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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5 stars. Meant to be a spiritual successor to The Princess Diaries (how would Mia's life be different if there were cellphones everywhere???), this kind of is. Unfortunately, it's really predictable. You know who Izumi is going to fall in love with, you know it's going to get ruined by the Tatler, you know (sadly) who the bad guy is. It's cute in places, but the ending(s) leave something to be desired.
funny
lighthearted
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:
No
that quote that says this book is basically The Princess Diaries meets Crazy Rich Asians? so true. very tropey, a bit cliché, but who’s complaining! i am not ashamed to love the ordinary
Thanks to the publisher for my gorgeous finished copy!
Tokyo Ever After is such a sweet and pleasant surprise I did not know I needed, it is a perfect blend of The Princess Diaries and Crazy Rich Asians and would make an adorable Netflix series. I love reading a good #ownvoices book so we can experience things from the best possible authentic resource especially books like Tokyo Ever After because the way the author described Japanese culture in this story including tiny little nuances is amazing and she carried it through out the book with nothing but glowing pride towards her culture and traditions. I loved learning about the beautiful Japanese Culture so very much
Izumi Tanaka gets a larger than life surprise on one fine day when she realizes her estranged father is none other than Japanese Royalty, raised by her single mother she has everything she needs in her life from amazing bunch of friends to a mother who is more like her sister but there is always a part of her that felt she never fit in perfectly because being an immigrant is not easy in her mostly white town of California. When her best friend and resident sleuth finds a way to reach out to Izumi's dad, she jumps at the opportunity but little did she know that her email is going to change her life for better or worse because somewhere deep inside she wants to have a sense of belonging and thus she boards her plane to Japan not knowing what awaits her on the other side.
I absolutely adored the writing style, its hilarious ,witty and heart warming at the same time. The moments between Izumi and her father are beautifully done and the part where she goes deeper into her roots visiting a small remote place where her family history had began has to be my absolute favorite part of the story, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Izumi's character blossom as she finds herself the hard way.As an immigrant raising a child of my own here, these moments not only made me nostalgic but also brought so much joy. Last but not least- the romance, oh sweet forbidden romance between her and her brooding body guard is adorable and cute, overall reading Tokyo Ever After had been an amazing experience :)
Read if you like:
-The Princess Diaries
-Crazy Rich Asians
-Forbidden Romance
-Modern Royalty
-Monarchy setting with mild court intrigue
-Own Voices books
Tokyo Ever After is such a sweet and pleasant surprise I did not know I needed, it is a perfect blend of The Princess Diaries and Crazy Rich Asians and would make an adorable Netflix series. I love reading a good #ownvoices book so we can experience things from the best possible authentic resource especially books like Tokyo Ever After because the way the author described Japanese culture in this story including tiny little nuances is amazing and she carried it through out the book with nothing but glowing pride towards her culture and traditions. I loved learning about the beautiful Japanese Culture so very much
Izumi Tanaka gets a larger than life surprise on one fine day when she realizes her estranged father is none other than Japanese Royalty, raised by her single mother she has everything she needs in her life from amazing bunch of friends to a mother who is more like her sister but there is always a part of her that felt she never fit in perfectly because being an immigrant is not easy in her mostly white town of California. When her best friend and resident sleuth finds a way to reach out to Izumi's dad, she jumps at the opportunity but little did she know that her email is going to change her life for better or worse because somewhere deep inside she wants to have a sense of belonging and thus she boards her plane to Japan not knowing what awaits her on the other side.
I absolutely adored the writing style, its hilarious ,witty and heart warming at the same time. The moments between Izumi and her father are beautifully done and the part where she goes deeper into her roots visiting a small remote place where her family history had began has to be my absolute favorite part of the story, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Izumi's character blossom as she finds herself the hard way.As an immigrant raising a child of my own here, these moments not only made me nostalgic but also brought so much joy. Last but not least- the romance, oh sweet forbidden romance between her and her brooding body guard is adorable and cute, overall reading Tokyo Ever After had been an amazing experience :)
Read if you like:
-The Princess Diaries
-Crazy Rich Asians
-Forbidden Romance
-Modern Royalty
-Monarchy setting with mild court intrigue
-Own Voices books
I enjoyed this book, it was a really delightful read! I find the long-lost princess trope so intriguing, and I can see why Reese picked this for her YA bookclub. I found Izumi and Akio to be darling, but, the true heart of this story is the AGG. Big yes to strong, supportive friend groups ESPECIALLY at a time when it's hard to hold onto those. I also really enjoyed the exploration of belonging not only in terms of the typical coming-of-age arc, but also belonging culturally.
But... I did find some of Izumi's internal commentary a bit cringey. I know, I know it's a YA book blah blah blah but I would be so into it and then she would say something teenager-esque (which, she's 18, she should be a little... more mature in my opinion) and it would take me out of the story. I also found the actual romance between her and Akio underdeveloped. She goes from hating him to being in love with in the span of a day, with really little to no concrete reason as to WHY.
But I was not expecting that twist at the end at all! So, overall, good read, but very YA for my personal tastes.
But... I did find some of Izumi's internal commentary a bit cringey. I know, I know it's a YA book blah blah blah but I would be so into it and then she would say something teenager-esque (which, she's 18, she should be a little... more mature in my opinion) and it would take me out of the story. I also found the actual romance between her and Akio underdeveloped. She goes from hating him to being in love with in the span of a day, with really little to no concrete reason as to WHY.
But I was not expecting that twist at the end at all! So, overall, good read, but very YA for my personal tastes.
To some extent, this book was enjoyable, but there were a few factors that made it less enjoyable. First starters, the last 5-10 chapters were poorly written with improper grammar. There was an attempt at enemies to lovers, but honestly I would be annoyed with human being after a 10-15 hour flight so that plot point felt weak. Friendships only really counted when it helped the main character, and a lot of the friendships before the book’s story felt forced and were honestly a bit annoying.
On a happier note, the dad and mom were amazing characters. They were supportive parents and there was no Disney-channel relationships with the parents (when the parents are stupid and only the kids are smart). They are respectable, encouraging parents who would do anything to spend time with the daughter.
The transitioning of cultures made a strong point. It is very difficult to learn new customs and manners that are different from your own. I felt that part was decently articulated.
On a happier note, the dad and mom were amazing characters. They were supportive parents and there was no Disney-channel relationships with the parents (when the parents are stupid and only the kids are smart). They are respectable, encouraging parents who would do anything to spend time with the daughter.
The transitioning of cultures made a strong point. It is very difficult to learn new customs and manners that are different from your own. I felt that part was decently articulated.
3.8 great YA will absolutely read the second in May!
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:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes