We'll Prescribe You Another Cat

猫を処方いたします。 #2

by Syou Ishida, E. Madison Shimoda (Translator)

The Kokoro Clinic for the Soul reopens in this delightful follow-up to the award-winning, bestselling Japanese novel We’ll Prescribe You a Cat.

It’s time to revisit the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul.

Though it’s a mysteriously located clinic with an uncertain address, it can always be found by those who need it. And the clinic has proven time after time that a prescribed cat has the power to heal the emotional wounds of its patients. This charming sequel introduces a new lovable cast of healing cats, from Kotetsu, a four-month-old Bengal who unleashes his boundless energy by demolishing bed linens and curtains, to tenacious and curious Shasha, who doesn’t let her small size stop her from anything, and the most lovable yet lazy cat Ms. Michiko, who is as soft and comforting as mochi.

As characters from one chapter appear as side characters in the next, we follow a young woman who cannot help pushing away the man who loves her, a recently widowed grandfather whose grandson refuses to leave his room, the family of a young woman who struggle to understand each other, and an anxious man who works at a cat shelter seeking to show how the most difficult cats can be the most rewarding. This moving, magical novel of interconnected tales proves the strength in the unfathomable bond between cats and people.

Genres: Fiction, Magical Realism, Japan, Cats, Fantasy, Audiobook, Contemporary

304 pages, Hardcover

First published November 7, 2023

Reviews

[Jayme · Rating 3 out of 5]

We”ll Prescribe You Another Cat
By Syou Ishida
Translated from Japanese to English by E. Madison Shimoda

Look at that adorable cover! 😻
It looks like Ms. Michiko from vignette #2 up front, with one of the Bengal kitties from vignette #1 peeking out from behind her in the prescription bottle!

The Kokoro Clinic for the Soul, is a clinic that can ONLY be found by those who need it. And, you will still have to get past the beautiful but disagreeable nurse, Chitose, that we met in the first book-if you hope to be prescribed a cat by the Doctor, Nikke’ .

“We”ll Prescribe You a Cat” (#1 in the two book series) explains the magical realism of the clinic and who its practitioners really are, so it is best to start there-plus it is the BETTER book of the two.

All of the prescribed cats in this sequel are new, as are the patients, with the characters from one chapter appearing as side characters in the next, so the vignettes are loosely connected.

In the first vignette we meet Moe’ Ohtani a young woman who is afraid to hear what her boyfriend has been trying to tell her. Prescription : Bengal kittens Koetsu, Noelle and Bibi

In the second vignette, a widowed grandfather and his grandson, are both in danger of becoming recluses. Prescription: Ms. Michiko

The third vignette features a young woman who struggles to connect with her mother
Prescription: Shasha and Hajime

And, in the final vignette, a young man who excels in his work at a cat shelter with difficult to place rescue cats, cannot make sense of what is going on with his own rescue cat, Nikke’. Prescription: Use the cat you already have at home.

I really enjoyed the FIRST book in the series, BUT something may have been lost in translation in this volume, because I couldn’t really see the correlation between how these prescriptions helped to cure what ails our patients in two of the four stories, this time.

And, that is despite the fact that I am a TRUE BELIEVER that CATS can cure just about anything that ails you emotionally!

The author clearly KNOWS felines and within these pages he enlightens readers about cat behaviors and idiosyncrasies, but though informative-a prescription revolving around cat elimination and another about butt sniffing missed the mark, if intended to be humorous.

The first volume felt hopeful and heartwarming but this volume did NOT and sadly, I just DIDN’T find myself connecting to this book in the same way as Volume One.

Review for the first book: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A buddy read with Marilyn who may have felt differently..be sure to watch for her review!

Available Now

Thank You to Berkley for the gifted ARC provided by NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars from me for this follow-up Japanese healing fiction book about cats & a mysterious cat clinic and it's doctor/nurse combo. My only issue was the extremely abrupt ending -felt I needed a bit ore closure on that last story. Overall, satisfying for this cat lover!!

[Mai H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Women in Translation Month 2025 #1

猫を処方いたします。

I would love to focus less on the 19 year old crying about her Sad Japanese Boyfriend™ and more on the cutest of cats, but I didn't write this book.

I am unfortunately loving this less than WE'LL PRESCRIBE YOU A CAT, which I loved so much I cried over it.

The cats-as-humans continues to amuse, but I don't know if something was lost in translation, or this just didn't hit as much as the first, but I wasn't as into the people or the cats.

