Scan barcode
joyanna_e's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rsnoreads's review against another edition
4.0
*3.5 rounded to 4
I want to start with the positives so this review doesn’t sound like too much a rant. Obviously I enjoyed this book enough to round to 4 stars, and here are the main reasons why:
I loved the adventure-style of the date between Jack and Lucky. This book is like a rush and it flies by. Following the leads on their date feels like a fun adventure. The banter and conversations are fun, they experience fun activities, and even though I’m a slow reader, I can imagine fast readers devour this book in a sitting or two because of how well paced it is. If I had to choose the deciding factor on why I went with four stars instead of three, it would be due to the ending. I absolutely loved the ending, and no spoilers here, but it was relatively surprising while staying realistic.
Now why did I say this might feel like a rant…
So I found this book because it comes up on a lot of lists of “good books for k-pop fans.” I actually hadn’t read a book in years and wanted to get back into reading with one of my favorite interests - k-pop, Korean culture, k-dramas, etc. The main female lead, Lucky, is a fictional k-pop star. That’s all I needed to be hooked on the idea of the book. HOWEVER, I want to make this very clear - I feel like this book is almost an anti-k-pop story. While I understand there are certainly dark sides to every industry, I was looking for a fun, playful romcom and what I found was a book that failed to celebrate k-pop, and did quite the opposite. Now, this could have been the author’s intention, and I get it, I’m not naive to what the author is trying to say with Lucky’s character, but I would disagree this is a book for k-pop fans. I have no issues with Lucky, she’s actually great and I loved her personality, but every conversation about k-pop had a dark undertone and was more about how the industry wasn’t letting her be her true self. Again, could totally have been the point, but it’s not what I was looking for when I picked out this book to read. I also feel like the book didn’t get into real k-pop culture enough. Lucky could have been a singer of any genre really. I was hoping for more specific references or things that are a part of k-pop fandoms, but I found the book lacking in this aspect unfortunately. Also, notice how I haven’t said anything about Jack.. basically, he’s fine. I like that Lucky and Jack have commonalities and struggles to bond over, but that’s about it. Nothing too amazing with his character. Lastly, the setting - the entire book takes place in Hong Kong. Not a problem in of itself, in fact, Hong Kong is an awesome setting, but if you’re truly looking for that k-pop/ k-drama experience, I would expect the story to take place in Seoul or any other location in South Korea. Again, I understand that k-pop stars travel the globe on tour, but having the story set in Hong Kong does take some of the Korean culture I was looking for out of this book.
My dislikes seem to be greater than my likes, but I really just wanted to explain my main issues with the book. I think it’s a really fun romcom, it has a ‘Little Women’ reference in it, Lucky has a great personality, it has a great ending… but it is NOT for k-pop fans, IMO.
I want to start with the positives so this review doesn’t sound like too much a rant. Obviously I enjoyed this book enough to round to 4 stars, and here are the main reasons why:
I loved the adventure-style of the date between Jack and Lucky. This book is like a rush and it flies by. Following the leads on their date feels like a fun adventure. The banter and conversations are fun, they experience fun activities, and even though I’m a slow reader, I can imagine fast readers devour this book in a sitting or two because of how well paced it is. If I had to choose the deciding factor on why I went with four stars instead of three, it would be due to the ending. I absolutely loved the ending, and no spoilers here, but it was relatively surprising while staying realistic.
Now why did I say this might feel like a rant…
So I found this book because it comes up on a lot of lists of “good books for k-pop fans.” I actually hadn’t read a book in years and wanted to get back into reading with one of my favorite interests - k-pop, Korean culture, k-dramas, etc. The main female lead, Lucky, is a fictional k-pop star. That’s all I needed to be hooked on the idea of the book. HOWEVER, I want to make this very clear - I feel like this book is almost an anti-k-pop story. While I understand there are certainly dark sides to every industry, I was looking for a fun, playful romcom and what I found was a book that failed to celebrate k-pop, and did quite the opposite. Now, this could have been the author’s intention, and I get it, I’m not naive to what the author is trying to say with Lucky’s character, but I would disagree this is a book for k-pop fans. I have no issues with Lucky, she’s actually great and I loved her personality, but every conversation about k-pop had a dark undertone and was more about how the industry wasn’t letting her be her true self. Again, could totally have been the point, but it’s not what I was looking for when I picked out this book to read. I also feel like the book didn’t get into real k-pop culture enough. Lucky could have been a singer of any genre really. I was hoping for more specific references or things that are a part of k-pop fandoms, but I found the book lacking in this aspect unfortunately. Also, notice how I haven’t said anything about Jack.. basically, he’s fine. I like that Lucky and Jack have commonalities and struggles to bond over, but that’s about it. Nothing too amazing with his character. Lastly, the setting - the entire book takes place in Hong Kong. Not a problem in of itself, in fact, Hong Kong is an awesome setting, but if you’re truly looking for that k-pop/ k-drama experience, I would expect the story to take place in Seoul or any other location in South Korea. Again, I understand that k-pop stars travel the globe on tour, but having the story set in Hong Kong does take some of the Korean culture I was looking for out of this book.
