Marie Lu

This smoldering enemies-to-lovers novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu puts a superstar global phenomenon and a hotshot young spy on a collision course with danger – and Cupid’s arrow – in an electric new series perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Ally Carter.

Meet Winter Young – International pop sensation, with a voice like velvet and looks that could kill. His star power has smashed records, selling out stadiums from LA to London. His rabid fans would move heaven and earth for even a glimpse of him – just imagine what they’d do to become his latest fling.

Meet Sydney Cossette – Part of an elite covert ops group, Sydney joined their ranks as their youngest spy with plans to become the best agent they’ve ever had. An ice queen with moves as dangerous as her comebacks, Sydney picks up languages just as quickly as she breaks hearts. She's fiery, no-nonsense, and has zero time for romance – especially with a shameless flirt more used to serving sass than taking orders.

When a major crime boss gifts his daughter a private concert with Winter for her birthday, Sydney and Winter's lives suddenly collide. Tasked with infiltrating the crime organization’s inner circle, Sydney is assigned as Winter's bodyguard with Winter tapped to join her on the mission of a lifetime as a new spy recruit. Sydney may be the only person alive impervious to Winter's charms, but as their mission brings them closer, she’s forced to admit that there's more to Winter Young than just a handsome face . . .

Romance and danger abound in this “brilliant, breathtaking ride that will leave you clamoring for the sequel.” —Tahereh Mafi, #1 internationally bestselling author of Shatter Me.

Stars and Smoke #1

Stars and Smoke

THIS. THIS IS THE HIDEO TANAKA CONTENT WE NEED.

"How dare you. Churros are a perfect food, and I won't hear blasphemy against them."

"Are you saying you're the most interesting person in the world."

Marie Lu truly saw the Kpop industry and went: well, this i must write about.

They all came to see him, gave him their hard-earned money, handed him this magical life of his. What did he give them in return? Once, it felt like he offered them something substantial—his music, his performances, his heart. Something to help them forget about whatever worries might plague their lives. But now it felt less like that and more like … well, he didn’t know. Repetitive interviews and thick barricades. Meetings and attorneys. Fans who thought they loved him but didn’t get to know him at all. A never-ending cycle of rote actions: wake up, makeup, show up. Pose. Recite answers to the same questions. Rehearse smiles for the same photos. Eat and sleep in a hotel room.

And the love he needed to thrive, to survive, felt more and more distant every day. Were his creations still creations, an expression of love? Or had it all just become business? Was he worth the world’s adoration? Was he deserving of their love that he so desperately craved?

The restlessness that always roamed inside him ached now, pulling forever toward some unattainable version of himself that was a better person than who he currently was. 

If he could just reach it, he would be worthwhile. He would be happy.

Marie Lu really said Park Jimin on this page.

The boy loved to put on a show. He was born for the stage, that was for sure.

He could command the attention of ninety thousand people in an arena, could attract screaming throngs whenever he stepped out any door, could be on the covers of every magazine in the world. And yet he could never convince his mother to stay.

A gap between her finger and its reflection meant a safe mirror— no gap meant something was up.

Sydney had never been afraid of death, simply because she didn't think dead people felt anything. But 

There was no one else here, and yet, even now, he looked like a star, like he couldn't help but burn so bright that even the air was drawn to him, that the moon yearned to illuminate him.

Stars and Smoke quotes

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