‘HELLO, I LOVE YOU,’ BY KATIE M. STOUT

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‘HELLO, I LOVE YOU,’ BY KATIE M. STOUT. A girl attending boarding school falls for a K-Pop star in this 2014 YA contemporary. All text © Rissi JC

Finding the “perfect” kind of summertime read is often synonymous with the contemporary genre. Or if my bookish friends updates are any indication, that seems like everyone’s preference over the summer months. This book defines that definition with its breezy premise and hidden punches that work on the characters to create friction.

The story is about a girl named Grace who is running away from her family, pain and essentially, life. She runs to Korea where she attends an elite boarding school to wrap up her senior year in high school. In spite of a friendly – and English speaking roommate, Sophie, Grace is still afraid to open herself up again. Between Sophie and her troubled twin brother, Jason – who is a famous pop star, Grace discovers she cannot always run away from her problems.  

Hello, I Love You, by Katie M. Stout | Book Review

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The storyline for this was really unique. The sheer amount of “culture shock” alone ensures that this will be an exciting read. At the surface, this book is all sunshine and happy thoughts. Its cover is darling and the synopsis sounds like a musical journey that’s good for the heart. But look closer and you’ll actually discover a story about two people who have nothing figured out. Jason is on the cusp of a spiral that leads anywhere but good places, and yet, Katie manages to conjure a hero who is nothing if not likeable. His heart is always in the right place despite some of the typical mistakes he makes. Then there is Grace. Her depth of pain is more internal than Jason’s, only because we see his. Grace, in her first-person narrative, is the one we slowly peel back the layers of.

Though the book has heavier themes and important lessons that flesh out nicely, this is really the perfect kind of summer read. It’s got a lot of fun things, not the least of which is placing a fair, blonde girl in the middle of a culture she is unfamiliar with. The relationship between Grace and Jason has reflections of a Lizzie and Darcy relationship (yes, subtle maybe, but it’s there), and I adored Sophie. If you are looking for a little armchair adventure over the summer, make it Hello, I Love You. Its fresh, quippy (we’re going with this term) voice and entertaining characters makes the book a debut you shouldn’t miss experiencing. Katie winds everything down with a hopeful, “right-place-to-be” kind of ending. There’s a promise of what might come, yet doors open that don’t get solid answers. Say “hello” to this charming debut and its band of characters. 

About the Book:

Author: Katie M. Stout
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books (St. Martin’s)
Source: Publisher Provided
Publication Date: 2015
Find the Review elsewhere: Goodreads
Series: Standalone Contemporary
Genre: Fiction; Young Adult Contemporary
Rating: 4 out of 5

Sincere thanks to the publisher (thanks so much, Michelle!) for providing a complimentary copy of this book for reviewing purposes.

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

5 comments

  1. This sounds like a really good read!! Especially since I went through this phase a while back where all I watched and listened to was KDramas and KPop haha. Beautifully written review, Rissi! :)

    1. It IS really cute, Bekah. I enjoyed it lots – plus the main character had a kind of Darcy/Lizzie thing going on. Major points to the author for that!

      As for KPop, that's awesome! You'd probably really enjoy this then. :)

  2. I've been intrigued with Korea after a friend's husband was stationed over there for about a year. This one sounds like so much fun! Definitely adding to my tbr. :D

    1. That sounds like this would be a fun read for you then, Kara. Someone told me on Twitter that she didn't care for the way the culture was handled, but honestly, I don't know much about the Korean culture, so I enjoyed the entire book… and didn't feel like either culture was portrayed badly. Hope you enjoy! :)

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