Title: XOXO
Author: Angie Oh
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 352
My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️🖤🖤
Buy this book on Amazon
XOXO
Jenny is a talented cellist, but her life takes an unexpected turn one night while working at a karaoke bar. She stumbles upon a guy sitting alone in one of the rooms, and they instantly connect, sharing a fun and unforgettable evening together. But just as quickly as they meet, Jaewoo has to leave—because he lives in South Korea. Jenny assumes she’ll never see him again.
That is until her mother decides to move to South Korea for a few months to take care of Jenny’s grandmother. Seizing the opportunity, Jenny tags along and enrolls in an elite arts academy. On her very first day, she discovers that Jaewoo is not only a student there—he’s also one of the biggest K-pop stars in the world.
Review
For the past few weeks—maybe even months—I’ve been a little obsessed with South Korea and K-pop culture. It started with watching K-dramas on Netflix, and since I was already a huge fan of BLACKPINK, I began learning more about the K-pop industry. So, of course, it felt fitting to pick up a book about K-pop as well.
Let’s start with what I liked. I learned even more about the K-pop industry, especially how trainees spend years training before they even get the chance to debut. It’s fascinating to read about, though I know the industry can be intense, with all the pressure that comes with it. Still, I enjoyed getting a deeper look into that world. I also appreciated the little touches, like the use of Korean words and the mention of popular Korean dishes. I have to admit—I’ve never tried Korean food, but after reading this, I definitely want to.
The characters were likable. They’re teenagers, but they’re working hard to achieve their dreams, which I respect. I also really enjoyed Jenny’s friendship with her roommate. As for the romance between Jenny and Jaewoo… I didn’t fully feel the connection. It was sweet at times, but I wasn’t totally invested in their love story. Then again, they’re teenagers, and this is a young adult novel. I’m curious about what happens next, though the second book focuses on Jenny’s roommate Sori and Nathaniel instead.
I ended up giving this book three out of five hearts, mainly because when I read a love story, I want to feel the cuteness—and I didn’t quite get that here. I think I just didn’t connect with the characters as much as I’d hoped. Maybe that’s because I’m not a teenager anymore. I debated giving it four hearts, but compared to other books I rated four, this one fell just a tiny bit short.
Overall, this is a great book for anyone who loves XOXO, Kitty on Netflix or is really into K-pop. It’s a sweet, fun story, and I loved learning more about the K-pop industry along the way.