I'm going to be honest, I read this book so long ago I do not remember much about it. But, for some reason it keeps coming up on the list of books to review on NetGalley (even though I know I did it already). So, I'll just try again.
While I don't remember the specifics of the book I do remember liking it enough that I went to the store to purchase a copy to donate to the library in which I work, rather than waiting for our normal ordering process. I know I liked the authors writing style and this book series has been checked out constantly in my library.

To say I was excited to read this book is an understatement. I absolutely adored TOKYO EVER AFTER. In fact, it took me by surprise as I’m not the biggest contemporary young adult reader. And to this day, I’ll still recommend that you read that if you haven’t yet. If there can be a petition somewhere to make it a movie, that would be ideal! So I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this sequel.

Reviewing this book is hard for more than one reason. First, I don’t want to spoil things if you haven’t read the first book. And second, it just didn’t live up to my expectations.

Because of the spoilers I won’t get too much into the details of what disappointed me. But suffice to say that I found this book a lot more YA-ish. In tropes, characters, behavior, plot, everything. While there was some awe and wonder in the first story, this one didn’t give the same vibe. Even though I loved seeing other parts of Japan and royalty life in this.

And if I’m being totally honest, not a big fan of having to add the stereotypical love triangle. Especially when I could see myself caring for both and seeing things running at high speed into a crash.

I finished listening to "Tokyo Dreaming" by Emiko Jean, and I've gotta say, it's like stepping into the coolest, most heartwarming fairytale set in modern Tokyo.

The story's all about Izumi Tanaka, who’s recently found out she’s a legit princess of Japan. Sounds like a dream, right? But it's not all tiaras and tea parties. Izumi’s got to navigate royal duties, the paparazzi, and, of course, her own feelings – especially when it comes to her not-so-princely but totally charming crush.

The narration? Absolutely fantastic. The narrator brings Izumi to life with this perfect blend of humor, vulnerability, and just a dash of royal elegance. It's like your best friend is dishing out a really good story – one that’s got you hanging on every word.

Emiko Jean's writing style is a total win. She mixes up the glitz and glam of royal life with the real, down-to-earth struggles of being a teenager. The dialogue is snappy and fun, and the descriptions of Tokyo are so vivid, you’ll feel like you’re walking the streets yourself.

What I love about this book is how it's more than just a fluffy princess story. It's got layers, you know? Izumi’s dealing with finding her place in two worlds – her regular high school life and her new royal role. And the book dives into some cool themes like family, identity, and figuring out what you really want in life.

The pacing keeps things moving at just the right speed. One minute you're laughing, the next you're caught up in the drama of palace politics or rooting for Izumi in her latest challenge.

In a nutshell, "Tokyo Dreaming" is a total delight. It's like this perfect combo of royal romance, heartfelt moments, and a tour of Tokyo. If you’re into stories that mix everyday life with a touch of the extraordinary, this audiobook is definitely worth checking out. It’s like a mini-vacation to Japan with a side of sweet, royal adventure.

3 stars! I really enjoyed the first book and this one was just as charming! I was worried going into it that I wouldn’t remember the events of the first novel, but the author did great with refreshing past events. I ended up enjoying the first book more but this one was still really entertaining. I didn’t love the romance in this one as much as I enjoyed it in the first book. The audiobook was fantastic and I’m glad I opted to listen to this one opposed to reading it!

I loved listening to this audiobook. This storyline did not feel very original to me as I am a huge Princess Diaries fan, but also, for the same reasoning, I very much enjoyed this book. Girl becomes a princess overnight, but how does this impact her life? GREATLY. How will she continue to strive to be true to herself? Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for a copy of this book for an honest review.

This was lovely! I think ultimately I liked Tokyo Ever After better, but this was still a wonderful story and I loved getting to spend more time with these characters.

Honestly, this sequel felt unnecessary? I was a little excited but mostly apprehensive of reading this when I first learned about it because I didn't see the need for a sequel. Most romance novels, imo, do not need sequels, and this is one of them. This book was okay, if not a little frustrating to read at times, but I definitely wish it would've ended with the first one. I really didn't much care for this at all, and I had to force myself to finish it. So I will probably pretend most of the rest of this book just didn't happen.

I enjoyed the first book, but this one was missing some of the elements that made Tokyo Ever After a hit.

Tokyo Dreaming out 5/31
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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The sequel to Tokyo Ever After, readers get a follow up to Izumi’s life after she finds out she’s a Japanese Princess. The sequel takes readers on romantic journeys of not on Izumi but also her mother and father rekindling their relationship. Nothing is ever easy when you are royal…
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I loved this sequel but not as much as I loved the first. It was definitely nice to get a continuation of a story I truly loved. I found the first funnier and wittier.
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If you loved Tokyo Ever After I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with Tokyo Dreaming. If you haven’t read either of them and love a YA remake of Princess Diaries, I definitely recommend picking up this series.

