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kdailyreads's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Bullying, Classism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual content
agateg's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
At the threat of everything falling apart, Izumi vows to do whatever it takes to help win over the council. Which means upping her newly acquired princess game. But at what cost? Izumi will do anything to help her parents achieve their happily ever after, but what if playing the perfect princess means sacrificing her own? Will she find a way to forge her own path and follow her heart?
This book didn't bring me the same fuzzy feeling that the first one brought but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. The parents' relationship was a real highlight for me, the unconditional love they have for each other and Izumi was so so precious to me. Seeing Izumi being confused about what to do and what's the best thing to do was very gratifying because I also feel pressured to achieve certain goals and all I wanted for her was to find herself and follow her dreams. Eriku easily became my favourite book boyfriend, I adored him to no end, I really need an Eriku in my life, seeing him struggle was heartbreaking and I was so happy to see him shine. Aiko lost some of his appeals from the first book but I still really loved the poems he wrote for Izumi. I also loved that Izumi and her cousins grew a bond because the last thing I wanted was for Izumi to have to fit into the royal life all alone. Overall I loved the story and characters and I had such a fun time spending time in this universe.
Graphic: Classism and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Cursing
renharms's review
- 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
Graphic: Classism and Panic attacks/disorders
sfbookgirl's review
- 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
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Classism
Moderate: Sexism and Bullying
sarahmarie094's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Classism
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I also enjoyed all of the Japanese culture infused into this book. There's a lot I learned while reading it, and it made the book feel more realistic and more engaging. I will definitely read anything Emiko Jean writes after the success of this duology!
Graphic: Classism and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Bullying and Sexism
Minor: Sexual content
theespressoedition's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
I loved Tokyo Ever After so, so much and had the highest hopes for Tokyo Dreaming. But A LOVE TRIANGLE?! What on earth possessed the sweet author to make us suffer through that turmoil?
Give me Akio! Give me sweet "Radish" references and stolen kisses!
I listened to almost this entire book within the span of 24 hours and I couldn't have been more disappointed with the majority of the story. However, there were a few redeeming factors:
- Izumi became friends with "The Shining Twins" and they were actually decent humans... hurray!
- Izumi's mom's story was actually really meaningful and the anxiety aspect was handled well
Okay, yeah, that's about it. If I'd gone into this one with no previous knowledge of the first book, maybe I would've liked it? If there had never been Akio, there's a chance the romance in this would've been cute and I would've liked how Izumi learned from it and found a good friend in Eriku. Normally, I love fake dating and would've been all about that story... but... you guessed it: AKIO.
Sorry, this one just missed the mark almost entirely for me.
Graphic: Classism and Panic attacks/disorders
melaniereadsbooks's review
- 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
Izumi is back in this adorable sequel to Tokyo Ever After. This was so cute and I really enjoyed seeing more about Izumi. Reader beware: there is a "love triangle" in this book. I thought it was cute and well done so I didn't really mind, but I know some don't like that plot.
There was some really good character development and cute relationships in this! I especially liked the focus between Izumi and her parents and the growth to that relationship! Super cute.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Classism
Moderate: Sexism and Bullying
bookswithsoumi's review
- 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
I don’t want to give any spoilers, because even listing the tropes could be a spoiler, but I was blown away by this book. TD was a little more fluffy than TEA, and the conflict didn’t seem as dramatic as book 1, but I think that’s a good thing. In book 1, our princess deals more with inner conflict regarding her ethnic identity and romantic feelings for her bodyguard. In book 2, Izumi’s conflict is more external, regarding the public opinion of her parents’ marriage and her social standing as a student trying to get into an elite college she is academically unqualified for. Izumi doesn’t run away from her problems this time and instead tries to support people who feel like they have to. We also get to explore a few more ~unlikely~ friendships in this book, and we get to see new sides of Izumi. She studies hard with her new tutor, Eriku, to get into the University of Tokyo, all to impress the Imperial House Council to allow her parents to get married.
Thank you for Flatiron Books and Emiko Jean for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
2. Love triangle. I was actually SO unhappy when I heard there was going to be a love triangle in this book. I feel that sequels rely on this trope too often (i.e. New Moon in the Twilight series, The Elite in the Selection series) This was the first and only time I’ve ever thought a love triangle was done well where there was an actual choice and it wasn’t obvious.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Classism and Sexism