The ARC review catchup marathon continues in this contemporary edition. I did my best to make proper sentences out of my reading notes, but I had a bad fall this morning (that I’m making this post), and my head aches. I apologize for the brevity and any errors in this post.
Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Gooon May 7, 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Pages: 328
Format: eBook, ARC
Source: Publisher
10:00 p.m.: Lucky is the biggest K-pop star on the scene, and she's just performed her hit song "Heartbeat" in Hong Kong to thousands of adoring fans. She's about to debut on The Tonight Show in America, hopefully a breakout performance for her career. But right now? She's in her fancy hotel, trying to fall asleep but dying for a hamburger.
11:00 p.m.: Jack is sneaking into a fancy hotel, on assignment for his tabloid job that he keeps secret from his parents. On his way out of the hotel, he runs into a girl wearing slippers, a girl who is single-mindedly determined to find a hamburger. She looks kind of familiar. She's very cute. He's maybe curious.
12:00 a.m.: Nothing will ever be the same.
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I picked up this book because (1) it features asian characters and is by an asian author, and (2) because K-Pop and K-dramas are super big among many people I know.
Things to like about this book:
- The plot is something out of a Korean drama, except PG-13 and toned down for a younger and more Western audience. If, like me, you know people who love watching these kinds of romantic comedies, this is a good book to recommend to them.
- It features A LOT of asian culture. Yes, it gives a cursory insight into the K-pop industry and fandom, but there’s so much more: food, language, mannerisms, parental expectations, Hong Kong sights and culture, and what it’s like to grow up Asian American – in particular as 2nd gen.
- The characters are complex. While I’m not fond of relationships founded upon lies, the characters’ actions are tolerable and understandable because their conflicts are established from their first POV chapters (chapters 1 and 2).
- The tone remains lighthearted and humorous while exploring the complexities of human nature. Anxiety is briefly touched upon as are the darker sides of the entertainment industry, through both Lucky’s stardom and Jack’s part-time tabloid job.
- Lucky and Jack’s stories interweave the unifying message of pursuing one’s dreams and never forgetting the why. The alternative is shown through their respective initial situations and Jack’s father.
- Another bonus: while not always present, family does play an important role in each characters’ life. Note: while not everyone is fortunate enough to have supportive family members, I do like how family is shown positively in this book.
Things I didn’t like as much:
- Alternating 1st person POV chapters: It’s not as big a dealbreaker as it was for me several years back, but I’m still not the biggest fan of switching POVs that are both told in the 1st person.
- Insta-love: While the romance is adorable, it takes one night for them to fall in love with each other and change each other’s world.
- All the lying: The lying goes on for a while. I understand Lucky’s need to hide her identity, but Jack takes his deception far even after he begins to have a change of heart. That said, it contributes to the drama, and the character motivations, while flawed, are understandable.
All in all, this novel is light-hearted and humorous while conveying depth of character. I enjoyed reading this one.
Content: PG-13
- Kissing.
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Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss by Kasie West
Published by HarperTeen on February 5, 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Pages: 384
Format: eBook, ARC
Source: Publisher
Lacey Barnes has dreamed of being an actress for as long as she can remember. So when she gets the opportunity to star in a movie alongside one of Hollywood’s hottest actors, she doesn’t hesitate to accept the part.
But Lacey quickly learns that life in the spotlight isn’t as picture perfect as she imagined. She’s having trouble bonding with her costars, her father has hired the definition of a choir boy, Donavan Lake, to tutor her, and somewhere along the way she’s lost her acting mojo. And just when it seems like things couldn’t get any worse, it looks like someone on set is deliberately trying to sabotage her.
As Lacey’s world spins out of control, it feels like the only person she can count on—whether it’s helping her try to unravel the mystery of who is out to get her or snap her out of her acting funk—is Donavan. But what she doesn’t count on is this straight-laced boy becoming another distraction.
With her entire future riding on this movie, Lacey knows she can’t afford to get sidetracked by a crush. But for the first time in her life Lacey wonders if it’s true that the best stories really do happen when you go off script.
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
- A cute, entertaining read.
- The characters, their relationships, and the overall story are superficial.
- Family is present but kept to the side. Especially the mom and siblings. This was a point of conflict that could have been explored further.
- The mystery of the sabotage lacked depth. Despite her fears, it never felt as if Lacey was in true danger, and the conflict comes to an anticlimactic end.
- Lacked smooth transitions between scenes, but it doesn’t distract too much from the story.
- There’s no big moral message to the story. However, Lacey’s growing relationship to Donovan suggests the importance of a good support system and having confidence in oneself.
Overall, this book is great for a light, fluffy read, exactly what I anticipated when I picked it up.
Let’s Chat
📚 What contemporary books have you enjoyed recently?
📚 Have you read either of these books? If so, what are your thoughts?
Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer says
Bummer about the last book. The lying in the first would have gotten to me too. West seems to deliver fun reads.
Crystal says
I’ve heard great things about West’s other contemporary reads!
Aleen @ Lampshade Reader says
Oh no! I’m sorry about your fall, glad you’re ok.
I’m not too into teen angst dramas, but it sounds like these had some redeeming qualities. Great reviews. I need to catch up on my reviews too.
Crystal says
Thanks, Aleen.
Teen angst can be a struggle to read through. I appreciate it in small doses!
Sophia Rose says
I don’t think I’d do well with a relationship when both are keeping secrets like that, but I guess it makes sense. And, I’m curious about the K-Pop culture of her being a star.
I’ve wanted to try Kasie West, but I think I’ll start with a different one.
And, the last… probably not.
Yay for two light and fun ones for you, Crystal.
Crystal says
It was fascinating to learn about the cultural differences between Korean stardom and American stardom – at least, from the little that I know. I’ve heard great things about Kasie West’s other works. I’d be willing to give another of her books a go 🙂
Thanks, Sophia!
Lindsi says
I’ve been curious about all three of these! I’m sorry Hearts Made for Breaking wasn’t an AMAZING read for you, but Lark sounds like a character I would struggle with. She doesn’t listen to someone because she thinks they’re boring? That’s a jerk move. I want to like the characters I’m reading about. 🙂
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬
Crystal says
I agree. I want to like the characters I’m reading about. If I can’t care about them, then it’s difficult to invest myself in their story.