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Hello, Limerence: 'My new literary obsession' ALICE SLATER
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26For anyone who has ever had a crush, welcome to your new personal obsession.
Mika is about to turn twenty-five, and all she has to show for it is a soul-sucking office job and a terminal case of virginity. Between the pervy salarymen she works with and the pretty boys she pines after, Mika is ready to explode.
But it's summer in Tokyo, AKA peacock season. Time to strut her stuff. So when her certified Hot Girl bestie sends her the invite for an upcoming beach party, Mika clicks 'attending'. Just when she thinks real life is never going to live up to the wild fantasies her imagination cooks up, someone new catches her eye. It could be limerence, or the beginning of something much less one-sided . . .
Mika is about to turn twenty-five, and all she has to show for it is a soul-sucking office job and a terminal case of virginity. Between the pervy salarymen she works with and the pretty boys she pines after, Mika is ready to explode.
But it's summer in Tokyo, AKA peacock season. Time to strut her stuff. So when her certified Hot Girl bestie sends her the invite for an upcoming beach party, Mika clicks 'attending'. Just when she thinks real life is never going to live up to the wild fantasies her imagination cooks up, someone new catches her eye. It could be limerence, or the beginning of something much less one-sided . . .
Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 2, 2026
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About the author
Momo Yamaguchi
2 books5 followersMomo Yamaguchi was born in Tokyo, educated in the U.S., and lives and works in London. Hello, Limerence is her first novel.
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2026
December 22, 2025Japanuary TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As a reader, I personally don't mind having an unhinged female main character. In this case, Mika. Especially since the blurb promised something more frontal or even vulgar. To be honest, the blurb itself was the reason I picked up this book. I was expecting obsession and delusion from her.
But unfortunately, the more I read, the more I felt like this book didn't really have a clear plot or direction, so it didn't match the blurb. I don't mind book that aren't very plot-driven, but here it felt like Mika spent most of the time just talking and yapping about herself and her own thoughts, ignoring what really happens around her. Everything was too focused on her opinions and her inner monologues. Until that became too much and felt unnecessary. The story didn't really go anywhere. I wan't even sure what actually happened in that chapters. This made the book feel boring to read.
I also felt like the time skips or shifts were'nt clear. Sometimes I got confused about when things were happening or how much time had passed. The same goes for the setting. At the beginning, I thought the story was set in Japan, Tokyo, but later I wasn't really sure anymore because of the unclear time jumps and transitions. And unfortunately, this leads to my next point;
The characters, especially Mika. Isn't she supposed to be Japanese? She works in Tokyo, but while reading, I never really felt like she was Japanese at all. I don't know if this is because of the writing style or her behavior, but she has absolutely no 'Japanese' characteristics at all (like how they speak or the culture etc. ykwim). I noticed this a lot because I'm quite familiar with Japan. And, well, then I realized that this book isn't a translation from a Japanese book, which is fine. But if the story is set in Japan, shouldn't it feel like Japan? Because this one really dosen't. And that bothered me a lot.
The frontal and unhinged elements I was hoping for ended up just making me feel bored and lost instead. It felt like too much yapping that never failed to make me sigh and roll my eyes. In the end, I couldn't really get into the story. I wouldn't recommend this book if you're hoping for more.
But unfortunately, the more I read, the more I felt like this book didn't really have a clear plot or direction, so it didn't match the blurb. I don't mind book that aren't very plot-driven, but here it felt like Mika spent most of the time just talking and yapping about herself and her own thoughts, ignoring what really happens around her. Everything was too focused on her opinions and her inner monologues. Until that became too much and felt unnecessary. The story didn't really go anywhere. I wan't even sure what actually happened in that chapters. This made the book feel boring to read.
I also felt like the time skips or shifts were'nt clear. Sometimes I got confused about when things were happening or how much time had passed. The same goes for the setting. At the beginning, I thought the story was set in Japan, Tokyo, but later I wasn't really sure anymore because of the unclear time jumps and transitions. And unfortunately, this leads to my next point;
The characters, especially Mika. Isn't she supposed to be Japanese? She works in Tokyo, but while reading, I never really felt like she was Japanese at all. I don't know if this is because of the writing style or her behavior, but she has absolutely no 'Japanese' characteristics at all (like how they speak or the culture etc. ykwim). I noticed this a lot because I'm quite familiar with Japan. And, well, then I realized that this book isn't a translation from a Japanese book, which is fine. But if the story is set in Japan, shouldn't it feel like Japan? Because this one really dosen't. And that bothered me a lot.
