I loved, loved, loved the first two books in this series but for some reason, I just couldn't connect with this instalment. I struggled to keep track of who was who and what was supposed to be happening. It all just felt a bit muddled for some reason. Maybe the idea is getting a bit tired, maybe it's me, it's a shame either way as I was really excited to read it but it just didnd't work for me.

Review not posted anywhere else.

As with the previous two books it took me a while to get used to the whimsical style of the translated writing (and the names!) but once I had I was transported back into the magical world of time travel, although this time in a s
different location to the first two.
If you enjoyed the others you’ll love this one!

I loved the first two books in this series, and this one was also very good, building on the original concept with new people travelling back to the past and new stories, these books are so unique and emotional and are beautiful to read. I thought this one started to get a little bit samey but I still enjoyed it overall.

The third book in the series which has been a slow-burning success, and if you liked the first two then you will enjoy this just as much. The premise is the same, but the setting this time is the sister-store of the Tokyo cafe in Hokkaido. We have 4 more stories of people needing to time-travel in that famous seat, and each is a touching personal vignette in itself.

Kawaguchi is such a natural storyteller that readers can't help but fall for the characters and their often melancholic lives.

Somewhere between 4 and 5 stars. Just lovely.

(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this title.)

After the coffee got cold I was so happy to see this continuation. Lovely read.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read this book in exchange for my review.

I think Kawaguchi's world and relationship building has vastly improved since Before the Coffee Gets Cold - I found this book of the series much richer, with a broader scope and the addition of really interesting characters that created a more of a tapestry to add to the mysterious chair in the quaint cafe that allows you to travel in time.

The way Kwaguchi keeps adding rules and legend to the "chair" is an interesting way of writing. I think most authors would completely script the rules of their universe for the reader to fully understand first, but Kawaguchi just throws new lore in whenever and expects the reader to keep up, which I find fun and refreshing.

As enjoyable as ever but not a completely earth-shattering read, I enjoy how soft and gentle Kawaguchi's writing is, even dealing with some really hard topics.

Any lovely instalment in this meaningful, if somewhat bizarre little book. It was so nice to be back in the cafe, where each segment holds a heartfelt message about love loss and life. Told in Kawaguchi's typical fashion, of honest atmosphere and real life casualty

It was so nice to be back in the cafe! This was another brilliant installment in this series, I love that you can just dip in and out of these books, and their lovely meaningful messages.

Another glorious book, the third in a collection, where a cafe’s clientele have the possibility to travel back in time or journey into the future.

Having read the first two, I was keen to read more from this author, whose words have been so beautifully translated into English.

Like a four act play; these stories are full of a sense of place, character driven and quite unique in the emotions the narrative brings about. Rooted in a Japanese culture, we are given the opportunity to observe four characters who feel a need to confront their past or embrace their future. Themes include, loss and regret, anger and confrontation, all conducted within a timeframe of the time it takes for the coffee to go cold.

Wonderfully original and deeply moving accounts. The story has journeyed to another café where this magical portal can be accessed. The custodians of this gift ensure that any participant is made aware of the rules associated with travelling through time. Many customers have heard the rumours but the restrictions seem to make the time-travel appear meaningless and without lasting value.
Yet we quickly see those who accept the coffee and make the journey discover more than they expected from the experience.

It is on this human level of feelings and naked emotions that make the reader’s own interaction with the text so much deeper and profound.

I cannot fault the writing. It paints wonderful pictures of life at it lowest, where unhappiness seems overwhelming and capable of sweeping away any joy or hope in the future. Yet amid sadness, loss and raw grief a new purpose comes and a strength to face even the darkest tomorrow.

This is not achieved through literary tricks or a cheap emotional rollercoaster ride but the creativity of writing and an understanding of the human soul.
No religious platitudes just a sense of valuing others and being true to their memories.

I loved the completeness of the ensemble of characters where someone quietly nurtures those in need of this gift. A person absent but central to every story.
I also thought the references to scenarios from a book that presents dilemmas of two choices in the event that the world would end tomorrow was also a clever theme, tying things together.

A book not to be missed; a book to bring delight and provide a measure of empathy to those that read it.

A book that doesn’t inflate one’s ego but leaves you wanting to be a better friend, lover or family member.

Having loved Before the Coffee gets cold I couldn't resist reading further tales from the café where time travel is possible. Charming, life affirming and heart-warming; nothing else to say other than I loved it and once again another 5 star read :)

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review

This is the third book in the series and I can say that it didn't disappoint. I loved all the stories from the book and how it used death to teach a lesson of life. In the same time it reminded me why I love the first book and wanted to read the next ones too.

