This is a unique story about the characters meeting their loved ones who had died by eating remembrance meals prepared by the Chibineko Kitchen. We have Nagi, who only has a few more years to live because of her cancer and she had broken off with her boyfriend, meets her mother through eating remembrance meal. We have other characters who are also facing similar situations like Nagi, who are missing their loved ones and remember and meet them by having meals at the Chibineko kitchen.

This is the part 2 of the Chibineko Kitchen series. I enjoyed reading about the characters who faced many issues and problems after their loved ones die and through eating remembrance meals, they get encouragement and courage to live their life to the fullest. I also liked how there were recipes of those remembrance meals at the end of each chapter--so that we could try out those meals at home! Overall, I feel this is an emotional, heartbreaking and tear-jerking novel and I do like that there are cats mentioned in the story as I am a cat lover :)

Overall I give this book as 4.5 stars.

Many thanks to Netgalley and JMP for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

The Calico Cat at the Chibineko Kitchen is a warm, emotional read made up of four short stories. Each one follows a different person dealing with loss, and all of them visit a magical restaurant where they can see a loved one who has passed away—just for as long as the steam from a special meal lasts.

The stories are sad but comforting and are perfect for fans of Japanese fiction such as Before the Coffee Gets Cold.
I really hope there’s another book in the series!

A lovely read, just right for curling up under a blanket with a cup of tea and losing yourself for a few hours.

4 stars.
The Chibineko Kitchen is a place where you can see your loved ones again by buying a remembrance meal for them.
This really hits the sweet spot for healing fiction, it'll make you cry but in a good way, there is four short stories that follow one character per story; their loss/grief and subsequent healing.
This was a fast and short read, that being its only flaw, that it's not long enough.
It ticks the box for all the feels with each character. You'll be empathising with all of them.
I'm hoping it doesn't take too long to translate more in this series, I'm always in the mood for a Japanese translated healing fiction!
Thanks to John Murray Press over on Netgalley for the chance to review this!

thank you so much for this sequel! i really loved the first book and loved the second one as well. i can’t wait to see the next book in this series!!!

I adore this type of book, emotional certainly but so deeply comforting about the human condition. Four intertwined stories about loss and love. They are very comforting books.

The book comprises four intertwined stories centred around a magical restaurant that allows people to momentarily reconnect with lost loved ones, through 'remembrance meals' and only while the steam from the meal lingers. Once the steam goes, so do they. Also, let me take this moment to let you know, there are recipes in this book too which reflect each story.

This time the core theme is based around Parents.

- Miso Marinated Tofu – Nagi's Story
Diagnosed with the same terminal illness that took her mother, Nagi visits the Chibineko Kitchen seeking one last meeting with her. There, she learns from her mother's spirit that even a short life filled with love is meaningful. Supported by her father and boyfriend, Nagi rediscovers the value of time shared.

- A Black Mask Cat and Pork Belly Kara-age – Keita's Story
Keita, a drifting soul nearing forty, finds purpose after his mother’s stroke changes both their lives. Now married and expecting a child, he visits the kitchen to thank his late mother for never giving up on him. His story is one of redemption, gratitude, and new beginnings.

- A Cat Called Sora and Soy-glazed Sardines on Rice – Mitsuyo's Story
After the death of her husband and the loss of both her beloved cat Sora and a favourite musician, 70-year-old Mitsuyo falls into loneliness. Through coffee mornings and new friendships, she slowly reconnects with life. Her visit to the kitchen helps her bid farewell and embrace the present.

- A Calico Cat and Yesterday's Curry – Kumagai's Story
Theatre writer Kumagai asks for a remembrance meal to reconnect with the spirit of his son, who died young. With help from Kotoko and Kai, the meal becomes a heartfelt reunion that allows him and his ex-wife to grieve together and find some peace.

Each story is infused with deep emotion, and won't lie the last story choked me a little.
Personally, this read felt a little more heavier and dark, compared to the first book. Having said that, I'm so glad I got a chance to revisit the Kitchen. I hope there's room for a third helping.

I adored book one, so was so happy to receive approval for this book, the second in the series.

"Follow the bank of the Koitogawa river until you reach the beach. From there a path of white seashells will lead you to the Chibineko Kitchen. Step inside, they'll be expecting you."

The Calico Cat at the Chibeneko Kitchen was so beautiful and heartwarming and gave me everything I want and expect in a healing fiction. This book focuses on death and what we would do or say if we had the opportunity to speak to someone again who has passed on. I love how difficult conversations can be had, and how healing through the grieving process can be made easy by conversations had over a cooked and shared meal at the Chibineko Kitchen, enabling memories to be kept alive.

This book definitely gives out similar vibes to The Restaurant of Lost Recipes and Before the Coffee Gets Cold - all books which I adore.

I read this over a weekend morning and having read the first book was very much looking forward to it. I wasn't disappointed. It offered exactly what I was looking for and I really enjoyed returning to the cafe, albeit under slightly different circumstances.

It is so sad and heartbreaking, but also uplifting and joyous at the same time. The themes are difficult, but the ending is beautiful.

Recommended to fans of Japanese translated fiction. Short fiction. Romantic/reflective prose and beautiful storytelling.