The frontal and unhinged elements I was hoping for ended up just making me feel bored and lost instead. It felt like too much yapping that never failed to make me sigh and roll my eyes. In the end, I couldn't really get into the story. I wouldn't recommend this book if you're hoping for more.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Momo Yamaguchi is a first generation immigrant, a Japanese woman who currently lives in the UK and writes in English. Unlike many second gen migrant stories, her work does not concern itself with 'good immigrant' or identity crisis narratives. Hello, Limerence follows Mika, a 24-year old Japanese salarywoman who lives in Tokyo. Think all those social media accounts of 'real-life Japan' showing overwork, tiny apartments, unhealthy combini meals every day and workplace sexism. Mika's main woe, however, is her struggles to form a romantic relationship and her obsession with the first guy who sort of looked in her direction.
Hello, Limerence reads like one of those hot mess young woman narratives that have over-saturated the Anglophone book market. Its closest cousin is I am a Fan by Sheena Patel, so if you liked one, you will probably like the other. Hello, Limerence seemed more realistic and relatable to me because of how young Mika is - the sort of obsessions she has in her early 20s are less believable in Patel's 30-something narrator. I think I would have enjoyed this book much more about ten years ago, when the narrator's more explosive emotions would have been more relatable. I do think Yamaguchi captured something very raw and precise about emotional and sexual pressures on young women, and for that, the novel is worth reading. The ending was satisfyingly set up and telegraphed throughout the book.
The writing style is quite interesting. It is clearly inspired both by modern Anglophone and Japanese literature. Despite Japanese authors' willingness to explore sexuality frankly (see Sayaka Murata, in particular), there is something particularly in your face and vulgar about the endless sex scenes in Hello, Limerence, much more reminiscent of the tone taken by Western writers. That vulgarity doesn't quite translate into punk - Yamaguchi is no Ryu Murakami, hovering somewhere around the 'hot mess girl' level throughout. I have never read a book set in Japan written quite like this, and I have never read a book written like this set in Japan.
Despite references to a thinly veiled Covid pandemic, the tone, the narrative and the themes of the book seem quite outdated and out of place in 2026, as if this was written a decade ago (and for the world we had a decade ago). Everything from the macro-narrative to the smaller details (eg the chiselled 2015-style makeup Mika wears to a party) seems like something from another era. It is hard to focus on how obsessed this young woman is with a guy who would never consider actually dating her in the context of the news cycle we live in today.
Mika often comments on Amercian cultural imperialism, and the narrative details emphasise it, from the microaggressions she faces as a tourist in New York to the KFC Christmas dinner she gobbles by herself when the guy fails to respond to her for the millionth time. It is all well and good (albeit a bit repetitive), but Yamaguchi's utter failure to critically engage with what imperialism means in Japan grated me the wrong way. Mika and her friends go to Korean BBQs all the time - a bit rich to be talking about the incandescent American imperialism as a Japanese woman in a Korean eatery in Tokyo! Read The Pachinko Parlour by Elisa Shua Dusapin for a contrast. This is not whataboutism - this is a comment on how dull, from a literary perspective, Yamaguchi's take on imperialism is (R.F. Kuang's line about 'yet another sob story about how you were bullied because of your lunch box' from Yellowface comes to mind).
Overall, I underlined quite a few bits and enjoyed reading this, but the text would have been more meaningful with more thorough editing and pruning. I also wish that after all that it actually said something a bit more interesting.
Hello, Limerence reads like one of those hot mess young woman narratives that have over-saturated the Anglophone book market. Its closest cousin is I am a Fan by Sheena Patel, so if you liked one, you will probably like the other. Hello, Limerence seemed more realistic and relatable to me because of how young Mika is - the sort of obsessions she has in her early 20s are less believable in Patel's 30-something narrator. I think I would have enjoyed this book much more about ten years ago, when the narrator's more explosive emotions would have been more relatable. I do think Yamaguchi captured something very raw and precise about emotional and sexual pressures on young women, and for that, the novel is worth reading. The ending was satisfyingly set up and telegraphed throughout the book.
The writing style is quite interesting. It is clearly inspired both by modern Anglophone and Japanese literature. Despite Japanese authors' willingness to explore sexuality frankly (see Sayaka Murata, in particular), there is something particularly in your face and vulgar about the endless sex scenes in Hello, Limerence, much more reminiscent of the tone taken by Western writers. That vulgarity doesn't quite translate into punk - Yamaguchi is no Ryu Murakami, hovering somewhere around the 'hot mess girl' level throughout. I have never read a book set in Japan written quite like this, and I have never read a book written like this set in Japan.
