I have mixed feelings about this book - the premise is great - main character looking for her father, moving from a small town to Tokyo, going from one "adventure" to the other in order to find her father, meeting different important people along the way - and all that in the setting of the Vietnam war, but I'm not a fan of the execution.
Even though the topic has been definitely researched and the author knows what he talks about, the story feels a bit naïve, predictive and unpolished, This book had the great potential, but there's still something missing. Despite all the downsides, it's a nice, relaxing read,
Since I've listened to the audio version of this book - that is narrated by the author himself, I must say that Rea has done a nice job, however sometimes it was a bit confusing and difficult understanding that pov/scene has changed.

Big thanks to NetGalley and author for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

A pleasant listen - set in Japan, with the Vietnam War brewing, a young woman sets about finding her father after her mother has died. The story is straightforward and satisfying. I’m always grateful to learn about other cultures. The audiobook was well done.

Uncertain Luck is Emiko’s story of moving to Tokyo in search of her father after her mother's death. This is set in the late 1960s when a lot of Japanese students protested against the Vietnam war. It is Emiko’s tale of navigating life alone, finding love, and building a life while facing the obstacles in her way.

It is a very straight forward story. There are not many twists and turns. It is simple and you'll like how everything ties together at the end.

So, a decent read. Definitely worth a pick.

Thank You for the review copy, NetGalley.

So, first the narrator -- the reading was done well and in a calm, comforting tone, but I agree with the reviewers who believe it would have been better to use a young female, considering the story and its perspective.
I also liked the story. I asked to read this because I think East Asia is interesting and I've never read a historical fiction novel about the effects of the Vietnam War on Japan. It was definitely poignant and fascinating to see how our main character dealt with the loss of her mother, followed by her attempts to find her father. She was surprisingly strong in how she navigated the world alone, but not in an unrealistic way.
I didn't know how the book would end, which was good, because it helped me feel a sense of satisfaction as everything wrapped up.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

Uncertain Luck follows Emiko as her and her mom created a stable living situation after Emiko's father left to support student protests against the Vietnam war. Without confirmation of her fathers death after years of him being gone, Emiko is convinced he is still out there and wants to go find up. When her mother suddenly dies of poor health, Emiko takes it as her chance to head to Tokoyo in search for her only potentially living parent.
With little money or professional experience, Emiko takes this journey as a time to make connections in search for her father. Upon coming across a job listing for translating news articles between English and Japanese, Emiko is able to make connections that bring her towards her father and a handsome soldier battling an injury.
This is a calming and casual read that I enjoyed a lot. It was an overall entertaining read that I was invested in throughout. This would be a great read for anyone looking for something to get lost in and enjoy at face value.

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genre and I make conscious attempt to pick books that are not focused on Second World War. There are just too many of them on Second World War. Hence premise of this book set in backdrop of Vietnam War seemed interesting and drew me to it.

Its a casual read which moves at a leisure pace. Its about an young women Emiko, who is trying to find her missing father after her mother dies. I liked that there is no over dramatisation of despairs which Emiko had to undergo. She had plenty of them, loss of parents, financial troubles, not so respectable job, elderly man trying to take advantage of her. All of this was treated as 'life' and nowhere trying to invoke sympathy for the character. It also helped in keeping the mood light throughout.
'Uncertain luck' sounds pretty negative and hopeless but its been depicted in the book as, 'dont count on your luck, you are on your own' , which I feel is a powerful learning to have.

Most of the story is set in Japan and described through Emiko's pov, and Vietnam war is never center stage other than Emiko's love interest being deployed there as an American soldier. This was bit disappointment and takes away from historical fiction credit. The love story also seemed little too convenient. Last 3 chapters and Epilogue are a stretch and not needed at all, as the happy ending was already achieved. Audio book needs a different narrator considering main character is female and narration is being done in a male voice, it just feels out of sync.

Overall a casual and easy read.

A very well-written story about 20 year old -Emiko, who is searching for her missing father, after the death of her mother. Emiko is strong and determined and she isn’t afraid to stand up for herself and others she knows. Emiko’s story is very engaging and she knows what happens in her life, her friendships, her romance with Juan ( American military) and her unwavering belief that her father is still alive.
I listened to the audiobook narration — at 2.0x which made the narration more bearable for the female voicing. I I enjoyed this book — historical fiction — based in Japan but focused on the American military and the dark side of Japan- yakuza, terrorism and underworld dealings, as well as the war in Vietnam.

A very well written story about Emiko, a young Japanese girl who is searching for her missing father, after the death of her mother. Despite her youth, Emiko is strong and determined and she isn’t afraid to stand up for what she knows is right. I found myself completely engaged in her life, her friendships, her relationship with Juan and her unwavering belief that her father was still alive.

I wasn’t keen on the narration as I felt a younger, female voice would have portrayed this character more convincingly.

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Rea Keech and Real Nice Books for an ARC in return for an honest review.

A historical novel set in 1969 Japan: it's the Vietnam War as well as the lead up Yukio Mishima's failed coup attempt. Trying to navigate this set of events are Emiko (Japanese, anti-Vietnam War) who's trying to find her missing father and Juan (American solider in said war) trying to stay alive.

Sadly, this novel needs another round of edits to tighten it up: Emiko should feel much more conflicted about falling for Juan than she does. I also didn't buy how quickly they ended up in bed together. The last part of the novel doesn't have enough jeopardy for Emiko/Juan so I was left wondering what Emiko wanted, e.g. when her letter to Juan was returned because she'd written "Vietnam" as part of the address, why didn't she just re-address and resend it if she's so completely in love with him?

The audiobook is narrated by the author which was fine for me. However, there were a number of places where there was a scene shift within a chapter but it took a couple of sentences before this was clear to the listener. I assume in the book, there are indications that there's a scene shift. This would be another point to clear up in the revised version.

The novel is a good premise and it's clearly been thoroughly researched. It just needs another edit to bring it to fruition. I received an advance review copy of the audiobook for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was my cup of tea. I love Historical Fiction, and this one is rich with Japanese culture. Which also interests me. The story did not disappoint.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Real Nice Books for an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

The author is not a bad narrator but it was a poor choice for this book. An old white guy shouldn't be reading a story about a young Asian girl. The voice needed to be female, youthful, and preferably, read by an Asian. I couldn't listen to the book with this narrator even though I was interested in the story.

When Amico‘s mother dies at the funeral she meets a man who is a rich businessman from Tokyo he was once in love with her mother but now wants her to become his second wife, something Amico is dead set against. After the funeral however she takes the monetary donations and head to Tokyo she’s in search of her father who would go every now and then to help students protest in the last time he left he never came back that was five years ago and since she no longer has a mother she wants to find him. While in Japan she will meet new friends but more importantly while out and about in Tokyo she meets a US military soldier who is on leave due to an injury Amico knows her father would be totally against her dating him but they fall in love despite that. She also gets involved with gangsters and this is what most of the middle of the book is about. I am doing a terrible job at this review this book was so good the narrator was really good does Amico find her father and if so what does he say about her loving Juan Gomez this book is sad during the Vietnam war end it was so good I love reading books set in other countries especially those written by people from that country there’s so many lessons in this book but more than that it is entertaining and definitely gives you a fly‘s iview of the way life was in Japan during the war as I said I love this book and thought the narrator did an awesome job. it’s books like this that truly show how we’re more like than different. I want to thank the author the narrator the publisher and NetGalley for my free audio arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I requested this book from Net Galley because I thoroughly enjoyed a previous book, A Hundred Veils,. by the author Rea Keech. Unfortunately I cannot say the same for this novel. I hate to say this but it may be because the author himself narrated it and it just didn't work for me. He may be able to write a good story but he is not a good narrator of stories. What I did appreciate about the novel was the historical accuracy of the turbulent times during the Vietnam War and the characters, Emiko and Juan and their romance. They persevered through troubling times to stay together and build a life together in Japan. It's not a bad novel, it's just not that great.

Despite the subject matter, Uncertain Luck is a lovely book to listen to. It tells its story in a way that reflects Japanese culture and the narrator, who is the book's author, does a good job of representing the various characters. Although the main character is female, the gender disparity made no difference to this listener. Set in 1969, the story unfolds over the course of a year. After the death of her mother, Emiko leaves her home to try to find her father, who had gone to Tokyo to carry out his antiwar activism and had not been heard from for 8 months. He did not know of his wife's death. While in Tokyo, Emiko becomes involved in a movement working against the aims for which her father strived, stumbles into knowledge of a gun and drug smuggling operation, and, most importantly, meets Juan, a GI who is recovering from wounds suffered in the Vietnam War. Unlike stereotypical American stories, Uncertain Luck does not involve high-speed car chases or big shootouts. However, there's enough action to satisfy most readers of American thrillers. This audiobook will appeal to listeners who are curious to learn about other cultures through fiction, to people who remember the activism of the 1960s, to readers who are looking for a good love story, and to those who just like a story that unfurls slowly but not stodgily. Character development may be a little light, but the plot and the descriptions of the settings and of Japanese customs and beliefs more than make up for it. Recommended.

🎧2⭐️

I really liked the look of the books premise. It’s a historical Vietnam war era story which had a unique premise incorporating themes of love and loyalty.

I had the audiobook narrated by the author which is unusual. However I think it would be better narrated by a female voice, as the mc is a 20 year old female, and the narrator has a deep slightly gravely voice. It really needs a different narrator.

It’s 1969 Emiko’s father goes to Tokyo to support the Vietnam war protests, only he doesn’t return. Then shortly after her mother dies. Emiko goes in search of her father.

It’s a slow gentle story. I found it too far too slow and tame for me, there wasn’t enough interest going on. It also felt very dry, and stilted.

The book has a glossary with translation, I found it nice hearing the words spoken. Think I’d rather hear the words and get a feel of the language, it gives an authentic feel. I think the narrator included some of the translation, but have no way of knowing if that was also included in the book.

Emiko was subservient for much of the book, but finally found her backbone.

Unfortunately it’s not one for me. It covered some pertinent aspects of the war.