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

We'll Prescribe You Another Cat
By Syou Ishida
Again, the magical place with the mysterious doctor is helping people with problems by having them live with a cat (or two).
I really loved the first book. It explored the feelings of the people that had the cats, before and after. This book did not go into the feelings so much. It was cute that the clients received two cats, but the underlying feelings just seemed to be missing. The first book was hard to live up to, but I still enjoyed this book also.
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this sweet book.

[TheConnieFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

❥ My Overall Thoughts & who I think would enjoy this ❥

This was such a heartwarming story! I enjoyed reading every second of it. This is the second book to “We’ll Prescribe You a Cat”. This fictional story felt real and I found it to be funny and relaxing. I’m a huge cat lover, so this book automatically grabbed my attention by the adorable cover! It is well written, flows well and I found it to be thought provoking! It has a clear thesis and well rounded plot. This is a fast paced, easy to read book that comes with all the loving emotions! It is character driven and comes with lovable characters and cats! It is such a super sweet read and I recommend it to anyone that is a cat lover or just wants to read a heartfelt, whimsical story!

❥ Quick Synopsis & Rating ❥

“We’ll Prescribe You Another Cat” is a novel that follows patients at a clinic, where they are prescribed cats. This book is about animal and human bonding, the importance of mental health in humans and a sense of belonging! It also comes with a touch of magical realism! It is unique and memorable! Overall, I give this a 4 out of 5 stars!

❥ Thank You ❥

Thank you to NetGalley, author Syou Ishida and Berkley Publishing Group for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

❥ Publication Date ❥

This book is expected to be published on September 2, 2025!

❥ Quick Review ❥

╰┈➤ Fiction / Magical Realism
╰┈➤ Whimsical Story
╰┈➤ Animal & Human Bonding
╰┈➤ Great for Animal Lovers
╰┈➤ Talks about Mental Health
╰┈➤ 2nd Book in the Series
╰┈➤ Cats! Cats!
╰┈➤ Emotional & Heartwearming

》* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ * 。° 。 • ˚《

❥ ୨⎯ Connie ⎯୧ ❥

ツ౨ৎ

[Alya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series so much and the second book just as much as the first 🥹 I WANT A CAT SO BADLY 😭🫠😍

My Bookstagram

[ree]

haven't finished the first one yet but i already know i need the second one when its translated into english as soon as its published

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome back to The Kokoro Clinic for the Soul and 4 more stories with some adorable cats that set some silly humans straight.

Once again, the clinic appears and disappears seemingly at will but is open and accommodating for 4 very special people. However, this time, it hits closer to home of a certain someone and just might uncover some more background info on the doctor and his head nurse - IF everything is as it seems (of couse it isn't ;P).

In my opinion, the cases / prescriptions here were having a bit less impact. They were nice, but not having quite the oomph of the first 5 (first book). Maybe it also had to do with us not spending quite as much time with different people and how they ended up needing the cats. It was kinda obvious that it was more about the story of Tomoya, his sister and mother, and how all that tied back into the clinic itself (right down to the doctor's name). That being said, Nikké's story and the "nurse's comment to Tomoya had me tear up - if only because of how I lost my cat not too long ago.

Anyway, I enjoyed reading about relationship problems, how dense some people can be, and how problematic lying can become even if it was done out of some twisted form of kindness.

Despite us spending most of our time with Tomoya and his family, there were plently of moments where the author held the mirror up to society, to what we consider "normal" though it is harmful and/or stupid. Sometimes, you just need to look at something through new eyes, I guess - in this case the eyes of cats. *lol*

Looking forward to eading the nex volume. :D

[Nicole]

I sure wish I could read Japanese! I’ve just finished the first one and I still have questions!!!

[Sandra || Tabibito no hon · Rating 4 out of 5]

przepłakałam cały czwarty rozdział

[jagodasbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

When will somebody prescribe me a kitty? my psychologist needs to take notes fr😔

[Zawszezaczytana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ✨

Uwielbiam te książki i jak tylko się dowiedziałam o tej książce to od razu włączyłam audiobooka.

Uwierzcie mi, że te książki to must read dla kociar 😭

[Stacy (Gotham City Librarian) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book, so I definitely had to read the sequel! I will say that this one didn't quite feel as cozy and comforting as its predecessor, though it had its moments. In general, the overall story was sadder and less adorable. I was also left with a couple of burning questions regarding the rules of this world's magical realism. (I have a theory, but I don't know if it's correct or not.)

This book had some of the same issues as the first, such as stilted dialogue that may just be due to the translation. I don't know for sure. But I also didn't really connect with any of the human characters this time around, and I felt like I didn't spend enough time with most of the cats to really get attached to them, either. With the exception of maybe one.

