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evieburrows's review
4.0
there was a lot of showing rather than telling, but other than that I really loved this book!!
that_little_drop_of_poison's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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? N/A
4.25
lilacfield's review against another edition
2.25
Since I enjoyed “I’ll Be the One” and thought the premise of this book seemed really interesting, I decided to read this book. A sapphic romance between two actresses in a kdrama who play rivals?? I had such high hopes!
However, this book fell flat for me in multiple areas. The development of the romance, which I thought would be the center of the book, felt like it happened before the book began. I didn’t even feel like rooting for them necessarily because their relationship was just… there? And it happened in the back half of the book?
The first half was dedicated to just Hana and Ryan working on their show and dealing with their drama together. And despite spending half of the book with Ryan and him ending up being a close friend to Hana, it still feels like we barely know anything about him. It’s the same with Minjee too, actually. I loved them all becoming friends, but their friendship still didn’t feel genuine and it’s definitely because we just don’t know these characters very well. Certain times Hana would mention things like “oh, it’s just like Minjee to dress like that that!” or “it’s just like Ryan to do this!” and I’d be like ??? Since when??? We don’t know anything about them at ALL outside of the show.
On that point, the writing just was not for me. I can’t help but compare it to “I’ll Be the One” and while both definitely feel very juvenile, this book felt like we were just being told everything. I could SENSE when a long winded explanation was about to come my way because it was set up the same way every time.
I really wanted to like this book so I could have another great sapphic story to recommend to people. Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me.
However, this book fell flat for me in multiple areas. The development of the romance, which I thought would be the center of the book, felt like it happened before the book began. I didn’t even feel like rooting for them necessarily because their relationship was just… there? And it happened in the back half of the book?
The first half was dedicated to just Hana and Ryan working on their show and dealing with their drama together. And despite spending half of the book with Ryan and him ending up being a close friend to Hana, it still feels like we barely know anything about him. It’s the same with Minjee too, actually. I loved them all becoming friends, but their friendship still didn’t feel genuine and it’s definitely because we just don’t know these characters very well. Certain times Hana would mention things like “oh, it’s just like Minjee to dress like that that!” or “it’s just like Ryan to do this!” and I’d be like ??? Since when??? We don’t know anything about them at ALL outside of the show.
On that point, the writing just was not for me. I can’t help but compare it to “I’ll Be the One” and while both definitely feel very juvenile, this book felt like we were just being told everything. I could SENSE when a long winded explanation was about to come my way because it was set up the same way every time.
I really wanted to like this book so I could have another great sapphic story to recommend to people. Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me.
kaelaceleste's review
4.0
3.5
This was sooooo sweet and lovely! It's definitely more on the Y side of YA but I still really enjoyed it. I LOVED all the different queer rep, the characters were fun and interesting and the group of queer teen besties was just so cute
This was sooooo sweet and lovely! It's definitely more on the Y side of YA but I still really enjoyed it. I LOVED all the different queer rep, the characters were fun and interesting and the group of queer teen besties was just so cute
bread_stick_'s review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
luna_mondfell's review
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
alissa417's review
4.0
Cute story, this is the first "long" chapter book I read out loud with my 11 year old. Good exposure for her to tv production vocabulary, different sexualities (I felt all the romances were extremely tame), and Korean culture. Lyla Lee is just the best author out there for all ages (her "Mindy Kim" series rules for the early readers).
decoyvoid's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
marieintheraw's review
4.0
I love how fun Lyla Lee's teen novels are. This is very accessible to those who have basic knowledge of K-dramas. The fake-dating aspects of this one are enjoyable as well and I appreciate how effortless Lyla Lee makes her books queer.
I received an ecopy of this through netgalley; however all opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this through netgalley; however all opinions are my own.
janvpals's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0