Idol Minds was a surprisingly refreshing read that pulled some traditional romance elements into a spare, direct writing style more often seen in contemporary fiction. The two famous main characters, Korean-American actor Jason Park and Korean pop idol Woo Tae Hyun, each struggling to deal with past trauma amid the pressures fame. There's plenty of smart, fun flirting as the men move past their troubled start, and plenty of sizzle in their bedroom scenes. I love reading stories about QPOC, and I loved how Jason and Tae Hyun helped each other move beyond their past and become better people. Great job for a debut work.

Great premise, great characters, great set-up - you will probably love this if you are looking for a fluffy Hollywood/K-pop romance. Although I loved the beginning and the concept - both characters are intro-ed as kind of being in their evil eras, a very fun twist on the typical celebrity romance - once Jason and Tae Hyun meet up the story began to fall back on K-drama cliches, which aren’t really my thing. DNF at 46%.

Here’s the gist: Jason hit it big in Hollywood as a teenager, but since getting fired from a movie a few years ago, his career is on the slide and he’s decided to embrace the asshole label. But when his current project folds and his trusty manager tells him he’s running out of money, he’s got to find something that will bring in some cash. Tae Hyun was the star of a K-pop trio but when he walked in his groupmate - and secret boyfriend - cheating on him, he got the hell out of dodge and went to complete his military service. Now he’s out, and he’s very much not interested in getting the band back together, no matter how desperate his ex is to make it work. So he makes a deal with management - release a solo album and film a movie for them, and he doesn’t have to work with his ex ever again. Of course, he’s going to need an acting coach… which is where Jason comes in.

This is a fantastic set-up! Both MCs are on the warpath, totally uninterested in compromising any more than they absolutely have to and very comfortable pissing people off along the way. Their first meeting turns very quickly into an angry confrontation since neither is willing to bend an inch. I loved it! Give me Hollywood/K-pop enemies to lovers!!

But then. All conflict just… evaporates. The dynamic goes from fun angry sparks flying to generic K-drama romance - manufactured for maximum cute/sexy/dramatic moments, but absolutely no connective tissue, either in terms of consistent characterization or plot. You really feel this in the POV switches - Tae Hyun’s POV will be about how ridiculously smooth and flirty Jason is acting, in a way that is clearly intentional, and then Jason’s POV doesn’t acknowledge doing those things at all even though it would be totally in character for him to use charm to manipulate someone (at the very least!). Jason is stumbling drunk and incredibly flirty in Tae Hyun’s POV, and the it cuts to Jason the next morning, apparently totally sober, serious, and hangover free. The transition between these two scenes needs to be acknowledged somehow!

And similarly, it is very clear that this was written with great love/references for K-dramas/BL, but it sometimes seems like the author has forgotten they are not working in a visual medium. There’s one scene where (comedy etc.) one of the MCs dramatically strips down out of his sweatpants… and then the book quickly moves on to him putting his jeans on and leaving. Look, yes, if this were a TV show all the audience would have to do was look at the screen and thirst. But this is a book! You gotta describe the characters’ reactions, the details they notice, etc. Believe me, readers would have looooooved to read about how MC1’s gaze couldn’t help but drop down to MC2’s rubber ducky-printed underwear even though he knew he shouldn’t because it would make it weird and they have to work together for the next three months or whatever. But instead the story just checks the “sexy” moment off the list and keeps it moving. Which kind of defeats the purpose of a romance novel haha.

Basically I think this book would be a lot better if the author had just taken the drama and the emotion way further in a consistent way rather than trying to stuff in as many tropes as possible.

Idol Minds by KT Salvo stands out with the complexity of the two main characters, Jason and Tae Hyun. Both men are unique and well-developed characters with their own flaws and strengths. Watching them grow and evolve throughout the story was a joy. Salvo wrote each character with care and attention, giving them depth and nuance that I have not often seen in the genre. The representiation of two queer Asian men was refreshing, especially with Salvo's attention to elements of traditional Korean culture seen through the eyes of a Korean-American. And Salvo brings a fresh perspective to the traditional gay romance formula, focusing just as much on communication and healing as on the steamy encounters between the two main characters.

