Reviews

Horribly written review incoming because I still suck at articulating my thoughts.

I am completely in love with this book - I just think it’s so warm and home-y.
Just going to pace myself a little and just start by saying that I loved the plot. Ordinary girl finds out that her long lost father is actually the crown prince of Japan and is quickly thrown into a world that she hopes will make her feel whole.
I love finding a book that makes me never want to put it down and this was definitely one of those books. The different themes were briiiiilliant, from her struggles with her identity - growing up American whilst being ethnically Japanese, not being entirely in touch with her culture which I know is something that a lot of second or third (etc) generation immigrants feel so it was nice to see her learn more about Japan as a whole but also fun to watch her learn more about being royalty and watching her progression after initially struggling to adapt. Also the AGG friendship group makes me so happy because they’re the type of friends everyone wants.

Okay now for the best bit - AKIO AND IZUMI’S RELATIONSHIP OH MY LORD when I tell you I screamed out loud everytime they interacted I MEAN IT. Kind of enemies to lovers and he’s just so sweet. He notices the little things about her THEY HAVE A SONG THAT IS THEIR OWN LIKE THEIR OWN SONG BUT NOT SUNG BY THEM you know what I’m trying to say - hopefully. Like a kind of forbidden romance because of their positions - her being a princess and him being her imperial guard and it’s just EVERYTHING. She wears his sweatshirt - he likes it, need I say more???

So yeh VERY quick read 3-4 hours ish I TOTALLY recommend it xxxxx

coraldraes's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

dancingchemprof's review against another edition

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emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

ransomoney's review against another edition

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funny 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

3.75

A lot of people say this is “princess diaries” meets “crazy rich Asian’s”, I would also through in a heavy dash of “What a girl wants” excellent ya about identity and who you want to be.

jess_mango's review against another edition

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4.0

Izumi always felt like a bit of an outsider. She was Japanese American in a mostly white California suburb. She was raised by a single mother and has only been told that her father was a one-night-stand. Izzy doesn't even know her father's name. But, after Izzy and her friend do some sleuthing on the internet, they discover that Izzy's dad is the crown-prince of Japan. She zooms off to Tokyo to meet her newly discovered royal relatives. Once there she finds that she doesn't quite fit in there either. She makes some social fumbles and isn't helped at all by conniving twin cousins. She starts to wonder if she fits in anyplace.

This was a fun, sweet read. I mean, what little girl hasn't dreamt of discovering they're a princess?!?! Izzy was a relatable character. One who is simply trying to find her place in the world. I liked this twist on the princess tale a la Princess Diaries. It is refreshing to see an #ownvoices modern fairy tale. I didn't previously know much about Japanese royalty but this book made me want to learn more. BTW-- I listened to the book on audio and it was awesome!

What to listen to while reading...
Nobody by Mitski
Royals by Lorde
Princesses Don't Cry by Aviva
Sky Full of Stars by Coldplay
Be Sweet by Japanese Breakfast

Thank you to the publisher for the audiobook!

suchii's review against another edition

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funny relaxing fast-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

3.0

jladams's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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