I discovered Julie's books last year and recently read The Little Café on Copenhagen, so I was looking forward to heading to Japan in this story!
I remembered Fiona, Sophie and Avril from Copenhagen.

The detail on Japan was incredible in this book, including the use of the Japanese language. I now have a Pinterest board compiled of attractions mentioned in the book!

I enjoyed the last 40% the best 💜

Japan is my favourite country in the world and I will happily glom onto anything remotely connected to it, especially as this appeared to be a novel combined with a Rough Guide to Tokyo. However, despite my positive bias, I found this trite; one step removed from a Mills and Boon romance, where a problematic male is the unexamined hero despite doing absolutely nothing to deserve the role. He is all the things Barbara Cartland loved in a man: chisel-jawed and brooding, arrogant and manipulative, lazy and entitled and given a pass in all those things by our quivering heroine. If you've never been to Tokyo, this is the beginner's guide to tempura and shrines, but don't expect much of a thrill on the way unless you want to follow a dithering,blonde mimsy enchant everyone she comes across despite having no discernible personality and even less wit...

if there is ONE thing that sold me completely from the moment I set my mind to get this book, it was the setting: JAPAN.

OH LORD, my biggest dream is to one day travel to Japan and meet the other side of western culture. It is a land of not only technology, and modern traits, but its also a land of mystery, love, romance, and of course, cool adventures, just like the one Fiona lives in this latest installment of Julie Caplin's "Romantic Escapes"

From Paris, to Brooklyn, to Copenhagen and beyond, Julie has spoiled us with beautiful romance love stories that have only (at least in my case) captivated me even more each time. For this particular one, travel blogger Fiona will wrap us in brilliant japanese mystique, ramen noodles, cherry bloossoms and her not so forgotten love for Gabe, who previously broke her heart. These is a beautiful side to second chance romance and this all inclusive completely paid adventure to far east Tokyo is one you will not want to miss.

Besides the beautiful descriptive talent Mrs Caplin has, and has shown in every one of the books I've read in this series, this will include a soft spot for me, as it brought so many memories of reuniting many years ago with a boy who broke my heart as well, and the will power I had to show out of nowhere to survive that tsunami of emotions.

You can perfectly read this as a standalone, but I do strongly suggest you dive into her previous reads so you can also enjoy the beautful scenarios included in those stories as well.

Fiona is a somewhat mousy human being because of past bullying situations during her high school years, but has started to break free from the bondage of the scars such behaviour leaves and enjoys a certain level of success as a social media influencer and blogger. She is also a dab hand at photography and having won an all-expenses trip to Japan to be mentored by the very best on offer, she is somewhat disappointed that the mentor has had to pull out due to a family emergency and what is even worse, is that the replacement is none other than the man (her teacher) she had inappropriate feelings and actions towards ten years ago when she was 18. At first, Gabe doesn’t recognise her, being rather self-centred and fed up with the world, having lost his creative spark due to a romantic situation gone wrong, but after a few days pieces of the puzzle fall into place and he recalls the scene where Fiona laid an unexpected kiss on him and he recalls a time in his life when he was excited by life and his work. He also recalls quite distinctly that when Fiona kissed him, he kissed her back. Now He is faced with a grown woman who is less than impressed by him, despite his huge catalogue of amazing photography in the past, and a persistent relationship with a married woman who spurned him a while ago that doesn’t seem to want to let go of her control over him and his new awakening that Fiona is truly amazing. So the question is will he be able to move on from the married woman and strike out on his own to a new and fulfilling life? Will her walls come down to let him back in? And can a holiday romance ever last?

The Little Tea Shop in Tokyo is book number six in a series of romance novels, but one doesn’t need to know any of the previous books to read this novel and find fulfilment. It is set against the stunning background of Japan, which is a marvellous mixture of tradition and modernity. Food, clothing, the sights and sounds of the city and insights into the Japanese culture are sprinkled throughout the book, but it never feels like a disguised travel guide in which the author is showing off just what she knows. The main and minor characters are wonderfully drawn, with the minor characters sometimes over shining the main characters. This book never overreaches to be anything other than a frothy romance; it isn’t going to change the world, it is not going to blow you away with hidden meanings and insights, it is just meant to make a person happy - and it is successful in that ambition.

If you’re looking for a light summer read to enjoy at the beach or poolside then look no further.

Thank you to Netgalley, Julie Chaplin, One More Chapter, and Harper Collins UK for an advanced copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

There is something so special about stories with Asian influence! The culture and setting are so fascinating to read about and this story is no exception!

Fiona wins an all-expense paid trip to Japan to spend time with a photography mentor, and instead finds herself stuck with a past mentor. Trying to work past their differences and the way they left things, she tried to submerge herself into photography techniques and the gorgeous setting she finds herself in.

