Emiko Jean has created a fun, modern story about Royalty that will keep you wanting more. With instances that are reminescent of The Princess Diaries and What a Girl Wants, this book follows Izumi as she searches for her father and finds out that she's a princess of Japan. Emiko's writing style feels fresh and keeps with today's teens.

[Review will be posted on May 13, 2021 on Reader Voracious but is currently live on Goodreads and The StoryGraph.)

I loved this book with my whole heart and can't wait for you all to read Tokyo Ever After!

While this isn't the kind of book I'd normally pick up, it's exactly the kind of book I want to read (I contain multitudes) and am forever thankful that Flatiron reached out to me about it. Tokyo Ever After follows Izumi, an eighteen year old Japanese American who discovers she's actually a Japanese princess and embarks on a whirlwind of adventure, self-discovery, and romance. I had the most delightful time reading this book and devoured it in one sitting... and wouldn't mind reading a sequel if we could be so lucky!

Fast-paced and energetic, the narrative is full of Izumi's spunk and sass. There's a light and conversational tone that makes you feel like one of her friends; it reads almost like a journal entry or having your best friend recall their shenanigans to you.

"It is the sacred duty of best friends to convince you to do the things you should not do."

Speaking of friends: this book has the most delightful cast of characters! I adore ride-or-die and supportive friendships, and Izumi has that in spades with her best friend Noora and the AGG (Asian Girl Gang). Their banter and rapport with one another is one that I aspire to with my friendships. Some characters were more developed than others, but I found myself enjoying each of them and the position they hold in Izumi's life. Well, except for the Shining Twins, who are arguably terrible.

There's no easier way to get me interested in a romantic arc than a bodyguard romance, and I adored the romance in Tokyo Ever After! I'm a sucker for hate-to-love romance arcs and watching preconceived notions and first impressions melt away for romantic feelings. For some reason these kinds of romances ring the most true to me. Add to the mix instant attraction so the character is caught between their dislike of the person and their hormones? Yes. (Any man who fails to schedule a bathroom break after a 14 hour flight doesn't deserve rights.)

"Princess. Most girls dreamed of this. I didn't. My mom bought me building blocks with Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Hillary Clinton on them. I just dreamed of having a father, knowing where I come from, and being able to speak proudly about who I am."

Izumi's father was never in the picture and her mother wouldn't tell her more than it was a one-night stand in college. Imagine her surprise when she found out that not only wasn't true, but her father is the Crown Prince of Japan. Izumi is swept away to Japan to meet and get to know her father's side of the family, providing her with an opportunity to learn about her heritage for the first time.

"It hits me: I'm not a novelty here. I am not a sore thumb. What a privilege it is to blend in."

This book provides much needed representation to all the Asian kids who grew up wishing they were royalty. As a white reader, I won't be able to give this beautiful ownvoices story the review it deserves, but encourage you to read reviews for Asian readers who can speak to the representation from their perspective.

"Don't you ever feel like you don't belong anywhere? Like you're two discordant halves living in one body? I'm not American enough. I'm not Japanese enough."

Tokyo Ever After is a fun book full of laughter and friendship. I cherish the time that I spend with these characters and wouldn't hate a sequel. I don't read a lot of contemporary but the book is so soft and full of sunshine that I want to read more.

Rep: Japanese American main character, Asian American & Japanese supporting cast, single parent household
Content warnings: alcohol use, bullying, elitism, racism,

ARC provided by Flatiron Press for review. This does not impact my opinion or content of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.

If you have been eagerly awaiting a third Princess Diaries movie, then Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean is definitely for you! Izumi (or Izzy) is an ordinary Japanese American teenager being raised by a single mother in a small town. That is, until Izumi discovers that her biological father, whom her mother has always been super secretive about, is the Crown Prince of Japan. Upon discovering that he has a daughter, he invites Izumi to spend a few weeks in Japan to meet himself and the rest of the royal family; Izumi is super excited at the prospect of finally fitting in. But being a Princess isn’t all glitz and glamour…Princesses must follow strict schedules, rules, and dress codes as well as be knowledgeable about the Japanese customs, traditions, and language. On top of that, Izzy must deal with the invasive paparazzi, manipulative cousins, and a serious yet handsome bodyguard named Akio who might just be Izumi’s soulmate. Princesses are totally allowed to date their bodyguards…right?

Tokyo Ever After is a teenage coming-of-age story full of romance, royalty, and dramedy. It deals with themes such as love and heartbreak, identity and family, race and culture, tradition, fame and royalty, female roles, growing up, and social hierarchy. The moral of the story is that, in Akio’s words, sometimes, “you’re not meant to fit in. Maybe you’re meant to stand out”. This book would be absolutely perfect for fans of movies like Chasing Liberty, What a Girl Wants, The Prince & Me, and Crazy Rich Asians. I would also recommend Tokyo Ever After to teens and adults who still love all things Disney Princess.

First off, the cover is gorgeous and definitely captured my interest right from the get-go. The unique and modern twist that Emiko Jean took on the classic rags to royalty trope was enjoyable and it was great seeing a focus on Izumi’s relationships and identity as opposed to her Princess lessons and royal events. I particularly enjoyed reading about Izumi and Akio the bodyguard’s budding romance and I loved that Izumi’s story had a happily ever after! Reading about the awesome adventures Izumi has while exploring Japan with her cousin Yoshi, such as extravagant restaurants and karaoke, was immensely fun to read as well.

Whilst great to see in mainstream YA literature, one thing that I personally found challenging about this book was the inclusion of Japanese dialogue, which wasn’t always translated into English; I found that this interrupted my reading experience and left me guessing as to what the characters said based on the context. Some aspects of the plot were unrealistic; for example, in the age of social media, how did the royal family never find out that the Crown Prince fathered a child? How come Izumi’s mother let her travel to Japan from America all by herself? Why did the royal family wait to do the paternity test until after Izumi had already travelled to Japan and met her father? And why wasn’t anyone concerned that a high schooler was romantically involved with a 20-year-old?

My nitpicking questions about the book aside, overall Tokyo Ever After was quite enjoyable and definitely worth reading; it totally fulfilled all my childhood Princess fantasies!

Who doesn’t love a story of teen discovering that she’s a princess and that her father is the Crown Prince of Japan?!

This YA book is described as the Princess Diaries meets Crazy Rich Asians, but definitely has its own flavor and soul.

Izumi is a perfectly flawed character. I love how relatable she is. She is not your stereotypical Asian American teen --she doesn’t have straight As, has no idea what she wants to do after college, and feels lost in life. Growing up Asian in a mostly white town, Izumi feels like a fish out of water. When she finds out who her father is and flies to Japan, she thinks it’s her homecoming, a place where she will finally feel at home. But of course, everything is not quite as it seems once she gets there.

Emiko Jean does a great job of crafting a joyful, entertaining novel full of heart, romance, and an awesome main character who is trying to find her path in life. It's also an ode to female friendships and knowing you have a ride-or-die who will accept you, flaws and all.

I especially love the fun banter between the characters, Izumi’s inner thoughts, and the bond Izumi has with her AGG (you’ll find out what it is). I also love the will they-won’t they romance between Izumi’s single mother and the Crown Prince of Japan (Ms. Emiko Jean - a prequel is needed, STAT!)

Tokyo Ever After is the adorable, feel-good book of the summer that you never knew you needed in your life. There are some wonderful cultural insights and social themes as well, that grounds this story in reality and gives it some depth.

Though yes, there are some cliches, tropes, and a lot of predictability, the characters and the story are so fun. It’s definitely a light read that is meant to be enjoyed beachside and discussed with friends.

Thank you Net Galley and Flatiron books for the book!

This was SO much fun! I'm so glad I picked my ARC up on a whim because I adored this! It's a Princess Diaries-esque bodyguard-romance set in Japan and literally everything I could have ever dreamed of. I loved everything so much-- the friendships between Izumi and her old friends and the new friends she makes, her newfound relationship with her father, her ugly little dog Tamagotchi... everything!

Honestly, my only complaint is that the romance might have moved a little too quickly, but really it's not much of a complaint.

I absolutely loved this one! It was like The Princess Diaries mixed with American Royals, taking place in Japan! All of my greatest loves in one book, how could I not love this? Izumi has such a bright personality, you can't help but root for her, and also wonder why everyone else isn't instantly in love with her as their princess. Izumi has to work hard to prove herself and find her place in the world, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I would love to read more about this AU if the author writes more books in this world, but the book definitely ended well where a sequel isn't needed (but it is still wanted!!!)

Izumi Tanaka is used to not quite fitting into her small, mostly white, town in northern California. She goes by Izzy because it's "easier," she's grateful to be best friends with the only other non-white girls at school. And she's always been close to her single mother.

At least she thought she was.

After Izumi finds out the truth about her father's identity, she isn't sure what to think of her mother or her own life anymore.

Turns out Izumi's never-in-the-picture father is the Crown Prince of Japan. In other words: Izumi is suddenly a princess!

In a whirlwind of preparation and dodging paparazzi, Izumi travels to Japan to meet her father and learn more about this side of her family. But it turns out being a princess isn't as easy as putting on a new tiara. Izumi is woefully unprepared for the rigid royal protocols, Japanese culture shock, and the media attention. Worse, she might be "too American" for Japan after years of being "too Japanese" in her hometown.

Add to the mix even more press, a cute bodyguard who might hate Izumi (or not?!), and plenty of scheming cousins and Izumi is in for a trip she--and the rest of Japan--won't soon forget in Tokyo Ever After (2021) by Emiko Jean.

Tokyo Ever After is tailor made for anyone who loves a royal romantic comedy (or royal gossip) complete with near misses, embarrassing shenanigans, and opposites attracting.

Izumi is an irreverent and authentic protagonist. She makes a few mistakes along the way (notably: not reading up on protocol on her flight) but she's also quick to acknowledge her flaws and admit her mistakes. Jean brings Japan to life for readers as Izumi explores and learns more about her royal heritage.

Tokyo Ever After is a breezy, exuberant story with a winning heroine (and brooding male lead) you can help but cheer on. A must read for fans of romantic comedies--and tiaras, of course.

Possible Pairings: Harley in the Sky by Akemi Dawn Bowman, The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot, Prince Charming by Rachel Hawkins, Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon, This Time Will be Different by Misa Sugiura

This book gave me everything I wanted. The main character, Izzy, was super witty and such a real teenage protagonist. Izzy finds out she is a princess, and while this book could have been cheesy, it offered up so much more. I loved the settings, the bits of history woven through, and the characters' perspectives finding their place in the world.

Just so good, I know that this book will be very loved! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this early!

Izumi Tanaka has spent her whole life feeling like she doesn’t quite fit in—not in her small, mostly whyte northern Californian town—and her mom has been quiet about her dad. So when Izumi discovers her father is actually the Crown Prince of Japan, things get, well, complicated. Suddenly Izumi is whisked off to a world of etiquette, rules and paparazzi, and she’s feeling even more like a fish out of water among the family she’s never known. Will she swim? Or will she sink under these new expectations?

I am brave. I am magnificent. I can do anything. (As long as I am gently handled, have ten hours of sleep a night, and a hearty, protein-packed breakfast, of course).

I absolutely adored Izzy. She is such a relatable protagonist, from her procrastinating (sure, she’ll figure out that homework assignment…also, that homework assignment is the one unresolved plot hole—did she do it? I don’t think she did) to her cheerful attitude and her wit to her genuine acceptance of herself, even though she’s bewildered by everything happening around her and struggling to find her place and fit in. She also acknowledges the delightful narcissism of teenagers, which was hilarious and um, so true, Because when you’re a teen, did your parents actually have a life before you, or did the world start after you?

“I should be in the dossier you received.”

“Riiight.” The dossier. Japan Airlines had the first two seasons of Downton Abbey. I’d chosen the historical drama over my own family history. I’ve made my bed and now I have to lie in it. “I haven’t had much time to look at it.”

Also, have I mentioned how funny Izzy’s voice is???

Additionally, I loved her relationships with well, everyone, although I wish her friends from home had more page time than they did (bonus shout-out to a complete mom-moment when she gets in a car with Izumi’s friend). I loved her relationship with her mom. They’ve been a unit, and while her mom has secrets she has never not supported her daughter. They’ve always been close, even though Izzy is beginning to push away and find her own independence (something also mentioned, which I love).

Which is where the relationships with the Imperial Family gets wild, because there is so much reserve and distance there. Mako the Crown Prince was different than I expected, although for someone who just discovered his one-true-love-who-dumped-him nearly twenty years ago was keeping his teenage daughter a secret and that he had a teenager, he was very well written. I delighted in every scene he was in during the final third of the book (looks like someone finally began to find his own independence after a lifetime of performing exactly to expectation).

A lot of the distance was built into the culture, and another bit into the expectations of being royalty, no matter how far from the throne one was. And all of the younger generation were struggling to find their place—as were a lot of the others who had page time—within the royal family and coping with the expectations of being royalty in a world where you were merely a symbol and no longer really useful or necessary. But symbols are people too, and some either caved to the pressure, walled themselves off into a brittle shell, rose to the outward appearance but remained isolated and lonely, or strove to do anything to get away, even if that striving meant destroying another person.

And, of course, Izzy walks into that mass of expectation face first. She has no idea, and she is not let off easy because of it.

Every decadent little indulgence holds a promise of better tomorrows. Like, things are super bad right now, but I really think this bronzer in Golden Goddess is going to turn it all around.

Several relationships that got a lot of page-time where Izzy’s relationships with her staff. There’s a distinct culture clash, as they try to mold her into Japanese royalty and fit her American self into a Japanese box, where she feels constricted by both. I did like how Izzy’s relentless optimism (it does crumble and she does have a hard time, but she manages to pick herself up) kept forcing people to like her, despite their reservations. She was just so nice, without demanding expectation in return or being false or obnoxious about it.

The final relationship—and the big one—is her relationship with her guard, Akio. Akio is also forced into family legacy, as imperial positions can pretty much only be gained through family inheritance, and he feels he must continue his family legacy after his father had to retire to care for his mother. Akio had thought he’d have time to pursue his own dreams before picking up the mantle of guard, and is torn between familial duty and the weight of all of those expectations, and his own heart.

While I preferred when Akio and Izzy were enemies/antagonists, their relationship had that sweet taste of forbidden romance that was also nice (and the balance between age and power dynamics was well done without being creepy). Plus, their chemistry was fantastic. Akio as an asshole guard was delightful and the banter was off the charts.

Anywho, if you’re craving a royal romance that hits that sweet mash-up of Princess Diaries and What A Girl Wants, with a dose of the gossipy richy-rich of Crazy Rich Asians, then this is definitely the book for you.

It was gossipy, it was angsty, it was filled with all of the royalty-drama I could ever want, and it had two romances, not to mention it is a fantastic coming of age of a Japanese-American girl finding herself, at last.

Plus that cover is to die for!

Born a foreigner

I carry two halves with me

Loose skins I pull on

To go places and don’t fit

Like apple pie and mochi

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review

Tokyo Ever After releases May 25, 2021 from Flatiron Books

I flew through this in one sitting and immediately wished that there was a sequel so I could stay in this world a little longer! Izumi is a fantastic heroine and a great narrator for this fish out of water story of royalty, romance, and discovery. Watching her develop a relationship with her father and figure out who her allies--and enemies--are within the palace walls was great fun, and I loved discovering Japan through her eyes. I particularly liked how much of Japanese culture, language, and food was woven in to the novel--it made for a particularly immersive experience as a reader and I loved how the words were not italicized. More of these please, publishers! And let's not leave out the forbidden love interest, scheming cousins, and demanding tutors and handlers, who made for great swoons and comedy alike as Izumi figures out how to be herself even in this new role. A very fun, sweet, and fun novel about identity, relationships, and learning to be at home in more than one place. 3.5 stars, rounding up to four.