Despite references to a thinly veiled Covid pandemic, the tone, the narrative and the themes of the book seem quite outdated and out of place in 2026, as if this was written a decade ago (and for the world we had a decade ago). Everything from the macro-narrative to the smaller details (eg the chiselled 2015-style makeup Mika wears to a party) seems like something from another era. It is hard to focus on how obsessed this young woman is with a guy who would never consider actually dating her in the context of the news cycle we live in today.
Mika often comments on Amercian cultural imperialism, and the narrative details emphasise it, from the microaggressions she faces as a tourist in New York to the KFC Christmas dinner she gobbles by herself when the guy fails to respond to her for the millionth time. It is all well and good (albeit a bit repetitive), but Yamaguchi's utter failure to critically engage with what imperialism means in Japan grated me the wrong way. Mika and her friends go to Korean BBQs all the time - a bit rich to be talking about the incandescent American imperialism as a Japanese woman in a Korean eatery in Tokyo! Read The Pachinko Parlour by Elisa Shua Dusapin for a contrast. This is not whataboutism - this is a comment on how dull, from a literary perspective, Yamaguchi's take on imperialism is (R.F. Kuang's line about 'yet another sob story about how you were bullied because of your lunch box' from Yellowface comes to mind).
Overall, I underlined quite a few bits and enjoyed reading this, but the text would have been more meaningful with more thorough editing and pruning. I also wish that after all that it actually said something a bit more interesting.
January 6, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Momo Yamaguchi, and Mariner Books for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. I have so many thoughts about this incredible and emotional journey!
First off, I relate to Mika in ways that I am both proud of and embarrassed by. I’m sure many other freshly 25 year olds will feel the same way :) She is so intense with her feelings, simultaneously sure of herself and unsure of so many of her actions. Her sense of self is so grounded in reality and dreams. What I mean by that is she self-deprecates and understands her place in the patriarchal world, while also hoping, planning, and wishing for difference.
I unfortunately just didn’t love the ending, which took a turn that many will enjoy, but I felt no longer reflected a journey that many of my friends and I have been on. It was a fun ending, but there wasn’t the growth or reflection I ultimately craved. Mika has faced many problems other 20-something women have. I would’ve loved to learn more from her resolution.
Still, I found this to be a fun romp of a book, check the TW for language and sexual content, and all that jazz. If you like Girls, you’ll likely enjoy this book too!
First off, I relate to Mika in ways that I am both proud of and embarrassed by. I’m sure many other freshly 25 year olds will feel the same way :) She is so intense with her feelings, simultaneously sure of herself and unsure of so many of her actions. Her sense of self is so grounded in reality and dreams. What I mean by that is she self-deprecates and understands her place in the patriarchal world, while also hoping, planning, and wishing for difference.
I unfortunately just didn’t love the ending, which took a turn that many will enjoy, but I felt no longer reflected a journey that many of my friends and I have been on. It was a fun ending, but there wasn’t the growth or reflection I ultimately craved. Mika has faced many problems other 20-something women have. I would’ve loved to learn more from her resolution.
Still, I found this to be a fun romp of a book, check the TW for language and sexual content, and all that jazz. If you like Girls, you’ll likely enjoy this book too!
January 17, 2026
4.75⭐️ If you love a book with a somewhat unlikable, delusional main character, please do yourself a favor and pick this up.
Ever spiraled over a crush, already fantasized your entire life together before you ever even said ‘hi’ to each other? Yea… so does our main character Mika. She’s 24 years old and tired of her boring life and more importantly, tired of being a virgin. But not for much longer. She’s determined to change this.
Her inner monologue is downright crazy and ridiculous at times, but I can’t help but love her for it. She’s not afraid to speak her mind and boy does she have a lot to say. A Gen Z girl at heart.
She’s just so incredibly funny and relatable while simultaneously being completely delusional. I caught myself giggling, just having so much fun while reading this.
It feels similar in a way to My Year of Rest and Relaxation in the sense that it’s relatable, kind of depressing, humorous and not afraid to mock itself at times. In other words, my kind of book.
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for the arc. Truly couldn’t have wished for a better arc to start the year with.
Ever spiraled over a crush, already fantasized your entire life together before you ever even said ‘hi’ to each other? Yea… so does our main character Mika. She’s 24 years old and tired of her boring life and more importantly, tired of being a virgin. But not for much longer. She’s determined to change this.
Her inner monologue is downright crazy and ridiculous at times, but I can’t help but love her for it. She’s not afraid to speak her mind and boy does she have a lot to say. A Gen Z girl at heart.
She’s just so incredibly funny and relatable while simultaneously being completely delusional. I caught myself giggling, just having so much fun while reading this.
It feels similar in a way to My Year of Rest and Relaxation in the sense that it’s relatable, kind of depressing, humorous and not afraid to mock itself at times. In other words, my kind of book.
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for the arc. Truly couldn’t have wished for a better arc to start the year with.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you have ever felt the kind of love that feels more like a fever: a crushing, all-consuming obsession that blurs the lines of reality, then Momo Yamaguchi’s Hello, Limerence is the mirror you’ve been both seeking and fearing.
The Anatomy of an Obsession
Yamaguchi doesn't just write about love; she dissects it with the precision of a surgeon and the soul of a poet. The story follows a protagonist spiraling into the state of "limerence," that involuntary, obsessive desire for another person. What makes this book so devastatingly effective is how Yamaguchi captures the biopsychosocial nature of this state. We feel the chemical rush of the dopamine hits (the "highs") and the gut-wrenching physical withdrawal of the "lows."
Prose that Bleeds
The writing is atmospheric and "flowy," yet sharp enough to cut. Yamaguchi’s ability to describe the internal monologue of someone who is "addicted" to another person is unparalleled. It echoes the very themes of addiction and recovery we often discuss in clinical settings, but framed through the lens of a tragic, beautiful romance. She captures the "psychological expectations and beliefs" that drive the character to see signs where there are none and to find profound meaning in the mundane.
Why It Resonates
The genius of Hello, Limerence lies in its relatability. It taps into the universal human craving for connection while warning us of the "pharmacological" power our own brain chemistry holds over us. It is a story about bereavement of the self, role disputes between who we are and who we want to be for another, and the interpersonal deficits that lead us into these obsessive traps.
Final Verdict: 5/5 Stars
This isn't just a book; it's an experience. It's a haunting, lyrical exploration of the human heart’s capacity for madness. If you enjoyed the deep dives into the psychology of the mind and the nature of human connection, Hello, Limerence is an absolute must-read.
Prepare to be breathless. Prepare to be obsessed. Hello, Limerence is the best thing I have read this year.
The Anatomy of an Obsession
Yamaguchi doesn't just write about love; she dissects it with the precision of a surgeon and the soul of a poet. The story follows a protagonist spiraling into the state of "limerence," that involuntary, obsessive desire for another person. What makes this book so devastatingly effective is how Yamaguchi captures the biopsychosocial nature of this state. We feel the chemical rush of the dopamine hits (the "highs") and the gut-wrenching physical withdrawal of the "lows."
Prose that Bleeds
The writing is atmospheric and "flowy," yet sharp enough to cut. Yamaguchi’s ability to describe the internal monologue of someone who is "addicted" to another person is unparalleled. It echoes the very themes of addiction and recovery we often discuss in clinical settings, but framed through the lens of a tragic, beautiful romance. She captures the "psychological expectations and beliefs" that drive the character to see signs where there are none and to find profound meaning in the mundane.
Why It Resonates
The genius of Hello, Limerence lies in its relatability. It taps into the universal human craving for connection while warning us of the "pharmacological" power our own brain chemistry holds over us. It is a story about bereavement of the self, role disputes between who we are and who we want to be for another, and the interpersonal deficits that lead us into these obsessive traps.
Final Verdict: 5/5 Stars
This isn't just a book; it's an experience. It's a haunting, lyrical exploration of the human heart’s capacity for madness. If you enjoyed the deep dives into the psychology of the mind and the nature of human connection, Hello, Limerence is an absolute must-read.
Prepare to be breathless. Prepare to be obsessed. Hello, Limerence is the best thing I have read this year.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨, 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 by 𝐌𝐢𝐦𝐨 𝐘𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐢
𝗹𝗶𝗺·𝗲𝗿·𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
/ˈlimər(ə)n(t)s/
(𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘯) 1. 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘣𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯, 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘯𝘦’𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘹𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱.
Mika is a mid-twenties half-virgin, who is thirsty for love & has been on the exhausting search for a tall glass of refreshing to satiate the overly parched landscape that she calls her love life. She obsesses over how to entrap her current crush, while attempting to maintain the carefree vibe of a cool girl (e.g., setting a timer to give an appreciatively appropriate time before responding w an overly-thought out but hopefully nonchalant-sounding response that will bring him to his knees begging for more).
