2019 Most Anticipated - Somewhere Only We Know

The next book in my 2019 Most Anticipated event is who takes its inspiration from one of my favourite movies. It mixes Kpop with the Hollywood classic ...

I have often tweeted how much I wanted a YA novel inspired by Roman Holiday and this one sounds incredibly fun and like it'll offer a fresh take on the story as well.

The Goodreads synopsis for this novel sets the tone of lighthearted fun and a late night hamburger hunt is always a bonus.

Sparks fly between a K pop starlet and a tabloid reporter in this heartwarming rom-com from Maurene Goo.

10 00 p.m.: Lucky is the biggest K-pop star on the scene, and she's just performed her hit song "Heartbeat" in Hong Kong to thousands of adoring fans. She's about to debut on The Tonight Show in America, hopefully a breakout performance for her career. But right now? She's in her fancy hotel, trying to fall asleep but dying for a hamburger.
11 00 p.m.: Jack is sneaking into a fancy hotel, on assignment for his tabloid job that he keeps secret from his parents. On his way out of the hotel, he runs into a girl wearing slippers, a girl who is single-mindedly determined to find a hamburger. She looks kind of familiar. She's very cute. He's maybe curious.
12:00 a.m.: Nothing will ever be the same.

With her trademark humor and voice, Maurene Goo delivers a sparkling story of taking a chance on love--and finding yourself along the way.

The teen with a tabloid job could work well within this type of story and it sounds like Maurene has modernized this story quite a bit as well.

As mentioned, this year's event was going to offer up some different posts than usual and this is one of them. I am going to share my personal top three reasons to be excited about this book!

1 Maurene Goo's previous novels are excellent. I see her writing style pairing nicely with this story type and cannot wait to see what she does with the character of Lucky

2 The setting! Based on the synopsis alone I am guessing it is set in Hong Kong (since it mentions her JUST performing her hit song there) and I am totally excited about a late night hamburger hunt in Hong Kong! I can see it being a great city for a Roman Holiday style romance.

3 Did I mention it was inspired by Roman Holiday? One of the most delightful rom-coms out there? Somewhere Only We Know is going to be all kinds of adorable!

Somewhere Only We Know releases May 7, 2019 but you can pre-order it right now from any retailer (or snag it with those holiday gift cards).

Chapters // Amazon // Barnes and Noble // BAM

You can find out more about Hannah by following her on Twitter, and by visiting her her website. You can also find out more about her books on the publisher website.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow to for the next book on my 2019 most anticipated list. 

Waiting On Wednesday ... Somewhere Only We Know

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Sparks fly between a K pop starlet and a tabloid reporter in this heartwarming rom-com from Maurene Goo. 

10 00 p.m.: Lucky is the biggest K-pop star on the scene, and she's just performed her hit song "Heartbeat" in Hong Kong to thousands of adoring fans. She's about to debut on The Tonight Show in America, hopefully a breakout performance for her career. But right now? She's in her fancy hotel, trying to fall asleep but dying for a hamburger.
11 00 p.m.: Jack is sneaking into a fancy hotel, on assignment for his tabloid job that he keeps secret from his parents. On his way out of the hotel, he runs into a girl wearing slippers, a girl who is single-mindedly determined to find a hamburger. She looks kind of familiar. She's very cute. He's maybe curious.
12:00 a.m.: Nothing will ever be the same.

With her trademark humor and voice, Maurene Goo delivers a sparkling story of taking a chance on love--and finding yourself along the way. 

I have always wanted a book based on Roman Holiday and Maurene Goo is delivering exactly that with her next novel.

How cute does that synopsis sound? How cute is the cover?! I am so excited to get my hands on this one.

It's a bit of a wait as this doesn't come out until May but we can always just rewatch Roman Holiday to help pass the time.

