What do you think?
Rate this book
Love and Other Moods
Love and Other Moods is a coming-of-age story set in contemporary China, about falling in love, learning to adult, finding strength, and discovering one’s place in the world.
Naomi Kita-Fan uproots her life from New York to China when her fiancé’s company transfers him to Shanghai. After a disastrous turn of events, Naomi finds herself with no job, no boyfriend, and nowhere to live in a foreign country.
Amidst the backdrop of Shanghai welcoming millions of workers and visitors to the 2010 World Expo, we meet a tapestry of characters through Naomi: Joss Kong, a Shanghai socialite who leads an enviable life, but must harbor the secrets of her husband, Tay Kai Tang. Logan Hayden, a womanizing restaurateur looking for love in all the wrong places. Pan Jinsung and Ouyang Zhangjie, a silver-aged couple struggling with adapting to the ever-changing faces of their city. Dante Ouyang, who had just returned to China after spending years overseas, must choose between being filial and being in love. All their dreams and aspirations interweave within the sprawling web of Shanghai.
This multilayered novel explores a kaleidoscope of shifting relationships——familial friction, amorous entanglements, volatile friendships——in one of the most dynamic metropolises of the twenty-first century.
Naomi Kita-Fan uproots her life from New York to China when her fiancé’s company transfers him to Shanghai. After a disastrous turn of events, Naomi finds herself with no job, no boyfriend, and nowhere to live in a foreign country.
Amidst the backdrop of Shanghai welcoming millions of workers and visitors to the 2010 World Expo, we meet a tapestry of characters through Naomi: Joss Kong, a Shanghai socialite who leads an enviable life, but must harbor the secrets of her husband, Tay Kai Tang. Logan Hayden, a womanizing restaurateur looking for love in all the wrong places. Pan Jinsung and Ouyang Zhangjie, a silver-aged couple struggling with adapting to the ever-changing faces of their city. Dante Ouyang, who had just returned to China after spending years overseas, must choose between being filial and being in love. All their dreams and aspirations interweave within the sprawling web of Shanghai.
This multilayered novel explores a kaleidoscope of shifting relationships——familial friction, amorous entanglements, volatile friendships——in one of the most dynamic metropolises of the twenty-first century.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2020
6 people are currently reading
366 people want to read
About the author
Crystal Z. Lee
5 books92 followersCrystal Z. Lee is a Taiwanese American bilingual writer and a member of the Asian Authors Alliance. She has called many places home, including Taipei, New York, Shanghai, and the San Francisco Bay Area. She was formerly a public relations executive who had worked with brands in the fashion, beauty, and technology industries. She is the author of the novel Love and Other Moods, and children’s books Pei's Pineapple Cakes, Mei's Mermaid Mission, Kai the Dancing Butterfly, and A Unicorn Named Rin. Her poetry was included in the UK anthology, Tabula Rasa. Author website: https://www.crystalzleeauthor.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
Read
April 20, 2021Love and Other Moods is a novel with a lot to say. The new book by author Crystal Z. Lee takes place in Shanghai, starting with the backdrop of the 2010 Expo and continues on for several years through that decade. This makes for a good introduction to all the various elements that make up Rising China in the 21st century. Ostensibly, the character of Naomi Fita-Fan is the main protagonist. The half-Japanese and half-Taiwanese character, who does feel like a semi-autobiographical placeholder for the author, is a sophisticated businesswoman who comes of age while maneuvering throughout this complex landscape.
However, the city of Shanghai itself is the true star. The book continuously pours over details describing the evolution of the megapolis, full of history and politics and food and culture. The detailed backstory of the human characters generally serves as part of the world-building of this setting. The family backgrounds, the infodumps, even the dating scene these figures find themselves in—it’s all about making Shanghai as real as possible.
Although much of this describes a very upper-class scene, almost a “Sex and the City” in Asia, there is also a dark underside occasionally explored. Mentions of prostitution and drugs appear from time to time, which can be shocking in its contrast. The main hardships that the characters experience range from questions of identity, such as prejudice against Naomi for being Japanese in China and for being Asian in America. There is also tragedy and even violence that permeates through the history of this Communist land, as the main love interest Dante knows well.
Towards the end, the book becomes more of a conventional story. A typical love story in many ways, as the protagonist comes of age and deals with the challenges that arise from growing up. The generational divides that make up family, such how to get along with a family and how to define one’s own, are an endless source of conflict. Through all the heartbreak and even (spoiler alert) children, the relationship between Naomi and her best friend Joss is still just as valued as the romantic side.
Love and Other Moods might be classified as “chick lit,” and female readership does seem to be the intended audience. That said, anyone would enjoy learning so much about modern China by way of this book, and it is a valuable resource in capturing that moment in time…
Crystal Z. Lee takes the reader on a dazzling tour of hyper-cosmopolitan Shanghai. Here, the city is not romanticized in the typical manner, but portrayed the way it really is: exciting, loud, dizzying, sexy, sometimes risqué but always authentic. Love and Other Moods expresses the truthful energy of Rising China over the past decade, which those who’ve been would instantly recognize, and those who haven’t will find fascinating. It’s one of the most international places in the world, where everyone has a story, and some of those stories are told right here in this novel.
However, the city of Shanghai itself is the true star. The book continuously pours over details describing the evolution of the megapolis, full of history and politics and food and culture. The detailed backstory of the human characters generally serves as part of the world-building of this setting. The family backgrounds, the infodumps, even the dating scene these figures find themselves in—it’s all about making Shanghai as real as possible.
Although much of this describes a very upper-class scene, almost a “Sex and the City” in Asia, there is also a dark underside occasionally explored. Mentions of prostitution and drugs appear from time to time, which can be shocking in its contrast. The main hardships that the characters experience range from questions of identity, such as prejudice against Naomi for being Japanese in China and for being Asian in America. There is also tragedy and even violence that permeates through the history of this Communist land, as the main love interest Dante knows well.
Towards the end, the book becomes more of a conventional story. A typical love story in many ways, as the protagonist comes of age and deals with the challenges that arise from growing up. The generational divides that make up family, such how to get along with a family and how to define one’s own, are an endless source of conflict. Through all the heartbreak and even (spoiler alert) children, the relationship between Naomi and her best friend Joss is still just as valued as the romantic side.
