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I’ll Be the One by Lyla Lee is a book I was really looking forward to since I love any book about a competition, and the K-pop concept sounded like a lot of fun. This book was a very entertaining read, and I loved Skye’s strength, but she is not a very complex character and neither are the side characters. I also had some issues with the pacing and the lack of descriptions of Skye’s performances. This book is an enjoyable read if you are looking for something relatively short and sweet, but for me, I would have liked to see more.
Title: I'll Be the OneAuthor: Lyla Lee
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: June 16, 2020
Rating:
The world of K-Pop has never met a star like this. Debut author Lyla Lee delivers a deliciously fun, thoughtful rom-com celebrating confidence and body positivity—perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Julie Murphy.
Skye Shin has heard it all. Fat girls shouldn’t dance. Wear bright colors. Shouldn’t call attention to themselves. But Skye dreams of joining the glittering world of K-Pop, and to do that, she’s about to break all the rules that society, the media, and even her own mother, have set for girls like her.
She’ll challenge thousands of other performers in an internationally televised competition looking for the next K-pop star, and she’ll do it better than anyone else.
When Skye nails her audition, she’s immediately swept into a whirlwind of countless practices, shocking performances, and the drama that comes with reality TV. What she doesn’t count on are the highly fat-phobic beauty standards of the Korean pop entertainment industry, her sudden media fame and scrutiny, or the sparks that soon fly with her fellow competitor, Henry Cho.
But Skye has her sights on becoming the world’s first plus-sized K-pop star, and that means winning the competition—without losing herself.
❃ 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’ll Be the One by Lyla Lee
This book tells the story of a girl who is competing on a K-pop competition show for the opportunity to become the next K-pop star. Despite being incredibly talented, Skye faces a lot of negativity from fat-phobic judges and the beauty standards of Korea. I don’t know a lot about the K-pop industry, and it was interesting to learn a bit more about the behind the scenes aspects and the high level of training they have to endure. There are also many references to K-pop songs and groups that were unfortunately lost on me, but I’m sure K-pop fans will appreciate them. This book has a great mix of serious topics such as body shaming with more fun scenes like a trip to the spa that make it more complex than a casual contemporary.
❀ Lack of Flaws in Characters
I have mixed feelings about Skye’s character, as well as most of the characters in this book. I love Skye’s confidence and everything she stands for, and she is so strong to stand up to the judges and not let the hate get to her. However, Skye has no real flaws, and she doesn’t seem very realistic because of this. This is the case with the side characters as well. They are each so perfect, and their lack of flaws makes them flat. Of course, I did enjoy how amusing this book is, but I would have liked to see more dynamic characters.
❀ Pacing is Off
Another issue I had with this book is the writing. In addition to the flat characters, the pacing is off. For a book about a K-pop competition, I was expecting more descriptions of singing and dancing. However, the emphasis is on feedback instead of performance. I also found that what I was expecting would be major plot points happen quickly and are brushed over, especially the elimination of certain characters. I did appreciate how the book isn’t just about the competition and that the characters do have lives outside of it, but I feel like there should have been more emphasis on Skye’s performances.
❀ K-pop Fans Will Enjoy
I’ll Be the One by Lyla Lee is an entertaining novel that also manages to discuss topics such as the toxic Korean beauty standards. I loved the competition concept and the main character’s strength, but I felt like none of the characters are very complex. The pacing and lack of emphasis on performance also bothered me. However, this book is meant to be fun, and if you are a fan of K-pop, you will definitely enjoy it.
About Lyla Lee
Lyla Lee is the author of the Mindy Kim series as well as the upcoming YA novel, I’ll Be The One. Although she was born in a small town in South Korea, she’s since then lived in various parts of the United States, including California, Florida, and Texas. Inspired by her English teacher, she started writing her own stories in fourth grade and finished her first novel at the age of fourteen. After working various jobs in Hollywood and studying Psychology and Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California, she now lives in Dallas, Texas. When she is not writing, she is teaching kids, petting cute dogs, and searching for the perfect bowl of shaved ice. She is represented by Penny Moore of Aevitas Creative.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.
Not sure if this is one for me. And don’t feel like you’re alone, I don’t know much about K-pop either. LOL
Laura Thomas recently posted…Books From The Back Log #43 ~ The Fall
Haha! I am definitely intrigued by the fandom. 😉
I’m sorry you found a lot not to like about this one. I enjoyed it more than you did, but I just went in wanting a fun story. The thing I actually wanted more of was the K-POP aspect. I didn’t think there was enough of that.
Right?! I would have loved some more K-pop elements. 🙂
When every single character in a book is just too perfect, it’s so unrealistic!
Yes! I need some flaws to relate to. 😉
I know nothing about K-Pop. I don’t think this book would be for me at all.
It’s a world that really intrigues me, but I can see where you are coming from. 😉
I liked this more than you. I adored Skye, and it was fun to read.
I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed it. I do think that it will appeal to some more than others. 🙂
What a fun premise. This should become a popular book.
It does have a great concept! 🙂
I’m sorry that it wasn’t a great read. It’s got a cute cover.
I do love that cover as well! 🙂
Yup, Korea is infatuated with how someone looks no matter how talented someone is. But the book has a cute cover 🙂
It does have a super cute cover! 🙂
I haven’t gotten into K-pop but that cover just screams joy!
I totally agree! 🙂
I am clueless about K-Pop. Doesn’t sound like my cup of tea!
I was hoping to get some more insight. 😉
I’ve recently been a huge fan of k-pop so I’m very much looking forward to this one. Although what you’ve mentioned about lack of flaws making unrealistic characters should be something I’d keep in mind. Great review!
Luxe recently posted…June 2020 Wrap-Up
Yes! I’m a fan of K-pop,and I definitely enjoyed reading this book.
This one’s in one of my TBR! Great review!