Once Upon a K-Prom by Kat Cho is a young adult contemporary romance novel. The story follows a girl who unexpectedly gets caught up in a romantic situation involving her childhood best friend. What interested me most about this book was the combination of romance, friendship, and the excitement of prom. I also liked the idea of a story involving K-pop and Korean culture, which makes it different from many other romance novels.
Synopsis:
The story follows Elena Soo, a high school student who is preparing for prom and trying to figure out her future. Her life changes when her childhood best friend, Robbie Choi, suddenly returns. Robbie is now a famous K-pop star, and his unexpected appearance at her school creates a lot of excitement.
Robbie asks Elena to go to prom with him, but she is not sure what to think about the situation. As they spend more time together, Elena begins to remember their friendship and think about how much their lives have changed. The story explores their relationship, the pressures of fame, and the challenges of growing up while trying to understand what you really want.
Review:
Kat Cho’s writing style is fun, easy to follow, and entertaining. The book has a lighthearted tone that fits the romantic comedy genre. The story moves between funny moments, emotional scenes, and romantic situations, which helps keep it interesting. I liked how the writing makes the characters feel like real teenagers with relatable problems. The descriptions of prom, school life, and the excitement surrounding Robbie’s celebrity status help create an enjoyable atmosphere. The writing is not overly complicated, making it a good choice for readers who enjoy contemporary romance. The characters are one of the strongest parts of Once Upon a K-Prom. Elena is relatable because she is trying to figure out her future and understand her feelings. She is not simply focused on romance; she also has her own goals and concerns.Robbie is an interesting character because he is a famous K-pop star, but the story also shows his more personal side. His relationship with Elena is important because they have a history together. Their friendship makes the romance feel more meaningful.I enjoyed how the characters develop throughout the story. Their experiences help them understand each other better and think about what they want from their relationships and future.
One of the main themes of the novel is friendship. The story explores how friendships can change over time and how people can reconnect after being apart.Another important theme is identity. Elena and Robbie both have to think about who they are beyond other people’s expectations. Robbie’s fame and Elena’s plans for her future create different pressures for them.The book also explores love, growing up, and learning to make choices for yourself. These themes are explored through the characters’ relationships and the challenges they face.The plot of Once Upon a K-Prom is engaging because it combines a childhood-friends-to-romance storyline with a prom setting. The idea of a famous K-pop star returning to his old school creates an exciting beginning.The story follows a fairly straightforward romantic structure, making it easy to follow. The relationship between Elena and Robbie is the main focus, while the school and prom setting adds to the fun atmosphere.Although some parts of the plot can feel predictable for readers familiar with romance novels, the K-pop element and the characters’ history help make the story enjoyable.
What I liked most about Once Upon a K-Prom was the romance between Elena and Robbie. Their childhood friendship makes their relationship feel special, and I enjoyed seeing how they reconnect.I also liked the prom setting because it gives the book a fun and exciting atmosphere. The K-pop aspect makes the story stand out, and I think readers who enjoy K-pop or romantic comedies would appreciate that part of the novel.Another thing I liked was the focus on friendship and personal growth. The story is not only about romance but also about figuring out what matters to you.One thing I didn’t like about the book was that some parts of the romance felt predictable. Since the story follows a familiar childhood-friends-to-romance trope, some events were easy to guess.I also thought that certain parts of the story could have been explored in more detail. For example, I would have liked to see more development of some of the characters and their personal struggles.Although the book was entertaining, some moments felt a little slow compared to the more exciting scenes.
Overall, Once Upon a K-Prom is a fun and enjoyable young adult romance novel. It combines friendship, romance, K-pop, and prom into a story that is easy to read and entertaining. I liked the characters and the way the story explores growing up and understanding your feelings.I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy contemporary romance, childhood-friends-to-lovers stories, and books with K-pop influences. It would be especially enjoyable for readers who like lighthearted romance with a school setting. Readers who enjoyed books like Today Tonight Tomorrow or other young adult romance novels may also enjoy Once Upon a K-Prom.
Rating: 📚 📚 📚 📚 (4/5)
I would give Once Upon a K-Prom 4 out of 5 stars because it is a fun romance with interesting characters and an enjoyable prom setting. The story can be predictable at times, but I still liked the friendship, romance, and K-pop elements.
Love, Amina
GFB Ambassador