3.49 AVERAGE


Oh, how I loved this. It has been a few months since I have honestly been able to fully enjoy a book, despite some of the high ratings I’ve given out. While other books were good, this one felt good to read. Some of Desi’s antics were well over the top, however, the heart of the book was pure fun. All of the characters were likable and easy to relate to. I adored the friendships.

I do think some of the plot points got wrapped up a little too easily, but it didn’t take away from the overall plot. I am so glad that I checked this one out. I am definitely interested in reading some of Maureen Goo’s other novels.

I can see the flaws in this book. I still loved in non the less
kvreadsandrecs's profile picture

kvreadsandrecs's review

4.0

Ah, fluff. How I love thee.

It's not spectacular, but it's so fun and dramatic and everything you want for a teen drama.

this was cute and fun. i liked the chemistry between luca and desi. although desi got a little too crazy sometimes ( more like creepy) and i thought luca forgave her way too easily. they pay off would've been better if she worked a little harder for redemption lol i mean a kdrama heroine would! overall it was cute and though her antics were OTT that's a kdrama for you!
mayozip's profile picture

mayozip's review

3.0

3.5/5

I love different things in this book; the diverse characters, the mention and use K-drama as a plot, the dynamics or relationship between Desi and her Appa, and all of funny things in this book (Desi's flailures to be exact).

I just don't think this book is for me. The way Desi willingly to do ANYTHING including hurting herself/the boy she likes is kind of throw me up. Other than that this book is very light!

I really love this book. Others have said it's illogical and kind of silly but I like it! It fits into the K drama stereotype so well (and also mentions so many of my favourites by name!)

Desi is so relatable to me because I too feel the need to control everything and I'm utter pants at talking to boys. She's funny and always trying to emulate K drama heroines in her everyday life which I find adorable - I mean, doesn't everyone pretend they're Kang Mo-Yeon once in a while?

No?

It's just me? Okay.

The romance here is fluffy and not too over the top as is so often the norm in contemporary YA. Somewhere in between Desi obsessing over her idea of Luca and her actually falling for him, I did too. He does sound like the typical male lead for a romance novel - sort of mysterious, has Daddy Issues, is an artist™, yada yada yada you know the drill - but somehow I didn't mind as much because underneath all that, he's also a sweet, empathetic guy. (That scene where Fi recounts how she and Desi met and his reaction after? Oh. My. God).

I also love the part at the end where she frames a certain something as a reminder of her crazy endeavours to get a boyfriend. That touched me for some reason and I really enjoyed that ending.

P.S. The physical copy has a K drama recommendation list for beginners which is very well put together.

I've been in a sort of reading funk lately, unable to really finish any book that I've started. So I was browsing through some Goodreads list to find an easy and light read, when I stumbled on this book. As a K drama enthusiast, I had to read this book after I saw the description. In fact, I nearly squealed.

The premise of the book was wildly amusing, a straight-laced student using K drama cliches to score her crush. The second the list turned up, I laughed so hard because it's everything I've come to expect in dramas but also make fun of for being ridiculous. But I like that the author was able to capture these moments and explain why so many fans love them as well.

Desi had an awkward but endearing charm and I liked the references to popular dramas throughout the book. My favorite was probably the Boys Over Flowers one because I recently finished that drama and I thought the whole scene was ridiculous but could only be pulled off in a K Drama. The way the author took it and spun it on its head was clever.

I think the book had its fair share of cringeworthy moments, but it also reflects the entire premise and there's plenty of them in K dramas too. It was also easy to follow and thoroughly explained for those who are new to K dramas. The recommendations at the end were a great addition (especially for me because I'm adding some of them to my to-watch list).

The background characters were probably some of my favorite, charming and bold. I think they complimented the contemporary book well and also paralleled the strong supporting characters in dramas.

I've been waiting to find a book with this premise and it delivered beyond my expectations. The montage part had me laughing the most because I always make fun of those scenes. A book of this quality I would normally probably give four stars because of the awkwardness and cliches but as its entire premise is geared towards that, I think the execution was great. I'd even look forward to seeing something similar from the author in a future. I guess all my K drama binging lead up to this moment.

3.5

Super fun read! Hilarious, adorable, and everything you'd want from a book like this. Full review to come closer to release date.
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes