❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃

Review: I Believe in a Thing Called Love, Maurene Goo

When I saw that this book featured K drama aspects, I was immediately intrigued. I have never seen something like this done before, and I am such a sucker for anything K drama, K pop, you name it. The plot of this book is about a girl who creates a list of steps to get a boyfriend that she discovered while analyzing Korean dramas. Right from the beginning, I could see where things could go horribly wrong, but I kept reading because I had such high hopes. There are some redeeming qualities in the story, such as the artistic aspects which I also love to see, but the plot is really predictable, which I didn’t enjoy. This book was a bit underwhelming and I really wanted so much more from it.

❀ Main Character is Manipulative

My main issue with this book is the main character’s behaviour. While she is creating her plan to win over her crush, she actually plans for things to go wrong. Desi actually plans out fake car crashes, which I thought was pretty strange. What’s even creepier is the fact that she actually executes these plans and risks both her and her crush’s lives. She doesn’t seem to understand that Luca is a real person with feelings and that she shouldn’t be using him for the sake of having a boyfriend. I also didn’t like the way Desi changes to be someone that she isn’t for the sake of a boy. She joins art club, even though she isn’t an artist. She makes her friends help her out, even though they tell her that what she’s doing isn’t going to work in the long run. I just don’t like Desi’s manipulative personality and warped ideas of what love really is.

❀ Strong Father-Daughter Relationship

Going back to what I said earlier, this book does have some redeeming qualities. Desi has such a strong relationship with her father, which is something that I love to see in books. Her dad is so adorable and is a K drama enthusiast. Since Desi’s mother has passed away, it’s just her and her Appa (which I learned means Dad in Korean). Because of this, her dad is super protective and will do anything to make sure that she is safe. I really enjoyed reading about their time together cooking and watching dramas. If only the rest of the book was as wholesome as this.

❀ A K-Drama-esque story

I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo is a K drama-esque story about a girl who creates a list of steps to win over her crush. This concept could have been amazing, but the main character’s creepiness ruined it. However, there were some redeeming aspects, such as the theme of family, so I wouldn’t say that I disliked this book. I just feel like it could have been done in a way that was much more interesting and without the staged accidents.

Book Quotes: I Believe in a Thing Called Love, Maurene Goo

Book Beginning

When I was seven, I thought I moved a pencil with my mind. I heard this story about a man who taught himself how to see through objects so that he could cheat at card games. The idea was that if he reached a state of complete concentration and focus, he could do things with his mind that normal humans were incapable of.

Friday 56

“That kind of relationship. The way you guys are. I’ve never seen anyone like that with their parents.” He was complimentary, but there was something sad having on the edges of his words, as if this nice thing highlighted the crappy thing in his own life.”

About Maurene Goo

Maurene Goo is the author of several acclaimed young adult novels, including I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE and THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and cat, Maeby.

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About The Candid Cover

Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.