences. Art inspires. Art transforms. You can walk into a museum as one version of yourself and walk back out as someone ever so slightly different.
And somehow, despite this story taking place over a single night, I was completely captivated by the amount of character development the author managed to weave into those few hours. Miki, Lou, Auden, Madison, Miki’s grandmother—hell, even Lou’s uncle—all felt so wonderfully human and fully realized. I genuinely don’t know what to say about this book. I just want to babble incoherently and press it into everyone’s hands and say, “Please read this. I loved it so much.”
The banter between Miki and Lou had me staying up well past my bedtime, which, as an adult, is quite the sacrifice. I did not care. I could not love them more.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Macmillan Audio, and Mariko Turk for the advanced reader and listener copies. This review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.
This is a story about art, but more than that, it’s about what art asks of us. The way it makes us look inward. The way it can hold up a mirror we didn’t know we needed. Two people can stand in front of the same painting and walk away having two completely different, equally valid experiences. Art inspires. Art transforms. You can walk into a museum as one version of yourself and walk back out as someone ever so slightly different.
And somehow, despite this story taking place over a single night, I was completely captivated by the amount of character development the author managed to weave into those few hours. Miki, Lou, Auden, Madison, Miki’s grandmother—hell, even Lou’s uncle—all felt so wonderfully human and fully realized. I genuinely don’t know what to say about this book. I just want to babble incoherently and press it into everyone’s hands and say, “Please read this. I loved it so much.”
The banter between Miki and Lou had me staying up well past my bedtime, which, as an adult, is quite the sacrifice. I did not care. I could not love them more.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Macmillan Audio, and Mariko Turk for the advanced reader and listener copies. This review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC.
2.25 stars.
This book is a love letter to all the art lovers and hopeless romantics. I have always been an art lover. An Art Museum is a place I always love to visit. And on the romance topic, I'd be lying if I told you that I've never dreamt of my own meet cute in an Art gallery. All the art and music and historical references, all the vivid descriptions made me feel like I myself were in the Museum with our MCs.
However, this whole book takes place in only one night, so the romance kind of felt a bit rushed to me - but it's a second chance, so the resurfaced feelings were nice to see. I liked the Mmc's backstory. The Fmc represents all the confused stages of teenage. It was frustrating at some point, but still pretty understandable if you're not very nitpicky about your MCs in romance books.
Unfortunately, I am.
She frustrated the heck out of me and the sudden feeling changes confused me like GURL HOW DO YOU GO FROM TRYING TO CONFESS TO YOUR CRUSH FROM FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOUR EX IN A MATTER OF A FEW HOUR?
The Mmc was just....fine, I guess. I don't love him, I don't hate him. He's just your typical handsome, white love interest. (He gives way too much mixed signals, tho-)
And I would say, this book felt like a novella despite it's length. It felt a bit rushed out but I guess stories taken placed in only one night aren’t for me and that's fine. I still appreciate how unique this was. The writing was pretty good and descriptive.....and the cover is GORGEOUS.
Overall, though not my type personally, would recommend to check it out when it comes out if this matches your personal reading taste.
Content warning : Nothing remarkable that I remember but there was a one line mention of a gay couple's marriage. The Fmc mentions her late grandma and grieves her.
—Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
________________________________________
Pre-read : My first ever arc(YAYY!!!). And the cover looks freakin' GORGEOUS too.
2.25 stars.
This book is a love letter to all the art lovers and hopeless romantics. I have always been an art lover. An Art Museum is a place I always love to visit. And on the romance topic, I'd be lying if I told you that I've never dreamt of my own meet cute in an Art gallery. All the art and music and historical references, all the vivid descriptions made me feel like I myself were in the Museum with our MCs.
However, this whole book takes place in only one night, so the romance kind of felt a bit rushed to me - but it's a second chance, so the resurfaced feelings were nice to see. I liked the Mmc's backstory. The Fmc represents all the confused stages of teenage. It was frustrating at some point, but still pretty understandable if you're not very nitpicky about your MCs in romance books.
Unfortunately, I am.
She frustrated the heck out of me and the sudden feeling changes confused me like GURL HOW DO YOU GO FROM TRYING TO CONFESS TO YOUR CRUSH FROM FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOUR EX IN A MATTER OF A FEW HOUR?
The Mmc was just....fine, I guess. I don't love him, I don't hate him. He's just your typical handsome, white love interest. (He gives way too much mixed signals, tho-)
And I would say, this book felt like a novella despite it's length. It felt a bit rushed out but I guess stories taken placed in only one night aren’t for me and that's fine. I still appreciate how unique this was. The writing was pretty good and descriptive.....and the cover is GORGEOUS.
Overall, though not my type personally, would recommend to check it out when it comes out if this matches your personal reading taste.
Content warning : Nothing remarkable that I remember but there was a one line mention of a gay couple's marriage. The Fmc mentions her late grandma and grieves her.
—Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
________________________________________
Pre-read : My first ever arc(YAYY!!!). And the cover looks freakin' GORGEOUS too.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My rating is 4 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
hopeless romantic 🤝 The Met 🤝 ex-boyfriend 🤝 "wait... maybe my carefully planned love story isn't going according to plan"
A ROMANCE SET IN THE MET??? and not just a romance set in the Met...
a romance where our FMC has literally planned out an entire night to recreate her grandparents' love story???
girl...I respect the commitment😭
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁.
what i loved was THE SETTING.
THE MET, ART, MUSEUMS, ROMANCE do i even need to say more???
i absolutely loved how much art and art history was woven into the story.
the descriptions of the different pieces, the history behind them and the way Miki interprets them made the museum feel like an actual character in the story.
and honestly? i kept wanting to look up the artwork myself.
there were so many moments where i thought okay, i NEED to see this in person.
which is probably a very effective way of making me want to book a flight to New York. 😂
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ ݁.
I also really liked Miki.
she is SUCH a hopeless romantic.
like...girl has a PLAN.
a whole itinerary, a whole museum route, a whole vision.
she has decided exactly how her love story is supposed to happen and is determined to make it happen that way.
and honestly? as someone who also loves romance...i get it.
but watching her slowly realize that love doesn't always follow the perfectly written story in your head was probably one of my favorite parts.
sometimes the person you think is your perfect ending isn't actually the person you need.
and sometimes the story you didn't plan for ends up being the one that matters.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁.
and then...LOU.
because obviously the universe looked at Miki's perfectly organized romantic plan and said "no ❤️"
and threw her ex-boyfriend into the middle of it.
the banter between these two was probably one of my favorite things.
there's so much history between them and i really enjoyed watching all those old feelings and misunderstandings slowly come back to the surface.
the more time they spent together, the more we got to see the parts of each other that they'd been refusing to acknowledge.
and honestly? forced proximity with an ex??? i'm listening.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁.
BUT...this is definitely a YA romance and i think that's important to remember going into it.
the characters are teenagers and sometimes their decisions and emotional reactions really reminded me of that.
there were moments where i wanted to shake Miki a little and say GIRL. PLEASE.
especially when she was so determined to make everything fit into the love story she'd already imagined and while i enjoyed the romance, some of the emotional progression felt a little quick to me.
i liked Miki and Lou together...
i just wanted a little more time for certain feelings to develop before everything clicked into place.
the romance is also fairly predictable if you've read a lot of YA rom-coms.
but honestly? sometimes predictable isn't a bad thing.
sometimes you just want something sweet and charming that gives you exactly the ending you're hoping for.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁.
overall, The Museum of Modern Love was such a cute and charming read.
the romance was sweet, the banter was fun, the Met setting was absolutely gorgeous and i loved how the book used art to explore love, memory, family, and the difference between the love story we imagine for ourselves and the one that actually happens.
it also made me want to wander around a museum at night with someone i love... which feels like a pretty successful romance novel to me. 🥹
so if you like YA romance with a museums & art history setting, hopeless romantics, second-chance/ex romance with forced proximity, witty banter, New York settings and sweet, low-spice romances...i think you'll have a really good time with this one.
My final thoughts;
i came for the art...
i stayed for the romance...and i left wondering if i can somehow convince The Met to let me recreate an entire fictional love story there after hours. 🎨🖼️💗
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC!
hopeless romantic 🤝 The Met 🤝 ex-boyfriend 🤝 "wait... maybe my carefully planned love story isn't going according to plan"
A ROMANCE SET IN THE MET??? and not just a romance set in the Met...
a romance where our FMC has literally planned out an entire night to recreate her grandparents' love story???
girl...I respect the commitment😭
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁.
what i loved was THE SETTING.