I love-hated that this book…
- Made me feel the toxicity of Mika’s delusional, narcissistic, & self-deprecating thoughts.
- Described in gory detail the random, minute observations of everyday living, which made the book feel palpable & like I was inside Mika’s head.
- (Unimportant but) Contrary to my initial belief, this is not a translated book.
- Is technically highly sexualized, but I didn’t find it vulgar. It felt like an introspection/social commentary of the current generation’s sexual lives.
- Is not a plot driven book but was character focused.
- Ended the way it did. But, upon reflection, I couldn’t think of a different ending bc Mika strikes me as someone who’ll be stuck in a cyclical pattern where she’ll feel worthless/unlovable when single but be an unsatisfied complainer when she gets what she thinks she wants (as they say… the grass is greener on the side side).
- Kept me turning the pages bc I really enjoyed Yamaguchi’s writing style, dry wit, dark humor, & short chapters.
Overall, I liked the book for Yamaguchi’s writing style, voice & humor! TY @netgalley & @marinerbooks for this eARC. It comes out on 8/18/26!
𝗹𝗶𝗺·𝗲𝗿·𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
/ˈlimər(ə)n(t)s/
(𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘯) 1. 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘣𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯, 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘯𝘦’𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘹𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱.
Mika is a mid-twenties half-virgin, who is thirsty for love & has been on the exhausting search for a tall glass of refreshing to satiate the overly parched landscape that she calls her love life. She obsesses over how to entrap her current crush, while attempting to maintain the carefree vibe of a cool girl (e.g., setting a timer to give an appreciatively appropriate time before responding w an overly-thought out but hopefully nonchalant-sounding response that will bring him to his knees begging for more).
I love-hated that this book…
- Made me feel the toxicity of Mika’s delusional, narcissistic, & self-deprecating thoughts.
- Described in gory detail the random, minute observations of everyday living, which made the book feel palpable & like I was inside Mika’s head.
- (Unimportant but) Contrary to my initial belief, this is not a translated book.
- Is technically highly sexualized, but I didn’t find it vulgar. It felt like an introspection/social commentary of the current generation’s sexual lives.
- Is not a plot driven book but was character focused.
- Ended the way it did. But, upon reflection, I couldn’t think of a different ending bc Mika strikes me as someone who’ll be stuck in a cyclical pattern where she’ll feel worthless/unlovable when single but be an unsatisfied complainer when she gets what she thinks she wants (as they say… the grass is greener on the side side).
- Kept me turning the pages bc I really enjoyed Yamaguchi’s writing style, dry wit, dark humor, & short chapters.
Overall, I liked the book for Yamaguchi’s writing style, voice & humor! TY @netgalley & @marinerbooks for this eARC. It comes out on 8/18/26!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I had pretty mixed feelings on this book, I kept volleying between 3 and 4 stars. Ultimately landed at 4 stars because of the ending which felt like a cheap cop out. If Mika is bisexual, I would have liked to see this explored more outside of mild sexual arousal around hot girls at parties.
That being said, I did enjoy this book more than I expected. Reading it made me feel a little weird and unsettled somehow. This is an indicator of a good book for me. Mika's fantasies with strangers and coworkers are vulgar and overly sexual but dare I say realistic? I found her relatable in this sense. Her entire story and arc felt a little too close to home. The social imposter syndrome, deep limerence with someone who never cares about actually committing to you, the slightly older hookup partner that you put up with because at least someone is touching you. Fallout with a best friend because she gets in too deep with a boyfriend that sucks and you can't care for it. Like SORRRYYY those are quite a few parallels to my life in the last year. This is definitely a book I would pick up, and I'm glad I requested it from the publisher.
Recommend to those who enjoyed Dolly Alderton's fictional novels (especially Ghosts - I'd consider this a more immature and creative version of that book (with love)).
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
That being said, I did enjoy this book more than I expected. Reading it made me feel a little weird and unsettled somehow. This is an indicator of a good book for me. Mika's fantasies with strangers and coworkers are vulgar and overly sexual but dare I say realistic? I found her relatable in this sense. Her entire story and arc felt a little too close to home. The social imposter syndrome, deep limerence with someone who never cares about actually committing to you, the slightly older hookup partner that you put up with because at least someone is touching you. Fallout with a best friend because she gets in too deep with a boyfriend that sucks and you can't care for it. Like SORRRYYY those are quite a few parallels to my life in the last year. This is definitely a book I would pick up, and I'm glad I requested it from the publisher.
