"**Many thanks to Berkley and Syou Ishida for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley!**

"What greater gift than the love of a cat..."- Charles Dickens

You may not have heard of the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul...and it's a well kept secret for a reason. Tucked away at the end of an seemingly empty alley in the heart of Kyoto, much like the Room of Requirement, it can only be found by certain people: those who truly need its special brand of furry, feline treatment. Every soul who ends up at the Kokoro Clinic is at their breaking point emotionally, mentally, and even physically - but every treatment is NEARLY the same. You see, rather than bed rest or horse-sized pills to swallow, the only cures at THIS clinic can be taken home not from the pharmacy...but in a carrier.

For whatever ails you...they'll prescribe you a cat. ๐Ÿˆ

Our story follows 5 different individuals, one suffering through job related strife as he questions his true calling, a young girl struggling to find her place in school, a working dad who feels just as lost at work as he does at home, a handbag designer who just can't put her finger on what is missing in her life, and a geisha who hasn't been able to overcome the loss of her beloved feline companion. While ALL of the patients can't comprehend exactly HOW these felines could possibly help solve their Big Problems, 5 unique personalities emerge and while the results of the 'treatment' are far from ordinary, bonds begin to form, introspection takes place, and BIG life changes follow for all of the patients. And even when a couple of the patients experience some skepticism and even want to take the cats back...it's not quite that simple.

But with cynicism and doubt that a cat could be the answer to all of their problems...will they adhere to the 'treatment' long enough to see the desired results? Or are their problems truly TOO cat-astrophic to manage?

(Sorry, you know you're going to get AT LEAST a couple of cat puns from me in this one!) ๐Ÿ˜

Translated from its original Japanese and brimming with magical realism, I was a bit skeptical going in to this read...but it was my LOVE of cats (not to mention the fascinating premise and ADORABLE cover) that pushed me to grab this read...and trust me when I say you'll be 'purring' on the inside by the time you finish this book!

This is essentially a collection of short stories, tied together by the premise of the clinic and each story is denoted by the name of the featured cat. While this book is a translation, I felt it flowed effortlessly and was an incredibly easy read, moreso than many translated works I've read in the past. The characters all felt incredibly relatable and even though their individual journeys were short, I found myself VERY invested in how each storyline would play out.

And then of course, the stars of the show: the Fabulous Felines themselves. There's something special about cats that dog lovers just don't understand (and trust me, I know the reverse is also true!). To be chosen by a cat is an honor of sorts: they are often so stubborn, independent, bossy, and demanding...but can also be the most kind, gentle, and calming creatures you'll ever have the pleasure to know and love, and this book BEAUTIFULLY captured all of that nuance.

From physical descriptors that were so cozy and relatable to capturing the essence of what it means to be a cat and to bond with an owner, Ishida masterfully covered it all. The only disappointment at having an advanced copy of this book was not seeing the ADORABLE illustrations of all of the cats, which I did get a chance to see after the fact in marketing materials, but will no doubt enhance the reading experience! (And maybe get you jonesing to visit your local shelter...don't say I didn't warn you!) ๐Ÿ˜ป

There's an old English proverb that provides the breakdown of a cat's 9 lives: "For three he plays, for three he strays and for the last three he stays."

...And all I can say is, once these 5 Fantastic Felines enter your heart...you'd better BELIEVE they will ALL happily stay!

4 stars"