RED: Love in the Realms of Time, Curry Fish Balls and Earl Grey Mar-tea-nis

February’s here, and at RED (Read, Eat, Drink), we’re leaning into the unpredictable—the kind of connections that blindside you in the best way. Our theme this month is Unexpected Relationships. It’s less about perfect matches and more about the way people, places, and even flavors collide when you least expect it. Forget the tired Valentine’s tropes. This is about sparks you never saw coming.

READ: Love in the Realms of Time by Gia Chung

This month’s pick is a little wild, a little weird, and totally unputdownable. Love in the Realms of Time by Gia Chung is a romance for readers who crave more than just longing glances and slow-burn banter. We’re talking Gods, ancient magic that refuses to stay buried, and a love story that hops through worlds and timelines.

Gia Chung doesn’t play it safe. Every chapter throws a new twist, sometimes tender, sometimes dangerous, always surprising. If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if the universe itself started meddling in your love life, this is your book. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best relationships are the ones you never planned for.

EAT: Hong Kong Curry Fish Balls

What better way to pair a globe-trotting, time-hopping romance set in Hong Kong than with food that’s a collision of cultures? Hong Kong curry fish balls are street food at its best—chewy, spicy, and totally addictive. They’re the kind of snack that says, “You thought you knew fish balls? Think again.”

Ready to try making them at home? Here’s the recipe. Don’t be intimidated. The ingredient list is straightforward, and the payoff is huge. Serve them on skewers at your next book club night and watch everyone go back for seconds (and thirds).

DRINK: Earl Grey Mar-tea-ni

Confession: I’m a sucker for tea, and Earl Grey is right up there with my favorites. It’s floral, a little mysterious, and feels fancy without trying too hard. For your next book club gathering, why not shake things up with an Earl Grey Mar-tea-ni?

Check out the recipe here: https://www.liquor.com/recipes/earl-grey-marteani/

Book Club Topic Ideas

• Do you believe in “meant to be,” or is it all just timing and chance?

• How does Gia Chung use magic and mythology to mirror real-life relationships?

• What’s the most unexpected friendship or relationship you’ve had in your own life?

• If you could hop to another world or era, what kind of relationship would you hope to find?

• Did the food or drink this month change your perspective—or just your palate?

  
  

Happy reading, eating, and drinking. Here’s to the kind of connections you never see coming.