Recommend to those who enjoyed Dolly Alderton's fictional novels (especially Ghosts - I'd consider this a more immature and creative version of that book (with love)).
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is for a very specific type of person, and that person is not me. With the most male-centred narrator I’ve ever experienced, this book reads like your least favourite coworker holding you hostage at work to explain the details of her miserable love life.
Mika was unhinged and at times funny, but she exhibits one of my least favourite personality types: the TikTok-obsessed Gen Z mid-20s female. Although there was no direct mention of TikTok in the book, Mika uses several buzzwords that have been popular on TikTok in the last year: limerence (as seen in the title), cortisol levels, medium-ugly, old money, female gaze, and many more.
She occasionally has intrusive thoughts, and I skimmed through all of them. They were kind of insufferable to read.
This book isn’t the worst thing I’ve ever read. It does depict modern dating, and I do like the themes of friendship breakups, learning the hard way about situationships, doing meaningless and unfulfilling work, and family dynamics.
The ending is ridiculous and just sounds like a joke to be honest. Spoiler alert:
Mika was unhinged and at times funny, but she exhibits one of my least favourite personality types: the TikTok-obsessed Gen Z mid-20s female. Although there was no direct mention of TikTok in the book, Mika uses several buzzwords that have been popular on TikTok in the last year: limerence (as seen in the title), cortisol levels, medium-ugly, old money, female gaze, and many more.
She occasionally has intrusive thoughts, and I skimmed through all of them. They were kind of insufferable to read.
This book isn’t the worst thing I’ve ever read. It does depict modern dating, and I do like the themes of friendship breakups, learning the hard way about situationships, doing meaningless and unfulfilling work, and family dynamics.
The ending is ridiculous and just sounds like a joke to be honest. Spoiler alert:
January 29, 2026
Hello, Limerance is an unhinged story centering around obsession, and is a good show in what happens when someone lives entirely in their own head. Mika is…not well, in a way that is kind of fascinating, sort of sadly funny and often off-putting. Seeing her spiral outwardly by overanalyzing every situation, fixating and self-justifying her often inappropriate responses is uncomfortable but also kind of relatable.
Yamaguchi nails the feeling of Limerance. The repetitive thoughts and refusal to let go of the story you’ve curated in your mind are just spot on. She writes an acutely self-aware character who is frustrating but still somewhat redeemable.
My only criticisms are that some parts of the story were harshly written, and some transitions feel a little bit choppy. But I think the aggressiveness of the book adds to its charm and is purposefully done.
Overall, I really liked the book. I found myself reading passages to my husband because they were laugh out loud funny to me. I hadn’t read a book with a main character who is just so outwardly and openly flawed, so there was a bit of shock factor initially but my the end of the book I was just cheering her on and hoping she’d find the love and happiness she was looking for.
Yamaguchi nails the feeling of Limerance. The repetitive thoughts and refusal to let go of the story you’ve curated in your mind are just spot on. She writes an acutely self-aware character who is frustrating but still somewhat redeemable.
My only criticisms are that some parts of the story were harshly written, and some transitions feel a little bit choppy. But I think the aggressiveness of the book adds to its charm and is purposefully done.
Overall, I really liked the book. I found myself reading passages to my husband because they were laugh out loud funny to me. I hadn’t read a book with a main character who is just so outwardly and openly flawed, so there was a bit of shock factor initially but my the end of the book I was just cheering her on and hoping she’d find the love and happiness she was looking for.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Hello limerence is a first person narrative following Mika, a 24 year old girl living in Tokyo and navigating your typical coming of age dilemmas- friendship, dating, family, and the work place. In terms of plot, there’s not a lot, but once you know this and accept it, then the enjoyment begins. It’s raunchy, funny and often painfully relatable. Sometimes the prose veers into the realm of stream of consciousness and series of one liners, but as I said, once we accept that we’re here for the vibes I found it hard to put down. Mika is not always perfect but she perfectly encapsulates the insecurities of our mid twenties and how that manifests in our relationships be it romantic, familial or with work colleagues. She does grow and mature by the end, maybe not profoundly, but in a way that feels tangible and realistic. This book is perfect for people who are here for the vibes, want something that is light and funny with a touch of heart, and who want to feel those very specific feels of being a woman in your twenties figuring everything out. It may not be for everyone but this ended up being a solid four star read for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Mariner books for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Yeah girl, I remember being 24 too. A perfect portrait of an inexperienced but love-obsessed young woman trying to make sense of the signals she's given. Interspersed with very humorous (and often violent) fantasies, the novel's heroine Mika is one that I think a lot of young women can relate to at some point or another. She puts a lot of stock into the loser men she finds herself in situationships with, only to be disappointed again and again. The narrative voice plays well into this, with a tone that is very conversational and slang-heavy.
