If I didn't feel so apathetic towards the romance, I would definitely rate this higher.

Anyway...

I absolutely enjoyed this! It feels like Doctor Who meets Doctor Strange with a touch of Studio Ghibli.

It had the right mix of whimsy, magic, and darkness. The bad guys were creepy and kept me on the edge of my seat. I was invested in the main plotline that I didn't get bored. The flashbacks were clearly marked so there was no confusion at all when going back and forth.

I loved the different worlds that the MCs explored. Each one felt very creative. There was a lot of wibbly wobbly, timey wimey stuff, with a world that's physically black and white, travels through magical lightning storms, a time bendy museum, etc.

The romance was the one and only thing I disliked. It wasn't necessary at all, imo. The relationship between the two MCs would've worked out a lot better as a deep platonic relationship between two close friends. But then again, I don't care much for romance in general, so maybe I'm the wrong person to comment on this.

I'd definitely recommend this for someone looking for a fantasy read that isn't heavy on the technical worldbuilding or filled with too many confusing characters. As whimsical as it is, it's a pretty straightforward read.

I'm very excited to read more from Samantha Sotto Yambao!

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for this arc.

We follow Hana who is about to start the first day of the rest of her life as she takes over the family business. Hana wants something more but something more comes with dire consequences.

I absolutely loved this book from start to finish! The relationships stick with you and the ending was the perfect amount of twisty. It was fast paced and kept me guessing. I definitely feel a book hangover coming on.

Thank you to the publishers, Netgalley, and NYCC for providing me with both an e-arc and a physical copy. Spoilers follow.

Four stars.
First of all, I was instantly hooked by the premise this book, based on the comps to Erin Morgenstern and Studio Ghibli. Both are favorites of mine, and a magical pawnshop in the back streets of Tokyo is totally my vibe.

That being said, it would be a tall order to meet my expectations, and it fell a bit short. I still enjoyed it overall, though. Hana has just inherited her father's pawnshop, a pawnshop straddling two worlds, ours, and a magical one. This pawnshop is where one sells their regrets, which then take the form of birds, and are later given to the mysterious Shiikuin. On this momentous day, she finds the pawnshop has been ransacked, and her father missing, as well as one of the birds. Just as she's trying to deal with this knowledge, a young man named Keishin stumbles into the shop. Hana and Keishin then journey together to the other world, in search of answers and Hana's father. Hana and Keishin's journey is very Ghibli-esque, with Hana leading the way through a magical, dangerous world of spirits, people, and the fantastic, and Keishin attempting to reconcile all that he is seeing with his scientific background, as they discover secrets and stories that have been long forgotten.

Where it felt short for me, personally, is that I wanted more from Hana's POV than Keishin's. I didn't need this to be a romance, I just wanted Hana to go journeying on her own. But I suppose that wouldn't be very Ghibli like, would it? lol. In terms of world building, which is what I mostly associate with Erin Morgenstern, I thought this fell a little short; if you comp to Morgenstern I want to wallow in description and be upset at the end that I can't actually go to the place that has been conjured. This...just wasn't as descriptive I guess, although still fantastical. Perhaps it's the prose, I feel like Water Moon is more direct than dreamy, although that's probably a plus for all those who think Morgenstern's prose is overly indulgent. There's also one fact-based thing that totally took me out of the book but I won't mention what it is since it may just be a mistake and could be corrected in the final version.

Despite some of the above reservations, I still enjoyed reading Water Moon and would recommend it to people. I was just hoping it would be a 5 star read for me, but it turned out to be a 4 star.

Whimsical, adventurous, and enchanting! I loved this book! A lot of fun to read and I loved Hana’s personality and bravery. Some parts of this novel had a dream-like quality that felt both surreal and haunting. I think fans of Studio Ghibli will enjoy this one immensely. Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for my ARC!

This book. THIS BOOK!! What did I just read?! Holy moly! So I went into this thinking it was like the "Marigold Mind Laundry", and the first chapter or two were. After that though, what. the. heck. Mind blown! Its like "Alice in Wonderland" meets "What Dreams May Come". The different realms and secondary character were fascinating and so well developed I felt as if I was on the journey with them. Oh, and don't get me started on the plot twists! I refused to sleep until I finished the book because I had to know what happened next. And that ending! I cried, and I'm not a cryer! this book alter my brain chemistry in all the best ways. I highly recommend!

This book was an adventure! I loved the different worlds and the way the traveling worked. The magic in this world was unlike anything I have ever read. The atmosphere was beautiful yet terrifying and I loved the twists and turns this story took. I will be on the lookout for more reads by this author.

A beautiful, amazing, unique, fantastical adventure through two worlds! I cannot sing the praises of tis book enough I loved every second of the adventure through the world beyond the ramen shop!

Oh, what I wouldn't give to live in a world with a magical pawnshop where I could rid myself of all regrets (and make money from them!).

I loved the majority of this book. The world building was beautiful and somewhat filled with whimsy; the premise of the shop's magical healing abilities was intriguing; and the magical adventures Hana and Kei found themselves on flowed well and were entertaining. It was fast-paced, adventurous, and cozy all at the same time.

I can't wait to pick up an edition for my bookshelf. Here's to hoping for a special edition!

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ghibli-inspired is the perfect description, because the story is not so much a plot as it is a series of whimsical vignettes as the characters go on a chase through a whimsical realm. The setting of the other world is the star, which comes at the expense of the characters- I never really bought the instalove. Despite that, the creativity and reflections on autonomy make it a transporting read.

Before I requested this book on NetGalley I saw someone refer to it as being reminiscent of a studio ghibli movie. I love studio ghibli movies and every time I open a book I hope for the magic that is one of these phenomenal movies. This lives up to that hype. Very few books described as ghibli-esque live up to that daunting reputation, but this one does. Please read it when it comes out you will not regret it. Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC, it did not affect my review.

Reading this reminded me of having a strange dream that you can't really remember when you wake up. The premise of this novel is unique and whimsical, and the cover matches the vibe perfectly (which is not always the case, sadly). It's a whimsical, cozy fantasy story about a pawnshop and its newest owner and the unforeseen places she finds herself traveling to. The characters are endearing, the kind that stick with you long after you put a book down. I also really enjoyed the plot, even when I wasn't quite sure what was going on. I'm looking forward to recommending this one to readers!

A beautiful novel (that is screaming to be adapted into a mini series!). Hana and her father run a pawnshop, but what they buy from their clients is much more precious than trinkets, and those pawned treasures are unspeakably important to their world. On the morning that Hana is meant to take over the pawnshop, her father is missing, the shop ransacked, and Kei walks through the front door, from the "other world" into hers. Hana tells Kei that any answers she gives him about what he sees will be lies, and he agrees to help her regardless. The two go on a magical adventure searching for her father, exploring new, fantastic aspects of Hana's world, as their bond deepens. Romantic, imaginative, and simply delightful, this novel is a tale that will take you to another world. I can't wait to see it on screen. With its episodic nature, vividly visual descriptions, and heartfelt, fascinating story, it is ripe for adaptation.

DNF at 23%. This book had so much potential. The beginning started out strong and I was eager to dive in. I was hoping for Ghibli levels of whimsy and world building. What I got was a flat love story isekai novel and I just could not suspend my disbelief enough to push through. Keishin stumbles into the pawn shop on Hana’s first official day to find it ransacked and her bleeding. He immediately helps her and goes all in on her quest to find her father. This man is a physicist and apparently does not have an ounce of logic in his body. Jumping into ponds? Sure. Alternate dimensions? Cool! Lady I’ve known 5 minutes? I love her.
Like what? I couldn’t even bring myself to slog through to see what happened. I DID enjoy the way people’s choices were portrayed and the whole idea of this book. Unfortunately it was not for me. There was too much bouncing around. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Delray for the eARC.

Book Review: Watermoon by Samantha Sotto Yambao ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Watermoon is an enchanting, whimsical fantasy that swept me away into a story filled with magic, regret, and unexpected choices. The plot centers around Hana Ishikawa, who inherits a mysterious pawnshop on a hidden Tokyo street—a place where people come to pawn their deepest regrets. As Hana grapples with the loss of her father and the theft of the shop’s most important item, she embarks on a surreal journey alongside an unlikely and charming physicist, braving rain puddles, paper cranes, and celestial markets to uncover secrets that will change everything.

I’ll admit that the book started off slowly and was a bit hard to get into, but I am so glad I stuck with it. The last half of Watermoon was mesmerizing, rewarding my patience with a beautifully layered story. It reminded me of watching a Studio Ghibli film: dreamlike, heartwarming, and utterly magical. The characters felt alive and endearing, and the story carried surprising emotional weight for a cozy fantasy, weaving themes of choice, fate, and the cost of regret seamlessly into its plot.

