Moon Over Tokyo

Allie O'Connor is an unlikely girl to be living abroad, especially in a country so different to her own ~ Japan. Everything about Allie's life is a dichotomy she is a journalist but wants to be a novelist, she is a resident of Tokyo but doesn't speak the language, she loves different cultures but keeps away from cultural events. To top it all off she is six foot tall but in her words, "Inside me a short person was crying to be let out." Allie's "security blanket" is about to leave, her wild Australian friend, Gina is heading back to Australia and she needs a new friend now and doesn't hesitate to demand one from God. She just wasn't counting on him bringing along a man, let alone her nemesis from high school, Erik Larsen ~ tall, handsome, sophisticated...and a Republican! Siri Mitchell excels in bringing different cultures alive in her novels hand in hand with wonderful characterisation. Moon Over Tokyo is delightful, brimming with the beauty and contrasts that make Tokyo both fascinating and frustrating for visitors. Allie and Gina's relationship is fun and thought provoking as Allie, a believer, is bound by her fears and Gina, a "heathen" Aussie confidently takes on the world. Eric adds a whole new dimension to Allie's world and yet she refuses to grasp the gift of friendship and love she has before her. I appreciated so much that Allie continued to struggle with her fears of a relationship even when love was exposed - her genuine hesitation was as real as it gets and make this novel stand out from many a traditional romance.

Once again Siri Mitchell has taken me as a reader to a foreign culture. An exotic place. Tokyo, Japan. And with that excursion came site seeing, food, religion, economics, and a fascinating interpretation of things in nature as seen through Japanese culture. Siri has a gift for making the reader transport to another location somewhere in the world. Whether it's Paris, like in Kissing Adrien, or Colorado, like in The Cubicle Next Door, or traveling Europe as in Chateau of Echoes and Something Beyond the Sky. That is one of the things I enjoy the most about her books. And she always has strong heroines with passion and convictions about something whether it's the use of drinking straws, or the perils of politics. What I enjoy most about Siri's books as evidenced in Moon Over Tokyo as well as her other novels, is her amazing ability to draw out the tension in a first person POV romance. I always feel like I know the heroes even though they are only known through the heroine's perspective and the actions she sees. She also takes friendship between a man and a woman and draws it out until they fall in love. Her novels are always so romantic and charming that way. She also shows the heroine growing through her experiences and ending up deciding to trust, to risk her heart, to try love. I've yet to read a book Siri has written that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed. While this one had more detail than the others, I didn't find it annoying at all, but it did distract a bit from the tension in the story. She has her own brand, distinctly Siri. It's always exotic, fun, deep, and littered with every possible food unique to the culture. I'll never need to travel Europe or Japan because I've fully experienced them already through Siri's novels.

Siri Mitchell has done it again! This book is my favorite of hers since "Kissing Adrien". I read this book in one day. I could not put it down! Siri has the ability to really make exotic places inticing. Even through the eyes of Allie who doesn't realize it at first. Her main character is likable and complex. I pictured all of the characters and what they were doing easily because of Siri's great writing. This book is one where it's not love at first sight, Allie has to dig deep and figure out who she is first Allie thinks she is one way and presents herself that way, but it's not until God answers a prayer, and her new friend shows her things are not always what they seem. She has to reexamin her life and who she is. Eric is not your normal guy either. In this book opposites attract and it's great! Siri has done it again- easily she is one of my favorite authors.

Siri Mitchell is one of my favorite authors--and I loved reading her latest book Moon Over Tokyo. Like all her books, I read this one in a day because I just didn't want to put it down. Siri has a wonderful ability of pulling the reader into her story. I saw, heard, tasted, and smelled Tokyo. And, once again, I fell in love with Siri's main character. Allie is not a one-dimensional "I've met her before" woman--she's complex, conflicted, and discontent with some of her life. Falling in love doesn't look like the same-old-same-old in Moon Over Tokyo. It forces Allie to examine who she is, who she believes Eric is--and what she wants out of life. Bravo, Siri--you've done it again! Now all I have to do is wait for your next book. When is that coming out?

Allie O'Connor is an American reporter living in Japan. Her dream however is to write a novel. She still hasn't adapted to the Japanese culture even though she's lived there for over two years. One day at church she runs into her old high school nemesis, Eric Larson. Eric was everything Allie stood against for in high school. However since then, she finds out they have quite a bit in common. Eric shows her how to enjoy living in her new surroundings and also gives her hope for a new change for a relationship in her future. Siri Mitchell's books are always a favorite to read, the characters are well developed and the story makes you really think. This one is no exception. I really loved the descriptions of the Japanese culture and society. I've been to Japan once, well it was really a layover in the airport during our flight to Malaysia, but the airport itself was stunning. I love the cover of the book. It shows both the old and new cultures blending in Japan. I also always enjoy novels set in Asian countries, it's nice to read a setting outside the US for a change. I also liked the haikus that opened up each chapter. I liked reading about how Allie had to adapt to living in a different country. However I didn't understand though why it has taken her so long to experience the Japanese culture. In the beginning of the story it would seem that she knows her way around the area, but after meeting Eric it looks like she only has a routine and doesn't deter from it. She's basically an American living in Japan and not trying to fit in, only getting by. I liked their relationship together. It was good to see that they took things slow and that Eric valued even just a simple kiss. I thought that, while I liked seeing opposites attract, too much was made on their political differences. It got kind of repetitious to keep reading about Democrat vs. Republican ideals especially since how they were living in Japan now. But Eric seems like a really nice guy and the perfect match for Allie. There are several social drinking scenes in the book, so if you are uncomfortable with Christians drinking you might want to avoid this book. I found this to be an excellent novel. It really makes me want to go visit Japan, but for now I'll enjoy it through this book.