Love and Other Moods might be classified as “chick lit,” and female readership does seem to be the intended audience. That said, anyone would enjoy learning so much about modern China by way of this book, and it is a valuable resource in capturing that moment in time…
Crystal Z. Lee takes the reader on a dazzling tour of hyper-cosmopolitan Shanghai. Here, the city is not romanticized in the typical manner, but portrayed the way it really is: exciting, loud, dizzying, sexy, sometimes risqué but always authentic. Love and Other Moods expresses the truthful energy of Rising China over the past decade, which those who’ve been would instantly recognize, and those who haven’t will find fascinating. It’s one of the most international places in the world, where everyone has a story, and some of those stories are told right here in this novel.
March 21, 2021
ARC copy provided in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes my rating or review.
4 positively BEAUTIFUL stars.
This book was everything I didn’t know I needed, all wrapped up in a gorgeous coming of age story (about people at the age of 20-30, because not all of us figure out our life purpose at 18 years old). A novel about the wonders, mistakes and beauty of life, love and loss, all in Shanghai. Love and Other Moods was intense, realistic, stunningly-written and a little bit heartbreaking. Crystal Z. Lee did a wonderful job of bringing the wonder of Shanghai to her readers, managing to make Shanghai as easy to imagine as the town you’ve grown up in your whole life. Through the stunning description and flowing lyrical language used, Lee managed to turn Shanghai into a city that, yes, has it’s problems, but is also an extraordinary world power and brilliant place in which one can discover who they are, what they want to do with their lives and how to love.
“Why Shanghai?
…It’s because we believe in certain ideas about this city – that it has the potential to be invincible, that it could be ours.”
(The author explaining why she chose Shanghai as the basis for her novel.)
The characters in Love and Other Moods may not have been perfect. They made mistakes, they hurt others and themselves, they broke hearts and remade them again. And, for these reasons, they were, so, so human. These characters were some of the most believable, most realistic characters that I’ve ever read about, and I loved it. They weren’t necessarily good people, it’s true. But they tried. They tried to fix their mistakes and make themselves as good as they could be, and I really loved that. And they always tried to help those they loved, and stick with their family, which was really touching to see.
“Home is our mental as much as it is a physical space. It’s where we choose to root our existence, where we decide to build our bliss, our lives, ourselves.
… Some people made anywhere feel like home.”
(Naomi talking about what ‘home’ is for her.)
I also really loved the overall message of the story, about home and finding where you belong, and I loved the idea of having homes all over the world. And oh god, the food descriptions?? PLEASE HELP, my stomach has never rumbled so much because of a book! The descriptions were killing me, and I guess that proves just how well Lee was writing.
Thank you so much to Favourite Pages and the author for the free (physical – eee, so pretty!) copy in exchange for an honest review :)).
4 positively BEAUTIFUL stars.
This book was everything I didn’t know I needed, all wrapped up in a gorgeous coming of age story (about people at the age of 20-30, because not all of us figure out our life purpose at 18 years old). A novel about the wonders, mistakes and beauty of life, love and loss, all in Shanghai. Love and Other Moods was intense, realistic, stunningly-written and a little bit heartbreaking. Crystal Z. Lee did a wonderful job of bringing the wonder of Shanghai to her readers, managing to make Shanghai as easy to imagine as the town you’ve grown up in your whole life. Through the stunning description and flowing lyrical language used, Lee managed to turn Shanghai into a city that, yes, has it’s problems, but is also an extraordinary world power and brilliant place in which one can discover who they are, what they want to do with their lives and how to love.
“Why Shanghai?
…It’s because we believe in certain ideas about this city – that it has the potential to be invincible, that it could be ours.”
(The author explaining why she chose Shanghai as the basis for her novel.)
The characters in Love and Other Moods may not have been perfect. They made mistakes, they hurt others and themselves, they broke hearts and remade them again. And, for these reasons, they were, so, so human. These characters were some of the most believable, most realistic characters that I’ve ever read about, and I loved it. They weren’t necessarily good people, it’s true. But they tried. They tried to fix their mistakes and make themselves as good as they could be, and I really loved that. And they always tried to help those they loved, and stick with their family, which was really touching to see.
“Home is our mental as much as it is a physical space. It’s where we choose to root our existence, where we decide to build our bliss, our lives, ourselves.
… Some people made anywhere feel like home.”
(Naomi talking about what ‘home’ is for her.)
I also really loved the overall message of the story, about home and finding where you belong, and I loved the idea of having homes all over the world. And oh god, the food descriptions?? PLEASE HELP, my stomach has never rumbled so much because of a book! The descriptions were killing me, and I guess that proves just how well Lee was writing.
Thank you so much to Favourite Pages and the author for the free (physical – eee, so pretty!) copy in exchange for an honest review :)).
December 6, 2020
Finally a book about modern China that's not about war or politics. Those topics are also touched on in this novel, but not in a heavy handed manner. There is a bit of Crazy Rich Asians in this novel, and a little bit of Emily In Paris (but instead it's set in Shanghai.) There are narratives of expat life, along with Chinese millennials and the silver-aged generation. The central character is a woman who just moved from New York to Shanghai in her mid-twenties, and comes-of-age while Shanghai is also experiencing unprecedented growth. I cruised this novel quickly. Big ups to more POC and asian american stories.
March 8, 2021
Crystal Z. Lee’s debut novel, Love and Other Moods, was a book that had me curious to see how everything came together. It was a story that had ups and downs, one that had plenty packed into the pages, and my feelings toward this one were mixed. There were some elements I really enjoyed, but there were other details that didn’t quite work for me.
Love and Other Moods encompassed a lot, taking the reader on a journey through a culture that does not get the attention it deserves. It is enlightening and offers more than just a story of two people falling in love. It shows the difficulties that can be faced throughout life, the journeys people can take at any point in their life, showing how love – and not just the romantic sort – can help a person to overcome much of what is thrown their way. It is a story that spans years, covering many details, and taking the reader on a journey that leaves them desperate for a happily ever after.
All in all, Love and Other Moods was an addictive read. Although there were some details that I didn’t adore in the way I had hoped, the story kept me more than curious throughout.
Love and Other Moods encompassed a lot, taking the reader on a journey through a culture that does not get the attention it deserves. It is enlightening and offers more than just a story of two people falling in love. It shows the difficulties that can be faced throughout life, the journeys people can take at any point in their life, showing how love – and not just the romantic sort – can help a person to overcome much of what is thrown their way. It is a story that spans years, covering many details, and taking the reader on a journey that leaves them desperate for a happily ever after.
All in all, Love and Other Moods was an addictive read. Although there were some details that I didn’t adore in the way I had hoped, the story kept me more than curious throughout.
May 11, 2022
This is a coming of age story set in contemporary China. It follows seven people, 3 relationships and multiple generations as they navigate life, love, heartbreak and love.
