I Believe in a Thing Called Love
By Nayanika Kapoor,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Girl uses Korean TV dramas as guide in charming romance.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this book.
Where to Read
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
In I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE, Desi, a type A valedictorian, varsity athlete, and star student, has never had great luck with romance. Her friends call her experiences "flailures," for flirting failures. Desi's lifelong dream is to go to Stanford and become a doctor, like her mother, who passed away when she was little. In comes Luca -- the brooding, gorgeous artist, and Desi finds her ambitious personality attracted to yet another challenge. And this time, she's determined not to mess it up. Seeking help from the over-the-top, wildly popular K-Dramas that her father loves, Desi makes an elaborate plan to woo Luca, including everything from "Step 13: Reveal your vulnerabilities in a heartbreaking manner" to "Step 19: You must make the ultimate sacrifice to prove your love." Plans have never failed Desi, and she's ready for success. But along the way, Desi realizes that no matter how hard you try, not everything in life can be controlled, and the most beautiful moments come from the uncertainty.
Is It Any Good?
This endearing story balances comedy with important messages about control, healthy relationships, and honesty. Fans of K-Dramas will appreciate the many references and relate to Desi's infatuation with the love stories. I Believe in a Thing Called Love gives readers a natural and authentic glimpse into Korean culture, sprinkled as it is with Korean phrases and mentions of delicious food.
Desi's actions can seem obsessive and unrealistic at times -- even unsafe -- and often with little to no consequences. While the dialogue is generally written well, some of the conversations can seem distant from teen reality. However, Goo does a good job making "perfect" Desi seem realistic and lovable with her embarrassing moments. Desi's good intentions shine through, and readers will root for her love story. She eventually understands the importance of letting go of her elaborate plan and soaking up the surprises of life, an important message for teens and adults alike. I Believe in a Thing Called Love shapes up to be a fun and heartwarming read.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how TV shows and movies portray romantic relationships. How has media affected your view of romantic relationships? Does the TV influence in I Believe in a Thing Called Love seem positive or negative in Desi's life?
How do you deal with things in your life that you can't control? Desi has to deal with college admissions, romance, and death: Do you think she handles all that successfully? What does she do well? What could she improve on?
Do you think that Desi's good qualities and intentions make it OK for her to manipulate Luca? Is she a good role model?
Book Details
- Author: Maurene Goo
- Genre: Romance
- Topics: Friendship, High School
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Macmillan
- Publication date: May 30, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 18
- Number of pages: 336
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: April 23, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Read
Our Editors Recommend
Teen Romance Novels
Love Stories: Classic Romance Tales
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate