Such a lovely, cosy little novel. I enjoyed every minute of it and thought it was such a creative idea. I can’t wait to read more in the series

An exquisite tale that provokes deep thought on the past, present and future. I will definitely be reading the rest of the books in the series.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold - Toshikazu Kawaguchi

It seems that I am just catching up with this series of books, which is also a play and a film. Kawaguchi published this in 2015, with three follow up sequels, a film released in in 2018 and an announcement that a TV series is in the works.

The story is focussed around an unassuming cafe, in a small street in Tokyo. Certain circumstances will allow you to travel back in time as a customer, with strict caveats that need to be observed. We meet the cafe staff, a husband and wife team with the husband’s sister. We also meet various customers - a woman whose boyfriend split up with her when he took a job overseas, a man who always forgets his wallet, and a bar owner from down the street who really needs to talk to her sister.

While I read this in English (as my Japanese isn’t quite up to scratch yet), I thought the translator did a great job in retaining the tone and feel - the customs, culture and reserved warmth which seems to be so present in Japanese film and writing.

It’s short and quick to read, but it does ask the difficult questions of the reader. What would you do with more time? Which event in your life would you Groundhog Day back to? Given the risk and the caveats, would you instead just settle for a nice cup of tea and a bun?

I’m still thinking about this a few weeks after I read it, and I’m looking forward to reading the other ones too. I can imagine this as a TV series, and perhaps most suited to an animated set of programmes - in my head it looks like the anime we grew up with, like Eighty Days Around the World. Apologies for putting that earworm in your head.

Recommended for fans of Japanese writing, like Sayuka Murata.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

A brilliant twist on time travel that stayed with my long after reading. Loved how each of the spereate stories were intertwined..

I’m torn with this book. I actually thought it was beautifully written but it wasn’t a style I particularly enjoyed reading. I liked that it was a short selection meaning it could easily be picked up and put down but I wasn’t gripped.

A beautifully written book. Really enjoyed reading this. Thanks to publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read

I was drawn to Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi for several reasons. First, it is translated Japanese fiction and I am really enjoying reading Japanese authors at the moment. Second, it has a very interesting premise as it’s presented as four short stories – and can be read as such – but with a continuing narrative that runs the whole way through too. Third – I LOVE coffee, so that reference combined with the delightful cover had me straight away.

Funiculi Funicula is a mysterious basement cafe. With dated decor, a still but calm atmosphere and it has a very interesting claim to fame: if customers sit in a certain chair – and they wish to – they can time travel. Primarily to the past, but the future is possible too.

It was daytime outside, but in this windowless cafe, there was no sense of time. Dim lighting gave the cafe a sepia hue. All this created a comforting, retro atmosphere.

The cafe is owned by Nagare and Kei, they are (for the most part) watchful observers of the people that come to their cafe hoping to return to the past. Waitress Kazu performs the little ceremony that transports people back and makes sure they know the important and, some would say, restrictive rules that mean they can have a safe time-travelling journey.

‘Are you listening?’ Kazu continued. ‘When you return to the past, you must drink the entire cup before the coffee goes cold.’

What is lovely is how all the characters have their own stories, but feature later on too. The first story focuses on a woman whose boyfriend ends their relationship and she is desperate to go back and say everything to him she feels she should have at the time.

The we meet a woman whose husband has Alzheimer’s, so wants to go back to a time where he still remembers her. (Yes, cue the tears.) A similarly emotional story follows about a cafe regular and her sister and then the cafe owners come into play for story four and we learn more about them.

One of the reasons I am enjoying Japanese fiction is there seems to be a signature move through all the books I’ve read so far – the ability to take complex emotions and break them down in such a nuanced way as to make them seem magical and instantly relatable.

While there was a lot of repeated info throughout the stories – specifically about the rules of time travel – I was really captivated by the heart-warming theme and ideas that this book has.