THE MET, ART, MUSEUMS, ROMANCE do i even need to say more???
i absolutely loved how much art and art history was woven into the story.
the descriptions of the different pieces, the history behind them and the way Miki interprets them made the museum feel like an actual character in the story.
and honestly? i kept wanting to look up the artwork myself.
there were so many moments where i thought okay, i NEED to see this in person.
which is probably a very effective way of making me want to book a flight to New York. 😂
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ ݁.
I also really liked Miki.
she is SUCH a hopeless romantic.
like...girl has a PLAN.
a whole itinerary, a whole museum route, a whole vision.
she has decided exactly how her love story is supposed to happen and is determined to make it happen that way.
and honestly? as someone who also loves romance...i get it.
but watching her slowly realize that love doesn't always follow the perfectly written story in your head was probably one of my favorite parts.
sometimes the person you think is your perfect ending isn't actually the person you need.
and sometimes the story you didn't plan for ends up being the one that matters.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁.
and then...LOU.
because obviously the universe looked at Miki's perfectly organized romantic plan and said "no ❤️"
and threw her ex-boyfriend into the middle of it.
the banter between these two was probably one of my favorite things.
there's so much history between them and i really enjoyed watching all those old feelings and misunderstandings slowly come back to the surface.
the more time they spent together, the more we got to see the parts of each other that they'd been refusing to acknowledge.
and honestly? forced proximity with an ex??? i'm listening.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁.
BUT...this is definitely a YA romance and i think that's important to remember going into it.
the characters are teenagers and sometimes their decisions and emotional reactions really reminded me of that.
there were moments where i wanted to shake Miki a little and say GIRL. PLEASE.
especially when she was so determined to make everything fit into the love story she'd already imagined and while i enjoyed the romance, some of the emotional progression felt a little quick to me.
i liked Miki and Lou together...
i just wanted a little more time for certain feelings to develop before everything clicked into place.
the romance is also fairly predictable if you've read a lot of YA rom-coms.
but honestly? sometimes predictable isn't a bad thing.
sometimes you just want something sweet and charming that gives you exactly the ending you're hoping for.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁.
overall, The Museum of Modern Love was such a cute and charming read.
the romance was sweet, the banter was fun, the Met setting was absolutely gorgeous and i loved how the book used art to explore love, memory, family, and the difference between the love story we imagine for ourselves and the one that actually happens.
it also made me want to wander around a museum at night with someone i love... which feels like a pretty successful romance novel to me. 🥹
so if you like YA romance with a museums & art history setting, hopeless romantics, second-chance/ex romance with forced proximity, witty banter, New York settings and sweet, low-spice romances...i think you'll have a really good time with this one.
My final thoughts;
i came for the art...
i stayed for the romance...and i left wondering if i can somehow convince The Met to let me recreate an entire fictional love story there after hours. 🎨🖼️💗
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this free review copy.
I downloaded this because I thought it would be a light fun YA romance, and it is! This was fun, and super sweet, and heartfelt ... and unexpectedly moving. I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. Just as this book says, love is never quite as we picture it.
Because ... well ... the first two chapters were rough. This book and I got off on the wrong foot or something. I wondered if I wasn't the right reader for this book. But then Miko's unhinged plan fell apart, a spanner was thrown into the works, and I got interested!
In the end, this book really surprised me. It IS a light fun YA romance, but it's more than that, and sneaks up on you. What started off feeling predictable and sappy gradually grew into the opposite. By the middle of the book, I knew what I WANTED to happen, but I realized I wasn't quite sure what was actually going to happen, or how it could get there. The descriptions of the art in the Met were clearly written by someone who loves the art, and I had so much fun following along and looking up photos on the Met site as I read - some pieces really need to be seen to be appreciated, like the lobster telephone!
The premise of this story is that Miki and her longtime crush, Auden, get to spend the night inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art (along with many other museum employees), documenting items in the museum's upcoming exhibit by making little Instagram videos. It's sort of "Emily in Paris," except it's "Miki in the Met." And, much like Emily, Miki's videos and dialogue don't sound like anything special, they would not have me saying "shit, Miki, that was beautiful" (which is what Auden says - but maybe he's blinded by loooove). (Note: many videos of people talking about art in the Met do exist, so this is a real thing the Met does. Just google "Meet Me at the Met.")
Things I liked:
* The idea of replicating Miki's grandparent's experience of falling in love one night at the Met was very sweet.
* It was fun to follow along with the book and look at photos of these artworks online (although I didn't always agree with her choices, but that added to my enjoyment. For example: Cot's "The Storm" is one of my longtime favorites, it is prominently displayed in the gallery and it's mesmerizing. But she chose to feature Cot's "Springtime" - also a lovely and romantic painting, but not the one that stops me when I visit the Met. I enjoyed learning about other ways to see the paintings.)
* Miki's INTENSE irritation with Lou McSweeney made me laugh.
Things I didn't like:
* the first two chapters felt super clunky. After that, I loved everything!
Note (possibly of interest only to me, or ... only to people the same age as me): the part where Miki and Lou talk about "what is an ass clown anyway?" made me feel so old! A "no-talent ass clown" is a quote from the movie Office Space. A quick google will give you this information. I guess Miki & Lou are both kids and so maybe it's natural for neither of them to know this.
I downloaded this because I thought it would be a light fun YA romance, and it is! This was fun, and super sweet, and heartfelt ... and unexpectedly moving. I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. Just as this book says, love is never quite as we picture it.
Because ... well ... the first two chapters were rough. This book and I got off on the wrong foot or something. I wondered if I wasn't the right reader for this book. But then Miko's unhinged plan fell apart, a spanner was thrown into the works, and I got interested!
In the end, this book really surprised me. It IS a light fun YA romance, but it's more than that, and sneaks up on you. What started off feeling predictable and sappy gradually grew into the opposite. By the middle of the book, I knew what I WANTED to happen, but I realized I wasn't quite sure what was actually going to happen, or how it could get there. The descriptions of the art in the Met were clearly written by someone who loves the art, and I had so much fun following along and looking up photos on the Met site as I read - some pieces really need to be seen to be appreciated, like the lobster telephone!
The premise of this story is that Miki and her longtime crush, Auden, get to spend the night inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art (along with many other museum employees), documenting items in the museum's upcoming exhibit by making little Instagram videos. It's sort of "Emily in Paris," except it's "Miki in the Met." And, much like Emily, Miki's videos and dialogue don't sound like anything special, they would not have me saying "shit, Miki, that was beautiful" (which is what Auden says - but maybe he's blinded by loooove). (Note: many videos of people talking about art in the Met do exist, so this is a real thing the Met does. Just google "Meet Me at the Met.")
Things I liked:
* The idea of replicating Miki's grandparent's experience of falling in love one night at the Met was very sweet.
* It was fun to follow along with the book and look at photos of these artworks online (although I didn't always agree with her choices, but that added to my enjoyment. For example: Cot's "The Storm" is one of my longtime favorites, it is prominently displayed in the gallery and it's mesmerizing. But she chose to feature Cot's "Springtime" - also a lovely and romantic painting, but not the one that stops me when I visit the Met. I enjoyed learning about other ways to see the paintings.)
* Miki's INTENSE irritation with Lou McSweeney made me laugh.
Things I didn't like:
* the first two chapters felt super clunky. After that, I loved everything!
Note (possibly of interest only to me, or ... only to people the same age as me): the part where Miki and Lou talk about "what is an ass clown anyway?" made me feel so old! A "no-talent ass clown" is a quote from the movie Office Space. A quick google will give you this information. I guess Miki & Lou are both kids and so maybe it's natural for neither of them to know this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Museum of Modern Love was unfortunately just an “okay” read for me, and I’m honestly a little sad about that because I really wanted to love it. Don’t get me wrong—this is a good YA book, and I can absolutely see myself recommending it to my students. I think there are a lot of things here that teenage readers will really enjoy. But for me personally… you can just tell it’s YA. And I think I’ve reached the point where I like my YA a little more on the risqué side—give me the kind of YA where I’m constantly thinking, “Wait… this is actually YA?!” 😂
That being said, I really loved the premise of this story. Young love, a museum, a mysterious family love story, and a girl trying to retrace her grandmother’s famous romance? YES. I was immediately intrigued.
Our FMC finds herself spending time in a museum trying to recreate her grandmother’s legendary love story while also attempting to finally figure out her own feelings. A huge part of the story revolves around her relationship with her friend Auden and her growing realization that she may finally be ready to confess how she feels about him. I really enjoyed that element of the story—the awkwardness, uncertainty, and confusion that comes with trying to figure out whether a friendship is becoming something more.
