Bingsu for Two is a cute story about family expectations and forging our own path. We love some good banter and fake dating. This contemporary had me laughing, swooning, and cheering. Keep reading this book review of Bingsu for Two for my full thoughts.
Summary
Meet River Langston-Lee. In the past 24 hours, he’s dumped his girlfriend, walked out of his SATs, and quit his job at his parents’ cafe in spectacularly disastrous fashion—even for him.
Somehow, he manages to talk his way into a gig at a failing Korean cafe, Bingsu for Two, which is his lucky break until he meets short, grumpy, and goth: Sarang Cho. She’s his new no-BS co-worker who’s as determined to make River’s life hell as she is to save her family’s cafe.
After River accidentally uploads a video of his chaotic co-workers to his popular fandom account, they strike viral fame. The kicker? Their new fans ship River and Sarang big-time. In order to keep the Internet’s attention—and the cafe’s new paying customers—River and Sarang must pretend that the tension between them is definitely of the romantic variety, not the considering the best way to kill you and hide your body variety.
But when Bingsu for Two’s newfound success catches the attention of River’s ex and his parents’ cafe around the corner, he faces a choice: keep letting others control his life or stand up for the place that’s become home. And a green-haired girl who’s not as heartless as he originally thought.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
There’s something about fake dating and viral internet fame which will get me every time. Throw in a disastrous meet cute and I’m hooked! What I initially loved about Bingsu for Two is the way it explores familial obligations and our own path forwards. What happens when the person we want to be doesn’t fit into our path? What happens when the ‘family’ part of our family business becomes just a job? At the same time, we love a good friendship group that’s formed from unlikely connections and Bingsu for Two delivers!
I adored the group chat and the way each side character had their own unique voice. Bingsu for Two asks us what’s most important in our lives. Is it the story in our head? The future of our family business? Or our ambitions? If you love characters who desperately need a found family, a friendship group, then this is for you!
Book Links
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/196038712
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1454954027/
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bingsu-for-two-sujin-witherspoon/1145508052
IndieBound: https://bookshop.org/p/books/bingsu-for-two-sujin-witherspoon/21442725
About the Author
Sujin Witherspoon is a Korean-American author, artist, and lover of words she can’t pronounce. She gravitates towards stories that will either plague her nightmares or make her stomach hurt from laughter–no in between. Having earned her degree in English from the University of Washington, she spends her time writing, thinking about writing, or exploring Seattle. You can find her online at sujinwitherspoon.com
Author Links:
Website: https://sujinwitherspoon.com/
Twitter: https://x.com/tswitherspoon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sujinwitherspoon
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/42950557
Tour Schedule
January 13th
Utopia State of Mind – Review
Midsummer Night’s Read – Review
The Book Dutchesses – Promotional Post
January 14th
Introvert Booklover – Top 5 Reasons to Read Bingsu for Two
lemon tree reads – Review, Playlist
The Clever Reader – Promotional Post
January 15th
Dana Loves Books – Top 5 Reasons to Read Bingsu for Two
The Bookish Ren – Review, Playlist
January 16th
Nerd Girl Loves Books – Review
MinReads and Reviews – Review
January 17th
Crazykidjournal – Review
Wanderingintopages – Review
January 18th
paperbacktomes – Journal Spread
Boys’ Mom Reads! – Review
January 19th
Confessions of a YA Reader – Promotional Post
Betwixt The Sheets – Promotional Post