Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this would be right up my alley. Korean folklore inspired cozy fantasy mystery with kdrama vibes. On paper this should be been my kryptonite but something fell short for me.

A lot of the writing felt explanatory and the romance flipped a switch and felt a little too convenient.

Not bad, but didn’t live up to my expectations.

Delightful and full of emotion, The God and the Gumiho takes us on a rollercoaster adventure as a fallen god and a legendary hunter team up, each with opposite goals.

Kim Hani is full. Stuffed, actually, and she's settled into a semi retirement where she works in a coffee shop even though she hates coffee. At least she gets to annoy Seokga, the fallen trickster god who is needs to capture the legendary nine-tailed fox if he wants his status back.

Little does he know that the fox is the same barista who has offered to team up with him and "help" him in his mission.

Full of deceit and determination on both sides, the pair's tenuous connection slowly becomes more, much to everyone's surprise.

I enjoyed this book so much. It is full of Korean mythology in a modern setting and the main characters are worthy of their success.

This story expands on the mythology behind the Gumiho, a nine-tailed fox who historically seduces the hearts of men and steals their livers. In this alternate city New Sinsi, Hani works as a barista in the Creature Cafe, where she meets Seokga the fallen trickster god. Since attempting a coup against his brother, Seokga has been working as a detective tracking down Unruly creatures that wreak havoc in the city as punishment for defying his brother. One day, Hani overhears that Seokga needs an assistant, and she applies for the job for her self-preservation. Seokga is hunting for the Scarlet Fox, the longest-living and most ruthless killer in Gumiho’s history, and Hani is determined to mess with his investigation against her. But when a creature from the dark world begins a murder spree across New Sinsi, their collaboration turns from a ruse to a necessity.

The first 100 pages were a bit slow, but I was glad I kept going. I don’t typically read a lot of urban fantasy books, but I was surprised how much I liked seeing God and a Gumiho discuss the perfect cup of coffee. The characters grow and change as the story goes along and I came to love Hani as a character. Although this is Sophie Lim’s first adult novel and the writing did still come across as more YA, but this wasn’t a huge issue for me. This book aligns itself with kdramas like “Tale of the Nine-Tailed”, “My Roommate is a Gumiho,” and “Goblin.” Fans of these shows will not be disappointed.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Penguin Random House for allowing me to read an advanced copy of #TheGodandtheGumiho and it will be out June 4, 2024

I loved the characters and magical "mundane" (when the magic is so accepted its a mundane part of the world) and the development of a whole society. I loved the snarky, slow burn romance that moved at a perfect pace.

As a lover of kdramas and Korean mythology I was really excited to read this book. This is probably just my taste, but it took my a little bit to get into the authors style of writing and into the story. About halfway through though I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy romance. Overall I really loved all of the mythical creatures involved, the story plot line and pacing, and the characters.

In a word -
Reformed stealer of souls
Snarky Seokga turned soft
Actually laughing out loud
😍😍😍

Omg!! Delicious build of tension and the eventual thawing for Seokga and Hani. I was fully invested the whole time and didn't want to put the book down at all. Masterfully weaved mystery, mythology, and more. Do not worry if you're not familiar with Korean mythology because Sophie Kim does a great job at explaining the lore in a way that is entertaining and not info-dumpy. This is by far my favorite book of 2024 so far! I felt all the feels and am still feeling them! Giddy, giggling, tense, tender, love, loss, and most of all, hope. Gosh, I loved this. 5 stars!

First of all thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Holy OMG. I was so excited to read this. I initially saw it on Instagram and then was seeing it all over TikTok. So when I got an ARC copy I was so excited. This book went beyond expectations. I loved loved the world that Sophie Kim put into this book. Getting to learn about Korean mythology was so interesting.
The two main characters are to die for. Kim Hani and Seokga make such a dynamic duo. These two have become some of my favorite characters I have got to read about. This book was capable of bringing together fantasy, romance, a good mystery, and a little bit of spice too! I will definitely be checking out the other works by this author.

5 Stars!

Synopsis: The God and the Gumiho takes inspirations from traditional Korean mythology but these inspirations are retold with the authors own creative twist! The story follows Hani, a once widely feared gumiho known for taking souls and eating livers, and Seokga, a coffee loving fallen god known to be a grumpy trickster. When Seokga’s brother sends him on a redeeming quest to kill a demon and the famous Scarlet Fox, he is determined to accomplish the task for a chance at regaining his title in the heavens. Hani then takes an opportunity to become Seokga’s assistant attempting to keep her identity as the Scarlet Fox hidden.
Yet this is not easy, because as they grow closer their feelings for one another complicate things. Especially as the hunt for the demon begins to turn into a dangerous and unpredictable pursuit.

I am happy to say this book was a five star read for me for so many reasons. For starters, I have always been a big fan of kdramas, mythology, and the nine tailed fox. The author was able to immerse me into the world of gods and other creatures that I have never heard of! One thing I always admired from kdramas was the romance and this book nailed it with Hani and Seokga’s blooming affection for each other. The storyline was also very intriguing and I loved the idea of the main characters working together while one of them held a big secret that was a key part of their mission! This book was relatively fast faced and I think everything tied together nicely in the end. I cant say much about the ending without spoiling, but I will say I was not anticipating it at all and it was a great ending. So overall I loved this book and think it’s a great fantasy romance with Korean mythology, twists and turns, and unique characters!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me the chance to read this early in exchange for a review!

