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rjordan19 's review for:
Talk of Tokyo
by Heather Hallman
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: Yes, some light humor
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine, though it’s more time with the heroine
Should I read in order?
It’s not necessary but there is a short story titled Scandals of Tokyo that is a prequel to this story – Ned is the hero, and he is a character in this story.
Basic plot:
Griff is anticipating his wards arrival in Japan and seeks Suki’s help as a teacher to assist in their education and learning the language. He has no idea Suki already has some assumptions about him due to her scandal column in the Tokyo Daily news. Suki is trying to turn her gossip column into a more serious journalism opportunity and she finds some unexpected help with Griff.
Give this a try if you want:
- Tsukiji, Tokyo setting in 1897
- Secret writer/working women trope
- English, divorced hero/Japanese-French independent but innocent heroine
- Secret identity
- Slow burn feel
- Lower steam – kisses and 2 full scenes
- Working together on a cause (kind of a mystery?)
Ages:
- Hero is 31, heroine is 23
My thoughts:
I have been SO EXCITED about this story! I love that it brings us to Japan (I have been begging for more Asian romance settings and have only seen a handful of suggestions) and that unique time period of Meiji era. Japan has opened her borders and is on the cusp of many changes within its culture.
Hallman does a wonderful job of immersing us in the land, scenery and culture. Subtly woven into events, observations and discussions it flows so you can envision the beautiful carp streamers, traditional dress, and cherry blossoms. I loved these aspects of the story, adored leaving the London scene I’ve been in for so many stories.
Griff is our hero. Rumors surround him since his wife left him soon after their move to Japan. Now he’s been seen around town with a war widow and Suki makes some assumptions about his character and relationship perhaps a bit unfairly due to her own background. Griff turns out to be one of the sweetest heroes, strong yet gentle, and I really fell for him.
Suki is such a unique heroine and I adored her. She writes a gossip column under the Tokyo Tattler but dreams of more prestigious stories. She also teaches at a school and speaks French, Japanese, and English. She’s hardworking, funny, kind and caring.
Something I really found refreshing about this book was nothing quite happened the way I thought it would. Some romances can feel predictable after awhile, and I’ll be honest, with some of the secrets these two had going on I brought some assumptions forward about what would happen and was happy to get a more unexpected story.
This story I found to be fun, smart, sweet, engaging, and a bit adventurous. I found the ending to have a unique resolution and I loved the couple’s tenacity to solve their mystery. I am totally going to be following this series.
Here’s a few random parts that I wanted to note from the book
I love when these little tidbits are included! It brings the area/time period to life
“Mother Nature?” Spencer furrowed his brow. “I thought it was the giant catfish residing under Japan flipping its tail that caused all these earthquakes.” His tone was teasing, while the observation revealed Spenser as the type of foreigner who bothered learning about traditional culture.
I thought this was interesting as I never would have thought about it this way! The difference among cultures.
Stepping aside, he motioned for her to enter the house. Like a chivalrous Western gentleman, he was content to let his female companion be the first to confront whatever danger, disaster, or vengeful demon lurked inside. A Japanese man would have taken the lead, not stood so close behind her, bringing heat to her cheeks as she removed her shoes and stepped into the home’s interior.
Another interesting cultural difference
Griff held out his open umbrella and motioned for her to go first.
Suki stood her ground. “A woman in kimono cannot walk in front of a man. Nor can she let a man hold the umbrella.”
I LOVE that Griff has a unique laugh! It’s so cute! There’s a few scenes with it.
But she did. She didn’t care that he laughed like a rabid pack animal. That he felt free to lose control in front of her was precious. “It was less scary the second time.”
Content Warnings:
Talk/implied scenes of brothels
Mysterious death of a character (found to be overdose)
Opium usage mentioned
Sexual harassment (halted, but heroine gets her breast groped)
Abandonment by parent (heroine’s father left her at a young age)
Talk of colonialism
Mob scene that results in anger, slurs, and rocks thrown
Minor violence and threatening with a gun
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
31% - kiss
40% - kisses, breast touches
58% - brief remembrance of hero masturbation
68% - kisses and light touches
74% 🔥 - kisses, touches, fingering orgasm for her
94% - kiss
95% 🔥 - kisses, missionary sex