The Second Chance Convenience Store by Kim Ho-Yeon is delightful! This is a heartwarming story of kindness. The owner of a corner store takes in an unexpected guest and his presence transforms the whole neighborhood. This book takes community to heart. I couldn't put it down. Highly recommend everyone read this book!

In The Second Chance Convenience Store, a heartwarming novel from Korea, a down-on-his-luck man named Dok-go finds himself taken in by Mrs. Yeom, a retired teacher who owns a local convenience store. After a good deed and a twist of fate, he becomes a pillar of support for the quirky neighborhood community. But his past, shrouded in mystery, threatens to unravel the newfound joy he's brought to others. A moving tale of redemption, second chances, and the bonds that form when people come together.

This just didn’t work for me.

I was really drawn to the premise—I love a good story set in a convenience store and was hoping for something cozy, maybe a little emotional, ideally with some food moments or even a touch of magic or whimsy. But the book felt disjointed from the start. The pacing was slow, the writing felt choppy, and the multiple POVs didn’t help. I didn’t connect with any of the characters, and a few of them actually started to grate on me.

It also really irritated me that the main character doesn’t actually pay for the crime he committed. I know someone could argue that losing everything and becoming homeless is punishment enough—but no. The way his storyline wraps up felt too convenient and tidy for the weight of what he did.

By the time I hit the 50% mark, I was ready to be done. I kept going, hoping something would shift, but by 70% I gave up and just skimmed to see how it ended. I was wholeheartedly bored.

I love translated fiction, especially when it leans into introspective or quietly magical territory—but this one just didn’t deliver what I look for. I wanted to like it, but it ended up feeling more like a chore than a comfort read.

The Second Chance Convenience store is a quiet character driven book which read for me as a series of interconnected short stories. It begins with a homeless man who finds the Convenience store owners purse and wallet and returns it to her. She then befriends him and employs him, while he in turn helps others, who in turn help him. Each chapter focuses on a different character who interacts with the convenience store.

Being a translated book I also enjoyed the snippets of cultural differences slipped in, but all in all we see that people all over the world have the same issues, which can be helped by simple kindness and listening to each other. This book was released in Korea several years ago, so it does have some Covid references towards the end. Thank you to net galley and Harper Perennial for the e copy of this book.

A story about kindness and compassion, told in a different way than I was used to.

The story starts with a homeless man retrieving a convenience store owner's purse from a few thieves, and from there is taken in by the woman and is offered a job at the store. Throughout his time there, we learn that he has forgotten his past, and that he is a bit of a lost soul.

The ending of this book was honestly so well done. I really enjoyed all of the POV's and stories throughout the book, but the consistent underlying plot was executed in a way that makes you really feel satisfied at the end.

Heartwarming, touching, and tragic, I recommend The Second Chance Convenience Store.

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Perennial, and Kim Ho-Yeon for the ARC of this book. I am always grateful for the chance to read stories early.

The Second Chance Convenience Store is the common thread connecting a series of characters that include the store owner, several of the part-time employees and a number of customers. We get snippets of each person's backstory and some of the tough aspects of life they're currently dealing with (family and romantic relationships, money/financial stress, difficulties at work, etc.). One of the part-time workers connects with others in ways that are unexpected and heartwarming. There are a number of sweet moments in the intertwined stories although some pieces feel a bit abrupt and random (perhaps it's a stylistic choice? Or the translation? Or something else altogether?). This was an enjoyable read, easily something that can be read as a palate cleanser in between longer/intense books. 3.75/5


Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for the e-arc.

The Second Chance Convenience Store follows multiple characters' perspectives, but centers around Dogko, a man experiencing homelessness who is given a "second chance" at a local convenience store after saving the owner's purse and wallet.

Unfortunately, I really struggled with this book. While it's intended to be heartwarming, the book is offensive in its descriptions of Dogko - did we need to hear how much he smelled constantly? It seemed to take every stereotype of a person experiencing homelessness and apply them to Dogko, and in the end, I found it extremely offputting.

