Love Makes Mochi
Written by Stefany Valentine
Published by Joy Revolution
A teen goth fashion designer travels to Tokyo, Japan, where she meets a tattoo artist apprentice who may just be the one to change her mind about love—part of the international Love in Translation series of standalone YA romances.
Lilyn Jeong is living her best life—in Tokyo! She gets to learn from the legendary yet notoriously terrifying tailor Mrs. Matsumoto. Getting a glowing recommendation from her could be Lilyn’s ticket into her dream fashion school.
So when Lilyn is tasked with designing an entire collection, panic sets in. She has only weeks to figure out how to mix her goth aesthetic with traditional Japanese style. Thankfully, Mrs. Matsumoto’s rebellious, tattooed, rainbow-haired daughter Yua offers to help.
But going on cozy dates with this cute girl is way easier than sewing yukatas. Can Lilyn find a path forward in fashion and love? Or will she watch as everything falls apart at the seams?
Primary ISBN:
Publication Date: January 2026
Available As: Paperback, Audiobook, eBook
Young Adult, Age 12 or older
Community Represented: Japanese/Japanese American, Korean/Korean American, Taiwanese/Taiwanese American
Themes: Accolades & Awards, Accolades & Awards: Starred Review, Arts, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Clothing, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Friendship, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Family Relationship: Parents, Format: Audiobook, Generational Differences, Genre: Humor, Genre: Romance, LGBTQIA+, Setting: Home Country
Setting: United States (Washington, D.C.), Japan (Tokyo)
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival
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