Red Blossom in Snow

The Pingkang Li Mysteries #4

by Jeannie Lin

Murder and forbidden love in the Tang Dynasty. The latest in the bestselling Lotus Palace Mystery series.

Magistrate Li Chen harbors a secret. One that could destroy his hard-earned reputation, as well as his growing passion for the talented courtesan, Song Yi.

Li Chen’s duty to his family and the Emperor must come before the desires of his heart, but when a stranger to the city is found dead near the House of Heavenly Peaches, where Song Yi is indentured, the complicated nature of their relationship becomes the least of his troubles.

For Song Yi, Magistrate Li’s gentlemanly, late night conversations provide a welcome change from the games of courtship she is accustomed to, but his reserved attention won’t pay the bills. When one of her courtesan-sisters goes missing at the same time a stranger is killed in the pleasure quarter, she and Li Chen embark on an investigation as well as a passionate affair. But the riddle they uncover goes deeper than they could have imagined, and mysteries from their pasts may shatter any hope for the future.

Release date: March 21, 2022

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Historical, Fiction, China

300 pages, Paperback

First published March 21, 2022

About the author

USA TODAY Bestselling author Jeannie Lin grew up fascinated with stories of Western epic fantasy and Eastern martial arts adventures. When her best friend introduced her to romance novels in middle school, the stage was set. Jeannie started writing her first romance while working as a high school science teacher in South Central Los Angeles. After four years of trying to break into publishing with an Asian-set historical, her 2009 Golden Heart Award–winning manuscript, Butterfly Swords, sold to Harlequin Mills & Boon. Her books have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly and Library Journal with The Dragon and the Pearl listed among Library Journal's Best Romances of 2011.

Titles by Jeannie Lin:
Gunpowder Alchemy (Gunpowder Chronicles #1)
The Jade Temptress (The Lotus Palace #2)
The Lotus Palace
Butterfly Swords
The Dragon and the Pearl
My Fair Concubine
The Sword Dancer

For updates, sign up for her newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/42oZL
Find out more about Jeannie Lin online at http://www.jeannielin.com

Reviews

[K.J. Charles]

This is wonderful. It's a romance with a melancholy feel--our MCs are a magistrate bound by his sense of duty and a courtesan who doesn't expect life to be fair, both of them haunted by their pasts and their current obligations. They are neither of them marvellous at developing relationships, either, so it's very low-key a lot of the time but no less passionate and intense for that. Anyone who appreciates the "manners" aspect of Regency romance ought to be in love with these books.

The world of the Pingkang li is very well developed now: you can absolutely read this as a standalone but if you do you'll immediately want to go back to The Hidden Moon to get Gao and Wei-wei's romance, as you well should. Their roles here are a masterclass in 'how to use characters from an earlier book', btw. We love Gao.

I loved the level of historical detail, which rings wonderfully true while never overwhelming the story; I also really loved that the heroine is a working courtesan who has paid sex with another man during the course of the book, and even more, that the hero is not a jealous jerk about her doing her job. But mostly I loved the deep immersion and delicate delineation of the gorgeous understated romance between two hurt people who can stand for themselves but still need each other.

The Pingkang li series has got better with every book, and this one is a triumph. I relished every word.

[Jeannie Lin]

And it's here! Li Chen and Song Yi's love story releases today in Red Blossom in Snow. I originally meant for this to release in winter, but first day of spring feels momentous, doesn't it?

There's an accompanying "Dearest Reader" message on my blog in honor of release day: http://www.jeannielin.com/to-my-deare...


****

The cover and release date have been revealed! I'm working on post-production now to get this out to the world in March for ebook and print.

More on my cover adventures:

Searching for Stock Images for Red Blossom in Snow:
http://www.jeannielin.com/cover-kibit...

[nick (the infinite limits of love) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

I’m a newbie to Jeannie Lin’s historical romances. The only other book I’ve read from her is The Hidden Moon. Now having read  Red Blossom in Snow , I can easily say that she is a favorite. There’s this beauty to her writing that makes it very easy to sink into. It’s a strange way to describe a series that deals with murders and mysteries, but this series somehow makes me feel at peace with myself.

FORBIDDEN ROMANCE WITH PINING & YEARNING
Of course, a lot of that has to do with the actual romance. Jeannie Lin’s love stories are heartachingly tender and sensual. That’s just a combination that works for me in every single way. In Red Blossom in Snow, we have a forbidden romance between magistrate, Li Chen and courtesan, Song Yi. Li Chen has been visiting Song Yi’s pleasure house for long and now and has been basically pining and yearning for her from afar. Their chemistry together is tangible, but because they come from such different social standings, any romantic relationship between the two would not be socially acceptable. 

So what do they do instead of giving in to a doomed relationship? Yearn some more, of course. Li Chen, in particular, is excellent at making puppy-eyes at Song Yi from afar and it just makes MY HEART ACHE in the very best way. The man writes poetry about her, for heaven’s sake! 

