Scan barcode
iamahoneybee's review against another edition
2.0
I read the first book in the Series so I read this but I'm still not sure what to think about both books.
I understand that Hara never felt that she fit in anywhere (in Iowa or Korea), but for someone who didn't feel like she fit in, she managed to keep putting herself in situations that made her more of an outsider.
I didn't root for her and Yujun that way root for other couples I read about. I was actually hoping they would break up or just move from Korea to the US and do something drastic, besides quitting a toxic job to open a food truck.
Maybe it's just me but the mixing of the names was really confusing to me. I was getting lost with the mix of official Korean names and their common one, and then again with what they should be called out of respect, depending on who was speaking. It was great to learn it culturally, but it made it more confusing at times so I spent quite a bit of time to go back and realize who was speaking and who it was about.
I understand that Hara never felt that she fit in anywhere (in Iowa or Korea), but for someone who didn't feel like she fit in, she managed to keep putting herself in situations that made her more of an outsider.
I didn't root for her and Yujun that way root for other couples I read about. I was actually hoping they would break up or just move from Korea to the US and do something drastic, besides quitting a toxic job to open a food truck.
Maybe it's just me but the mixing of the names was really confusing to me. I was getting lost with the mix of official Korean names and their common one, and then again with what they should be called out of respect, depending on who was speaking. It was great to learn it culturally, but it made it more confusing at times so I spent quite a bit of time to go back and realize who was speaking and who it was about.
gliss_v's review against another edition
4.0
4/5⭐️
I was so excited about this arc! I was gripped from page one. I loved her writing style and the characters were great! The only think hard for me was the Korean terms but I felt like they were explained fairly well or used often enough that I didn’t get too confused. Overall I loved this book and have already recommended it to my friends to read after release!
I was so excited about this arc! I was gripped from page one. I loved her writing style and the characters were great! The only think hard for me was the Korean terms but I felt like they were explained fairly well or used often enough that I didn’t get too confused. Overall I loved this book and have already recommended it to my friends to read after release!
oldbooksandjasmine's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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
bernadettebloom's review against another edition
4.0
The sequel to Heart & Seoul does not disappoint!
Hara and Yujun's story continues as Hara tries desperately to acclimatize herself to life in South Korea, its work culture, fitting in with her coworkers, and dealing with the language barrier. Also thrown into the mix is her not-so-welcome standing in her new found family, and her homesickness for her Mom, Ellen.
This is a poignant, sensitive story of love, and what really, truly constitutes as family. It's also a look at how culture influences us, what we are willing to sacrifice for family, and for love, and how far we'll go when we KNOW what our future should look like. I love how this book dives deeper into Wansu, Hara's birth mother, and her past, her motivation, her desire for Hara to have it easier than she did (believe it or not). It is a raw and honest look at a character who could have been villainized, but thankfully, was not. The underlying story of Bomi and Julia is equally compelling. And Yujun, in his own quiet way, shows how he is proudly Korean, but won't be bullied over his love for Hara.
Love how this duology wrapped up.
Hara and Yujun's story continues as Hara tries desperately to acclimatize herself to life in South Korea, its work culture, fitting in with her coworkers, and dealing with the language barrier. Also thrown into the mix is her not-so-welcome standing in her new found family, and her homesickness for her Mom, Ellen.
This is a poignant, sensitive story of love, and what really, truly constitutes as family. It's also a look at how culture influences us, what we are willing to sacrifice for family, and for love, and how far we'll go when we KNOW what our future should look like. I love how this book dives deeper into Wansu, Hara's birth mother, and her past, her motivation, her desire for Hara to have it easier than she did (believe it or not). It is a raw and honest look at a character who could have been villainized, but thankfully, was not. The underlying story of Bomi and Julia is equally compelling. And Yujun, in his own quiet way, shows how he is proudly Korean, but won't be bullied over his love for Hara.
Love how this duology wrapped up.
jeannamarie's review against another edition
5.0
Let me start with that chill reference to Koya and Chimmy. Yujin being an ARMY, only makes me love him more. Sighhhh…I want a Yujin. Yujin & Hara forever. This book was a great sequel and continuation of book one.
p_wong's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nlreader's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jbridge's review against another edition
4.0
Youjun is such a cinnamon roll and I love him so much. I love how much we get to see Hara exploring Seoul and experiencing so much Korean culture for the first time.
Seoulmates picks up six weeks after Heart & Seoul, and Youjun and Hara are still dating even though it's a serious taboo, though they weren't raised together as step siblings. It's all very dramatic but the drama isn't...*too* dramatic? It reads almost like a serial, which I found myself enjoying more than I'd expect. It's a little more romance than H&S, which is more like women's fiction, especially given the ending.
My biggest gripe with this book is how FREAKING ANNOYING Hara's mom is. I think part of my issue with her was the voice the narrator chose to use is *so* American and LOUD (I get it, but I don't have to like it). Not only that, in the book, Ellen inserts herself into a lot of conversations and is obnoxious and just...ugh. She means well, but her worrying is too much.
ANYWAY. I want more books like this! The ending of the first book had me running to Libby for the next, but it was all wrapped up so well!
I want a book for Songhi (sp?) next!
Seoulmates picks up six weeks after Heart & Seoul, and Youjun and Hara are still dating even though it's a serious taboo, though they weren't raised together as step siblings. It's all very dramatic but the drama isn't...*too* dramatic? It reads almost like a serial, which I found myself enjoying more than I'd expect. It's a little more romance than H&S, which is more like women's fiction, especially given the ending.
My biggest gripe with this book is how FREAKING ANNOYING Hara's mom is. I think part of my issue with her was the voice the narrator chose to use is *so* American and LOUD (I get it, but I don't have to like it). Not only that, in the book, Ellen inserts herself into a lot of conversations and is obnoxious and just...ugh. She means well, but her worrying is too much.
ANYWAY. I want more books like this! The ending of the first book had me running to Libby for the next, but it was all wrapped up so well!
I want a book for Songhi (sp?) next!
barcodeborrower's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly, I wasn't too into it when I first began the book. I liked the first one but I felt like there was a lot of "he's my stepbrother but I don't care. I love him". Like yes, I get that's the point but it felt like there was a lil overkill with the justification of that relationship. I do like how the author went into more explanation of the perspective of why everyone was so against Hara and Yujun and tied that into Hara's complex relationship with her mom. I ended up liking the book by the end and enjoyed how Hara carved out a new identity and sense of belonging in her new home.