Ozoni and Onsens

She came for relaxation, but she found a family in crisis... Mei Yamagawa's first vacation in years takes an unexpected turn when she and her boyfriend Yasahiro are forced to leave their luxurious hot springs resort. Stranded in a small guesthouse on New Year's Eve, Mei finds herself playing chauffeur to a cantankerous old woman with a chip on her shoulder.

What should have been a relaxing holiday becomes a crash course in family dysfunction as Mei contends with the bitter old woman's cutting remarks and unreasonable demands. But when Mei rescues a confused elderly lady from the streets, she uncovers a tangled web of family secrets and long-held resentments that threaten to boil over.

Can Mei salvage her ruined vacation, help a fractured family heal, and still find time to ring in the New Year with Yasahiro? Or will old resentments and buried secrets spoil more than just her holiday plans?

Ozoni and Onsens is the charming third installment in the Miso Cozy series of cozy mystery novels. If you enjoy strong female leads, intergenerational drama, and the warmth of Japanese New Year traditions, then you'll adore Steph Gennaro's touching exploration of family, forgiveness, and fresh starts.

Note: This story is shorter than the rest of the series as it was originally written for newsletter subscribers. This shorter work is reflected in the price.

Edited Feb 2019. Previously published under the name S. J. Pajonas.