Ex Marks the Spot

A swoony rivals-to-lovers romance. Family secrets that can't stay buried. A treasure hunt that takes you across the world . . .

Filled with ingenious puzzles, a vibrant Taipei setting, and a delicious romance, this novel is perfect for fans of Loveboat Taipei, The Inheritance Games, and Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes.

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 things: 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 Gemma can get there is by asking her ex and biggest high-school rival, Xander, for help. But after swallowing her pride, she 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.

Gloria Chao is a screenwriter and the award-winning author of American Panda, Our Wayward Fate, Rent a Boyfriend, When You Wish Upon a Lantern, Ex Marks the Spot, and the forthcoming The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club. She graduated from MIT, then became a dentist before realizing she'd rather spend her days in fictional characters' heads instead of real people's mouths. When she’s not writing, you can find her on the curling ice, where she and her husband are world-ranked in mixed doubles.

"A whirlwind adventure through Taipei, which Chao depicts using vivid prose that details Taiwanese tourist life alongside a simmering second-chance romance." —Publishers Weekly

"Chao artfully weaves in themes of Asian American identity, generational trauma, and compassion as each clue that Gemma uncovers leads to another compelling revelation. A thoroughly enjoyable romp that’s also rich in self-discovery and romance." —Kirkus Reviews

"A beautiful story about discovering your roots and understanding the difficult choices adults make." —Booklist

"[A] beautifully written adventure. . . . For those who are looking for a perfectly sweet romance story, this book is a must-read." —SLJ

ISBN: 9780593692714