Title: The Exam Cheat
Subtitle: A Twisted Path to Love
Series: Japanesque TS
Author: Yulia Yu. Sakurazawa
What happens when a simple favor transforms into a whirlwind journey of identity, love, and self-discovery?
Welcome to The Exam Cheat, the latest novel in the “Japanesque TS” series by Yulia Yu. Sakurazawa. Originally written in Japanese under the title 替え玉受験 (Substitute Exam), this heartfelt story now reaches English readers with its rich tapestry of gender exploration, LGBTQ+ romance, and Japanese cultural intricacies. As with all Sakurazawa’s novels, this one blends her signature focus on character growth with a daring narrative that challenges traditional norms.T
he Exam Cheat begins with Ryunosuke Tsumi, a diligent yet insecure University of Tokyo student, accepting a highly unusual tutoring job for Mei Yoneda, a wealthy but academically unmotivated young woman. Mei’s family is desperate to get her into a reputable university, but her chances are slim. When a sudden illness threatens her final exam attempt, Tsumi faces an unthinkable request: to cross-dress and take the exam in Mei’s place. What begins as a reluctant act of deception spirals into a six-month identity swap, plunging Tsumi into Mei’s elite world of St. Mary’s Women’s University while Mei lives as a man in America.
As Tsumi learns to embody a female identity, he is thrust into a world of tea ceremonies, Japanese dance, and the expectation of emulating the Virgin Mary—a symbolic ideal at the heart of St. Mary’s philosophy. However, as days turn into months, Tsumi’s temporary role as Mei becomes more than an act. He begins to unravel layers of his own identity, reshaping his values, discovering his strengths, and facing complex feelings about gender, relationships, and belonging.
Meanwhile, Mei, living as Tsumi, embarks on her own journey of self-discovery in New York, finding freedom and love in the arms of a woman who challenges her perceptions of herself. Both characters shift between worlds—gender, culture, and personal expectations—each navigating the societal pressures and internal conflicts that arise from their transformations.
At its core, The Exam Cheat is a story of love in all its forms: self-love, romantic love, and familial love. It delves into the struggles of gender identity while celebrating the fluidity of human connection. Sakurazawa’s profound exploration of the characters’ emotional landscapes is complemented by her vivid portrayal of Japanese cultural traditions, from kimono dressing to the nuanced rituals of tea ceremony.
But what makes this novel truly unique is its fusion of humor, suspense, and heartfelt sincerity. The narrative is as much about finding one’s place in a rigidly structured society as it is about breaking free from those very structures. Readers will laugh at Tsumi’s awkward yet endearing attempts to navigate femininity and weep at Mei’s struggles to reconcile her emotions and ambitions.
As the story builds to its surprising climax, readers are left pondering the timeless question: Who are we when the roles we play are stripped away?
About the Series
The Exam Cheat is part of Sakurazawa’s “Japanesque TS” series, renowned for its focus on transgender and LGBTQ+ characters navigating complex societal norms. Each novel in the series offers a fresh perspective on identity, often blending romance, humor, and cultural commentary.
Whether you’re a fan of gender-bending romance, an admirer of Japanese traditions, or someone seeking an inspiring tale of transformation, The Exam Cheat is a must-read that will leave you questioning, laughing, and moved.