Before the Coffee Gets Cold - By Toshikazu Kawaguchi

“And if the chair can change someone’s heart, it clearly has its purpose.”

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a soft, heartwarming novel set in a small Tokyo cafe where people can travel back in time-but only until their coffee turns cold. With strict rules in place and no power to change the present, each visitor returns to the past seeking something deeply personal: closure, love, forgiveness, or understanding.

Honestly, I had this book in my wish-list. But eventually a very dear friend gifted this to me!

Told through simple and heart touching stories, the book gently reminds us that while the past cannot be changed, the way we come to terms with it can transform us. Quiet, reflective, and emotionally moving, the story stays with you!

The concept itself is refreshing: “Time Travel” contained within the calm space of a cafe. Simply beautiful!

The characters are seamlessly intertwined together, each story unfolding effortlessly. I was drawn to every character and found myself eager to discover what their journey and story would reveal. Initially, the cafe and its rules create a sense of mystery and unease, but as the story unfolds, it becomes smooth, tender, and deeply absorbing.

Time travel is a known concept, but the thoughtful restrictions in this novel make it feel unique and meaningful. Having admired Japanese literature ever since reading Murakami, this book felt refreshingly different and captivating.This book once again proves how Japanese literature has a way of surprising and inspiring(always). It has certainly left me eager to explore more works by Japanese authors.

“At the end of the day, whether one returns to the past or travels to the future, the present doesn’t change.”

AS: Happy Reading! 😀

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