Lunar New Year Love Story
She was destined for heartbreak. Then fate handed her love.
3x Eisner Award Winner
An NPR Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Booklist Best Book of the Year
A Shelf Awareness Best Book of the Year
A Horn Book Best Book of the Year
A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
Graphic novel superstars Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham join forces in this heartwarming rom-com about fate, family, and falling in love.
Val is ready to give up on love. It's led to nothing but secrets and heartbreak, and she's pretty sure she's cursed—no one in her family, for generations, has ever had any luck with love.
But then a chance encounter with a pair of cute lion dancers sparks something in Val. Is it real love? Could this be her chance to break the family curse? Or is she destined to live with a broken heart forever?
"Valentina’s quest is full of swoony moments that will satisfy romance readers, while her fearless journey of personal growth will win over everyone else." –Kirkus, starred review
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Community Reviews
Valentina Tran used to be all about love—until she found out that, thanks to some family drama, her entire bloodline is basically cursed in the romance department. Enter Saint Valentine himself, who helpfully confirms that, yes, love is doomed for her and everyone she holds dear. (Wow, thanks, man.) So, naturally, Val decides to reject love altogether. Until one fateful Lunar New Year, when a mysterious lion dancer hands her a paper heart, and suddenly the plot thickens.
Cue Jae, who is just trying to process grief, lion dance like a pro, and NOT be in a love triangle—but alas, his cousin Leslie (K-Pop dreamboat alert) swoops in and starts dating Val. Meanwhile, Jae is stick feeling things and wondering if destiny is laughing at him. Spoiler: it totally is.
This book is basically what happens when a swoony romance collides with a heartfelt family drama and a supernatural subplot—wrapped up in the most stunning artwork. The Lunar New Year setting? Perfection. The emotional depth? Hits you right in the chest. The fact that I now need an entire spin-off about lion dancing? Non-negotiable.
Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham have crafted something truly special here. It's sweet, funny, and little bit heartbreaking, and way too easy to devour in one sitting. I was fully prepared to fight Saint Valentine myself by the end.
Bottom line: If you like your love stories with a side of destiny, family drama, and actual dancing lions, this one's for you.
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