Once upon a K-prom

Gr 9 Up--When Robbie and Elena were 10, they vowed that when they were in high school, they'd go to prom together. But when Robbie's family returned to their home country of Korea, each went their separate ways. Seven years later, Elena has been boycotting the idea of prom, instead opting to find ways to save the community center, where she finds acceptance and pride as a volunteer, from closing due to funding shortages. With her best friends Josie and Max, Elena encourages those going to prom to donate money and skip the luxuries. Then, as prom approaches, Robbie appears on her doorstep, ready to take her to prom. The hitch? Robbie returns as a full-fledged K-pop star, and nothing is simple in that world. This is a true rom-com with all the requisite characters: star-crossed lovers Elena and Robbie; gal pal sidekick Josie, who has her own love life complications with their best friend, Max; mean girls; and the conflict that sets it all in motion--the prom. Misunderstandings collide with pop-star fandom and Elena and Robbie must navigate the world of fame, fortune, and Korean family culture. A wide cast of diverse characters fills the stage that is Elena's high school. Whether readers know about K-pop culture or not, they'll find themselves rooting for Elena and Robbie all the way. VERDICT Rom-com and K-pop fans will enjoy this journey backstage, while those not familiar will enjoy the story and want to seek out more about the music.--Connie Williams

When they were 10, Elena Soo and Robbie Choi promised to go to prom together; seven years later, Robbie, now a member of world-famous K-pop group WDB, shows up on Elena's doorstep. Korean American Elena wants to set herself apart from her four siblings, but at school and at home, the attention-shy high school junior is always overshadowed by her older sisters and twin brother. It doesn't help that her efforts to fundraise for the local community center through an "alterna-prom" initiative has put her at odds with her classmates. When Robbie, whose family left Chicago for Seoul, suddenly reappears in the States, first at her house and then at school with a public, extravagant promposal, Elena is bewildered by the polished heartthrob who is so different from her goofy childhood friend. She rejects him. This stuns Robbie, who genuinely wants to reconnect with her and fulfill their old promise, but despite his polished idol persona and ease with adoring fans, he doesn't know how to talk to his first crush. The story unfolds in alternating perspectives with an even mix of flirty and serious tones balancing a frothy premise with sympathetic lead characters who are each struggling in their own ways to define themselves. No prior K-pop knowledge is needed to enjoy the slow-burn, will-they, won't-they storyline, though fans of the genre will appreciate a few blink-and-you'll-miss-them allusions to real K-pop idols. Pleasantly indulgent, with a dash of realism. (Romance. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.