There are so many angles I could take this review especially because I loved the story so much but I want to focus on how self-aware and reflective the author was. Sure in the book it plays out as Naomi who uproots her life to move to Shanghai to get married and start a new life only for her to find him cheating on her. Refusing to return home in shame, she decides to build a new life in Shanghai with the aid of her socialite friend Joss who has just gotten married. Joss is being pressured by Tay's (husband) parents to have a child. Then we have Jinsung and Zhangjie who are the older couple, they are finding it hard to adapt to the constantly changing city.
Loved the discussion on the China One-child policy and how that affected gender demographics. Also, the trauma women faced from having abortions of female foetuses. I loved the way culture and customs are highlighted, especially that of people in mainland China and places like Hong Kong.
Overall its a great book on relationships, identity, self-discovery and communication.
Trigger warnings: Sexual assault, infertility, abortions, war, sexual slavery and miscarriages.
Thanks to Colored Pages Blog Tours for making this book available to me.
There are so many angles I could take this review especially because I loved the story so much but I want to focus on how self-aware and reflective the author was. Sure in the book it plays out as Naomi who uproots her life to move to Shanghai to get married and start a new life only for her to find him cheating on her. Refusing to return home in shame, she decides to build a new life in Shanghai with the aid of her socialite friend Joss who has just gotten married. Joss is being pressured by Tay's (husband) parents to have a child. Then we have Jinsung and Zhangjie who are the older couple, they are finding it hard to adapt to the constantly changing city.
Loved the discussion on the China One-child policy and how that affected gender demographics. Also, the trauma women faced from having abortions of female foetuses. I loved the way culture and customs are highlighted, especially that of people in mainland China and places like Hong Kong.
Overall its a great book on relationships, identity, self-discovery and communication.
Trigger warnings: Sexual assault, infertility, abortions, war, sexual slavery and miscarriages.
Thanks to Colored Pages Blog Tours for making this book available to me.
January 22, 2021
This was a lovely read, it takes the reader to a romantic journey . This is the story of Naomi who moves to Shangai, with her fiancé, but after finding out he was cheating on her, Naomi breaks off the engagement and decides to stay in the city and start a new life.Naomi is such a fun character, I liked her a lot!I felt like I was with her in this journey finding love .
March 11, 2021
i was super excited for this one — even more so after seeing that the director of one of my favorite films (already tomorrow in hong kong) had blurbed it. from the get go, i got some crazy rich asians but with regular people + some already tomorrow in hong kong vibes & loved how shanghai was described. as another third-culture kid, i really related to naomi's struggle, and really enjoyed reading about her struggles/journey into figuring out who she really is.
there were also some things that i just didn't love — the adoption storyline at the end didn't sit right with me. i also didn't think it was necessary to translate every single chinese phrase in the following sentence — among some other more minor things.
content warnings: racism, abuse, absent parent, death of a parent, plane crash, adoption, grief, infidelity
there were also some things that i just didn't love — the adoption storyline at the end didn't sit right with me. i also didn't think it was necessary to translate every single chinese phrase in the following sentence — among some other more minor things.
content warnings: racism, abuse, absent parent, death of a parent, plane crash, adoption, grief, infidelity
December 15, 2020
For those of us currently stuck at home because of the pandemic, this book is a welcome change of "mood" that draws you into the thrill of moving to a new country, traversing different cultures, and finding yourself halfway across the world. As a third culture kid, it was incredibly moving to see some of my own experiences reflected in the protagonist's journey. I also loved being able to catch a glimpse of old and new Shanghai through the author's global perspective. Highly recommend for a holiday read!
December 8, 2020
Beneath the facade of a romantic escapist read, I appreciated that there were a host of issues the characters struggled with in this novel, such as: racism, assault, grief, identity crisis, etc. it’s a feel-good storyline, yet also realistic in how we all experience growing pains in our twenties. This is also the first book I read that takes place in modern Shanghai, so it was nice to learn aspects from that part of the world.
March 22, 2021
Naomi Kita-Fan, a Taiwanese-Japanese American finds herself in Shanghai, China after following her long-term boyfriend, Seth Ray there for a job only to have the relationship blow up soon after. Now, with no job and no home in a foreign country, Naomi feels a need to make things work in the enigmatic city. Naomi finds an amazing job planning events for prestigious brands and is placed at the 2010 World Expo. While returning from a work trip, Naomi meets Dante Ouyang, a Chinese man who grew up in England and is returning home from America. Dante and Naomi hit it off, but work obligations, their past and family keep getting in the way.
Love and Other Moods is a contemporary romance that also explores cultural dynamics, family relationships and finding a place of your own. Naomi's character was easy to relate to, even though our lives were very different; she is an adult trying to carve out her place in the world when the ideas of parents and the world are trying to hold you back. I also enjoyed the descriptions of Shanghai, the energy, the mix of old and new, the food, the architecture and lifestyle all came to life through Naomi and her friends in the city. I loved reading about all the different areas of the Expo and what could be found there. Naomi and Dante's relationship was very realistic with plenty of ups and downs. Through their romance, I was able to see the impacts of their different cultural backgrounds. I was painfully unaware of the cultural differences and opinions held between some of the Chinese, Japanese and Taiwanese people and the effect it has on society as well as the next generation. Overall, a worldly contemporary romance with amazing characters and diverse points of view.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Love and Other Moods is a contemporary romance that also explores cultural dynamics, family relationships and finding a place of your own. Naomi's character was easy to relate to, even though our lives were very different; she is an adult trying to carve out her place in the world when the ideas of parents and the world are trying to hold you back. I also enjoyed the descriptions of Shanghai, the energy, the mix of old and new, the food, the architecture and lifestyle all came to life through Naomi and her friends in the city. I loved reading about all the different areas of the Expo and what could be found there. Naomi and Dante's relationship was very realistic with plenty of ups and downs. Through their romance, I was able to see the impacts of their different cultural backgrounds. I was painfully unaware of the cultural differences and opinions held between some of the Chinese, Japanese and Taiwanese people and the effect it has on society as well as the next generation. Overall, a worldly contemporary romance with amazing characters and diverse points of view.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
March 29, 2023
Although we follow our main protagonist Naomi, this book is mainly about the city of Shanghai. With the backdrop of the 2010 World Expo, we get a look into Shangainese culture.
Along with the bustling city scene, we watch as Naomi navigates her midtwenties, deals with different parts of her identity and what that means, and goes through the ups and downs of finding love.
I enjoyed the author's writing style and learning all about the different foods and places in Shanghai. Getting to follow our MC over the span of a few years was also very interesting.
