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XOXO #2
ASAP
The companion novel to XOXO, following Sori, the wealthy daughter of a K-pop company owner, and Nathaniel, her K-pop star ex-boyfriend, in a second chance love story.
Sori has worked her whole life to become a K-pop idol, until she realizes she doesn’t want a life forever in the spotlight. But that’s not actually up to Sori—she’s caught between her exacting mother’s entertainment company and her father’s presidential aspirations. And as the pressure to keep her flawless public image grows, the last person she should be thinking about is her ex-boyfriend. Nathaniel is off limits—she knows this. A member of one of the biggest K-pop bands in the world and forbidden from dating, he isn’t any more of an option now than he was two years ago. Still, she can’t forget that their whirlwind romance was the last time she remembers being really happy. Or that his family welcomed her into their home when she needed it most. . . . So when Nathaniel finds himself rocked by scandal, Sori offers him a hideaway with her. And back in close quarters, it’s hard to deny their old feelings. But when Sori gets an opportunity to break free from her parent’s expectations, she will have to decide if her future is worth sacrificing for a second chance at love?
Sori has worked her whole life to become a K-pop idol, until she realizes she doesn’t want a life forever in the spotlight. But that’s not actually up to Sori—she’s caught between her exacting mother’s entertainment company and her father’s presidential aspirations. And as the pressure to keep her flawless public image grows, the last person she should be thinking about is her ex-boyfriend. Nathaniel is off limits—she knows this. A member of one of the biggest K-pop bands in the world and forbidden from dating, he isn’t any more of an option now than he was two years ago. Still, she can’t forget that their whirlwind romance was the last time she remembers being really happy. Or that his family welcomed her into their home when she needed it most. . . . So when Nathaniel finds himself rocked by scandal, Sori offers him a hideaway with her. And back in close quarters, it’s hard to deny their old feelings. But when Sori gets an opportunity to break free from her parent’s expectations, she will have to decide if her future is worth sacrificing for a second chance at love?
340 pages, Paperback
First published February 6, 2024
727 people are currently reading
27878 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,909 reviews
November 12, 2024
a light, easy-breezy read with some sweet moments and enough k-culture to make any k-pop or k-drama fan happy.
while i didnt love this as much as the first book (primarily because i found the relationship between nathaniel and sori to be underdeveloped), this is still an enjoyable and fun book. definitely falls under the whole “guilty pleasure” kind of story.
so maybe not the most well-written book, but it definitely has some solid entertainment value!
↠ 3.5 stars
while i didnt love this as much as the first book (primarily because i found the relationship between nathaniel and sori to be underdeveloped), this is still an enjoyable and fun book. definitely falls under the whole “guilty pleasure” kind of story.
so maybe not the most well-written book, but it definitely has some solid entertainment value!
↠ 3.5 stars
January 14, 2024
not me finishing this in one sitting 😭
someone has to scold me and stop me from binge reading, i have absolutely no self-control and am becoming a menace 👹
it was worth it this time though, bc nate and sori ruined me ☹ no one will ever understand how precious they are 🥹
rtc sometime in the near future
pre-review
screaming, cheering, jumping up and down bc i get to read about my fave side characters earlier <3
nathaniel & sori here i comee
someone has to scold me and stop me from binge reading, i have absolutely no self-control and am becoming a menace 👹
it was worth it this time though, bc nate and sori ruined me ☹ no one will ever understand how precious they are 🥹
rtc sometime in the near future
pre-review
screaming, cheering, jumping up and down bc i get to read about my fave side characters earlier <3
nathaniel & sori here i comee
August 30, 2025
★彡 4.25 stars 彡★
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈ Question: Will physically shaking Axie Oh make another one of these books drop out of thin air?
Answer: If yes, then y’all better physically restrain ME from doing exactly that ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ
Granted that I’m lucky enough to have read the sweetest book with my sweetest bestie Maria! That’s how it’s DONE DONE DONE! ¬‿¬
ASAP is as deep as it is simple. Written deceptively like a sweet ‘n silly romcom, this book is filled to the brim with angst, ballads of self-discovery and self-love. It was a story made to be experienced and felt while still delivering all the sharp wit and goofiness you would expect of a YA romcom. Ain’t that the perfect package? >ᴗ<
⋮ ⌗ ┆ ᏖᏒᎧᎮᏋᏕ ᏗᏖ ᏇᎧᏒᏦ ⋮ ⌗ ┆
─•─ 𖦤 Friends To Lovers ♪♡
─•─ 𖦤 Second Chance Romance . ♬ ݁˖
─•─ 𖦤 Forbidden Romance ♪♡
─•─ 𖦤 Celebrity Couple . ♬ ݁˖
⋮ ⌗ ┆ ᎷᎩ ᏖᏂᎧᏬᎶᏂᏖᏕ ⋮ ⌗ ┆
: ̗̀➛ 🅣🅗🅔 🅢🅣🅞🅡🅨 & 🅣🅗🅔 🅕🅔🅔🅛🅢: Min Sori has had a dream for so long. To make people happy. To make the masses smile just because she exists. She used to think that being an idol was the key to unlocking this unspoken of a wish. She was so sure of it. But with every day, every realisation, she stills. She already has enough on her plate: from coming to terms with her rekindling feelings for a certain heartbreaker, fixing her mother’s company, to even fixing the gaps in her life. Funny how she does it all with a real smile ♡
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: second-chance and I don’t mesh well because most of the times, the reasonings behind the breakup are either too hard for me to forgive or too silly for me to take seriously. Few second-chances toe the perfect line of believably angsty and ASAP did it brilliantly with Sori and Nathaniel having a second round at it. To renewing their friendship and dealing with every reason that made them break up in the first place.
Shoutout to besties Aira, Astra and Salma: You guys, I’m a reformed woman… I think I’ve learnt to warm up to second-chances (ᴗ_ᴗ.) #ReadyToJoinTheClub
Besides the romance, the story is also strong in delivering Sori’s heartfelt journey through her lively lenses.
: ̗̀➛ 🅜🅘🅝 🅢🅞🅡🅘: Also known as the love of my pathetic little life. Hell, I thought I adored her in XOXO as a side character. I wasn’t prepared to fall on my knees for her. Damn this pathetic little heart ~
Sori’s a model, a glam queen. She sparkles on the outside for sure, but on the inside? Even more. What’sdepressing funny is how people look at her and see an Ice Queen. She’s literally described as a cold beauty, someone who looks mean.
Wouldn’t you be surprised to know that she’s a squishmallow. This girlie here is easily the most adorable FMC that comes to mind. While she is crazily strategic and calculates the pros and cons of every potential move she could make, she also acknowledges that she’s a liar, a manipulator at times. She openly admits to herself that she is fake and uses people when desperate times call for it. That touch of darkness makes her all the more loveable because despite this, she’s truly willing to help and give to people she loves. She’s a lover and she loves wholly.
She is also an endearingly sensitive individual. She loves cutesy things and gosh the urge to crush her with a hug for HOW ADORABLE she is was off the charts! For example, she’s addicted to collecting stuffed animals and when stuffing one in her bag, she leaves it a little open, because-
#RightsForStuffedOnes
Somehow it touched all the raw parts of me, because Sori is unabashedly craving love. More or less love-starved her entire life, she knows how much every relationship means. She loves those around her, and also loves herself to the fullest:
I’m not ashamed to admit that this girl has my heart. And I’m pathetically in love with her, did I mention? ಥ﹏ಥ
: ̗̀➛ 🅝🅐🅣🅗🅐🅝🅘🅔🅛 🅛🅔🅔: This guy not being real is almost as big of a crime as a white M&M!don’t ask me… yes, they’re a thing, AN ABOMINATION ⁽⁽(੭ꐦ •̀Д•́ )੭*⁾⁾
I’ll hear no judgment from anyone when I say I’m unabashedly into bad boys… of any and every kind. I. Said. No. Judgment. (≖_≖ )
Unbuttoned shirts, rolled up sleeves, stylishly mussed up hair… and a crooked crooked smile. I’m a basic bitch like that, so it ALWAYS works. Now take the blueprint of a classic bad boy and dial it up to the max. That’s Nathaniel Lee for ya, folks (づ ̄ ³ ̄)づ
*insert INTENSE sunburn emoji*
Real guys? For the sake of civility at least: TAKE. SOME. DAMN. NOTES.
Also, remember how I might have mentioned Sori’s obsession with her stuffed animals? Right after Nathaniel throws one of her Pikachu stuffed ones on the floorwanted to choke him to death for that, obsessed or no he says:
Dude, marry me already, I’m down on my knees (ᴗ_ᴗ.)
When he’s not communicating in flirtsome language, you can find him being the poster child for PATIENCE. Quiet yearning? Nah, besties… make it iN yOuR fAcE kind of yearning. He gets rejected over and over and he’s still present in her life, as a friend. Just waiting for her signal that she wants more and he’ll give his ALL. They don’t make guys this perfect, anymore!
Finally, that mermaid scene (iykyk and boy do you wanna know ¬‿¬) was the single-most attractive thing I have read about. In my entire life. Like ever. Period.did I emphasise on it enough?
»»——★ fιnαℓ тнσυgнтѕ ★——««
➳ Maybe it’s just me being my usual brand of delusional, but I think we might be getting a third book on a certain boy-next-door and the maknae of our new girl group? Or maybe, it’s just me being… y’know… delusional >ᴗ<
ﾒ𝟶ﾒ𝟶
｡･ﾟ♡ﾟ･｡｡･ﾟ♡ﾟ･｡
“For all the readers who asked for an encore—this one’s for you.”
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈ Question: Will physically shaking Axie Oh make another one of these books drop out of thin air?
Answer: If yes, then y’all better physically restrain ME from doing exactly that ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ
Granted that I’m lucky enough to have read the sweetest book with my sweetest bestie Maria! That’s how it’s DONE DONE DONE! ¬‿¬
ASAP is as deep as it is simple. Written deceptively like a sweet ‘n silly romcom, this book is filled to the brim with angst, ballads of self-discovery and self-love. It was a story made to be experienced and felt while still delivering all the sharp wit and goofiness you would expect of a YA romcom. Ain’t that the perfect package? >ᴗ<
⋮ ⌗ ┆ ᏖᏒᎧᎮᏋᏕ ᏗᏖ ᏇᎧᏒᏦ ⋮ ⌗ ┆
─•─ 𖦤 Friends To Lovers ♪♡
─•─ 𖦤 Second Chance Romance . ♬ ݁˖
─•─ 𖦤 Forbidden Romance ♪♡
─•─ 𖦤 Celebrity Couple . ♬ ݁˖
⋮ ⌗ ┆ ᎷᎩ ᏖᏂᎧᏬᎶᏂᏖᏕ ⋮ ⌗ ┆
: ̗̀➛ 🅣🅗🅔 🅢🅣🅞🅡🅨 & 🅣🅗🅔 🅕🅔🅔🅛🅢: Min Sori has had a dream for so long. To make people happy. To make the masses smile just because she exists. She used to think that being an idol was the key to unlocking this unspoken of a wish. She was so sure of it. But with every day, every realisation, she stills. She already has enough on her plate: from coming to terms with her rekindling feelings for a certain heartbreaker, fixing her mother’s company, to even fixing the gaps in her life. Funny how she does it all with a real smile ♡
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: second-chance and I don’t mesh well because most of the times, the reasonings behind the breakup are either too hard for me to forgive or too silly for me to take seriously. Few second-chances toe the perfect line of believably angsty and ASAP did it brilliantly with Sori and Nathaniel having a second round at it. To renewing their friendship and dealing with every reason that made them break up in the first place.
Shoutout to besties Aira, Astra and Salma: You guys, I’m a reformed woman… I think I’ve learnt to warm up to second-chances (ᴗ_ᴗ.) #ReadyToJoinTheClub
Besides the romance, the story is also strong in delivering Sori’s heartfelt journey through her lively lenses.
: ̗̀➛ 🅜🅘🅝 🅢🅞🅡🅘: Also known as the love of my pathetic little life. Hell, I thought I adored her in XOXO as a side character. I wasn’t prepared to fall on my knees for her. Damn this pathetic little heart ~
Sori’s a model, a glam queen. She sparkles on the outside for sure, but on the inside? Even more. What’s
“I gained a reputation as someone stuck up, who thought she was better than everyone else.”
Wouldn’t you be surprised to know that she’s a squishmallow. This girlie here is easily the most adorable FMC that comes to mind. While she is crazily strategic and calculates the pros and cons of every potential move she could make, she also acknowledges that she’s a liar, a manipulator at times. She openly admits to herself that she is fake and uses people when desperate times call for it. That touch of darkness makes her all the more loveable because despite this, she’s truly willing to help and give to people she loves. She’s a lover and she loves wholly.
She is also an endearingly sensitive individual. She loves cutesy things and gosh the urge to crush her with a hug for HOW ADORABLE she is was off the charts! For example, she’s addicted to collecting stuffed animals and when stuffing one in her bag, she leaves it a little open, because-
“He can’t breathe if it’s zipped all the way.”
