Somewhere Only We Know is a story about personal growth. About the dilemmas we have, the different strings pulling us in opposite directions between what we should do, versus what we want to do. The paths we are dragged along and the ones that inspire our heart. Passion for what we love, what moves our heart and quickens our breath - before we give it up, package it, before it becomes a second mask.

This is a must purchase for all school libraries. Light, fresh romance. I LOVE IT. Could it be the next Netflix hit? YES. I love how the characters support each other to follow their dreams.

Maurene Goo has done it again. Her romances are perfect for my younger high school students, and this title is no exception. I can't wait to share this with my students!

A K-pop megastar and a budding paparazzo have one whirlwind day in Hong Kong. What could possibly go wrong? What magic could spark? I found this to be a compelling and fun read, with a third character (the city of Hong Kong itself) shining through on Lucky and Jack's adventure. Recommended for fans of contemporary romance and/or K-pop fans, as there is a large helping of both in this book.

I really liked Somewhere Only We Know!  I swear, Goo writes the cutest books, and this one was no exception.

I will say, it took me a while to get into it.  Jack and Lucky both narrate, and I think that's why I had a hard time with the book at first.  It was hard to get into each character, but as the book went on, I got more settled into things, and I ended up really enjoyed the story.

It happens over a pretty short period of time, and it's quite the adventure for both Jack and Lucky.  There really isn't a lot of romance- it's more hinted at than anything else, and while father-daughter relationships are pretty important in her other books, it's not something we see in this book.  It has the same feel as her other books but it doesn't have some of the same elements I've seen from her.  Still, it was really fun and really cute, and I really liked seeing them explore Hong Kong together.

The Sun Is Also A Star is a pretty good read-alike for this one, in the sense that it's the one-day romance where they'll never see each other again...or find each other years later as adults.  Even though we get an epilogue, and see what happens after the events of the book, part of me wonders how things worked for both Lucky and Jack.  Romantically, of course, but also in their personal lives.

As for Jack and Lucky, I really liked Lucky but I was not a fan of Jack.  I think having his perspective really hurt, because we see and know things Lucky does not.  It made it really hard to like him and even though we see him change, it was really hard to get behind it knowing what we, as readers, know.

My Rating: 4 stars.  I really liked it, and it's a cute book.  I wasn't a fan of Jack, but I really liked Lucky.  I also wish I had more to say about this book, but I don't.  It's definitely worth reading, especially if you like K-Pop.

If you love a good, fluffy contemporary that will make your heart flutter you really never have to look further than Maurene Goo. Somewhere Only We Know follows Lucky and Jack. Lucky is at the top of her game as a K-Pop star but has felt her love for what she does slowly slipping away. Jack is an aspiring photographer but feels like his Korean fam would never let him pursue this interest more seriously.

Lucky and Jack meet when Lucky runs away from her hotel, desperate for something to eat after having to follow a very strict diet. Over the course of the night and the following day, the two explore Hong Kong’s best sites and eat a FUCK TON of amazing food. They also help each other face hard truths and become better versions of themselves.

I don't know if Somewhere Only We Know hits the same mark for me that Goo's previous books did, especially because we don't get to interact with secondary characters as much as we have in Goo's previous books, but Jack and Lucky are both complex, well rounded, characters who managed to win my heart. The food porn didn't hurt either.

This book is easily Maurene Goo’s best work to date. The romance flowed perfectly between Lucky and Jack, and the story had the right amount of cuteness mixed with reflective thoughts. If you’re a fan of K-Pop, yummy food, swoon-worthy characters, or even the occasional existential crisis, this is the book for you!!

Somewhere Only We Know follows the perspectives of Lucky, South Korea’s most popular K-Pop idol (think Taeyeon or Sunmi) and Jack, an aspiring photographer. Just as Lucky is about to make her American debut, one eventful night throws everything awry. Lucky is determined to have one last moment for herself before she becomes Mr. Ms. Worldwide™ like Pitbull, so when she unexpectedly runs into Jack while on her quest for a hamburger, they embark on an ~adventure~ to explore Hong Kong, eating the night away and exploring until their hearts’ content…all while keeping her true identity a secret.