I love reading works like this one, because it reminds me that these are universal experiences, no matter where in the world you are. Kudos to Momo Yamaguchi for writing such an enthralling, enchanting book with a lot of heart and even more weird.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love reading works like this one, because it reminds me that these are universal experiences, no matter where in the world you are. Kudos to Momo Yamaguchi for writing such an enthralling, enchanting book with a lot of heart and even more weird.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*
Hello Limerence follows Mika who is a twenty-five year old virgin. She works in an office and is unsatisfied with her life. It is summer in Tokyo and Mika gets invited to a beach party. At the party she thinks all the men are looking at her hot best friend but a man catches her eye which could be the start of something new.
This had an intriguing beginning and the writing was good but the I did start to lose interest about 30% in. This book is mainly about Mika and the men she has sex with. Some parts felt like they were meant to shock the reader but overall I just think this fell flat. This definitely had potential but it just felt like it did nothing by the end and the ending felt very random. To be truly great, this should have been more unhinged.
Hello Limerence follows Mika who is a twenty-five year old virgin. She works in an office and is unsatisfied with her life. It is summer in Tokyo and Mika gets invited to a beach party. At the party she thinks all the men are looking at her hot best friend but a man catches her eye which could be the start of something new.
This had an intriguing beginning and the writing was good but the I did start to lose interest about 30% in. This book is mainly about Mika and the men she has sex with. Some parts felt like they were meant to shock the reader but overall I just think this fell flat. This definitely had potential but it just felt like it did nothing by the end and the ending felt very random. To be truly great, this should have been more unhinged.
January 30, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I went into this book not knowing what to expect. The book was good and I found the main character amusing. This book is a prime example of an unreliable narrator. Mika is dululu in many ways and I personally found it to be very entertaining to read how she rationalizes and comes to her conclusions about her relationships - both romantic and platonic. Further more, I love how her obsession and fixation on people skirts and toys with her being a stalker, but doesn’t actually cross the line in my opinion. The ending felt a little rushed and maybe a tad bland, but I did find it to be satisfactory.
I will definitely be purchasing a physical copy when it comes out and telling my friends to read it. Overall a fun read and I’m glad to have read it.
I went into this book not knowing what to expect. The book was good and I found the main character amusing. This book is a prime example of an unreliable narrator. Mika is dululu in many ways and I personally found it to be very entertaining to read how she rationalizes and comes to her conclusions about her relationships - both romantic and platonic. Further more, I love how her obsession and fixation on people skirts and toys with her being a stalker, but doesn’t actually cross the line in my opinion. The ending felt a little rushed and maybe a tad bland, but I did find it to be satisfactory.
I will definitely be purchasing a physical copy when it comes out and telling my friends to read it. Overall a fun read and I’m glad to have read it.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Oh, how I wanted to like this more than I did 😭
Our main character was so delusional, I couldn't quite believe it? But she also didn't spiral either. So it felt like the same delusions again and again, which quickly became repetitive.
The setting is Japan, but it feels so disconnected from the setting that I almost thought it was the US briefly, or anywhere really.
Sometimes she would do or say things that felt incredibly relatable and real. I'd be sympathising. And then she would return to being an unlikeable character I couldn't click with.
The ending was an interesting choice and probably the best thing about the novel, but by the end of this I don't think I got anything from the reading experience.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy.
Our main character was so delusional, I couldn't quite believe it? But she also didn't spiral either. So it felt like the same delusions again and again, which quickly became repetitive.
The setting is Japan, but it feels so disconnected from the setting that I almost thought it was the US briefly, or anywhere really.
Sometimes she would do or say things that felt incredibly relatable and real. I'd be sympathising. And then she would return to being an unlikeable character I couldn't click with.
