XOXO by Axie Oh

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.

REVIEW

This book is a charming, heartfelt story about following your dreams and being true to the music. It makes you want to smile and have that warm feeling, just as we get into the sunny summer months.

Even though there were plot points that could have been developed, this was a sweet story about family, friendship and love in the beating heart of Korea.

If you want all the feels of travelling and visiting somewhere when times are tough and you just want to escape, this would be the perfect book to escape to. It doesn't impose what you should do, but rather what you could be and how you can better yourself, even if you feel like you have a pretty great life already. It opens up that treasure box stored deep away in yourself, asking, are you really being true to yourself? How can you be better than the person you already are.

This is a great book even if you want to experience a new culture that is vivid and exciting. It has an outstanding impact on the plot and gives you that overwhelming sense that this is a culture that must be shared and you must discover for yourself.

It would be quite interesting to see how this story would continue if there were a sequel because it gives me Fame vibes, yet, is nothing like Fame and something completely unique at the same time.

I'm glad that I was able to read this book at a time when I was struggling to grasp life itself. It just shows, the best books are able to help you understand yourself and the world when you at one of your lowest points. This book is like therapy, but the best kind where the sun always shines and makes you feel at ease.

RATING: **** (FOUR STARS)

BUY LINKS

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/XOXO-Axie-Oh-ebook/dp/B08L3MZYBX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2VAIP7OBOJ718&dchild=1&keywords

Comments

Blog Tour: The Beast Hunters Dark Sovereign by Christer Lende

REVIEW So we are back in the world of the Beast Hunters for a sophomore instalment where we see Ara, Khendric and Topper back on another adventure. But this time with a difference. Instead of the world building from the previous book, we get to delve into a mystery with darkness starting to make pace in the background. We meet new characters, some good and some not so much. Not only do we have the overarching themes of beasts but also political intrigue and secretive plots. It is far more intricate than the previous instalment where the characters are making decisive and confident choices. Especially for our fave apprentice, Ara. If you want to get away from the current world affairs, this book will serve as an escape from reality. What these last two books do remind me of however, is a tv show. Why I say this is because it felt kind of episodic but they both have reinvented themselves with different themes. I found this to be quite good actually. This is because it feels l...

From Worm to Bookworm

Since beginning of this blog back in 2014, I have taken you through many of the books that I have read and my thoughts on various other topics involving books. However, one thing that I have never really opened up about is how I became a bookworm . How I started and how my love affair still continues to this day. Back in primary school I struggled. I mean really struggled. Struggled to fit in, struggled to be present, struggled with reading and comprehension and make any real friends. It was only when i moved to another primary school i began to see my self-worth. I was finally able to have the chance to read anything. You would think this is where I got the bug right? WRONG! Yes, the change helped me but it wasn’t long, I mean just under two years until I thrust upon secondary school. As you can imagine, this was a challenge like what most 11 year olds would experience. Me? I felt like I had been swallowed up whole. It was only when I turned year 8 (12-13 years old) the wind began to ...

The One That I Want by Sandy Barker

The One That I Want is simply the friends to lovers trope packaged with bad communication. Has this trope been written well? I think not. It is drab and boring and I feel so bad for the matchmaker, Poppy. The only redeemable character in this book. Greta, unlucky with love, is the main focus of the story. She is getting older and she wants a real kind of love. Somehow, her work gets roped into her shenanigans and soon she is off having dates with men who she doesn’t even like. When she does finally get somewhere with someone she actually would like to spend time with it almost like she wants to sabotage her happiness for her stupidity. I just feel sorry for how much effort Poppy had to make and even then it mainly went to waste. I really hoped that I would enjoy this book as I enjoyed Poppy and Tristan’s story but the story and writing really fell short. It took me numerous times of picking up the book and putting it down again to get through. Honestly, I kind of wished that I DNF...

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Eric Idle

So what do I truly think about this book? Well, it says it all when it takes a whole two years to get through. If I am being honest, when I first came to read this book I was very excited. Possibly even elated to find out more about one of my favourite pythons. But I came out with a very different opinion to what I began with. First of all, if you want to keep your sanity, as well as your time and money, don't read this. I mean seriously don't read it - not even if you have a curiosity. Trust me it will help you in the long-run. The book itself starts with his beginnings, who he was and what made him become the very python that we all know today. (Albeit, this can be seen to be very brief). But after this character development is where this book begins its downfall into the pit of doom. Why? Is all I can really say. Fame has really gone to his head. He has really gone down the road of no return. Not only did he cheat on his first wife but his name droppings became inc...

My Favourite Books... So Far

I have only really been reading seriously since I was thirteen years old, but I sure have found some books which I believe have really entertained and changed my perspective of life. Here are a few that I have rounded up that might be of interest to you. 1. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl Yes, this is pretty much a staple in any young reader's bookshelf, but not for me it wasn't. I didn't get to read this treasure until I was nineteen and I was so annoyed that I left it so long. Seriously, who doesn't love the idea of winning a golden ticket to a chocolate factory? It's the perfect little read for any age. Don't get me started on the writing! Oh, I could talk all day about it. It's simply perfection. 2. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell I know I'm basic. This is already such a popular book already, but I just couldn't resist. This book personally came at the right time for me. I read it just as I was going round and researching universities t...