🔹 My take: 4.25/5

Really loved reading this heart warming book. The storyline from beginning to end is very well maintained. The different POVs of each of the characters was also endearing to read. At some point I started looking forward to the story since I knew every key person’s POV will be shared. The writing is simple and easy to follow. And I loved the food descriptions. At some point I craved for the corn silk tea and the lunch box myself. Dokgo’s character was shown so realistic and I loved reading most about Sihyeon and Inkyeong. Kyeongman and Oh’s story was so emotional that I felt for them.
Looking forward to reading more of Ho-Yeon Kim’s books.
If you are interested for some self introspective reads about human emotions and life struggles, do pick this up.

Thanks to @netgalley and @harperperennial for sharing the DRC in exchange for honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Sinopsis en español:

Dok-go vive en la estación de Seúl. No puede recordar su pasado, y lo único que sabe con certeza es que realmente le vendría bien una bebida. Cuando encuentra una cartera perdida llena de documentos, su vida cambia drásticamente.

La Sra. Yeom, una profesora de historia jubilada y actual propietaria de la tienda de la esquina de su vecindario, está angustiada por la pérdida de su bolso, hasta que recibe una llamada misteriosa de la persona que lo encontró. Para agradecer a este desconocido de mala suerte, ella le ofrece una comida gratis de la tienda de conveniencia. Al ver la alegría que le trae la comida, la Sra. Yeom lo invita impulsivamente a pasar a almorzar todos los días.

En un giro del destino, Dok-go salva la tienda de un ladrón, un acto valiente que impulsa a la Sra. Yeom a ofrecer al hombre parecido a un oso un trabajo trabajando en el turno de noche, a pesar de las objeciones de sus cautelosos empleados. El nuevo empleado de la tienda se gana rápidamente a los peculiares habitantes del vecindario, convirtiéndose en un oído acogedor y en una fuente de asesoramiento para los problemas de sus compañeros de trabajo y vecinos, y ayudando a su nuevo jefe a salvar la tienda de la ruina financiera. Pero justo cuando las cosas están mejorando para Dok-go, el hijo bueno para nada de la Sra. Yeom, ansioso por vender la tienda, contrata a un detective para profundizar en el pasado del misterioso hombre y en lo que parece estar tratando de olvidar.

The Second Chance Convenience Store es una historia conmovedora y alegre de una mujer que lucha por su comunidad y un hombre que ha perdido todo excepto la voluntad de intentarlo de nuevo.




Reseña:

A veces solo es necesario leer algo reconfortante. Este libro es como un apapacho.

First up, I'd like to thank @netgalley, @harperperennial and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was a wholesome little read, and I enjoyed it very much.

The Second Chance Convenience Store centres around a neighbourhood convenience store and a homeless man named Dokgo. When the owner of the convenience store has her purse stolen, Dokgo steals it back and returns it to her. In return, the owner thanks him by providing him with daily meals at her convenience store. What follows is life changing for Dokgo, and those around him.

Although this story was simple, and at times predictable, it was thoroughly enjoyable and heartwarming throughout. I never felt it was repetitive, as I feel some translated fiction can be. The characters all felt fleshed out, especially Dokgo, and I was rooting for them throughout. The only downside to this book that I saw was the length of the chapters, as I'm a short chapters girlie at heart.

Honestly, my favourite part of the book was the final chapter though. In it, everything was tied up nicely with a little bow, and I felt that the conclusion answered all questions I had and felt satisfying. Overall, I thought this was a neat little read, and I would read more works by this author.

This was a wonderful little parable of the way we each better each other and community at large when we listen and actively try to understand each other. I always enjoy these types of simple stories.

Thank you to the publisher, Harper Perennial, and NetGalley for providing this advanced reader copy.

The book is full of heartwarming and uplifting story that beautifully captures the impact of kindness and connection. The little 24/7 supermarket owned by Mrs. Yeom serves as the nexus where several lives unknowingly influence each other—a slice of life in modern-day Seoul. Mrs. Yeom, a former teacher, runs the shop not just to keep busy in retirement but to support her community. When she offers a job to Dokgo, a formerly homeless man, his presence sparks change in the lives of those around him. While the story follows a predictable path, its emotional depth and well-developed characters make it a compelling read. At just over 300 pages, the book delivers a touching and inspiring story without overstaying its welcome.

