I know many of us are drawn to covers. I certainly am. When I saw this particular one and then read the synopsis, I knew it was a must-read. Publishing on August 7 by William Morrow, If You Leave Me is set in the 1950s during the Korean War.
My Thoughts:
As children, Haemi and Kyunghwan were friends, but when the pair find themselves teens in a refugee camp along with their families and living under dire circumstances, a small spark is ignited as they spend a couple hours each night on the fringes of danger.
Kyungwhan is entrenched in his schooling and has no idea his wealthy cousin, Jisoo, is making plans to marry Haemi. A life with Jisoo would offer financial security, comfort, and proximity to her mother and brother, and for those reasons, Haemi sacrifices her feelings for Kyunghwan in order to protect her family.
The story follows as Haemi becomes a wife and mother, and there comes a time when she reflects on her choosing Jisoo, and the ripple effects of that one choice will impact much more than she ever could have foreseen.
If You Leave Me is a richly drawn novel from multiple viewpoints. The narrators are Haemi and the men who love her, Kyunghwan and Jisoo, and later, we hear from Haemi’s brother, Hyunki, and Solee, Haemi’s daughter. The multiple narratives helped me to learn about each of the characters through the eyes of the others. Complex, well-developed characterization is the star of the show with a vividly depicted backdrop of not just Korea during the war, but over time with modernization and changes within these characters’ lives. I felt fully immersed in Korean culture.
Overall, I found If You Leave me to be an engrossing, tragic, and heartbreaking tale of forbidden love and how one decision can have a lasting imprint for more than a lifetime.
Thank you to William Morrow for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
An emotionally riveting debut novel about war, family, and forbidden love—the unforgettable saga of two ill-fated lovers in Korea and the heartbreaking choices they’re forced to make in the years surrounding the civil war that continues to haunt us today
When the communist-backed army from the North invades her home, sixteen-year-old Haemi Lee, along with her widowed mother and ailing brother, is forced to flee to a refugee camp along the coast. For a few hours each night, she escapes her family’s makeshift home and tragic circumstances with her childhood friend, Kyunghwan.
Focused on finishing school, Kyunghwan doesn’t realize his older and wealthier cousin, Jisoo, has his sights set on the beautiful and spirited Haemi—and is determined to marry her before joining the fight. But as Haemi becomes a wife, then a mother, her decision to forsake the boy she always loved for the security of her family sets off a dramatic saga that will have profound effects for generations to come.
Richly told and deeply moving, If You Leave Me is a stunning portrait of war and refugee life, a passionate and timeless romance, and a heartrending exploration of one woman’s longing for autonomy in a rapidly changing world.
Have you read this book, or do you plan to? Have you read any books set in Korea/North or South Korea? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
Your picture with the cover is fabulous! It helps that the cover is beautiful 🙂
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Thanks, D.E.! I couldn’t wait to photograph that cover! Luckily, the words inside the book are just as stunning!
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I’m SO glad I began following you as I’m learning of some of the most intriguing and diverse stories! This one sounds beautiful in addition to being tragic. You’ve also created a lovely presentation and review.
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Thank you, Jonetta! I feel the same about following you! Yes, this is such a beautiful and memorable story. I’m so grateful I read it.
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I am the same way, and I do believe I mentioned this before about covers. If the cover attracts my attention I will read that book. I don’t know why but I do. This sounds like a wonderful books that will tug at your heart strings. I have to put this on my TBR list. I know I am just packing them in but you are offered some of the greatest books to read Jennifer. Thank you for this wonderful share. Have a wonderful day, and an awesome weekend honey 😊
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Thanks, Jody! You are the sweetest! Thank you for your kind compliment. I feel the same when I check out your blog and so many of our other blog friends- I’m always adding to my TBR! 😊 I hope you have a great Friday and weekend, too! With lots of good reads! ♥️
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This sounds really interesting, even more so after reading your review. Definitely lining this up on my TBR. Just not now since I’ve read historical fiction one after the other. Haha! Thank you, Jen! You’ll soon fill my TBR.
