Review | Welcome to the Kokoro Cat Clinic

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Cats once again prove to be the best medicine in the wonderful third book following the award-winning, bestselling Japanese novel We’ll Prescribe You a Cat.

Book cover of 'Welcome to the Kokoro Cat Clinic' by Syou Ishida, featuring a black cat's face with yellow eyes and a headband, surrounded by playful kittens and medical items.

When you are lost, the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul will find for you.

Dr. Nikké and his clinic are always ready to offer their unconventional approach to healing. Although one never quite understands how they ended up there, each person who has walked through the door has left with a cat and a deeper understanding of themselves. Every time, the clinic reaffirms that the unbreakable bond between cats and people has the potential to heal and transform lives.

With Dr. Nikké as the constant that weaves each of these stories together, we meet a woman anxious about an upcoming competition, an overwhelmed young father, an illustrator questioning her career, and a young woman burdened with guilt. Digging ever deeper into the complicated minds of humans—and the love of their feline companions—this poignant, episodic novel provides something richer and more challenging than mere comfort: compassion.

Amazon | Shop the Series | Goodreads

Text graphic featuring the word 'Review' in a playful font, accompanied by a cartoon cat and illustrations of books.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Dr. Nikké and Chitose are back again and helping more people by prescribing cats in the third installment of the We’ll Prescribe You a Cat series. While the format is the same, with different people finding their way to the Clinic for the Soul and being described a cat to help them figure out what is troubling them, in this installment we learn even more about the history of the space the clinic inhabits and what led to it’s creation. While the original events are somewhat described in books 1 and 2, we get a clear recollection of what originally happened from one of the people who were there, and their lingering feelings regarding the situation. There were definitely a lot of loose strings that were starting to be pulled together, but it’s obvious that there’s more to the underlying stories. As always there is a lot of introspection as people work through the things plaguing their hearts, not all of which are resolved.

I had previously thought this was the conclusion, but it looks like another three books are in the series in Japan, so I’m eager to see them come out in the US as well and continue with the story of the clinic.

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC copy of this book through Netgalley. Welcome to the Kokoro Cat Clinic came out today, so make sure to pick up a copy (and make sure to read the first two as well)!

Happy reading!

*Disclaimer: Amazon links included may be affiliate links that I receive a commission on if purchased through.

Review | Bad Days Aren’t Forever by Jacqueline Chen

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Popular internet illustrator Chibird returns with a heartwarming collection of comforting comics to help you through tough days, sad days, and everything in between. For fans of Pusheen and cozy, kawaii art.

Cover of the comic book 'Bad Days Aren't Forever' by Jacqueline Chen featuring cute cartoon characters under an umbrella with rain clouds and sunshine in the background.

Jacqueline Chen’s Chibird returns with Bad Days Aren’t Forever, a collection of her iconic, endearing comics focused on mental health and getting through tough times.

Covering everything from seeking comfort and accepting your emotions to finding motivation and surviving sadness, Chibird meets you exactly where you are with a burst of encouragement for any difficult day.

– A long-awaited sequel to Loading Penguin Hugs
– Adorable, impossibly cute kawaii art
– Gentle, shareable messages on stress and self-esteem
– Perfect for fans of Pusheen and cozy comfort comics

A sweet reminder that bad days aren’t forever—and we’ll get through this one, together.

Amazon | Goodreads

The word 'Review' in playful, turquoise text accompanied by a cute cat illustration and stacks of books.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

When I saw that Jacqueline Chen was coming out with another book after loving Loading Penguin Hugs, I knew I had to pick it up. These comics are quick, single panel images with messages of uplifting encouragement. With this one especially, there’s a lot of references to getting through hard times. I love Jacqueline Chen’s art style and quick, one shot style of comics. They are a quick read, but also wholesome and adorable.

Bad Days Aren’t Forever is coming out on November 10th, so make sure to add it to your TBR and pre-order a copy. If you don’t want to wait, you can also check out Loading Penguin Hugs which is available now!

Happy reading!

*Disclaimer: Amazon links included may be affiliate links that I receive a commission on if purchased through.