And then… PLOT TWIST.
Because, naturally, things aren't nearly as simple as she thinks they are. By the end of her “practice” tour through the museum, she realizes that maybe Auden isn't actually the person she’s in love with after all. Instead, she starts questioning her feelings for Lou, leaving her completely confused about what she actually wants.
Honestly, I appreciated that this wasn't wrapped up into a perfectly neat little bow. There was something very realistic about a teenager thinking they have everything figured out, only to realize they absolutely do not. Love and relationships can be messy, especially when you're young and still trying to understand yourself.
I did struggle a little with the historical elements of the story. There are undertones surrounding the Japanese American incarceration camps and the treatment of Japanese Americans during that time, and while I appreciated the inclusion of that history, it sometimes felt a little disjointed from the rest of the story. I found myself wishing those pieces had been woven more naturally into the overall narrative because they felt like they belonged to a slightly different story at times.
Ultimately, I think this is one of those books where I can recognize that it’s good, even if it just wasn't necessarily for me. I think younger YA readers, especially students who enjoy sweet romance, friendship drama, family history, and a little bit of mystery surrounding a love story, could really enjoy this one.
So while it didn't completely wow me, I still think it has a place on my classroom bookshelf—and I’ll absolutely be recommending it to my students. 💕
Just don't expect me to give up my “is this REALLY YA?!” books anytime soon. 😂
That being said, I really loved the premise of this story. Young love, a museum, a mysterious family love story, and a girl trying to retrace her grandmother’s famous romance? YES. I was immediately intrigued.
Our FMC finds herself spending time in a museum trying to recreate her grandmother’s legendary love story while also attempting to finally figure out her own feelings. A huge part of the story revolves around her relationship with her friend Auden and her growing realization that she may finally be ready to confess how she feels about him. I really enjoyed that element of the story—the awkwardness, uncertainty, and confusion that comes with trying to figure out whether a friendship is becoming something more.
And then… PLOT TWIST.
Because, naturally, things aren't nearly as simple as she thinks they are. By the end of her “practice” tour through the museum, she realizes that maybe Auden isn't actually the person she’s in love with after all. Instead, she starts questioning her feelings for Lou, leaving her completely confused about what she actually wants.
Honestly, I appreciated that this wasn't wrapped up into a perfectly neat little bow. There was something very realistic about a teenager thinking they have everything figured out, only to realize they absolutely do not. Love and relationships can be messy, especially when you're young and still trying to understand yourself.
I did struggle a little with the historical elements of the story. There are undertones surrounding the Japanese American incarceration camps and the treatment of Japanese Americans during that time, and while I appreciated the inclusion of that history, it sometimes felt a little disjointed from the rest of the story. I found myself wishing those pieces had been woven more naturally into the overall narrative because they felt like they belonged to a slightly different story at times.
Ultimately, I think this is one of those books where I can recognize that it’s good, even if it just wasn't necessarily for me. I think younger YA readers, especially students who enjoy sweet romance, friendship drama, family history, and a little bit of mystery surrounding a love story, could really enjoy this one.
So while it didn't completely wow me, I still think it has a place on my classroom bookshelf—and I’ll absolutely be recommending it to my students. 💕
Just don't expect me to give up my “is this REALLY YA?!” books anytime soon. 😂
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Quite simply put, The Museum of Modern Love is a YA masterpiece (art pun fully intended). It is a beautiful novel, rich with imagery, characterization, emotional intelligence, and contemplative dialogue and discussions.
Though the premise is simple, Mariko Turk weaved the plot in such a way that every point— the introduction, the climax, the resolution— was riddled with such depth that I honestly cannot fathom how she did so in just over 300 pages. The amount of intricate detail (at least to a casual art observer) that was included in the novel with respect to each work’s contextual history was quite impressive too— so much so that I am itching to go to the Met right now to view it all and fashion my own tour based on their inclusion. Miki did such a wonderful job conveying her innermost thoughts about each piece that I truly felt I was right there next to her taking it all in too. While there was only one major twist (was I just too involved to presume it?), every other element worked so seamlessly that I never felt bored (far from it, in fact).
Perhaps I, a woman of 35, am reacting with such admiration because I feel as though Miki possesses the same idealistic dreamer tendencies that I had as a teenager. However, given the change that each generation of youth has undergone in the past 50 years or so, perhaps it’s more due to Miki’s zeal and timeless personality— she truly could fit into any period. I felt every moment of joy, confusion, obstinance, and heartache in the same way she did. Lou was a bit of a puzzle at first and while his development was rather impressive too, I don’t believe it was conveyed as well as Miki’s. Alas, that simply could be a result of Turk’s choice to stick to a 1st person narrative structure— dual POVs might have tempered everything more.
I do wish we would have been given some interaction between Miki and her mother and father apart from the texts at the end of the novel, especially since she didn’t seem to have as much resolution about their relationship as she did with Grandma Hana and her story. So too would I have loved to have a more fully fleshed out and active epilogue scene, instead of a seemingly narrative-based one. That said, Madison’s characterization and role were quite robust, given the fact that she was only accessible to Miki via text and FaceTime.
Overall, Turk’s work was an incredibly delightful and engaging read— one which I could have binged in one sitting had I not been interrupted. I definitely think it merits a re-read at some point, perhaps even a tandem read with The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.
Thank you to Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the tremendous privilege to read this ARC!
Though the premise is simple, Mariko Turk weaved the plot in such a way that every point— the introduction, the climax, the resolution— was riddled with such depth that I honestly cannot fathom how she did so in just over 300 pages. The amount of intricate detail (at least to a casual art observer) that was included in the novel with respect to each work’s contextual history was quite impressive too— so much so that I am itching to go to the Met right now to view it all and fashion my own tour based on their inclusion. Miki did such a wonderful job conveying her innermost thoughts about each piece that I truly felt I was right there next to her taking it all in too. While there was only one major twist (was I just too involved to presume it?), every other element worked so seamlessly that I never felt bored (far from it, in fact).
Perhaps I, a woman of 35, am reacting with such admiration because I feel as though Miki possesses the same idealistic dreamer tendencies that I had as a teenager. However, given the change that each generation of youth has undergone in the past 50 years or so, perhaps it’s more due to Miki’s zeal and timeless personality— she truly could fit into any period. I felt every moment of joy, confusion, obstinance, and heartache in the same way she did. Lou was a bit of a puzzle at first and while his development was rather impressive too, I don’t believe it was conveyed as well as Miki’s. Alas, that simply could be a result of Turk’s choice to stick to a 1st person narrative structure— dual POVs might have tempered everything more.
I do wish we would have been given some interaction between Miki and her mother and father apart from the texts at the end of the novel, especially since she didn’t seem to have as much resolution about their relationship as she did with Grandma Hana and her story. So too would I have loved to have a more fully fleshed out and active epilogue scene, instead of a seemingly narrative-based one. That said, Madison’s characterization and role were quite robust, given the fact that she was only accessible to Miki via text and FaceTime.
Overall, Turk’s work was an incredibly delightful and engaging read— one which I could have binged in one sitting had I not been interrupted. I definitely think it merits a re-read at some point, perhaps even a tandem read with The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.
Thank you to Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the tremendous privilege to read this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A tender, layered romance about love, legacy, and finding your own path*
This was easily one of the cutest reads I’ve picked up this year, and such a thoughtful way to introduce younger YA readers to second-chance romance—especially within the high-stakes, tension-filled backdrop of a locked-door setting.
What truly sets this book apart is how grounded it feels. As the characters stand on the brink of college and adulthood, their relationship is allowed to be imperfect—full of love, doubt, miscommunication, and growth. It doesn’t shy away from the messiness of figuring yourself out while also trying to hold onto someone else. That honesty makes the romance feel incredibly real and deeply relatable.
The setting at the Met adds a unique, almost magical layer to the story, but what really elevates it is the intergenerational narrative. The glimpses into the protagonists’ grandparents’ story—how their love endured and ultimately healed them—bring emotional weight and richness to the present-day romance. It’s a beautiful reminder that love doesn’t exist in isolation; it’s shaped by history, family, and the stories we inherit.
One of the most impactful elements of this novel is its exploration of parental expectations Both protagonists are navigating not just their feelings for each other, but also the pressure of who they’re supposed to become. The book thoughtfully captures that tension between honoring your family and being true to yourself. What I appreciated most is that it doesn’t offer easy answers—there’s no villain in these expectations, just love expressed in complicated ways. Instead, the story models a more nuanced approach: communication, self-awareness, and the courage to set boundaries. It’s a message that will resonate deeply with young readers who are also trying to reconcile their own dreams with the expectations placed on them.
