Something about me is that Haruki Murakami is my favorite author, so I am always game to try translated fiction from Japan, constantly chasing that high. The quiet meditativeness, the introverted introspection, the way the prose luxuriates on mundanity of ordinary life to turn it into something special. Also, a touch of fantasy and always at least one cat.

And in that, I was not disappointed. This book spends time on descriptions of lived emotional experiences, and fixates particularly on the experience of food, and grief and loss. The chapter structure is centered on it. And of course you have the cat.

It’s a bit of a tearjerker, particularly the third chapter (at least for me). It really hits the emotional heights a book like this should. Each chapter shares a story of someone who’s lost a loved one and what their last conversation with that person would be if they could see them one more time.

It’s a quick read at under 100 pages, perfect to spend a bit of time with over a weekend and get sentimental over. 4/5 stars, well-enjoyed, check it out.

*An uncorrected proof of this book was provided by the publisher at the reviewer’s request in exchange for a fair and uncompromising review.

I don’t think I’ve cried so much from the first few pages it had me. Going on with life can be incredibly difficult after loosing someone you care about, though it’s not easy or quick. The book gives insight with the help of the characters how we can go about moving on. Acknowledging the moments you had together, though we miss them people don’t leave us. I enjoyed how the story was set up, the explanations and the way you were able to go into the characters and learn a bit about who they are. Great writing and an amazing story. I really enjoyed this book and if you want a short but meaningful story this is for you.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher I received a ARC for an honest review !

a beautiful work within the japanese healing fiction genre!

we arrive at the chibineko kitchen, a restaurant that specializes in remembrance meals. it just so happens that these meals enable you to see a loved one that has passed on, and enjoy a final meal and conversation together. oh, and the restaurant has a cat. that's important.

the book started out strong in its description of characters, but it began to feel disjointed as more characters were introduced, but we were simultaneously circling back to older characters, too. there wasn't a strong enough connection between new and previous characters to make a meaningful, inclusive narrative with everyone. i think the story would have been more effective only focusing on kai and kotoko. their friendship/(possible) relationship would have been interesting to explore and aid in creating a more cohesive storyline.

this genre never fails to make me feel safe and warm and this work definitely did that, it just also made me sad. there was a lot of dying, which makes sense due to the premise, but unfortunately that made it a less favorable work in my eyes. death and dying is a topic that often sends me down an existential rabbit hole, so i tend to stay away from it in my stories, especially in this comforting genre.

great translation, though. it's nice to feel zero disconnect when reading a translated work.

special thanks to netgalley and penguin books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest thoughts! you truly cannot go wrong in this genre, so read your heart out! you won't regret it!

I will never get sick of a good story about a cafe and a cat that heal hurting people bit by bit. This one was so cute and comfy, but has so much heart as well.

I intentionally went into this book not knowing much about it but I’m glad I did. I was expecting cozy, food-driven literary fiction. And while the story certainly had that it was also, at its heart, a beautiful and raw exploration of grief, survivor’s guilt, loss, and love, woven through the four stories. It may be a short book but it packed a heavy impact that was healing to read.

Very similar to Before the Coffee gets Cold. Cozy, quick stories about loss and grief. I would have enjoyed a more depth dive into each story and each character.

This is such a lovely group of interwoven stories. Four short stories, separate and yet joined. I was pulled in immediately and touched by the beautiful messages of the special remembrance meals of the Chibinenko Kitchen.

A heartwarming book about loss, grief, and moving on. The Chibineko Kitchen serves remembrance meals that gives you the opportunity to see a loved one that has passed. I enjoyed getting to know the characters of Kai, the cook and owner of the restaurant, and Kotokura, the first patron we meet in the story. Each chapter ends with a recipe for the meal that was served and shows the connections we make through food with loved ones. Each meal and meeting is healing for the characters and helps them with acceptance and moving forward with their lives.

This book was lovely. I think it had the desire to be something more momentous, but since it was so short, it didn’t get to that point. However, it still tugged at the heartstrings. I initially thought the whole book would just be a series of stories of visitors to the Chibineko Kitchen, but I appreciated that the narrative was more fully fleshed out than that, with characters actually sticking around and growing and changing. The interspersed recipes are also a cozy addition. I started to wonder what remembrance meals would conjure up my loved ones. The smells and tastes of food can bring up so many memories. There are some books I’ve read which touch on loss and grief in a way that makes me sob and changes my life forever. This was not that. But it was a kind hug which you won’t regret receiving.

Cozy and heartbreaking all at once. The Chibineko Kitchen gives its patrons the chance to have one last encounter with a loved one who has passed. It is a beautiful thing and takes place in a beautiful restaurant by the sea. Takahashi paints a wonderful and cozy atmosphere while infusing the grief, love, and heartache of the characters right into your own heart. Both heart wrenching and hopeful, this book will break you and build you back up again. Anyone who needs a good cry, a reminder of hope, or the way that love is built into grief should pick up this incredible (and short) read.

this was such a touching book! I love the idea of being able to share a meal with a loved one who passed away. And the fact that they added in the recipes was just a beautiful touch!!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

I want to say thank you for the ARC copy of this book. I was very interested in the concept of a loved one passing and being able to see and talk to them one last time while eating a delicious meal. I lost my nana years ago and after reading this synopsis I just knew I needed to read it. I ugly cried, I smiled and this book has changed my life and gave me a whole new perspective.

An extremely meaningful and touching book! I enjoyed how it touched upon the relationship between food and human bonds. Listing each recipe at the end of the chapter was another beautiful touch that allowed the reader to feel more immersed in the experience.

I’ve really been excited by the English translations we’ve been getting of popular Japanese novels. What a wonderful way to immerse yourself in another culture. I loved the cover on this one and though I’m a dog person, I was excited to read about the adorable kitten pictured. This book did not disappoint. So cozy. I loved all the little details. Highly recommend.