Review | With All My Haunted Heart by Isabel Sterling

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A witch hired to ethically haunt a small-town B&B instead finds herself spellbound by her non-magical client in this cozy and enchanting sapphic romance.

Book cover of 'With All My Haunted Heart' by Isabel Sterling, featuring two women embracing in front of a haunted house under a starry night sky.

Steadily losing clients to the new DIY-magic shop on the other side of town, Pippa Ainsley is getting desperate. Instead of hiring the witch to correct their magical maladies, local mundanes have been taking their chances with the cheaper—and unpredictable—crystals and herb blends. So when Pippa’s best friend hires her to inspect his newly acquired bed-and-breakfast for ghosts, she doesn’t think twice about it.

That is, until she learns that his unfairly attractive co-owner, Elle Thompson, doesn’t want Pippa to rid their business of spirits. She wants Pippa to give them an edge over the competition by haunting their B&B.

It’s the perfect challenge for Pippa’s experimental magic, but just because she could figure it out, doesn’t mean it’s a smart or safe idea. But Elle is persistent, and the financial boost could save her own business if Pippa succeeds. Soon, Pippa finds herself testing the limits of her magic… and her ability to stop the growing attraction she feels toward Elle, a woman with a painful secret of her own.

Amazon | Goodreads

Graphic featuring the word 'Review' in playful turquoise font, accompanied by a cute illustration of a cat and stacks of books.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I was not expecting this book to be as emotionally deep as it ended up being but I absolutely loved it. We follow Pippa, who’s struggling to keep her business afloat while also feeling with trauma caused by her family. She is approached by her best friend asking her to help with his new B & B, but with a twist, he and his business partner want the B & B to be haunted and Pippa is the witch they feel can help them.

Pippa struggles a lot with feeling like people actually want or value her relationship, due to trauma from her family and feelings of being cast aside/abandonment. This is a common thread that definitely affects her throughout the story. Xander and Elle definitely have their own trauma and issues that they are affected by, but it’s really Pippa’s story and her overcoming her insecurities. There is a ton of growth and emotional depth, especially in the last quarter of the book. The relationship between Pippa and Elle is a little slow burn, a little angsty especially from Pippa’s point of view, but when things start ramping up their attraction is undeniable…which of course opens its own can of worms.

I really liked how the different threads of the story resolved at the end, it really felt like Pippa and Elle both processed some of their trauma and grief and were able to be honest with each other (and a bit humble).

Thank you to Berkley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. With All My Haunted Heart just came out, so make sure to pick up a copy!

Happy reading!

*Disclaimer: Amazon links included may be affiliate links that I receive a commission on if purchased through.

Review | As the Whispers Echo by Steffanie Blais

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A romantic book cover featuring a couple embracing in front of a mountain landscape, with the title 'As the Whispers Echo' displayed prominently above them.

Wildhaven is anything but predictable, so it shouldn’t be surprising when the town’s notorious playboy proposes to the woman who seems to hate him the most.

Chase Wild doesn’t believe in happily ever after. Abigail Bennett doesn’t believe in relying on anyone but herself. Yet when Chase offers Abi a marriage of convenience, it solves both their problems: Chase proves to his family that he’s capable of stability. Abi gets a place to live and the health insurance she desperately needs.

The rules are simple: no unnecessary touching and definitely no falling in love.

But as buried secrets surface inside the Wild family empire, Chase and Abi find themselves caught in a dangerous web of betrayal and unanswered questions.

And when everything they’ve built together is put to the test, they’ll have to decide whether uncovering the truth is worth losing the one thing they never meant to find.

Amazon | Shop the Series | Goodreads

Text that says 'Review' in a playful font, accompanied by a cartoon cat and stacks of books.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

If there’s one thing I’m immediately going to love, it’s top-notch banter. I will always pick up a book or author that I hear has great banter and this one definitely did. I will be going back to read the rest of the series as I devoured this story. I’m a little bummed I hadn’t already read the first three as the writing was really well paced, but also there was a wonderful love story even while it seems a lot of things are falling apart or the stakes are high. I felt it was handled really well and was not only believable but relatable.

Thanks to House of Hearts for the eARC copy!

