I'm not usually into romance novels or love stories, so I was a little hesitant to start this one. It's wonderful! In just the introductory characters, Dao has set the scene and has begun to develop her characters. The writing is descriptive, beautiful, and makes you feel as though you're there - I could hear the sounds of the market, hear the love song, and feel the breeze from the river. This doesn't seem like an insta-love story. I'm hoping for more of a slow burn where the characters get to know each other first before falling head-over-heels.