Seoulmates - Always have and always will

by Susan Lee

Band 1 der Reihe "Seoulmates"
Übersetzt von Anne-Sophie Ritscher

Er ist der größte K-Drama-Star der Welt. Sie will mit seinem Ruhm nichts zu tun haben!

Hannah Cho kann sich wirklich Schöneres vorstellen, als ihre Sommerferien mit Jakob Kim zu verbringen. Seitdem ihr ehemals bester Freund vor drei Jahren von seinem Besuch in Korea einfach nicht mehr zurückkam und dort der größte K-Drama-Star der Welt wurde, haben die beiden kein Wort mehr gewechselt. Doch jetzt ist er zurück in San Diego, um eine Pause von seinem Ruhm zu bekommen. Hannah will mit alldem und vor allem Korea nichts zu tun haben. Aber sie kann auch das verräterische Flattern ihres Herzens nicht leugnen, das plötzlich wieder so stark ist wie nie zuvor, seitdem der gut aussehende Schauspieler ihr nicht mehr von der Seite weicht ...

»Eine süße Liebesgeschichte zum Dahinschmelzen!« HELEN HOANG

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary, Audiobook, Fiction, Friends To Lovers, Young Adult Romance

368 pages, Paperback

First published September 20, 2022

About the author

Susan Lee is the author of the critically acclaimed and reader favorite young adult romantic comedies SEOULMATES and THE NAME DROP. Her work has been featured in national outlets such as Buzzfeed, NPR, and Pop Sugar. Kirkus Reviews calls Susan’s voice “honest, fresh and thoughtful”. A graduate of UC San Diego, Susan built a career as an HR executive at some of today’s hottest companies, until she realized that writing stories was a more impactful and powerful form of change. Now she channels her energy into writing Happily Ever Afters for those historically underrepresented in Romance. When she is not writing (or painfully procrastinating from writing), Susan can be found down the rabbit holes of her many obsessions including listening to Kpop, binge watching K-dramas, collecting sneakers, building mechanical keyboards, and obsessing over her two adorable, but ill-behaved chihuahuas.

Reviews

[Susan Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote it. I love it. :)

[jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

this feels like a budget version of ‘xoxo’ and ‘once upon a kprom.’

dont get me wrong - budget isnt always bad. i love saving money! lol. but you get what you pay for and this is the bare basics of a story.

the characters are fine, a little two-dimensional. the plot is fine, very straightforward. and the writing is fine, easy to read. again, nothing inherently bad.

but when youve read better versions of this story, you know what youre missing out on.

still a cute and light story, though. and it has a good message, so its easy to recommend for someone wanting a fun, yet simple, reading experience.

↠ 3.5 stars

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a YA reader, Seoulmates will hit ALL the right notes, but even if you are an explicit adult romance reader (*cough, cough- like me*) you will still enjoy the hell out of this cute friends-to-enemies-to-lovers story.

I'm not going to lie, I picked up the ARC of Seoulmates because I've been friends with Susan Lee for over a decade, though I won't hesitate to rate my friends' books objectively and fairly (which has cost me some relationships, over the years). But I am THRILLED to say that even though this book doesn't quite fit what I'm used to reading (I don't read much contemporary M/F romance, much less YA romance with *teenagers!*), I thought it was a great read.

The beginning of the book really hooked me. I adored how they gently poked fun at all of the non-Asian people who are newly obsessed with all things Korean (which is VERY true), and I really feel like I felt Hannah's emotions on a deep level. Her feelings of being exasperated and torn rang really true. I also really liked how that girl could hold a grudge (SAME HERE).

I did struggle a bit with the K-drama references (I've never watched one) and the K-pop references (also, not something I go out of my way to listen to), but I think Susan did a very nice job of explaining everything to readers, even noobs like me. I don't think that a lack of knowledge of the Korean acting world is going to hurt a single reader's enjoyment of the story, but it might ring extra true to those who are big fans.

I was all set to 5-star this baby until about the last 1/4 of the story; that's where things devolved a bit for me. The constant back and forth drama and "gotcha" misunderstandings was tiresome, and I wanted a bit of good ol' fashioned adult communication. I think the resolution in the end was mildly satisfying but I don't think it happened soon enough for us to see these two happy together. Plus, that one semi-steamy scene was SUCH a tease (!!) for an adult reader like myself.

