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beckyyreadss's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I wanted to read this book because I enjoyed Mika in Real Life and wanted to read more of Emiko Jean’s work and decided to read this series. I really enjoyed this book and I love Emiko’s style of writing.
This book is based on Izumi Tanaka, and she has lived an uneventful life for the last seventeen years in her small town, keenly aware of all the ways in which her family is different from most of her classmates. But then Izumi discovers a clue to her previously unknown father’s identity and he is the Crown Prince of Japan. Soon she’s traveling overseas to meet the father she never knew and discover the country she’s only dreamed of. But being a princess isn’t all ball gowns and tiaras. There are conniving cousins, a hungry press, a scowling but handsome bodyguard who just might be her soulmate, and thousands of years of tradition and customs to learn practically overnight. Izzy soon finds herself caught between worlds, and between versions of herself – back home, she was never “American” enough, and in Japan, she must prove she’s “Japanese” enough. Will Izumi crumble under the weight of the crown, or will she get her fairytale?
I loved the aspect of this, and the Princess Diaries vibes and Izzy was such a fun character, and she was so chaotic, but I wanted to hug her so much during this story. She had such a great character development and I loved how she went from trying to please everyone to standing up for herself and just deciding to be herself. I love her friendship and how brutal and loving they were at the same. I loved that they were like get out of your rut and get the hell back to Japan to fix things. I loved the romance between Izzy’s mum and dad and hoping they get back together in the next book and have a great love story! The love story and the tension between Izzy and Akio was so adorable and I wanted more from them. You could tell instantly that Akio had feelings and connection to Izzy. The poems were also so sweet.
I would have loved for this to be multiple POV with Akio and the side characters especially her mum and dad. The third-act breakup wasn’t needed at all either and especially that it was miscommunication. If the guard said, “he’s gone because he’s quit” rather than “he’s gone” and implying that he had been sacked just drove me nuts a bit. I managed to guess who was involved with the press because I knew the twins were the obvious suspect, but even though it was a bit predictable, I still enjoyed it.
This book was so sweet, and I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Racism
Moderate: Sexism, Xenophobia, and Vomit
Minor: Sexual assault, Dementia, and Sexual harassment
moendchen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, and Vomit
Minor: Sexism and Sexual harassment
km4reading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
As someone who comes from two cultures, I found Izumi relatable and very well written as she struggles to balance her identities.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Vomit and Sexual harassment
cadybooks's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
- 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
1.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Xenophobia
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Racism, Sexual assault, Vomit, and Sexual harassment
mcz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Xenophobia
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Vomit
amberinpieces's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Cursing, Mental illness, Racism, Sexism, Vomit, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
peachmoni's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Sexism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Chronic illness, Racism, Vomit, Sexual harassment, and Classism
agateg's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“You are a world unto yourself. Build your own space. One meant uniquely for you.”
Izumi Tanaka has never really felt like she fit in—it isn’t easy being Japanese American in her small, mostly white, northern California town. Raised by a single mother, it’s always been Izzy, her nickname, because “It’s easier this way”, and her mom against the world. But then Izzy discovers a clue to her unknown father’s identity, and he’s none other than the Crown Prince of Japan. Which means Izzy is a princess. Izzy soon finds herself caught between worlds, and between versions of herself—back home, she was never “American” enough, and in Japan, she must prove she’s “Japanese” enough. Will Izumi crumble under the weight of the crown, or will she live out her fairytale, happily ever after?
This was such a lovely story. I fell wholeheartedly in love with Izumi almost immediately. I think this was a very touching story full of self-discovery. I cannot comment on the accuracy of the portrayed Japanese culture because it is not my own, nor do I share the same main identity struggles as Izumi, but the story did make me fall in love with the Japan Izumi saw and it will definitely be moved up my dream destinations. The story touched me in so many tender ways, her discovering her dad and forming a relationship with him brought tears to my eyes multiple times. I felt the love through the pages, the familial love that makes a person's heart full. My favourite man Akio was such a delight to get to know, the tenderness of his feelings for Izumi were swoon-worthy and delicately described. And my best princess Izumi was such an inspiration, I so deeply felt everything she felt. I was so proud of her progress and hard work, I liked how she learnt to embrace all sides of herself. I loved Izumi and Akio's chemistry and I can't wait to read what the second book has in store for them. They deserve all the love in the world. NOT THE PLOT TWIST BEING THAT YOSHI DID IT, I was so SCHOKED and HURT, I was about to hype my man up and he goes and does THIS??
Izumi Tanaka has never really felt like she fit in—it isn’t easy being Japanese American in her small, mostly white, northern California town. Raised by a single mother, it’s always been Izzy, her nickname, because “It’s easier this way”, and her mom against the world. But then Izzy discovers a clue to her unknown father’s identity, and he’s none other than the Crown Prince of Japan. Which means Izzy is a princess. Izzy soon finds herself caught between worlds, and between versions of herself—back home, she was never “American” enough, and in Japan, she must prove she’s “Japanese” enough. Will Izumi crumble under the weight of the crown, or will she live out her fairytale, happily ever after?
This was such a lovely story. I fell wholeheartedly in love with Izumi almost immediately. I think this was a very touching story full of self-discovery. I cannot comment on the accuracy of the portrayed Japanese culture because it is not my own, nor do I share the same main identity struggles as Izumi, but the story did make me fall in love with the Japan Izumi saw and it will definitely be moved up my dream destinations. The story touched me in so many tender ways, her discovering her dad and forming a relationship with him brought tears to my eyes multiple times. I felt the love through the pages, the familial love that makes a person's heart full. My favourite man Akio was such a delight to get to know, the tenderness of his feelings for Izumi were swoon-worthy and delicately described. And my best princess Izumi was such an inspiration, I so deeply felt everything she felt. I was so proud of her progress and hard work, I liked how she learnt to embrace all sides of herself. I loved Izumi and Akio's chemistry and I can't wait to read what the second book has in store for them. They deserve all the love in the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Classism
Moderate: Cursing and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual assault, Vomit, and Dementia
pawprintedpages's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit and Alcohol
stormzx's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
personal age rating: 11/12+
this book was a really fun and lighthearted read. there were a number of embarrassing moments that forced me to put the book down but other than that it was a fantastic book. there were some parts of the book where i found it was hard and boring to read. the book was still enjoyable though. i cant wait to see what the next book is gonna be about.
i can’t believe that yoshi really sold the picture of akio and izumi kissing to the press. he was a very funny character and i liked him a lot throughout the story. i can understand why he hates being a prince but that’s no excuse to bring izumi down because of it.
this book was a really fun and lighthearted read. there were a number of embarrassing moments that forced me to put the book down but other than that it was a fantastic book. there were some parts of the book where i found it was hard and boring to read. the book was still enjoyable though. i cant wait to see what the next book is gonna be about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racism, and Alcohol
Moderate: Vomit