Seoulmates

By Susan Lee

Book Overview

"The perfect childhood friends-to-lovers story--full stop." --Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling authors of The Unhoneymooners and The Soulmate Equation

Her ex-boyfriend wants her back. Her former best friend is in town. When did Hannah's life become a K-drama?

Hannah Cho had the next year all planned out--the perfect summer with her boyfriend, Nate, and then a fun senior year with their friends.

But then Nate does what everyone else in Hannah's life seems to do--he leaves her, claiming they have nothing in common. He and all her friends are newly obsessed with K-pop and K-dramas, and Hannah is not. After years of trying to embrace the American part and shunning the Korean side of her Korean American identity to fit in, Hannah finds that's exactly what now has her on the outs.

But someone who does know K-dramas--so well that he's actually starring in one--is Jacob Kim, Hannah's former best friend, whom she hasn't seen in years. He's desperate for a break from the fame, so a family trip back to San Diego might be just what he needs...that is, if he and Hannah can figure out what went wrong when they last parted and navigate the new feelings developing between them.

"A deliciously swoony romance." --Helen Hoang, New York Times bestselling author of The Heart Principle
"A smart, funny book not to be missed!" --Emiko Jean, New York Times bestselling author of Tokyo Ever After
"Pitch-perfect." --Rachel Lynn Solomon, author of Today Tonight Tomorrow

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1335915788
• ISBN13: 9781335915788
• Release Date: September 2022
• Publisher: Inkyard Press
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 14 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 9 and higher

Customer Reviews

Definitely a chick flick!

This was your fairly typical chick flick type book, or I guess I should say, k drama. It was entertaining and cute and very easy to root for Jacob, though not quite so much for Hannah who was quite nasty sometimes, not only to Jacob but also her dad. There is a fine line between pranks like shortsheeting a guest bed, but quite another to push someone away so hard and insult them which only hurts yourself. Hannah crossed that line a few times and it turned me off the story when she did that. But I did enjoy the Korean references, from music to shows (I do like some of that stuff myself) and it was cool to see how Hannah gradually came to embrace at least parts of her Korean heritage. And Jacob saved the story. He is just so lovable. I think I would definitely watch anything that he might star in (yes, I know he is a fictional character, but still...). Too bad Heart and Soul doesn't really exist. There is one fairly graphic scene near the end that was a bit of shock and I don't think it was needed to further the story. That is my own opinion though. And the rest was alright. This was not an enemies to lovers story, more like long lost childhood friendship to lovers.

Loved it!!!

This book had me captured from the very beginning! I am a sucker for friends-to-lovers romances, so this was right up my alley. I really loved the characters, Hannah and Jacob. I also liked how the chapters alternated, giving both Hannah and Jacob’s side of the story. (And even a couple of small paragraphs of their moms' points of view!) Susan Lee did a wonderful job of showing how there are two sides for every story. There was a really good lesson about taking the other person’s feelings into consideration instead of just focusing on yourself. We all get selfish sometimes and it can be difficult to remember that what we do affects others as well. It also showed the importance of general happiness and also being happy with who you are. I’ll be the first to confess that the only thing I know about K-pop is the name BTS, so it was very interesting to learn more about that and other aspects of Korean culture. I hope Susan Lee will be writing more in the future, as I will definitely want to read more of her books!

Really enjoyed it

I really enjoyed this book! Hannah’s summer plans changed when her boyfriend Nate broke up with her because they have nothing in common. He loves K-pop and K-dramas and Hannah isn’t into them at all. It’s ironic (as everyone feels the need to point out to Hannah) that her family actually is Korean and she knows the least about all the mainstream Korean entertainment that’s become popular in the US in recent years. What’s really ironic and that no one knows about? Hannah’s childhood best friend actually lives in Korea and is an incredibly popular actor on a K-drama. It broke Hannah’s heart when Jacob left suddenly 4 years ago and they lost touch. Hannah feels like everyone leaves her. First her dad moved to Singapore, then Jacob left for Korea and Hannah’s sister moved to another state. She feels afraid to get close to anyone. And she feels some resentment too. When Jacob comes back to town for a visit, and a much needed break from acting, his family all stats with Hannah’s family. At first Hannah is ticked. Then Jacob finds a way to get her to spend time with him. It doesn’t take long for them to reconnect but now they have new obstacles in their way. I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was very well written and really liked the characters too. I got an early ebook edition from NetGalley and also managed to win an arc of the book from Goodreads. Thanks!