Reviews

From Little Tokyo, with Love by Sarah Kuhn

xavia's review against another edition

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3.0

From Little Tokyo, With Love is a beautiful book about accepting yourself. All of your self.

It focused a LOT on Rika's feelings of not belonging. She's too Asian to be just American, but not Asian enough for her community to truly accept her. She's constantly told she is "half" and "to angry" and "a disruption" and "a mistake" and while she tries to just let these things roll off of her it's very clear that she has internalized those things and made them a part of her.

It's a beautiful story of self acceptance and a look at these "tight knit communities" and how they operate.

My problem is with the way the book was executed. I think this story should have been about Rika reconnecting with Grace and with her sisters. No romance (which, is saying a lot because the romance is often my favorite part of a story). But with the message this book was trying to impart, I think the focus should have strictly been on Rika's search for Grace. While that is the main over all goal, so much of it is overshadowed by this boy Rika's only known for four days. I just think it would have been more powerful is she went on this quest with Belle and Rory.

Additionally, I think I would have liked to get some of Grace's perspective. Instead of info dumping the backstories at the end of the book, I think I would have liked to live some of those moments with Grace. A duel perspective between Rika and Grace. So we can understand both of them, instead of just... dangling Grace like a carrot.

Truthfully, because this book actually focuses so little on Grace, I didn't actually feel the catharsis I expected when Rika finally met her. She felt flat. And frankly like a child. I didn't care.

So while I loved this book for it's deep dive into what it's like to "not belong" in a culture or group, the execution left a lot to be desired. Because of the way the plot DOES go, I wish the book was a good 100 pages shorter.

itsmethebibliophile's review against another edition

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4.0

**Thank you to NetGalley, the author, & the publisher for a chance to read to & review an ARC of this book!**

Please find my extended feedback below...along with some spoilers (beware).
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Things I Liked:
-I really enjoyed the cultural elements of this story
-I liked the spunk of the main character
-I enjoyed the story and plot overall

Things That Didn't Sit Quite Right With Me:
-I felt that there was a good bit of "fluff" at times.

Overall, I gave this book 4 stars. It would be a good read for people who enjoy reading stories with strong cultural elements & a bit of mystery.

bookishbursnoll's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5⭐ rounded up

cossettereads's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5 rounded up i think !!!

overall v. cute & wholesome !

content warnings for: racism, homophobia, absent parents, panic attacks/anxiety, invasion of privacy

caylieratzlaff's review against another edition

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4.0

This was absolutely adorable and wholesome and gave me warm fuzzies and also was such an intricate look at the idea of belonging along with Asian American disparities and issues within the AAPI community.

4/5 stars because 1) the font of the book was awful and 2) I love Rika and Henry but what the heck was the need for the car scene like…bruh.

kaylareadsbooks's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved this so much. I loved the sister bond between Rika and her sisters. I loved the conversations about race and finding your place in your community. And I love Henry. Thank you PenguinTeen for the eARC/

thenextgenlib's review against another edition

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4.0

“It's like no one sees all of me, exactly. Because no one wants to.”

mm1227's review against another edition

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4.0

Cute little book i loved it

bloomycat12's review against another edition

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challenging hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

invisibleninjacat's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted relaxing 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

5.0

A very nice romcom that interacts in fun ways with princess stories and fairytales in general and Cinderella in particular. The relationship development felt organic, and I liked their interactions.