Man, what a letdown.

I've been a fan of K-pop (and Girls' Generation in particular) since my volunteer year in South Korea after college, so I was admittedly excited for the behind-the-scenes trainee experience. I was ready to get swept up in the music, the clothing, the makeup, and the glamour, and on that front, it did not disappoint. The wealth, exclusive shopping sprees, and impromptu international travel made for some fun wish fulfillment. I also appreciated that it was from a Korean-American perspective, which helped make the experience more relatable to an American audience while also addressing some difficult issues of identity and belonging that can come from having a foot in two cultures. There's also some pretty excellent commentary on the double standards applied to women in the business, a problem that is addressed with remarkable forthrightness and clarity for such a fluffy setting. Unfortunately, that's about as much as I can say in praise of this book.

Rachel, our heroine, is a pretty awful narrator. She's not cutthroat or conniving like her rival Mina, but that sets a pretty low bar. Her excruciating back-and-forth with Jason takes up space in her head and on the pages that could have been spent on other things. She swings from one resolution to the next, summoning new determination - to chase after her dreams! to do what she wants! to stay the course! to be her own woman! once and for all! - so frequently that eventually I stopped keeping track. She's so wrapped up in her own drama that she throws her friends, family, and occasionally her personal integrity to the wayside in pursuit of her K-pop dreams.

This is clearly the first book in a series, and there's plenty of drama left for a sequel or two. Unfortunately, it would have been much better as a standalone title without all the loose ends and potential problems contaminating the ending. Sure, Rachel finally gets to make her debut. But her boyfriend is a liar, her friendships are in shambles, and her family is now in debt to Mina's evil father. Shine constantly grapples with the question of whether it's all worth it. Maybe it will be for Rachel, someday. But based on this book alone, my answer is absolutely not.

I love Kpop with my whole heart and I was super eager to read Shine, especially because it was written by former Girls Generation member, Jessica Jung. I knew that her having lived in this world and with all the experience would bring a lot to this book. Jessica made it all feel so authentic, so raw and real. That didn't stop this book from being fun though! There was plenty of drama, rules, family and insights into the Kpop life! It all felt like I was watching a K-drama unfold with each page I turned and I loved every minute of it!

First I want to start off by saying I know nothing about K-Pop. The cover and synopsis drew me into this one and I found to really enjoy it.

The world of K-Pop is a competitive one and Rachel Kim is ready for it, or so she thought. After spending the past six years her dreams are finally in her grasp but the closer she gets to it the more she realizes how much control the K-Pop industry has over her. She deals with bullying by some of the other girls and even by society itself when she overhears a conversation from some girls that are sexist against her. The more she reveals about the negative affects of the K-Pop industry the more she starts to doubt she'll ever be good enough to survive.

I really liked the relationships Rachel had with her younger sister and father. Her mother is tougher. She doesn't seem to support Rachel's dream as much as she'd like and doesn't understand why. This story is definitely one of self-discovery and learning to find your own path. Rachel has to navigate the competitive world of K-pop while making sure to maintain her personal life. She finds herself falling for the lead singer, and most popular, K-pop star but has been warned that in order to rise to the top she has to sacrifice ever being in a relationship.

I thought this book gave some good insight into the high expectations of the dance world. It sheds light on how it can lead to eating disorders and bullying among those competing for the top spot. They have to be in perfect shape or they'll never be able to break out. I think these are important issues that should be addressed and I do feel like it could've dived deeper into those aspects but then it wouldn't have been as light a read as it turned out to be.

I recommend this to anyone looking for a fun YA contemporary. I enjoyed the friendships and family dynamics around Rachel's life and the romance was adorable. I did feel there were some unanswered questions in the end but they weren't major enough to give it a lower than 4-star rating. Overall I enjoyed this one!

Behind the glitz and glam of idol life lies sacrifice and struggle. Rachel has been a training tirelessly for years. Singing, dancing, dieting. Doing everything to be the perfect idol, to have a chance of debuting— its all a trainee can hope for. But Rachel faces sabotage, toxic sexism and double-standards.

