I absolutely adored Tokyo Ever After, so I was super excited to get my hands on this sequel! What I loved about the first book is that it felt like the author treated the characters as young people on the precipice of adulthood, but they felt real and mature and immature in all the right ways. I was so happy to see that continue in Tokyo Dreaming, which finds us back in Tokyo with Izumi and her parents, who are on the brink of reunion.

While I don't think this quite lived up to Tokyo Ever After, which I contend is a nearly perfect YA novel in every way, it did exactly what it should do, which is allow Izumi's life and story as she settles into her new role to develop, grow, and change. She experiences having to choose between two very different men who she cares for. She makes big mistakes. She changes contentious relationships. And she starts to discover what she may really want for her life. We get to see her continue to make sense of being American and Japanese at the same time, and how she feels like not enough of both most of the time.

The narration here was lovely, and I thought really contributed to my enjoyment of the story, as I read a physical copy of Tokyo Every After.

I don't know if we'll get another chapter of this story, but if we do I will be one of the first in line to read it. I think Izumi is a wonderfully imperfect character, and I enjoy her voice and her growth.

I loved the first book in the Tokyo Ever After series so I was overjoyed to be reunited with these characters again. Though it was an easy read this one didn't carry the same magic as book one. The characters didn't really do much development even though there is a serious love triangle. If you liked book one, this is a good palate cleanser book - especially via audio as the narrator is amazing. However, you're not missing much if you skip this one.

I really enjoyed this sequel to Tokyo Ever After. It picks up right where book one left off, and if you enjoyed the first one, you'll enjoy this one too.

I've seen a few people say it can be read as a stand alone, but I would NOT recommend doing that.

I liked this continuation to the first book. The narrator was engaging. I like the main character... though I wish she'd engage more with her parents.

Emiko Jean does it again! She continues lovable Izumi’s journey as newfound Japanese Princess. She navigates life in Japan, her parents reunion, a love triangle, and much more! This whole series is so sweet and has many comical moments. I really enjoyed it a lot and recommend if for fans of the “American Royals” series as well as “The Princess Diaries”. I really hope this series continues! Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan for the gifted audiobook!

Tokyo Dreaming is a squeal worthy sequel that will delight fans of Emiko Jean’s first novel in the series “Tokyo Ever After”. The audiobook was narrated again by Ali Ahn, who perfectly portrays Izumi’s quirky and loveable personality. Izumi story returns in Japan where her mother and father the crown prince of Japan have recently become engaged. Izumi’s dream of having her family together is finally coming true with her bodyguard turned boyfriend standing by her side. Her family dream turns to nightmare when the Imperial Household Council will not approve the marriage because of Izumi and her mother’s unsuitable family background. After the bombshell announcement Izumi’s boyfriend ends the relationship and Izumi is left heartbroken and alone. Izumi and her mother dive into royal life to change the council’s perception. Can Izumi find a way to stay true to herself while also saving her parents relationship? Funny, relatable, and swoony this novel is the perfect summer read! Fans of Gilmore Girls will love the mother-daughter relationship. Fans of Katharine McGee’s American Royals series will devour this royal read and travel hungry readers will fall in love with the setting in beautiful Tokyo. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audiobooks for this advance audiobook, I loved it. All opinions are my own.

Tokyo Dreaming lives up to the magic that is Tokyo Ever After. This second installment keeps the vibe of Princess Diaries, but make it Japanese American + a hint of Gossip Girl with the Tokyo Tattler segments. In Tokyo Dreaming, more romance tropes will come to life in an delightful execution of the contemporary romance. I'll definitely tune in for #3!

“... What happened to my promise to take your sorrows and buy them deep?... I saw your call. I didn't answer. Foolish me. I thought it is better to be lonely than to be insecure.”

*4.5 stars*

🎧Read via audiobook

This was such a cute sequel to Tokyo Ever After! This book really details the adjustments to life as a princess that Izumi has to go through, and I feel like her character really grew into herself in this sequel. I really enjoyed how Izumi's relationship with her cousin's grew. The romance threw me through a loop, but I actually found it was realistic as to what a girl Izumi's age and under those types of pressures would go through. This book did a really good job exploring what someone under the extreme pressures of the celebrity spotlight and imperial duties would go through. I also especially loved the family aspect - Izumi has such a sweet relationship with her mother, and has really developed a relationship with her father. This series really put a smile on my face!

SO cute! Loved it just as much as the first book and finished it super quick. It was just what I needed…heartfelt, funny, honest, and sweet.

This sequel to Tokyo Ever After was what my spirit needed. I was ecstatic when I discovered the series as a retelling of The Princess Diaries, as I was freaking obsessed with that series growing up. Tokyo Dreaming was super cute, and I personally would like more college-aged coming of age stories.

Izumi is trying to figure out her place as she sits on the precipice of the rest of her life. She is caught at the crossroads of several decisions: where and what she wants to study, choosing her old life and her new one, and who she is in love with. The main struggle of the story is finding a balance between who she is at her core and who she represents to the Japanese people. Izumi is caught between responsibility and authenticity.

I very much enjoyed this story of trying to figure out who you want to be in life. At that age we are constantly inundated with the noise of what we should be doing– people keep “shoulding” on us. And we see the struggle, as well as the stakes, are higher when there is the added pressure of being a part of a royal family.

Of course my favorite part of the story was the love triangle. For me, it wasn’t a question of who she would choose, but I knew in my heart she would not be with the guy I was rooting for. But I guess I was still happy with the outcome. *still secretly cries*

I am an adultier adult, but I appreciate YA. One thing about Emiko Jean is that sometimes it is easy for me to forget she is writing for younger people. She writes about the standard things teen girls care about and find relatable, but there is a level of maturity in the development of her characters that I love.

I feel in my spirit that this isn’t the last we will see of Izumi, and I can’t wait to see how her story will continue. A trilogy, perhaps?

The sequel to Tokyo Ever After lived up to its potential! Izumi is still the fun, spunky American-turned-Japanese-Princess, but she has also matured a bit, no doubt in part to her princess training.

She has to make some big decisions and possibly sacrifice her chance at a happily ever after to see her mom’s dreams come true.

I usually do not like a fake dating trope, but this one really worked for me. Emoji Jean may be changing my mind on that trope.

Thank you to MacMillan Audio for an ALC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This review is being posted in exchange for receiving the audio version of Tokyo Dreaming from NetGalley.

Tokyo Dreaming is the sequel to Emiko Jean's Tokyo Ever After where we follow Princess Izumi as she traverses the life as Japan's princess. Tokyo Dreaming is a fun read and focuses more on Izumi and her various relationships with her family, friends, and lover(s). Because of this we get more insight into Izumi, who she is, and more importantly, what she wants. Every twist and turn is entertaining and at no point did the story seem to drag. The pacing was spot on. I found Izumi's decisions to be age-appropriate without being over-exaggerated for the purpose of plot. It was very realistic which was refreshing to see.

I give it 4 stars because it wasn't anything ground breaking or some literary masterpiece, but it is very fun and enjoyable. I highly recommend it.

The way that I devoured this book is probably unbecoming but I'm okay with that. I absolutely love this series and this second book was the perfect follow up.

Tokyo Dreaming by Emiko Jean is a fascinating follow up to Tokyo Ever After. I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook and it was a wonderful listen. The casting of Ali Ahn was a phenomenal choice. If you're looking for a great book to listen to do yourself a favor and listen to this series. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners

🎧 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The sequel to “Tokyo Ever After” finds love blooming all around Tokyo, especially Princess Izumi and her mom and dad. But, love is never easy when you are royal and are bound by and have royal expectations to meet.

This YA book and series is a great read/listen and appeals to the royal obsessed girls and boys out there. More than that, having studied Japanese history, this series open up Japan and it’s culture and history and there is some education that comes with that. Now, I just need to book my trip to Japan :)

I thought this book and the series to be fun and lighthearted to read. I thought the narrator gave a great performance and I hope to get further updates on Princess Izumi in future additions to the series.

Thank you @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for this ARC audiobook.

#netgalley
#macmillanaudio
#readmorebooks
#mybookishlife

Excellent listening adventure! The story is sweet, sincere, even funny, with plenty of heartfelt moments. The narrator does a terrific job bringing the characters to life, and I loved being able to hear all the Japanese names, words, and phrases via the audiobook. Highly recommended!

Tokyo Dreaming made me smile almost the whole way through. I love this series. Who didn’t dream of secretly being a princess after watching Princess Diaries? I know I did! Even though my parents were very much accounted for and lived in the same house as me.

We meet back up with our favorite characters in this second installment, and Izumi is facing a lot of big decisions that need to be made. Will she go to college or take a gap year? How is she going to win over the people of Japan for her parents sake? What will happen with her love life? There’s a lot going on here!

The pressure put on royals never ceases to amaze me. I mean, I get it…they are ROYAL and therefore in charge of an entire country, but my gosh. I can’t imagine.

If you enjoy YA, lighthearted reads, or royal family centered stories, this one’s for you!

Thank you so much to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the audio arc in exchange for my honest review! 💚

Solid sequel with the same quirkiness and enjoyability as the first book. Well done and fun! Thank you for the advance copy.

A cute fun rom com that is perfect for the summer! I loved this and seeing the characters again in this book. The fake dating, the romance, the drama and the Tokyo Tabler

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook.

I was completely captivated by this story and found it hard to stop listening. I loved the family dynamics and the opportunity to learn about Japanese culture. I look forward to more books by Emiko Jean. The audiobook narrator did an outstanding joy of bringing the characters to life. Highly recommend this series.