kaitumaneng's review against another edition
- 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
louandlife's review against another edition
3.0
Edit: After reading this book, I'm going to lower it to 3/5 from 4/5. It was a great first half, and was on its way to 5/5, but then it literally became a car crash. I still love it because of the representation and kdrama aspect though, and would recommend it for that!
I managed to read this in the ReadathonByZoe! I managed to finish it like 5 minutes before the readathon ended đ
I really liked this book but it did have it's problems. If I wasn't a K-drama addict I probably would have given this book a 3/5 stars just for the story. But because all of the K-drama references, I loved it.
In terms of the plot, Desi uses the K-drama formula to try and win over her crush because she is hopeless at love. [a:Maurene Goo|6549377|Maurene Goo|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1477974772p2/6549377.jpg] has the K-drama technique DOWN, and she honestly references all the things you would stereotypically think belong in a drama, which I loved. I didn't like the way Desi went about to win Luca's affections though. For example, one of the K-drama steps is to get into a life threatening even that makes him realise how real your love is, and Desi organises it so she and Luca would be in a car accident... When I read this, I was like "Really? Couldn't you have done something a little less crazy?" That is the main reason why I didn't rate this 5/5 stars.
I did like Desi though. She was kind of annoying about how controlling she is. I mean, she literally wrote a formula to get love. But I liked her. I loved her friendship with Fiona because it felt real. I loved her relationship with her dad. I didn't really connect with her though because of how much of an overachiever she is.
I did like Luca, but Desi is the one that really stands out on this book. I think Luca could have been better developed. His mom is one of the most important people in his life, and yet we barely see her. I did like how the relationship with his father changed through the course of this book. That it went from a stereotypical YA cliche of my dad doesn't support what I want to do sort of bad dad, to a dad where Luca can understand.
This book has similar art feels to [b:Night Owls|37643587|Night Owls|Jenn Bennett|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513817787s/37643587.jpg|40336167]. So it you liked books on graffiti, you could like this one. Though the importance of art is less prevalent in this book than Night Owls.
Overall, this book was a cute one. It's one of my favourite of the year because it reflects my obsession with K-dramas. But I think that if you aren't familiar with K-dramas/Korean culture then this book would be more of an average read for you. The story is average, but it's the Korean culture references that makes it that much better. So I would recommend this book to K-drama addicts.
I managed to read this in the ReadathonByZoe! I managed to finish it like 5 minutes before the readathon ended đ
I really liked this book but it did have it's problems. If I wasn't a K-drama addict I probably would have given this book a 3/5 stars just for the story. But because all of the K-drama references, I loved it.
In terms of the plot, Desi uses the K-drama formula to try and win over her crush because she is hopeless at love. [a:Maurene Goo|6549377|Maurene Goo|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1477974772p2/6549377.jpg] has the K-drama technique DOWN, and she honestly references all the things you would stereotypically think belong in a drama, which I loved. I didn't like the way Desi went about to win Luca's affections though. For example, one of the K-drama steps is to get into a life threatening even that makes him realise how real your love is, and Desi organises it so she and Luca would be in a car accident... When I read this, I was like "Really? Couldn't you have done something a little less crazy?" That is the main reason why I didn't rate this 5/5 stars.
I did like Desi though. She was kind of annoying about how controlling she is. I mean, she literally wrote a formula to get love. But I liked her. I loved her friendship with Fiona because it felt real. I loved her relationship with her dad. I didn't really connect with her though because of how much of an overachiever she is.
I did like Luca, but Desi is the one that really stands out on this book. I think Luca could have been better developed. His mom is one of the most important people in his life, and yet we barely see her. I did like how the relationship with his father changed through the course of this book. That it went from a stereotypical YA cliche of my dad doesn't support what I want to do sort of bad dad, to a dad where Luca can understand.
This book has similar art feels to [b:Night Owls|37643587|Night Owls|Jenn Bennett|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513817787s/37643587.jpg|40336167]. So it you liked books on graffiti, you could like this one. Though the importance of art is less prevalent in this book than Night Owls.
Overall, this book was a cute one. It's one of my favourite of the year because it reflects my obsession with K-dramas. But I think that if you aren't familiar with K-dramas/Korean culture then this book would be more of an average read for you. The story is average, but it's the Korean culture references that makes it that much better. So I would recommend this book to K-drama addicts.
scent_of_the_rain's review against another edition
3.0
This was not what I expected, unfortunately not in the good way. Iâm really conflicted about this one. Donât get me wrong, it wasnât a bad book, it was entertaining and it has a lot of good and interesting characters. I especially liked Fiona, Wes and obviously Desiâs dad. He is my favorite. So cute. But it (the book) has gone in direction I didnât like and the ending got me a little mad, specially considering that Desi didnât learn anything. Speaking of Desi, I donât like her very much, at least when she is in the âpsycho modeâ. Rest of the time she is bearable. The fact that she pulled some really crazy shit, things that if she was a guy would be considered creepy and potentially criminal and in the end got the guy is concerning in the least. She put herself and other people in danger and got forgiven just because she said she loves Luca. That is no good. And I donât particularly like Luca.
