Review by Booklist Review
Irene Park has had a hard time standing out in high school, unless it's behind a phone screen talking about romance books. With over a million followers on her Instagram account, where she reviews romance novels, Irene is determined to make a name for herself at college and to find love, especially since she's in the running for a big sponsorship with a South Korean dating app. The only problem is that she's never been on a date--but Irene plans to use her understanding of romance tropes to find real love. Upping the stakes is a steamy competition with fellow romance-reviewer Aiden, who's also up for the sponsorship. Lee crafts a wonderfully romantic book that explores the complexities of social media and dating in college. While Irene's hopes for succeeding at Brighton College on multiple fronts fall a little shorter than she bargained for, readers will find her academic and romantic trials relatable. A fun introduction to romance tropes for older YA readers and those interested in exploring the genre.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this unapologetic ode to love and books by Lee (The Name Drop), rival book influencers live out the romantic tropes they read about in a competition to see who can find love first. Irene Park's passion for romance novels extends to her online presence as a book reviewer with a million followers, but her IRL love life is different. Sandwiched between her beautiful older sister and prodigal younger brother, Irene feels like a mediocre middle child in her Korean American family. And, having never been in a relationship before, she begins questioning her credibility as a romance reviewer. During her freshman year at Brighton College, Irene--determined to find true love--utilizies her extensive rom-com knowledge and enters her dating era. But she encounters a plot twist: rival influencer and personal nemesis Aiden Jeon--also Korean American and a Brighton student--catches on to her plan and claims he can beat Irene at her own game. They soon find themselves fake-dating, and Irene must reckon with the fear and anxiety that romance--even a pretend attachment--entails. Each chapter title pays homage to a familiar romance trope, while the characters' witty banter ensures that there's something for everyone in this original K-drama-style romp. Ages 13--up. (May)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 10 Up--Irene is a notable romance book reviewer online, but she's never been in love. With a chance to snag a big brand sponsorship, Irene decides to prove her worth and use all the tropes she's read about to fall in love her freshman year at college. But when Irene discovers her online review rival Aiden attends the same college and is up for the same sponsorship, the two decide to go head-to-head in a falling-in-love competition. As the contest heats up, Irene finds her in-person connection with Aiden is shockingly less of a rivalry and more like fated mates. Lee knows how to hit all the cozy feels while expertly creating a classic love story. The love competition and subsequent fake dating are played out perfectly with Irene and Aiden's personalities and struggles on full display. The epigraphs between chapters, disclosing some of the characters' book reviews, offer fun additional insights into their minds. Irene is a people pleaser whose quest for a relationship results in learning to be kinder to herself while dealing with her flaws in a realistic, relatable way. Aiden's softly strong demeanor displays how unapologetically a young man can love. The trope chapter titles are woven into the story, building a lighthearted atmosphere where one can't help but root for sunshine Aiden to win over grumpy Irene. Irene and Aiden are Korean American. VERDICT A must-have flirtation-via-tropes tale with all the swooning and joy readers want in a love story.--Emily Walker
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
"Late bloomer" Irene Park had an uneventful social life in high school, but things are different online. With over a million followers for her @irene.loves.love.books social media channel, she's a popular romance novel reviewer. She's even eyeing an impressive, potentially life-changing brand sponsorship from a South Korean dating app, which might help her stand out in her family as more than just the "the awkward middle child." At Brighton College in Southern California, Irene feels closer to her dream of becoming a book editor. But Aiden Jeon, or @aidentheguyreadsromance, who's also Korean American, arrives on the online romance book scene and starts criticizing her reviews. She grudgingly admits that he has cute dimples, but his loyal and vocal followers make her question her own credibility as a romance expert, possibly threatening the dating app deal. Irene decides she needs to fall in love and experience real romance, using her favorite tropes to help her plan come to fruition. But she immediately hits some speed bumps, including the discovery that Aiden attends Brighton too--and that their literature professor has paired them as project partners for the semester. The leads' banter is witty, charming, and amusing, and Irene's fresh narration incorporates vocabulary from the online book reviewing lexicon. Lee adds to the fun by using popular romance tropes as chapter titles and interspersing excerpts from Irene's and Aiden's book reviews throughout. Clever and delightful; a standout in the genre. (romance glossary)(Romance. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