This book was such an easy read. Even though it takes place during the span of a few days, the pacing was perfect, and if you know me, you’d know I’m most picky about a book’s pacing. There wasn’t a single dull moment in the story, making it extremely easy to follow along and become invested in the plot and the lovable characters. I managed to fly through the entire book during my 4-hour flight, and every page was as indulgent as the next.

I know we bash a lot on insta-love in the YA community, but I think Maurene Goo handled the romance very well without making it overly cringey or surface level. It was a bit similar to The Sun is Also a Star where the characters really got the chance to open up to one another except this time it’s over the course of a few days. Sure, there is that initial attraction that sparks the chemistry between them, but as you read on, you can really see how the two characters are able to connect on a deeper level. The playful banter between Lucky and Jack was also so so fun to read. They’re able to poke fun at one another yet still challenge each other’s perspectives to grow as individuals.

Even though the romance has its fun and playful moments, it’s also a very reflective story about following your passions and living your life despite others’ expectations. The book dives into the numerous expectations and restriction placed on Lucky as a top-level K-Pop idol. (Although if you’re a veteran K-Pop fan, you probably know more about the dark side of the entertainment industry than this book explores.) On top of a tight schedule of rehearsals, performances, and interviews, she’s placed on a stringent diet and is required to maintain a pristine image. Meanwhile, Jack’s family have a set expectation for him to work in the finance industry (meanwhile, I’m a finance major) and are firm about the fact that photography is not a viable career path.

Overall, Somewhere Only We Know did not disappoint as one of my most highly anticipated books this year. It was fun and playful yet also somewhat serious and introspective. The seamless incorporation of Asian culture in everyday life made me so happy, and all the references to the city and THE FOOD made me hungry for more. I loved every moment of this book, and I can’t wait to see what Maurene Goo writes next!!

3.5 Stars rounded to 4

Somewhere Only We Know didn’t completely give me ALL the swoony heartwarming FEELS I love, but it was still fun, whimsical and quite moving.

I really enjoyed reading I Believe in a Thing Called Love and Maurene Goo is one of the sweetest authors I’ve met. She’s just as adorable as her characters and her writing is easy to read and has its own quirky charm so of course I was excited for this book. I mean that cover is so cute and just screams swoony fun romance. I also like instalove every now and then depending on the story and 24 hour romances are pretty entertaining. Maybe it doesn’t quite work all the time, but I have enjoyed them in the past so I thought I would too with this book. While Somewhere Only We Know was delightful and entertaining, I didn’t wholeheartedly fall in love with the story. It just never quite hit that sweet spot. I will say this though... the ending, while a little too convenient for a HEA conclusion, still made my heart melt and I even teared up a little bit.

I thought Lucky and Jack were wonderfully intriguing characters. They weren’t always the best versions of themselves, but their flaws and vulnerabilities made them real for me. Lucky was talented, genuine, sweet, quirky and just so funny sometimes. She seriously had me laughing a few times. But, she was also struggling to find herself and the courage to do what makes her happy. With Jack… well at first I liked him, but then I was back and forth for a long time. His motives weren’t always in the right place. He acted selfish, but then he would do something quite noble and kind. He was protective of Lucky, but he was also lying to her. I was quite frustrated with him, but I guess that’s just how teenagers are when they’re trying to figure out who they want to be. Jack did eventually win me over and what he did for Lucky in the end was sincerely so sweet.

The supporting characters seemed pretty interesting even though they weren’t really there for most of the story. I liked Jack’s best friend Charlie and thought he was quite funny. I think I would have liked to get to know him more and see more interactions between him and Jack. It seemed like they had a great friendship. I also really liked the parents and how they were amazingly supportive of their children. I loved the sibling relationships too. I wish I could have known the side characters a bit more, but I do understand that the story had to focus on Lucky and Jack.

