Checking You Out - by Jennifer Chen (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

XO, Kitty meets Dash & Lily in this rom com about two teens falling in love via letters left in their favorite library books - even if in real life they think they have nothing in common.

Lizzie Wei is a huge book nerd, and proud of it. And when she realizes there is a mysterious reader who has been checking out all of her favorite books from the library, she can't help but get a crush on someone she's never even met. Her friends make it their mission to find Lizzie's long lost book soulmate and convince her to leave notes for her crush. But what if the person Lizzie is looking for, isn't at all what she expects?

Dylan Lin loves reading, secretly anyway. Ever since a bullying incident at his last school, he's hidden his love of fantasy novels, instead leaning into his jock persona. Now he's the tennis team captain, runs every day, and actively avoids reading. So, when he decides to start volunteering at a kitten nursery, and his super cute co-volunteer Lizzie asks if he likes reading, he says no. He never expects the look of complete and utter disappointment on Lizzie's face.

Lizzie is certain her secret crush isn't Dylan. It can't be! But when he accidentally makes an obscure reference to her favorite book during their volunteer shift, she's not so sure anymore. Can Lizzie forgive Dylan for lying? And can Dylan be brave enough to be himself?

Jennifer Chen's Checking You Out is a contemporary romance about being true to yourself and celebrating what you love, because you just might find the perfect person to share it with.

Review Quotes

Praise for Checking You Out:

"This light rom-com champions reading--and being true to yourself...A breezy bookish love story." - Kirkus

"A cute romance deeply steeped in both BookTok and LA culture." - Booklist

"Undeniably charming and swoony, Checking You Out is the page-turning romance of every bookish person's dreams. Filled with strong friendships, pining, banter, community, and falling in love with who you are. Chen aims right for the heart and doesn't miss." - Julian Winters, award-winning author of Prince of the Palisades

Praise for Hangry Hearts:

"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

"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 and the author of the young adult novels Artifacts of an Ex, Hangry Hearts, and Checking You Out. Jennifer is a proud mentor for WriteGirl, a creative writing organization and a loving foster kitten mom. She lives in Los Angeles with her TV writer husband, twins, two pugs, and two cats named Gremlin and Taro. Follow her on Threads and Instagram at @jchenwriter.