This Japanese slice of life novel has a calm and comforting atmosphere that made it an easy and relaxing read. Like many other cozy bookstore novels it has that distinct introspective storytelling style which I often enjoy. I appreciated that it doesn’t shy away from the heavier themes of life like purpose, illness and relationships. What did surprise me is that only a small portion of the story actually takes place in or around the bookshop. This is not bad, but it can be misleading if you're looking for a traditional ''running a bookstore'' story. In all honesty I don’t think it quite lives up to the hype but after reading the sequel (which I enjoyed a lot more) the two books together create a more well-rounded experience so I’d recommend them as a pair.