How to Hold Someone in your Heart

The Lost Souls Series #2

by Mizuki Tsujimura, Yuki Tejima (Translator)

PICK UP YOUR NEXT READ FOR FANS OF LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR and BEFORE THE COFFEE GETS COLD - the story of a young man with special powers to connect the living with the afterlife.

Ayumi is searching for the best way to balance the responsibility of his special powers for connecting the living and the afterlife with his own desires as a young man in the real world. According to strict rules, meetings must take place under a full moon:

- A young film star finds resolution with the father who abandoned him, but not as he expected;
- An amateur historian fan is obsessed to meet a minor warlord of the sixteenth century;
- Ayumi manages two meetings on the same evening, both have lost their daughters;
- A former cook, whose request to visit an upper-class young woman in the afterlife has been repeatedly rejected, is finally granted his wish, and to share a life-changing view of cherry blossom.

Find out how Ayumi and his clients learn to lose their regrets, open up to the unexpected, and cherish what they already have.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Japanese Literature, Magical Realism, Japan, Asian Literature, Adult

240 pages, Paperback

First published October 18, 2019

About the author

Associated Names:
* Mizuki Tsujimura
* 辻村深月 (Japanese)

Tsujimura is an award-winning novelist, she is best known for her mystery and children novels. She studied at Chiba University and won the Naoki Prize in 2012 for Kagi no nai Yume wo Miru (I Saw a Dream Without a Key), and in 2018 she won the Japan Booksellers' Award for her novel Kagami no Kojo (Lonely Castle in the Mirror).

Japanese name 辻村 深月

Reviews

[Queralt✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It's a gift to be able to live in the world at the same time as the person you have in your heart."

I loved Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon, and I thought this was a great continuation of the series. While the first book kept the go-between wrapped in mystery until the last chapter, in this book, we mostly follow Ayumi with his clients. I cried during three of the stories, and two of them (the historian, and his own pondering about whether it’s fair game to offer his services unrequested) were interesting and answered a few questions I had while reading the first book, but they weren't as emotional as the rest of the stories in the series.

The other three stories: a guy getting to share a beer with his deadbeat dad who left when he was two; two mothers meeting the daughters they lost too soon on the same night; and an old man trying to meet his childhood crush, were devastatingly beautiful. The moms made me cry so hard. I don’t think the little girl really understood what had happened to her; that chapter was so emotional.

I don’t know if there are more books in the series. I hope so! I need Mizuki Tsujimura to continue mistaking my heart for a football, I swear. Every time I pick up one of the books about the go-between I just wish it was a thing, I fantasize about meeting my grandma again so many times this story feels personal.I also want to add that Yuki Tejima’s translation is great. The writing is simple but so nice, and it flows so naturally.

Other stuff I highlighted:

"Not a day has passed in our lives that your father, mother, friends and teachers did not think about you. Your parents were devastated that they had to let you go alone, and they were with you in spirit. None of us forgot about you. You were never alone. (...) We all wished you were still with us."

---

"If I had the choice now, even if it meant not having my restaurant or my family, I would choose to live in a world that had you in it. I'm sure everybody else feels the same way. You have and will continue to live in our hearts. That is what I have come here to say."

*ARC received for free, this hasn't impacted my review or rating.

[Frida · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

[Mizuki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Premise: Meet the Go-Betweens, massagers with mysterious power who can arrange you to meet with a dead person (if the dead in question is willing to meet you).

(1) Personally I think the title 'Go-Between' is lame.

(2.1) this time it's not the book it's me, I just found most of the characters boring, especially the main character Ayumi. The supporting characters are mostly okay though.

(2.2) a lot of things can be written with the topic of meeting a dead loved one, but aside from the first few stories, I don't think the topic of regret and recovery and death have been touched upon deeply enough. Okay it's just my opinion...

(3) but a few of the stories have some really nice little plot twists here and there.

(4) but I admit I skimmed and skipped a lot after page 56.

(5) Although the stories are not my cup of tea, still they remind me of a song by Inoran, Won't Leave My Mind.

(6) it's good for a light reading, though.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

More coherent than the first one, with a more central ‘main’ character. Still not as good as Lonely Castle in the Mirror. Good comfort read.

