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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Edit: After reading this book, I'm going to lower it to 3/5 from 4/5. It was a great first half, and was on its way to 5/5, but then it literally became a car crash. I still love it because of the representation and kdrama aspect though, and would recommend it for that!
I managed to read this in the ReadathonByZoe! I managed to finish it like 5 minutes before the readathon ended 😂
I really liked this book but it did have it's problems. If I wasn't a K-drama addict I probably would have given this book a 3/5 stars just for the story. But because all of the K-drama references, I loved it.
In terms of the plot, Desi uses the K-drama formula to try and win over her crush because she is hopeless at love. [a:Maurene Goo|6549377|Maurene Goo|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1477974772p2/6549377.jpg] has the K-drama technique DOWN, and she honestly references all the things you would stereotypically think belong in a drama, which I loved. I didn't like the way Desi went about to win Luca's affections though. For example, one of the K-drama steps is to get into a life threatening even that makes him realise how real your love is, and Desi organises it so she and Luca would be in a car accident... When I read this, I was like "Really? Couldn't you have done something a little less crazy?" That is the main reason why I didn't rate this 5/5 stars.
I did like Desi though. She was kind of annoying about how controlling she is. I mean, she literally wrote a formula to get love. But I liked her. I loved her friendship with Fiona because it felt real. I loved her relationship with her dad. I didn't really connect with her though because of how much of an overachiever she is.
I did like Luca, but Desi is the one that really stands out on this book. I think Luca could have been better developed. His mom is one of the most important people in his life, and yet we barely see her. I did like how the relationship with his father changed through the course of this book. That it went from a stereotypical YA cliche of my dad doesn't support what I want to do sort of bad dad, to a dad where Luca can understand.
This book has similar art feels to [b:Night Owls|37643587|Night Owls|Jenn Bennett|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513817787s/37643587.jpg|40336167]. So it you liked books on graffiti, you could like this one. Though the importance of art is less prevalent in this book than Night Owls.
Overall, this book was a cute one. It's one of my favourite of the year because it reflects my obsession with K-dramas. But I think that if you aren't familiar with K-dramas/Korean culture then this book would be more of an average read for you. The story is average, but it's the Korean culture references that makes it that much better. So I would recommend this book to K-drama addicts.
I managed to read this in the ReadathonByZoe! I managed to finish it like 5 minutes before the readathon ended 😂
I really liked this book but it did have it's problems. If I wasn't a K-drama addict I probably would have given this book a 3/5 stars just for the story. But because all of the K-drama references, I loved it.
In terms of the plot, Desi uses the K-drama formula to try and win over her crush because she is hopeless at love. [a:Maurene Goo|6549377|Maurene Goo|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1477974772p2/6549377.jpg] has the K-drama technique DOWN, and she honestly references all the things you would stereotypically think belong in a drama, which I loved. I didn't like the way Desi went about to win Luca's affections though. For example, one of the K-drama steps is to get into a life threatening even that makes him realise how real your love is, and Desi organises it so she and Luca would be in a car accident... When I read this, I was like "Really? Couldn't you have done something a little less crazy?" That is the main reason why I didn't rate this 5/5 stars.
I did like Desi though. She was kind of annoying about how controlling she is. I mean, she literally wrote a formula to get love. But I liked her. I loved her friendship with Fiona because it felt real. I loved her relationship with her dad. I didn't really connect with her though because of how much of an overachiever she is.
I did like Luca, but Desi is the one that really stands out on this book. I think Luca could have been better developed. His mom is one of the most important people in his life, and yet we barely see her. I did like how the relationship with his father changed through the course of this book. That it went from a stereotypical YA cliche of my dad doesn't support what I want to do sort of bad dad, to a dad where Luca can understand.
This book has similar art feels to [b:Night Owls|37643587|Night Owls|Jenn Bennett|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513817787s/37643587.jpg|40336167]. So it you liked books on graffiti, you could like this one. Though the importance of art is less prevalent in this book than Night Owls.
Overall, this book was a cute one. It's one of my favourite of the year because it reflects my obsession with K-dramas. But I think that if you aren't familiar with K-dramas/Korean culture then this book would be more of an average read for you. The story is average, but it's the Korean culture references that makes it that much better. So I would recommend this book to K-drama addicts.
3.5, Yeah it was cute and adorable, and also super fast-paced but the ending ruined it for me.
First things first--I love Desi's dad. He's the best. The concept of using K dramas as a formula for finding love was funny and cute and just the perfect amount of crazy that a teenager would come up with, but it worked a little too well for Desi. It was so predictable, because the 14 steps were outlined right from the beginning! I don't think there was a single surprise.
*3.75 stars*
A bit boring in the beginning, also had a hard time liking the characters. But, it warmed up to me towards the end. A very cute, maybe a bit over the top, read.
A bit boring in the beginning, also had a hard time liking the characters. But, it warmed up to me towards the end. A very cute, maybe a bit over the top, read.
Sweet and sugary.
I liked Desi's relationship to her dad and friends. Her dedication and over achiever capabilities.
I liked her growing love for K-Dramas and the authors too with the steps, and the plot being a loving homage.
What I didn't like: Luca. I just didn't get why Desi liked him and still don't. It made the romance seem underbaked for me.
I liked Desi's relationship to her dad and friends. Her dedication and over achiever capabilities.
I liked her growing love for K-Dramas and the authors too with the steps, and the plot being a loving homage.
What I didn't like: Luca. I just didn't get why Desi liked him and still don't. It made the romance seem underbaked for me.
3.5 Desi had such a complete lack of empathy that I was constantly cringing. Let me rephrase: she understands feelings but still does ridiculous + hurtful things because it will get her a boyfriend in the end??? This was very cliché (including the white boy love interest for our ethnic minority protagonist) + predictable (save for the Stanford rejection!! Was so happy to see something realistic!), but I still gave it 4 stars because I enjoyed the majority of it, and loved Pappa. Hoping to film a video review for this.
Desi is basically perfect, everything she tries she succeeds at...except for landing a boyfriend. Des has decided that she will live her life like a K drama, and creates a plan to land the new hot guy, Luca, based on K drama tropes. This novel is like a page ripped out of a cheesy soap opera, with the main character knowingly orchestrating all of the drama.
I loved this book for what it was. I had a great time, I found myself laughing out loud. I found Luca to be deeper than I would expect for a fluffy romance. Though the love story between the two was pretty insta-love. No matter what I was totally vibing with this book and I was interested in the Korean cultural aspects that were discussed.
I loved this book for what it was. I had a great time, I found myself laughing out loud. I found Luca to be deeper than I would expect for a fluffy romance. Though the love story between the two was pretty insta-love. No matter what I was totally vibing with this book and I was interested in the Korean cultural aspects that were discussed.
5/10. This book was super cute and great for asian representation. Mirrored a K-pop drama and the main character was dramatic and insane at times, but the novel was relatable and fun to read.