Heads up that you will read quite a bit about the pooping habits of cats in one of the chapters. Not in graphic detail, but if that bothers you then you probably won’t like that it’s brought up so much. There’s also a scene about two cats getting acquainted by sniffing each other’s butts. It’s played for laughs, but it’s kind of awkward.

I kind of loved Nurse Chitose this time around. And the mysterious clinic is still a neat idea, even if the concept of loaning out cats to reluctant people makes me a bit anxious. I appreciate Ishida’s efforts to advocate for cats in general, from promoting their safe adoption to arguing for more appreciation of their general existence. There was also a cat named Wighead at one point and that made me laugh. There were efforts in each chapter to sort of introduce a moral lesson, so I see what Ishida was doing.

I give this one a basic three stars but I prefer the first book. If Ishida writes a third, I'll probably be back because I want some answers.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

Biggest TW: Mention of breeders/mistreatment of animals, Mention of animal sickness and death

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the Penguin International Huddle, thank you so much!

First things first, I have to admit that I hadn't yet read (but I'm working on it) the first book in the series when I received this one. Luckily the lovely people at Penguin ensured me that would be no problem. And it certainly wasn't!
I had the best time reading We'll Prescribe You Another Cat.
Within the book you can find little bite-sized chapters that interlink through its characters and the Cat Clinic the cats come from. Cats are being prescribed by a mysterious clinic that only the ones that really need it can locate. It sounds odd but it works. And while I would put this in the healing fiction category, not all aspects of the story are as cheerful and comforting. But there's a nice balance and I loved reading it.
I am planning on getting the first book asap so I can discover more of the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul universe.

[Aellirenn Czyta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uwielbiam! Nie obyło się bez łez.

[☼Bookish in Virginia☼ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 STARS

The first book in this series revealed-all, as it were, so that makes it more difficult for the author to use the theme/mechanism... but I thought he did alright.

The first story was not my favorite but I enjoyed learning more about Nikke and Chitose and the humans that entered their sphere of influence.

[Sue Oshin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another comfort read is done ✅ This is my first book of Syou Ishida. I havent read the first one, but i have that book in malay translation. So, after i read the second book, i hope i will find a time to read the first one because that book is in my TBR for a long long time 😂

Because of i havent read the first one, so i get confused about the clinic mentioned in this book. But nevermind, because it didn't interrupt my reading to understand the whole story.

From the three stories presented, I like the second story, Ms Michiko, because the story itself very close to my heart. To avoid spoilers, I recommend this book to anyone who is in a healing mood. Read it in cosy vibes during the rain with a cup of warm coffee or hot chocolate.

[Seregnani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mentre si lasciava cullare dal movimento dell'autobus, Tatsuya pensò che non avrebbe più potuto prendersi cura del nipote come da bambino. Senza che lui se ne rendesse conto, Hayato si avviava ormai verso l'età adulta. Quando aveva iniziato a frequentare la scuola serale? E fino a quando avrebbe continuato a scambiare la notte con il giorno?
Gli tornò in mente una frase del dottore della clinica: «È come per i gatti, che camminano senza problemi anche di notte, con pochissima luce».
«Ehi, Hayato.»
«Mmh?»
«Ieri sera stavo provando a fare una passeggiata, e sono riuscito a camminare un bel po? Forse essere nottambuli non è così male. Al buio le cose inutili non si vedono.»
«Vero.»
«In fondo la scuola serale potrebbe essere una buona idea. Anche quella fa parte della vita.»
«Sono d'accordo.»
Tatsuya e Ayumi potevano anche faticare a comprendere che futuro si stesse preparando il ragazzo, ma probabilmente per lui era il migliore. Era come un gatto: nessun altro poteva decidere al posto suo il momento migliore per fare qualcosa, che fosse di giorno o di notte.

3,5 ⭐️ Questa è, diciamo, la seconda parte, o il secondo libro che prosegue “Un gatto per i giorni difficili”. Diciamo che il primo mi era piaciuto abbastanza, diciamo un libro leggero da leggere quando volete leggere qualcosa senza pensare più di tanto al racconto in sé. Ora però con questo secondo, vedo più una ripetizione, sempre i pazienti che si recano in questa clinica dove somministrano i gatti ai pazienti. Diciamo che gli do mezzo voto meno, sempre piacevole ma rindondante.

[Ilze Van der Merwe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't have a lot to say here.

This really follows the same formula as the first book, but can definitely be read as a standalone. Four different short stories follow different people navigating their own problems (relationships, the passage of time, loneliness, etc) and are directed to the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul where they are prescribed a cat. Through these cats, they learn more about themselves and also how looking after something else can really help them out in the long run.

