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One & Only: A Read with Jenna Pick
In Five Years meets a millennial The Joy Luck Club in the adult debut from the author of YA Reese Pick Throwback— a funny and fresh love story of a woman thrown a curveball by fate, and the family secret that will make her question everything.
She’s seen what her happily ever after looks like. And it’s not him.
Cassia Park believes in soul mates. Fated love stories. It’s her family business, after all—for centuries, from Korea to Los Angeles, the Park women have peered into clients’ past lives to find their one true love, their “fated”. This magical secret is why One & Only Matchmaking has a 100% guarantee … for everyone but Cassia.
Afraid of ending up like her mom, Cassia asked to be told her fated—ten years ago. Now she’s days from turning forty and she still hasn’t found him.
Enter Ellis. He’s twenty-eight, indecently handsome, and not destined to be the love of her life. But destiny has more than one curveball ready, and her surprising connection with Ellis might be the key that unlocks finding her fated—and reveals a family secret that will make her question everything she’s ever her family, her belief in love, and truth itself.
Cassia will have to decide if she’ll follow her fate … or make her own.
She’s seen what her happily ever after looks like. And it’s not him.
Cassia Park believes in soul mates. Fated love stories. It’s her family business, after all—for centuries, from Korea to Los Angeles, the Park women have peered into clients’ past lives to find their one true love, their “fated”. This magical secret is why One & Only Matchmaking has a 100% guarantee … for everyone but Cassia.
Afraid of ending up like her mom, Cassia asked to be told her fated—ten years ago. Now she’s days from turning forty and she still hasn’t found him.
Enter Ellis. He’s twenty-eight, indecently handsome, and not destined to be the love of her life. But destiny has more than one curveball ready, and her surprising connection with Ellis might be the key that unlocks finding her fated—and reveals a family secret that will make her question everything she’s ever her family, her belief in love, and truth itself.
Cassia will have to decide if she’ll follow her fate … or make her own.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published February 3, 2026
About the author
Maurene Goo
21 books1,926 followersMaurene Goo is the critically acclaimed author of young adult novels, including I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE and THROWBACK. She's also written for Marvel's Silk series and lives and writes in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,387 reviews
March 18, 2026
if i could magically determine people's soulmates no one would ever hear the end of it.
in this book, the most horrifically awkward nightmare of a romantic situation in global history unfolds. fortunately, we are armed with the world's most evil people to navigate us through it.
we follow cassia, a de facto orphan due to inherit the magical matchmaking business passed down through the women of her family — who can read faces / catch glimpses of pasts and bring the name of a fated out of it. cass is turning 40 (gasp!) and still has never met her guy, daniel — so she has a weekend fling with a 28 year old landscape architect she crashed into on a bike. anyway daniel is ellis's boss.
daniel is everything to me. he cooks. he dresses well. he has a beautiful home, a thriving business, and a british accent.
in comparison ellis is a war criminal.
our girl cass could not handle this h*rniness-vs.-destiny love triangle in a worse way. reading her bungle her way through human interaction will be stressful for everyone and familiar for readers of taylor jenkins reid books from before she wrote feminist 20th century women's fiction.
i kind of enjoyed that part — i just hated that she is a bad friend, and a bad girlfriend, and a bad girl's girl, and a borderline bad citizen.
add the signature maurene goo silly food-filled writing and it's not not fun.
i just wish she kept on biking past any and all overgrown divorcés.
(ellis is divorced. just ignore that though. it does not matter.)
bottom line: on paper i hated this book, and yet...i'm entertained.
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
in this book, the most horrifically awkward nightmare of a romantic situation in global history unfolds. fortunately, we are armed with the world's most evil people to navigate us through it.
we follow cassia, a de facto orphan due to inherit the magical matchmaking business passed down through the women of her family — who can read faces / catch glimpses of pasts and bring the name of a fated out of it. cass is turning 40 (gasp!) and still has never met her guy, daniel — so she has a weekend fling with a 28 year old landscape architect she crashed into on a bike. anyway daniel is ellis's boss.
daniel is everything to me. he cooks. he dresses well. he has a beautiful home, a thriving business, and a british accent.
in comparison ellis is a war criminal.
our girl cass could not handle this h*rniness-vs.-destiny love triangle in a worse way. reading her bungle her way through human interaction will be stressful for everyone and familiar for readers of taylor jenkins reid books from before she wrote feminist 20th century women's fiction.
i kind of enjoyed that part — i just hated that she is a bad friend, and a bad girlfriend, and a bad girl's girl, and a borderline bad citizen.
add the signature maurene goo silly food-filled writing and it's not not fun.
i just wish she kept on biking past any and all overgrown divorcés.
(ellis is divorced. just ignore that though. it does not matter.)
bottom line: on paper i hated this book, and yet...i'm entertained.
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
July 7, 2026
This was so heartwarming, and just so fun to read! I loved the mix of Korean culture, family history & magical realism into this romance.
Immediately, we are introduced to Cassia's family who I just could not help but fall in love with. With this fated soulmates magical ability passed down along the women in the family, they all felt like such strong female characters in their own way, and I loved reading about them. They genuinely seemed so close and cared for one another so deeply - and also just had this wonderful family banter that felt relatable but also hilarious.
Cassia is a character turning 40, and I loved how she we saw her navigate through these societal and biological pressures of finding her life partner throughout the story. Felt so real, but at the same time - I actually loved that she still had this fun spirit and energetic personality behind it all. One thing I didn't love about her though... is that she called EVERYONE "bro", and I realize that is such a personal pet peeve of mine, but it kept taking me out of the story.
The love triangle got silly at times, and yes - there were many moments where I wanted to scream at Cassia. But what's a good love triangle story without at least a few of those moments? 😂 I loved that she did seem to have a great bond with both guys, and while there was definitely the better choice throughout the story - both of the guys were great in their own ways.
