Name: Before the Coffee Gets Cold
ISBN: 9781529029581

Toshikazu Kawaguchi

What would you change if you could go back in time? In a small back alley in Tokyo, there is a café which 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. In Before the Coffee Gets Cold, we meet four visitors, each of whom is hoping to make use of the café's time-travelling offer, in order to: confront the man who left them, receive a letter from their husband whose memory has been taken by early onset Alzheimer's, to see their sister one last time, and to meet the daughter they never got the chance to know. But the journey into the past does not come without risks: customers must sit in a particular seat, they cannot leave the café, and finally, they must return to the present before the coffee gets cold . . . Toshikazu Kawaguchi's beautiful, moving story - translated from Japanese by Geoffrey Trousselot - explores the age-old question: what would you change if you could travel back in time? More importantly, who would you want to meet, maybe for one last time?

Before the Coffee Gets Cold

コーヒーが冷めないうちに

beautiful and so true🥹🥲☕️🌸🤍

Jessica Turner

Water flows from high places to low places. That is the nature of gravity. Emotions also seem to act according to gravity. When in the presence of someone with whom you have a bond, and to whom you have entrusted your feelings, it is hard to lie and get away with it. The truth just wants to come flowing out. This is especially the case when you are trying to hide your sadness or vulnerability. It is much easier to conceal sadness from a stranger, or from someone you don't trust. Hirai saw Kei as a confidante with whom she could share anything. The emotional gravity was strong. Kei was able to accept anything - forgive anything – that Hirai let flow out. A single kind word from Kei could cut the cords of tension that ran through her.

Axelle De Ceuster

Deyana

Julia Rutgers

Srijita Sarkar 

angie

People don't see things and hear things as objectively as they might think. The visual and auditory information that enters the mind is distorted by experiences, thoughts, circumstances, wild fancies, prejudices, preferences, knowledge, awareness, and countless other working of the mind. 

Jessie

Darshini ✨

Maria Laura

Michy

Klara Hansen 

What would you change if you could travel back in time? Down a small alleyway in the heart of Tokyo, there’s an underground café that’s been serving carefully brewed coffee for over a hundred years. Local legend says that this shop offers its customers something else besides coffee—the chance to travel back in time. The rules, however, are far from simple: you must sit in one particular seat, and you can’t venture outside the café, nor can you change the present. And, most important, you only have the time it takes to drink a hot cup of coffee—or risk getting stuck forever. Over the course of one summer, four customers visit the café in the hopes of traveling to another time: a heartbroken lover looking for closure, a nurse with a mysterious letter from her husband, a waitress hoping to say one last goodbye and a mother whose child she may never get the chance to know. Heartwarming, wistful and delightfully quirky, Before the Coffee Gets Cold explores the intersecting lives of four women who come together in one extraordinary café, where the service may not be quick, but the opportunities are endless.

i like how they weren't allowed to change the circumstances or outcome (like normal books about time travel stories normally do) which made it a lot more unpredictable, and how it revolved around the quaint shop and it's main few people. it's not a long book but a deep one, i really liked how each person's feeling of regret was stemmed from extremely different situations but expressed in such a beautiful manner that really relates and pulls at the heart strings. 

a much needed sweet read. very digestible and warm for all readers. i enjoyed each story, the characters, and the concept of one setting. lovely magical realism!

kate 

Such a warm book, but idk i think i prefer if the narration can be more emotional focused than repeatedly talking bout the cafe’s vibes?

But yea, keren2 walau di pertengahan agak boring. Kopinya bisa ga ya diganti jd butterscotch sea salt latte-nya fore? Kalo ada ya ak maw 😔☝🏼

lynn

Such a warm book, but idk i think i prefer if the narration can be more emotional focused than repeatedly talking bout the cafe’s vibes?

But yea, keren2 walau di pertengahan agak boring. Kopinya bisa ga ya diganti jd butterscotch sea salt latte-nya fore? Kalo ada ya ak maw 😔☝🏼

Sweet and easy to read. Whilst not a mind blowing, complex concept nor storyline the characters and their story arcs are compelling.

Beatrix

I like the concept of the story though I was confused at times with the different characters

Haley

I wanted to love it so bad but I just didn’t. Beautiful writing and premise but something didn’t connect.

