If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha - 4 stars

[Jen K]

The story of 5 young women in South Korea, with POVs from 4 of them, who all live in the same building. Two sets of roommates include 2 girls raised in an orphanage and a friend from the same town. All the young women have little and are trying to make it in a city with few opportunities for women. They are mostly reliant on pleasing men either through relationships or working in a room salon as submissive eye candy for wealthy men when they drink, celebrate or entertain business clients. In this world, extreme plastic surgery and detail to looks are a matter of survival even as they enter a vicious cycle of debt for the surgeries. Only Miho manages to escape being already beautiful and an independent artist with a rich boyfriend that she met while in university in the US.

It is an eye opening look at contemporary society in South Korea and especially for women in South Korea. It sounds a bit tough but I'm not sure how much the issues are exaggerated to highlight or are true to reality. The fourth POV, Wonna, was a bit of an odd addition. On one hand, it was interesting to have her outside perspective to the 4 on the upper floor but she didn't add that much to the story. I would have loved to hear more from the 4th roommate instead.

[Joi]

I really liked this one, however I remember wishing there was more to it as well.

[Jen K]

It was a fascinating read! I would love more on those ladies.