I’ve had this sitting on my to read shelf for a while. It’s one of the first books I bought when I was getting back in to reading and it was all because the model on the cover has posted a TikTok about it and the opportunity to depict a plus size K-pop performer. 

This isn’t my first read by Lyla Lee and I wish I had actually read this sooner. I loved the fat representation and how Skye is so unapologetic about her fatness. 

My only real negative was the Harry Potter references :/ 

Oh my god I loved this so much 😭😭

Skye Shin knows all the things fat girls shouldn't be or do. She's heard how much more beautiful she would be if she were skinnier. But Skye is determined to prove that fat girls can sing AND dance. And she's going to win the "My Shining Star" competition to do it. If Skye wins, she can show her mom that she's worthy just as she is and make her debut into the K-Pop world which Skye completely loves.

Skye knows the competition will be hard, but after making it through the audition she's surprised by the highly fat-phobic beauty standards of the K-pop industry, her sudden media fame/scrutiny and the sparks that fly with her competitor, Henry Cho. What she doesn't expect is to make several friends through the competition and ones that support her wholeheartedly.

This book was so goddamn cute. Also at one point I was listening to my audio of this and in the background at work the radio played Butter by BTS and if that wasn't the perfect mode for this I don't know what is. This book was so fun. I loved being immersed in the world of K-pop and the singing/dancing competition. As soon as Skye made it through the audition I knew I was in love. I'm not the biggest K-pop fan, but I definitely enjoy it and seeing other bands that I've enjoyed put a smile on my face.

The competition was such a great plotline. I loved seeing Skye face the different challenges and slay them all. She was such a badass. I loved seeing her get closer to Lana, Tiffany, Imani and Henry. They made such an epic friend group. Also Henry having no friends and being super isolated because he's a minor celebrity made me so soft. I love this boy and I want to protect him.

Almost everything about this book put a huge smile on my face. This book put me in such a good mood. I definitely am going to reread it even having to deal with the rampant fatphobia and several HP references. The good overcomes the flaws of society by like a power of 10. I loved this so much.

Rep: Midsize Korean-American bisexual female MC, Korean bisexual male love interest, two sapphic asian side characters in a relationship, side Black female character.

CWs: Fatphobia/internalized fatphobia, emotional abuse, several HP references, homophobia/queerphobia, body shaming, bullying, outing of sapphic character to another character--no homophobia from the reveal.