Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Review & Giveaway - - Return to Cherry Blossom Way

Return to Cherry Blossom Way
by Jeannie Chin
Blue Cedar Falls - Book 2
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: August 23, 2022
Reviewed by PJ
 


In this sweet second-chance love story, two opposites discover their once-in-a-lifetime chemistry has only gotten stronger.


May Wu is no longer the shy teen who skipped out of her small North Carolina town right after graduation. Now she’s a successful travel writer who can handle any challenge. Until her latest assignment sends her home to Blue Cedar Falls, where, 
of course, she runs straight into Han Leung, a.k.a. the guy who got away. How dare he still be so good looking, funny, and easy to talk to?

Han always does the responsible thing, which is why he put aside his dreams of opening his own restaurant to run his family’s business. But when May re-enters his life, he can no longer ignore his own wants and desires. Garden gnomes are stolen, old haunts are visited, and sparks fly between the pair, just as they always did. But Han and May broke up because they wanted vastly different lives, and that hasn’t changed—or has it?

PJ's Thoughts:

Jeannie Chin's storytelling continues to shine in this second full-length book in her new small-town series. There are so many things I'm enjoying about Blue Cedar Falls. The western North Carolina setting is beautifully described, evoking wonderful memories of days spent winding my way along lush mountain roads, leisurely exploring small, quirky towns. I can easily visualize the festivals, Han's family's Chinese restaurant, the new bar on Main Street, and the Wu family's B&B.

I love the Asian-American representation in Chin's books, placing the Wu and Leung families front and center. It's something that's still an exception rather than the norm in contemporary romance but I'm happy to see that's slowly changing. 

Second-chance romance is one of my favorite tropes but thirteen years is a long time. Han's and May's reunion could have easily felt forced or unrealistic, but it doesn't. Chin navigates them through the ups and downs of a reignited relationship with finesse, humor, emotions that feel organic, and believable challenges. Not only are they getting to know one another as adults, they are also each individually dealing with complex family dynamics, career concerns, the life-altering effects of teenage bullying, and dreams delayed. It's a journey of growth for both Han and May. I love the ease between these two, the sizzling chemistry, the fun and sweetness that speaks to their long-time - if interrupted - friendship. But I also appreciate that there are issues needing to be addressed. Kudos to the author for tackling those difficult topics head-on, especially within their family units. 

The secondary cast in this book is large, colorful, and necessary. I especially enjoyed Han's friend group, the people who are there for him, supportive but not afraid to be brutally honest when necessary. I love how they support his food dreams (oh my gosh, the food!). Yes, there was a good deal of drooling on my part as I read those scenes. ;-)

If you enjoy small-town romance with humor, heart, emotional depth, and positive cultural representation, give Jeannie Chin's Blue Cedar Falls series a try. Return to Cherry Blossom Way stands well on its own but for a full understanding of the Wu and Leung families, the complex dynamic among the Wu sisters, and the issues facing the town of Blue Cedar Falls, I recommend reading the stories in order. 

Book 1: The Inn on Sweetbriar Lane
Novella: Only Home with You
Book 2: Return to Cherry Blossom Way

The third book, The House on Mulberry Street, is scheduled to be released March 7, 2023 and is available for pre-order. It's the youngest Wu sister's best friends - to - lovers story and I can't wait to dive in. 


Have you read any of the books in Jeannie Chin's Blue Cedar Falls series?

I love books set in Western North Carolina as it's one of my favorite places. Do you have favorite settings for the romances you read?

Do you have any favorite authors writing Asian-American lead characters in romance? 

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, August 26 will receive a print copy of Return to Cherry Blossom Way.

*U.S. only
*Must be 18
*Void where prohibited





14 comments:

  1. Any place that has a beach is my ideal place for romance.

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  2. Jeannie Chin is a new author to me, but this sounds right up my alley! I love small-town romances and second chance is one of my favorite tropes, so sign me up!! Thank you for the recommendation, I'm off to get a copy of Book 1!

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  3. New to me author.

    Love beach, small town, mountains, and southern settings.

    Denise

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  4. No, new to me author but I'll be making up for that! Yes, several...any setting that works in the story line is all right by me. Great review!

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  5. New to me author. Going to check out her other books in this series. Love small town settings and NYC since I live in NY,

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    1. That was my comment re small town setting and NYC.

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  6. She is a new author to me so I will look her up. Love the cover!

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  7. I enjoy a beach setting, small town setting and a mountain locale. This book sounds captivating and wodnerful.

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  8. A new to me author, but you have made this sound like a truly charming read. Thanks for your review.

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  9. Oh my goodness! I haven’t read Jeannie Chin yet but now I’m extremely excited to pick her up! It gladdens my heart to see more Asian representation in romance, and to have both main characters be Asian is still such a rarity. Other authors I look out for in this space include Jayci Lee, Jackie Lau, and Courtney Milan. Thanks for the chance!
    —flchen1

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  10. I’m really enjoying Jeannie Chin's Blue Cedar Falls series and I’m looking forward to this one so much! Great review

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  11. Jeannie Chin is a new to me author. I have noticed the increase of books by and about Asian Americans. As important as their contributions to and presence in the country, it is long overdue.
    The mountains are my favorite setting for stories. I grew up in the NY Adirondacks, have lived in the Rockies and the Northern Maine mountains, and now live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the North Carolina-Tennessee border. Put me in a small town or cabin by a mountain lake and I am a happy camper.

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  12. I have not read Jeannie Chin’s stories.
    The setting in western NC sounds ideal. I like small town settings near mountains and lakes. Beaches on islands are great too.
    Authors-Alisha Rai, Kathy Lyons, Sherry Thomas

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