The ending was an interesting choice and probably the best thing about the novel, but by the end of this I don't think I got anything from the reading experience.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I will rate this 4 Stars due to imaginative and comical writing of Momo Yamaguchi. The reference to fleabag is what had me dying to read this. And I can imagine this book will really do well if turned into a show about Mika and her intrusive thoughts, obsession (limerence) with her crush (at times crushes) under the guise of loyalty. There are still inflections of serious historical/cultural events hidden under funny banter unmasking racial or sexist bias that I found enjoyable. As purely a book, the readers are introduced to a plot but it doesn’t pick up much steam but we are certainly left with a thought in the back of our mind at the end, is Mika really going to keep this up? or is she still in limerence?
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I had such high hopes. The premise seemed like it would be just the kind of story I'd like.
I usually like these weirdo girl protagonists but Mikako's chronically online dialect irks me. I was drawn to the story thinking she would be a loser, underdog but she's a functioning working woman who just gets no play. Till the story starts and she suddenly does...?
At least the ending was sweet.
This book will resonate with someone else.
Thank you to Harper Collins and Mariner Books for the Advanced Review Copy.
I usually like these weirdo girl protagonists but Mikako's chronically online dialect irks me. I was drawn to the story thinking she would be a loser, underdog but she's a functioning working woman who just gets no play. Till the story starts and she suddenly does...?
At least the ending was sweet.
This book will resonate with someone else.
Thank you to Harper Collins and Mariner Books for the Advanced Review Copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a romp through the mind of a young Japanese professional as she endures misogyny at her humdrum workplace and the highs and lows (mostly lows) of dating terrible men. At no point would I have guessed the direction this would take. There isn’t really a solid plot, it’s more character-driven which I usually don’t mind but this is about a 25 year old looking for love and I just didn’t really care for it.
For people who like terrible, self-aware narrators and novels about love, sex, and friendship.
For people who like terrible, self-aware narrators and novels about love, sex, and friendship.
December 7, 2025
A girl who is desperate to lose her virginity mistakes the intentions of two different men. She fantazises about her desires to be in relationships with both, but things don't pan out how she hopes. Interesting choice for Momo Yamaguchi's debut and looking forward to more books from her :)
For more details and spoilers, please visit my blog: https://natzreadsbook.wordpress.com/2...
3.9/5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
For more details and spoilers, please visit my blog: https://natzreadsbook.wordpress.com/2...
3.9/5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was quite unique/different and it's definitely not for everyone. Parts of the book were incredibly funny while other parts felt repetitive and off-putting. While a lot of this book seems to be satirical, and reflects the sad state of modern dating, it lacked the emotional depth to tie it together. The ending twist felt rushed and the book overall was quite scattered.
Thank you NetGalley & Mariner Books for this ARC.
Thank you NetGalley & Mariner Books for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My first ARC review! This was an interesting read - personally, I do not think that I would have enjoyed it as much without having the comparison to Fleabag - its a very different kind of dry and self deprecating humor that I believe translates better via the screen, but keeping that in mind I feel like I was able to enjoy the content of the book more than if I did not have that frame of reference. Mika needs therapy, but don't we all to come degree (lol)
January 21, 2026
This book has a pacing to it that I found strangely relaxing, which is hysterical considering the plot. It feels so personal and honest like reading a diary. Our main character is delusional, immature, and wild. Mika’s commentary on the world and people around her had me giggling out loud. This book is raunchy and fun, I had a really great time with it! Thank you for the ARC!
December 22, 2025
pretty fun book though at points it isn't particularly directed. the plotting is really good and it worked really well. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.
January 3, 2026
This was a wild read! Raunchy and messy and overall a very entertaining and offbeat read. I can't wait to read more from Momo Yamaguchi in the future. Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A humorous book Leandra would enjoy on a Holiday in Paris....
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC REVIEW
1.5 stars rounded up
This was strange and not necessarily in a good way. I was expecting more from it but it just felt off. This is a book alllllll about miscommunication and obsessiveness and just a complete lack of understanding others.
I also did not like the fact that the FMC suddenly turns to women at the end of the book when "men don't work out". That felt almost like a "I'm being inclusive" moment to me but didn't make sense.
1.5 stars rounded up
This was strange and not necessarily in a good way. I was expecting more from it but it just felt off. This is a book alllllll about miscommunication and obsessiveness and just a complete lack of understanding others.
I also did not like the fact that the FMC suddenly turns to women at the end of the book when "men don't work out". That felt almost like a "I'm being inclusive" moment to me but didn't make sense.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.0. Story is about a young Japanese American woman searching for love in all the wrong places. Although the book sometimes made me laugh outloud, it was not a read I could recommend. Ending left me flat. Kind of a written soap opera season. Do not recommend.
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