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3.17 AVERAGE
3.17 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
fast-paced
This is one of my favorite books! I loved reading about how K-Pop groups train and debut. Plus Rachel is a likeable albeit flawed character and the romance is so cute!
This was really more of a 2 star read, but I’m feeling villainous today, so one star it is. This had SO MUCH potential. Korean culture. Family expectations. K-pop tea. It… did not deliver.
First of all, Rachel Kim is not a compelling protagonist. She’s the typical teen archetype — caring of her bratty younger sister, complaining about her mom, fixated on her passions. She’s also a naturally incredible singer. Now, this is fine and all, but she really is more of a lens to view the story through than a character you want to root for.
Also… Jason. His relationship with Rachel could’ve been cute, but I didn’t feel that they had good chemistry, especially since the vast majority of their dates happen outside of what’s described in the book. So when the plot twist at the end was revealed, I didn’t find myself shocked.
The other girls in Rachel's group are mostly shunned in favor of focusing on Mina, which is fine, I gusss, but from what little information we have about them, they’re clearly portrayed in a negative light. Not to mention, the executives and Mina are about the cattiest people on the planet. Sure, Mina gets a few scenes where the reader is supposed to feel sympathy for her, but she and Rachel didn’t even get close to bonding. Where did they end up at the end? Still being sworn enemies determined to outSHINE (haha get it) each other.
Yeah… I will not be reading the sequel.
1.5 stars (to its credit, I was able to finish it)
First of all, Rachel Kim is not a compelling protagonist. She’s the typical teen archetype — caring of her bratty younger sister, complaining about her mom, fixated on her passions. She’s also a naturally incredible singer. Now, this is fine and all, but she really is more of a lens to view the story through than a character you want to root for.
Also… Jason. His relationship with Rachel could’ve been cute, but I didn’t feel that they had good chemistry, especially since the vast majority of their dates happen outside of what’s described in the book. So when the plot twist at the end was revealed, I didn’t find myself shocked.
The other girls in Rachel's group are mostly shunned in favor of focusing on Mina, which is fine, I gusss, but from what little information we have about them, they’re clearly portrayed in a negative light. Not to mention, the executives and Mina are about the cattiest people on the planet. Sure, Mina gets a few scenes where the reader is supposed to feel sympathy for her, but she and Rachel didn’t even get close to bonding. Where did they end up at the end? Still being sworn enemies determined to outSHINE (haha get it) each other.
Yeah… I will not be reading the sequel.
1.5 stars (to its credit, I was able to finish it)
lighthearted
lighthearted
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:
Yes
My brain tells me 3.5 stars, but because it's written by Jessica my heart says 4 stars. <3
forgot to log this book. 3.5/5. the things i do for jessica. god im such a stan its embarrassing. anyways good stuff but jason gotta go