Cinnamon Beach

by Suzanne Kamata

An American expat based in Japan return to South Carolina to scatter the ashes of her recently deceased brother in the waning days of the pandemic. As her family comes together to pay respects, she struggles to maintain the carefully crafted facade of the “perfect” life she has created from afar.

248 pages, Paperback

Published August 6, 2024

About the author

Five-time Pushcart Prize nominee Suzanne Kamata is the author of the memoir Squeaky Wheels: Travels with My Daughter by Train, Plane, Metro, Tuk-tuk and Wheelchair (Wyatt-Mackenzie, 2019); the novels Indigo Girl (GemmaMedia, 2019), The Mermaids of Lake Michigan (Wyatt-Mackenzie, 2017), Screaming Divas (Merit Press, 2014), Gadget Girl: The Art of Being Invisible (GemmaMedia, 2013) and Losing Kei (Leapfrog Press, 2008); and editor of three anthologies - The Broken Bridge: Fiction from Expatriates in Literary Japan, Love You to Pieces: Creative Writers on Raising a Child with Special Needs, and Call Me Okaasan: Adventures in Multicultural Mothering (Wyatt-Mackenzie Publishing, 2009). Her short fiction and essays have appeared widely. She was a winner in the memoir category of the Half the World Global Literati Award.

Reviews

[Iain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent novel from Suzanne Kamata whose storytelling just gets better and better. A touching polyphonic novel about love and loss one summer at Cinnamon Beach.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge thank you to the author for providing this ARC. I truly enjoyed this beautifully written story set in South Carolina, which unfolds through the perspectives of three characters—Olivia, Parisa, and Sophie—each navigating themes of grief, belonging, and moving forward.

It took me a little while to fully connect with Parisa and Sophie’s viewpoints, but I was immediately drawn to Olivia. Her experiences as an expat in Japan resonated deeply with me, and I felt emotionally invested in her journey from the very start. As the story progressed, I grew more attached to the other characters, especially Sophie, who represents the deaf community—a perspective not often seen in novels. Her storyline brings attention to the struggles of communication and the challenges of finding one’s place in the world.

All of the characters are rich, complex, and captivating. The romantic subplot is delicate and well-crafted, adding an extra layer of depth to the narrative. By the end, I found myself wanting to know more about these characters and the paths they’ll take in the future.

[Jeanette Durkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers an amount of mixed feelings. There's deep grief, denial, hope, and love. Ted has passed away, and the family members are struggling to pick up the pieces of their hearts and move on. Because of the pandemic, there was no proper funeral, and the family needed closure.

The characters are very interesting, and I enjoyed getting to know them. The rock of the family is Parisa. She is running a successful business. She's giving, kind, and compassionate. Olivia grew on me. I didn't feel a connection with her at first, but she grew as a person. There's a lot of variety in the characters- gender neutral, deaf, black, Indian and biracial. A real World Buffet!

I liked the parts of the book that brought attention to saving turtles. I'm passionate about saving as many animals as we can. I also liked learning about Japan and its customs.

I won a complimentary copy of the book through LibraryThing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Madge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want a sequel. A fun read! I enjoyed all the characters and how they were developed.

[Diane Nagatomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The global pandemic is over, travel restrictions from Japan are finally lifted, and American novelist Olivia Hamada can finally return to North Carolina with her biracial teenage twins to spread the remains of her beloved brother who had unexpectedly died during the pandemic.

The trip is to be healing, but she is hiding secrets from her children and sister-in-law. At some point she will have to tell them that her career in Japan was destroyed due to no fault of her own and that she and her husband are now officially divorced. How is she going to get on with her life? Meanwhile, her son Yuta bonds with his cousin Dahlia (who now prefers to be called by the gender-neutral name of “D”) and dabbles in the sort of American teenage activities that could get him into trouble in Japan. Her daughter Sophia is deaf and does not speak English (or American sign language). But at least here, in the United States, she isn’t stared at in the same way she is in her rural part of Japan. She begins to envision a different sort of future for herself, one that involves more independence and choices than what she might have if she stays in Japan. And Sophia embarks on a project that will not only save her writing career but rekindles a relationship with an old college friend.

It’s hard to describe how much I loved Cinnamon Beach by Suzanne Kamata. It is a perfect story
showing the complex lives of people living in a complex modern world. It’s a real five-star page
turner.

[Cassie’s Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first thing that grabbed my attention about this book was the beautiful cover!! It just screams read me!!

