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rakoerose's review against another edition
3.0
This book was fairly average for me. Not too bad, but nothing outstanding. This definitely felt more like a guide to Japan and less like a story with any meat to it. Elle and the plot felt very flat and, in some moments, a little abrasive and unpleasant. Her personality is something you have to get used to but I still stand by my statement that it feels like she doesn’t act her age.
However, the setting is definitely very rich. As someone who’s been interested in Japan for a while, I could picture a lot of what this book portrays due to having watched a lot of Japan videos before! If you’re interested in Japan, this might appeal to you just on that front and I’d say go for it.
The romance was cute, if predictable. Elle’s new friends are a bit cliché. Kenji was the most interesting and we see him the least. Honestly I’d read a whole book with a character like him at the forefront - it’d be a look into Japan I’ve never seen before that could really hammer some of this book’s themes home a lot stronger.
A quick aside: a book like this should have taken me two days, tops, to read. If you look at my log - it took me four. I think it says a lot about Elle’s personality in this book that I was actively avoiding reading it for a while. But that might just be me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
However, the setting is definitely very rich. As someone who’s been interested in Japan for a while, I could picture a lot of what this book portrays due to having watched a lot of Japan videos before! If you’re interested in Japan, this might appeal to you just on that front and I’d say go for it.
The romance was cute, if predictable. Elle’s new friends are a bit cliché. Kenji was the most interesting and we see him the least. Honestly I’d read a whole book with a character like him at the forefront - it’d be a look into Japan I’ve never seen before that could really hammer some of this book’s themes home a lot stronger.
A quick aside: a book like this should have taken me two days, tops, to read. If you look at my log - it took me four. I think it says a lot about Elle’s personality in this book that I was actively avoiding reading it for a while. But that might just be me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
chivalricmaiden's review against another edition
1.0
This book got cringey fast.
Elle...she learned literally NOTHING from this journey. She sounded so whiny and bratty and still at the end did she keep on like this. Her backstory doesn't seem like it would build up to such a personality.
All the other characters were in the same vein. Totally flat.
The plot wasn't there much. It was more of a travel vlog.
I love Japan but I feel like this was written because of all the hyperactive girls obsessing over Asian culture. Thus, I grimaced the way Japan was represented. It was like reading from a 9 year old fangirl who just delved into the information because of anime loving and that sort of stuff.
This really could have been done better.
Elle...she learned literally NOTHING from this journey. She sounded so whiny and bratty and still at the end did she keep on like this. Her backstory doesn't seem like it would build up to such a personality.
All the other characters were in the same vein. Totally flat.
The plot wasn't there much. It was more of a travel vlog.
I love Japan but I feel like this was written because of all the hyperactive girls obsessing over Asian culture. Thus, I grimaced the way Japan was represented. It was like reading from a 9 year old fangirl who just delved into the information because of anime loving and that sort of stuff.
This really could have been done better.
heathervalentine3's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
emilyyjjean's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book started out really strong. I was invested in the story and the writing had a flow that kept me reading. It started to become pretty predictable though. It seems like it might’ve been influenced by The Princess Diaries. I kind of felt this when I started reading, but I was hoping it would deviate at some point.
I really wanted Imogen and the Ex-Brats to not be bitchy, popular girls, but I am glad that they make sort of amends eventually. The story felt very rushed at the end, which made the events that happen feel unbelievable. I feel like a magic wand was waved and everything was made better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism
Minor: Rape and Racism
tytie's review against another edition
2.0
If you want to know what the book is really about, read the first few pages and the last fourty pages. The rest is basically filler. No character development, no plot, and nothing really happening until the last fourty pages. Even then, the plot isn't worth reading. Overall, kind of a waste of time. However, you get to learn about some interesting places and customs in Japan.
tealeafbooks's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I don't know about YOUR reading experiences, but I can definitely say that I have never read a book like this one. Some circumstances and exchanges (dialogue and/or gesture) seem unoriginal and common (even overused in YA), but other aspects of this novel were refreshing for their unfamiliarity.
Without moving into spoilers: I haven't read a novel set in Tokyo before--and even if I had, it was not under these specific circumstances. I've seen swimming threads, clique threads, and friendship threads similar to the ones here--and yet I haven't.
I leave the book wanting more. Did it end too quickly? What about so and so? What happened to him? What about her mother? Am I pleased that certain things were predictable? (Like a certain eventual cat's name?) What is the future of Elle's relationships?
So, yes, I wondered about certain unaddressed points at the end and it felt semi-rushed (though, on a scale of maximum rushing (1o) to un-rushed/well-paced (0), I'd give it a 4), but it was a good read in its audiobook form.
I actually wouldn't mind a sequel (I write this cautiously), IF it remained close to the characters and their struggles/conflicts/interactions and didn't drift off into fluff.
I don't know about YOUR reading experiences, but I can definitely say that I have never read a book like this one. Some circumstances and exchanges (dialogue and/or gesture) seem unoriginal and common (even overused in YA), but other aspects of this novel were refreshing for their unfamiliarity.
Without moving into spoilers: I haven't read a novel set in Tokyo before--and even if I had, it was not under these specific circumstances. I've seen swimming threads, clique threads, and friendship threads similar to the ones here--and yet I haven't.
I leave the book wanting more. Did it end too quickly? What about so and so? What happened to him? What about her mother? Am I pleased that certain things were predictable? (Like a certain eventual cat's name?) What is the future of Elle's relationships?
So, yes, I wondered about certain unaddressed points at the end and it felt semi-rushed (though, on a scale of maximum rushing (1o) to un-rushed/well-paced (0), I'd give it a 4), but it was a good read in its audiobook form.
I actually wouldn't mind a sequel (I write this cautiously), IF it remained close to the characters and their struggles/conflicts/interactions and didn't drift off into fluff.
bbensonn's review against another edition
1.0
This might be the worst book I have ever read. I feel bad. But do I?? I’ll keep this short. First of all, apparently the concept of having a plot wasn’t thought to be a good idea for this book. Also, every single character is so flat. The main character is annoying. The romance doesn’t even start until 3/4 of the book is already over. NOTHING IS DEVELOPED. Literally the climax was within the last 10 pages of the book. I can’t I can’t I can’t. This feels like a Wattpad novel. I’m sorry I’m being so judgmental. I just can’t. I think I’m done now. Yup. I’m done. Overall, do not waste your time with this. It doesn’t get better. Ha. Ha. Ha.
whitneymouse's review against another edition
4.0
Part Mean Girls. Part Cinderella Story. Very fluffy. Full of interesting tourist attractions and many descriptions of cats :) I quite enjoyed this. It’s just fun.
carionreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This book was a quick and enjoyable read.