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theliteraryteapot's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
The concept of a restaurant solving mysteries in the form of looking for lost/forgotten recipes is really great. I loved the food descriptions. But I completely disliked the execution.
Poor writing: very simple one sentence to describe an action and then the rest is just dialogues. There were so many repetitions as well (this is why editors exist). Poor character work: the two main characters are so bland, no depth whatsoever, no development, we know almost nothing about them. They sort of didn't feel human. As for the mysteries, we never see the characters actually solving them, we only see the end results.
There was so much potential but this was a disappointment.
Poor writing: very simple one sentence to describe an action and then the rest is just dialogues. There were so many repetitions as well (this is why editors exist). Poor character work: the two main characters are so bland, no depth whatsoever, no development, we know almost nothing about them. They sort of didn't feel human. As for the mysteries, we never see the characters actually solving them, we only see the end results.
There was so much potential but this was a disappointment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Misogyny, Death, Terminal illness, and Dementia
sarahb919's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Cherish your moms and cherish your food! That is the lesson Iām taking away from this story!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Dementia, Terminal illness, and Alcohol
ninahuynh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Such a wonderful concept and collection of intertwining stories! I am always amazed at how Nagare is able to find the details to the dish with just a few descriptions or words. And all the food talk and description really had me hungry and picturing Ghibili food throughout the entire book š 6 stories and 6 different dishes. All unique in their own way. This book really exemplifies how food and our memory are closely connected with each other.
I do wish he treated Drowsy better though :(
I do wish he treated Drowsy better though :(
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Alcohol, Death, Dementia, and Grief
gcrkl's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent, Alcohol, Dementia, Grief, Terminal illness, and Death
risemini's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, Grief, Terminal illness, Alcohol, and Death of parent
writteninmagic's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
2.5
(Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam for providing me with an eARC to review.)
The story was a quick, lighthearted read. I enjoyed reading about the variety of Japanese food that the restaurant made. My favorite parts of the story were where the restaurant owner told the customers how he prepared their meals. It highlighted the effort and care he puts into his cooking.
Unfortunately, there wasn't much substance to the characters. Even with Nagare (the restaurant owner) and Koishi (Nagare's daughter who runs the restaurant with him), we barely know them as characters. It was all surface level. Each chapter focused on a new customer as they sought out the restaurant; it was very repetitive how they found the restaurant through the food magazine ad, remarked that it was hard to find, noticed a photo on the wall in the corridor while heading to the detective office, and reacted to the food that they requested). The way Nagare and Koishi responded to them also felt repetitive. Also, the translation had oddly phrased sentences.
The story was a quick, lighthearted read. I enjoyed reading about the variety of Japanese food that the restaurant made. My favorite parts of the story were where the restaurant owner told the customers how he prepared their meals. It highlighted the effort and care he puts into his cooking.
Unfortunately, there wasn't much substance to the characters. Even with Nagare (the restaurant owner) and Koishi (Nagare's daughter who runs the restaurant with him), we barely know them as characters. It was all surface level. Each chapter focused on a new customer as they sought out the restaurant; it was very repetitive how they found the restaurant through the food magazine ad, remarked that it was hard to find, noticed a photo on the wall in the corridor while heading to the detective office, and reacted to the food that they requested). The way Nagare and Koishi responded to them also felt repetitive. Also, the translation had oddly phrased sentences.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Alcohol, Dementia, Terminal illness, and Grief
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