Welcome to The Smiling Dog Café, where lost souls find their way home, guided by mysterious dogs and comforted by the scent of perfectly brewed coffee. This collection of two interconnected novellas brings the Japanese tradition of healing fiction to the streets of Brooklyn, where an unassuming café holds more magic than meets the eye. In "Code of Silence," Jeff Hodges has spent his life afraid to speak his truth, until the day he loses everything and follows a golden retriever to a café that seems to exist between worlds. There, proprietor Betty Martinez serves coffee that tastes like memories, while her wall of dog portraits holds secrets that could help Jeff finally find his voice – if he's brave enough to face what he's been running from. "A Mother's Heart" introduces us to Sophia Greenwood, whose young daughter has just been diagnosed with the same heart condition that claimed Sophia's mother. As she grapples with this inherited legacy of both loss and love, Sophia finds herself guided to The Smiling Dog Café by an Irish Setter who seems to know exactly what her heart needs. There, surrounded by Betty's gentle wisdom and the café's subtle magic, Sophia discovers that some inheritances are stronger than fear. Drawing on the Japanese tradition of healing fiction while grounding itself firmly in American soil, The Smiling Dog Café explores how we heal from past wounds, find courage to face our futures, and learn to trust love again. Through Betty's carefully crafted coffee blends and the watchful eyes of her painted dogs, these stories remind us that sometimes the path to healing requires a little magic, a lot of courage, and the perfect cup of coffee. Perfect for fans of Travis Baldree, Hannah Nicole Maehren and Sarah Beth Durst. "The cafe's furniture and music transform memories into therapeutic experiences. In this way, the novella effectively takes readers on Jeff's journey from isolation and self-doubt to self-acceptance and hope. A reference to Michael Cunningham's bestselling novel The Hours (1998) points to Plakcy's clear intentions; at their best, these stories tackle their characters' suffering with skill. Sometimes-grim but ultimately hopeful stories of redemption." Kirkus Reviews