Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Tokyo Ever After” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Tokyo Ever After

Emiko Jean (Goodreads Author),

Ella Vermeulen (Translator)

4.19 · Rating details · 108 ratings · 59 reviews

Izumi Tanaka heeft nooit echt het gevoel gehad dat ze ergens bij hoorde – het is niet gemakkelijk om Japans-Amerikaanse te zijn in haar kleine, voor het merendeel witte stadje in Noord- Californië. Ze is opgegroeid bij haar single moeder en weet niks af van haar vader. Totdat ze een groot geheim over zijn identiteit ontdekt… Hij is niemand minder dan de kroonprins van Japa ...more

Get A Copy

Paperback, 288 pages

Expected publication: May 25th 2021 by Van Goor

More Details... Edit Details

Win a Copy of This Book

Tokyo Ever After

Emiko Jean (Goodreads Author)

Release date: May 25, 2021

Enter for a chance to win 1 of 50 advanced copies of TOKYO EVER AFTER!

“A refreshing and spot-on depiction of Japanese Americans exploring their herita ...more

Enter Giveaway

Format: Print book

Giveaway ends in: a

Availability: 50 copies available, 2777 people requesting

Giveaway dates: Feb 22 - Mar 04, 2021

Countries available: U.S.

View details »

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Tokyo Ever After, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about Tokyo Ever After

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 4.19 ·

Rating details

· 108 ratings · 59 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Tokyo Ever After

Oct 05, 2020 — Massiel marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: waiting-to-release, 2021

Y'all can I marry a cover? This cover is everything I ask for and didn't know. ...more

flag 64 likes · Like · see review

Oct 08, 2020 Melanie marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: own-voices, young-adult

flag 48 likes · Like · see review

Oct 08, 2020 Nenia ✨️ I yeet my books back and forth ✨️ Campbell marked it as wishlist · review of another edition

Omg I WANT it

The Princess Diaries was my everything and I loved traveling to Japan

yEs 🤤🤤🤤

flag 43 likes · Like · see review

Dec 02, 2020 Shealea rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-review, not-recommended

As a diehard fan of the The Princess Diaries, I immediately included Tokyo Ever After on my list of most anticipated 2021 book releases.

It's an honor to be able to read this book early, and it is a shame that I'm writing a less-than-glowing review. Here are my initial thoughts:

📌 My feelings for this book can be summed up with a single emoji: 😬

📌 As much as I hate comparing AOC-authored books to their white counterparts, I think Tokyo Ever After would have greatly benefited if it was expanded int ...more

flag 31 likes · Like · see review

Dec 01, 2020 Katy Jean Vance rated it liked it · review of another edition

I think there will be a lot of teenagers, probably American ones, who will really enjoy this novel. It’s the dream of finding out you’re somehow special and then when you don’t measure up, finding out that you’re actually fine just the way you are. Being celebrated for mediocrity in fact! Who doesn’t like that?

As a person living in Japan, there were some parts that just didn’t ring true. Izumi was in Japan for such a short time, so it’s really impossible that her language learning practice star I think there will be a lot of teenagers, probably American ones, who will really enjoy this novel. It’s the dream of finding out you’re somehow special and then when you don’t measure up, finding out that you’re actually fine just the way you are. Being celebrated for mediocrity in fact! Who doesn’t like that?

As a person living in Japan, there were some parts that just didn’t ring true. Izumi was in Japan for such a short time, so it’s really impossible that her language learning practice started with painting kanji. Hiragana first, katakana second, kanji a distant third. Dorayaki are made with anko, bean paste. They are delicious, but they aren’t made with Nutella. There was just something about the FEEL of it that felt like it’s written by someone who’s never been here.

As a reader, I had a hard time believing the start of the story. I know I need to suspend disbelief in a “turns out I’m a Princess” story, but the mom just turned around and let her go to Japan to see her ex-lover without even a conversation? Izumi flew all the way to Japan without even cracking the prep book sent to her? I don’t believe it for a second. Yes, she’s painted as a bit of a lazy, go with the flow teenager, but I think the complete lack of preparation for her visit is in contrast to her supposed extreme interest in meeting her father. I also think it’s a little insulting to teenagers. They’re not this... apathetic. I know. I teach them. These two things happen so early on in the story, by the way, that I don't think this qualifies as a spoiler. Finally, the secondary characters were all charming but felt like foils for Izumi rather than fully realized individuals.

