The Takedown

A diversity consultant turns sleuth to expose a corrupt CEO in the lighthearted latest from Chu (The Comeback). Perpetually positive Daiyu “Dee” Kwan is happiest partaking in an online role-playing game with her internet bestie/fiercest competitor, Teddy9. When they finally meet in person, she gets along famously with her unexpectedly dreamy counterpart, bonding partly over their mutual mixed-race heritage. Then she discovers that artsy Teddy is also the son of the CEO at her corporate job, where she’s constantly fighting an uphill battle to improve workplace conditions. Teddy, too, is frustrated with his father’s immoral business practices, and he and Dee team up to take the man down. Dee is an endearing protagonist and her easy interactions with Teddy reveal their organic connection, the highlight of the novel. Though not fully developed or smoothly woven into the narrative, a subplot involving Dee’s parents and racist white grandmother descending on her home effectively shows her learning to speak up and set boundaries. The weakest link here is the office-related exposition, delivered through extended, unsubtle dialogue, which detracts from Dee and Teddy’s righteous mission. Still, readers looking for diverse rom-coms with charismatic leads ought to to check this out. Agent: Carrie Pestritto, Laura Dail Literary. (May)