Scan barcode
amystokely's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was a full 5⭐️ for me and it was the sweetest forbidden romance and friends to lovers story with a little bit of light mystery woven into it. The characters were so lovable and I was giggling and kicking my feet through the whole thing - I’d definitely recommend for any romance lovers!
paigematheson's review against another edition
Just not for me. The story line felt a bit silly and I just couldn’t stick with it.
dinoqueenreads's review against another edition
4.0
please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: yes
spice: a couple closed-door steamy scenes
TWs: death of a parent, parental abandonment, mentions of suicide, mental health (anxiety, depression), dementia, cheating
standalone: yes
final thoughts: this book was like reading a well-done fanfiction of a KDrama and I loved it! It was very sweet and handled some triggering topics very well. Lots of Taylor Swift references for the Swifties out there and a beautiful, supportive friendship between the FMC and her best friend.
read this book if you love
🏝️ forced proximity
💌 clean romance
🤫 hidden secrets
💓 slowburn
🍪cinnamon roll MMC
🎸 musician
💞 friends-to-lovers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: yes
spice: a couple closed-door steamy scenes
TWs: death of a parent, parental abandonment, mentions of suicide, mental health (anxiety, depression), dementia, cheating
standalone: yes
final thoughts: this book was like reading a well-done fanfiction of a KDrama and I loved it! It was very sweet and handled some triggering topics very well. Lots of Taylor Swift references for the Swifties out there and a beautiful, supportive friendship between the FMC and her best friend.
read this book if you love
🏝️ forced proximity
💌 clean romance
🤫 hidden secrets
💓 slowburn
🍪cinnamon roll MMC
🎸 musician
💞 friends-to-lovers
mljones's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Ok, so the premise of this book is cute…you could even say great. Slow pace, but there was a lot to build out and explain especially since essentially the duration of the book goes from 3 days to 10 days and then weeks. (Doesn’t make sense now but if you read it, it will.)
A failing actress, a K-Pop star…a new trope for me. As you read more about Fran and Jae-seung, there’s more complexities about them that honestly create a pretty good story. And the building tension between them, top notch. So much so that it hit 3 peppers right at the tip 😉
Then right around 70-80% I feel like things started to feel a little rushed and cramped and Clara started to absolutely suck and I found her so intolerable. Thank goodness she was a side character or else I would have stopped reading and not finished the book.
Also, this book gives no hint at all at the trigger warnings! Oh my goodness. Please take notice if suicide, suicide attempts, encountering sucide attempts and death/loss of parents and grandparents are difficult and a trigger for you. Those parts within the book were very unexpected and heavy.
The end of the book did have a happy ending (as one would expect) and everything was wrapped up nicely, but it did fall flat for me in that, by the time the end came around, I was just happy to finish the book because it became a lot.
3 stars, 3 peppers.
**ARC provided by Canelo via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
A failing actress, a K-Pop star…a new trope for me. As you read more about Fran and Jae-seung, there’s more complexities about them that honestly create a pretty good story. And the building tension between them, top notch. So much so that it hit 3 peppers right at the tip 😉
Then right around 70-80% I feel like things started to feel a little rushed and cramped and Clara started to absolutely suck and I found her so intolerable. Thank goodness she was a side character or else I would have stopped reading and not finished the book.
Also, this book gives no hint at all at the trigger warnings! Oh my goodness. Please take notice if suicide, suicide attempts, encountering sucide attempts and death/loss of parents and grandparents are difficult and a trigger for you. Those parts within the book were very unexpected and heavy.
The end of the book did have a happy ending (as one would expect) and everything was wrapped up nicely, but it did fall flat for me in that, by the time the end came around, I was just happy to finish the book because it became a lot.
3 stars, 3 peppers.
**ARC provided by Canelo via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
itsallaboutbooksandmacarons's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
5.0
In the enchanting world crafted by this author, I found myself immersed in a profound odyssey across the globe, exploring the depths of love and connection. What resonated with me the most were the intricate details—the longing, the small gestures—that beautifully portrayed the essence of deep friendships.
As I eagerly followed the characters, their journey became intertwined with a compelling family drama in the background. This connection added a layer of complexity that resonated with my own experiences, making the narrative feel remarkably relatable and authentic.
One of the aspects that solidified this author as my "autobuy" is the unwavering devotion portrayed by the main characters. The way they showed commitment and genuine care for each other struck a chord with me, and I found myself emotionally invested in their story.
In summary, this literary gem became a cherished part of my reading collection. The author's ability to capture the beauty of human connections, coupled with the relatable family dynamics, created an experience that I won't soon forget. I eagerly anticipate more from this author, knowing that each creation is a personal journey into the intricacies of love and devotion.
As I eagerly followed the characters, their journey became intertwined with a compelling family drama in the background. This connection added a layer of complexity that resonated with my own experiences, making the narrative feel remarkably relatable and authentic.
One of the aspects that solidified this author as my "autobuy" is the unwavering devotion portrayed by the main characters. The way they showed commitment and genuine care for each other struck a chord with me, and I found myself emotionally invested in their story.
In summary, this literary gem became a cherished part of my reading collection. The author's ability to capture the beauty of human connections, coupled with the relatable family dynamics, created an experience that I won't soon forget. I eagerly anticipate more from this author, knowing that each creation is a personal journey into the intricacies of love and devotion.
jasjustreads's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Not even a Taylor swift fan but I appreciate the writing. 4 starts because although the romance was a little cringe for me personally, the family narrative was super well written. I almost wish that storyline was a whole book in itself!
readwithmills's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
vioreads's review against another edition
4.0
Wow what a lovely book! A great mix of celebrity romance, forbidden love, forced proximity and found family with a healthy dose of soul searching and self discovery ❤
Our FMC, Fran, is an aspiring actress who is having a tough time finding her big break living in a studio apartment above a coffee shop in London. Our MMC, Jae-seung, is a kpop star who has popped to the UK to visit his family who own the coffee shop and (including the apartment that Fran lives in).
I enjoyed the jet setting to various different countries and it made the plot feel like it was moving swiftly. We got to see a variety of countries and the travel was a tiny bit unrealistic - though do we read romcoms for realism? I know I don’t BUT I wouldn’t argue if a rich kpop star wanted to whisk me around the world 😅
Most of the book has a light hearted romcom feel to it, however it does cover some deeper topics and I had a good sob at one point! (Love when a book can get a good cry out of me).
I really enjoyed the friendship we got to see between Fran and Clara. It felt like such a real, genuine friendship and I could really relate to it. It really added another layer to the book and I would definitely be down for a book with Clara!
Both of the main characters have lots of issues that we see them work through and we really see them grow and discover themselves throughout the book. This book is so much more than a light hearted romcom yet still manages to be an easy cozy read - its balanced really nicely.
“Still Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield is now stuck in my head and I may or may not have added it to my daily shower playlist 😅
thebookclub's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
blondebabereadsx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0