Saturday, November 19, 2022

YA Review: TOKYO DREAMING by Emiko Jean

Tokyo Dreaming

by Emiko Jean
336 pages
Published May 31st 2022 by Flatiron Books


Plot: When Japanese-American Izumi Tanaka learned her father was the Crown Prince of Japan, she became a princess overnight. Now, she’s overcome conniving cousins, salacious press, and an imperial scandal to finally find a place she belongs. She has a perfect bodyguard turned boyfriend. Her stinky dog, Tamagotchi, is living with her in Tokyo. Her parents have even rekindled their college romance and are engaged. A royal wedding is on the horizon! Izumi’s life is a Tokyo dream come true.

Only...

Her parents’ engagement hits a brick wall. The Imperial Household Council refuses to approve the marriage citing concerns about Izumi and her mother’s lack of pedigree. And on top of it all, her bodyguard turned boyfriend makes a shocking decision about their relationship. At the threat of everything falling apart, Izumi vows to do whatever it takes to help win over the council. Which means upping her newly acquired princess game.

But at what cost? Izumi will do anything to help her parents achieve their happily ever after, but what if playing the perfect princess means sacrificing her own? Will she find a way to forge her own path and follow her heart? (2022, Goodreads.com)

Review: Tokyo Dreaming picks up where Tokyo Ever After left off.  In this book, Izumi and her boyfriend, Akio, are broken up for most of the story.  To not have the press or any other person at the palace start playing matchmaker, she asks a new friend to be her fake boyfriend.  He is perfect for the position because he comes from a very wealthy family and is someone who would be accepted amongst the royals.  However, things start to get complicated when Akio suddenly wants Izumi back, but her "fake boyfriend" wants to be her real boyfriend.  Izumi is also worried that the Emperor and council will never approve of her mother marrying her father, so she does her best to be the "perfect" princess to show she can play her part in all this.  

If you liked Tokyo Ever After, you will enjoy the sequel.  Also, if you like the fake dating troupe then you will also enjoy this book.  It feels like more is on the line for Izumi in this book because she wants to get into college as well as have her parent's marriage approved.  She feels her choices play a big part in whether that happens or not.  She cares for both love interests in this story and I wasn't really sure who she'd choose in the end!  The story itself paced well, although there were some parts I felt were a bit slow.  Overall, a satisfying conclusion to the duology.

4 Hearts! 💖💖💖💖

 

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