Blog Tours, Book Spotlights, Young Adult Fiction

Blog Tour [ Guest Post] XOXO by Axie Oh

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Title: ‎ XOXO
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ Axie Oh
Publisher : ‎HarperCollins (July 13, 2021)
Release Date ‏ : ‎ (July 13, 2021)
Pages ‏ : ‎ 352 pages

Where to buy: AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY

Synopsis

Cello prodigy Jenny has one goal: to get into a prestigious music conservatory. When she meets mysterious, handsome Jaewoo in her uncle’s Los Angeles karaoke bar, it’s clear he’s the kind of boy who would uproot her careful plans. But in a moment of spontaneity, she allows him to pull her out of her comfort zone for one unforgettable night of adventure…before he disappears without a word.

Three months later, when Jenny and her mother arrive in South Korea to take care of her ailing grandmother, she’s shocked to discover that Jaewoo is a student at the same elite arts academy where she’s enrolled for the semester. And he’s not just any student. He’s a member of one of the biggest K-pop bands in the world—and he’s strictly forbidden from dating.

When a relationship means throwing Jenny’s life off the path she’s spent years mapping out, she’ll have to decide once and for all just how much she’s willing to risk for love.

Praise for XOXO

“A dreamy dose of K-pop idols and secret romances.” —Maurene Goo, author of Somewhere Only We Know

“With fun K-drama vibes, XOXO delivers a lot of heart and warmth in its protagonist who stays true to herself to the very end.” —Lyla Lee, author of I’ll Be the One

“When it was over, I immediately wanted to read it for the first time again.” —Kasie West, author of The Fill-In Boyfriend

“Simply put, this book made me happy. I guess you could say . . . I’m just a big fan.” —Emery Lord, author of The Map from Here to There

“A handwritten letter to falling in love and opening yourself up to the world. A delicious treat!” —Aminah Mae Safi, author of Tell Me How You Really Feel

“A feel-good, page-turning, swoony read!” —Gloria Chao, author of American Panda and Rent a Boyfriend

“A sparkling story of self-discovery—I was utterly charmed.” —Sarah Kuhn, author of I Love You So Mochi

“An utterly delightful love song dedicated to the intersection between dreams and romance.” —Julian Winters, award-winning author of Running with Lions

“Immensely fun, funny, and romantic.” —Emma Mills, author of Lucky Caller and First & Then

“K-pop helps a cellist develop musically and emotionally in this novel filled with humor and theatrics. Themes of responsibility, regret, and reconciliation weave through the intergenerational dynamics in Jenny’s family, adding dimension and depth.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Oh’s narrative reaches an enjoyable clip that is both accessible to readers unfamiliar with K-pop and pleasing for fans of K-dramas as well as anyone who enjoys a breezy contemporary romance.” —Publishers Weekly

And now – Get to know the members!!

XOXO Member Profiles

Stage name: Sun
Birth name: Oh Sun
Age: 19
Position: Leader, Lead Rapper
Hometown: Seoul
Blood Type: O
Hobbies: Cooking, archery, video games

  • Sun is fond of cooking and often goes on variety shows like Cooky’s Cooking Show
  • His favorite foods to eat include: Hansik (Korean Cuisine) and pears
  • He was offered a position on the junior men’s archery team, but turned it down to pursue music; he consistently scores high marks at the Idol Olympics in archery
  • Sun is famous for his iconic long hair
  • He speaks Korean, Japanese, and Mandarin
  • His favorite season is fall
  • If he wasn’t an idol, he’d be an actor
  • He studies film at Chung Ang University
  • Sun’s closest friend is Jun from 95D
  • His ideal type is someone who loves to eat

Stage name: Nathaniel
Birth name: Nathaniel Lee
Korean name: Lee Jihyuk
Age: 17
Position: Main Dancer, Lead Vocalist
Hometown: Flushing, NY
Blood Type: B
Hobbies: baseball, chess, video games, annoying his noona (older sisters),

  • Nathaniel has four older sisters
  • His favorite food is pizza
  • He speaks English and Korean
  • His favorite season is spring
  • He plays the piano, guitar, and drums
  • If he wasn’t an idol, he’d be a professional baseball player
  • Though he considers Jaewoo his rival, he also considers him his closest friend
  • His ideal type is IU, but specifically her character Jang Man-wol from Hotel Del Luna

Stage name: Jaewoo
Birth name: Bae Jaewoo
Age: 17
Position: Main Vocalist
Hometown: Busan
Blood Type: A
Hobbies: soccer, songwriting, reading manhwa (comic books), video games

