“Life isn’t a hundred-metre sprint, it isn’t quite a marathon either.
Perhaps life is simply the journey of finding our own pace and direction—the optimal path for ourselves.”

What a cozy, heartwarming read!
I fell in love with the setting right away—tucked in the South Korean countryside, just a couple hours from Seoul, there’s a place called the Book Kitchen. It’s part café, part guesthouse, and completely surrounded by books.

Honestly, this story sounds like a dream come true for any reader. I’d visit in a heartbeat, it feels like the perfect escape from the hustle and stress of city life.

The story brings together a cast of characters from the owner, staff and guests who all find themselves at the Book Kitchen, each needing a break from the pressure and routine of everyday life.
It’s a place where they can slow down, breathe, and reconnect with nature, with themselves, and with the simple joys of fireflies, blooming flowers, soft music, and the comforting scent of books.

In less than 300 pages, this book weaves a gentle, enchanting tale of healing, rest, and rediscovery. There’s a touch of romance, but the heart of the story is really about finding comfort and a sense of belonging.

Not everything gets neatly resolved, and the characters’ journeys aren’t always easy—but by the end, they’re moving toward lives that feel truer to themselves, rather than ones shaped by other people’s expectations.

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: grief

This book has made me want to run away somewhere in the remote countryside and rediscover myself!
Reading this made me feel so cosy and comforted even with the feeling of melancholy that runs throughout with each of the characters going through their own struggles.
A great read for anyone who maybe thinks they're falling behind their peers or questioning if they should make that change they've been thinking about.

SOYANGRI BOOK KITCHEN REVIEW
RATING: 4
GENRE: Fiction

Can I start off by wishing that Soyangri Book Kitchen be a real place? I would love to visit the cafe or stay at Yoojin’s guesthouse. Soyangri Book Kitchen is healing fiction book where those who are troubled or lost find their place as they take time away from their every day lives.

We encounter seven characters that are experiencing uncertainty in their lives and have a chance encounter at Soyangri Book Kitchen. As they spend time in the Korean countryside and interact with the staff of the book kitchen, they are allowed the separation to reflect on their lives. As with most healing books, it is written in an episodic manner and very character driven. I loved this book and highly recommend for those who enjoy a reset and peaceful read.

Thank you to Union Square & Co. and Netgalley for an opportunity to read and review. I will be picking up my own copy on 10/07/2025!

What really makes this book shine is its warmth. It’s not flashy or dramatic; it’s honest, deeply comforting, and filled with love — for books, for food, and for the hope that we all carry.

I wish I could visit the Book Kitchen myself.

This is such a lovely book. I loved what Yoojin creates with her Book Kitchen. I would love to visit and just enjoy the quiet of the moment for a little while.
I enjoyed these stories and how this little place helped them find hope and light in their lives again.
A lovely cozy read for everyone.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

I really resonated with what the author was doing here! I really enjoyed the story and the setting! I really enjoyed the development of the main characters relationship and I’m so glad books like this exist in the UK now!

There's been a recent rise in Japanese-translated books, specifically cozy stories that revolve around a location and the patrons that frequent it. While many are interesting, not all of them manage to hit the nail on the head, so to speak, but luckily this book is one of the good ones.

I think what makes Soyangri Book Kitchen stand out is the care that comes with the stories presented because the simpler the overall setup, the more authentic these characters are. I can believe that Yoojin created this place for people to come look at books or eat or stay overnight so when that actually happens, it doesn't feel cheesy. The revelations for these stories were also grounded which allowed me to think about my own life. That's what makes these cozy books so good and worth reading over and over. Maybe I could stumble upon a place like this and have a wonderful revelation.

A very enjoyable book, I’m pleased I got the chance to read this and would highly recommend it to people who like comforting, pleasant reads.

I loved the setting and how each character was worked into the story, this.is a book that will stay with me for a long time.

Thanks to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for providing me with an eARC.

The Soyangri Book Kitchen has an atmosphere so scenic and pleasant that I really wanted to live there. I really liked the underlying theme of all the stories -- slowing down to really experience what's around you. My only issue was that the stories were too short, so it felt like each story didn't get the closure it deserved. I liked how people from different backgrounds stay there and gain a new perspective on life. I personally didn't get attached to any of the main characters though. Overall, it's a cozy book that reminds you of the impact books, new people and scenic locations have on us and our lives.

I so enjoyed this book. It reminded me of When the Coffee gets cold and I'm loving the current trend in Japanese literature. Highly recommend!