I loved this a lot, it was a super fun and sweet read and I loved the discussions of diaspora and finding your place in the world when you have different family backgrounds to the majority. Full review to come

I am fascinated by all things Japanese , so I requested a review copy of "Tokyo Ever After." The book's premise is interesting: the ageing crown-prince of Japan, who is unmarried and therefore unable to supply a legitimate heir to the chrysanthemum throne, actually has a teen daughter in California. He is unaware of her existence as is the rest of Japan. How? The prince fell in love with a fellow-student, a young woman of Japanese origin, during his student days at Harvard University, and when he had graduated and left, he did not know that he had become a father. Later, the teen daughter seizes the initiative and contacts him and that's the story we read. The prince is portrayed in a good light. I wonder how the Japanese themselves will react to the book in which characters based on the members of the royal family -- other than a select few -- don't really cover themselves in glory. It was a fun read for an outsider like me.

Well this book was just delightful! I laughed and cried, and it was just a wonderful read!

I really loved the overall story. A normal girl finding out she's a princess. That was fun. But it was so, so much more than that. She's an American finding out she's a Japanese princess. I loved her commentary on growing up Japanese in America, and then going to Japan and finding out she's "too American". It was a really interesting story, and I felt like I had the chance to understand a perspective I haven't read about before.

This has great insight into cultures, race, gender, family, friends, and relationships. I just loved this story from start to finish, and I HIGHLY recommend it!!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Thank you to Flatiron and the author for this advanced copy! This book has all of my favorite things rolled into one, Japan, romance and the classic I-didn't-know-I-was-royalty trope. I absolutely adored the narration and thought Izumi was really relatable and funny. I also loved how the teenagers sounded like teens - or at least how my group of friends would talk. I only wish I had gotten a little more out of the book - it touches on not being "American" enough vs not "Japanese" enough (something I experience being biracial) and I wish there had been more time spent on this. I would've also loved seeing more of Tokyo/Japan. Hopefully there's another book!

Tokyo Ever After is a story about Izumi. A Japanese-American teenager who discovers the Father she never knew is the crown prince of Japan. Throughout the novel, Izumi laments about trying to belong to her two halves without feeling like an outsider.
While it is great to have a Japanese-American as the main character in a teen novel – representation matters – there are moments where it feels like this book is banking on people picking it up and reading it because of the representation.
What I mean is there are times when the behavior and dialogue between the main and supporting characters is too juvenile. Izumi is an 18-year-old high school senior. I do not believe every high school upperclassman is pulling straight A’s, but I would think procrastinating assignments is something done as a sophomore. The texts between her and her friends make you cringe and in one chapter Izumi says she wants to learn about her family, but when given a document that does just that she binges Downton Abbey.
Now once you get passed that the storyline is quick and entertaining. When I was done, I found myself astounded by how fast I finished. Through the eyes of Izumi we see the fast-paced energy of Tokyo, the calmness of Kyoto, and more from someone seeing it all for the first time. It is a true coming-of-age story.

Review will be posted on blog April 15, 2021

Loved! Read in a couple days over a weekend trip. Fast reading, enjoyable, satisfying. A good cast of characters and strong sense of place and Japanese culture. Thoroughly enjoyed.

I think this book is really going to appeal to a lot of teenagers. Although the plot is quite simple and predictable its cute and detail-rich.

Really loved and enjoyed this look at Japanese royalty. The whole novel felt like a realized version of a fairy tale, it was so cute!

TOKYO EVER AFTER is a sweet, escapist, and swoony romcom. If you're familiar with The Princess Diaries, then you'll have an idea of how this story will unfold. The princess lessons, fancy events to attend, a night out on the town. Oh, and a hot bodyguard. After finding out she's the daughter of the Crown Prince of Japan, Izumi goes to Japan to meet her father for the first time and sees where she belongs. She has a big learning curve between deepening her understanding of Japanese culture and her new palace life. However, Izumi adjusted easier than I expected. Overall, I thought it was a fun book that I would have loved to read as a teenager.

Thank you Flatiron and Netgalley for the ARC!

I love that there continue to be books that foster my belief that I really am a princess. Or at least I should be. This was fun and sweet and a good re-imagining of the secret princess trope, but set in a real plce. Kyoto now on my want to see list.