I liked the romance and I thought it was cute and adorable. I just wasn’t completely convinced with Lucky and Jack's feelings for each other and honestly, I never really felt that spark between them. I didn’t feel that they were really and truly in love with each other. To me, it seemed like they were perfect as friends who deeply care about each other... But as a couple, I just didn’t feel it. That being said, I thought their bantering was fun and they shared some heartwarming moments. Their dialogues and most of their interactions were silly and absurdly amusing. They made me laugh a few times and I thought their 24 hour romance adventure was entertaining. I also really liked that they shared thought-provoking and emotional conversations. I liked that they challenged each other and in some way also inspired each other to go after what makes them happy.

It’s quite difficult for me to really LOVE a book when I can’t get into it right away and/or for most of the story. The beginning of this book was a bit slow for me and the plot, while interesting to some extent, didn’t completely captivate me. I did like exploring Hong Kong with Lucky and Jack and really enjoyed their food trips. I loved that Lucky was adventurous with her food choices and that made me really hungry. I enjoyed the hilarious moments and all the wonderful mishaps. It was a fun story.

This wasn’t my favorite from Goo, but all in all, I thought the story was an enjoyable, hilarious, and adorable whirlwind teen romance. I laughed quite a bit, swooned a little, and had a wonderful time going on this delightful adventure with Lucky and Jack. Do I wish it was a bit MORE? Yes, absolutely. But, it was a lighthearted, easy, and fun read. It was also meaningful and I loved the message about chasing your dreams and ultimately living the life you want and doing what makes you happy. Would I read more books by Goo? Definitely! Just because I wasn’t entirely in love with this, doesn’t mean I won’t be with her upcoming books.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is an adorable read. I cannot handle it, and now I must read all the Maurene Goo books. This is a light and fluffy read, perfect for summer coming up. I LOVED BOTH MAIN CHARACTERS. It is a one day romance, but I am fine with that. I definitely don't think it was rushed by the author, it was very natural and felt very real between both characters. I am not a fan of K-pop, but after reading this book I might look into listening to some. I think the author did some research into K-pop before writing this, and it shows. The storyline is believable and both characters see some type of growth throughout it. I don't like when some quick romances have no meat or growth to it, because then what's the point? But that was not an issue with Somewhere Only We Know. Overall, a quick and enjoyable read.

This was cute. I always think I'm not going to like books that take place in the span of one day, but I haven't found one yet that I didn't enjoy. A big plus was that the perspective switched back and forth between our two main characters frequently, which really made the book move quickly. Obviously there was instant love, which I know readers have very strong opinions about, but the romance and their connection was definitely not the main focal point. There were discussions about college, religion, and how you should live your life when it comes to your happiness and selfishness. 

I loved being thrown into a new city like Hong Kong and I really felt like the reader gets to explore such a large scope of the city. And the food! So. Much. FOOD! It felt like our two lovebirds were eating new and exciting foods every few pages. 

That kind of leads me into the one thing that bothered me in the book. We know when each day begins over the 3-days we are in this story, but that was it. I had a really hard time figuring out what time of day it was, especially when the characters were eating so frequently throughout the day and not just the usual time stamps of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If there were markers every few chapters—maybe when they changed locations—to let us know what time it was, I would have felt more grounded in the story and just time/place in general.  On the flip side, the ending was really, really strong and almost erased all the timing issues I had with this book...almost.

Maurene Goo is no stranger to the YA rom/com and always adds another layer of discussion to her work. I think this is a fun and quick read to add to your TBR. 

I was sent an e-arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve enjoyed all three books by this author. I love the diversity she brings to YA. This was a cute story and perfect timing with the popularity of BTS and students becoming aware of K-pop. I would recommend this to my middle school and high school students. Cute, fun and age appropriate! If you enjoyed the authors other books it is a must read!

Originally posted on Forever Young Adult on 2019 April 30

BOOK REPORT for Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo

Cover Story: K-Perfect
BFF Charm: Yay and Eventually
Swoonworthy Scale: 7
Talky Talk: She Said, He Said
Bonus Factors: K-Pop, Hong Kong, Roman Holiday
Relationship Status: Whirlwind Fling

Cover Story: K-Perfect

Ugh, this cover is SO SO GOOD. Just like on the stage, Lucky is the unequivocal star. Although weirdly, the extended lines make me think of math (maybe it looks like a graph?), which is also ironic since both Lucky and Jack are terrible at it.