We start the book meeting novelist Olivia Hamada and she has been anxiously waiting to return to North Carolina with her biracial teenage twins so she can spread the remains of her brother who had unexpectedly died during the pandemic. With the the restrictions in place before she was unable to leave Japan to go home.
The trip isn’t just that though you see she’s hiding some secrets from her family, you see she’s now divorced and her career in Japan was destroyed due to her own fault. Back in the states her children are discovering their own identities , her son Yuta has become extremely close with his cousin Dahlia (who now prefers to be called by the gender-neutral name of “D”) and finds himself trying out American teenage activities that would get him into trouble in Japan. Her daughter Sophia who is deaf and she’s not able to speak English (or sign language). But here, in the United States, she isn’t being stared at in the same way she is in Japan. Sophia finds herself again while working on a project that could save her writing career but also rekindles a relationship with an old college friend. This book was a breath of fresh air and had everything!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will say I’m normally not a fan of books that feature Covid. Being a healthcare worker, plus having almost lost my mom to it….it brings back a lot of not so great memories. However, the way the author featured it in this book was so well done!

It is written in 3 POV’s (which, let’s be honest, very few can do well - this author definitely can!!). Olivia is an American author who is in Japan and unable to travel back home due to the pandemic. When the restrictions are finally lifted, she brings her biracial teens home with her to scatter her brothers ashes. But that means she needs to come clean about things with her family.

Parisa is trying to navigate her new normal since her husband passed away. Definitely not an easy feat for anyone.

Sophie is part of the deaf community (love this representation!!) who does not know ASL.

I loved how these characters stories were woven together. Such a well written book!!

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia, an American living in Japan, returns to South Carolina to scatter her recently deceased brother’s ashes, along with her two teenage children. Olivia reconnects with her sister-in-law, Parisa, who is still grieving the loss and struggling with her feelings about moving forward. Olivia’s daughter, Sophie, who is deaf and does not understand English, finds a surprising sense of freedom during their stay. The three of them must overcome their grief if they want to move forward.

I really liked the variety of characters that were portrayed in this book, and portrayed well at that. The characters’ different perspectives, along with the ties that they share, made each point of view unique and gripping. The story is fairly simple, and this is a quick and easy read that deals with some serious issues without getting too dark and has enough stakes to keep the story moving without turning into a soap opera. The writing flows well, and there is some beautiful description throughout.

This book really captures both the frustrations and joys of staying in Japan long-term. I can guarantee that almost everyone I’ve met in Tokyo has known someone like Dieter in their workplace at one point or another, and visiting any Japan-based forum will confirm the myriad of problems that can, and do, make their way into one’s daily life despite all of the positives that can also come with living in Japan. I think that the book does a good job of presenting the issues that are just cultural differences in a neutral way, while still condemning the issues that deserve to be condemned.

4/5 A story of shared grief and looking toward the future.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that this story is told from three points of view and that they aren't all from an adult. I also like the variety of representation it included to make it realistic. When I was reading, the people and situations felt very relevant with all of the modern complexities and emotions it included. Overall, I very much enjoyed reading this and look forward to reading more from this author.

*Provided a DRC (digital review copy) from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.

[Amy Shook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Kamata’s books because they always include life in Japan and I enjoy learning about their culture. I work with a lot of Japaneese families in my teaching role so this is really interesting to me.

The story is told through three perspectives of people whose lives have been affected by the death of Ted. His wife Parisa, his sister Olivia and Olivia’s daughter Sophie. Both Olivia and Sophie live in Japan but have come home to say a final goodbye to Ted at Parisa’s home in Cinnamon Beach.

Each perspective gives us an insight into that person’s life and how Ted influenced their life.

My thoughts:
Wow, this book was amazing! There is so much packed in this book that is less than 300 pages but Kamata writes in a way that doesn’t make it seem life too much! It’s a very character driven book but all of the characters are so unique and very likeable. I loved the diversity of the characters with both Japanese and Indian cultures represented. In addition Black perspectives and a member of the deaf community are also represented! I loved Olivia and Parisa, they were both strong females that really complemented one another and were supportive to one another as each was moving into a new chapter of their life. I also loved learning about Ted’s life through each of the character’s eyes.

I could really relate to Olivia’s lackluster professional life and her marital problems. I also liked that some of the characters were closer to my age. I was intrigued to see if Cinnamon Beach was a beach in SC i’ve nver heard of but through a quick search i found it’s a gatedn Oceanside resort in Palm Coast Florida. If you’r e looking for a summer read with a lot of substance I highly recommend this one! This will most definitely make it into a top ten book for me!

[Chelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first real read with covid at the center of the story and how their lives changed because of it. I enjoyed the various characters in this novel and how the author touched on the different ways they were affected. It was interesting to have characters that were in Japan and how they had to cope quite a bit differently than those in the US and yet feared for their family in the US and vice versa. Olivia is finally able to head back to the US with her two teenage kids in tow, it is time to finally lay her brother to rest. Spending the summer months at the cottage of her sister in law, Olivia and the other characters are finding they may not really know each other as well as they thought. The kids are enjoying the freedom of the US and Olivia is struggling with the secret she has kept from her family. Parisa is worried about what the future will bring and how to move forward since having grieved her husband. Bringing everyone together to spread his ashes just might be the closer that is needed. I enjoyed this sweet story and learned a lot about Japanese culture. This is a good summer read to stick in your beach bag! Thank you to the author for the complementary novel and to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

[Minamimuki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a number of books and novels by Suzanne Kamata. I like her bicultural settings and characters--it gives me a lot to empathize with and enjoy. Cinnamon Beach, her latest novel, is the best yet. All kinds of colorful characters, more cultures than usual, and a complicated plot. If you've read her other books, you'll recognize her actual family members up front and center, but in this book I think she has expanded the number included, done a great job of giving each person a new fictional persona and added new people to the mix. A family mourning a brother-husband-father-uncle spends the summer at the beach house. While looking for closure for a tragic loss, they are all preparing to launch into new lives--and maybe new loves. I enjoy novels about normal people, but I always feel on the outside because they tend to be about (white) people in their hometowns scheming with friends they've known since infancy. Suzanne Kamata provides characters making their way into and out of different cultures who are open to new ideas and meeting new people. Once you read the book, you're going to want to know how everyone is doing in a few years. There are bound to be plenty of new adventures. How about it, Suzanne?

[Linda Zagon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suzanne Kamata, the Author of “Cinnamon Beach” has written an intriguing and captivating novel. In the well-written, multi-racial, multi-cultural book, the author discusses life, love and loss. I appreciate that the author discusses different cultures, physical and mental handicaps, dementia, the importance of family and friends, and love and hope. There are dark secrets and lack of communication. The characters are described as complex and complicated.

Olivia has arrived to South Carolina, with her twins, after being a teacher and writer in Japan. Olivia is grieving the loss of her brother, and will help spread the ashes. Olivia and her family are staying with Parisa, her brother’s widow, children and Chester, the family dog. Olivia has kept secrets from the twins and Parisa. Sophie, one of the twins is deaf and communicates by signing, mostly in Japanese.

The story is narrated by Olivia, Parisa and Sophie. Some characters from Olivia’s past revisit, and will help the families move on to the future. I would highly recommend this book that shows, courage, hope, growth, and love.

[Debbie Rozier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful book about family, relationships, and loss.

It’s told in three female points of view: Olivia, Parisa, and Sophie.
Olivia has brought her 18 year old twins to visit her sister-in-law, Parisa, for the summer at Parisa’s beach house in South Carolina.
The visit is full of emotion as they are spreading the ashes of Olivia’s brother, Ted.

This story is told post pandemic. Olivia and her family live in Japan and weren’t able to come when Ted died due to lockdowns. So this ceremony is a year after the death.

Not only is each woman’s perspective interesting, I loved the way the author integrates both the Japanese and southern US lifestyles during the read.

All three women find themselves in a period of self discovery.

Sophie is deaf. Sophie begins her summer of self discovery as she meets a young man at the beach who appreciates many of the same things that Sophie does.

Part of Olivia’s self discovery is her connecting with an old college friend, Devon, who has become a famous singer.

Parisa is trying to figure out what is next for her in a life without her husband, Ted.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful cover for a tender story of life after loss and finding your way.

Olivia had been living in Japan with her husband and twins when her brother Ted passed away. Because of the pandemic, she could not travel until a year later.

Now, Olivia and her eighteen-year-old twins travel to Cinnamon Beach, South Carolina, to visit with Ted’s family and scatter his ashes.

Told from the POVs of three women, Olivia, Sophie (Olivia’s daughter), and Parisa (Ted’s widow), the story explores grief from different angles and perspectives.

Just like the grains of sand on a beach, this story sparkled with many elements. Marriage struggles, motherhood, disability, coming-of-age, identity, and even a second chance at romance filled these pages. I loved that Olivia brought a mix of Japanese culture to the story.

The writing was casual and very readable, making it easy to read in one sitting.

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @suzanne_kamata for a spot on tour and a gifted book.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cinnamon Beach, the island summer home where two multi-cultural families meet for a sad send-off to the ashes of one of them, is the stage for scenes of major turning points in the lives of two sisters-in-law. Difference, disability, heartache, and new beginnings play out on this stage, and I loved watching the changes develop among these families.

I liked the appearance of people and places that are real, not fictional, for they gave fun anchors to the story, and the careers of the two main characters who are sisters-in-law, author and designer, were a pleasure (with some pain) to follow in their ups and downs.

A rich bouillabaisse of the drama of a family summer with a sad goal of scattering ashes of a loved one, told in turn from the dual viewpoints of the sisters-in-law, and featuring first love, secret revelations, and the promise of fresh starts, was an awfully good read.