It's quite insta-likey but felt realistic. And I honestly loved how in a world of slow-burn romance that feels forced JUST because it's a trendy trope, this instant-like situation felt natural and we weren't holding things back for no reason.
A sweet, feel-good book - loved this one!
Immediately, we are introduced to Cassia's family who I just could not help but fall in love with. With this fated soulmates magical ability passed down along the women in the family, they all felt like such strong female characters in their own way, and I loved reading about them. They genuinely seemed so close and cared for one another so deeply - and also just had this wonderful family banter that felt relatable but also hilarious.
Cassia is a character turning 40, and I loved how she we saw her navigate through these societal and biological pressures of finding her life partner throughout the story. Felt so real, but at the same time - I actually loved that she still had this fun spirit and energetic personality behind it all. One thing I didn't love about her though... is that she called EVERYONE "bro", and I realize that is such a personal pet peeve of mine, but it kept taking me out of the story.
The love triangle got silly at times, and yes - there were many moments where I wanted to scream at Cassia. But what's a good love triangle story without at least a few of those moments? 😂 I loved that she did seem to have a great bond with both guys, and while there was definitely the better choice throughout the story - both of the guys were great in their own ways.
It's quite insta-likey but felt realistic. And I honestly loved how in a world of slow-burn romance that feels forced JUST because it's a trendy trope, this instant-like situation felt natural and we weren't holding things back for no reason.
A sweet, feel-good book - loved this one!
February 17, 2026
what an adorable romance for feb!!! i started reading this but heard how good the audiobook was, so i shifted to the audiobook and can confirm it’s so good 🎧 i binged the audio in one day doing chores, puzzles, working out etc.
this was so cute & exactly what i needed in a book right now. i personal loooove romance + magical realism combo’s and this has a good combo of both and the magic is realistic imo too
read if you like: books by Ashley Poston or Rebecca Serle
i liked so much about it—the magic/“fated” plot, the setting, the love triangle (ish?!), the family elements. that said, the first half was stronger than the second half for me. i wish we had more resolution with one of the MMC’a and with what became of the office (trying to keep this spoiler free!).
TLDR: another fab pick from Read with Jenna’s book club!!
this was so cute & exactly what i needed in a book right now. i personal loooove romance + magical realism combo’s and this has a good combo of both and the magic is realistic imo too
read if you like: books by Ashley Poston or Rebecca Serle
i liked so much about it—the magic/“fated” plot, the setting, the love triangle (ish?!), the family elements. that said, the first half was stronger than the second half for me. i wish we had more resolution with one of the MMC’a and with what became of the office (trying to keep this spoiler free!).
TLDR: another fab pick from Read with Jenna’s book club!!
February 14, 2026
3⭐️
This book was...an experience. 😭
This was feel-good and funny and sweet but also so insane?
I found the concept of this book to be really unique and interesting and I really loved how fast of a read it was! It was so easy to get into and the relationships and friendships and family conversations were just so funny and entertaining. However, I wasn't the biggest fan of our FMC. I didn't really connect with her personality and I found some of her actions throughout this book to be extremely selfish. If you read this, were you team Ellis or team Daniel? Cause me? I absolutely LOVED Ellis. I know her and Daniel were supposed to be fated mates, but I think with the way this book was written it was really hard to fall in love with Cassia and Daniel's chemistry.
There honestly wasn't a whole lot to this book other than a sweet, fun time. I have to say though, there were so many wild moments in this book especially when Daniel and Ellis got into a whole fist-fight. I was like, two grown ass men fighting over a woman who honestly acts so selfish? Wild behavior to me. This book felt so unrealistic and so out there, but hey, I guess it was fun so maybe that makes up for it?
Overall, this book was a good time but if you're looking for something more substantial then I'd probably skip this one. This would be a good palette cleanser to read after something heavy and can definitely be read in 1 or 2 sittings. I'm glad I read this, but it just wasn't anything special unfortunately.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭: 🌼🩵
I need a feel-good, pick-me-up romance after my heartbreaking last read 😭
This was my February BOTM pick and they can always be a hit or miss so I hope I like this <3
This book was...an experience. 😭
This was feel-good and funny and sweet but also so insane?
I found the concept of this book to be really unique and interesting and I really loved how fast of a read it was! It was so easy to get into and the relationships and friendships and family conversations were just so funny and entertaining. However, I wasn't the biggest fan of our FMC. I didn't really connect with her personality and I found some of her actions throughout this book to be extremely selfish. If you read this, were you team Ellis or team Daniel? Cause me? I absolutely LOVED Ellis. I know her and Daniel were supposed to be fated mates, but I think with the way this book was written it was really hard to fall in love with Cassia and Daniel's chemistry.
There honestly wasn't a whole lot to this book other than a sweet, fun time. I have to say though, there were so many wild moments in this book especially when Daniel and Ellis got into a whole fist-fight. I was like, two grown ass men fighting over a woman who honestly acts so selfish? Wild behavior to me. This book felt so unrealistic and so out there, but hey, I guess it was fun so maybe that makes up for it?
Overall, this book was a good time but if you're looking for something more substantial then I'd probably skip this one. This would be a good palette cleanser to read after something heavy and can definitely be read in 1 or 2 sittings. I'm glad I read this, but it just wasn't anything special unfortunately.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭: 🌼🩵
I need a feel-good, pick-me-up romance after my heartbreaking last read 😭
This was my February BOTM pick and they can always be a hit or miss so I hope I like this <3
February 5, 2026
The premise and bones of this novel are great and I love the touch of magical realism with heavy nod to Korean culture. That's all I enjoyed.
The overuse of current lingo is too much. Who says "af" in a sentence? And what 40 year old woman says "bro" as much as Cassia? And if someone was telling me they loved me for the first time and followed it up with, "I really fucking do", ick. I cuss a lot so to make me clutch my pearls is a tough task.
And Cassia, my goodness. Disaster. You're going to destroy your fated relationship for a guy you hooked up with for ONE WEEKEND?????? O N E. This is what pissed me off the entire novel. She's such a horrible person to be playing two men at the same time. Daniel deserved way better. The whiplash she gave these men was so unnecessary.
All that being said, again, I love the idea of an invisible string tying you to your person. It made me warm and fuzzy inside. But then annoyed because Cassia sucked. Do with that what you will.
The overuse of current lingo is too much. Who says "af" in a sentence? And what 40 year old woman says "bro" as much as Cassia? And if someone was telling me they loved me for the first time and followed it up with, "I really fucking do", ick. I cuss a lot so to make me clutch my pearls is a tough task.
And Cassia, my goodness. Disaster. You're going to destroy your fated relationship for a guy you hooked up with for ONE WEEKEND?????? O N E. This is what pissed me off the entire novel. She's such a horrible person to be playing two men at the same time. Daniel deserved way better. The whiplash she gave these men was so unnecessary.
All that being said, again, I love the idea of an invisible string tying you to your person. It made me warm and fuzzy inside. But then annoyed because Cassia sucked. Do with that what you will.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
April 10, 2026This one delighted me in a way few books have recently
July 9, 2026
Like the cozy, feel-good K-dramas I reach for when I want something comforting, One and Only embraces the idea of fate and soulmates without apology. Maurene Goo builds a world where destiny isn’t just a romantic notion—it’s a family business.
Cassia Park comes from a long line of women who use face-reading and visions of past lives to identify people’s one true match. She has known the identity of her own fated partner for ten years, yet she has never actually met him. As her fortieth birthday approaches—a day she has dreaded ever since her mother died on her eighth birthday—she impulsively begins a relationship with the charming and handsome Ellis.
Cassia believes wholeheartedly in her family’s matchmaking abilities, but she’s also exhausted from waiting for a man she’s never been able to find. Ellis is everything she could want: funny, warm, and genuinely kind. Even her persnickety pet bird approves of him.
Then fate finally catches up with her.
Daniel Nam, the soulmate she’s been promised for a decade, suddenly appears…and happens to be Ellis’s boss. If the situation wasn’t awkward enough already, Daniel seems almost impossibly perfect, while Ellis wins people over with humor, compassion, and effortless chemistry. Watching Cassia wrestle with the life she has always expected versus the one she accidentally built for herself is easily the novel’s greatest strength.
Once her family discovers that she has finally met her fated match, they immediately begin treating the relationship as inevitable. Wedding plans are discussed before Cassia has even figured out her own feelings. Everyone around her assumes the decision has already been made, leaving her to question whether destiny should outweigh the happiness she has found on her own.
Ellis quickly became my favorite character. He’s wonderful with children, and yes, he’s exactly the kind of fictional man who makes readers sigh and wonder where they can find one of their own. That also led me to one of my biggest frustrations. Spending time with Ellis helps Cassia realize she definitely wants children someday, yet she never has a meaningful conversation with Daniel about whether they even share that goal. I know people in real life often avoid important conversations, so it isn’t unrealistic—it just drove me crazy.
The story takes another interesting turn when Cassia uncovers long-buried truths about her family’s matchmaking legacy and her parents’ relationship. Those revelations complicate everything she thought she knew about fate, love, and the choices available to her. From that point on, I was eager to see how she would untangle such an unusual romantic dilemma.
While I occasionally wanted Cassia to ask harder questions and communicate more directly, I really enjoyed the novel’s central premise. It explores whether love is something we’re destined to find or something we actively choose, and it does so with plenty of warmth, humor, and heart. By the end, I wasn’t just invested in who Cassia would choose—I was quietly hoping everyone could find an Ellis, whether fate had planned it or not.
Cassia Park comes from a long line of women who use face-reading and visions of past lives to identify people’s one true match. She has known the identity of her own fated partner for ten years, yet she has never actually met him. As her fortieth birthday approaches—a day she has dreaded ever since her mother died on her eighth birthday—she impulsively begins a relationship with the charming and handsome Ellis.
Cassia believes wholeheartedly in her family’s matchmaking abilities, but she’s also exhausted from waiting for a man she’s never been able to find. Ellis is everything she could want: funny, warm, and genuinely kind. Even her persnickety pet bird approves of him.
Then fate finally catches up with her.
Daniel Nam, the soulmate she’s been promised for a decade, suddenly appears…and happens to be Ellis’s boss. If the situation wasn’t awkward enough already, Daniel seems almost impossibly perfect, while Ellis wins people over with humor, compassion, and effortless chemistry. Watching Cassia wrestle with the life she has always expected versus the one she accidentally built for herself is easily the novel’s greatest strength.
Once her family discovers that she has finally met her fated match, they immediately begin treating the relationship as inevitable. Wedding plans are discussed before Cassia has even figured out her own feelings. Everyone around her assumes the decision has already been made, leaving her to question whether destiny should outweigh the happiness she has found on her own.
Ellis quickly became my favorite character. He’s wonderful with children, and yes, he’s exactly the kind of fictional man who makes readers sigh and wonder where they can find one of their own. That also led me to one of my biggest frustrations. Spending time with Ellis helps Cassia realize she definitely wants children someday, yet she never has a meaningful conversation with Daniel about whether they even share that goal. I know people in real life often avoid important conversations, so it isn’t unrealistic—it just drove me crazy.
The story takes another interesting turn when Cassia uncovers long-buried truths about her family’s matchmaking legacy and her parents’ relationship. Those revelations complicate everything she thought she knew about fate, love, and the choices available to her. From that point on, I was eager to see how she would untangle such an unusual romantic dilemma.
While I occasionally wanted Cassia to ask harder questions and communicate more directly, I really enjoyed the novel’s central premise. It explores whether love is something we’re destined to find or something we actively choose, and it does so with plenty of warmth, humor, and heart. By the end, I wasn’t just invested in who Cassia would choose—I was quietly hoping everyone could find an Ellis, whether fate had planned it or not.
