Bunny's Reviews: K-Drama

Showing posts with label K-Drama. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

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

Book Tour Schedule

September 18^th

https://www.thesexynerdrevue.com – Feature

https://www.instagram.com/sharingthebooklove - Feature

https://www.instagram.com/punwithbooks/ - Review

https://www.instagram.com/theenrichmentoffiction1/ - Review

https://www.instagram.com/isabellesbookshelf/ - Review

https://www.instagram.com/books.before.bed/?utm_source=qr&igshid=NGExMmI2YTkyZg – Review

September 19^th

https://www.instagram.com/kay.reads.books_/ - Review

https://instagram.com/laras.litreads?igshid=MjEwN2IyYWYwYw== - Review

https://instagram.com/nancyreadsandwrites?igshid=Y2I2MzMwZWM3ZA== - Review

https://bookwormbunnyreviews.blogspot.com/ - Review

September 20^th

https://breakevenbooks.com – Feature

https://www.instagram.com/mythicmelancholy/ - Review

https://www.instagram.com/mommyandherbooks/ - Review

https://www.instagram.com/booksy.tx.ana/ - Feature

September 21^st

https://www.instagram.com/id_ratherbereading_247/ - Review

https://www.instagram.com/laura_c_loves2read/?igshid=ZDdkNTZiNTM – Review

https://starsbooksandtea.com/ - Review

https://www.instagram.com/Justagirlwithaloveofbooks/ - Review

September 22^nd

https://www.instagram.com/bettisbooksandbabblings/ - Review

https://www.instagram.com/hale.yreads/ - Review

https://www.instagram.com/molina_lovestoread/ - Review

https://www.instagram.com/kaylees.little.library/?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D – Review

https://www.instagram.com/phoenixslib/ - Review

Book Tour Organized by R&R Book Tours

Thursday, June 8, 2023

When We Lost the Moon Review Spotlight

Welcome to the tour for When We Lost the Moon by Samantha J. Won. This one is perfect for fans of K-Drama, enemies to lovers, and werewolves!

When We Lost the Moon is the first book in Samantha J. Won's Moondust series, and if you are a lover of K-dramas you're absolutely not going to want to miss this novel.

Granted, I've never seen a K-drama, I just have several on my wishlist I was eager to grab this book. The premise alone had me screaming (not literally) to get my hands on this book and trust me, I was NOT disappointed.

Aera Song has just been dumped by her boyfriend. Getting the whole cliched "it's not you, it's me" line. Ugh! Seriously dude?! You couldn't be more original? Of course, when she pushes for answers - he has none to give her. Wonder why that is? Well, just keep reading and the truth will be revealed. Her speculations? Pretty much spot on. What makes the break-up even worse?! It is literally a few days before her 17th birthday!! Who does that?! The nerve of this guy!

Of course, her 17th birthday is subdued, but fate thinks that it's time to shake things up. So, Happy Birthday Aera! Here is the fun-tastic ability to have visions of people's impending deaths! Sounds really fantastic right? Originally thinking it's just a fluke, until deaths start happening...exactly how she saw them. Then...the vision that someone she knows...will die.

This book quickly turns into a page-turner and you are going to love every single minute of this novel. This is more than just a novel. At the end of the chapters are fun little comics that bring more depth and entertainment to the storyline. The comics especially will have you laughing out loud. I love the author for thinking to add this to her book. It helps set the book apart and makes sure that it sticks with you long after you've put it down.

Aera is an engaging and fun character. I really wish I was younger (and that she was real) because we'd get along GREAT! LOL! It's sad to watch her go from having a boyfriend to being alone. Not literally - she has no friends. Yeah...I can relate to that, too. LOL! Now, she does have the "irritating" cousin who tries to ease her loneliness, but that's drama in and of itself. You get some backstory there, too, but it's fun to learn more about these characters as you read about them.

Cole though...good Lord almighty! You gotta question this boy's sense. I mean...does he really have any? Because he's taking this whole "star-crossed lovers" thing a bit far for my liking. I mean come on! Courting death? LITERALLY?? I just kept waiting for Gray to say "Do what you want, but when Death comes for you don't expect me to save you." Because that's exactly what I would have told him early on.

You're going to really like Gray. He's a young alpha werewolf with a lot on his shoulders. He's been in love with Aera, and having to watch her believe she was happy with Cole...well, that was a tough pill to swallow. But now, he has a chance. Too bad he's got a ton of problems weighing on him. Being the head of a pack is putting pressure on him one in particular insists on going rogue. Questions are piling up about certain deaths, and now a warning that something bad is going to happen to him? Can life get even more chaotic?

This book is so much fun to read and I just love the dynamics between the characters. They are absolutely entertaining throughout this story. You're going to be shocked by certain ones who have secrets that you won't see coming. Yes, prepare for some jaw-dropping situations. Unfortunately, there will be some heartbreak as well. So go ahead and have a few tissues on hand, because you're going to need a couple.

When We Lost the Moon ends on a soft cliffhanger. It's not a bad thing, because the author could have cut the book off at a certain point if she had wanted to give us a major cliffhanger. Thankfully, she does not! So make sure you say thank you! LOL! You will be curious as to what happens next, and what certain characters mean by some of the things they say. Sorry I can't say more, it would be a total spoiler and we can't have that.

Ideal for teen readers especially, but older readers as well, make sure you grab this book and be prepared to be entertained!

5 out of 5 stars

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

When We Lost the Moon (Moondust #1)

Genre: YA Paranormal/ Paranormal Romance/ Asian Literature

Publication Date: April 30, 2023

He’s her childhood nemesis – and she’s the only one who can save his life.

When 17-year-old Aera Song mysteriously develops the power to foresee death, nobody believes her – not even herself. But after she’s haunted by disturbing visions of her childhood nemesis meeting a gruesome end, she begins to realize that she’s the only one who can save his life.

Gray Yoo has been in love with Aera for years. But there’s one big problem: the older they get, the more she can’t stand him. The werewolf and young alpha has enough on his plate, without trying to woo the heart of his cousin’s ex – like keeping his pack together and trying to stay alive when fate seems determined to kill him.

Nemesis or not, Aera can’t watch Gray die. Forced into a desperate struggle to protect him and prevent her shocking visions from coming to pass, she begins to wonder whether her power is a gift… or a terrible curse.

To save Gray’s life, she’ll need to cheat fate itself. But it will come at a price – one that she might not be willing to pay…

As a thrilling enemies-to-lovers paranormal contemporary romance that expertly blends exhilarating action with edge-of-your-seat suspense and drama, Moondust: When We Lost The Moon is a page-turning read that you won’t want to miss. Perfect for fans of K-drama!

Available on Amazon

About the Author

Samantha J. Won was born and raised in the Philippines. She now resides in Los Angeles, California with her family. She is a registered nurse but has always felt the urge to dive into writing. What started as a childhood hobby, sparked by her love for the classic The Baby-Sitter’s Club by Ann M. Martin—eventually turned into full length scripts, fanfictions, and children’s stories. Samantha J uses her writing to fill those literary voids she stumbles upon when struggling to find her next great read. She enjoys roller skating, spending time with her dog, and devouring her favorite shows.

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