Overall, I think Susan Lee did a fabulous job with this story, which I'm sure is near and dear to her heart. It felt fresh and exciting, and it's a book most readers will devour in one day. I can't wait to read more from Susan in the future, and a huge Mazel Tov to her for making this story come to life.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

goodreads|instagram|twitter|tiktok

[Hannah B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Team Jacob✨

This was super cute!!! I didn’t know what to expect, seeing as I don’t watch K-dramas. I am a decidedly dramatic person who doesn’t enjoy too much drama in books or movies/shows. However, her name is Hannah so that’s an automatic read and it’s YA romance which was my first true comfort genre. So no surprise, the romance truly won me over.

Hannah! My prickly-pear tomato-hating name-sharing seoulmate. Honestly, I was on her side during every argument she had with anyone in this book. She made so much sense to me. She was strong and snarky but a cinnamon roll underneath her armor. Of course, when faced with her estranged-and-now-very-broad childhood-best-friend-turned-K-drama-star she found herself feeling *feelings.* Also her wanting to be an immunologist!!! Heart smash.

Jacob! I love an “ugly duck” moment. I live for that moment when the other character comes face to face with this newly-sculpted, distractingly-tall, deep-voiced hot duck. That moment of reckoning past with present is always so delicious. Jacob’s fame definitely takes its toll on him, and we got a lot of him struggling with his role on Heart and Seoul. I definitely got irritated towards the end, but it was an understanding irritation.

I loved the duel POV here, something I’m not always into. I definitely read more dual POV in adult romance, and maybe that’s why this one felt more new adult than YA to me. There was one scene that was more explicit than some romances I’ve read lol. It was literally like two paragraphs but I was like okay we went there!? It did feel very random but yolo I guess. I would’ve liked it to go more into that new adult sphere, since it kissed that line more than a few times. He was 18 and she was 17, so I’d also prefer to age them up a bit if it would’ve went more NA.

I really loved the many facets of the Korean representation at play here. The familial relationships were strong and wonderful with this one. We even got a few interludes from their mothers! God, I love meddling matchmakers. I learned a lot about K-dramas and a little about K-pop; the respect I have for those stars wow. I’m also really craving Korean bbq now.

Overall, this one was the perfect summer read. It took place around the Fourth of July and it’s the only time I’ll be celebrating that particular holiday this year. The real drama started around 70% and I did lose a bit of interest (the reason for the dropped 5th star). Well, that’s not really correct because I was still engrossed, my eyes just couldn’t help but skim some of the sections. Like I said, I’m not one for too much drama and his management situation was so shitty and angering. However, the romance of it all and the fulfillingly dramatic ending wrapped the book up with a bow.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5


Taylor swift song association: Betty & Cruel Summer



Thanks to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley! All opinions are honest and my own.

[Jodie✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhh this book made my little k-pop/k-drama heart happy!! If you’re a fan of either of these things you will love this book! I loved all the references the author made in here and the story as a whole. This is a super fun YA friends to lovers that ticks every box. It was really interesting how the author used the characters to comment on the new found hype for Korean culture via k-pop/k-dramas by non Koreans and how it can make Koreans feel about their own culture and the different variations of it. I also really liked how the ‘idol’ lifestyle wasn’t glamorised but instead was presented realistically and showed the negative aspects of it too. All in all this book was such an amazing read and i finished it in a day! Not only is it full of romance, summer vibes and all things K-pop / k-drama, it also makes some important points on identity, culture and society. Highly recommend this to anyone who likes a cute contemporary friends to lovers romance! Perfect for fans of Axie Oh’s XOXO and Kat Cho’s Once Upon A K-Prom.

[Roomies' Digest · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ rounding up!!

This book was so sweet!! I loved the mix of k-pop/ idol facts, and the characters were everything!! Their relationship is truly the best “friends to lovers” relationship I’ve ever read. So believable, with a natural timeline and the subtle steam!!!!! 🌶🥵🔥 IT WAS EVERYTHING!! I squealed so much. Top it off with the meddling ajummas (aka moms) and a sweet younger sister and you’ve got the recipe for a fun, feel-good time. By the end I felt like I could definitely see more to the story in follow-up books, so I can only HOPE that happens asap 🥺❤️

Overall perfect for k-pop, k-drama fans looking for a sweet ya friends to lovers romance 💞

xx
-Christine

[Inés Molina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew i was going to love this story. It had all of the feelings.

