tl;dr princess diaries ft the bodyguard trope but in japan
Premise
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?
Rating
5/5 stars
Review
someone get me a man who will call me radish, write me poetry, and slow dance with me in an empty room
i blew thru this book in 5 hours and I'm just so in love with it. there's such an atmosphere created in this book that makes me want to jump right in and never leave. the plot left me constantly wanting more, the characters created a place of their own in my heart, and the romance makes me feel..... a lot of things. most of all, excessively lonely. bodyguard trope >>>
izumi's development was so stunning throughout the book - it was so lovely to see her growth as well as seeing her find herself and really fall into her element.
apart from the fact that this book made me swoon twenty times over, it's themes are also very significant. whether it be the family connections extending across the world, gender roles, duty/honor, friendship, culture, or love found and lost, i appreciated emiko jean's careful and meaningful approach to discussing them. one of the biggest themes in the novel, outside of family, is identity. the feeling of being in-between: not American enough, but not Japanese enough, either. it's a struggle that i really related to.
my only critiques are lowkey secondhand embarrassment but yk it fits the story so whatever
ps: i wish to find myself an AGG like izumi and her besties
Other Info
First in a series (book 2 out in 2022), but can be read as a standalone
12+
CW: racism
Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Tokyo-Ever-After-Emiko-Jean/dp/1250766605
Would I Recommend?
100%
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