When homeless Dok-go returns the purse belonging to Mrs. Yeom. A retired teacher who owns a convenience
store, she invites him to the store for a meal. When one of her employees leaves, she offers him a job at the store.
As he works at the store, Dok-go begins to recover lost memories His interactions with fellow employees and
customers will have a positive effect on their lives. Heartwarming story
#TheSecondChanceConvenienceStore #HarperPerennial #NetGalley

This book was everything I wanted it to be. Really one of those feel good little stories that moves pretty quickly. We follow the owner of Always Convenience, Mrs. Yeom, who takes a chance on a homeless man, Dokgo. He changes everything about her previously struggling convenience store for the better. I found all the characters to be loveable and really enjoyed how each chapter centered on one touched by either Always Convenience, Mrs. Yoem, or Dokgo.

In full American fashion, I was waiting for Dokgo to be some form of a grifter or for there to be a twist at the end, but it is nice to have a story about the goodness in humanity, especially when it can be difficult to see sometimes.

The Second Chance Convenience Store by Kim Ho-Yeon tells the story of Mrs. Yeom who owns a convenience store and by chance befriends a homeless man, Dokgo. He ends up working the store for the night shift and changing lives, including his own.

I recommend this book for fans of general and multicultural fiction. I enjoy Korean translated fiction, it often leaves me smiling and more content with humanity. This book delivers in every way for an entertaining read that touches your heart.

Thank you Harper Perennial and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

This was such a cute little read! It reminds me so much of some translated books I have read and it was great

I cannot recommend this book highly enough! It has truly earned its five-star rating in my eyes. Healing fiction is gaining popularity worldwide, and I’m thrilled to see translated versions making their way to English-speaking audiences. This particular book transported me back to the real, vibrant people I encountered while living in a small town in Korea. It's so authentic and emotionally resonant. I can hardly wait to purchase a physical copy so I can annotate it and soak in every detail. If you’re on the fence about reading it, let this be your sign to dive in! You won’t regret it! :)

The Second Chance Convenience Store
By: Kim Ho-Yeon

I loved this story from the beginning. I was smiling the entire time I was reading. It’s such a heartwarming story.

Dok-go’s life really changes when he finds a wallet which belongs to Mrs. Yeom. She gives him a chance to have a better life by working at her store. Dok-go has no memory of his life before he became homeless. We do learn about his past, which is so interesting. I really loved how Mrs.Yeom was so sweet to him and not judgy. She truly was a sweet person.

I loved all the characters in the book except for Mrs.Yeoms son, he such a brat.


“When Bob Dylan was young, his grandmother told him that happiness isn’t on the road to anything. She said happiness is the road. And that we should be kind because everyone’s fighting a hard battle.”

It’s a really moving story. We can all learn to be kind and not so judgmental. This is a book I know I will read again. I will be buying a psychical copy of this book. The minute I saw the cover, I knew I needed to read it.


Thank you so much NetGalley, Kim and, Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the eARC!

Publication Date: June 17 2025
Rating: ✨✨✨✨✨

#TheSecondChanceConvenienceStore #NetGalley

(Actual: 4.75⭐, rounded up) Absolutely adored this one! I read so much translated literature with magical realism elements woven in (which I also love!) that I sometimes come to just expect it to be there by default— that said, I thoroughly enjoyed how THE SECOND CHANCE CONVENIENCE STORE is grounded in actual reality, but is still just as wholesome and magical all the same. While one could argue the plot is a bit a thin and predictable (of which I do not argue with), the journey was still fun and I found the characters to all be very lovable and easy to root for. This book could easily be adapted into a mini-series or even a [short] film in my opinion, so I highly recommend it to everyone, but most especially all my "slice-of-life" genre & translated lit lovers!

If I could rate this book higher I would. This is one of my favorite books I have read this year. And I will even say it's made it to one of my favorite books in general. This is a little cozy read the writing style was so beautiful I love how every chapter intertwined with the next. Especially how every chapter was about a different character and you got to see their point of view of our main character till the very end when you get to find out finally the main characters' real story. I don't think I ever imagined a story with covid would become one of my favorite stories ever. But this is just such a real story about the good things in life and it gives you a warm feeling. This is honestly like my definition of what I want when I want to Cozy cute read definitely already recommending this one to a lot of people especially when it's like a story with multiple stories within it that link together into a whole story.