But you know what? We have a ton of fluffy romance novels lacking in substances with white girls who discover their European royalty as the main character. Nothing wrong with a fluffy romance lacking in substance with an Asian girl discovering she’s Japanese royalty.

If I were in America, I would buy this book for my students because my quibbles with cultural accuracy are just that: quibbles. For my students in Japan though? Probably not.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more

flag 14 likes · Like · see review

Aug 29, 2020 Cody Roecker rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I LOVED THIS BOOK - very much Princess Diaries starring a Japanese American teen. One of the funniest books I've read in years ...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Jan 11, 2021 Literary Redhead rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: teens-and-ya, netgalley-review, reviewed

That gorgeous cover swept me in. Then I fell headlong into TOYKO EVER AFTER, enthralled by the story aptly described as Princess Diaries meets American Royals meets Crazy Rich Asians. I was entranced by the topsy-turvy life of young Japanese-American teen Izumi Tanaka, who’s never felt American enough in Northern Cali. Then when she learns her unknown Dad is the Crown Prince of Japan, her life is tossed like a torn salad. As Izumi flies to Japan to meet him, she wonders, “Am I ENOUGH? Am I JAPAN ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Oct 04, 2020 Maëlys marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: 2021-releases, aoc

yesss, let's bring back this premise please

Youtube ☆ Twitter ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Dec 19, 2020 Leah rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Well, wasn't this just a bucket of sunshine and lovely warm feelings in the middle of December. From start to finish this Japanese twist on The Princess Diaries and Crazy, Rich Asians had me absolutely captivated!

Full review at Write, Read, Repeat

Living in small-town California, Izumi has never believed herself to be anything more than a completely normal Japanese-American girl. Dog who won't accept her love? Check. Single mom? Check. Great gang of girl friends? Check. A weird sense of not quite Well, wasn't this just a bucket of sunshine and lovely warm feelings in the middle of December. From start to finish this Japanese twist on The Princess Diaries and Crazy, Rich Asians had me absolutely captivated!

Full review at Write, Read, Repeat

Living in small-town California, Izumi has never believed herself to be anything more than a completely normal Japanese-American girl. Dog who won't accept her love? Check. Single mom? Check. Great gang of girl friends? Check. A weird sense of not quite belonging? Check check. So imagine how she feels when her world is flipped completely on its head when she learns her mysterious father is none other than the crown prince of Japan. Suddenly she is trading in her quiet life of sneakers and sweats for the over-the-top, opulent one of a princess, and it's not as easy as anyone might hope.

Izumi was a great character! She is very light-hearted and snarky on the surface, but deep down she is grappling with some serious issues. Emiko Jean has written a very interesting thread throughout this book of Izumi trying to figure out where she belongs. Growing up in a town where confederate flags equal rainbow flags, she's already at a disadvantage with her Japanese heritage. When she arrives in Japan and sees people who look like her, it means the world to her, but even that can't last. Not when she doesn't feel Japanese. Sadly, her grandparents felt the need to Americanize themselves as much as possible when they immigrated, and Izumi understands that cultural loss immensely when she is with her Imperial family and cannot even speak the language.

Of course, part of her being so out of touch is what makes some of this book such a delight! As is expected with a story of a young woman suddenly trying to blend in with royalty, hijinks ensue. Clothing faux-pas, language slip-ups, protocol ignoring—Izumi's handlers and the media aren't fans, but all I see is an overwhelmed girl doing her damn best. After all, no one can learn an entire lifetime of Imperial etiquette in two weeks. Another fabulous facet of this book was Izumi's AGG. Asian Girl Gang. In her small town, her and three other Asian girls banded together to form a friendship that I wish I had growing up. All four of them are sister-tight, and the conversations between them are hilarious!

And of course, this wouldn't be a proper contemporary novel without the spark of romance. In this case, we're leaning into the bodyguard trope! Akio really was great. A very stoic but dedicated young man with the biggest heart under all that seriousness. Their romance tried to start as an enemies-to-lovers adventure, but I didn't think that was done too well. It never really struck me as dislike between them, especially while being in Izumi's head.

I would like to echo some comments made in other reviews that kept this from being a five star. The Japanese Imperial family is made out as a very image-aware, tradition-firm and above reproach type of monarchy. Knowing that, it was a little difficult for me to believe they would just accept Izumi as a princess and jump her to the top of the food chain. Not only because she knows nothing about being a princess, but that she was born out of wedlock and hidden away. Which leads me to Izumi herself. As I said, no one can learn an entire lifetime of etiquette in two weeks, let alone the few months this book covers. But Izumi didn't even try in the beginning. I was a little appalled that she would be so nervous to make a good impression when meeting her father, yet make no effort to take the opportunities that would help do just that. As someone who needed to be fully prepared for every unknown situation as a teen, it didn't sit right with me.

