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Blossom Among Flowers #1
Blossom Among Flowers
A taste of Japanese Being invisible can’t be that hard, can it? High school student Hikaru Saito is in trouble. She is failing English because she’d much rather bury her nose in the latest manga than study pronouns and prepositions. To keep her from getting kicked out of school, she is assigned a tutor in the form of the most popular boy in golden-haired genius Takeshi Hinata. You’d think Takeshi would be Hikaru’s surefire way to academic success, but her stubbornness, lack of concentration, and general disinterest in things other than her precious manga frustrate Takeshi to no end. To make matters worse, a young, pretty boy teacher is determined to rescue Hikaru every chance he gets, riling Takeshi up even more—and confusing the hell out of Hikaru. But as they spend more time together and get to know each other beyond their high school reputations, Hikaru and Takeshi enter a situation neither of them expected to find themselves in—one that factors in stolen kisses, controlling parents, a princess-in-hiding, and the deepest yearnings of a teenage heart.
252 pages, Paperback
First published July 18, 2015
3 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Jay E. Tria
17 books99 followersJay E. Tria is inspired by daydreams, celebrity crushes, live music, K-dramas and J-doramas, and an incessant itch to go places. She writes contemporary romance and young adult, sometimes paranormal fantasy too. When not writing, she wishes she were, but sometimes it's hard.
LATEST RELEASE:
Love To Meet You
Also by Jay:
You Out of Nowhere (Flair #1)
Playlist #1: Songs of Our Breakup
Playlist #2: Songs to Get Over You
Playlist #3: Songs to Make You Stay
Playlist #4: Songs You Come Back To
Playlist #5: Songs To Your Beat
That Thing Called Closure (A Playlist Short Track on buqo.ph) #WriteBreakupSongsAbout
Blossom Among Flowers
Majesty
Make My Wish Come True (a #romanceclass Christmas anthology)
Promdi Heart: Hometown Love Stories
Summer Crush (Beach. Love. Rock and Roll)
Second Wave Summer (Summer Crush 2)
Website: www.jayetria.com
Email: jayetria@gmail.com
Socials: jayetria
LATEST RELEASE:
Love To Meet You
Also by Jay:
You Out of Nowhere (Flair #1)
Playlist #1: Songs of Our Breakup
Playlist #2: Songs to Get Over You
Playlist #3: Songs to Make You Stay
Playlist #4: Songs You Come Back To
Playlist #5: Songs To Your Beat
That Thing Called Closure (A Playlist Short Track on buqo.ph) #WriteBreakupSongsAbout
Blossom Among Flowers
Majesty
Make My Wish Come True (a #romanceclass Christmas anthology)
Promdi Heart: Hometown Love Stories
Summer Crush (Beach. Love. Rock and Roll)
Second Wave Summer (Summer Crush 2)
Website: www.jayetria.com
Email: jayetria@gmail.com
Socials: jayetria
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 10, 2016
This book is basically the intersection of my current obsession with K-drama and my love for teen romance. (It's like Playful Kiss, but with a hero that makes sense!) Hikaru and Takeshi were adorable, and the story was cute. I was more than happy with cute, but then I started crying and that was so unexpected, but also so wonderful. This one is for readers who like their romances gentle and magical, with darker edges in the spaces between words. Jay E Tria's prose is clear and unpretentious, but provides surprising moments of emotional clarity and smatterings of poignant observations. And yes, there's a piggyback ride!
September 25, 2015
A girl named Hikaru Saito never thought she'd be getting the attention of two well-loved personalities in her school. Imagine being tutored by the sought-after genius slash rich kid slash campus heart-throb Takeshi Hinata and saved from the mean girls by teacher Tetsuya Sakuishi, Hikaru's life turned upside down from all the stares and bullies she was getting. Suddenly, the girl who only wanted to keep mostly to herself and her manga was surrounded by beauty and love.
"How can you think yourself invisible until now? You're the only one I see.." [Takeshi Hinata]
I didn't think that a love story can be effective without the usual villain manipulation or the heart-pounding scenes wherein the lead characters are fatally harmed thus resulting to revenge and death. No, I felt none of that with this book.
Blossom Among Flowers gave me the light giddy vibes usually felt by teenagers falling in love. I liked this story a LOT! Reminded me of one of my favorite JDramas/Manga Hana Yori Dango. Takeshi and Hikaru look cute together, they fit together and I seriously believe they belong together. Their fascination with manga (more on Hikaru's part) really got me going. (Death Note is a big favorite of mine, too!) The book also gave me a glimpse of something Japanese which I have always wanted to see. Japan is such a beautiful country, my own brother tells me so.
But what I really, really, really liked in this book are the conversations, the "hirits" made by Takeshi. So romantic, so many feels, it's like I'm reading a script from a famous "telenovela" and I can't help but scream with delight and grin like a puppy.
"I'm stubborn.. And I won't stop until I got what I wanted. An what I wanted was to stay here with you. "
Gosh, I'm melting into a puddle after reading that. LOL. Jay E. Tria hit the gold mine with this book. I am truly honored to have read this. Gotta love a writer who could bring her characters to life and make them swoon-worthy!
