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A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang
A dessert from the Hwawoldang is a ticket to a new life . . .
Perfect for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold
'Thought-provoking and uplifting' Sun
'I adored this book . . rich, emotional and engaging' ***** Reader Review
'We had K-pop and K-beauty - now it's time for K-lit! Thought provoking and uplifting' Fabulous Magazine
'Amazingly beautiful and just what I needed at this point in my life' ***** Reader Review
'Heart-warming and full of gratitude and happiness. I loved it. And the Korean pastries all sounded delicious' ***** Reader Review
***
Welcome to Hwawoldang, the pastry shop where every delicious bite comes with satisfaction for both the mouth and the soul . . .
When twenty-seven-year-old Yeon-hwa loses her grandmother, the proprietor of Hwawoldang, she honours her final wish: to keep the shop open for one more month, between 10pm and midnight.
Yeon-hwa hopes to learn the secrets behind Hwawoldang’s desserts, and the enigmatic woman who made them.
But when one of the shop’s most loyal patrons arrives, Yeon-hwa quickly discovers Hwawoldang is no ordinary pastry shop, as its customers are not entirely alive . . .
With each new visitor, Yeon-hwa is drawn deep into their memories. The true calling of the pastry shop is to shepherd her customers into the afterlife, but can Yeon-hwa continue her grandmother’s legacy? And will the task bring her closer to the woman she barely knew?
Evocative, nourishing and cosy, A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang is an ode to lost souls finding home, in this life and beyond.
Perfect for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold
'Thought-provoking and uplifting' Sun
'I adored this book . . rich, emotional and engaging' ***** Reader Review
'We had K-pop and K-beauty - now it's time for K-lit! Thought provoking and uplifting' Fabulous Magazine
'Amazingly beautiful and just what I needed at this point in my life' ***** Reader Review
'Heart-warming and full of gratitude and happiness. I loved it. And the Korean pastries all sounded delicious' ***** Reader Review
***
Welcome to Hwawoldang, the pastry shop where every delicious bite comes with satisfaction for both the mouth and the soul . . .
When twenty-seven-year-old Yeon-hwa loses her grandmother, the proprietor of Hwawoldang, she honours her final wish: to keep the shop open for one more month, between 10pm and midnight.
Yeon-hwa hopes to learn the secrets behind Hwawoldang’s desserts, and the enigmatic woman who made them.
But when one of the shop’s most loyal patrons arrives, Yeon-hwa quickly discovers Hwawoldang is no ordinary pastry shop, as its customers are not entirely alive . . .
With each new visitor, Yeon-hwa is drawn deep into their memories. The true calling of the pastry shop is to shepherd her customers into the afterlife, but can Yeon-hwa continue her grandmother’s legacy? And will the task bring her closer to the woman she barely knew?
Evocative, nourishing and cosy, A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang is an ode to lost souls finding home, in this life and beyond.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 799 reviews
May 11, 2026
Some places exist in the quiet hours, not just between night and day, but between worlds. Sometimes soft, inviting, but could also be a little lonely. And in retrospect, this novel is very much that kind of story, but in a different like, this book also feels like if The Lantern of Lost Memories and The Amberglow Candy Store had a child! (and I never make a better equation in describing a book).
Set in a small pastry shop that only opens between 10 p.m. and midnight, Yeon-hwa a grieving young woman who inherits her grandmother's bakery alongside a crushing debt, soon discovers that her clientele are spirits. With the help of Sa-wol, a mysterious shaman hiding secrets of his own, Yeon-hwa soon begins to explore what people leave behind when they die and what they still cling to before they can finally move on.
The major force of this book is its core conceit and the melancholic yet uplifting atmosphere it cultivates. Each spirit’s tale is sad, tender, and quietly hopeful, speaking to human bonds, regrets, and love. While the novel deals with death, it never feels heavy or overwhelming. Instead, it carries a warm reminder to carry the torch for the people we love while we still can.
On a personal note, chapter four and five deliver powerful emotional punches that underscore the fragility and beauty of life. The message that emerges is heartrending, which taught us to cherish our loved ones and to find a way to live without being consumed by grief for those left behind. The author handles this difficult theme with delicacy that avoids becoming dark or morbid, leaving the reader with a soft sense of hope. I was a crying mess especially after reading these two chapters ㅠㅠ
However, where the story of the spirits shines, the living narrative at its core feels underbaked. The book’s underlying weakness takes in its characterization of Yeon-hwa herself. We learn she was raised by her grandmother after her parents' death and feels estranged from her, but her internal world often feels sidelined. On that ground, when the final revelations come, I expected to feel more stirred than I actually did but it felt like something was missing. And I think that absence comes from not spending enough time truly understanding our protagonist. Her story never fully blooms, which made the ending less impactful than it could have been.
That same limitation extends, more subtly, to the spirits. Though their circumstances differ, still feels emotionally indistinct which becomes more noticeable especially when you have read other books with a similar “helping spirits move on” premise. There is a silent dissonance in seeing souls defined by unresolved longing appear so emotionally subdued, as if the narrative keeps their inner lives at arm’s length rather than fully engaging with their somber complexities.
Even so, as highlighted earlier, Hwawoldang thus far approaches death with notable sensitivity. It treats grief with respect and frames moving on not as forgetting, but as continuing to live. The message may not be groundbreaking, but it is sincere and comforting.
And if you look closely, there is something meaningful to take away from this book. It is gentle, bittersweet, and meekly heartwarming. In the end though, I do not think it was quite for me and that is alright. Sometimes a story can be beautifully told and still not fully remain in your heart.
Set in a small pastry shop that only opens between 10 p.m. and midnight, Yeon-hwa a grieving young woman who inherits her grandmother's bakery alongside a crushing debt, soon discovers that her clientele are spirits. With the help of Sa-wol, a mysterious shaman hiding secrets of his own, Yeon-hwa soon begins to explore what people leave behind when they die and what they still cling to before they can finally move on.
