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edshara's review
5.0
Oh, how I loved this. It has been a few months since I have honestly been able to fully enjoy a book, despite some of the high ratings I’ve given out. While other books were good, this one felt good to read. Some of Desi’s antics were well over the top, however, the heart of the book was pure fun. All of the characters were likable and easy to relate to. I adored the friendships.
I do think some of the plot points got wrapped up a little too easily, but it didn’t take away from the overall plot. I am so glad that I checked this one out. I am definitely interested in reading some of Maureen Goo’s other novels.
I do think some of the plot points got wrapped up a little too easily, but it didn’t take away from the overall plot. I am so glad that I checked this one out. I am definitely interested in reading some of Maureen Goo’s other novels.
kvreadsandrecs's review against another edition
4.0
Ah, fluff. How I love thee.
It's not spectacular, but it's so fun and dramatic and everything you want for a teen drama.
It's not spectacular, but it's so fun and dramatic and everything you want for a teen drama.
yeontan's review
3.0
this was cute and fun. i liked the chemistry between luca and desi. although desi got a little too crazy sometimes ( more like creepy) and i thought luca forgave her way too easily. they pay off would've been better if she worked a little harder for redemption lol i mean a kdrama heroine would! overall it was cute and though her antics were OTT that's a kdrama for you!
kapulaga's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
I love different things in this book; the diverse characters, the mention and use K-drama as a plot, the dynamics or relationship between Desi and her Appa, and all of funny things in this book (Desi's flailures to be exact).
I just don't think this book is for me. The way Desi willingly to do ANYTHING including hurting herself/the boy she likes is kind of throw me up. Other than that this book is very light!
I love different things in this book; the diverse characters, the mention and use K-drama as a plot, the dynamics or relationship between Desi and her Appa, and all of funny things in this book (Desi's flailures to be exact).
I just don't think this book is for me. The way Desi willingly to do ANYTHING including hurting herself/the boy she likes is kind of throw me up. Other than that this book is very light!
starrysea98's review
4.0
I really love this book. Others have said it's illogical and kind of silly but I like it! It fits into the K drama stereotype so well (and also mentions so many of my favourites by name!)
Desi is so relatable to me because I too feel the need to control everything and I'm utter pants at talking to boys. She's funny and always trying to emulate K drama heroines in her everyday life which I find adorable - I mean, doesn't everyone pretend they're Kang Mo-Yeon once in a while?
No?
It's just me? Okay.
The romance here is fluffy and not too over the top as is so often the norm in contemporary YA. Somewhere in between Desi obsessing over her idea of Luca and her actually falling for him, I did too. He does sound like the typical male lead for a romance novel - sort of mysterious, has Daddy Issues, is an artist™, yada yada yada you know the drill - but somehow I didn't mind as much because underneath all that, he's also a sweet, empathetic guy. (That scene where Fi recounts how she and Desi met and his reaction after? Oh. My. God).
I also love the part at the end where she frames a certain something as a reminder of her crazy endeavours to get a boyfriend. That touched me for some reason and I really enjoyed that ending.
P.S. The physical copy has a K drama recommendation list for beginners which is very well put together.
Desi is so relatable to me because I too feel the need to control everything and I'm utter pants at talking to boys. She's funny and always trying to emulate K drama heroines in her everyday life which I find adorable - I mean, doesn't everyone pretend they're Kang Mo-Yeon once in a while?
No?
It's just me? Okay.
The romance here is fluffy and not too over the top as is so often the norm in contemporary YA. Somewhere in between Desi obsessing over her idea of Luca and her actually falling for him, I did too. He does sound like the typical male lead for a romance novel - sort of mysterious, has Daddy Issues, is an artist™, yada yada yada you know the drill - but somehow I didn't mind as much because underneath all that, he's also a sweet, empathetic guy. (That scene where Fi recounts how she and Desi met and his reaction after? Oh. My. God).
I also love the part at the end where she frames a certain something as a reminder of her crazy endeavours to get a boyfriend. That touched me for some reason and I really enjoyed that ending.
P.S. The physical copy has a K drama recommendation list for beginners which is very well put together.
chaosandbooks's review
5.0
I've been in a sort of reading funk lately, unable to really finish any book that I've started. So I was browsing through some Goodreads list to find an easy and light read, when I stumbled on this book. As a K drama enthusiast, I had to read this book after I saw the description. In fact, I nearly squealed.
