This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase using that link, a small commission is made from the sale. There are no additional costs to you.
Comeback by Lyn Ashwood, Rachel RosePublished by Self-Published on June 8, 2019
Age Group & Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Emery Jung is living his dream. Known by his stage name M, he is loved by millions of fans around the world as a member of the rising K-pop group NEON, but all fame comes with a cost, especially when one slip up can have viral consequences.
Alana Kim is trying to forget. After a tragic loss sends her spiraling, she escapes to her family in Korea, abandoning her love of music along the way. However, her plans are derailed when she literally runs into M, the famous K-pop idol.
When their paths collide, Emery and Alana must work together to prevent a scandal from ruining NEON’s success, sparking a journey of friendship, love, and healing. Unfortunately, fame and love aren’t easily compatible, especially in the world of K-pop.
With being stuck at home 99.9% of the time, now’s a good time for me to finally stop starting a book and pausing them because I have more time and freedom (for now). Comeback was a book I read back in September 2019, finished, but then completely forgot about what I thought of the book (other than I liked it; it was good). It’s one of the first books I went back to rereading when I got the chance.
Comeback has K-pop!
Being an avid K-pop fan for years, I’m always on the lookout for books that incorporate K-pop. Comeback follows Emery, known as M by fans and a member of NEON, and Alana, escaping to Korea after losing someone close to her and working in the industry to try and until her ducks are together. Ashwood and Rose do a fantastic job incorporating elements of K-pop, from terms to behind the scenes to fashion mishaps while continuing to develop Emery and Alana’s story. (It’s not a hot mess, bless! My heart is soaring.)
I love the bond between the NEON members.
I love the small moments that are incorporated, adding a lighthearted yet relatable element that brought humor to the story. Stu, Jaehyun, Sungil, Emery and Yongnam all have their antics with each other, but it’s obvious they have a close bond with each other like many of my favorite groups. In addition to the antics they have with each other, there’s also a bond with members of other groups and I love it because it’s realistic to what’s seen in videos.
“Oh by the way, Hyung, Stu owes me a new phone. Be sure to get me the newest, most expensive one and charge it to his account.”
Stu is so cute and adorable and full of mischief.
Alana’s passion for K-pop and NEON in general is so accurate.
Once you go down the K-pop hole, you either step right on out and never come back or you fall deeper and never come back. Even if you take a break from listening to the music or following the industry, you end up coming back to it. And I really liked how this was incorporated into the story.
I did hate the “something bad happened escape from troubles” trope, though.
This is a personal preference and it’s likely because every book I’ve read incorporating K-pop has this exact trope used. But this is minor (for me, at least), and I wouldn’t skip over reading Comeback because of this. The humor and development of all the characters throughout, especially Emery and Alana, made it well worth it.
I don’t know how I feel about the romance.
I thought my reread would have a different feeling regarding the developing romance between Emery and Alana, but it didn’t turn out that way. There’s something missing and I have no clue what it is. The writing? Personal preference? It might have felt a little rushed at the end? 🤷♀️
Comeback is honestly one of the best non-#ownvoices books incorporating K-pop I’ve read.
Even if you don’t listen to K-pop, Ashwood and Rose’s debut is wholesome and humorous with romance included; it’s perfect for those who want a light read that will bring out an occasional smile.
More novels featuring K-Pop: K-Pop Revolution by Stephan Lee
Sophia started blogging in February 2012 for the hell of it and is surprisingly still around. She has a GIF for nearly everything, probably listens to too much K-Pop and is generally in an existential crisis of sorts (she's trying her best). More of her bookish reviews and K-Pop Roundups can be found at The Arts STL.
If you enjoy her posts or found them helpful, consider tipping on KoFi!
I’ve never read a book that included K-Pop, but I’m glad to hear this was a good one! Sorry the romance didn’t work for you either time you read it.
There’s not that many out there! I think I can only name two currently published that incorporates K-pop other than Comeback. (I believe there’s two more being published later this year or early next year?)
Love this review Hannah! Not a fan of K-pop but this looks like an adorable romance, plus it has Asian rep so that’s bonus points <3 I have been getting into cutesy YA romance lately, so I'll definitely try this one!
I hope you’ll enjoy this when you read it, Tanaz!
I remember seeing so many great reviews for this book, so I bought it. I still haven’t read it, but I think I will enjoy it. I don’t mind that trope, but I hate when anything is rushed in a book, especially if it’s something I tend to enjoy.
I hope you’ll enjoy Comeback as much as everyone seems to when you get to reading it!
This sounds cute and on KU! I’m always looking for more good reads so I actually use it more lol
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
Me too! I’m super picky with the books available on KU and like to make the most of what I spend every month for the subscription. I hope you’ll enjoy Comeback when you read it!
“Once you go down the K-pop hole, you either step right on out and never come back or you fall deeper and never come back.”
Yes I fell deeper and now I’m lost forever. Eeeek this book has the Soph seal of approval which means I can buy it at some point to devour! I am a sucker for books which feature bands, mostly for the interaction between band members because we love some witty dialogue paired with a musical element.
I’m still not sorry for that one, actually. 🤣 (I just have company with me in this hole now.)
“Even if you don’t listen to K-pop, Ashwood and Rose’s debut is wholesome and humorous with romance included; it’s perfect for those who want a light read that will bring out an occasional smile.”
This sounds awesome, and honestly this just sounds like a really fun story!
I have this ARC given to me from the authors and it’s so cute and funny! It’s also kinda sad since this is what some K-pop stars go through, especially my ultimate faves BTS 💜💜. I haven’t finished the book yet but your review was great!
Ahhh, I hope you’ll finish the book soon, Danielle! And yeah… I agree it’s definitely sad, especially considering the events over the past few years; the industry needs an overhaul of the system because those events were tragic (two of them from my favorite groups), and I’d hate for it to happen to any of the artists who undergo the system, a lot of them for years and sometimes never even debuting after the hard work put in. 😥
I’ve actually not read any books that have incorporated K-pop so your recommendation of this being one of the top ones means it will be my first priority! I’ve been so out of the kpop scene this past year so maybe this book will get me back into it, too!
Great review!
If you ever need song recs, I have plenty! I’m also creating a Spotify playlist that’s ongoing and has some of my favorite songs over the years (recent and old bops). There are very few books that incorporate K-pop; there are only two that I’ve read that are published, although I believe there are two more coming out later this year or next year?
I really enjoyed this honestly. Some of the writing was a little rough but the story incorporates a lot of elements that are popular in YA. I almost wanted more adventures of this band and stylist.
I agree with the writing; there were some parts that I struggled a little. I think this is a planned series with the other members, but I’m not sure! If it is, I’m definitely interested and will look out for them on KU for sure.