HITS EVERY NICK READING PLEASURE BUTTONS
As a reader who loves the build-up to romance more than the scenes post falling in love, this romance just hit every Nick reading pleasure buttons I have. It’s glorious. When the two are forced into proximity as a result of a murder investigation that somehow is linked to Song Yi, it gives them that opportunity to explore the feelings they have for each other. Call me a masochist but I like to be repeatedly pummeled in the face by big feelings and all that good stuff and Jeannie Lin does not hold back. Bless her for that. Couple the FEELINGS with the tender sex scenes, you’ve got the recipe to a perfect romance novel. Jeannie Lin’s love scenes are just so sensual and pleasing that they had my insides curling. The way she describes body language here is an actual work of art.

Even though this is a romance with a HEA, there’s always this question mark about how they’ll eventually get together at the end given the big conflict they are facing. But the journey there is truly phenomenal and I quite liked how it was resolved. Yes, that does mean we get a big love declaration that stabbed me in the chest but also had me SWOONING(don’t worry, I’m still alive).

AN ENDEARING CAST
As protagonists, both Song Yi and Li Chen stand out. They are both in different ways quite reserved as people, but that’s what gives their love story this intensity. I liked both of them equally. Song Yi dazzled me with her quiet strength and Li Chen had me swooning with his gentle heart. As the story progresses, we do find out that their pasts are somehow intertwined and to me, it brought a bit of an element of star-crossed lovers, which of course I devoured.

A SETTING NOT OFTEN SEEN IN HISTORICAL ROMANCE
I mentioned this in my review of The Hidden Moon, but I continue to love the setting of this series – China in the Tang Dynasty era. As much as I love historical romances, it’s tiring reading all these US/Europe-set stories. So, I’m really pleased that a handful of (I wish there were many more!) authors like Jeannie Lin are here writing these unique settings. Admittedly, not every author can bring the atmosphere and scenery to life and make it stand out just as much as the romance, but this author does it all beautifully.

A GOOD BALANCE BETWEEN THE ROMANCE & THE MYSTERY
I also found the mystery aspect of the story well-balanced with the rest of the story. Similar to The Hidden Moon, I had no clue as to who was behind the murder. It was outstanding how they mystery not only allowed Song Yi and Li Chen to work together, but it also allowed the author to delve deeply into their pasts. 

SEX WORK IS TREATED WITH RESPECT
The last thing I want to mention is the House of Heavenly Peaches, where Song Yi is indentured. As progressive as we like to think romance as a genre is, there’s lots of areas that we need to evaluate. Sex work and how the genre treats sex workers is one of them. I’m pleased to say that Jeannie Lin treats her characters with the respect that they deserve, never once bringing shame to them. It warmed my heart to see the sisterly and the maternal bonds that existed between the different women at the House of Heavenly Peaches. For that itself Red Blossom in Snow deserves 5 stars.

I’m actually quite picky when it comes to historical romance because most books just don’t deliver on the type of stories I want. Jeannie Lin, however, simply gets me. I can’t recommend these books enough. If you’re new to her books, this is a great place to start. Read Red Bloom in Snow and join me as I explore Jeannie Lin’s backlist.

Content notes: on-page sex, sex work, murder, violence

Relationship disclosure: Jeannie Lin & I are mutuals on social media

 

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeannie Lin brings China’s past to life in the Lotus Palace series all centered around the Pleasure District so that the reader feels the moist fog along the river, scents the flowers on the air, and feels for the complex people who live and are entertained in this lush section of the city. It is beautiful, but deadly under the author’s pen and she lays out a touching romance for an improbable pair while the work to get the answers needed to save the innocent from blame and get at the truth that will protect from the hidden danger.

Red Blossom in Snow is the fourth of the full-length novels in the Pingkang Li aka Lotus Palace series of Tang Dynasty mysteries. Each story is standalone, but does have moments when characters introduced earlier are side characters in the story. This one is a follow up of sorts behind Hidden Moon because Li Chen, the main male character, is the rejected suitor from that last book.

I always enjoy the murder mysteries in this series for their clever twists, but I confess that the attention to historical details of setting and backdrop of the characters, the interactions and manners of the day, and, of course, the slow burn romances of people from different social status and walks of life in the Tang Dynasty time period are what rivet me to the story.

Li Chen is quiet, serious, and contained though there is an inner fire he allows no one to see. His past has shaped him. He comes from a low level genteel household and gets a break when he is sponsored to take the imperial exams and then gain his magisterial position. He is known as fair, but dutiful to law and family.

Song Yi is indentured to one of the pleasure houses and her livelihood depends on pleasing her customers and being a vital source of income to her house. She can’t afford sentiment or dreams of a romantic protector who will take her away. Yet, she can’t quite make herself see and treat Chen Li as only one of her clients especially when everything depends on him protecting them from the full force of the law as he tries to get the murder resolved.

I liked seeing this pair together when they were in harmony and when they were at odds. They have to find a way to understand where the other is coming from and cross the social divide. It also turns out they both have something to contribute to get the answers needed. Loved the reveals toward the end.