The Deal:

On the verge of her American debut, K-Pop sensation Lucky has just wrapped up her concert tour in Hong Kong. But right now, all she wants is to leave her fancy hotel for a tasty hamburger. Which is how she runs into Jack, whose side gig as a tabloid photographer serves as his only creative outlet while he's working at an internship that he hates.

Despite the alias that she uses, Jack soon realizes who Lucky is, and the opportunity to show the world's next megastar around the city—and to snap some exclusive photos—is too good to pass up. But what happens when a genuine connection is formed under these false pretenses?

BFF Charm: Yay and Eventually

Contrary to what her name might suggest, Lucky didn't get where she did on a fluke. Girl works hard. Being under as much pressure as she is, it's no wonder that she'd want to take a break from it all. But I don't know whether it's more foolish or brave to walk around Hong Kong in hotel slippers. I know you're jonesing for a hamburger, but GIRL.

Given all the sordid behavior of the rich and famous that Jack sees in his line of work, he's pretty jaded about celebrities and their privacy. (If they're willing to do it, then they're willing to get caught—and he's the one who'll catch 'em.) But Jack's mercenary attitude softens the more he gets to know Lucky, and so too did my stance on him. Although he did already have my respect for using the 'Asian voice' to use an English speaker's own assumptions against them.

Swoonworthy Scale: 7

The attraction between Lucky and Jack is immediate, but they also connect on a deeper level, esp. over their similar upbringing as Korean-Americans from Los Angeles. And neither of these shameless flirts are shy about addressing the sexual tension elephant in the room. Truly, there are few things swoonier than telling someone you like them when you know that they like you back.

Talky Talk: She Said, He Said

This fast-paced novel alternates between Lucky and Jack's distinct voices. (The reasoning behind the quirky English phrases that Lucky uses is quite great.) The only real quibble I have would be with some of the fictional celebrity references, which are always tricky to get right. Even now, I'm still not over the name of the American talk show on which Lucky is slated to appear, The Later Tonight Show. I know all the good variations already exist, but this ain't it. Also: Lucky's fandom should have had a name!

Bonus Factor: K-Pop

It's literally the only music I've been listening to for months! Granted, my limited understanding of K-Pop is through a band that seems to be an exception to many of the stringent rules in the industry that Lucky is also subjected to, so I'm mostly aware of a real-life example that would contradict her experience. (I realize the difficulty of writing about a pop culture landscape that's changing so quickly; this story would have been much better suited back when it was first conceived, rather than in a year when no less than twenty K-Pop headliners will be touring the U.S. K-Pop isn't coming; it's already here.)

I do wonder how Lucky's Korean-American perspective would differ from someone from South Korea or another country altogether. And there's definitely tons of juicy material to mine; some K-Pop idols are still enrolled in regular schools even after they start idol-ing (I desperately need that K-Pop idol school novel to be written). Give me ALLLLLL the K-Pop books!

Bonus Factor: Hong Kong

It's my first hometown! I don't actually know the touristy spots that well, nor the expat areas. I am, however, well acquainted with Hong Kong's favorite pastime that's prominent throughout Lucky and Jack's adventures: TASTY BUSINESS. (Seriously, I'm already salivating for all the street food the next time I'm back.)

While the descriptions of Hong Kong ring true for the most part, there was one minor incident that took me completely out of the book. In a euphoric crowd scene, two women announced that they had just gotten married on that day. Like most of Asia, Hong Kong is unfortunately not that progressive yet and same-sex marriage is not legal. The inaccuracy doesn't matter to the overall story (and I'm all for this LGBTQ-friendlier parallel universe version of HK), but this throwaway detail stood out way more than it was intended to.

Bonus Factor: Roman Holiday

It's my favorite Audrey Hepburn movie ever! The Roman Holiday vibes here are strong and have me hankering for yet another rewatch.