Any fan of K-pop will enjoy this fun read.

I’m just going to start off my saying that I’m only a recent KPOP fan, but one of my close friends has talked to me at length about KPOP and especially about Girls’ Generation, so when I heard about this book, I was definitely intrigued, especially because there’s always been speculation about her story.

I definitely went in thinking that this was just going to be a fun drama filled, kind of cute romance, but I was surprised when it went so much deeper than that. This book not only had the drama, but it discussed the sexism in the KPOP industry and brought up some really interesting discussions about the world of fame and fortune.

It started off kind of cliche and I was absolutely okay with that because that’s just kind of what I felt like reading at the moment… and then it took a drastic turn. I was so surprised by how quickly I was sucked into the story.

It was so interesting to read about this young girl who would just do anything to be a KPOP star. Even if she had to have an extreme diet and have to go through so much competition with these other girls and have to deal with all these insane rules. Reading about the inner workings of the “training” these girls have to go through in order to even be considered as a potential star blew my mind.

I especially loved the discussions about sexism in the industry along with the talk Rachel and Jason had about their dual identities. Being Korean and American (or Canadian in Jason’s case) and how they didn’t feel completely accepted in either of those boxes. Itw as so relatable to read something like that.

I definitely found myself wondering how much of the possibly obvious references to Girls Generation and Jessica’s own life were the truth, especially because there were quite a few references to the girl group “Girls Forever” and the main singer leaving the group in the book. It was definitely something to think about.

I went in thinking this would just be a romance, but I’m so glad that this wasn’t. This was so much more and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in reading about the KPOP world.

Trigger warnings include, sexism and body shaming.

If you like kind of embarrassing meet cutes, studio ghibli references, a story featuring real life KPOP references, a discussion of identity and sexism in the world of fame, and a whole lot of competition, heartbreak and drama, this is definitely something you should check out!

Content warnings: slut-shaming, body-shaming, fatphobia, drugging someone, racism, verbal abuse, sexism

Okay, I’m giving this book a reluctant 4 stars, mainly due to the content warnings and what felt like and endlessness to the slut-shaming and body-shaming. I absolutely love the premise of this book, especially since K-pop has become a huge thing over the past few years. (Middle school Nicole is very happy about this.) I didn’t recognize the author’s name initially, but I’ve heard of the K-pop group she was in, so immediately I was intrigued. I did, however, find some general inconsistences which I hope has been fixed in the finished copy.

First, I want to start with the good stuff. I enjoyed the main character, Rachel, as a person. I loved the relationship she has with her young sister, Leah; the begrudging one she has with her mom; and the very relaxed one she has with her dad. This book definitely gets an A+ for family dynamics, where parents are actually being parents and not simply trying to be “friends” with their children. I also liked the friendship between Rachel and the twins, and how they’re all trying to juggle school in the midst of Rachel also trying to juggle life as a K-pop trainee. Rachel’s budding romance with Jason, a member of an extremely popular K-pop boy band, was pretty cute, too, and I loved that he’s biracial, half-white, half-Korean. I also liked how Rachel pointed out the blatant sexism in the K-pop industry to Jason, who remained oblivious until… Well, he learned.

Now I know we’ve all heard stories about how training to be a K-pop star and maintaining status as a K-pop star is pretty horrendous. This book pretty much follows these stereotypes, so there’s a lot of body-shaming in regards to how certain characters look physically, what they’re eating, etc., and some pretty heavy-handed verbal abuse to some characters as a whole. This turns my stomach and makes me pretty sad. Tied into this is what seems to the incessant need for each of the female K-pop trainees to constantly go at each other, doing everything but getting into actual fist fights. I had really high hopes for Rachel’s “rival”, Mina, where I thought the two would reconcile things toward the end. Well… I’ll let y’all read the story to find out if that actually happens. The constant back-and-forth between these two really got on my nerves though because just when you think there’s a breakthrough something comes up to ruin it all over again. I want to empathize with Mina because it becomes obvious that she’s under a lot of pressure from her father due to her family’s connection this particular K-pop label. It’s extremely frustrating to read.

