Frederick, Jen. Seoulmates. Berkley, 2022. ISBN  978-0593100165. 304 pp. $16

****

I was so in love with and frustrated with the first book in this series, Heart and Seoul, that I really hoped there might be more resolution with Hara’s relationship both with her mother and her not-stepbrother. Seoulmates featured many details of Korean culture, and a subplot of Hara not meshing well with the corporate culture at her mother’s company, that ultimately leads to a decision to put time and energy into a food truck she frequents as a patron. Logistics, relationship building, and amazing food round out the novel.

This novel is armchair travel at it’s best. Is it a romance? I still can’t answer that question, except to say Hara and Yujun’s steamy, sweet, and heartstring tugging relationship is prominent and aspirational with another cliffhanger.

I received an advance reader’s review copy of #Seoulmates from #NetGalley.