Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Spotlight on The Year of Cecily

The Year of Cecily
by Lisa Lin
From Sunset Park, With Love - Book 1
Publisher: Tule
Release Date: January 17, 2023


This is the year of Cecily Chang.


San Francisco attorney Cecily Chang is ready to tackle the New Year head on, so she creates a list of resolutions guaranteed to reboot her life—right after her dutiful visit home to Sunset Park, Brooklyn, for the Lunar New Year. Cecily prepares to face her critical, meddling mother, nosy relatives, and the chaos and drama family togetherness brings. At least the food will be delicious. This holiday, Cecily vows to remain calm—as long as she doesn’t see him.

Jeffrey Lee deeply regrets how he ended things with Cecily ten years ago, but he felt it was best for her at the time. When he runs into her again during the New Year, he sees it as a sign. Now a successful screenwriter, Jeffrey is determined to win back Cecily’s heart.

But Cecily doesn’t believe in signs or second chances and embraces her new resolutions. This time, Jeffrey won’t give up—and he’s convinced he can write them a new Hollywood happy ending.
 
PJ's Thoughts:

I'm always a little nervous to read a book written by a personal friend. What if I don't like it? What will I say? Very happy to say that was not the case with this one. 

The Year of Cecily is a sassy, second-chance romcom featuring two 30-something Asian-American main characters with a rocky past. The story rings with humor, snappy banter, emotional depth, and cultural authenticity. The push and pull within the Lee and Chang families, in particular, had me rolling with laughter as well as mopping up tears.  

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Cecily and Jeffrey and appreciated the layers Lin gave them. I want characters to work for their HEA and these two do just that, both individually and as a couple. Their necessary introspection, growth, and compromise led to a very satisfying conclusion for them as a couple as well as a new, more understanding path forward with their families.  

I've already pre-ordered the next book in the series, The Rachel Experiment (5/16/23). I'm especially eager to read it after (separately) meeting socially awkward Rachel and charming Luke while reading The Year of Cecily. I can't wait to see them interact on the page together!  
 

Disclaimer: You may have noticed that while this is technically a book review, I have not assigned a number of stars to it. That's because the author is a close personal friend and I do my level best to always remain unbiased in my book reviewing. 


4 comments:

  1. You have done it to me over and over and you would think I was smart enough not to fall for it again. Another new to me author. Another story that sounds like a lot of fun. Another story about something I always hope is real, second chances. So, another book I want to read. I am a weak personality. I am a book addict. There is no hope for me. Thanks for the review. This truly sounds like a fun story.

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    1. You are so funny, Annette. But, as a fellow book addict, I know exactly how you feel! :)

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  2. I'll assign 5 stars to it! It is a wonderful story and I will be continuing with the series!

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  3. Coming from a large family with enough drama within the extended family to not need outside drama, I can relate and appreciate the situation. This sounds like an enjoyable read. Another new to me author and series that will have to go on my Wish List. Thank you for the "review."

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