XOXO was a sweet, engaging teen romance that highlights the likely relatable struggle of making commitments when the future is uncertain. The dynamic between the two main characters progressed nicely and the eventual relationship was believeable. On an individual level, however, Jenny did not seem to demonstrate much development by the end of the novel. Despite her international move, the complexities of teenage social life, and even the added pressure of the public in her relationship, she (spoiler) got into her dream school without a problem, not even the self-imposed lack of practice. The crises in the novel were resolved so quickly and neatly that it was as though Jenny hadn't encountered any at all. Likewise, many promising threads were introduced but not explored with much depth, such as Nathaniel and Sori's relationship, Halmoni's illness, the missing fathers in Jenny and Jaewoo's lives, Jani, and her other friends' career goals. Even so, I enjoyed Jaewoo's characterization and the romance that developed between him and Jenny. Lastly, I just wanted to add that the cover is beautifully striking!

The cover and blurb for this one really captured my attention. I love reading about K-pop groups and basically this book was made for every teen who has wanted to date someone in a boy band, haha. It really spoke to my inner teen and I was hear for it all!

This book is from the point-of-view of Jenny. She is a cellist who strives to be perfect as she wants to go to a prestigious school for music once she graduates high school. After her last performance in front of a panel, she is told that she is missing a spark. She is perfection but that one thing could make her extraordinary.

From that point and some advice from her Uncle Jay, her life changes when she tries to kick out this stranger at her Uncle’s Karaoke Bar

I loved meeting the love interest, Jaewoo, in this way. They get off on an interesting foot and their one night is filled with memorable moments. It was very cute and had me grinning ear-to-ear.

Once the setting changes to South Korea, it’s full of secret friendships, mean girls, and more drama than you could imagine! It literally felt like a K-drama and I loved every minute of it. It also made the book hard to put down because I needed to know what would happen next.

There is a lot of references to K-pop groups, training, and their fans. The author does a great job of writing about all of this so that even if you aren’t familiar with any of it, you can still read it and know what is going on and why certain things matter.

Jenny and Jaewoo’s relationship is never an easy one. It is filled with many bumps but there are also sweet moments between them that made it all worth it. They are willing to risk it all for love.

I also admired the friendships formed as well and the how close the members of XOXO were. One particular friendship started off rocky but you could tell by the end that they genuinely cared for each other.

The ending was a bit open-ended for my liking but it also had me teary-eyed so I guess I can’t really complain about it, haha.

Overall, I loved this one! It really was a cute read and had me giddy from beginning to end.

When Jenny meets handsome and charming Jaewoo at her uncle's karaoke bar in Los Angeles, she has no idea that she is in for a night of adventure. But after an exciting night, Jaewoo disappears. Three months later, after relocating to South Korea with her mom to help care for her grandmother, she runs into Jaewoo at her new school. Not only is he one of her classmates, but he is also a member of the biggest K-Pop bands. Is love worth it? Jenny and Jaewoo both have dreams, and they have to navigate a relationship in relation to those dreams.

If you need a book to just fill your heart with happiness, this is the book for you! It is so lighthearted and fun, with a *chef's kiss* romance. I read this when I was in the middle of a reading slump, and it was the perfect book to remind me why I love to read.

I loved XOXO by Axie Oh so much that I stayed up much of the night reading it. Then, in the morning, I reread the beginning to savor how Jenny and Jaewoo met.

I admit that I am not target audience for XOXO or Axie Oh's books. The book would be loved by YA fans and teenagers who enjoy Kdramas and Kpop. In the same way Harry Potter and YA spoke to me even as I was grown up and working as a lawyer, the sweetness of the characters and world that we see in Kdramas and in Axie Oh's XOXO seems like a beautiful escape.

While I'm new to fictions and fantasies of South Korean dramas, I love how XOXO conveys parts of the culture of high school in Korea. There are camping scenes in XOXO gave me a better understanding of some of my favorite dramas (Reply 1988 & The Heirs/The Inheritors with Lee Min Ho!). Even the food that the characters crave and the heart signals that they make resonate.

There is a word in Filipino/Tagalog slang "kilig" - it doesn't have an English translation but means the excitement or romantic thrill, usually causing giggles or breathlessness but in a lighthearted way. A really good scene in a movie or a book will cause "kilig". For Filipino Americans looking for something new to read -- Axie Oh's XOXO delivers so many kilig moments!

