Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao

Water Moon follows Hana Ishikawa, who inherits a mystical pawnshop in Tokyo where people can pawn their life choices and deepest regrets. When the shop is ransacked and her father goes missing, Hana embarks on a magical journey through a fantastical world with Keishin, a charming young physicist. Together they navigate through rain puddles, paper cranes, and night markets in the clouds to recover what was stolen. The novel blends feel-good romance with mystery, exploring themes of regret, choice, and the blurred boundaries between reality and dreams. Readers will enjoy its rich Japanese cultural references, dreamlike atmosphere reminiscent of anime, and exploration of how our decisions shape our lives.