Hannah can hold a grudge and when her best friend comes to San Diego for the summer with his mom and sister. She definitely was not happy but you can sense the automatic connection between the two. It like two pieces of puzzle coming together after three years.

Jacob and his bucket list, i feel so sad for him when I got a look into what his life was like being a k drama actor. He made a bucket list of all the things he wants and didn't get to do in San Diego.

They reconcile and sparks fly, it was exhilarating to read and know they love each other but they don't know themselves. Definitely a slow burn but insta connection. I am happy with how it ended and the closure and growth of the characters.

"I understand it now. People may move away, but they can remain in your heart. And if you're really lucky, your soul mate will find their way back again one day"

[GG_Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

How can a book that is 300 pages feel so long?

This. THIS is why I don't read contemporary novels. At one point, I put this book down in frustration and screamed "What is the plot?!"
To which I was told, pityingly, that the romance was the only plot. But saying my problem with this book was the genre is too kind. This one is worse than the normal.

People know not everything has to be enemies to lovers, right? 50 pages of trying to avoid each other followed by forgetting all of it in one conversation followed by...well, literally nothing, is not actually enemies to lovers.

[♠ TABI⁷ ♠]

HI I'M IN LOVE WITH THAT COVER

another childhood friends turned enemies to lovers story?? wow I keep getting fed

[Yusra ☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I just know I'm crazy about you. You mean so much to me. And I know we're working through our messed-up past and making up for all the lost time. And we definitely need to figure out the seemingly impossible and complicated future. But right now, I don't want to waste any minute that I can have just enjoying spending time with you."

ahhh the pain. the tears, the smiles, the heartache, the happiness, and the damn feeling of this book is incredible.



the way i loved this book is not even okay, like i read it in one day, and it was a SCHOOL day so it’s not like i had so much time but i had to make time cuz this freaking book it addictive.



when i tell you, as i was working on my schoolwork, i was beaming like an idiot cuz i was thinking about this book, its not okay. (for the first half of the book ofc, then the pain starts)



BUT THEN, the unshakable pain, the tears, the heartbreak, the hurt, the feeling. ugh this book is damaging and beautiful all in one and that’s why i love it so much



✨ the tropes ✨

✔️ childhood friends to lovers
✔️ i hate you, now i love you
✔️ “get your hands off her”
✔️ grumpy x sunshine (kinda…)



okay, so let’s break down the characters, shall we?


Hannah: hey alexa, play “you are enough” by sleeping at last. This. Girl. i didn’t like her that much at first but as the story went on and her character grew, i just….loved her. she’s so cute and sad and misunderstood and relatable.

My entire body shakes, but I press my lips together, holding back any sobs that might escape. I don't feel strong or independent or confident. I feel all the hurt I've carried around my entire life envelop me. The pain is too much to bear. The loneliness, the uncertainty, never feeling good enough for anyone crashes over me like the waves below.

im not crying, you are



Jacob: remember what i said about my J men everyone? they. never. fail me! and he’s no exception. he’s so sweet and caring and kind and everything wonderful. he carries such a hard burden to carry and he’s always there for his family. he has to be the one to take on all the pain so no one else has to endure it.

I look up and mine is the only face left on the screen.
The person looking back at me is desperate, scared, and out of options.
Shoulders hunched and head bowed, defeat weighs heavy on my back. I close my eyes and can still see the sparks of fireworks from the night before. The laughs, family, the stolen touches, Hannah. At least I have the rest of the sum-mer. If I can store up enough happy memories in my remaining time, maybe, just maybe, the life that awaits me when I get back won't break me after all.

