Review | Hello, Limerence by Momo Yamaguchi

I love reading books by Japanese authors because they feel so different from the romance and fantasy books I usually pick up, and they rarely disappoint me. Hello, Limerence was no exception.

The story follows Mika, a 24-year-old who’s about to turn 25 and is trying to navigate work, dating, situationships and, most importantly to her, the fact that she’s still a virgin.

Along the way, she finds herself caught between a couple of questionable men, confusing feelings, and trying to figure out what she actually wants from love and relationships.

Honestly, I really enjoyed this. Mika is such a refreshing narrator. She’s messy, brutally honest, awkward, horny, funny and, above all, incredibly realistic. She doesn’t always make the best decisions, but that’s exactly what makes her feel so human.

One of my favourite things about this book was how accurately it captured modern dating. The way Mika talks about situationships, settling for the bare minimum, replaying interactions in your head months (or even years) later, and wondering why nobody seems capable of committing; it was all painfully relatable. I found myself nodding along so many times.

I also love reading her inner monologue. Half the time, she’s imagining all the things she’d love to say or do if she had the confidence, never actually to act on them. Those little fantasies were hilarious, but they also made her feel incredibly relatable because I think we’ve all had moments where we’ve imagined the perfect comeback long after the conversation ended or when reality doesn’t live up to our delusional expectations.

The book almost reads like someone’s diary or journal rather than a traditional novel, and I actually really enjoyed that. I love books that let you sit inside someone else’s head and simply observe how they think and process the world. It made for such an easy and entertaining read that I finished it in one sitting.

I also have to give a little shoutout to the chapter titles because they genuinely made me laugh.

Having said that, I do think the ending came around a little too suddenly. The plot also jumps around quite a bit, so it doesn’t always feel like it’s building towards one clear destination. But somehow that chaotic structure also suits Mika’s personality, so I didn’t mind it too much.

Overall, I had a really good time with Hello, Limerence. It’s funny, chaotic, relatable and surprisingly heartfelt. If you’re in your early 20s or you’ve ever found yourself overthinking a situationship that’s probably been living rent-free in your head, I think you’d like it.

It’s not necessarily a book that’s going to become an all-time favourite, but if you’re looking for a quick read to get you out of a reading slump or simply pass the time, I’d definitely recommend giving it a go.