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Swimming Through the Dawn
Swimming Through the Dawn begins the captivating adventure of a dreamer who tempts the odds by starting her very own K-Pop act. What could possibly go wrong?
18-year-old Heather Moon is not your average wannabe idol. With a shimmering personality, powerful voice, and magnetic stage presence, her future seemed bright. An unexpected liaison with a powerful company executive, however, leaves those aspirations in shambles. Booted from a Korean agency that had long nurtured her talent, Heather returns to Los Angeles for college. But dreams of stardom seldom die easily.
Bolstered by a plucky band of misfits, she forms Made in Heaven, a seven-member girl group. While initial efforts seem promising, it's clear not everyone shares their vision. To make matters worse, Heather's father issues an ultimatum that will shape the rest of her life. Can she and her friends realize their ambitions before they're derailed once and for all by the pressures of impending adulthood?
Idol Pursuits is a contemporary coming-of-age tale set against the vivid backdrop of K-Pop and the music industry. Swimming Through the Dawn is the first book in the trilogy.
18-year-old Heather Moon is not your average wannabe idol. With a shimmering personality, powerful voice, and magnetic stage presence, her future seemed bright. An unexpected liaison with a powerful company executive, however, leaves those aspirations in shambles. Booted from a Korean agency that had long nurtured her talent, Heather returns to Los Angeles for college. But dreams of stardom seldom die easily.
Bolstered by a plucky band of misfits, she forms Made in Heaven, a seven-member girl group. While initial efforts seem promising, it's clear not everyone shares their vision. To make matters worse, Heather's father issues an ultimatum that will shape the rest of her life. Can she and her friends realize their ambitions before they're derailed once and for all by the pressures of impending adulthood?
Idol Pursuits is a contemporary coming-of-age tale set against the vivid backdrop of K-Pop and the music industry. Swimming Through the Dawn is the first book in the trilogy.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 20, 2020
1 person is currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
R.P. Rioux
3 books2 followersUpon graduating from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, R. P. Rioux spent two decades working in the Hollywood entertainment industry, rubbing shoulders with struggling dreamers and successful achievers alike.
A yearlong circumnavigation of the globe ignited in the author an admiration of the world's varied cultures, and taught that regardless of where we live, our commonalities far outweigh our differences.
A yearlong circumnavigation of the globe ignited in the author an admiration of the world's varied cultures, and taught that regardless of where we live, our commonalities far outweigh our differences.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 28, 2020
This book took me by surprise. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I ended up really liking this original take on both K-Pop in general and the struggle of seeking success in the music industry. The main character is really likable and easy to root for. She sets a good example by sticking to her values despite having to give up everything she has ever worked and dreamed for. Her thorny relationship with her father is no help either. What she does have going for her is an insatiable love of music that she can't shake, and the talent to back it up with. She doesn't let hard times set her back for long. If the K-Pop idol machine won't take her, she'll forge her own path. The friends she makes along the way become key to everything she hopes to become in the end.
The author allows us to get to know all the major characters in this girl group through their own viewpoint. As a reader I came to appreciate their own unique perspectives and look forward to seeing how they each progress through the journey. This book only covers the beginning of the girl group's story, how they met and came together as a whole. It tracks the ups and downs of their search for relevance as musicians. Even though the series promises more to come, it closes in a way that really has you rooting for their success, which promises to be exciting moving forward. The characters and their situations are often funny, but the book also touches on more serious matters such as the dark side of the industry and the effect it can have on people. I recommend this book for anyone who likes music or is interested in film/music production.
The author allows us to get to know all the major characters in this girl group through their own viewpoint. As a reader I came to appreciate their own unique perspectives and look forward to seeing how they each progress through the journey. This book only covers the beginning of the girl group's story, how they met and came together as a whole. It tracks the ups and downs of their search for relevance as musicians. Even though the series promises more to come, it closes in a way that really has you rooting for their success, which promises to be exciting moving forward. The characters and their situations are often funny, but the book also touches on more serious matters such as the dark side of the industry and the effect it can have on people. I recommend this book for anyone who likes music or is interested in film/music production.
March 30, 2021
I enjoyed this book, even though the target is a younger audience. It is well-written and easy to read. The characters are written from their own points of view, so you really delve into each character. It follows a group of young girls who join together in a K-Pop group, struggling to find outlets to make the band cohesive and successful. The lead singer and impetus behind the group is likable and easy to relate to. It touches on themes that are an issue in today’s world, which makes this mostly light-hearted book a more serious read in parts. Highly recommend for YA fiction or anyone in the entertainment industry, although I fit into neither group and enjoyed it thoroughly!
April 25, 2022
If you're hoping for more out of Kpop fiction than simple romances, this is the book for you. I like the cast of characters a lot and its fun and at times heartbreaking following them as they deal with the ups and downs of the music business. It's tough enough to grow up in today's world. Imagine doing it in the music Kpop industry. Yikes.
March 19, 2021
I read this book while quarantining, I couldn't put it down. This was honestly a very good book. It's more than just a book about chasing dreams, it taps into the protagonist’s own emotional journey with self-love and acceptance. Thumbs up!
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June 1, 2021Entertaining look into the k-pop world
An intimate look into the making of idols and struggles along the way as young women work to achieve their dreams. Well developed settings with a diversity of great cultural references along the way.
An intimate look into the making of idols and struggles along the way as young women work to achieve their dreams. Well developed settings with a diversity of great cultural references along the way.
March 26, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews