Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo

Title: Somewhere Only We Know
Author: Maurene Goo
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Publication date: May 7, 2019
Pages: 384
Source/format: Library//Hardcover

Rating: ☆☆☆1/2 

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):


10 00 p.m.: Lucky is the biggest K-pop star on the scene, and she's just performed her hit song "Heartbeat" in Hong Kong to thousands of adoring fans. She's about to debut on The Tonight Show in America, hopefully a breakout performance for her career. But right now? She's in her fancy hotel, trying to fall asleep but dying for a hamburger.

11 00 p.m.: Jack is sneaking into a fancy hotel, on assignment for his tabloid job that he keeps secret from his parents. On his way out of the hotel, he runs into a girl wearing slippers, a girl who is single-mindedly determined to find a hamburger. She looks kind of familiar. She's very cute. He's maybe curious.

12:00 a.m.: Nothing will ever be the same.

M Y  T H O U G H T S

Maurene Goo created a unique book that pulled me in right from the beginning. Lucky is a sensational K-pop star and is making her huge break On the Later Show in the United States soon. Currently, she is hungry for a hamburger in between sets in Hong Kong. She sneaks out of her hotel venturing out for that hamburger that she has her heart set on. What she didn't know is that she would bump into Jack, who is also Korean and from California just like her.

Jack is taking a gap year between high school and college. Although his parents are supportive of the gap year, he is required to intern at the bank his father works for despite his passion for photography. If he opts for college, Jack would love to attend art school to pursue his passion. I found it interesting how his parents want him to major in business and/or engineering when his father studied creative writing and even obtained a MFA. However, Jack's father ends up going into banking for a career.

Jack was still able to pursue his love for photography even though he has to sneak around behind his parents back. He gives into his parents' expectations but still follows his passion. Lucky loves what she does but I sense a feeling of uncertainty from her. She wants the freedom to carve her own path without everyone watching her every move. She is on a path of self-discovery and Jack is helping her figure out what she wants out of life.

Lucky and Jack don't fall at love at first. They actually were annoyed at each other at times but Jack genuinely cared about the well-being of Lucky. Although I find it unrealistic that Lucky was able to evade the K-pop industry such as her manager and some of the security, Somewhere Only We Know is a light rom-com perfect for summer reading. Lucky and Jack meeting each other, is the relief that they are looking for, away from their hectic and stressful lives. If you are looking for a quick, fluffy read and love K-pop, check out this novel!