I have been waiting so long for Seoulmates by Jen Frederick… and by ‘so long’, I mean a year or so since Heart and Seoul, like everyone else. I’m just dramatic sometimes.

Before I can dive into book two, there are some key deets to know from the first book. In Heart and Seoul, Hara was living in Iowa when her birth father in South Korea reached out. She went to Seoul, but arrived two days after his death. She fell for a Korean boy Yunjun , but his stepmother turns out to be Hara’s biological mother (who’d had her adoptive mother sending reports most of her life). The first book ended with her mother, Wansu, claiming her publicly, meaning she and Yujun can’t be together. (My prior review of H&S here.)

But clearly, they are gonna try. There wouldn’t be a book two if they didn’t try.

In Seoulmates, Hara is working for her mother’s company and Yujun was sent away on a long business trip. Hara is having a hard time in the office since she’s seen as a nepotism hire who can’t speak Korean. She’s lonely at work and a bit in life with Yujun away and no solid connection with Wansu, but she’s trying to make it work.

When Yujun returns, they continue their relationship and learn just how deep some Korean traditions run. A couple incidents have Hara questioning if they really can find a way to make it work without damaging their families and the company. It’s not an easy road, but Hara comes to understand a bit of where Wansu is coming from and the way the situation is resolved is pretty beautiful.

I love how Frederick writes these books. Yes, the first thing I did after finishing this book was look up the menu at the Korean place down the street. Food is such a big part of this story and I’m here for it. It makes me want to visit Seoul and eat my way through the city. Her descriptions in both books made me want to visit. And both books are filled with Korean words, so you are learning a little of the language along with Hara.

While I don’t have any personal experience as an adoptee from another country, this duology paints such an emotional picture of her struggle to find herself, where she belongs, and still stay true to her heart. I love that it’s not just a story of finding herself, but of finding different forms of family and creating the life she wants.

Just do yourself a favor and read Heart and Seoul and Seoulmates. Just do it.

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