I received a review copy of this book from Octopus Publishing via NetGalley for which my thanks.

Along the lines of the Before the Coffee Gets Cold and Kamogawa Food Detectives books in its broad structure and emotional appeal, but also with a little more depth as well as uniqueness in having its base firmly in astrology (the only piece of fiction I’ve read so far to be so), The Full Moon Coffee Shop not only turned out every bit the delightful and heartwarming read I was expecting but even more, and quite a perfect start for my #ReadingtheMeow2024 reads.

The first in a series and translated by Jesse Kirkwood, as the book opens we meet a former primary school teacher Mizuki Serikawa who now writes scripts for games (mostly for the side characters) and has all but lost interest in life, no longer taking any pride in her appearance or care of herself, and surviving only on instant ramen. A last-ditch attempt at reviving her TV-series writing career (in which she was once at the top) seems to fail sending her further into depression. But then at the restaurant where she met and was let down by young and successful producer Akari Nayakama, she finds not only surprise fans but also an invitation to a strange café she’s never heard of before. Reluctant and after some dithering, she does make it to the place—amidst the beautiful cherry blossoms, just by the river Kamo in Kyoto and to her surprise finds a place run not by humans, but cats. Besides feeding her some delicious pancakes (Full Moon Pancakes with butter and Astral Syrup), these cats (who are special in another way that we soon see) give Mizuki insights into herself and into the age we live in that she had never considered before. Using astrology and Mizuki’s chart, they help her see things from a new perspective and understand where she’s perhaps been going wrong in life, giving her new purpose and motivation.

We then learn more about the producer, Akari Nakayama who shares a deeper link than we first realise with Mizuki as also with actress Satsuki Akiwara whom also Akari has had to deal harshly with, than we first realise. As these two ladies and after them various other connected characters find their way to the Full Moon Coffee Shop, which opens up magically at different locations in Kyoto, its various special cats, from a Singapura named Caelus to Cranus the tux help them understand themselves as never before. Readers also begin to see how these characters are bound together, but fate it seems connects them and our magical café in another way too!

This was a book I jumped at when I saw it listed both because of the cats (no surprise there) but also because its name ‘The Full Moon Coffee Shop’ reminded me very much of a Kdrama I enjoyed some years ago, Hotel Del Luna (still one of my favourites that I’ve watched) where a hotel for spirits who haven’t been able to cross opens every Full Moon night, with the characters helping the spirits find the answers they are seeking. The Full Moon Coffee Shop did in a sense turn out the same, a café magically appearing every Full Moon night only to those who need it—not spirits in this case but real, live human beings who’ve perhaps lost their way or been unable to find what they’re really looking for in life.

The cats who run the café—and there’s a whole set of them—make this additionally special. As we read on, we realise they are no ordinary cats. However, even more of a surprise awaits us as the book gradually reveals deeper connections. In fact, the book is full of these, seemingly serendipitous happenings, meetings and links but which turn out to have more to do with fate, perhaps than chance. Everything links back and together so beautifully by the end, that one can’t help but have a smile on one’s face.

What set this book apart from the others I’ve mentioned and makes it more than just cats and people in need of help, though is the astrology. Because it is astrology and birth charts that these cats use to give our various characters better and deeper understandings of themselves. And along with them, the reader too gets to learn a fair bit about it, different stages of life, the influences of the stars and planets, how each person’s unique chart shapes they way things can turn out for them—not necessarily fated in that it can’t be changed but more like a map that helps one navigate life, especially the obstacles likely to arise in one’s way or one’s own fears. What I found even more interesting was the broader insights into the age that we live in, once again from the perspective of astrology. It was fascinating to learn how things transition across ages in terms of values and value systems, natural and manmade occurrences and how humans too must adapt to these changes (to which we are much more resistant than we might realise), with lessons from each age to be carried into the next—an aspect of the book which had a lot more profundity than I was expecting. It also left me curious as to why the author chose to base the work on Western astrology rather than the Japanese/Chinese systems (a question to which I haven’t yet found the answer).

Beyond the astrology, characters and even the cats, the book has much more--there’s Western classical music referenced all through (Pathetique and Nessun Dorma among them), plenty of delicious sounding food (desserts, really—all of which one would want to eat) and also very much the lovely city of Kyoto and many of its landmarks (with a very brief visit to Osaka too)—among them the Gokonomiya Shrine, Daiko-ji temple and the Otesuji shopping arcade.

All these elements together make it a rich reading experience, with emotional appeal, charm and much to interest one’s intellect too. At its heart though is also just humanness or humaneness, the compassion, love and concern for fellow creatures that makes us (or ought to) who we are and what really sets everything off for this story.

As a cat-themed pick, I did find myself wondering at one point whether characters other than cats could have done the same ‘job’—perhaps they could, but with the backstory we learn eventually, one realises though that it had to be the cats!