My only critique is that the inclusion of the Japanese internment camp history felt so significant that I found myself wanting more. A few additional flashbacks or deeper exploration would have added even more emotional depth and historical weight. That said, its presence still adds an important layer to the story’s themes of legacy and resilience.
Overall, this is a heartfelt, multi-layered read that blends romance, history, and personal growth in a way that feels both accessible and meaningful. It’s sweet, reflective, and quietly powerful—a perfect choice for readers who love character-driven stories with emotional depth.
CW: historical references to Japanese internment camps.
This was easily one of the cutest reads I’ve picked up this year, and such a thoughtful way to introduce younger YA readers to second-chance romance—especially within the high-stakes, tension-filled backdrop of a locked-door setting.
What truly sets this book apart is how grounded it feels. As the characters stand on the brink of college and adulthood, their relationship is allowed to be imperfect—full of love, doubt, miscommunication, and growth. It doesn’t shy away from the messiness of figuring yourself out while also trying to hold onto someone else. That honesty makes the romance feel incredibly real and deeply relatable.
The setting at the Met adds a unique, almost magical layer to the story, but what really elevates it is the intergenerational narrative. The glimpses into the protagonists’ grandparents’ story—how their love endured and ultimately healed them—bring emotional weight and richness to the present-day romance. It’s a beautiful reminder that love doesn’t exist in isolation; it’s shaped by history, family, and the stories we inherit.
One of the most impactful elements of this novel is its exploration of parental expectations Both protagonists are navigating not just their feelings for each other, but also the pressure of who they’re supposed to become. The book thoughtfully captures that tension between honoring your family and being true to yourself. What I appreciated most is that it doesn’t offer easy answers—there’s no villain in these expectations, just love expressed in complicated ways. Instead, the story models a more nuanced approach: communication, self-awareness, and the courage to set boundaries. It’s a message that will resonate deeply with young readers who are also trying to reconcile their own dreams with the expectations placed on them.
My only critique is that the inclusion of the Japanese internment camp history felt so significant that I found myself wanting more. A few additional flashbacks or deeper exploration would have added even more emotional depth and historical weight. That said, its presence still adds an important layer to the story’s themes of legacy and resilience.
Overall, this is a heartfelt, multi-layered read that blends romance, history, and personal growth in a way that feels both accessible and meaningful. It’s sweet, reflective, and quietly powerful—a perfect choice for readers who love character-driven stories with emotional depth.
CW: historical references to Japanese internment camps.
May 21, 2026
The Museum of Modern Love by Mariko Turk
I went into this expecting a cute museum romance and somehow ended up emotionally spiraling over love, art, timing, and wandering through The Met at night with someone who understands you a little too well.
This is definitely younger YA, so don’t go in expecting a super mature romantasy-style romance or anything like that. It fully leans into that awkward, hopeful, cinematic teenage love feeling—and honestly? That’s what made it work so well for me.
Miki is completely obsessed with the idea of creating the perfect romantic moment for her longtime crush at The Met, which already sounded incredibly cute to me because honestly… wandering around a museum at night falling in love sounds elite.
But obviously things do NOT go according to plan.
Instead, she ends up spending the night exploring the museum with Lou, and watching their relationship slowly unfold ended up being my favorite part of the whole book.
The chemistry here feels very soft and natural. It’s not super dramatic or overly intense—it’s more about conversations, vulnerability, awkward moments, and slowly realizing someone sees you differently than you expected.
And Lou??? Yeah. I get it.
He has this emotionally guarded energy where he acts like he doesn’t care too much about anything while very clearly caring A LOT underneath it all. Meanwhile Miki is so deeply romantic and idealistic about love that their dynamic just worked.
The setting also carried this book HARD in the best way possible. The museum genuinely feels magical here. The art references, the history woven throughout the story, the late-night wandering through exhibits—it all made the story feel really immersive and honestly kind of nostalgic.
It also gave me major early 2000s romcom energy in a way I can’t fully explain.
Was it predictable? Yes.
Did I care? Absolutely not.
This was just FUN. Sweet, heartfelt, easy to binge, and the kind of book that leaves you weirdly happy afterward.
If you like:
🎨 museums & art history vibes
💕 awkward but sweet romance
✨ late-night NYC energy
🖤 emotionally guarded love interests
🎬 classic romcom feeling YA
You’ll probably eat this up like I did.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the ARC!!
I went into this expecting a cute museum romance and somehow ended up emotionally spiraling over love, art, timing, and wandering through The Met at night with someone who understands you a little too well.
This is definitely younger YA, so don’t go in expecting a super mature romantasy-style romance or anything like that. It fully leans into that awkward, hopeful, cinematic teenage love feeling—and honestly? That’s what made it work so well for me.
Miki is completely obsessed with the idea of creating the perfect romantic moment for her longtime crush at The Met, which already sounded incredibly cute to me because honestly… wandering around a museum at night falling in love sounds elite.
But obviously things do NOT go according to plan.
Instead, she ends up spending the night exploring the museum with Lou, and watching their relationship slowly unfold ended up being my favorite part of the whole book.
The chemistry here feels very soft and natural. It’s not super dramatic or overly intense—it’s more about conversations, vulnerability, awkward moments, and slowly realizing someone sees you differently than you expected.
And Lou??? Yeah. I get it.
He has this emotionally guarded energy where he acts like he doesn’t care too much about anything while very clearly caring A LOT underneath it all. Meanwhile Miki is so deeply romantic and idealistic about love that their dynamic just worked.
The setting also carried this book HARD in the best way possible. The museum genuinely feels magical here. The art references, the history woven throughout the story, the late-night wandering through exhibits—it all made the story feel really immersive and honestly kind of nostalgic.
It also gave me major early 2000s romcom energy in a way I can’t fully explain.
Was it predictable? Yes.
Did I care? Absolutely not.
This was just FUN. Sweet, heartfelt, easy to binge, and the kind of book that leaves you weirdly happy afterward.
If you like:
🎨 museums & art history vibes
💕 awkward but sweet romance
✨ late-night NYC energy
🖤 emotionally guarded love interests
🎬 classic romcom feeling YA
You’ll probably eat this up like I did.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the ARC!!
March 23, 2026
*Advanced copy through NetGalley! General spoilers but nothing specific.
What a sweet book! I enjoyed reading it, and think Mariko did a really lovely job creating an adorable YA romcom.
It seemed pretty straight forward: best friends have unrequited feelings and one decides it’s time to tell the other they love them. I don’t mind the trope, and it’s the basis for a lot of great romcoms. But what I really enjoyed about this was that a wrench is thrown in the plan, and it’s soon an enemies to lovers story that I find more fun, anyway.
Miki and her (not great) fling from the previous summer end up spending the night wandering the Met while she waits for the guy she loves to finish working. I think Mariko did a great job building the relationship - lots of good banter, fun, and sweet moments sprinkled into the tension that stemmed from a less than ideal ending to their previous summer together. I was rooting for them from the beginning.
I also enjoyed the trip through the Met. I’ve never been, but I’ve always wanted to go. Now I realllllly want to go. At times, I think the conversations about the art pieces were a little heavy handed, though. I think Miki would have been more rounded if she had some more interests beyond art. I get a young adult being pretty fixated on a passion, but her personality felt a little one dimensional. What other things does she like to do? What else does she enjoy about NYC? How does she spend her time with her best friend at home? What about school life? I feel like I got to know more about Lou’s interests and overall life than hers.
Finally, I really appreciated the story of her grandmother, Hana. The way Mariko included her experiences as a little girl incarcerated in the WWII Japanese - American camps added a layer that I wasn’t expecting. I especially liked how she related it to Hana’s relationship with her work as a photographer - how the camera was power and freedom.
Overall, I think if you enjoy YA romcoms, this is a solid, entertaining choice to add to your TBR.
What a sweet book! I enjoyed reading it, and think Mariko did a really lovely job creating an adorable YA romcom.
It seemed pretty straight forward: best friends have unrequited feelings and one decides it’s time to tell the other they love them. I don’t mind the trope, and it’s the basis for a lot of great romcoms. But what I really enjoyed about this was that a wrench is thrown in the plan, and it’s soon an enemies to lovers story that I find more fun, anyway.
