This was such a fun creative story where you get to go on an adventure with the main characters in their unique world. I would definitely recommend it for anyone who is a fan of adventures in the vein of Studio Ghibli, which I am definitely a huge fan of, so this was perfect for me. I loved the pondering of choices that could be made in one's life reflected in the story and I was definitely entertained as I let the characters guide the way in this one!

I finished this book a couple of weeks ago and am still not sure how I feel about it.
I think I enjoyed it, but looking back I can’t quite put my finger on what it was I enjoyed.
What did I read? I am perplexed.
A world parallel to ours that runs on our regrets and lost chances??

This feels like a Studio Ghibli film come to life.

I loved how the book balances whimsy with deep themes of regret and choice. The romance between Hana and Kei is adorable, though it feels a bit rushed. Overall, it's a heartwarming read that will leave you pondering life's big questions.

4.5⭐

This felt like The Alchemist + Midnight Library + Spirited Away. I was mesmerized by the constant jumping through portals and time, and appreciated the minimalistic but insightful writing style. I could see a lot of people not being into this book, or just giving it a 3-star rating because the writing style is so minimalist and because some parts of the story are totally brushed over (like what happens with one of the worlds at the very end). But I really loved that this was nearly allegorical, and that the writing was so insightful that I could connect so many little bits and pieces to my own life. It was a pleasure to read this book.

Initially, this felt very in line with Before the Coffee Gets Cold, which is a book that I adore, but then it shifts into the crazy fantasy world. In theory, this should be right up my alley.
But this was missing something for me.

The world is gorgeous and it’s such an odd and interesting place, but I wanted more information about it. And about the characters, honestly. There were points in this that I loved so much, but then there were others that just fell flat for me.

There are so many lovely whimsical things about this book and the concept itself is fantastic. But it felt a little rushed. When I got to the end my eyes went to the next page, expecting another chapter only to be met with the acknowledgements. I have so many questions.

To a certain extent, I don’t mind the ambiguity on a few fronts, but there are some pretty big things that I would like to know about.

Overall, this book is charming (with a couple slightly terrifying characters), but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

*thank you to NetGalley and Random House - Del Rey for an eARC of this book in exchange for my review*

The worlds contained within this book will stretch your imagination while taking you on a journey packed with breathtaking imagery, complex characters, and unexpected choices, full of surprises and casual magic. The whole story feels like something out of Studio Ghibli film—every detail is so beautiful and intentional. The layers of this story are delicate and fantastical, and I was in love from the start.

Samantha Sotto Yambao is an incredible storyteller, and this book is so moving—I’ve never read anything like it. The journey you will take as you read is so unique and awe-inspiring. Prepare yourself to be transported into a world where nothing is as it seems and everything has meaning, for better or worse. The twists in this story had me literally gasping. If you love a unique love story, this is one of the most fascinating ones I’ve ever picked up.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Samantha Sotto Yambao’s "Water Moon" is a spellbinding tale that seamlessly blends magical realism with profound emotional depth. Set against the backdrop of a mystical Tokyo pawnshop where regrets can be traded, the novel explores the intricate dance between choice, consequence, and the human longing for redemption.

The story follows Hana Ishikawa, the reluctant inheritor of her father’s enigmatic pawnshop, a place that exists on the threshold between bustling Tokyo and the ethereal realm of Isekai. When her father disappears and a precious “choice” is stolen from the shop, Hana embarks on a surreal journey to recover what was lost. Along the way, she is joined by Kei, a brilliant yet restless physicist from the non-magical world. Together, they navigate a series of fantastical landscapes, from rain puddles that serve as portals to a night market suspended in the clouds.

Yambao’s world-building is nothing short of breathtaking. The vivid imagery—paper cranes that carry messages, glowing birds that embody human choices, and the haunting Shiikuin who guard Isekai—creates a universe that feels both otherworldly and deeply resonant. Each setting is imbued with a sense of wonder, inviting readers to lose themselves in the story’s dreamlike quality.

At its heart, "Water Moon" is a meditation on the weight of our decisions and the regrets that shape us. Hana and Kei’s journey is as much about self-discovery as it is about finding Hana’s father. Their evolving relationship, marked by moments of tenderness and tension, adds an emotional richness to the narrative. Yambao’s prose is lyrical and evocative, capturing the fragility and resilience of the human spirit.

While the novel’s fragmented timeline and rapid shifts between past and present may challenge some readers, these elements mirror the disorienting nature of regret and memory. The short chapters, packed with introspection and action, keep the pacing brisk without sacrificing depth.

