kikslacola 's review for:

The Convenience Store by the Sea by Sonoko Machida

4.0

hopeful reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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I can’t explain why I loved this book. It was just a feeling that came over me in the last chapter. It’s another “healing” book where the chapters are episodic, focusing on one particular character instead of following a distinct plot from beginning to end, so as each chapter began I found myself holding my breath, wondering if I would like the character that was the focus of the chapter. I don’t know if I loved all the characters, but there was just something warm about the whole thing. I loved that the convenience store was the thing that connected everyone, and how

the two brothers

, Japanese Cupid and Mr Mountain Bear, would pop up in each character’s little journey.

I especially loved the friendship the two brothers struck up with Kiriyama.

I loved the feeling of community that this book had. Maybe it’s that I’m currently in bed struggling with serious pain and feeling a little emotionally vulnerable, but I felt teary finishing this book. Maybe the irresistible, mysterious charm of Shiba has transcended the pages and sunk me helplessly into his orbit, whispering “4 starsssss” in my ear.