This has thus far been one of my favorite reads for the year. The chemistry between the love interests, the general plot, the pacing, all of it was amazing. I cannot wait to continue this series! I almost wish we got a prequel so we knew the details of life for Hani and Seokga before the start of the novel.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced e-reader copy!

This book was cute! I enjoyed the sunshine/grumpy dynamic with sharp sarcasm and banter. I also enjoyed the ending, where it wasn’t happy-wrapped-in-a-bow but still wasn’t a devastating ending.

This was a fun read and I enjoyed reading it!

'The God and the Gumiho' by Sophie Kim is a captivating and unique tale of two unlikely partners, a trickster god and a retired gumiho, who team up to save the world from a powerful demon. The story is filled with humor, action, and a touch of romance, making it a delightful read from start to finish.
Kim Hani, also known as the Scarlet Fox, has retired from her life of devouring souls and now works as a barista at a coffee shop. She enjoys annoying Seokga, the Fallen god, who is exiled from the heavenly kingdom of Okhwang and is working towards his redemption in the mortal realm. However, their bickering and banter take a backseat when a powerful demon escapes from the underworld and threatens to destroy humanity.
When the emperor of Okhwang offers Seokga a chance at redemption by killing the demon and the Scarlet Fox, Seokga enlists Hani's help to track them down. But Hani has a secret identity that she is determined to keep hidden, and she will do whatever it takes to prevent Seokga from discovering it. As they work together, their relationship evolves from annoyance to a deep connection, but their secrets threaten to tear them apart.
The characters in this book are well-developed and endearing. Hani is a strong and independent heroine who is not afraid to speak her mind and stand up for herself. Seokga, on the other hand, is a complex and intriguing god who is struggling with his past mistakes and trying to find redemption. Their chemistry is palpable, and their banter is entertaining, making them a dynamic duo. The author does an excellent job of blending Korean mythology with a modern setting, creating a unique and fascinating world. The action scenes are well-written and engaging, and the romance is tastefully intertwined with the main plot.
One of the standout features of this book is the witty and humorous writing style. The dialogue between the characters is clever and entertaining, making the book an enjoyable read. The author also does an excellent job of balancing the humor with the more serious elements of the story, creating a well-rounded and engaging read. This book is a definite read for fans of fantasy, mythology, and romance.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I unexpectedly devoured this book in a few hours (okay, maybe six), and as the clock strikes 3:06 am, I can confidently say I have zero regrets. Kim weaves an adorable story with incredibly likable characters and a romance that pleasantly defied my expectations.

The protagonists, Kim Hani and Seokga, are the heart and soul of this book. Hani, the legendary and wanted Gumiho with a dark past, is portrayed with a refreshing vibrancy. Despite her history of violence, she exudes life and wit, steering clear of the expected brooding archetype. Seokga, the Fallen god turned detective, is a delightful surprise as he quickly embraces his feelings for Hani, adding a sweet touch to the narrative.

What sets this book apart is its avoidance of common tropes. I anticipated several clichés, especially in the romance department, but Kim skillfully sidesteps them, making the story a joy to read. The absence of lengthy, unrealistic interactions between characters in love is particularly refreshing. Despite the overall trope-based premise, the author refrains from adding unnecessary layers, maintaining a welcome simplicity.

While I managed to predict the identity of the antagonist early on, the journey to the reveal was still enjoyable. The antagonist proves to be a worthy adversary, adding depth to the plot.

In summary, this is an excellent fantasy romance that pays homage to the Kdramas mentioned in the author's note. The lack of sleep was entirely worth it. Thanks to Netgalley for the eArc!

Wow, I have no words. This book was so unexpected for me. I requested access to an ARC when this gorgeous cover caught my eye; the title and description just propelled my interest even further. I mean, an Asian historical fantasy with an enemy-esque romance? Absolutely. The way she’s helping him find and capture herself? I’m SUCH a sucker for that trope it’s crazy.

I cannot find anything about Hani and Seokga that I didn’t like. Just — amazing protagonists. I was honestly hooked from the first chapter and that hasn’t happened in so long. Their banter was so fun since the very beginning and seeing it gradually go into a space of care and understanding as they continued to work with each other was so good. I loved that they didn’t lose their loose quips even as they started to like each other. The dynamic was just so fun.

It’s also been a really long time since I read a solid fantasy book with a solid plot. First of all, the god and the gumiho? Genius pairing. The overlap into historical fiction and fantasy felt so rewarding as being my top two genres of all time. I loved reading about the Scarlet Fox and I love how it unraveled with Somi and Hani’s dormancy as an active gumiho going back and forth. We love ourselves a morally grey female lead.