I wasn't a huge fan of this book. There was nothing particularly wrong with it, I think ultimately it just wasn't my cup of tea. I was enticed by the premised and I enjoy a slim read but it simply didn't mesh with me. Wouldn't recommend but also wouldn't put people off if they fancied it!

Before The Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is an absolutely delightful contemporary novel that will warm your heart as you learn what is really important in life.
In a small coffee shop in Tokyo lives are changed. The past cannot be altered but there are lessons to be learnt.
As people pass through the coffee shop, the reader has the opportunity to glimpse a fraction of their lives. We see that regrets need to be healed, relationships are the most important, and love never dies.
The book is absolutely charming. It has an ethereal beauty that calms the soul.
Before The Coffee Gets Cold is a unique tale. The characters are all realistic with their flaws and failures, and with their desire for love.
Love covers the whole book. It is not a romantic love but a love that goes straight to the heart, an agape love – whether it is for a sister, a child or a partner.
I found the whole book beautifully written. I am on to book two now as I am not ready to depart from a small coffee shop in Tokyo.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

This book almost reads a bit like a cross between a play and a short story collection. It is built around a quite simple but interesting concept, where people can go back in time by visiting a certain cafe, as long as they only stay a short while (leaving before the coffee gets cold!).

There are a series of snapshots of different lives, as various people take the opportunity to go back in time. Some were quite sad, others had some humour and intrigue to them. For me, these stories were all pleasant enough, but nothing about the book really grabbed me. It was a nice, easy to read book, but I wouldn't necessarily push it into everyone's hands. It's a short read though, so if you're looking for something quite light to dip into, it could be worth a go.

A series of inter-connected stories that are a mixture of heartwarming and heartbreaking, this is a sweet book about a cafe where you can travel back in time....but only for the amount of time that your coffee remains warm. As you can imagine, these are fleeting visits back to the past. A unique concept that was simple, strange and very well translated. Worth seeking out if you want to read something a bit different.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Had to DNF after trying with this book a few times. I simply wasn't a fan of the writing style and could not get into the story. I know a lot of others enjoy this but this just wasn't my cup of tea.

This is a delightful series of connected stories. Some of the chapters are very moving and some are more casual. It's so pleasant and a very sweet story full of humanity, with a spooky element to it as well.

The concept for this book was good and it reminded me of The Phone Box at the Edge of the World, which was also set in Japan. The four individual stories within the book were charming and certainly pulled on your heartstrings, especially the last one for me, but because it was only set in the cafe with a limited number of characters it did become a little bit monotonous and I was glad it was only a small book. The cover didn’t really suit the book as there certainly wasn’t a cat in it. Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan/Picador for letting me read and review this book.

A sweet book about a time travelling cafe where you can go back for the time that your coffee remains warm.
It did feel more like a play with everything described, and I can see from other reviewers the author is a playwright which explains that.
It was a little too sweet and simple for my tastes but a good book if you want something different.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I adored this little book - the different character stories were both parts heartwarming and heart-wrenching, and the intriguing concept was certainly delivered. Though the translation perhaps meant the writing didn’t always flow, the simplicity of the writing style overall lent itself to the concept, and the whole book was wonderfully quirky. I’ll definitely be picking up the short-story sequel.

As good as everyone says it is! Beautifully written and thought provoking - well translated too! I’ll keep an eye out for anymore books in this series.

I liked the idea of this book as it provides the interesting combination of the everyday setting of a coffee shop with the added twist of the possibility of time travel. Unfortunately, however, I found the beginning disjointed and it took a bit of effort for me to stick with this. It did improve as I became more involved with the characters but I was still only a little intrigued as to what would happen.
I’m sure this will appeal to those who like a more relaxed pace of reading and interaction between the characters but, for me, this lacked pace and flow.

Thank you to NetGalley and Picador (Pan Macmillan) for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved reading this book, all in the story was compelling and fascinating. The idea of going back in time by drinking coffee has definitely caught my attention. The characters are so well defined and each one has so much depth and detail.
Can't wait to read the second book!