Final rating: 4.5 stars

Idol Minds is a steamy, queer romance that has one of my favorite tropes with a forbidden/workplace romance. Jason is a Korean-American movie star with a troubled past, and his public image is suffering. To rehab his public image and get his cash flow moving again, Jason takes on an unappealing project in the country he swore never to return to, South Korea. Woo Tae Hyun is a K-pop star and former leader of the group XTC. With a solo career on his mind with his return from the army, Tae Hyun's agency has another job for him in mind.

The emotional writing with Tae Hyun and Jason's characters is very heartwarming and watching them learn to trust each other had a great payoff. They are both complex people with baggage and trying to navigate the world in the best way that they know. I enjoyed the cast of characters being Asian and the different locations in Asia that they visited.

Thank you to Jetspace Studio and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of this book was pretty easy: A former k-drama star falls in love with a former k-pop idol and their forbidden romance causes a lot of trouble. So far, so good but “Idol Minds” is so much more than meets the eye. I’ve to admit that I was a little bit sceptical at first because in the first couple of chapters Jason isn’t exactly the most likable character and Tae Hyun seems to be a little bit standoffish. But then, then those two meet and right from the very first chapter they are in a room together you can feel that sizzling chemistry the blurb spoke about. The interesting thing is, they don’t like each other and hate each other’s guts which made for a very intriguing baseline for their future relationship. They just rub each other the wrong way but at the same time they can’t deny that they are attracted to each other and want to give in.

I really loved their chemistry and the way they interacted. They might have started off at the wrong foot but they were reasonable enough to try to make things work. At first just job-wise but the more they talk with each other, the more they begin to understand where the other one is coming from and this was really so nice to see. They communicate and they open up and learn to speak about their past and most importantly they allow themselves to heal. Both of them have been hurt and while Jason hid it behind his Hollywood bad boy image, Tae Hyun dealt with it by never letting anyone get too close to him.

Both their character arcs were well written and I had a good time finding out what happened before. Interestingly the author didn’t shy away from going for steamy scenes either and I think if I had to define their relationship it would be insta-lust that gradually turns into more. I mean they both were aware of each other before they met, they are both public figures after all, so insta-lust seems to be an adequate way to describe what happened between them. The more they get to know each other the more they start to flirt as well and I personally lived and breathed for their easy banter. Jason is a direct, unapologetic and extremely flirty character and Tae Hyun might be reserved and sensitive but he still knows how to handle Jason’s antics. So you can bet I had a field day reading their conversations and enjoyed them immensely.

Another thing I have to mention in my review is that I absolutely adored the women in this book. No matter if it was Yoo Mi, Tae Hyun’s best friend, or Naomi Jason’s manager who is like a young mother hen that watches out for him, they both were amazing and added so much to the story. It’s always nice to read about strong women and those two definitely fell into that category. Plus I think the author did a very good job of portraying the k-pop industry as well. Jason and Tae Hyun have to learn to navigate its deep and cunning waters and there was a little nice mystery element in the story that had me guessing and wondering who the culprit might be. I’m not going to spoil anything about this here though, so you’ll have to read the book yourself if you want to find out what I’m talking about. ;-)

This said, I really enjoyed “Idol Minds” and whilst the first 20% or so made it a little bit hard to like the characters the rest of the book definitely made up for it. I guess you could say Jason and Tae Hyun are good for each other and bring out each other’s better qualities, which in all honesty, makes their love even more believable in my eyes. All told I’m pretty sure that everyone who loves k-pop and steamy m/m romances that feature strong female side-characters will have a good time with this book. I definitely did.

Jason's sexy bad boy with a heart and Tae Hyun's guarded sweetness made for a complex, sensual, and delicious romance.

This was not what I expected at all.

Jason is a disaffected Hollywood bad boy who has been fired from his last ditch job. Tae Hyun is a former Kpop idol, just back from military service, who refuses to rejoin his old group due to previously having a relationship with one of the other members. The company won’t let him go solo but instead suggests her does his first feature film. In comes Jason, who was hired thanks to his wealthy Korean ugly, to teach Tae Hyun how to act.