"Water Moon" is more than a fantasy novel; it’s a poignant exploration of what it means to live with our choices and to find beauty in imperfection. Samantha Sotto Yambao has crafted a story that lingers in the mind long after the final page, a testament to the transformative power of storytelling. For those who crave a narrative that is both enchanting and thought-provoking, "Water Moon" is an unmissable read.

I was so excited to read Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao. The premise is absolutely delightful. Imagine stepping into a ramen shop in Japan, only to find yourself in a pawnshop where you can trade in a regret. Hana has lived in this mysterious shop with her father for as long as she can remember. But on the day she is meant to take over the family business, she wakes up to find the shop ransacked and her father missing, sending her and an unlikely ally on a whimsical adventure to uncover past secrets.

The setup feels like something straight out of a Studio Ghibli film. The setting is magical, atmospheric, and full of wonder. Unfortunately, the execution fell short for me. The story lacked cohesion, with whimsical elements that felt more like scattered ideas than part of a well-structured narrative. The world-building took center stage, but at the expense of character depth. Hana and Keishin’s relationship, in particular, felt rushed and unconvincing, and their dialogue often came across as forced.

I truly wanted to love this book, and while the dreamlike imagery was beautiful, the meandering plot and one-dimensional characters made it hard to stay invested. Water Moon has a fantastic premise and will appeal to fans of whimsical magical realism, but for me, it lacked the heart and cohesion needed to make it truly enchanting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine Group for the eARC copy of “Watermoon” by Samantha Sotto Yambao.

Watermoon was one of my highly anticipated books for 2025, but sadly I’m having to soft DNF it. I read to about 55% and I’m having a tough time connecting with the characters and setting. This opinion has nothing to do with the author's writing style, as they’ve done an amazing job creating this world, and the descriptions of the setting/characters are some of the best I’ve read in a long while. Which is why I’m hoping to give Watermoon another shot when I’m in the headspace to read it, as I am a mood reader which can also affect how I connect with a book.

Everything about this is lyrical and dreamy except the romance. It's insta-love and in my opinion takes away from the story and characters. The places they traveled and people they met were the best part and I wish they had been focused on more. Overall a solid read, I would definitely read more from the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was very charming and whimsical and the world building was very well thought out. I loved it all, the parallel worlds the slow unraveling, the reflection on self and family!

I am at a loss for how to describe this book because it is so unlike anything else that I have read. I truly do not know how to explain the plot. It is a wild ride, but manages to somehow make it seem realistic and possible. The two main characters are fascinating, and you can never guess what will happen next. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and will look for others by this author.

"𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒒𝒖𝒆 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒚, 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌?”

A whimsical, dreamlike fantasy about a magical pawnshop where regrets can be traded, a scientist who stumbles into the unknown, and a young woman searching for her missing father.

Read this for:
🌙 A cozy, Studio Ghibli-esque fantasy set in Tokyo
🕰 A unique, time-bending pawnshop where you can sell your regrets
🪶 Paper cranes, bridges between dreams, and a market in the clouds

Hana Ishikawa has spent her life preparing to inherit the mystical pawnshop where lost souls trade in their regrets—until her first day as the new owner begins with a break-in, a missing father, and a stolen, all-important choice. Enter Keishin, a scientist who was looking for ramen but now finds himself swept into Hana’s surreal journey through dreamlike realms, rain puddles that serve as portals, and encounters with enigmatic figures.

This book should have been my perfect kind of read—lush worldbuilding, whimsical magic, an emotional core about choice and regret—but something about the execution didn’t land for me. The imagery is stunning, but the story itself felt like it was constantly floating away before I could grasp it. The plot meandered, the pacing dragged, and despite the emotional weight the premise promised, I never felt fully invested in Hana and Keishin’s journey.

Things I loved:
✨ The worldbuilding—seriously, this would make a gorgeous animated film
⏳ The exploration of choices and regrets—one of my favorite themes in fiction
🦢 The aesthetic—paper cranes, dream bridges, night markets? Yes, please

Things that didn’t work for me:
🐢 The pacing—it wandered without clear momentum, making the adventure feel aimless
🩷 The romance—it felt more like *it had to happen* rather than something that developed organically
☁️ The dialogue—it sometimes read as overly philosophical or stilted, pulling me out of the immersion

If you love soft, dreamy, folklore-infused fantasy, this might be your next favorite read. But if you need a bit more structure in your magic and plot, Water Moon might feel more like a fever dream you only half-remember when you wake up.

