Yes, you read that title right. I read a random contemporary in the middle of November…and now it’s a new favorite. My own reading habits scare me sometimes.




Upon staring at such a gorgeously illustrated, unfathomably adorable cover you might think “the story inside better live up to these impossible standards!”. And somehow, XOXO did.
We follow Jenny, a star cello player, and her wild night when she meets a boy named Jaewoo in her uncle’s karaoke bar. Fast forward a few months later when Jenny goes to Seoul to take care of her grandmother and guess what: that boy she met? He’s a Kpop idol from one of the most famous boy bands: XOXO and they’re going to the same school! I literally love this story so much ahhh.
Listening to the audiobook was so lovely because I loved getting to hear the Korean words naturally spoken, instead of just reading the romanized versions in the physical book. This is OwnVoices for the Korean representation, and you can totally see Axie Oh’s love for her culture come through in this story. It’s incredible!
Jenny and Jaewoo’s romance is perfect. It doesn’t move too slow, nor too fast. It’s just the right amount of cute but also tense because idol culture and dating are uh not particularly friendly towards each other. I was always like “ah! what if someone sees y’all!” and then immediately forgot about my fears because I was freaking out over something else (in a good way).
Before I forget, can I just say how much I loved the fact that Jenny plays cello? I mean, I don’t but it’s such a unique instrument to read about! Anyways, the point of this paragraph is technically to state that I would 1000% be friends with most of the side characters in this book. The other boys in XOXO and Jenny’s friends that she makes at Seoul Arts Academy are just so much fun.
The plotline doesn’t just revolve around romance either. There are fun school trips, performances, and visits with Jenny’s grandmother. Man, I would do anything for every contemporary story I read to be this perfectly perfect. I truly cannot think of another book where every aspect was just so fantastically done. If you enjoy Kpop, or if you just like good contemporary novels that give you so many warm feelings, I’d definitely recommend XOXO by Axie Oh! I’m also so excited for the fact that she has a new book coming out that’s fantasy…like what. Anyways, this is 5/5 stars! Have you read this one? You can order this one or add it to Goodreads and Storygraph.
Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Girlfriend Box | The StoryGraph | TikTok

I keep seeing this bok and looks like it deserves all the hype. Amazing review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
it really does! thank you so much💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so excited to get to this one! Been meaning to read it for so long. Great review, Kaya ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
ahhh yesss, it’s so incredibly good! i can’t wait to see what you think of it! thank you💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll let you know! Will try to move it up in my TBR for the new year (I know I won’t make it before the end of this one 😅)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah I loved this book so much too, it truly was perfect! It reminded me a lot of I’ll Be the One, with the music influences and another famous love interest. I need more contemporary books like this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
omg yayyy i’m so happy to hear that! i’ll be the one is on my tbr, i’m excited to hear that it’s similar to xoxo! yesss, honestly i wouldn’t complain if a bunch of contemporaries started releasing that were just like this haha. hope you’re having a wonderful december!💜
LikeLike
Could u say the age rating for this? Is it appropriate for a 14 yr old? I saw many reviewing this so i was curious.( And since it mentions kpop.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
a 14 yr old should be totally fine with this! there’s only a little bit of cursing, and one scene that gets a little *heated* but nothing happens, if that helps💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aaahh thank you! I will have to ask my parents though because they are quite strict . 😅
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh this sounds so cute! It’s been on my TBR for a while, hopefully I can pick it up soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
it’s jaw-droppingly adorable imo! i hope you love it whenever you read it💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review! I’ve been wondering whether to pick this up for a while, and your 5 star review has definitely convinced me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh my gosh yayyy, i’m so happy to hear that🥺 i hope you love it if you decide to pick it up!💜
LikeLike
I recently finished this and it was so good. I don’t know much about Kpop, or anything about Korean culture, so it was great to find something in the YA section that was different from what I was used to reading. It’s just that I’m 36 so for years you get use to reading books with similar but not similar characters, and not that those were bad, but it was a nice change. She’s right when she says it’s about more than just romance. This book gives you so much to root and hope for but it all effortlessly ties together with the story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
AH i’m so happy you enjoyed this one!! i know what you mean, this truly is such a refreshing story. i’m so happy that this was the perfect book for you. it’s such an absolutely beautiful tale.
LikeLike