Miki and her (not great) fling from the previous summer end up spending the night wandering the Met while she waits for the guy she loves to finish working. I think Mariko did a great job building the relationship - lots of good banter, fun, and sweet moments sprinkled into the tension that stemmed from a less than ideal ending to their previous summer together. I was rooting for them from the beginning.
I also enjoyed the trip through the Met. I’ve never been, but I’ve always wanted to go. Now I realllllly want to go. At times, I think the conversations about the art pieces were a little heavy handed, though. I think Miki would have been more rounded if she had some more interests beyond art. I get a young adult being pretty fixated on a passion, but her personality felt a little one dimensional. What other things does she like to do? What else does she enjoy about NYC? How does she spend her time with her best friend at home? What about school life? I feel like I got to know more about Lou’s interests and overall life than hers.
Finally, I really appreciated the story of her grandmother, Hana. The way Mariko included her experiences as a little girl incarcerated in the WWII Japanese - American camps added a layer that I wasn’t expecting. I especially liked how she related it to Hana’s relationship with her work as a photographer - how the camera was power and freedom.
Overall, I think if you enjoy YA romcoms, this is a solid, entertaining choice to add to your TBR.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Miki has really high hopes for a plan to tell her middle school crush that she loves him. For her it was a crush at first sight back in 8th grade when she met Auden on a field trip to a museum and they became instant best friends, bonding over art. Sadly, at the end of middle school her parents divorced and she moved away. However, she and Auden remained close, always texting and video chatting, especially about their mutual love of art. Now flash forward to the summer after graduation,with both teens interning at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Miki is in love with love stories and her favorite is her grandparents’: Japanese Americans who were interned during WWII, met years later, and fell in love when they were accidentally locked in the Met overnight. Miki carries around the Life magazine article that chronicles their love story. So now she has arranged for her and Auden to spend the night working in the museum, visiting all the galleries and exhibits her grandparents did, so she can finally tell him that she loves him. Unfortunately, her terrible ex-boyfriend who broke up with her the summer before is also at the museum that night. Lou seems to not care about anything and takes nothing seriously; Miki can’t even understand what she ever saw in him. But her careful plans are totally upended when Auden is called to another part of the museum for a few hours and she is asked to show Lou around. When she reluctantly shares her plans with Lou, he agrees to be her guinea pig for practice. The “few” hours Auden spends working seem to last forever and gives Miki and Lou time to get reacquainted.
This is a very cute romance, entwined with Miki’s grandparents’ story, and is not your classic enemies-to-lovers trope. The setting of the Met adds a whole other dimension to the story with art history references. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
This is a very cute romance, entwined with Miki’s grandparents’ story, and is not your classic enemies-to-lovers trope. The setting of the Met adds a whole other dimension to the story with art history references. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.75/5 ⭐
If i didn’t already believe in love…woah this book would’ve been the catalyst. I found myself squealing giddy, butterflies in my stomach, melting in a lovesick puddle reading. And I haven’t felt this way about a book in a bit. It had me wondering if I got love all wrong.
The story and setup is so intriguing and cute, and then the execution is beyond anything my expectations ever could’ve actually conjured. I felt this book deep in my soul and I think I’ll carry it with me forever. All that Miki believes about love, through her grandparents’ inspiring story going through the museum, there’s something so cinematic about the way it was written. The way she idealizes love, sees it in Auden because of the preconceived notions that that’s how love is supposed to be and then Lou comes in and teaches her that there’s more to it. And she in turn teaches him that it’s ok to love even if he’s scared of losing himself in it. This sweet but cynical boy is so scared of love that he can’t let himself love too much, pretends not to care about anything as a way to protect himself from getting hurt by it.
This was genuinely one of the sweetest, most fun book I've ever read. It’s a masterpiece of art. It’s brilliant, perfect, beautiful romantic in every sense of the word, and whirlwind of all I dream of in a fun and incredible romance. It's an honor to be able to read it and recommend with heart hands, add it to your TBR and thank me later ;D
*Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Publishing for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for my very honest review!!
“He finally looks up from the display case and locks eyes with me, and there it is. The massive heart flutter I was trying so hard to feel a few seconds ago. The bubbling buzz in my veins.”
If i didn’t already believe in love…woah this book would’ve been the catalyst. I found myself squealing giddy, butterflies in my stomach, melting in a lovesick puddle reading. And I haven’t felt this way about a book in a bit. It had me wondering if I got love all wrong.
The story and setup is so intriguing and cute, and then the execution is beyond anything my expectations ever could’ve actually conjured. I felt this book deep in my soul and I think I’ll carry it with me forever. All that Miki believes about love, through her grandparents’ inspiring story going through the museum, there’s something so cinematic about the way it was written. The way she idealizes love, sees it in Auden because of the preconceived notions that that’s how love is supposed to be and then Lou comes in and teaches her that there’s more to it. And she in turn teaches him that it’s ok to love even if he’s scared of losing himself in it. This sweet but cynical boy is so scared of love that he can’t let himself love too much, pretends not to care about anything as a way to protect himself from getting hurt by it.
This was genuinely one of the sweetest, most fun book I've ever read. It’s a masterpiece of art. It’s brilliant, perfect, beautiful romantic in every sense of the word, and whirlwind of all I dream of in a fun and incredible romance. It's an honor to be able to read it and recommend with heart hands, add it to your TBR and thank me later ;D
*Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Publishing for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for my very honest review!!
March 6, 2026
Now this is definitely a “teen” YA Romance but gotdamn was it so cute and fun!
The story follows an awkward art history nerd high school girl obsessed with the idea of orchestrating the perfect moment for a romantic confession in the Met. (And honestly girl same.) However not everything goes according to plan when her years long crush gets roped into doing some late night internship work at the Met she ends up going on her grand love tour with another teen her age who happens to be there with his Uncle-her ex from last summer! Now her grand romantic art tour becomes an annoying and confusing muddle of feelings as she waits for her crush to come meet them but slowly talks out the problems from last summers relationship. Will she succumb to forced proximity or will she hold out for her best friends to lovers arc?
The story intertwines art and historical facts with plot in such a fun but still educational way that made me want to get up and visit The Met or any museum tomorrow. Growing up living close to NYC I’ve been to the Met numerous times and I feel like she really captured the wonder of the enormous museum. Now I too wish I could wander around it in the middle of the night with a partner. I loved the art references, I loved the art historical and Japanese Internment camp inclusion, I loved the idea of a Times article about Love in the Met following a midnight grand tour where two people fell in love. It was such a heartwarming and pulling on your heart strings kind of story and even though it’s definitely a “teen/young readers” YA I liked it more than expected and would definitely recommend to my friends. It felt like a classic romcom in the best way and I absolutely need it to be made into a movie.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review.
The story follows an awkward art history nerd high school girl obsessed with the idea of orchestrating the perfect moment for a romantic confession in the Met. (And honestly girl same.) However not everything goes according to plan when her years long crush gets roped into doing some late night internship work at the Met she ends up going on her grand love tour with another teen her age who happens to be there with his Uncle-her ex from last summer! Now her grand romantic art tour becomes an annoying and confusing muddle of feelings as she waits for her crush to come meet them but slowly talks out the problems from last summers relationship. Will she succumb to forced proximity or will she hold out for her best friends to lovers arc?
The story intertwines art and historical facts with plot in such a fun but still educational way that made me want to get up and visit The Met or any museum tomorrow. Growing up living close to NYC I’ve been to the Met numerous times and I feel like she really captured the wonder of the enormous museum. Now I too wish I could wander around it in the middle of the night with a partner. I loved the art references, I loved the art historical and Japanese Internment camp inclusion, I loved the idea of a Times article about Love in the Met following a midnight grand tour where two people fell in love. It was such a heartwarming and pulling on your heart strings kind of story and even though it’s definitely a “teen/young readers” YA I liked it more than expected and would definitely recommend to my friends. It felt like a classic romcom in the best way and I absolutely need it to be made into a movie.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Museum of Modern Love is a book about a plan - - not the planned plan but something entirely different that creates a beautiful story. The book's main character, 17 year old Miko, has a plan to confess her love to her childhood crush Auden by recreating the museum adventure that led her grandparents to fall in love in The Met. However, as plans often do, Miko's plans changed when Auden got stuck on a project and, instead, Miko ends up touring the museum with her ex-boyfriend, Lou. Lou comes up with a different plan for their museum venture through the museum and so the story unfolds.
