Thank you, NetGalley and the publishers, for the ARC of this book. (Sorry for the late review.)

This was just freaking adorable, and the characterisations made the characters seem so real. Just overall really cute and made me a bit emotional at times. I don't know what to say other than I now want to visit Seattle and walk around the handful of places mentioned in the book. The writing was nice and simple, and I was swooning for the characters in literally fewer than 100 pages.

Just a really cute book overall, with realistic banter. Can't wait for more from the author! Please, please, please pick this up if you want mild rivals (coffeeshop) to lovers with some realistic banter and a nice portrayal of not being able to help but fall for someone you think you dislike—but actually don't.

I liked how the main character didn't always know what he wanted but that's okay because he is just seventeen! There is an important message in the story about doing what he wants to do rather than what other people want him to do.
The book explores the two sides of social media fame. It is very much a study in how social media can be used for good and bad. That's an important takeaway especially for young people.

This book will appeal to those who like mixed format in their novels. There are parts of it that read like a manuscript for videos.
The story is more about River's growth rather than the romance. I think this more coming-of-age than a romance. The actual romance bits comes towards the end but it's really cute. River's character development was really well thought out.

The side characters were really fun and developed. It was like they are your colleagues and you work at Bingsu for two.
I love that the Korean words were in Hangul script! Please can we have more this in books in general!
Definitely look up this book if you like coming of age stories or YA novels about finding your voice. 4.5. stars rounded up to 5.

You’re insufferable as ever,” I grind out.
“Pretend all you want. You love me.”
“I do. I love you.”

river lee & sarang cho — you will always have my heart.

workplace romance
rivals to lovers
third act breakup
only one pov — mmc
slowburn
minimal (but amazing) romance
found family

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC!

This cute, cosy young adult romance is perfect for anyone looking for something light and fun. River, our main character, is the seventeen-year-old son of two coffee shop entrepreneurs in Seattle, the home of American coffee. His parents are aiming to make their coffee chain, Cafe Gong, go nationwide, and they'd put him in charge of the newest shop with his girlfriend as co-manager.

Or they did, until River walks out of his SATs, breaks up with his girlfriend and leaves his job. He then works for the rival family cafe, Bingsu For Two - a small Korean cafe that's not doing so hot since Cafe Gong opened up down the road. The cafe that River specifically opened and planned for. He's aimless and lost, feeling unworthy of his family and unsure if he'll do anything worthwhile with his life.

Pretty heavy for a teenager.

His best friend, Kai, works at Bingsu For Two, as well as Sarang - the annoying girl who managed to wind River up in ways he didn't know was possible. She's all snarky and cutting remarks, and he can't help but respond. He can't tell his parents he's working for their rival; they'd be furious at him, and he's unsure what to do with his life. But he sure does think Sarang is pretty...moody. Pretty moody, that's all.

The side cast in this book is fantastic, with each having its own distinct personalities and troubles. Sarang was amusing, and River was even more amusing, and you felt sorry for his situation. His self-esteem is shot, and he isn't sure what he will do in life. All he knows is that he comes to love Bingsu For Two, and he wants to save them and give them all the plaudits they deserve.

This happens when he accidentally uploads a video of the chaos that happens to his fandom account, which goes viral. In turn, they capitalise on this and create their own social accounts, which in turn go viral and bring the cafe new popularity.

At the heart of it, this is a story of friendship and family, and the perils of fame. The romance is very much a third aspect, and it's sweet but not a pertinent part. Instead, it's about River realising who he is, what he wants in life and restoring the cafe to its glory, alongside making sure his friends are safe and happy.

Bingsu for two is a beautifully written angsty romance that I loved.

River Lee quits school, his job and his GF all in one day and honestly I can hard relate. His whole life has been planned for him by his parents and GF and he finally has had enough. With the help of his BFF, he gets a new job at a cafe that's in direct competition with his family's business but oh well!

We then meet the cast of characters that work at Bingsu for Two and I honestly loved them all. Kai and Dario were so will they won't they, Sarang was the sarcastic goth girl, Betty and Vanna were adorable and we have Hanuel also. What a cast that becomes found family because they just accept River for who he is.

The romance was a slow burn! But it was very cute in the end!

I also enjoyed the inclusions of twitter/texts/scripts included in the book. It was a very modern take on todays world.

All in all, great book, would definitely recommend and would love a sequel!

I love a coffee shop romance so I was immediately drawn to this book and it had heart-warming moments coupled with great characters.

If you’re looking for a cute, feel good read, there’s nothing better than letting yourself be whisked away to a cute little coffee shop in Seattle. Bingsu for Two was adorable. Though the main character would have probably got on better if he’d just told the truth up front, it was fun watching all the drama play out.