The major force of this book is its core conceit and the melancholic yet uplifting atmosphere it cultivates. Each spirit’s tale is sad, tender, and quietly hopeful, speaking to human bonds, regrets, and love. While the novel deals with death, it never feels heavy or overwhelming. Instead, it carries a warm reminder to carry the torch for the people we love while we still can.
On a personal note, chapter four and five deliver powerful emotional punches that underscore the fragility and beauty of life. The message that emerges is heartrending, which taught us to cherish our loved ones and to find a way to live without being consumed by grief for those left behind. The author handles this difficult theme with delicacy that avoids becoming dark or morbid, leaving the reader with a soft sense of hope. I was a crying mess especially after reading these two chapters ㅠㅠ
However, where the story of the spirits shines, the living narrative at its core feels underbaked. The book’s underlying weakness takes in its characterization of Yeon-hwa herself. We learn she was raised by her grandmother after her parents' death and feels estranged from her, but her internal world often feels sidelined. On that ground, when the final revelations come, I expected to feel more stirred than I actually did but it felt like something was missing. And I think that absence comes from not spending enough time truly understanding our protagonist. Her story never fully blooms, which made the ending less impactful than it could have been.
That same limitation extends, more subtly, to the spirits. Though their circumstances differ, still feels emotionally indistinct which becomes more noticeable especially when you have read other books with a similar “helping spirits move on” premise. There is a silent dissonance in seeing souls defined by unresolved longing appear so emotionally subdued, as if the narrative keeps their inner lives at arm’s length rather than fully engaging with their somber complexities.
Even so, as highlighted earlier, Hwawoldang thus far approaches death with notable sensitivity. It treats grief with respect and frames moving on not as forgetting, but as continuing to live. The message may not be groundbreaking, but it is sincere and comforting.
And if you look closely, there is something meaningful to take away from this book. It is gentle, bittersweet, and meekly heartwarming. In the end though, I do not think it was quite for me and that is alright. Sometimes a story can be beautifully told and still not fully remain in your heart.
June 30, 2025
I think I’m officially exhausted of these stories. They’re all the same! I thought this would have more substance, and more about the granddaughter taking over the store, but it’s the usual twee serial short format about communing with the dead.
It was too neat. Too simplistic. Too saccharine. I wanted more substance than the story gave me. The writing and the plot felt more geared to young readers than something for adults. There was a noticeable amount of awkward and repetitive phrasing, particularly in the dialogue, that felt unnatural. Overall, the writing/translation felt super rushed.
Communing with the dead, uncommunicative or passive characters, food, and cats are all starting to feel like tickbox lists that authors include. Like they’re all writing to an assignment brief, but there isn’t any variation to keep things interesting.
I didn’t hate this, but I was bored by it. It didn’t offer anything new or fresh.
My request to review this was approved by Michael Joseph via NetGalley.
It was too neat. Too simplistic. Too saccharine. I wanted more substance than the story gave me. The writing and the plot felt more geared to young readers than something for adults. There was a noticeable amount of awkward and repetitive phrasing, particularly in the dialogue, that felt unnatural. Overall, the writing/translation felt super rushed.
Communing with the dead, uncommunicative or passive characters, food, and cats are all starting to feel like tickbox lists that authors include. Like they’re all writing to an assignment brief, but there isn’t any variation to keep things interesting.
I didn’t hate this, but I was bored by it. It didn’t offer anything new or fresh.
My request to review this was approved by Michael Joseph via NetGalley.
June 9, 2026
This charming short novel incorporates magical realism to create a unique and enjoyable read!
Twenty seven year old Yeon-hwa has inherited her grandmother’s pastry shop, but it comes with specific conditions. The shop must be open from 10 p.m. until midnight. Her grandmother has left recipes for the pastries which Yeon-hwa will provide.
Yeon-hwa thinks that this is strange, but agrees to give it a try. When her first customers arrive, she learns that the pastry shop is the last stop for people who have died! They can enjoy their favorite pastry for the last time before passing on.
While waiting for their pastry, each “person” tells their story to Yeon-hwa. The stories are all different, but each one is heartbreaking. Yet each person is at peace with what has happened. As the time goes by, Yeon-hwa also learns more about the secrets of her own family.
Because this story is set in South Korea, the pastries and their ingredients are not well known or easily recognized in western countries. However this does not take away from the story’s enjoyment. This is a tale of love, selflessness, and kindness that will stay with you for a long while.
Twenty seven year old Yeon-hwa has inherited her grandmother’s pastry shop, but it comes with specific conditions. The shop must be open from 10 p.m. until midnight. Her grandmother has left recipes for the pastries which Yeon-hwa will provide.
Yeon-hwa thinks that this is strange, but agrees to give it a try. When her first customers arrive, she learns that the pastry shop is the last stop for people who have died! They can enjoy their favorite pastry for the last time before passing on.
While waiting for their pastry, each “person” tells their story to Yeon-hwa. The stories are all different, but each one is heartbreaking. Yet each person is at peace with what has happened. As the time goes by, Yeon-hwa also learns more about the secrets of her own family.
Because this story is set in South Korea, the pastries and their ingredients are not well known or easily recognized in western countries. However this does not take away from the story’s enjoyment. This is a tale of love, selflessness, and kindness that will stay with you for a long while.
May 15, 2026
Lack of Communication Sucks
Do you know what ghosts who still have unfinished business with humans frequently do?
Outside this book, I have no Idea. Inside this book, they are the main clients of the Flower Moon Temple Pastry Shop. They go there between 10 p.m. and midnight to order comfort treats that instantly connect them with the ones they still have things to say…
Death can be an unpredictable visitor. Sometimes, it drops by, unexpectedly, when we still have repressed feelings to share. Hence, this book is inviting us to say what we have to say before our expiration date. Our peace of mind will be deeply grateful 😉
Do you know what ghosts who still have unfinished business with humans frequently do?
