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cait's review against another edition
- 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
Minor: Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Bullying, Medical content, and Cancer
abby_can_read's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I enjoyed this book. It was well written and the characters were fun. I liked the relationships between characters, the plot was lighthearted and a little predictable, and the pacing was good. I'm a developing K-Pop fan -- I have two groups I love and I'm excited to find more.
Graphic: Cancer and Bullying
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Stalking, and Medical content
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I loved Jenny, Jaewoo as well as pretty much all of the supporting cast, but Sori and Nathaniel definitely stole my heart —I cannot wait to see more of them in upcoming spinoff, ASAP. Grief and complex family ties to feature so I do advise check TWs beforehand. But, other than that a really lighthearted and heart warming read!
Graphic: Bullying, Death of parent, and Cancer
Moderate: Grief and Medical content
Minor: Stalking
novella42's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Moderate: Medical content and Bullying
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death of parent, and Cancer
danajoy's review against another edition
3.25
Moderate: Medical content, Stalking, and Death of parent
zombiezami's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Outing and Stalking
Moderate: Cancer, Bullying, Death of parent, Death, Medical content, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, and Cursing
Minor: Car accident and Alcohol
sophiesometimesreads's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Medical content and Cancer
Moderate: Death of parent and Stalking
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Cancer and Medical content
Moderate: Bullying and Death of parent
bookcheshirecat's review against another edition
- 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.”
âž˝ 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.
âž˝ 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!
Minor: Bullying, Classism, and Medical content
agateg's review against another edition
- 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
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!
Graphic: Cancer and Bullying
Moderate: Stalking, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content