#RightsForStuffedOnes
“I want to need someone, just as much as I want to feel needed.”
Somehow it touched all the raw parts of me, because Sori is unabashedly craving love. More or less love-starved her entire life, she knows how much every relationship means. She loves those around her, and also loves herself to the fullest:
“Thanks, Sori-yah. You would have made a great idol, you know.”
“Maybe. But I think I’m a little too selfish. I want to make myself happy first, and I want to give myself only to a few people, not everyone.”
I’m not ashamed to admit that this girl has my heart. And I’m pathetically in love with her, did I mention? ಥ﹏ಥ
: ̗̀➛ 🅝🅐🅣🅗🅐🅝🅘🅔🅛 🅛🅔🅔: This guy not being real is almost as big of a crime as a white M&M!
I’ll hear no judgment from anyone when I say I’m unabashedly into bad boys… of any and every kind. I. Said. No. Judgment. (≖_≖ )
Unbuttoned shirts, rolled up sleeves, stylishly mussed up hair… and a crooked crooked smile. I’m a basic bitch like that, so it ALWAYS works. Now take the blueprint of a classic bad boy and dial it up to the max. That’s Nathaniel Lee for ya, folks (づ ̄ ³ ̄)づ
“You should be wary about setting rules with me,” he says, his voice like silk. “You know I live to break them.”
*insert INTENSE sunburn emoji*
“I didn’t want to chase you,” he says, and I wince. Did he finally realize I’m not worth chasing? “I wanted to run with you.”
Real guys? For the sake of civility at least: TAKE. SOME. DAMN. NOTES.
Also, remember how I might have mentioned Sori’s obsession with her stuffed animals? Right after Nathaniel throws one of her Pikachu stuffed ones on the floor
“I’ll apologize to each and every one of your stuffed animals if that’ll make you happy.”
Dude, marry me already, I’m down on my knees (ᴗ_ᴗ.)
When he’s not communicating in flirtsome language, you can find him being the poster child for PATIENCE. Quiet yearning? Nah, besties… make it iN yOuR fAcE kind of yearning. He gets rejected over and over and he’s still present in her life, as a friend. Just waiting for her signal that she wants more and he’ll give his ALL. They don’t make guys this perfect, anymore!
Finally, that mermaid scene (iykyk and boy do you wanna know ¬‿¬) was the single-most attractive thing I have read about. In my entire life. Like ever. Period.
»»——★ fιnαℓ тнσυgнтѕ ★——««
➳ Maybe it’s just me being my usual brand of delusional, but I think we might be getting a third book on a certain boy-next-door and the maknae of our new girl group? Or maybe, it’s just me being… y’know… delusional >ᴗ<
ﾒ𝟶ﾒ𝟶
｡･ﾟ♡ﾟ･｡｡･ﾟ♡ﾟ･｡
February 10, 2024
"For all the readers who asked for an encore—this one’s for you."
AXIE OH I LOVE YOU. rtc!! oh and br with my gorgeous rach ❤️🔥❤️🔥 thank u for reading this with me babe
AXIE OH I LOVE YOU. rtc!! oh and br with my gorgeous rach ❤️🔥❤️🔥 thank u for reading this with me babe
June 17, 2025
this was a super cute palette cleanser 🥰💙!! i enjoyed reading about sori & nathaniel’s relationship from time to time; it was a nice YA romance 🎀. however, i did have some complaints. the first 60% of the book was pretty boring — nothing piqued my interest 🙃. i really, really, enjoyed the last 40% of the book though. a huge complaint that i had throughout the entire book was i didn’t care about the relationship 🫠. i was more interested in the debuting of ASAP and the familial problems. thankfully, the last chunk of the book really convinced me of their relationship, which was a relief. another big problem that i had with this book was, i really hoped that we would get to see the realities of the k-pop industry, however we got none of that. i understand this wasn’t a main point & that this IS YA, but a little recognition would’ve let the book dive deeper — again, i understand this is YA. overall, this was a light & fun time that i flew through.
quotes
ꨄ︎ “i didn't want to chase you," he says, and i wince. did he finally realize i'm not worth chasing? "i wanted to run with you.”
ꨄ︎ “i want to be independent with my career but not with my relationship. i want to need someone, just as much as i want to feel needed.”
ꨄ︎ “i love how i make her laugh. everything i do seems to amuse her. when we first met, i thought she was laughing at me, but i soon realized it’s that she truly adores me.”
lastly, a huge thank you to one of my best girls mia for reading this adorable book with me <3 i had a great time 💜
⋅˚₊‧ ଳ ‧₊˚ ⋅⋅˚₊‧ ଳ ‧₊˚ ⋅⋅˚₊‧ ଳ ‧₊˚ ⋅⋅˚₊‧ ଳ ‧₊˚ ⋅
pre - read.
ik i'm already reading 3 other books right now, but i just couldn't resist picking this one up!! it looks super cute & fun 🩵
★ to make this experience even better, i'm reading this with one of my best friends, mia!! i hope we love this so much beautiful girl <3
quotes
ꨄ︎ “i didn't want to chase you," he says, and i wince. did he finally realize i'm not worth chasing? "i wanted to run with you.”
ꨄ︎ “i want to be independent with my career but not with my relationship. i want to need someone, just as much as i want to feel needed.”
ꨄ︎ “i love how i make her laugh. everything i do seems to amuse her. when we first met, i thought she was laughing at me, but i soon realized it’s that she truly adores me.”
lastly, a huge thank you to one of my best girls mia for reading this adorable book with me <3 i had a great time 💜
⋅˚₊‧ ଳ ‧₊˚ ⋅⋅˚₊‧ ଳ ‧₊˚ ⋅⋅˚₊‧ ଳ ‧₊˚ ⋅⋅˚₊‧ ଳ ‧₊˚ ⋅
pre - read.
ik i'm already reading 3 other books right now, but i just couldn't resist picking this one up!! it looks super cute & fun 🩵
★ to make this experience even better, i'm reading this with one of my best friends, mia!! i hope we love this so much beautiful girl <3
May 16, 2024
❝ you should be wary of setting rules with me. you know I live to break them. ❞
ಇ ~ I can see you by taylor swift
then we kiss, and you know I won’t ever tell
I’m humbled. I thought I would have the same meh feeling about this as I did the author’s other books, and bought it solely for the cover. but boy, was I wrong. this was just about the cutest thing ever.
the reason that axie’s other books were a miss for me was because of the writing style, and unfortunately, that’s usually not something that varies from book to book; an author’s writing is what can make them well-loved or well-hated, because it has a distinct impression or voice. From my previous experiences with axie’s writing, I knew it to be cheesy and a bit stilted, and frankly incapable of writing chemistry or angst. imagine my surprise when the writing style in this book was not only fun, easy-to-read, and flowed remarkably well, but had a sizzling romance (not in regards to spice, obviously, as it’s YA, but in that the chemistry was immaculate).
sori and nathaniel are both, well, extremely hot characters and their moments actually had me silently squealing and cackling. I say this a lot, because I’m a hopeless romantic and almost anything remotely related to romance will make me pass out, but seriously; it was too good! I felt like I was watching a k-drama. the pool scene?? unwell. I loved how nathaniel didn’t force himself onto sori but waited patiently for her and respected her boundaries. They were such simps for each other and I was eating it up.
I also loved the kpop-based plot. The xoxo band members are all cute (youngmin & hyemi spinoff when??) and it was refreshing to have a protagonist who knew what she was doing and how to handle herself while being scrutinized by the media. speaking of awkward and oblivious characters… what do you know, I liked jenny a lot more when she wasn’t suffering from main character syndrome. She was actually really cute. The platonic & familial relationships in this book warmed my heart– sori had such cute relationships with jenny, hyemi, and her mom. we stan!!
–bottom line: this book really is just as cute as its cover <3
❝ I would walk the same path every lifetime, if I knew that at the end of it, you were waiting for me. ❞
happy reading ily 💗🌷
ಇ ~ I can see you by taylor swift
then we kiss, and you know I won’t ever tell
I’m humbled. I thought I would have the same meh feeling about this as I did the author’s other books, and bought it solely for the cover. but boy, was I wrong. this was just about the cutest thing ever.
the reason that axie’s other books were a miss for me was because of the writing style, and unfortunately, that’s usually not something that varies from book to book; an author’s writing is what can make them well-loved or well-hated, because it has a distinct impression or voice. From my previous experiences with axie’s writing, I knew it to be cheesy and a bit stilted, and frankly incapable of writing chemistry or angst. imagine my surprise when the writing style in this book was not only fun, easy-to-read, and flowed remarkably well, but had a sizzling romance (not in regards to spice, obviously, as it’s YA, but in that the chemistry was immaculate).
sori and nathaniel are both, well, extremely hot characters and their moments actually had me silently squealing and cackling. I say this a lot, because I’m a hopeless romantic and almost anything remotely related to romance will make me pass out, but seriously; it was too good! I felt like I was watching a k-drama. the pool scene?? unwell. I loved how nathaniel didn’t force himself onto sori but waited patiently for her and respected her boundaries. They were such simps for each other and I was eating it up.
I also loved the kpop-based plot. The xoxo band members are all cute (youngmin & hyemi spinoff when??) and it was refreshing to have a protagonist who knew what she was doing and how to handle herself while being scrutinized by the media. speaking of awkward and oblivious characters… what do you know, I liked jenny a lot more when she wasn’t suffering from main character syndrome. She was actually really cute. The platonic & familial relationships in this book warmed my heart– sori had such cute relationships with jenny, hyemi, and her mom. we stan!!
–bottom line: this book really is just as cute as its cover <3
❝ I would walk the same path every lifetime, if I knew that at the end of it, you were waiting for me. ❞
happy reading ily 💗🌷
April 27, 2024
･:*:･ﾟ⁀➷ 3.75/5 ★
Such a fun read!! 💜💜 I absolutely devoured this & i’ve discovered that i absolutely love kpop romances hehe 🤭💐
Tropes:
🎤 Kpop romance
🎤 Second chance
🎤 Set in Korea
🎤 Both of them are famous
I really enjoyed XOXO and sori & nathaniel were definitely my fav side characters in that book, so i was so excited that they were getting their own book! And this was the perfect follow up to XOXO, it was sm fun 🫶🫶
ೃ⁀➷ Writing & plot:
I really really like axie oh’s writing style!! This is only my second book by her but the way she writes works so well for these cutesy romances- it’s pretty simple, but still has enough descriptions that i feel like i’m in the story. This book was honestly so bingeable and i could not put it down once i started it. I definitely want to read more by this author and “The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea” is really intriguing to me.
I also really enjoyed the storyline of this book! 🥰🥰 Having the kpop industry as the backdrop of the book was so perfect bc i find it so fascinating and it also meant the book had a good plot outside of the romance. The romance was definitely the main focus, but there were still other things going on, which i enjoyed 🌷✨️
ೃ⁀➷ Characters:
I honestly really liked the characters in this book! So glad sori and nathaniel got their own book 🥹🫶
➵ Sori: she’s a really good fmc! I love how she appears so cold and severe, but has sm more to her and i really liked reading from her pov. Her character development in this book was done really well 🥰🥰
➵ Nathianel: AHH I LOVE HIM 🤭🤭 honestly, he has intrigued me since xoxo (i actually liked him more than jaewoo sorry!!) and he did not disappoint me in this book 👀😮💨 He was super attractive but also so sweet & caring, and he carried this book for me 🥹💗
ೃ⁀➷ Romance:
➵ Sori and Nathianel: their romance was sooo cute omg 🥹🥹 I thought the second chance romance trope was done really well and they had so many good scenes!! 🌷✨️ The chemistry was definitely there. However, the only thing i didn’t like about their relationship was that it felt like sori kept pushing nathaniel away when it was obvious they both wanted a relationship again. The last part of the book felt like a really prolonged third act conflict and it was really annoying 🙈🙈
➵ Jenny and Jaewoo: their appearances were so wholesome, i’m glad they’re happy together 🥹❤️🩹
ೃ⁀➷ In conclusion:
I had such a great time with this book 🥹🫶 I would definitely this series if you’re looking for:
➷ Kpop!!
➷ Such cute romance
➷ Great characters
➷ Interconnected standalones
Idk if there are plans for more books in this series but i would honestly love to see books for the remaining xoxo members 🌷✨️
《 2024 Challenge: Book 54 of 115 》
･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ
ೃ⁀➷ prereview:
➷ this was sooo cute! 🥹🥹 i had a great time reading it & sorinathaniel are adorableee 🌷✨️
rtc 🩷
ೃ⁀➷ preread:
➷ xoxo was so cute, so i'm super excited for this one! 🥹🥹 i'm coming for you sorinathaniel 😚🌷
Such a fun read!! 💜💜 I absolutely devoured this & i’ve discovered that i absolutely love kpop romances hehe 🤭💐
Tropes:
🎤 Kpop romance
🎤 Second chance
🎤 Set in Korea
🎤 Both of them are famous
I really enjoyed XOXO and sori & nathaniel were definitely my fav side characters in that book, so i was so excited that they were getting their own book! And this was the perfect follow up to XOXO, it was sm fun 🫶🫶
ೃ⁀➷ Writing & plot:
I really really like axie oh’s writing style!! This is only my second book by her but the way she writes works so well for these cutesy romances- it’s pretty simple, but still has enough descriptions that i feel like i’m in the story. This book was honestly so bingeable and i could not put it down once i started it. I definitely want to read more by this author and “The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea” is really intriguing to me.
