I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo Book Review

Title: I Believe in a Thing Called Love
Author: Maurene Goo
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers
Release Date: May 30, 2017
Pages: 336

Desi Lee believes anything is possible if you have a plan. That’s how she became student body president. Varsity soccer star. And it’s how she’ll get into Stanford. But—she’s never had a boyfriend. In fact, she’s a disaster in romance, a clumsy, stammering humiliation magnet whose botched attempts at flirting have become legendary with her friends.

So when the hottest human specimen to have ever lived walks into her life one day, Desi decides to tackle her flirting failures with the same zest she’s applied to everything else in her life. She finds guidance in the Korean dramas her father has been obsessively watching for years—where the hapless heroine always seems to end up in the arms of her true love by episode ten. It’s a simple formula, and Desi is a quick study.

Armed with her “K Drama Steps to True Love,” Desi goes after the moody, elusive artist Luca Drakos—and boat rescues, love triangles, and staged car crashes ensue. But when the fun and games turn to true feels, Desi finds out that real love is about way more than just drama.

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My Thoughts

Desi Lee is a Korean American girl whose dream is to attend Stanford and become a doctor. After her mom suddenly passed away from a pulmonary embolism when she was seven, Desi has made it her goal to be an outstanding student at school while taking care of her dad.

I secretly knew that I existed in this very special sphere where magical things happen. Stuff that doesn't happen to normal humans, but rather to a select group of exceptional people.

Because of her packed schedule, romance has never been something she thought about until a "hot" (quoting from the book) boy transfers to her school. With the lack of experience, she takes up her father's k-dramas as her guide to dating. Will it end up working?

But I never lost the belief that you could will something by sticking to it, by being unwavering. By keeping your eyes on the prize.

Star Review: ★★★☆☆ (3)

This book was lighthearted but a little messed up at times. Everyone knows k-dramas aren't reality so taking advice from them isn't going to work and two in Desi's case, a little dangerous. Like hello? Red flags much?

Minus the manipulation part, relaxing and nothing super serious. It was a good read for a Friday night and I enjoyed it. Desi's relationship with her father was so much fun to read about, and I enjoyed it.

Overall, I Believe in a Thing Called Love was cute but was a little ridiculous on Desi's side at times. I had fun though so I recommend it to those that want a light, nice read, nothing too serious.

About the Author

Maurene Goo grew up in a Los Angeles suburb surrounded by floral wallpaper, one thousand cousins, and piles of books. She studied communication at UC San Diego and then later received a Masters in publishing, writing, and literature at Emerson College. Before publishing her first book, Since You Asked, she worked in both textbook and art book publishing. She has very strong feelings about tacos and houseplants. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two cats.