Published 29 August 2024. I love Japanese literature that features cats and interlocking stories where characters are 'healed'. This is such a one and is based on the legend that if you're kind to cats, they'll be kind to you, they'll repay you, and this is what happens here although you don't quite understand how everything is connected until the very end. Each character in the story is going through a difficult time for one reason or another and they come across a sort of pop-up coffee shop - named The Full Moon Coffee Shop as it only appears at full moon. There, they are served by talking cats! Magical realism - I love it. Each cat is named after a planet - and the cat that serves the main character in the chapter happens to be named after the planet that governs their birth chart. There is a lot of astrology in this book as the cats explain the character's birth charts to them - not telling their fortunes, but explaining how the planets affect their lives, helping the characters to understand themselves better and so enable them to adjust their lives for the better. On top of this, our characters are served delectable desserts and coffees with names such as 'Moonlight and Venus Champagne Float' tailor made desserts to compliment their charts. The format is reminiscent of 'Before The Coffee Gets Cold' so will appeal if you like that one although I guess that some will find it a bit dry because of the astrology discussions. For me- it was a nice, cosy read - just as I knew it would be.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop followed stories of a unlucky screenwriter, a movie director, a hairstylist, a web designer and and one surprise POV. All of them seem totally stranger until readers learnt connection between each other through their personal lost andI problems. They shared this life issues with a mysterious coffee shop, running by talking cats, whom serves delicacy snacks and coffee. They also will help read their special customers' astrology charts.

I love this slow pace cozy fantasy story with magic realism elements. Expecially this book also featuring cats and lost souls with real issues. Their problems seem related with our own problems. The plot is switch between nowdays and background story in the past. I love the Kyoto setting and several places mentioned here.

The writing feel little bit dry and the characters' emotion feel less flesh out for me. But it is normal style for Japanesse narrative literature. I cant grab the astrological explanation, but maybe it is because I am not really into this topic.

Thank you Netgalley and Brazen, from Octopus Publishing for providing copy of this ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Expecting Publication : 29 Agustus 2024

Note : Sudah di terbitkan di Indonesia via Penerbit Baca 1 Juli 2022.

Interesting incorporation of astrology and I learned a lot more about this subject. It reminded me of Before the Coffee Gets Cold so I think readers of this or The Midnight library would enjoy it!

3.5 stars - Get ready for magical, mysterious cats and a lot of introspection at The Full Moon Coffee Shop!

This book isn't going to be for everyone, as there are very lengthy discussions of astrology and star charts which can be off-putting. However, if you're at a crossroads or wanting to turn inwards to consider your life path, this is worth having a read.

"Whenever you feel lost, stop for a moment. Get your bearings. You need to take a look at yourself, and accept what you see, before you can take a single step forward."

Everything in this story is intertwined - the characters, history, the universe... Mizuki Serikawa is our focal point, with all the other customers of The Full Moon Coffee Shop being linked back to her time as a substitute teacher. On a grander scale, the world's history connects to current events and trends and can inform the decisions we make much like our own personal histories can impact on our futures. The book weaves seemingly disconnected strands together and points out

It was clever how each food and beverage tied concretely to the advice and truths being revealed to the characters. Akari even points this out in her section, saying "Maybe the Planetary Affogato was a kind of message from the two cats. Satsuki couldn't just give into the sweetness of temptation - she had to remember the bitter consequences, too." These symbolic pairings run through the whole novel and add extra charm to an already sweet story.

This was not what I was expecting, but I liked it...

The Full Moon Coffee Shop follows a different character in each chapter, all of them going through a difficult moment in their lives, and the way this book resorts to helping them is through astrology. It is generally based on the myth that if you're kind to cats, they'll one day return the favour, and they do it in a very unique way in this novel. Each character in one way or another finds themselves in a sort of pop-up café run by talking cats (bear with me). Each cat represents one of the governing planets that influence your horoscope, like Pluto, Venus, and so on. They explain to each character how their natal chart influences how they are as people, and how they behave and respond to others. This knowledge can help them learn more about themselves and try to figure out a way out of the uncomfortable situation they're in at the moment.

This Japanese novel is part of the "healing fiction" sub-genre that's been trending nowadays, which I love, but, even though I liked the book, it wasn't my favourite out of the bunch. The talking cats were a bit too much for me, but I loved the descriptions of the food and drinks they served each character. It all sounded delicious! I also quite liked the connection between the characters (which you only find out towards the end of the novel).

All in all, this was a quick and cosy read, so if you're looking for that kind of vibe and you love cats, this might be the book for you.

Thank you very much to Brazen and NetGalley for my e-ARC!

based on the japanese myth of cats returning favours to those who are kind to them, “the full moon coffee shop” offers a short insight into the lives of three characters in need of advice. they each find themselves visiting a cake cafe in the middle of the night, where they are served by talking cats who offer them life-changing astrological advice on work, relationships, and love.

this was a cosy and magical little read, with a bunch of mini astrology lessons sprinkled throughout by talking cats (each named after a planet). if you’re a fan of japanese literature, astrology, cats, or descriptions of themed desserts that will make your mouth water, this book is for you. the dreamlike writing in scenes of the full moon coffee shop were also reminiscent of alice and wonderland, which might have been my favourite thing about this read.

Another one of those Japanese books whose characters are all interconnected and through magic (this time in the form of astrologer cats) find their way in life. Nothing unforgettable, really.