I also really enjoyed the storyline of this book! 🥰🥰 Having the kpop industry as the backdrop of the book was so perfect bc i find it so fascinating and it also meant the book had a good plot outside of the romance. The romance was definitely the main focus, but there were still other things going on, which i enjoyed 🌷✨️
ೃ⁀➷ Characters:
I honestly really liked the characters in this book! So glad sori and nathaniel got their own book 🥹🫶
➵ Sori: she’s a really good fmc! I love how she appears so cold and severe, but has sm more to her and i really liked reading from her pov. Her character development in this book was done really well 🥰🥰
➵ Nathianel: AHH I LOVE HIM 🤭🤭 honestly, he has intrigued me since xoxo (i actually liked him more than jaewoo sorry!!) and he did not disappoint me in this book 👀😮💨 He was super attractive but also so sweet & caring, and he carried this book for me 🥹💗
ೃ⁀➷ Romance:
➵ Sori and Nathianel: their romance was sooo cute omg 🥹🥹 I thought the second chance romance trope was done really well and they had so many good scenes!! 🌷✨️ The chemistry was definitely there. However, the only thing i didn’t like about their relationship was that it felt like sori kept pushing nathaniel away when it was obvious they both wanted a relationship again. The last part of the book felt like a really prolonged third act conflict and it was really annoying 🙈🙈
➵ Jenny and Jaewoo: their appearances were so wholesome, i’m glad they’re happy together 🥹❤️🩹
ೃ⁀➷ In conclusion:
I had such a great time with this book 🥹🫶 I would definitely this series if you’re looking for:
➷ Kpop!!
➷ Such cute romance
➷ Great characters
➷ Interconnected standalones
Idk if there are plans for more books in this series but i would honestly love to see books for the remaining xoxo members 🌷✨️
《 2024 Challenge: Book 54 of 115 》
･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ
ೃ⁀➷ prereview:
➷ this was sooo cute! 🥹🥹 i had a great time reading it & sorinathaniel are adorableee 🌷✨️
rtc 🩷
ೃ⁀➷ preread:
➷ xoxo was so cute, so i'm super excited for this one! 🥹🥹 i'm coming for you sorinathaniel 😚🌷
February 28, 2024
spoiler-free!!
okayokay so this rating and review is based purely on enjoyment 🤭🤭
i absolutely LOVED sorinate sososo much and i swear this sequel was EVERYTHING.
this was almost like a slow burn and tbh it might be my new favorite read this year 😭😭
in terms of the writing style it was about the same?
i did feel like the pacing was better and was ultimately an improvement from xoxo.
improvements from xoxo
- more family involved!! her relationship with her mother at the end was so wholesome. plus i think that one of my critiques from xoxo was that there wasn’t enough family scenes and this book definitely had more, which i loved 🤭🤭
- more character development and i preferred this story line (second-chance) compared to xoxo since im not a big fan of insta love
- the moments they had (IMO!) were not that cheesy and they had some reallyreallyreally cute moments
- ALSO I JUST LOOKED BACK AT MY REVIEW FOR XOXO AND I MEAN I DONT REMEMBER ANY SUPER CRINGE-WORTHY LINES SO YES THAT’S AN IMPROVEMENT
sori
i love her sososo much and she’s genuinely such a wholesome person and will help anyone she can. although i was a little annoyed after the third time she shoved nathaniel away, i can understand where she’s coming from. she’s super cautious when it comes to falling for nathaniel again and her first priority is always her mother and joah. i love her so much and she’s just so lovable. (not to mention sorinate make the CUTEST couple)
sori ->"But it's more than that. I have a responsibility to the company. I have more to lose ...”
nathaniel -> “I have to lose you. For me, that's enough. Even if it doesn't matter to you.”
nathaniel
AAHH HE MADE ME SCREAM AT SOME PARTS LIKE THE MERMAID SCENE?! I GASPED (idc how unoriginal this scene is bc it eats every single time). the way he cares so much for her and is willing to sacrifice his career and everything just for her, also when he was absolutely destroyed because sori rejected him again i was like NOOOOOO POOR NATHANIEL 😭😭
“He doesn't rush me, though everyone outside is probably wondering why we haven't stepped out yet. He's so patient with me—the one person in the world who has always seen me, as I am, flaws and all.”
hyemi
ngl she was just there to move the plot along and she actually had me gasping at some parts (not for a good reason) like um girl??? back off from her man like ilu and all but PLEASE ☹️☹️
xoxo characters
if you loved the characters from xoxo, just a heads up because they basically don’t exist in this book 😭😭 Gi-Taek and Angela are briefly mentioned but she never meets up with them. and for jenny, she’s only there to give sori a pep talk whenever she feels down. (still love her though ☝️☝️)
footnote:
this book definitely had some logistical problems and some of my questions were definitely left unanswered but if you look past that, i promise you’ll like it 😭😭
plsplsplspls read this guys
pre read doubling down on the cheery romcoms because i sat down to write my review for the poppy war and all i wanted to do was scream, cry and stare at the ceiling all at once
February 22, 2024
Sori & Nathaniel getting their story?! WE WIN!! WE WIN!!!
April 6, 2024
axie, darling. i love you. i really do.
but, um, i didn’t love this book.
sigh. my rating average is slowly lowering day by day, and with it my seasonal depression is welcoming me into its humble, humble home. and you know what else is welcoming me? the same silly little books that i usually gravitate to (i.e. every book by sally rooney in this vast universe), but not axie’s. no. axie’s sequel to xoxo is…entertaining, at best! cute!
by cute, i of course mean that asap is not cute and not hot and definitely not swoon-worthy. (but sori was, what the fuck, such a green flag…we don’t talk about her revelling in the objectifications of horny men) of course axie took my words into consideration, when i said that thoughtfulness in her prose is completely lacking, and said, bitch. no! more! more for you! then dumped this book into my lap! and it wasn’t. even. free.
so, what to say about axie’s prose? not to be harsh, but it reads like a relatively talented young fantasy nerd dabbling within the limits of k-pop fanfiction. i’ve never read k-pop fanfics. like she wanted to talk about dragons but instead she was forced to research company rules. anyways, i assume that those fanfics are better than this. not a high bar, but then again, her sentence structure is…questionable.
mi problemas: yes. i will never ever give context on why i find books bad. if you don’t like that, i love you, but not enough to add detail <3 (love you though)
1- axie finds the need to pop in every dry k-pop standard into this book, more so than the first one, while force-feeding me jennifer lynn barnes money grab energy.
2- i recognize that k-pop has extremely horrible beauty standards. i’m talking about women, but they also definitely pertain to men.
i have been affected by them. i have been victim to many “choose your body” youtube vids many millennia ago. so take this with a grain of salt when i say that i HATED how axie decided to incorporate them in this book. i hated the 192828 times barnes mentioned how cassie’s waist was slim enough for her hands to wrap around them a gajillion ways, so you best believe that (even though this is a fluffernutter novel) i lowered my rating because of this.
authors need to step up their game and realize not everybody wants to read about a slim girl with curvy hips ALL the time. you’re gorgeous if you are, and books should and will be written about you! but i think it’s old news to have body types mark different sub-genres of romance.
moving on— i shouldn’t have wasted my time. i love rom-coms, but recently my bookstore has been carrying the WORST ones— icebreaker?! so, then maybe i should venture outside a 5 mile radius. it’s something to think about, but this book wasn’t! i am now officially brain-dead, so hello sally rooney and goodbye sorinathaniel. you will be missed.
(i need to write a petition for authors to give out thousands of beta reads to side-character stans so they can make sure that the cutesy ones they love don’t get ruined in the next book)
—————-
pre-review: everybody in this book had everything and didn't give a fuck, just like how i paid $20 for the first book and also don't give a fuck about this series.
except sori. actual wife material.
review to come!
---------
THOSE PEOPLE ARE SO DUMB.
when they rate a book 2 stars and immediately get the second installment in the series because they have an extreme emotional attachment to every and all side characters. those people are so dumb.
br with mimsalims, best friend and forever fellow jaewoo loather
but, um, i didn’t love this book.
sigh. my rating average is slowly lowering day by day, and with it my seasonal depression is welcoming me into its humble, humble home. and you know what else is welcoming me? the same silly little books that i usually gravitate to (i.e. every book by sally rooney in this vast universe), but not axie’s. no. axie’s sequel to xoxo is…entertaining, at best! cute!
by cute, i of course mean that asap is not cute and not hot and definitely not swoon-worthy. (but sori was, what the fuck, such a green flag…we don’t talk about her revelling in the objectifications of horny men) of course axie took my words into consideration, when i said that thoughtfulness in her prose is completely lacking, and said, bitch. no! more! more for you! then dumped this book into my lap! and it wasn’t. even. free.
so, what to say about axie’s prose? not to be harsh, but it reads like a relatively talented young fantasy nerd dabbling within the limits of k-pop fanfiction. i’ve never read k-pop fanfics. like she wanted to talk about dragons but instead she was forced to research company rules. anyways, i assume that those fanfics are better than this. not a high bar, but then again, her sentence structure is…questionable.
mi problemas: yes. i will never ever give context on why i find books bad. if you don’t like that, i love you, but not enough to add detail <3 (love you though)
1- axie finds the need to pop in every dry k-pop standard into this book, more so than the first one, while force-feeding me jennifer lynn barnes money grab energy.
2- i recognize that k-pop has extremely horrible beauty standards. i’m talking about women, but they also definitely pertain to men.
i have been affected by them. i have been victim to many “choose your body” youtube vids many millennia ago. so take this with a grain of salt when i say that i HATED how axie decided to incorporate them in this book. i hated the 192828 times barnes mentioned how cassie’s waist was slim enough for her hands to wrap around them a gajillion ways, so you best believe that (even though this is a fluffernutter novel) i lowered my rating because of this.
authors need to step up their game and realize not everybody wants to read about a slim girl with curvy hips ALL the time. you’re gorgeous if you are, and books should and will be written about you! but i think it’s old news to have body types mark different sub-genres of romance.
moving on— i shouldn’t have wasted my time. i love rom-coms, but recently my bookstore has been carrying the WORST ones— icebreaker?! so, then maybe i should venture outside a 5 mile radius. it’s something to think about, but this book wasn’t! i am now officially brain-dead, so hello sally rooney and goodbye sorinathaniel. you will be missed.
(i need to write a petition for authors to give out thousands of beta reads to side-character stans so they can make sure that the cutesy ones they love don’t get ruined in the next book)
—————-
pre-review: everybody in this book had everything and didn't give a fuck, just like how i paid $20 for the first book and also don't give a fuck about this series.
except sori. actual wife material.
review to come!
---------
THOSE PEOPLE ARE SO DUMB.
when they rate a book 2 stars and immediately get the second installment in the series because they have an extreme emotional attachment to every and all side characters. those people are so dumb.
br with mimsalims, best friend and forever fellow jaewoo loather
December 1, 2024
3.5★ !
☂️₊˚ ⋅꒱ overall thoughts:
I love me some cutie asian lit romance and this one hit the spot 🤭 this was seriously such an adorable book, so lighthearted and fun! One of my fav things about this author's book are the settings, they only fuel my dreams to travel to Asia haha. The romance was so cuuute, I think more tension would've made it better though! But I actually enjoyed the second chance trope more than I would’ve thought, it kind of gives the same vibes as fake dating, it just has to be done right yk! My main issue, however, was with the writing, I thought it was a bit simple and lacking in any original characteristics. I think it is just the author’s style though, and while it’s not my favorite it does fit the story well!
🪐₊˚ ⋅꒱ the characters:
Sori: Sori is just the coolest omg!! She literally can do anything. I liked how we got to see a more vulnerable side of her at times, and it was impactful to see how she always put her parents and their company first, even though they often neglected to put her first. But I’m happy that Sori and her mom bonded in the end 🫶🏼 also her stuffed animal obsession was TOO CUTE
Natheniel: When the love interest is 100% your type 🤭 I loved Natheniel so freaking much ugh. My heart kind of broke for him, but it’s also so adorable how he literally loved Sori the entire time after they first broke up and he just had to worship her from afar 🥺. Very loyal, (very demure, very mindful) and such a green flag if you ask me.