But even if you're not familiar with Kpop or Kdrama, XOXO will speak to you. Jenny is a determined musician and has spent much of her life playing the cello and intends to hone her gift and become a professional cellist. Her mother came to the US with basic English but was so determined that she is now an immigration lawyer. Jenny's friends in South Korea demonstrate the same drive and commitment. XOXO is a story of finding one's way, the sacrifices that one makes and how to balance one's dreams with the expectations and responsibilities towards those that one loves. It's very much an Asian American story and a universal one at the same time.

#XOXO #AxieOh #Jaewoo

I've been reading a lot of K-Pop books lately, and this is honestly probably the best of the bunch? I was really excited when the ARC came through today and basically set aside everything else I was reading to finish this.

For starters, the premise is excellent: Jenny is a Korean-American cellist who needs inspiration, and while working at a karaoke bar finds an unfairly hot teenage boy with a broken arm in one of the karaoke rooms. They hang out for the rest of the night at a festival, but then part ways. By chance, Jenny has to go to Korea for six months due to an illness in her family and then finds out that the boy she met and hung out with? Turns out he's an idol and they go to the same performing arts school together.

The characters are all given a decent amount of depth and realistic characterization. Like most K-Pop novels, this is an ensemble cast, and it does a good job of balancing that cast -- from Jenny to Jaewoo's bandmates and both of their classmates. Perhaps the weakest plot point is Jenny's relationship with her mother, but the book doesn't have as much space as would be needed to fully flesh out that characterization. We also don't get as much information on what makes Jaewoo tick - for most of the book, he's an enigma to Jenny as well as us.

Overall, highly recommended.

A bit of a Cinderella story, and sure to delight kpop fans. Not my favorite narrative style, but it was a fun, light read.

Delightful book.

To me, it showed that what truly matters is universal. It crosses cultural boundaries. These are: Family. Friends. Hope. Love. Themes that I love in books.

Parts of this book reminded me of other authors who have Kpop and Pop star romances out there, (If you enjoy this book, check out Jennie Bennett's books.)

I can already imagine all the K-pop fans going gaga over this sweet story between Jenny and Jaewoo. If you love K-pop, you'll love this.
It's also about how we should fight for our dreams and the right to live our life the way we want to. Readers will learn a lot about the Korean culture and how its core is about respecting your elders and prioritizing your community. Western individualism and Eastern collectivism will definitely be a major discussion point in this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

XOXO was a super quick and fun read filled with an adorable romance and the cutthroat world of performing arts. Jenny's journey was deeply relatable and the struggles she goes through to connect with her mother and grandmother felt very authentic. I love Jenny's character development and how she found where she belonged with her friends in Seoul.

Jaewoo was just a little too perfect in my opinion, and at times, it felt the book revolved more around him than Jenny. The book is also extremely fast paced, with months often passing by in a single paragraph without much time to swell on what may have happened.

Overall, a very enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend to younger readers!

This book is so cute and sweet!! It was the perfect antidote/fun alternative to the heavier books I've been reading lately, and the writing was so immersive and easy to dive into. Most of all, I loved the characters, particularly the friendships between the main character and her newly forged friend group at her new school (even her initially-bristly roommate). I also loved the relationship between the main character and her grandmother, though I really wanted more of this! I wonder if some had to be cut for length requirements, because it seems like there's a richer backstory to the family dynamic that didn't make its way to the page. The romance itself was also cute enough. One quick note: one of the main character's friends, a teen male dancer, seems to have a budding (or stealth) eating disorder, and while another friend calls attention to his under-eating at times as a negative thing, I don't think there was ever much of a confrontation about it or anything like that. The character seems mostly happy, but we hardly get his internal monologue. I certainly understand that this is quite realistic for dancers and artists (and teens more generally), but some might be somewhat triggered, so be forewarned.

I thought this was a sweet and enjoyable YA, rich with culture (brb booking a trip to Seoul immediately), a swoonworthy k-pop-filled romance, and relatable themes, like the pressure to meet parental expectations, and figuring out your future. I thought it was a unique and well-written debut by Axie Oh, and I’m looking forward to more of her books. (And aren’t we all a sucker for a good Forbidden Love romance??)

