Series: Hanami #1
Author: V.C. Buckley
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Format: Kindle Edition
ASIN: B075P5JGNJ
Publisher: MLR Press
Release Date: September 15, 2017
Source: Purchased from Amazon
Rating: ★★★★★
JIN, the arrogant son of a powerful Tycoon finally meets his match in SAKURA, a mysterious girl who happens to be the secret heir to the Shintani Yakuza -- Japan's most notorious crime family.
KENJIN KIYOHARA, the arrogant son of Asia's most influential Tycoon thinks he's figured everyone out. He is also convinced that no one is good enough for him. Until he meets SAKURA SHINTANI, whose disinterest in him was refreshing, and whose murderous glares were alluring. But when he discovers she's the secret heir to a notorious crime dynasty, he must defeat the odds and earn the right to stand by her side - even if it means losing his own life.
REVIEW!
The first thing that drew me into checking out what this book was about was the title, Hanami. I knew that it was the Japanese word for flower viewing, the Cherry Blossoms or Sakura, in particular. Then I read the synopsis and the mix of the Japanese Yakuza and a private school for the world's elite had me very curious. And I wasn't disappointed in the least. In fact, I was so hooked that I stayed up one night until 5:30 in the morning.
The setting of Hanami was very interesting. It was a clash of East and West. The school had a distinctly Western feel to it. It didn't seem to have the same structure and order that Japanese schools have. Plus, it seemed like there weren't any Japanese teachers. They all had Western names. Then you leave the school and enter the streets of Japan. From the vast train systems to the historical streets of Kyoto. I would be so lost if I tried to navigate through these cities, and our two main characters do just that. Must be the whole sheltered heirs thing. The Kendo was a fun addition too.
Sakura was a very interesting character. Her parents were murdered when she was a child, then she was taken in by her grandfather, who is the Oyabun or Boss, of the Shintani Yakuza Clan. She becomes the heir and future leader of the clan, but she's still haunted by her parents murder. Sakura is very complex. She's confident and ruthless as the heir to the Shintani Dragon Clan, but when it comes to just being herself separate from the clan, she's distant and closed off. She can't stand a bully and often helps, reluctantly, the weak escape their tormentors. She's highly intelligent and very talented in various things. She goes from someone who wants nothing to do with anyone outside her family to having friends and even falling in love. Showing that she's not as cold and distant as she thinks she is or wants to be. Some people just make their way in and don't leave.
When it comes to Jin, I had some mixed feelings. Jin is the heir to the Kiyohara fortune. He's the most sought after bachelor within the Heirs. There's always women and influential people fawning over him because of his position. So that can inflate one's ego. When Sakura has the complete opposite reaction to him and even has no idea who he is, he's captivated. I liked that Jin wasn't interested in a shallow relationship and was annoyed by the women's obvious ulterior motives in gaining his attention. What kind of annoyed me about him was that even though he liked that Sakura wasn't throwing herself at him, he couldn't understand why she wasn't and why his advances weren't working. He wanted someone who wouldn't do those things, so why is he ultimately wanting her to when his advances don't work? A little work isn't going to hurt ya!
Then there's the fact that these two are so completely clueless about their own feelings that it's ridiculous! It seemed like it took them longer than necessary to realize what they were feeling. Although, I guess there are people that oblivious in this world.
I don't want to give too much away so it's time for closing comments. The mystery of Sakura's parent's murder, the introduction of a love rival, abductions, Yakuza dealings, and the revealing of what it means to have Dragon Blood, make this romance a very exciting one. I'm so excited for the sequel, I can hardly wait!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR!
V.C. Buckley was born in a secret government facility and was shipped off to an Island in Southeast Asia. She grew up braving tropical thunderstorms and warding off evil characters. At sixteen she jetted all over the world after being discovered by an agent. Her stories come from gritty moments of her childhood to the glitz of her travels. She now lives in Manila with her husband, two kids and an herb garden that has hijacked her balcony.