Finding His Touch

by Tani Hanes

Sumire Kotani is an arm’s length girl, with a very long arm. She doesn’t like people, doesn’t like being touched by them or having to interact with them or anything.Nick Pensieri is a model turned actor who’s convinced his good looks and charm will get him anything he wants, whether it be women or a part in a movie, whatever. When she’s hired to teach him Japanese for a part in a movie, it’s hate at first sight. To him, she’s an overly defensive girl who’s wound way too tight about nothing at all. To her, he’s an unpleasant guy with no manners or discipline, just an all around disgusting person.But somehow they’re going to have to work together for the next year, first in Los Angeles to learn Japanese, then in Japan to actually film the movie. And as the days progress, Sumire learns that he’s not that bad, that under the ego and charm there lies an actual man who has a warm and generous heart, a kindhearted person who is giving and loving to those he cares about. Nick learns that Sumire has reasons for being standoffish, for keeping the world away from herself, for not wanting to let people in, and he learns that she might be willing to let Nick in, once she gets to know him.However, it takes more than two nice people to make a relationship work. Can they overcome their circumstances and remain together, once they find each other? Sumire Kotani THE SHY LINGUIST She’s petite and half Japanese, a doe-eyed sprite with dark secrets that keep her from engaging with the world. Smart and acerbic of wit, she’s learned how to keep herself safe, until she meets Nick Pensieri, who figures out how to breach her defenses. Nick Pensieri THE CHARMING PLAYBOY A dashing, handsome model turned actor from Brooklyn, he’s street smart, charming, and always knows how to get what he wants. He’s never met a woman he couldn’t get until he meets Sumire, whom he pretty much hates on sight, but who kinda drives him crazy, in a good way. Darcy Pensieri THE OPINIONATED SISTER Nick’s beautiful sister, a student at NYU, who sees how things are between Nick and Sumire as soon as she meets them. She wants desperately to help them, but how do you help people who don’t even know they need it? Mrs. Nishimura THE KINDLY LANDLADY Sumire’s sweet old landlady. She’s always helped Sumire, though Sumire thinks it’s the other way around. She’s avidly curious about the new young man in her life, but she’s too polite to ask. Who is he, and what could he possibly want with her Sumire? Mrs. Dawson THE WATCHFUL MOTHER Sumire’s mother, who married Sumire’s father, became a widow, then married her stepfather, and thought she’d get everything she ever wanted. Mino-chan THE CUTE DRIVER Nick and Sumire’s Japanese driver while they’re on the set. He speaks very little English, but he’s good at communicating in all the ways that matter. And he sees everything. If only he had someone to tell all his secrets to!

352 pages, Paperback

First published December 22, 2019

About the author

I was born in Japan, raised in central California, and am now lucky enough to live in New York City. I've wanted to write for so long, and decided to celebrate my birthday by finally doing it! Anyone, everyone who wants to, DO IT. Write what you love, what makes you happy, otherwise what's the point? There's nothing like getting a tearful text from an advance copy beta reader asking, "Why?? Why did you do that to her?!" Being a substitute teacher for fifteen years gave me some good ideas for what today's younger readers would enjoy, and I hope you do :o)

Be sure to visit my web site at www.tanihanes.com and signup for the VIP Readers List for access to pre-releases, bonus materials, giveaways, and other goodies!

Reviews

[Simonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes the worst monsters are human. This book is the perfect example of that. Before I get into the review more, I just wanted to say that there were numerous times in this book that I was thankful that it was only fiction, only to be overwhelmed with the truth that this may actually be the reality for some people. And for that, I’m truly sorry.

Back to this poignant novel. It’s a tale of opposites, in more ways than one. An obvious way is the two main characters. She, Sumire, is closed off and shy, whereas, he, Nick, is charming and outgoing. When they meet, it’s a whole lot of negative emotions at once, but at the root of it all is misunderstanding. Perhaps the most touching juxtaposition comes from Sumire’s journey. It features touch in the worst possible way but also the good, healing, loving kind of touch, courtesy of Nick. The romance was wonderful and sweet but perhaps my favourite part of the novel was how Sumire really came in to her own and conquered the same demons in different forms.

The cast of characters is rich and well-developed (shout out to Mino-chan!) and the settings of LA and Japan are described in such great detail that you can’t help but feel the atmosphere. This is a great story that resonated with me, but does deal with graphic descriptions of potentially triggering subject matter. If you’re okay with that, then this is a book to read.

[Mahvish · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is no surprise that I loved this book as I always love Ms. Tani's stories. Perfect plot , description , character development and writing. This was one of the hardest book to read for me but so worth it. I had to stop multiple times to get my head around that it is fiction but irony is that so many people suffer the same fate and no one knows or cares enough to raise their voice. The author did a wonderful job in giving this book a dash of reality.

As the name so aptly suggests it is the journey of finding touch. It is the journey of moving forward and leaving the horrors of the past behind . It is about the growth of a person and how much of a difference can someone's love make in this progress.

This book is a perfect example of appearences can be deceptive . A person can be completely opposite of what he/she is portraying for the world.

Our main characters are complete opposite of one another. Our Sumi is a closed book with the frame of mind older than her age carrying the burden of the whole world on the other hand Nick is a rich , young , charming , famous man with an easy going attitude endearing smile and used to getting what he wants. As these two collide there are explosives in the best way possible.

Tani writes the best side characters and I fell in love with them . There are sibling goals , pets , and babies in nutshell this book contains the perfect mixture of drama , emotions , love and banters to make a splendid novel.

[Angharad Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Tani Hanes' rich background in linguistics and knowledge of all things Japanese really add depth to this beautiful story.
Once again, a strong female lead addressing issues that need acknowledgement from the wider world, with added romance. What more could you want?

[Trina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

The journey of two very mismatches individuals. One rich the other struggling. Follow this wonderful tale to its exciting end.