I struggled through the first 20% of this novel because it contains one of my big romance no-no’s. This is a spoiler free review so I won’t say it but it colored the rest of my time reading the novel. In my opinion, Jason and Tae Hyun got together too fast. There was barely any chemistry. This would’ve worked way better as a slow burn. And once they got together it was laughably fast and the plot really went off the rails.

I also found the sex scenes a bit clinical but it could be just because I struggled to see their chemistry. There just wasn’t much ~romance there for me between the guys. They fought a lot, miscommunicated, then came back together. I did enjoy them as separate human beings though, just not quite so much together.

Also, probably hardly anyone will understand this, but their dynamic gave me andreil AU vibes i.e. Rockstar Neil and Actor Andrew. Iykyk.

This book was really fun. A m/m romance between a Korean American actor and a K-pop idol navigating their pasts and falling in love despite their rocky start and people who are determined to sabotage what they have.

I will admit that I wasn't the biggest fan of Jason at first. He was an ass but self proclaimed ass at least. Taehyun was a sweetheart who had been hurt in the past and was very guarded but they worked well together. I've read a fair amount of k-pop inspired books and most of them are young adult so it is nice to have a little bit of spice mixed in.

Overall it was a really cute story and kept me entertained.

Thanks to NetGalley and Jetspace Studio for an e-arc copy of this book.

Idol Minds is a steamy gay romance with the engaging theme of being set in the entertainment world. The story follows the two characters Jason and Tae-hyun despite their differing motivations, their paths cross thus creating complex characters. I loved the romance between the two men and really believed in their attraction - The Spicey scenes were * chefs kiss*. The characters' growth from the beginning to the end was so beautiful to see.

The Way that the author, K T Salvo writes consent is sexy as fuck. Despite Jason and Tae getting hot and heavy, there is that constant check-in to see if the other is okay to continue.

Please beware that this book is NOT A SLOW BURN.

There is something particularly appealing to me about a queer romance novel filled with messy people. The room to be so and the space to grow from that mess is not something that we have always gotten to read. But it is something that KT Salvo presents plenty of in Idol Minds.

Jason Park was a rising star in Hollywood until he landed a reputation for being difficult to work with following an altercation with a director. Now he struggles to find work that interests him or pays his staff. Woo Tae Hyun was the leader of a K-Pop sensation until a bad break up lead him to fulfill his military service early. Back from service, Tae Hyun is trying to launch a solo career through his first acting role. Tae Hyun's company brings in Jason Park fresh off yet another canceled project to coach Tae Hyun through his first film. A job that offers both men a second chance in their careers and a new chance a relationships they hadn't considered possible.

Jason and Tae Hyun are as stated messy. They are barely holding their lives together at so many points in this book but they are trying. And that is what appealed to me most about this book. It was an easy read. It was a quick read. It was perfect for the dreary winter days. But mostly it was two people trying to make a life for themselves and not always succeeding. The characters are not always likable in this book. And their choices are often beyond frustrating. But it is refreshing to see queer men being allowed the space in romance to be complicated and messy and to make mistakes.

I received a copy for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It has one of my favorite tropes: musicians/actors. In this case a K-Pop idol and Korean American Actor. The main characters had great chemistry and were likeable. My only issue was not a sufficient explanation for why antagonist did what they did. Story flowed well and supporting characters moved story along. I would read more from this author.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC! I really enjoyed reading about Tae Hyun and Jason's journey to find each other. It is hard navigating their lives as closeted queer men and there are many awful people along the way who take advantage of them and prevent them from having their happy ending. Gladly they eventually do get their happy ending.

KT Salvo's Idol Minds rises above the steamy gay romance genre with its complex characters, open communication, and healing narrative.

This debut novel from the talented queer romance author caught me by surprise. I expected nothing more than a collection of sizzling intimate encounters between a group of attractive gay men. But Salvo exceeded my expectations with a story that focuses just as much, if not more, on the relationship between the two main characters, Jason and Tae Hyun. Both men are damaged, but both are also redeemable. They stand at a crossroads in their lives and careers, and neither seems ready for a serious commitment.

Salvo has written each character with care and attention, imbuing them with depth and nuance. Jason is a swoon-worthy bad boy, while Tae Hyun is straightforward to a fault. Watching their layers unfold is a true joy. Salvo's love also extends to the secondary characters, with no one-dimensional personas among the major players, including the several well-written women in the main characters' lives.