[Bibliothecat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Random House UK for providing me with the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

How to Hold Someone in your Heart picks up 7 years after the events of Lost Souls Meet Under the Fullmoon. While it can be read as a standalone, I think it is much more wholesome to read them together. We get to see an older Ayumi - is grandmother has passed away so he is the sole Go-Between now. Nevertheless, he has declined his relatives offer to have the Go-Between as his full time job and rather wants to be able to stand on his own two feet. That made this story very much about Ayumi living his two lives; one as the contact for bringing people and their deceased loved ones together for one final meeting as well as just finding his way as an ordinary young adult.

Although this particular aspect is very much slice of life, I enjoyed Ayumi's story. He is apprenticed to a firm that produces wooden toys of high quality - partially out of own interest but also due to it having some ties to his late father's work. This also ties back in with the first book and shows us how Ayumi is now handling the knew knowledge of his parents the previous book brought us. I am also personally fond of quality wooden toys and it gave this book a nostalgic touch; among the masses of cheap plastic toys, there's something very special about handmade wooden toys and I could appreciate them along with the characters in this book.

The flow of the story is a little different from the first. While the first book had stories that only gradually merged together and gave you the bigger picture, this sequel was pretty much told in chronological order so there wasn't much to puzzle together. The individual cases were largely sad with a few odd ones, I'd argue that as a whole, the first book's stories were more interesting. It was nonetheless nice to see Ayumi handle the situations and I've come to really appreciate him as a character. I did think that the first chapter was awfully confusing in the sense that it is told from Anna's point of view as the Go-Between - if you are wondering who Anna is, so did I when I read the first chapter! She is a young relative of Ayumi's who stepped in for him for the first chapter. The reason was quite interesting and a nice nudge to the first book, but it did feel unnecessarily confusing. It also never addressed why she is called Anna.

Just a little fun trivia for myself, it was quite fun that not only one but two of the stories had ties to Germany with even a bit of German dialogue thrown in. There were a few typos both in the English and German sections but this might be revised in the proper published versions.

As a whole, it wasn't quite as impactful as the first book but it is still a very nice read for those who enjoy Japanese literature. Last but not least, a small romance is added and I do wish we had seen just a little bit more but it was nonetheless a nice little touch. There wasn't much build up but I think from where the book leaves off, it really was only meant as a potential for budding romance as opposed to it being a core part of the story.

[Majda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unnecessary sequel, but still sweet.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this advanced reader copy!

I absolutely adored Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon, and I was so excited to find this ARC available. It was just as good as the first one. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Ayumi more, not just as the go between, but also separately as a person. The stories in this are so touching and emotional.

Definitely recommend giving this series a read. They’re short, but impactful stories.

[Dee Hancocks · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to Hold Someone in your Heart is an excellent second book. As we continue to follow the go-between and meetings we also get more of his life, which I absolutely loved. The whole piece is wholesome, heartwarming and inspiring. There is some repetition with what the go-between does and how it works, which at this point in the series is unnecessary for me. But the good far outweighs this element. Overall a beautiful story about connection with that added magical realism bringing everything more to life. I especially loved the last part, this was emotive and tender! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

[Nadie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Amy ☁️ (tinycl0ud) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2 is set seven years later so the Go-Between is no longer a teenager but a grown-up with a proper job. He is still helping people meet their deceased loved ones on the side, though, and he reports to the new head of the family, his eight-year-old cousin with a penchant for ice-cream sodas.

If you've read Book 1 then you already know that the novel is split into several parts, with each part focussing on a different set of characters who meet for one night. It is touching, but I didn't cry. Unlike in Book 1, there is no explanation for how this magical service works, so if that would bother you, you have to read Book 1 first. Book 2 feels like a direct continuation and honestly they can be combined into one bound copy and that would work too. Personally, I found Book 1 better because the main character was better developed there. Or maybe it's just that teens still have the propensity for sudden growth and maturation, while adults are already more-or-less fixed in stone.

[belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

【4/5】★★★★☆


While a good book, there are certain points in which it fell flat, but a satisfactory ending in my opinion overall.

I am a Misono and Ayumi shipper, so.

Anyways... I think the first chapter was surprisingly boring. I don't normally think that about anything Tsujimura writes but this character (whom the chapter was about) had nothing about them that would make me like them and relate to them in anyway which was especially disappointing since one of the characters was from the previous novel.

