A review by ameydireads
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

“If you could go back, who would you want to meet?”

Mainly centering around grief, regret, and things left unsaid, this book touched me in a way I did not expect. The story plays out in a cafe where people can travel in time. There are many rules attached to this, but the main rule is to drink the coffee before it gets cold. Another rule is that you cannot change the future, no matter what. Nevertheless, the life of these time travellers are significantly changed in the sense that they gain a new perspective in life.
We encounter four people who travel in time and we learn more about their lives. The second story called ‘Husband and Wife’ really made me bawl my eyes out. I can’t imagine how hard it must be when your significant other suffers from Alzheimer and you reach a point where he or she doesn’t recognize you anymore.

There were some things I did not fully understand. For example, where is the woman in the white dress when someone travels back in time and finds themselves sitting at THE seat? Is she on her bathroom break or is it an alternative reality where this woman does not exist? 
I also felt that some things were repetitive. The second chapter repeated a lot of the things described already in the first chapter. It does get better though. Aside from this, I would really recommend reading this book because it serves as a good reminder to appreciate the people in your life and tell them what you want them to know while you still can. And we also learn a few things about Japan!
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