  • Jaewoo has one younger sister, Bae Joori
  • He speaks Korean, Japanese, and English
  • He’s 182 centimeters tall
  • Though he prefers soccer, he was in a little league when he was in elementary school
  • His favorite foods are street foods
  • His favorite seasons are spring and summer
  • He plays the piano and guitar
  • He was born in Busan, but lived in the U.S. for several years while in elementary school before moving back to Busan in middle school
  • He’s the senior class president of his high school
  • His nickname is “Prince” among idols because of his charming manners
  • Jaewoo enjoys games and puzzles and has made several appearances on the mission-based variety show Catch Me If You Can
  • Jaewoo’s best friend is Nathaniel
  • Jaewoo’s ideal type is someone who is independent

Stage name: Youngmin
Birth name: Choi Youngmin
Position: Main Rapper
Age: 15
Hometown: Seoul
Blood Type: AB
Hobbies: swimming, reading manhwa, video games

  • Youngmin is the youngest of five siblings so being the maknae (youngest member) of XOXO is familiar experience for him
  • His favorite food is tteok-bokki
  • His favorite season is summer
  • His favorite artists and role models are G-Dragon, Zico, and RM
  • He enjoys fashion and his favorite brand is Nike
  • When he was younger, he wanted to be a professional video game player
  • He’s friends with several idols who are born in the same year as him, including the maknae of 95D. They have a group chat.

About the Author

Axie Oh is a first generation Korean American, born in NYC and raised in New Jersey. She studied Korean history and creative writing as an undergrad at the University of California – San Diego and holds an MFA from Lesley University in Writing for Young People. Her passions include K-pop, anime, stationery supplies, and milk tea. She currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada with her puppy, Toro

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram

Giveaway!

3 Winners will receive a Copy of XOXO by Axie Oh.

Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter | Click Below

Blog Tours, Book Review, YA Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction

Blog Tour [Review]: The Queen will Betray You by Sarah Henning

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Title: The Queen Will Betray You
Author: Sarah Henning
Release Date: July 6, 2021
Publisher: Tor Teen
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Pages: 352

Where to buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Indigo

Rating: 4 stars

Thank you Book Terminal Tours and Tor Teen for providing a review copy and the opportunity to be a part of this tour.

Publisher links: Tor Teen Instagram | Tor Teen Twitter

Synopsis

The breathtaking sequel to The Princess Will Save You in the Kingdoms of Sand and Sky duology — a brilliantly-executed YA fantasy homage to The Princess Bride

To stay together forever, Princess Amarande and her stableboy love, Luca, must part: Amarande to reclaim her kingdom from usurpers, and Luca to raise a rebellion and find his destiny. Arrayed against them are all the players in the game of thrones for control over the continent of The Sand and Sky. Facing unspeakable betrayals, enemies hidden in the shadows, and insurmountable odds, their only hope is the power of true love…

Review

The Queen will Betray You, sequel to The Princess will Save You continue to not disappoint. It was a fast-paced but well written continuation to Princess Amarande’s story. I specifically enjoyed how the book took a larger focus towards the adventure part of the plot. While the romance is good, I am always a sucker for more than just a forbidden love story. As with the princess will save you, it’s sequel continued the vivid backdrop and magical settings of the kingdom. The queen will betray had some twists and turns that kept you on your feet, and rigorously turning each page to find out what would happen next. Sarah Henning did a great job of expanding the story and building on the characters we were already rooting for.

Speaking of characters, I am so happy Luca received more of a story and voice in this the sequel. I honestly really enjoyed seeing more of Luca than just as Princess Amarande’s love interest. There was an added depth to his story that made him a more powerful character. He complimented Amarande so much more because of it. With Amarande , we continued to get that fierce, determined protagonist that many of us are always rooting for. If you want someone that is loyal and when thinking, thinks about everyone she loves, Amarande is that someone. Along with the two main characters you get a sprinkle of a lovable yet evil character in Tallifer – believe me when i say I didn’t want to like Tallifer, but ultimately they warmed up to me.

Overall, The Queen will Betray You is a sequel that brought all the missed moments of book one into one magnificent story.  It is a story I would definitely recommend.

About the Author

Sarah Henning is a recovering journalist who has worked for the Palm Beach Post, Kansas City Star and Associated Press, among others. While in South Florida, Sarah lived and worked through five hurricanes, which gave her an extreme respect for the ocean. When not writing, she runs ultramarathons, hits the playground with her two kids and hangs out with her husband Justin, who doubles as her long-suffering IT department. Sarah lives in Lawrence, Kansas, which, despite being extremely far from the beach, happens to be pretty cool.

Author Links: Website | Goodreads | Instagram | Twitter