I thought this book was a fun, quick read about a town and the center piece of the convenience store that everyone gathers at. I liked the structure of this book, where each chapter followed a different member of the town but each chapter was still interconnected.

My main problem with this book was that I was finding it hard to care about the characters; I would get attached to one of them for a few pages and then we'd move on to the next one.

This book was my introduction to the healing fiction genre, and I think it did a solid job at convincing me to pick up more books! The plot was, of course, quite slow moving (I saw a review describing it as a soft/gentle movement and I couldn't agree more), which I feel is quite indicative of the genre, but it did leave me longing for a little bit... *more*? I loved the premise but felt like I was only scratching the surface, I would've liked a little more depth to the store itself and the characters. But that being said, this was the perfect summer beach read for me and I really look forward to exploring more in the healing fiction genre.

I’ve always had a soft spot for those quiet, cozy East Asian novels that revolve around ordinary places—libraries, cafés, cats, and, of course, convenience stores. They usually follow a familiar rhythm, and that’s part of what makes them so comforting. I picked this one up mostly because of the convenience store setting. I mean, who doesn’t want to get lost in a story about a 24/7 konbini called Tenderness?. But honestly, it didn’t quite live up to what I was hoping for.

While the idea of Tenderness as a community hub was really charming, I didn’t feel like the store itself was as central or as vividly described as I wanted. I was hoping to be completely immersed in its warm lights, aisles of egg sandwiches, and friendly regulars, but the atmosphere just didn’t leap off the page for me.

The characters were fine, but I didn’t feel particularly connected to any of them. They felt a little too surface-level, and I never really got to know them in a way that would make me care deeply about their stories. The plot also didn’t do much to pull me in - it kind of wandered along gently, which isn’t a bad thing, but it left me feeling a bit indifferent by the end.

That said, there is a quiet charm to this book. I didn’t dislike it, actually enjoyed it in that low-key, easy-to-read kind of way. It just didn’t leave a lasting impression. The writing style felt pretty basic at times, but I tried to remind myself that this might be due to translation.

All in all, it’s a sweet little read, perfect for a rainy afternoon when you want something mellow and comforting. Not unforgettable, but not disappointing either. Just… a nice little pause.

My copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sonoko Machida’s The Convenience Store by the Sea is my first foray into the healing fiction genre. Healing fiction features cozy books originating in the East that follow ordinary people facing every day issues that are usually set in familiar environments, like laundromats, cafes, or in the case of Machida’s novel, convenience stores.

The store at the center of The Convenience Store by the Sea is Tenderness, a chain of stores where shoppers can buy what they need while also acquiring some healing for the soul. The Convenience Store by the Sea features various slice-of-life stories spotlighting a variety of characters living their lives, which brings them into the orbit of Tenderness. From the elderly, to the creative, to the lonely, people are drawn to Tenderness for not only its goods, but its heart … not to mention its charismatic manager Shiba, who even has his own fan club.

The Convenience Store by the Sea is a book that I wanted to love so badly, but unfortunately did not work for me personally. That is not to say that it won’t be beloved by many, but for me, it was not a compelling introduction to the healing fiction genre. I was drawn to this book because of the convenience store aspect, but Tenderness did not play a prominent enough role in the novel for my liking. Furthermore, the crafting of the convenience store’s atmosphere and ambience did not shine through the pages, giving me only a vague sense of its warm and cozy aesthetic. As for the slice of life stories, I sadly found them languid and dull.

I’ve now read a handful of these cozy translated novels. I’m easily persuaded to read them and I want to be in love with them, but they’re still very hit or miss with me.

Out of the ones I’ve read so far this one landed somewhere in the middle of the pack. Not my favorite, but not my least favorite either.

This particular book centers on a convenient store, those who work there, and those who frequently visit. Its individual tales come together to paint a picture of a small community. I enjoyed all the quirky and unique characters! The story’s themselves were a mixed bag: some I liked, others were a tad slow. Overall I think I liked the idea of this book a bit more than the book itself, but it was still a good read. Especially if you’re in the mood for some deep relaxation and to get lost and a slice of life story.

Thanks to netgalley and Orion for a copy of this book!

This is a series of interconnected stories of the people who work at and frequent a convenience store by the sea. It's very sweet and uplifting as these Japanese so-called healing literature books tend to be. I liked the idea of a convenience store that really catered to its clientele in special ways though some of the characters were a little over the top for me. Some of the tales are more relatable than others, and in that sense there may be something for everyone in this book.
I did think that the translation itself was on the weak side and in certain parts much too literal. It was awkward to read in other parts but I suppose we are reading mostly for the story and not for the style. As these types of books go, I have to say that I really did enjoy this one. It might be fun for a book group to read, especially one that is focused on Japanese life.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It's as sweet as it can be.