🍇₊˚ ⋅꒱ to ellie:
ELLIE MY LOVE. Thank you thank you thank you for buddy reading this with me!! Omg the way we’ve literally been planning this for so long I’m so happy we got to it!! 🥰 you’re my fav girl in the entire world to do buddy reads with ILY SOOOO MUCH AHHH. Here’s to many more buddy reads and yap sessions🥂 MWAH.
post read:
omg that was so cute!!! rtc!!
pre-read:
ok first can we just take a moment to appreciate this cover, it is SO stinking cute omg 🥺. I am so excited for this because 1) I looove a good asian lit romance and 2) I'm buddy reading this with my soulmate and favorite girl in the entire word, ellie! 🤭 love you soooo much ells thank you for buddy reading this with me tehe 💜
☂️₊˚ ⋅꒱ overall thoughts:
I love me some cutie asian lit romance and this one hit the spot 🤭 this was seriously such an adorable book, so lighthearted and fun! One of my fav things about this author's book are the settings, they only fuel my dreams to travel to Asia haha. The romance was so cuuute, I think more tension would've made it better though! But I actually enjoyed the second chance trope more than I would’ve thought, it kind of gives the same vibes as fake dating, it just has to be done right yk! My main issue, however, was with the writing, I thought it was a bit simple and lacking in any original characteristics. I think it is just the author’s style though, and while it’s not my favorite it does fit the story well!
🪐₊˚ ⋅꒱ the characters:
Sori: Sori is just the coolest omg!! She literally can do anything. I liked how we got to see a more vulnerable side of her at times, and it was impactful to see how she always put her parents and their company first, even though they often neglected to put her first. But I’m happy that Sori and her mom bonded in the end 🫶🏼 also her stuffed animal obsession was TOO CUTE
Natheniel: When the love interest is 100% your type 🤭 I loved Natheniel so freaking much ugh. My heart kind of broke for him, but it’s also so adorable how he literally loved Sori the entire time after they first broke up and he just had to worship her from afar 🥺. Very loyal, (very demure, very mindful) and such a green flag if you ask me.
🍇₊˚ ⋅꒱ to ellie:
ELLIE MY LOVE. Thank you thank you thank you for buddy reading this with me!! Omg the way we’ve literally been planning this for so long I’m so happy we got to it!! 🥰 you’re my fav girl in the entire world to do buddy reads with ILY SOOOO MUCH AHHH. Here’s to many more buddy reads and yap sessions🥂 MWAH.
post read:
omg that was so cute!!! rtc!!
pre-read:
ok first can we just take a moment to appreciate this cover, it is SO stinking cute omg 🥺. I am so excited for this because 1) I looove a good asian lit romance and 2) I'm buddy reading this with my soulmate and favorite girl in the entire word, ellie! 🤭 love you soooo much ells thank you for buddy reading this with me tehe 💜
May 31, 2024
every time i read an axie oh book, i am seized with the paralysing fear that her portrayal of korean people is how american people see half of me (derogatory)
br with best girl lila (to whom i complained a lot over the course of reading)
br with best girl lila (to whom i complained a lot over the course of reading)
April 27, 2024
→3.75✰
this was so much better than xoxo imo !
⋅˚₊‧ ଳ ‧₊˚ ⋅
pre-read
"did you see this coming? well i sure didn't. isolila br? nooo. no way."
-the adoring sorinathaniel fans
if we don't love this i will... [everything fades to black]
this was so much better than xoxo imo !
⋅˚₊‧ ଳ ‧₊˚ ⋅
pre-read
"did you see this coming? well i sure didn't. isolila br? nooo. no way."
-the adoring sorinathaniel fans
if we don't love this i will... [everything fades to black]
paused
February 18, 2024i'm supposed to be rereading the prince but oh well 🤷♀️
sorinathaniel i'm coming 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
sorinathaniel i'm coming 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
Read
June 18, 2025୨ pre-read ৎ
![Profile Image for skye (cardan’s ver.) ꩜ .ᐟ [hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1722233310i%2F159007189._UY200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
February 21, 2024
— ⌗
”it’s better if I just deal with my feelings on my own.”
ᝰ.ᐟ
⋆˚✿˖° asap by axie oh
➜ ┊: (4 stars) ᵎ ✰
— ⌗ ”what is it about singing at the top of your lungs in a small room with the people you love best that makes all your worries disappear?” ᝰ.ᐟ
⌗ !! ꒰ 💌 ꒱ playlist…
⊹ ࣪ matilda — harry styles
⊹ ࣪ best friend — laufey
⊹ ࣪ champagne problems — taylor swift
⊹ ࣪ valentine — laufey
⊹ ࣪ come back… be here — taylor swift
⊹ ࣪ what is love — twice
⊹ ࣪ 18 — one direction
⊹ ࣪ broken melodies — nct dream
⊹ ࣪ little freak — harry styles
⌗ !! ꒰ ❤️🩹 ꒱ tropes…
╰ second chance romance
╰ grumpy gf x sunshine bf
╰ slow burn
╰ celebrity romances
╰ taylor swift coded couple
— ⌗ ”I didn’t want to chase you. I wanted you run with you.” ᝰ.ᐟ
𖦹ׂ TEENY TINY INCONSEQUENTIAL SPOILERS BELOW!
— ⌗ ”first loves are called that for a reason. because there are second, third, and fourth loves after.” / “you can fall in love again. let me be your second, third, and fourth love.” ᝰ.ᐟ
₊˚꒰🎧꒱‧ plot…
this book felt a tad bit deeper than axie’s other book (xoxo), which was still great on its own. after learning about sorinathaniel’s break up in xoxo, I wanted to cry because honestly? they sounded like a dream. in this book, axie writes about sori and nathaniel’s second chance romance. we also see multiple pages about sori dealing with training to debut almost her whole life but deciding that’s not what she really wants. on nathaniel’s part, he’s trying mostly to balance out his personal and idol life, which isn’t the main focus since this was a single pov book. the development in these two’s relationship was such a slow burn and extremely angsty, it was amazing (but may not be everyone’s cup of tea yk).
₊˚꒰🎵꒱‧ thoughts…
let’s start off strong with stuff I liked and appreciated— the angst; the slowburb; the way nathaniel was the ‘little things’ kind of guy; sori’s fearlessness and insecurities; the plot problems and solutions. on the other hand, it would’ve been a five star read if they get together much sooner? and also, if idol life was explored a bit more? overall tho, it was such a cute read and definitely needs to be on your tbr asap! (the way I ate this up in one day should tell you everything <3)
— ⌗ ”i’m team sori; you know that, right?” / “yes, and i’m the president of your fan club. go to sleep.” ᝰ.ᐟ
₊˚꒰💖꒱‧ favourite scenes…
nathaniel waiting for sori at the convenience store every single day with her favourite juice has got to be my top favourite sorinathaniel moment <3 other than that, when she reads her webtoon while lying on nathaniel’s side? ugh. I want that kind of moment, oh my god. and also, the ‘chin up, songbird’ letter from him to her?! epitome of cute book boyfriend-ery <3
₊˚꒰⭐️꒱‧ ending…
sori finally chose what her career’s gonna be and that was such a powerful move on her part since she spent a major part of the book trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her life next. it was the best kind of closure I hoped for. and the epilogue where she wrote the letter to jenny? stop because sorinathaniel are going to paris and milan together and i’m reading romcoms in my bef all alone? this is so unfair ;-;
— ⌗ ”it’s you and me, remember? we got this.” ᝰ.ᐟ
₊˚꒰🪩꒱‧ min sori…
hello? axie, who’s letting you write the deepest characters ever?! you hit it out of the ballpark with sori’s character. her flawless and gorgeous exterior portrayed as confident and secure in her choices and herself, but she also has the family trauma and anxiety and is actually insecure about what she chooses with respect to her job? this dynamic of differing personality traits was absolutely amazing to read. the need for sori to bottle up her feelings when it comes to certain things was so.. raw and understandable, yk?
₊˚꒰🎤꒱‧ lee jihyuk / nathaniel lee…
this. man. I say this about almost every book bf I read about (let’s be honest guys, they’re all amazing) and i’m saying it about nathaniel too: GREEN. MF. FLAG. he’s definitely the kind of guy i’d leave myhypothetical and non-existent bf for (call that a red flag, I don’t care. this is nathaniel and don’t tell me y’all wouldn’t do the same for your book boyfriends ). anywayy, he desetves the world and is such a squishy teddy bear and yeah, I love him so much as if you couldn’t tell (:
₊˚꒰🧃꒱‧ minlee / sorinathaniel…
the absolute cutest axieverse couple <3 I thought no one could beat jenny and jaewoo (my babies <3) but here these two are. the angst preceding their relationship was so so emotional. there was so much sorinathaniel fluff even without them being in a relationship, I didn’t mind it all lmao <3 axie writes the best couples fr (; he cared so much for her and it showed. the way he told her to text to know if she got home safe? the way he unintentionally protected her from a scandal on tv? and the way he remembers all the little things oh my god.
₊˚꒰🪷꒱‧ choi youngmin…
a quick special mention to my fav cutie ever from the axieverse <3 this kid was my absolute favourite from xoxo and still is, in asap <33
— ⌗ ”this is their bed. you’re the intruder.” / “i’ll apologize to each and every one of your stuffed animals if that’ll make you happy.” ᝰ.ᐟ
₊˚꒰🪐꒱‧ pre-read…
very high hopes for this one! I was literally just waiting for valentine’s to start this gorgeous book <3 manifesting this to be a 5-star read, or maybe a 4!
₊˚꒰🌷꒱‧ pre-review…
the things i’ve felt because of this book, oh my god. I was never a third act break up OR second chance romance girlie, but this? I ate up every word of this book. axie oh, what have you done to my heart? I crown you the queen of angsty teenage romance and slowburn <3
— ⌗ ”xoxo,
sori” ᝰ.ᐟ
⋆˚✿˖° asap by axie oh
➜ ┊: (4 stars) ᵎ ✰
— ⌗ ”what is it about singing at the top of your lungs in a small room with the people you love best that makes all your worries disappear?” ᝰ.ᐟ
⌗ !! ꒰ 💌 ꒱ playlist…
⊹ ࣪ matilda — harry styles
⊹ ࣪ best friend — laufey
⊹ ࣪ champagne problems — taylor swift
⊹ ࣪ valentine — laufey
⊹ ࣪ come back… be here — taylor swift
⊹ ࣪ what is love — twice
⊹ ࣪ 18 — one direction
⊹ ࣪ broken melodies — nct dream
⊹ ࣪ little freak — harry styles
⌗ !! ꒰ ❤️🩹 ꒱ tropes…
╰ second chance romance
╰ grumpy gf x sunshine bf
╰ slow burn
╰ celebrity romances
╰ taylor swift coded couple
— ⌗ ”I didn’t want to chase you. I wanted you run with you.” ᝰ.ᐟ
𖦹ׂ TEENY TINY INCONSEQUENTIAL SPOILERS BELOW!
— ⌗ ”first loves are called that for a reason. because there are second, third, and fourth loves after.” / “you can fall in love again. let me be your second, third, and fourth love.” ᝰ.ᐟ
₊˚꒰🎧꒱‧ plot…
this book felt a tad bit deeper than axie’s other book (xoxo), which was still great on its own. after learning about sorinathaniel’s break up in xoxo, I wanted to cry because honestly? they sounded like a dream. in this book, axie writes about sori and nathaniel’s second chance romance. we also see multiple pages about sori dealing with training to debut almost her whole life but deciding that’s not what she really wants. on nathaniel’s part, he’s trying mostly to balance out his personal and idol life, which isn’t the main focus since this was a single pov book. the development in these two’s relationship was such a slow burn and extremely angsty, it was amazing (but may not be everyone’s cup of tea yk).
₊˚꒰🎵꒱‧ thoughts…
let’s start off strong with stuff I liked and appreciated— the angst; the slowburb; the way nathaniel was the ‘little things’ kind of guy; sori’s fearlessness and insecurities; the plot problems and solutions. on the other hand, it would’ve been a five star read if they get together much sooner? and also, if idol life was explored a bit more? overall tho, it was such a cute read and definitely needs to be on your tbr asap! (the way I ate this up in one day should tell you everything <3)
— ⌗ ”i’m team sori; you know that, right?” / “yes, and i’m the president of your fan club. go to sleep.” ᝰ.ᐟ
₊˚꒰💖꒱‧ favourite scenes…
nathaniel waiting for sori at the convenience store every single day with her favourite juice has got to be my top favourite sorinathaniel moment <3 other than that, when she reads her webtoon while lying on nathaniel’s side? ugh. I want that kind of moment, oh my god. and also, the ‘chin up, songbird’ letter from him to her?! epitome of cute book boyfriend-ery <3
₊˚꒰⭐️꒱‧ ending…
sori finally chose what her career’s gonna be and that was such a powerful move on her part since she spent a major part of the book trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her life next. it was the best kind of closure I hoped for. and the epilogue where she wrote the letter to jenny? stop because sorinathaniel are going to paris and milan together and i’m reading romcoms in my bef all alone? this is so unfair ;-;
— ⌗ ”it’s you and me, remember? we got this.” ᝰ.ᐟ
₊˚꒰🪩꒱‧ min sori…
hello? axie, who’s letting you write the deepest characters ever?! you hit it out of the ballpark with sori’s character. her flawless and gorgeous exterior portrayed as confident and secure in her choices and herself, but she also has the family trauma and anxiety and is actually insecure about what she chooses with respect to her job? this dynamic of differing personality traits was absolutely amazing to read. the need for sori to bottle up her feelings when it comes to certain things was so.. raw and understandable, yk?
