‘Up there with the best of them…A big, fat five stars from me’ Sue Moorcroft
‘An irresistible slice of escapism’ Phillipa Ashley
Grab your passport and escape to a land of dazzling skyscrapers, steaming bowls of comforting noodles, and a page-turning love story that will make you swoon!
For travel blogger Fiona, Japan has always been top of her bucket list so when she wins an all-expenses paid … has always been top of her bucket list so when she wins an all-expenses paid trip, it looks like her dreams are coming true.
Until she arrives in vibrant, bustling Tokyo and comes face-to-face with the man who broke her heart ten years ago, gorgeous photographer Gabe.
Fiona can’t help but remember the heartache of their last meeting but amidst the temples and clouds of soft pink cherry blossoms, can Fiona and Gabe start to see life – and each other – differently?
Readers ADORE this book!:
‘Well, wow, I adored this story…a wonderful, engaging read, transporting me to a country I’ve always wanted to visit’ Jeannie
‘Honestly, words cannot describe how much I have loved every single book in this series’ Holly
‘I love these books. They are utterly stunning and this is another that I haven’t been able to put down.
I love this author and this has been a perfect escape’ Vicki
‘The perfect read to take you away during the lockdown!’ Sinead
‘This is not my usual genre, I’m more of a crime/thriller reader however this story intrigued me. I absolutely loved it, truly one of the best books I have read’ Jacqueline
‘A gorgeous read which left me longing to visit Japan’ Sarah
‘A wonderful mood booster’ Jenn
‘I love Julie Caplin’s writing…this afforded me to armchair travel to Tokyo.and have a taste of Japanese culture’ Amy
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The Little Teashop in Tokyo
By Julie Caplin (Romantic Escapes #6)
3.5
Pack your bags because you’re now flighting to Japan through this book. I went to Japan in 2019 and while reading it I was able to revive all the things I got to experience there in this beautiful written book. It talks about all the tourist spots, some traditional Japanese rituals like the tea ceremony and onsen, it showed the contrast between the old and the modern Japan and it gives you some tips in how to behave in Japan so you don’t look rude. With all that said, the romance was just ok. I didn’t love the couple and their “issue” that happened ten years ago was such a silly thing to change someone’s life and it took so long for them to talk about it like if it was gonna be a big twist or something. I like the Japanese ladies, they were my favorite characters. It’s a cute book with a beautiful cover and I love the romantic escapes idea and specially this one about Japan that has a place in my heart. I did enjoy reading it and the ending was very cute and clever. I do recommend this book because it’s a sweet way to read about the Japanese culture. I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review
I came across this book on NetGalley, and I requested it without even reading the description (stupid decision, I know). At the time, I didn’t know The Little Teashop in Tokyo by Julie Caplin was part of a series, as I never heard of it before, so when I saw it was the sixth book, I got a little scared. What if the books were linked? How am I supposed to read the sixth novel, if I haven’t read the previous books? Well, to my happiness, they weren’t related, and I was able to read the book without any problem!
‘Be in the moment. Too many photographers hide behind their cameras and they end up with superficial, surface shots. A good photographer reveals the layers beneath.’
Now, the action of the book floats around Fiona. To the persuasions of April(one of her best friends), Fiona signs herself into a photography competition, whom she wins. As a prize, she gains an all-expenses-paid trip to Japan. There she was supposed to be mentored by a well-knows japanise photographer, Yutaka Araki, but instead of him, she got stuck with Gabe, the person who broke her heart and changed the course of her life. What is she going to do?
‘Recently, she’d decided that life was too short to spend time on things you didn’t have to, like finishing books that didn’t appeal, watching the end of a film that wasn’t your thing, and studying every picture in an exhibit.’
The storyline was lovely. It was clear and well-written. I especially liked the depth of the description. You can see from afar that Julie Caplin put a lot of research into this piece of writing. The ways she described Tokyo and every tourist sight were, without a doubt, perfect. The Digital Museum, the Mount Fiji and the cherry blossoms were lovely! Japan can combine every sacred tradition beautifully with technology and modernism. I have always had a soft spot for the Japanese culture, and this novel made me realise once again how beautiful Japan is. It made me travel a bit while in quarantine, and it was exactly what I needed.
