I’m excited to write this review because I have quite a few thoughts. Ok so first, I need to talk about the romance aspect. I found the entire book really cute (friends to lovers is so underrated) but to be honest it was kind of underdeveloped. Like I feel like Emiko’s relationships with everyone except the person she ended up with were well developed. And I feel like this character was really underdeveloped too. A lot of this book was underdeveloped in general to be honest. The plot was all over the place and no one thing was really focused on.

📚 Book Review: 💚🍵✨

If you're craving a sweet and cozy YA romance with just the right amount of meddling, mischief, and matcha, then The Matcha-Maker is the perfect read for you! 😍📖 Think Emma with a Japanese-Canadian twist, set against the charming backdrop of a coastal BC town—and with brunch! 🥞🍓

Our heroine, Emiko Kimori, is a self-proclaimed matchmaking prodigy 💘👩🏻‍🍳 who’s already scored a love win for her aunt and is ready to take on her newest project: helping the new girl find the perfect match. What Emiko lacks in self-awareness she makes up for in heart, energy, and enthusiasm. She juggles school 📚, volunteering 🤝, friends 💬, and crafting picture-perfect brunches 🍳🥑 while dodging any serious thoughts about her own future or love life. That is, until love sneaks up on her. 😳💓

The romance is swoony and slow-burn in the best way, especially with childhood friend Kenzo Sanada quietly waiting in the wings 🫢🧡. Their chemistry gives major Gilmore Girls vibes (Team Jess, anyone? 😉) and the whole story is seasoned with delightful family moments, community warmth, and cultural flavor that feels both fresh and comforting. 🎎🌊

What makes this book extra special is how it blends classic Jane Austen wit with Jenny Han-style feels 🥺💌. Emiko’s journey of realizing that love isn’t a puzzle to solve but something to experience hits just right. You’ll laugh at her matchmaking blunders, cheer for her as she figures things out, and maybe even tear up a little as she finally lets herself be vulnerable. 💭❤️

Final Thoughts:
A charming, heartfelt rom-com with a lovable cast, delicious brunch scenes 🍩🍓, and a heroine who’s learning that sometimes the best match is the one you never planned for. Perfect for fans of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Emma, and anyone who believes that love and food make the best pair. 💌🍱👫

I was drawn to this title after hearing that it was both a Jane Austen Emma retelling, and set on the west coast of British Columbia. I don't often get to read books set within my own country, and I love Jane Austen and usually enjoy when authors approach her stories from a unique perspective. I went into this one fully expecting to love it.

If you're looking for a title that is basically a love letter to the west coast of British Columbia, including many vivid and colorful descriptions of the beautiful landscapes, then this might just be the book you've been looking for. I also loved getting to learn more about Japanese Canadian traditions, especially the festivals and the food, and the reasons why they celebrate the way they do and when they do. Those bits and pieces ended up being my favorite, and I enjoyed the vivid imagery the author used to bring the descriptions to life.

That being said, if you're looking for a more of a fun loving, well written, young adult contemporary, well then this might not be the book you're looking for. The pacing and style of the novel was hard to follow, and it felt more like reading a girl's diary where nothing really happens, and many important circumstances are skipped right over. This wasn't an epistolary style novel (which I love by the way), but instead was just written in a bit of a different way, and it didn't work for me.

As well, as someone who loves Emma, I thought I would enjoy Emiko's character, but that wasn't the case. She was hard to root for, and honestly, was an extremely unlikeable character. Her family seemed to think she could do no wrong, and she pushes and pushes all of her friends to the point of almost bullying to get exactly what she wants, even when it's not what they want for themselves. I don't feel we saw much growth in her character throughout the story, and that also made the romance completely unbelievable for me as I don't understand what he possibly could have seen in her to be interested enough to want to be with her.

I thought the ending was a bit rushed and didn't wrap up the story in a way I was happy with, and ended up feeling a bit letdown when I finished this one.

Final Rating: 2.5/5

I'm glad I took a try on a book that's a bit different than something I'd normally read, but it's not one I would rush back to reread, and I don't think I'd recommend it if you're a person, like me, who enjoys more plot driven stories.

I do have to mention though how much I love the cover! It's stunning, and truly drew me to wanting to give this title a try.

Thanks so much to Tundra Books for allowing me to advance read and review this title!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher (Tundra Books) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.

Emiko by Chieri Uegaki is a charming, culturally rich YA retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma, reimagined through a Japanese Canadian lens. Set in a contemporary high school, the novel brings familiar characters and plot lines into a modern setting—while adding emotional warmth and cultural texture that give the story a fresh, endearing tone.

Fans of Emma will enjoy identifying the clever parallels: from Emiko’s well-meaning meddling to the modern-day figures. The characters’ Japanese names and family dynamics are easy to connect to their Austenian counterparts, yet they also stand firmly on their own, thanks to Uegaki’s heartfelt storytelling.

What sets Emiko apart is how much more likeable Emiko is than Austen’s Emma. While she still possesses the classic traits of youthful pride and a bit of matchmaking mischief, Emiko is written with a gentle sincerity and genuine desire to help others that makes her journey toward self-awareness feel more grounded and relatable.

Uegaki also skillfully blends Japanese and Canadian traditions throughout the narrative—from food and festivals to the nuances of intergenerational relationships—adding a delightful cross-cultural layer that enriches the story without overwhelming it.

This book is a lovely, accessible introduction to Austen for younger readers, especially those curious about Japanese Canadian culture. It's a sweet, thoughtful tale about friendship, growing up, and learning that sometimes, the best intentions still require a bit of self-reflection.

Thanks to Netgalley and Tundra Book Group | Tundra Books for this ARC. This is my honest review.

3.5/5 ⭐️

Beach-side coziness, bad decisions, tea time with friends, a bit of teenage angst, and lots of scrumptious food you wish you could grab off the page. Fans of the original Emma by Jane Austen, or the movie adaptation Clueless, will find delight in picking up all the references in Emiko. I liked how it leaned into the ‘small town story’ potential. It added a comforting warmth. The Japanese seasonal events that Emiko and her Ojiichan hosted for the townspeople seemed so fun, I would love to have some fresh mochi too! The light romance was sweet, Kenzo and Emiko were super cute together in the few scenes they had but it would’ve been nice to have more; it feels like we got more of Gareth and Jun with Emiko. I liked that the author kept the flaws of the original character; Emiko can make some pretty huge mistakes, sometimes at the expense of others’ feelings, she’s especially more prone to messing things up as a teenager, but she has the grace to acknowledge her mistakes, the courage to apologize, and she’s sincere. That’s the charm of Emma, even though many might not appreciate the character. Make sure to have some tea and snacks with you before reading! Thank you to NetGalley and Tundra Books for the arc.

A fun and pretty faithful YA adaptation of Emma by Jane Austen. In some ways I like Emiko even a little more, while she did have her faults she wasn't quite as bad as Emma. I liked the fun modern day setting, most of the characters, and learning more about some Japanese traditions and food. The festival was probably one of my favorite parts. There was no sex or swearing and while there was a little bit of underage drinking it wasn't shown in a favorable light. But I'd have no problem recommending this to younger readers. There were a couple slight differences at the end that I wasn't a fan of, and didn't make a lot of sense in my opinion, that take it down one star for me but other than that I really enjoyed this book.

This was such a lighthearted and fun read! I absolutely loved the way Chieri Uegaki interpreted this retelling. The incorporation of Japanese culture and allusions to other popular works were honestly really charming and made this book a lot more fun. I really loved Emiko as a character and reading about her journey of self discovery, which might be due to the fact that I also see a lot of myself in her. I think that her flaws made her character growth so much more fascinating, especially because a lot of her insecurities and flaws are ones that others can easily relate to.
In terms of the romance, I feel like I would've liked to see a little bit more, as I came into this book just expecting more in general. However, I really loved what we did get. Emma and Kenzo's relationship was so fun to read about when they finally realized their feelings for each other, which only makes me want more of those moments.
Overall, this story was a very simple read and definitely appropriate for younger audiences. I recommend everyone read this book once it releases!

This was such a cute story and read! I fell in love with the cover and had to read it amd it didn't disappoint 😍 i would definitely reread it and recommend it to my friends!

4.5 stars

A sweet and endearing YA/teen contemporary romance novel that explores a girl's relationships with friends, herself, and her grandfather.

Emiko, a senior in high school, isn't quite sure what she wants to do once she graduates. What she does know is that she is one heck of a matchmaker! Just ask her recently married Aunt!

Emiko is hella smart, perhaps a little (or a lot, depending on who you ask) pushy, quite the socialite, and a foodie to boot. But she might just be a bit too smart for her own good, as she thinks she knows how to piece together the perfect pair... her new friend, Harumi, and the new hire, Gareth, at the café she works at. Funny how things don't seem to go quite as she planned. She is so focused on setting them up that she is blind to key details that matter most to them and those around her.

Her oldest friend from childhood, Kenzo, is a beloved thorn in her side. They have a playful banter with teasing jibes, often tormenting each other... yet it's an easy kind of friendship. But he doesn't see her matchmaking in the same light and has a different opinion on her project couple, which infuriates Emiko. But is he right? And if so, can she admit defeat?

Kenzo and Emiko's relationship starts to change, making her a little uncomfortable and unsure of herself. She's not quite sure she likes this change, and the awkwardness she now feels is between them.

Love the author's style of writing, Japanese culture (OMgosh, just reading mention of the food made me crave some! 🤤), and all of the witty references to movies, books, and music. It's present and relevant, amusing, quirky, and cute ~ kawaii. Plus, Emiko's relationship with her grandfather is so sweet and touching! Oh, the heart feels! 💓 Makes me miss my own grandpa.

“Emiko” is a cute and charming retelling of Jane Austen’s “Emma” by Chieri Uegaki.

I loved how light-hearted, cozy and easy-to-read this book is. It explores the coming-of-age story of Emiko who is a matchmaker herself. She successfully finds a match for her aunt but later on encounters some matchmaking problems.

I gave this book 3 stars out of 5 because for me it lacked a bit of depth. I was not really satisfied with the character of Emiko and how her romantic relationship with Kenzo developed. They were friends who had playful banter and teasing that later on developed romantic feelings towards each other. It was adorable but it wasn’t my cup of tea.

Thank you Net galley for this advanced copy. The opinions in this review are entirely mine.

cute romance. fun ideas. cool themes. a hair weak characters at points but in general pretty cool. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

Emiko by Chieri Uegaki is a first person-POV YA contemporary Japanese-Canadian retelling of Emma. Emiko fancies herself a matchmaker after successfully getting her aunt together with her new husband. But when her latest matchmaking attempt for her new friend goes belly up, Emiko is going to have to do a lot of self-exploration.

Emma is one of those books where there is a romantic thread from beginning to end that I would never classify as a romance, whether it’s the original or an adaptation. I have always found Emma to be more of a character study of a young woman who means well but has a lot of growing up to do. That is what I want from an Emma adaptation and Emiko delivers. Emiko keeps trying to find a match for Harumi and she keeps getting it wrong, knocking her confidence. She also has to come to terms that she can be judgemental and focused too much on what other people expect from her.

Kenzo and Emma’s romance is very slowburn and doesn’t take up a ton of space. Again, I want that because Emma is a character study to me. The romance should be more of a C plot, maybe a mid-B plot. Kenzo calls Emiko out early on for how hse reacts to Harumi and Will, a possible love interest, flirting lightly and her instance on Harumi getting together with someone else. Kenzo is looking out for Harumi by saying the other guy is a jerk but Emiko won’t listen. Further into the book, we can see glimpses of Will’s attraction to Emiko, but it really is glimpses because Emiko herself is oblivious to not only her own feelings but also his.

Emiko, Kenzo, and Harumi’s Japanese heritage is allowed a lot of room to shine. There’s yukata, New Years celebrations, smashing a watermelon during summer, and more. Harumi is really into Hello Kitty while Emiko makes mention of Japanese traditions she’s familiar with. Emiko is relatively fluent in Japanese in terms of speaking, but not so much reading and writing and this is reflected in the text as we have the romanization of Japanese words instead of hiragana, katakana, or kanji and there is a decent amount of Japanese threaded through the prose.

I would recommend this to fans of Emma adaptations who love the character study aspects and readers of YA contemporary who went explorations of immigrant communities

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
it was very cute and i loved how it was easy to read. it is definitely quite middle grade and that is the main reason i didn’t rate it higher. i would’ve LOVED this when i was 12/13! the characters were cute and i think it was the perfect length. there was a lot of good description throughout the story but there were some times that i wanted a bit more detail. however, this is just what i would expect from a middle grade book. so adorable! 😍

This book is a combination of Clueless and Emma with an emphasis on family and community — as the majority of the characters are Japanese — and a sweet, cheerful tone. Parties and suppers are set in various cultural moments with Japanese food that I think gives the book a slightly original flavour. However, as this is a retelling of Emma, if you’ve read the book or watched any of the movies all of the plot beats will be familiar.

Emiko isn’t a horrible person, but she is a flawed one, and I find those flaws well suited to a high schooler nearing her graduation, grabbing for any form of control she can have over her life. With an aging grandfather, everyone moving on to new lives, new cities, even new countries, Emiko is feeling left behind which has her clinging even more tightly to what’s comfortable, safe, and familiar. And pairing up people is something she thinks she’s good at, something that makes people happy and makes them like her … and Emiko has a need to be liked, to be valued.

She’s needy, insecure, but well-meaning and loyal. As a character, I liked her, and I liked her growing romance with Kenzo. He’s charming, ambitious, kind and patient — and Emiko needs that patience. If you’re a fan of Emma, I think you’ll enjoy this book. It hits all the right notes and yet adds something unique. Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

~ thank you netgalley for an eARC! ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚. a cute 3 star romance!!
This was a fun, light-hearted retelling of Jane Austen's "Emma" about Emiko, a Japanese-Canadian high schooler, and her adventures before she graduates. The story features lots of drama, a sweet childhood friends to lovers romance, so many delicious foods, and insight on Emiko's culture.
Since it is an Emma retelling, Emiko has a similar personality as her which to some people can be frustrating because of their messy decisions, but that is the charm of the character. My favorite scene from the book is probably the dancing scene from their prom <3
Also, can we talk about this cover?! It's stunning!

This was such a cute fun read! The cover is so beautiful and it made me want to read the book. And I was not disappointed. I would highly recommend this book!

2.5 rounded up.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC!

I have very underwhelming feelings about this book and that's why I have to give it three stars. I don't dislike it but I also don't like it much. I think my main issue with it is that it has no idea what it wants to be: there is no singular plot. This book feels like a diary of a girl during her senior year and there's not succinct .... ANYTHING. It's all discombobulated and the character motivations are so weird and don't make much sense. I think this book could have used better direction to get it to become a full story instead of just meandering through a life.

That's what this book felt like: wistful meandering. The culture was cool. The characters were okay. But I really didn't feel like there was any ... POINT to the book as a whole? She's a matchmaker? Ok....... except she's NOT for the majority of the book. And her meager attempts at matchmaking are terrible. haha

Oh, also, I have to note that Emiko is an EXTREMELY unlikeable protagonist. I tend to enjoy reading about those but readers are going to REALLY hate her. I feel kind of bad too because she doesn't really go through a large growth period. She just kind of changes her ways on a whim at any point and I'm not really sure why Kenzo likes her except that she's just always been there. Their relationship was like... a cold wet noodle. They didn't feel like a couple and even though I knew they'd be endgame from the getgo because obviously... I never felt any real connection between them. Honestly, at times they did feel like brother and sister.

So, I think I'd recommend this to readers who maybe just want to read about the cultural aspects and the food? I'm not sure who the audience should be here. It's got a whole lot of random weird little tidbit plots that don't amount to much in the grand scheme of wistful meandering. So... if you like the idea of wistful meandering, give it a shot?

This was a really nice book, a new retelling and take on Emma by Jane Austen. Amazing in culture and storytelling

I thought this was lovely! It feels like Emma but still offers a fresh take with a unique voice at the same time. The story was rich with details of the culture and had a strong sense of family too. There were moments where the pacing felt slower in places but other than that I thought this was adorable! I would definitely recommend this to any Jane Austen/Emma fan!

Thank you so much to Tundra books for my ARC!

4/5

Emiko is a Japanese-Canadian High School Senior, who prides herself on her matchmaking abilities and dodges the looming question of what comes next for her with everything she's got. We meet Emiko as she prepares for her aunt’s wedding, a match she proudly takes credit for. True to Austen’s classic, Emiko’s meddling in her new friend’s love life brings about the expected misadventures and lessons in self-awareness.

This book is a charming modern YA adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma. Emiko is, sometimes frustrating, but a relatable teenager, struggling to figure out who she is and what growing up means. As an adult reader her thought processes seemed immature at times but I believe, that her perspective is authentic for the intended audience. The romance is sweet and heartwarming.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Emiko is a Japanese-Canadian High School Senior, who prides herself on her matchmaking abilities and dodges the looming question of what comes next for her with everything she's got. We meet Emiko as she prepares for her aunt’s wedding, a match she proudly takes credit for. True to Austen’s classic, Emiko’s meddling in her new friend’s love life brings about the expected misadventures and lessons in self-awareness.

This book is a charming modern YA adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma. Emiko is, sometimes frustrating, but a relatable teenager, struggling to figure out who she is and what growing up means. As an adult reader her thought processes seemed immature at times but I believe, that her perspective is authentic for the intended audience. The romance is sweet and heartwarming. I believe this is a perfect book for teenage fans of Jane Austen's Emma or teenagers who love a good coming of age story.