Outside this book, I have no Idea. Inside this book, they are the main clients of the Flower Moon Temple Pastry Shop. They go there between 10 p.m. and midnight to order comfort treats that instantly connect them with the ones they still have things to say…
Death can be an unpredictable visitor. Sometimes, it drops by, unexpectedly, when we still have repressed feelings to share. Hence, this book is inviting us to say what we have to say before our expiration date. Our peace of mind will be deeply grateful 😉
July 8, 2025
Oh this really was a wonderfully thought-provoking book. Where many of the popular Japanese translated books are typically very cosy and feel-good, I’ve found that the Korean stories are a little more realistic and written to provide life lessons. This book is no exception.
[A HUGE thank you to Netgalley for the ARC]
Yeon-hwa is a bit of a lost soul. A 27-year-old girl who has just lost her grandma, a family member she never felt a close connection with. Upon meeting her grandma’s solicitor, she realises she has inherited Hwawoldang, a traditional dessert shop that has been in the family for generations. But the one condition of her inheritance is that she must not sell it immediately and must open every evening from 10 to midnight.
Yeon-hwa reluctantly agrees, hoping she can sell it as soon as possible. However, as soon as she meets Hwawoldang’s customers, she knows she has a real job on her hands. As she is brought into the memories of each customer, she learns about their deepest regrets and the sadness they feel now that they cannot make amends. And also that these customers are not as normal as they first seem. You’ll have to read on to find out why [:
I really enjoyed this book and learning about each of the shop’s customers. It made me feel that life really is too short and you shouldn’t wait to express your feelings or do the things you’ve always wanted to do. It also emphasises the importance of family relationships. Finally, what was refreshing about this story wasn’t that life is perfect or could be fixed with a hot coffee. Some of the scenes were quite disturbing!
I’m swinging towards a 4-stars with this one!
[A HUGE thank you to Netgalley for the ARC]
Yeon-hwa is a bit of a lost soul. A 27-year-old girl who has just lost her grandma, a family member she never felt a close connection with. Upon meeting her grandma’s solicitor, she realises she has inherited Hwawoldang, a traditional dessert shop that has been in the family for generations. But the one condition of her inheritance is that she must not sell it immediately and must open every evening from 10 to midnight.
Yeon-hwa reluctantly agrees, hoping she can sell it as soon as possible. However, as soon as she meets Hwawoldang’s customers, she knows she has a real job on her hands. As she is brought into the memories of each customer, she learns about their deepest regrets and the sadness they feel now that they cannot make amends. And also that these customers are not as normal as they first seem. You’ll have to read on to find out why [:
I really enjoyed this book and learning about each of the shop’s customers. It made me feel that life really is too short and you shouldn’t wait to express your feelings or do the things you’ve always wanted to do. It also emphasises the importance of family relationships. Finally, what was refreshing about this story wasn’t that life is perfect or could be fixed with a hot coffee. Some of the scenes were quite disturbing!
I’m swinging towards a 4-stars with this one!
January 25, 2026
I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (William Morrow) for promotional purposes.
What a sweet and heartfelt story!
This was very similar to another book I read earlier this month, The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop. Both books deal with the owner of a store helping people move on. In this book, the owner, Yeon-hwa, is helping spirits find closure so they can pass on peacefully before they are reincarnated.
I really enjoyed all of the customers’ stories. Each customer had a unique life story and the stories never felt repetitive or similar. My favorite was Ji-hwan. He was only ten years old and was so precious. Naturally, all the stories deal with death so they were always a little bittersweet.
Since this book is about a pastry shop, there were a lot of descriptions about food. All the pastries sounded so delicious. I’m not super familiar with Korean pastries, but after reading this book I definitely want to try some of the ones that were mentioned like yanggaeng.
While I enjoyed this book, I also felt like it was missing something. I felt a similar way about The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop so it might just be something about this type of story.
Overall, I loved my time at this cute little pastry shop. If you like cozy and emotional stories, consider picking this one up!
What a sweet and heartfelt story!
This was very similar to another book I read earlier this month, The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop. Both books deal with the owner of a store helping people move on. In this book, the owner, Yeon-hwa, is helping spirits find closure so they can pass on peacefully before they are reincarnated.
I really enjoyed all of the customers’ stories. Each customer had a unique life story and the stories never felt repetitive or similar. My favorite was Ji-hwan. He was only ten years old and was so precious. Naturally, all the stories deal with death so they were always a little bittersweet.
Since this book is about a pastry shop, there were a lot of descriptions about food. All the pastries sounded so delicious. I’m not super familiar with Korean pastries, but after reading this book I definitely want to try some of the ones that were mentioned like yanggaeng.
While I enjoyed this book, I also felt like it was missing something. I felt a similar way about The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop so it might just be something about this type of story.
Overall, I loved my time at this cute little pastry shop. If you like cozy and emotional stories, consider picking this one up!
July 1, 2026
Interesting read. The blurb indicates "For readers of Before the Coffee Gets Cold, The Dallergut Dream Department Store, and The Midnight Library...." It seems these books are all very similar. I've read a few of these and they tend to be the same. Same story, same magical realism. However, this one caught my attention. The shop is the last stop before the dead move on to be reincarnated. Three different stories are told how the person dies and why they are at the shop, to get a sweet that reminds them of their life and helps them to move on. I liked the story of the monks, the ancient history. The audio narration was quite good. Honestly, I would have loved to hear more about the monastery and the monk. I debated my rating but the more I thought about it, this one just grabbed me for some reason. It's not the strongest, most memorable but I enjoyed reading this one, a good way to also clear my mind and relax.
