Weaving in Japanese vocabulary and slang, she also subtly addresses racism and differences between Japanese and Japanese-American cultures. Kuhn ( Heroine's Journey, 2018, etc.) has brought together travel, fashion, food, romance, and family to create an incredibly sweet and heartwarming coming-of-age romantic comedy.

What begins as an escape from reality becomes Kimi’s path to developing insights into her mother’s past and her own future.

It also helps that Akira, a cute boy, offers to be her guide. With its beautiful sights, Kyoto is the perfect place to find herself. With a fourth-generation Japanese-American father and a Japanese mother, the country offers her many familiar foods and customs but also a completely foreign culture. After fighting with her mom, Kimi is eager to accept a surprise invitation to visit her estranged grandparents in Kyoto over spring break. Kimi enjoys designing bold outfits that make her feel like the ultimate version of herself. Japanese-American high school senior Kimi Nakamura’s future is planned out: become a great Asian-American artist. Agent: Diana Fox, Fox Literary Agency.A disheartened teen takes a trip to Japan to find her true passion. Readers of all backgrounds will connect with the universal themes and insights into teenage first love in this charming rom-com. Kuhn (the Heroine Complex series), herself of Japanese ancestry, peppers the novel with Japanese phrases, foods, and cultural specifics. This novel offers a unique perspective of Japanese culture from the experiences of a fifth-generation Japanese-American protagonist. From Japan,” who is dressed as an anthropomorphized mochi to sell his uncle’s handcrafted treats. And sparks fly when “Kimi from America” meets “Akira. After her mom learns about the dropped class, a well-timed invitation to visit her estranged maternal grandparents in Kyoto over spring break is the reprieve Kimi needs to recalibrate her relationship with her mom and explore her true artistic passions.

But after feeling blocked from painting, Kimi secretly drops out of Advanced Fine Art and focuses her energy, instead, on designing and creating clothes. Next year, she will attend Liu Fine Arts Academy, her next step to becoming a “Great Asian American Artist,” as her artist mother has always intended. Culver City High School senior Kimi Nakamura has her life mapped out.

I love you so mochi sarah kuhn