‘Teenage years are difficult in every culture.’
‘I think so. We know so little of ourselves, we’re not yet us. But we think we are.’
One thing that I wasn’t fond of were Fiona’s insecurities. I know she has been through a lot, and I know sometimes, it is hard to be positive about yourself, especially your body, but I felt like the author emphasizes that way too much. We all know Gabe is gorgeous, and you have him. Chill a bit!
‘Traditions are best held by those who honour them,’ […]
I am more of a short-chapter kind of gal, and the ones in this book were quite long. Even if I am not over the moon for those, the fact that the book is told from two perspectives, helped a lot. It keeps you there, and you can’t get bored while reading.
‘[…] after all, a picture is worth a thousand words.’
This is not the kind of book that keeps you at the edge of your seat. You are hooked but not because of a mystery, but because of the story itself. You can predict what is about to happen, but that makes the story even better. You want to see how the author got to the ending, not the ending itself. I loved reading this novel and I will definitely come back for the other ones!
Ah, where to I start with this book. I knew I had to read it when I saw that it was about a travel blogger and she was going to Japan (Tokyo) and she was going there to take pictures so it could be later displayed on a exhibit. It sounded amazing and I wanted, no, I needed and once I started reading it? It was more than I expected, it was beyond was I was expecting and I never wanted to leave this little paradise that I discovered. I want all of Julie Caplin’s books and why did I start on book number six of this series, where have I been? Under a rock? Yes, for sure. Okay, okay, let’s talk more about this book.
Fiona, is the travel blogger who has won the contest to travel to Tokyo and to work with a professional photographer while there. She couldn’t be more happy, this is something she has dreamed forever but she has the worst surprised ever when she arrives in Tokyo, right at the airport. There, waiting for her is a professional photographer, but no the one she was expecting, but no the less one that she knows well, it’s the one that ruined the last ten years of her life, Gabe. But, it looks like Gabe doesn’t remember her and she is just going to go along with it and enjoy her stay in Tokyo, she is there to work and enjoy this beautiful country. What’s the worst that can happen? Fall in love again, Gabe recognize her and fall in love with her? Ah, yeah right? Right? Japan is magical place and lots of things can happen.
I loved the romance in this book, it was slow and magical and funny, it was everything you want in a romance. And Japan? Ah, the way things were described, I want to go there, I want a tea ceremony more than anything. I want to go live with a local family than stay at a hotel. I want to visit all the local points that were mention in the book. The cherry blossoms has been something in my bucket list and now more than ever.
Maybe is the quarantine talking, but I felt more connected with this traveling more than ever and makes me want to travel more. I loved Julie Caplin’s writing and I’m so picking up all the previous books in this series.
5 out of 5 stars for sure.
I was drawn to this book firstly because the main character is called Fiona (my name and I have not read a lot of books with my name believe it or not) and secondly it is set in Japan and that is a place I would absolutely love to visit one day (and after reading this I want to go right now!).
Fiona is a travel blogger and photographer and she won a competition that takes her to Japan to be mentored by a professional photographer and do and exhibit, only when she arrives she discovers her would-be mentor has been called away and she is instead paired with world renowned photographer Gabe – only she has met him 10 years previously when she was a student and he essentially broke her heart when she tried to kiss him and he rejected her. It appears that he doesn’t remember her, which hurts her but as they begin to spend more time together he begins to recall that time.
The beautiful setting of Japan paired with the amazing characters made this an enjoyable cozy read, I loved the traditions that Fiona experienced mixed with the modern like the Digital Museum.
This is book is part of Julie Caplin’s Romantic Escapes Series and each book is separate stories so you do not need any previous in order to keep up with a story line, having said that I want to read the other books in this series as there are some amazing places!
What a little ray of sunshine this book was! It brightened up my day! The storyline was both engaging and entertaining. It kept me turning the pages and I’d finished it in a few hours! I literally didn’t put it down once I’d started it!
I was initially attracted to the beautiful cover art and the fact it was set in Japan, as my Niece is living over there and has been sending us pictures of the heritage sites and shrines. I’ve already told her she needs to read this book and attend a tea ceremony.