June 27, 2025
Then the door chime sang again, and this time, a middle-aged woman in a flower-print dress entered – and I could tell instantly from the nervous look in her eye and her awkward steps that she had to be a customer.
Sa-wol noticed the customer, too, and whispered, ‘I’m actually a shaman. And I know about the thing your grandmother mentioned in her will. The answer to your “little” problem.’
‘You do?’ I said in disbelief, but instead of replying, Sa-wol grinned obliviously and turned on his heel.
쇠종이 한 번 더 울렸다. 이번에는 노란색 꽃무늬 패턴 원피스를 입은 중년 여자가 입장했다. 낯설어하며 고개를 두리번거리는 몸짓과 불안한 눈빛으로 보아 이번에는 확실히 손님이었다. 사월은 손님이 온 것을 확인하고는 재빨리 목소리를 낮춰 속삭였다.
“사실 난 무당이고요, 할머니 유서에 적힌 ‘그것’도 알고 있지요.”
“예? 정말인가요?” 그가 아이처럼 천진하게 웃더니 등을 돌려 나갔다.
A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang is Slin Jung's translation of 시간이 멈춰선 화과자점, 화월당입니다 by 이온화 (Lee Onhwa).
The novel is narrated by a 27 year old woman Hong Yeonhwa and opens:
Life is a fleeting moment, but our bonds will last forever. Those were Grandma’s last words. The sky was bright and clear when she left on her final journey, like even death had put on a cloak of sunshine in honour of her gentle humility. It was a lovely spring day with the flowers in spectacular bloom. I didn’t cry. Grandma’s passing didn’t destroy my life. I was twenty- seven years old; I could eat, go shopping, and even change the batteries of a dead clock all by myself. I put on a brave face, and life went on as if nothing had happened. I’d known since I was little that even as people died around me, yesterday would still lead into today, which would lead into tomorrow.
Her grandmother has died, her parents having died some years earlier in a traffic accident, and has left her traditional Korean/Japanese dessert shop, Hwawoldang (which conveys a sense of Flower Moon), to her in her will. But the shop is unsellable, and the bequest comes with a large debt (100m Won, or c£55,000), and the promise that she has been left everything she needs to run Hwawoldang and a way to repay the debt, but on three conditions:
- she personally runs the shop for at least one month
- she opens the shop from 10pm to midnight everyday
- she waits in anticipation
The shop itself: I was standing outside the Hwawoldang, its pink neon sign a shock of cherry blossoms in the deep of night. Once a small, single- storey residence, the traditional sweetshop was packed with décor in bright primary colours, the sort of place that might tempt East Asian versions of Hansel and Gretel. The Chinese characters for ‘parting’ and ‘blessing’ were proudly displayed on the wall, below which was an image of a magnificent dragon in flight. The shop interior looked like one massive talisman.
When she opens her first visitor is Sa-wol (literally April) a young man who is a shaman and seems - see the opening quote - to know the secrets of the shop. And her second is a woman who requests a particular dessert - Chocolate Jeonbyeong Crackers (초콜릿 전병) - which she needs by midnight.
It quickly transpires - no spoiler alert needed I think - that the woman is dead, and needs this dessert, which is associated with memories of her death in a fire, to allow her spirit to pass to the other side and be reincarnated. My holding her hand, Yeonhwa is able to enter into memories of her life and death (and the reader is able to read them) as well as significance of the requested dessert.
And that sets the pattern for the novel - each chapter features a recently-deceased person and a particular dessert request:
Chocolate Jeonbyeong Crackers - 초콜릿 전병
Plum-Blossom Manju Buns - 매화꽃 화과자
Green Tea Dang - 녹차 당고
Strawberry Chapssaltteok - 딸기 찹쌀떡
Chestnut Yanggaeng - 밤 양갱
A cartoon picture of them is below, from the Korean edition's webpage, and the author also made a video of each of them here.
Which makes for some mouthwatering food descriptions - this actually from a meal, accompanied by makgeolli (막걸리) rather than one of the desserts:
I thought of so many people as I raised my bowl and took that first sip of thick sweetness. As the pleasant tipsiness set in, I reached for the edges of the pajeon, fried almost as crispy as the jeonbyeong crackers, but savoury with the flavour of the oil and the gentle kick of the onion. Then I went for two pieces of the dotorimuk, moist and smooth but supple to chew. The chilli powder, vinegar and sugar offset the hint of acorn bitterness nicely. This combination always reminded me of a certain day in early summer, when I sat in the living room with Grandma and both my parents, eating and talking about nothing in particular.
But the stories themselves were rather too twee (particularly versus the rather tragic underlying stories) for my taste.
To the extent there is any plot, it revolves around Sa-wol's own story, and its relationship to Yeonhwa's situation. And the growth in her own self-identity:
‘I’m me! Not “granddaughter of Lim Yun-ok”, not the “heir to the Hwawoldang”, just me! Hong Yeonhwa!’
2.5 stars - rather too sweet a dessert, which left me yearning for a savoury main course (and a bowl of 막걸리).
Sa-wol noticed the customer, too, and whispered, ‘I’m actually a shaman. And I know about the thing your grandmother mentioned in her will. The answer to your “little” problem.’
‘You do?’ I said in disbelief, but instead of replying, Sa-wol grinned obliviously and turned on his heel.
쇠종이 한 번 더 울렸다. 이번에는 노란색 꽃무늬 패턴 원피스를 입은 중년 여자가 입장했다. 낯설어하며 고개를 두리번거리는 몸짓과 불안한 눈빛으로 보아 이번에는 확실히 손님이었다. 사월은 손님이 온 것을 확인하고는 재빨리 목소리를 낮춰 속삭였다.
“사실 난 무당이고요, 할머니 유서에 적힌 ‘그것’도 알고 있지요.”