March 13, 2026
Cassia’s Korean family is in the matchmaking business; One & Only Matchmaking guarantees to find a person’s soul mate. The women in her family have a rare gift to see into the past to find their fated and true love. Cassia had her own face read and for the past ten years she’s been searching for her fated, Daniel Nam. But on her 40th birthday she decides to put aside her search and has a fling with a guy she met recently. Ellis is 28, but the two of them have immediate chemistry and share a wonderful weekend together.
Soon after their weekend together, Cass gets introduced to his boss… Daniel Nam. Now Cassia is questioning her feelings for Ellis, their age difference, and if Daniel is her fated. And there is a connection between her and Daniel… Cassia begins questioning many things in her life, including her parents’ relationship, which helped form her perceptions on love. Which man is the one for her?
I thought this was a fun romance, and I enjoyed the concept of finding the right one.
Soon after their weekend together, Cass gets introduced to his boss… Daniel Nam. Now Cassia is questioning her feelings for Ellis, their age difference, and if Daniel is her fated. And there is a connection between her and Daniel… Cassia begins questioning many things in her life, including her parents’ relationship, which helped form her perceptions on love. Which man is the one for her?
I thought this was a fun romance, and I enjoyed the concept of finding the right one.
May 19, 2026
Loved this so much! The romances felt lived in and real and the mystical elements were written with just the right touch. Huge props to the author for not demonizing either prospect and writing two hot Asian guys. And it’s funny—so funny!
I also want to rhapsodize over this book as a love letter to Los Angeles. ❤️ The vast majority of books written about this place touch on the big attractions or glitzy hot spots, which sure, are part of the landscape here. But LA is so much more than that. There is so much history and beauty and affable open-mindedness and glorious food here, and this book is written with so much comfortable warmth and wry humor about this wonderful, ridiculous city and all its amazingly diverse neighborhoods and subcultures. I don’t have the time to go over everything in depth, but here’s a running list I kept on my phone of all the favorite LA places/things in this book that filled me with so much fondness:
Swan boat date on Echo Park Lake
The feel of the night sky in the desert
Biking in Frog town
Hiking SoCal trails
dumplings at Din Tai Fung
Larchmont
Fruit cups with tajin from Mexican street carts
Bagels in Highland Park
Deciding on your favorite banchan in Koreatown
The hellscape that is LAX
Bougainvillea everywhere
Art School in Pasadena
Bracing to hear that people are actors or in a band
Little Dom’s in Los Feliz
Ceviche on Abbot Kinney
And of course, the beautiful trees all over LA with the bright yellow flowers and ferny leaves that Cassia is named after.
I came away with love for the romances, amused recognition of the families and friendships, and even more affection for this city I live in. Anyone visiting Los Angeles would do well to choose fewer touristy spots and use this book as a guideline to see how Angelenos really live.
4.5 stars
I also want to rhapsodize over this book as a love letter to Los Angeles. ❤️ The vast majority of books written about this place touch on the big attractions or glitzy hot spots, which sure, are part of the landscape here. But LA is so much more than that. There is so much history and beauty and affable open-mindedness and glorious food here, and this book is written with so much comfortable warmth and wry humor about this wonderful, ridiculous city and all its amazingly diverse neighborhoods and subcultures. I don’t have the time to go over everything in depth, but here’s a running list I kept on my phone of all the favorite LA places/things in this book that filled me with so much fondness:
Swan boat date on Echo Park Lake
The feel of the night sky in the desert
Biking in Frog town
Hiking SoCal trails
dumplings at Din Tai Fung
Larchmont
Fruit cups with tajin from Mexican street carts
Bagels in Highland Park
Deciding on your favorite banchan in Koreatown
The hellscape that is LAX
Bougainvillea everywhere
Art School in Pasadena
Bracing to hear that people are actors or in a band
Little Dom’s in Los Feliz
Ceviche on Abbot Kinney
And of course, the beautiful trees all over LA with the bright yellow flowers and ferny leaves that Cassia is named after.
I came away with love for the romances, amused recognition of the families and friendships, and even more affection for this city I live in. Anyone visiting Los Angeles would do well to choose fewer touristy spots and use this book as a guideline to see how Angelenos really live.
4.5 stars
January 7, 2026
What a beautiful rom-com! Surely to be a big hit once released in 2026.
This is how you write an adult romance and one of the best romance books I've read in awhile! Finally, a FMC I can relate to: Asian woman in her 40s navigating life.
One & Only by Maurene Goo is a warm, heartfelt love story that feels both intimate and universal. It makes you consider the idea of fate, especially when expectations begin to blur with real life.
Cassia Park works in her family’s long-running matchmaking business, a tradition built on certainty and an impressive record of success. This is where the magical realism takes place: the family has the ability to jump into past timelines to see who someone’s true love is. But who is Cassia’s one true love?
For years, Cassia has known the name of the person she is supposedly meant to love, even though she has never met him. Love has always felt predetermined to her, until an unexpected bike accident introduces Ellis into her life. He stays with her, calls for help, and keeps her company when she needs it most. For Ellis, the connection is instant. For Cassia, it is much more complicated. The chemistry is undeniable, but she believes her future is already mapped out.
This novel explores love in all its messy and beautiful forms. It looks at the pressure of expectations, the risk of missing what is right in front of you, and the freedom that comes from letting go of perfection. And truly, Ellis is impossible not to love. I fell for him just as much as I fell for this story.
While there is a touch of magical realism in it, it veers towards Cassia's newfound love and Korean culture. One & Only It is filled with humor, emotional moments, family history, and cultural elements, all woven into a story about choosing what you want rather than what is expected of you. Cassia’s journey from believing completely in destiny to realizing she might have a choice of her own is refreshing and relatable. I cannot wait to read more from Goo!
Thank you to Maurene Goo, Putnam Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC.
This is how you write an adult romance and one of the best romance books I've read in awhile! Finally, a FMC I can relate to: Asian woman in her 40s navigating life.
