Blended cultures and a lesson about facing your fears are what made this book memorable to me. Nicole has grown used to ignoring the Japanese part of her upbringing--her only nod to it being the cloth Kimino clad doll she sleeps with. But a new internet acquaintance turns out to be from Japan and as they e-mail she finds herself facing questions about her childhood she never dared ask herself--like just what exactly happened the night her mother died and why did her Father become so depressed afterwards? Now residing in a southern town with her extended family, Nicole turns to her grandmother Ducee for wisdom and support. Over glasses of sweet tea they ponder Nicole's Japanese past and it is Ducee's faith in Nicole--and in God--that helps Nicole make an important decision.[return]This was a delightful read, in places it seemed like a romance but that really wasn't the main focus--though I would love to see a follow up book explore that aspect further! Mostly it was about Nicole's journey of learning to face her past and her fears and I appreciated the encouraging message. Read this one when you are in the mood for a pick-me-up.