Book Review: “Somewhere Only We Know” by Maureen Goo

“Somewhere Only We Know” by Maureen Goo (2019)

Genre: YA, Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

Page Length: 328 pages (hardcover edition)

Synopsis:

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. (description from Goodreads)

Review:

I’m a huge fan of K-pop and I’ve enjoyed Goo’s previous books so I was excited to read Somewhere Only We Know. The story follows Lucky who is K-pop starlet that wants a brief escape from her life on tour and runs into a cute tabloid reporter, Jack, in Hong Kong. Together they explore the sights and sounds of Hong Kong while bonding with each other. Lucky is under disguise and Jack knows her secret. Will he expose her to the paparazzi?

Lucky and Jack are able to bond because they are both at a crossroads at their life. Lucky is losing the passion for singing and is trying to find the joy in why she wanted to be in that career field. Her heart is not in performing and she misses the stability of her home while being on the road. Jake is the son of a president bank manager and is taking a gap year to learn his father’s business, but his heart is truly in the photography field. He takes tabloid pictures to pay for his own things and apartment and wants to be independent from his family.

Maureen Goo’s novels are so enjoyable for me since they are cute, take me to new destinations, and romance is sweet. This novel felt like her other novels and her books are comfort reads for me. The novel is light-hearted and fun I love that the descriptive writing that take readers through the sights and sounds of Hong Kong. From the food stands, karaoke bars, scenic ferry rides, and nightlife; I was excited to read where the story would take me.

Even though Lucky and Jack’s romance was a one-day whirlwind, I felt that it was genuine because they have so many heart-to-heart moments in the story. The ending is left a bit open, so I’m curious to see how their relationship will or will not progress after the story ends.

This was a cute story about fame, k-pop stars, growing up, and finding your passion!

Final Verdict: