Reviews with content warning for Classism - XOXO

Reviews tagging 'Classism'

bookishmillennial's review

funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial

“When you’re scared and your heart is closed, the time is never right. When you’re brave and your heart is open, the time is always right.”

Gosh, this was so cute. I listened to the audiobook & really enjoyed the meetcute between Jenny & Jaewoo as they sang karaoke together 🥰 The missed connection afterwards is so fun, as she tries to reach out to him afterward & is essentially ghosted. However, they’re reunited when she and her mom move to Seoul, South Korea to take care of her ailing halmoni & Jenny realizes Jaewoo attends the new elite arts academy that she is accepted to! What a small world!

I loved the k-pop storyline of the XOXO members, and how they could not date anyone. The media and paparazzi play a big part in the XOXO members’ anxieties and motivations, so I recognize asking a girl to be your “secret friend” really sucks, but I do sympathize with the sentiment of trying to protect your friends from the media circus that comes with being a teenage k-pop star. I will never be famous (thank goodness) so I can only imagine the chaos you are thrown into & never knowing who you can wholly trust is probably exhausting!

Anyway, I loved Jenny’s coming-of-age story about choosing the future her mom laid out for her as a classically trained cellist at the Manhattan School of Music, or contemplating if she really could have it all. Axie Oh writes such sweet young adult stories, and I will continue to read them!

Content Warnings

bookcheshirecat's review

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

“I’m saying, people do strange things to protect their hearts. But when you’re afraid, your heart is closed, and it’s never the right time, but when your heart is open, and you’re willing to be brave enough to take a chance, the time is always right.”

➽ I'm not a K-pop fan, but this book was still so much fun!! I know lots of people love K-pop, but I don't know much more about it than I see online. XOXO definitely isn't only for K-pop fans though! It follows Jenny, who's a talented cellist and flies to Korea in order to support her sick grandmother. After a harsh criticism in her latest rehearsal, she's worried about her musical, career but has the unique opportunity to attend her dream school abroad! I loved the family dynamics, as Jenny connects with her grandmother and also sees the difficult relationship her mom and grandma have.

➽ Jenny has a fun night in Los Angeles with a boy called Jaewoo before her flight ... only to find out that he's an idol in Korea! He's attending her new school, but as a member of a famous K-pop group, he's not allowed to date anyone. Jenny and Jaewoo still feel drawn to each other though and grow closer despite their romance being forbidden!

Content Warnings