“예? 정말인가요?” 그가 아이처럼 천진하게 웃더니 등을 돌려 나갔다.
A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang is Slin Jung's translation of 시간이 멈춰선 화과자점, 화월당입니다 by 이온화 (Lee Onhwa).
The novel is narrated by a 27 year old woman Hong Yeonhwa and opens:
Life is a fleeting moment, but our bonds will last forever. Those were Grandma’s last words. The sky was bright and clear when she left on her final journey, like even death had put on a cloak of sunshine in honour of her gentle humility. It was a lovely spring day with the flowers in spectacular bloom. I didn’t cry. Grandma’s passing didn’t destroy my life. I was twenty- seven years old; I could eat, go shopping, and even change the batteries of a dead clock all by myself. I put on a brave face, and life went on as if nothing had happened. I’d known since I was little that even as people died around me, yesterday would still lead into today, which would lead into tomorrow.
Her grandmother has died, her parents having died some years earlier in a traffic accident, and has left her traditional Korean/Japanese dessert shop, Hwawoldang (which conveys a sense of Flower Moon), to her in her will. But the shop is unsellable, and the bequest comes with a large debt (100m Won, or c£55,000), and the promise that she has been left everything she needs to run Hwawoldang and a way to repay the debt, but on three conditions:
- she personally runs the shop for at least one month
- she opens the shop from 10pm to midnight everyday
- she waits in anticipation
The shop itself: I was standing outside the Hwawoldang, its pink neon sign a shock of cherry blossoms in the deep of night. Once a small, single- storey residence, the traditional sweetshop was packed with décor in bright primary colours, the sort of place that might tempt East Asian versions of Hansel and Gretel. The Chinese characters for ‘parting’ and ‘blessing’ were proudly displayed on the wall, below which was an image of a magnificent dragon in flight. The shop interior looked like one massive talisman.
When she opens her first visitor is Sa-wol (literally April) a young man who is a shaman and seems - see the opening quote - to know the secrets of the shop. And her second is a woman who requests a particular dessert - Chocolate Jeonbyeong Crackers (초콜릿 전병) - which she needs by midnight.
It quickly transpires - no spoiler alert needed I think - that the woman is dead, and needs this dessert, which is associated with memories of her death in a fire, to allow her spirit to pass to the other side and be reincarnated. My holding her hand, Yeonhwa is able to enter into memories of her life and death (and the reader is able to read them) as well as significance of the requested dessert.
And that sets the pattern for the novel - each chapter features a recently-deceased person and a particular dessert request:
Chocolate Jeonbyeong Crackers - 초콜릿 전병
Plum-Blossom Manju Buns - 매화꽃 화과자
Green Tea Dang - 녹차 당고
Strawberry Chapssaltteok - 딸기 찹쌀떡
Chestnut Yanggaeng - 밤 양갱
A cartoon picture of them is below, from the Korean edition's webpage, and the author also made a video of each of them here.
Which makes for some mouthwatering food descriptions - this actually from a meal, accompanied by makgeolli (막걸리) rather than one of the desserts:
I thought of so many people as I raised my bowl and took that first sip of thick sweetness. As the pleasant tipsiness set in, I reached for the edges of the pajeon, fried almost as crispy as the jeonbyeong crackers, but savoury with the flavour of the oil and the gentle kick of the onion. Then I went for two pieces of the dotorimuk, moist and smooth but supple to chew. The chilli powder, vinegar and sugar offset the hint of acorn bitterness nicely. This combination always reminded me of a certain day in early summer, when I sat in the living room with Grandma and both my parents, eating and talking about nothing in particular.
But the stories themselves were rather too twee (particularly versus the rather tragic underlying stories) for my taste.
To the extent there is any plot, it revolves around Sa-wol's own story, and its relationship to Yeonhwa's situation. And the growth in her own self-identity:
‘I’m me! Not “granddaughter of Lim Yun-ok”, not the “heir to the Hwawoldang”, just me! Hong Yeonhwa!’
2.5 stars - rather too sweet a dessert, which left me yearning for a savoury main course (and a bowl of 막걸리).
February 8, 2026
дуже легко та швидко читається, не очікувала нічого вау бо такого типажу історій дуже багато, але однак все одно було цікаво почитати. фанатам корейської драми "Готель Дель Луна" явно сподобається
February 22, 2026
Begin sterker dan het slot. Had beter uitgewerkt kunnen worden. Wil wel graag alle recepten uitproberen!
July 2, 2026
I'm beginning to suspect publishers have a secret file on me. "Likes sad people, carbs and cats." Nailed it.
Huh... that could be my dating profile. Where was I? Never mind. 🐱🐱🐱🐱
Huh... that could be my dating profile. Where was I? Never mind. 🐱🐱🐱🐱
June 8, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Audio
Ir nors pradžia buvo kiek vangoka, tačiau neilgai trukus aš jau pasinėriau į šį mistinį pasaulį. Kiekvienas skyrius- tai lyg atskira istorija, ir nors kiekviename iš jų svarbią vietą užima mirtis, tačiau nebuvo nei taip liūdna, nei taip skaudu ar sunku klausyti, kaip aš galvojau. Tai knyga ne tik apie mirtį, bet ir apie susitaikymą, meilę, draugystę. Nors mane kamuoja dvejonės, ar knyga būtų taip pat patikusi, jei būčiau ją skaičiusi, o ne klausiusi 🤔
Audio
Ir nors pradžia buvo kiek vangoka, tačiau neilgai trukus aš jau pasinėriau į šį mistinį pasaulį. Kiekvienas skyrius- tai lyg atskira istorija, ir nors kiekviename iš jų svarbią vietą užima mirtis, tačiau nebuvo nei taip liūdna, nei taip skaudu ar sunku klausyti, kaip aš galvojau. Tai knyga ne tik apie mirtį, bet ir apie susitaikymą, meilę, draugystę. Nors mane kamuoja dvejonės, ar knyga būtų taip pat patikusi, jei būčiau ją skaičiusi, o ne klausiusi 🤔
Did Not Finish
January 27, 2026DNF @ 29% unfortunately there is nothing unique enough about this to make me want to keep reading
November 24, 2025
3.5⭐ C'était fun! Enfin, c'est quand même des histoires d'âmes qui n'arrivent pas à passer de l'autre côté, mais le côté fantastique et pâtisserie était sympa. Les gâteaux sont vraiment au coeur du roman et on sent la passion de l'auteur pour les recettes traditionnelles. C'était ce que je recherchais en achetant ce livre, donc pour ça je n'ai pas été déçue (contrairement à La Boulangerie de Minuit par ex.)
