A truly wonderful story that I think will appeal to many. It's well written and the main character is fascinating. I enjoyed the exploration of womanhood, motherhood, marriage, and self-discovery later in life. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The premise of this book is quite interesting, following Joan, an immigrant from Taipei to Palo Alto, CA and to her multiple marriages and eventual start of the Satisfaction Cafe, where patrons can share their stories.

However, the writing style makes the whole novel feel like exposition and Joan’s character is pretty matter-of-fact and logical, so I had a more difficult time immersing myself. There’s also long passages of flashbacks to her former life in Taipei, which provides even more distance to the ongoing story. Plus, Joan was a little too stoic for me - she often does not express frustration or anger about the actions of others and she carries on as the bigger person no matter what - for instance, continuing to invite her stepson over even after he burns down her mansion. Plus, most of the people in Joan’s life were pretty toxic, selfish, and superficial, and it became tiring to read about her unfortunate marriages and contentious familial relationships. It was also a long reading journey to get to the opening of the cafe, which was the primary draw for me.

Special thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest, independent review.

"The Satisfaction Cafe" by Kathy Wang is a truly heartwarming and inspiring read. I was immediately drawn into the world of Siew and her family as they navigate the complexities of life and the pursuit of happiness. What I loved most about this book is its powerful message that it's never too late to chase your dreams and embrace new beginnings.

Wang does a fantastic job of weaving together the stories of multiple generations, showcasing the rich tapestry of experiences that shapes each character. The exploration of identity, family expectations, and the power of finding one's own path resonated deeply with me.

This book serves as a beautiful reminder that life's unexpected turns can lead to unexpected joy and
fulfillment. With its memorable characters, strong storytelling, and uplifting message, "The Satisfaction Cafe" is a must-read for anyone in search of inspiration and encouragement to pursue their own definition of a well-lived life.

Joan’s whole life — from Taiwan to California, through relationships and motherhood, to a late-life plunge into a unique business — surprises her. In this life story, told in a blunt manner free from the kind of artifice that filters most of the stories we read and hear (dare I say personal branding?), we follow her as she learns what is important, accepts what she needs to, and continues in her search for satisfaction and meaning. I love her voice and the honesty with which she contemplates the life she is leading — it is remarkably free of hand-wringing, self-flagellation, and other neuroses which seem to plague a lot of modern novels (IMHO). I enjoyed the variety of ways opportunities (the surprises) arose. Some were serendipitous; some were created by Joan herself, through personal will; some were the roads not taken, which gave rise to regret, but also reflection and growth. In many ways, I felt that this book followed a whole life arc, rather than a narrative one. I really liked the concept behind the Satisfaction Cafe — a place where people go to be heard and understood — and I equally enjoyed the full process that took her there. But mostly, I liked it for the reason specified by the last line of the marketing blurb: “Vivid, comic, and intensely moving, The Satisfaction Café is a novel about found family, the joy and loneliness that come with age, and how we can give ourselves permission to seek satisfaction and connection at any stage of life.”

A character study that spans an entire lifetime, it hooks you from the start with vivid, surprising and lyrical prose. From the first page, the narrative is incredibly intriguing. From page one; "Joan had not thought she would stab her husband. It had been an accident (sort of)." I mean, wow. What a sentence! How could you not be hooked?

At 25% of the way through I thought this might be one of my favorite books of the year. The set up is downright enchanting, with anecdotes that teach us who the characters are and how they are motivated. It is hard to think of Joan as a character in a novel, it is almost as if this entire book is a very very long obituary. It centers around Joan and why she is who she is, with all of the detail in her family. If you like the family drama like Long Island Compromise or The Most Fun We Ever Had or The Celebrants; this is a version of those that you will certainly savor.

The book is a long character study, but you will be disappointed if you are expecting a story with a beginning, middle and end. This has several plot points that don't go anywhere or return, highly symbolic but it can be frustrating at times. The title, The Satisfaction Cafe, comes from an enterprise that is not introduced until 60% of the way through the novel. It is about connecting with others, how we create family, how others see us and who we are at the core.

Thanks to @Netgalley and @scribnerbooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own. Book to be published July 1, 2025.

This was a good book about family and the sacrifices that need to be made over tIme. This book addresses all stages of life and the loneliness that comes with adulthood. The concept of the satisfaction cafe was amazing. This is the first book I have read by this author and I plan on reading more. Thanks to netgalleyand the publisher for an ARC of this book..

I really enjoyed this book! i loved the themes of adulthood, friendships, sadness, loneliness, and trust. It was very well written and it was touching. I liked the story and how it flowed, it was cute and enjoyable!!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

The Satisfaction Cafe is such a stunning and comforting story, it has so much to offer its readers - love, courage, joy, kindness, forgiveness, and, most of all, hope. As soon as I started reading, I was hooked. Joan is such an incredible person, it's hard to think of her as a character in a book... she's so much more than that by the time you turn the last page. I enjoyed reading the love story of Joan and Bill, I enjoyed reading about their crazy family members and I especially enjoyed the cafe. This is definitely a book that I'll be recommending to many people.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.