Is it weird that the third act breakup is my favorite thing about Julia Song is Undateable? I’m not giving a backhanded compliment. I really thought that Susan Lee was masterful in building to the conflict, making me wonder how these two are getting a happily ever after, and then producing one that is satisfying and believable. I have thought about what she pulled off for days. Unfortunately, I can’t talk about it without spoiling so many things. I saw the seeds planted, hoped so hard that Tae wouldn’t do what I thought he was going to do, and then trusted the process that Susan Lee would give us a redemption. He goes to therapy!
The premise of Julia Song is Undateable gives a lot of space for silly and sweet moments, and Lee uses that space well. Julia Song is the founder and head of a successful skin care company, but she is not married, and her family is distressed by this. Julia’s grandmother implies that she has a serious medical issue, and even though Julia is suspicious, she agrees to allow her family to set her up on three dates. While she’s not opposed to the idea of marriage, she lacks confidence in her dating skills and is anxious about embarrassing her family if she makes a fool of herself. Tae is on leave from his job in Chicago to take care of his parents while his father goes through chemo. While home, he has made himself useful in the community, helping people out with errands, repairs and such for a little money. He’s also had a crush on Julia since they were kids. Everyone loves Tae and talks about what a great person he is, while also subtly dismissing him because he lacks professional and financial success. Julia offers to hire him to be her dating coach. Practice dates and falling in love ensue. Julia and Tae fit together so well, it gets a little insulting that his parents and her parents don’t see it. (Julia’s grandmother, the mastermind that starts the chain of events, does see it.)
Susan Lee explores the pressures of family and community expectations as well as mental health. Julia and Tae love and are loved by their families and communities, but the expectations placed on them can be harmful and contradictory. Julia and other women are admired for their professional successes, but being single is shameful. Tae internalizes the message that he is worth less because he isn’t traditionally successful. While Julia’s strategy of going on practice dates with someone who can help her feel comfortable is a great idea, it’s not Julia’s discomfort with new people that is at issue. The problem is that the men her family thinks are worthy of her don’t listen, assume they know best, or are unkind. Tae listens, assumes Julia knows things, and is mostly kind. He also has a savior complex that undoes him.
Michelle H. Lee’s narration is so seamless that I had to check twice to be sure she’s the only narrator. The cast is not small and she made the characters distinct and consistent. She has also narrated two books on my TBR and I am moving them from my print list to my audio list, because she’s that good.
I received this as an advance listener copy from Harlequin Audio and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.