From Little Tokyo, with Love

Sarah Kuhn — 2021

"I absolutely adored this funny, fierce, big-hearted book." --Morgan Matson, New York Times bestselling author of Save the Date Celebrated author Sarah Kuhn reinvents the modern fairy tale in this intensely personal yet hilarious novel of a girl whose search for a storybook ending takes her to unexpected places in both her beloved LA neighborhood and her own guarded heart. If Rika's life seems like the beginning of a familiar fairy tale--being an orphan with two bossy cousins and working away in her aunts' business--she would be the first to reject that foolish notion. After all, she loves her family (even if her cousins were named after Disney characters), and with her biracial background, amazing judo skills and red-hot temper, she doesn't quite fit the princess mold. All that changes the instant she locks eyes with Grace Kimura, America's reigning rom-com sweetheart, during the Nikkei Week Festival. From there, Rika embarks on a madcap adventure of hope and happiness--searching for clues that Grace is her long-lost mother, exploring Little Tokyo's hidden treasures with cute actor Hank Chen, and maybe...finally finding a sense of belonging. But fairy tales are fiction and the real world isn't so kind. Rika knows she's setting herself up for disappointment, because happy endings don't happen to girls like her. Should she walk away before she gets in even deeper, or let herself be swept away?

Reviews

cossette@cossette

Dec 14, 2021

3.5 rounded up i think !!! overall v. cute & wholesome ! content warnings for: racism, homophobia, absent parents, panic attacks/anxiety, invasion of privacy

laura@booksandpops400

Nov 20, 2021

* I got this book for review from the publisher* This was such a fun take on cinderella story. Prob my favorite since I read geekerella. I also really loved how this book tackled the complicated topic about being asian american. It really was harsh look at the experience. I also really loved the romance that developed. I also really enjoyed the hollywood connection and it reminded me a bit of this is what happy look like. I also really loved the "fairyrale element that were built in to this story such a fun read, def a new favorite.

Ben Nathan@benreadssff

Sep 15, 2021

I should not like this book as it doesn't fall into my wheelhouse at all, but there's something about Kuhn's writing style that just works perfectly for me every time. This was a delight and I want to put it in my niece's hands ASAP.

Kate@girlreading

Aug 12, 2021

A love letter to Little Tokyo and LA, this modern day fairy tale beautifully explores family, identity, first love and coping with anger. The cast of characters in this book were immediately lovable and impossible to dislike. The romance was adorable, the plot addictive, the relationship dynamics complicated but honest and the conversations surrounding race, identity, representation and belonging were poignant, accessible and pulled on every heartstring. However, despite loving all these elements, I think my favourite parts were firstly, Rika's relationship with her anger. It's so rare to see a YA character dealing with anger issues, let alone a teen girl, and it was so incredibly refreshing to read. I also adored the way I felt like I was being given my own private guided tour around LA and Little Tokyo. There's something about an author writing a book in a setting they know intimately that makes the whole world come to life and I have a feeling that's exactly what happened here. From the Griffith Park Zoo to the food market, I felt I saw each place vividly through Rika's eyes and I loved every moment. If you're looking for a meet-cute romance with a diverse cast of characters, delicious food, discussions surrounding being biracial and a Hollywood mystery, this is the book for you.