This royal romp comes together for a strong finish. However, the novel hits its stride in the second half as Izumi returns to the States and focuses on her personal growth and evolving relationships with each of her parents, developments that are thoughtfully fleshed out. More slow-building tension would have given her romantic encounters with Akio a bigger payoff. While the action-packed plot keeps pages turning, inconsistencies in Izumi’s voice are distracting, and her character development lacks cohesion. The romance of being a princess-complete with a hot, young bodyguard, Akio-quickly dissipates as tabloids, cultural differences, and a serious blunder at the Japanese prime minister’s wedding take their toll. Dubbed the Lost Butterfly princess, she is swept up in royal life, complete with all its intrigue.

After searching for her father and discovering the shocking news of his identity, Izumi is invited to Japan to stay with the royal family for two weeks. She acknowledges that her love of Real Housewives and dabbling in baking, while relatable, are not exceptional. Her grades are “subpar at best,” and she’s been accepted into decent, but not exclusive, colleges. Kind and “remarkably unremarkable,” Izumi Tanaka enjoys the support of her single mother and high school friends in her hometown of Mount Shasta, California. Which means upping her newly acquired princess game.īut 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?A Japanese American teen searches for her father-who turns out to be the crown prince of Japan. At the threat of everything falling apart, Izumi vows to do whatever it takes to help win over the council. And on top of it all, her bodyguard turned boyfriend makes a shocking decision about their relationship.

The Imperial Household Council refuses to approve the marriage citing concerns about Izumi and her mother's lack of pedigree. Her parents' engagement hits a brick wall. A royal wedding is on the horizon! Izumi's life is a Tokyo dream come true. Her parents have even rekindled their college romance and are engaged. Her stinky dog, Tamagotchi, is living with her in Tokyo. She has a perfect bodyguard turned boyfriend. Now, she's overcome conniving cousins, salacious press, and an imperial scandal to finally find a place she belongs. When Japanese-American Izumi Tanaka learned her father was the Crown Prince of Japan, she became a princess overnight.

Return to Tokyo for a royal wedding in Emiko Jean's New York Times bestseller Tokyo Dreaming, the sequel to beloved rom-com Tokyo Ever After!

Tokyo dreaming a novel emiko jean