Scandalized

well, i have to say that went better than anticipated.

** MILD SPOILERS AHEAD! please be wary! **

it felt silly at first, especially now being so far removed from my k-pop days (k-pop peaked in 2013-2016 and that's all i'll say) but over the course of the book it became an interesting take on the netizen culture of k-pop and south korea (from an outsider's perspective). sure, it was a tad ridiculous at times, but it does touch on the root of the problem, which is the weird and sometimes harmful parasocial bully culture that transcends from fans to idols when fans aren't being pandered to.

interestingly, they touched on the fact that such scandals hurt women, regardless of status (e.g. idol vs. regular person), much more than men, but the conversation was never extended to female idols, who infamously receive the worst of internet vitriol (rip sulli and goo hara, i miss you both every day). again, not necessarily detrimental, but it stuck out to me.

did not care for the romance at all, and i'm still trying to figure out how i feel about a drummer singing. in the spheres i've been in, drummers are specifically not allowed mics for a reason. no, this is not something that should bother me as much as it is, but it does lmao

My journey with books by Janice Thompson started in Contemporary Romantic Comedy, went to Historical Romance and even dipped into Young Adult Fiction. When I found myself with another opportunity to jump into a new Contemporary Romantic Comedy series I knew that I would be with pure delight during this read and I was not mistaken.

This new series “Backstage Pass” is an opening into a wonderful new world we had a taste of in the last Weddings by Bella book and in one of Janice's historicals Love Me Tender. Now we are full fledged into the Hollywood world and it is a thrill. The characters come off the page as real life persons that have it all with mystery and romance and best of all a Christian faith in a difficult environment.

Anyone can pick up a book from Janice Hanna Thompson and expect a light-hearted romantic thrill with laughs here and there. I highly recommend them all!

Thanks to Revell Books for providing a copy for review.

Originally posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2011/02/03/stars-collide-by-janice-thompson/