Childhood best friends meets second chance romance and K-Pop idols? Count me in! If you love any of those elements, you have to read Once Upon a K-Prom. As a fan of Cho’s Wicked Fox, I knew I had read this one. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
Elena Soo has always felt overshadowed. Whether by her more successful older sisters, her more popular twin brother, or her more outgoing best friend, everyone except Elena seems to know exactly who they are and what they want. But she is certain about one thing – she has no interest in going to prom. While the rest of the school is giddy over corsages and dresses, Elena would rather spend her time working to save the local community center, the one place that’s always made her feel like she belonged.
So when international K-pop superstar Robbie Choi shows up at her house to ask her to prom, Elena is more confused than ever. Because the one person who always accepted Elena as she is? Her childhood best friend, Robbie Choi. And the one thing she maybe, possibly, secretly wants more than anything? For the two of them to keep the promise they made each other as kids: to go to prom together. But that was seven years ago, and with this new K-pop persona, pink hair, and stylish clothes, Robbie is nothing like the sweet, goofy boy she remembers. The boy she shared all her secrets with. The boy she used to love.
Besides, prom with a guy who comes with hordes of screaming fans, online haters, and relentless paparazzi is the last thing Elena wants – even if she can’t stop thinking about Robbie’s smile… right?
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Dual POV, Once Upon a K-Prom is about wanting to be seen. Feeling like a spare child, Elena just wants to be seen, to be understood. To stop being Ethan’s sister and now, with the re-emergence of her ex-childhood best friend, Robbie’s friend. In the midst of a campaign to save her local community center, Robbie shows back up in her life to ask her to prom. He shows her that he didn’t forget about his promise from when they were children, but what about the cold shoulder the last years?
Throughout Once Upon a K-Prom, both Robbie and Elena have to reckon with who they are. With the differences in their lives since they last spoke. Can they bridge the distance and divide of time? How some things have changed and others have stayed the same. Robbie’s fame is something almost fairy tale like to Elena, but can she break through to find out who he truly is. Behind this image he projects to the world, who is Robbie? The dual POV helps us see Robbie’s side of the story. To figure out his true thoughts.
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But will Elena be able to see it before it’s too late? Can they become friends all over again? Once Upon a K-Prom is an obvious choice for K-Pop fans, but it’s also full of heart. A story about re-discovering friends and exactly who we think the people we love are. For fans of contemporary romance, you’ve gotta pick this up for the summer! Find Once Upon a K-Prom on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org & The Book Depository.