Hangry Hearts - by Jennifer Chen

About the Book

Julie and Randall, former best friends turned rivals due to their feuding families, reconnect while working on a community-service project, leading to rekindled feelings and secret dates, but their budding romance is threatened when their families discover their secret.

Book Synopsis

Love, family, and food collide in this sparkling Romeo and Juliet-inspired romance.

Julie Wu and Randall Hur used to be best friends. Now they only see each other on Saturdays at the Pasadena Farmers Market where their once close families are long-standing rivals.

When Julie and Randall are paired with ultra-rich London Kim for a community-service school project, they are forced to work together for the first time in years. It quickly becomes obvious that London has a major crush on Julie. But Julie can't stop thinking about Randall. And Randall can't stop thinking about how London is thinking about Julie. Soon, prompted by a little jealousy and years of missing each other, school project meetings turn into pseudo dates at their favorite Taiwanese breakfast shop and then secret kisses at the beach--far from the watchful eyes of their families.

Just as they're finally feeling brave enough to tell their grandmas, the two matriarchs rehash their old fight and Julie and Randall get caught in the middle and Julie's brother finds out they are dating. Their families are heartbroken.

But it's the Year of the Dragon, an auspicious time to resolve disagreements and start anew, and Randall isn't going down without fighting for what--and who--they love. Could the Lunar New Year provide not only a second chance for Randall and Julie, but for their families as well?

Review Quotes

Praise for Hangry Hearts:

Girl's Life, "Best Reads for Spring Break"

The Nerd Daily, "72 Of The Most Anticipated YA Books Of 2025"

Goodreads, "Peek Ahead at 2025's Hottest New Romances"

LGBTQ Reads, "Most Anticipated LGBTQ+ Young Adult Fiction: January-June 2025"

"A delectable treat handmade with love." - Kirkus, Starred Review

"Lush prose describes both food and romance with a vibrancy that sparkles in this quintessential star-crossed-lovers, rival-family-foodchains rom-com." - Publishers Weekly

"This will appeal to romance fans, especially those looking for more transgender representation in the genre and childhood friends-to-lovers stories, and readers who are interested in Asian culture and food." - School Library Journal

"While those hungry for a new take on the enemies-to-lovers trope will be more than satisfied with Hangry Heart's main courses of witty banter and swoony romance, its heartfelt side dishes of family, identity, community, and forgiveness, will leave readers craving whatever Jennifer Chen serves up next." - Jessica Parra, author of Rubi Ramos's Recipe For Success and The Quince Project


Praise for Artifacts of an Ex:

"[A] jubilant debut...Richly detailed prose makes for an amorous atmosphere, while Chloe's artistic eye and determined, optimistic first-person POV renders a vivid world in this lighthearted romance." - Publishers Weekly

"Equal parts romance and tribute to Los Angeles, this charming debut combines a strong sense of place and community with well-developed supporting characters, a lovely intergenerational family, and a just-kiss-already love story...An endearing exploration of loss, love, and the transformative nature of art." - Kirkus

"While Chen participated in the First-Year Orientation collection earlier this year, this is her first solo novel, and it seems to have everything a reader could want: love, hate, family drama, art, and more." - Booklist

"With an artist's precision, Jennifer Chen shades the sweet, swoony sides of romance with the hilarity and heartbreak that often accompanies falling in love. Artifacts of an Ex is the perfect read for anyone who knows what it's like to have big ambitions and a big heart." - Brian D. Kennedy, A Little Bit Country

"From boxes documenting messy breakups to a quest to figure out the perfect pineapple cake recipe, Artifacts of an Ex is an honest and complex portrayal of love in all its shapes and forms. A heartfelt love letter to Los Angeles, the creative process, and love itself." - Lyla Lee, author of I'll Be the One and Flip the Script

"Adorable Alert! Artifacts of an Ex is sure to delight YA romance lovers with well-drawn characters, a rich cultural backdrop, and a sweet love story to root for. A charming debut." - Laura Taylor Namey, New York Times bestselling author of A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow

"Artifacts of an Ex offers everything you love in a YA romcom: heartbreak, heartache, and a heartfelt, satisfying ending. With on-point discussion about LA vs. NYC life, this good-humored read will have fans of Gloria Chao, Maurene Goo and Susan Lee clamoring." - Suzanne Park, author of Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous

"A wonderfully unique and moving romance about staying true to yourself, Artifacts of an Ex will do exactly what Jennifer Chen's bold protagonist Chloe sets out to do... and that's capture your whole heart." - Eric Smith, author of You Can Go Your Own Way

"A book for anyone who has ever wanted to spin the prickly straw of grief into gold. Artifacts of an Ex reminds you of your favorite Taylor Swift song: Picture perfect descriptions of hearts breaking and hearts healing set to a catchy beat you're not going to forget anytime soon." - Ashley Schumacher, author of The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway

About the Author

JENNIFER CHEN is a freelance journalist who has written for Today, New York Times, Oprah Daily, Real Simple, and Self. Jennifer has a MFA and BFA in dramatic writing from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. She is a proud volunteer for WriteGirl, a creative writing and mentoring organization. She lives in Los Angeles with her TV writer husband, twins, two pugs, and a cat named Gremlin. She is the author of Artifacts of An Ex and Hangry Hearts.