The premise of the book was wildly amusing, a straight-laced student using K drama cliches to score her crush. The second the list turned up, I laughed so hard because it's everything I've come to expect in dramas but also make fun of for being ridiculous. But I like that the author was able to capture these moments and explain why so many fans love them as well.
Desi had an awkward but endearing charm and I liked the references to popular dramas throughout the book. My favorite was probably the Boys Over Flowers one because I recently finished that drama and I thought the whole scene was ridiculous but could only be pulled off in a K Drama. The way the author took it and spun it on its head was clever.
I think the book had its fair share of cringeworthy moments, but it also reflects the entire premise and there's plenty of them in K dramas too. It was also easy to follow and thoroughly explained for those who are new to K dramas. The recommendations at the end were a great addition (especially for me because I'm adding some of them to my to-watch list).
The background characters were probably some of my favorite, charming and bold. I think they complimented the contemporary book well and also paralleled the strong supporting characters in dramas.
I've been waiting to find a book with this premise and it delivered beyond my expectations. The montage part had me laughing the most because I always make fun of those scenes. A book of this quality I would normally probably give four stars because of the awkwardness and cliches but as its entire premise is geared towards that, I think the execution was great. I'd even look forward to seeing something similar from the author in a future. I guess all my K drama binging lead up to this moment.
The premise of the book was wildly amusing, a straight-laced student using K drama cliches to score her crush. The second the list turned up, I laughed so hard because it's everything I've come to expect in dramas but also make fun of for being ridiculous. But I like that the author was able to capture these moments and explain why so many fans love them as well.
Desi had an awkward but endearing charm and I liked the references to popular dramas throughout the book. My favorite was probably the Boys Over Flowers one because I recently finished that drama and I thought the whole scene was ridiculous but could only be pulled off in a K Drama. The way the author took it and spun it on its head was clever.
I think the book had its fair share of cringeworthy moments, but it also reflects the entire premise and there's plenty of them in K dramas too. It was also easy to follow and thoroughly explained for those who are new to K dramas. The recommendations at the end were a great addition (especially for me because I'm adding some of them to my to-watch list).
The background characters were probably some of my favorite, charming and bold. I think they complimented the contemporary book well and also paralleled the strong supporting characters in dramas.
I've been waiting to find a book with this premise and it delivered beyond my expectations. The montage part had me laughing the most because I always make fun of those scenes. A book of this quality I would normally probably give four stars because of the awkwardness and cliches but as its entire premise is geared towards that, I think the execution was great. I'd even look forward to seeing something similar from the author in a future. I guess all my K drama binging lead up to this moment.
readerlatte's review
5.0
My Review: OMG This book was just adorable. I have been a fan of telenovelas for a while now and this one based on K Dramas was just as good if not better. This reminded me of the TV show Jane the Virgin and I would love this to hit the tv screens as a movie or short series. If you are looking for a great read to enjoy at the pool side or beach look no further than this one right here.
I just loved how strong a character Desi was she knew what she wanted to do when she got done with high school and went after it head on. I also enjoyed how she grew as a character in the last few chapters. I do wished that the story would have covered her being just a tad to obsessed a little more but what we got really fit with the story.
I think that they only thing that would have made this story even better could have been maybe if it would have been dual POV but I fear that it might have slowed the story down. I would love to have a novella book or something in Luca's POV just so we could fall in love with him even more. I could see a collector's edition of this being full of art that Luca did.
The story itself was so beyond adorable. It had some of the funniest and cuties quotes (you can see those here) that I have ever found. It was well paced and I enjoyed every page. I also really enjoyed how the chapter names changed from chapters to steps and then back to chapters. It was just a little addition that made this story even cuter.
Go Into This One Knowing: K Dramas, Korean Culture, No Love Triangle
I just loved how strong a character Desi was she knew what she wanted to do when she got done with high school and went after it head on. I also enjoyed how she grew as a character in the last few chapters. I do wished that the story would have covered her being just a tad to obsessed a little more but what we got really fit with the story.
I think that they only thing that would have made this story even better could have been maybe if it would have been dual POV but I fear that it might have slowed the story down. I would love to have a novella book or something in Luca's POV just so we could fall in love with him even more. I could see a collector's edition of this being full of art that Luca did.
The story itself was so beyond adorable. It had some of the funniest and cuties quotes (you can see those here) that I have ever found. It was well paced and I enjoyed every page. I also really enjoyed how the chapter names changed from chapters to steps and then back to chapters. It was just a little addition that made this story even cuter.
Go Into This One Knowing: K Dramas, Korean Culture, No Love Triangle