This was a fun, sweet young adult novel. The first novel from Uegaki, we know here in our house for her kids picture books. And, although I’ve never met her, Uegaki used to live here on the Sunshine Coast and we have mutual friends.
The premise of the book is terrific and I was excited to hear about it when its publication was first announced. A modern re-telling of Emma, featuring a Japanese-Canadian heroine, living in a small town on the West Coast of Canada. Emiko lives with her grandfather in the community of Otter Creek, a place where she is deeply connected. The story begins with her aunt’s wedding, a relationship Emiko takes credit for and believes is another sign that she is an excellent matchmaker. Emiko isn’t interested in a relationship for herself but when a new girl moves to Otter Creek, Emiko is determined to find the right match for her. If you’ve read Emma or seen Clueless, you know how this is all going to play out but it’s still a fun little journey to follow along with. Emiko is a loveable character. She’s almost too good to be true but she has some easily forgivable flaws that we encounter along the way and you can’t help but root for her.
Knowing my community as I do, it wasn’t hard to see that the Golden Coast is a stand-in for the Sunshine Coast and Otter Creek is its Roberts Creek. I liked picking out the parallels to the real places though the major difference I noticed was that Otter Creek is far more diverse than the real place. This was a great addition to the story as Uegaki creates characters who fully embrace their Japanese heritage and who have a community that also celebrates it. Those details brought something new to a familiar story.
Karissa Reads Books 
I always forget that Clueless is based on Emma! I’ve yet to read the novel, but for as much as I love Clueless, I’m not sure Emma will live up to it. I mean, Clueless is JUST SO 90s! Then again, I’m curious what a Jane Austen version of Tai, lol.
I’ve only read Emma once and I’ve seen Clueless many times so reading this book made me think of Clueless more than it did Jane Austen! I would say that Clueless has a lot more humour to it and pokes fun at the main character while still letting you cheer for her.
I had no idea that Clueless was based on Emma! haha
I remember staying in Robert’s Creek when my family visited the Sunshine Coast a few years ago, and it was so beautiful. I wouldn’t know it well enough to recognize it in fiction, but I love that feeling of really being able to situate oneself in the narrative like that
I don’t think you’d know it was Roberts Creek unless you knew the place and knew that the author had lived there. It kind of just functions as a generic small town. But it was fun to identify the real life comparisons!