Alexandria Song and Chip Huyen (Tép Studio, 2025)

The book will officially come out in September 2025, but you can find an early release ebook on Kindle. See reviews on Goodreads.

At eighteen, Linh thought she could outmaneuver anyone. Born to a powerful and authoritative father, she tried to distance herself from him using the very techniques he had taught her.

ETNE cover

When she met Quan, his perfect self-control and strategic mind caught her attention. Despite being six years younger, she approached, tested, and pursued him. The relationship slowly, almost imperceptibly, slipped beyond her control into an entanglement that blurred the lines between love, obsession, and manipulation.

This psychologically nuanced coming-of-age story follows a morally complex young woman over fourteen years, from a rebellious teenager to a successful businesswoman, weaving between past trauma and present ambition. It explores Linh's relationships with family, business, and messy romance, forcing her to face the devastating emotional consequences of reducing every human interaction, even love, to a calculation.

Early reader reviews

See more on Goodreads.

“Linh was such a compelling protagonist. Logical, driven, and ambitious, yet she still allowed space for love to grow. Her relationship with Quan was messy, toxic, and utterly captivating. I loved that Linh was fully aware of who he was and what he had done, yet she was still drawn to his intelligence, talent, and ambition. She simply understood him.”

“I didn’t see it coming, I felt stupid as she did. All is not fair in love and war, I definitely don’t agree. Be prepared for the reeling suspense and I hope you don’t share the scars that Linh had. This book would definitely teach you a thing or two about the games people play.”

“It’s an addictive, smartly written story full of strategy, romance, twists, and just the right dose of reality. If you love well-crafted storytelling with a mix of heart and intellect, this one’s definitely for you!”

“Pretty suspenseful.. and feels a bit dark too!”

“Having visited Hanoi for the first time, I find this story of recent experience and culture very interesting and fun.”

Interested? You can buy the book now on Kindle or join our early access program.