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?
The swoony Love in Translation romances can be read together or separately:
LOVE REQUIRES CHOCOLATE • LOVE CRAVES CARDAMOM • LOVE MAKES MOCHI
“I felt like I was in Tokyo with Lilyn and Yua, and I never wanted to leave.” —Becky Albertalli, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda
“A tender, funny, and sweet-as-mochi story about love, identity, and finding your own way.” —Aiden Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of the Sunbearer Trials duology
“I couldn’t stop holding my heart and kicking my feet!” —Sonora Reyes, National Book Award Finalist and bestselling author of The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School
“A sweet exploration of identity, inspiration, and culture.” —Kat Cho, New York Times bestselling author of Gods & Comics
“Queer, colorful, cultural, and so incredibly cute.” —Jonny Garza Villa, Stonewall Award–winning author of Canto Contigo
“These unforgettable characters will be tattooed on your heart.” —Elizabeth Eulberg, international bestselling author of Take a Chance on Me
“Witty and heartwarming.” —Trinity Nguyen, bestselling author of A Bánh Mi for Two
“A cute sapphic romance filled with heart, friendship, and family that kept me smiling from beginning to end.” —Zakiya N. Jamal, author of If We Were a Movie
Stefany Valentine is an emerging young adult author. Her first publication is featured in the adoptee anthology, When We Became Ours, and her sophomore title, Love Makes Mochi, is expected to release with Joy Revolution in 2026. Follow her for updates on TikTok, Instagram, and X @BooksByStefany and on her website, stefanyvalentine.wordpress.com.
View titles by Stefany Valentine
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?
The swoony Love in Translation romances can be read together or separately:
LOVE REQUIRES CHOCOLATE • LOVE CRAVES CARDAMOM • LOVE MAKES MOCHI
Reviews
“I felt like I was in Tokyo with Lilyn and Yua, and I never wanted to leave.” —Becky Albertalli, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda
“A tender, funny, and sweet-as-mochi story about love, identity, and finding your own way.” —Aiden Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of the Sunbearer Trials duology
“I couldn’t stop holding my heart and kicking my feet!” —Sonora Reyes, National Book Award Finalist and bestselling author of The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School
“A sweet exploration of identity, inspiration, and culture.” —Kat Cho, New York Times bestselling author of Gods & Comics
“Queer, colorful, cultural, and so incredibly cute.” —Jonny Garza Villa, Stonewall Award–winning author of Canto Contigo
“These unforgettable characters will be tattooed on your heart.” —Elizabeth Eulberg, international bestselling author of Take a Chance on Me
“Witty and heartwarming.” —Trinity Nguyen, bestselling author of A Bánh Mi for Two
“A cute sapphic romance filled with heart, friendship, and family that kept me smiling from beginning to end.” —Zakiya N. Jamal, author of If We Were a Movie
Stefany Valentine is an emerging young adult author. Her first publication is featured in the adoptee anthology, When We Became Ours, and her sophomore title, Love Makes Mochi, is expected to release with Joy Revolution in 2026. Follow her for updates on TikTok, Instagram, and X @BooksByStefany and on her website, stefanyvalentine.wordpress.com.
View titles by Stefany Valentine
