Published by St. Martin's Griffin on 2015-06-09
Genres: Contemporary, Friendship, Love & Romance, Music, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 304
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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A teen escapes to a boarding school abroad and falls for a Korean pop star in this fun and fresh romantic novel in the vein of Anna and the French Kiss.
Grace Wilde is running—from the multi-million dollar mansion her record producer father bought, the famous older brother who’s topped the country music charts five years in a row, and the mother who blames her for her brother’s breakdown. Grace escapes to the farthest place from home she can think of, a boarding school in Korea, hoping for a fresh start.
She wants nothing to do with music, but when her roommate Sophie’s twin brother Jason turns out to be the newest Korean pop music superstar, Grace is thrust back into the world of fame. She can't stand Jason, whose celebrity status is only outmatched by his oversized ego, but they form a tenuous alliance for the sake of her friendship with Sophie. As the months go by and Grace adjusts to her new life in Korea, even she can't deny the sparks flying between her and the KPOP idol.
Soon, Grace realizes that her feelings for Jason threaten her promise to herself that she'll leave behind the music industry that destroyed her family. But can Grace ignore her attraction to Jason and her undeniable pull of the music she was born to write? Sweet, fun, and romantic, this young adult novel explores what it means to experience first love and discover who you really are in the process.
When I read this plot I was instantly excited! Finally, a unique, fresh new story which I couldn’t wait to get into my hands!
Hiding in an Korean Boarding School! Go Girl!
Gracie comes from a loaded family that made their money in the music business. But when something horrible (which we have yet to fully discover what that actually is…) happens, she leaves home, her complicated parents to move to a boarding school in Korea! Yeah, Gracie couldn’t get far enough away from her home… So she not only has to deal with her train past but also this whole new culture and social environment, but Grace took everything like a Champ. You really felt that she wanted to be there, that she wanted to make this work and take this chance to learn from such a different culture and to grow!
Making Friends, Finding Love and Heal with the help of music!
This story is a wonderful story about family dynamics and friendships and Gracie easily became friends with Sophie who grew up in the US with her Twin Brother Jason who is a famous  Korean Pop Star. Jason is an interesting character and a not so easy love interest. Their friendship and finally romance was sometimes adorable cute and shy, and sometimes frustratingly slow and careful. But all in all it felt completely genuine and sweet! They initially bonded over music and I loved how music played such a big role in their life and also on their path of healing.
Bewitched Rating
Bottom Line
Hello, I Love You by Katie M. Stout is a delightfully fresh story that easily draws you in with a perfect combination of Angst, Romance and Friendship. Katie M. Stout  most definitely rocks this Debut and I cannot wait to read more from her!
 
Additional Info
Katie M. Stout was here a few weeks ago and she shared her Dream Cast with me! Do not miss seeing how she pictures her characters!
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Oh, I am loving this cover! And the book sounds so good! Thanks for sharing!
Cheryl recently posted..Best of the Bunch #1 – June 2015
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I wouldn’t’ve even looked at this except I was curious what the story was behind the cover, because the cover is gorgeous. Honestly, though, the title? Made me hesitate. Still, I enjoyed “Anna and the French Kiss” because it was cute and fluffy and since this is supposed to be a lot like it, I think I’ll pick it up sometime. And it’s set in Korea! I love that; I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that before.
Thanks for sharing!
Amelia | The Authoress
Amelia (The Authoress) recently posted..3 Template Pet Peeves and How To Solve Them
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I’ve heard such terrible things about this (the MC is one of those terrible Americans who shouldn’t be allowed out of the country, etc.) it’s nice to hear you liked it. Makes me want to read it, just so I can see what I think!
Mary @ BookSwarm recently posted..Pre-Squee: Hunter by Mercedes Lackey
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I’ve seen some mixed reviews of Hello I Love You but I still think I’d really enjoy it 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it and great review!
Zareena @ The Slanted Bookshelf
Zareena recently posted..Review: Defy by Sara B. Larson // no love triangle!
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