All in all, Red Blossom in Snow was another abso-fab Tang Dynasty era mystery and left me sad to see it over. I’m not sure how many, if any more there will be in the series, but I will be reading them when they come. Definite recommendation for historical mystery/romantic suspense fans who want a less frequented locale and culture at the heart.

I rec'd a free eARC from the author to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

If someone ever asked me, what is a really good mystery series that is set in China, but has romance with amazing men and amazing women. I would literally take this entire series out and slap it on the desk in front of them and say "this, this right here is what you should be reading".

Red Blossom in Snow is the final story (so far?) in this series. Two characters who have been out the outside of the previous three stories are now the central duo. Our male lead is the Magistrate (whom all the other men answer to from the previous books, or associate with) and our female hero is one of the favorite courteseans of the house (that two of the women from the previous books) of pleasure and entertainment. Both love each other but are afraid of accepting / diving into their relationship while disrupting their goals and ambitions, not to mention social cues they have accepted given their life status.

When a man is found murdered outside the females' place of stay, and she was the reason he was there, our hero has to investigate but not be bias given his feelings for her... and that she may be a suspect. It leads to him taking risks and doing things outside protocol that he doesn't normally do. This also leads to interactions with characters we saw in the previous books.

The reason I rated it down a star is that while I loved them and felt their relationship was solid, there wasn't enough... chemistry together? They didn't really shine alongside the previous three men and their ladies.

Still. I really enjoyed this series and I wish we would get more or more stories set in this time period. Jeannie Lin knows how to write 'em and I love me my cdramas.

[Jen (mrs-machino) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was beautiful - I loved that the twist in the mystery was so unexpected, and it was sweet to see the stiff Li Chen melt for Song Yi.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This entry in Jeannie Lin's consistently satisfying series of historical romance/mystery hybrids is definitely a little heavier on the romance than the mystery, which seems to wander off at times. But the characters are both strong and interesting, and the way Lin treats sex work and sex workers with respect is a highlight. Song Yi is no less of her own person for the job she does, and Li Chen doesn't let the fact that she's more sexually experienced than he is get in the way of their relationship. It's just a job in the context of the story, like his is as a magistrate, and that's really refreshing.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really melancholy historical romance. A sense of loss and grief permeates the story. I cried at the end - mainly in relief, as Lin almost made me believe the HEA was impossible.

I love a reserved MMC, and Magistrate Li Chen is a brilliant example. He is dignified and honourable and initially stays away from courtesan Song Yi because he knows that nothing can ever come of his infatuation with her.

Song Yi is practical and has a quiet strength. She's embraced her life and the family of women in her courtesan house. With men she's playing a role and protecting her heart. And then plot happens!

The mystery plots in this series have tended to be weaker than the romances - not so here. The mystery and romance are tightly woven together and each revelation has a big impact on the MCs and their relationship.

As with every book I've read by Lin, the historical detail is fascinating and seamlessly woven into the story. Filial piety and class are so important to this society and these characters, and the barriers really do seem insurmountable.

I appreciated the care Lin took with the depiction of sex work. In the author notes she says "I didn't want [Song Yi] to be broken because of her experiences... her life as an entertainer and a courtesan in the capital would be part of her rise, not her fall."

4.5 stars rather than 5 because the melancholy was a bit overwhelming at times. I love angst in my romances, but melancholy is different. There was this constant low level sadness that means I probably won't re-read unless I'm in a very specific mood.

Content notes: murder; child abduction (in the past); indentured prostitution; police; death of parents (in the past); suicide (in the past); grief; poverty; on page sex

[Agla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series came onto my radar thanks to KJ Charles so thank you 😊. It is an MF series set in 840 AD China which mixes romance (from the forbidden variety) and mystery/investigating. I really enjoyed this installment. We have Song Yi a courtesan in a small house and Li Chen is a magistrate. They both have secrets from their pasts that they must recon amd make peace with. I really had a good time with this one. Onto the last one !

[scarr · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This is what I will always remember . . ." The final chapter and the epilogue had me in tears, clutching my chest. I swear, every successive book I read in this series becomes my favorite book of the series. I think there may be one full-length book left but honestly, I could read this series for as long as Lin continues to write more books!

content note suicide (historical, off page with some recounting): a character's parent dies by suicide and the cultural attitudes about suicide may be upsetting to some readers.

[Janine Ballard · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

My joint review with Jayne posted to Dear Author today.

Jayne: Firstly, wow. What a gorgeous cover. I know it was a lot of work to arrange it but it is fabulous.

Song Yi is a courtesan at the House of Heavenly Peaches. Li Chen is a (very) young magistrate for half of the Imperial city of Changan. We’ve seen them together previously. Though they have helped solve a mystery and Li Chen often pays for an hour of Song Yi’s time (talk and drinking wine only to Song Yi’s young courtesan-in-training Sparrow’s disbelief), they are both aware that there is little possibility of anything more. Song Yi might claim to be from an important family that fell on hard times but she’s still a courtesan and would never be accepted as a bride for the only son of the Li family.