Chloé

Ani Velasquez

Una mesa, un café y una decisión. Eso es todo lo que hace falta para ser feliz. Una novela sobre el amor, el tiempo perdido y las oportunidades que están por llegar. Un rumor circula por Tokio... Oculta en uno de sus callejones hay una pequeña cafetería que merece la pena visitar no solo por su excelente café, sino también porque, si eliges bien la silla donde sentarte, puedes regresar al pasado. Pero como incluso lo increíble está sujeto a limitaciones, no podrás salir de la cafetería mientras dure el viaje, volverás cuando el café se enfríe y, hagas lo que hagas, el presente no cambiará. A través de las emocionantes historias de cuatro clientes que se atreven a embarcarse en esta aventura por motivos diferentes, Antes de que se enfríe el café nos ofrece un relato atemporal sobre el amor, las oportunidades perdidas y la esperanza de un futuro que siempre está por llegar. La crítica ha dicho... « Antes de que se enfríe el café está destinada a convertirse en un éxito internacional.» Publisher's Weekly «Más de un millón de ejemplares vendidos.» The Bookseller «Una lectura memorable y cautivadora.» Books and Bao «A través de sus cuatro personajes principales, Kawaguchi demuestra una profunda comprensión de las relaciones y del amor.» The Straits Times «Una lectura inspiradora y llena de esperanza que se queda contigo mucho después de que hayas terminado de leer. Hará las delicias de los entusiastas de la cultura japonesa con su evocador y romántico retrato de Tokio.» Pop Culture Bandit Citas de lectores: «Un tema complejo, pero que se trata de una forma aparentemente simple, hace de esta una inolvidable novela. Las emociones que evoca son eternas y universales: el amor en todas sus formas, joven y fresco, maduro y asentado, o el de una madre por su hijo nonato. Completamente delicioso, con una profundidad sorprendente. Un libro maravilloso.» « Antes de que se enfríe el café es una encantadora e inteligente historia acerca de cómo, no importa cuánto lo intentemos, no podemos cambiar el pasado y solo nos queda aprender de nuestros errores y crecer. Disfruté mucho de este emotivo relato.» «Me gustaron los personajes tan idiosincráticos y su amable sentido del humor, que se deja entrever de vez en cuando. Si estás buscando una lectura breve y diferente, este es tu libro.» «Una novela encantadora que te deja con mucho en lo que pensar.»

Antes de que se enfríe el café

Este libro me gustó bastante ya que se lee rápido y la idea está cool, son historias cortas que tocan cosas bien humanas como arrepentimientos y despedidas sin ponerse intensas, y eso se siente honesto. Lo que no me encantó es que algunas historias se parecen entre sí y los personajes no se desarrollan mucho, cuando empezaba a conectar ya se acababa. En general me pareció un libro bonito pero sencillo, no es nada que te vuele la cabeza, pero sí perfecto para leer rápido y quedarte pensando un ratito después.

₊˚.⋆☾ eva ☾ ⋆⁺₊

the acceptance of letting go is what kept me going honestly 

cassandra

Di sebuah gang kecil di Tokyo, ada kafe tua yang bisa membawa pengunjungnya menjelajahi waktu. Keajaiban kafe itu menarik seorang wanita yang ingin memutar waktu untuk berbaikan dengan kekasihnya, seorang perawat yang ingin membaca surat yang tak sempat diberikan suaminya yang sakit, seorang kakak yang ingin menemui adiknya untuk terakhir kali, dan seorang ibu yang ingin bertemu dengan anak yang mungkin takkan pernah dikenalnya. Namun ada banyak peraturan yang harus diingat. Satu, mereka harus tetap duduk di kursi yang telah ditentukan. Dua, apa pun yang mereka lakukan di masa yang didatangi takkan mengubah kenyataan di masa kini. Tiga, mereka harus menghabiskan kopi khusus yang disajikan sebelum kopi itu dingin. Rentetan peraturan lainnya tak menghentikan orang-orang itu untuk menjelajahi waktu. Akan tetapi, jika kepergian mereka tak mengubah satu hal pun di masa kini, layakkah semua itu dijalani?

Funiculi Funicula

absolutely in love with the theme of "letting go", the whole "you can go to the past/future but nothing will change" is also really intriguing and the message delivery is *chef's kiss*. though there are still many things left unexplained (prob due to it having sequel) and the pacing left me feeling kinda bored. then again its pretty enjoyable if you're for something light to read with a few sobs in between as a bonus.

mionne

Geoffrey Trousselot

SUMPAH SUMPAH SUMPAAAAAH. aku nyesel kenapa kemarin waktu beli novel ini gak sekalian beli yang kedua jugaaaaa. fyi aku ngetik ini masih dengan ingus yang meler (maaf jorok) tapi ini beneran honest review dan fresh from the oven. jujur ya, awalnya aku underestimate novel ini (MARAHIN AJAA EMANG) soalnya pas baca awalnya kaya "hah apaan sih? kok bertele-tele banget? kok gak kaya kata orang-orang?" gitu deh intinya. jadi, bisa dibilang, aku lumayan butuh waktu yang lama buat baca novel ini. TAPIII pas udah masuk ke chapter 2, aku mulai merasa "keseruan" yang orang-orang bilang dan akhirnya aku bisa nyelesein baca novelnya hari ini. dari chapter 2, aku udah nangis jelek banget T^T narasinya gak ada yang gagal, aku menikmati banget karena gak ada tuh yang namanya kalimat dengan kombinasi yang aneh, padahal in fact novel ini tuh novel terjemahan. semakin dibaca, semakin kepo sama cerita-cerita di tiap chapternya (spoiler: total ada 4 chapter, masing-masing chapter ada ceritanya sendiri tapi masih berkaitan karena karakternya sama). intinya, aku super duper recommend novel ini BANGET kalau misalnya kalian lagi cari bacaan yang seru dan kalau lagi pengen nangis. this novel deserves 4,5 out of 5 stars!!!! ⭐