One & Only by Maurene Goo is a warm, heartfelt love story that feels both intimate and universal. It makes you consider the idea of fate, especially when expectations begin to blur with real life.
Cassia Park works in her family’s long-running matchmaking business, a tradition built on certainty and an impressive record of success. This is where the magical realism takes place: the family has the ability to jump into past timelines to see who someone’s true love is. But who is Cassia’s one true love?
For years, Cassia has known the name of the person she is supposedly meant to love, even though she has never met him. Love has always felt predetermined to her, until an unexpected bike accident introduces Ellis into her life. He stays with her, calls for help, and keeps her company when she needs it most. For Ellis, the connection is instant. For Cassia, it is much more complicated. The chemistry is undeniable, but she believes her future is already mapped out.
This novel explores love in all its messy and beautiful forms. It looks at the pressure of expectations, the risk of missing what is right in front of you, and the freedom that comes from letting go of perfection. And truly, Ellis is impossible not to love. I fell for him just as much as I fell for this story.
While there is a touch of magical realism in it, it veers towards Cassia's newfound love and Korean culture. One & Only It is filled with humor, emotional moments, family history, and cultural elements, all woven into a story about choosing what you want rather than what is expected of you. Cassia’s journey from believing completely in destiny to realizing she might have a choice of her own is refreshing and relatable. I cannot wait to read more from Goo!
Thank you to Maurene Goo, Putnam Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC.
February 28, 2026
3.75/5 (maybe a four i can’t decide)
matchmaking is hit or miss for me as a plot and this was so sweet!!!
from the second this was released i knew i would be reading it! i just felt really interested in the story which is odd because it’s pretty much a love triangle and i HATE those. thankfully this one was written pretty well and i didn’t feel overly connected to either man, plus i knew who she was ending up with from like page twenty.
cassia is a matchmaker, but like seriously. she can see people’s past lives and determine who their “fated” match is. now that cassia is turning forty, and been looking for her fated for ten years, she’s feeling a bit lost. even more so when she meets ellis, a guy too young for her even if he’s perfect. through a series of perfectly timed run-ins, complicated feelings for his boss, and a wedding filled with tension, cassia struggles to choose between her told future and the one she could make herself. i really enjoyed the conversations that were had about knowing the future and knowing if the powers the women have are helpful or incredibly unhelpful.
i really liked ellis, i thought his character was perfect which duh, we knew this would happen. cassia is sort of a major villain but it’s in the name of love so i rooting for her. she played with that entire company and i loved that. the way i’d never stop gossiping about the whole situation if i worked there… just saying. overall this book was strong but i kinda lacked an emotional connection to the story, i only felt moved or invested when cassia met with her father. so a four star but it’s just a solid book, nothing crazy.
matchmaking is hit or miss for me as a plot and this was so sweet!!!
from the second this was released i knew i would be reading it! i just felt really interested in the story which is odd because it’s pretty much a love triangle and i HATE those. thankfully this one was written pretty well and i didn’t feel overly connected to either man, plus i knew who she was ending up with from like page twenty.
cassia is a matchmaker, but like seriously. she can see people’s past lives and determine who their “fated” match is. now that cassia is turning forty, and been looking for her fated for ten years, she’s feeling a bit lost. even more so when she meets ellis, a guy too young for her even if he’s perfect. through a series of perfectly timed run-ins, complicated feelings for his boss, and a wedding filled with tension, cassia struggles to choose between her told future and the one she could make herself. i really enjoyed the conversations that were had about knowing the future and knowing if the powers the women have are helpful or incredibly unhelpful.
i really liked ellis, i thought his character was perfect which duh, we knew this would happen. cassia is sort of a major villain but it’s in the name of love so i rooting for her. she played with that entire company and i loved that. the way i’d never stop gossiping about the whole situation if i worked there… just saying. overall this book was strong but i kinda lacked an emotional connection to the story, i only felt moved or invested when cassia met with her father. so a four star but it’s just a solid book, nothing crazy.
October 18, 2025
A really nice magical realism romance. A wonderful main character and lots of fun side characters. I think the idea of a soulmate is fascinating so I was really into where this story was gonna go!
April 5, 2026
Good for a bad book but bad for a good book if you get me
February 18, 2026
the setup…
Cassia (Cass) Park is almost 40-years old and an essential part of the family business, One & Only Matchmaking. She’s inherited the “gift” of face reading from her ancestors where she can see into clients’ past lives and find their one true love. Cass learned the name of her fated match ten years ago (Daniel Nam) but they haven’t been able to find him and she’s patiently waiting for him. Enter Ellis, a gorgeous 28-year old landscape architect who’s charming and everything she’d love in a mate. He’s not Daniel so she resists getting closer but it’s hard. And then, something extraordinary happens that calls into question all she’s ever believed in about fated love and soulmates.
the heart of the story…
I’m not a fan of “love triangles” and there’s a tiny whiff of that here but not in the traditional sense. And let me be clear…I adored this story. Cass is a self assured, talented woman surrounded by loving family and a great bestie. Ellis comes from a wonderful family and he’s a great person, intuitive, respectful and kind. Cass couldn’t help be drawn to him and their romance was captivating. The elusive “Daniel’ was always in the background…until he wasn’t.
the narration…
Jeena Yi is a wonderful storyteller and this is the ultimate one with so many angles. I loved her voices for Cass, the great aunt and grandmother as well as the male roles.
the bottom line…
I connected with Cass, her family, the mystical aspects, Ellis and Daniel as if I had a personal stake in the outcome. That’s fine writing and storytelling. I had a team preference, which I won’t share and my heart was wrenched as the story progressed. Thanks to Jenna for selecting this book as it probably would not have reached my radar. It was a wonderful listening experience. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
Cassia (Cass) Park is almost 40-years old and an essential part of the family business, One & Only Matchmaking. She’s inherited the “gift” of face reading from her ancestors where she can see into clients’ past lives and find their one true love. Cass learned the name of her fated match ten years ago (Daniel Nam) but they haven’t been able to find him and she’s patiently waiting for him. Enter Ellis, a gorgeous 28-year old landscape architect who’s charming and everything she’d love in a mate. He’s not Daniel so she resists getting closer but it’s hard. And then, something extraordinary happens that calls into question all she’s ever believed in about fated love and soulmates.