Though the main relationship in this is male/ female, there are two same sex relationships in the book too! I really liked all the different loves between the baristas at Bingsu for Two. It was also found family and it did the trope really well. By the end of it, I felt like the characters were my friends.

I loved how this book showed the fickle nature of the internet. How something can be picked up so quickly by the algorithm and go viral but also how things can turn on you just as quickly. I felt it found a good balance between the feel good nature of the cafe and the more disastrous nature of the plot.

I enjoyed this book a lot and hope you do too!

You are never too old to enjoy a book. This may have been a book about teenagers old enough to be my kids, but to a certain extent, I found it quite entertaining. I enjoyed the camaraderie and the wit- there were a couple of laugh out loud moments mainly thanks to Jace trying to cover for his brother. The inserts of Hangul were also interesting to read.

I thought that River and Sarang lacked chemistry and surely I'm not the only one pondering why seventeen year olds were left in charge to run both Cafe Gong and Bingsu for Two.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for allowing me to review this book.

when i say i’m obsessed with this book i mean it!! this book feels like being wrapped up in a warm hug, or should i say like drinking a hot cup of coffee?

The POV is of River, the male MC who has an interesting interaction with the FMC (no spoilers hehe). From the beginning I was hooked, starting off his journey with a couple bad decisions that end up being the best decisions EVER.

I loved how the characters were all unique (and funny as hell) in their own ways, Kai & Vanna are my absolute favourite characters. There were so many relatable and funny moments within this book (such as the references to fanfiction, Sujin Witherspoon the woman you are)

THERES A BOOK NAME DROP IN THIS BOOK I LOVE IT WHEN THEY DO THAT

no spoilers but here’s a quote that had rewired my brain chemistry:

“The realization makes me ache in ways that are quiet and intense all at once. She makes me feel real.”

Actually sobbing, this book is amazing everyone needs to read this asap when it comes out!!!!

This was a very fun read but ultimately it wasn't for me. That being said, I loved the blend of cultures, the inclusion of pop culture and media and the cutesy romance. River and Sarang were great characters and the whole ensemble made this an entertaining read filled with hijinks, fake dating and some rivals-to-lovers romance.

Thank you Net Galley & Hot Key books for the digital arc read.

To begin with I struggled to get into the story and thought the book was going to be quite predictable, however by the third chapter I completely fell in love with the story. This was written from the MMC point of view, something I haven't come across before, but really enjoyed the unique perspective.

The story deals with our MMC who has a particularly bad day, breaking up with girlfriend, giving up his job (at his families business) and walking out of his exams. From there, leads a series of events that see's him working for a rival cafe. I fell in love with chemistry, not just of our main characters but the side characters as well,I was rooting for all of them to have their moments and Sujin didn't disappoint.

The ending was lovely and everything was resolved in a great way, this is just a perfect romantic comedy, I can't wait to see more from this author!

With witty banter, a dash of family drama, and tons of coffee shop charm, Bingsu for Two is an outrageously fun and heartwarming ride. The chemistry between River and Sarang is electric, making their journey from enemies to something more absolutely unmissable. It is the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and downright funny.

Bingsu for Two is a rivals to lovers/ fake dating tale that takes place in Korean coffee shop. After River quits being manager at his parent's coffee shop, he is desperate to find another job and ends up working in a not so successful Korean coffee shop, where he must preted he is dating one of his co-workers to keep up apperances and help with business.

This was such a fun and cute read, River and Sarang have instant chemistry and continue to do so throughout the book; as they get to know each other better they soon begin to care deeply for one another, but I love that they do not lose that banterous side to their relationship. River also has great chemisty with his friends, their entire group has a great dynamic and it was entertaing to read all their interactions.

I loved the structure of this book - love that uses more than one writing medium, so scripts for when they are filiming their videos for instgram as well as screenshots of different fanfiction sites. It made it more of an interesting read and was a great creative choice.

Overall this was a great read and love that all the characters experience a lot of development and as the reader you go on that journey with them, River and Sarang especially. Their journeys are very relatable and I'm sure will resonate with a lot of readers.

If you're looking for a short read but with a lot of cute vibes but also a lot of character reflection and growth; you'll love this one!

Thank you Hot Keys - Bonnier Books for the early access!

I was absolutely charmed by these teenagers making terrible decisions but all looking out for each other and finding love through friendships, romantic relationships AND family.

I appreciated how much of a mess the main character is [felt very true to my self at seventeen haha], i appreciated the found/chosen family vibes as everyone looked out for each other even when they were hurting each other. I REALLY appreciated the slow-burn of it all.

As i said, completely charmed and have added a few previously untried items from the cafe menu to my Must Consume List.