simplymegy 's review for:

Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa
4.5
inspiring reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Reading Sweet Bean Paste was like sipping a cup of warm cocoa under the fireplace on a lovely winter night. The writing was just so cozy and comforting. I also adored the pastel coloured cover- I kept glancing back and forth to it while reading.

There’s something so utterly charming about Sentaro and Tokue’s friendship that bloomed over making desserts. Though the novel touches on some heavier themes, the goodness and quiet strength of Tokue shine through. The story somehow reminded me of Man Called Ove, even though the plot was different. I also appreciated Sentaro’s growth—his character arc was subtle but meaningful.

The ending felt slightly like it was missing a few pages. It wasn’t what I expected, but it was simple yet poignant.