Julia Song Is Undatable

I’ve been a fan of Susan Lee’s writing ever since I discovered BTS and K-pop back in 2018. Through that journey, I developed a real appreciation for Korean culture, and Susan has a wonderful way of weaving her heritage into her stories. Her YA novels have always been sweet, heartfelt, and utterly adorable, leaving me with a big smile every time. So when I heard Julia Song is Undatable was her first adult romance, I was beyond excited — and it definitely did not disappoint.

This book has everything I’ve come to love from Susan Lee: well-developed characters, charming storytelling, and emotional depth. But now, with an adult storyline, there’s an extra layer of maturity and complexity that fits the characters’ lives perfectly. And yes, there are some spicy scenes sprinkled in, handled with just the right balance of sweetness and heat. Honestly, I’m curious what it was like for Susan to write those for the first time — she nailed it.

The heart of this story is Julia and Tae. Tae is the “broken” one, trying to figure out who he is and what he wants out of life. Julia, on the other hand, is confident, grounded, and knows exactly who she is. But even with that confidence, she’s feeling the pressure from her family, especially her grandmother, who hopes to see Julia married before she passes. This adds such a touching emotional layer to Julia’s journey, and it’s a storyline that feels both personal and relatable.

Julia and Tae’s relationship is just wonderful. It walks the line between friends-to-lovers and childhood sweethearts, full of tender moments, humor, and plenty of chemistry. Their connection grows naturally, and you can feel the emotional pull between them in every interaction. Susan Lee really knows how to write couples whose romance feels earned, authentic, and heartwarming all at once.

One of the things I loved most about this story is how it balances the romance with personal growth. Both Julia and Tae are learning about themselves, their dreams, and what they need in a partner, and their journey together makes those lessons feel even more impactful. I found myself rooting for them, laughing at their banter, and feeling all the feels during the tender and emotional moments.

Even though this is an adult novel, it still carries the charm and warmth that Lee’s YA stories are known for. The story has a cozy, heartfelt vibe, with moments of humor and sweetness that made it impossible to put down. I also loved seeing how Susan subtly weaves in cultural context, from family expectations to small touches of Korean heritage, which gives the story depth without ever feeling heavy or forced.

Overall, Julia Song is Undatable is a fantastic first adult romance from Susan Lee. It’s heartfelt, funny, tender, and a little spicy, with a couple I absolutely adored. Julia and Tae are the kind of characters you want to spend time with and root for until the very end. If you love contemporary romance with strong, relatable characters, emotional beats that hit, and a healthy dose of sweetness, this one is definitely worth picking up.

I can’t wait to see what Susan writes next in the adult romance world — and I’ll absolutely keep following her YA stories too. She’s one author whose storytelling consistently leaves me smiling and feeling all the emotions.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level: 🌶️

Blurb:

CEO seeks dating coach

Critically acclaimed and reader-favorite author Susan Lee’s hilarious adult debut is a shimmering and joyful look at the magnificent—and sometimes suffocating—weight of family, the ways we limit ourselves, and the irresistible power of love.

Julia Song, CEO of Starlight Cosmetics, is at the height of her career. Then why does she feel like such a failure? Maybe because she’s thirty and single, with a terrible track record at dating. And in the eyes of her Korean family, that is just unacceptable. It never really bothered her—that is until her beloved grandmother drops the bomb that she is sick and her dying wish is for Julia to get married. Impossible. So in a moment of weakness, Julia asks her family for help. Set her up on three dates to help her find The One. But it will never work—Julia is undateable. If only there was a coach for that…

Tae Kim knows about the weight of familial expectation. He’s currently unemployed, living in his parents’ basement to care for his ill father. Sure, he’s become somewhat of a fix-it man for the Korean community around town, but that’s not a real job. And the pressure to get his life together is getting to be too much. So when the Julia Song—his childhood crush—asks for his help, it may be just the distraction he needs. He’ll do whatever it takes, even coach her for these three dates. Problem is, the more time they spend together and the closer they get, the more Tae wonders if anyone is good enough for Julia…including him.