Happy reading!

*Disclaimer: Amazon links included may be affiliate links that I receive a commission on if purchased through.

Review | Hexy Beast by Avery Flynn

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An impulsive witch and a buttoned-up werewolf discover love is its own beast in this spicy rom-com from USA Today bestselling author Avery Flynn.

Book cover of 'Hexy Beast' by Avery Flynn, featuring a man on a motorcycle and a woman sitting behind him, with a whimsical night sky background.

As the eldest daughter of the magical Sherwood family, I’m supposed to have everything together. Well, joke’s on them—I, Effie Sherwood, am chaos incarnate, and you’ll never be able to guess my next move.

Like jumping on the back of Darius Aetos’ motorcycle. Not only is Darius grumpy, gruff, and hot, he’s also the head of the Aetos werewolf pack.

My spur of the moment decision has quickly become a much bigger commitment, because a pack elder is convinced this hunk of a man (or wolf, depending on the hour) is my fated mate.

Even though I’m a witch and he’s a werewolf, we’re stuck together until we can find our way out of the tricky pack politics. But under the light of the blue moon, it’s almost starting to feel like Darius doesn’t want to stay away from me. And I’m not sure if it’s my magic going haywire or the starlit skies, but I can’t imagine leaving his arms either.

Amazon | Shop the Series | Goodreads

Stylized text that says 'Review' in turquoise, accompanied by a cute cat illustration and a stack of books.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This was my first experience with Avery Flynn’s writing and I have to say, I will be picking up more. I spent so much of this book laughing at the banter between Effie and Darius as they went from enemies to loves and discovered that even though they didn’t believe in fated mates, that kinda didn’t matter. There are definitely some shenanigans between the two of them, and moderate to high stakes, but what really shone in this story was them getting to know each other beyond what they knew of each other previously. Effie is used to being perceived a certain way and definitely has some baggage due to being the eldest child but not the heir of her family’s magic as she was supposed to be and I was glad to see some exploration of her emotions behind that and her acknowledging how that contributes to her actions. We even get to see Darius work through some of his insecurities and fears throughout the process.

I had a lot of fun reading this one, it was funny, spicy and gave me a great glimpse of the world that Flynn has created in this series. The writing style flowed so easily and it made the story a super quick read that I couldn’t get enough of.

Hexy Beast is out today, so check it out as well as the first two books in the series! Thank you to Berkley for the digital arc through Netgalley.

Happy reading!

*Disclaimer: Amazon links included may be affiliate links that I receive a commission on if purchased through.

Review | We’ll Prescribe You Another Cat by Syou Ishida

DeAnneLeave a comment

The Kokoro Clinic for the Soul reopens in this delightful follow-up to the award-winning, bestselling Japanese novel We’ll Prescribe You a Cat.

It’s time to revisit the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul.

Though it’s a mysteriously located clinic with an uncertain address, it can always be found by those who need it. And the clinic has proven time after time that a prescribed cat has the power to heal the emotional wounds of its patients. This charming sequel introduces a new lovable cast of healing cats, from Kotetsu, a four-month-old Bengal who unleashes his boundless energy by demolishing bed linens and curtains, to tenacious and curious Shasha, who doesn’t let her small size stop her from anything, and the most lovable yet lazy cat Ms. Michiko, who is as soft and comforting as mochi.

As characters from one chapter appear as side characters in the next, we follow a young woman who cannot help pushing away the man who loves her, a recently widowed grandfather whose grandson refuses to leave his room, the family of a young woman who struggle to understand each other, and an anxious man who works at a cat shelter seeking to show how the most difficult cats can be the most rewarding. This moving, magical novel of interconnected tales proves the strength in the unfathomable bond between cats and people.

Amazon | Shop the Series | Goodreads

Rating: 4 out of 5.

If one cat helps, then why not two or more?

In the second book to the We’ll Prescribe You a Cat series, we return to the Kokoro Clinic For the Soul and the interesting Dr. Nikke and his receptionist/nurse Chitose. Much in line with the first book in the series we follow a number of people who have something weighing on their hearts that they need to resolve and upon visiting the clinic they are prescribed a cat…or two. The stories in this one are not only connected to each other, but we can see some ties to the first book as well. We do learn a but more about the clinic in general, and the history of Nikke and Chitose, which I’m hoping we get even more of in the 3rd book.

