Review:
At the heart of Tokyo Ever After is a yearning to belong. The book has been described as a mixture of The Princess Diaries and Crazy Rich Asians. While I can see the similarities from each of these texts, I believe that Emiko Jean did a great job of separating the narrative from those books. Unlike Mia Thermopolis, Izumi must deal with exclusion due to her ethnicity and race instead of just being the “dorky girl” who gets a makeover. Another difference is that her father is still alive..I wouldn’t say that this book is much like Crazy Rich Asians aside from the fact that the Imperial family is rich and Asian.

This book is sweet, thoughtful, and fun! I love that Izumi has other Asian friends from different backgrounds and a mother who is passionate about science. Oftentimes, in books with BIPOC main characters in predominantly white towns, they are loners. It’s satisfying to read a story that doesn’t follow that formula because our experiences are not all the same. Izumi’s solid friendships and relationship with her mom make it easier to have fun with the adventure she embarks on in Japan.
Although I don’t support monarchies, I always seem to enjoy fantasy twists like this in my fiction. It’s playful and allows the reader to escape into the glamorous life of a princess or prince without fully diving into the real history and toxic culture around it.

If you’re looking for an enjoyable series to start your Summer, this may be the one to start with!

Growing up most girls would love to find out that they’re secretly royal or snag a prince, but Emiko Jean’s “Tokyo Ever After” reveals the shadows of royal life while also writing a delightfully engrossing tale. Princess Izumi only discovers she’s a princess after her friend’s internet sleuthing skills reveals that her father is Japan’s prince and next in line for the Emperor’s throne.
Izumi suddenly finds herself thrust into a spotlight she doesn’t really want, all to meet the father she’s longed to have and find her family’s roots. “Tokyo Ever After” is a charming and hilarious story about a teenager trying to find her footing at court, trying to bond with her newfound father and a forbidden romance. Readers won’t be able to put down this splendidly spun Cinderella story as Jean’s spunky and swoon-worthy characters are sure to capture their hearts.

What a delightful and perfect cross between The Princess Diaries and Crazy Rich Asians. Both funny and heart warming this perfect summer read includes love, family, and an exploration of who we are, where we fit, and where we belong.

This book was absolutely fantastic. I've already added it to our library collection and will recommend it to students.

Aw, I loved this super cute secret princess rom com. It's frothy and fun. Think the Princess Diaries meets What a Girl Wants plus Crazy Rich Asians but set in Japan and with a more modern, feminist bent.

Izzy is a fun character. She's relatable and real, close to her mom and her friends, and an outspoken feminist. Tokyo Ever After lets you live our all your princess fantasies, complete with a forbidden romance. But the story isn't all fluff and fantasy. The book addressed the issue of growing up feeling different in a mainly white community, of being raised outside your cultural heritage, of the elitism of royalty, and of royal succession laws in Japan.

Looking for a fun summer read? Look no further. Tokyo Ever After is a great travelogue that lets you see the sights in Tokyo and Kyoto, vicariously enjoy amazing Japanese food, and live out all your royal fantasies. This is something I rarely say about YA contemporary fiction, but I am happy to see that this is going to be a series, because there were many plot lines that didn't seem completely resolved.

Just finished reading TOKYO EVER AFTER by Emiko Jean. Thank you to Flatiron Books via Netgalley for my arc copy in exchange for an honest review. Official publication date was May 18th, 2021.

This is the new YA Reese pick, and was very excited to get my hands on an ARC copy.

Izumi Tanaka has never felt like she fit in, being the rare Japanese American girl in her small California town, raised by a single mother. But things change when Izzy discovers her father is none other then the Crown Prince of Japan. Which means she is literally a princess! 👸

On short notice, Izzy is given the opportunity to travel to Japan to get to know the father she never knew, and discover the country she always dreamed of. But being a princess isn’t all it's cracked up to be. Izzy will have much to learn in a short period of time, to prove she is worthy of being a princess herself.

Backstabbing cousins, hounding press and a sexy bodyguard...what more could you ask for? Will Izzy get her happily ever after?

This was a cute, fast paced and heartwarming read for those who enjoyed Princess Diaries and love Japanese cuisine & culture 🍱🍣. I would definitely be interested in seeing what Emiko Jean does next.

Im not much of a YA reader but I enjoyed this book.
Riding along with Izumi as she learns she is a princess gave me true fairy tale vibes. The story itself is rich with Japanese culture. The romance is super cute, light and fun.
I'm not mad at this story at all and if you are looking for a heartwarming read, then definitely check out this one out.

THIS IS THE PERFECT BEACH READ. It's a quintessential YA romcom reminiscent of The Princess Diaries and Crazy Rich Asians, perfect for a movie adaptation (please!)

Tokyo Ever After follows our main character as she discovers her father is a Japanese prince. We watch as our princess navigates her new world of royalty and riches. The Princess Diaries was my favorite movie growing up, and this book filled every hole in my heart that was yearning for that nostalgia. This is a super quick, dynamic read. The pacing is perfect for the story, and readers will be entertained all the way through.

I have a feeling fans of She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen will like this book. Don't even ask me why, because I don't know. They're both quintessential YA beach reads maybe? They just both emit the best sunshine vibes, and readers are certain to enjoy both. 5 stars! Brava!

Ok, I looooove a Royal story and one set in Japan?! I’m in. This is a whirlwind of a story from California to Japan, Izzy must discover how to balance her two worlds. She’s never felt like she fit in but can’t find her footing in Japan either. Straddling these two cultures is not an easy task and add a crown to that. If you’re a fan of The Princess Diaries, this is perfect for you.

4.5 Stars

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean is such a delight to read. Following a girl who discovers she is a princess, this is an entertaining story of self-discovery with a helping of royal mishaps. I loved the main character’s voice, and the side characters bring even more amusement to the book. This is a feel-good story perfect for those looking for a cute and upbeat read this spring.

After discovering that she is a princess, Izumi travels to Japan to meet her father and find out more about this side of herself she never knew. There is much for Izumi to learn, which is even more difficult in the public eye. I’m a sucker for books about royalty as well as the enemies to lovers trope, and this one delivers on both. (It even includes love poems, which I adored.) Reading this book brought a smile to my face, and I genuinely enjoyed every page.

❀ ENTERTAINING MAIN CHARACTER

Izumi is such an entertaining main character, and she has an engaging voice. She feels like she doesn’t fit in at home in California, or in Japan, and throughout the book, she comes to find herself and where she belongs. I especially enjoyed the inclusion of each of Izumi’s mishaps, these embarrassing moments making her a more realistic character. She is easy to root for, as, while she is trying her best to fit in, she faces criticism from tabloids and members of the royal family. Despite this, she is generous and remains strong.

❀ LIVELY CAST OF SIDE CHARACTERS

What makes the book special is its lively cast of side characters. Akio, the bodyguard, is such a gem of a character, and I enjoyed his dynamic with Izumi. He’s so sweet, and his status brings a lot of drama to the book. What I especially enjoyed, however, was watching as Izumi grows closer with her father. Family is one of my favourite things to read about, and the two learning more about each other is heartwarming.

❀ SOFTNESS AND SCANDAL

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean is a contemporary filled with both softness and scandal. I enjoyed Izumi’s misadventures as she learns she is a princess, and she is an easy character to root for. The side characters also make the book shine, especially Izumi’s father. Fans of The Princess Diaries will not want to miss this one.

This book is soooooo cute! Izumi is such a fun protagonist and her group of friends made me nostalgic for my own eccentric high school pals. Bodyguard romance is a superior trope. It felt a little info dumpy at times and it wasn't an all-time favorite but I am so so glad I read it. It's the perfect vacation read.

Izumi wants to know her other half DNA only to find out that she's a princess and her dad is Japan’s crown prince! Whoa! I was sold on that! I love Izumi and her friends; each character was interesting, and some are funny! The cultural interpretations are fantastic, and the story is fun, charming, and light. It is a delightful and quick read, I finished this in one day, and I highly recommend it!

Izumi, or Izzy, has always felt like she's never fit in. One of the few Asian Americans in her small southern-California town, and raised by her single Mother, she's always had a hard time finding her place in the world. But when a surprise discovery reveals she's actually Japanese royalty, Izumi finds that fitting in isn't all it's cut out to be.

Told in the vein of <u>The Princess Diaries</u> but with the wit and humor of What a Girl Wants, <u>Tokyo Ever After</u> is the perfect romantic-royal young adult read. Sickly sweet and predictable in all the best ways, reading this book is like gorging yourself on your favorite candy bar. I ate this book up in just a few days and can't wait for the sequel and to see what the future holds for Izumi and her family!

I saw this billed as The Princess Diaries meets Crazy Rich Asians, and while I can't speak about the latter comparison, I definitely filled a Princess Diaries hole in my heart.

This was such a fun read. I really liked our characters, especially Izumi. I can't even imagine finding out that you're actually a princess. But not only that, a princess from a country that you feel a bit disconnected from since you grew up away from it. I really loved how Izumi is trying to figure out who she is in relation to both countries.

I do feel like there were a couple of times in this book where Izumi was naive. She 18, but there were some choices that she made where she felt even younger than that. That's not to say that teenagers can't act young or make the wrong choices, but it felt a bit out of character for how she acted the rest of the book.

That being said, I sped through this read. And I could really imagine seeing this be made into a movie. It's the perfect teen rom-com.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

*I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
This was the Princess Diaries retelling I didn't know I needed! I loved Izumi's character so much. Her journey to discover her identity was something that I hope a lot of people can relate to. The romance was sweet and fairly realistic, and the plot was easy to follow without being too predictable. Definitely worth a read!

Yes, this is another case of you are a special snowflake but really, you were better before. The book is enjoyable and many teens will like it; however, being more mature I found my eyes rolling too much to love it.

This is very What a Girl Wants/Princess Dairies with a dash of Crazy Rich Asians and I loved it! The premise isn't unique but I loved the multicultural and Own Voices aspect of it. I found myself drawing more parallel's to What a Girl Wants than Princess Diaries actually, especially after Akio quotes a line from the movie, albeit not verbatim.

Izumi's hilarious inner monologue and witty banter with Akio were delightful. I love when the love-interest has a surprising and dry sense of humor. I also liked that the emphasis was more on Izumi getting in touch with her Japanese heritage than on all the rules of being royalty.

I was so glad to see that despite being by herself in Japan, Izumi's gal pals were still crazy supportive of her. It's a shame they didn't get more screen time but the plot didn't allow for that much.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!

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.

I wanted to really like this book. I love Japan, studied abroad in Tokyo. Loved the Princess Diaries. So Japan + Lost Princess, I should've been sold. Rather, I felt that the book was just OK.

I'll start with Izumi as a main character. I liked her gusto and down to earth she was compared to the rest of the imperial family. She's plain jane, kinda lazy and a slob. Loves to eat. Your average American teenage, basically. Not really princess material. I liked that about her. She's easy to see yourself in. Though many of her actions were immature, and questionable. Not reading the dossier about her newly founded imperial family on her flight to Tokyo? Probably should've done that considering the uncharted territory she was about to land in. Yelling at Akio when she found out he put a tracker on her phone? Girl, your a princess now; he's your personal guard. You literally snuck out at night to gallivant around Tokyo, and locked yourself out of the karaoke bar in some sketchy back-ally area with some random drunk man. I think the tracker was justified. Falling for her body guard. Sweetie, you've been in Tokyo two weeks and were not his biggest fan to start with...

While Izumi has enough personality to power this book, the rest of the cast sadly does not. Her friends from home are quickly introduced and could have been fleshed out to be great secondary characters, but we only get a few text conversations to keep Izumi tethered to her US life while she navigates her newfound life in Japan. Her new family, her imperial family, without the family tree at the beginning of the book I would have been lost. Her aunts and uncles and cousins are unmemorable, save Yoshi, and barely leave a scrape as characters. They are merely there for dialogue and filling scenes like dinners or weddings. Even her own father is lackluster. There are quality moments with him, but most of Izumi's time is spent leaning the tools of the trade, despite her entire reason for going to Japan was to meet and spend time with him. Oh, and the twins. Their entire existence is to throw shade. Basic high school mean girls. Would there have been a better breakthrough or redemptive moments where they are not so different people perhaps their presence in the novel would have had more meaning than just instilling unnecessary drama and bullying Izumi.

Identity is a big theme in this book, and big themes should be fleshed out. Izumi struggles with the idea of not being American enough or Japanese enough through the first half of the book as she is thrust into Japan. She feels to be in this limbo, and throwing being a princess into it just makes everything even more muddled. While this was such a powerful topic and central theme to Izumi's character, much of that is lost once she starts to act on her feelings towards Akio. It feels as if she clings to Akio as her torch to navigating Japan and the Japanese way of life. There is a passage in the book where Izumi declares that "Akio is Japan. Japan is Akio." This one person is able to solve all of those issues that have plagued her? And when he doesn't come meet her after their romance is publicized in the tabloids, she leaves the country. I wasn't expecting the novel to ultimately solve Izumi's search for her identity. I just felt that with such a strong theme there would have been stronger conflicts that Izumi may have encountered and overcame, and more focus on such, rather than just fall in love in two weeks and then ghost all of Japan.

I wish I could have enjoyed Tokyo Ever After more. There were just too many issues I felt with the book that ultimately made it just an okay read. It does read fast, and that might be because of the simplicity of the writing. For those who enjoyed The Princess Diaries, you may enjoy this one, but just beware some of these pitfalls.

Loved it! It was funny and heart warming and very realistic for rose caught between two worlds. Izumi’s internal dilemma of fitting in and not being enough is relatable.