This book wasn't what I was looking for. It didn't feel like a "Romance" as much as "Women's Fiction". The pacing was slow and the food descriptions were the star of the book more than the actual story.

This is the story of Hana, a college-aged student who is tired of her fighting parents, so she travels from Korea to Japan to be with her boyfriend Jin. But when she arrives at his apartment in Tokyo, she discovers that another couple lives there and they don't know anything about Jin.

Upset and tired, she rents a room in a guest house and vows to search Tokyo and find Jin. When she visits his business school, she discovers that he left to go to South America. She id mystified, since he never told her that he was leaving. She doesn't want to go back to Korea and thinks that perhaps Jin will return to Tokyo, so she thinks she will stay in Tokyo and wait for him. While she waits, she gets two part-time jobs and studies the Japanese language, making friends and building a life for herself. She still wonders about Jin all the time, but eventually comes to terms with the fact that she may never see him again.

Several tragedies strike, but she overcomes them and becomes a stronger person, discovering more of who she is. She even starts a baking business at the encouragement of her friends in Japan, who always compliment the many cakes and desserts she makes for them. And maybe, just maybe, she finds love again with a handsome farmer?

This was a very enjoyable book to read. The writer's voice was soothing and almost calming! For me, it's very unusual for a book to have this calming effect on me. I think it's because Hana does not seem to get overly upset over her troubles, but methodically works towards solving them in a calm and peaceful way.

There were some interesting coincidences in the story, although that aspect isn't really explored by the author. (For example, her boyfriend meets some people in South America who Hana unknowingly becomes friends with later, but in most cases Hana does not find out that her friends met Jin.) I wish she would have allowed Hana to discover this, as it may have made it easier for her to understand why her boyfriend just disappeared.

I must admit I'm not a big fan of Asian food, but after reading this book, I'm going to start cooking more Japanese and Korean food. Much of the book describes how Hana makes different meals and desserts, and they all sound delicious!

I also loved the way the author, Su Young Lee, described Japanese culture. It made me feel like I was visiting Tokyo myself, experiencing traditional architecture, traditions, and nature.

She uses similes very creatively to describe things, too, which I really enjoyed. For example, she describes a seashore as "Waves hit the sharp cliff rocks and frothed into white foam with a prickling sound, like fresh Coke poured into a clean glass."

My only disappointment with the book was the Epilogue. It seemed a bit rushed, like the author was told she must finish the story in 10 pages, so she quickly narrated what happened in Hana's life. And we never really found out if she developed a relationship (beyond friendship) with the farmer, or if Jin came back in her life. In fact, the last page was a cliffhanger, where a certain young man suddenly appears in her life again. (She hints it might be Jin, but the reader is left wondering.) I don't know if she plans a sequel to this story, but after taking this path with Hana for so long, I really wanted to know if she found love.

I recommend this book if you are looking for an escape from pandemic news, would love to travel to Japan, or just want to read something calm and soothing.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and hope to read more by this author. Haha travels to Tokyo to live with her boyfriend and best friend Jin. But when she gets there he's gone. She decides to stay in Tokyo and wait for him. This is a quirky, magical book.

I loved every second of reading this book, honestly couldn't put it down. This was just the kind of entertaining read I needed.

I loved this book and can’t wait to read more from this author. It was a sweet story with wonderful characters and fantastic food. When it ended I had tears, happy tears, it was such an emotional journey.
Hana is a young college student in Korea. She leaves during time off to visit her boyfriend who is studying in Japan. Her boyfriend who has been unresponsive for weeks, she is worried. When she gets to his apartment, someone else opens the door and doesn’t know who her boyfriend is. Devastated she looks for shelter and hope to find answers on where he is. Her life will change slightly with each person she meets as she holds onto her old dreams.
Jin is Hana’s boyfriend and childhood friend. He was studying till he started to feel like something was very wrong. His life was not right, but what was the answer ? His search takes him away from all he knew and sets him adrift.
These two are fascinating, they’ve had a relationship built on friendship. There was never any vengeance or hatefulness which I loved. They always cared and supported each other even in the unknown.
There are many other characters that come into their lives. I loved them all and when a couple left the story I cried for them. Hana is the kind of person I’d like to be. She was so kind, giving and loving to everyone and she could bake ! Just wait till you read about the food. YUM ! The ending was beautiful, yes it is a HEA.
I will re-read this and would love to see this on the screen
I received a copy from the publisher for an honest review

