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serendipity421's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Death of parent, and Stalking
Moderate: Grief, Cursing, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcohol and Sexual content
sophiesometimesreads's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
This book was cute and I had a good time with it. If you enjoy fluffy YA romance with good found family, and are also interested in K-pop, then this book is probably a good one for you!
The romance was a little predictable and it did feel like a fanfiction at times, but it was still a whole lot of fun. I believe it was written to be in a similar vein to a Kdrama so that's probably why it read like this, though I don't think it made the book bad at all and didn't impact my enjoyment (if anything, it made me want to watch a Kdrama).
The biggest selling point for this book though, in my opinion, is the friendships and the found family throughout the book, that's what really made this book for me.
There was an opportunity for this book to fall into the love triangle trope, too, and I really liked how it didn't end up going in that direction, it was refreshing. I liked that the conflict was centred around the characters within the realtionship and not about others.
Overall, a really light hearted and fun read. I kept thinking about these characters and their relationships for days after finishing it, too, so it definitely left a lasting impression.
The romance was a little predictable and it did feel like a fanfiction at times, but it was still a whole lot of fun. I believe it was written to be in a similar vein to a Kdrama so that's probably why it read like this, though I don't think it made the book bad at all and didn't impact my enjoyment (if anything, it made me want to watch a Kdrama).
The biggest selling point for this book though, in my opinion, is the friendships and the found family throughout the book, that's what really made this book for me.
There was an opportunity for this book to fall into the love triangle trope, too, and I really liked how it didn't end up going in that direction, it was refreshing. I liked that the conflict was centred around the characters within the realtionship and not about others.
Overall, a really light hearted and fun read. I kept thinking about these characters and their relationships for days after finishing it, too, so it definitely left a lasting impression.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Cancer
Moderate: Death of parent and Stalking
romance_books_loveee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
agateg's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.75
“Because the people who live for tomorrow don't take risks. They're afraid of the consequences. While the people who live for today have nothing to lose, so they fight tooth and nail.”
Cello prodigy Jenny has one goal: to get into a prestigious music conservatory. When she meets mysterious, handsome Jaewoo in her uncle’s Los Angeles karaoke bar. In a moment of spontaneity, she allows him to pull her out of her comfort zone for one unforgettable night of adventure. Three months later, when Jenny and her mother arrive in South Korea to take care of her grandmother, she’s shocked to discover that he’s a member of one of the biggest K-pop bands in the world—and he’s strictly forbidden from dating. When a relationship means throwing Jenny’s life off the path she’s spent years mapping out, she’ll have to decide once and for all just how much she’s willing to risk for love.
I fell head over heels in love with the story the moment I opened the book. This story is every kpop and kdrama fan's dream come true. I loved the fast pacing of the story and how instantly drawn to the characters I was. Jenny was an adorable main character and I saw so much of myself in her. Jaewoo was to die for, the biggest sweetheart of all sweethearts. I loved the found family aspect of the book, seeing Jenny make friends and truly discover to love life. I do wish to see more of Nathan and Sori because my heart breaks for them and their love. Truly a book that reminds me why I love ya so much!
Cello prodigy Jenny has one goal: to get into a prestigious music conservatory. When she meets mysterious, handsome Jaewoo in her uncle’s Los Angeles karaoke bar. In a moment of spontaneity, she allows him to pull her out of her comfort zone for one unforgettable night of adventure. Three months later, when Jenny and her mother arrive in South Korea to take care of her grandmother, she’s shocked to discover that he’s a member of one of the biggest K-pop bands in the world—and he’s strictly forbidden from dating. When a relationship means throwing Jenny’s life off the path she’s spent years mapping out, she’ll have to decide once and for all just how much she’s willing to risk for love.