There was one character who definitely gave me the ick, and who I wish got what he deserved at the end of the book. Unfortunately, it seems like he got away scot free with his disgusting transgressions with no consequences.
It did also feel a tad long at parts, and I struggled from time to time with paying attention. However, there were also other parts where I felt like we jumped from one scene to the next without any proper time to really process what happened.
All in all, for a debut this was pretty solid, with some gorgeous writing and interesting characters. Definitely will be checking out more of what this author writes.
Along with the bustling city scene, we watch as Naomi navigates her midtwenties, deals with different parts of her identity and what that means, and goes through the ups and downs of finding love.
I enjoyed the author's writing style and learning all about the different foods and places in Shanghai. Getting to follow our MC over the span of a few years was also very interesting.
There was one character who definitely gave me the ick, and who I wish got what he deserved at the end of the book. Unfortunately, it seems like he got away scot free with his disgusting transgressions with no consequences.
It did also feel a tad long at parts, and I struggled from time to time with paying attention. However, there were also other parts where I felt like we jumped from one scene to the next without any proper time to really process what happened.
All in all, for a debut this was pretty solid, with some gorgeous writing and interesting characters. Definitely will be checking out more of what this author writes.
May 19, 2022
//Home is our mental as much as it is a physical space. It’s where we choose to root our existence, where we decide to build our bliss, our lives, ourselves//
Okay so what I feel about this book? Loads of things to be honest. It was like a kaleidoscope, with loads of cultures layered together in beautiful, lyrical writing. It's a coming of age story, no not the 18 one, but the struggle of 20s. Chronicles of losing and finding, learning and experiencing through errors and trials. It was a rollercoaster ride. Home is not a place, it's a state, that's what I conclude after reading the book. I cannot pinpoint the exact part which made me fall for this book, but i did fall. Naomi was a relatable character in so many ways. Being biracial comes with so many challenges, that I've struggled with myself, not exactly in the same way, but similarly. Except Naomi, there were so many other characters who were flawed, struggling, learning, growing alongside her, which made them even more loveable. They were not perfect, which is what made them real <3
October 6, 2022
It's been 10 years since my family and I lived as expats in Beijing, so it was an extra special treat to receive Crystal Lee's debut novel "Love and Other Moods"!
Crystal's expat characters will whisk you to Shanghai's famous Bund. I loved getting swept up with these characters' lives, and felt nostalgic reading about Chinese customs and holidays, set against a cosmopolitan backdrop!
5 heart-filled stars!
Crystal's expat characters will whisk you to Shanghai's famous Bund. I loved getting swept up with these characters' lives, and felt nostalgic reading about Chinese customs and holidays, set against a cosmopolitan backdrop!
5 heart-filled stars!
March 2, 2021
This review can also be found in Currant7 Recommends.
Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Love and Other Moods is a growing-up story of two young best friends, Naomi Kita-Fan and Joss Kong. Both female protagonists are strong, brave, and accomplished women with mix cultural backgrounds in their belts. You would think that given this and coming back to Asia to contribute or "give back," they would be hailed as "heroes," but the opposite is true. The book's female characters had to work doubly hard and be a lot more resourceful to compete with their male counterparts in Shanghai. Asian women are expected to do more, to be treated better. This occurrence is the normal double-standard in Asia for women.
At the start of the book, Naomi, with Japanese and Taiwanese heritage, had her life turned 180 degrees in a foreign land after cutting her engagement. At the same time, Joss was a newly married wife and brought into a prominent Shanghainese family. Having to fend for herself and survive instead of packing up and moving back home, Naomi discovers the "potential life path" that she realized she lost. Although the book focuses primarily on Naomi in the marketing industry, readers will get to see the other side of Joss's world as an epicurean journalist.
This book is the author's debut offering, and I am thoroughly impressed with everything in it! It is beautifully written and well-thought-through. The quality is something that I would expect from a seasoned author but unique to the author in its elements and flair.
Some of the points that made me appreciate the book are:-
1) Brilliant plot presentation.
I love how the book's broken down into seasons, not just chapters, and seem to be diary-style where important things are highlighted and discussed in detail. It is efficient and helps readers focus on what moments will leave an impression. The dates were significant and let readers see Naomi's progression as we also get a glimpse of the people she meets. This book is reminiscent of movies like Love Actually mixed in with Joy Luck Club-esque, wherein various characters run individually then intersect to form a consolidated epilogue in the end.
2) East meets West successfully done.
The author creates a beautiful union of two cultures and traditions - Western and Eastern. Through Naomi and the characters, the author successfully marries two very different beliefs - reflecting the honesty, edginess, and rawness of some scenes. A few of my personal experiences were very similar in the book that brought back so many good and bad memories - but all with fondness.
This book brought many beautiful Asian memories that I have lived and am living through. Many of the sights and sounds described are accurate and current to the beliefs and traditions still followed to this day. I remember a lot and kept nodding my head in agreement, from the Earl Grey mooncakes to ice cream mooncakes from Häagen-Dazs to the tradition of fully decorated impressive mooncake boxes. I remember going through all of that in my Hong Kong corporate days. Nothing is too flashy or extravagant for clients.
3) Oratory and visually stimulating sights and sounds of Shanghai exemplified.
Be ready to take in an extraordinary journey to Shanghai, coined as "the Oriental Paris," and is the city rivaling New York or Paris in terms of modernity and blended culture - East meets West. Written in great detail and vivid color, Love and Other Moods is an oratory feast in the extremes - the extravagance and splendor of Shanghai's setting (architecture, nature, etc.) juxtaposed to the workaholic people all hours of the day. This visual trip is a real treat, most especially due to the travel restrictions of the times. This book is the reader's next best option as a getaway in the safety of their homes.
I've been to Shanghai, but the locations these two good friends bring are the unique insider-only" places and moments that show us why Shanghai is leading the way in the global cosmopolitan and financial stage. The scenes are a feast to any reader's imagination - from the symphony of cicadas to the old shirtless, toothless Chinese grandpas playing chess and waving to Naomi as she walked to work to the Igloo and the Cotton Club. Where else can you see the old and the new coincide together in harmony in a city!
4) Colorful characters that cross Naomi and Joss' way.
From Naomi's ex-fiance, Seth, to her curious co-workers, there is an abundance of personalities that either will jive or jilt readers with their particular quirks. Naomi gets to meet a few good personalities that will help her get over her past and look into a better future for herself. It is through these stronger, deeper connections with these memorable characters like Frida and Dante. These connections help Naomi have fun, heal and look forward to furthering her blooming career and personal life.
