This book is endearing, complex, and imaginative, with a well-executed plot and wonderfully fully-developed characters. Flash backs from adult lives are intertwined seamlessly as two 12 year olds, Henry and Keiko, come of age and fall in love under very difficult circumstances. Some events loom large and heartbreaking: the west coast internment of Japanese-American US citizens; a father who stopped talking to his son, Henry, because of his relationship with a Japanese-American girl, Keiko. It also explores the history and attitudes of the time period and Seattle’s ethnic neighborhoods. Most of all it is a story of commitment and enduring hope.

Quite an enjoyable story of love lost & found. Worth reading and I liked the perspective of Chinese & Japanese Americans during WWII.

While I enjoyed reading this story as a subject and town I know next to nothing about - I did keep waiting for something to happen.

Very good book-an interesting perspective on WWII.

I haven't read this yet but I find it hilarious that the Kirkus Review says "the exploration of Henry's changing relationship with his family and with Keiko will keep most readers turning pages" (the word most)

A good story but a "lightweight" telling of it. Several unbelievable coincidences in the book. I kept wishing it was better written, but the story was interesting. Reminded me of Sarah's Key in that way - incredible story but not written well.

Story of a Chinese boy and Japanese girl during WW11 in Seattle.

Wonderful story of Seattle and in effect an example of the stories of the pacific northwest during WW2. I feel that brianreynolds critique is not accurate with the book. Twelve year olds dont make good life choices, shown in the book, no lightweight pummeled any bullies, but was in luck that police were doing their rounds, sex didnt occur because it didnt have to and sexuality wasnt necessarily crossed into yet. The plot did not plod but rather was gently revealed, and redemption was not inevitable but hoped for. In addition, while similar, teens now are different from teens 60 years ago. The difference caused by lifestyle and MTV culture, where many people simply do not mentally and emotionally grow up. Interesting look into the Seattle Jazz scene, that many may not be familiar with. Reminds me of the Jade Peony, but with a slightly different perspective.

Loved this book. A nice love story with many enlightening historical events. An interesting look into cultural and racial differences during a time of war. Shares historical events that are often overlooked. Enjoyed the jazz additions too that seemed so appropriate in its message.Thanks for bringing this story to the forefront and letting this story be told.

Sometimes an author’s “voice” just grates. Sometimes a message of hope is painfully naïve. Jamie Ford’s Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet seemed awkward from its title to its underlying premise that twelve-year-olds make good life choices. Ford uses the truly tragic internment of West Coast Japanese Americans during WWII as a backdrop for the story and a barrier to his star-crossed pre-teens in a comedy that omits the 40 years that shape most people’s lives. With prose that continually suffers from author intrusion and from telling rather than showing, the plot plods one day at a time toward the inevitable redemption and reunion. How could one not love a tale where a lightweight hero can pummel a gang of bullies, children can asexually fall into everlasting love, and Americans can celebrate V-J day without a mention of the bomb? Alas, I was continually distracted by the thought I could have spent the time rereading Snow Falling on Cedars.