Review: Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao

*I received an advance reading copy of this book from Penguin Teen Canada in exchange for an honest review.

Ex Marks the Spot

by Gloria Chao 

December 31, 2024

Goodreads Summary:

A swoony rivals-to-lovers romance . . .

Family secrets that can't stay buried . . .

A globe-spanning treasure hunt with puzzles to solve . . .

This latest YA novel by acclaimed writer Gloria Chao takes readers on a soaring adventure through love, loss, and the lively streets of Taiwan.

For Gemma's whole life, it has always been her and her mom against the world. As far as she knew, all her grandparents—and thus her ties to Taiwanese culture—were dead. Until one day when a mysterious man shows up at her door with two shocking the news that her grandfather has just recently passed, and the first clue to a treasure hunt that Gemma hopes will lead to her inheritance.

There's just one major problem: to complete the hunt, she has to go to her grandfather's home in Taiwan. And the only way she can get there is by asking her ex and biggest high-school rival, Xander, for help. But after swallowing her pride, Gemma finds herself halfway across the world, ready to unearth her life-changing prize. Soon Gemma discovers that the treasure hunt is about much more than money—it's about finally learning about her family, her cultural roots, and maybe even finding true love.

Filled with ingenious puzzles, a vibrant Taipei setting, and a delicious romance, Ex Marks the Spot is an exciting adventure by award-winning writer Gloria Chao, perfect for fans of Loveboat Taipei, The Inheritance Games, and Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes.

Review

Ex Marks the Spot is a life-changing adventure stuffed with food, culture and puzzles. It was a much deeper story than I imagined.

As someone born in Taiwan, I feel Ms. Chao nailed the description of Taiwan. Every time Gemma mentioned a famous landmark, I recognized it. So nostalgic! Don’t even get me started on all the food that were mentioned! My mouth watered and my mind tried hard to remember the tastes. YUM!

The treasure hunt was such a thrill to follow Gemma on. Every riddle she had to solve showcased how complex the Chinese language is. Ms. Chao did a brilliant job connecting the dots for/with Gemma. She discovered her grandfather’s story piece by meaningful piece while experiencing a new culture and adjusting her relationship with her mother. “There’s power in the truth- both for better and for worse.” (arc, p. 281)

At the beginning of Ex Marks the Spot, I thought Gemma was too intense with her thoughts. “If you think it’s too much, I promise it’s not enough.” (arc, p. 62) Her hate for Xander felt extreme because most of the time he was pleasant with her. However, as I learned the workings of her mind, I understood her better. Gemma’s unique way of thinking helped her find her roots and work out her feelings (mostly for Xander).

If I could only use two words to describe Ex Marks the Spot, they would be fond and fun. The story brought up fond memories for me and I enjoyed the treasure hunt very much!

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. Any quotes included in my review were taken from the copy I received.