Everyone, this is not a normal introduction. This is a cry for help. PLEASE TELL ME YOUR FAVORITE K-DRAMAS!!! I’m currently watching Vincenzo but when I finish that, there’s too many random ones to watch on Netflix. And what if none of them are as good as Vincenzo? My mind will spiral into another Boys Over Flowers meltdown and we can’t have that. Anyways, back to our scheduled programming!
Thank you Penguin Teen for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!


🇰🇷 Korean family
💸 Riches galore
👪 Themes of family
rep: Korean-American author/Korean characters

The Noh Family reignited my love for K-dramas. You can really tell that the author loves her culture, because there is so much passion in every page of this book. And all the tropes that I usually dislike? Yeah, they worked well here.
We follow Chloe, an aspiring fashionista who may have to give up her dreams of becoming a world-famous fashion designer since her mom doesn’t make enough money to send her to college. But after she takes a DNA test and finds out she’s related to one of the wealthiest, most influential families in Korea, she is invited to fly over to meet them. While the Noh family seems like a dream come true at first glance, Chloe can’t help but feel that there’s something else lurking underneath the picture-perfect facade. Something the Nohs want to stay hidden from her.

This is supposed to be a professionally written review* but I have to admit that the only major notes I have for this book are three separate highlights of every time Boys Over Flowers is mentioned, accompanied by increasingly panicked freak-outs that go from “Oh hey, Boys Over Flowers!” to “ARE THEY TRYING TO REIGNITE MY OBSESSION???????????”. So if this review seems chaotic…here’s my excuse. And it’s a bloody good one, isn’t it?
*although, when am i ever professional? besides professionally sarcastic of course
Now that we’ve gotten my most important thought out of the way, I will describe this book in one word: fun. It’s full of k-drama love, k-drama tropes, and k-drama levels of drama. The famous “umbrella scene” is made fun of! At the same time, the horrific beauty standards often perpetuated in Korea are acknowledged! It’s glamorous and dramatic, yet emotional and touching. This story felt incredibly self-aware, in the best of ways.
Chloe is eighteen but I sometimes felt that she acted a bit too naive? Some aspects of what was happening within the family were obvious to me but she picked up on nothing. It was a little frustrating at times but I mean, this isn’t a thriller story so it’s not that much of an issue. It just made the story feel younger, and more tedious to read through at points for me.

I also really love how the topic of family is discussed. The core of this story is very coming-of-age and it works so well. And while some of the hijinks felt too absurd or too predictable, it genuinely just worked in that charming k-drama way. I don’t want to say anymore because this is just great to go into blind!
So that’s it! Overall, I’d say that this is a fun, chaotic coming-of-age story that occasionally surprises you, whether by a slight plot twist or an emotionally driven moment. If you enjoy k-dramas or books with great Korean rep, you’ll enjoy this one! I’m giving it it 4/5 stars. This comes out May 2nd, and you can preorder a copy, add it to Goodreads, and add it to Storygraph! Tell me:
What’s YOUR favorite K-drama?
Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Girlfriend Box | The StoryGraph | TikTok

Ahhh I’m waiting for this one! Glad the Korean rep is strong and passionate! Great review 😊 another one to add to my immediate TBR
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was SO much fun!! Thank you so much💜 And haha yes, the TBR never stops growing does it?😅
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhh I’ve been so excited for this one and I’m so happy to hear you loved it! Lovely review 💛💛
And omg when I tell you I’m obsessed with K-dramas 😭 Crash Landing on You, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo, Kill Me Heal Me, Reply 1988, and Touch Your Heart are my go-to recommendations, but Twenty Five Twenty One is my most recent obsession 🥹
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhh, I hope you love it when you read it!! I seriously cannot wait to hear what you think about it! Thank you💜
YES omg K-dramas are SO good ahhh! CLOY might just be next on my to-watch list, but the rest of those sound amazing as well! I’ve heard good things about 25, 21 as well, did you finish it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep I finished it a couple of weeks ago and am still nursing a broken heart 🥲 The ending might be a bit polarizing but I would definitely recommend it! One of my faves of all time (though tissues may be a necessity for eps 15 and 16)
LikeLiked by 1 person
awwww, that’s good to know! i think i’ll start it soon then!
LikeLike
I hadn’t heard of this book before but I love the sound of it! As much as I love a slow slice of life contemporary, I also love the drama and being catapulting into a rich family sounds full of it!! 😍 It also sounds like it touches on an array of important topics which just makes it better. Great review, thank you for bringing this book to my attention 💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s crazy for sure (but also fun!) whenever you’re in the mood for a dramatic contemporary I’d definitely recommend this! Thank you so much, I hope you’re having the happiest of reading💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like perfect for fans of k-drama shows. Great review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really is!! SO many k-drama vibes haha! Thank you💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
AHHH THIS LOOKS AMAZING!! THAT SUMMARY JUST LOOKS SO INTRIGUING EEK!! can’t wait to get my hands on this one!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
IT’S SO GOOD!!! I hope you adore it!!💜
LikeLike