Review Detail
The Oks are Not Ok
Featured
Young Adult Fiction
410
The Oks Are Not Ok
(Updated: June 04, 2026)
Overall rating
4.3
Plot
5.0
Characters
4.0
Writing Style
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
Seventeen-year-old L.A. party girl/influencer Elena Ok's life comes crashing down amidst rumors of bankruptcy of the family's fast-fashion brand, It's Ok! Overnight, her family goes from being wealthy to losing everything.
They end up going to an off-the-grid farming community of Blair, CA, to wait for the results of an internal investigation. Like a bad dream, Elena can't believe she's lost everything. Plus, she's stuck with her annoying older brother Gavin. But she finds that the small town does have something she never had in the city. She ends up using her savvy to help those in town and finds that maybe building a sense of community is more than just building a brand.
What worked: Fun twist on SCHITT'S CREEK meets 2000s THE SIMPLE LIFE. I'm a huge fan of the series, and this book has all the snappy humor. Add to that the multi-generational interactions of a Korean family.
Elena initially comes across as self-absorbed in her influencer career. At first, it seems like she has everything: fame, fortune, and fans everywhere. Only when her family's vast fortune crumbles overnight does she realize how superficial that life was. But Elena is very business savvy and smart. I really love how the author fleshes Elena out to be much more than a brand.
The interactions between Elena and her brother Gavin are very realistic with siblings. Gavin has his own secrets. Living off the grid without Wi-Fi has both siblings looking within themselves for what they really want and to have the courage to go after those dreams.
I also love the shout-out to Korean cuisine, such as how to make one of my favorite Korean staples, kimchi. Who knew there were so many different varieties of this tasty dish! There's mention of Elena's parents' more humble beginnings in Korea on a farm, and the struggles they went through before immigrating to the States.
There's also hints of romance and building not only a community, but real friendships.
The dialogue is punchy and sharp. Also, not only Elena, but her family arc at the end of this totally engaging contemporary story.
Fans of SCHITT'S CREEK are sure to love this fun story!
They end up going to an off-the-grid farming community of Blair, CA, to wait for the results of an internal investigation. Like a bad dream, Elena can't believe she's lost everything. Plus, she's stuck with her annoying older brother Gavin. But she finds that the small town does have something she never had in the city. She ends up using her savvy to help those in town and finds that maybe building a sense of community is more than just building a brand.
What worked: Fun twist on SCHITT'S CREEK meets 2000s THE SIMPLE LIFE. I'm a huge fan of the series, and this book has all the snappy humor. Add to that the multi-generational interactions of a Korean family.
Elena initially comes across as self-absorbed in her influencer career. At first, it seems like she has everything: fame, fortune, and fans everywhere. Only when her family's vast fortune crumbles overnight does she realize how superficial that life was. But Elena is very business savvy and smart. I really love how the author fleshes Elena out to be much more than a brand.
The interactions between Elena and her brother Gavin are very realistic with siblings. Gavin has his own secrets. Living off the grid without Wi-Fi has both siblings looking within themselves for what they really want and to have the courage to go after those dreams.
I also love the shout-out to Korean cuisine, such as how to make one of my favorite Korean staples, kimchi. Who knew there were so many different varieties of this tasty dish! There's mention of Elena's parents' more humble beginnings in Korea on a farm, and the struggles they went through before immigrating to the States.
There's also hints of romance and building not only a community, but real friendships.
The dialogue is punchy and sharp. Also, not only Elena, but her family arc at the end of this totally engaging contemporary story.
Fans of SCHITT'S CREEK are sure to love this fun story!
Good Points
1. Fun twist on SCHITT'S CREEK
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