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krsb's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
4.75
This is the fourth book in the series, but it takes place just one year after the end of the first book. So that's a small heads up if haven't started it yet. You could honestly read this one between book 1 and 2 and it wouldn't change anything.
I really enjoyed this one, although it wasn't my favorite. I wasn't sure if I was going to review this one since I skipped the chapter about the dog Apollo, I'm not really an animal person and I had a hard time connecting to it. I think it was a great inclusion though, especially because it resonated with so many readers, it just didn't with me and that's okay! But I ended up loving the other three stories so I decided to write a review after all.
There's less focus on the Tokita family in this one compared to the last two books, but I was kind of expecting that once I knew the story is set in the past. I didn't mind though, the stories of the customers in this book were just as engaging. I think my favorite story was the one about the professor. I think his curiosity and perspective were a really great inclusion. And I loved how his story with his wife came full circle at the end of the book.
I think even though the stories can be a bit repetitive, each book has something unique that sets it apart from the others and that's why I love this series <3
Before We Forget Kindness comes out today so I'll be reading that next!
I really enjoyed this one, although it wasn't my favorite. I wasn't sure if I was going to review this one since I skipped the chapter about
There's less focus on the Tokita family in this one compared to the last two books, but I was kind of expecting that once I knew the story is set in the past. I didn't mind though, the stories of the customers in this book were just as engaging. I think my favorite story was
I think even though the stories can be a bit repetitive, each book has something unique that sets it apart from the others and that's why I love this series <3
Before We Forget Kindness comes out today so I'll be reading that next!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Terminal illness and Death of parent
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
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
pholcidae's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
3.75
A reliable read with new and returning characters, a fast pace, and emotional journeys.
For the fourth entry in the series, the premise is rather repetitive. It also jumps back in time from the third entry which confused me at first.
I love the series and I will continue to read new entries without a doubt, I just feel as though I’m desperate for a plot twist or at least some further lore expansion than simply describing the café, Kazu’s plain characteristics andher painful attachment to her ghost mum , and the rules of the time travel.
For the fourth entry in the series, the premise is rather repetitive. It also jumps back in time from the third entry which confused me at first.
I love the series and I will continue to read new entries without a doubt, I just feel as though I’m desperate for a plot twist or at least some further lore expansion than simply describing the café, Kazu’s plain characteristics and
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Infertility, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
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
pooxs's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
randeerebecca's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infertility and Terminal illness
Minor: Racial slurs
aseel_reads's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
I liked chapter or part 3 only, because of the dog but otherwise this was so boring and somehow slow and I didn't like the focus on marriage or having kids, felt like an agenda.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Infertility, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
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