I was not sure where this story would go when I started; but it kept me intrigued and entertained, so I kept reading. This was my first book from this author, and I love her writing style. She did a great job of developing the characters as the story evolved, revealing more and more about them as time went on. You got to experience how they developed as characters rather than her telling you how they have changed. I also love the way that she wove in historical facts and information about various art exhibits. While I'm not an art aficcionado, I appreciated the art background and cultural details, along with her description of Japanese internment camp that came up when talking about the main character's grandmother. I highly recommend this book to someone who is looking for a good romance novel that is on the shorter side.
It is marketed as young adult, which is appropriate. It has nominal spice (kissing and a vague reference to third base), and would likely still be ok for an older teen.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to experience this book.
I was not sure where this story would go when I started; but it kept me intrigued and entertained, so I kept reading. This was my first book from this author, and I love her writing style. She did a great job of developing the characters as the story evolved, revealing more and more about them as time went on. You got to experience how they developed as characters rather than her telling you how they have changed. I also love the way that she wove in historical facts and information about various art exhibits. While I'm not an art aficcionado, I appreciated the art background and cultural details, along with her description of Japanese internment camp that came up when talking about the main character's grandmother. I highly recommend this book to someone who is looking for a good romance novel that is on the shorter side.
It is marketed as young adult, which is appropriate. It has nominal spice (kissing and a vague reference to third base), and would likely still be ok for an older teen.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to experience this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The moment I read the description of the Museum of Modern Love, where a teen girl tries to force romantic destiny by re-creating the night her grandparents met and fell in love while locked inside the Met, I knew I had to read it.
As an artist who loves art museums, the idea of spending an entire night perusing the galleries of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is absolutely scrumptious. Also, knowing that any plot where a character is trying to finagle destiny to bend to their will is guaranteed to be entertaining made this an automatic 'must read' for me.
Miki's Love In the Met tour goes sideways as expected. Instead of bestie Auden it's ex-boyfriend Lou who ends up traipsing around the museum galleries by her side. The way the author peeled back the layers of these characters, revealing bits and pieces throughout each chapter, while also creating the feeling of being inside the galleries seeing the various works of art alongside them, was brilliant. I enjoyed getting to know these characters at the same time as they got to know each other and themselves. Seeing the Met through their eyes was fun at times, sad at others.
There are layers of story within this novel. Grandma Hana's, Miki's parents, Lou's family, and Auden's all weave their way into the conversation between Miki and Lou. Some are tragic, others revealing, a few startling in the truths they reveal. Like a collection of art in a gallery each piece displays an aspect of the greater whole.
I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a well written, consistently paced YA romance in a museum setting.
Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt (BYR) for the gifted e-arc. All opinions are my own and freely given.
As an artist who loves art museums, the idea of spending an entire night perusing the galleries of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is absolutely scrumptious. Also, knowing that any plot where a character is trying to finagle destiny to bend to their will is guaranteed to be entertaining made this an automatic 'must read' for me.
Miki's Love In the Met tour goes sideways as expected. Instead of bestie Auden it's ex-boyfriend Lou who ends up traipsing around the museum galleries by her side. The way the author peeled back the layers of these characters, revealing bits and pieces throughout each chapter, while also creating the feeling of being inside the galleries seeing the various works of art alongside them, was brilliant. I enjoyed getting to know these characters at the same time as they got to know each other and themselves. Seeing the Met through their eyes was fun at times, sad at others.
There are layers of story within this novel. Grandma Hana's, Miki's parents, Lou's family, and Auden's all weave their way into the conversation between Miki and Lou. Some are tragic, others revealing, a few startling in the truths they reveal. Like a collection of art in a gallery each piece displays an aspect of the greater whole.
I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a well written, consistently paced YA romance in a museum setting.
Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt (BYR) for the gifted e-arc. All opinions are my own and freely given.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
This was insanely cute and such a fun read.
The premise immediately stood out to me: two teens retracing a romantic path through the Met after hours, inspired by a legendary love story from the past. A museum setting for a love story already feels magical, and the overnight adventure aspect gives the whole book this whimsical, slightly cinematic energy that’s hard not to get swept up in.
The story is full of charming moments, banter, and that very specific emotional intensity that comes with first love. It captures the excitement, awkwardness, and sometimes chaotic decision-making of teenage feelings really well. The pacing also worked nicely—it's the kind of book you can easily fly through in a sitting because the premise is so unique and the setting is so fun to explore.
That said, I’ll fully admit that my one hesitation here is entirely my own reading oversight. I somehow missed that this is firmly a YA romance aimed at teen readers. Because of that, I occasionally had moments where it felt a little strange to find myself swooning over characters who are underage.
If I had picked this up when I was a teenager, though, I genuinely think I would have been obsessed with it. It perfectly captures that heightened, all-consuming feeling of first love and the way everything feels monumental at that age.
Overall, this is a really charming, creative YA romance with a standout premise and a lot of heart. If you're the target audience—or someone who loves nostalgic, first-love stories—it’s absolutely worth picking up.
This was insanely cute and such a fun read.
The premise immediately stood out to me: two teens retracing a romantic path through the Met after hours, inspired by a legendary love story from the past. A museum setting for a love story already feels magical, and the overnight adventure aspect gives the whole book this whimsical, slightly cinematic energy that’s hard not to get swept up in.
The story is full of charming moments, banter, and that very specific emotional intensity that comes with first love. It captures the excitement, awkwardness, and sometimes chaotic decision-making of teenage feelings really well. The pacing also worked nicely—it's the kind of book you can easily fly through in a sitting because the premise is so unique and the setting is so fun to explore.
That said, I’ll fully admit that my one hesitation here is entirely my own reading oversight. I somehow missed that this is firmly a YA romance aimed at teen readers. Because of that, I occasionally had moments where it felt a little strange to find myself swooning over characters who are underage.
If I had picked this up when I was a teenager, though, I genuinely think I would have been obsessed with it. It perfectly captures that heightened, all-consuming feeling of first love and the way everything feels monumental at that age.
Overall, this is a really charming, creative YA romance with a standout premise and a lot of heart. If you're the target audience—or someone who loves nostalgic, first-love stories—it’s absolutely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book! The Museum of Modern love follows our lead, Miki, who has desperately in love with her best friend, Auden, since middle school. Due to life circumstances, she had to move away from, and during that time they established a long-distance friendship, all based around their mutual love of art. When we meet Miki and Auden in this book, they are rising seniors in high school, but both have summer internships at the Met. On the last night of their internship, Miki has planned a special evening for them to recreate her grandparent's love story, which was the focus of a famous Life magazine story. Unfortunately, Auden gets roped in to helping set up an exhibition and Miki ends up spending time with her ex-boyfriend, who's uncle is also helping set up the exhibition. What follows then is a re-exploration of their relationship as they visit a variety of art pieces and work through their miscommunications and concerns with one another.
Overall, this was a delightful read. I think initially Miki out me off a bit because she was SO obsessed with Auden. But also this is YA romance, so I'll let her have it. I think Lou was a fabulously written male lead and it was so fun to see him and Miki bicker and make up throughout this story. Honestly, the resolution was very mature across our 3 main teen leads. I also loved Grandma Hana's character. I think some of other reviews have said this, but this would make a wonderful movie or mini series for a show. It gave me Dash & Lily feelings as I read it.
4 star read!
Overall, this was a delightful read. I think initially Miki out me off a bit because she was SO obsessed with Auden. But also this is YA romance, so I'll let her have it. I think Lou was a fabulously written male lead and it was so fun to see him and Miki bicker and make up throughout this story. Honestly, the resolution was very mature across our 3 main teen leads. I also loved Grandma Hana's character. I think some of other reviews have said this, but this would make a wonderful movie or mini series for a show. It gave me Dash & Lily feelings as I read it.
4 star read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow wow wow! I could not put this book down! I loved how the Mariko Turk weaved the story and characters together. Everything part of this work had a meaning and I loved its depth! My only compliant is that there were no pictures in this work to complement the story. I wish I was able to see the work of art the author was describing to bring it to life. There are so many memorable quotes in this book. One of my favorite excerpts is, "People aren't made of marble. When something breaks in us, conservators can't just put us under a microscope to figure out where the cracks are, and what fragments are missing, and what we need to become whole again. But that doesn't mean we can't become a new version of ourselves. It just takes a lot of trial and error, and time. And you're doing that, for Gray. You're a human conservator. You're figuring out how to help him be whole again."(Chapter 15). Art beautifully connects all aspects of life, reminding us of the shared human experience and our essential need for each other. "Grandma Hana says that art is like time travel, that it makes the past a living, breathing thing. And a lot of times, I like that feeling. I like coming to museums and being connected to the people who lived before and feeling small in the grand scheme of human history. But I didn't like it then. It felt terrifying and awful and...I didn't want that kind of time travel." (Chapter 16). This is one of my favorite books. It is hard to categorize this story since it spans across so many different genres. I can't wait to read more by Mariko Turk!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a special book! The story follows Miki, a high school senior trying to confess her feelings for her longtime best friend via recreating her grandparents’ love confession at the Met back in the 60s. Her plan takes quite the turn when her crush gets tied up working on an exhibit, and her ex!!! ends up going on the love tour with her instead. She now must pivot her plan and what ensues is a series of funny interactions, heartfelt conversations and having to confront feelings she thought she had sorted out in the past . Will she give this failed summer relationship another go, or will she wait for her friends-to-lovers arc to come to fruition?
