Scan barcode
ardhyahayu's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I like how Ari has progressed throughout the book and the supportive people around her. The conflict and resolution are too simple sometimes but most scenes are fun and I can imagine it just like watching K-dramas, so entertaining and light hearted. The author was able to potray scenes with the right detail and nice depth, I experienced the scene vividly as it expose the culture around celebrity that we adore, that they're human too and need their personal space respected. The romance is engaging but frustrating at times.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Hate crime, and Sexual content
whatbeccareadnext's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The first 3/4s of this book had me giggling and kicking my feet like a little girl. It was so stinking cute. I loved the Stand-In and I wasn't sure if this was going to be for me, but it was adorable.
I got a bit frustrated with Ari's inability to communicate toward the end. I wanted to scream at her to just talk about it before making rash decisions, but that was a big part of her personality, so I can hardly blame Lily Chu for the choice.
I got a bit frustrated with Ari's inability to communicate toward the end. I wanted to scream at her to just talk about it before making rash decisions, but that was a big part of her personality, so I can hardly blame Lily Chu for the choice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racism, Xenophobia, and Gaslighting
Minor: Body shaming and Sexual content
wilybooklover's review
emotional
slow-paced
2.0
I think the thing that annoyed me the most about this book was that it had the potential to be so good, and it was a huge letdown. The bones were there, but the execution was lacking. The first third was mostly great and it slowly went downhill from there.
First of all, the book was way too long and slow-paced. There were whole long sections in there focusing on the heroine's days at work and her repetitive musings about work that could have been significantly cut down without losing anything. We never even get to see her meet two of the hero's bandmates, which I think would have made a much better use of the page-time. I'll come back to this part later, but the last quarter of the book was full of unnecessary melodrama that also went on for way too long. It felt like it needed a really good edit.
It pains me to say this, because I usually love 'unlikeable' heroines, but being in Ari's head was an exercise in frustration. If she were just somewhat less judgmental, pessimistic, and wilfully ignorant, I would've liked this book a lot more. I think part of the reason the book felt so long is how negative and closed-off she was about almost everything. And every time she had an epiphany about something, she'd seemingly forget all about it by the next chapter.
Now, back to what I said about the last quarter of the book. The thing that mainly kept me reading this book was how much I loved the hero, Jihoon, but his refusal to really listen to and understand Ari's qualms about his fame began to get on my nerves at this point.This is then compounded by the third-act conflict, where his decision not to go against his company to defend her reputation (after a picture of them goes viral and the company decide to malign her) really did not make sense with his previous characterisation and soured me on him. Ari also did not make sense at this point, with her insistence on wanting to take their relationship public when she had previously been serious about her privacy and knew that Jihoon wasn't allowed to be seen publicly dating. It all felt so unnecessary and overdramatic. I would have much rather seen them work through the conflict together, but instead they break up (AGAIN) and spend longer apart than they actually spent together throughout the whole book. They only reconcile in the very last chapter and the epilogue doesn't even have them on page together!
First of all, the book was way too long and slow-paced. There were whole long sections in there focusing on the heroine's days at work and her repetitive musings about work that could have been significantly cut down without losing anything. We never even get to see her meet two of the hero's bandmates, which I think would have made a much better use of the page-time. I'll come back to this part later, but the last quarter of the book was full of unnecessary melodrama that also went on for way too long. It felt like it needed a really good edit.
It pains me to say this, because I usually love 'unlikeable' heroines, but being in Ari's head was an exercise in frustration. If she were just somewhat less judgmental, pessimistic, and wilfully ignorant, I would've liked this book a lot more. I think part of the reason the book felt so long is how negative and closed-off she was about almost everything. And every time she had an epiphany about something, she'd seemingly forget all about it by the next chapter.
Now, back to what I said about the last quarter of the book. The thing that mainly kept me reading this book was how much I loved the hero, Jihoon, but his refusal to really listen to and understand Ari's qualms about his fame began to get on my nerves at this point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Racism
Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Xenophobia, and Stalking
Minor: Homophobia and Sexual content
phua_jieying's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Body shaming, Misogyny, Medical content, and Stalking
Minor: Homophobia and Sexual content
mcire's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
cute and fun but it dragged at some points
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Sexual content and Stalking
meghansarmiento97's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Racism, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this book. Lily Chu has written yet another amazing book.
I loved watching Ariadne grow as a character and how that growth effects the relationships around her. It doesn't shy aware from the good and bad of discovering your wants and needs for life.
I also enjoyed Jihoon's journey as well, though it was not the forefront of the book.
I love the two of them together and how well their personalities meshed.
I highly recommend reading this RomCom for every funny and serious moment will give you.
I loved watching Ariadne grow as a character and how that growth effects the relationships around her. It doesn't shy aware from the good and bad of discovering your wants and needs for life.
I also enjoyed Jihoon's journey as well, though it was not the forefront of the book.
I love the two of them together and how well their personalities meshed.
I highly recommend reading this RomCom for every funny and serious moment will give you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Racism
Moderate: Body shaming, Sexual content, and Stalking
javafenn's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! Phillipa Soo is an excellent narrator because she is able to capture each character in a manner that keeps the story moving smoothly and without any confusion as to who is speaking. I really loved the will they won’t they of an everyday young woman from Toronto and the quiet, mysterious, handsome cousin of her roommate crashing at their place. I also loved the tiny nod to Lily Chu’s other book, The Stand-In. This was a fun, easy read. I enjoyed learning more about Korean culture and the fandom of K-pop. I think the thing that really stuck out to me was seeing the dynamic of a young woman who was born in Canada but she’s second generation Canadian. She is Canadian but Canada sees her as Asian or Chinese Canadian. This is a great book and I encourage everyone to read it!
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, and Alcohol
melaniesummer's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, and Sexual content