J'ai aussi apprécié que pour une fois, les histoires des clients de la boutique ne soient pas tournées en leçons de développement personnel. Ils racontent leur vie, ils sont morts, le lecteur en retire ce qu'il veut.
Le seul bémol c'est que c'était trop court et du coup pas assez développé. C'est dommage parce que c'est pas mal écrit, il y a une atmosphère mi-douce mi-amère bien maîtrisée, mais la protagoniste fait à peine partie de l'histoire. Sauf pendant les quinze dernières pages et là c'est trop tard pour qu'on s'intéresse à ses états d'âme. Ça aurait pu être un coup de coeur sinon.
J'ai aussi apprécié que pour une fois, les histoires des clients de la boutique ne soient pas tournées en leçons de développement personnel. Ils racontent leur vie, ils sont morts, le lecteur en retire ce qu'il veut.
Le seul bémol c'est que c'était trop court et du coup pas assez développé. C'est dommage parce que c'est pas mal écrit, il y a une atmosphère mi-douce mi-amère bien maîtrisée, mais la protagoniste fait à peine partie de l'histoire. Sauf pendant les quinze dernières pages et là c'est trop tard pour qu'on s'intéresse à ses états d'âme. Ça aurait pu être un coup de coeur sinon.
June 13, 2026
This novel feels like stepping into a dream where flour dust and moonlight mingle. Lee Onhwa crafts a story that is both whimsical and quietly profound, centering on Hwawoldang, a pastry shop that seems to exist halfway between reality and myth. The atmosphere is enchanting, with descriptions so vivid you can almost taste the delicate pastries and hear the soft hum of midnight conversations.
What makes this book shine is its ability to balance sweetness with melancholy. The characters are tenderly drawn, each carrying their own secrets and longings, and the shop itself becomes a metaphor for memory, healing, and fleeting joy. The prose is lyrical without being overwrought, and the pacing allows readers to linger in its world.
That said, the narrative occasionally drifts, and some threads feel underdeveloped, as if the author wanted us to savor the mood more than the plot. It’s not a flaw so much as a stylistic choice, but it may leave certain readers wishing for more resolution.
Overall, A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang is a beautiful, atmospheric read, perfect for those who love stories that feel like a gentle night breeze, carrying both sweetness and a touch of sorrow. A solid 4-star experience that lingers like the aftertaste of a delicate pastry.
What makes this book shine is its ability to balance sweetness with melancholy. The characters are tenderly drawn, each carrying their own secrets and longings, and the shop itself becomes a metaphor for memory, healing, and fleeting joy. The prose is lyrical without being overwrought, and the pacing allows readers to linger in its world.
That said, the narrative occasionally drifts, and some threads feel underdeveloped, as if the author wanted us to savor the mood more than the plot. It’s not a flaw so much as a stylistic choice, but it may leave certain readers wishing for more resolution.
Overall, A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang is a beautiful, atmospheric read, perfect for those who love stories that feel like a gentle night breeze, carrying both sweetness and a touch of sorrow. A solid 4-star experience that lingers like the aftertaste of a delicate pastry.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I enjoyed this thought provoking story about life and what it means. With themes of family and relationships, the shop customers were my favorite!
*many thanks to William Morrow, Harper audio, and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review
*many thanks to William Morrow, Harper audio, and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review
December 17, 2025
A light, touching with a cozy slice-of-life in a magical realism setting told in an interconnected tale of Hwawoldang; a traditional sweet and pastry shop where spirits with unfinished business came to seek a request on particular dessert to help them find closure and prepare for the afterlife. I followed Yeonhwa who inherited the shop from her grandmother that has recently passed away leaving her in the help of a shaman; Sawol to operate the shop in between 10pm and midnight, to serve the shop’s special customers with their preferable taste of comfort from jeonbyeong crackers and manju buns to dango, chapssal-tteok and chestnut yanggaeng as well making delivery if requested.
“Hwawoldang was the crossroads between the living and the dead. Every death is a tragedy. But not every spirit can pass on with a smile…”
Loved Yeonhwa’s love-hate interaction with Sawol as well how each tale begins in a neat surreal intro with a magic touch for Yeonhwa to delve into the customers’ perspective and preparing the said desserts for them. Having comforting prose with nothing that tensely and I liked how the author observed those vivid relationship and friendship in between the tales and the mystery revolves around the Korean spiritual belief of 49th-day rite and the three-year mourning that answered my curiosity about those lingering souls.
My fav stories were both about Mae Hyeon with his unrequited lovestory and the tale of the little boy Ji Hwan with his older sister (bit heartwrenched it sadden me when I read that short letter to his sister). Of one’s emotional healing, memories, connection, of grief, loss and compassion that struck a journey of realisation and acceptance for the customers and the people they left behind as well Yeonhwa who came to learn on the details about her grandmother (and the black cat!) and the truth about Sawol. An episode of resentment nearly the end, foreseen yet it grasped a charming reflective ending for me.
