A review by kelly_e
Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
2.75
Title: Before Your Memory Fades
Author: Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Series: Before the Coffee Get Cold #3
Genre: Magical Realism
Rating: 2.75
Pub Date: November 15, 2022
T H R E E • W O R D S
Satisfying • Reflective • Repetitive
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Before Your Memory Fades offers another story of four customers, each wanting to take advantage of the café's unique opportunity to travel in time. We meet a daughter, a comedian, a sister and a lover, each with something they wish they had said differently.
💭 T H O U G H T S
The first two books in the series were a comforting escape from life, so I was looking forward to picking up this third installment. Unfortunately, this was my least favourite of the three. The unnecessary repetition of the rules is beginning to feel redundant, and the four tales felt like the author was reusing ideas from the previous books. Nothing felt new besides a different location, which I wasn't a fan of.
I'd have liked more more insight into the ghost aspect, and I think this was a missed opportunity by the author to add and explore something new to the series. I am of the impression that some of the power of this series remains lost in translation. I'd consider continuing if there was a fourth book, simply for the reflective nature of the concept exploring the value of our time, of our families, of our friendships, and of our lives.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of the series
• readers looking for a light, cozy read
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"It takes talent not to give up."
Author: Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Series: Before the Coffee Get Cold #3
Genre: Magical Realism
Rating: 2.75
Pub Date: November 15, 2022
T H R E E • W O R D S
Satisfying • Reflective • Repetitive
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Before Your Memory Fades offers another story of four customers, each wanting to take advantage of the café's unique opportunity to travel in time. We meet a daughter, a comedian, a sister and a lover, each with something they wish they had said differently.
💭 T H O U G H T S
The first two books in the series were a comforting escape from life, so I was looking forward to picking up this third installment. Unfortunately, this was my least favourite of the three. The unnecessary repetition of the rules is beginning to feel redundant, and the four tales felt like the author was reusing ideas from the previous books. Nothing felt new besides a different location, which I wasn't a fan of.
I'd have liked more more insight into the ghost aspect, and I think this was a missed opportunity by the author to add and explore something new to the series. I am of the impression that some of the power of this series remains lost in translation. I'd consider continuing if there was a fourth book, simply for the reflective nature of the concept exploring the value of our time, of our families, of our friendships, and of our lives.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of the series
• readers looking for a light, cozy read
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"It takes talent not to give up."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Terminal illness, and Car accident
Minor: Pregnancy
⚠️ CW: death, death of parent, grief, suicidal thoughts, terminal illness, car accident, pregnancy