"How can you think yourself invisible until now? You're the only one I see.." [Takeshi Hinata]
I didn't think that a love story can be effective without the usual villain manipulation or the heart-pounding scenes wherein the lead characters are fatally harmed thus resulting to revenge and death. No, I felt none of that with this book.
Blossom Among Flowers gave me the light giddy vibes usually felt by teenagers falling in love. I liked this story a LOT! Reminded me of one of my favorite JDramas/Manga Hana Yori Dango. Takeshi and Hikaru look cute together, they fit together and I seriously believe they belong together. Their fascination with manga (more on Hikaru's part) really got me going. (Death Note is a big favorite of mine, too!) The book also gave me a glimpse of something Japanese which I have always wanted to see. Japan is such a beautiful country, my own brother tells me so.
But what I really, really, really liked in this book are the conversations, the "hirits" made by Takeshi. So romantic, so many feels, it's like I'm reading a script from a famous "telenovela" and I can't help but scream with delight and grin like a puppy.
"I'm stubborn.. And I won't stop until I got what I wanted. An what I wanted was to stay here with you. "
Gosh, I'm melting into a puddle after reading that. LOL. Jay E. Tria hit the gold mine with this book. I am truly honored to have read this. Gotta love a writer who could bring her characters to life and make them swoon-worthy!
September 24, 2015
*Full review posted on Will Read for Feels*
**I received this book for free from Pinoy Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
Having read and reviewed a previous Jay E. Tria novel, I knew the prose was going to be just as clean, fluid, and descriptive. I have to say that the author toned down the colorful imagery and made the language more apt for the YA audience (definitely a good thing in my book). It made me focus on the emotions of the characters, as well as the story's setting. Tria knows how to weave a story that would wrap around your consciousness and make you feel as if you were right there in Japan, breathing the same air as her characters.
That said, Blossom Among Flowers captured the feels in Hana Yori Dango (HYD), sans the craziness seen in the manga and anime. Similar to the manga's protagonist Tsukushi Makino, here we have Hikaru Saito, an awkward, underperforming high school student who got into serious trouble upon failing an important exam. While Blossom didn't have an antagonistic Tsukasa Domyouji, it had Takeshi Hinata, a genius of a student whose family also happened to be rich and influential. Hikaru needed help to bounce back from her academic woes, and the stoic, anti-social Takeshi came to his rescue. But even before Takeshi knew about her problems, a young and charming teacher named Tetsuya Sakuishi took interest in her.
I've been burned by one too many love triangles, so I try to veer away from these stories as much as possible. I was pleasantly surprised with Blossom, and I was thankful that I suspended my dislike for love triangles in order to give this story a chance. I didn't even realize the story was a homage to HYD until I saw the three characters interact. If you swooned over the love triangle between Shan Chai, Dao Ming Si, and Hua Ze Lei in Meteor Garden, trust me, this will have you squealing like your butt was on fire. Albeit the pacing in the beginning was a bit slow, the characters grew on me. Hikaru was initially too clumsy and scatterbrained for her own good, but she redeemed herself and managed to recover from her waterloo subjects with much perseverance. She wasn't as aggressive or brutally frank like Shan Chai/Makino, but Hikaru had her own brand of determination that was uniquely hers.
Meanwhile, Takeshi was definitely no Dao Ming Si/Domyouji, but in his own way, he was also able to uphold his convictions despite the domineering presence of his parents. Let's just say he was more like the relaxed, non-"war freak" version of Domyouji. But don't be fooled...Takeshi brought out the big guns at the end and that made me swoon like no one's business. Seriously. It's a huge thing for a YA romance story to make me swoon like I was reading an adult novel (minus the steamy scenes, of course). Takeshi was the character that mostly kept his thoughts to himself, although his feelings definitely showed in more ways than one. I just love it when a story makes me feel the romance instead of the characters professing it out loud. It's such a refreshing thing to see in a romance story.
And Tetsuya. Maaaan, Tetsuya. Back when HYD and Meteor Garden were the craze, I was
rooting for Rui Hanazawa/Hua Ze Lei. While Tetsuya wasn't the brooding type (or a violinist), I was silently cheering him on, especially when he was at the right place at the right time to rescue Hikaru from bullies. It didn't bother me one bit that he happened to be doing internship as a teacher in the same school. He was an all-around good guy and I couldn't help but want him to get the girl. I wish he had more page time in the story, and I would've wanted him and Takeshi to have equal footing in Hikaru's eyes. But if you've watched/read the anime and manga, you already know what happened.
While I mostly made comparisons of the story and characters with the anime/manga, Blossom Among Flowers was a heartfelt read on its own. The liberties Tria took in this novel was just so good that it spoke to my otaku feels that had been dormant for years. As someone who appreciates Japanese culture and its people, Tria got every nuance on point. The dialogue, narrative, and expressions used in the story flowed in one cohesive structure. Clearly, the author had a deep respect for the culture she was trying to capture. Such evident appreciation for other people's way of life is a mark of a writer who knows and respects her craft.
**I received this book for free from Pinoy Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
Having read and reviewed a previous Jay E. Tria novel, I knew the prose was going to be just as clean, fluid, and descriptive. I have to say that the author toned down the colorful imagery and made the language more apt for the YA audience (definitely a good thing in my book). It made me focus on the emotions of the characters, as well as the story's setting. Tria knows how to weave a story that would wrap around your consciousness and make you feel as if you were right there in Japan, breathing the same air as her characters.
That said, Blossom Among Flowers captured the feels in Hana Yori Dango (HYD), sans the craziness seen in the manga and anime. Similar to the manga's protagonist Tsukushi Makino, here we have Hikaru Saito, an awkward, underperforming high school student who got into serious trouble upon failing an important exam. While Blossom didn't have an antagonistic Tsukasa Domyouji, it had Takeshi Hinata, a genius of a student whose family also happened to be rich and influential. Hikaru needed help to bounce back from her academic woes, and the stoic, anti-social Takeshi came to his rescue. But even before Takeshi knew about her problems, a young and charming teacher named Tetsuya Sakuishi took interest in her.
I've been burned by one too many love triangles, so I try to veer away from these stories as much as possible. I was pleasantly surprised with Blossom, and I was thankful that I suspended my dislike for love triangles in order to give this story a chance. I didn't even realize the story was a homage to HYD until I saw the three characters interact. If you swooned over the love triangle between Shan Chai, Dao Ming Si, and Hua Ze Lei in Meteor Garden, trust me, this will have you squealing like your butt was on fire. Albeit the pacing in the beginning was a bit slow, the characters grew on me. Hikaru was initially too clumsy and scatterbrained for her own good, but she redeemed herself and managed to recover from her waterloo subjects with much perseverance. She wasn't as aggressive or brutally frank like Shan Chai/Makino, but Hikaru had her own brand of determination that was uniquely hers.
Meanwhile, Takeshi was definitely no Dao Ming Si/Domyouji, but in his own way, he was also able to uphold his convictions despite the domineering presence of his parents. Let's just say he was more like the relaxed, non-"war freak" version of Domyouji. But don't be fooled...Takeshi brought out the big guns at the end and that made me swoon like no one's business. Seriously. It's a huge thing for a YA romance story to make me swoon like I was reading an adult novel (minus the steamy scenes, of course). Takeshi was the character that mostly kept his thoughts to himself, although his feelings definitely showed in more ways than one. I just love it when a story makes me feel the romance instead of the characters professing it out loud. It's such a refreshing thing to see in a romance story.
And Tetsuya. Maaaan, Tetsuya. Back when HYD and Meteor Garden were the craze, I was
rooting for Rui Hanazawa/Hua Ze Lei. While Tetsuya wasn't the brooding type (or a violinist), I was silently cheering him on, especially when he was at the right place at the right time to rescue Hikaru from bullies. It didn't bother me one bit that he happened to be doing internship as a teacher in the same school. He was an all-around good guy and I couldn't help but want him to get the girl. I wish he had more page time in the story, and I would've wanted him and Takeshi to have equal footing in Hikaru's eyes. But if you've watched/read the anime and manga, you already know what happened.
While I mostly made comparisons of the story and characters with the anime/manga, Blossom Among Flowers was a heartfelt read on its own. The liberties Tria took in this novel was just so good that it spoke to my otaku feels that had been dormant for years. As someone who appreciates Japanese culture and its people, Tria got every nuance on point. The dialogue, narrative, and expressions used in the story flowed in one cohesive structure. Clearly, the author had a deep respect for the culture she was trying to capture. Such evident appreciation for other people's way of life is a mark of a writer who knows and respects her craft.
September 22, 2015
I joined the tour and with that I am bound to write an honest review. Whatever written below was based on the experience and things that I felt when I'm reading or finished the book.
I had two kinds of feelings when I read this book. At first I was really close to giving up and I feel like I won't finish the book. I was planning to switch from a review to another category, all I felt was this isn't the kind of book that I wanted and the story has a slow pace. I thought I won't be able to find the spark that I'm looking for. Fortunately, I didn't stop reading. I still tried reading it until I noticed myself enjoying the book. I started flipping electronic pages (I only have the e-book copy LOL) and I suddenly loved Hikaru and Takeshi.
"Everything is a choice"
So that's what I did. My choice was to continue reading. I loved the book. I was like reading a manga. And the manga/s mentioned in the book was the one I've read before! This was awesome. The slow paced story somehow makes the book more thrilling, for me now it was like you have to experience that first before getting to the point, it was like it's made on purpose. The middle part of the book is somehow promising and shattering, because there's this part where someone needs to leave, someone has to make a choice and there's this longing feeling. Mixed emotions up until the end. The twists are just so good, I hated some people like Eriko and the bullies but there are certain things happened in the story.
On the other side of the story comes Tetsuya, he's likable though, something in him that I wanted but sometimes I hate him too for being somebody for Hikaru.
AND! I'm happy for a good ending, though I was hoping for more I am sooooo looking forward to it.. the book left me hanging! not a bad thing tho but still.. I want more!
"the best things in life were those that were unplanned"
I had two kinds of feelings when I read this book. At first I was really close to giving up and I feel like I won't finish the book. I was planning to switch from a review to another category, all I felt was this isn't the kind of book that I wanted and the story has a slow pace. I thought I won't be able to find the spark that I'm looking for. Fortunately, I didn't stop reading. I still tried reading it until I noticed myself enjoying the book. I started flipping electronic pages (I only have the e-book copy LOL) and I suddenly loved Hikaru and Takeshi.
