ASAP by Axie Oh // A Book Review

A few months ago, I requested ASAP by Axie Oh on Netgalley. I never expect for NetGalley to actually accept any of my requests, so you can imagine the utter delight I felt when I received an email saying that my request had been accepted and my shiny new ARC was waiting for me in the NetGalley app.

Suffice it to say, this became my kpop escape whenever I was overwhelmed, bored, or even just needed a break from reality.

This was my first time reading anything by Axie Oh, and I now understand why XOXO was so popular. Even despite the massive spoilers that I learned about that book via ASAP, I shall be reading XOXO and just imagining everything as a prequel. Yes, this is most certainly not the intended order, but it’s the order that works for me and that I’m excited about.

I’ve already rambled more than I usually do in my book review posts, so I’ll go ahead and stop so you can learn more about the book and all the reasons why you must go get your own copy.

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The Review

This was the kpop book of my dreams! I didn’t read XOXO before reading this one, but I think this one works as a standalone. If you’ve already read XOXO, I imagine this one would be a really cute spinoff.

Overall, this is a really fluffy, light novel about friendship, second chances, the kpop industry, broken families, found families, and what it means to grow up. If you like kdramas, kpop, or even just really sweet romances, I would highly recommend checking this one out.

I received an ARC from HarperTeen in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Content Warnings

Alcohol, blood, bullying, injury/injury detail, medical content, sexism, and sexual content (passionate kissing and implied sex).

What I Loved

The way adult problems are differentiated from teenager problems. This is a pretty subtle point that comes out more toward the end, but it’s something I really appreciated. A lot of novels don’t take the time to let the characters discover that some problems are meant for adults, while other problems are okay for teenagers to solve. I’m being vague to avoid spoilers, but I hope this makes sense.

The romance, obviously. I know some people felt like Sori and Nathaniel have zero chemistry, but I’m not one of them. I absolutely adored every interaction that they had. Their relationship was so complicated and I love that it didn’t turn toxic or co-dependent.

Sori and Jenny’s friendship. I guess they’re enemies in XOXO, but in ASAP, they’re practically besties. I do wish there was a little more of their friendship on-page, but I really did love them.

The focus on found family. This was not something I noticed happening until the very end, and it was a lovely little surprise.

The high stakes. If a YA novel doesn’t actually have life-or-death stakes, then you better find a way to make the stakes FEEL like life-or-death. And Oh delivered on this beautifully.

The kpop references. There was exactly one BTS reference, and that was enough for me.

What I Didn’t Love

The overall lack of plot? Sometimes it felt like we were just hopping from scene to scene without a clear end-point. I don’t necessarily know how to explain this, but there did seem to be a lack of overarching structure to the story that I think could have really elevated it just a bit more.

Favorite Quotes

“I’m content being loved and appreciated by the few people who I love and appreciate. That’s enough for me.”

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“I love him so much that it makes me want to throw everything else away, if only to be with him, for one more day, for one more minute, for one more breath.”

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“We are both bad. He’s a flirt and a delinquent, and I’m very much a girl who would risk it all for him.”

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Listen to my ASAP playlist

My Rating

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About the Book

New York Times bestselling author Axie Oh’s ASAP is the much anticipated companion novel to beloved romance XOXO, following fan favorites Sori, the wealthy daughter of a K-pop company owner, and Nathaniel, her K-pop star ex-boyfriend, in a swoon-worthy second chance love story.

Sori has worked her whole life to become a K-pop idol, until she realizes she doesn’t want a life forever in the spotlight. But that’s not actually up to Sori—she’s caught between her exacting mother’s entertainment company and her father’s presidential aspirations. And as the pressure to keep her flawless public image grows, the last person she should be thinking about is her ex-boyfriend.

Nathaniel is off limits—she knows this. A member of one of the biggest K-pop bands in the world and forbidden from dating, he isn’t any more of an option now than he was two years ago. Still, she can’t forget that their whirlwind romance was the last time she remembers being really happy. Or that his family welcomed her into their home when she needed it most. . . .

So when Nathaniel finds himself rocked by scandal, Sori offers him a hideaway with her. And back in close quarters, it’s hard to deny their old feelings. But when Sori gets an opportunity to break free from her parent’s expectations, she will have to decide: Is her future worth sacrificing for a second chance at love?

About the Author

Let’s Talk!

Have you read XOXO? What’s the best ARC you’ve ever gotten? Have I convinced you to add ASAP to your TBR? Let’s talk all things Axie Oh in the comments below!