the heart of the story…
I’m not a fan of “love triangles” and there’s a tiny whiff of that here but not in the traditional sense. And let me be clear…I adored this story. Cass is a self assured, talented woman surrounded by loving family and a great bestie. Ellis comes from a wonderful family and he’s a great person, intuitive, respectful and kind. Cass couldn’t help be drawn to him and their romance was captivating. The elusive “Daniel’ was always in the background…until he wasn’t.
the narration…
Jeena Yi is a wonderful storyteller and this is the ultimate one with so many angles. I loved her voices for Cass, the great aunt and grandmother as well as the male roles.
the bottom line…
I connected with Cass, her family, the mystical aspects, Ellis and Daniel as if I had a personal stake in the outcome. That’s fine writing and storytelling. I had a team preference, which I won’t share and my heart was wrenched as the story progressed. Thanks to Jenna for selecting this book as it probably would not have reached my radar. It was a wonderful listening experience. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
February 7, 2026
Not another love triangle + age gap story 😩
And of course it ends with a baby. Because apparently that’s the only happy ending?
women don’t need a ‘fated one’,we can just live, love, and enjoy life at any age.
And of course it ends with a baby. Because apparently that’s the only happy ending?
women don’t need a ‘fated one’,we can just live, love, and enjoy life at any age.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2026
⭐️🌟⭐️🌟⭐️ Fated love? Just imagine!
🌺 Read what you love! 🌺
🌺 Read what you love! 🌺
April 15, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 I enjoyed this one! The concept was so cute and I loved Ellis 😍
March 10, 2026
I wanted to enjoy this book so badly - especially with the great reviews - and was thrilled when my library copy arrived. I'm glad I didn't use my BOTM credit for this one. It's infuriating, toxic, and problematic.
The "age gap" trope here is cringey AF (LOL...cough cough) and insulting, as nothing fits the ages; it’s like my grandma, who lived to be 102, wrote what she thinks 28 and 40-year-olds say and do. It is just wrong, trying too hard, and exhausting.
I am 42, and I read the author is in her 40s, too. It's bizarre that she wrote Cassia as geriatric, someone who thinks she is woke but isn't really (yet she recognizes gendered comments... that was an odd/poorly-written scene, too), and is a "modern" woman obsessed with getting married to her "fated," who she's just literally sitting around waiting for, so she can, surprise, HAVE A BABY. Publishing loves this trend, STILL. All these damn books *have to* end with pregnancies and babies. It feels so anti-feminist.
And of course, Cassia believes Ellis is a no-go immediately because he has a personality and likes to "adventure," whereas she needs to settle down immediately... and procreate. We knew this was going to be her major hang-up besides the fated aspect. We hate women who like to travel and adventure, allegedly forsaking their motherly roles. God forbid we have a story where the woman can be adventurous and get married/have a family/have a house, if that's what she really wants…
Not to mention, Cassia is overly obsessed with the 11/12 year age gap (it's not that huge at their ages?!). We get it, but it's on every page for most of their interaction in the beginning. All of it gets old and annoying quickly. Of course, their one sex filled weekend is going to be their entire relationship, too.
Then, enter Daniel - her fated (not a spoiler)... and I was honestly done. Cassia is selfish, awful, and treats people like crap because she needs her fated to have that baby. F' feelings and having a life.
For a lighthearted story about matchmaking, the messaging, love triangle, and age BS are not what we need to keep pushing on women and society. It also just comes off as bizarrely condemning and judgmental. Besides being pissed as I read this, it was boring.
The "age gap" trope here is cringey AF (LOL...cough cough) and insulting, as nothing fits the ages; it’s like my grandma, who lived to be 102, wrote what she thinks 28 and 40-year-olds say and do. It is just wrong, trying too hard, and exhausting.
I am 42, and I read the author is in her 40s, too. It's bizarre that she wrote Cassia as geriatric, someone who thinks she is woke but isn't really (yet she recognizes gendered comments... that was an odd/poorly-written scene, too), and is a "modern" woman obsessed with getting married to her "fated," who she's just literally sitting around waiting for, so she can, surprise, HAVE A BABY. Publishing loves this trend, STILL. All these damn books *have to* end with pregnancies and babies. It feels so anti-feminist.
And of course, Cassia believes Ellis is a no-go immediately because he has a personality and likes to "adventure," whereas she needs to settle down immediately... and procreate. We knew this was going to be her major hang-up besides the fated aspect. We hate women who like to travel and adventure, allegedly forsaking their motherly roles. God forbid we have a story where the woman can be adventurous and get married/have a family/have a house, if that's what she really wants…
Not to mention, Cassia is overly obsessed with the 11/12 year age gap (it's not that huge at their ages?!). We get it, but it's on every page for most of their interaction in the beginning. All of it gets old and annoying quickly. Of course, their one sex filled weekend is going to be their entire relationship, too.
Then, enter Daniel - her fated (not a spoiler)... and I was honestly done. Cassia is selfish, awful, and treats people like crap because she needs her fated to have that baby. F' feelings and having a life.
For a lighthearted story about matchmaking, the messaging, love triangle, and age BS are not what we need to keep pushing on women and society. It also just comes off as bizarrely condemning and judgmental. Besides being pissed as I read this, it was boring.
February 10, 2026
Magical realism and a love triangle! Two of my biggest buzz words! Cassia Park is the director of operations at One & Only, her family’s elite matchmaking service with a 100% success rate! With the women in her family being able to see past lives and past loves, it was so whimsical and fascinating, and I loved learning the ins and outs of how they've monetized their magical gift.
