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the third annual 2019 book blogger awards featured imageThe Third Annual 2019 Book Blogger Awards // In Which I Transmute Myself Into A Big Puddle of Emotions
i love you so mochi book review featured image
Published On: July 17, 2019Categories: ReviewsTags: , 41 Comments
i love you so mochi review book info

Cooking Directions

[scroll-box] Kimi Nakamura loves a good fashion statement. She’s obsessed with transforming everyday ephemera into Kimi Originals: bold outfits that make her and her friends feel brave, fabulous, and like the Ultimate versions of themselves. But her mother sees this as a distraction from working on her portfolio paintings for the prestigious fine art academy where she’s been accepted for college. So when a surprise letter comes in the mail from Kimi’s estranged grandparents, inviting her to Kyoto for spring break, she seizes the opportunity to get away from the disaster of her life.

When she arrives in Japan, she loses herself in Kyoto’s outdoor markets, art installations, and cherry blossom festival–and meets Akira, a cute med student who moonlights as a costumed mochi mascot. What begins as a trip to escape her problems quickly becomes a way for Kimi to learn more about the mother she left behind, and to figure out where her own heart lies.[/scroll-box]

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  • I Love You So Mochi captures Japan perfectly. This book shows the Japan I know. The Japan I call home. The Japan I love. As somebody who currently resides in Japan, met her (now) husband in Japan, and gave birth to her only child in Japan, I think it’s safe to say that this country holds a very special place in my heart. And Sarah Kuhn has tied all those emotions up into one beautiful, beautiful story. Reading about the place and the culture that I experience everyday was so validating. So magical. So real. I kept grabbing my husband’s arm and squealing, “Look! Look! This book totally depicted —- perfectly!” In I Love You So Mochi, Japan is not just some “exotic” backdrop for the story. It is the story.
  • Kimi is me. I am Kimi. I have never connected so deeply with a fictional character before. The way that the main character, Kimi, thinks – the stress she feels about being perfect, the way she dreads ruining a fantasy in built up in her head, the guilt of letting the people she cares about down – those are all things I struggle with daily. Seeing her overcome these obstacles and embrace her future with confidence gave me the hope that maybe I can too.
  • The relationships were so realistic, multifaceted, and complex. Kimi’s relationships with her parents, her friends, her grandparents, and Akira (he’s the love interest, but more on him later), were motivational-dog-movie-level emotional. The way the relationships strained, broke, and then healed back together made me feel warm fuzzies inside and many tears were shed. Many!! Tears!!!
  • The romance was as soft and delicious as a ball of mochi. As a girl who went on a trip to Japan and fell in love myself, this story spoke to me on so many levels. Akira was freaking adorable, and I constantly just wanted to pinch his cheeks like the old Auntie that I am. From the very beginning, his relationship with Kimi was built on smiles, laughter, and uplifting one another. Yay for healthy relationships!
  • Nothing
  • Zilch
  • Nada
  • Zip
  • Zero
  • I might be SLIIIIIGHHHTY biased about this book, okay????

Some books are magical because they contain witches and warlocks, enchanted glass slippers, or rings that turn the wearer invisible. Other books are magical because they are exactly what you need at the exact right moment. I Love You So Mochi was one of the latter for me, and it will forever hold a piece of my soul within its pages.

My Rating: I Love You 3,000

Have you ever read a book at just the right time and it changed you forever?

Have you ever connected on an emotional level with a fictional character?

This book has been my favorite book of 2019 so far. What has been yours?

41 Comments

  1. MetalPhantasmReads July 17, 2019 at 10:04 pm - Reply

    YAY! I want to read this so much! (mmmm mochi) Your review makes this book sound so happy :)

  2. evelynreads1 July 17, 2019 at 10:11 pm - Reply

    I will definitely pick this up when I’m in a contemporary mood!