Okay, for my favourite chapters: I really loved Chapter 3 (as always), Chapter 4 was also great, and Chapter 5 was good. Chapter 2 was okay, but I don't have too much to note.

One cute thing I enjoyed was the recurrence of food throughout the story, especially sweet ones. It's just a small thing that I liked.

I have to say the first book was a lot better but if you love Tsujimura a lot and enjoyed Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon, I'd say read this for your conclusion, albeit I personally don't think it's the most satisfying of conclusions, idk? Like it's good, it's Tsujimura after all, but I expected more from her. But this is one of her earlier novels to be fair if I am not wrong, so I shall cut her some slack.

If you read this book standalone first, I'd say READ LOST SOULS MEET UNDER A FULL MOON, too. It's amazing. This book COULD work as a standalone for someone reading randomly, but it is NOT as strong as its predecessor.

I will conclude by saying Tsujimura is still an amazing writer to me, and I will continue to read and support her future works, Thank you to Yuki Tejima for delivering another lovely translation.

[Lissi]

3.5 ⭐️

[Chloë ☾ ⋆* · Rating 3 out of 5]

The specific genre of translated Japanese fiction that feels super cosy, like someone is gently telling you a story, is one I really love and can always rely on for a good read. This was just exactly one of those. The different stories within this book each pulled on my heart strings in their own way—I really empathised with how these characters sought closure, a chance to say things they had left unsaid for one reason or another. The structure reminded me a lot of What You Are Looking for is in the Library, and the concept itself reminded me of Before the Coffee gets Cold. If you liked either of those then this is one for you to immerse yourself in and feel all the feels. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for the ARC of this e-book. 🫶🏼

[Tingting C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

真的很喜歡日本小說筆中的細膩如小橋流水， 五個使者的故事與過世的人相見，沒有灑狗血的生離死別，而是充滿原諒 、尊敬、思念和放下，眼淚也許有哀傷但更多了希望。

[BattlecatReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 review to follow

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

I find there is a very special quality in Mizuki Tsujimura's writing, so I was delighted to see this sequel to Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon. I loved the concept of the first book, and although the follow-up loses some of the novelty factor, the continuity felt reassuring. How to Hold Someone In Your Heart sparkles with that same quiet, contemplative, and tender atmosphere; like a warm hug, it is no less restorative for its gentleness.

The novel is a beautiful example of Japanese magical realism. Its anchoring is in the young 'go-between', Ayumi, whose role is to arrange a single, final meeting between the living and their deceased loved ones. Seven years on, he is presented with a handful of new clients, each with their own poignant individual story of seeking closure. Whether it is a film star looking for answers from an estranged parent or a historian determined to meet a legendary figure, each vignette is a thoughtful exploration of regret and acceptance, adding another nuance to the overall theme.

As I had hoped, we gain a closer look at Ayumi's inner world, as the focus shifts from merely healing others to the personal cost of his gift. He faces the quiet struggle of balancing his extraordinary, inherited duty with his own everyday hopes and wishes. This exploration of his conflict, his weariness with the full-moon schedule and his desire for a normal life, is a central strength of the follow-up, transforming him into a complex, sympathetic protagonist as he questions the meaning of his powers and helps others find the peace that often eludes him.

While tackling heavy themes of loss and grief, the narrative remains luminous and moving, offering a sensitive meditation on living without regret and cherishing fleeting moments. It's a comforting and heartwarming read, without being saccharine or mawkish. Tsujimura uses magical realism with a light and subtle touch, and the links between the stories don't feel contrived. Though never intense or dramatic, it is far from dull; indeed, like the author's previous work, I found it a consistently poignant and reflective experience.

How to Hold Someone In Your Heart explores how true closure comes not from speaking to the dead, but from learning how to truly carry them. As the novel so beautifully expresses, "It's a gift to live in the world at the same time as the person you have in your heart."

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“‘It’s a gift to live in the world at the same time as the person you have in your heart,’ he said, sounding as though he were talking to himself. ‘We all kept Miss Ayako in our hearts, but we were never to live with her again.’ He turned to look at Ayumi. ‘You’re still very young. I hope that in your life, you will let your heart lead.’”

Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley for this ARC!

I was lucky enough to get an ARC for Mizuki Tsujimura’s “Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon” last year and really enjoyed its simple yet impactful explorations of grief. I’m very happy to report that I liked the sequel even more!

This series follows someone known as the “Go-Between”, a young man named Ayumi with the ability to broker meetings between the living and the dead.

I think what really elevated this one for me compared to the first book is that we spend much more time with Ayumi. The story becomes just as much about him as his clients, and the seven years that have passed since book 1 have given him an opportunity to mature. I loved seeing how he has grown into his role, and his interactions with his niece Anna and the Torino family were some of my favorite parts of the book. Of course, I still enjoyed the stories of his clients as well, and hold a particular fondness for Tokiko. The way that her story explored how death is both an ending and a beginning for those left behind was very inspiring to me.

I find Tsujimura’s writing style interesting—it’s almost choppy, and she tends to bounce around between first-person and third-person points of view, but I don’t at all find it a detriment to the story. It’s still very easy to become immersed. The way she writes almost feels a bit nostalgic to me, as if I were reading something I would have enjoyed as a child. This does make it come across as a bit simplistic sometimes, and the characters can seem a tad flat, but overall I did enjoy the characterizations in this book more than in book 1.

These books are, of course, melancholy, but with an undercurrent of warmth and compassion that I just really enjoy. It was the perfect palate cleanser for me amidst the sea of epic fantasy novels I’ve been reading, and has whet my appetite for more Japanese literature. More of Tsujimura’s works are due to be translated into English soon, and I can’t wait!

[Jordan Williamson · Rating 3 out of 5]

How To Hold Someone in Your Heart is the sequel to Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon as both center around arranged meetings between the living and the dead by the “go-between” named Ayumi.

Ayumi is an adult in this second book and as he arranges meetings with various people and their loved ones, he considers much about his role as a “go-between” and his future.

Or at least that’s what I think the books initial goal was. How To Hold Someone In Your Heart feels like a retread of the first book in tone and also structure. The story is still mostly focused on the go-between’s clients and less about Ayumi himself. This worked more in the first book as there was a mystery behind the go-between, but here, it left me wondering “what is the book trying to tell me?” And “what is new here?”

There is an attempt to give more character to Ayumi but it’s scarce. The book would have excelled for me if there was more text given to Ayumi’s “struggle” as a go-between. His characterization felt more like footnotes to his work as a go-between and I wish we got more interior perspective and his life outside of talking to other people’s lives and issues. This focus on Ayumi would have distinguished the sequel from its predecessor and the foundations are there — they just needed to be fleshed out.

Still, the premise of the go-between is strong and is still compelling. Many of the meetings involve stories of grief, regret, and loss and they are effective and emotional, just as they were in the first book. I appreciate how the sequel introduces more rules and world building to Ayumi’s job as a go-between and the types of meetings and encounters he has. There is a variety and some interesting shake-ups that make the meetings themselves not total retreads of the first book, even if structurally it is very similar.

The more I read of this book, the more I liked it, but the first half had me wondering what its purpose was. In my opinion, a good sequel should ask new questions and pose new challenges to a familiar world and character, but How to Hold Someone In Your Heart ended up being a sort of remix to its predecessor. There is value here if you loved Lost Souls, but maybe temper your expectations.

[Gayatri Saikia | per_fictionist · Rating 3 out of 5]

how to hold someone in your heart by mizuki tsujimura skilfully blends gentle magical realism with human fragility, as it tells the story of a young man ayumi, aka the go-between, who possesses a rare gift: the ability to connect the living with the afterlife.

ayumi’s gift isn’t a glamorous one but it certainly is a blessing for those that seek a final goodbye. through his journey, we meet a cast of people desperate for closure: a film star seeking his estranged father; a retired scholar historian wanting to meet his forgotten idol; grieving parents who share their sorrow under the same moon; and a meeting where an enstranged old man seeks his old teenage crush as his final wish is to see the cherry blossoms together.

these meetings that only takes place under a full moon, leaves ayumi (and us) changed. ayumi, himself is torn between the weight of his gift and his desire to live freely in the real world. and through him, the novel asks: what does it mean to “hold someone in your heart”? is it memory, longing, or simply the act of continuing to love them despite their absence?

how to hold someone in your heart is as much about impermanence as it is about living , about learning to let go of regrets, to love more fiercely, and to accept that sometimes, the right connections aren’t made by choice, but by fate.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into How to Hold Someone in Your Heart without reading the previous book and thankfully, it works perfectly as a standalone. The premise is immediately intriguing: Ayumi, a young man with the rare ability to help people reunite with deceased loved ones under a full moon, facilitates one-time, deeply emotional encounters between the living and the dead.