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You’re welcome, Rachel! I definitely think you’d enjoy this one. The storytelling is wonderful. I look forward to what you think if you are able to fit it in. 😊
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Awesome review, cover, and picture Jen! This one sounds really good and I’m going to start a list of Jennifer’s recommendations!😱 Have a great weekend my friend!😊💖☕📚📱
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Thanks, Sus! This really is a superb read, another one that will tug at your heart. This one was available on EW. 😉 I hope you have a great weekend, too! Xo ♥️
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I’m drawn to covers too. I think my collection ofb
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I think you were cut-off, Laurie? Thanks for stopping by to see me today. 😊
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I’m riding in the car and when hubby hit a bump in the road my phone sent the reply prematurely. Sorry. 😔
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Oh no, it’s totally fine. I wish we could edit our comments on others’ pages. I am not even in a car and accidentally hit send all the time. 😊 Happy weekend, Laurie! 💕
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Sorry….it got away from me.
I was going to say….I think my collection of books consists of those I selected because I liked the cover. 🤦🏽♀️
No, I’ve never read a book set in North or South Korea. You really liked this book, so if I choose to read one in the future, I’ll look back at this one.
Very nice review, Jennifer. ( :
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Oops- now I see this post too! Sorry, Laurie! I am the same. I select so many because of the covers! Thanks so much, Laurie! I absolutely loved this book. 😊
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Great review. I plan to read this historical fiction. I cannot wait to begin the journey. ❤️🌺
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Thanks, Virginia! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 🌺
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Wow! You just keep outdoing yourself with these pictures!! And that review!! Dang! You go girl!
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Thanks, Reeca! You make me smile! I loved this book and could not wait to photograph that cover! I am getting a hardcopy of this one! 💗
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Awesome review!! Gorgeous picture too ❤
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Thanks so much, Dee! It was a wonderful read and a fun photo to take! 💗
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Fantastic review Jennifer! Super impressed you spelled all those names correctly!💕
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Thanks, Berit! ♥️
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The cover is truly enchanting!
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Your picture is such a great match for the cover! Tell me, how many books do you read? You seem to review one every day? I’m thinking of subcontracting my TBR to you… 😉
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Thanks! I knew I would have my hibiscus in the photograph as soon as I saw the cover! I have much more reading time during the summer. My time will be cut shorter soon, so I have to make the most of it while I can! 😊 Subcontracting to me would be fun for me, but no fun for you! (Said in a Seinfeld voice!)
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Sold Jen! Fantastic review. I need to read more fiction from Korea. I’m hoping to listen to the audiobook In Order To Live in the next couple of months which is non fiction, have you read that? 😊
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Thanks, Beth! I think you’ll love this one. It’s a special read. I have not read nor heard of In Order to Live and now, of course, I want to read it! Maybe I should listen to it, too. I’ll be interested in how the audio works for you. Thanks for the rec, Beth! 💕
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Certainly a beautiful cover. And you chose such lovely flowers to accent with. And the premise is wonderful. Your review made me feel to grab that book and settle in for a read! 😊
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Thank you so much, Nina. It was a wonderful read. The storytelling definitely helped me setting in to it. 😊
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Probably not a book for me, but i agree, the cover is beautiful.
Love your picture with the flowers ❤
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Thanks so much, Norrie! 🌺 I hope your Sunday has been great so far!
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Great review Jennifer! I can see why you were drawn to this one, very pretty and you again did a great job matching with your photo. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Carrie! This was one I dreamed of photographing just as soon as I was approved! 🌺
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Awesome! Good read!
Gonna be the first book on my TBR pile.
If you have any other Korean literature recommendations please post them in the new subreddit Korean Literature.
Check it out here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Koreanliterature/
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Thank you! I will definitely check that out!
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No problem. We’re just starting out but if you post a few things or like them that would be great! Thanks a lot!
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