A woman inherits a pawnshop where you can sell your regrets, and then embarks on a magical journey when a charming young physicist wanders into the shop, in this dreamlike and enchanting fantasy novel.

On a backstreet in Tokyo lies a pawnshop, but not everyone can find it. Most will see a cozy ramen restaurant. And only the chosen ones—those who are lost—will find a place to pawn their life choices and deepest regrets.

Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawnshop’s new owner to find it ransacked, the shop’s most precious acquisition stolen, and her father missing. And then into the shop stumbles a charming stranger, quite unlike its other customers, for he offers help instead of seeking it.

Together, they must journey through a mystical world to find Hana’s father and the stolen choice—by way of rain puddles, rides on paper cranes, the bridge between midnight and morning, and a night market in the clouds.

But as they get closer to the truth, Hana must reveal a secret of her own—and risk making a choice that she will never be able to take back.

I’ve heard nothing but great things about this book and had to check it out. I did a tandem read (listened and read along) and really enjoyed it, even though I wish we’d gotten to go a little deeper into the world. Still, I found it to be a beautifully imaginative and heartwarming fantasy.

At the heart of the novel is Hana Ishikawa, a woman who inherits a pawnshop with an extraordinary secret: it doesn’t deal in objects – it deals in regrets. Hidden behind the façade of a cozy ramen restaurant, this magical pawnshop only appears to those who are truly lost, offering them a chance to leave behind their biggest regrets.

When the story begins, Hana wakes to find her father missing, the shop ransacked, and something very valuable is missing. Then, a stranger, a charming young physicist from the outside world named Keishin – stumbles into the shop. It’s not long before Keishin decides that he is going to help Hana find her father, even though this strange world may be more than he bargained for.

Yambao’s writing is strong and lyrical, balancing whimsy with emotional depth. One of the strongest elements of this book is the idea of pawning your deepest regrets – those moments you wish you could take back. It’s not until later that we learn the cost of doing such things, and the impact was really thought-provoking.

What makes this story truly special, though, are its characters. Hana is incredibly relatable – grappling with loss, responsibility, and the burden of family secrets. Watching her grow into her new role while figuring out her family’s past is a beautifully crafted emotional arc. And then there’s Keishin, whose gentle charm and quiet vulnerability make him the perfect companion for Hana’s journey. Their relationship builds slowly and organically, filled with tender moments that feel both sweet and bittersweet, seeing as they are from different worlds and can never really be together.

The magical realism elements in this book are simply stunning and, at times, border on more fantasy than magical realism. Yambao has crafted a beautiful world that feels ethereal yet grounded, blending the familiar streets of Tokyo with a surreal, dreamlike atmosphere. The imagery is rich and vivid and I kind of wanted to visit this place. We see our characters ride on paper cranes, traverse puddles that lead to mystical realms, visit a night market floating among the clouds, and start a rumor that will take them to where they need to go as the rumor spreads.

That said, while I enjoyed the book and the magic it explores, it left me wanting more. The world Yambao has created is so rich and full of potential that it feels like the story only scratches the surface. Honestly, this book feels like it could have been a series. There’s so much to explore, and it begs for more space to breathe and grow.

I mentioned that I both read and listened to this one and thoroughly enjoyed the narration. Cindy Kay does an exceptional job of bringing the characters and the story to life. If you prefer audiobooks, I would recommend this one.

In the end, I found this book to be a magical, heart-touching journey through regret, forgiveness, and self-discovery. It’s a beautifully written fantasy that blends mystery, adventure, and romance. If you’re drawn to stories that feel like modern fairy tales, with lush world-building and tender emotional moments, this book might be what you are looking for.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just be prepared to wish there was more – because once you step into Yambao’s world, you won’t want to leave.

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