The only cons for me were that at times, it felt like the main character was more Middle-Grade-like in her behaviors and personality. I felt like she should been written a bit more teenager-y to match the YA romance storyline and more mature adolescent themes. I also thought that the end was a bit rushed. We don’t like to be tortured by the drama, but I think the reader needs to remain in the angst for a bit to really enjoy the final HEA. The pacing was great throughout except for the last stretch, and I wanted that to last longer.

Review posted to: kaseebailey.com/2021/03/17/naptime-reads-review-xoxo-by-axie-oh/

A big thanks to NetGalley and HarperTeen for the e-ARC!

Disclaimer: I got this book in exchange for an honest review!

Jenny is a cell prodigy who has one main goal in life: get into an ambitious music school. When she meets Jaewoo she immediately knows that he's the kind of guy who's going to pull her out of her comfort zone and wreck all of her carefully laid-out plans. She goes on an outing with him one day before he vanishes without saying anything to her. Three months later, she's in Korea visiting her sick grandmother with her mother while she's enrolled at a prestigious academy for a semester when she sees him again. Little did she know he's in a K-POP boyband and he's not allowed to date anyone. THIS BOOK IS AMAZING AND IF YOU LOVED SOMEWHERE ONLY WE KNOW BY MAURENE GOO, YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE THIS ONE!! I can't remember what I put for my preferences but I would love to interview author Axie Oh if I can for Pop-Culturalist.

This book drew me in and left me wanting more. I hope there are more books not only about the other band members, but also a continuation of what happens next summer!

I really enjoy the Kpop-romance novels these days, and XOXO is now on top of my list. These kind of books would probably never occur in real life, but it is the fantasy that allows the reader to enjoy such stories. This is the first featuring a Korean-American protagonist (that I've read) , as most books just have white female leads, so it is great to have some diversity in the main character, especially with the focus of these books. There is also a friendship that develops that was really heartwarming.

I LOVED this book! This isn’t my favorite genre, but the reviews were really good so I thought I could enjoy it. I really did enjoy it! I loved Jaewoo from the first page he was introduced, and I loved following Jenny’s journey with music and her relationship. I will be recommending this everybody! :)

I was immediately immersed in this beautiful YA rom-com. The characters, scenes and descriptions are masterfully crafted by author Axie Oh, without a single wasteful word. This tale is truly magic. And such a joy to read. And the food! I am so hungry now!

This is the tale of Jenny and Jaewoo. Jenny is an introverted cello player and Jaewoo is a K-pop hero. I didn't really know much about K-pop until a few years ago when I saw a Conan O'Brien episode where he goes to South Korea and takes part in a K-pop band as well as a Korean soap opera (along with other adventures). The Conan episode was super fun and charming but this book, with it's lavish and just-right descriptions, is even more so. All the action, drama, adventure, and romance is right here. And it's all so graceful and thoughtful.

Jenny and Jaewoo meet in an L.A. karaoke bar (quite the adventure), and soon (a few months) afterwards they're attending the same school in Seoul. Their characters and friends and family and all the intermingled relationships are a joy to experience. From the very first page to the very last, this tale is absolutely epic. I cannot wait to own it in print. (Have you seen the absolutely beautiful book cover? Inside, it's words, flow and story exceed the amazing cover art.)

Don't miss out. I promise you'll not be disappointed.

**Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review**

Be still my K-drama loving heart! XOXO by Axie Oh provided all the melodrama and heart that one expects in a K-drama and it kept me turning the pages until late into the night.

Jenny Go is living a simple life in LA - going to school, studying cello, and working at her uncle's noraebang (a Korean karaoke bar) - when she finds herself having the best night of her life with a tall, dark, and handsome stranger. Little does she know that this stranger is non-other than Bae Jaewoo, a member of the hottest new K-pop group XOXO. After a perfect night together, the two part ways only to run into each other again when Jenny moves to Seoul with her mother and enrolls in the same arts academy as Jaewoo.

Equal parts campy and heartwarming, XOXO is a story that holds the reader from start to finish. While certain parts may make you roll your eyes in a "that could never happen" sigh, you simply have to remember that this is a K-drama on the page! Melodramatics and the unbelievable are expected and don't ruin the story at all!

If you are a lover of all things K-drama/pop, this is a must read!