leah

What a lovely trip through time paired with beautiful and raw human storytelling. Thoroughly enjoyed this anthology, and will definitely be moving on to the sequels. 

Liv Wukasch

the writing suffers from translation for sure. also a book should not have the first story be boring as hell only for the rest to be actually a bit captivating

Vincent Osvald

Loved the stories but the book felt too long towards the end and I almost lost interest (I struggled finishing it). Nonetheless, I liked the gentleness of the atmosphere and how everything felt comforting throughout the book.

mari

stories were put together by simple words and yet I feel moved. 

dylme

Made me cry while reading it and also rethink life after. I feel like it genuinely changed my life. Also the endings of each chapter were beautiful, I love how everything and everyone was connected too. Easily one of my favorite books ever.

Fausta Kaveckaitė

matti horckmans

i read this in just one day and it got me into a rollercoaster of emotions. although it felt too short for my liking, i'm yet to read the sequels so i'm hoping it can fulfill what i'm still looking for! 

very cozy, warm, and poignant read. each character had their own story worthy to be told, but kei truly stood out to me. they are all such beautiful souls and i really love the premise of the present remaining unchanged, yet the time they spend back still changes who they are as a person and how they live their lives from then on. it reminds people to always take time cherishing every moment they have and never lose the bit of hope your heart always beats for. every emotion stuck with me, every story left me in tears. 

i read this in just one day and it got me into a rollercoaster of emotions. although it felt too short for my liking, i'm yet to read the sequels so i'm hoping it can fulfill what i'm still looking for! 

very cozy, warm, and poignant read. each character had their own story worthy to be told, but kei truly stood out to me. they are all such beautiful souls and i really love the premise of the present remaining unchanged, yet the time they spend back still changes who they are as a person and how they live their lives from then on. it reminds people to always take time cherishing every moment they have and never lose the bit of hope your heart always beats for. every emotion stuck with me, every story left me in tears. 

beautiful experience to read! 💌

Short and sweet. I don't know that I'll read the other books in the series, but this was cute.

Katelyn Caillouet

Before the coffee gets cold is such a beautiful and cosy story! Only took me two days to finish, and I thoroughly enjoyed all parts of the book. I cannot wait to read the other books by the author. Intriguing at the beginning and finished on a very heartfelt note. 🥹

Olanda

While reading this book, I felt like I was wrapped in a cozy blanket in cold weather. I love all the characters; they take me to the peaceful countryside of Japan. so so so comforting if you just want to get away from your stressful life for a while, then read this.

prachi priyadarshini

this book is a gentle reminder to be grateful—not in a loud, performative way, but in the quiet kind. the kind that notices a warm cup in your hands, a conversation that still lingers in the air, a goodbye that you now realize was love.

there’s so much kindness hidden in the silence of this book. the way people love each other through distance. the way they keep showing up, even if their hearts are full of fear. I cried in the best way—not the kind of crying that leaves you broken, but the kind that makes your chest feel open. 

what stayed with me most was the message that being present—really present—is a kind of magic. we’re always chasing tomorrows or clinging to yesterdays. but sometimes, the real miracle is the now. the hot coffee. the person sitting across from you. the moment before the moment slips away.

because time may not change—but hearts can.

cherish

this book is a gentle reminder to be grateful—not in a loud, performative way, but in the quiet kind. the kind that notices a warm cup in your hands, a conversation that still lingers in the air, a goodbye that you now realize was love.

there’s so much kindness hidden in the silence of this book. the way people love each other through distance. the way they keep showing up, even if their hearts are full of fear. I cried in the best way—not the kind of crying that leaves you broken, but the kind that makes your chest feel open. 

what stayed with me most was the message that being present—really present—is a kind of magic. we’re always chasing tomorrows or clinging to yesterdays. but sometimes, the real miracle is the now. the hot coffee. the person sitting across from you. the moment before the moment slips away.

because time may not change—but hearts can.

torn between saying i liked it or i loved it because although the concept was cool and had lots of potential, the hype this had made me so excited to the point i did not enjoy it as much as i thought i would. still a really good book tho, i just had very high expectations.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold

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