Happy Sunday! It’s another review day. Today, I am reviewing two books by Axie Oh, related to K-pop-XOXO and ASAP, the latter having been released this year. Both were enjoyable and I had a good time listening to them on audio. Audiobooks are truly a blessing.
Author: Axie Oh
Date Published: July 13, 2021
Genre: Young Adult, Romance
Trigger warnings (spoiler):
minor descriptions of cancer, death of a parent, bullying
Synopsis
Cello prodigy Jenny has one goal: to get into a prestigious music conservatory. When she meets mysterious, handsome Jaewoo in her uncle’s Los Angeles karaoke bar, it’s clear he’s the kind of boy who would uproot her careful plans. But in a moment of spontaneity, she allows him to pull her out of her comfort zone for one unforgettable night of adventure…before he disappears without a word.
Three months later, when Jenny and her mother arrive in South Korea to take care of her ailing grandmother, she’s shocked to discover that Jaewoo is a student at the same elite arts academy where she’s enrolled for the semester. And he’s not just any student. He’s a member of one of the biggest K-pop bands in the world—and he’s strictly forbidden from dating.
When a relationship means throwing Jenny’s life off the path she’s spent years mapping out, she’ll have to decide once and for all just how much she’s willing to risk for love.
My Review
As a fan of K-pop, this was a fun read. Jennie and Jaewoo were likeable, although it was kind of hard to believe that a few hours together made them unforgettable to each other. Or maybe that’s just the cynic in me. I also liked the supporting characters, Sori and Nathaniel, whose story is told in ASAP.
“Because the people who live for tomorrow don’t take risks. They’re afraid of the consequences. While the people who live for today have nothing to lose, so they fight tooth and nail.”
Now, I’ll admit, I listened to the books on audio out of order, so at the beginning of the sequel, I found the state of Jennie and Jaewoo’s relationship and a couple of other minor spoilers. It didn’t take away from the fun of XOXO and I enjoyed it, although a little less than its sequel. Even though the book has heavy topics, they were resolved too easily and though this may be considered a shortcoming, I guess that’s okay sometimes.
Read this if you want something lighthearted and K-pop-centric.
Rating
Author: Axie Oh
Date Published: February 6, 2024
Genre: Young Adult, Romance
Trigger warnings (spoiler):
separation of parents, moderate descriptions of parental emotional abuse
Synopsis
Sori has worked her whole life to become a K-pop idol, until she realizes she doesn’t want a life forever in the spotlight. But that’s not actually up to Sori—she’s caught between her exacting mother’s entertainment company and her father’s presidential aspirations. And as the pressure to keep her flawless public image grows, the last person she should be thinking about is her ex-boyfriend.
Nathaniel is off limits—she knows this. A member of one of the biggest K-pop bands in the world and forbidden from dating, he isn’t any more of an option now than he was two years ago. Still, she can’t forget that their whirlwind romance was the last time she remembers being really happy. Or that his family welcomed her into their home when she needed it most. . . .
So when Nathaniel finds himself rocked by scandal, Sori offers him a hideaway with her. And back in close quarters, it’s hard to deny their old feelings. But when Sori gets an opportunity to break free from her parent’s expectations, she will have to decide: Is her future worth sacrificing for a second chance at love?
My Review
I enjoyed reading about Sori and Nathaniel’s second chance at love. Both were interesting, developed characters with different priorities in their lives and I was curious about how the author would bring them together. The plot was engaging and had a good mix of drama and humor. Certain characters from XOXO also made appearances in this book.
“I want to be independent with my career but not with my relationship. I want to need someone, just as much as I want to feel needed.”
I liked ASAP more than its prequel, as Sori and Nathaniel had more chemistry and interacted more than Jennie and Jaewoo in XOXO. You can read the book as a standalone if you don’t mind being spoiled with XOXO’s ending.
Rating
Have you read XOXO and/or ASAP? What are your thoughts on them? Let me know in the comments!
This Bookish Life Of Mine 