One of the things that bothered me was how Rachel continues to say she’s been training for six years, which would make her 11 when she started. Again, this is me not knowing the truth in regard to how young people actually are when they become a K-pop trainee but… 11? Also, there a few times when Rachel’s name is announced not in the Korean way, Kim Rachel. Instead it was announced using her first name followed by her last name. I found this rather odd because this didn’t happen with Jason (Lee) or the other K-pop trainee with a Western first name, Lizzie (Im). I don’t know if it wasn’t done the Korean way for emphasis but it irked me. Of all the things!

The writing was enjoyable to read and the world-building was good, too. I loved that we were also able to experience the Korean life outside of this K-pop centric world Rachel lives in.

Wow, this book really surprised me! I honestly wasn't expecting to like it so much, but I found this book so entertaining. A fun, fast-paced romance that I finished reading in one sitting.

I've been curious about this book ever since it was announced! Jessica Jung is a former member of an immensely popular K-pop girl group formed by one of the biggest agencies, and it's clear that she drew from her own experiences in writing Shine. Like Jung, the main character Rachel Kim is Korean-American and moves to Korea, simultaneously attending international school and training.

Shine is a quick, enjoyable read that explores the immense pressure that trainees face, the double standards for male and female stars, and feeling like you don't belong. The plot moves very quickly, and at times I would have liked more depth and reflection.

Shine highlights the strict policies of (fictional) DB Entertainment, including the constant weighing and evaluations and the no-dating rule. The most surprising and intriguing character in the book is Kang Jina, one of the biggest stars at DB, who offers Rachel a timely warning. There's constantly an immense pressure to debut, and the pressure doesn't end once you debut. The singing, dancing, and media training are rigorous, and competition between trainees is fierce. Several of the other girls bully Rachel for being American and attending school and living at home instead of training full-time. I felt like Rachel was lucky to be able to live at home instead of having to be in that toxic environment 24/7. The scenes with Rachel's mom and dad, and her younger sister Leah were some of the brightest moments in the book and Rachel recognizes how much they've sacrificed so that she can pursue her dream.

Initially, Rachel's greatest obstacle to debuting is that she freezes up in front of the camera, but about halfway through it's brushed off as something Rachel doesn't notice anymore because she's swept up by everything that happens. Rachel also becomes too busy for her close friend Akari, a fellow trainee who is bullied and also struggling with training. I don't mind that this storyline went in this direction because it felt realistic. Sometimes you get so wrapped up in your own life that you forget about your friends, and when you remember them again, it's too late.

Of course, I can't not mention the romance between Rachel and K-pop star Jason Lee. The meet-cute made me laugh out loud, and I liked that his character is given substance and a backstory. Their interactions were starting to get too cheesy and cute though, so I was glad that realistic conflicts do arise between them.

Shine wraps up fairly quickly in the end so I hope there's a sequel! I’d definitely read it.

I have mixed feelings about this book. It wasn't the light and fluffy book I thought it was gong to be. Instead it was darker and showed a more realistic look at the K-pop industry and the pressure it puts on its stars. It was unsettling at times and made me think about how this industry we glamorize isn't so glamorous after all. In the end, I was left thinking that the Rachel got what she wanted to be debuted in a K-pop girl group, but was it really the right choice for her?

Let me start by saying I was obsessed with girls generation from 2007-2013. I would try to get all of my friends to love them. It didn’t work out, but my love continued.Jessica is a k-pop Queen.

When I found out that Jessica wrote a book, I knew I had to read it. Shine is a story that follows 17year old Rachel as she moves through k-pop star in training to a full superstar. I really thought this book would be a fun and light read and show the glamour of superstardom. At times it was just that, but it also explored the negative side of with the business. The ideal body image, the overworked schedules and training regime, and sexism.