This was sweet, as was the first one, but I think I kind of thought this would have more lore drops into things we learned previously. While there was a chapter that had information like this, we're lead to promotions of the third book and I don't think this is really needed? It feels a bit dragged out.

All in all, a lovely little cosy read.

[Danya Button · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as sweet as the first one 😊

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series. This is similar to the first book which I did not love. Apparently this series of books is not for me. It’s a collection of stories about people who have a cat prescribed for them by a mysterious clinic. Translated from Japanese and a little difficult to understand.

[Tyler Hancsak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story as a follow up to the first! I think it was missing a little bit of the newness and specialness that comes from a first book in the series, but it still had a lot of heart with a touch of magical realism.

[Alli Herdering · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

This is a cute, whimsical story, but it just wasn't as good as its predecessor. I was expecting to get more answers, but ultimately was left with more questions. Also, I wanted more cats, and less whiny humans.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’ll Prescribe You Another Cat by Syou Ishida, the book is a feel good novel about a clinic that everyone mistakes for either counseling or psychiatry but in those who go inevitably get prescribed a cat. there were four overall stories that were all connected by one way or another and even though one person may get prescribed the cat it may ultimately not even be for them but will in one way or another change their life.. At first I really found the doctor and nurse strange to say the lease but trust me just keep reading and you will understand the way I did I really love this book although I didn’t get why Tomon’s cat was so sick but I did love his devotion to him and to all the other cats. This is a great feel good wonderful story that I absolutely loved. The more books I read by Japanese authors the more I’m coming to know how much they truly love cats and that is very admirable. What a great read! #NetGalley, #BerkeleyPublishing, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,#SyouIshida,#WillPrescribeYouAnotherCat,

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

“There are many cats in this world, and every cat is just a cat. But when you care for one that cat becomes more than ‘just’ a cat,”

On the top floor of an old building at the end of a cobbled alley in Kyoto lies Kokoro Clinic for the Soul. Not just anyone can find it and you can’t always return after your treatment either, but if you need it and are in true emotional pain, then you may be one of the lucky few prescribed a cat.

Told through interconnected short stories, we explore the lives of people who are struggling with breaking up with a boyfriend, grieving a wife and becoming a recluse, a difficult relationship with a parent, and overwork and losing a cat. With a prescription of a cat (or multiple) our characters can finally move forward with their lives.

🐈 Read This if you like:
- What You Are Looking For Is In The Library
- Before The coffee Gets Cold
- The Restaurant of Lost Recipes
- Cats

If you’ve read a Japanese Healing fiction book, you know what you’re in for. This is a gentle story full of kindness, with just enough magical realism to keep you questioning the Dr and his magical cats.

And while I enjoyed the first book more, I still had a fun time with this book…. And yeah I may have cried a little 😂

[martbookss · Rating 4 out of 5]

trochę ze mnie hipokrytka, bo wiecznie mówię, że nie lubię nowelek a i tak co jakiś czas po nie sięgam. tutaj bez mrugnięcia sięgnęłam po drugi tom i tak sie zastanawiam, czemu marudziłam przy pierwszym tomie? ta książka jest genialna. przesłodka, zabawna i kojąca. widziałam, że ta seria ma 5! tomów i czekam na wszystkie kolejne 🥹🥹🥹

[✧₊⁎Haru • 🦦🪷⁎⁺˳✧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

«Il modo in cui ci si incontra non è importante, sa?» proseguì l'uomo. «Che sia un approccio casuale o un appuntamento combinato, è lo stesso. Gli esseri umani tendono a dare troppo significato agli incontri. Parlano di destino, di eventi unici, ma sono valutazioni aggiunte a posteriori. In realtà è tutta questione di coincidenze, di capricci, di momenti. Non serve di più. Perché al mondo ci sono tantissime persone, e tantissimi gatti. Davvero tanti, Kajiwara. Ce ne sono veramente tanti.»

questa davvero una delle mie mie letture comfort preferite, i diversi racconti sono tutti adorabili e mi fanno ogni volta sciogliere il cuore😭🩷 sono contenta che si sia scoperto qualcosa in più sul passato di Nike, spero che nei prossimi volumi venga approfondita ancora di più la storia sua e di Chitose🩷

[Liberty {LittyLibby} · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh my heart

[Steve Lamothe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ultimate comfort food!! I simply adore this series !! Hug your pets as much as you can !! Can’t wait for number 3 next year !!

[Bell (wicked era💚🫧) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books 🥰