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The New York Times bestseller and Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine YA Book Club Pick! Emiko Jean’s Tokyo Ever After is the “refreshing, spot-on” (Booklist, starred review) story of an ordinary Japanese-American girl who discovers that her father is the Crown Prince of Japan.Izumi Tanaka has never really felt like she fit in―it isn’t easy being Japanese American in her small, mostly white, northern California town. Raised by a single mother, it’s always been Izumi―or Izzy, because “It’s easier this way”―and her mom against the world. But then Izumi discovers a clue to her previously unknown father’s identity…and he’s none other than the Crown Prince of Japan. Which means outspoken, irreverent Izzy is literally a princess.In a whirlwind, Izumi travels to Japan to meet the father she never knew and discover the country she always dreamed of. But being a princess isn’t all ball gowns and tiaras. There are conniving cousins, a hungry press, a scowling but handsome bodyguard who just might be her soulmate, and thousands of years of tradition and customs to learn practically overnight.Izumi soon finds herself caught between worlds, and between versions of herself―back home, she was never “American” enough, and in Japan, she must prove she’s “Japanese” enough. Will Izumi crumble under the weight of the crown, or will she live out her fairy tale, happily ever after?Look for the sequel to Tokyo Ever After in spring 2022!

Title: Tokyo Ever After: A Novel (Tokyo Ever After, 1)

Author: Emiko Jean

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance, Japanese Culture, Self-Discovery

Synopsis:

Izumi Tanaka has always felt like an outsider, both in her Japanese-American family and in her small town. But when she discovers a secret about her past, she embarks on a journey to Tokyo, the city where her late father was born. There, she meets a charming boy named Akio and begins to learn about her heritage and her own identity.

As Izumi navigates the bustling streets of Tokyo, she finds herself torn between her old life and her new one. She must decide whether to stay in Japan and embrace her roots, or return to the United States and the life she's always known.

Themes:

Tokyo Ever After explores themes of identity, family, love, and self-discovery. The novel also delves into the unique challenges of growing up as a bicultural person and the importance of embracing one's heritage.

Characters:

Izumi Tanaka: The main character of the novel, Izumi is a Japanese-American high school student who is struggling to find her place in the world. She is intelligent, independent, and resourceful, but she also has a tendency to be stubborn and impulsive.

Akio: A charming and intelligent Japanese boy who Izumi meets in Tokyo. He is kind, compassionate, and supportive, and he helps Izumi to learn about her heritage and her own identity.

Riko Tanaka: Izumi's mother, a Japanese immigrant who is struggling to understand her daughter's desire to explore her Japanese heritage.

Tetsuya Tanaka: Izumi's father, a Japanese-American who died when Izumi was young. He was a talented artist and a loving father, and his death has had a profound impact on Izumi's life.

Setting:

The novel is set in two primary locations: the small town of Willow Creek, California, where Izumi grew up, and Tokyo, Japan, where she travels to learn about her heritage.

Writing Style:

Emiko Jean writes in a clear, engaging, and accessible style. Her descriptions are vivid and evocative, and her characters are well-developed and relatable. She also does a great job of capturing the unique atmosphere of Tokyo and the challenges of growing up as a bicultural person.

Overall:

Tokyo Ever After is a charming and heartwarming novel that explores important themes of identity, family, love, and self-discovery. The novel is well-written, with well-developed characters and a compelling plot. It is a great choice for fans of young adult contemporary romance, Japanese culture, and stories about self-discovery.