I didn't enjoy this novel as much as the first one. The plot wasn't very compelling - mostly about Izumi's love triangle and her parents' wedding. However, I did enjoy the Japanese references and culture. There is humor and a naturalness to Emiko Jean's dialogue and writing. I think young adult readers would enjoy this more than I did.

I loved the first book in this series and think I might have loved this one even more!

Just when Izumi is trying to settle in to royal life, something sends her into a tailspin. Well, more than a few things. Yes, there's a bit of a love triangle in this one, but it didn't bother me. I really love the family relationships in this series and the Tokyo travelogue.

Hoping maybe there is one more book???

3.5/5 Stars

I loved the first in this series, but I was a bit disappointed by this one to be honest. It just didn't give me the same vibes and overall enjoyment I felt before. I loved Akio and Izumi together and was excited to see more of them, but when one character was barely in the story I was left wanting more. I did really love Izumi's character development though, and I am a big fan of the fake dating trope so I was all for that! I listened to this on audio, as I did the first book and I thought the narrator did a great job again with her reading!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4/5 stars.

I loved Toyko Ever After, so I was excited to see there was a sequel for it. I love Izumi, and I love how the novel still depicts the struggle of never quite being enough or presenting the right image -- especially when you're the princess of Japan. While there was romance in this (hello ANGST with Akio and Eriku and making choices), I found this novel really focused more on Izumi herself and her relationships with others, especially those within her family.

Izumi and her mother continue to be one of my favorite pairings, and I appreciate how toward the end of the novel there was a discussion of mental health struggles and the impact making choices can have.

This novel definitely continues where the last one left off, but I found myself disappointed by the ending. Izumi decides to start speaking up for herself, yet then runs right back into a romance that didn't get a chance to rebuild or thrive over the novel. I get it and why it happened, but I think the novel would have had a more poignant ending if it didn't happen.

I also appreciate the discussions of race, culture, and institutions throughout the novel.

A fun, satisfactory sequel to Tokyo Ever After.
Tokyo Dreaming by Emiko Jean picks up right after the previous novel. Our protagonist has further adventures as she embraces her new lifestyle.

Rating: 3 stars

Rating: 3 stars

Reading this book was like riding a wave where I was constantly oscillating between grinning idiotically and cringing so hard.

Tokyo Dreaming and I did not get off on the right foot. The story kicked off with what was pretty much a rehash of Tokyo Ever After which is fine for people who might've forgotten some of the finer details from the first book (🙋🏻‍♀️), but it was just kind of awkwardly incorporated. After the slow start, Emiko Jean started dropping hints about what the story would look like, and I was not impressed. It just seemed cliched and predictable, and I wasn't really excited about it. But then the story started picking up, and it was...fun! Jean made some unexpected choices that took the plot in a bit of a different direction than I anticipated, introduced a new character who wormed his way into my heart, and somehow converted me into a The Shining Twins fan. The ending was a bit of a letdown though. It felt rushed and I wasn't totally satisfied with the resolution. Still, it was a solid sequel and a fun read, and if Emiko Jean decides to publish a third Tokyo book, I won't be mad.

Full review to come.

I received a free digital galley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a good sequel. I loved how it connected to the first book however still did its' own thing. I liked seeing the development of all the relationships and seeing the main character come into her own .