I love how the author interconnects the characters after meeting up with either Joss or Naomi, setting readers into their "personal space" and getting to know them briefly. It shows flavor and variety without forcing these characters into our faces.
5) Growth and maturity of Naomi and Joss.
Both characters have harsh and sad pasts. They have been affected by trauma early in their lives that led them to face life precariously.
Naomi's personal life took a back seat to her career after getting hurt badly. This practice is typical in Asia because women need to prove their worth, especially Naomi's accomplished background. She was young and invisible. She took men for granted as they do for women. Now comes when "marrying age" arrives, and after being "hurt," Naomi looks into herself for where she wants to go now. She no longer is the care-free, easy-going girl who can snag and spit men like accessories. She wants to focus on finding a better way to have more meaningful emotional connections and stop "destroying" herself.
Joss has her share of problems and dilemmas in the book. Many of these "issues" are out of her control at a young age and later into her marriage. It is sad, but I was so happy that she and Tay, her husband, found a way to overcome this. The solution she and Tay found was a rare option that not many traditional Chinese couples would take. There was a massive backlash from Tay's parents on this decision, but I appreciate the author bringing this option to the forefront.
I am happy to see that Joss and Naomi had to overcome many trials through various life stages. The book's pace allows a lot of space to grow and positively influence other people around.
6) Cultural identity and acceptance.
Naomi's bumping into Dante again after a chance encounter was a pleasant surprise for Naomi. Realizing that they are working on the same event space can be counted as Fate. It did not take too long for their connection to shift from reacquaintance to dating after Dante took charge of pursuing her. I wish things were simple, but this relationship is a rocky one.
The problem comes when comparing backgrounds - and with Naomi's mixed heritage, things get a bit hairy on Dante's side. A few traditional Chinese have specific nationality issues due to the past traumas experienced and have particular hopes. Instead of happiness and finding love, most have specific criteria for their children's partner. A good few would want someone Chinese, familiar or family friend, someone from their village, similar or higher socioeconomic status, has a good reputation, education, etc. - and the list goes on. It is a daunting list for children who did not grow up in their town or country and have lived/worked elsewhere for years.
In summary, I cannot stop raving about Love and Other Moods! It is a highly recommend second chance book with a great storyline, fantastic plot twists, colorful character personalities that Naomi encounters, and a writing style that balances the traditional and progressive cultures of Asians. It is a book that will appeal to young adults and anyone who has experienced life-changing disappointments. The story goes through Naomi and Joss's life-time that is very similar to an autobiography. It did not feel long or dragging and instead will pull readers into their world and empathize with them. I enjoyed the multi-POV. The back and forth between scenes and POV work well. It is a technique that is executed successfully by the author. I can see this book into a movie or a tv series, given the seamless ease in character transition. The story stays steadfast in its focus: examining the emotional complexities of people: love, resilience, second chances, tolerance, and relationships. This book is a great read, and I am excited to see the author's following books.
Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Love and Other Moods is a growing-up story of two young best friends, Naomi Kita-Fan and Joss Kong. Both female protagonists are strong, brave, and accomplished women with mix cultural backgrounds in their belts. You would think that given this and coming back to Asia to contribute or "give back," they would be hailed as "heroes," but the opposite is true. The book's female characters had to work doubly hard and be a lot more resourceful to compete with their male counterparts in Shanghai. Asian women are expected to do more, to be treated better. This occurrence is the normal double-standard in Asia for women.
At the start of the book, Naomi, with Japanese and Taiwanese heritage, had her life turned 180 degrees in a foreign land after cutting her engagement. At the same time, Joss was a newly married wife and brought into a prominent Shanghainese family. Having to fend for herself and survive instead of packing up and moving back home, Naomi discovers the "potential life path" that she realized she lost. Although the book focuses primarily on Naomi in the marketing industry, readers will get to see the other side of Joss's world as an epicurean journalist.
This book is the author's debut offering, and I am thoroughly impressed with everything in it! It is beautifully written and well-thought-through. The quality is something that I would expect from a seasoned author but unique to the author in its elements and flair.
Some of the points that made me appreciate the book are:-
1) Brilliant plot presentation.
I love how the book's broken down into seasons, not just chapters, and seem to be diary-style where important things are highlighted and discussed in detail. It is efficient and helps readers focus on what moments will leave an impression. The dates were significant and let readers see Naomi's progression as we also get a glimpse of the people she meets. This book is reminiscent of movies like Love Actually mixed in with Joy Luck Club-esque, wherein various characters run individually then intersect to form a consolidated epilogue in the end.
2) East meets West successfully done.
The author creates a beautiful union of two cultures and traditions - Western and Eastern. Through Naomi and the characters, the author successfully marries two very different beliefs - reflecting the honesty, edginess, and rawness of some scenes. A few of my personal experiences were very similar in the book that brought back so many good and bad memories - but all with fondness.
This book brought many beautiful Asian memories that I have lived and am living through. Many of the sights and sounds described are accurate and current to the beliefs and traditions still followed to this day. I remember a lot and kept nodding my head in agreement, from the Earl Grey mooncakes to ice cream mooncakes from Häagen-Dazs to the tradition of fully decorated impressive mooncake boxes. I remember going through all of that in my Hong Kong corporate days. Nothing is too flashy or extravagant for clients.
3) Oratory and visually stimulating sights and sounds of Shanghai exemplified.
Be ready to take in an extraordinary journey to Shanghai, coined as "the Oriental Paris," and is the city rivaling New York or Paris in terms of modernity and blended culture - East meets West. Written in great detail and vivid color, Love and Other Moods is an oratory feast in the extremes - the extravagance and splendor of Shanghai's setting (architecture, nature, etc.) juxtaposed to the workaholic people all hours of the day. This visual trip is a real treat, most especially due to the travel restrictions of the times. This book is the reader's next best option as a getaway in the safety of their homes.
I've been to Shanghai, but the locations these two good friends bring are the unique insider-only" places and moments that show us why Shanghai is leading the way in the global cosmopolitan and financial stage. The scenes are a feast to any reader's imagination - from the symphony of cicadas to the old shirtless, toothless Chinese grandpas playing chess and waving to Naomi as she walked to work to the Igloo and the Cotton Club. Where else can you see the old and the new coincide together in harmony in a city!
4) Colorful characters that cross Naomi and Joss' way.
From Naomi's ex-fiance, Seth, to her curious co-workers, there is an abundance of personalities that either will jive or jilt readers with their particular quirks. Naomi gets to meet a few good personalities that will help her get over her past and look into a better future for herself. It is through these stronger, deeper connections with these memorable characters like Frida and Dante. These connections help Naomi have fun, heal and look forward to furthering her blooming career and personal life.
