Red String Theory

Lauren Kung Jessen is a mixed-race Chinese American writer with a fondness for witty, flirtatious dialogue and making meals with too many steps but lots of flavour. She is fascinated by myths and superstitions and how ideas, beliefs, traditions, and stories evolve over time. From attending culinary school to working in the world of Big Tech to writing love stories, Lauren cares about creating experiences that make people feel something. She also has a food and film blog, A Dash of Cinema, where she makes food inspired by movies and TV shows. She lives in Nashville with her husband (who she met thanks to fate-read: the algorithms of online dating), two cats, and dog.

'Lauren delivers laughs, heart, and swoon all in one ridiculously fun story' SARAH ADAMS Just a date . . . or a twist of fate? Science meets art in this delightfully swoony romance of fate and second chances by Lauren Kung Jessen. When it comes to love and art, Rooney Gao believes in signs. Most of all, she believes in the Chinese legend that everyone is tied to their one true love by the red string of fate. That belief has inspired her career and the large art installations she makes. That is until artist's block strikes and Rooney begins to question everything. But then fate leads her to the perfect guy. . . Jack Liu is absurdly smart, successful, handsome, and after one enchanting New York night all signs point to destiny. Only Jack doesn't believe in such a thing. And after their magical date, it looks like they might be lost to each other forever . . . until they're given one more chance to reconnect. But can Rooney convince a reluctant sceptic to take a leap of fate? More praise for Lauren Kung Jessen: 'There's heat, friction, sparks - it's a lit match!' Sarah Hogle 'Tradition meets modern progress and it's a delicious combination' Abby Jimenez 'A lovingly crafted rivals-to-lovers rom-com' Farah Heron