Set on You

One of curvy Chinese American fitness influencer and personal trainer Crystal Chen’s favorite activities is hitting the gym in Boston. That is, until smug-faced hottie firefighter Scott Ritchie steals her favorite squat machine. Debut author Lea’s plot is unique and a nice deviation from the norm, as Crystal and Scott transition from gym nemeses to swole mates while their grandparents are engaged—to each other. Despite the intriguing plot, the chemistry between Scott and Crystal is on again, off again. At times, the sweetness and anguish are palpable and wrought with sexual tension. But once the two switch from enemies to friends and then more, their romance seems disconnected. Narrator Carolyn Kang’s youthful voice captures Crystal’s upbeat personality, making her amusing and relatable. But her performance falls short as Scott, and listeners may find his voice isn’t as Hemsworth-y as author Lea makes him out to be. Digital content, like Instagram posts and texts, usually does not play out well in audio, but Kang makes it work. Plus-size visibility throughout the book adds additional interest.