Each chapter unfolds like a short story, focusing on a new person carrying a specific grief, some looking for closure, some for forgiveness, others simply for one last moment. The reunions are poignant without being melodramatic, and I appreciated how the book handles emotion with restraint and grace. There’s a quiet rhythm to it all, like watching ripples in water, subtle but meaningful.

Ayumi himself is an understated protagonist. He remains something of an observer throughout much of the book, which worked well for me, though I did occasionally wish for more insight into his personal life and emotional world. Still, there’s a reflective undercurrent to his role that lingers after the final page.

The pacing is gentle, slow at times but intentional. It’s less about what happens, and more about what it means. Fans of character-driven fiction and low-key magical realism will likely find a lot to love here. A tender, contemplative novel that explores what it means to let go, and how we continue to hold people in our hearts even after they’re gone.

Thank you Times Reads for sending me a copy in exchange for honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to Hold Someone in Your Heart by Mizuki Tsujimura, the second book in the Go Between series, is a tender and imaginative story that I was utterly enchanted by. It feels like the perfect companion for autumn, quiet and reflective, with just a touch of magical realism.
The story follows Ayumi, the go between who bridges the worlds of the living and the dead, giving people a final chance to meet someone they have lost. The idea is both heartbreaking and strangely comforting, and from the very first page I was completely drawn in. Each encounter captures that universal yearning for closure, forgiveness, or one more shared moment.
There is a quiet elegance to the way Tsujimura threads these stories together, never forcing emotion but letting it surface naturally. Yuki Tejima’s translation preserves this tone beautifully, capturing a rhythm that shifts gently between ache and comfort.
Ayumi is a quiet, steady presence. Through him, the novel encourages us to confront our own unfinished conversations and the words we never spoke. It is a reminder that closure is rarely tidy, but often something we must learn to shape ourselves.
What struck me most was how seamlessly Tsujimura weaves Japanese culture with emotions that transcend borders. The result is a story that is both painful and tender, filled with quiet wisdom. How to Hold Someone in Your Heart is a book to savour if you are drawn to character driven fiction that contemplates love, loss and connection.
Thank you so much @doubledayukbooks for the copy! Out now.

[Chella K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon, and I felt this was a great continuation of the series. There were five stories of which the one story of mothers meeting their lost daughters made me cry the other stories were definitely good. I loved the small connection in couple of stories with the first part of series . Each story as usual reminded me of healing that comes with acceptance, loved the way this stories presented I thank netgalley for eARC copy

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stupidly didn’t realise this was a sequel before reading, but I don’t think that affected my experience. I loved the magical realism and the interwoven stories of loss and hope. A beautiful read.

Thank you Random House and NetGalley for the arc

[Charlie Diamond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personally I felt this book was great - the go-between, the heartfelt stories of the ones who lost their relations and wish to meet them again, it was all so good. To anyone who wants a touching story of life and death, it's for you.

[Kerran Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realise until I started that this is a follow on from Lost Souls... I really love this style of Japanese fiction that connects individual characters through a common theme. another enjoyable read form this author and definitely one I'd recommend within this genre

[marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

“i wish i’d been able to give her a stronger, healthier body, one that wouldn’t give out on her. if she didn’t have me for a mother, she might have had a more fulfilling life.”

again… as someone actively grieving reading this felt as though my heart was wrenched from my chest then loving placed back in

[Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is sweet - it keeps things simple while analysing some poignant moments of human connection. While it requires some suspension of disbelief, particularly for the vignette involving the warlord from the feudal era, it remains engaging, and the stories don't fall into the trap of being too similar. I'd recommend this to people who like contemporary Japanese fiction

[Mette Hedborg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tykkäsin mutta ehkä vähemmän ku ekasta. Mut kirjan nimestä alkaen kaunista kirjotusta elämän kuvailusta.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars rounded up!

"It's a gift to live in the world at the same time as the person you have in your heart."

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 Nice sequel to the first book. I do hope there won’t be another, though, as this felt a little slight. Still lovely and worth a read, but probably can’t go too much further.