Rei, Kiki, and Ai have never been more distant—physically, emotionally, and in the lives they've built for themselves. Rei is a sharp-minded financier in London, Kiki is a single mother working in a Tokyo retirement home, and Ai is a rising J-pop idol whose career implodes after a scandal. But when Ai’s troubles force them back to their childhood home on Japan’s coast, their shared past resurfaces, along with the lingering pain of their mother’s suicide. Their great-grandmother raised them after their mother’s death, their white father long gone, and now, after years apart, the sisters are face-to-face with everything they’ve tried to leave behind.This novel is an exquisite and deeply felt exploration of sisterhood, grief, and the weight of memory, capturing the tension between the past and the present, between deep love and unspoken pain.

The setting is it's own character. The descriptions of their grandmother’s coastal home, the thick summer heat, and the interactions with neighbors pull the reader into a new world. Kakigori Summer is a novel that stays with you long after the final page, lingering like a warm evening breeze.
!#mariner #kakigorisummer #emilyitami

I read this courtesy NetGalley and HarperCollins. In this poignant and bittersweet story, three sisters, half-Japanese and half-Caucasian, go back to their tiny seaside hometown on the Sea of Japan when Ai, the youngest, a member of a popular girl band, suffers a scandal that goes against the tenets of her contract. Rei, the oldest, arrives from London, where she has lives for a number of years, to do what she always does and has since the girls’ mother committed suicide: take charge. With Kiki, the middle sister and the mother of a young son, they hide out from the media frenzy while they get to know each other again and relive their youth, both good and bad, along with their ancient and bad-tempered great-grandmother.
#KakigoriSummer #NetGalley

Went into the book with high hopes but struggled to connect with the sisters or feel engaged by the plot.

I wish there was more depth given to each sister’s story vs jumping between the three. Switching between perspectives every few chapters made it hard for me to feel invested or connected to each sister. As soon as I would start to understand their point of view, another sister would start sharing her perspective and I would lose my footing again. I was also expected more growth from each character. The parts about sisters’ collective grief felt the strongest.

took me a week to finish this because i kept stopping. it felt like a tv show because the story is slowly unravelling. but it is a beautifully written novel that dives deep into the messy, complicated, and unbreakable bond between three sisters. it's set against the nostalgic backdrop of a Japanese summer, it’s a story about love, loss, and the things we leave unsaid—until we can’t anymore.

Rei, Kiki, and Ai couldn’t be more different. Rei is a driven finance professional in London, Kiki is a single mom working in a Tokyo retirement home, and Ai is a rising pop idol whose career is suddenly derailed by scandal. When Ai’s troubles force them to reunite at their childhood home by the sea, old wounds resurface—especially the painful mystery surrounding their mother’s death fifteen years ago.

this story made me cry so hard because you can feel how real the sisters feelings for each other were. their dynamic is full of love but also tension—the kind that only exists between people who know each other too well. they dance around difficult conversations, but their care for each other is always there, shown in quiet moments rather than big declarations. it perfectly captures the way family relationships can be both comforting and frustrating at the same time. the setting adds another layer of depth. the descriptions of their grandmother’s coastal home, the sticky summer heat, and the simple pleasure of eating kakigori (shaved ice) make the story feel immersive and nostalgic. it's the kind of book that makes you want to sit outside on a warm evening and just soak it all in.

despite the themes of grief and family secrets, it never feels too heavy. there are moments of humor and warmth, especially through Kiki’s energetic young son, who brings a refreshing lightness to the story. their no-nonsense grandmother is another standout character, adding both wisdom and sharp commentary in equal measure.

their life story leaves you with that bittersweet feeling—like remembering a childhood summer that changed you in ways you didn’t realize at the time. it's a story about how love endures, even in silence, and how sometimes, going home is the first step toward moving forward.

if you love emotional, character-driven stories with a strong sense of place, this book is a must-read. it's heartfelt, beautifully written, and lingers with you long after you’ve turned the last page. i really felt it all and a good book does that.

thank you Mariner Books. i enjoyed this so much.

A beautiful story that looks at sisterhood and family relationships. I adored the way Itami told this tale. The writing is beautiful and flowed well. I was enthralled by the first few pages of the book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.