Some of the stories are more heartfelt and sentimental, while others are very emotional. As with most healing fiction make sure you have some tissues handy as we follow the lives of these people and their journey intersecting with the Kokoro Clinic for the soul and their discovery of the healing nature of cats.

If you’re interested in this and other healing fiction/translated fiction titles that I recommend, make sure to check out my Amazon Storefront listing specifically for translated fiction – which includes many of my favorites!

Happy reading!

*Disclaimer: Amazon links included may be affiliate links that I receive a commission on if purchased through.

Review | The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop by Takuya Asakura

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Welcome to the Cherry Blossom Bookshop, a haven for book lovers that only appears during the fleeting cherry blossom season. Nestled amidst the bloom of delicate petals, you’ll find a sanctuary for those burdened by regrets and past sorrows. Here, Sakura, the mysterious young owner, and her wise calico cat, Kobako, patiently await the arrival for souls in need of solace and healing.

Told over four seasons, each visitor to the bookshop holds a book that bridges their past and present, guiding them towards understanding and acceptance. With the antique charm of the shop and the soothing aroma of freshly brewed coffee, Sakura and Kobako help their guests confront lingering sadness through the power of stories, enabling them to move forward with renewed hope.

Amazon (currently available on KU!) | Goodreads

Rating: 3 out of 5.

If you happen to read the same passage of a book that the proprietor of Sakura is also reading at the exact same time, and the cherry blossoms are in bloom you may just find yourself in from of Sakura and greeted by a young girl and her calico cat. While there you may get to remember something long forgotten, see something from another perspective or resolve another conflict within yourself.

This book is absolutely stunning and whimsical and I wanted to put it up there with my favorite translated fiction books, but there were some points where it just needed to go a little farther. A couple of the stories really stood out to me, especially the one about the grandfather suffering with memory care issues and desperately trying to remember something his wife said to him when he proposed to her years ago. The writing is full of emotional impact and each of the stories/characters have a different lesson to learn and/or teach. I did really enjoy the premise, as well as the last story that ties everything together, but I did find myself just wanting a little more from it.

That being said, if you’re looking for something that has a similar feeling to Before the Coffee Gets Cold, this one does fit the bill and though it wasn’t at the top of my list I still really enjoyed it.

Happy reading!

*Disclaimer: Amazon links included may be affiliate links that I receive a commission on if purchased through.

Review | We’ll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida

DeAnneLeave a comment

A cat a day keeps the doctor away….

Discover this utterly charming, vibrant celebration of the healing power of cats in the award-winning, bestselling Japanese novel that has become an international sensation.

Tucked away on the fifth floor of an old building at the end of a narrow alley in Kyoto, the Nakagyō Kokoro Clinic for the Soul can be found only by people who are struggling in their lives and who genuinely need help. The mysterious clinic offers a unique treatment to those who find their way there: it prescribes cats as medication. Patients are often puzzled by this unconventional prescription, but when they “take” their cat for the recommended duration, they witness profound transformations in their lives, guided by the playful, empathetic, and occasionally challenging yet endearing cats.

Throughout these pages, the power of the human-animal bond is revealed as a disheartened businessman finds unexpected joy in physical labor, a middle-aged man struggles to stay relevant at work and home, a young girl navigates the complexities of elementary school cliques, a hardened handbag designer seeks emotional balance, and a geisha learns to move on from the memory of her lost cat. As the clinic’s patients grapple with their inner turmoil and seek resolution, their feline companions lead them toward healing, self-discovery, and newfound hope.

Amazon | Shop the Series | Goodreads

Rating: 4 out of 5.

What if being prescribed a cat could help resolve whatever is troubling your heart?

I know a lot of the currently being translated Japanese and Korean fiction are very similar in some ways, often told in connected vignettes or stories, often with themes of turmoil, grief or healing – but I have loved pretty much every one I’ve read, and this was no different.