I fell head over heels in love with the story the moment I opened the book. This story is every kpop and kdrama fan's dream come true. I loved the fast pacing of the story and how instantly drawn to the characters I was. Jenny was an adorable main character and I saw so much of myself in her. Jaewoo was to die for, the biggest sweetheart of all sweethearts. I loved the found family aspect of the book, seeing Jenny make friends and truly discover to love life. I do wish to see more of Nathan and Sori because my heart breaks for them and their love. Truly a book that reminds me why I love ya so much!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Bullying
Moderate: Stalking, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
stardustandrockets's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Stalking
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
kelly_e's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-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
2.75
Title: XOXO
Author: Axie Oh
Genre: YA Romance
Rating: 2.75
Pub Date: July 13, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Oversimplified • Cliché • Cultural
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Jenny, a Korean American teen and classically trained cellist with aspirations of pursuing it professionally, experiences a disastrous performance that shatters her confidence. At her uncle's Karaoke bar she meets a mystery boy, one with the potential to upend all her plans. Sparks fly, he drags her out of her comfort zone for one incredible night, and then he simply disappears.
Fast forward three months, when Jenny travels to Korea with her mother who intends to care for her own ailing mother. She soon discovers Jaewoo is enrolled at the same elite arts school as her, and that he is one of the biggest K-pop stars in the world.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I picked up XOXO to fill the letter X for my A-Z Reading Challenge. This isn't something I would normally read, and it's very obvious this is YA, coming across as a story that's been done a million times before.
It was cute, the writing was pretty basic, and there's a lot of teen angst. I didn't necessarily feel any connection (or liking) for any of the characters. Everything just felt too easy and convenient. It touches on a lot (stalking, cancer, bullying, etc.) but doesn't flush any one of those things out fully.
I appreciated that it didn't focus solely on the romance, rather it was Jenny's friendship with her roommate Sori, the familial dynamics, and learning about Korean culture that I liked most.
With all the said, this just wasn't the book for me. I like a little more depth in my reading, but it's pretty much what you'd expect it to be, if that's your thing you'd probably enjoy it.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• K-pop or K-drama fans
• YA romance readers
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Because the people who live for tomorrow don't take risks. They're afraid of the consequences. While the people who live for today have nothing to lose, so they fight tooth and nail."
Author: Axie Oh
Genre: YA Romance
Rating: 2.75
Pub Date: July 13, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Oversimplified • Cliché • Cultural
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Jenny, a Korean American teen and classically trained cellist with aspirations of pursuing it professionally, experiences a disastrous performance that shatters her confidence. At her uncle's Karaoke bar she meets a mystery boy, one with the potential to upend all her plans. Sparks fly, he drags her out of her comfort zone for one incredible night, and then he simply disappears.
Fast forward three months, when Jenny travels to Korea with her mother who intends to care for her own ailing mother. She soon discovers Jaewoo is enrolled at the same elite arts school as her, and that he is one of the biggest K-pop stars in the world.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I picked up XOXO to fill the letter X for my A-Z Reading Challenge. This isn't something I would normally read, and it's very obvious this is YA, coming across as a story that's been done a million times before.
It was cute, the writing was pretty basic, and there's a lot of teen angst. I didn't necessarily feel any connection (or liking) for any of the characters. Everything just felt too easy and convenient. It touches on a lot (stalking, cancer, bullying, etc.) but doesn't flush any one of those things out fully.
I appreciated that it didn't focus solely on the romance, rather it was Jenny's friendship with her roommate Sori, the familial dynamics, and learning about Korean culture that I liked most.
With all the said, this just wasn't the book for me. I like a little more depth in my reading, but it's pretty much what you'd expect it to be, if that's your thing you'd probably enjoy it.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• K-pop or K-drama fans
• YA romance readers
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Because the people who live for tomorrow don't take risks. They're afraid of the consequences. While the people who live for today have nothing to lose, so they fight tooth and nail."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Stalking, Death of parent, Cancer, and Death
Minor: Medical content
ghostingfroggybooks's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
i wouldn’t say it’s the finest bit of literature but it’s fun! took me back to my y/n wattpad fanfic days.
the pacing was a bit wonky ngl but i’d love more !!!
the pacing was a bit wonky ngl but i’d love more !!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Cancer, Abandonment, and Death of parent
Minor: Stalking
librariana's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Death of parent, and Stalking
fanboyriot's review against another edition
funny
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
5.0
I don’t normally like straight rom-coms, they’re usually too cliché or cringy to enjoy them. This book was not like that, this book was really cute. It was a quick and easy read. Wholesome, lighthearted, fluffy, rom-com with a cellist and k-pop star. It also had a very good ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Cancer, Medical content, Stalking, and Death of parent
pvbobrien's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, Cancer, and Stalking
Minor: Classism