Scan barcode
shania_siobhan's review
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexism
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
4.5
“The only thing you could ever do to disappoint me is denying who you truly are.”
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Cursing
nitya's review
emotional
funny
sad
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? It's complicated
3.5
Although I devoured this book, I can't say I enjoyed it as much as the first.
I was happy about the ending overall but it felt a bit rushed. After a lengthy break, Izumi and Akio get back together and then BAM, 5 pages later the book ends! There's very little payoff.
Also wasn't a big fan of the fake dating/love triangle combo. Love fake dating by itself, and I tolerate love triangles unless it becomes (preferably) polyamory, but. It felt sort of tacked on here. And what about the royal family's reaction?? After they made so much fuss about both Izumi and her mother not living up to their strict and ridiculous standards.
The author's writing style and humor are great though! It's the last of a duology so I shouldn't be so nitpicky.
I would reread Tokyo Ever After, but I probably won't do the same for this.
Also wasn't a big fan of the fake dating/love triangle combo. Love fake dating by itself, and I tolerate love triangles unless it becomes (preferably) polyamory, but. It felt sort of tacked on here. And what about the royal family's reaction?? After they made so much fuss about both Izumi and her mother not living up to their strict and ridiculous standards.
The author's writing style and humor are great though! It's the last of a duology so I shouldn't be so nitpicky.
I would reread Tokyo Ever After, but I probably won't do the same for this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
sfbookgirl's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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 had a lot of fun reading the sequel of TOKYO EVER AFTER. While I found this super cute, I enjoyed TOKYO EVER AFTER just ever so slightly more. Without giving away any spoilers, I loved the love triangle and the further development of Izumi’s relationship with her parents.
If you haven’t read TOKYO EVER AFTER yet, I highly recommend it! It’s an excellent, slightly more modern retelling of The Princess Diaries with current teenage challenges set in Japan. If you are a fan of all things royal, you will definitely enjoy it. And Netflix, where is the show? This book needs one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Classism
Moderate: Sexism and Bullying
bookcheshirecat's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.25
“Just remember when you're asking what Japan wants from you, make sure you ask what you want from yourself, too. Don't bury who you are to become who others think you should be.”
➽ Tokyo Ever After didn't need a sequel per se, but I still enjoyed it!Tokyo Dreaming follows Princess Izumi, as she navigates her duty as a member of the Royal House and her dreams for the future. Her parents' engagement hits a wall due to old traditions and her own lack of suitable background. Izumi is determined to become whoever she needs to prove that her parents should be allowed to marry. Her future is becoming a bigger concern, as she needs to find a suitable field of study and the right connections that will make her seem like a 'proper' princess. I really felt for her as she's trying her best to fit in, but is ultimately different from the other royals.
➽ I'm not a fan of the couple taking a break in book 2, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been! Izumi and her bodyguard-turned-boyfriend Akio break up during the tumultuous situation with her parents and she's of course heartbroken. Akio isn't really in the book for the majority, as Izumi is spending more time with Eriku. I'm not a fan of love triangles at all and the only reason I wasn't annoyed is that Eriku was such a kind, sweet boy who genuinely liked spending time with Izumi. Sadly, it was so clear from the beginning that he didn't stand a chance as the love interest!
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.5
If you like anything royalty related, you are abolustely sure to love this. Especially if you love the early 2000 movies The Princess Diaries or What a Girl Wants. It's like the perfect read-a-like for those. While I'm not a huge fan of love triangles (which is why this isn't getting 5 stars), I do understand why it was introduced into this story. It added to the drama and the conflict and made for a more interesting read! It also paralleled Izumi's own journey really well.
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Bullying and Sexism
Minor: Sexual content
melaniereadsbooks's review
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
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this book.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Classism
Moderate: Sexism and Bullying
bookswithsoumi's review
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
5.0
See full review on my website Tokyo Dreaming
TEA was the first book I read in 2022, and I was jumping up and down when I received the advanced reader copy! The general premise of the story is that Izumi, a Japanese-American teenager in California, finds out her dad is the Crown Prince of Japan, Princess Diaries-style. Princess Izumi navigates royal life, her conniving cousins, and forbidden romance with her bodyguard. Book 2 deals with the same themes, but Izumi continues to grow as a person. She basically tries to get her sh*t together as the Imperial House Council blocks her parents’ marriage, as Izumi’s mom is 1/ American 2/ not royal 3/ isn’t rich.
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.
Since the whole book is set in Japan and not in USA, I think Izumi has fewer opportunities to explore her identity as a “third culture kid” in America. I missed that discussion of cultural identity from the 1st book when
I really want a third book, but at the same time, I can tell the author tied up everything nicely and I don’t want to ruin the happily ever after. It must be named Tokyo Ever After for a reason! Why do good things have to end?
Thank you for Flatiron Books and Emiko Jean for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Spoilers for book 2: (the tropes)
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.
Tl;dr: A must read (completed) duology of the “I-Just-Found-Out-I’m-A-Princess” Trope!
Who might enjoy this book?: readers of royal romances, books about Asian/ Japanese Americans,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Classism and Sexism
bookwormbullet's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-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: Bullying and Sexism
More...