When a murder takes place near her house and one of her fellow courtesans goes missing, Song Yi realizes that Li Chen will not be fooled by the lies that the other women of the house have told him and insists on giving him the truth. The damage though, is already done and to avoid conflicts of interest (as his interest in her is well known) Chen hands over the investigation to his counterpart in the other half of the city. A lot of people are asking questions but no answers are being found. The murder, the disappearance of another of Song Yi’s fellow courtesans, and several old family secrets bring the two together in ways they never expected.

Yay we’re back in Tang Dynasty China among the pleasure houses of Pingkang li and magisterial offices of those who try to uphold the law. There are mysteries, past and present, to be solved in this book but a lot of the action is devoted to the relationship between Song Yi and Li Chen. As mentioned, they’ve been in previous books, most recently “The Hidden Moon,” and have “history.” Li Chen is the slightly stuffed-shirt magistrate who, despite having a lot of responsibility, has little actual power. He’s attracted to Song Yi, finds her easy to talk to, enjoys her company but knows that as much as he might wish for more, he’s probably not going to get it. Song Yi is easy to talk to but that’s because she’s been trained to be so. Her job is to let men imagine a romantic relationship with her, smile, and smooth the conversation until the night is over.

Janine: I liked Song Yi a lot. She was a practical woman but at the same time not so pragmatic that she couldn’t feel yearning and (despite herself) wish there could be more to her relationship with Chen. She had elegance, refinement, and had accepted every part of her job (though early on, she bows out of an arrangement early because Chen is on her mind). She wasn’t beautiful but she was lovely, if that makes sense–able to smooth over uncomfortable moments and act gently even in moments when she herself was disturbed by something. She had some foresight, too, and thought about how to take care of her “sisters” (fellow courtesans) and “mother” (the procuress). She had truly made the House of Heavenly Peaches her home and felt only protectiveness of them. I didn’t dislike Li Chen, but he also didn’t mesmerize me in any way. He had a lot of integrity, honesty, and was dedicated to righting wrongs, all admirable qualities, but his stodginess took some possible luster away (I often have this reaction to stuffed shirt heroes).

Jayne: I actually really liked that Song Yi is initially described as not the most beautiful or sought after courtesan. She thinks that those who are the most desirable are the ones who end up having problems.

Janine: Yes, that was nice. When I was halfway through the book, I observed to you that one thing I love about this author’s romances is that her characters often fit together like puzzle pieces, and I’m unable to imagine one without feeling and understanding their yearning for the other, but in this book, while I could understand why Chen felt so drawn to Song Yi (her kindness, her mystery, and the fact that they were from the same area all called to his honest, true and lonely soul), it was harder for me to see why Song Yi would feel so drawn to him. “I kind of feel like, why him? I get that he’s sincere and honorable but why is she drawn to those qualities above all?” By the end of the book this question was answered, and answered very well. But it took quite a while to get there, and I spent all that time not entirely connecting with Song Yi’s attraction to him.

What did you think of them, Jayne, either individually or as a couple?

You can find the remainder of the review here: https://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/o...

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. This is actually not the first book in the series, which I didn't know until I'd borrowed it, but I followed along very easily. Magistrate Li Chen and courtesan Song Yi appear in a previous book, but they're secretly in love, so that's all you really have to know. Li Chen probably would have suffered in silence forever until a murder on the doorstep of Song Yi's courtesan house endangers them all. The mystery itself wasn't bad, especially since those sorts of plots can really suffer as the backdrop to a romance. It's a little coincidental and hand-wavy at the end, but it's a fairly satisfying answer. Of course, the whole mystery is up against the sexual tension between the main characters - until it breaks, inevitably goes wrong, and then gets made right at the end. The story follows all these beats pretty well. My biggest issue is that Li Chen and Song Yi are so reserved with each other that I'm not entirely believing that it's a two way street - Li Chen is a rules follower and Song Yi thinks/knows this is just a fling. I didn't get a fully fleshed out sense of either of them. I could've used a couple of scenes where they really dug deeper with each other, and not just in the sexy sense.

I did adore the background characters of Gao and Lady Bai, and apparently, one of the previous books deals with their class-crossing courtship. It's not available in my library, but I liked them in their scenes so much that I might snag it on Amazon. So safe to say that I would read Lin's work again, although this particular volume is probably a one time read.

[PlotTrysts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red Blossom in Snow follows the love story of Magistrate Li Chen and courtesan Song Yi. We've met both of them in previous books in the series, but here we get to know them a little better. Li Chen may be the most by-the-book hero we've ever read, and we saw him a little differently. Meg loves a starchy, awkward hero, while Laine felt like he might be a little too devoted to propriety.

Lin's strength as a writer lies in her characterization. Each character is a fully-realized person, with their own motivations. Since we experience the world of the Pingkang Li through the characters' eyes, each book gives us a different perspective of the setting. Her use of recurring characters also serves to broaden our understanding of their world.

As always, we highly recommend this series!

