Izumi (nicknamed Zoom Zoom- which I immediately want to name something) lives with her single professor mom in small town California. She never knew her dad. One day she finds a love poem in one of her mom's botany books and with a little internet research from her best friend she finds out she is a Japanese princess! Her underachieving California life is turned upside down. She is whisked off to Japan and has a crash course in royal life. Izumi must reconcile her identity as an American teenager and a Japanese princess.

This lovely, funny book is a little Princess Diaries and a little YA teen story. It would be great for adults that want something light while also learning a little about Japanese culture. This would also work for teens with the warning that there is some cussing and lots of teenage slang and dialog. It would probably be fine for Middle Grade too if they are mature. It is cute and has lots of interesting Japanese culture, a little love story, friendship, identity, trust, and media scrutiny. I listened to it on audio and really liked the narrator. I really looked forward to listening to it and I hope lots of people read this cute book and it gets the attention it desires. 4.25 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance audio copy for review.

This was probably my favorite young adult!! Definitely had a Princess Diaries vibe. But so much more. I was rooting for her parents too. I hope there is a sequel because these are the love stories I crave! I love yoing adult romance novels. My inner teen girl at heart was left with smiles for this book!
Also I hope this gets made into a movie!

I read a physical arc of this but wanted to sample the audio to test out the narrator and the narrator tells the story in such a great way. I love this book and the characters, the story... its so good. Thank you for the arc!

The Princess Diaries meets Crazy Rich Asians. That is a perfect description of TOKYO EVER AFTER, the first in a new series by Emiko Jean. This book is pure joy. It's hilarious, and romantic, and a beautiful love letter to Japan and its culture. I don't think I stopped smiling for a single page and I might have been laugh-crying while reading THAT absolutely perfect rom-com moment near the end. The actual ending is lovely and has me incredibly excited for the next book. Oh and Netflix, you need to make this happen, okay? Please? Now?

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillian press, and Emiko Jean for the ARC in return for an unbiased review!

Emiko Chen has always wondered who her father was and why her mother wouldn't talk about him. Until she found out that her father is the royal crown prince of Japan ... then Izumi understands why her mother has kept it hush hush. Living in a world where she feel she doesn't fit in, Izumi sees this as an opportunity to find her other half, to understand where she came from better. What she doesn't expect is witchy royals, tabloids focused on her every move, and a bodyguard who gets under her skin. Who said wearing the crown was easy?

This was such a delight to read. I often lament that sometimes reading YA can feel like you're screaming at the pages for the character to grow up. I did not have that feeling throughout this book. Izumi is a character looking for her place in the world (aren't we all?). She sees Japan as a band aid solution, as opposed to the puzzle piece to her whole self. Her journey isn't smooth, but it is revealing and her growth is wonder to read. Izumi doesn't compromise on her feelings and attitude, as no teenager would. However, she remains one of my newest favorite YA characters for that very reason. While she can be wild and out there, she's also grounded and firm.

Having Japan as the backdrop for the majority of this novel was the perfect choice. Jean describes scenes so vividly with color and sound that it almost feels like you're there (cliche I know, but so true). The group of girls behind Izumi are side characters but strong in their individuality and their support. Her parents, both biology professor mother and royal prince father, are a delight to read about. They aren't controlling, but understanding and supportive. The romance is really the sweet cheery on top. It didn't control the entire book, but added depth to Izumi's growth throughout.

9/10 would recommend to YA readers, those looking to escape to foreign countries, and fans of the Princess Diaries and Crazy Rich Asians.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an audiobook of Tokyo Ever After in exchange for an honest review!

Tokyo Ever After makes me want to stop everything that I'm doing and binge-read every single royal-esque book in existence. I didn't realize that this was something that I loved?????? Princess Diaries and American Royals, here I come.

Tokyo Ever After centers around Izumi who finds out that she's actually a princess. A major plot twist for a young girl who knew her father as simply just a one-night stand during her mother's days in college. Izumi is officially one of the best main characters in YA literature. Emiko Jean's writing gives Izumi such a realistic & casual voice & truly brings the character alive.

PLUS, can we talk about her cute lil' girl-gang, the AGG! We love a supportive friend group.

My favorite thing about Tokyo Ever After is the development of Izumi's relationship with her newly-found father. Am I a sucker for a daughter/father relationship because I'm super close with my other father? YES, absolutely.

I EVEN VIBED WITH THE HATE-TO-LOVERS RELATIONSHIP. It did not feel cringe whatsoever & actually made sense? We love to see it. & even the drama in this book didn't drive me insane. Everything worked out perfectly.

To sum this entire messy review up, this book is perfect. Amazing main character/love interest/parents/supporting characters. Enjoyable plot. Light-hearted & can easily become someone's comfort read (maybe even mine). I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel and becoming even more attached to Izumi. ♥

This was a cute book that involved a fun plot line that kept me engaged the entire time. I recommend this book to anyone who wants something fun and lighthearted.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for a copy to honestly review.

Tokyo Ever After follows Izumi as she uncovers the identity of her father her college professor mom has always been hush hush about: the heir in line to the throne of Japan. As Izumi is whisked away to Japan to meet her father, she is exposed to culture, scheming cousins, a sensationalized tabloid obsessed with the royal family, and an attractive yet irritable bodyguard assigned to protect her. As she tries to get to know her father, she finds herself in many a blunder and adventure.

Where to begin. I just loved every second of this book! It felt like a modern answer to The Princess Diaries. I thought the dialogue was fantastic, I loved how witty the protagonist was. Izumi never holds back and her quest to feel more secure in her identity as an Asian-American and as a Japanese woman was so poignant and well-written. Her struggle to get to know her father and her extended family was also well written and rang true.

I adored this book! I know I’ll be recommending it to people for ages.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Immense gratitude to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio in exchange for an honest review.

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean is a heartwarming story that makes you smile. I could stop listening to this audio book. This novel is rich in Japanese culture as the protagonist Izumi goes on a journey to find a father she has never known . She hopes to find her home and self. Along the way she makes friends, enemies, learns family secrets and falls in love. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel

Wow wow wow. First I want to say thank you so much NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for approving me for this title. This book was so heart warming and so perfect. It was described as Crazy Rich Asians meets Princess Diaries and I can see that 100%. Izumi is such an amazing MC she is perfectly imperfect and it’s so refreshing having a MC who is so relatable. Izumi suffers from feeling like she doesn’t belong in either Japan or the USA. I completely relate with this as a Chinese adoptee it’s easy to feel stuck somewhere in the middle. Izumi and her close friends are so tight knit and so unapologetically hilarious. They support each other through everything and really show amazing friendship bonds. I absolutely loved all the romance in this book. I mean hot body guard?? Need I say more?? The only thing I will complain about is it’s over and I need more Izumi and Akio immediately.

A really refreshing book for fans of Princess Diaries with vibes of Crazy Rich Asians. I got this as an early audiobook copy and I was thrilled to read about this Japanese main character who really took over my heart. This is a really fun book for young adults or just people who are young at heart.

“Tokyo Ever After” is darling!

Izumi Tanaka is just your regular Japanese-American girl, living in Northern California with her single mother. Her grades are so-so. Her room is messy. And she’s a bit of a smartass. (A funny one at that).

Then all of a sudden, she finds out that her unidentified father is a big deal in Japan. As in the Crown Prince of Japan! Phew. What a secret. You think Meghan Markle had issues with the UK press when she started dating Prince Harry? Try having your every move being scrutinized by the press. Because you’re suddenly a PRINCESS! Whaaaa?

Anywho. Izumi sets off to meet her new family in Japan. And, no surprise here, a romance ensues. People lose their minds, and Isumi has to figure out her true identity. Is she American? Is she Japanese? How and where does she fit in?

This is the first in a series of several books from Emiko Jean. And I’m here for it. I can even imagine the red carpet premiere of the adapted movie! The bonus is that the audiobook narrator, Ali Ahn, feels like a fabulous, super approachable new friend. She adds to what’s already a great read.

Whether you’re a young adult or young-at-heart, I highly recommend this book. Special thanks to Macmillan Audio for an advanced listener copy via the NetGalley app. This is my honest review.

4.25 stars

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.

Ali Ahn is an excellent narrator and really embodied Izumi's personality.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced audiobook!

Third generation Japanese American girl Izumi never knew who her father was, and her mother didn't really want to talk about it, but one day, she and her best friend Nora find a (rather racy) poem tucked in a book on her mother's bedside table, and it's signed. After Nora does some Googling, she discovers that Izumi's father is none other than the crown prince of Japan! After confronting her mother and getting in touch with an old acquaintance of her father's, she doesn't hear back from him. However, one day after school her lawn is littered with foreign press and ambassadors who whisk her away to Japan to meet her father and get a crash course in court life, and Japanese language and culture. What follows is a story of Izumi figuring out just who she is and who she wants to be.
Narrator Ali Ahn does a fantastic job providing distinct cadence and timbre for each character, shining a light on how writer Emiko Jean uses language to differentiate her characters.
Over all this was a lovely, mostly fluffy, story and while it felt whole unto itself, I welcome the sequel!

I adored this story. Like the description says, it’s like the Asian Princess dairies and I was all for it. If you loved Princess Diaries or Crazy Rich Asians then you are going to love this story. Izzy is so lovable, I was rooting for her the entire time. I would seriously love to see this as a series or movie.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the alc of this title.

One sentence review: I really enjoyed this book that felt like a modern take on the Princess Diaries but set largely in Japan.

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean centers around Izumi Tanaka, a Japanese girl living in the largely white ,rural town of Mount Shasta in California. Through some sleuthing from her friends she discovers that her long lost father is none other than the Crown Prince of Japan. And so the story starts.

My thoughts:

- I loved Izumi and her high school friends in Mt. Shasta. These girls have the best support group and are hilarious.
- I actually have been to Mt. Shasta City so I loved all of the references to the town.
- The overall plot of the story was pretty predictable but fun nonetheless.

I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys stories centered around princess stories. This story gives a fun, modern twist to a pretty standard story and provides some great Japanese representation at the same time.

NARRATION: I really enjoyed the narration on this one. The narrator helped bring the characters to life and kept things upbeat and fun.

I was exceptionally excited for this book and had to start it immediately. Gorgeous cover and wonderful premise? Check.. A Japanese Princess Diaries? Amazing.

Generally, I really enjoyed this one! There were some things that tipped the scales a bit, though.

The Good.
- I really loved Izumi. She's kind and witty and endearing. Definitely the kind of character I could see myself being friends with (albeit once she's gone to college and matured a bit more).
- The AGG (Asian Girl Gang, aka Izumi's friendship group). The whole bread pun scene was chef's kiss.
- The discussions around feeling like a foreigner no matter where you are; feeling like you're from two worlds and fit in neither.
- The writing was so good. Easy to read and relatable. I'll 10000% be picking up more of Emiko Jean's books.

The Meh.
- The romance. It had all the makings of being a relationship I would root for: dislike to love, forced proximity, princess/guard. Unfortunately it ended up feeling inorganic. I think there was so much more going on with the story that there wasn't enough time devoted to Izumi and Akio falling for each other. Especially on Akio's side of things, he got into a relationship with Izumi too easily. Where was the pining? The tension? I wouldn't call it instalove but it came pretty close.
- The plot was predictable. A cookie cutter story where nothing truly exciting happened.
- Some plot points also didn't make sense to me, like the Prince just went "oh yes definitely my daughter" because she looks a little like him? No DNA test, no scrutiny from anyone. Everyone just immediately trusts that she's his daughter even though no one knew she existed until 2 seconds ago. I don't buy it.

The book wasn't bad, I was just a bit underwhelmed. I do think that there are many readers out there that would definitely favourite this book, though.

I was initially interested in this book because of the beautiful cover, but once I saw the description, I knew I had to read it! Princess Diaries meets Crazy Rich Asians is a perfect way to describe it. Fans of both those books and movies will love this story!

Izumi is a Japanese American teenager, who needs to find her place in the world after she learns that she is part of the Japanese Royal Family. She's always felt out of place in her hometown, and now needs to adjust to a whole new lifestyle overseas. Themes of identity are prominent throughout the story. There's also some romance and comedy mixed in as well, which makes it wonderful to read. A must-read for fans of YA romance.

The audiobook narrator is also the same person who did the To All the Boys I've Loved Before trilogy, which was great! I really enjoyed those audiobooks, and loved listening to this one as well.

I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a physical copy to read this again in a different format.

Paper-crafting is a glorious art: this cover pays beautiful tribute to this art. I usually read books based off their covers and this one was no exception. I couldn't resist it even if I knew the plot was going to be predictable. Izumi doesn't know who her father is and never really thought about it too much. A sneak peak into her mom's diary, she finds a clue about her father. She pounces on this clue and discovers that her dad is the Crown Prince of Japan... of course. This means that the perfectly average Izumi is a princess. Izzy gets her mom to confess her origins and gives Izzy a contact to reach her father in Japan. Her lineage is verified and Izzy is off to meet the royal part of her family. Cultural differences between America and Japan leads to a few snags in her debut as princess, but overall, Izumi tries to make the best of her time with her father and her time in Japan. Of course, there's the star crossed lovers aspect in that she has a super attractive bodyguard who is off limits. I liked the ending though: a progressive interview with a women magazine.

Themes I liked: finding yourself and culture in a cultural setting that isn't very inclusive, connecting with family you never knew before, finding yourself and culture in your inherited cultural setting later in life, breaking class boundaries when it comes to love.

This book gave me some trust issues when it came to family and selling people out to the media.

The narrator was awesome! I would have liked to have had a bit more Japanese sprinkled into the text, but that's a personal preference since I like it when other languages are sprinkled into cultural novels.

I absolutely adored Tokyo Ever After! The narrator for this one did such an amazing job! This story line gave me all The Princess Diaries vibes and I am totally here for it! I loved how much of the Japanese culture was a part of the storyline and enjoyed learning more about it. Definitely would recommend this story to YA readers!