😭💔😭💔😭💔😭💔😭💔



Min-Kyung = pain in the butt


Mrs Cho and Mrs Kim = the greatest duo (and funniest mothers) in the fictional human universe


Jin-Hee = best younger sister ever 💞



PLEASE READ THIS BOOK, MY DEAREST READER OF MY REVIEW. I PROMISE YOU ITS WORTH IT AND IF YOU DONT LOVE IT, COME AND FIND ME, WE’LL WORK SOMETHING OUT i definitely won’t kill you…

emoji theme? 🌻☂️✨🎈😚❤️‍🩹😢🎀🧸💔🎢🏖️🎨🎭❤️‍🔥


thank
you
for
reading
i’ll
see
you
next
time
BYEEE 😚

[Cristina Lazăr · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://carti.blog/2024/02/29/seoulma...

[Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to start out with saying that I am not into K-Dramas. I’m open to trying new things so I did pick up this book, but they haven’t been my thing and I don’t think this book will change that for me. If they are your thing you may enjoy this book more than me. It’s not to say I hated this book, I didn’t, it was a quick read and while it was super predictable and over dramatic it wasn’t bad. I did think he characters were a little flat and the story didn’t feel realistic but it was a light, quick read. Hannah and Jacob were best friends in childhood, living up to their mothers’ dreams since they were also best friends. Until Jacob and his family went back to Korea and their friendship was abruptly ended by hurt feelings. Jacob went on to be scouted to be a Korean actor and is staring on a successful Netflix Korean drama. Hannah moved on and was doing ok until he start of this summer when her boyfriend dumped her. She wasn’t pleased to hear that her mother’s best friend and her two children would be coming to stay with them for the summer. Of course when confronted with Jacob she’ll have to figure out if old hurts are enough to combat shared history and chemistry. I gave it 3.5 stars.

[Helena (helenareadsxx) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Harper YA and Ink Yard press for this ARC! I really loved this book overall, and I read it in one day! I've been in such a reading slump recently, but this has helped relieve the effects of not reading for a while!

[Bon · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 10%. Oof, what a protagonist. Cannot relate.

[LaShawn Wiltz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the CUTEST!
It's been a long time since i read a straight YA book with no fantasy or no teetering on the edge of New adult.

This was a great example of best friends to enemies to back to best friends to lovers! And so much angst! What I really loved was that both of the main characters were likable from the start. It was such a cute romance and I couldn't put it down!

This is perfect for fans of K Drama and now, I'm intrigued!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced eARC copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Darcey · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC copy provided in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes my rating or review.

This book was just a load of drama, laughter, romance and summer teen vibes – but sprinkle some of the power of kdramas in there. In conclusion, it was so much fun!! I laughed (cackled more like), groaned in irritation, cringed and squealed throughout the book, and even if the million and one different third-act breakups got to me a little by the end, I still really enjoyed reading this.

“To me, you’re an open book. And my favorite kind of reading.”

If someone said this to me in real life I’d burst out laughing – and my reaction was the same while reading this. But that’s the beauty of kdramas, and I felt that this book really captured that vibe. I just had such an honestly FUN time reading this, and even while I was grinning in embarrassment, I was excited to read the next page. Our two MCs were just the sweetest little teens, trying their best to discover their identities while simultaneously falling in love, and it was so cute to read about.

Honestly, I almost wish there was more angst, which is kinda insane to say, and not something that usually comes out of my mouth! Nonetheless, with the power of Asian parents, a hint of the pressure that Korean idols and actors face in the industry, and some appropriately dramatic scenes, this book successfully filled all the necessities of the perfect kdrama book!!

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the free copy provided in exchange for an honest review :)).

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reasons to read: love/hate romance, a K-drama vibe

Personal rating: this one stands out from similar story-lines

Thank you, Edelweiss and Inkyard Press for the arc!

I won't get too far into this review since the book isn't out until the fall (UGH) but I'll point out a few things that will make you go and preorder it!

Hannah is a total grudge-holder and I could relate to her so hard. If your best friend moved to a different country and basically ghosted you, you'd be POed too. So, when Jacob returns to San Diego, leaving his K-drama life behind for the summer, he hopes to rekindle his friendship with Hannah, but they've both grown up and tensions are high and the summer vibes are hot and sexy, and UGH.

It's refreshing to have a character like Jacob (I've been reading A LOT of K-Pop YA lately and have yet to find one about K-dramas!) This is a beautifully layered book about forgiveness and finding yourself. You do not want to miss this one!