I didn’t love this one. It was just ok, I wouldn’t say I really disliked it but nothing jumped out to me about it and I wasn’t over the moon about any of the characters.

Great plot and thoroughly enjoyed it. will post a review on all the social media platforms soon. I didnt really liked any of the characters and also felt that the character description wasn't upto the mark.

What is this book about:

For cake-loving college girl Hana, Japan was the romantic destination of her dreams. With boyfriend Jin she planned an exciting new life in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. But when she finally arrives after months of planning, Jin isn't there.
Hana is left broken-hearted on a rainy Tokyo street. Jin left no note. One day he just walked out of classes and disappeared.
Hana begins her new life alone. Watching cherry blossoms fall into the Tokyo river. Working hard and delivering her lovely home-baked cakes by orange bicycle. Then she meets handsome young farmer Hikaru, and glimpses a new way forward - in an alien place where she doesn't know a soul.

This was a sweet read. I totally fell for this cover. It is beautiful. I just love when you can read about food in books. Foodies can't miss this book.
Nice and sweet read. 3.5 stars

The Tokyo Bicycle Bakery by Su Young Lee is a decadent feast of a novel that drew me in with its gorgeous cover. If you like your romance served with a side of sumptuous and delightful edibles, then this one is for you.

Hana leaves her life in South Korea to join her boyfriend Jin in Japan. It is a leap of faith for Hana, who knows nothing of Japanese culture, and one that does not go to plan. When she realizes that Jin has left to travel around South America without a word of his plans, Hana decides that she will stay in Japan on her own. Taking language classes, meeting locals, and sharing her love of baking soon give Hana a purpose, and the motivation she needs to begin anew.

This is a charming story that relies heavily on the way in which food can unify and create a true sense of comminity. Foodies will not want to miss this smorgasbord of culinary delights. 3.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and Su Young Lee for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Hana goes to Japan to find her boyfriend, who has not contacted her for months. She leaves Korea and goes there and doesn't find him. Not at the address or the school he is suppose to be attending. She decides to stay anyway, and gets to meet a wide range of people. Liked parts of the book, other times I was totally confused. Also, a lot of focus on food. Didn't like her eating whale (JMHO). The cover made me think this would be a light hearted and fun story, but it is not. She has issues with her absent boyfriend, issues with her parents, etc. Skimmed parts of it after awhile, but would probably not read again. Wanted to like it more than I did. Still though, if you like Japanese cuisine you might enjoy it for that aspect alone. Would recommend.

DNF at 27%.

I'm afraid that I just couldn't connect with this book; the writing style is not for me. It has a strange mix of under- and over-description, with irrelevant aspects listed in great laundry lists (like all the fruit on a table in a shop or all the make up products on someone's face), while emotions and actions are blandly stated in simple sentences ("Hana felt lost, but it was not a bad feeling. She walked along the road, watching her feet."). I was looking forward to the Tokyo setting, but it felt like the author was too focused on itemising buildings in neighbourhoods she had been to, rather than creating the feel of the place. Other characters comment on Hana's baking with the precision of professional bakers themselves, commenting on the flake of the pastry or the flavour balance, which made the dialogue feel rather unnatural.

I honestly felt like I was reading a story written by an eight-year-old just getting the hang of fiction. I made the decision to DNF when the perspective switched to Jin, Hana's boyfriend, at 22-27%, and his chapter added a magical element that made absolutely no sense with the preceding story. I think that this was probably intended to be something along the lines of Amelie or The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, but the writing just holds it back.