In this first installment to the We’ll Prescribe You a Cat series, we get introduced to the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul and its quirky doctor and nurse. When people visit, each with their own issues or maladies, they are prescribed a cat for a short period of time. What follows is resolution, healing and more, depending on their specific complaint.

This one takes a bit to unfold, leaving you guessing if there’s something supernatural/mystical going on, or if this is just an interesting mental health clinic that prescribes cats. By the end of the book we certainly have some answers and it definitely left me wondering what will happen in subsequent books. The writing flowed wonderfully, which is even more impressive considering it is a translation. I was probably more emotional about the stories than some would be, given recent events with my own cat, but if you’re a cat lover this is definitely one that will pull at the heartstrings.

The second book in the series is already out and the 3rd is coming out in early September, so look for reviews of both of them soon as well!

Happy reading!

Life Update – 8/20

DeAnneLeave a comment

As you all may know, the last few month have been rough with discovering that Calypso had cancer and dealing with her being in hospice care. Unfortunately, last week we had to say goodbye. I’m not going to get into the details of what happened, but we were able to say goodbye when she let us know she was tired and it was time.

Needless to say, my head has not been in the greatest space, so I took a break. I’m still not 100% but a new addition to our family is helping me get back on track (see my instagram for more info on her!).

All this to say that I’m hoping to start back up my book posts tomorrow and get back on track. After going through what we went through the last few months I’m way behind on ARCs and things I need to read, so I’m going to try to get back on track.

Happy reading!

Review | Where I Should’ve Been by Max Monroe

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Everyone in the smalltown of Red Bridge, Vermont, knows Tad Hanson, the hot sheep farmer who can’t control his flock. He doesn’t believe in forever, but he’ll be the best time you’ve ever had―right now. What they don’t know is why.

He’s too charming, too good with that addicting smile of his, too committed to keeping his dark past buried, and too stubborn to imagine his life could be any other way.

Until a snowstorm―and one beautiful woman―send his carefully controlled world spinning.

Successful art director Beatrice “Breezy” Bishop thought she had life figured out―until her father gave her the middle finger from the grave and left the family galleries she built to her entitled younger brother. With nothing left in New York but resentment and regret, she temporarily heads to Red Bridge, looking for space to breathe.

Instead, she finds a sexy, flirty, secret fling with Tad, and a rivalry with the editor of Red Bridge’s newspaper. It’s chaotic, but it’s the happiest she’s ever been.

But secrets never stay secrets for long, and when hearts get involved―and the universe clearly has other plans―walking away isn’t as easy as they thought.

Amazon | Goodreads | Shop the Series

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This was my first time reading something from Max Monroe and I didn’t realize this was the 3rd in the series (though I had no issues reading this one out of order) but I will definitely be picking up more.

Breezy – who has been breaking her back to run her family’s art galleries and then has the business yanked out from under her when her father dies and leaves the business to her younger brother (who knows nothing about the galleries) and Tad – a fireman turned sheep farmer who has a ton of past trauma and baggage that keeps him from getting close to people are complex characters who both carry a lot of baggage they need to work through. Breezy has come to Red Bridge to stay with her older brother and try to figure out what she wants to do with her life now that she no longer has the galleries.

Neither one of them are looking for a relationship but their attraction is undeniable so things move rather quickly to what they consider a no strings, casual relationship. Their banter is top notch and it’s great to watch them grow closer without realizing that feelings are developing. Though this was my first foray into Red Bridge, the other characters still had their own fully fledged identities and histories that gave the environment a three dimensional feel (and I can’t wait to check out the first two books in the series).

The only (slight) detractor for me was the lack of communication/miscommunication felt like it went on just a little too long – but that’s probably a me thing as I have a lower tolerance for excessive miscommunication. I understood the motivations behind not wanting to talk about baggage or old scars that kept trying to open, but at some point you just want to lock them in a room and make them talk. (haha)

The climax of the story though was a whirlwind and perfect turning points for both characters in a lot of ways. It definitely kept me on my toes there for a bit until the end and made me even more certain I want to catch up and read the first two.

Happy reading!

*Disclaimer: Amazon links included may be affiliate links that I receive a commission on if purchased through.