Seokga … this man was everything like I LOVE him. His stoic above-all-else attitude as a god was so like the typical cold attractive male lead, but that exterior slowly breaking down with Hani as he started to involuntarily care for her was fleshed out so well. Reading his POVs where he would catch himself thinking of her not in disdain and then just giving it to those feelings — YES.

Also, that twist with who the eoduksini turned out to be was amazing. I feel like I should’ve seen it coming but somehow I didn’t and that got me. Truly just flew through reading this book, there was nothing I didn’t love. I was hooked onto the characters and the story the entire way, and most definitely was up reading this till 3am when I should’ve been asleep way before. The things I do for a six-star read.

The God and the Gumiho is probably one of my most unexpected five stars I’ve ever read but I’m so so glad I decided to read this. Definitely recommend for anyone and everyone.

If you’re a fan of enemies to lovers stories and/or kdramas, this one is for you!

This was such a delightful read. The humor was great (especially the petty moments), the overall story was enthralling, and the romance really kept me invested and captivated with how much of a slow burn it was.

The only thing I wasn’t crazy about is how many times the book title popped up in the prose itself. But character development? Excellent. Character flaws and strengths? Excellent. Main characters? Loved them! The stakes? Great. The world? Fully realized and so inviting. The food and beverages mentioned? Ugh, I need someone to feed me tteokbokki right now.

I rated it 4/5 because while I did greatly enjoy it, a small amount of the dialogue felt a tad wooden to me.

I cannot wait to read the sequel! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine for this ARC!

Thank you so much to Del Ray and NetGalley, who provided an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. 


This book was a load of fun! I truly fell for the characters, and even thinking back on it, I want to gush about them. This had a little of the sunshine/grumpy trope, which really worked for them because the main character kind of faked the cheery personality to piss off Seokga, and it was really funny and heartwarming to read.

I found the book a bit hard to get into initially, I think because it felt a bit removed from the characters and mostly was setting the scene. However, once you start getting to know the main character, Kim Hani, you will love her and be drawn in. I had a hard time putting the book down by halfway through and was on the edge of my seat to know how it ended. Safe to report, I LOVED the ending! Im kind of particular with how I like books to end, and I just want to say thank you so much to the author for this perfection! 


Go read this book!!!

This was a fun, funny, slightly eerie, and wholly romantic love letter to Korean mythology and K-dramas. I loved Hani and Seokga--both as individuals and as a couple. I think the world and the way the mythology was tied into it were done very well. Much like some K-dramas, the story kind of jumps around genres. It's partially a story of a fallen god trying to regain his place back in kingdom; it's partially a cat-and-mouse story between an investigator and a serial killer; it's partially a crime thriller; and it's a romance. You'd think that wouldn't entirely work, but it did for me. It has an addictive quality that makes you fully invested in the world, even when there are moments that run a bit ridiculous and/or campy. It's just a very fun time, though slightly more gory than I expected (though not in a way that made me want to put the book down).

The one thing I didn't like was that I wished the alternating POV chapters were a bit more even. Especially towards the end, it felt like it didn't always work for me. I realize that it was both a stylistic choice and there for dramatic effect, it just didn't hit.

I also think the prose felt a little clunky at times, but I mostly wasn't bothered.

Other than that, though, if you like K-dramas even a little bit or have even the slightest bit of interest, definitely pick this one up.

This book was as hard to put down as it is to pause a Kdrama! It was entertaing all the way through and managed to get me invested in the main cast of characters as the story developed. I was thinking I would like this book based on its premise, but it exceeded my expectations.

I enjoyed the worldbuilding; it was easy to suspend belief to have the fantastical and supernatural blend into the modern and reality as we know it and be able to immerse myself in the world the author has created.

The main characters, Seokga and Hani (the god and the gumiho, respectively), certainly grew on me and I loved their dynamic: the teasing, tricking, banter, and the care they came to have for each other. The shift from hating to liking each other feels abrupt, especially considering the events of the book take place over a period of about two weeks, but I still found myself invested in their relationship and hoping they would find a way to stay together.

I must say thay my knowledge of Korean folklore and mythology is limited to what I've learned from the occasional supernatural kdrama, so I would have appreciated an appendix, glossary, and/or image gallery to expand upon the myths and creatures presented in the story (even though the author notes that artistic liberties were taken).

The covers for this book are beautiful, caught my attention, and would definitely make me pick it up if I encountered it in a book store. I'm looking forward to the next book.

Recommended for anyone who likes kdramas, supernatural urban fantasy, murder mistery, korean mythology and folklore, and enemies to lovers.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This was so cool and fun and exciting to read! Loved the folklore aspect and the main characters romance/chemistry and the action. Just an outstanding read.

This book was wonderful and I adored every minute of reading it. A grumpy fallen god and a gumiho trying to keep him off her tails team up to save their city from a darkness that could destroy everything. The mystery and side characters were great, and the romance is beautifully written. Overall a fun read that had me so emotionally invested in the relationship between the two main characters that I was tearing up at the end. Would love to read another story set in this world.

Such a unique & interesting read🥹🫶🏼
Review will be posted near the
publishing date!!
(June, 4 2024)