Reviews

Seoulmates by Jen Frederick

sariereads's review

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny, Classism, Grief, Homophobia, Death of parent, and Sexual content

julieshuff's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Was going to dnf because I just don’t think Hara makes sense as a character-her motivations, the way she changes her mind randomly, the way she wavers. 

That said, the ending was cute and I liked how things resolved, especially between the moms.

artimas's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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? Yes

4.5

fleetingshadows's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

Loved this sequel to the duology! I started over after not having made enough time to read for so long, and ended up reading it cover to cover in a day. I will miss the characters. A great read especially for everyone who knows the joy and grief of home in more than one continent.  So much more than a romance or rom com, it’s a story of finally finding home. 

bunnibles's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.5

my_bookish_diary's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative lighthearted reflective medium-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

4.0

noe44's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

motmoove's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

smalltownbookmom's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 rounded up.

I really enjoyed this continuation of Hara's journey to self-discovery and love in her birth country. Raised in America by her adopted parents, Hara traveled to Korea to find her birth mom and ends getting a job working for her company. She also is struggling to adjust to the Korean culture and language while waiting for her boyfriend Choi (who is also her step-brother) to return. The story really picks up when Choi and Hara get to finally be together and start fighting for the chance to have an open relationship (something that is very taboo in Korean culture even though they aren't related by blood). This book was also full of lots of amazing food as Hara starts a food truck business which I loved for her. Great on audio, this was a fun, feel-good #ownvoices romance. Much thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for my advance review copy!

Steam level: a few open door scenes (as opposed to book one which was kissing only)

Favorite quote:

"I came to Korea to find my family, to figure out where I belonged. And what I learned is that family has never been about blood. Family is about the people you love and the people who love you back. And in that circle, you are never an outsider, a person with no name. You always belong."

stephlo's review against another edition

3.0

Worth it to see how Hara’s story plays out, but was a bit disappointed by the book itself. While funny like the first, it lacked dramatic twists & turns and was mostly Hara being miserable, which, while makes sense given the ending of the first, was a bit of a drag at times. Even though the ending was actually quite satisfying, I wished for a bit more development of the relationships throughout the story, especially between Ellen & Wansu, Ellen & Hara, Hara & Wansu…you would think there would be a bit more navigating the complex dynamics of adult adoptee discoveries, but the author skipped through those a bit when I think it would’ve added a lot to the book.