Befoer the coffee gets cold: Book 1

​I am officially OBSESSED! 😍 This book was a birthday gift to myself, and I can honestly say it’s the best present I’ve received. Before the Coffee Gets Cold has been my favorite series for a long time, but seeing it in this Sprayed Edge Edition? It’s a total game-changer. My first ever sprayed edge book and I am never going back! 😭🙌 ​If you haven’t read this series yet, you are missing out on a warm hug in book form. ☕ It’s set in a tiny, underground cafe in Tokyo where you can travel back in time—but only for as long as it takes for your coffee to get cold. 🕰️ It sounds simple, but the stories are so deeply moving, quiet, and filled with a gentle kind of wisdom that stays with you long after you close the cover. Why this edition is a MUST-HAVE: ​The Visuals: The sprayed edges are chef’s kiss! 🤌 It makes the book look like a piece of art on my shelf. I can’t stop staring at it! 📖✨ ​The Vibes: There is something so magical about reading these cozy, bittersweet stories from such a gorgeous physical book. It elevates the whole experience. 🕯️🌿 ​The Stories: Every time I revisit this cafe, I cry, I smile, and I feel a little more at peace. It’s the perfect "soul-healing" read. 🩹❤️ Whether you’re a long-time fan of the series like me or a newcomer, treat yourself to this edition! It’s whimsical, melancholic, and breathtakingly beautiful. ☕🍂 I’ll be treasuring this one forever. ​My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (I’d give it 10 stars if I could!)

Like a few other Japanese authors I have read, Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s writing style is simple and straightforward. In a narrative style which is slice-of-life and relatable, the author tells multiple stories set in a cafe which offers its customers a chance to travel in time. Readers become an intimate part of the setup as the author takes time to describe the cafe, unravel each character, their backstories and their desire to time travel. The genre is magical realism and the author is able to make the magic of time travel something normal and real. The build up is such that while the initial part of the book is easy going, the last chapter is unputdownable. I recommend this wonderfully written book to every book lovers, esp those who have not experienced the simple, relatable, heartwarming style of Japanese authors.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a quiet, magical novel set in a tiny Tokyo café where visitors can travel back in time — but only for as long as their coffee stays warm. The premise is whimsical, yet the stories are deeply human, exploring love, regret, forgiveness, and the fleeting nature of time. The writing has a gentle, almost meditative pace that draws you in and makes you savor each moment. Each character’s journey feels intimate and heartfelt, leaving you with a bittersweet mix of joy and longing. It’s the kind of book that makes you pause, think about the “what ifs” in your own life, and hold your loved ones a little closer. A quiet masterpiece for anyone who enjoys emotional storytelling with a touch of magical realism.

A friend suggested me this book when I was reading another feel good novel that too set in Japan The Morisaki Bookshop, so Iaccepted that recommendation because she too read a book i suggested to her so it was my turn although I was in no mood for this. But I m glad I listened to her recommendation and god what a great writing this has been. After completing i needed someone to discuss this with , so I m just leaving my review here. The entire book is set in this very old cafe which has been serving coffee to its customers for many years and it is such a cosy cafe i could feel myself in there. It has 4 parts and 4 stories of different characters all are present in the cafe and all 4 stories characters and their stories would teach us something about our loved ones and the power of love in our lives. The story made me feel a lot of emotions somewhere it made me happy and in other it made me sad with tears in my eyes. It was such a good ride I didn't want this book to end so soon , wish the author had written more. Perfect 10/10 novel My take aways little (no)spoilers ahead for those who have read this book already. 1. From fumiko's side Don't wait for the right time , you might lose your chance forever, speak your love before the coffee gets cold 2. From Hirai's side Guilt and misunderstanding can outlive people. Forgiveness and understanding should never be delayed. 3. From Kohtake's and Fusagi's side True love isn't about pity or pretending, it's about staying genuine even when the world forgets. 4. From Kei's side Love is eternal even death can not end it. Special mentions the ghost lady, kazu and nagare, and i love Kei's character.

I loved the detailing of the emotions the characters felt. It was inspiring, teaching us to go on even when life isn't going as intended. But the supernatural angle could have been used better into the story telling - could have made it more exciting and engaging.

Reading this novel was like holding a warm cup of coffee and slowly sipping it while you enjoy it's rich aroma and taste.

A wonderful reading experience. I have tears welled up reading the book. Gives an insight that in real life it's not possible to go back to the past, so live life in a way you won't feel regret. You can learn some life lessons from this book.

Nice book, really enjoyed the writing style.

Very good book. Each chapter is a different story in relations to the setting.

Perfect. I love it

A bit overrated. Half way through it and its not very exciting

This was a nice book to read over the holidays. It was not too lengthy and I loved how the stories were separate in the book but still intertwined.

If you could travel back in time and speak with one person for a limited amount of time, who would it be? This question is at the heart of the cozy Japanese novel Before the Coffee Gets Cold.The story takes place in a charming vintage café that, honestly, made me nostalgic for a time when life felt simpler and less dominated by screens and technology. The only "technology" here is the ability to travel through time. However, it's not as simple as it sounds. There is a long list of strict rules that must be followed, the most important being that the present cannot be changed. This inevitably raises the question: is it still worth traveling to the past? Through four deeply moving interconnected stories, the novel shows us that even if the present cannot be altered, something else can change when we are given the chance to revisit the past and find closure with the people who left unfinished threads in our lives. I loved this novel. It made me feel comforted, peaceful, and cared for. For that reason—and for the beauty of its final message—I give it five stars. That said, if cozy or low-stakes stories are not your thing, you may want to think twice before picking it up, as it might not be what you're expecting.