Expected release date - May 7, 2019

The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo

The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo
Release Date - May 8, 2018
Publisher Website - Raincoast Books

Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages -  336 pages
My Rating - 3.5/5
**received from the publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

From the author of I Believe in a Thing Called Love, a laugh-out-loud story of love, new friendships, and one unique food truck.

Clara Shin lives for pranks and disruption. When she takes one joke too far, her dad sentences her to a summer working on his food truck, the KoBra, alongside her uptight classmate Rose Carver. Not the carefree summer Clara had imagined. But maybe Rose isn't so bad. Maybe the boy named Hamlet (yes, Hamlet) crushing on her is pretty cute. Maybe Clara actually feels invested in her dad’s business. What if taking this summer seriously means that Clara has to leave her old self behind?

With Maurene Goo's signature warmth and humor, The Way You Make Me Feel is a relatable story of falling in love and finding yourself in the places you’d never thought to look.

The Way You Make Me Feel is essentially made to read in the summer. It has romance, humour, and even takes place during the summer. It's one of those feel good reads that beg to be read by a pool. It is also a character driven novel that worked for me in a lot of ways. It offers a perfect showcase for Maurene Goo's talent of creating a cast of characters that you end up loving, and the type of story that leaves you smiling. .

Clara is abrasive and sarcastic. She's cynical and closed off. She purposefully keeps people at arms length so she doesn't get hurt. She's someone who doesn't like to show when she cares about something, and doesn't take herself (or anything else) all that seriously. Everything is a joke or something to roll her eyes at. The upside to this kind of character is the growth that comes along with it. Clara's growth is one of my favourite elements of this novel and one that I predict many people will enjoy. It feels unhurried and earned by the end of the novel.

There are a few relationship dynamics that stood out for me while reading this novel. First up is the father/daughter bond that exists between Clara and her father Adrian. He's a younger father who admits he makes mistakes. He is protective and involved in her life but not in a way that felt smothering. He also goes through a bit of growth as he learns to balance being a parent with still living his life as a person outside that role.

Enemies to friends is one of my favourite type of relationship tropes and this novel had an amazing one at its core. Rose is someone who aggravates Clara for taking everything so seriously, and trying too hard. Rose cares too much and allows it to show. This puts their personality types at odds, and it causes a lot of friction between them. After being forced to work together an unlikely friendship blossoms that really changes Clara for the better. I do think both girls benefit from the friendship, but Clara is the one who especially learns from it.  They each provide something the other needs in the friendship and I appreciated that the entire novel was not them fighting the entire summer.

The last relationship that stood out to me was the romance. Hamlet is entirely adorable. Clara likens him to a golden retriever and that is fairly accurate. He's patient, supportive and respectful in a way that felt unique to many young adult love interests. Their relationship also pushes Clara outside her comfort zone and helps her learn a lot about herself. I expect that Hamlet will make plenty of readers swoon, but his easy going personality is probably my favourite part about him.

My only slight issue was that I didn't feel the story came together as strongly at the end as it started out. This has a really strong beginning and middle. The growth that Clara experiences captures the readers interest and propels us forward. The ending didn't offer the emotional pay off that I was expecting. I wanted to get a little deeper into some of the issues but it never quite got there for me. This, however, does keep it on tone (even it means it is not entirely satisfying).

This book is a fun, enjoyable young adult contemporary read. I do think the characters were the strongest part of the story with them shining just a little bit brighter than everything else. Those looking for something breezy and light to read will find plenty to enjoy in here. I look forward to whatever Maurene Goo writes next as I saw a lot of potential within this book. 

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

This is, obviously, a day late. I decide that since I don't have any new books to showcase that I would post this on Sunday instead!

BOOK

Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo (goodreads)

I have wanted a YA novel inspired by  Roman Holiday for a long time now and was thrilled to see this deal announcement.

Pitched as a modern-day Roman Holiday set in Hong Kong, the book follows one fateful day between a K-Pop star who'd like to be anyone else and the charming con-boy she meets, who's looking for a big break to impress his paparazzo father. When sparks ignite, the two must decide if they can risk it all for each other. Publication is set for spring 2019

This is immediately on my must read list for 2019. It sounds adorable, and exactly what I was hoping for from a YA Roman Holiday!

