Jackie Lau has made her main character, Emily Hung, a LitFic author, which results in some meta commentary about the current state of publishing, especially for an Asian-Canadian author who is doing ok, but not charging up the charts. She’s got a three book contract, but she’s working two other jobs, and sharing an apartment. She’s feeling disrespected by her family, especially her mother, who keeps throwing Mark F’ing Chan at her head. After the two don’t hit it off at Emily’s youngest sister’s wedding, her mom lies to get them on a brunch date. Emily decides a fake dating scheme will get her mother off her back and Mark agrees to participate. Because her mother has eyes everywhere, Emily and Mark realize they need to go on in person dates. As Emily gets to know Mark, she realizes he isn’t the person she assumed he was. He’s quiet, but not judgemental. He’s also funny, sexy, and has a cat whose name you need to experience for yourself.
Mark remains an enigma to the reader until just past the halfway point. Once Emily starts to see him as a real love interest and not a means to an end, Mark gets his own point of view chapters. As much as this is a romance between Emily and Mark, it’s also a meditation on the complexities of our relationships with other people. A lot of Emily’s assumptions turn out to be wrong, but so do the assumptions of others. With the exception of one character, who doesn’t get much page time, no is really a villain.
As one expects in a Jackie Lau written, Toronto set romance, the food is excellent.
I received this as an advance reader copy from Atria Books and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.