₊˚꒰🎤꒱‧ lee jihyuk / nathaniel lee…
this. man. I say this about almost every book bf I read about (let’s be honest guys, they’re all amazing) and i’m saying it about nathaniel too: GREEN. MF. FLAG. he’s definitely the kind of guy i’d leave my
₊˚꒰🧃꒱‧ minlee / sorinathaniel…
the absolute cutest axieverse couple <3 I thought no one could beat jenny and jaewoo (my babies <3) but here these two are. the angst preceding their relationship was so so emotional. there was so much sorinathaniel fluff even without them being in a relationship, I didn’t mind it all lmao <3 axie writes the best couples fr (; he cared so much for her and it showed. the way he told her to text to know if she got home safe? the way he unintentionally protected her from a scandal on tv? and the way he remembers all the little things oh my god.
₊˚꒰🪷꒱‧ choi youngmin…
a quick special mention to my fav cutie ever from the axieverse <3 this kid was my absolute favourite from xoxo and still is, in asap <33
— ⌗ ”this is their bed. you’re the intruder.” / “i’ll apologize to each and every one of your stuffed animals if that’ll make you happy.” ᝰ.ᐟ
₊˚꒰🪐꒱‧ pre-read…
very high hopes for this one! I was literally just waiting for valentine’s to start this gorgeous book <3 manifesting this to be a 5-star read, or maybe a 4!
₊˚꒰🌷꒱‧ pre-review…
the things i’ve felt because of this book, oh my god. I was never a third act break up OR second chance romance girlie, but this? I ate up every word of this book. axie oh, what have you done to my heart? I crown you the queen of angsty teenage romance and slowburn <3
— ⌗ ”xoxo,
sori” ᝰ.ᐟ
April 8, 2023
Do I know anything about it yet? No. Will I buy it as soon as I can? Yes.
Am I obsessed already?
Yes 😌
Am I obsessed already?
Yes 😌
October 29, 2025
I’m on BookTube now! =)
My heart races. “Sori, what are these rules for?”
“They’re just … rules …”
My eyes dart to his and my breath catches at the look in his eyes. “You should be wary about setting rules with me,” he says, his voice like silk. “You know I live to break them.”
I honestly don’t know how Sori managed to stay away from Nathaniel for two years because this boy is as perfect as they come. He’s not only an idol, but also a brother, best friend and the living embodiment of a bad boy with a heart of gold. So in other words perfect boyfriend material. I suppose their love for each other was never the problem, though. It was obvious they still had feelings for each other ever since I read “XOXO” and I’m so glad Axie Oh graced us with an “encore”! Truth be told, I actually enjoyed this even more than I enjoyed the first book, which is quite the surprise because I didn’t expect to be as invested as I was.
”Thanks, by the way. For picking up my call.” And for playing along for as long as he did. He didn’t have to – it was a risk for him.
“I’ll always pick up your calls.”
Maybe it was because Sori’s and Nathaniel’s love-story is very different than all the other k-pop romances I read so far. Usually you get an idol falling in love with a fan or a person who doesn’t even know who they are. This time however they were friends that turned into lovers and then due to external circumstances went back to being friends again. It was a choice they made for their careers and as much as Nathaniel hated it, he still accepted Sori’s choice and respected her wishes and boundaries. Which is amazing, go get yourself a man like him! Seriously! I never thought I’d love a second chance romance that much but here we are and this is legit the first second chance romance I gobbled up like nobody’s business. To be fair, all the other romances I read who had the trope actually had good reasons why the couples weren’t together anymore and that often stands in the way of my enjoyment. Like if one of the characters cheated on the other, or left them with a mess to deal with on their own, I just can’t see past that and have a hard time shipping them together. Thankfully, none of that happened in here and this made it so much easier to love those two oblivious k-pop idols in love. XD
"There's a short pause, and then he says, "You never stopped being my friend." My heart feels almost too big for my chest, and I realize how much I needed to hear him say those words.
Another thing that made this intriguing, was the fact that they were both idols and working in the industry. While Sori has been a trainee for a very long time and didn’t officially debut as a member of a k-pop group, she still stood in the spotlight and took part in variety TV shows, worked as a model, coached future k-pop idols and had guest roles in k-dramas or TV spots. It was interesting to see that part of the industry because it’s something that isn’t talked about a lot. I mean as a fan you know that they go through a tough training and are usually trainees for years until they debut with their group, but it was interesting to see how active some of those trainees already are. Not just behind the scenes but also doing those little PR-stunts while building up their career. I mean Sori’s schedule was packed and this even though she mostly worked behind the scenes. Nathaniel on the other hand already was an established idol and had his hands full with many appointments, but also with a scandal that included his family.
"He's always giving me so much, and I give nothing in return. I'm supposed to be the wealthy one, but he's the one who's generous."
Nathaniel’s family and their dynamic was another fun aspect of the story and I loved that he had four sisters whose names all started with an “N” too. *lol* We had Nadine, Noemi, Nicole and Natalie. I suppose his parents were lucky there are so many names that have “N” as a first letter. His personal life in America was a sharp contrast to his idol persona in Seoul and it was great to see the difference. It was also awesome to see more of the XOXO band members and to get cameos of Jenny as well! I swear one of my favourite moments of the book was when they all took part in one of those typical variety shows and just to read about their antics was already so much fun!
”Youngmin-ah, what are you doing?” Jaewoo is laughing so hard he slides off the sofa to the floor. The text beneath reads: Choi Youngmin finds hiding places that even the producers couldn’t find.
The way the members of XOXO and the other idols acted gave me serious RUN BTS vibes and I grinned like crazy. Also, I loved Sori’s friendship with Sun because he was one of the XOXO members we didn’t get a lot of in the first book. Turns out he’s actually very funny and I loved his easy banter with Sori! There’s something very sarcastic and suave about him and I couldn’t help but be intrigued by his character. Maybe we’ll get a third book with Sun as the main character? I’d totally be down for that! Calm and collected men that get all flustered and insecure when they meet the love of their live is one of those things I’ll never get tired of and I’d love to see Sun fall head over heels.
Sun lifts a single brow. “When you put it that way,” he says slowly, “I don’t think anyone could deny you. Even I’m blushing a little.”
“Really?” I frown. “You look pale.”
“I’m blushing inside.”
As for the love story between Sori and Nathaniel: It was bittersweet and extremely frustrating at the same time. *lol* No, seriously! I shipped them so hard and wanted them to be together, because their chemistry was amazing! They were so good for each other and the way they worked together had a familiarity you only get after spending almost your whole life together. To watch them deny themselves the one thing they truly wanted was heart breaking and killed me whenever they were on page together. Nathaniel’s longing was excruciatingly tangible and since we were in Sori’s head, we got to see how much his mere presence affected her as well. I understood the #MinLee shippers in the book, because a chemistry like theirs was bound to be noticed by others!
”Gripping the edge of the pool, I lift myself out of the water and press my lips to his. It’s brief. I don’t have enough upper body strength to hold myself above the water for longer than a peck. My lips part. He gasps softly. When I release him, his lips follow mine, as if seeking more, but I’m already falling back into the water.”
Unfortunately, there were plenty of external obstacles in their way and their fans most definitely were the least of their problems. Sori’s situation was complicated because her mom was legit the CEO of a k-pop idol company and her dad was a political figure. No matter what she did, she was always in the spotlight and since a relationship with Nathaniel could have ended his career, she decided to do the sensible thing and kept away from him instead. Of course, this hurt both of them, but I think in a way this was good, because they had some time to grow into their roles and to figure out what they truly wanted to do with their lives. For instance Sori might have trained to become an idol her entire life, but two years later, she knew that she didn’t want to stand in the spotlight and rather preferred a role behind the scenes.
"I can't let you make this decision on your own. How do you know if this is what you really want?"
"I know it's what I don't want."
I’ve to be honest here, when Sori told her mom at the beginning of the book, I was very sceptical about her reaction. I thought her mother would indulge her for a while, but ultimately would try to persuade her not to throw it all away. Without spoiling anything, I was kinda surprised to find out that her mom wasn’t the baddie I thought her to be and after reading the book I have such high respect for this woman and what she built. To see this perspective added even more depth to the story and I honestly can’t say a single bad thing about this story! *lol* It was great and the topics that were addressed were multifaceted and important. In my humble opinion “ASAP” was a lot stronger than “XOXO” when it came to all the serious topics and issues that were addressed. It felt like a more grown up version and it probably was because it plays two years after Sori’s and Nathaniel’s break up and about a year after XOXO. (At least I think it’s about a year after.) As I already said, Sori and Nathaniel both had time to grow and to figure out who they are and that definitely worked in favour of their story.
”Why did you pick me for your team?” I ask.
“I didn’t want to chase you,” he says, and I wince. Did he finally realize I’m not worth chasing? “I wanted to run with you.” I catch my breath.
Still, with Sori taking care of Hyemi, a new idol that’s supposed to join ASAP, and the troubles of her mother’s company there was a lot on the line and if your heart wants something different than your mind to find your own path isn’t easy. Nathaniel as well as Sori struggled to find their footing, but it was great to see them not only fight for their careers and dreams but also for their love and a future together. I think the ending was perfect for them and very fitting!
”I love him. I can admit that to myself now. I’ve always loved him. I love his voice and I love the way he looks at me. I love his laugh and I love the way he makes me laugh. I love the way I feel when I’m around him, like the days are warmer, the nights more beautiful. I love him so much that it makes me want to throw everything else away, if only to be with him, for one more day, for one more minute, for one more breath.”
Conclusion:
I already enjoyed “XOXO” when I read it 2022, but I absolutely loved “ASAP”! Maybe it was the more mature vibes or the fact that we got a good glimpse behind the scenes of the k-pop industry. Maybe it were Sori and Nathaniel as a couple and their strong longing and sweet familiarity. I honestly don’t know. All I know is that I was so here for it and enjoyed every second of this book! If you want to read a more mature k-pop romance, with a good mixture of fun and heartbreak, well, then this one is for you! Happy reading!
__________________________________
Oh wow, this book was such a rollercoaster!
Poor Nathaniel and Sori! Like wow, they certainly didn’t have it easy.
I had a lot of fun exploring Sori’s world, though, so that was pretty nice!
Full RTC soon! =) Stay tuned!
___________________________________
I’m reading “ASAP”!!!
Well, yeah, that’s basically it! *lol*
I’ve been dying to get my hands on a copy of this book ever since I heard it was going to be a thing, because Sori and Nathaniel deserve happiness!!!
Their suppressed love and mutual pining killed me when I read “XOXO” so here we are!
I hope this time they’ll get their HEA, cause I’m so here for it! <3
Find me on:
My Blog
Instagram
My heart races. “Sori, what are these rules for?”
“They’re just … rules …”
My eyes dart to his and my breath catches at the look in his eyes. “You should be wary about setting rules with me,” he says, his voice like silk. “You know I live to break them.”
I honestly don’t know how Sori managed to stay away from Nathaniel for two years because this boy is as perfect as they come. He’s not only an idol, but also a brother, best friend and the living embodiment of a bad boy with a heart of gold. So in other words perfect boyfriend material. I suppose their love for each other was never the problem, though. It was obvious they still had feelings for each other ever since I read “XOXO” and I’m so glad Axie Oh graced us with an “encore”! Truth be told, I actually enjoyed this even more than I enjoyed the first book, which is quite the surprise because I didn’t expect to be as invested as I was.
”Thanks, by the way. For picking up my call.” And for playing along for as long as he did. He didn’t have to – it was a risk for him.
“I’ll always pick up your calls.”
Maybe it was because Sori’s and Nathaniel’s love-story is very different than all the other k-pop romances I read so far. Usually you get an idol falling in love with a fan or a person who doesn’t even know who they are. This time however they were friends that turned into lovers and then due to external circumstances went back to being friends again. It was a choice they made for their careers and as much as Nathaniel hated it, he still accepted Sori’s choice and respected her wishes and boundaries. Which is amazing, go get yourself a man like him! Seriously! I never thought I’d love a second chance romance that much but here we are and this is legit the first second chance romance I gobbled up like nobody’s business. To be fair, all the other romances I read who had the trope actually had good reasons why the couples weren’t together anymore and that often stands in the way of my enjoyment. Like if one of the characters cheated on the other, or left them with a mess to deal with on their own, I just can’t see past that and have a hard time shipping them together. Thankfully, none of that happened in here and this made it so much easier to love those two oblivious k-pop idols in love. XD
"There's a short pause, and then he says, "You never stopped being my friend." My heart feels almost too big for my chest, and I realize how much I needed to hear him say those words.