Overall, I actually enjoyed it more then I thought I would. I guess I have a negative opinion of celebrities writing books.The book offered romance, explored friendships and rivalries. You also get to see Rachel’s character develop over time from a young sky kid to a strong and confident women! I would recommend it to people who love K-pop and want to know more about the business; both the good and bad!

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This was largely a fun, enjoyable read. The characters are all pretty memorable, though mostly because there's not much nuance to most of them. Rachel, the main character, was funny, but she seemed to be an unbelievable hot mess. While the book was an interesting insight into the mysterious workings of the K-pop industry, as an American reader I got pretty lost with all the Korean-specific words and references without explanations. This seems meant for a Korean audience, not a global one. I did really like the focus on how there are double standards for girls versus boys, since that's definitely a global theme that transcends the world of K-pop.

Jessica Jung offers delicious secrets about the K-Pop world in her debut novel, SHINE.

Six years ago, Rachel Kim, a Korean-American teenager, was recruited by DB Entertainment, the top K-Pop producing company in the world. Moving from America to Korea, Rachel’s entire life is turned upside down as she becomes the outsider in this cutthroat world. But at seventeen, it’s her final chance to debut. Between her enemies, friends, family, and even love interest, Rachel stops at nothing to make sure she gets noticed by the top dogs.

I was super invested in the book, especially in wanting Rachel to become a K-Pop star. We get to see the secrets of the world and how rough it is to be a trainee. From mock interviews, constant dance and vocal practices, and even sabotaging from the other trainees. It’s insane to think that this is the real world, that these people get scrutinized all day every day. Even what they eat has to be cleared and their weight checked every so often to make sure they’re staying fit. One wrong move and you get cut from the program.

In the beginning, it was a bit hard to remember everyone because it seemed a bit packed. We had people from DB but because Rachel still goes to school, we had her classmates there as well. But once I got into the flow, they became easier to remember. What I enjoyed about Shine was that we see Rachel in training, but we get to meet people through her that have debuted. And that’s where it becomes interesting.

The story has tones of misogyny in the entertainment business. We get to see the difference between the male performers to the female performers. Especially in the music business, we see how the women are constantly measured to make sure they don’t gain weight, and have to order salads to make sure they’re viewed a certain way. Meanwhile a guy can walk in with a burger, shake, and fries and they think he’s a rockstar. The rules also don’t apply to the two the same. If two K-Pop stars date, the woman is the one who gets in trouble while the guy is made to seem like a saint.

It was pretty frustrating seeing the injustice in the book that mirrors and reflects the real world, and I thought it was very well done. I also enjoyed the interactions of Rachel and the people and world around her. For the people, her storyline differs with each of them as she has so much to juggle. Between the constant sabotage of her enemy, to trying to please her mother, and even to trying to keep her friendships in one piece, there’s a lot going on but done very well. It never felt too much but made to feel like an actual K-Pop drama. Especially with the juicy love interest that offers twists and turns.

It was also amazing seeing the world around her, the lavish and rich lives that many of them lead. From trips to Japan for fun, and even the tour life and getting to meet fans and haters. I can honestly say that Shine is a great novel with characters, storylines, and the world itself. I could easily see it becoming a television show or a movie on a streaming service. And honestly I hope that happens because I’m kind of obsessed. There’s just one problem.

The only reason the book isn’t getting a full five stars is because of one little problem that could’ve easily been fixed. Throughout the book we get Korean words, phrases, and even characters from the alphabet. Sometimes it’ll be a word or two scattered through out a sentence. At times, when characters are texting, they’ll send a sentence with the Korean alphabet. But at one point there was a full conversation in Korean. The problem isn’t that it happened because it added that depth to the Korean world and the culture. The problem was that there wasn’t really any context clues as to what they meant. I constantly had to stop reading and look up what the words meant. And when it got to the Korean alphabet, I had to go on Twitter and ask if anyone could translate.