35-Word Summaries:

Meg: It’s bad enough getting ghosted by the police chief you really liked, now you’re suspected of murder once he shows back up in your life. Maybe you can seduce him to stay out of jail…⁠
⁠
Laine: Chen's hesitancy means he's easily manipulated, doesn't trust his instincts, and almost makes his lover and her "family" destitute. A murderer lives with his intended victim and doesn't kill him? I just didn't get them. ⁠

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

[Laz the Sailor · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the 4th major entry in this intriguing series (plus a few novellas), the story is less about the mystery, and more about the romance. A clever mechanism forces the main characters to observe the investigations, instead of participating directly. This gives them time to explore their pasts, and each other. Thus the energy level is a bit lower, but the intrigue is even more twisted than usual. The ending is a bit forced, and each character suffers for the sins of their families, but their love holds strong, and the get their HEA.

Note that there is a lot more sex in this story than previously. Appropriately told with a mix of shadows and details, but rarely fade-to-black. I didn't mind.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this engrossing historical romance/mystery, although I did find myself wishing I had read the previous novels in the series first. (There's a couple that are secondary characters in this one whose love story I now need to read.) Lin's prose is really lovely and conveys such depths of emotion without ever feeling overwrought. I also loved the way that she captures the world of Tang Dynasty China--there's so many wonderful historical details but the research never overwhelms. The longing between the two main characters is top-notch and I'd recommend this to anyone looking for historical romance set outside 19th century England.

[Fedora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Blossom in Snow by Jeannie Lin is part of her PingKang Li Mysteries series, and is an understated, beautifully written story. Each word, each line builds this gently unfolding tale, unfurling like petals of the titular flower.

Magistrate Li Chen and courtesan Song Yi have long been aware of the other. But their stations don’t truly allow them the freedom to allow their connection to truly grow. A stranger’s murder ties them together in the subsequent investigation, and begins to bring to light their pasts.

Jeannie Lin’s lyrical prose, elegant characterizations, and excellent plotting make Red Blossom in Snow a thrilling and wonderfully satisfying read. Song Yi is a strong and able heroine, making the most of her circumstances and abilities. Li Chen’s quiet honor and steady heart capture her affection as well as ours. Definitely one for the keeper shelf!

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical mystery-romance set in Tang dynasty China. A murdered man is found in the alley outside the House of Heavenly Peaches, a courtesans' house that magistrate Li Chen has been known to visit. Just to talk to courtesan Song Yi about the part of the country they both come from. He knows she wasn't there the night of the murder, but things are very mixed up, and seem to somehow link back to their home province. It is a tangled mystery, and an equally tangled relationship between them. I liked it. It's a good read.

[madi ☆◦ · Rating 3 out of 5]

-ˋˏ ༻✿༺ ˎˊ-
I started reading this book today and am about 3/4 of the way through it. I think that even though this is the 4th book in the series, you can read it as a standalone. The story takes place in Pingkang Li during the Tang Dynasty. The main characters Song Yi (a courtesan) and Li Chen (a magistrate) start the book off by being friendzoningly awkward with each other. However, over time they develop a passionate love for each other. I would say this book is pretty good, however, it has some downsides. SPOILER AHEAD
For example, Song Yi's and Li Chen's relationship. They were very awkward at first but then they go on one trip together and suddenly are deeply in love and having sex all the time. I don't really like how the author rushed their relationship. Not only that but the pacing could be a lot better. It will be prolonged, then go too fast, and then go back to being too slow.
-ˋˏ ༻✿༺ ˎˊ-
Rating
Characters: 3/5
Development: 2/5
Storyline: 2/5
Spice: 1/5

[Jessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the the book overall. Li Chen's points of inner monologue were especially relatable for me, and Song Yi is the kind of character I root for. Would definitely recommend the read for a love story with some extra intrigue, both for the mysterious events taking place and the mystery in the characters' pasts. The intrigue made it all the more real and familiar for me, and I looked forward to sinking back into the world after work in the few days it took me to read.

Note: I received a free ARC for review.

[Eilis Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imaginative and rich romance

I really liked this - the characters were wonderfully fleshed out and the story flowed. A wonderful take about Chinese history.

[aarya · Rating 4 out of 5]

2022 Spring Bingo (#SpringIntoLoveBingo🌷): Intriguing Time Period

4.5 stars

Lin is one of my favorite historical romance authors and perfects her craft with every book. This series is consistently excellent and the Tang Dynasty worldbuilding is *chef’s kiss.* As someone with little knowledge about Chinese history, the words easily jump off the page to create a memorable illustration for the reader.

I don’t want to discuss the plot too much lest I spoil the mystery, but I LOVED how the middle portion of the book is set outside the capital city. It’s a welcome change of pace from previous installments and I was fascinated by historical details concerning a more rural setting.

The best historical trope is “we can’t be together because society says our positions in life are incompatible” — naturally, this is every book in the series (no wonder I love it so much!). It’s a superior premise because of the YEARNING. Lots of sad meditations and lusting over forbidden love interests.