I loved the vivid descriptions the author used whenever they were describing the art through the museum, and truly felt so immersed in the story as if I was walking right next to Lou and Miki on their Met tour. I especially adored all the art history tidbits I learned, and it was so fun to draw these works of art in my brain and then compare them to what they actually looked like on the Metropolitan Museum of Art website (give me this a shot; I swear it was such a fun part of the reading experience!!)
I really hope this gets adapted on the big screen, because I fully saw this book play out in my head! Thank you to Mariko Turk, the publisher and NetGalley for the wonderful opportunity to read this ARC and provide an honest review.
I loved the vivid descriptions the author used whenever they were describing the art through the museum, and truly felt so immersed in the story as if I was walking right next to Lou and Miki on their Met tour. I especially adored all the art history tidbits I learned, and it was so fun to draw these works of art in my brain and then compare them to what they actually looked like on the Metropolitan Museum of Art website (give me this a shot; I swear it was such a fun part of the reading experience!!)
I really hope this gets adapted on the big screen, because I fully saw this book play out in my head! Thank you to Mariko Turk, the publisher and NetGalley for the wonderful opportunity to read this ARC and provide an honest review.
April 4, 2026
Wow! Charming, chaotic, and utterly fascinating. The Museum of Modern Love delivers such a unique premise. Miki has been in love with her best friend, Auden, for years. Their shared passion for art binds them together. Then there’s Lou, the boy she turns to for casual kisses whenever Auden isn’t around. Determined to finally change her story, Miki plans a carefully orchestrated “Falling in Love” tour at the Met, where she’ll confess her feelings. But everything unravels when she’s forced to bring along the one person she least wants by her side: her situationship.
The story leaves you wondering—who will she choose? Her first love, or the boy she can barely stand?
I went into this book not knowing what to expect, and it completely hooked me. It’s unputdownable in the best way—messy, electric, and deeply engaging. The characters feel fresh and complicated, and their dynamics kept me invested the entire time. I had been in a reading slump before picking this up, and I was genuinely surprised by how much I loved it.
The novel is rich with art references, which add so much texture to the story! (I’d definitely recommend looking up the pieces mentioned to fully appreciate the layers). Beyond the romance, it explores heavier themes like WWII Japanese American incarceration, divorce, loneliness, and depression, giving it a depth that goes far beyond a typical YA love story. Easy five stars!🌟
The story leaves you wondering—who will she choose? Her first love, or the boy she can barely stand?
I went into this book not knowing what to expect, and it completely hooked me. It’s unputdownable in the best way—messy, electric, and deeply engaging. The characters feel fresh and complicated, and their dynamics kept me invested the entire time. I had been in a reading slump before picking this up, and I was genuinely surprised by how much I loved it.
The novel is rich with art references, which add so much texture to the story! (I’d definitely recommend looking up the pieces mentioned to fully appreciate the layers). Beyond the romance, it explores heavier themes like WWII Japanese American incarceration, divorce, loneliness, and depression, giving it a depth that goes far beyond a typical YA love story. Easy five stars!🌟
September 13, 2026
⭐⭐⭐
The Museum of Modern Love had such an intriguing premise, especially with the Metropolitan Museum of Art setting and the way art, family history, and romance are woven together.
I enjoyed the museum atmosphere and the concept of Miki retracing the story of her grandparents’ romance while also having to reconsider some of her own ideas about love. There were definitely elements of the story that I found creative and engaging.
Where I struggled was with some of the heavier historical elements surrounding the Japanese American incarceration camps during World War II. I appreciated the importance of including this part of Miki’s family history, but for me, those sections didn’t always blend naturally with the lighter contemporary romance. At times the shifts in tone made the story feel a little uneven.
Morgan Dalla Betta’s narration was enjoyable and made this an easy audiobook to continue listening to, even when I wasn’t completely connecting with the story itself.
A note for readers who like to know beforehand: there are references to closed-door intimacy and a lesbian marriage.
Overall, this was an interesting story with a wonderfully distinctive setting, but the different elements didn’t come together quite as smoothly for me as I had hoped.
I received a complimentary audiobook through NetGalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Museum of Modern Love had such an intriguing premise, especially with the Metropolitan Museum of Art setting and the way art, family history, and romance are woven together.
I enjoyed the museum atmosphere and the concept of Miki retracing the story of her grandparents’ romance while also having to reconsider some of her own ideas about love. There were definitely elements of the story that I found creative and engaging.
Where I struggled was with some of the heavier historical elements surrounding the Japanese American incarceration camps during World War II. I appreciated the importance of including this part of Miki’s family history, but for me, those sections didn’t always blend naturally with the lighter contemporary romance. At times the shifts in tone made the story feel a little uneven.
Morgan Dalla Betta’s narration was enjoyable and made this an easy audiobook to continue listening to, even when I wasn’t completely connecting with the story itself.
A note for readers who like to know beforehand: there are references to closed-door intimacy and a lesbian marriage.
Overall, this was an interesting story with a wonderfully distinctive setting, but the different elements didn’t come together quite as smoothly for me as I had hoped.
I received a complimentary audiobook through NetGalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book truly made my soul sing!
The nerdy art lover FMC reminded me of the time when I spent my first summer in NY as a young eighteen-year-old, hiding away from the heat in the MET several days a week. I loved the majestic presence of timeless art, but also the cafe had a sculpture of a nude man and the world’s best cheesecake.
This is not just a story about young love. Reading this book was like catching up with my passion for art history. I can’t even remember the last time I read something romantic that’s so filled with culture and inspiration, especially for a YA genre.
The Museum of Modern Love speaks about timeless values and the importance of following your heart. It’s also very heartwarming and family oriented. I think I had a smile on my face the entire time reading it. And for the first time ever, after reading a Netgalley ARC I am looking forward to buying a hardcover copy for my kids to read one day.
Huge thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the opportunity to read it in exchange for my honest review.
PS For ultimate fun, pair this with a Saturday night viewing of The Thomas Crown Affair, currently available on Netflix.
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The nerdy art lover FMC reminded me of the time when I spent my first summer in NY as a young eighteen-year-old, hiding away from the heat in the MET several days a week. I loved the majestic presence of timeless art, but also the cafe had a sculpture of a nude man and the world’s best cheesecake.
This is not just a story about young love. Reading this book was like catching up with my passion for art history. I can’t even remember the last time I read something romantic that’s so filled with culture and inspiration, especially for a YA genre.
The Museum of Modern Love speaks about timeless values and the importance of following your heart. It’s also very heartwarming and family oriented. I think I had a smile on my face the entire time reading it. And for the first time ever, after reading a Netgalley ARC I am looking forward to buying a hardcover copy for my kids to read one day.
Huge thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the opportunity to read it in exchange for my honest review.
PS For ultimate fun, pair this with a Saturday night viewing of The Thomas Crown Affair, currently available on Netflix.
----------
Follow for more of my reviews:
TikTok
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As someone who is also a hopeless romantic, I loved following the “unhinged” plot our main character, Miki, has to confess her love to her long time best friend Auden. Twist, when unexpected circumstances arise, she has to do her unhinged plan with her ex boyfriend Lou instead. Tension, revelations and confessions ensue. 🖼️💛
Not only did I love the story and chemistry between our main characters, but I absolutely adored the setting. Who wouldn’t want to spend a night exploring The Met after hours?! The author, Mariko does such a great job describing each room and the details of the artworks. As an art history teacher, I was enveloped in the connections between the artwork, history, and the plot. The characters do an art activity (called exquisite corpse) together that I do in my real classroom. Even if you aren’t familiar with the Met or specific art pieces, I think you’ll still enjoy the plot and might learn a thing or two about art history along the way.
I actually planned to read this during my spring break when I will be visiting NYC, but was too excited to start it asap. I will definitely be doing a reread and looking for each stop on the love tour when I visit the Met in March.