I wish that the back offered a page or two with translations of what they meant so that we could fully understand. But aside from that, I think Jessica Jung debuted an amazing novel that ended in the perfect way to create excitement for a sequel.

After moving from New York to Seoul, Rachel has been training with a prestigious K-Pop record company for six years and is ready for her debut. As she trains, she competes with many other girls who want it just as badly. When she meets K-Pop Star, Jason Lee, her training gets complicated.

This was another VH-1 behind the scenes book, like Daisy Jones and Cassidy Holmes but now we have K-Pop trainee and wanna-be Star, Rachel Kim. K-Pop is a world I hadn’t yet been introduced to, but it was so much fun in this book; glittery, clean, shiny, and full of drama. Besides the drama, this book gets into many different topics.. demands of being a celebrity and a teenager, jealously among colleagues and fans, bullying, identity, and family responsibility. Even with these topics, it stayed light-hearted and fun throughout. I definitely hope to see more of Rachel Kim. Will there be a book two? I hope so!

“All’s fair in love and K-Pop”

“This is my time to shine. And I won’t let anyone stop me.”

This book was a happy surprise for me. I knew very little of Jessica Jung when I first started listening to kpop, and I knew even less about her past history in the industry. I actually did some research before I began reading 'Shine' and after reading I find it hard to not wonder if this was her own experience as a kpop trainee up until she left SM Entertainment.

First off, Jessica Jung is a GREAT writer. It's always a hit or miss when it comes to celebrities writing books, but I have to say Jessica's writing was fabulous. She definitely doesn't hold back. She tackles a lot of the toxic aspects of the entertainment industry, kpop specifically for this book. There's the double standards, what kpop trainees must endure just to make their dreams come true, and she tackles the rumors of what companies ask of kpop trainees before they even make it to debut.

I will say that if you're a kpop stan already, you'll either hate or love this book. If you're expecting a cute, sparkly kpop love story I have to say this is not it. Sure, there are a lot of cutesy parts to this story. And I absolutely loved the family dynamics in it, too.. BUT it really shades the entertainment industry in a light I'm not sure every kpop stan is ready to see (even if I personally think they should be aware of what kpop artists go through).

Readers who aren't kpop stans then I think they'll take this book for what it is. A fun story about a kpop star and about a young girl who falls in love but is also working hard to chase after her dreams. I think these readers will easily enjoy 'Shine'.

Overall, I enjoyed 'Shine'. I don't think I'd ever read it again but I will probably check out the next book because I want to see how it ends. If you're into kpop then I would say check it out and see if you like it. Again I think most people will either love it or hate it. It's hard to tell.. There are *a lot* of triggers, though. There's drinking, drugs, weight shaming, and talk of eating disorders just to name a few.

I’m a fan of K-pop. Granted I’m not as big a fan as most of my friends are.
My twitter timeline seems to be made up of 10% sports, 25% gamers, 25% demonry and, whatever else is left is kpop. I’m not good at math, okay? Don’t judge me.
I know about Girls Generation. Back when life was normal and we were allowed to roam freely without fear of catching the plague I would walk and dance around the park to Gee and Run Devil Run.

I'm not in the know for why Miss Jessica Jung left Girl's Generation exactly. I know that she started a very successful clothing brand that clashed with her groups' activities and was subsequently voted out. Buuut I don't have all the tea, you know?

All the good tea.
I wasn't looking at Shine for a messy tell all. I'm not sure if we should take it as such either. I see it as insight into the K-Pop industry which is notorious for how strenuous, toxic, and abusive the nature and the background of it is. It's been in the spotlight most recently due to the tragic suicides of Choi Jin-ri, aka Sulli of f(x), Goo Hara of Kara, Cha In-ha of Surprise U, and Kim Jong-hyun of Shinee. May they all rest in peace and may we try to set a better precedent for them in the future.

The industry is brutal. From training to debut to mainstream fame. Training to debut can last YEAARS and the thing is debuting isn't concrete. It's not certain.

It's even harder when you do break out as a group. Now you must maintain perfection.

In Shine we are introduced to 17 year old Rachel Kim. Rachel wasa recruited by DB Entertainment 6 years ago. What's DB Entertainment? Well - just one of the world's largest K-Pop labels. Their rules are simple. Train 24/7, be perfect, no social media, and no dating.

Rachel can do that...right? As the years tick by and she's yet to debut she becomes less positive. The industry's demons have more than exposed themselves to her and she's not sure if she's cut out for this. To make matters worse why now of all times did K-Pop heart throb Jason Lee have to show up just for her to grow a crush on him?

Rachel has to figure out what exactly she wants and how badly she wants it because if not all of this could be for nothing. Worse. All of this could be for failure.

I went into reading Shine expecting the average, feel good poppy chick-lit. I didn't get that. I got something much darker than that. Right away we are introduced to Rachel who is doing idol training with a group of fellow trainees. It doesn't go well. Rachel's personality is basically dissected, eviscerated, served to us Hannibal Lecter style.

And AFTERWARDS we find out that she is not well liked or like liked at all by the co-trainees as they mock her, look down at her for being Korean American and smirk at her "overbearing" mother who doesn't let her live in the training house. Their behavior towards Rachel only gets worse and even more sadistic as the book goes on. These girls are warped.

And they're not the only ones. The executives and trainers are worse. They say it's training but it's definitely more like boot camp. The girls are weighed weekly, sometimes daily which of course forces them to starve, they wake freakishly early, there's casual flippant talk of plastic surgery, one girl is forced to sing and is hit in the stomach while doing so. It's a lot. It's eye opening and I love the fact that Jessica Jung manages to write these hard truths while still maintaining an air of bubble gum lightness. Shine is bright and fun. When the characters perform you can hear the melody, see the glittering costumes and bright eyed smiles. We've all heard that song. We know the K-pop bops.

There's romance, of course there's romance. And it's cute and a smile played on my lips the entire time. It's just too perfect. We've all been in that situation. Er - not with a super famous K-pop boy maybe. But texting someone we really like even though we know it's a bad idea. Right? RIGHT?
Although the book isn't perfect and there are more than a few loose ends that need to be tied up (SPOILER: WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO AKARI? THAT BOTHERED ME THE MOST.) , Shine surprises in subtle yet big ways. What I like most about the story is Rachel's determination to not let anything or anybody stop her from her goal. Not the gremlin girls she trained with, not her mother's lack of support, not a boy, not herself. She keeps it pushing even when she does need to stop and think of herself. That is a cautionary tale in itself.

I look forward to seeing the upcoming movie and reading the sequel. Now you may all rec me some K-pop.

Thanks very much to Netgalley and the Publisher for this copy of my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I expected to enjoy this story; I have always liked this style of novel, one where you're invited into a world that you don't know anything about - can't know anything about, honestly - by someone who does know. Getting all of the inside secrets and details is really fun to me. Shine definitely delivers on the machine of K-pop, something that I was completely clueless about.

And honestly, yikes.

I am horrified by some of the details, and unfortunately I'm sure that the ones that are the worst are completely true. (Micromanaging girls' diets, weigh-ins and the horrific comments that go along with them, manipulating these children on a global scale without their knowledge or consent, the insane expectations the way the adults speak to these kids.) It makes me feel a little bit glad that I haven't been drawn into K-pop fandom - I don't know that I could participate in that without feeling incredibly icky.

Having said all of that: This was a good, entertaining read. The authenticity lends to the horror, yes, but it also lends to the sort of dishy in-the-know vibe and atmosphere of the story. Rachel is a compelling narrator, Jason is a believable love-interest, the family feels real, the awful mean girl tone of the other trainees (Mina particularly) is genuinely upsetting without turning the girls into caricatures.