Water Moon captivated me with its profoundly lyrical prose and thought-provoking sentences. The author's writing is truly beautiful, creating a magical atmosphere reminiscent of a Studio Ghibli film. I often found myself pausing to savor the deeper meanings embedded within the text.

However, while the setting and prose were enchanting, the characters and narrative flow presented some challenges. The characters, unfortunately, felt somewhat one-dimensional, and the romantic relationship seemed to materialize abruptly rather than develop organically. Furthermore, the story's transitions were often jarring, with paragraphs shifting abruptly to new locations without sufficient context. This lack of smooth transitions disrupted the overall reading experience. I also yearned for a more immersive exploration of the world's intricate details and inner workings.

Despite these shortcomings, Water Moon's evocative prose and whimsical atmosphere make it a worthwhile read for those who appreciate beautiful language and magical settings. However, those seeking well-developed characters and a seamless narrative may find themselves wanting more.

Pretty and insubstantial as seafoam. There are too many ideas - a pawnshop that buys your regrets! Traveling by puddle, paper crane, or a rumor's spreading! Stars made of hopes that are actually kites or something I have to admit I forgot the second I turned the page! - and they don't hold together well or add up to anything much. There are a lot of gorgeous visuals but no sense of direction or reason or *matter* to them. (And, frankly, the prose isn't good enough to create those visuals in writing beyond the basic ideas of them. Italo Calvino this is not.)

The Studio Ghibli comparisons are apt (and obnoxiously lampshaded within the book), but the whimsical visual designs of a Ghibli film come along with characters who feel like people, a strong sense of pacing, a tightly constructed plot, and the feeling of things mattering. Those pretty ideas and visuals are there to serve the story, not the other way around. In contrast, Water Moon feels like a flimsy story that exists solely to (poorly) support the lovely veneer, not the other way around. There are no bones to Water Moon, just a lot of pretty bubbles of ideas that don't really go anywhere.

Thank you to the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Water Moon pulled me in and I stayed to the very end. Lovely, haunting, compelling, it kept my attention even when the path took me places I'd rather not have gone. . .as a reader one gets to know the "likely" path a tale will take, and this one doesn't indulge readers. It goes where it will.

There's atmospheric mythos here, heroes in unexpected places, and mind catching discussions about the questions we all have. Questions about free will, family, sacrifice, accountability and what we deserve. This author offers up an entrancing proposal for all such profound and heartbreaking questions.

It took me weeks to come to my written response. . .had to re-read the favorite bits, and am bumping up to all the stars. Lovely and re-readable, it deserves them, so say I.

*A sincere thank you to Samantha Sotto Yambao, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #WaterMoon #NetGalley

i loved the world of this book and the concept of it, but it got too focused on a romance i couldn't settle into for me to truly love it. i will be reading more from this author in the future, though!

Water Moon is a Japanese-inspired fantasy about a pawnshop in Tokyo where people trade their deepest regrets. When the shop owner, Toshio, goes missing, his daughter Hana teams up with Keishin, a young physicist, to uncover secrets that challenge their understanding of fate and science. Their journey delves into themes of regret, free will, and the power of choices.

The writing is lyrical, with a dreamlike pace that immerses readers in a world where magic and science collide. The narrative alternates between Hana and Keishin’s perspectives, balancing whimsy with deep philosophical themes. Fans of Studio Ghibli and whimsical narratives will find much to enjoy.

The novel explores the weight of regret, the struggle between fate and free will, and the impact of choices. Hana’s emotional growth is inspiring, and the evolving relationship between her and Keishin adds depth to the story. Their slow-burn romance complements the novel’s themes of connection and self-determination.

Final Thoughts: Water Moon is a captivating work of magical realism that combines world-building, emotional depth, and thought-provoking themes. It’s a must-read for fans of fantasy and philosophical fiction, offering a soul-stirring exploration of life, love, and the choices we make.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This was a great book! A woman inherits her dad’s pawn shop and learns the repercussions of love, loss and what it means to be human.

Very VERY similar to Before the Coffee Gets Cold and a very sweet story! I loved Hana as a main character and was very intriguing. I think that the story telling was lovely and it was a sweet very cute story! I would recommend this to people who love time travelling romances and wanting second chances.

While the premise was nice, the writing was... not what I expected. I wanted more from the characters because I felt that what was on the front cover and the front flap was not what we were given.