Water Moon

Before the Coffee Gets Cold meets Studio Ghibli in this captivating Sunday Times bestselling romantic fantasy novel that will sweep you away on an unforgettable, magical adventure. *A Good Housekeeping Good Books Winter Collection reader favourite!* On a backstreet in Tokyo lies a pawnshop, but not everyone can find it. Most will see only a cosy ramen restaurant. And just the chosen ones – those who are lost – will find a place to pawn their life choices and deepest regrets. Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawnshop's new owner to find it ransacked, the shop’s most precious acquisition stolen and her father missing. And then into the shop stumbles a charming stranger, quite unlike other customers. For he offers help, instead of seeking it. Together, they journey through a mystical world to find Hana’s father and the stolen choice – through rain puddles, hitching rides on paper cranes, across the bridge between midnight and morning and through a night market in the clouds. But as they get closer to the truth, Hana must reveal a secret of her own – and risk making a choice she will never be able to take back. Would you rewrite your destiny if it meant losing a part of your past? Praise for Water Moon ! ‘Full of adventure and marvellous creativity, Water Moon surprises and delights with every turn of the page' -- Megan Bannen, bestselling author of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy ‘A spell-binding journey into a magical Ghibli-esque world. Endlessly inventive, this haunting and enchanting tale is not to be missed.’ --A.Y. Chao, author of Shanghai Immortal ' A unique and beautiful fantasy novel' ' Water Moon is unlike anything I've ever read, full of wonders and terrors...a haunting, half-remembered dream of a book.' --Gareth Brown, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Book of Doors 'A whimsical and immersive [Studio] Ghibli-esque adventure' ' Water Moon is a dreamy, ethereal fantasy, set in a fascinating faerie tale world with appropriately dark corners. Fans of Hayao Miyazaki will love this one.' --Olivia Atwater, author of Half a Soul 'Every leg of the journey unfolded with its own distinct charm' 'Whimsical, poignant, thought-provoking, and wildly adventurous, Water Moon will bend your imagination in the very best of ways.' --Mikki Brammer, author of The Collected Regrets of Clover 'The world building [is] so exquisite' **This edition contains an early preview of Samantha's next novel, The Elsewhere Express - coming soon and available to pre-order now!** WATERSTONES Science Fiction & Fantasy Book of the Month - NOVEMBER 2025

Before the Coffee Gets Cold meets Studio Ghibli in this captivating Sunday Times bestselling romantic fantasy novel that will sweep you away on an unforgettable, magical adventure. *A Good Housekeeping Good Books Winter Collection reader favourite!* On a backstreet in Tokyo lies a pawnshop, but not everyone can find it. Most will see only a cosy ramen restaurant. And just the chosen ones – those who are lost – will find a place to pawn their life choices and deepest regrets. Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawnshop's new owner to find it ransacked, the shop’s most precious acquisition stolen and her father missing. And then into the shop stumbles a charming stranger, quite unlike other customers. For he offers help, instead of seeking it. Together, they journey through a mystical world to find Hana’s father and the stolen choice – through rain puddles, hitching rides on paper cranes, across the bridge between midnight and morning and through a night market in the clouds. But as they get closer to the truth, Hana must reveal a secret of her own – and risk making a choice she will never be able to take back. Would you rewrite your destiny if it meant losing a part of your past? Praise for Water Moon ! ‘Full of adventure and marvellous creativity, Water Moon surprises and delights with every turn of the page' -- Megan Bannen, bestselling author of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy ‘A spell-binding journey into a magical Ghibli-esque world. Endlessly inventive, this haunting and enchanting tale is not to be missed.’ --A.Y. Chao, author of Shanghai Immortal ' A unique and beautiful fantasy novel' ' Water Moon is unlike anything I've ever read, full of wonders and terrors...a haunting, half-remembered dream of a book.' --Gareth Brown, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Book of Doors 'A whimsical and immersive [Studio] Ghibli-esque adventure' ' Water Moon is a dreamy, ethereal fantasy, set in a fascinating faerie tale world with appropriately dark corners. Fans of Hayao Miyazaki will love this one.' --Olivia Atwater, author of Half a Soul 'Every leg of the journey unfolded with its own distinct charm' 'Whimsical, poignant, thought-provoking, and wildly adventurous, Water Moon will bend your imagination in the very best of ways.' --Mikki Brammer, author of The Collected Regrets of Clover 'The world building [is] so exquisite' **This edition contains an early preview of Samantha's next novel, The Elsewhere Express - coming soon and available to pre-order now!** WATERSTONES Science Fiction & Fantasy Book of the Month - NOVEMBER 2025

The instant Sunday Times bestseller! Shortlisted for the 2025 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize 'Full of adventure and marvellous creativity, Water Moon surprises and delights with every turn of the page' -- Megan Bannen, bestselling author of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy Would you rewrite your destiny if it meant losing a part of your past? On a backstreet in Tokyo lies a pawnshop, but not everyone can find it. Most will see only a cosy ramen restaurant. And just the chosen ones - those who are lost - will find a place to pawn their life choices and deepest regrets. Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawnshop's new owner to find it ransacked, the shop's most precious acquisition stolen and her father missing. And then into the shop stumbles a charming stranger, quite unlike other customers. For he offers help, instead of seeking it. Together, they must journey through a mystical world to find Hana's father and the stolen choice - through rain puddles, hitching rides on paper cranes, across the bridge between midnight and morning and through a night market in the clouds. But as they get closer to the truth, Hana must reveal a secret of her own - and risk making a choice she will never be able to take back. Step into the captivating and romantic fantasy novel that will sweep you away on an unforgettable adventure - perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli, Erin Morgenstern and Before the Coffee Gets Cold! * 'A spell-binding journey into a magical Ghibli-esque world. Endlessly inventive, this haunting and enchanting tale is not to be missed.' --A.Y. Chao, author of Shanghai Immortal 'Water Moon is unlike anything I've ever read, full of wonders and terrors...a haunting, half-remembered dream of a book.' --Gareth Brown, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Book of Doors 'An engaging, dreamy fantasy with an atmosphere reminiscent of a Studio Ghibli production' -- Guardian 'Water Moon is a dreamy, ethereal fantasy, set in a fascinating faerie tale world with appropriately dark corners. Fans of Hayao Miyazaki will love this one.' --Olivia Atwater, author of Half a Soul 'Whimsical, poignant, thought-provoking, and wildly adventurous, Water Moon will bend your imagination in the very best of ways.' --Mikki Brammer, author of The Collected Regrets of Clover Readers are enchanted by Water Moon! 'A unique and beautiful fantasy novel' 'A whimsical and immersive [Studio] Ghibli-esque adventure' 'Every leg of the journey unfolded with its own distinct charm' 'The world building [is] so exquisite' Instant Sunday Times bestseller, January 2024

The instant Sunday Times bestseller! Shortlisted for the 2025 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize 'Full of adventure and marvellous creativity, Water Moon surprises and delights with every turn of the page' -- Megan Bannen, bestselling author of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy Would you rewrite your destiny if it meant losing a part of your past? On a backstreet in Tokyo lies a pawnshop, but not everyone can find it. Most will see only a cosy ramen restaurant. And just the chosen ones - those who are lost - will find a place to pawn their life choices and deepest regrets. Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawnshop's new owner to find it ransacked, the shop's most precious acquisition stolen and her father missing. And then into the shop stumbles a charming stranger, quite unlike other customers. For he offers help, instead of seeking it. Together, they must journey through a mystical world to find Hana's father and the stolen choice - through rain puddles, hitching rides on paper cranes, across the bridge between midnight and morning and through a night market in the clouds. But as they get closer to the truth, Hana must reveal a secret of her own - and risk making a choice she will never be able to take back. Step into the captivating and romantic fantasy novel that will sweep you away on an unforgettable adventure - perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli, Erin Morgenstern and Before the Coffee Gets Cold! * 'A spell-binding journey into a magical Ghibli-esque world. Endlessly inventive, this haunting and enchanting tale is not to be missed.' --A.Y. Chao, author of Shanghai Immortal 'Water Moon is unlike anything I've ever read, full of wonders and terrors...a haunting, half-remembered dream of a book.' --Gareth Brown, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Book of Doors 'An engaging, dreamy fantasy with an atmosphere reminiscent of a Studio Ghibli production' -- Guardian 'Water Moon is a dreamy, ethereal fantasy, set in a fascinating faerie tale world with appropriately dark corners. Fans of Hayao Miyazaki will love this one.' --Olivia Atwater, author of Half a Soul 'Whimsical, poignant, thought-provoking, and wildly adventurous, Water Moon will bend your imagination in the very best of ways.' --Mikki Brammer, author of The Collected Regrets of Clover Readers are enchanted by Water Moon! 'A unique and beautiful fantasy novel' 'A whimsical and immersive [Studio] Ghibli-esque adventure' 'Every leg of the journey unfolded with its own distinct charm' 'The world building [is] so exquisite' Instant Sunday Times bestseller, January 2024

NATIONAL BESTSELLER - A woman inherits a pawnshop where you can sell your regrets, and then embarks on a magical quest when a charming young physicist wanders into the shop, in this dreamlike fantasy novel. FEATURES A UNIQUE ORIGAMI JACKET that folds into a boat, joining the characters in an enchanting way. The jacket artwork is also printed directly onto the hardcover case underneath. "Race through a lush world of pure wonder and romance--kites made of wishes that become stars, origami that holds time in its folds, and a night market in the clouds--in this lovely, cozy fantasy reminiscent of Erin Morgenstern's The Starless Sea ."-- Booklist (starred review) A LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR On a backstreet in Tokyo lies a pawnshop, but not everyone can find it. Most will see a cozy ramen restaurant. And only the chosen ones--those who are lost--will find a place to pawn their life choices and deepest regrets. Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawnshop's new owner to find it ransacked, the shop's most precious acquisition stolen, and her father missing. And then into the shop stumbles a charming stranger, quite unlike its other customers, for he offers help instead of seeking it. Together, they must journey through a mystical world to find Hana's father and the stolen choice--by way of rain puddles, rides on paper cranes, the bridge between midnight and morning, and a night market in the clouds. But as they get closer to the truth, Hana must reveal a secret of her own--and risk making a choice that she will never be able to take back. "Highly recommended . . . Readers who have been swept up in the cozy charm of Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee will fall hard for the mix of magical realism, fantasy mystery, and star-crossed romance."-- Library Journal (starred review)