This was a really fun contemporary novel that feels very different from what I tend to pick up. It is terribly heart-warming and speaks so much to the importance of family and knowing where you belong. ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Aug 02, 2020 Rachel 007 rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: blurbed, favorites, sdb-edited

This book is perfect.

Official blurb for publisher:

"Izumi's story is The Princess Diaries for a new generation. Smart and laugh out loud funny, Izumi, a full realized character who leaps off the page, is sure to win the hearts of readers everywhere. Thrust into a foreign country, language and world, she has to balance her desire to be a normal teenager with a forbidden romance and her longing for family and roots. Readers will be able to relate to Izumi's sharp wit, her desire to fit in in both A ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Nov 27, 2020 Jasmine rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book made me grin like an idiot so much! Izumi is living my childhood dream of discovering you’re a princess! Cute bodyguard and all! I can’t wait to read what happens in book 2!

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Aug 08, 2020 Ashleu rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020, 2020own

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Official blurb for publisher: “I. Loved. This. Book. It’s a love letter to Japan but it’s more than that. It’s a love letter to best friends, forever supportive best friends, and group chats. It’s a love letter to moms and being fiercely feminist. It’s a love letter to hometowns and pop culture and late nights. It’s a love letter to finding yourself when you never feel like you really fit in. It’s a love letter to being a teen...who happens to find out she’s a princess. Sigh. I jus ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Feb 04, 2021 Nikole Clow rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Full review coming soon, but this book was so good and I loved everything about it. Definitely an instant favorite of mine!

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Sep 27, 2020 Lisa Huang rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Tokyo Ever After is a wonderful look into the experiences of a young Japanese American teen growing up in predominantly White America. Izumi gets thrust into the world of Japan royalty in "Princess Diaries" fashion. She must learn to discover where she comes from and what kind of woman she wants to be while navigating courtly intrigue, paparazzi scandals, and a forbidden romance. Tokyo Ever After is a soulful novel exploring what it means to be Asian American, the capabilities of a woman, and th ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Nov 28, 2020 Catherine rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Dec 14, 2020 Catherine rated it really liked it · review of another edition

The ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Izumi Tanaka has always struggled to feel as though she belongs, being Japanese-American in her mostly white, northern California town. It’s always been her and her mom against the world, until she finds out that her biological father is the Crown Prince of Japan, making Izumi a princess. Izumi decides to travel to Japan to meet her father, where she hopes to find the sense of belonging she craves. The ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Izumi Tanaka has always struggled to feel as though she belongs, being Japanese-American in her mostly white, northern California town. It’s always been her and her mom against the world, until she finds out that her biological father is the Crown Prince of Japan, making Izumi a princess. Izumi decides to travel to Japan to meet her father, where she hopes to find the sense of belonging she craves. But between conniving family members, a relentless press, and a royal guard who either hates her or might be her soulmate, Izumi starts to wonder if she’ll ever find her happy ending.

The publisher is advertising this YA title as “CRAZY RICH ASIANS meets THE PRINCESS DIARIES,” and the comparison could not be more apt. In such a relentlessly difficult year and pandemic to get through (I hate to say it, but it doesn’t seem like the first half of 2021 is going to be a walk in the park), Emiko Jean’s TOKYO EVER AFTER is the perfect balm of pure fluff to satisfy all your escapism needs.

Sticking with this PRINCESS DIARIES comparison for a second, Izumi did remind me a lot of Mia. She’s not big on school, totally Type B, and just a very apparently good person. I think readers whose recent relatives have immigrated to America will find her relatable. The perspective of someone whose family has largely shed their homeland identity to adapt to the American identity is not something, to my knowledge, that is talked about a lot in YA books, but it's important. This is especially relevant for BIPOC readers who unjustly face otherism in our society. In Izumi’s case, this leads to the feeling that she is neither “American enough,” nor “Japanese enough.” Izumi’s journey to accepting herself, just the way she is, is a great one to have witnessed...and watch as this review is shamelessly devolved into begging for sequels, because there are so many exciting things happening in Izumi’s future that I want to witness!