Though Cassia has known for years that her fated match is Daniel Nam, her search for him has been unsuccessful. That is until he shows up at the absolute worst possible time—right after Cassia forms a passionate, unexpected connection with Ellis, a man 11 years her junior! I wanted to be frustrated with Cassia at times, because she definitely unfairly plays with the hearts of these two men, but with her entire life and family legacy built around the idea of a single fated match, it’s hard to blame her.
Cassia is truly pulled in two different directions of happiness, and I loved the tension! It’s very much a fate vs. choice story, and while it’s pretty clear who Cassia will end up with, that didn’t stop me from loving the adventure with Daniel and Ellis—or the layered family drama underneath! And that final chapter. Gah! I loved it.
(heat level: mostly fade-to-black + 1 mild open-door scene)
Though Cassia has known for years that her fated match is Daniel Nam, her search for him has been unsuccessful. That is until he shows up at the absolute worst possible time—right after Cassia forms a passionate, unexpected connection with Ellis, a man 11 years her junior! I wanted to be frustrated with Cassia at times, because she definitely unfairly plays with the hearts of these two men, but with her entire life and family legacy built around the idea of a single fated match, it’s hard to blame her.
Cassia is truly pulled in two different directions of happiness, and I loved the tension! It’s very much a fate vs. choice story, and while it’s pretty clear who Cassia will end up with, that didn’t stop me from loving the adventure with Daniel and Ellis—or the layered family drama underneath! And that final chapter. Gah! I loved it.
(heat level: mostly fade-to-black + 1 mild open-door scene)
June 4, 2026
Cassia Park is about to turn forty and feels ready to settle down. As part of One & Only Matchmaking which is the family business, Cassia is determined to meet her fated, Daniel Lam. She starts dating a 28-year-old ans really likes him until she meets his boss, Daniel Lam. Will the stars align or does fate have other plans?
I really enjoyed this fresh romance which had great character development and Cassia's family and culture. The romance was fresh and unexpected. The audiobook performance by Geena Yi is fantastic, bringing the story and characters to life.
Many thanks to PRH Audio for the gifted advance listening copy. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this fresh romance which had great character development and Cassia's family and culture. The romance was fresh and unexpected. The audiobook performance by Geena Yi is fantastic, bringing the story and characters to life.
Many thanks to PRH Audio for the gifted advance listening copy. All opinions are my own.
March 14, 2026
4.5⭐️ rounded up! This was an absolute delight!!! Our 40 y/o FMC knows who her fated person is aka her soulmate… and she’s known for 10 years but hasn’t met him… yet 👀 not before she has a one night stand with a younger 👀 man who sweeps her off her feet for a fun weekend 🙂↔️ and BAM, FATED!
This was such an easy read and even more enjoyable on audio! Gimme a magical realism x meddling family x age gap and I am sat!!! It was such a unique premise (kinda reminded me of Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle) and I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters—all the Korean aunties, and Cassia’s grandparents 😭
Loved Ellis, loved Daniel. Didn’t enjoy Cassia’s flip flopping!
This was such an easy read and even more enjoyable on audio! Gimme a magical realism x meddling family x age gap and I am sat!!! It was such a unique premise (kinda reminded me of Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle) and I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters—all the Korean aunties, and Cassia’s grandparents 😭
Loved Ellis, loved Daniel. Didn’t enjoy Cassia’s flip flopping!
February 27, 2026
Jenna, what were you thinking? We’re asked to root for a 40-year-old woman who constantly complains about her age, talks down to anyone younger, and treats two different men horribly. Then, once she discovers her grandmother’s “magic” isn’t a guarantee, she then drops one man for the other — and he just accepts it. It’s frustrating, inconsistent, and makes the main character incredibly hard to like.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2026
Do you often contemplate romantic fated mates vs. free will? Are you looking for more FMCs older than 35? Do you like a dash of magical realism and want more Korean American representation? READ THIS BOOK.
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
▹Format: 📱 eReader
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– FMC: Cassia Park (aka “Cass”). On the cusp of her 40th birthday, Cassia meets a man who she has a strong connection with. The issue is that he’s younger than her AND--thanks to her family’s magical gift of matchmaking--she knows he’s not her fated soul mate...
– Location: Beverly Hills, CA
– POV: Single first-person
– Spice: 2-3 closed-door / fade-to-black spicy scenes that are more romantic than explicit
– Tropes: love triangle, fated mates vs. free will, reverse age gap (11 years), strangers to lovers, Korean American family dynamics, grief, parental abandonment, magical realism, taking shrooms in a safe environment
– Representation: Asian main characters, half-Jewish/half-Chinese MMC
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
I don’t know that anything I say can do this book justice, but this book had it ALL for me: witty banter, older FMC, contemplating soul mates, a heated love triangle, emotionally mature characters (who are also flawed, so don’t come for me if you disagree), and a beautiful representation of family dynamics (and in this case, a storied Korean family with a few secrets).
But I also think this book is best going into without knowing a lot about it other than the above.
What I will say, and this is nothing to sway you one way or another, but when I started reading more steadily back in 2024, I was on the hunt for 3 specific unicorns:
1. A romance/fantasy that had the same shocking betrayal as when Angel turns evil after falling in love with Buffy on Buffy the Vampire Slayer
2. A series ending that rivals the absolutely historical and brilliant ending to the TV series Newhart (iykyk)
3. A romance that was like the criminally underappreciated 2009 SciFi RomCom movie TiMER, in which the characters are given the opportunity to find out when they will meet their soulmate--but opens the question on WOULD/SHOULD you want to know who you’re meant to be with if you CAN?
This book helped me cross off #3.
This book has so much heart. It was also so funny. And any book that references Portishead and Elliott Smith is top-notch in my mind.
