Publishers Weekly
10/02/2023
Abe (The Charmed List) spins a gentle love story set against the backdrop of wintry Japan in this cozy fantasy romance. When Japanese American high school seniors and best friends Cam Yasuda and Remy Kobata arrive in Japan, their plan is to tour Tokyo Magical University, visit their older siblings, and enjoy everything that the “magically-aware” side of Japan has to offer. Remy and Cam are also grappling with how to navigate their secret amorous feelings for each other. When they’re offered the opportunity to try a rare, illegal soulmate-finding potion, they impulsively imbibe the enchanted concoction. But rather than discovering who they’re each destined to love, Cam instead suddenly loses all his memories of Remy, and Remy learns that she doesn’t have a soulmate, leaving them with less than a week to undo Cam’s affliction before it becomes permanent. The pair resolve to recreate shared memories in a race against time, an endeavor that leads them to various beautiful, delicious, and fantastical corners of Tokyo. Despite the high stakes, this love story remains as light and sweet as the desserts detailed on Remy and Cam’s adventures; introspective flashbacks during their friendship round out their relationship and the surrounding magical world. Ages 12–up. Agent: Sarah Landis, Sterling Lord Literistic. (Dec.)
From the Publisher
"Abe (The Charmed List) spins a gentle love story set against the backdrop of wintry Japan in this cozy fantasy romance." - Publishers Weekly
“…this sweet story is full of magic, adding fun twists to the friends-to-lovers storyline…the descriptive writing captures Tokyo’s real-life vibrancy and culture. A charming fantasy for lovers of cozy romance.” - Kirkus
"With a unique plot, numerous references to Japanese and pop culture, and a sprinkle of magic woven into the story, Our Cursed Love is one of those books you can’t put down once you’ve picked it up and immersed yourself into it." - Asia Blooming
"A celebration of all things Japan, magic, and romance, readers will swoon at this charming, big-hearted friends-to-lovers story." - Emiko Jean, New York Times bestselling author of Tokyo Ever After
“Julie Abe has the magic touch! Our Cursed Love is an utterly charming coming-of-age romance that immerses readers in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Japan all while capturing our hearts with this endearing friends-to-lovers story. It felt like I was wrapped in a warm hug and made me want to jump on a plane immediately to hang out with Remy and Cam and be a part of this whimsical and magical world.” - Susan Lee, author of Seoulmates
"Full of heart and fun, wayward potions, Our Cursed Love is a magical tale about finding the courage to go for what—and who—you want." -Lyla Lee, author of I'll Be the One and Flip the Script
"Our Cursed Loved is a perfectly modern fairytale of adventures in Tokyo, charms that might be curses, and a heroine determined to win back her longtime-best-friend-turned-prince-charming from the jaws of fate. Readers will fall in love with Remy and Cam as they learn that the only thing better than magic is the love that makes it worthwhile…and perhaps the confidence (and snacks!) they discover along the way." Ashley Schumacher, author of The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway
"In this novel set in modern and magical Tokyo, Abe skillfully balances romantic tension between Remy and Cam with their personal coming-of-age journeys. I don’t care what the title says, this heartwarming and delightful story will absolutely charm you." —Suzanne Park, author of Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous
“Our Cursed Love is a compelling story of two best friends choosing themselves and their shared love over their assigned fates. Julie Abe has a talent for building whimsical settings and romantic chemistry that keeps the pages turning.” -Racquel Marie, author of Ophelia After All
"Abe’s sophomore YA novel Our Cursed Love is pure magic. It’s so easy to fall in love Remy and Cam as they do a whimsical dance of will-they-or-won’t-they against the gorgeous backdrop of Tokyo and the Tokyo Magical University." - Roselle Lim, author of Sophie Go’s Lonely Hearts Club
"A love story as magical as the streets of Tokyo itself. You will be packing your bags to join in on the fun and full of heart tale that Abe has woven in this warm hug of a book." – Lane Clarke, author of Love Times Infinity
Kirkus Reviews
2023-09-09
A Palo Alto high school senior must find a way to spark her best friend’s memory before she forever loses him—and a chance at love.
Remy Kobata is in love with her childhood best friend, Cameron Yasuda, but she’s afraid of telling him and losing his friendship. But with the Japanese American teens heading to different colleges, she decides their winter break trip to Tokyo is the perfect time to confess. All Remy’s dreams of love come crashing down, however, when an ominous tea leaf reading reveals she doesn’t have a soulmate. When the two stumble across a secret magical apothecary, Remy is determined to get help with changing her fate. The bartender offers them a long-banned love potion, which Remy drinks out of desperation and Cam takes out of scientific curiosity—but instead of falling for Remy, Cam forgets who she is. Even worse, they learn that on January 1st, the effects will become permanent: Remy has just six days to find a cure. Told from Remy’s and Cam’s alternating third-person viewpoints, this sweet story is full of magic, adding fun twists to the friends-to-lovers storyline. It also explores common teen issues, like parental expectations and worries over college admissions and future plans, alongside the message that “every moment is one chance in a lifetime.” Although the setting is infused with fantastical elements, the descriptive writing captures Tokyo’s real-life vibrancy and culture.
A charming fantasy for lovers of cozy romance. (Romance. 12-18)