Something everyone should learn about me now is that I am a total sucker for smitten male leads in romantic novels. Akio and Izumi spar from the beginning--and it is massively entertaining--but that tension gives way to something deeper and romantic. I could see their dynamic shape out in the future, how he could calm her down in stressful moments, be her rock, and she could encourage him to pursue his passions. Talk about goals.

I also really enjoyed getting to know the side characters. I specifically liked the development of Mia’s relationship with her father, and the relationship between her parents. Again, that is something I want to see more of! Seriously--sequel?!?!?

The author definitely went to great lengths to do research about Tokyo and Japan overall, and the way that Japan bloomed like a flower throughout the story just made me happy. I especially liked the scenes in Kyoto, specifically.

I was sad about a revelation that happens towards the end of the novel. It just made me sad. That’s all.

My only gripe with this book is that it ended way too fast. There were still a lot of loose ends at the close of Izumi’s journey, and I needed to know more! Again, I must ask--is it possible the author left room for a sequel? PLEASE!?! I would pick that up SO FAST--you have no idea!

Anyway, if you liked stories like THE PRINCESS DIARIES and CRAZY RICH ASIANS, I highly recommend picking up this book for some quality escapist material. And join in my outcry for a sequel. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Dec 01, 2020 Mariko Perez rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I read this book in a few days over a quarantine lockdown. And I will say it was nice to have a easy to read and to get caught up in book. As an Asian American I loved that the main character is Japanese, often we don’t see Asians as the focus of ya books and this is was very empowering. Not to mention that her “girl” squad is also minorities that came from diverse backgrounds and stand by each other. The heart warming story of love lost and gained and a girl coming to age set in a town in Calif ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 04, 2021 Sarah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: owned-read, arc

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
This was really cute! I always love a royalty story and I flew through this one.
Izumi is a Japanese American high school senior who finds out unexpectedly that her unknown father is the Crown Prince of Japan. Most of the book takes place in Japan, where Izumi tries to fit in with the Imperial family, while making lots of (expected) mistakes that the tabloids run with. Izumi had an “Asian Girl Gang” of friends from home t ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 07, 2021 Caity rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is such a fun story in so many ways, but also very thought provoking and all around wonderfully done. Izumi is a great character and I love her sense of humor. She’s also a very relatable character and I could see myself making many of the same choices and mistakes she did. I also loved reading about the history of Japan and the characters she learned from, it really highlights Japanese culture by showing its people. This was a really impressive book while still also maintaining a light rom ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Nov 20, 2020 Sage rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Delightful (and I loved the cover!) — this made me laugh out loud and want to text a friend to gush about it! Can’t wait for this beautiful book baby to be out in the world. Thoroughly enjoyed this great book, leaned into the Princess Diaries vibes, which I loved!

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Dec 22, 2020 Kat // Novels & Waffles rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: i-love-you-3-000

*I received a digital ARC of this book (via NetGalley) from its publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

I've been a fan of this book since I saw that gorgeous cover. But now that I've actually read it, I'm a whole dang air conditioner. ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Oct 06, 2020 Angelika marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: tbr-fiction, tbr-unreleased

I- I NEVER KNEW I NEEDED A CRAZY RICH ASIANS X PRINCESS DIARIES BOOK CROSSOVER

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 30, 2020 Isabella (The Feminist Bookworm) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: unreleased-2021, 2021-most-anticipated, blurbed, arcs

Princess Diaries meets Crazy Rich Asians, and it was an absolute delight.

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Feb 03, 2021 pearl (lei) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: real-world, 4-star-good, 2021-priority-tbr, contemporary, arc, poc-ownvoices, poc, ya, east-asian-rep

A big thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Tokyo Ever After is a book that is equal parts heartwarming and irritating. While reading, my rating for this book jumped from a solid 4 stars to 2 stars back up to 3.5 stars and back down again to 3 stars. I hated 90% of the humor in this book - it felt forced and, honestly, extremely cringy and more like an adult's idea of teen humor than actual teen humor - and I was often frustrated by the pacing and t A big thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Tokyo Ever After is a book that is equal parts heartwarming and irritating. While reading, my rating for this book jumped from a solid 4 stars to 2 stars back up to 3.5 stars and back down again to 3 stars. I hated 90% of the humor in this book - it felt forced and, honestly, extremely cringy and more like an adult's idea of teen humor than actual teen humor - and I was often frustrated by the pacing and the romance (even after suffering through it so many times, it looks like insta-love contemporaries still aren't my thing). I also found many of the characters annoying, one-dimensional, or both, and feel like none of them were particularly touched upon. On top of it all, to put it simply (though I wish I enjoyed this more), this is going to be one of those books I'll review and never really talk about ever again, as I just wasn't very attached to any of the characters or anything that happened.

With that being said, I definitely didn't hate this book as much as it sounds like I do; it did have several redeeming points which kept it from a lower rating. First of all, I obviously loved the cultural aspects of this book, since Japan has always been a really interesting place to me. Second of all, I hate to say it, but I LOVE books with drama. It doesn't matter how much there is or how bad it is, I'll secretly enjoy it every time even if I find it annoying, and this book definitely offered a lot of it. Third of all, I really loved how the protagonist, Izumi, was able to come to terms with her cultural identity. I really sympathized with her (the Asian-American struggle is universal) and was able to relate to how she felt as if she wasn't American enough in America or Japanese enough in Japan, and the way she was able to grow as a person and feel more comfortable with her identity as an American-born Japanese princess (while still being an extremely realistic and relatable character) was incredibly gratifying to read. Though I was definitely annoyed with her at times (IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE UPSET AT PEOPLE CALLING YOU OUT THEN MAYBE ACTUALLY DO SOME RESEARCH INSTEAD OF WATCHING DOWNTON ABBEY FOR YOUR WHOLE FLIGHT PLEASE I'M BEGGING), I felt like her character development was the highlight of this book. Additionally, while her romance with Akio felt just a little rushed for me, I did like how he supported her and was never toxic (something I think is always nice to have in YA), and enjoyed their banter. Finally, this book was extremely easy to get through and rarely dragged.

Overall, this was a very quick and easy read. Sadly, I was frustrated by some aspects and I just don't think any part of it will really stick with me after a few weeks. I do, however, appreciate how fun it was and how it looked into cultural identity, and I think it has the potential to become a favorite for many others. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Feb 09, 2021 Ann Zhao rated it really liked it · review of another edition

i have probably seen the princess diaries movies more times than i've seen most movies.

so obviously, i jumped for the opportunity to read tokyo ever after.

overall, i had a pretty good time. izumi is wonderfully awkward, her friends are fantastic, and her interactions with all her family members are so wholesome. i yet again found myself rooting for a heterosexual couple. her journey into becoming more sure of herself, finding a place in a world that very much is not built for her, is one that's ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 11, 2021 Sarah rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This story is The Princess Diaries with the right amount of Crazy, Rich Asians! If you love both series, this is the book for you.

First off, I want to say, there is a lack of asian representation and variety in books, so I was excited to read this story. I loved how this was about a Japanese princess finding her identity. Initially, my interest in the book was more towards Japan and it’s culture, rather than the romance aspect.

Izumi never felt like she fit in, being Japanese in her small, most ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Nov 14, 2020 Emma Ito rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean was exactly what I needed when I read it! A lighthearted, fun break from some recent heavier reads, Tokyo Ever After was the perfect modern Princess Diaries. As a Japanese American myself, I absolutely loved reading about Japanese American Izumi Tanaka, a teen who learns that she is the daughter of the Crown Prince of Japan. This book to me encapsulated so perfectly what it feels to be Japanese American -- sometimes feeling not quite American enough, but definitely ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Feb 11, 2021 Holley Dix rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Izumi is a breath of fresh air! I love strong female leads and stories of finding oneself. Young Izumi faces a reality that many young ladies unfortunately face---growing up without their father. The unique circumstances regarding her fathers entrance into her life however are anything but common. A legit laugh-out-loud novel that hits the heart in all of the best ways. Not to mention a killer cover! Emiko Jean has rewritten the rules on the classic "princess diaries" scenario!
** I received thi ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 11, 2021 Mrs.Heather Lassley rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.5/5.0
I went into this book not completely sure what I would find. What I found is that this cross between Princess Diaries and Crazy Rich Asians was delightfully fun, down to earth, and just plain lovely. The main character is the perfect blend of knowing who she is, but still wanting to discover more. The secondary characters where fabulously written. The only reason I am not giving this a full 5 star review is that I wanted a little more epilogue, or maybe even a book 2.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 31, 2021 April rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Received the ARC from Flatiron books as a YALL write giveaway. Tokyo Ever After is an adorable coming of age story of Izumi who comes to find out her father is Japanese royalty. Growing up in a Northern California town, she is then whisked away to the opulence and grandeur of Tokyo where she tries to find out where she came from. A little romance and the importance of family comes to the spotlight in this amazing story.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 next »