Another thing that made this intriguing, was the fact that they were both idols and working in the industry. While Sori has been a trainee for a very long time and didn’t officially debut as a member of a k-pop group, she still stood in the spotlight and took part in variety TV shows, worked as a model, coached future k-pop idols and had guest roles in k-dramas or TV spots. It was interesting to see that part of the industry because it’s something that isn’t talked about a lot. I mean as a fan you know that they go through a tough training and are usually trainees for years until they debut with their group, but it was interesting to see how active some of those trainees already are. Not just behind the scenes but also doing those little PR-stunts while building up their career. I mean Sori’s schedule was packed and this even though she mostly worked behind the scenes. Nathaniel on the other hand already was an established idol and had his hands full with many appointments, but also with a scandal that included his family.
"He's always giving me so much, and I give nothing in return. I'm supposed to be the wealthy one, but he's the one who's generous."
Nathaniel’s family and their dynamic was another fun aspect of the story and I loved that he had four sisters whose names all started with an “N” too. *lol* We had Nadine, Noemi, Nicole and Natalie. I suppose his parents were lucky there are so many names that have “N” as a first letter. His personal life in America was a sharp contrast to his idol persona in Seoul and it was great to see the difference. It was also awesome to see more of the XOXO band members and to get cameos of Jenny as well! I swear one of my favourite moments of the book was when they all took part in one of those typical variety shows and just to read about their antics was already so much fun!
”Youngmin-ah, what are you doing?” Jaewoo is laughing so hard he slides off the sofa to the floor. The text beneath reads: Choi Youngmin finds hiding places that even the producers couldn’t find.
The way the members of XOXO and the other idols acted gave me serious RUN BTS vibes and I grinned like crazy. Also, I loved Sori’s friendship with Sun because he was one of the XOXO members we didn’t get a lot of in the first book. Turns out he’s actually very funny and I loved his easy banter with Sori! There’s something very sarcastic and suave about him and I couldn’t help but be intrigued by his character. Maybe we’ll get a third book with Sun as the main character? I’d totally be down for that! Calm and collected men that get all flustered and insecure when they meet the love of their live is one of those things I’ll never get tired of and I’d love to see Sun fall head over heels.
Sun lifts a single brow. “When you put it that way,” he says slowly, “I don’t think anyone could deny you. Even I’m blushing a little.”
“Really?” I frown. “You look pale.”
“I’m blushing inside.”
As for the love story between Sori and Nathaniel: It was bittersweet and extremely frustrating at the same time. *lol* No, seriously! I shipped them so hard and wanted them to be together, because their chemistry was amazing! They were so good for each other and the way they worked together had a familiarity you only get after spending almost your whole life together. To watch them deny themselves the one thing they truly wanted was heart breaking and killed me whenever they were on page together. Nathaniel’s longing was excruciatingly tangible and since we were in Sori’s head, we got to see how much his mere presence affected her as well. I understood the #MinLee shippers in the book, because a chemistry like theirs was bound to be noticed by others!
”Gripping the edge of the pool, I lift myself out of the water and press my lips to his. It’s brief. I don’t have enough upper body strength to hold myself above the water for longer than a peck. My lips part. He gasps softly. When I release him, his lips follow mine, as if seeking more, but I’m already falling back into the water.”
Unfortunately, there were plenty of external obstacles in their way and their fans most definitely were the least of their problems. Sori’s situation was complicated because her mom was legit the CEO of a k-pop idol company and her dad was a political figure. No matter what she did, she was always in the spotlight and since a relationship with Nathaniel could have ended his career, she decided to do the sensible thing and kept away from him instead. Of course, this hurt both of them, but I think in a way this was good, because they had some time to grow into their roles and to figure out what they truly wanted to do with their lives. For instance Sori might have trained to become an idol her entire life, but two years later, she knew that she didn’t want to stand in the spotlight and rather preferred a role behind the scenes.
"I can't let you make this decision on your own. How do you know if this is what you really want?"
"I know it's what I don't want."
I’ve to be honest here, when Sori told her mom at the beginning of the book, I was very sceptical about her reaction. I thought her mother would indulge her for a while, but ultimately would try to persuade her not to throw it all away. Without spoiling anything, I was kinda surprised to find out that her mom wasn’t the baddie I thought her to be and after reading the book I have such high respect for this woman and what she built. To see this perspective added even more depth to the story and I honestly can’t say a single bad thing about this story! *lol* It was great and the topics that were addressed were multifaceted and important. In my humble opinion “ASAP” was a lot stronger than “XOXO” when it came to all the serious topics and issues that were addressed. It felt like a more grown up version and it probably was because it plays two years after Sori’s and Nathaniel’s break up and about a year after XOXO. (At least I think it’s about a year after.) As I already said, Sori and Nathaniel both had time to grow and to figure out who they are and that definitely worked in favour of their story.
”Why did you pick me for your team?” I ask.
“I didn’t want to chase you,” he says, and I wince. Did he finally realize I’m not worth chasing? “I wanted to run with you.” I catch my breath.
Still, with Sori taking care of Hyemi, a new idol that’s supposed to join ASAP, and the troubles of her mother’s company there was a lot on the line and if your heart wants something different than your mind to find your own path isn’t easy. Nathaniel as well as Sori struggled to find their footing, but it was great to see them not only fight for their careers and dreams but also for their love and a future together. I think the ending was perfect for them and very fitting!
”I love him. I can admit that to myself now. I’ve always loved him. I love his voice and I love the way he looks at me. I love his laugh and I love the way he makes me laugh. I love the way I feel when I’m around him, like the days are warmer, the nights more beautiful. I love him so much that it makes me want to throw everything else away, if only to be with him, for one more day, for one more minute, for one more breath.”
Conclusion:
I already enjoyed “XOXO” when I read it 2022, but I absolutely loved “ASAP”! Maybe it was the more mature vibes or the fact that we got a good glimpse behind the scenes of the k-pop industry. Maybe it were Sori and Nathaniel as a couple and their strong longing and sweet familiarity. I honestly don’t know. All I know is that I was so here for it and enjoyed every second of this book! If you want to read a more mature k-pop romance, with a good mixture of fun and heartbreak, well, then this one is for you! Happy reading!
__________________________________
Oh wow, this book was such a rollercoaster!
Poor Nathaniel and Sori! Like wow, they certainly didn’t have it easy.
I had a lot of fun exploring Sori’s world, though, so that was pretty nice!
Full RTC soon! =) Stay tuned!
___________________________________
I’m reading “ASAP”!!!
Well, yeah, that’s basically it! *lol*
I’ve been dying to get my hands on a copy of this book ever since I heard it was going to be a thing, because Sori and Nathaniel deserve happiness!!!
Their suppressed love and mutual pining killed me when I read “XOXO” so here we are!
I hope this time they’ll get their HEA, cause I’m so here for it! <3
Find me on:
My Blog
September 29, 2024
The story is light and the plot is a nice continuation of the first book, but the reason I like it is because I feel so understood - it is as Korean as Koreans can be.
November 23, 2024
➳ 3.9 ☆! 🌆
(rounded)
🎧 - i think he knows + dont wanna break up again
ᯓᡣ𐭩 lyrical smile, indigo eyes, hand on my thigh
we can follow the sparks, I'll drive
my thoughts| ahh im so glad i ended up enjoying this one! i thought it was avery cute and sincere. this is the perfect book to read as a pick me up or just for a fun time! and im so glad we got a spinoff after XOXO. sorinathaniel deserve it all! i just wish we saw jenny more, and the ending was alright. you could really see the chemistry between them, tho!!
➳ also, i forgot this was a second chance romance because we never got any flashbacks.. 😭 so idkk that kind of threw me off, and I wish we got dual pov! but ANYWAY-
characters ꣑ৎ
sori | i really like her character! i feel like theres sm depth to her. she cares deeply & i love her love for stuffed animal haha! also, her and her mom's relationship was so precious at the end 🥹 I also feel like shes relatable! and i'd know I'd wanna be friends with her if this was irl!! it was sm fun seeing her story and I'm very happy for her 🩷
nathaniel | described as a trouble maker and a flirt, while that may be true, I still love him sm! his character in XOXO was amazing to read about and seeing him again was so fun! I just wish we got his pov, I feel like that would add so much 🥲 him and sori had me swooning tho!! (pool scene iykyk) ahh, I'll miss them! also HYEMI + youngmin spin off?!
𓂃⋆.˚
➳ “I didn't want to chase you," he says, and I wince. Did he finally realize I'm not worth chasing? "I wanted to run with you.”
➳ “Do you mean it?" he asks softly. His fingers around my wrist tighten infinitesimally.
"I mean it," I say. "With my heart, with my body, with my soul.”
➳ "I love him. I cant admit that to myself now. I've always loved him. I love his voice and I love the way he looks at me. I love his laugh and I love the way he makes ME laugh. I love the way I feel when I'm around him, like the days are warmer, the nights more beautiful, I love him so much it makes me want to throw everything else away, if only to be with him, for one more day, for one more minute, for one more breath.
˖⋆࿐໋
bottom line | I recommend this duology of romance books! very fun and cute + it gave me an insight of the world of kpop! I desperately want to go to asia now. and yayyyy another book added to the romcom shelf! don't go into these books expecting a 5 star, but go in expecting a fun time!! happy reading guys, ily 🎀 AND ILL SAY IT AGAIN. THIS. COVER. 👏👏 you will catch me rereading this one day! (also I didn't expect to yap sm so I guess that just shows I enjoyed it!)
💌 - and to ella, my angel girl!! it was so fun reading this with you and I always look forward to our buddyreads, ur one of my best friends and I appreciate and love you sm 🥹 cheers to MORE IN THE FUTURE!! also y'all PUHLEASE go check out ella bells review when she puts it up! (we basically have the same thoughts hahah) ANYWAYS ILYSM BOO 😚
----------------
🍇 | preview!
AHHH after reading so many fantasy books I just need a pure romance book 😭 i think the last time I read one was in september! so its about time.. also this cover is the cutest EVERR! and i cant wait to finish off this duo with bestie ella oh, we are SOO BACK. I cant wait to br this book with you and see what we think, ilysm girlie 🥹 HOPING THIS ONE IS AT LEAST A 4 STAR 🫶
(rounded)
i'd rather watch fictional characters deal with their innumerable, and sometimes fantastical, problems than deal with my own.
🎧 - i think he knows + dont wanna break up again
ᯓᡣ𐭩 lyrical smile, indigo eyes, hand on my thigh
we can follow the sparks, I'll drive
my thoughts| ahh im so glad i ended up enjoying this one! i thought it was avery cute and sincere. this is the perfect book to read as a pick me up or just for a fun time! and im so glad we got a spinoff after XOXO. sorinathaniel deserve it all! i just wish we saw jenny more, and the ending was alright. you could really see the chemistry between them, tho!!
➳ also, i forgot this was a second chance romance because we never got any flashbacks.. 😭 so idkk that kind of threw me off, and I wish we got dual pov! but ANYWAY-
characters ꣑ৎ
sori | i really like her character! i feel like theres sm depth to her. she cares deeply & i love her love for stuffed animal haha! also, her and her mom's relationship was so precious at the end 🥹 I also feel like shes relatable! and i'd know I'd wanna be friends with her if this was irl!! it was sm fun seeing her story and I'm very happy for her 🩷
nathaniel | described as a trouble maker and a flirt, while that may be true, I still love him sm! his character in XOXO was amazing to read about and seeing him again was so fun! I just wish we got his pov, I feel like that would add so much 🥲 him and sori had me swooning tho!! (pool scene iykyk) ahh, I'll miss them! also HYEMI + youngmin spin off?!
𓂃⋆.˚
➳ “I didn't want to chase you," he says, and I wince. Did he finally realize I'm not worth chasing? "I wanted to run with you.”
➳ “Do you mean it?" he asks softly. His fingers around my wrist tighten infinitesimally.
"I mean it," I say. "With my heart, with my body, with my soul.”
➳ "I love him. I cant admit that to myself now. I've always loved him. I love his voice and I love the way he looks at me. I love his laugh and I love the way he makes ME laugh. I love the way I feel when I'm around him, like the days are warmer, the nights more beautiful, I love him so much it makes me want to throw everything else away, if only to be with him, for one more day, for one more minute, for one more breath.
˖⋆࿐໋
bottom line | I recommend this duology of romance books! very fun and cute + it gave me an insight of the world of kpop! I desperately want to go to asia now. and yayyyy another book added to the romcom shelf! don't go into these books expecting a 5 star, but go in expecting a fun time!! happy reading guys, ily 🎀 AND ILL SAY IT AGAIN. THIS. COVER. 👏👏 you will catch me rereading this one day! (also I didn't expect to yap sm so I guess that just shows I enjoyed it!)
💌 - and to ella, my angel girl!! it was so fun reading this with you and I always look forward to our buddyreads, ur one of my best friends and I appreciate and love you sm 🥹 cheers to MORE IN THE FUTURE!! also y'all PUHLEASE go check out ella bells review when she puts it up! (we basically have the same thoughts hahah) ANYWAYS ILYSM BOO 😚
----------------
🍇 | preview!