My dislikes seem to be greater than my likes, but I really just wanted to explain my main issues with the book. I think it’s a really fun romcom, it has a ‘Little Women’ reference in it, Lucky has a great personality, it has a great ending… but it is NOT for k-pop fans, IMO.
hollyplayer's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
2.75
I found the characters loveable but I didn't feel like their connection. The book took place over the course of 24 hours and they were admitting they loved each other. I'm not opposed to an insta love but it just felt off to me.
marieintheraw's review against another edition
3.0
I'm starting to think suspended belief is needed with Maurene Goo's books. This is cute, but absolutely too convenient of a plot and ending.
I received an ecopy of this through netgalley; however, all opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this through netgalley; however, all opinions are my own.
theeuphoriczat's review against another edition
4.0
This book follows two points of view. We follow Lucky who is a Korean Pop-idol and is has just finished her world tour and is in Hong Kong. She is about to debut on American Television and the last thing she needs is drama or scandal. She is well-loved and her agency wants her to keep it that way. However one night in Hongkong, unable to sleep and hungry, she slips out of her hotel room and into the bustling night of Hongkong. This is when she meets Jack who is a photographer and he doesn't know who she is.
She introduces herself as Fern and they have one of the craziest nights together. But the problem begins when she is asleep in his bed and he comes across a picture of her online. He freaks out having a superstar in his bed that he shares with his best friend. When she wakes up she panics but he calms her and maintains the pretense of not knowing her. They get to spend a day together and little does she know that he is also a paparazzi and he takes pictures for a tabloid. With her begins to take her pictures with her knowledge.
The majority of this book takes place over the course of 24 hours and we really get to know each of them, their fears, and dreams of the future. I thought it was cute and easy to read.
She introduces herself as Fern and they have one of the craziest nights together. But the problem begins when she is asleep in his bed and he comes across a picture of her online. He freaks out having a superstar in his bed that he shares with his best friend. When she wakes up she panics but he calms her and maintains the pretense of not knowing her. They get to spend a day together and little does she know that he is also a paparazzi and he takes pictures for a tabloid. With her begins to take her pictures with her knowledge.
The majority of this book takes place over the course of 24 hours and we really get to know each of them, their fears, and dreams of the future. I thought it was cute and easy to read.
laura_cs's review
5.0
I received an ARC of this title through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Maurene Goo is a goddess and I will read anything and everything she writes, to include grocery lists and instructions on how to boil water.
After years of hard work and training, Lucky has it all. A K-Pop star with thousands of adoring fans, a #1 song on the charts, just finished an epic tour of Asia, and she is about to make her American debut. But she also has no free time, a strict diet, an even stricter label company, and a secret diagnosis of anxiety. What she really wants right now is a hamburger.
Jack has; a gap year that is slowly creeping towards an end, a crappy apartment, a love of photography, no idea what he wants to do with his future, and hatred to his job as a bank intern. Thus the side hustle as a paparazzi photographer. He has no delusions of making it big or famous, but he just wants to be happy with whatever he does. Even if it does feel completely selfish.
When Jack finds Lucky outside her Hong Kong hotel, neither of them have any idea what a roller coaster ride the next twenty-four hours are going to be.
Full of fun, food, and fluff, 'Somewhere Only We Know' is an unforgettable adventure that will delight K-Pop fans, lovers of Rom-Coms, and everyone who has a dream.
Maurene Goo is a goddess and I will read anything and everything she writes, to include grocery lists and instructions on how to boil water.
After years of hard work and training, Lucky has it all. A K-Pop star with thousands of adoring fans, a #1 song on the charts, just finished an epic tour of Asia, and she is about to make her American debut. But she also has no free time, a strict diet, an even stricter label company, and a secret diagnosis of anxiety. What she really wants right now is a hamburger.
Jack has; a gap year that is slowly creeping towards an end, a crappy apartment, a love of photography, no idea what he wants to do with his future, and hatred to his job as a bank intern. Thus the side hustle as a paparazzi photographer. He has no delusions of making it big or famous, but he just wants to be happy with whatever he does. Even if it does feel completely selfish.
When Jack finds Lucky outside her Hong Kong hotel, neither of them have any idea what a roller coaster ride the next twenty-four hours are going to be.
Full of fun, food, and fluff, 'Somewhere Only We Know' is an unforgettable adventure that will delight K-Pop fans, lovers of Rom-Coms, and everyone who has a dream.
leh's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
aliena_jackson's review against another edition
4.0
Normally, I hate these love in a day type books. You know what I mean, the ones where the two main characters meet and just KNOW that they are DESTINED to be together. Well, guess what you guys. I didn’t hate this one.
cmartin629's review against another edition
4.0
Cheesy? Yes. Cute YA romance? Yes! I enjoyed the inclusion of K-pop as I’m trying to broaden my horizons culturally. Solid and clean book of first loves and ambition. Realistic ending as opposed to just the perfect swept up romance for teens.