I love how the author interconnects the characters after meeting up with either Joss or Naomi, setting readers into their "personal space" and getting to know them briefly. It shows flavor and variety without forcing these characters into our faces.
5) Growth and maturity of Naomi and Joss.
Both characters have harsh and sad pasts. They have been affected by trauma early in their lives that led them to face life precariously.
Naomi's personal life took a back seat to her career after getting hurt badly. This practice is typical in Asia because women need to prove their worth, especially Naomi's accomplished background. She was young and invisible. She took men for granted as they do for women. Now comes when "marrying age" arrives, and after being "hurt," Naomi looks into herself for where she wants to go now. She no longer is the care-free, easy-going girl who can snag and spit men like accessories. She wants to focus on finding a better way to have more meaningful emotional connections and stop "destroying" herself.
Joss has her share of problems and dilemmas in the book. Many of these "issues" are out of her control at a young age and later into her marriage. It is sad, but I was so happy that she and Tay, her husband, found a way to overcome this. The solution she and Tay found was a rare option that not many traditional Chinese couples would take. There was a massive backlash from Tay's parents on this decision, but I appreciate the author bringing this option to the forefront.
I am happy to see that Joss and Naomi had to overcome many trials through various life stages. The book's pace allows a lot of space to grow and positively influence other people around.
6) Cultural identity and acceptance.
Naomi's bumping into Dante again after a chance encounter was a pleasant surprise for Naomi. Realizing that they are working on the same event space can be counted as Fate. It did not take too long for their connection to shift from reacquaintance to dating after Dante took charge of pursuing her. I wish things were simple, but this relationship is a rocky one.
The problem comes when comparing backgrounds - and with Naomi's mixed heritage, things get a bit hairy on Dante's side. A few traditional Chinese have specific nationality issues due to the past traumas experienced and have particular hopes. Instead of happiness and finding love, most have specific criteria for their children's partner. A good few would want someone Chinese, familiar or family friend, someone from their village, similar or higher socioeconomic status, has a good reputation, education, etc. - and the list goes on. It is a daunting list for children who did not grow up in their town or country and have lived/worked elsewhere for years.
In summary, I cannot stop raving about Love and Other Moods! It is a highly recommend second chance book with a great storyline, fantastic plot twists, colorful character personalities that Naomi encounters, and a writing style that balances the traditional and progressive cultures of Asians. It is a book that will appeal to young adults and anyone who has experienced life-changing disappointments. The story goes through Naomi and Joss's life-time that is very similar to an autobiography. It did not feel long or dragging and instead will pull readers into their world and empathize with them. I enjoyed the multi-POV. The back and forth between scenes and POV work well. It is a technique that is executed successfully by the author. I can see this book into a movie or a tv series, given the seamless ease in character transition. The story stays steadfast in its focus: examining the emotional complexities of people: love, resilience, second chances, tolerance, and relationships. This book is a great read, and I am excited to see the author's following books.
December 14, 2020
This book takes you on a magical journey through the struggles and personal growth of the main character Naomi, and touches upon the complexities of love, pain and healing, race, identity and self-determination. It is set in an imperfect yet beautiful metropolis which has been shaped by the similar forces that has shapes our young Naomi. This debut author writes as seasoned storyteller as she shares this wonderful story of love and other moods.
December 10, 2020
Entertaining story about Shanghai and the diverse multitudes of people that live there. Everybody that moves there seem to be escaping something, as depicted in this novel. Loved the author's descriptions of the city, of its culture, food and people. A very enjoyable read
December 6, 2020
I already read an advanced copy. This debut novel is remarkable in that it's a portrait of a city. It captures the essence of what it's like to learn to adult in Shanghai. So many coming-of-age or romance novels are set in Western cities, it's refreshing to see English-language fiction set in contemporary Asian metropolitans. I also appreciated the love triangle and intergenerational conflicts between the characters. Coming from an Asian background myself, I can relate with how the author depicted the tensions and cultural conflicts between the different generations. If you want to learn more about modern China and contemporary Chinese culture, then you'd enjoy this novel.
December 6, 2020
I've been looking for more novels that take you on an international journey and this book does the trick. I had also visited Shanghai years ago and this story brought back major memories. The descriptions are spot on. Also, love that the main love interest is an Asian dude. We need more of that, and more novels set in Asia in general.
May 2, 2022
#writerssupportingwriters review
Immerse yourself in the life, love, and drama of a well-to-do hyphenated Asian named Naomi as she moved to Shanghai and decided to stay. It took me a while to get into the book (about >100 pages in / when Dante appears :D) because there were just a lot of descriptions, explanation and it almost feels like a traveling, Asian history, and culture book at times. Lots of fashion, brands, and Vera Wang has a mention there (did that really happen?) Of course, mention of good Asian food and my fav restaurants Da Dong :-D Feel like a glimpse into the life and romance of the young tai-tai-to-be or hyphenated young hyphenated Asian who tea on the weekends. And of course, the drama to match!
Immerse yourself in the life, love, and drama of a well-to-do hyphenated Asian named Naomi as she moved to Shanghai and decided to stay. It took me a while to get into the book (about >100 pages in / when Dante appears :D) because there were just a lot of descriptions, explanation and it almost feels like a traveling, Asian history, and culture book at times. Lots of fashion, brands, and Vera Wang has a mention there (did that really happen?) Of course, mention of good Asian food and my fav restaurants Da Dong :-D Feel like a glimpse into the life and romance of the young tai-tai-to-be or hyphenated young hyphenated Asian who tea on the weekends. And of course, the drama to match!
May 1, 2021
Also Posted on For The Love of Fictional Worlds
Disclaimer: An eARC was provided via Colored Pages Blog Tours and the Author as part of the Blog Tour. The Thoughts, opinions & feelings expressed in the review are therefore, my own.
“Why Shanghai?
…It’s because we believe in certain ideas about this city – that it has the potential to be invincible, that it could be ours.”
Oh this was a beautiful and a lovely coming of age novel – but it was so much more; because this coming of age happens in the 20s-30s for the characters – and I loved that, for you have to know, that growing up can happen any moment in your life.
Crystal Z Lee gives us characters who you can’t help but connect with – set in Shanghai (I have never been there; but the author makes it sound like a wonderful place to visit!); Love and Other Moods is all about taking risks, making mistakes and trying to better every moment of the day.
The characters introduced in the book aren’t perfect; but they are human and thus, oh so easy to relate to. You will find yourself lost in a city that is so unlike your own, but somehow finding yourself within its inhabitants anyways!
