ASAP

Gr 8 Up--Sori has dealt with her share of public scandals, thanks to her politician father's extramarital affairs and backlash years ago when her own relationship with XOXO's lead vocalist, Nathaniel, was leaked online. Back then, XOXO was a new group under her mother's company, and Sori was an anonymous trainee. A mutual breakup was best for both of their fledgling careers, even if Sori still misses their easy friendship. Everything feels different now with XOXO topping every chart and Sori realizing she doesn't want to be an idol. Instead, to help save her mother's company from financial ruin, Sori agrees to get a new trainee ready to debut as part of Joah Entertainment's first girl group ASAP. Helping Hyemi become debut ready will also allow Sori to prove that she can make her own decisions about her future. When Nathaniel needs a refuge from prying paparazzi, Sori has a chance to return his kindness over the years, even as it rekindles old feelings and forces Sori to admit how lonely her life has become. This companion novel to XOXO includes cameos from favorite characters, such as Jenny and Jaewoo, while delivering an entirely new second-chance romance. Narrated by Sori, this book offers an insider view of life in Seoul and the world of K-pop, while making the story approachable to readers less familiar with both. Oh combines a slow-burn romance with feminist themes focusing on women and girls supporting one another in the male-dominated K-pop industry to create a vibrant and dynamic story. Characters are Korean or biracial Korean and white. VERDICT A first purchase title from an author who does not miss.--Emma Carbone

A sweet second-chance romance set against the backdrop of the Korean entertainment industry. Eighteen-year-old Min Sori's life is a far cry from that of the average girl her age. To start with, there are her parents: Her father is a politician with presidential aspirations, and her mother is CEO of Joah, the major record label who signed XOXO, the hottest boy group of the hour. Sori's relationship with her ambitious, absentee parents isn't the closest--in fact, it's strained at best. Sori has her own career as a rising model and Joah trainee, although she's lost her passion for music and doesn't really want to be an idol anymore. She just needs to find the courage to tell her mom that. But Sori is exhausted, thanks to her stressful family situation and feelings for ex-boyfriend Nathaniel Lee, XOXO's Korean American lead vocalist and dancer, who's extremely off-limits. It doesn't help that their chemistry is still sizzling or that his family feels more comforting to her than her own. When push comes to shove, she may have to confront her feelings all at once--for Nathaniel, her parents, and her future. This charming companion to XOXO (2021) features lived-in characters and a swoony love story. Romanized Korean is smoothly incorporated throughout the book, and the South Korean setting is richly developed. Delightful. (Romance. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.