Set against the high-fantasy worlds of Hollywood and K-pop, Idol Minds follows the traditional romance formula. They meet, fight, fuck, fall for each other, and so on. But Salvo deviates from the norm by leaving out some of the more frequently-used gay romance tropes in favor of communication and healing. This is most evident in how Jason and Tae Hyun pause to talk during their steamy encounters, checking in with each other, offering support, and ensuring enthusiastic consent is given. Salvo even includes a few meta-moments, openly poking fun at BL and K-drama tropes with a winking nod.

Be warned, things move swiftly between Jason and Tae Hyun, so if you're looking for a slow burn, you'll have to look elsewhere. But if you're looking for a sizzling gay romance with heart and depth, look no further than KT Salvo's Idol Minds.

This book contains brief descriptions of mild physical violence and mentions of homophobia, racism, emotional abuse, abusive parents, and teen suicide.

As a huge kpop fan, this book was a fan-fiction dream. It was nice to see Jason and Tae Hyun's growth throughout the book. Although the book had steamy scenes, the main focus was the two characters' relationship with one another and their personal growth. The side characters were also interesting and had robust personalities that added to the story. The book uses a lot of korean phrases without explanation so it would be hard for someone with no knowledge of Korean culture to pick up this book without stopping to google things. Overall, it was a cute steamy romance novel and I would recommend to those with a love of kpop.

Arc provided by Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.


3.5 stars**
This book was not what I expected going in. I was a little unsure how I’d feel during the first 15% but after I really got invested in the story. In terms of the couple the chemistry and connection was really well established but as someone who prefers slow burns I wish they hadn’t gotten together as quick as they had. The author balanced the relationship between the characters and their emotional growth outside the relationship really well. Overall an enjoyable read!

I couldn't get past one of the main characters being just... in no way ready to be a good partner to anyone ever. The pacing was off, everything happened too quickly, and it felt like mediocre fanfiction to me. I think this may be better suited for people who enjoy enemies-to-lovers type romance but it was not for me.

I came for the K-pop boys in Idol Minds, but I stayed for the steamy romance! The cast is amazing and the chemistry between the two main characters, Jason and Tae Hyun, is sizzling. I felt like I had to wear a lab coat when I was reading. Jason is a hothead actor with a knack for troublemaking, while Tae Hyun is a guarded and sensitive artist who doesn't always think before he speaks. All of my favorite romance tropes were there. The twists and turns, the tension, and the troubles. And the sex? Let's just say it was spicy and left me wanting more. But, it wasn't just the steamy scenes that had me hooked. The way the characters communicated, healed and grew throughout the story was truly beautiful. And can I just give a special shoutout to Yoo Mi? She's the kind of friend I wish I had in real life.

I wish I knew if this was an ownvoice story but in any case, I liked Idol Minds. I think I would've adored it if it hadn't felt like too often like a complete dramatic whirlwind at times though. While it is a romance book, to me it was more about two male characters healing each other and taking the entertainment industry by storm, rather than falling for each other real fast (which is the part I oddly enjoyed a little less). I wish the build up had been slightly slower and explored a tad more but it was still touching (and steamy!). Out of the two, Jason had a bit more growth and it was believable because of his personality traits. Tae Hyung was a little more passive, and I don't have a lot to say about him... I often criticize romance plots for playing the miscommunication card a little too much, and this was the complete opposite here, which was refreshing. If you like stories about celebrities making a comeback (but gay), this is for you.

Idol Minds is the fiery gay romance debut from KT Salvo. Jason and Tae Hyun are complex, well-written characters whose paths bring them together even if their motivations conflict. But their clashing only seems to heighten their mutual attraction, leading to several spicy scenes between the handsome pair. Set in the dual worlds of Hollywood and K-pop, Salvo infused their fantasy story with enough real-world elements to make it feel real. And it was refreshing to read about love between men of color that didn’t feel fetishizing, too. Highly recommended for fans of gay romance, K-pop, or Korean BL.

Thank you, Jetspace Studio, for allowing me to read Idol Minds early.

Fun, spicy, riveting. I loved it.