I would really like to give you a more eloquent review, but I'm afraid I'm unable to express how I felt reading this excellent book. There is no storyline other than a commonality of people and a convenience store called Tenderness. The manager seems to emit pheromones that attract people, but to me, it's more like he genuinely cares about his customers and employees. Various people come in with something on their minds - a problem, an issue at school, a career difficulty, etc., and something happens once they start coming into Tenderness that just makes everything alright!

It may be said that this is a meandering read with nothing much going on, but just give it a little chance, and you will see that this is a charming, sweet, mysterious, comforting, and sage novel.

I highly recommend this book for when you just want everything to work out alright and the characters to be happy; when you want to lose yourself in others' lives and know that everything happens for the best.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher Orion, the author, and NetGalley.

Perfect for summer! What more can you ask for with a mother with an ambition to publish manga and a son that misunderstands her, right by the beach, all surrounding a convenience store? Easy breezy and a perfect way to stay cool for summer. Dozed off a bit here and there, but seeing the cover every time I opened the book up made me take pleasure in musicless walks, people-watching in pockets of waiting, and appreciating a breeze, far and few in between, but fully appreciated.

It’s Perfect Days for the layperson and I'm here for that!

The Convenience Store by the Sea by Sonoko Machida was such a great read.
I really enjoyed reading this book.
Delightful, entertaining and just a lot of fun.

One thing about me is that I keep picking up these little slice of life and/or magical realism Japanese translated books! The Convenience Store by the Sea falls into the former category (so don't go into it looking for a touch of magic if you're more familiar with the Before the Coffee Gets Cold or The Curious Kitten at the Chibineko Cafe series) - it's a set of interconnected sort of short stories separated by chapter of the people around the town of Mojiko in Kitakyushu, and the convenience store on the ground level of an elder community apartment building. In this convenience store, and the open dining space attached, we meet a variety of characters - a weirdly super attractive (but also super kind) store manager with an elder lady (and others) fan club, a mom living her second life as both a convenience store clerk by day and an online manga artist by night, a cram school teacher who finally gives up his dream of becoming a manga artist... or does he..?, a "whatever guy" who really does just happen to do whatever is necessary, a pair of school girls both dealing with different issues... and the list goes on. But in this small city, and in this small neighborhood, everyone's stories are interconnected in a way that really only happens when the people around care for each others' well-being.

Apparently the author lives in Mojiko and honestly... now I want to visit when I finally make it over to Kyushu! I also like the alternate covers better- they're reminiscent of a specific convenience store chain which every day makes me miss just... conbini.

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam , G.P. Putnam's Sons, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for review!

Grateful to Putnam, who provided ARCs to attendees at the #bookhuddle retreat at Victoria, Canada!

The Tenderness Convenience Store in Mojiko is at the heart of the community. This charming novel portrays slice of life interactions among the workers and patrons of the convenience store and its dine-in area. This novel is literally the definition of a cozy, feel-good read - each chapter focuses on a different character and how interactions within Tenderness help them find the things they didn't know they were missing. Azusa and Nayuta - two school age girls both dealing with social pressures from their classmates - had a particularly touching vignette.

I really enjoyed this novel and highly recommend for anyone looking for a sweet and relaxing step away from reality.

Many thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons for the digital review copy via NetGalley.

The Convenience Store by the Sea Synopsis

This book features a series of chapters that read a lot like interlinked short stories. Each chapter focuses on a different character and the way their connection to a specific branch of the Tenderness Convenience Store impacts their lives.

The store is sort of the central hub that all stories touch on, and many characters re-appear across multiple chapters even as the focus shifts to someone new. The people that go to and work at Tenderness are all different ages, genders, and life stages, so each chapter shows a different personal struggle or challenge and how the community helps them navigate it.

The Convenience Store by the Sea Review

I wasn't sure how much weird versus cozy to expect from this book, as the store is described as "a bit odd" in the description. Some translated works like Convenience Store Woman have taught me this can be code for unsettling. But in this case, the oddity is charming, quirky strangeness.

Yes, things are a bit unusual, but each chapter offers an insightful look at different facets of being human. From the father who feels puzzled about his retired life to the young man experiencing his first crush, each person navigates some significant realization or moment in their life. And part of that navigation is the community around the Tenderness convenience store and neighboring retirement community.

I really liked how well each chapter's unique story was connected to the others while still standing as its own deep dive into a specific person. Seeing the different characters show up in each other's stories gave us different perspectives on them, which I enjoyed. And the stories are incredibly heartwarming and impactful. I couldn't relate as strongly to some of them as others, but every single chapter felt like it tapped into some essential element of being human in the world.

The convenience store element also means we got some truly lovely descriptions of food, which I always enjoy as part of a cozier read. I will say, some of the chapters were more emotional than I expected, and I cried a couple of times.

In all, this was truly a wonderful variety of human stories all centered on an inviting community space. I absolutely adored The Convenience Store by the Sea, and think I'll be thinking about some of these characters and their journies for quite some time.

Sonoko Machida's 'The Convenience Story by the Sea' is a tender, quietly powerful novel that builds a full world from the humble aisles of a seaside konbini. Told through a constellation of loosely connected vignettes, the novel orbits around a 24-hour store called Tenderness - where bentos, bandages, soft serve, and subtle acts of compassion coexist. Here, routine becomes ritual, and even the most ordinary night shift can alter a life's course.

Rather than following a single protagonist, the novel introduces a range of characters whose lives intersect in unexpected and touching ways. There's Mitsuri, a part-timer and secret manga artist; Azusa, a lonely middle schooler with pastry-shop dreams; and a burnt out tutor who rediscovers creativity under flickering fluorescent lights. At the heart of it all is Shiba, the store's unfailingly kind manager, who anchors the narrative with quiet resilience and emotional generosity.

The structure is episodic, but each chapter is crafted with care and depth, creating a sense of emotional accumulation. Machida's prose - beautifully translated by Bruno Navasky - is spare, graceful, and often deeply moving. Without sentimentality, the books explores themes of loneliness, burnout, grief, and renewal. What binds it all together is a belief in small kindnesses and the unlikely sanctuaries we find in routine.

Fans of 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold', 'Convenience Store Woman', or 'The Kamogawa Food Detectives' will feel at home here. This novel trades on quiet transformation, on the dignity of labor, and on the idea that even a place designed for transactions can become a site of deep connection.

If there's one minor critique, it's that a few storylines end just as they begin to unfold - but in a way, that's true to the book's spirit. Life doesn't always offer neat resolutions. Sometimes, it just offers a well-timed snack, a warm light on a cold night, or a stranger who remembers your name.

This delightful collection of stories taking place in a convenience store is such a balm to the soul. Some stories are sweeter than others but they all involve the customers and staff, their quirks and customs, and they bring you into the minutiae that makes life interesting. I enjoyed this a lot.

The Convenience Store by the Sea by Sonoko Machida is a charming and heartfelt entry into the "healing fiction" genre, offering readers a quiet escape to a 24/7 convenience store in the peaceful seaside town of Mijiko, Kitakyushu. Though the title might suggest an ordinary, even mundane setting, the novel is anything but. The narrative is rich with warmth, and the characters are deeply endearing, drawing readers into their lives with ease.

At the heart of the story is the "Tenderness" convenience store, a place where healing happens, not just through its snacks and daily offerings, but through its caring atmosphere and the interactions between its eclectic cast. Machida expertly blends elements of introspection and community, creating a world where small acts of kindness and personal connections leave lasting impacts. It’s a gentle reminder of the beauty of human relationships and the comfort found in the simplest places.

The book leaves readers longing for a place like Tenderness in their own lives, where even the most mundane moments are touched with meaning. I highly recommend reading this book!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy 🙏🏼

I loved this book so much! It’s a very cosy read. It really shows how imperative a convenience store is and how important convenience store employees are.

This book was so beautifully written. I loved the format!

It was a lighter read but still highlighted a lot of issues most people face and wonderfully showed how we can be better people, for ourselves and others.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I cannot wait for the other books in this series to be translated to English.

A novel in the same vein as other recent cozy Japanese novels. However, this is not a best in show. A little too slow and not quite as engaging as others in this genre.

Sweet but not sickly sweet. Perfectly cozy and loved the convenience store setting. Very cute slice of life kind of novel

This book was not for me. I have tried reading this many times in the past month or so, and cannot get past page 60.

Things that don't work for me:
- The pacing is very slow.
- There is not much plot, but I can see some threads that might overlap towards the end of the story.
- I do not think this should be recommended to fans of "Convenience Store Woman."
- I had a difficult time connecting to any of the characters.

Things that might work for other people:
- This is a very cozy, very low stakes books.
- The writing is very atmospheric and descriptive.
- Getting to learn about a slice of life in Japan might be fun for some readers.

I was really looking forward to this book, so I'm bummed that it was not for me. However, reading is subjective and I do think that this book will find it's audience.

Each chapter is a different story, but all about the same connivence store by the sea, called Tenderness. Their motto is “Caring for People, Caring For You! Each story you learn more about this special store!

These stories are fun, entertaining and heartfelt! It shows the impact of human connection! A great book to read for book clubs as it will lead to interesting discussions!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.