    (www.evelynreads.com)

  3. tasya @ the literary huntress July 18, 2019 at 12:45 am - Reply

    This is really lovely, Kat! I’ve been seeing this book everywhere but kinda avoids it because it sounds so fluffy and sweet, which is something that rarely works for me :/ But!! I’m interested now that you mentioned that this book also have a well-developed relationships between family and friends, so it doesn’t only focuses on the romance. Oh, and it’s a really lovely review, your love and connection for the book really shines through <3

    • Kat @ Novels & Waffles July 22, 2019 at 3:12 pm - Reply

      Thank you so much, Tasya! 💛 I’m really glad that I was able to convey my excitement about this book (I feel like that’s always one of the most difficult parts of being a book blogger haha) Also, I Love You So Mochi totally isn’t just about the romance – at least, that’s how it was for me. There is also a lot about family relationships (like you mentioned), and self-discovery. And also Japan (duh haha). I hope that you end up enjoying it, if you decide to pick it up!

  4. kozbisa July 18, 2019 at 6:51 am - Reply

    I’m with you. There is absolutely nothing to dislike about this book. I am smiling just thinking about it

  5. Scrill July 18, 2019 at 8:37 am - Reply

    Ahh! I am totally adding this to my list. I love books that make me reminisce about Japan. Great review!

    • Kat @ Novels & Waffles July 22, 2019 at 3:13 pm - Reply

      Thank you so much 💛 It’s totally a great book and captures the essence of Japan so well! I hope you enjoy it, if you get around to reading it.

  6. Kate July 18, 2019 at 10:24 am - Reply

    Being someone who’s been in love with Japanese culture since I watched Tokyo Mew Mew AMVs on Youtube, the “mochi” part hooked me. And then you described it as a soft, beautifully emotional book and now I’m sold. Adding this to my TBR!!

    • Kat @ Novels & Waffles July 22, 2019 at 3:15 pm - Reply

      OH MY GOSH ANOTHER TOKYO MEW MEW LOVER! We are totally having a bonding moment right now, because that was like, MY CHILDHOOD. I loved that manga/anime with my whole heart haha.

      • Kate July 24, 2019 at 12:44 pm - Reply

        Ahhh! I haven’t read the manga but now I want to, seeing as I’m finally done binging Tsurezure Children (which I binged for two days *cough*) On that note, I should really rewatch the anime someday

  7. Kelly | Another Book in the Wall July 18, 2019 at 3:43 pm - Reply

    Ahhh, I was SO excited for this one, so it makes me incredibly happy to see how much you adored it, Kat! Also, my heart died a little when you included a Kimi no nawa gif (that anime movie has a special place in my heart). I can’t wait to dive into this book, and experience the awesome Japanese culture and sweet romance! Lovely review! 💕

    • Kat @ Novels & Waffles July 22, 2019 at 3:15 pm - Reply

      I really think you will adore this one, Kelly! It’s just so cute and happy, and captures Japan so well! I am so excited to hear your thoughts about it 💛

  8. Becca Leighanne (Bex) July 19, 2019 at 12:21 am - Reply

    I’m definitely going to be purchasing this book ASAP! This is a wonderful review & I’m so glad you enjoyed I LOVE YOU SO MOCHI so much!

    • Kat @ Novels & Waffles July 22, 2019 at 3:17 pm - Reply

      Thank you so much 💛I’m glad that I was adequately able to express my adoration of this book in my review (I feel like I struggle to put into words why I like a book sometimes…despite the fact that I’m a book blogger and should be able to do that…derp). Anyways, I hope you end up enjoying it as much as I did!

  9. Marie July 19, 2019 at 2:20 am - Reply

    Ahh what a fantastic review, Kat, I can feel your love for this book and it makes me so, so happy. <3 I had this one on my radar already as it sounded like such a cute read and… well I feel like I'd relate A LOT to the main character as well. I can't wait to read it!! :D

    • Kat @ Novels & Waffles July 22, 2019 at 3:19 pm - Reply

      Thank you so much, Marie 💛 I’m glad that my love of the book was captured in my review – that’s always a wonderful thing to hear! Also, I really think you will like this one! I hope you are able to pick it up soon 💛

  10. Krysta July 19, 2019 at 11:18 am - Reply

    Wonderful review! I think I need to pick this one up now, though before I was kind of ignoring it!

  11. Sophie @ Me and Ink July 19, 2019 at 10:53 pm - Reply

    I loved reading this review and it sounds like such an amazing book!! I glad you could connected to this book so much– it is a great feeling.
    The Japan setting does sound wonderful and I’m glad to hear it was described well as it makes me more excited to read this.
    The characters sound lovely– Kimi does sound relatable with her stressing about being perfect but it is great when you can connect to the character.
    The book sounds wonderful– I will have to pick it up. I loved Kuhn’s book Heroine Complex as well. Plus the cover for this book is AMAZING!! <3

    • Kat @ Novels & Waffles July 22, 2019 at 6:30 pm - Reply

      I haven’t read anything else by Kuhn, but now I’m thinking I might have to! I’m glad to hear that Heroine Complex is a good one, I’ll have to pick that one up! AND I AGREE – I Love You So Mochi has such a cute cover!

  12. theorangutanlibrarian July 21, 2019 at 1:17 am - Reply

    This sounds absolutely amazing and I love how you said this encapsulates Japan so well :D Wonderful review!

  13. […] ✨ Kat @ Novels and Waffles: Kat is the queen of cute blog aesthetics. I’ve always loved her blog design and graphics, but recently she took it to a completely different level! Her blog is probably the cutest, most creative blog I’ve ever seen – her theme is waffles and breakfast, and who doesn’t like waffles? If that’s not aesthetic, then I don’t know what is. […]

  14. Chana @ Paper Procrastinators July 21, 2019 at 11:37 pm - Reply

    I’m so happy that you loved this book!! It sounds super cute, I definitely have to check it out. I love the sound of the Japan setting! When I was younger I was absolutely obsessed with all things Japanese and I researched everything, from the culture to the geography. It’s good to hear that this book captures it all so well! Great review!! 💕💕

    • Kat @ Novels & Waffles July 22, 2019 at 6:57 pm - Reply

      I hope that you love this book as much as I did, if you get around to reading it! And I was totally the same as a kid…and now I live in Japan haha. I guess some dreams do come true. Anyways, thanks for always leaving the best comments, Chana! 💛💛

  15. Olivia @ Purely Olivia July 23, 2019 at 10:53 am - Reply

    AWW, this review made me so happy to read!! I haven’t read this book yet, but it’s at the top of my TBR and is even higher after reading your post.💓I’m so excited to read about the Japanese culture, and I’m so glad that you loved it as much as you did!

  16. Dani @ Perspective of a Writer July 26, 2019 at 8:43 am - Reply

    I loved I Love You So Mochi too! I thought she portrayed all that worry and stress before college so well. Especially when you’re feeling a lot of pressure (even if its not from your mom!) I’m glad it met your Japanese expectations too Kat. ❤️

  17. […] Kat wrote a lovely review of I Love You So Mochi. […]

  18. […] favorite review: Kat @ Novels and Waffles reviewed I Love You So Mochi and it’s so well-written! We can see how much she loves and connected to the […]

  19. Hunida August 4, 2019 at 7:16 am - Reply

    Great review! I would love to visit Japan some day! The cover & title of this book are so cute. Def added to my TBR! Thanks for sharing. ♡

  20. […] ~I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn […]

  21. Chips March 18, 2021 at 12:35 pm - Reply

    Hello! Thanks for this review :) I was wondering, what is the anime from the GIF you shared? It looks like a relaxing slice of life anime, which I could really use right now <3

    • Kat @ Novels & Waffles March 22, 2021 at 11:21 am - Reply

      I’m glad you like the review! The GIF is from the Movie, “Kimi No Na Wa,” or “Your Name.” It isn’t exactly slice of life, but it is EXCELLENT and I can’t recommend it enough :)

  22. Chips March 24, 2021 at 5:12 am - Reply

    Yay thank you!! I have seen that, and I didn’t recognize the GIF! So good :) Maybe I’ll watch it again — I definitely didn’t quite get the ending the first time so perhaps it’s time to revisit it. Thank you again!

  23. intomyfaroffworld September 2, 2021 at 1:09 pm - Reply

    I’m enjoying your blog! And I’ve been curious to read this one – it’s currently in my Amazon cart. I’m in the mood for a romance novel set in Japan or Korea and it’s hard to choose one from your “Top Ten” list.💛

    • Kat @ Novels & Waffles September 4, 2021 at 11:23 am - Reply

      Thank you so much for your sweet comment! I’m glad you are enjoying my blog! I really, really love I Love You So Mochi, and I can’t recommend it enough. Another YA book set in Japan that I adore is Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean. I would love to hear your thoughts if you end up reading either :)

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