Un altro di quei libri giapponesi i cui personaggi sono tutti interconnessi tra di loro e tramite la magia (stavolta nella forma di gatti astrologi) trovano la loro strada nella vita. Niente di indimenticabile, anzi.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

**Liked:**

- Talking cats

**Not my cup of tea:**

- Astrology

... Okay, now I will expand, because it's more complicated than that.

This book is a cosy fantasy set in Japan, so it's fantastic if you love Japanese culture and want something comforting to read. I love cats, so having them run a coffee shop? Sign me up. Mizuki, the protagonist of the first story, was relatable and interesting. The book itself is short and sweet, an easy read through and through.

The reason why I'm not giving it a higher rating is that... I felt like it lacked some depth and substance. I think I couldn't feel more strongly about the characters' issues because they were told rather than shown. As I said, I rooted for Mizuki, but I was indifferent about the rest of the (human) characters and their stories. It didn't feel like I knew them enough to care.

And there's also the astrology. I didn't mind it as a metaphor for changes in society, or why some people struggle with certain things more than others, but at times it could be a bit much.

It's cosy, it's set in Kyoto, it's about people getting their lives together - what's not to love?

Sadly I'm not an astrology lover and there is a lot of explaining about how star charts are supposed to work and how it effects the characters lives and I turned straight off. The overall messages are sweet and the talking cats idea is fun so I'm sure the right people will find it.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop unfortunately didn't meet my expectations. The description sounded so good - a café ran by cats that give advise based on astrology? Sign me up!
But, I was sad that the story mostly focused on the people that "needed" help and their relationships between each other. So the cats and the café and the astrology all fell too short in my opinion. It felt more like a self-help book, to be honest.
All the names were a little bit confusing and they barely even talked about birth charts, star signs and houses etc. So yes, I definitely expected more. In general, it should have been much longer because I at the end, I found myself to not care about any of the characters enough.
I still don't know what I should take with me from this book?

2.5 ☆ stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review :)

This was a cute and wholesome story that was beautifully written and translated. Reading it was calming and it transported me to another world entirely. I love a good emotional story with loveable characters, and this was exactly that.

Welcome to the Full Moon Coffee Shop. It only opens on evenings of full moon. It is also run by an enormous cat that talks. It is no ordinary coffee shop.

It only appears in front of people who feel lost inside. The book has four episodes, four visitors to the coffee shop in total. The cats consult each of them on their star charts, offer wisdom and let them know where they veered off course to set them back on the fated paths.

I couldn’t get into the star charts talks because personally I don’t really believe that astrology determines someone’s life and personality, so that’s the only reason why I took a star down. But it didn’t take away the joy of reading this book. The troubles the visitors of the coffee shop have are all very relatable while stakes are still low. I read one chapter before going to bed, and it entertained me enough but not too much so it made a perfect bedtime read.

I think you’d enjoy this book if you like quirky books where lost souls get a little bit of help to make a little bit of positive change in their life (like What You’re Looking for is in the Library and Dallergut Dream Department Store). Hope you enjoy it as much as I did if you pick this up!

4 to 4.5 🌟/5

This is lovely piece of Japanese fiction. Other than finding the astrology and horoscope parts a bit hard to follow, this was a nice cosy read. The messages inside about not being so hard on yourself, follow your passions etc were lovely and a great takeaway for a reader. I also loved how effortlessly it seemed the characters were woven together, like it's a nice surprise how the timelines merge. I think my favourite part of the book is the epilogue as this shows how's it's all woven together and looks at how the myth of if you treat cats well, they'll return the favour.

I would say if you enjoyed 'before the coffee gets cold' this would be another good one to pick up. It's also a fairly quick, cosy read so I'd also recommend it if that's what you're after.

Unfortunately the format this book comes in makes it very difficult to read. I have given it 3 stars because the little that I was able to read seems good, just not enough for a proper review.

The book is heartwarming and touching. I loved the description of Full Moon Coffee Shop and the characters are flawed, relatable and realistic.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop is a cake shop run by cats and the place is magical and it appears on the night of full moon, there is no fixed location. The cats at the shop help those human beings who get stuck in life or become demotivated. Also at the shop, they serve drinks and sweet treats to customers based on their need and The phases in life are determined by solar system planets.

The female scriptwriter Mizuki lives in Kyoto and has lost her touch in writing. She got stuck at her Mars phase. She makes an effort to get out of it and find her happiness. While a heartbroken tv director acknowledges his feelings and becomes accepting of the situation. He moves forward. The two other male entrepreneurs also visits the shop and receives life changing suggestions. I felt happy for Mizuki and Akari. The life phases provides a deep knowledge of life on love, work, relationships, getting to know yourself and creating your own happiness.

The characters have such a poignant back stories and I was deeply touched by them. You need to read this book. I loved the concept of talking cats, Coffee shop that appears at night time, Western solar system life phases and the food they serve based on the people’s needs.

Many Thanks to the Author and Publisher.

Gentle and sweet. I really loved this book and it’s beautifully written characters - and who doesn’t like a talking cat!