Once upon a K-Prom

By: Kat Cho

Narrated by: Jackie Chung

What would you do if the world's biggest K-pop star asked you to prom? Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sandhya Menon, this hilarious and heartfelt novel brings the glamour and drama of the K-pop world straight to high school.

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?

©2022 Kat Cho (P)2022 Disney Hyperion

VERY VERY WHOLESOME!

This book was super sweet. The pacing was a little bit interesting and some parts were focused on more then I thought they should’ve been but other then that I loved the main relationship. The K-pop industry is really a great foundation for a story like this and if I would’ve read this in middle or high school this wouldve started a phase for me. Overall a great book!

Great story

Really enjoyed this book. The characters and idol situations make this story so personable. Love all the kpop references too.

My heart SWOONED 💕

I LOVED how the narrator brought these characters to life! The beautiful stringed sentences depicting the romance and breath of young love was captivated by the narrator. It was like I was watching a Kdrama! I binged this audiobook and I wish I slowed down to enjoy it longer; no regrets 🥰

Very sweet, straightforward

This author isn't breaking new ground, if that's what you're looking for, but she did write a very thoughtful love story that I could recommend to anyone.
This book made my heart feel warm and fuzzy. It strikes a delicate balance of teenage angst and blooming love without things feeling out of order or forced. I found Elena's anxiety (between school, her family, the future, and Robbie) very relatable and Robbie's POV felt grounded and insightful-- I especially love that it didn't shy away from showing his insecurities as well. Their personal growth and love felt very natural and I love that it's based in avoiding absolute truths and remembering that the world is not back and white.
If I do have one concern (not complaint) it's that the kpop references feel dated in a few years, but that's not a deal breaker for me.
The narrator brought a lot of life to all the characters and I'd love to try other books she's narrated.

It’s okay.

I started this book because I was curious. It was my first time hearing and reading about a kpop love story and while I read a lot of fan fiction… this to me was a bit lack luster. There where chapters that I skipped through since I felt like it was dragging on, and I was reading this with my best friend and we both have the same thoughts, awesome writer and beautiful idea, some parts of the book was better than others, but overall I think I just felt like something was missing you know, and that could just be a hundred percent me!!!