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bookishmornings's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
annalisa4's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Was a cute love story of a young adult characters
animelanie's review against another edition
4.0
While this novel starts out a bit cliche and lacking depth, the progression of the story works to create some depth and it ended up being a really nice book to read. I read it in a day, around doing laundry & cooking. I picked it up because of my love for Japan & it was nice to read a story that's mostly set in Japan.
ellinoir's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.75
yourstrulyemi's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
3.5
Contains spoilers
This book is rated 3.5/5
Not bad. I mean, for a slice of life written in the first person’s view, really not bad. Those who know my reading preferences know how much I dislike the first-person narrative, as I prefer to have access to the inner feelings of all major characters and get to know their motivation. But yeah I love you so mochi really wasn’t so bad.
However, the romance in the book was underwhelming, and that fact stood out for me even more because I went in expecting fluffy romance. I have nothing to say about Kimi, she’s a normal girl with her passions, her hobbies, her struggles, her flaws and all that. Compared to her, Akira is Mister Perfect. I’ve rambled about it to my friends when we read the book together, but the fact that everything about him made him into a person that just so conveniently happens to benefit Kimi in every way, made him such an unrealistic character in a story that is supposed to be relatable due to its realism. He’s perfect in every way, he has no flaws. Even when their relationship meets an obstacle, it’s because he’s worrying about someone else, which once again contributes to his qualities instead of his flaws. Akira having lived his entire life in Japan, a cultural barrier that they both need to overcome with some awkward moments, would have been more enjoyable to read in my opinion.
But thankfully, Kimi’s story with her family, how she manages to reconnect everyone and finds her passion alongside it are what made the book truly shine. My favorite moments by far were those Kimi spent with her grandparents, two interesting and adorable individuals. Seeing them warm up to Kimi and her open up to them little by little was heartening. They became her home in a country she was so unfamiliar with, while also teaching her about herself and her family. The author managed to tell a very touching story where Kimi collects all the missing puzzles and puts them together to figure out who she is.
The author also has the talent for writing feelings in a way that they’re so relatable, almost as if the reader was also going through them. Besides, Kimi trying to figure out her future is a common struggle young people go through, so it easily resonates with many.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I just wished the romance in this book didn’t exist so that we could see more family bonding moments.
This book is rated 3.5/5
Not bad. I mean, for a slice of life written in the first person’s view, really not bad. Those who know my reading preferences know how much I dislike the first-person narrative, as I prefer to have access to the inner feelings of all major characters and get to know their motivation. But yeah I love you so mochi really wasn’t so bad.
However, the romance in the book was underwhelming, and that fact stood out for me even more because I went in expecting fluffy romance. I have nothing to say about Kimi, she’s a normal girl with her passions, her hobbies, her struggles, her flaws and all that. Compared to her, Akira is Mister Perfect. I’ve rambled about it to my friends when we read the book together, but the fact that everything about him made him into a person that just so conveniently happens to benefit Kimi in every way, made him such an unrealistic character in a story that is supposed to be relatable due to its realism. He’s perfect in every way, he has no flaws. Even when their relationship meets an obstacle, it’s because he’s worrying about someone else, which once again contributes to his qualities instead of his flaws. Akira having lived his entire life in Japan, a cultural barrier that they both need to overcome with some awkward moments, would have been more enjoyable to read in my opinion.
But thankfully, Kimi’s story with her family, how she manages to reconnect everyone and finds her passion alongside it are what made the book truly shine. My favorite moments by far were those Kimi spent with her grandparents, two interesting and adorable individuals. Seeing them warm up to Kimi and her open up to them little by little was heartening. They became her home in a country she was so unfamiliar with, while also teaching her about herself and her family. The author managed to tell a very touching story where Kimi collects all the missing puzzles and puts them together to figure out who she is.
The author also has the talent for writing feelings in a way that they’re so relatable, almost as if the reader was also going through them. Besides, Kimi trying to figure out her future is a common struggle young people go through, so it easily resonates with many.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I just wished the romance in this book didn’t exist so that we could see more family bonding moments.
azut's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ridhaaa's review against another edition
3.0
i finished this book in a day. that doesn’t happen a lot.
i was looking for something sweet and full of love, and that’s exactly what this book gave me. made my heart flutter many times
i was looking for something sweet and full of love, and that’s exactly what this book gave me. made my heart flutter many times
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This is the type of book that puts a smile on your face and makes you feel like all is right with the universe. The book is set (mostly) in Kyoto, Japan, and Kuhn does a fabulous job of making us feel like we’re right there with Kimi. There are so many cultural details that ground us in a sense of setting, and it’s easy to understand Kimi’s mixed feelings of blending in and standing out in a country that provided her heritage and many aspects of her culture, but still isn’t quite home.
I enjoyed every aspect of this book: Kimi getting to know her estranged grandparents (love, love, LOVE her grandparents), her complicated relationship with her mom, her exploration of Japan, and the adorable romance between her and Akira. Akira makes it his mission to help Kimi find where her passion in life truly lies, and their adventures together are incredibly sweet and swoony. It’s pretty obvious from the beginning what Kimi’s true calling is in life, and there are some moments when you wonder how she doesn’t see it, but her journey of self-discovery is so relatable that it’s easy to let that detail go. Overall, this book was a huge win for me, and I will definitely be reading more of Sarah Kuhn’s books in the future!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
This is the type of book that puts a smile on your face and makes you feel like all is right with the universe. The book is set (mostly) in Kyoto, Japan, and Kuhn does a fabulous job of making us feel like we’re right there with Kimi. There are so many cultural details that ground us in a sense of setting, and it’s easy to understand Kimi’s mixed feelings of blending in and standing out in a country that provided her heritage and many aspects of her culture, but still isn’t quite home.
I enjoyed every aspect of this book: Kimi getting to know her estranged grandparents (love, love, LOVE her grandparents), her complicated relationship with her mom, her exploration of Japan, and the adorable romance between her and Akira. Akira makes it his mission to help Kimi find where her passion in life truly lies, and their adventures together are incredibly sweet and swoony. It’s pretty obvious from the beginning what Kimi’s true calling is in life, and there are some moments when you wonder how she doesn’t see it, but her journey of self-discovery is so relatable that it’s easy to let that detail go. Overall, this book was a huge win for me, and I will definitely be reading more of Sarah Kuhn’s books in the future!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
turidt's review against another edition
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
2.5