Before the Coffee Gets Cold: The cosy million-copy sensation from Japan: 1

Before the Coffee Gets Cold is the book that got me reading again, and I absolutely loved it. It has such cozy, comforting vibes and I was completely immersed, which says a lot for such a small book. It’s gentle but emotionally rich, the kind of story that quietly sneaks up on you. I loved how it explores all the different reasons people might want to travel to the past or future, and how each story pulls you fully into that moment with them. The pace is calm and easy, but never boring, and every journey feels meaningful. I’d honestly recommend this to anyone, especially if you want an easy, comforting read. A perfect book to curl up with and enjoy alongside a cuppa!

A recent trip to Japan has got me interested in reading Japanese translated novels and most of these have been very enjoyable. This novel has been recommended on various lists so I thought I would try it. This was published in Japan during 2015 then translated into English for publication in 2019. The recent interest in this genre seems to have encouraged a further publication. It has 213 pages and is split into 4 parts. At the start there is an interesting map of the character relationships. The setup feels very familiar - a small café with a few regulars who seem to know each other very well. The odd aspect is the promise of time travel, even though we are told that it's limitations make it hardly worthwhile. I was unsure about the premise but fell in love very quickly with the style of writing - it is very visual and deserves to be read slowly so you can soak up every detail. Each part focuses on a subset of the character group and is setup as a defined story. It seems that we are watching four parts of a TV series. There is an abstract feel that is familiar to many of the Japanese novels I have read. This seems to encourage the reader into believing that time travel is possible. Of course, the book is fantasy but is written in such a straight forward way that the reader barely questions the mechanics as they are explained to us. The stories are intimate portraits of relationships . Seeing them being revealed to others makes the book feel particularly poignant. Whilst the characters are an odd combination, they com together beautifully through the café. The linking diagram at the start is really unusual to see in a book. It doesn't mean too much when you first see it but turns out to be the whole novel summarised on one page. It explains everything but gives nothing away. The stories are heart warming. This is delightful to read and I enjoyed this book very much. I later realised that this is the first in a series of five books - whilst it is good I don't want to read more as I think the unusual angle would not work as well for me in further books.

In the small Tokyo café at the heart of this novel, traveling to the past comes with strict rules: you must sit in a specific seat, you can only meet people who have visited the café before, nothing you do will change the present, and most importantly, you must return before your coffee gets cold. These limitations set the tone for Before the Coffee Gets Cold, making it clear from the start that this is not a story about fixing the past, but about understanding it. Rather than focusing on time travel itself, the book explores human emotions like love, regret, grief, and closure. Each chapter follows a different character who chooses to go back for deeply personal reasons. Some of these stories are genuinely touching, though the structure can feel repetitive, and a few moments feel rushed due to the book’s short length. The writing is simple and understated, which suits the reflective mood, but it may not appeal to readers looking for complex character development or intricate plotting. Still, the message that while we can’t change what has happened, we can change how we carry it with us, is quietly powerful. Overall, this is a warm, bittersweet read.

Really beautiful and emotional story.

I enjoyed the fact that although there were 4 short stories within it, they all linked together which led to a very emotional ending. I’ve honestly never read anything like this before, and would urge others to pick this up too! One thing to note is that it is translated fiction that was written based on a play - I've spoken to some people who didnt like the book because of the way it was written, however, I loved it anyway. This was written beautifully and I was moved by several of the stories. I loved the concept and the characters were described in a way that made me feel involved in each visit to the past. However, I wanted to know more! Also did you know that this book is in a series? – the third one still needs to be translated! This book really makes you think, especially about things left unsaid or feeling regret about how you’ve treated others in the past. In a back alley in Tokyo, there is a café which has been serving specially brewed coffee for over a century. However, this coffee shop is rumoured to also be able to offer its customers a unique experience: the chance to travel back in time. In this book we meet the lovely café staff and 4 visitors, each of whom is willing to try the cafés time travelling offer, whether that’s to ask why a loved one left, visit a husband who’s memory has been taken by early onset Alzheimer’s, to see someone who has died in the present, or to meet the daughter they never got the chance to know. I can tell you now, the last two stories made me a tiny bit emotional. However, this journey to the past does not come without risks. There are a strict set of rules that they have to adhere to and anything said or done will not change the present. For example, they have to sit in a particular seat that only becomes available once a day due to a mysterious presence, they can’t move from the seat, and most importantly they must return to the present before the coffee gets cold….

It’s one of the books you just start and continue Good with coffee and Toblerone

⭐️ 3.5/5 stars (rounded up) - spoiler free review I’ve been torn between 3 and 4 stars on this one. At the start of the book it felt like a 3 star read. It was interesting, but I struggled to fully connect with the characters. However, I think a lot of that comes down to the translation. I kept wishing I could read the book in Japanese, because I suspect a lot of the nuances and emotion has been lost in translation. But, as the chapters went on, the threads started tying together, and the emotional weight of the story slowly built. By the final story, I found myself unexpectedly sitting with a lump in my throat. This is a book that asks you to reflect on your regrets and the words left unsaid. If you’ve unfortunately ever lost someone close to you, the story becomes even more poignant. It's not dramatic or fast-paced, but it is quietly powerful. If you like reflective and subtle stories then I'd definitely recommend picking up this book. This book was kindly gifted by PanMacmillan but all opinions remain my own.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold is a heartwarming novel set in a small Tokyo café where customers can travel back in time but must return before their cup of coffee goes cold. The story follows four visitors who each hope to revisit a pivotal moment from their past. This short book was recommended to me by a friend to help me dip my toe back into the world of reading. It covers some difficult and emotional topics while managing to remain gentle and poignant. As I was reading it, I could picture it working really well in the theatre, so I wasn’t surprised to find out Toshikazu Kawaguchi had adapted it into a novel from a stage production. I enjoyed reading each of the stories and found them moving and well written. The pace was a little slow for me but I suspect that was partly due to being at the beginning of my reading journey. Now that I have become a much more prolific reader, I’d like to revisit this series and read the rest.