What stood out to me most was the romance—it caught me off guard but added a delightful touch that was both subtle and meaningful. By the end, I found myself unable to pick out any flaws, and my original plan to rate this book four stars evolved into a solid five-star rating. This book is perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli who love stories that are equal parts adventure and heartfelt reflection.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Watermoon was just the type of cozy fantasy I needed in October, it had mystery, adventure and great world building!

I loved the journey Hana and Kei went on to find out what happened to Hana’s father. Simultaneously they also are finding out more about themselves and their true desires for their lives.

I would consider this more of a cozy mystery with some fantasy rather than a cozy fantasy on its own. I would like more people to be aware of that so they can fully enjoy this book for what it is!

An excellent read and I would highly recommend!

Water Moon brings an enchanting world to life, where stars are kites, regrets live as caged birds, and dewdrop-powered trains glide through markets in the clouds. The story follows Hana and Keishin on a quest to find her missing father, weaving through a whimsical universe filled with soaring origami cranes and magical landscapes. The imagery is beautifully crafted, though the pace sometimes feels too swift, moving quickly from one imaginative setting to the next.

The ending surprises with twists that are both confusing and satisfying, tying the story together in an unexpected way. Despite minor critiques, the book’s world-building and atmosphere stand out, creating a unique, lasting experience that captures readers with its creativity and charm.

*thank you to netgalley.com for an eARC in exchange for an honest review*

The best stories teach you a lesson. Water Moon is a dazzling fantasy that asks the age old question “What path do I choose?”

Hana is the heir to her father’s pawnshop. A title that is destined for her. After finding out dark secrets about her world she is forced to make a decision. And to save her father she must step through a pond in her garden and discover not everything is as it seems.

Kei, a scientist, steps through the pawnshops doors and decides to set off on the adventure of a lifetime.
Traveling through different realms and navigating dangers; Hana and Kei must find out the truth together.

The Starless Sea meets The Midnight Library. The creators of Studio Ghibli should already have this in their lineup.

I was hooked from the very first sentence.
I desperately wanted to go on this adventure with Hana and Kei. The plot has surprising depth for a cozy fantasy, which is refreshing. Overall, it’s a beautiful story and was heartfelt.

Thank you to Netgalley.com for the eARC

I was intrigued by the title, cover and premise of this novel. I see it's described as a 'portal fantasy' which is interesting. It was confusing at times but it's so different from anything I usually read that I looked forward to diving back into this world each evening. Melding Japanese traditions such as origami with this fantastical world where one can trade in their regrets for peace of mind was calming and exciting at the same time.

Water Moon brings an enchanting world to life—where stars are kites, regrets live as caged birds, and cloud markets and dewdrop-powered trains exist alongside soaring origami cranes. It's an incredibly whimsical journey.

The story follows Hana and Keishin on a quest to find her missing father, collecting clues while traveling through this dreamlike universe. The imagery is beautiful, though at times, the pace feels almost too swift, moving from one magical location to another without lingering long enough to let each place fully sink in.

The ending, however, was wonderfully unexpected, filled with twists that managed to tie everything together in a way that was both confusing and satisfying. It may not be flawless, but it’s certainly captivating.

Ultimately, the standout features of Water Moon are its world-building and atmosphere. Despite a few minor critiques, this book delivers a rich, unique experience that will leave a lasting impression.

There is a pawnshop on a back street in Tokyo, but it's no ordinary pawnshop. First, not everyone can find it because most will see a cozy ramen restaurant. Secondl, it's a magical pawnshop. People come there to pawn their life choices and deepest regrets.

Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawnshop’s new owner after her father retires to find it ransacked, the shop’s most precious acquisition stolen, and her father missing. Then a charming stranger wanders in, but unlike everyone else, he offers help instead of seeking it. Together, they journey to find Hana’s father and the stolen choice.

I enjoyed the opening scenes of this book. Things change when Keishin enters the scene. He's likeable enough but his motivations for following Hana are hard to understand. Their romance is instant and not believable. Many scenes between them are drawn out and slow things down.

The magical world in Water Moon is very imaginative..Pretty writing makes me wish I understood it better. As it is, everything we know about it is told to us by Hana. There isn't a way to feel immersed or see the world separate from her.

Water Moon is quite different from other fantasy novels I have read. Readers who don't mind a calm, slower pace will enjoy it.