* 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. ( )

* 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. ( )

CW: panic attacks, racism, homomisia, anger management issues

3.5 Stars

Well that was an enjoyable story about family secrets and falling in love.

It was also a good exploration of Rika's experience being biracial. I thought the anger management plot line was done pretty well. It was interesting to read a YA story that also looks at what is considered shameful behaviour in some communities. An engaging read with some great dialogue. ( )

CW: panic attacks, racism, homomisia, anger management issues

3.5 Stars

Well that was an enjoyable story about family secrets and falling in love.

It was also a good exploration of Rika's experience being biracial. I thought the anger management plot line was done pretty well. It was interesting to read a YA story that also looks at what is considered shameful behaviour in some communities. An engaging read with some great dialogue. ( )

Recommended by Abby T. and Taylor N.

Seventeen-year-old Japanese-American Rika has never felt like she fit in with her family: her two aunties Suzy and Och and her cousins Belle and Rory are loving and hard-working, but Rika has unconsciously internalized much of the community gossip calling her a mistake, and worse; instead of aspiring to princess-ness like her sisters and getting mushy over rom-coms like her aunts, Rika feels more like a fierce monster woman from Japanese folklore.

When movie star Grace Kimura crashes into Rika - literally - during the Nikkei Week parade in Little Tokyo (LA), then disappears, Rika joins forces with an unlikely ally: Hank (Henry) Chen, a young actor she also literally crashed into. In a whirlwind week, the two bond and fall in love, all while searching for Grace. With Henry, unlike with everyone else in her life, Rika is honest about her feelings, and Henry is honest with her as well. The two talk about the difficulties of Asian stereotypes - about the community and inside it - feeling like they don't belong, "Halfsies," anxiety attacks, and anger.

Rika's fairy tale ending is just the right one for her - and her family.

Quotes

It blows my mind that they all have felt this way. That belonging isn't as easy for other people as I seem to think it is. (291)

"...anger isn't always a bad emotion...Sometimes it's there to let you know when something's wrong or to protect you from being mistreated or to tell you that you care." (Joanna to Rika, 313)

...mistakes always tend to happen when you're fighting so damn hard. (382) ( )