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kelly_e's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Title: Before We Say Goodbye
Author: Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Genre: Magical Realism
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: November 14, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Repetitive • Reflective • Heartwarming
📖 S Y N O P S I S
The regulars at the magical Café Funiculi Funicula are well acquainted with its famous legend and extraordinary, secret menu time travel offering. Many patrons have reunited with old flames, made amends with estranged family, and visited loved ones. But the journey is not without risks and there are rules to follow. Travellers must have visited the café previously and most importantly, must return to the present in the time it takes for their coffee to go cold.
The new set of visitors include: a husband with something important left to say, a woman who couldn’t bid her dog farewell, a woman who couldn’t answer a proposal, and a daughter who drove her father away.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Before We Say Goodbye is the fourth installment in the hugely popular Before the Coffee Gets Cold series. After reading book three, I wasn't sure if I would continue with the series, yet this one was my favourite thus far and has me anticipating the upcoming release of book #5.
There was just something about this set of stories and characters (or maybe it was my mood at the time) that resonated deeply with me. I always find it interesting to see which point in time a person will return to or who they choose to see if given the opportunity. Similar to the others, this one does get repetitive when it comes to the concept and rules for the café, however, I think I've gotten used to it and it doesn't bother me as much.
I listened to the audiobook as enjoyed the narration and being able to listen to one characters story (section) at a time and not needing to remember too much as I moved through. I think the series is a good place to start for anyone just getting into consuming books via audio.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed being back among the café and its characters and getting to meet the new ones. It's a concept that fascinates me and it made for some reflective and interesting reading. I'll likely continue to venture into this series when the time is right as I don't necessarily think they are worth rushing for.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• the series
• reflective stories
• short story collections
⚠️ CW: death, death of parent, animal death, grief, terminal illness, cancer, medical content, infertility, pregnancy, mental illness, suicidal thoughts, abandonment
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"There are many crossroads in life. All regrets stem from what happened at one moment we never imagined would happen to us."
Author: Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Genre: Magical Realism
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: November 14, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Repetitive • Reflective • Heartwarming
📖 S Y N O P S I S
The regulars at the magical Café Funiculi Funicula are well acquainted with its famous legend and extraordinary, secret menu time travel offering. Many patrons have reunited with old flames, made amends with estranged family, and visited loved ones. But the journey is not without risks and there are rules to follow. Travellers must have visited the café previously and most importantly, must return to the present in the time it takes for their coffee to go cold.
The new set of visitors include: a husband with something important left to say, a woman who couldn’t bid her dog farewell, a woman who couldn’t answer a proposal, and a daughter who drove her father away.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Before We Say Goodbye is the fourth installment in the hugely popular Before the Coffee Gets Cold series. After reading book three, I wasn't sure if I would continue with the series, yet this one was my favourite thus far and has me anticipating the upcoming release of book #5.
There was just something about this set of stories and characters (or maybe it was my mood at the time) that resonated deeply with me. I always find it interesting to see which point in time a person will return to or who they choose to see if given the opportunity. Similar to the others, this one does get repetitive when it comes to the concept and rules for the café, however, I think I've gotten used to it and it doesn't bother me as much.
I listened to the audiobook as enjoyed the narration and being able to listen to one characters story (section) at a time and not needing to remember too much as I moved through. I think the series is a good place to start for anyone just getting into consuming books via audio.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed being back among the café and its characters and getting to meet the new ones. It's a concept that fascinates me and it made for some reflective and interesting reading. I'll likely continue to venture into this series when the time is right as I don't necessarily think they are worth rushing for.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• the series
• reflective stories
• short story collections
⚠️ CW: death, death of parent, animal death, grief, terminal illness, cancer, medical content, infertility, pregnancy, mental illness, suicidal thoughts, abandonment
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"There are many crossroads in life. All regrets stem from what happened at one moment we never imagined would happen to us."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Infertility, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Pregnancy
Minor: Abandonment
saoreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I think it's amazing how, even after four books, the tone and the aspect of storytelling remain strong. It still makes me tear up. The moral lesson, I guess, at the end of it, wasn't about the plot but about different scenarios playing out within rigid and set rules. It's giving out huge lessons to readers when it comes to our relationships with people. The characters are lucky to have the chance to meet loved ones from the past again. Ever since book 1, this has been the theme, and it's deeply ingrained - subtle, but screaming that thought to me: instead of living with guilt and regrets, cherish your relationships. Although I wonder how long it takes before that reality hits, when that in itself is the truth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
kukazashi's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Infertility, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy
hello_lovely13's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death, Infertility, and Terminal illness
Minor: Pregnancy
cartermon4's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Infertility, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy
arturo_luzen's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Cancer, Death, Infertility, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, and Pregnancy
abfreda184's review against another edition
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
samcsmith's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infertility, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Medical content and Pregnancy
shadymist's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Infertility, Medical trauma, Car accident, and Pregnancy
robinks's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
It was so lovely to return to Tokyo and meet some new characters. The last story was particularly powerful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death and Infertility
Minor: Pregnancy