Love and Other Moods is a debut that is a read that you do not know what you expect from it, but also one that will still surpass your expectations anyways!
“Home is our mental as much as it is a physical space. It’s where we choose to root our existence, where we decide to build our bliss, our lives, ourselves.
… Some people made anywhere feel like home.”
For more reviews visit For The Love of Fictional Worlds :)
Do come join us at For The Fictional Worlds Facebook Page | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon |
January 20, 2021
4.5
Thank you the author and Feather and Dove Book Tours for providing me with a free digital copy of this book for exchange for an honest review.
Love and Other Moods by Crystal Z. Lee follows the journey of Naomi as she moves to Shanghai, China after her fiancé gets transferred. However, everything goes wrong when they call off the engagement and Naomi is heartbroken and unemployed in the huge city. The novel is full of growth, culture, friendships, and love as Naomi navigates her new life in Shanghai with her best friend and possibly some lovers along the way.
I really enjoyed this book! Naomi is such a fun character and I loved seeing her growth and journey throughout the novel. The book changes point of view various times to focus on other main and side characters. This really helped me find a lot of depth within the book and also expanded the views I had on Naomi and other characters. I found there was a lot of history and culture woven in and I really enjoyed this.
Naomi is a very likable and relatable main character. We see her struggles and her success at different points throughout her first few years of moving to China. I found her to be a very well rounded character and had depth and complexity. The same can be said for a lot of the other characters within the book, such as Joss and Dante. It was great to see a novel sent in China that explored the good and bad sides of living there but also a look into the everyday life of a 20 something year old who has a typical job and relatable love life.
I really enjoyed the romance and relationship featured in the plot and found it really well written. It is filled with ups and downs and is done in a really great way and captures what it's like to be in a real relationship. I also loved seeing relationships with family, friends, and one's own culture and identity being explored.
Overall, a really great read, I can't wait to see what Crystal Z. Lee brings to us next!
Thank you the author and Feather and Dove Book Tours for providing me with a free digital copy of this book for exchange for an honest review.
Love and Other Moods by Crystal Z. Lee follows the journey of Naomi as she moves to Shanghai, China after her fiancé gets transferred. However, everything goes wrong when they call off the engagement and Naomi is heartbroken and unemployed in the huge city. The novel is full of growth, culture, friendships, and love as Naomi navigates her new life in Shanghai with her best friend and possibly some lovers along the way.
I really enjoyed this book! Naomi is such a fun character and I loved seeing her growth and journey throughout the novel. The book changes point of view various times to focus on other main and side characters. This really helped me find a lot of depth within the book and also expanded the views I had on Naomi and other characters. I found there was a lot of history and culture woven in and I really enjoyed this.
Naomi is a very likable and relatable main character. We see her struggles and her success at different points throughout her first few years of moving to China. I found her to be a very well rounded character and had depth and complexity. The same can be said for a lot of the other characters within the book, such as Joss and Dante. It was great to see a novel sent in China that explored the good and bad sides of living there but also a look into the everyday life of a 20 something year old who has a typical job and relatable love life.
I really enjoyed the romance and relationship featured in the plot and found it really well written. It is filled with ups and downs and is done in a really great way and captures what it's like to be in a real relationship. I also loved seeing relationships with family, friends, and one's own culture and identity being explored.
Overall, a really great read, I can't wait to see what Crystal Z. Lee brings to us next!
March 20, 2021
I love that Love and Other Moods really is a portrait of Shangai. By reading Love and Other Moods, I learned a lot of the Chinese culture and history. It was one of those books I couldn’t fly through, because I wanted to take my time to explore the culture and history and really take it in.
Every character in this book has a very interesting background. Everyone had a totally different story and they were all equally interesting to discover.
“For Naomi, existing on the hyphen – balancing her Japanese, Taiwanese, American identities – feeling neither here nor there, a drifter among homes and countries, was a perpetual state of mind.”
Crystal Z. Lee also doesn’t hesitate to touch upon the subject of the patriarchy in China, the corruption in China, and that was very interesting to read. At times I was shocked that such things can still happen today, in 2021. Of course, also the good sides of living in Shangai are mentioned which was amazing to discover.
This book also tackles the subject of cultural tensions, immigrants, expatriates,… which is something I hadn’t really read about before.
“But I do know this – We’re right for each other, we make sense. Even if we’re the only ones that believe it.”
I think Love and Other Moods was worked out really really well. I loved discovering Naomi’s, Dante’s, Joss’,… life.
TW: rape, abuse, death of a parent, infidelity and infertility.
Read my full review here: https://ohsrslybooks.com/2021/03/19/b...
Every character in this book has a very interesting background. Everyone had a totally different story and they were all equally interesting to discover.
“For Naomi, existing on the hyphen – balancing her Japanese, Taiwanese, American identities – feeling neither here nor there, a drifter among homes and countries, was a perpetual state of mind.”
Crystal Z. Lee also doesn’t hesitate to touch upon the subject of the patriarchy in China, the corruption in China, and that was very interesting to read. At times I was shocked that such things can still happen today, in 2021. Of course, also the good sides of living in Shangai are mentioned which was amazing to discover.
This book also tackles the subject of cultural tensions, immigrants, expatriates,… which is something I hadn’t really read about before.
“But I do know this – We’re right for each other, we make sense. Even if we’re the only ones that believe it.”
I think Love and Other Moods was worked out really really well. I loved discovering Naomi’s, Dante’s, Joss’,… life.
TW: rape, abuse, death of a parent, infidelity and infertility.
Read my full review here: https://ohsrslybooks.com/2021/03/19/b...
December 29, 2022
Review: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Quote: Home is a mental as much as it is physical space. It's where we choose to root our existence, where we decide to build our bliss, our lives, ourselves.
I received a physical copy of the ARC thanks to Crystal Z. Lee, Colored Pages Blog Tours and Balestier Press as part of a blog tour. As the book arrived too late for me to read and review in time, I only was halfway through the book and stop reading it. (Mood reader problems).
This book is an ode to Shanghai, with the backdrop of 2010 World Expo, brimming full of cultural, historical, political and food worthy details in play. The story waves a tale of two best friends, Naomi and Joss who uprooted themselves from New York due to different reasons as they go through break-ups, love, friendships, and culture during throughout their life in Shanghai.
It speaks to more of the upper middle class life in Shanghai and talks about the generational changes that Shanghai went through. I also felt so represented having see some parts of my journey in the main lead. I love the author's vivid descriptions and how she interwoven history and politics to provide more details.
I highly, highly recommend this book.