A story of forgiveness, love, and growth, I found myself fully submerged in this book! I had a really hard time putting it down and kept wanting more more more! The flow of the story was great, and it is a totally squeal-worthy story! It was also fun to read about the photography, and the techniques the characters use to “get the shot.” I had a lot of fun with the different aspects of the Japanese culture, and it increased my desire to visit!!!

If you’re looking for a fun, beautiful contemporary then do yourself a favour and read this book!!!

An easy feel good read. Fiona and Gabe are both photographers and the book revolves about them taking photos in Japan. Although, primarily a love story, the additional interest of the sightseeing and how to photograph it gives the book an added dimension. Having been to Japan, Caplin describes it very well.

I chose this book because I absolutely love Japan and was curious to read a book set there by a non- Japanese author. While I loved reading about some of my favourites spots that were visited by the main character, the food she ate and some Japanese words, I didn't love the book.

I had issues with Fiona's character and her inability to let go of what happened to her and Gabe all those moons ago. It didn't really seem like a big deal to me but it apparently changed her life. I don't think how it changed her life was explained very well but it was clear that she had major hang ups about herself which seemed to escalate after the embarrassing moment. Throughout the book she was really insecure about her appearance because of things people have said to her but I wish that these areas could have been explored more, perhaps through flashbacks or conversations as it would have made me feel more sympathy towards her. I 100% understand that we all have body hang ups but I just found it difficult to relate to her. Gabe on the other hand, was a very well developed character. He had a history and he had hurt written all over him and it showed very well.

This is a rom-com type read so if you are into that, give it a go, sadly I'm not a huge fan of this genre so I couldn't really get into it. I purely chose this book because of the title, without reading the blurb and while that's my usual MO, it obviously backfired on me this time.

I gave it 3 stars because I did love the setting, I thought the author did a really good job in describing Japanese culture (from what I understand of it) and the ending was one I really didn't expect.

Thank you @netgalley for this arc.

We can't travel right now but I loved escaping to Tokyo virtually via Julie Caplin's The Little Teashop in Tokyo! WIsh I was there now!

Having enjoyed a couple of Julie Caplin’s books before, and seeing the beautiful cover, I had no hesitation in picking this up. I enjoyed it a lot. The characters were realistic, and most of them very loveable. The setting was amazing, and I loved all the bits of Japanese culture and how they helped Fiona put herself back together again. The ending was happy and romantic. I just have one tiny niggle - it still doesn’t sit well with me that Gabe took photos of her, lied about what he was doing, and went against her express wish to not be photographed. Also, taking her phone away (though for a goodish reason) smacks of controlling behaviour. It was just a little bit creepy. For this reason, my rating is really 4.5 stars, but I have rounded it up.

Overall, this was an excellent story and a romantic escape to a beautiful country. I’d definitely recommend it.

I was given a free copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

Love, Love Love Julie Caplin's books!
I discovered her not so long ago and then hungrily devoured all the titles I could get my hands on. I was delighted to be asked to review this book through Netgalley.
Every time I finish one of her books, I immediately want to vist the place that has been the setting for the title. This was no different. I enjoyed the way that I felt like I had a good view of life in everyday life for normal people in Tokyo from reading this, and also learnt about the traditions that are associated with the culture. The landscapes were described beautifully and I could use my imagination to create my own delightful mental images of the scenes written about in the book.

A nice feel good romance. Usually in some idyllic location. This time in an unusual location. It was a bit to fast paced for me. Felt very rushed. It did effect my enjoyment of the book. The plot itself was nice.

Oh my goodness I absolutely loved this story. I was swept away with Fiona as she nervously steps off her flight to Japan. Her visit is her competition win and she will spend time with a Japanese photographer, unfortunately he is not able to mentor but instead sends Gabe. Gabe is a famous photographer and he doesn’t realise that they have met before.

The author completely immersed me in this story and I soon got to know Fiona and the family she is staying with while she is in Japan. This family, well they are fabulous and they live above their teashop. I loved the mix of traditional culture and also the modern setting.

The author, for me, made this story with the mentions of food, art, tradition, ceremony and little explanations along the way. I felt that the author has a love for Japan and also has an understanding of not only the country but also the people.

I loved the contrast between the old and the new. Another contrast is between Fiona and Gabe, she a wide-eyed, naive and no that confident compared to the swagger, arrogance and smug of Gabe. This is a romance that has tension simmering around the edges that gradually rolls to the boil.

Nothing is straightforward or predictable in this romance and I was eagerly turning the pages to discover if they would or wouldn’t get together.

I loved the setting, the characters and… well I loved absolutely everything about this story and I would definitely recommend it.

The Little Teashop gives a nice work and vacation kind of glimpses into Japanese culture. I enjoyed the cultural nuances and the local characters role in the lives of our lead couple.

A sure fun read for those interested in fiction and Japanese culture.

