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Heart-Shaped Karaoke Box
Culture shock is nothing compared to this.
Eva Calabrese lives with her parents and wants out of her dead-end job, so when her former college classmate, Tobio, reconnects with her, she makes the leap across the planet to teach English in Japan.
In Osaka, Eva is confronted by the Japanese language and culture, while navigating her feelings for Tobio, but everything changes one night at karaoke when she's kissed by the intimidatingly handsome tattoo artist, Yuya.
But when Eva learns of a devastating secret involving both Tobio and Yuya, she flees from Osaka to the sprawl of Tokyo where a chance encounter with Japan's rising female pop star, Miriko, changes Eva's life forever.
Will she learn from her floundering and thrive in a foreign country or have to go back home to Canada?
This fast-paced account from debut author E. R. Hann examines the pain and power of broken hearts, celebrity life, and growing up.
Eva Calabrese lives with her parents and wants out of her dead-end job, so when her former college classmate, Tobio, reconnects with her, she makes the leap across the planet to teach English in Japan.
In Osaka, Eva is confronted by the Japanese language and culture, while navigating her feelings for Tobio, but everything changes one night at karaoke when she's kissed by the intimidatingly handsome tattoo artist, Yuya.
But when Eva learns of a devastating secret involving both Tobio and Yuya, she flees from Osaka to the sprawl of Tokyo where a chance encounter with Japan's rising female pop star, Miriko, changes Eva's life forever.
Will she learn from her floundering and thrive in a foreign country or have to go back home to Canada?
This fast-paced account from debut author E. R. Hann examines the pain and power of broken hearts, celebrity life, and growing up.
233 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2025
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 15, 2025
I had the pleasure of reading an early copy! Definitely a must-read if you’re looking for an engaging coming of age story that brings you along for the adventure of trying to find yourself while adapting to a totally new culture and lifestyle. Throw in a little romance and you’re in for a fun ride!
June 4, 2025
Such a fun and great story-really helped me getting out of my reading funk!
10/10 would recommend if you wanted a wonderful coming of age story with so many unexpected twists and turns!
Can't wait to read more from E.R Hann.
10/10 would recommend if you wanted a wonderful coming of age story with so many unexpected twists and turns!
Can't wait to read more from E.R Hann.
August 28, 2025
Japanese culture+ J-pop + a coming of age book??? Yes please. No spoilers. but I was so invested in Eva's story and honestly saw myself in Eva as I kept reading. This book was honestly a six star read and I cannot wait to read more from the author if she releases more. 💙🤗
Hands down, my favorite book of 2025 so far.
Hands down, my favorite book of 2025 so far.
October 16, 2025
It's not my usual read, but enjoyable!
This was a fast-paced book, and I believe Hann did a good job embodying people in their early twenties.
I liked that the MC was Canadian and enjoyed learning about Japanese culture alongside her.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who's seeking a coming of age story with bisexual romance and a love for Japan.
This was a fast-paced book, and I believe Hann did a good job embodying people in their early twenties.
I liked that the MC was Canadian and enjoyed learning about Japanese culture alongside her.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who's seeking a coming of age story with bisexual romance and a love for Japan.
August 9, 2025
This is a charming read, with characters as 3 dimensional as they come. Eva dives headlong into every new experience (a quality I am simultaneously envious of and terrified of doing, myself. haha.), and isn't afraid to get her big, bisexual heart broken, and give the reader a slightly more intimate view of Japan than the average tourist gets. Rather than sleeping like I should have done, I read the whole thing in one go in my bed, like I haven't done since I was a teenager. Despite the soreness in my neck and shoulders reminding me why I don't do that anymore, it was well worth it. (Now, where'd I leave the Acetaminophen?)
March 28, 2025
A charming and delightful debut. I felt very invested in Eva’s journey and enjoyed seeing Japan through her eyes.
December 15, 2025
In a good way, Heart-Shaped Karaoke Box went in a slightly different direction from the typical “go to Japan and become an English teacher” stories I’ve read. But unfortunately it still left me underwhelmed as a story with an ending that felt rushed.
I can give some grace to how they acted as Hann's characters are in their early 20s and how it addressed themes of coming of age and abuse in relationships for a YA/NA book. And I did like how Eva feels about wanting to stay in Japan by any means rather than going back to her hometown as I think a lot of readers can resonate to that. Also, I’m glad she didn't end up staying with any of her love interests.
Yuya and Tobio are like two dogs that raced for the next white bone and then chose Eva, from Tobio having dated the ex-teacher in the building that Eva lived at (RUN! He probably looked like you), to Yuya being a cautionary tale of not allowing someone you just got to know to live with you cause they’ll be your child. Eva should have also boxed Yuya down in the face when he tattooed his name on her skin. The twist in what happened between the two boys was good but felt like it could have been easily avoided.
Then the relationship she had with Miriko didn’t seem natural, more like something written out of a fanfic. Because in what way was Miriko okay to let a total stranger stay with her, become employed and eventually her girlfriend of what? A few weeks?
Speaking of realism, some of the language used like full-blooded Japanese was a bit odd to use in the book. And Apex wanting to be queer friendly is good but it's more PR than a happy ever after for Eva and Miriko especially with how left their relationship went. Also I wonder if this book is set in the last 5 years, because the actions of characters were a little unrealistic to me. Someone would have reported Yuya's abuse to Eva especially since it's a student-teacher dynamic and Eva didn't have any friends on social media who would check on her and she could confide in?
All in all, the book was okay but I wasn't wowed. I would love to hear a story from Naomi, as despite the little we learn about her, she has an interesting premise.
I can give some grace to how they acted as Hann's characters are in their early 20s and how it addressed themes of coming of age and abuse in relationships for a YA/NA book. And I did like how Eva feels about wanting to stay in Japan by any means rather than going back to her hometown as I think a lot of readers can resonate to that. Also, I’m glad she didn't end up staying with any of her love interests.
Yuya and Tobio are like two dogs that raced for the next white bone and then chose Eva, from Tobio having dated the ex-teacher in the building that Eva lived at (RUN! He probably looked like you), to Yuya being a cautionary tale of not allowing someone you just got to know to live with you cause they’ll be your child. Eva should have also boxed Yuya down in the face when he tattooed his name on her skin. The twist in what happened between the two boys was good but felt like it could have been easily avoided.
Then the relationship she had with Miriko didn’t seem natural, more like something written out of a fanfic. Because in what way was Miriko okay to let a total stranger stay with her, become employed and eventually her girlfriend of what? A few weeks?
Speaking of realism, some of the language used like full-blooded Japanese was a bit odd to use in the book. And Apex wanting to be queer friendly is good but it's more PR than a happy ever after for Eva and Miriko especially with how left their relationship went. Also I wonder if this book is set in the last 5 years, because the actions of characters were a little unrealistic to me. Someone would have reported Yuya's abuse to Eva especially since it's a student-teacher dynamic and Eva didn't have any friends on social media who would check on her and she could confide in?
All in all, the book was okay but I wasn't wowed. I would love to hear a story from Naomi, as despite the little we learn about her, she has an interesting premise.
January 21, 2025
I was fortunate to have read an early copy of this book. As well as being a fun read for fans of romance, Heart-Shaped Karaoke Box has an intriguing storyline with more going for it than the traditional romantic tale. Part coming-of-age story, part romance novel, and part cultural book, it explores the theme of a young woman coming into her own and finding satisfaction in her relationships and within herself when she moves from Canada to Japan.
Dissatisfied with her life in Canada, Eva leaves behind her home and parents to take on a teaching position in Japan, joining Tobio, a former classmate. Through Eva’s new job and her relationship with Tobio and his parents, author E. R. Hann immerses the reader in the Japanese culture and way of life and shows how Eva, a foreigner, feels self-conscious about her language and actions.
In this new country, several relationships have a major impact on Eva’s life. Themes of cultural expectations, abusive situations, and the effects of fame, are brought to the surface as Eva gets to know Tobio, then a new guy, Yuya, who sweeps her off her feet. And to complicate matters, Eva meets Miriko, a famous singer, and has to deal with the impact and possible discrimination as their lives come under the scrutiny of the public. Each of those love interests/friendships brings out the various prejudices of society—about preconceptions of different cultures, of tattoo guys with a bad home life and reputation, about sexuality—all of which adds depth to the relationships and the issues they face.
Eva struggles with these issues as she seeks to find her way in the world and find a genuine long-term relationship. Be prepared for a few twisty turns along her journey of self-discovery. It's a memorable story. I really enjoyed reading Heart-Shaped Karaoke Box, and the further I got into the book, the harder it was to put down.
Dissatisfied with her life in Canada, Eva leaves behind her home and parents to take on a teaching position in Japan, joining Tobio, a former classmate. Through Eva’s new job and her relationship with Tobio and his parents, author E. R. Hann immerses the reader in the Japanese culture and way of life and shows how Eva, a foreigner, feels self-conscious about her language and actions.
In this new country, several relationships have a major impact on Eva’s life. Themes of cultural expectations, abusive situations, and the effects of fame, are brought to the surface as Eva gets to know Tobio, then a new guy, Yuya, who sweeps her off her feet. And to complicate matters, Eva meets Miriko, a famous singer, and has to deal with the impact and possible discrimination as their lives come under the scrutiny of the public. Each of those love interests/friendships brings out the various prejudices of society—about preconceptions of different cultures, of tattoo guys with a bad home life and reputation, about sexuality—all of which adds depth to the relationships and the issues they face.
Eva struggles with these issues as she seeks to find her way in the world and find a genuine long-term relationship. Be prepared for a few twisty turns along her journey of self-discovery. It's a memorable story. I really enjoyed reading Heart-Shaped Karaoke Box, and the further I got into the book, the harder it was to put down.
January 19, 2025
She hates her job and living with her parents when she tries a new job. She leaves home to teach English in Japan but she finds herself falling for him but a secret will ruin it. She will head to a new place where life will take an unexpected surprise. See how it will all go
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and loved to see how her life went
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and loved to see how her life went
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews