The Calico Cat at the Chibineko Kitchen
Meals to Remember at the Chibineko Kitchen Series - Book 2
Disclaimer - This is Not a Romance Genre Book
By Yuta Takahashi, Translated by Cat Anderson
Penguin Books - February 2026 (US English)
Magical Fiction
Kotoko had originally gone to the Chibineko Kitchen for a remembrance meal. Although not guaranteed, while the food was hot, sometimes, the deceased might come back for a visit. She had stayed to work with Kai whose mother had started the meals.
Now, new guests came hoping for their own visits. A young woman with a terminal condition. A man who had been letting life pass him by. A senior who needed to realize she still had friends. And a man whose son had died. Each are on their own journeys, each have their own challenges. Each is looking for answers to questions they don’t even realize they have.
The Calico Cat at the Chibineko Kitchen is a story of brokenness being healed. Each person has faced difficulties and feels like they are only going through the motions of life. It is somewhat ironic that it is only by talking with someone who has died that they are able to see the best way forward. It was interesting to glimpse these characters’ lives and get a sense of what their future may hold. I was particularly entertained by the senior citizens protecting their own. Each story shows that no matter what challenges someone is facing, you can still look to the future with optimism and hope.
Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com
FTC Disclaimer: I did receive a copy for review. However, this website only posts "good" reviews. If I cannot post a positive review, I notify whoever has provided me with the book/ARC/ebook.