Quote: Home is a mental as much as it is physical space. It's where we choose to root our existence, where we decide to build our bliss, our lives, ourselves.
I received a physical copy of the ARC thanks to Crystal Z. Lee, Colored Pages Blog Tours and Balestier Press as part of a blog tour. As the book arrived too late for me to read and review in time, I only was halfway through the book and stop reading it. (Mood reader problems).
This book is an ode to Shanghai, with the backdrop of 2010 World Expo, brimming full of cultural, historical, political and food worthy details in play. The story waves a tale of two best friends, Naomi and Joss who uprooted themselves from New York due to different reasons as they go through break-ups, love, friendships, and culture during throughout their life in Shanghai.
It speaks to more of the upper middle class life in Shanghai and talks about the generational changes that Shanghai went through. I also felt so represented having see some parts of my journey in the main lead. I love the author's vivid descriptions and how she interwoven history and politics to provide more details.
I highly, highly recommend this book.
January 24, 2021
Within the first few chapters of reading this book, I was transported to the glowing city of Shanghai. It made me hungry for its food and crave its energy. This novel follows the protagonist, Naomi, as she navigates her 20s through heartbreak and work struggles. I'm a little biased, as I'm Japanese and Chinese like the protagonist and lived in Beijing as kid in the 80s before immigrating to the States. I really appreciated learning about Shanghai's history--this was probably my favorite part about this book. The author sprinkles bits of Chinese (& Japanese) culture throughout the novel which I also both related to and enjoyed reading about. I also wanted to gobble up all the delectable food she so deliciously captures. I'm going to re-read it soon to trick my brain into traveling during the pandemic!
March 18, 2021
This is one of those books that took me a bit longer to read but that I ended up appreciating a lot after I finished reading it. Mind, I still read this book in a few days but I had to read it in parts instead of being able to fly through it in one sitting and that’s totally fine because I really enjoyed the read. I absolutely loved seeing the characters grow throughout the novel and was super invested in all the storylines. Also, I loved the history and culture present in this book, although I sometimes found it hard to read about the patriarchy that is still very much present in China. While reading, I got transported to Shanghai because of all the vivid descriptions. Lastly, the writing was absolutely beautiful, which led me to mark a lot of quotes and favourite passages.
Trigger warnings: Rape, abuse, death of a parent, infidelity, infertility
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy and thanks to Favourite Pages Book Club for letting me take part in the blog tour for this book. This did in no way affect the honesty of my review.
Trigger warnings: Rape, abuse, death of a parent, infidelity, infertility
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy and thanks to Favourite Pages Book Club for letting me take part in the blog tour for this book. This did in no way affect the honesty of my review.
January 21, 2021
I received this book for free from MTMC Tours, Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. You can also find this review at The Reder and the Chef
Love and Other Moods is a hypnotizing story that transported me directly to Shanghai. I read this book in a couple of days with rainy weather and I don’t know what it was about this book, but it was the perfect companion for these days. We meet Naomi, a young woman that moves to Shanghai with her fiancé, but after finding out he was cheating on her, Naomi breaks off the engagement and decides to stay in the city and start a new life. Through her we explore the streets of Shanghai and experience everyday life and I must say that I have officially moved Shanghai to the top of my bucket list because I MUST visit! From the beautiful buildings to the delicious food, this place sounds wonderful. ♥
Love and Other Moods is a story that takes you places as if you were exploring on your own, but besides the wonder of traveling and finding a new home, this book also covers (in a great way!) themes such as heartbreak, falling in love, the struggles and hardships of a career and their work environments, what it is like living in a foreign country, as well as opens up the question of “where are you from”.
And when it comes to Naomi, this quote from her answers this question:
“Where was one from? Was it where you were born? Raised? Resided? She had a different answer to each: born in Taipei, raised in Tokyo (until age 5) and Southern California (until age 17), then resided in New York before moving to Shanghai.”
I really enjoyed reading Love and Other Moods and now I am off to daydream about visiting Shanghai!
Love and Other Moods is a hypnotizing story that transported me directly to Shanghai. I read this book in a couple of days with rainy weather and I don’t know what it was about this book, but it was the perfect companion for these days. We meet Naomi, a young woman that moves to Shanghai with her fiancé, but after finding out he was cheating on her, Naomi breaks off the engagement and decides to stay in the city and start a new life. Through her we explore the streets of Shanghai and experience everyday life and I must say that I have officially moved Shanghai to the top of my bucket list because I MUST visit! From the beautiful buildings to the delicious food, this place sounds wonderful. ♥
Love and Other Moods is a story that takes you places as if you were exploring on your own, but besides the wonder of traveling and finding a new home, this book also covers (in a great way!) themes such as heartbreak, falling in love, the struggles and hardships of a career and their work environments, what it is like living in a foreign country, as well as opens up the question of “where are you from”.
And when it comes to Naomi, this quote from her answers this question:
“Where was one from? Was it where you were born? Raised? Resided? She had a different answer to each: born in Taipei, raised in Tokyo (until age 5) and Southern California (until age 17), then resided in New York before moving to Shanghai.”
I really enjoyed reading Love and Other Moods and now I am off to daydream about visiting Shanghai!
February 15, 2021
I always love reading about diverse characters and cultures, and this book gave me that, along with taking me with Naomi as she embarks on her journey towards a better version of herself. I have never been to Shanghai, but the author’s description of the place and all the old and new system transported me to it, and I can’t get enough of it. Crystal gave us an admirable and relatable character, how it feels like looking back to your roots, embracing changes, friendship and family. Also, I feel like this is a good book to read to understand cultural tensions better. I highly recommend it!
March 4, 2021
"I found "Love and other moods" very entertaining. It is a book about our journey and choices we make in life and our experiences of love.
You write very well with lots of detail, it feels like I am in Shanghai and every scene with the characters, you have a very natural way of drawing the reader in.
The reader is taken on roller coaster after roller coaster of emotion and growth with the main character.
The book is captivating and thrilling, a real eye opener and relatable to readers from all over the world."
Elise Brooke
You write very well with lots of detail, it feels like I am in Shanghai and every scene with the characters, you have a very natural way of drawing the reader in.
The reader is taken on roller coaster after roller coaster of emotion and growth with the main character.
The book is captivating and thrilling, a real eye opener and relatable to readers from all over the world."
Elise Brooke
January 27, 2021
3.5 stars, review to come
Read
October 21, 2021
Trigger & Content Warnings
Racism
Cheating
Grief & loss depiction
Death of a parent
Plane crash
Racism
Cheating
Grief & loss depiction
Death of a parent
Plane crash
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews