Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this ARC.

This was my first Meant to Be novel and I really enjoyed it! Look, did I rewatch Mulan more than any other Disney movie? Yes. Was I hesitant about this adaptation because the first few chapters said "finance bro" a lot? Yes. Did reading characters named Mulan and Mushu also throw me? Yes. But by 45 pages into the book I was hooked. 

I did not expect there to be a ranch setting for Mulan's attempts to prove her masculinity (note: she doesn't take on the identity of her father, acting as a man, but rather his name and title as the owner of the firm) to the misogynistic uncle and cousin bros who make up part of the Wutain Gold family company. That being said, I love a ranch setting and was thrilled. 

Shang's characterization was so good, even recalling and echoing little movements the animated character did (his jaw tightening, for example). I loved that they pushed beyond his background in martial arts and role in the whiskey company to showcase him as a loving son, who isn't afraid to cook and clean/ take care of his surroundings.  Closed door romance. 

A mark of a great romance for me is that even when I can spot the conflict coming a mile away, I still feel nauseated and upset for the characters. 

The novel also echoed key moments in Mulan's relationship with her father and I found myself getting teary.  

Such a good novel and Sutano's afterword about how important writing this novel was to her and her family was so lovely and touching.