AHHH after reading so many fantasy books I just need a pure romance book 😭 i think the last time I read one was in september! so its about time.. also this cover is the cutest EVERR! and i cant wait to finish off this duo with bestie ella oh, we are SOO BACK. I cant wait to br this book with you and see what we think, ilysm girlie 🥹 HOPING THIS ONE IS AT LEAST A 4 STAR 🫶
August 23, 2023
ENGLISH BELOW
*4.5*
ES QUE DE VERDAD NO SABEN LO QUE ESTE LIBRO SIGNIFICA PARA MI.
Leí XOXO en, fácilmente, la mejor etapa de mi vida. Recuerdo vividamente como me sentía y la felicidad que llenaba mi cuerpo, por lo que es imposible el no asociar un recuerdo muy bonito a ese libro, cuando literal lo leí en mi peak. Entonces se imaginarán mi emoción cuando se anunció este libro.
ASAP es la historia de Nathaniel y Sori, dos personajes que conocimos en el libro anterior. Ellos, a diferencia de Jenny y Jaewoo, tienen una situación un poco más... complicada, pues son ex novios y la realidad es que los sentimientos pasados no han muerto del todo. Cuando un escándalo envuelve a Nathaniel, Sori tiene la oportunidad de apoyarlo, y se dará cuenta que su corazón aún le dice cosas que ella creía olvidadas. Aunque no todo es sencillo, pues Sori, que antes tenía todo perfectamente bien planeado respecto a su futuro como Idol, se da cuenta que quiere llevar su vida por otro lado. Razón por la cuál NO DEBERÍA ESTAR PENSANDO EN SU EX.
Esta libro es un clásico de Axie Oh: personajes entrañables, un romance swoon-worthy y con una cualidad adictiva que solo ella sabe escribir. Digo, ¿que más quieres de un second chance romance situado en Seúl? Es un historia linda, atrapante y que te va a dejar suspirando por más al leer la química innegable entre los protagonistas.
AMO la dinámica entre los dos protagonistas, y me atrevería a decir que casi como la de Jenny y Jaewoo. Mientras los primeros eran star-crossed lovers, este second chance romance me tenía mordiendome la uñas. Y yo solo digo, aún quedan dos integrantes más de XOXO y veo muy posible un friends-to-lovers con uno de ellos así que Axie Oh... *guiño guiño*
El único pero que tiene el libro es que, al igual que XOXO, se me hizo un final un poco apresurado. Me sorprende esto porque, juzgando otro libro de Axie "The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea" esto no fue un porblema, pero con estos dos libros si. Me hubiera gustado un poco más de desarrollo, pero no quedo en lo más mínimo insatisfecho.
De verdad de las mejores cosas que me pudieron haber pasado es haber tenido la oportunidad de leer este libro antes. Es una verdadera joya y un libro que espero todos lean porque lo tiene bien merecido.
——
ENG
*4.5*
YALL REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS BOOK MEANS TO ME.
I read XOXO in easily the prime of my life. I vividly remember how I felt and the happiness that filled my body, so it is impossible not to associate a very nice memory with that book, apart from the fact that I adored it dearly. So you can imagine my excitement when this book was announced.
ASAP is the story of Nathaniel and Sori, two characters we met in the previous book. They, unlike Jenny and Jaewoo, have a slightly more... complicated situation, since they are exes and the reality is that past feelings have not completely died out. When a scandal surrounds Nathaniel, Sori has the opportunity to support and shelter him, and she will realize that her heart still tells her things that she thought she had left in the past. Although not everything is easy, because Sori, who before had everything perfectly well planned regarding her future as an Idol, realizes that she wants to lead her life in a different direction, reason why she SHOULD NOT BE THINKING ABOUT HER EX.
This book is an Axie Oh classic: endearing characters, a swoon-worthy romance, and with addictive quality only she knows how to write. I mean, what more do you want from a second chance romance set in Seoul? It is a beautiful, captivating story that will leave you yearning for more when reading the undeniable chemistry between the protagonists.
I LOVE the dynamic between the two leads, and dare I say almost like as much as Jenny and Jaewoo. While the first one was a "star-crossed lovers"-esq type of story, this second chance romance had me biting my nails and wishing for more, always more. And I'm just saying, there are still two more members of XOXO and I see a very possible friends-to-lovers with one of them so Axie Oh... *wink wink*
The only drawback that the book has is that, like XOXO, the ending felt a little bit rushed. I'm surprised at this because, judging from another Axie book "The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea" this wasn't a problem. , but with these two books yes. I would have liked a little more development, but I am not in the least dissatisfied.
Truly one of the best things that could have happened to me is having had the opportunity to read this book as an arc. It is a true gem and a book that I hope everyone reads because it so, so worth it.
Thank you netgalley for providing me with and advance copy of the book for review!
——
ES QUE NO ME ENTIENDEN CUANDO LES DIGO QUE NECESITO ESTE LIBRO PARA RESPIRAR.
ASAP NAE BANJJOG, ANI, WANJEON COPY
*4.5*
ES QUE DE VERDAD NO SABEN LO QUE ESTE LIBRO SIGNIFICA PARA MI.
Leí XOXO en, fácilmente, la mejor etapa de mi vida. Recuerdo vividamente como me sentía y la felicidad que llenaba mi cuerpo, por lo que es imposible el no asociar un recuerdo muy bonito a ese libro, cuando literal lo leí en mi peak. Entonces se imaginarán mi emoción cuando se anunció este libro.
ASAP es la historia de Nathaniel y Sori, dos personajes que conocimos en el libro anterior. Ellos, a diferencia de Jenny y Jaewoo, tienen una situación un poco más... complicada, pues son ex novios y la realidad es que los sentimientos pasados no han muerto del todo. Cuando un escándalo envuelve a Nathaniel, Sori tiene la oportunidad de apoyarlo, y se dará cuenta que su corazón aún le dice cosas que ella creía olvidadas. Aunque no todo es sencillo, pues Sori, que antes tenía todo perfectamente bien planeado respecto a su futuro como Idol, se da cuenta que quiere llevar su vida por otro lado. Razón por la cuál NO DEBERÍA ESTAR PENSANDO EN SU EX.
Esta libro es un clásico de Axie Oh: personajes entrañables, un romance swoon-worthy y con una cualidad adictiva que solo ella sabe escribir. Digo, ¿que más quieres de un second chance romance situado en Seúl? Es un historia linda, atrapante y que te va a dejar suspirando por más al leer la química innegable entre los protagonistas.
AMO la dinámica entre los dos protagonistas, y me atrevería a decir que casi como la de Jenny y Jaewoo. Mientras los primeros eran star-crossed lovers, este second chance romance me tenía mordiendome la uñas. Y yo solo digo, aún quedan dos integrantes más de XOXO y veo muy posible un friends-to-lovers con uno de ellos así que Axie Oh... *guiño guiño*
El único pero que tiene el libro es que, al igual que XOXO, se me hizo un final un poco apresurado. Me sorprende esto porque, juzgando otro libro de Axie "The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea" esto no fue un porblema, pero con estos dos libros si. Me hubiera gustado un poco más de desarrollo, pero no quedo en lo más mínimo insatisfecho.
De verdad de las mejores cosas que me pudieron haber pasado es haber tenido la oportunidad de leer este libro antes. Es una verdadera joya y un libro que espero todos lean porque lo tiene bien merecido.
——
ENG
*4.5*
YALL REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS BOOK MEANS TO ME.
I read XOXO in easily the prime of my life. I vividly remember how I felt and the happiness that filled my body, so it is impossible not to associate a very nice memory with that book, apart from the fact that I adored it dearly. So you can imagine my excitement when this book was announced.
ASAP is the story of Nathaniel and Sori, two characters we met in the previous book. They, unlike Jenny and Jaewoo, have a slightly more... complicated situation, since they are exes and the reality is that past feelings have not completely died out. When a scandal surrounds Nathaniel, Sori has the opportunity to support and shelter him, and she will realize that her heart still tells her things that she thought she had left in the past. Although not everything is easy, because Sori, who before had everything perfectly well planned regarding her future as an Idol, realizes that she wants to lead her life in a different direction, reason why she SHOULD NOT BE THINKING ABOUT HER EX.
This book is an Axie Oh classic: endearing characters, a swoon-worthy romance, and with addictive quality only she knows how to write. I mean, what more do you want from a second chance romance set in Seoul? It is a beautiful, captivating story that will leave you yearning for more when reading the undeniable chemistry between the protagonists.
I LOVE the dynamic between the two leads, and dare I say almost like as much as Jenny and Jaewoo. While the first one was a "star-crossed lovers"-esq type of story, this second chance romance had me biting my nails and wishing for more, always more. And I'm just saying, there are still two more members of XOXO and I see a very possible friends-to-lovers with one of them so Axie Oh... *wink wink*
The only drawback that the book has is that, like XOXO, the ending felt a little bit rushed. I'm surprised at this because, judging from another Axie book "The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea" this wasn't a problem. , but with these two books yes. I would have liked a little more development, but I am not in the least dissatisfied.
Truly one of the best things that could have happened to me is having had the opportunity to read this book as an arc. It is a true gem and a book that I hope everyone reads because it so, so worth it.
Thank you netgalley for providing me with and advance copy of the book for review!
——
ES QUE NO ME ENTIENDEN CUANDO LES DIGO QUE NECESITO ESTE LIBRO PARA RESPIRAR.
ASAP NAE BANJJOG, ANI, WANJEON COPY
February 29, 2024
nathaniel and sori, you deserve the world <3
Want to read
February 5, 2024
March 23, 2024
sorinate were cute i suppose but i was just annoyed most of the time bc this was genuinely frustrating ?? and not in a good way either ?? and had to force myself to finish it
January 4, 2025
Half way into the book, I realised nothing much happens. Also, the main characters are quite boring and sound somehow uninspired. I went into this one without expecting much but it still made me want to DNF it since chapter one. I am a diehard Kpop and Kdrama stan. Both elements are there but it is one of “the premise is more interesting than the actual content” for me.
I wish it was a bit more interesting to read.
Who can this book for:
Readers who like slow burn K-pop idol stan fanfic beginners.
I wish it was a bit more interesting to read.
Who can this book for:
Readers who like slow burn K-pop idol stan fanfic beginners.
January 25, 2025
• .⋆ 2.5 stars｡⋆
{minor spoilers ahead}
”i was afraid of so many things, but mostly i was afraid of how much i wanted you.”
🎤／i love sorinathaniel so so much, but this book was all over the place. there was so much going on it was pretty confusing.
sori is such a sweetheart. i love her forever.
nathaniel is my bbg 💌
”i want you to look only at me.”
as much as i tried to like her, hyemi just annoyed me. also her breaking her arm in the last bit of the book was so random 😭
sori’s postcard to jenny at the end of the book was so so cute 🫂
{minor spoilers ahead}
”i was afraid of so many things, but mostly i was afraid of how much i wanted you.”
🎤／i love sorinathaniel so so much, but this book was all over the place. there was so much going on it was pretty confusing.
sori is such a sweetheart. i love her forever.
nathaniel is my bbg 💌
”i want you to look only at me.”
as much as i tried to like her, hyemi just annoyed me. also her breaking her arm in the last bit of the book was so random 😭
sori’s postcard to jenny at the end of the book was so so cute 🫂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
February 7, 2024HOLY SHIT, I'M NOT READY FOR THIS, BUT I'LL READ IT ANYWAYS BECAUSE I MISSED MY BABIES SO MUCH!
July 31, 2024
“You should be wary about setting rules with me,” he says, his voice like silk. “You know I live to break them.”
…
He’s a flirt and a delinquent, and I’m very much a girl who would risk it all for him.
Sori, the enemy-turned-best-friend from XOXO, gets her leading role in ASAP. Just 18 years old but on the brink of debuting as the leader of ASAP, the newest K-pop all-girl band, Sori realizes she doesn’t want to be an idol. She’d do anything to help her mother, the CEO of Joah Entertainment, which is why two years ago she broke up with Nathaniel—vocalist, main dancer, and bad boy of XOXO. So Sori makes a deal with her mom: she’ll help get untrained Hyemi be debut-ready in two weeks, and mom will let her chart her own future. But when circumstances bring her back into Nathaniel’s orbit, Sori must choose between family and love, unless she can forge a path to have them both.
I would never have read ASAP if were it not for a reading challenge category to read a book about K-pop, and hadn’t already read XOXO because of a reading challenge category to read a book that starts with the letter “X.” But it’s another cute YA story. Sori and Nathaniel are incredibly earnest, likable characters. Once again, there are solid supporting characters, especially Hyemi, and I can’t help but wonder if Hyemi and Youngmin will someday get a book of their own. Once again, there’s some romantic tension (perhaps PG-13 this time), and you’ll learn still more about the K-pop idol system. The storyline involving Sori and her parents is surprisingly good. Recommended for tweens and people interested in K-pop. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
September 4, 2025
2025 Reread Review: ASAP is such a delightful book, and this was really cemented for me during my reread. This is truly one of my comfort reads; it brought me so much joy to revisit Sori’s story and I had the time of my life marking it up, tabbing the book and adding stickers along the way. I can certainly imagine myself returning to this book again in the future if I’m in need of an instant mood boost reading-wise!
While the temptation persists to just leave it at “I really, really love this book and want to shove it into the hands of other readers”, here’s a rundown of my favorite things about ASAP:
* Second chance romance | Sori used to be in a relationship with Nathaniel (if you’ve read XOXO, you’ll know; if you haven’t, you should get on that). This novel showcases their journey after reconnecting properly in the present day, especially with all the things they experienced and how they’ve grown while they were apart. And I was here for every single second of this exquisite tension and relationship-(re)building, especially because it was so clear how much these two care for each other.
*Korean celebrity life | Sori has been involved in the celebrity and bustle of trainee life, so unlike the mere snippets we get in XOXO, readers are treated to more of the different aspects of the life of a celebrity (or a celebrity-to-be). My personal favorites are the game show and the cameo in a drama being filmed, but it was just fun to get to experience another side the story, to put it simply.
*K-drama worthy shenanigans | While I haven’t watched a new K-drama recently, the twists and turns (for better and for worse) in this are noteworthy in how they reminded me of what the viewing experience feels like. The simmering tensions! The witty banter! The quieter moments of vulnerability! The way that I sometimes cackled out loud, and sometimes felt my heart would burst out of my chest, and sometimes wanted to cry on behalf of these characters! 10/10, would recommend.
*Sori | I would be completely remiss in not shouting out my girl Sori, who I absolutely adore! Her personal journey is central to the novel; while the romance, shenanigans and celebrity are all a part of that, it really is, at the core, Sori coming into her self. And that, friends, is something I personally enjoy.
*Nathaniel and the rest of the cast | I’ve loved Nathaniel since XOXO, and it doesn’t surprise me that he continues to be someone I adore; he does so many things that make me love him even more in this one – so he obviously deserves a shoutout too! But the rest of the cast – the other members of XOXO, other friends (ones we’ve met and ones new to this book) and more – are equally fun to read about and round out the story in the best way.
Now that I’ve shared the reasons I love ASAP, I’m going to go ahead and say it again – I really, really, really love this book with my whole heart. Definitely a forever favorite for me!
2024 Review: Honestly, the fact that I read this entire book in one day should be a dead giveaway as to how much I enjoyed it!
Ever since I read XOXO a few years ago, I’d always wanted to get a story about Sori and Nathaniel. They were two secondary characters that I needed more of and more about, and I consider myself incredibly lucky that Axie Oh granted my wish and wrote this book. It was so wonderful to be back in this world and with this cast of characters (plus a few new additions who I really liked too); I liked getting a story that had more focus on idols and celebrity moments, while also letting readers see Sori come into her own (even with mistakes made along the way).
And Nathaniel and Sori? They were so fun to read about because their relationship was so cute. They clearly care deeply about each other and know the other person intimately; I had to mark so many parts that made me squeal with delight, or hold a hand to my heart. It just worked so very well for me, and made me very happy. I’m truly so glad I got to read this book!
(I also wouldn’t be opposed to reading a book about Sun next. Perhaps an adult rom com? I can see it now…)
While the temptation persists to just leave it at “I really, really love this book and want to shove it into the hands of other readers”, here’s a rundown of my favorite things about ASAP:
* Second chance romance | Sori used to be in a relationship with Nathaniel (if you’ve read XOXO, you’ll know; if you haven’t, you should get on that). This novel showcases their journey after reconnecting properly in the present day, especially with all the things they experienced and how they’ve grown while they were apart. And I was here for every single second of this exquisite tension and relationship-(re)building, especially because it was so clear how much these two care for each other.
*Korean celebrity life | Sori has been involved in the celebrity and bustle of trainee life, so unlike the mere snippets we get in XOXO, readers are treated to more of the different aspects of the life of a celebrity (or a celebrity-to-be). My personal favorites are the game show and the cameo in a drama being filmed, but it was just fun to get to experience another side the story, to put it simply.
*K-drama worthy shenanigans | While I haven’t watched a new K-drama recently, the twists and turns (for better and for worse) in this are noteworthy in how they reminded me of what the viewing experience feels like. The simmering tensions! The witty banter! The quieter moments of vulnerability! The way that I sometimes cackled out loud, and sometimes felt my heart would burst out of my chest, and sometimes wanted to cry on behalf of these characters! 10/10, would recommend.
*Sori | I would be completely remiss in not shouting out my girl Sori, who I absolutely adore! Her personal journey is central to the novel; while the romance, shenanigans and celebrity are all a part of that, it really is, at the core, Sori coming into her self. And that, friends, is something I personally enjoy.
*Nathaniel and the rest of the cast | I’ve loved Nathaniel since XOXO, and it doesn’t surprise me that he continues to be someone I adore; he does so many things that make me love him even more in this one – so he obviously deserves a shoutout too! But the rest of the cast – the other members of XOXO, other friends (ones we’ve met and ones new to this book) and more – are equally fun to read about and round out the story in the best way.
Now that I’ve shared the reasons I love ASAP, I’m going to go ahead and say it again – I really, really, really love this book with my whole heart. Definitely a forever favorite for me!
2024 Review: Honestly, the fact that I read this entire book in one day should be a dead giveaway as to how much I enjoyed it!
Ever since I read XOXO a few years ago, I’d always wanted to get a story about Sori and Nathaniel. They were two secondary characters that I needed more of and more about, and I consider myself incredibly lucky that Axie Oh granted my wish and wrote this book. It was so wonderful to be back in this world and with this cast of characters (plus a few new additions who I really liked too); I liked getting a story that had more focus on idols and celebrity moments, while also letting readers see Sori come into her own (even with mistakes made along the way).
And Nathaniel and Sori? They were so fun to read about because their relationship was so cute. They clearly care deeply about each other and know the other person intimately; I had to mark so many parts that made me squeal with delight, or hold a hand to my heart. It just worked so very well for me, and made me very happy. I’m truly so glad I got to read this book!
(I also wouldn’t be opposed to reading a book about Sun next. Perhaps an adult rom com? I can see it now…)
January 1, 2025
ꕀ﹒💿 〈4 stars 〉𖦹 ya romance
now playing — i miss you, i’m sorry by gracie abrams ↻
⌗ Sori is the wealthy daughter of a kpop company owner who’s caught in between her mother’s kpop company and her father’s aspirations, all while trying to uphold her flawless public image. When in the midst of all of this, her kpop idol ex-boyfriend Nathaniel who she finds it hard to deny her old feelings for should be less of a priority, she just can’t seem to avoid him.
⌗ this is for : the ones who love kpop and kdramas !! second chance romance enthusiasts, lovers of the reverse grumpy x sunshine trope, the setting of korea and the behind the scenes of the kpop industry.
this was a continuation of XOXO surrounding both characters that appeared in that book and we got the brief history that they had with each other. this book is my first second-chance romance and i gotta say, not a big fan of it 😕 (throw all the tomatoes at me, i deserve it 😔). i just didn’t really like the ‘push and pull’ or ‘will they, won’t they’ vibe to it.
but okay why is this series lowkey my guilty pleasure likeee 😭 they are such silly books but i found them so fun?? probably because i used to hyperfixate on kpop during the pandemic lol but now i need books about the other xoxo members STAT 😔 AND i have the plot ideas on my mind too so axie pls just hear me out.
this book honestly felt very ‘no plot, just vibes’. AND even though ‘xoxo’ was like that too, i liked that more because of the friendships formed throughout the book, i even liked it more than the romance! and i feel like that element was just not really present in this one. thus i gave it a lower rating than ‘xoxo’.
i genuinely don’t know what it is but i just never feel enough chemistry from the two main characters that axie oh writes, that’s why i liked the friendships more than the romance in the first book. and i noticed that in this one, i liked the scenes when sori was interacting with other groups of people more than i liked her scenes with nathaniel 😭 for example; i LOVED reading about when sori was hanging out with nathaniel’s sisters and the ASAP members, i think axie oh just has a way to write very heartwarming friendships. so you can imagine, when this book focused mostly on the romance between the two characters, it just fell very flat to me.
the thing that i liked about their romance is, they just understand each other. they are the type of pair that can just sit in comfortable silence, and they just GET each other if you know what i mean 😭?? i loved the parts where they would just accompany each other, or when they talked at the convenience store whenever sori got back from work. it just accentuates that they have known each other for a long time and understand each other like no one else does.
i loved sori’s relationship with her mom!! they may seem very cold and stiff with each other, but you can see that they genuinely love each other and only have each other in their lives. and i loved hyemi and sori’s relationship too!! they gave such big and little sister vibes and it was just so heartwarming 🫶🏻 point is, i love the way axie oh writes her character’s platonic and family relationships but i never seem to like the way she writes the romantic relationships sadly 😔
axie oh’s writing is very fast paced, i have read both books from her very fastly even though there weren’t any major plot points going on! and even though these books may come off very outlandish and silly, they are such fun books and i can see them being comfort books to me in the future <3 would recommend, especially to all my kpop enthusiasts out there 🤍
[💿 1/1/25 : changed my rating because i can’t stop thinking about this book heheh 🤭]
彡💿 finished 30/6/24 𖦹 .. ✶
now playing — i miss you, i’m sorry by gracie abrams ↻
⌗ Sori is the wealthy daughter of a kpop company owner who’s caught in between her mother’s kpop company and her father’s aspirations, all while trying to uphold her flawless public image. When in the midst of all of this, her kpop idol ex-boyfriend Nathaniel who she finds it hard to deny her old feelings for should be less of a priority, she just can’t seem to avoid him.
⌗ this is for : the ones who love kpop and kdramas !! second chance romance enthusiasts, lovers of the reverse grumpy x sunshine trope, the setting of korea and the behind the scenes of the kpop industry.
❛ For all the readers who asked for an encore—this one’s for you. ❜
this was a continuation of XOXO surrounding both characters that appeared in that book and we got the brief history that they had with each other. this book is my first second-chance romance and i gotta say, not a big fan of it 😕 (throw all the tomatoes at me, i deserve it 😔). i just didn’t really like the ‘push and pull’ or ‘will they, won’t they’ vibe to it.
but okay why is this series lowkey my guilty pleasure likeee 😭 they are such silly books but i found them so fun?? probably because i used to hyperfixate on kpop during the pandemic lol but now i need books about the other xoxo members STAT 😔 AND i have the plot ideas on my mind too so axie pls just hear me out.
❛ How does he always know exactly what to say to make me feel better? I remember the words he spoke to me last night, “You never stopped being my friend.” My chest warms at the memory. ❜
this book honestly felt very ‘no plot, just vibes’. AND even though ‘xoxo’ was like that too, i liked that more because of the friendships formed throughout the book, i even liked it more than the romance! and i feel like that element was just not really present in this one. thus i gave it a lower rating than ‘xoxo’.
i genuinely don’t know what it is but i just never feel enough chemistry from the two main characters that axie oh writes, that’s why i liked the friendships more than the romance in the first book. and i noticed that in this one, i liked the scenes when sori was interacting with other groups of people more than i liked her scenes with nathaniel 😭 for example; i LOVED reading about when sori was hanging out with nathaniel’s sisters and the ASAP members, i think axie oh just has a way to write very heartwarming friendships. so you can imagine, when this book focused mostly on the romance between the two characters, it just fell very flat to me.
❛ A half hour passes as Nathaniel and I work on our individual tasks, and though we’re not interacting besides the occasional moments when our eyes meet, it’s one of the best mornings I can remember having in a long time.❜
the thing that i liked about their romance is, they just understand each other. they are the type of pair that can just sit in comfortable silence, and they just GET each other if you know what i mean 😭?? i loved the parts where they would just accompany each other, or when they talked at the convenience store whenever sori got back from work. it just accentuates that they have known each other for a long time and understand each other like no one else does.
❛ She turns to my father, her eyes flashing. “I can endure you speaking down to me—I care so little of your opinion, it hardly matters—but not to my daughter, never to Sori.❜
i loved sori’s relationship with her mom!! they may seem very cold and stiff with each other, but you can see that they genuinely love each other and only have each other in their lives. and i loved hyemi and sori’s relationship too!! they gave such big and little sister vibes and it was just so heartwarming 🫶🏻 point is, i love the way axie oh writes her character’s platonic and family relationships but i never seem to like the way she writes the romantic relationships sadly 😔
❛ Sun Ye takes my hand, squeezing. “The people you give yourself to are lucky, Min Sori.❜
axie oh’s writing is very fast paced, i have read both books from her very fastly even though there weren’t any major plot points going on! and even though these books may come off very outlandish and silly, they are such fun books and i can see them being comfort books to me in the future <3 would recommend, especially to all my kpop enthusiasts out there 🤍
[💿 1/1/25 : changed my rating because i can’t stop thinking about this book heheh 🤭]
彡💿 finished 30/6/24 𖦹 .. ✶
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