Release Day Review ~ The Yuchae Blossom by Asher Quinn (Giveaway)

Title: The Yuchae Blossom

Author: Asher Quinn

Release Date: April 5, 2019

Category: Contemporary, World of Love

Pages: 162

Dreamspinner | Amazon

Can two men find happiness in a country that doesn’t accept their love?

When Jack Calloway is transferred to his firm’s South Korean branch on Jeju Island, he’s assigned a valet, the beautiful but shy Song Woo-bin. He stirs feelings Jack has rarely experienced for another man, but everything seems to be against them—Jack is older and Song Woo-bin’s supervisor. He is just beginning to understand the new culture surrounding him even as he accepts his own desires for the first time, and Song Woo-bin is closeted, inexperienced, and estranged from his family. Their path to each other is full of obstacles and societal disapproval. Will the two men eventually come together amid the clash and complement of Eastern and Western culture… and find a home among the yuchae blossoms?

4.25 stars

This was a nice well-written story that was unique and kept me wanting more. I do not get to experience may books that look at non-American culture and it was awesome and interesting. It is always a bit eye-opening to read and learn about a culture different from my own and I love seeing it in books. 

I appreciated how the author portrayed Jack's slight difficulty with learning the South Korean culture norms. I also loved seeing the process of him learning the culture and also falling in love with Jeju Island. Song Woo-bin was honestly just a lovely character. He was shy, kind, hardworking and so genuine. 

All of the side characters brought a lot to the story and Kim Choon-hee was amazing. She played the perfect role as ‘Stern Grandma’ that you love with all of your heart. The author gave great detail and description and I felt like I could see every scene perfectly. There was also a little bit of drama that kept things interesting. This was a slow-burn book but it worked perfectly for Woo-bin and Jack. 

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

3 stars

The Yuchae Blossom by Asher Quinn is a standalone but also part of the World of Love series contributed to by many talented writers. 

Jack Calloway is transferred to a South Korean branch of his company in Jeju Island. While beautiful, it is half a globe away from his son, who is with Jack’s parents in New England. When he lands he meets his valet, Song Woo-bin, who is beautiful and shy. The culture shock hits hard when he realizes what a valet does and after some issues Woo-bin is fired. It is then that Jack realizes his feelings for Woo-bin, who is closeted, inexperienced and not close with his abusive father and brother. Can Jack and Woo-bin come clean about their feelings?

I liked how innocent and sweet Woo-bin was. All he wanted was to do his job and please Jack. He doesn't realize that Americans do not have valets and how position and power aren’t quite the same thing in other cultures. 

Jack is obviously a family man and he adores his son. I just wish we had a bit more interactions then we do. He falls for Woo-bin fast and expects him to give up what he essentially is trained to do and gets angry at him for doing his job. I think he could have been a bit more understanding overall.

This was a good book. I liked the way South Korea was described and it definitely is a place I would love to visit. I feel like there could have been a bit more Korean culture thrown in besides the professional culture, which is obviously different to that of America. I have to say after reading the book the title was perfect and the author could not have chosen better. I did find a bit unrealistic how Jack basically moved his son and his whole life to Korea for Woo-bin when I think it would have made more sense for Woo-bin to go to the States since he had the least to lose? I do however respect the author’s choice.

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

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