Cute story, but I feel like it was rushed. Lots of unnecessary drama as well. I had to speed up the narration just to get through the book. The first one was better.

"Tokyo Dreaming" by Emiko Jean is a mesmerizing and enchanting tale that immerses readers in the vibrant and captivating world of Tokyo. With its vivid descriptions, the book paints a vivid picture of the bustling city, evoking a sense of awe and wonder. The protagonist's journey is filled with charm, heartache, and self-discovery, capturing the essence of coming-of-age stories. Jean's lyrical prose, rich cultural references, and intricate character development create a beautifully written and emotionally resonant narrative. This book is a delightful blend of romance, mystery, and cultural exploration, offering readers an unforgettable reading experience.The audiobook was so enjoyable!

I feel like much like my opinion of the first book, this second book in the Tokyo Ever After series is a perfectly good read!

In my opinion this book is a very solid four stars! The characters are all likeable and complex -no one is reduced to one plain stock character and that is refreshing. Additionally, the message of the book is sweet and timeless, reminding us of the importance of duty but also the duty we have to ourselves and our own hearts. I would also say that the romance aspects of the book were cute and fun and contributed to an altogether very light-hearted easy read filled with little details about Japanese culture that contributed to the overall book.

The only reason I can’t rate this book 5 stars is simply because it isn’t overly insightful, transformative, or complex, but that doesn’t make it bad, in fact I think that is also to it’s benefit. This book is perfect for those looking for a simple read (or in my case, since I had an audiobook, listen). It has fun fake dating tropes, it’s a modern Cinderella type story, and it is very easy to just sit back and engage with it. Plus, the audiobook reader had a really great voice for the story and just contributed even further to this sweet story. So honestly, if you’re looking for some simple escapism, this is a great book for you!

Special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for a free audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

a compelling and thought-provoking listen that explores important issues of identity and culture. Ali Ahn's narration is superb, and Jean's storytelling is both engaging and evocative. I would highly recommend this audiobook to anyone who enjoys literary fiction or coming-of-age stories.

I absolutely loved how cute the first book was in this series, so I was delighted to get a copy of the sequel! Tokyo Dreaming is a little cliché and predictable, but it is still a very cute and light-hearted story, and everything I needed from the sequel!

Continuing on from book 1, the plot reminds me of "Crazy Rich Asian" meets "The Princess Diaries" set in Japan. This series is an instant classic for me, and one that I am proud to recommend to YA readers as an adorable, heartfelt story!

Super cute sequel to Tokyo Ever After - I love Izumi’s character - I didn’t LOVE the whole conflicting love interest plot - and I felt like the fake-dating turned real romance trope has been done better before but it was still a cute, light read.

Unfortunately, I just could not get into this one. The plot in the first book was fun but the first chapter of this sequel just felt so trivial. DNF after first chapter and I'm sorry about it.

I had the pleasure of listening to this as an audiobook, and yet again MacMillan audio has done a fantastic job at narrating the story and bringing it to life. Tokyo Dreaming was one of my most anticipated sequels of this year, and it did not disappoint. Compared to the first book, Tokyo Dreaming defiantly held up, although I was worried, as far as sequels go, that this book would fall mostly flat and the story would plateau. I’m very pleased to say that if you enjoyed book one, you’re defiantly going to love book two! I loved Izumi’s character growth, and appreciated the fact that while some things did come easy to her, a lot of the time, especially with the media and the imperial council that she still wasn’t perfect. It would be one perceived step forward, and three steps back. I also like that there was more focus on her family dynamic, and Izumi finally started to see how her new life was impacting not just her, but everyone she cares about most.

I received the audio book from NetGalley for review, and I want to state that all opinions listed above are mine and mine alone! I really did just enjoy this novel!

When Japanese-American Izumi Tanaka learned her father was the Crown Prince of Japan, she became a princess overnight. Now, she’s overcome conniving cousins, salacious press, and an imperial scandal to finally find a place she belongs. She has a perfect bodyguard turned boyfriend.

While I didn't read the first book in this series before reading Tokyo Dreaming, I was glad that it still read as a standalone. Overall I really enjoyed this YA read, and listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Ali Ahn.

The pacing felt a bit slow at times, but it was an enjoyable read for the most part.

*many thanks to Wednesday and Macmillan Audio/Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

I am thoroughly charmed by the Tokyo Ever After series, so I was delighted to receive a copy of Tokyo Dreaming by Emiko Jean.

Being back in the world of Izumi Tanaka was a delight. I enjoyed getting to know more about her life as a princess, her suitors, and her family. This is definitely on for fans of The Princess Diaries.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.