─────────────────────────
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12
Now Playing: Somebody That I Used to Know by Elliott Smith
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ Starting up your record player, throwing on the A side of “Glory Times” by Portishead and diving into your Korean takeout
➼ Staring into someone’s face to see who they were and who they loved in a past life
➼ The movie “TiMER” (but instead of it being SciFi leaning, it being more magical realism leaning)
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven————✧———————Plot Driven
Fast Burn—————✧——————Slow Burn
Sweet———✧————————Spicy
Light/Fluffy——————✧—————Heavy/Emotional
•♥Consider following me on Instagram @kelseyreviewsbooks for more visual content and bookish discussions.♥•
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
▹Format: 📱 eReader
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– FMC: Cassia Park (aka “Cass”). On the cusp of her 40th birthday, Cassia meets a man who she has a strong connection with. The issue is that he’s younger than her AND--thanks to her family’s magical gift of matchmaking--she knows he’s not her fated soul mate...
– Location: Beverly Hills, CA
– POV: Single first-person
– Spice: 2-3 closed-door / fade-to-black spicy scenes that are more romantic than explicit
– Tropes: love triangle, fated mates vs. free will, reverse age gap (11 years), strangers to lovers, Korean American family dynamics, grief, parental abandonment, magical realism, taking shrooms in a safe environment
– Representation: Asian main characters, half-Jewish/half-Chinese MMC
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
I don’t know that anything I say can do this book justice, but this book had it ALL for me: witty banter, older FMC, contemplating soul mates, a heated love triangle, emotionally mature characters (who are also flawed, so don’t come for me if you disagree), and a beautiful representation of family dynamics (and in this case, a storied Korean family with a few secrets).
But I also think this book is best going into without knowing a lot about it other than the above.
What I will say, and this is nothing to sway you one way or another, but when I started reading more steadily back in 2024, I was on the hunt for 3 specific unicorns:
1. A romance/fantasy that had the same shocking betrayal as when Angel turns evil after falling in love with Buffy on Buffy the Vampire Slayer
2. A series ending that rivals the absolutely historical and brilliant ending to the TV series Newhart (iykyk)
3. A romance that was like the criminally underappreciated 2009 SciFi RomCom movie TiMER, in which the characters are given the opportunity to find out when they will meet their soulmate--but opens the question on WOULD/SHOULD you want to know who you’re meant to be with if you CAN?
This book helped me cross off #3.
This book has so much heart. It was also so funny. And any book that references Portishead and Elliott Smith is top-notch in my mind.
─────────────────────────
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12
Now Playing: Somebody That I Used to Know by Elliott Smith
╰┈➤ ❝I know you don't think you did me wrong; And I can't stay this mad for long; Keeping a hold on what you just let go; You're just somebody that I used to know;❞
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ Starting up your record player, throwing on the A side of “Glory Times” by Portishead and diving into your Korean takeout
➼ Staring into someone’s face to see who they were and who they loved in a past life
➼ The movie “TiMER” (but instead of it being SciFi leaning, it being more magical realism leaning)
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven————✧———————Plot Driven
Fast Burn—————✧——————Slow Burn
Sweet———✧————————Spicy
Light/Fluffy——————✧—————Heavy/Emotional
•♥Consider following me on Instagram @kelseyreviewsbooks for more visual content and bookish discussions.♥•
January 19, 2026
I was so excited that Maureen Goo went to adult novels because I loved her YA books so much. The story was great and I loved the face reading and the past lives. The romance was so messy like I had so much second hand embarrassment at the shit she was doing but like I get it.
February 10, 2026
DNF’d after a 40+ year old said “AF” (I write as a 32 year old who says “lmao” out loud myself) and Ellis saved the day again 🙄
July 3, 2026
i wanna experience everything that happened in this book 😩💗
February 7, 2026
Great romcom magical realism leans heavily into the “what ifs”— what if your family had a Legacy to determine someone’s faded soulmate? What if you knew from a young age, the name of your soulmate and had never found him? What if you grieved the loss of your mother and the loss of her long-term love?
This is a clever scenario and descriptive setting. I appreciated learning more about the Korean culture and the dichotomy between the daughter of a rich tradition in living in everyday American life. Cassia has just turned 40 and is having a fling with a 28 year-old named Ellis that we really like. She is pretty snarky but likable and driven an ambitious. Her faded is named Daniel Nam. Soon she finds out that Ellis‘s boss is named Daniel Nam.
A few tropes that we don’t typically get in romances these days, there’s an age gap, but she is older than he is. Also, the love triangle is not done very frequently, and I thought it was done really well here. It’s very much a character driven romance. Cassia, Ellis and Daniel are each really unique and good characters. We’d want to be friends with them. I also really appreciate her grandmother and great aunt. I’m glad that there were no racial stereotypes in their voice acting on the audiobook.
If you enjoy magical realism in contemporary romance, don’t miss this one, well kind of repetitive and predictable, it’s very cute. A nice escape.
This is a clever scenario and descriptive setting. I appreciated learning more about the Korean culture and the dichotomy between the daughter of a rich tradition in living in everyday American life. Cassia has just turned 40 and is having a fling with a 28 year-old named Ellis that we really like. She is pretty snarky but likable and driven an ambitious. Her faded is named Daniel Nam. Soon she finds out that Ellis‘s boss is named Daniel Nam.
A few tropes that we don’t typically get in romances these days, there’s an age gap, but she is older than he is. Also, the love triangle is not done very frequently, and I thought it was done really well here. It’s very much a character driven romance. Cassia, Ellis and Daniel are each really unique and good characters. We’d want to be friends with them. I also really appreciate her grandmother and great aunt. I’m glad that there were no racial stereotypes in their voice acting on the audiobook.
If you enjoy magical realism in contemporary romance, don’t miss this one, well kind of repetitive and predictable, it’s very cute. A nice escape.
May 19, 2026
3.5 stars. Really cute, really enjoyed- just not quite 4 stars for me. Full review sometime
April 25, 2026
Stunning!!!
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