[Lisa Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cinnamon Beach is one of those wonderful places full of family, love, challenges, and it's a place to make memories. The story, told from 3 points of view, is a lovely dedication to life in all it's forms, some clean and well-defined, and others messy, vague, and chaotic. I enjoyed the characters and reading about their experiences and growth, their relationships, and the way they responded to their own grief and the changes happening to all of them. I also enjoyed learning more about Japanese culture and I always enjoy a day at the beach. The author draws you in with a casual writing style that makes this book very relatable and keeps you turning the pages.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Susan Kiyo · Rating 5 out of 5]

While on the outside, this might seem like a lighthearted "beach read," this book deftly handles many larger issues of complicated grief, interracial and intercultural experiences, the writer's life, disability (deafness), multiple languages and nonbinary identity. The protagonist, a White American living in Japan for many years, returns to South Carolina after the death of her brother. Told in multiple points of view (also those of her sister-in-law and teenage daughter), this story contains many surprises, such as the subtleties between American and Japanese sign language, and what it means when someone makes a genuine effort to communicate. There's a lovely coming-of-age romance here, as well as larger adult issues of marriage, death and identity.

[Dawnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story takes place during the pandemic. Olivia returns to South Carolina with her teenaged twins, to help spread her brother's ashes. Olivia is also hiding secrets. She has been living in Japan working as a teacher. Olivia and her family are dealing with grief. Staying at her sister-in-law's, both families begin to bond and heal, and find closure. I loved the multicultural aspects, the difference between Japan and the United states. The fact that one of the twins was deaf and the very real emotions of dealing with grief. What a great read.

Dawnny Ruby
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY

[Nance Stangl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reading!

I saw 5 stars when I saw the title. 'Cinnamon Beach' grabbed my attention. I knew it would be about mixed races and nationalities. Then I saw that the 5 star rating was only by one person. Hmmm, interesting.... So I got the book and started reading. The book was kind of confusing To me at FIRST, but I knew it would come together quickly based on the 5 stars, and it did. I really enjoyed becoming involved with each character. I wished it would have gone on for many, many more pages! I am a retired person and one color from head to toe, and could relate to each and every person written about. Loved it! THANK YOU!

[Mande · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me on my toes. I could relate to the academia b.s., but I could also relate to so much in the book (the ageing parents, relations with siblings and in-laws, being stuck between two worlds, etc.). I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next or why things happened in the past. As the story revealed itself, I kept reading faster and faster to get the end but not wanting to leave Cinnamon Beach.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This title! A beach like cinnamon? That pulled me in.

There are three protags. The main protag is an American woman. Years ago, she moved to Japan, married a Japanese guy and started a family there.

But her American brother has died, and she is back in the U.S. This is very emotional, as she struggles to deal with the choices she has made in the past.

But it's not a sad book. Her marriage is over, and she has a new romance.

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful and captivating story!
I love second chances and new beginnings and this story told from three strong women really touched my heart. A story about loss, family, love and hope. I loved it.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

𝗖𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 by Suzanne Kamata released July 2, 2024.

[Marilyn Goncalves · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those touching stories with interesting characters dealing with loss, second chances, grief, hope, secrets and family expectations set in South Carolina. All three women, Parisa’s Olivia’s and Sophie’s journey will connect at some point with you as the story flows. It’s a short book but it’s packed with so many timely topics.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, this is my book, but I think it's one of my best. I poured my heart into it, and I hope you enjoy it.

[Alexandra Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

layers. gifted as a goodreads giveaway

[Meredith Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully crafted, poignant story. This was a chance not only to read about ex=pat life in Japan, but also to learn about South Carolina.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story. Cinnamon Beach will take you on a journey with characters who are dealing with grief, love, and impossible decisions.

Throughout the novel, you will learn from Suzanne Kamata's knowledge on topics related to Japan, signing, academia, writing, and more.

Her characters are full of heart. Yet, will this be enough to navigate some of the hardest questions of their lives, like choosing between love and family? 5 stars!

[Christy Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover and title got my attention and the short chapters and multiple POV made this a page turner for me. Each character had a compelling story and Chester the golden retriever was a bonus! The story grabbed me right out of the gate and I appreciated the author’s approach to the heavy topics such as suicide, infidelity, aging parents and more. The beach setting was wonderful and reminded me of the peace that a visit to the beach can bring.

[Sarah W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a moving story involving finding one’s self and new “normal” after a loss and other major life changes. I loved the different POV and how they all were connected by the same loss but also were dealing with different struggles of their own. They were all compelling but I really connected with Sophie. She did not let being deaf she or not knowing ASL stop her from exploring while visiting the United States. I enjoyed learning about Japan, their culture and beliefs. It really enjoy it.

Thank you @suzanne_kamata @suzyapprovedbooktours for the gifted copy.