"Nick, a young illustrator, can't connect with people. Whether it's the barista down the street, his own family, or Wren, an oncologist whose life becomes painfully tangled with his, Nick can't shake the feeling that there is some hidden realm of human interaction beyond his reach. He staggers through meaningless conversations and haunts lookalike vacuous coffee shops in the hope that he will find it there. But it isn't until Nick learns to stop performing...

This story is told in dual perspective by Miriam (a second-generation Iranian immigrant living in Edinburgh with her family) and George (a visitor from Wales). Their relationship throughout the decades mirrors the Beatles’s. In the other stories in this book, thematically bound by relationship flux and the impact of culture, Dean experiments beautifully with style and storytelling devices in each piece.

"With the geeky paradise of Amamizu-kan threatened by redevelopment plans, Tsukimi and Amars must spring into action. But the wily Inari-san and her hold on Shu forces Kuranosuke to pull out all the stops: money, blackmail, and ... fashion?! Though Amamizu-kan still struggles with Kuranosuke's stylish ways, the neighborhood fashionista has too much to lose, whether it's a hidden identity or priceless friendships. Tsukimi gets the chance to make her...

Long ago, in a small village in the middle of a deep, dark forest, there lived a lonely, deaf girl named Maggie. Shunned by her village because of her disability, her only comfort comes from her vivid imagination. Maggie has a gift for inventing stories and dreams of one day finding her fairy-tale love. When Maggie meets the mysterious Piper, it seems that all her wishes are coming true. Spellbound, Maggie falls hard for him and plunges headfirst...

"After one of Kokoro's fans spots him together with Chitose, rumors begin spreading over what kind of relationship the two could possibly have--and that Chitose is the cause of Kokoro's slump! To keep the rumors at bay, Kokoro's manager, Moriyama, comes up with a plan to keep Chitose close without raising fans' suspicions--by tossing Chitose straight into the public limelight as Kokoro's new personal trainer! But as Kokoro's career reaches a turning...

"The star-crossed lovers Romio Inuzuka and Juliet Persia have so far managed to keep their relationship a secret. But when Inuzuka's devoted childhood friend accidentally reveals a secret of her own, Inuzuka wonders if he should do the same. Meanwhile, the rivalry between White Cats and Black Doggies continues as the annual sports festival gets underway. The feisty adversaries battle for the title of MVP and a chance to dance with anyone of their...

As Miki and Hiro trek through the frozen north they wonder if their love can survive the freezing conditions and frightening forces attempting to tear them apart.

"Zen's finally confessed his feelings to Shimana! Unfortunately, while she wants to help him pursue his dreams, she doesn't feel the same way about him. Shimana's got her own unreturned feelings to deal with, because she's crushing on the landlord, who treats her just like a child. Determined to get closer, Shimana gets a hold of his high school yearbook--and makes some surprising discoveries"--Page [4] of cover.

When his best friend, Sara, moves to New York City, Jimmy--who loves science fiction but knows very little about the outside world--works up the courage to travel cross-country by bus to see her, and perhaps change their relationship.

Once upon a time, there was a lovely young princess who suffered under her cruel stepmother...that is, until a children's clothing designer is reborn as the evil queen! Now, all Her Majesty, Abigail Friedkin wants to do is dote on the adorable Princess Blanche and give her the happy childhood she deserves. The problem is, the previous Abigail has garnered a reputation for being extremely jealous and materialistic-and to top it off, her smile is the...