Review: Tokyo Ever After, Emiko Jean

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean
Published by Flatiron Books on May 18, 2021
Genres: young adult, contemporary
Format: ARC
Source: Flatiron Books, NetGalley
Buy on Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes & Noble, Publisher, Bookshop, Blackwell's
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Izumi Tanaka has never really felt like she fit in—it isn’t easy being Japanese American in her small, mostly white, northern California town. Raised by a single mother, it’s always been Izumi—or Izzy, because “It’s easier this way”—and her mom against the world. But then Izzy discovers a clue to her previously unknown father’s identity…and he’s none other than the Crown Prince of Japan. Which means outspoken, irreverent Izzy is literally a princess.
In a whirlwind, Izzy travels to Japan to meet the father she never knew and discover the country she always dreamed of. But being a princess isn’t all ball gowns and tiaras. There are conniving cousins, a hungry press, a scowling but handsome bodyguard who just might be her soulmate, and thousands of years of tradition and customs to learn practically overnight.
Izzy soon finds herself caught between worlds, and between versions of herself—back home, she was never “American” enough, and in Japan, she must prove she’s “Japanese” enough. Will Izumi crumble under the weight of the crown, or will she live out her fairytale, happily ever after?

I received this book for free from Flatiron Books, NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

☂️ TRIGGER WARNINGS:

Underage drinking, drunkenness, bullying, parent with onset dementia, absent parent, workplace/sexual harassment (challenged), invasion of privacy

☂️ DIVERSITY: Japanese-American main character, Japanese main and side characters, Sri-Lankan side character, half-Filipino side character.

There are no spoilers in this review.

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I ENJOYED…

☂️

• Tokyo Ever After was the heartwarming tale I never knew I needed. Reading this book reminded me of falling for The Princess Diaries stories when I was younger and watching What A Girl Wants all at once, all the while managing to stand out on its own, as well.
• This is the story of Izumi, a Japanese-American girl living in a small Californian town with her mother. Her life turns upside down when she finds out her father is the Crown Prince of Japan. Thrown into a new life, in a brand new country, with new customs, a language she’s not familiar with, Izumi needs to learn to be a princess… and to figure out who she really is and where she stands with this entire new part of herself.
• I loved the main character’s journey through this book so much. I immediately grew fond of her from the first pages, I loved her determination to find her father. She’s kind, she’s witty, she’s messing up at times, too, but that made it all the more endearing. All I wanted was for her to find her place, to believe in herself and to know that, yes, she is Japanese enough and she is just enough.
• The romance! If you’re a fan of forbidden romances, bodyguard/princess romances, you’ll love that one. I had such a great time seeing them together and the little moments they had made my heart so happy. They’re ADORABLE.
• I really like the strong friendship in this book, even if we didn’t get to see them too often. I loved their interaction, their banter, how friends would do anything for you and move mountains for you, too. Such an incredible little group!
• The family vibes in this book were so wonderful, as well. I loved watching Izumi getting to know her father little by little and I also had such a great time seeing how close she was to her mother.

I HAD A HARD TIME WITH…

☂️

• My only little criticism here is that I may have found the romance a little bit rushed? I really liked it, but I felt like the turnaround from enemies to feeling something more was a little quick.

OVERALL

☂️

If you want to read a heartwarming, adorable, entertaining YA contemporary, I definitely recomment Tokyo Ever After. Reading it made me smile and made me so, so happy and that’s all I ever need okay.

FINAL RATING : 4 drops!

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📚 Books similar to Tokyo Ever After that I’d recommend:

• The Princess Diaries, Meg Cabot
• Crazy Rich Asians, Kevin Kwan
• American Royals, Katharine McGee

Did you read Tokyo Ever After or do you want to? What’s the latest YA contemporary you read and enjoyed? Let me know in comments!

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