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
With Tokyo Ever After’s open, yet optimistic ending, Tokyo Dreaming had the potential to either screw everything up, or build on everything in a satisfying way. Fortunately, it’s the latter, as there’s more of the royal intrigue and compelling emotional stakes that I enjoyed about the first, along with some new challenges.
I love how it continues to address the battle between tradition and modernity, both within a Japanese cultural context and an international one, particularly in some of the gossip rag excerpts. There’s continued discussion about the fragile nature of the succession and the immense pressure it continues to put on the members of the family. The path to marriage is not a smooth one for Izumi’s now-reunited parents, as the Council (and the press) would prefer someone a bit younger with a better pedigree, not to mention they object to her being American (now, why does that sound familiar?) Izumi’s mother, Hanako, meanwhile, chafes at the expectations of her new role, leaving the Prince in a bit of a bind of what to do. Ultimately, while things could still go wrong (is there another book to come?), the two of them are open with each other about their issues, and find a compromise that acknowledges the expectations of a Crown Princess and eventual Empress, while also making some allowances for Hanako to continue to do what she loves and feel more at ease.
I was a bit nervous with the development of Izumi’s role in the story, especially as the continued scrutiny of her romance with Akio (among other areas in which she doesn’t conform) plays a negative role in the Council’s decision regarding her parents’ marriage, leading her to consider another, more suitable romantic match in Eriku. While this could have been a recipe for disaster, I liked how it didn’t develop into a full-on love triangle, and it ends on a good note with the guy she doesn’t choosr. There’s drama, because of course there is, but it’s part of Izumi’s arc of duty vs. heart, which also extends to other aspects of her life, like college and her future career path.
This is a satisfactory sequel, and I hope not the last we see of these characters. If you enjoyed the first one, you should definitely pick up this one.

A lovely, quick and enjoyable read that will leave fans of the first book pleased. Tokyo Ever After was one of my favorite books of last year so I was thrilled to get my hands on an early copy of the sequel, Tokyo Dreaming. The author did such a good job introducing us to this world and exploring the complexities of Izzy's journey, that journey was really highlighted in this book. I love that the author allowed us to learn more about the The Shining Twins and see them as more fleshed out characters with a human side. I did find this one to be more predictable than the first one, but it was still a good read. I think that Izzy is a very relatable character, and she shines as a flawed, but human protagonist.

This book was the perfectly sweet sequel to the first book in the series, Tokyo Ever After. It picks up right where TEA left off, with the main character Izumi adjusting to life in Japan. This book is full of twists and turns and includes all the lovable characters from the first book, as well as a couple new ones to spice things up. I'd recommend this book for anyone who loved the first one, as well as anyone looking to adjust in a new setting. I loved the focus on societal expectations and how being true to yourself is the most important thing you can do.

Tokyo Dreaming was the perfect follow-up to Tokyo Ever After. In it we get to see Izumi experience heartbreak, triumph, personal growth, and ultimately, we get to see her find her place in Japan.

After having her heart broken, Izumi is determined to become the perfect princess in hopes of convincing the Imperial Council to support her parents' marriage, but it soon becomes obvious that being the perfect princess may come at the expense of her own happiness. Nevertheless, Izumi forges forward and after deciding that she would like to attend the same university as her father, she gains a cute tutor who has the potential to aid her broken heart. Izumi also finds common ground and true friendship with her cousins, who become a big source of support to her.

Just as Izumi feels like things are finally falling into place, she finds that her sacrifices may not have been enough. Her mother is truly unhappy and it becomes obvious that both mother and daughter have been desperately trying to mold themselves into something they are in not, in the hopes of securing one another's happiness. This leads to difficult and honest discussions about what they both truly want and are willingly to give up.

There is a bit of a love-triangle in the third act, but nothing too painful and it all works out nicely. I loved the romantic reunion at the end and the open-endedness of the story. It leaves the door wide open for more from this series; at least that is my hope.

At first, I was a little sad about some events in the beginning BUT THEN Emiko Jean threw in some of my favorite tropes and I was instantly hooked! I can’t even talk about the tropes because it’ll ruin the fun of the beginning of the book so you’ll just have to trust me!

I will say though that I didn’t know how this book would keep up the cuteness from the first book, but I was definitely pleased with how this book as executed and the topics that it explored without becoming repetitive with the drama of the first book! This definitely made an impression on its own and I really enjoyed the ride!

NOW WHEN YOU READ THE BOOK YOU’LL UNDERSTAND BUT I WAS ANGRY ABOUT THE ENDING. While I UNDERSTAND it and it was perfectly fine, I was just sad for MYSELF. (Again, I can’t say anything because it will spoil it all but if you have read it I wanna know how you feel!)

Overall, I liked that this one explored a different way of finding yourself and being happy with your choices and taking care of yourself. I definitely related to Izumi’s need to please others!

What I liked about this (which is the same as what I loved about book 1) was the family and friendship dynamics! It was lovely to see Noora and Izumi’s friendship change and grow as they changed as well!

Overall, I really enjoyed this one and if there are more stories to tell in Izumi’s life I’m definitely on board for it!

Continuing where we left off with Tokyo Ever After, the fabulous and often dramatic life of Her Imperial Highness Princess Izumi Tanaka takes another few twists and turns in this adventurous sequel. Finding her true self in a world of Imperial rules, personal battles, and tabloid titillation, the young princess struggles to find her way in the world. While Tokyo Dreaming is a touch predictable at times and embued with tropes throughout, it is once again a light-hearted teenage-romance fantasy in a contemporary Japanese setting. Most prominently suffering in a final act that hastens itself to wrap up a story befitting the genre rather than progressing the character further. Nevertheless, Emiko Jean once again creates a cheerful and entertaining tale throughout.

4.75/5 stars

Honestly, really loved this sequel! I was a big fan of the further characterization through this novel, and think Emiko Jean brought Izumi and her mother each to a much better place than at the end of the first book. Like, reading this book, I can see why the sequel was warranted, which isn't always the case!

I also loved the deepening of the relationships among the royal family, and I was so satisfied with the ending!

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley and Flatiron Books in exchange for an honest review.

TOKYO DREAMING not only further explores Izumi Tanaka's experiences as she navigates Japan and royal family politics, but also how friendships change between high school and starting college. While the focal point that drives the narrative of this second book in the Tokyo Ever After series is the engagement of Izumi's parents, the heart of the story is Izumi's struggle to figure out what she wants - both in her next steps after high school, and in a relationship. I really appreciate that Jean tackled the pressure of expecting 18 year olds to declare their future career path before they've even really experienced life along with the pressure that teens feel trying to live up to their parents' expectations.

This novel does not suffer from the troubles of a second book in a series, but rather is builds upon the themes from TOKYO EVER AFTER and makes the narrative its own without solely being a way to carry the plot from the first book into the third book. I liked the love triangle and while I initially thought Izumi chose incorrectly, her reasoning made sense and it did make sense in the end. I'm looking forward to seeing where Jean takes this series next.

“Tokyo Dreaming” by Emiko Jean is the second book in the “Tokyo Ever After” series. Technically this book is a stand-alone one, but I would strongly suggest reading the first book in the series before reading this one.

I feel compelled to give a huge shout out to the creator of the fantastic cover. I would’ve just bought this book for the cover alone - it is stunning!

The plot of this book is rather simple - our heroine, Izumi, has gotten more adjusted to living as an Imperial Princess of the Japanese Royal Family. It now looks like her parents will (finally!) get married. However, for Izumi overhears a conversation and realizes that it’s not a smooth journey for her parents to get married. Part of what happens is that Izumi makes some decisions that help her parents - but at what cost to her own desires? What I really liked was seeing how Izumi matures a bit during this book. She’s still a teenager, so there are the usual teenage things (though, honestly, the miscommunication bits weren’t as bothersome to me in this book), but Izumi really does care about the people she loves.

This was a fast and enjoyable read for me and I’m pretty sure a door was left open for a third novel in this series. Ms. Jean’s writing style is fun and entertaining.

I didn't know this was a series and let me tell you I am sososo happy to get back to these characters! While I didn't love this book as much as the first one, Tokyo Dreaming is funny and full of heart.

