I received this book for free to read and review. This is a light, easy read that will point out that though life does not always go as expected even the bad stuff can take you down the right path. Poor Jessie has to endure more trauma and upheaval in such a short time than I would wish on anyone, but it keeps you reading. ( )

What do you do when everything you thought you knew is suddenly twisted into something unrecognizable but you don’t want to fall back into the life you left behind? In this unique exploration of family, Nagatomo deftly draws the reader in from start to finish. The story is set in modern day Japan, with cultural and historical references reflecting a genuine familiarity with everyday life. Yet the problems Jessie faces are relatable to women nearly anywhere and her solutions will leave you rooting for her and her family and curious where their story will go. ( )

Set aside some time to read before you open this book. Better yet, don’t! You will be amazed how the realistic and at the same time romping narrative will call your name in the little snatches of time you can find riding on a train, sitting in a doctor’s office or waiting for edamame to boil on the stove! It was truly a page turner enhanced by details only a writer who had lived and raised a family in Japan could have woven together so masterfully into a narrative with bumps at every turn. I found myself thrilled to be able to finish it in a stretch one weekend morning. The historical details sprinkled throughout were interesting and added yet another layer of enjoyment to the romantic interest in this fun-to-read novel. I’ve lived and raised children in the Kanto area and I can remember or reasonably imagine all of her characters in a contemporary neighborhood in or near Tokyo. I highly recommend this book to get a taste of, or marvel in, a slice of family life in modern Japan. ( )

This is a truly lovely story of an American woman in Japan, her trials, her happinesses and her relationships. Her life is far from straightforward and she is surrounded by a strange crew of characters mostly but not entirely well meaning/ We follow her through her bereavement, betrayal, and befriending.
In a clear and easy prose we are taken up by her and her friends to the point where we are rooting for her. It is a busy work in terms of plot but it all works out in the end.
This would make a great beach read this summer ( )

I really enjoyed this.
I loved so many things, like how Jessie, Jimmy, and Yuya formed a small family unit despite not being blood-related.
I loved how Jessie found a home and a community after learning shocking secrets about her recently deceased husband.
I loved her strength, even when she didn't think she had any.
There wasn't anything I didn't like.
I laughed, I cried, I felt all the feels and loved it all.
I received a copy via Librarything and all opinions are my own. ( )