A review by bellaamoy
Himawari House by Harmony Becker

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

my chronic inability to read the blurb of books before checking them out coming in clutch ~~~

i was pleasantly surprised by this one! it was a beautiful exploration of exchange students learning japanese and navigating their way through life in a country who's language they are not fluent in. i related a lot to the main character, who felt not close enough to her culture because she didn't grow up in japan and couldn't speak the language as well as everyone else. 

i was just rooting for all of the characters and wanted the best for each of them :,). 

also, love the feeling of found family in the book. they all found each other and needed the support of other people who understood what they were going through (and vice versa! a character who can't speak English as well and is embarrassed to speak with all the roommates) and having the support system of those around them. 

really wish the story went on a bit more, or at least tells us what happens after nao leaves japan. i was finally starting to like her love interest ahahah.