[nitya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best friends to estranged to lovers?? Say no more

Content warning: racism (microaggressions), death of a parent (mentioned), sexism, some fatphobia, (brief) sexual content, bullying (past)

[Shealea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oof, my first 1-star read of 2023. Boy, was this book (and its characters) stupid, vapid, and frustrating. Full review to follow.

[Tammie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This was pretty cute, and contrary to a lot of other reviews it seems, I actually think it was better executed than some of the comparable titles like Once Upon a K-prom and XOXO. I appreciated that this book honed in on a couple of themes are really executed them well instead of trying to do too much. However, I ended up dropping it a half star because why on earth did we need 3 third-act breakups? One is more than enough.

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christina Lauren blurbed this as "the perfect childhood friends-to-lovers story" and I agree. This YA novel was cheesy, light-hearted and so much fun — exactly how I like my K-drama books and shows!

Both leads are flawed and even kinda annoying + frustrating at times, but I did love how realistic they are. I enjoyed their character arcs; how they juggled a blossoming romance, finding their own paths and staying true to themselves. I also loved the meddling mothers but wished the antagonists were less one-dimensional.

The author explores themes of identity and belonging while highlighting the cut-throat Korean entertainment industry, fandom and what goes on behind the scenes, all of which made for a compelling read. The book also nailed all things Hallyu:

✨ "There's a new K-drama popping up every day, and as long as it follows the formula of maximizing screams, tears, and tugging at heartstrings, then it'll be a hit."

As someone who has watched Crash Landing On You almost 10 times since the pandemic struck, I can confirm that this formula works LOL. Absolutely loved all the K-drama references here!

I'm huge sucker for YA books about Korean culture and this one really hit the spot. Seoulmates is everything XOXO tried and failed to be. It also reminded me of Once Upon a K-Prom, but with a greater level of detail which I really enjoyed.

Definitely recommend this to all K-wave fans and those looking for some escapism!

Favourite quotes:

✨ "To me, you're an open book. And my favorite kind of reading."

✨ "When you love someone, you make it work. You make whatever comes your way work."

✨ "Fanservice, speculation, manipulation of the truth are all part of the game."

✨ "I may not be fandom, but I have always been your biggest fan."

[jenny✨]

the cover caught my eye, the title snagged my heart, and this PREMISE has my entire self thrumming with excitement

thank you netgalley and inkyard press for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Rubie K. · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 - I went back and forth between 2 and 3 stars, but I've settled on a 2.5 with the caveat that I am a mean person and a harsh critic and I hate a lot of things and enjoy doing that.

since this was a goodreads giveaway, I figured I should give it a thoughtful review. but then I read the book. anyway here are top 5 reasons why you shouldn't read this book:

1. if you picked a random person off the street, sat them in front of a computer, and told them to write a novel, I think they would produce something of about the same quality. is this writer skilled at writing? no. they might be better than someone who has never written anything before, but that's a low bar, in my opinion. the book reads like someone who never learned to write, but has watched a lot of tv and thinks that simply narrating everything they want to happen in the episode of the tv drama of their dreams is writing.

2. the dialogue is so corny. cheesy. cliched. spoken straight from the worst episode of riverdale.

3. the plot makes no sense. it is repetitive, and boring. why does Jacob realize he doesn't want to act anymore and decide to quit....and then go to the hotel with his manager? he already made up his mind? why does that scene need to happen again? each character realizes they're wrong about a million times and then they realize again a moment later like the first realization never happened.

4. I know it's ya, but the romance is..... why is there a whole scene where Hannah has to justify having sex before marriage? im not religious, but then again, neither are the main characters of this book.

5. each chapter ends with a sentence wrapping up like the "lesson" of the preceding events. like an after school special. like each episode of dr who after steven moffat ran out of ideas.

to be fair, here are the reasons to read this book: yes, it is cheesy, but if you like cheesy, there's a wonderful scene by the beach where Hannah does what several years of therapy should do in like one conversation with her mom. I'd say I almost cried, but actually my allergies are acting up and my eyes have been watering all day. and of course, cheesy romance. probably similar to the k-dramas it is trying to emulate. I've never seen a k-drama, so I cannot say whether or not it succeeds.