Big thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Not only did I love the story and chemistry between our main characters, but I absolutely adored the setting. Who wouldn’t want to spend a night exploring The Met after hours?! The author, Mariko does such a great job describing each room and the details of the artworks. As an art history teacher, I was enveloped in the connections between the artwork, history, and the plot. The characters do an art activity (called exquisite corpse) together that I do in my real classroom. Even if you aren’t familiar with the Met or specific art pieces, I think you’ll still enjoy the plot and might learn a thing or two about art history along the way.
I actually planned to read this during my spring break when I will be visiting NYC, but was too excited to start it asap. I will definitely be doing a reread and looking for each stop on the love tour when I visit the Met in March.
Big thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for the eARC.
A cute, coming of age story set in a museum. Miki has a plan to finally tell her best friend how she feels about him, after an epic night creating the perfect love story. When a previous partner interrupts her carefully curated plans, what starts as a love story with her best friend Auden, turns into so much more with Lou.
Miki was very relatable as a type A perfectionist. She wanted to create the perfect evening so she could finally get the courage to tell Auden how she feels. Lou stumbles into her plans with his terse answers and grumpy mood. Lou and Miki's love story the previous summer burned hot and fast, but that is over. But as Lou keeps popping up in Miki's plans, fate seems to have other ideas for their story.
I found this to be a fun story full of hope and art history. I loved Miki's passion for art and for a good love story. The writing felt real and relatable. Who doesn't love a good story about finding yourself and finding connection through art?
I really enjoyed this story and I was able to immersive read which is highly recommended- the audiobook is fantastic! Even though this is a YA, I was still engaged and was able to get into the story. I will definitely be checking out this author in the future.
A cute, coming of age story set in a museum. Miki has a plan to finally tell her best friend how she feels about him, after an epic night creating the perfect love story. When a previous partner interrupts her carefully curated plans, what starts as a love story with her best friend Auden, turns into so much more with Lou.
Miki was very relatable as a type A perfectionist. She wanted to create the perfect evening so she could finally get the courage to tell Auden how she feels. Lou stumbles into her plans with his terse answers and grumpy mood. Lou and Miki's love story the previous summer burned hot and fast, but that is over. But as Lou keeps popping up in Miki's plans, fate seems to have other ideas for their story.
I found this to be a fun story full of hope and art history. I loved Miki's passion for art and for a good love story. The writing felt real and relatable. Who doesn't love a good story about finding yourself and finding connection through art?
I really enjoyed this story and I was able to immersive read which is highly recommended- the audiobook is fantastic! Even though this is a YA, I was still engaged and was able to get into the story. I will definitely be checking out this author in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
★★★★
Thank you so much Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Miki is obsessed with her grandparents’ love story, and she’s determined to recreate it with her crush-slash-best-friend, Auden. But when her ex, Lou McSweeney, shows up at the museum where her grandparents fell in love, things get a little complicated. Because what could possibly go wrong? 😭
Miki is convinced that she loves Auden, but does she really? Well, that’s the story.
If you’re in the mood for a fun, banter-filled, cute rom-com, this is definitely one for you. It’s not necessarily something out of the box, but honestly, it doesn’t need to be. Sometimes you just want a romance that’s fun, comforting, and makes you smile, and this delivered exactly that.
I really, really enjoyed it. Miki and Lou’s banter was probably one of my favourite parts, especially with all their history. Their dynamic was so cute, and I loved watching it unfold. I also really enjoyed the side characters, especially Madison and Auden. Auden wasn’t portrayed as some bad guy, either. He was genuinely such a nice person, which made everything feel even sweeter.
Overall, this was such a fun and cutesy read, and I absolutely loved how everything came together. If you’re looking for a lighthearted rom-com with cute banter, this is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you so much Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Miki is obsessed with her grandparents’ love story, and she’s determined to recreate it with her crush-slash-best-friend, Auden. But when her ex, Lou McSweeney, shows up at the museum where her grandparents fell in love, things get a little complicated. Because what could possibly go wrong? 😭
Miki is convinced that she loves Auden, but does she really? Well, that’s the story.
If you’re in the mood for a fun, banter-filled, cute rom-com, this is definitely one for you. It’s not necessarily something out of the box, but honestly, it doesn’t need to be. Sometimes you just want a romance that’s fun, comforting, and makes you smile, and this delivered exactly that.
I really, really enjoyed it. Miki and Lou’s banter was probably one of my favourite parts, especially with all their history. Their dynamic was so cute, and I loved watching it unfold. I also really enjoyed the side characters, especially Madison and Auden. Auden wasn’t portrayed as some bad guy, either. He was genuinely such a nice person, which made everything feel even sweeter.
Overall, this was such a fun and cutesy read, and I absolutely loved how everything came together. If you’re looking for a lighthearted rom-com with cute banter, this is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Now that's cute YA romance that I've been looking for; it's cute, not too much conflict, heart-fluttering romance, and it's starred classic art—loved for the fact that Starry Night had a cameo in it!
The story is about Miki Kawamura, who had a best friend/crush, Auden, for a long time. Unfortunately, due to life circumstances, Miki moved to another state, and they just can't be more than friends due to the distance.
Now that Miki moved to New York to intern at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) same as Auden, she's going to confess for sure! And as a devoted hopeless romantic, Miki is going to recreate her grandparents' love story, when they both fell in love inside the museum. The plan was disturbed when Auden suddenly got called to work, and her companion was replaced by Lou, her ex-situationship. They both had a fling and fall out last summer- the right Museum but the wrong boy. How's Miki going to survive this?
I love the dynamic between the two of them, the cynical and avoidant met a hopeless romantic girl, there's something romantic and magical to spend time and bond over someone during a meseum tour isn't it? I can't help but think how fun this book is going to be if its adapted into a movie like those 2000s romcom, it's predictable yet funnnnnn.
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Publishing for the ARC!
The story is about Miki Kawamura, who had a best friend/crush, Auden, for a long time. Unfortunately, due to life circumstances, Miki moved to another state, and they just can't be more than friends due to the distance.
Now that Miki moved to New York to intern at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) same as Auden, she's going to confess for sure! And as a devoted hopeless romantic, Miki is going to recreate her grandparents' love story, when they both fell in love inside the museum. The plan was disturbed when Auden suddenly got called to work, and her companion was replaced by Lou, her ex-situationship. They both had a fling and fall out last summer- the right Museum but the wrong boy. How's Miki going to survive this?
I love the dynamic between the two of them, the cynical and avoidant met a hopeless romantic girl, there's something romantic and magical to spend time and bond over someone during a meseum tour isn't it? I can't help but think how fun this book is going to be if its adapted into a movie like those 2000s romcom, it's predictable yet funnnnnn.
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Publishing for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My first impression upon starting this book definitely did not predict the entire picture (or painting is maybe more accurate in this case).
I loved the summary and the setting, and thought it would be a nice cozy read. It was, but it was also SO much more.
To the author-
To quote your own writing:
“I love how art can be inspired by old art, and then it can totally change the way we see the old stuff.”
YOU DID THAT, with this! I would encourage anyone and everyone to take your time reading this book. I found myself pausing and looking up the works of art discussed in the novel- seeing them with new appreciation, while also lending more meaning to this story I was currently engrossed in reading.
The plot may seem predictable at first glance, and in places it is somewhat, though in a comforting way. However there’s certainly at least one twist I did NOT see coming, and by the time it did - I had grown to love the story, the setting, the characters so much, that it had maximum impact.
This book also inspired discussion between my spouse & I - me telling him all the facts I had learned and showing him the beautiful art pieces I’d found through the book. You’ve inspired a trip to the local art museum for us - and we’re dying to make it to The Met asap!!
I loved the summary and the setting, and thought it would be a nice cozy read. It was, but it was also SO much more.
To the author-
To quote your own writing:
“I love how art can be inspired by old art, and then it can totally change the way we see the old stuff.”
YOU DID THAT, with this! I would encourage anyone and everyone to take your time reading this book. I found myself pausing and looking up the works of art discussed in the novel- seeing them with new appreciation, while also lending more meaning to this story I was currently engrossed in reading.
The plot may seem predictable at first glance, and in places it is somewhat, though in a comforting way. However there’s certainly at least one twist I did NOT see coming, and by the time it did - I had grown to love the story, the setting, the characters so much, that it had maximum impact.
This book also inspired discussion between my spouse & I - me telling him all the facts I had learned and showing him the beautiful art pieces I’d found through the book. You’ve inspired a trip to the local art museum for us - and we’re dying to make it to The Met asap!!
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