Bunny's Reviews: Take My Hand Review Spotlight

Welcome to the tour for Sydney Dell's Take My Hand. Read on for more details!

Take My Hand is a K-pop based fictional novel that follows the emotional drama and turmoil that a girl group by the name of, Star Power, faces. Their youngest member, their maknae, Eunkyung is fighting an inner mental battle that she appears to be losing. Cyber bullying as been getting to her, but it’s more than just that. She’s faced some bullying from within the group as well. When things finally reach a head, it all comes out in the worse way possible. Her girlfriend, Hyejin, is determined to keep her by her side for as long as she can. But her quest for answers will lead her in a direction she could never have expected.

Take My Hand is not a book that I would recommend for readers looking to dive into a K-pop novel looking for something fun, bright, and romantic. Take My Hand leans toward showing the darker side of the K-pop world where bullying tends to go unnoticed or unacknowledged until it’s too late.

This story is told from multiple perspectives, so you really have to pay attention to each of the chapters, because sometimes the story sticks with the same character, and then other times it shifts to one of the other girls in the group. Allowing you a moment to get inside their respective heads and better understand who they are each dealing with the fallout of one from one of their group members.

The author touches on other characters who have ended their lives, and how the Eunkyung herself is struggling so hard. So readers who are sensitive to this subject should probably avoid reading this book as it might be harmful to them in some respect.

The way that the story is told is, at times, hard to follow. The characters and the way that they are depicted tends to be chaotic. A sudden outburt or wild action will take place that will leave you wondering how did this particular situation come to play out the way that it does. Some of the dialogue is stilted and it doesn’t flow like a real conversation theoretically should. The majority of the conversations flow like they should, but there are some that leave you wondering what is going on.

You will get some backstory here and there in the story, but what you don’t get is how it all begins...from the beginning. That would have been the best option for this story, because then it could have flowed from the beginning of the girls’ debut and moved forward. As it is, you’re dropped into the middle of the chaos and then get jumps and skips into the past. One thing that I was hopeful for was seeing how the relationship began between the two girls. Unfortunately, you really don’t get that. You get a scene that is drenched in tragedy, and it’s like Hyejin immediately falls in love with Eunkyung during all of that chaos.

While certain aspects of the story are hard to follow, the author does manage to keep you engaged in what’s going on with the characters. You get the air of mystery as Hyejin is determined to figure out who or what has pushed her girlfriend to this breaking point in her life. Then you get alternating chapters that give you insight into how the other girls are dealing with the entire situation as well.

One element that remains true throughout this story is that it is heartbreaking to learn of all the things that Eunkyung has had to endure. It’s almost like a twisted serious of unfortunate events that have plagued the poor girl. Add in the fact that she’s in a romantic relationship with one of the members, and must keep it secret. That has to weigh heavy on the mind, because the author gives a few examples of other characters (not connected to the group) who have fared poorly for being gay and in a relationship. For those who are familiar with K-pop most companies forbid relationships, and so the girls were playing with fire even before things escalated.

The ending of this book leaves it open-ended, which may mean there will be a second follow-up book to continue the girls’ story. Without revealing any spoilers it would be interesting to see what comes next, because of how the book closes at this time. Hyejin is learning things, but discovering the whole picture is something that will take more time than she currently has. Because as we all know, time is money, and a group that isn’t making money? Well, they tend to get sent to the “basement” and are forgotten until their contract is up. What will the future hold for Star Power? We can only wait and see.

Take My Hand is author Dell's debut novel.

Soft 4 out of 5 stars

Thank you to the author, Sydney Dell, and R&R Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book. I look forward to what comes next.

Take My Hand

Publication Date: July 7, 2023

Genre: LGBTQ Romance/ Action/ Adventure

Celebrity Cho Hyejin has been living the K-pop life that so many fans can only dream of. She is dancing happily with her group, Sky Power, and is even dating the youngest, Eunkyung. Other than having to hide her relationship, she is the famous idol she’s always dreamed of being. Then the day comes where Eunkyung tries to end her own life. Her girlfriend of several years refuses to believe that this was only a spontaneous decision. As the beloved maknae spends her time fighting for her will to live, Hyejin is hunting for answers– answers for why suicide was thought to be the only way out. However, all information comes with a price.

In a million years, Hyejin never could have predicted where her search for the truth would lead, all while she’s struggling to deal with her girlfriend’s deteriorating mental health, a world that grows more hostile with every passing moment, and the weight of her group’s reputation resting on her shoulders. The future of Sky Power is more uncertain than anything and Hyejin is about to break. She wants nothing more than to be happy with Eunkyung and if this includes exposing an awful darkness within the K-pop realm, she is willing to take the risk.

Available on Amazon

About the Author

Sydney was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She became interested in the world of K-pop at a young age and learned about both the bright and dark sides. When writing, she is often interested in action-packed plots, as well as LGBTQ+ stories that are representative of the community. Take My Hand is her first novel.

Sydney Dell