"Everything is a choice"
So that's what I did. My choice was to continue reading. I loved the book. I was like reading a manga. And the manga/s mentioned in the book was the one I've read before! This was awesome. The slow paced story somehow makes the book more thrilling, for me now it was like you have to experience that first before getting to the point, it was like it's made on purpose. The middle part of the book is somehow promising and shattering, because there's this part where someone needs to leave, someone has to make a choice and there's this longing feeling. Mixed emotions up until the end. The twists are just so good, I hated some people like Eriko and the bullies but there are certain things happened in the story.
On the other side of the story comes Tetsuya, he's likable though, something in him that I wanted but sometimes I hate him too for being somebody for Hikaru.
AND! I'm happy for a good ending, though I was hoping for more I am sooooo looking forward to it.. the book left me hanging! not a bad thing tho but still.. I want more!
"the best things in life were those that were unplanned"
September 3, 2015
Blossom Among Flowers
Jay E. Tria
So I've finished reading this book and what can I say....well actually I have to many things to say but we would be here forever spazzing. It was super-duperly amazing. I'm in love with the characters and didn't want it to end. I read the book slowly, so I was able to read it longer and cherish the characters just a little bit longer too. I was so into it that I even came up with the couple name 'Takeru', you like??
From start to finish the book flowed very well, its not one of those books that jumps quickly from one scene to another big drastic scene, making it easier to read. Some bits even had me chuckling on the train to work (and yes I was given weird looks) The author is also a JDorama fan like me and the book definitely has potential to become one, I know I would tune in hehe. From her official site, she sounds like a pretty cool person to hang with, would love to pick her brains and find out what is in store for an future releases or if there are gonna be any sequel books to follow.
I don't want to give away too much for the other readers because I hate spoiler reviews, but this is a must read from a new author. I have subscribed to her mailing list, I don't want to miss any updates and cannot wait for the new releases :D Gaahhhh hurryyyy Miss Tria :D
Jay E. Tria
So I've finished reading this book and what can I say....well actually I have to many things to say but we would be here forever spazzing. It was super-duperly amazing. I'm in love with the characters and didn't want it to end. I read the book slowly, so I was able to read it longer and cherish the characters just a little bit longer too. I was so into it that I even came up with the couple name 'Takeru', you like??
From start to finish the book flowed very well, its not one of those books that jumps quickly from one scene to another big drastic scene, making it easier to read. Some bits even had me chuckling on the train to work (and yes I was given weird looks) The author is also a JDorama fan like me and the book definitely has potential to become one, I know I would tune in hehe. From her official site, she sounds like a pretty cool person to hang with, would love to pick her brains and find out what is in store for an future releases or if there are gonna be any sequel books to follow.
I don't want to give away too much for the other readers because I hate spoiler reviews, but this is a must read from a new author. I have subscribed to her mailing list, I don't want to miss any updates and cannot wait for the new releases :D Gaahhhh hurryyyy Miss Tria :D
November 15, 2015
I was right when I chose to read this book. It did exactly what I thought it would do, and more. It gave me the YA vibe that I was a sucker for (still am and always will be), the straight forward student-tutor-kilig dynamic, the guys—oh, the cute guys, and the feeling of fluffy happiness from the familiar romantic formula written and executed in a way that was completely unique to Jay E. Tria.
Reading Blossom felt like reading one of the mangas Hikaru, the main character, was so obsessed about. The characters felt alive, animated, and real. But at the same time they also felt like the fantasies and ideals I never knew I still craved for.
FULL POST HERE
September 24, 2015
Such a fun, romantic, quirky book!
At first, I wasn't sure what I was reading because of how different the characters were behaving (different from what I'm used to anyway), but when I realized that it was a cultural gap I was experiencing and when I also realized the story was inspired by Japanese manga, I dove headfirst into the story, fell in love with Takeshi, and found Hikaru so adorable.
This story is funny, full of romantic feels, and reads like you're watching a Japanese or Korean drama. I had a blast! Started a bit slow but when it picked up, I couldn't put it down.
Some phrases I found a tad awkward but the descriptive language and the idea that it could easily have been a Japanese translation gave it a stamp of authenticity that I appreciated. Looking forward to more from this author!
At first, I wasn't sure what I was reading because of how different the characters were behaving (different from what I'm used to anyway), but when I realized that it was a cultural gap I was experiencing and when I also realized the story was inspired by Japanese manga, I dove headfirst into the story, fell in love with Takeshi, and found Hikaru so adorable.
This story is funny, full of romantic feels, and reads like you're watching a Japanese or Korean drama. I had a blast! Started a bit slow but when it picked up, I couldn't put it down.
Some phrases I found a tad awkward but the descriptive language and the idea that it could easily have been a Japanese translation gave it a stamp of authenticity that I appreciated. Looking forward to more from this author!
December 10, 2015
Was highlighting a lot of quips, sentences, paragraphs...then I realized I was going to end up quoting most of the book. As I was lost in a cosmos of distractions the past weeks, I am withholding that one more star it deserves until I get to read it again. Once I do, maybe I'll just hand it over — like a cutout, an origami, or one of those glow in the dark things — in exchange for a signed print copy that I must acquire soon.
Most of what I have to say are already in my status updates so I'll just end with two things. 1) Read it. 2) Strange to have found a kindred spirit mirroring one's writing style in another genre. But I can only wish that I could write like Jay.
Officially a fan today, I am.
Most of what I have to say are already in my status updates so I'll just end with two things. 1) Read it. 2) Strange to have found a kindred spirit mirroring one's writing style in another genre. But I can only wish that I could write like Jay.
Officially a fan today, I am.
November 4, 2015
Reading this book made me feel like watching a romantic/funny/dramatic Japanese TV series. Once you've started reading it, you'd get curious on what would happen next. It was written in a way that you'd have this attachment on the story because it just gives you all the feels. Thus you wouldn't want to come to the last page of the book.
Great job on this one! Looking forward to read all the other works of this author.
Great job on this one! Looking forward to read all the other works of this author.
December 7, 2015
I really liked this very sweet story of high-school romance, and I particularly liked the added touch of the exotic east with it being set in Japan. I'd never heard of a Magna but am glad to now know of them and their popularity.
Highly recommended to anyone who likes a bit of a "Cinderella" story.
Highly recommended to anyone who likes a bit of a "Cinderella" story.
August 23, 2017
This book makes you part of the story. It takes you inside every character, brings you along to every street corner and allows you to feel how it feels to grow and basically, how to feel.
Read the rest of my review on Bookbed.
Read the rest of my review on Bookbed.
April 18, 2018
I loved this book from start to finish!
I love Japanese manga and anime. Reading this book was like reading/watching my favorite manga/anime all in one.
I hope this is the beginning of the series, not a single book.
I love Japanese manga and anime. Reading this book was like reading/watching my favorite manga/anime all in one.
I hope this is the beginning of the series, not a single book.
January 15, 2016
Japanese Shoujo Manga goodness! :)
September 25, 2015
Read more book reviews at Book Junkie Joint.
Funny, sweet and delightfully entertaining! It's reminiscent of Hana Yori Dango or more popularly known as Boys Over Flowers - one of the most well-loved series in Asia! If you're looking for something light, read this novel with an open mind, and you'll surely enjoy it.
I think the title aptly describes the main protagonist of the story. Her name is Hikaru. I thought she was an adorable dork when she was first introduced in the story. There's nothing I love more than an awkwardly lovable character, especially if said character is into manga like I am.
At the onset of the story, she is introduced as this highly incompetent student who belonged to the lowest section in their year. This fact is even highlighted by the presence of her twin brother Shintaro,who belonged to a higher section.
The beginning of the story was funny and light. It was very easy to understand where Hikaru's priorities lie when forced to choose between hobby and academics. She's not stupid. She's just an escapist. I think that's part of her charm as an individual. She'd rather stay home and be with her manga collection rather than go out and do what all the other popular kids do (which I think is perfectly acceptable, but that's just me). I think this is what makes her the lone blossom among a sea of flowers.
On the other hand, the male lead -- Takeshi. At first I thought of him as the strong-and-silent-type. Think Hua Ze Lei in Meteor Garden, Hanazawa Rui in Hana Yori Dango or Yoon Ji Hoo in Boys Over Flowers. He was a bit bland at first because he was the archetypal rich guy. He was insanely smart, popular and well-liked. In the highschool strata, he was on the very top of the food chain -- in direct opposition of where our lady protagonist is. However, as the story progressed, Takeshi became more animated.
By the middle of the story, I realized that Takeshi is in fact the Dao Ming Si in Meteor Garden, the Doumyoji Tsukasa in Hana Yori Dango, or the Goo Jun Pyo of Boys Over Flowers. He was still the archetypal rich guy, but subsequent events in the story showed him to be someone who was just as confused as everyone else. He wasn't really the put-together prince he always portrayed. This somehow humanized him and gave him depth as a character.
I really appreciated the Japanese pop culture references that were incorporated into the story. Some people might not be able to relate to these references, but I'm proud to say that I'm not one of them. This definitely contributed to my enjoyment of the story. You would not believe the amount of swooning and fan-girling that happened while I was reading this story. It was not a pretty sight.
The only thing that bothered me about the whole story was the second male lead, Tetsuya. His introduction as the second male lead to the supposed love triangle in the story didn't sit quite well with me. His attraction towards Hikaru felt forced. It was like he was placed in the story for the sake of having a love triangle. I was looking for a deeper connection between him and Hikaru so that he could effectively be a threat to Takeshi, but there was none. I felt that he wasn't effectively used as a character. He could've been more, but he fell short.
All in all, I really enjoyed the story. Like I said at the beginning, it was very reminiscent of Hana Yori Dango or Boys Over Flowers. It reminded me of everything Japanese that I enjoyed. It brought my inner otaku satisfaction and happiness. If you're up for it, this might just be your cup of tea, or 'sake' if you're feeling Japanese.
Funny, sweet and delightfully entertaining! It's reminiscent of Hana Yori Dango or more popularly known as Boys Over Flowers - one of the most well-loved series in Asia! If you're looking for something light, read this novel with an open mind, and you'll surely enjoy it.
I think the title aptly describes the main protagonist of the story. Her name is Hikaru. I thought she was an adorable dork when she was first introduced in the story. There's nothing I love more than an awkwardly lovable character, especially if said character is into manga like I am.
At the onset of the story, she is introduced as this highly incompetent student who belonged to the lowest section in their year. This fact is even highlighted by the presence of her twin brother Shintaro,who belonged to a higher section.
The beginning of the story was funny and light. It was very easy to understand where Hikaru's priorities lie when forced to choose between hobby and academics. She's not stupid. She's just an escapist. I think that's part of her charm as an individual. She'd rather stay home and be with her manga collection rather than go out and do what all the other popular kids do (which I think is perfectly acceptable, but that's just me). I think this is what makes her the lone blossom among a sea of flowers.
On the other hand, the male lead -- Takeshi. At first I thought of him as the strong-and-silent-type. Think Hua Ze Lei in Meteor Garden, Hanazawa Rui in Hana Yori Dango or Yoon Ji Hoo in Boys Over Flowers. He was a bit bland at first because he was the archetypal rich guy. He was insanely smart, popular and well-liked. In the highschool strata, he was on the very top of the food chain -- in direct opposition of where our lady protagonist is. However, as the story progressed, Takeshi became more animated.
By the middle of the story, I realized that Takeshi is in fact the Dao Ming Si in Meteor Garden, the Doumyoji Tsukasa in Hana Yori Dango, or the Goo Jun Pyo of Boys Over Flowers. He was still the archetypal rich guy, but subsequent events in the story showed him to be someone who was just as confused as everyone else. He wasn't really the put-together prince he always portrayed. This somehow humanized him and gave him depth as a character.
I really appreciated the Japanese pop culture references that were incorporated into the story. Some people might not be able to relate to these references, but I'm proud to say that I'm not one of them. This definitely contributed to my enjoyment of the story. You would not believe the amount of swooning and fan-girling that happened while I was reading this story. It was not a pretty sight.
The only thing that bothered me about the whole story was the second male lead, Tetsuya. His introduction as the second male lead to the supposed love triangle in the story didn't sit quite well with me. His attraction towards Hikaru felt forced. It was like he was placed in the story for the sake of having a love triangle. I was looking for a deeper connection between him and Hikaru so that he could effectively be a threat to Takeshi, but there was none. I felt that he wasn't effectively used as a character. He could've been more, but he fell short.
All in all, I really enjoyed the story. Like I said at the beginning, it was very reminiscent of Hana Yori Dango or Boys Over Flowers. It reminded me of everything Japanese that I enjoyed. It brought my inner otaku satisfaction and happiness. If you're up for it, this might just be your cup of tea, or 'sake' if you're feeling Japanese.
February 13, 2016
Reading this book was like reading my own personalized manga/anime all in one. I swear, especially because I love anime (Japanese cartoons) and manga (comics), the way it was written made it more than easy to picture up manga pages and anime scenes, personalized to my exact perfection. It seemed so real in my head and to be honest it's a bit sad knowing I may not see this in a manga...
*cough-cough*
That aside, the story was nostalgically sweet. Takeshi and Hikaru are very reserved with their love, and throughout the story, they rarely think upon it. At times when it was hinted that one liked the other, it was usually in the form of acknowledgement that 'something' was there. Told by both POVs, the romance was neither pronounced nor proclaimed, but rather showed, through small acts. A playful nudge here. A tap on the nose. Long waits outside their classroom. A first ring or abnormal visit without invitation. This whole thing, their steady pace from curious strangers to friends, and then subtle love interests, was the jewel of this book. The charm. The adorable promise for a sweet, soft romance enriched by heartache and lightened with laughter.
The writing was absolutely beautiful, with a perfect blend of Japanese influence from the manga drawings I oh-so-love: elegant, subtle and breathtaking. The characters were very mysterious, each holding a particular role yet withholding layers to their personality that you don't get to see until much later. The dialogue was entertaining and really funny, and I especially loved Hikaru's family; her strict, loving mother, her sweet father, and her hilariously cool twin little brother (by three minutes). Takeshi's two friends were also funny and cute, as was his meant-well beauty of a mother and frightening mogul of a father.
It was just so... elegant. I loved it and devoured it in a day, and even afterwards, I had to stop for a while to take in all the feels I got from it. I highly recommend this to those who love romances, comedy and mild (LOL ok) drama. This is DIFFERENT: the love is subtle, which makes it all the more intriguing and fascinating.
*cough-cough*
That aside, the story was nostalgically sweet. Takeshi and Hikaru are very reserved with their love, and throughout the story, they rarely think upon it. At times when it was hinted that one liked the other, it was usually in the form of acknowledgement that 'something' was there. Told by both POVs, the romance was neither pronounced nor proclaimed, but rather showed, through small acts. A playful nudge here. A tap on the nose. Long waits outside their classroom. A first ring or abnormal visit without invitation. This whole thing, their steady pace from curious strangers to friends, and then subtle love interests, was the jewel of this book. The charm. The adorable promise for a sweet, soft romance enriched by heartache and lightened with laughter.
The writing was absolutely beautiful, with a perfect blend of Japanese influence from the manga drawings I oh-so-love: elegant, subtle and breathtaking. The characters were very mysterious, each holding a particular role yet withholding layers to their personality that you don't get to see until much later. The dialogue was entertaining and really funny, and I especially loved Hikaru's family; her strict, loving mother, her sweet father, and her hilariously cool twin little brother (by three minutes). Takeshi's two friends were also funny and cute, as was his meant-well beauty of a mother and frightening mogul of a father.
It was just so... elegant. I loved it and devoured it in a day, and even afterwards, I had to stop for a while to take in all the feels I got from it. I highly recommend this to those who love romances, comedy and mild (LOL ok) drama. This is DIFFERENT: the love is subtle, which makes it all the more intriguing and fascinating.
February 9, 2016
I just came back from a quick trip to Japan and this book was the perfect vacation hangover read.
Let me start by saying I don't know much about Japanese pop culture, such as J-Pop, J-doramas, manga, cosplay and anime -- the little that I do know is from idly watching NHK and of course the anime/Japanese series that formed my youth (Bioman, Ghost Fighter, Ranma 1/2 etc.) That said, I had the distinct impression that this book follows the convention of a Japanese drama or manga series. The characters' issues and conflicts, and how those conflicts are resolved (or left hanging) are very much in the mold of Asian storytelling, where not every story beat needs to be spelled out. It takes some getting used to, but once I did, this story took me under its spell.
Jay E. Tria has a wonderful way with language, a curious mix of tactile and fairytale-ish. Her characters push limbs through coats or nuzzle each others' chins, and I could feel the bite of cold, the heaviness of coat sleeves and the warmth of breath on my neck. That she was able to convey the nuances of a different culture in such an absorbing way is an amazing magic trick. Overall, Blossom Among Flowers is a lovely, romantic YA read, perfect for the Japanophile. :)
Let me start by saying I don't know much about Japanese pop culture, such as J-Pop, J-doramas, manga, cosplay and anime -- the little that I do know is from idly watching NHK and of course the anime/Japanese series that formed my youth (Bioman, Ghost Fighter, Ranma 1/2 etc.) That said, I had the distinct impression that this book follows the convention of a Japanese drama or manga series. The characters' issues and conflicts, and how those conflicts are resolved (or left hanging) are very much in the mold of Asian storytelling, where not every story beat needs to be spelled out. It takes some getting used to, but once I did, this story took me under its spell.
Jay E. Tria has a wonderful way with language, a curious mix of tactile and fairytale-ish. Her characters push limbs through coats or nuzzle each others' chins, and I could feel the bite of cold, the heaviness of coat sleeves and the warmth of breath on my neck. That she was able to convey the nuances of a different culture in such an absorbing way is an amazing magic trick. Overall, Blossom Among Flowers is a lovely, romantic YA read, perfect for the Japanophile. :)
September 28, 2016
The urge to grab a copy came from discovering my own Hikaru...and Takeshi. Initially they came off as a cute(and mildly dysfunctional) couple -- the genius/nerd/richie-rich and the slacker/crammer. After a while, though, the tiny kilig-moments turned into little bouts of fury.
I lost count of how many times Takeshi made me call murder. Sure, he did do a few nice things for Hikaru. But you don't disappear on a girl when you have a chance to explain yourself. Hikaru can be pretty forgiving, even after she screamed at his face. :P He deserved more screaming!
At the end of the book, I just wondered -- was Hikaru really the invisible one? The whole school knew she was an academically-challenged manga fanatic. She didn't even bother hiding the ugliest part of her character. Meanwhile, think of how Takeshi came off as the perfect guy. For the record, he had daddy issues. His mom has been trying to control his life for a while. Don't even get me started with Eriko. How many people really knew of his struggles? Not even sure if his harem was aware that School-Takeshi and Takeshi-Takeshi were two different people.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book! It's very close to traditional teenage romance. Tetsuya's still the more kilig-worthy one, though, because well...MATH. XD
I lost count of how many times Takeshi made me call murder. Sure, he did do a few nice things for Hikaru. But you don't disappear on a girl when you have a chance to explain yourself. Hikaru can be pretty forgiving, even after she screamed at his face. :P He deserved more screaming!
At the end of the book, I just wondered -- was Hikaru really the invisible one? The whole school knew she was an academically-challenged manga fanatic. She didn't even bother hiding the ugliest part of her character. Meanwhile, think of how Takeshi came off as the perfect guy. For the record, he had daddy issues. His mom has been trying to control his life for a while. Don't even get me started with Eriko. How many people really knew of his struggles? Not even sure if his harem was aware that School-Takeshi and Takeshi-Takeshi were two different people.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book! It's very close to traditional teenage romance. Tetsuya's still the more kilig-worthy one, though, because well...MATH. XD
January 17, 2016
This is my first read for 2016 and I must say it was a great choice. Blossom Among Flowers is light and funny. A perfect read when you want to de-stress.
The characters were all lovable and fun. The main character, Hikaru Saito was an awkward and a funny (without meaning to) person who makes the story lively. The LI, Takeshi Hinata, is a genius guy who's bored with life since he seems to get everything he wants. There's also Eriko, Tetsuya and Hikaru's twin brother, Shintaro.
I just loved the way things played out. The chemistry of the two characters were off the chart. The comical dialogue and thoughts of the characters. You know you've read a good book when you don't want it to end, and i definitely would like to read more of Hikaru's adventure with Takeshi in Kyoto.
The couple is just so innocent. And cute. And adorable. And cute.
I enjoyed my taste of Japanese manga.
The characters were all lovable and fun. The main character, Hikaru Saito was an awkward and a funny (without meaning to) person who makes the story lively. The LI, Takeshi Hinata, is a genius guy who's bored with life since he seems to get everything he wants. There's also Eriko, Tetsuya and Hikaru's twin brother, Shintaro.
I just loved the way things played out. The chemistry of the two characters were off the chart. The comical dialogue and thoughts of the characters. You know you've read a good book when you don't want it to end, and i definitely would like to read more of Hikaru's adventure with Takeshi in Kyoto.
The couple is just so innocent. And cute. And adorable. And cute.
I enjoyed my taste of Japanese manga.
September 4, 2015
You know that kind of book you can't get over reading and rereading until you're able to add mental bookmarks to your favorite chapters or pages? This is one of 'em for me!
Takeshi had me at his first appearance at that quaint bookstore one Saturday before exams! I am a sucker for snob geniuses and this guy blew me away!
Hikaru as a female lead is adorably naive you can't possibly hate her for snagging all the good guys' attention. She's just lucky like that.
BAF has the ability to take you back to your rowdy high school life when boys and books kind of blended together in a peculiar and heart-gushing way. Definitely worth your shelf/storage space :)
Takeshi had me at his first appearance at that quaint bookstore one Saturday before exams! I am a sucker for snob geniuses and this guy blew me away!
Hikaru as a female lead is adorably naive you can't possibly hate her for snagging all the good guys' attention. She's just lucky like that.
BAF has the ability to take you back to your rowdy high school life when boys and books kind of blended together in a peculiar and heart-gushing way. Definitely worth your shelf/storage space :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2018
“How can you think yourself invisible until now?” Amusement seemed to color Takeshi’s low voice. “You’re the only one I see.”
OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!! THIS QUOTE ENDED ME!!!!!!!!!!! Anyways, it took me quite a while to finish this book but oh dear, every moment was worth it.
The story reminded me of a Korean drama to be honest. Hikaru & Takeshi are so fucking CUTE. This couple is killing me.
OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!! THIS QUOTE ENDED ME!!!!!!!!!!! Anyways, it took me quite a while to finish this book but oh dear, every moment was worth it.
The story reminded me of a Korean drama to be honest. Hikaru & Takeshi are so fucking CUTE. This couple is killing me.
July 19, 2016
This book is perfect for fangirls of Jdrama that want to see a different side of the story.
A perfect debut that is set in Japan and have Japanese characters. You'd see familiar scenes and tropes but told in a different way.
This book will have you yearning for a book 2 or a new side story.
A perfect debut that is set in Japan and have Japanese characters. You'd see familiar scenes and tropes but told in a different way.
This book will have you yearning for a book 2 or a new side story.
January 6, 2022
Slow blooming... the story reminded me of Boys Over Flowers and Kimi wo Todoke. Great job!
January 6, 2018
What I love about this book it's so endearing and cute that you couldn't contain the feels towards Takeshi and Hikaru.
They're so adorable.... I want more of this!!!
They're so adorable.... I want more of this!!!
May 22, 2021
Cute but...
Perhaps I’m being a cultural elitist but it felt like there was a lack of research as far as the setting went. Seasonal and geographical references were jarring and often wildly inaccurate and it felt like the author was trying to shove a western style romance unsuccessfully into an eastern setting. A satisfactory story for those who only know the surface culture but lacking any real depth.
Perhaps I’m being a cultural elitist but it felt like there was a lack of research as far as the setting went. Seasonal and geographical references were jarring and often wildly inaccurate and it felt like the author was trying to shove a western style romance unsuccessfully into an eastern setting. A satisfactory story for those who only know the surface culture but lacking any real depth.
August 12, 2021
4 stars
so many familiar tropes found in the shoujo genre which i enjoyed but still so many new twists and turns to keep you interested. thoroughly enjoyed this one!
so many familiar tropes found in the shoujo genre which i enjoyed but still so many new twists and turns to keep you interested. thoroughly enjoyed this one!
August 31, 2022
2022 - Just read this for the fourth time <3
I really read this for the third time today.. love that for me <3
"Takeshi folded his arms tightly around her, fitting her against him. She could turn around now. She would see his face and it would be familiar, then maybe everything will be fine again."
I love this book so much.
It reads exactly as if you were watching a Jdrama.
I actually read it twice.. And both times, I read it in one sitting.
Obsessed? Maybe.
Please read this. It'll make your romantic heart happy. <3
I really read this for the third time today.. love that for me <3
"Takeshi folded his arms tightly around her, fitting her against him. She could turn around now. She would see his face and it would be familiar, then maybe everything will be fine again."
I love this book so much.
It reads exactly as if you were watching a Jdrama.
I actually read it twice.. And both times, I read it in one sitting.
Obsessed? Maybe.
Please read this. It'll make your romantic heart happy. <3
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