Magistrate Li Chen is an exemplar of Sad Man Yearns for Beloved He Can Never Have. Song Yi is a courtesan, her mysterious past is tangled with his family, they’re in the middle of a murder mystery that implicates her livelihood and tests his judicial impartiality… the list goes on and on. Even after they submit to their desires, neither party truly believes that they can be together forever. It’s an exhilarating ride to see those assumptions challenged and demolished. I was tearing up (with happiness!) by the end; I’m such a sucker for a declaration of love. 😭🥺

In conclusion: this was a wonderful read and I adored the cameos of Wei-wei and Gao (my fave ship!). I (selfishly) hope that RED BLOSSOM IN SNOW doesn’t mark the end of the series; I’d love to see romances for other courtesans (like Pearl).

Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Sidney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.

I wanted to like this book. I have been a fan of Jeannie Lin's since she wrote Butterfly Swords for Harlequin. I loved the first few books of the Lotus Palace mysteries.
I could not love this book.

The main plot and characters of the book seem interesting. A reserved courtesan and a reserved magistrate fall in love? They are connected to each other through their pasts? Yes, please!
Except...they didn't fall in love. They had an affair where they screwed a lot and then in the end it magically transformed into love. I think. I mean, they said love so I guess it must be true?

Those are the main problem with this book. First, it confuses lust with love. At no point did I feel that I was reading a love story. Instead, it was two people who were kinda interested in each other. They dance around each other a bit and then...screw. And screw. This would be fine if I was reading erotica. However, this is supposed to be a romance novel.
The second problem is the lack of emotion. I felt no emotion from these characters. Yes, they were meant to be reserved, however, we also got an insight into their minds. Still no emotion! Again, I never felt that I was reading two people falling in love! Even the sex scenes lacked emotion. Instead of telling us how aroused, they are and what body parts are doing....maybe pepper in how it is affecting them emotionally. The sex should have been important. They were finally showing their feelings for each other. She was sleeping with someone she chose, not a client. It should have been meaningful. Instead, it was generic and mechanical.

The mystery of the book is actually pretty good and interesting. It is the only reason I am giving two stars instead of one.

Red Blossom in Snow is a book with a lot of potential. However in the end it never truly reaches it. Which is very sad because I know the author has a lot of talent.

[Skye Kilaen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeannie Lin is one of my auto-buy authors for romance, and this romance/mystery historical did not disappoint. Pining! Separated by class! Respect for sex workers! I think this is my second all-time Jeannie Lin fave after Sword Dance. Wonderful book.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect historical romance mystery novel. All of the elements were here, making for a unique and touching story that I will definitely be revisiting in the years to come. Lin has crafted a wonderful story with sensitive yet strong leads. They suit each other, and the narrative suits them.

The leads in this novel are the magistrate Li Chen, who has appeared in semi-prominent roles in all of the Pingkang Li books thus far and Song Yi, a courtesan who has hovered at the edges of the story. Li Chen is a stickler for the rules, and he's meticulous in everything he does, whether it be his work, uncovering the mystery of his father's untimely death, or courting Song Yi by uncovering the secrets of her past. He's so dedicated to his work that it's clear Li Chen is a novice in a lot ways socially, and it's honestly adorable. Lin does a great job balancing his naivety with the side of him that has obviously seen some dark things.

Meanwhile, Song Yi is introduced to readers as an average courtesan in the grand scheme of things: she's not a brilliant beauty like Mingyu nor is she a genius with words like some of her predecessors. But just because she isn't extraordinary, doesn't mean she isn't unique and have her own charms. Song Yi is proud, self-sacrificing, gentle, patient, but also worldly in the exact ways that Li Chen is not. While they have similar demeanors, their opposites also complement one another. They're a well-matched and well-written couple.

This book is a little heavier on the romance than the mystery. That said, the mystery is still very compelling, and the way it comes together is brilliant. When a mysterious stranger comes to Changan looking for Song Yi but turns up dead outside her home, Li Chen wonders if he can evaluate the case with objectivity. As he uncovers more clues, he realizes they are linked in ways he could never imagine. Honestly, the mystery brings them together in such swoon worthy ways. My only criticism is I think the resolution was wrapped up too quickly and off-page, but I didn't mind so much. I still got the information I needed, even if it was delivered after the fact in a more expository manner. Besides, this a romance before it is a mystery, so the affections of our leads take center stage.

I do think the couple reconciled rather quickly, but after hearing the exposition behind how things wrapped up, it made sense. This is one of Lin's steamier novels, but instead of feeling pointless or gratuitous, it's presented as the realities of Song Yi's world. She is a courtesan, after all. Previously, the more sexual side of the job was more implicit rather than explicit, even Mingyu's relationship with her greatest benefactor General Deng happens off-page. Other readers have praised Lin's approach to the realities of the job with respect, and I second those statements. The world of the Pingkang Li and Changan are like secondary characters in this series, constantly being fleshed out and given more shades. When viewed through the lens that Song Yi is doing her job and feeling conflicted between her heart and her duty, the additional sex scenes make sense. It didn't hurt that I thought the couple was just too cute.

If you're looking for a mystery with romantic elements, this is not the book for you. This is a romance first and a mystery second. However, it is still immensely enjoyable due to its great characterization, convincing and sweet romance, vivid scenes, and good pacing. Highly recommend.