What I did like, were both relationships with the parents/stepparent. Desi relationship with her father is something to aspire to and I liked that the relationship between Luca, both of his parents and his stepmom showed that perception is everything.
It was fine book. Though that I would like it more and I was a little disappointed in it, it has some problematic things and I wish there would be more Kdrama stuff in it but Iâm glad I read it.
What I did like, were both relationships with the parents/stepparent. Desi relationship with her father is something to aspire to and I liked that the relationship between Luca, both of his parents and his stepmom showed that perception is everything.
It was fine book. Though that I would like it more and I was a little disappointed in it, it has some problematic things and I wish there would be more Kdrama stuff in it but Iâm glad I read it.
oruat's review against another edition
3.0
3.5, Yeah it was cute and adorable, and also super fast-paced but the ending ruined it for me.
rosiethespy's review against another edition
4.0
First things first--I love Desi's dad. He's the best. The concept of using K dramas as a formula for finding love was funny and cute and just the perfect amount of crazy that a teenager would come up with, but it worked a little too well for Desi. It was so predictable, because the 14 steps were outlined right from the beginning! I don't think there was a single surprise.
mel_chan91's review against another edition
4.0
*3.75 stars*
A bit boring in the beginning, also had a hard time liking the characters. But, it warmed up to me towards the end. A very cute, maybe a bit over the top, read.
A bit boring in the beginning, also had a hard time liking the characters. But, it warmed up to me towards the end. A very cute, maybe a bit over the top, read.
pestomagico's review against another edition
5.0
Maurene Goo takes the reader on a journey of facing one's perfectionism through unexplored means, while obtaining the ability to accept the imperfections we all have.
Throughout I Believe in a Thing Called Love, Desi Lee is used to portray the perfect daughter and student who has her hand in everything in school, and for reasons more noble than popularity or praise. When she encounters fellow student, Luca Drakos, her world takes a turn and for the first time in her life, she is confronted with the possibility of not knowing her own future.
Goo is able to sum up many of the thoughts of a perfectionist and a person who is afraid of letting their loved ones down, all while showing more than she actually tells. All of my years of watching Korean dramas had prepared me to read this book, along with adding a tone of enjoyment that I have not experienced in a long while. With the culmination of characters actually being relatable, the events that occur being quite realistic, and the raw emotion of being afraid of failure itself, Maurene Goo weaves a story that is simultaneously heartwarming and inspiring.
Throughout I Believe in a Thing Called Love, Desi Lee is used to portray the perfect daughter and student who has her hand in everything in school, and for reasons more noble than popularity or praise. When she encounters fellow student, Luca Drakos, her world takes a turn and for the first time in her life, she is confronted with the possibility of not knowing her own future.
Goo is able to sum up many of the thoughts of a perfectionist and a person who is afraid of letting their loved ones down, all while showing more than she actually tells. All of my years of watching Korean dramas had prepared me to read this book, along with adding a tone of enjoyment that I have not experienced in a long while. With the culmination of characters actually being relatable, the events that occur being quite realistic, and the raw emotion of being afraid of failure itself, Maurene Goo weaves a story that is simultaneously heartwarming and inspiring.
jordancsmith16's review against another edition
3.0
Sweet and sugary.
I liked Desi's relationship to her dad and friends. Her dedication and over achiever capabilities.
I liked her growing love for K-Dramas and the authors too with the steps, and the plot being a loving homage.
What I didn't like: Luca. I just didn't get why Desi liked him and still don't. It made the romance seem underbaked for me.
I liked Desi's relationship to her dad and friends. Her dedication and over achiever capabilities.
I liked her growing love for K-Dramas and the authors too with the steps, and the plot being a loving homage.
What I didn't like: Luca. I just didn't get why Desi liked him and still don't. It made the romance seem underbaked for me.
evelynpinacolada's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Desi had such a complete lack of empathy that I was constantly cringing. Let me rephrase: she understands feelings but still does ridiculous + hurtful things because it will get her a boyfriend in the end??? This was very cliché (including the white boy love interest for our ethnic minority protagonist) + predictable (save for the Stanford rejection!! Was so happy to see something realistic!), but I still gave it 4 stars because I enjoyed the majority of it, and loved Pappa. Hoping to film a video review for this.