The descriptive writing encapsulates the beauty of the places visited and you are transported to an idyllic setting. The cultural research done was extensive and it was so interesting .
The characters were engaging and I was drawn into the storyline quickly. Fiona is a relatable character and Haruka takes her under her wing and she blooms as the storyline developes Gabe has become cynical and has lost his artistic direction . As a renowned photographer, he has been given the role of mentoring Fiona on her trip . The two have met previously and Fiona is relieved when He fails to recognise her initially.
The banter between the two is humorous and there are some entertaining moments. Their attraction for each other grows as they spend more time together , does what happens in Tokyo stay in Tokyo? Read the book and find out!
I really enjoyed this light hearted read and I thoroughly recommend it!
Thank you to #Netgalley for this copy of the book and I voluntarily leave this review. All thoughts are my own and unbiased.
A bit of foreign culture and a sweet romance: captivating!
This was a great read! The romance was pretty rapidly-developing, all on Fiona’s prize two-week trip to Japan, but the couple’s backstory made it seem less instantaneous. Gabe, the lead male character who unexpectedly pops back into Fiona’s life, is a bit of a jerk through a good part of the story and his careless attitude actually makes his later behavior seem that extra notch better. With an ex to stir things up and the way they connected through their photography, the romance was a memorable one with a sigh-worthy ending.
I’ve never been to Japan yet the author took me there with her loving descriptions of both the vibrant modern Tokyo and the traditional with its calm and natural beauty. I felt like I was seeing it all for the first time along with Fiona and, by the way she describes the photographic gems Fiona snaps, I would say author Julie Caplin has a very artistic eye and deft descriptive talents. I really enjoyed the photography element in the story.
As to the characters, Fiona grew and proved reserves of emotional strength that I envy and the three generational family who hosted her were wonderful. Even Gabe grew on me eventually and Fiona’s mother redeems herself with a selfless gesture at a crucial moment for Fiona’s career.
This is the second of Caplin’s novels that I’ve read and I will be looking for more. She combines prime foreign settings with a good love story and executes them with a easy flowing writing style.
Thanks to publishers One More Chapter/Harper Collins for providing an advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review and opinions expressed are completely my own.
The Little Teashop in Tokyo is a romantic comedy about Fiona, a photographer that wins an exposition and a mentoring trip to Japan.
Everything was perfect and exciting until she found out that her former teacher Gabe, a very famous photographer, was substituting her mentor.
Ten years ago, she misunderstood a few signs and ended up making a fool of herself, so now she was determined to keep her distance.
It is a sweet and romantic story of letting go of the past and embracing what life has to offer in the present.
There is an OW (Other Woman), but Gabe does not cheat. He is just taking his time getting over her. His heart is healing from the heartbreak, but very slowly (lol).
This book is like taking a little trip to Japan. The heroine stays with a lovely Japanese family that introduces her and the reader to several local costumes old and new.
The family owns a teashop, and there are descriptions of tea ceremonies, beautiful gardens, and other touristic spots, including Mount Fuji.
In times of COVID, a little trip, even if only imaginary, was a considerable respite.
I recommend this book to everyone in need of escapism and light romance.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Julie Caplin writes an excellent travelogue disguised as a romance novel. She will take you to Japan along with her protagonist, travel-blogger Fiona, who has won a two-week trip to Tokyo to put together a photo exhibition. Caplin captures the first-time tourist’s exhaustion of arriving in Tokyo; the disorientation of taking the train; the panic of getting lost at Shibuya Crossing; the flickering confidence of navigating the city alone for the first time. She guides you to significant sites like the Meiji Shrine and Mount Fuji, letting the reader see them through the dazzled eyes of a first-time visitor. Fiona’s experiences in a real ramen house, savoring sizzling tempura, and achieving moments of tranquility in a tea ceremony will make you want to travel to Japan as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, the romance side of the novel was not as successful for me. The romance seemed trite, repetitive, and forced – the tall, leggy blonde who doesn’t realize she’s beautiful until she sees herself through the lens of an older man. Descriptions of the relationship were self-conscious: “Then her heart almost burst when he cupped her face with all the tenderness of a thousand rom-coms.”
Nonetheless, especially now, this novel offers a virtual vacation.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.