[Smut Report]

We read all books in the series and reviewed them together. Find more at The Lotus Palace, The Jade Temptress, The Liar's Dice, The Hidden Moon, Death of a Sorcerer: A Lotus Palace Mystery, and Love, Death & Lanterns, and our full review can be read at The Smut Report.

Heat Factor: First we have to have ALL THE FEELS

Character Chemistry: Mutual pining

Plot: There has been a(nother) murder in the Piking Li, and we will work together to solve it. And also pine for each other.

Overall: If you like mystery romances, these are so good.

The book most tightly focused on the relationship between the protagonists. While there is a murder, which Magistrate Li Chen is (kind of) investigating, the plot is much less focused on the mechanics of solving that murder, and much more focused on Li Chen and Song Yi revealing their pasts and uncovering the way fate has tied them together. A good chunk of the middle of this book is a sexy road trip to their shared hometown. Song Yi is probably the most pragmatic of the sex worker heroines featured in this series: she is not aiming to be a star, like Mingyu, and she didn’t spend traumatic years working in a brothel, like Yue-ying. She just wants to be good enough at what she does to attract business and support her family. (By family I mean: the owner of the pleasure house and her sister courtesans.)

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[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooohh ok so Red Blossom in Snow is a tricky one to review. It's the fourth book in the Pingkang Li / Lotus Palace Mysteries, and it heroes Li Chen and Songyi (no last name). I've always been curious about Li Chen, having seen him as the prodigious magistrate in the first three books, but Songyi, a courtesan at the House of Heavenly Peaches, was new to me - we get our first glimpse of her in the previous book, The Hidden Moon.

The story in Red Blossom in Snow was really good. It begins with a murder outside of the House of Heavenly Peaches, implicating one of Songyi's sisters and a manservant at the house. But of course nothing is ever what it seems. The storyline leans on the idea of family ghosts, trauma, the past catching up to the present and intertwining with the murder case that sets the whole book off.

It was a refreshing new storyline to bring into the series, with all the qualities I loved about the first two books - original, thoughtful, painfully human.

However, I did struggle a bit to connect with the characters fully... which is odd, because both Li Chen and Songyi's backstories really resonated with me. But I think it was partly due to the writing style - sort of dreamy, sort of distant and detached - it's almost tangible, like fog, but it's also hard to grasp. Enigmatic. I think this style worked well especially in Minyu's book, The Jade Temptress, because we were more familiar with Mingyu's personality by then - but it was more difficult with Songyi, who was already so unknowable for so much of the book. I really wish I could have gotten a better sense of Songyi as a person, without the courtesan mask on.

I felt I had a better grasp on Li Chen, especially after experiencing him as the magistrate with a profound respect for order. I really liked Jeannie Lin's author's note, in which she shed light on him as a character - as someone who takes duty seriously - who has filial piety and duty to empire... but whose surpassing sense of moral duty leads him to make much bolder and more meaningful decisions later on.

All that said, I enjoyed this book. It was slow, and while reading, I felt like I was just floating down a stream, but I think it was quite comforting in that respect!

The romance really worked for me. Filled with yearning, as always, but a different shade of it. Less tied to the illicitness that characterizes Yueying & Bai Huang's or Weiwei & Gao's relationships. More of a yearning that spans time and history. There's something very, very compelling about two people who are meant to be together, not in a fantastical way, but one that is tied by generational debt and the red string of fate. It's extremely Chinese - this idea of being bound to one another until the debt is paid. It really worked for me. Pain and wonder all together.

[ike pauh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to space out my reading because this is the final book in The Pingkang Li Mysteries that I've yet to enjoy (author says there may be another book, it is unclear to me) but it seemed to be an impossible task. I suppose reading it over a span of four days could count as savouring Red Blossom in Snow slowly considering I would usually be impatient enough to devour a book in one sitting, in one day.

The best word to describe Red Blossom in Snow is DEVASTATING (think powerful). I was wrecked by the relationship between the reserved Magistrate Li Chen and the ever-so-practical courtesan with tiny cracks Song Yi. I was captivated from the very first page, despite their initial meetings never being written in person. It was recounted often enough. They're so cute. All that reluctance, reservation, guardedness, longing contrasted with moments so tender and full of affection. HIGH ANGST, FOLKS. They take what they can get from something that could have been extremely unpleasant if not written with such care by the awesome author. I think I have a new name to add to my fav list.

The murder mystery continues to thrill and evolves in this book as the author weaves two lives together who we found out are tied by more than just attraction and bonding over their hometown. So much history. There are some twists and old ghosts who show up to screw/bless the present. I do wonder if Li Chen could have perhaps groveled more at the end...

There were more love scenes in Red Blossom in Snow than the author has written in earlier books. It did not feel a bit much though because it seemed to fit and they were probably making up for lost time is how I make sense of it. It was hot! I find it varies across the various book in the series. The Lotus Palace and Jade Temptress contain almost the same number of sex scenes, Red Blossom in Snow has the most whilst The Hidden Moon had two moments.