honestly, the biggest issue I have is that no one really learns anything. yes, Hannah learns not to change who she is to make others like her, but does she really? or does she just find someone who likes her for who she is? that's different, because it says nothing about how she will act around others. and Jacob learns to put himself first, right? or does he just make the decision everyone wants him to make, quitting the show and being with Hannah. their relationship doesn't "cure" either of them of their insecurities and anxieties, so why does that stuff just disappear by the end?

why did I read this? well, it was free. why did I sign up for the giveaway if I hate romance, especially straight ones? because it was free. I may be heterophobic, but I know a deal when I see one.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You'll always find your way back home" - Hannah Montana

This story follows Hannah and Jacob, childhood friends who had a falling out 3 years ago. Now Hannah resides in San Diego while Jacob is a famous k-drama actor. They reunite all these years later, trying to coexist. Hannah wants her ex, Nate, back and Jacob wants his best friend, Hannah, back.

We get to follow these characters through the hot San Diego summer, we get to see them reconnect and come together to have an amazing summer. But everything comes with a price when you are a star of one of the most famous k-dramas on Netflix.

What I really like about this book is the insights it has on relationships, how long distance might affect them, how some people might think others leaving is their fault when it's nothing but ... life getting in the way. This helped me to get some things in order in my own head.

I am not a k-drama fan (which I need to improve on) but I loved the insights into the acting world. How fame is so important you create fake relationships and make sure fans are happy.

I did think Hannah is a little too childish at time however she is a teenager, and I don't think it's inherently bad to be a little selfish. I did love that identity was one of the main issues for her. That she felt not Korean enough to be Korean but felt too Korean to be American-Korean. It's interesting how the world continues to change and adapt to a new different trend and we never think how people may feel.

Overall, this is a fun and adorable YA contemporary which gives you an insight into the Korean culture and the world of k-dramas.

4/5

Thank you to Inkyard Press and NetGalley for approving me for the free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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[Kaya Lynch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seoulmates really, really, really made me want to reread XOXO by Axie Oh. Or Once Upon A K-Prom by Kat Cho. It’s not a bad book…it’s just a bit repetitive.

We follow two ex-best-friends named Hannah and Jacob who reconvene one summer and try to fulfill a bucket list of things to do before Jacob has to go back to Korea. Since he’s, you know, an up-and-coming K-drama star!

I really loved how Hannah learned to love her Korean heritage, whether it was through appreciation of Korean food or love of K-dramas. At the same time, she doesn’t deny her American environment and the way that it has shaped her. Watching her balance these two truths of her identity was so impactful to watch.

I enjoyed aspects of Jacob and Hannah’s relationship! They had some really sweet moments, and I loved how their friendship was such a central part of their romantic relationship.

One of my issues with this book is that I felt like the perspectives didn’t match up. For example, Hannah would act a certain way when we’re reading from her perspective. Then when we’re reading about her from Jacob’s perspective, she acts differently. I don’t know if it’s a me thing or what but I just felt like the characters had personalities that were completely dependent on who POV I was seeing.

I guess my last complaint(?) is that I WAS JUST KIND OF BORED OKAY.
yeah uh.

I feel guilty for saying this (and yet I didn’t feel an ounce of guilt whaling on Parisa earlier this year smh*) but I just didn’t feel invested in anything that was happening. This is one of those dreaded purgatory books, where nothing is overly wrong, but not really right either. Like, the plot was fine. The characters were fine. The romance had some sweet highs. It’s definitely a book I’d recommend to people who enjoy a cute romance!

A huge thank you to Bookish First and the publisher for a book won through a giveaway!

[steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, if a little predictable. If you're looking for something quick and digestible? This book is it

[nihaarika · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some books that stick with you and I think Seoulmates is going to be one of them for me. It feels like the perfect, light-hearted classic YA contemporary romance that I have always enjoyed reading. It feels a tad bit melodramatic, but that's just how teenagers act. I was definitely as dramatic as Hannah was. Susan Lee has successfully created realistic teenage voices in Hannah and Jacob. Another thing I enjoyed about this book was that it turned out to have dual POVs which was such a nice surprise. And because we got both perspectives, it was so clear to see how both Hannah and Jacob were feeling towards each other. Lee's writing is so memorable and so fun to read; I can't wait to read more of her works.