Frankly similar to any magical healing premise that I have read previously and still an enjoyable uplifting read nevertheless. Appreciate the readers’ letter from the author at the end!
**Thank you Times Reads for sending me a copy to review!
“Hwawoldang was the crossroads between the living and the dead. Every death is a tragedy. But not every spirit can pass on with a smile…”
Loved Yeonhwa’s love-hate interaction with Sawol as well how each tale begins in a neat surreal intro with a magic touch for Yeonhwa to delve into the customers’ perspective and preparing the said desserts for them. Having comforting prose with nothing that tensely and I liked how the author observed those vivid relationship and friendship in between the tales and the mystery revolves around the Korean spiritual belief of 49th-day rite and the three-year mourning that answered my curiosity about those lingering souls.
My fav stories were both about Mae Hyeon with his unrequited lovestory and the tale of the little boy Ji Hwan with his older sister (bit heartwrenched it sadden me when I read that short letter to his sister). Of one’s emotional healing, memories, connection, of grief, loss and compassion that struck a journey of realisation and acceptance for the customers and the people they left behind as well Yeonhwa who came to learn on the details about her grandmother (and the black cat!) and the truth about Sawol. An episode of resentment nearly the end, foreseen yet it grasped a charming reflective ending for me.
Frankly similar to any magical healing premise that I have read previously and still an enjoyable uplifting read nevertheless. Appreciate the readers’ letter from the author at the end!
**Thank you Times Reads for sending me a copy to review!
July 16, 2025
A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang
by Lee Onhwa is an endearing, emotional, thought provoking read. Introducing us to Yeon-hwa, who having been orphaned at a young age was brought up by her emotionally remote grandma who has recently passed.
In her will, her grandma left her business to Yeon-hwa - Hwawoldang, a traditional dessert shop that has been in their family for generations but of course there’s a caveat, Yeon-Hwa cannot sell the shop straightaway and must open every evening from 10 to midnight. Yeon-hwa reluctantly agrees to take the shop on temporarily until she can sell it but, on meeting Hwawoldang’s clients, Yeon-Hwa is immediately drawn into their lives, experiencing the memories, sadness and regrets of each.
Having recently lost my Mam, I was touched deeply by this book and the stories of each of the shop’s clients. This book isn’t saccharine sweet and doesn’t presume that a coffee or a dessert will solve every problem or fix every mistake. This book is a reminder that life is short, often brutally and unexpectedly short, that those you love are important, and that honesty about your feelings and emotions is truly valuable.
Lee Onhwa has written a more realistic and thought-provoking story that doesn’t promise to dive all problems but, does make you feel, think and of course hunger for the delicious sounding traditional Korean desserts.
Thank you so much Michael Joseph, Penguin Randomhouse and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest and sincere review.
by Lee Onhwa is an endearing, emotional, thought provoking read. Introducing us to Yeon-hwa, who having been orphaned at a young age was brought up by her emotionally remote grandma who has recently passed.
In her will, her grandma left her business to Yeon-hwa - Hwawoldang, a traditional dessert shop that has been in their family for generations but of course there’s a caveat, Yeon-Hwa cannot sell the shop straightaway and must open every evening from 10 to midnight. Yeon-hwa reluctantly agrees to take the shop on temporarily until she can sell it but, on meeting Hwawoldang’s clients, Yeon-Hwa is immediately drawn into their lives, experiencing the memories, sadness and regrets of each.
Having recently lost my Mam, I was touched deeply by this book and the stories of each of the shop’s clients. This book isn’t saccharine sweet and doesn’t presume that a coffee or a dessert will solve every problem or fix every mistake. This book is a reminder that life is short, often brutally and unexpectedly short, that those you love are important, and that honesty about your feelings and emotions is truly valuable.
Lee Onhwa has written a more realistic and thought-provoking story that doesn’t promise to dive all problems but, does make you feel, think and of course hunger for the delicious sounding traditional Korean desserts.
Thank you so much Michael Joseph, Penguin Randomhouse and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest and sincere review.
February 4, 2026
Die einzelnen Kapitel sind wie Kurzgeschichten aufgebaut und haben mich trotz ihrer schweren Themen berührt und eine Leichtigkeit/Lebendigkeit vermittelt.
March 13, 2026
Cute, très similaire a "Before the coffee gets cold", mais j'ai trouvé que la lecture se faisait bien plus rapidement. C'est un bon livre "feel good" pour se changer un peu les idées!
January 6, 2026
Het enige wat ik heb na het lezen van dit boek is honger.
February 13, 2026
Comecei essa leitura esperando uma coisa específica, e o livro entregou isso e muito mais. Apesar de a maioria dos personagens aparecer apenas em partes da história, o tempo dedicado a cada um deles é suficiente para torná-los profundos, com trajetórias ricas em detalhes e sentimentos reais e tocantes, que tiveram um impacto emocional em mim.
O enredo e os temas abordados são bem construídos, e a escrita da autora é muito boa, ela consegue transmitir com clareza exatamente a ideia e o sentimento que quer passar. Achei a história muito delicada e muito bonita.
O enredo e os temas abordados são bem construídos, e a escrita da autora é muito boa, ela consegue transmitir com clareza exatamente a ideia e o sentimento que quer passar. Achei a história muito delicada e muito bonita.
January 16, 2026
This was my first work of Japanese fiction and I really enjoyed it! I always love a sprinkling of magical realism in my reads, and I really enjoyed the pastry shop setting (as well as the pastries, which inspired my own sweet tooth this week)! I also liked the formatting of the book, how each chapter was a different person’s story paired with a different Japanese dessert. This was a sweet and lighthearted read that I really enjoyed!
May 23, 2026
I wasn't sure about this one. It turned out to be a supernatural story, of which I am not fond, but I read it, ghosts and all. They were harmless, pleasant ghosts, too, fulfilling one last obligation in this world before moving on to the next. Oh, how sappy can you get?
But, I read it anyway. The publisher,William Morrow and the author, Lee Onhwa were kind enough to send me a free uncorrected proof, so I owed them a good faith effort.
It is the story of a young Korean woman who inherits a dessert bakery from her grandmother with no way to sustain it, but with the wish that she keep it open for a month between the hours of 10 and midnight every night.
Yeon-hwa's life is headed nowhere anyway, so she decides to give it a go. What can happen in only a month?
She doesn't get any real customers, so no way to pay off the debts, but she starts to get plenty of ghostly customers, wishing to leave tasty treats behind to say goodbye to someone special.
Like I said, not my cup of tea.
Until a third of the way in when I realized I was invested in the stories of these characters and the errors they wished to atone for. The author and translator have a cozy, folksy style that drew me in without my noticing.
I think a young readers book club would enjoy this one.
But, I read it anyway. The publisher,William Morrow and the author, Lee Onhwa were kind enough to send me a free uncorrected proof, so I owed them a good faith effort.
It is the story of a young Korean woman who inherits a dessert bakery from her grandmother with no way to sustain it, but with the wish that she keep it open for a month between the hours of 10 and midnight every night.
Yeon-hwa's life is headed nowhere anyway, so she decides to give it a go. What can happen in only a month?
She doesn't get any real customers, so no way to pay off the debts, but she starts to get plenty of ghostly customers, wishing to leave tasty treats behind to say goodbye to someone special.
Like I said, not my cup of tea.
Until a third of the way in when I realized I was invested in the stories of these characters and the errors they wished to atone for. The author and translator have a cozy, folksy style that drew me in without my noticing.
I think a young readers book club would enjoy this one.
May 20, 2026
2026 Summer Reading [FLP] Challenge: #11
This was a lovely book with a very interesting premise. I enjoyed all the stories, but the final story was the best [IMO], and I was very emotional by the end of it.
I would absolutely read this author again!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Lee Onhwa, Slin Jung - Translator, and William Morrow for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a lovely book with a very interesting premise. I enjoyed all the stories, but the final story was the best [IMO], and I was very emotional by the end of it.
I would absolutely read this author again!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Lee Onhwa, Slin Jung - Translator, and William Morrow for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 11, 2026
Тази определено ми хареса! Историите на хората бяха трогателни. Самата идея също ми допадна: душите на починалите хора се отбиват в тази пекарна/сладкарница, за да могат да продължат "нататък".
July 4, 2026
Short enough not to runout of gas, but the story had run its course by the end. I might have enjoyed this audio book more if the tracks were not 1 plus hours long. Having said this I did enjoy the stories. Death is not normally associated with baked good, but this tale from South Korean author makes it work. Sofia Jin is excellent voicing the tale. Will make a great movie, ghosts, baked goods and romance will work internationally.
June 13, 2026
بعد وفاة جدتها ترث (يون-هوا) متجراً لصنع وبيع الحلويات التقليدية. تكتشف لاحقاً أن زبائن المتجر هم أرواح ماتت وترغب بإهداء طبق من الحلوى لمن أحبوا، كأمنية أخيرة.
الكتاب لطيف، بإيقاع هادئ
لا شيء خارج عن المألوف
قطط وحكايا وأمنيات
الكتاب لطيف، بإيقاع هادئ
لا شيء خارج عن المألوف
قطط وحكايا وأمنيات
February 14, 2026
This was a sweet, non-spicy cozy urban paranormal fantasy with deep underpinnings in Korean mythology. Yeon-hwa was raised by her grandmother after her parents died in a car accident when she was a young child. Her grandmother owned a traditional Korean sweet shop that oddly was only open in the late evening. Yeon-hwa always felt somewhat disconnected from her grandmother and after she finished elementary school she rarely visited the sweet shop. When her grandmother dies, she finds out that the shop is deeply in debt and the store can’t be sold because it is in an inauspicious location. But in her will, her grandmother has said that she must keep the store open for at least a month and always be open between 10 pm and midnight. If she does, she will receive an additional gift that will help pay off the debts.
Yeon-ha soon learns that the bakery serves customers who are spirits who need to resolve unfinished business so that they can be reincarnated.
Fans of Asian mythology will enjoy this book which has its own ending of contentment and closure.
Yeon-ha soon learns that the bakery serves customers who are spirits who need to resolve unfinished business so that they can be reincarnated.
Fans of Asian mythology will enjoy this book which has its own ending of contentment and closure.
Did Not Finish
July 18, 2025Thank you for NetGalley and William Marrow with Harper Collins for the ARC of this book for my honest review :)
I want to start off by saying the synopsis of the book was super interesting and that’s why I chose to read it. At the end of the day I don’t want place a rating on this book because I DNF’ed it at 24%. Unfortunately I could not tell if this was geared towards really young readers or if the translation just made it seem that way. It seemed a little too cheesy and predictable. It was repetitive and often I was questioning who was being talked to or where the point of view seem to come from. I enjoyed the beginning and it captivated me to continue reading however, after the first customer I tried to finish the book but simply couldn’t.
I’ve read my fair share of translated books and to be completely honest, they have been translated more smoothly than this one was.
I want to start off by saying the synopsis of the book was super interesting and that’s why I chose to read it. At the end of the day I don’t want place a rating on this book because I DNF’ed it at 24%. Unfortunately I could not tell if this was geared towards really young readers or if the translation just made it seem that way. It seemed a little too cheesy and predictable. It was repetitive and often I was questioning who was being talked to or where the point of view seem to come from. I enjoyed the beginning and it captivated me to continue reading however, after the first customer I tried to finish the book but simply couldn’t.
I’ve read my fair share of translated books and to be completely honest, they have been translated more smoothly than this one was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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