Relationship Status: Whirlwind Fling

All the ingredients were in place for me to fall head over heels in love with this book—seriously, could it have been more tailor-made for me?!?—and there were times early on when this seemed so close to coming to fruition. It was only when we started to really get to know each other that our long-term incompatibility became evident. But at least we'll always have Hong Kong.

Somewhere Only We Know will be available on May 7th.

Lucky and Jack, so much fun! This story takes place in Hong Kong and is amazing in the way that is portrays the life of a K-Pop star and a young man who is trying to find himself. This is a wonderful romantic romp through the county as Lucky tries to remember why she got into the music business and what it feels like to live like a "normal" teen for a day. I really enjoyed this story, the romance was well written and the descriptions of the day they spend together was lovely. I don't think I have ever read a novel in this setting and I really enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the country and their experiences. This is my second book Maurene Goo and I really loved this one. If you enjoy Anna and the French Kiss by Perkins, you will enjoy the romantic vibe of this book!
Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Totes adorbs! This is a little Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist with a lot Roman Holiday and K-drama cuteness!

Lucky has had a long day - she just finish performing for a massive sold-out crowd, being the K-pop mega star that she is, and she's done a fan signing, and she's just taken her meds and sleeping pills, but she's also starving! Can't a girl get a hamburger?! So she makes the decision to go find one. Alone. In Hong Kong.

Jack is on a high from getting his latest celebrity scandal shot, he's trying to celebrate when he sees a girl seemingly drunk talking to herself in Korean. He also being a Korean in Hong Kong decides to help and thus an epic, life changing 24 hours ensue.

I picked up this book because (1) it features asian characters and is by an asian author, and (2) because K-Pop and K-dramas are super big among many people I know.

Things to like about this book:

1. The plot is something out of a Korean drama, except PG-13 and toned down for a younger and more Western audience. If, like me, you know people who love watching these kinds of romantic comedies, this is a good book to recommend to them.
2. It features A LOT of asian culture. Yes, it gives a cursory insight into the K-pop industry and fandom, but there’s so much more: food, language, mannerisms, parental expectations, Hong Kong sights and culture, and what it’s like to grow up Asian American – in particular as 2nd gen.
3. The characters are complex. While I’m not fond of relationships founded upon lies, the characters’ actions are tolerable and understandable because their conflicts are established from their first POV chapters (chapters 1 and 2).
4. The tone remains lighthearted and humorous while exploring the complexities of human nature. Anxiety is briefly touched upon as are the darker sides of the entertainment industry, through both Lucky’s stardom and Jack’s part-time tabloid job.
5. Lucky and Jack’s stories interweave the unifying message of pursuing one’s dreams and never forgetting the why. The alternative is shown through their respective initial situations and Jack’s father.
6. Another bonus: while not always present, family does play an important role in each characters’ life. Note: while not everyone is fortunate enough to have supportive family members, I do like how family is shown positively in this book.

Things I didn’t like as much:

1. Alternating 1st person POV chapters. It’s not as big a dealbreaker as it was for me several years back, but I’m still not the biggest fan of switching POVs that are both told in the 1st person.
2. Insta-love: it takes one night for them to fall in love with each other and change each other’s world.
3. All the lying: it goes on for a while. I understand Lucky’s need to hide her identity, but Jack takes his deception far even after he begins to have a change of heart. That said, it does contribute to the drama, and the character motivations, while flawed, are understandable.

All in all, this novel is light-hearted and humorous while conveying depth of character. I enjoyed reading this one.

Content:

- Kissing.
- Jack walks into a big-name actor and actress having an affair in a hotel room, but the most suggestive thing is the man being dressed in a bathrobe.

What could possibly go wrong when a K-Pop star and a tabloid reporter decide to spend an entire day together?

This is a story about falling in love in the span of a day and how that one person can help change the rest of your life.

Somewhere Only We Know is centered around Lucky who is the largest K-Pop star in the world. After her Hong Kong performance she starts to realize that being on top of the music charts no longer makes her happy, though.