TV/MOVIE

Love Simon Trailer

I have no idea how I have not included this in a Weekly Obsessions post before now, but it some how kept getting left off. This trailer is perfection. It is adorable and sweet and exactly what I wanted from this movie. 

Nick Robinson is a wonderful choice for Simon and I cannot wait to see this love story unfold on the big screen when this releases. 

Jessica Jones Season Two Trailer

I loved season one of Jessica Jones.and have been eagerly awaiting season two. I love this trailer so much! I cannot wait to see what this season has in store and fully plan on binge watching in March!

What are you obsessed with this week?

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Lots of fun things to share this week. It's been a great week for exciting reveals.

BOOK

Cover of The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo (goodreads)

I love the colour pallette for this cover. It's vibrant and beautiful. The model and her pose are perfect. It immedaitely fits the story being told.

It makes me want to read this book even more because of how eye catching this is!

Cover of The Unfortunates by Kim Liggett (goodreads)

Kim Liggett's covers are always eye catching and this is no exception. I love the mix of prep school uniform and blood and it definitely makes a statement about what the book is about.

The colour scheme of black and white with the red offers a striking contrast and I predict this one will stand out on bookshelves.

TV/MOVIE

American Crime Story: Versace Teaser #1

Ryan Murphy's shows always have great teasers. I vividly recall the dog teaser for the previous season of American Crime Story. Now that the second season is getting closer we have two teasers that have been released.

The first focuses on Donatella laying flowers on her brother's coffin.

The lack of music soundtrack, and the natural beach sounds being used is striking. You also immediately sense the mourning that is happening even without seeing Penelope Cruz's face.

American Crime Story: Versace Teaser #2

The second teaser is more unsettling and it manages it without really showing you anything.

The serenity of the doves being broken by the gun shots is startling, and effective. I have high hopes for this season and cannot wait for it to premiere

OTHER

Yuri On Ice Funko Pops

It is no secret that I love Funko Pops. I was so excited to see them announce some for the Yuri On Ice anime. I typically don't watch anime but found this one to be entirely adorable and fun.

First up is Yuri in his skating outfit. I love the clear bluish stand that they are on. It looks like ice.

 Victor, Yuri's coach, is also represented and looks great!

 

Lastly, they also have made the other Yuri into a Funko as well (yes, there are two Yuris) and he is also in his skate wear. I intend to preorder all three and cannot wait to add them to my collection.

Walking Dead Entertainment Weekly covers

The Walking Dead will be celebrating its 100th episode this upcoming season and Entertainment Weekly is helping them celebrate with three amazing covers.

I don't even know which one I want more. I am partial to the group shot though since it has everyone. I am excited to add one of these to my Entertainment Weekly cover collections though.

What are you obsessed with this week?

Waiting On Wednesday ... The Way You Make Me Feel

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo

Here is the synopsis (Goodreads link)

Clara Shin lives for pranks and disruption. When she takes one joke too far, her dad sentences her to a summer working on his food truck, the Honeycut, alongside her uptight classmate Rose Carver. Not the carefree summer Clara imagined. But maybe Rose isn't so bad. Maybe the boy named Hamlet (yes, Hamlet) on the truck next door is pretty cute. Maybe Clara's estranged mom deserves a second chance. What if taking these relationships seriously means leaving her old self behind? From the author of I Believe in a Thing Called Love comes another funny story of friendship, romance, and discovering that even when life gets serious, it can still be seriously fun.

Not only is this book boasting an amazing cover, but the synopsis sounds equally great. It's perfect for those looking for a contemporary read for their summer reading lists next year.

The wait for this one is going to be REALLY long as it doesn't come out until May 2018 but you can always read Maurene Goo's other novels while you wait.

Expected release date - May 8, 2018