I picked up this sweet little palette cleanser for #januaryinjapan deciding that it had spent a few too many months on my TBR shelf. 

Set in Chiba Prefecture (I place I have visited!) along the Koitogawa River the Chibineko Kitchen specialises in serving remembrance meals that have the ability to reawaken a loved one for one last meal together. 

While this novel wasn't anything profound or especially moving for me, it did reiterate the connection we have between food, family and memory and remind me of transformative power of a good dish. 

I can't help but compare it to 'Before the Coffee gets cold" series (having read the entire series in 2024) which has a similar premise, only done better. 

"People do say that when you wish on a saucer moon, it always comes true. Have you heard that? The moon catches your prayer, just as a dish collects water" pg131

Thank you to Hachette Australia for my gifted copy.