Definitely recommend Seoulmates for those who are looking for a lighthearted YA contemporary romance with a dash of k-drama vibes!

Thank you Inkyard Press for my e-ARC!

[Nona · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm going to start with a disclaimer, because it's going to be a rant: I don't read contemporary romance unless it's for some kind of challenge (which this was, for the Pop Sugar 2024 Reading Challenge). I also don't know anything about K-dramas, but having grown up with Mexican telenovelas, I can understand the type of addiction they create. I do not understand the toxicity of the environment or the behaviour of the fans, though.

Disclaimer 2: I understand these characters are teenagers and teenagers do stupid things by default. But man, they are brainless...

This story is ridiculous. I could leave it at that, but I need to vent. Alas, I did it to myself...

First of all, let's start with the title. Why is it even called "Seoulmates"? These people live in San Diego and there's only a chapter or so where the action is placed in Seoul.

Hannah and Jacob are childhood friends. But, after Jacob's father dies, he moves to Korea and becomes a K-drama actor to support his family. Hannah feels hurt that he left and was unable to communicate with him and, thus, does the mature thing and deletes her e-mail address and refuses to speak with him anytime he tries to reach out. Because it's all about me me me in her head and she gives zero Fs about his life and his family's financial situation. So, when he injures his ankle and goes back to San Diego with his family for an extended summer vacation, she - again with the mature thing - does everything in her power to sabotage his stay.

But wait, there's more! Hannah is dumped by her boyfriend, Nate, because she's not into K-dramas - even though she's Korean, she does everything in her power to appear American and anything from her culture repulses her. She wants Nate back, so of course she has to change for the man, because isn't this what women do? So Jacob, now a big K-whatever superstar, helps her with that, and they start to reconnect. A lot of drama ensues, there's blackmail, jealousy, cultural reconnection, people getting barfed on, people almost drowning, fan aggression, social media melodrama... you name it.

It's a teenage romance, so is it even a spoiler that they miraculously solve all their issues and end up together, just how their mothers had planned since their childhood?

Cute, right? Now let me summarize why I found it ridiculous, starting with the first page (there might be spoilers):
- Hannah gets dumped after Nate pukes on her at a party and all she can think of is that he's her soulmate because he's the only person in her life who doesn't want to leave San Diego. Soulmate. At 17.
- The only thing she can think about is Nate and how he dumped her because they have nothing in common. Well, mam'selle, you have nothing in common with the dude, and it's not only about K-things. She made all her summer vacation plans around his desires, all the while hating every single activity.
- Hannah is incredibly childish. Not only does she ignore the fact that Jacob had no money and had to find a job so that he and his family could survive, but he treats him like sh!t, puts garbage in his room, insists on posting pictures with him (a big a$$ star) on social media despite his reticence, because she only has a few followers and no one would know, right?, she dates the person who bullied her best friend all through childhood, tries to convince Jacob to give up his job, his family's only means of subsistence, because she's lonely...
- The entire K-drama plot was just too over the top and Jacob's work ethic is questionable.
- Jacob literally beats up a guy because he had the audacity to ask Hannah out after he decided to go back to Korea AND EVERYONE CHEERS HIM ON??? Even the mothers???

I'm glad these books did not exist when I was a teenager. Because they are completely ludicrous but I just know I would have eaten them up and would have never read anything of substance. They are like candy - bad for you, but addictive and melt your brain.

[Bee¹⁷ .ᐟ ֹ ₊ ꒱ || semi-ia · Rating 1 out of 5]

☆ 1 star
dnf at 30% on chapter 8 ‧₊ ᵎᵎ 🍒 ⋅ ˚✮

Ngl I didn’t think I was really going to enjoy this but I didn’t think it would be that bad 😭
This book really had potential to be really good and who knows maybe it would’ve gotten better if I would have read the whole thing but I just couldn’t make myself read anymore there was just too many parts that made me physically cringe.
The fmc was also so annoying to me, like she was just so childish and literally anytime her and the mmc were having a moment she just had to ruin it and she was so obsessed with her ex who we didn’t hear a single good thing about??
The mmc wasn’t too much better ngl his dialogue (especially when interacting with Hannah) was so dry and a lot of his lines sounded so awkward and cringy

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

a short, cute, childhood to kinda enemies?!? to lovers book