I haven’t read the first two in the series so I’m reviewing this as a stand-alone. I was familiar with the concept of the book, though you don’t need to be - it’s explained in this book. From what I understand some are saying this is the weakest of the three in the series but that really bodes well for me for the first two because I really enjoyed this one. It made me think of those Chicken Soup books that were popular years ago, it was like a balm for the soul without being too sweet to be wholesome. I will definitely read the other two books!

Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. Another wonderful reading experience! Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the advance copy!

As a huge fan of Toshikazu's writing, I could not wait for this to come out and was so excited to receive an ARC.

The author is truly a master of storytelling, and I love how immersive every book in this series is. He has such a beautiful way with words, and builds such wonderful characters. The way he's able to pack so much emotional into so little pages always astounds me.

But while I did enjoy this one a lot, it didn't feel quite as magical as the previous two for me. I'm not sure if this is because it's mostly packed with new characters, or whether it was to do with the way in which they met each other throughout the story. For some reason it felt a little more forced and didn't leave me with as much of that warm and fuzzy feeling I'd had before.

Regardless, I will read anything this author puts out, especially if it's in this series!

Another beautiful instalment, extending the world of the Funiculi Funicula - with both new and familiar faces exploring the question: What would you say if you could revisit a person in a specific moment?

I loved the original story, and while this didn't quite speak to me as much, it still made me laugh, cry and ponder big existential questions - particularly around familial relationships, loss and grief. I would definitely recommend to those entranced by magical-realism, time-slips or Japanese literature.

The third novel in Kawaguchi’s best selling series did not disappoint! The incredible storytelling easily transports you to the cafe and the familiar warmth of the characters. I love how the three novels link together, with interesting developments and situations that you feel connected to. Throughout the novel, you question what the possibility of time-travel could mean to you, as it forces you to reflect on life, loss and hope. Each story has a unique way of sending a powerful message that makes you question the what-if’s of life. A massively moving novel that has quickly become one of my favourite comfort reads

I hadn’t read any of the other books in this series before reading this book, but was aware of the topic/concept before reading. I think this works really well as a stand alone, although I am sure that there are some overlaps between books. I am keen to read the first two books after this.

I did find there were a lot of characters in this book so it can get a little complicated. However I did like that the “chapters” were short stories based around one characters experience in the coffee shop, and that there were cameos of the other characters in each story.

This book covers some really sensitive topics quite beautifully.

Thank you @netgalley and @panmacmillan for the eARC and to the author for a beautiful book.

I absolutely love this series and I hope it continues to be translated! First up I love that every story feels so individual and yet each character has its place in the cafe. The story telling is beautiful and the message of the books is about enjoying what you have when you have it and not letting moments slip you by.
I do feel like the translation came off slightly differently than the last 2 books in the series but still very well done!

In a small back alley in Tokyo, there is a café that has been serving carefully brewed coffee for more than one hundred years. But this coffee shop offers its customers a unique experience: the chance to travel back in time.

This was an easy read, which I thought may not of been my initial thoughts before starting this. Many of the people that we meet share a very similar story as to why they wish to go into the past, to the point where they didn't feel very distinct. I would've liked to have learnt more about the ghost's story, which was a missed opportunity.The theme of death is very clear and present, but rather one dimensional.

There's one quote that I really loved from the book;
"That strength is empowered by hope. You could say that hope is the power to believe in the future."

Before The Memory Fades is the third book of the Before The Coffee Gets Cold series. I really enjoy reading the first and second books, and that is why I’m excited to read the third one.

Before The Memory Fades has a different character and place setting than the first two books, it took place in Hakodate. This new branch in Hakodate also can take their customer to do time travel. Like the previous 2 books, I love the writing style and the message behind every character part. I also enjoy the little “100 Question” it made me think of what I would choose too.

But I have to say after reading 2 of his books I was a bit disappointed, It felt repetitive. The characters go to the past to meet someone and have closure of sorts, and the end. I really want to know more about how the cafe could even allow the customer to time travel, or maybe the backstory of the ghosts. At some point when I read this book, I even skimmed it because I know I won’t miss anything. With this new setting, I felt more confused than before because there are fewer explanations of the new setting and character.

If I hadn’t read the first two books I think I would love it more, but it was just an okay read for me.