It feels good sometimes to read other people´s successful romantic stories, even there are just the product of imagination. Added to the everyday romance, they just show the infinite range of possibilities that we can face in our everyday life. I am not very good - at all, actually - at romance but I can refuse myself a late Sunday afternoon in the company of a novel that aims at making the readers ´feel good´ with the promise of delivering a love story, with, obviously a predictable happy ending.

The Little Teashop in Tokyo by Julie Caplin is built as a balanced photographic composition. The main - romantic - characters, Fiona and Gabe are passionate about photography. He, a multi-awarded photographer living in Tokyo with projects all over the world. She, a travel blogger and hobby photographer that just won a 2-week all-expenses paid trip to Japan for taking pictures to be later exhibited in London. The trip included the mentorship of a famous local photographer that happened to be replaced by Gabe. And she already had an adventure with him ten years ago, when she was 18 and he was a photography teacher. She kissed the teacher then, it was consensual but after being caught by a colleague she was bullied and ended up by giving up going at school at all.

A bit too predictable, they properly feel in love and are about to write their story.

The references to the Japanese cultural context and various concepts, especially those outlining the closeness to nature and the focus on the simplicity and essence of things, built into the most interesting part of the book, which balance the emotional part. The Japanese family that owns the little teashop where the most tensed moments in the book are consumed balances the genuine chaos of the two romantic characters. Similarly, the discussions about photography and the art of taking pictures add interesting depth to the book, but this observation may be my thing as I am personally interested in photography.

Both characters, Gabe and Fiona, are not clearly portrayed and are rather behaving purelly hormonally. In her late 20s, she is reacting emotionally childish around Gabe, in a rather obsessive way, having in mind that kiss but wanting for more, just to get that emotion back. He is better structured, but with a penchant for abusing himself, jumping way too fast from the dependence of a stubborn muse, Yumi, who married and abandoned him but still abadoned him, to Fiona. I´ve found a bit boring that he is obsessively trying to convince everyone that he does not have an intimate relationship with Yumi anymore, and keep repeating that she is abandoned by her rich Japanese husband. One can say a thing in so many ways, no need to be so repetitive.

As for the sudden romance between the two, that he also longed for, is not that such a change can take place so fast in real life, but it´s rather fortuit. They are just falling into each other one second, and the other they already have in mind some possible ways to develop their long distance relationship.

The dialogues between the characters are interesting except the moments when romance is involved when they are just reacted, which can happen in real life, but I would have prefer a little bit more of context. After all, I am a reader, not a character in the book so need more entincing.

I had completely different expectations from this story and besides the cultural part, and the good literary composition of the story itself, The Little Teashop in Tokyo failed to impress me.

This book has been written very cleverly,drawing the reader in to the storyline. The description is excellent from start to finish covering the story of Fiona and Gabe in Tokyo. I couldn’t put this book down as I was eager to find out what would eventually happen to Fiona and Gabe. I would highly recommend this book even though on the first page I felt that it would be more suitable for a younger person,(I’m 64yrs) but the more I read the more I became engrossed in the storyline,and I couldn’t put it down. I read it within a day.

Thank you netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this advanced readers copy of The Little Teashop in Tokyo which I have received in exchange for an honest review.

This was a sweet, light-hearted and feel good romantic travel romance. I loved the descriptions on Japan's landmarks, culture and food - It brought back happy memories of my own visit to Japan several years ago.

As a teacher I found the student/teacher element of the story an uncomfortable read and would have preferred a different back story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for sending this ARC!

This was a perfect quarantine read! The relationship was very cute; I loved how Fiona knew Gabe beforehand. All the side characters were very flushed out. But the most remarkable aspect of this book was by far the imagery. The descriptions were very vivid and detailed. Although, because of this it was a slow read for me. If you love imagery and really feeling like your there, this book is perfect for you. But, if you prefer a fast pace and a quick read, maybe this isn’t the book for you.

Another delightful addition to the Romantic Escapes series. I wasn't entirely sure on the location of this novel at first but the more I read the more I was engrossed and this surprised me. It was quaint, fun and heart-warming.

I was so happy to discover The Little Teashop in Tokyo by Julie Caplin. During this period of quarantine, arm chair travel is the ultimate; throw in a little romance and voila a great read. This book won’t rock you, but it will help you escape and take you somewhere where you might have never been before and teach you about a place you may want to go. Caplin captures the brilliance of Toyoko and the traditional Japanese way of life.

I didn't realize The Little Teashop in Tokyo was part of books series, but don’t worry the books are not connected. For further fun travel adventures, I just may read more of Caplin’s books

Thank you #netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A typical but enjoyable romantic novel. Well rounded characters. What made this a little different was the fact that the story was set mainly in Japan. The description of the food, scenery and culture shows how much the author enjoys the country