We've all been there: 18 years old with the whole world ahead of us and the expectation that we know what to do and what we want to do. Now take that general confusion of "what do I wanna be when I grow up" and add the expectations of the Crown with all its new rules and trappings. Talk about stressful!
"'The truth is, I'm having a hard time deciding what to do. I mean, what am I really passionate about beyond eating and sleeping?'"
Relatable, Izumi. Tokyo Dreaming really tackles the whole concept of needing to be special and have high aspirations, which I find honestly refreshing in an era of YA where characters all go to elite universities and have clear goals. Isn't average good enough when you are a good person? There's a true juxtaposition between Izumi's upbringing in Mount Shasta (lower pressure but feeling out of place) and her new life in Japan (higher pressure but feels a sense of belonging). That isn't to say that Izumi doesn't feel like an outsider as someone who grew up in the diaspora.
"Ever since becoming a princess, all experiences have been weighted with expectations and worries about how I might be perceived."
In many ways this is more a book about the family and their relationship with the Imperial Agency, but it also features Izumi just trying to figure things out. School was never really her thing and she doesn't know if she even wants to go to university, but as the daughter of the Crown Prince there are expectations. Incredibly high expectations she never had to meet before but is being held to this new standard, all the while being judged by everyone and in the press.
"But there are still rules to abide by. Princess rules. What I can do and what I can't Like my major. I may choose it but within certain parameters. Does life always come with constraints? Is that part of growing up?"
I love Izumi's family and everything developing between each of them with the introduction of her father into her life. The fact her parents still hold a candle for one another 18 years later? My heart. The whirlwind romance. The intense love Izumi feels for her parents to do anything in her power so her parents can get married: including sacrificing her own happiness. The reason this book didn't hit quite the same for me is the relationship, which I won't go into but have complicated feelings on.

Overall, Tokyo Dreaming is a delightful sequel in the "Wait, I'm a Princess? but make it Asian" series that focuses on not only the coming of age anxieties of what to do with our lives but also Izumi's journey to figuring out who she is as someone who grew up in the diaspora, all while also dealing with the expectations now thrown at her because of the whole princess thing. There's some fake dating, sunshine cinnamon rolls, parents falling madly in love with one another, and a girl trying to please everyone but herself... then coming to terms with what she wants.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an eARC via Netgalley for my honest review. This has not affected my opinion of the book nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an uncorrected proof and subject to change upon final publication.

Tokyo Ever After was one of my favorite ready of 2021, and I was super excited to that there would be a sequel.
Tokyo Dreaming takes place shortly after the previous book and focuses not on Izumi's adjustment to her new life, but rather her finding her place in her new life.
What I really liked about this book is how realistic the character relationships were. The old friend fearing that Izumi's new life will cause a rift, the family members that are still cautious of their new relation, a mother that thinks everything you do is a work of art. However, the inclusion of the dogs has to be my favorite by far.

I loved this second book! It's like if The Princess Diaries 2 was mashed up with What a Girl Wants and Always and Forever, Lara Jean! Ugh! So good! I hope everyone reads it!

This story was so fun. It lived up to book 1 in every way for me. I loved the continuation of Izumi’s story, and the new characters we are introduced to!

In Tokyo Dreaming, Izumi is living in Tokyo, and her mom is there with her, which I was so happy about! When her father, the Crown Prince of Japan, proposes to her mother, it creates quite an uproar in Japan. It is not considered a good match, based on how Izumi behaves. So, Izumi becomes determined to follow rules and turn herself into the perfect Japanese Princess.

Obviously, there are tons of problems with this plan, and I loved seeing how Izumi’s problems bring her closer to people as they work to help her. Two characters I really enjoyed in this story were her cousins. There’s quite a journey in the relationship between them and Izumi, and I was so happy to see it!

Tokyo Dreaming is the second book in the Tokyo Ever After book series. I would highly recommend reading the first book before picking this one up. I think it will be more enjoyable. However, if you do pick it up first, I think it would be okay. The author does a good job of giving some backstory from the first book.

Overall, this was a great book, and I really enjoyed the story. I liked being back in Japan and with these characters, and I am hopeful there will be at least one more book to continue Izumi’s story! I would recommend this one for readers that enjoy YA coming-of-age stories!