My heart is swelling with so much love for this book! It was so fun to read, and even meant so much seeing Asian American representation in YA! As a fanatic KPOP fan, this book has EVERYTHING. The love between Jenny and Jaewoo was so adorable and I swooned at all their interactions. I also deeply appreciate Jenny's journey and how she figures out what she wants. Jenny is a strong protagonist with a unique voice and unlike stereotypical MCs centering themselves around the love interest, Jenny knows what she wants and understands who she is. Overall, this book was one of the best YA books I've read and I can't wait for its release!

I wish that ratings were able to have more stars just so I could give them all to this beautiful book. This past year I have fallen in love with kdramas and kpop (I was late to the game okay). This book let me live my k-drama fantasy out while also immersing me in the beautiful world of Seoul. I read this book in 24 hours and the descriptions of food alone make me need to try EVERYTHING IT SOUNDED SO GOOD.

The friendships in this book I COULD JUST SCREAM. All of Jenny’s friends made me want to squeeze them and just never let go. I loved watching all of the bonds Jenny made with new friends, new family, her mom and our love interest. I had so many highlighted quotes in this book and just genuinely loved how much her friends wanted what would make her happy. I just wish XOXO was real so I could fangirl now and listen on repeat. Also, who do I have to barter my soul with to get a book about Sun because *puts soul on a platter*.

Side not: Youngmin must be protected at all costs and I would die for him.

Let me ask you something—do you like being happy? If yes, you should definitely read XOXO.

I fell in love with this book! There’s something about it that just makes me happy. I read maybe 25% of my arc and dropped everything to preorder a hardcover copy. Ever since I finished it, I’ve been thinking about how I’m going to reread it when it’s released. I. Am. Obsessed!

XOXO is about Jenny Go, a cellist who meets a boy, Jaewoo, at her uncle’s karaoke bar. They spend the night out at a Korean Festival together before Jaewoo is mysteriously taken away in a black SUV (willingly, I should add so you don’t get Criminal Mind vibes), but Jenny doesn’t hear from him again.
Fast forward, and Jenny’s grandmother in South Korea gets sick. Her mother decides to go stay with her until Jenny’s grandmother recovers, and Jenny tags along with her after getting accepted to a Seoul performing arts school.
While out getting her new uniform for school, Jenny oh so casually meets Nathaniedl and Youngmin. And they just happen to be members of the K-Pop group XOXO. Jenny isn’t super into K-Pop, but when she checks out the group, she finds out Jaewoo is a member too. Oh yeah, and he also goes to her school.
It seems perfect right!? Too bad dating him could result in a scandal…

First of all, I love Jenny. She’s a great main character. She has worries, fears, dreams, friends, enemies—she isn’t a two-dimensional damsel. She knows what she wants and goes after it, but she still runs into obstacles. She isn’t perfect. I also love that she’s thrown into this foreign place and doesn’t know everything.

Also the book takes place in South Korea! I love books that take place overseas. If we can’t literally travel right now, let’s at least travel through books. The setting is also mostly at a performing arts boarding school which is fun and different.

And our central cast of characters. We have Jaewoo, who’s your selfless love interest. Nathaniel—his charming, snarky best friend. Youngmin—the baby of the XOXO group. Sori—Jenny’s roommate who hates her, and Nathaniel’s ex after they had their own scandal. Angela and Ge Taek—Jenny’s new friends and hopeful K-Pop trainees. And Sun, who’s kinda jerk. Also Jenny’s grandma, who I would like to adopt.
Axie Oh’s characters interact with perfect chemistry, and they all contribute to the story in the best way.

Youngmin deserves his own shout out. He’s more a secondary character, but I love him. He’s just adorable and innocent in the best way. He literally finds 2 characters in a janitor’s closet together (you know what was going on) and says, “Hey guys! What are you doing in here? I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” Never have I wanted to hug a fictional character so much.

The overall vibes I got from this book were those of Korean and Chinese school dramas, and I think Axie Oh drew inspiration from those.

My only complaint is that I wanted more when I finished. I felt like the ending could have been a little less rushed, and I had a lot of questions about the other characters in the end, outside of Jenny and Jaewoo. Fingers crossed for a sequel/ companion.

Overall, I loved this and with everything going on in the world and for me personally, I needed this book. It just makes me happy!

Thank you Netgalley and HarperTeen for the digital ARC of this book!

Rating: All The Stars!
Recommended for: K-pop fans, K-drama fans, contemporary romance fans, travel enthusiasts, everyone