It works, I liked it, I want to read the sequel. Do proceed with caution (triggers would include disordered eating and negative discussions of weight and bodies; misogyny and sexism; mistreatment of children; gross media and celebrity gossip culture). I do think this walks a good line between showing the glamour of this whole k-pop machine and laying bare its ugliness.

Gossip Girl meets Crazy Rich Asians and it’s set in the K-pop world? Get ready for plenty of drama, gossip secrets, and competition all set in the glitzy, shimmering K-pop world. The story follows seventeen year old Rachel Kim who has been training for one of the biggest K-pop labels and is getting ready to debut. There are strict rules in the industry including no dating, which won’t help matters when Rachel forms a connection with K-pop star Jason Lee. Are the restrictions and all the hard work worth the dream Rachel wants so desperately? The K-pop world the story is set in feels very authentic - probably because the author of Shine is Jessica Jung, an actual former lead singer of a huge female K-pop group. It definitely shines in her writing. The character development is outstanding. Each character truly feels like a person with all their complexities. The romance is very sweet and one readers will root for. Highly recommended!

A fun and flirty look at the world of K-pop written by someone in the know. Fans of Jung will not be disappointed!

I was so impressed by this book! It's been a while since the last time I read a contemporary YA that I enjoyed this much. The fact that this story is about the K-pop world contributed to that, considering this scenario makes this book different from others. Rachel not only has to navigate school while dealing with her family, friends and the boy she likes, but she also has to do it while training 24/7 to be a K-pop star. And as many of you probably know, this industry is brutal. I'm a huge K-drama fan but I'm not so familiar with the music industry, so I learned a lot from this. Knowing that this was written by someone who went through all of that is a huge plus. I loved all the criticism presented in this book, such as the double standard for men and women - not surprisingly, things are more difficult for female artists -, but at the same, this is not so black-and-white. Although Rachel is aware of all the sacrifices she has to make considering DB Entertainment controls every aspect of her life, we can also see the love she feels for K-pop. Her connection is touching and a lot of people will probably relate to that. She grew up in NY, but always felt different because she was the only Korean girl in an all-white school. When she found out about K-pop, she felt proud of being Korean for the first time, and that's what made her pursue her dreams. This layer makes everything more nuanced and complex.
Even though the book covers "the good and the bad side" of K-pop, it is a fun read. I read it superfast and really enjoyed it. I admired Rachel as a protagonist; she's so determined and inspiring, always fighting for what she wants. She has trouble finding balance between school, family, friends, and training, as she is working hard to debut and ends up pushing the people she loves aside. I just wished she'd give us more details about her training sessions so I could picture it better, such as the choreography, the lyrics, etc. Her romance with Jason was cute and I was rooting for them. Because he's a big K-pop star, they go through a lot of awkward and tense situations, especially because DB doesn't allow their stars to date. This was source for good conflict/angst, but I wanted more layers to Jason's character. Considering he's in the other spectrum of fame (he already "made it" while Rachel is still fighting to get there), his character could add a new perspective to this complicated industry. But I'm hoping the author will explore more of this in the second book. Because there's a sequel, I also wished their romance was more slow burn and didn't develop as quickly. Having said that, I'm glad this is not a standalone because Rachel's life is too complicated to be sorted out in just one book, and the ending leaves room for so much more. I'm really excited for book 2!

I am totally biased since I am a huge fan of Jessica's. That being said, I found this YA novel a typical YA book. 'Shine' has a balanced amount of youthful determination, competitiveness, familial conflicts (and resolutions), friendships, and, of course, love. It also offers a healthy, though not groundbreaking, insights into the K-pop industries.

Character development was probably the shining star of the YA novel. All characters are multi-faceted and most importantly imperfect. That makes them resilient, yet vulnerable, and ultimately relatable. You can really root for all of the characters at different points throughout the book.

The plot was almost predictable with a small twist close to the end (with Rachel's family being now inseparably intertwined with her workplace drama) Overall, it was an easy and enjoyable read. I really liked it.