A review by ghada_mohammed
Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum

inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

With its slow pace and cozy atmosphere, <i>Welcome to Hyunam-dong Bookshop</i> is a therapy session disguised as a book. It invites the reader to take things slowly and enjoy the little things in life. It also tackles the toxic side of corporate with impossible grace and addresses the crushing weight of familial/societal expectations. I loved how the book portrayed realistic growth and mental health journeys in both Yeongju and Minjun. I also loved the characters' relationships: the unlikely friendship between three troubled women; Yeongju's and

Seungwoo's

dynamic. I particularly loved how conflict was handled by the latter: the whole I-respect-you-and-trust-you-to-handle-this-take-your-time approach was heartwarming. Honestly, my only qualm with this book was that ended.

All in all, it is a candid, uplifting, and heartwarming tale about books, coffee, and choosing what makes one happy. I cannot recommend this hard enough.