Reviews

The Noh Family by Grace K. Shim

jackowolope's review against another edition

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

3.0

anniekslibrary's review against another edition

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4.0

I've been wanting to read this ever since it came out - I even preordered it - but it took me almost two years to read it. I'm so glad I finally did though, because this was so much fun to read! It was filled with so much  family drama, but it never felt too heavy. The main character is a huge K-drama fan and this book read so much like one! I just found out the author has a new book out literally this month, so I will definitely be picking that up. And maybe, hopefully there might be a sequel to this one eventually, because it definitely has the potential for one!

ameserole's review against another edition

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3.0

At first glance, I was really excited to get my hands on The Noh Family. Then I actually dove into it and my opinion quickly changed. Don't get me wrong, it was likable but not necessarily memorable. The characters themselves were interesting but, and it's a huge BUT, I honestly wanted to slap each and every one of them. I definitely wanted to punch the one guy at the club though.

The overall mystery and family dynamic was so weird. Not in a good way either. They just seemed like selfish assholes, and I didn't want to waste my time on them. It was clear in the beginning, that they didn't really care about Chloe. Yet, she just wanted to get that family tingle she has been lacking lately. In a lot of ways, she was annoyingly naive about every little thing. She was never suspicious of what was going on around her and that really frustrated me.

Other than that, the romance really did nothing for me. I liked Mr. Kim but I was just so done with this trip. The friendships were the best part for me. In the end, it was an okay book but really predictable and sort of frustrating to read. I guess it had potential to be better but I'm glad that it's over.

swordsforhands's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5

Merged review:

3.5

alongreader's review against another edition

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4.0

I don't know a lot about Korean culture. I've seen Crazy Rich Asians, but that's about it - I never really got into K-Pop or K-Dramas. In one of those mini coincidences you notice when you start blogging, this is the second book I've read recently focused on those cultures. There are some terms used here that I didn't know the meaning of, but otherwise the story is perfectly understandable.

It's quite obvious what the Noh family are doing, and I got a bit frustrated that Chloe, with all her vaunted expertise in K-Drama, couldn't see it. But then it's always more obvious from the outside. I didn't catch on to the email thing until halfway through, but the rest of the plan was obvious almost at once.

I thought this was a one off, but the ending seems to imply a follow up, and there are story lines that haven't come to a resolution yet, so it's possible there's more to come. I'd like to read more set in this world - all the descriptions of food and luxury were a lot of fun!

A great frothy read with some nice things to say about family and finding where we belong.

sarahashley24's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

smalltownbookmom's review against another edition

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3.0

A k-drama inspired YA story featuring a Korean American young girl who discovers she has relatives in Seoul after taking a 23 and me DNA test. I wanted to love this story more but I found it a little too predictable and was hoping for a bit more of a romance for the MC. Recommended for fans of the Tokyo ever after series. Okay on audio.

daenknight's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

corky12's review against another edition

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4.0

I received a review copy of this from NetGalley.

The Noh Family is a lovely K-drama-inspired journey of Chloe who longs to know about her father who passed away before she was born. Through a DNA test, she finds family in Korea and spends a majority of her summer there. Despite knowing both my parents, I really related to Chloe's struggle. She felt forced to balance her own desires with her mother's, and this sometimes took the form of selfishness. However, Chloe is not an unlikable character. Readers get to see her motivation and her mind, and they can understand why she does the things she does. Her family members appear throughout the book, and each of them has a distinct personality (or lack thereof) which gives readers a clue to the ending. The pacing was a slow burn, but it never felt too slow. Chloe's every day in Korea is chronicled, and this gives readers a glimpse into her family and the culture that surrounds them. I will be recommending this book for my library.

betterwithabookinmyhand's review against another edition

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The Noh family was a pleasant surprise! You do not need to know or love K-dramas to love this story.

Chloe Kang knows so little about her father that one day she takes a DNA test and is reunited with her family's extended family in Korea. The Noh family offers to have her stay and Chloe can't turn down a chance to know more about her father and this part of her family that she's never met. Once she lands, however, she comes to realize just how high in society her family is and slowly but surely...her life begins to resemble the K-dramas she loves so much.

Honestly, I came into this story not expecting to feel a huge connection as I'm not big on K-dramas but I soon learned that was not a requirement in the least. From the beginning Chloe's voice just pulled me in. I felt like I was watching a comfort TV show like Emily in Paris, but instead this was Chloe in South Korea.

The writing was greatly transportive--with every page I wanted to see more of South Korea, experience the food, and the novelty shops and cafes. It did what every good book should do, take you to somewhere new, and I felt that all throughout this book.

Even where miscommunication played a part in the story, in the end Chloe made strong choices that I was pleasantly surprised by. I'm grateful the ending didn't have a fairytale feel where everyone gets exactly what they want. I really enjoyed this story and would recommend it!

Solid 4 stars!