Truly enjoyable if you enjoy historical romance with a dash of solving a murder, pepper in tons of angst. If you like ancient China, if you like sad and slow-paced, Red Blossom in Snow may be something you could enjoy.

Tags: indentured prostitution, class difference, high angst, reserved bureaucrat meets guarded courtesan, prolonged grieving rituals, riverboat travels, how less popular entertainer houses and its denizens survived, touching on the ranks of officials and bureaucrats', major conflict of interest in official investigation, family drama, revenge, whodunit?, strong female protagonist

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Red Blossom in the Snow is the fourth full-length book in the Pingkang Li Mysteries series. It can be read as a stand-alone, and Jeannie Lin includes a character guide to get the new reader up to speed on the relationships between major characters, which is also a welcome refresher for any returning readers. I do recommend reading all the books, however, for the sake of experiencing the richness of Lin’s Tang Dynasty world.
Given that this series revolves largely around the lives of courtesans, class differences are a major theme, and it’s definitely most prominent in this one, to the point where Lin even reflected on it in her author’s note at the end. I respect the self-awareness she went into this story with, bucking the common (and problematic) trend of the “virtuous girl who avoids becoming a sex worker” in her portrayal of Song Yi, with someone who has fully lived that life unapologetically and not have it be a life of suffering, but rather one that led her to further opportunities and success.
I also love the amount of thought put into Song Yi’s developing relationship with Li Chen, including consideration for the relationship within the bounds of certain codes that existed which were shockingly progressive, given the time period. And the way he’s pretty much hopelessly in love with her for most of the book…*chef’s kiss*
Lin also weaves an intriguing mystery element that complements the romance, providing grounds for them to spend time together. And each of them has some mystery to their respective pasts, which only amps up the intrigue and suspense.
This book is amazing…but Jeannie Lin almost consistently delivers impeccably researched, engaging, unique historical romance. You absolutely cannot go wrong with this book, or any in the series.

[Ru · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a gorgeous read! It's a romance of tenderness and gentleness, that savours in its quietness, and makes every encounter between Li Chen and Song Yi feel charged and special.

For me, this book worked best perhaps as a companion to Hidden Moon, the previous book in the excellent Lotus Palace series. There Wei-wei and Gao were opposites in many ways, but with a shared extroverted nature, and the mystery plot was one that felt pretty high tempo too. Here, Li Chen and Song Yi are both quieter, reserved characters, who feel strongly about their roles and their positions, and who wear their responsibilities heavily. The mystery too is linked to their shared past, and involves a lot of time outside of the bustle of Chang'an, in the rural areas they both grew up in. As such the story develops in a beautifully quiet way, filled with longing and the weight of their pasts upon them. The regular mentions of Gao and Wei-wei are a joy (as I still love them so much) and work as a reminder of just why they were suited and the engagement between Li Chen and Wei-wei could never have worked.

Another thing that I loved was the way that the impact of previous events is shown to echo through. Li Chen's work in the previous book has a significant impact on the livelihood of Song Yi's house, and it worked really well for me that this was not forgotten or glossed over, but shown clearly instead.

As always with Jeannie Lin's books, the atmosphere is beautifully written, and the environment so gorgeously described, that I am cast thoroughly into that world and only reluctantly left when I was forced to by the ending of the book!

I don't know if there will be more in this series, but I sincerely hope so, as I not nearly ready to say goodbye!

*I received a free ARC and I have chosen to leave a review*

[Cyn C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love in Imperial China. Nuff said.

As a fan of Jeannie Lin’s magical storytelling, I’ve always appreciated the simple yet effective way she draws out the mystery and societal complexities in imperial China, all while crafting a passionate love story. Red Blossom in Snow did not disappoint.

I loved Lin’s previous novel, Hidden Moon, where we saw noble lady Wei Wei and street hooligan Gao find love. Red Blossom shines the spotlight on Li Chen, Wei Wei’s “spurned” fiancé, a Magistrate on the rise whose only fault seems to be his unshakeable honour. This book serves poetic justice to Li Chen and we finally see him find his own happy ending with courtesan Song Yi.

Fans of Jeannie Lin will enjoy delving back into a world of characters and locations that have been firmly established in her previous novels. I relished the all too brief but important appearances of Wei Wei and Gao. The displays of imperial China’s system of meritocracy and law enforcement were also enlightening. And of course, the scenes of love and passion will fulfil the needs of any die hard romantic. Li Chen and Song Yi are definitely likeable as a couple.

That being said, while I felt (embarrassingly) compelled to re-read Hidden Moon, I didn’t quite feel the same way about Red Blossom. But it is early days yet. Perhaps Li Chen and Song Yi’s love story wasn’t as hard-fought as Wei Wei and Gao’s?

Another critique is that the development of the mystery towards the end felt a little abrupt, and a key character’s appearance seemed a little too convenient. Not a bad mystery, but Hidden Moon’s plot was more intriguing and well-thought.

Overall, a great interlude until the next Lotus Palace mystery is out. Hopefully we will also see more of past characters, such as Bai Huang and Yue Ying!