Series: None
Author: Susan Lee
Published September 20th 2022 by Inkyard Press
Goodreads Synopsis
Hannah Cho had the next year all planned out—the perfect summer with her boyfriend, Nate, and then a fun senior year with their friends.
But then Nate does what everyone else in Hannah’s life seems to do—he leaves her, claiming they have nothing in common. He and all her friends are newly obsessed with K-pop and K-dramas, and Hannah is not. After years of trying to embrace the American part and shunning the Korean side of her Korean American identity to fit in, Hannah finds that’s exactly what now has her on the outs.
But someone who does know K-dramas—so well that he’s actually starring in one—is Jacob Kim, Hannah’s former best friend, whom she hasn’t seen in years. He’s desperate for a break from the fame, so a family trip back to San Diego might be just what he needs… that is, if he and Hannah can figure out what went wrong when they last parted and navigate the new feelings developing between them.
Her ex-boyfriend wants her back. Her former best friend is in town. When did Hannah’s life become a K-drama?
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
When her best friend's family left to move to Seoul, Hannah Cho was angry and upset. She's never liked her Korean heritage, and avoids anything related to it. When her boyfriend Nate decides they need to take a break, because they're too different, and she doesn't support his new found love for K-pop and K-dramas, Hannah vows to win him back. But then Jacob Kim, the former best friend, now turned K-drama star, is back, and staying in her guest room for the summer. The way they parted has left a wall between them, and the newfound feelings brewing between them aren't helping either.
This book was just what I needed. Hannah and Jacob were the best protagonists for the story, and their chapters were so fun to read. I didn't immediately warm to Hannah, I think partly because she was all about trying to change herself for her ex, but she was snarky and fun, and I eventually started to love her. I felt really sorry for Jacob. He'd been somewhat dragged into the K-drama life, and it was such a rigorous and tiring regime to follow. He had to give his all to his role, in the show and in reality, and when it got too much, he needed to escape. Returning to Sand Diego, though injured, was a reprieve, and he got to be a normal teenager - in a sense - for some time. I hated his co-star and his manager, and wish Jacob had had a little bit more of a backbone to stand up to them. Even saying that, the ending was perfect for the pair, and I was so happy with it. A great contemporary read, and I'm looking forward to Susan's next book!
Dates Read:
January 26-28, 2023
Rating
4 Stars