Lucky is truly something special. Being a huge K-Pop fan myself, I enjoyed traveling into this fun world Maurene Goo created through her eyes. We see both the beauty and ugliness of the world of K-Pop while being respectful. Lucky is lost and unsure of her future, a challenge most teenagers face, but she doesn’t have the luxury of going through a rebel phase. She must maintain her squeaky clean, girl-next-door image. So the last thing she should be caught doing is spending an entire day with a random boy she just met.

But, in natural K-Drama fashion, Lucky does just this. Enter the random boy who is Jack, the other POV in Somewhere Only We Know. I think readers will be torn on his character. Jack is taking a gap year to figure out his future, but during this time he’s using his photography skills to work for a tabloid magazine. He’s selfish and hard to love. Once Jack and Lucky’s paths cross, his flaws are on full display because he has a completely different agenda for their day together than Lucky believes.

Lucky and Jack go on an adventure full of love, growth, and a lot of food. The majority of the story takes place in this one day. With that being said, if you’re not a fan of insta-love romances then this book might not be for you. Lucky and Jack are instantly drawn to one another, which I didn’t completely hate. Like I said, Maurene Goo does a wonderful job exploring Lucky’s character. She’s someone who spends most of her time alone, not being heard by others. When she finally finds someone who treats her more than just “Lucky, the K-Pop star” then it’s natural for her to care deeply for them. Plus, there are some cute moments shared between the two!

Outside of the insta-love, I enjoyed seeing how after their meeting both of their lives changed because of one another. Maurene Goo developed both of them well as individual characters. The ending wraps up quickly and will leave readers satisfied.

Overall, Somewhere Only We Know is a light and cute read. If you’re a K-Pop fan or in the mood for a quick contemporary read then I definitely recommend checking this book out! Somewhere Only We Know will be released on May 7.

What a fun YA read! This story about Lucky and Jack takes you on their fall-in-love-in-a-day adventure. While readers might take this as unrealistic, just relax about that and enjoy the story! What teen doesn't fall in love that quickly at least once? This was my first Maureen Goo read, and I shall be picking up more of her books in the future for sure.

This is a sweet and frothy romance with Asian main characters, and a vibrant Hong Kong setting. Definitely insta-love, but I liked how the infatuation resolved over time. Themes of cultural/family pressure, self-acceptance, and ultimately empowerment are woven through both characters. A vivid introduction to some Asian culture for Americans unfamiliar with the scene. And all the food descriptions made me hungry!

I'm a big fan of Maureen Goo, so I was really looking forward to reading this. While I enjoyed it well enough, I'm sorry to say that it didn't grab me like her previous titles.

Somewhere Only We Know takes place primarily over the course of one day in Hong Kong. Our protagonists are Lucky, a wildly successful K-Pop star on the verge of her American debut, and Jack, a photographer moonlighting as a paparazzo while working up the courage to reject his parents' plan for his life. Both are hiding something: Lucky has shed her famous persona, relishing the chance to be a normal girl for a day, while Jack has figured out who she is and is hoping to document their day together and make his big break as a photographer. For both, this day in Hong Kong is a chance to reevaluate their plans and make some tough choices.

I had two big problems with this book, and the first was Jack. I just found it too skeevy that he was secretly photographing her the whole time and that he was using her to make his big break. The second problem was the pacing: I just don't buy that kind of insta-love, especially with all the lies between them. Between those two concerns, I spent most of the book waiting for reality to come crashing down on them, which didn't make for a fun reading experience. This book actually took me weeks to complete, since I actually kind of didn't want to know what was going to happen next. I ended up devouring the final chapters in just one sitting, but I'm still conflicted on how it wrapped up. Some scenes had me cheering and practically pumping my fists from my couch, but certain major plot points were too quickly and tidily resolved.

All in all, I'm pretty conflicted about this title. I was personally a little disappointed, but that won't stop me from recommending it to the teens in my library. I enjoyed it well enough as a fluffy romance, and I suspect I would have liked it a lot more as a teenager.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.

Maureen Goo does it again in creating an amazing backdrop to a thrilling story about a K-Pop princess and a paparazzo. I loved every minute of it.