The Noh Family, Grace K. Shim
The Noh Family, Grace K. Shim
List: $25.99 | Sale: $18.20
Club: $12.99

The Noh Family

Author: Grace K. Shim

Narrator: Hannah J. Choi

Unabridged: 10 hr 4 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/03/2022


Synopsis

After a DNA test reveals an entire branch of newly-found family, a teenager travels from Tulsa, Oklahoma to the height of luxury in Seoul, South Korea to meet them . . . but begins to suspect she’s in a melodrama rather than a romantic comedy.

“A dazzling escape into South Korea’s high society and a grounding examination of what it means to be a family.”—Sarah Suk, author of Made in Korea

“All the whirlwind romance and jaw-dropping reveals of classic K-dramas.”—Publishers Weekly

What happens when the family secret . . . is a secret family?

Chloe Chang may be an 18-year-old obsessed with K-dramas, but she never expected her real life would turn into one. That’s pretty much what happens when a DNA test reveals a shocking truth: She’s got a whole extended family from her deceased father’s side half a world away in Korea. Not only that, but they own a famous high-end department store in Seoul, and they are rich rich.

When they learn about their genetic connection to Chloe, they immediately invite her to visit. Chloe’s mother is against the trip; she had her reasons for keeping them away. But she can’t stop Chloe from traveling to Seoul to spend time getting to know the Noh family.

Soon, Chloe is whisked from Tulsa, Oklahoma, into the lap of luxury in Seoul, enjoying sessions with a personal trainer, a handsome chauffeur at her beck and call, state-of-the-art med spa days, and more. And although her newfound grandmother, her halmoni, is warm and welcoming, Chloe can’t help but feel like she’s being kept at arm’s length from her other family members. Why would they invite Chloe to Seoul if not to get to know her?

There may be an even bigger family secret for Chloe to discover. Could joining the Noh family be worse than having no family at all?

About The Author

Grace K. Shim lives with her husband and three children in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Noh Family is her first novel.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Bookishrealm on May 31, 2022

This was a pretty interesting read. I’m not going to lie, I was really drawn in by the cover. 3.5 stars rounded up. The story itself follows a teen by the name of Chloe who’s just recently graduated from high school and is headed for community college. After taking a 23 and Me DNA test, she connects......more

Goodreads review by Jesse on August 05, 2021

THE NOH FAMILY is a vibrant and charming trip to S Korea. It’s filled with intrigue, suspense, and tons of fun. I couldn’t put this book down and basically inhaled it in 2 days, and what I read wasn’t even the polished version! I can’t wait to buy it once it’s out and read it all over again.......more

Goodreads review by Emma on August 05, 2023

An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Well, if you want a look into the chaebol world this might be the book for you, let me tell you. At the start of the book Chloe takes a plane to South Korea so that she can finally meet her dad's side......more

Goodreads review by Monte on September 14, 2022

Objectively this might not have been a five star experience, maybe it's more in the four star range. But I think that it takes massive courage to attempt to execute the plot that Shim swung for here, and to make it as entertaining and compulsively readable as this was. It was the cover that initially......more

Goodreads review by Lisa (Remarkablylisa) on May 09, 2022

It's slow at times but the ending is worth it. Totally like watching a kdrama!!!......more


Quotes

"The Noh Family is at once a fairytale about dreams coming true entwined with deliciously sinister family secrets. It whisked me straight to the neon lights of Seoul and pulses with enough family drama for days. I didn't want to leave this captivating place that Shim has brought to life."—Jesse Q. Sutanto, author of Dial A for Aunties

"Compelling and whip smart, The Noh Family is at once a dazzling escape into South Korea’s high society and a grounding examination of what it means to be a family. A twisty, turny, glamorous whirlwind of a book."—Sarah Suk, author of Made in Korea

"This book had me at the edge of my seat the whole way through! Filled with plot twists worthy of the best K-dramas, The Noh Family pulls you into its glamorous world and never lets go."—Axie Oh, author of XOXO and The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea

"Shim deftly employs all the whirlwind romance and jaw-dropping reveals of classic K-dramas via breezy prose and vividly drawn settings to explore classism, heartbreak, identity, and manipulation amid familial and societal expectations in this enticing debut."—Publishers Weekly

"Just like Chloe’s favorite K-dramas, the novel sucks readers in from the get-go with lots of glitz, grit, and a hint of romance as well as a handsome assistant who always has an umbrella at the ready, mouthwatering descriptions of food, and cutting insights into familial and societal dynamics. An enjoyable, pacy family drama."—Kirkus Reviews

"Inspired by K-dramas, author Grace Shim has created a fast-paced adventure story with plenty of suspense and glitter as Chloe experiences the life of a princess. Shim manages to weave in plenty of references to Korean culture throughout the story, creating a strong sense of place for the reader. Interesting main characters will engage readers and the overarching theme will give plenty for book clubs to consider."—School Library Connection