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sandramarinis's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
3.5
I preferred the first part of the book. I enjoyed the read, but there were several parts of the book where the author said the exact same thing using different words two times in a row. Like others have pointed out, some parts had excessive information. So weird. What I did like about the book was that it made me reflect on how selfish people are. The people traveling in time didn't necessarily think of the feelings of the other person meeting them. There's a reason why one should move on and not hold on to the past I guess. That's why the situation where the meeting went particularly bad with all of the blaming and "how dare you's" was my favorite. All in all a good read, but not my favorite book ever.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness
binreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This book just kept getting better the more you read it. I see other reviewers referring to this book as a 'warm hug' and I absolutely agree.
I thoroughly enjoyed the concept of time travel that I haven't really seen before. I liked the idea of all these events taking place in this cozy, basement cafe. As a coffee lover, I honestly thought that using the temperature of the coffee as a time travel device was really clever. You never know how quickly your coffee is gonna get cold, I for one always forget I have a cup, then my coffee is freezing cold! So the use of that as a timer for such a delicate action of traveling through time for something extremely important made it very intense.
I did like that it takes place with the core group - the workers at the cafe - and the addition of the characters who seek out the cafe. It made me cry at points. Very moving, I already purchased the second one and I can't wait to start reading it.
The one thing I didn't care for was how often the author refers to the character Nagare's size, like we get it the man is big. And my thing is like it wasn't done in a way that was like, oh he's just really tall.....it was like he's not 'normal sized' or he's a 'big man'...it was overdone.
I thoroughly enjoyed the concept of time travel that I haven't really seen before. I liked the idea of all these events taking place in this cozy, basement cafe. As a coffee lover, I honestly thought that using the temperature of the coffee as a time travel device was really clever. You never know how quickly your coffee is gonna get cold, I for one always forget I have a cup, then my coffee is freezing cold! So the use of that as a timer for such a delicate action of traveling through time for something extremely important made it very intense.
I did like that it takes place with the core group - the workers at the cafe - and the addition of the characters who seek out the cafe. It made me cry at points. Very moving, I already purchased the second one and I can't wait to start reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Dementia
Minor: Fatphobia
annakinsky's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The book is about a small cafe ( Funiculi Funicula) that takes you back in time. In the book there were 4 people with different life stories that went back or forward in time, although they can time travel there are rules to be followed which are: ( I got confusedat first with the character's names because most of the women's name starts with "K")
1. **You can only travel to the past**: Customers can only go back to a specific moment in their own past. They cannot change the present or future, only relive moments from their personal history.
2. **You must return before your coffee gets cold**: The time travel is limited to the duration it takes for a cup of coffee to cool down. If you don't return to the present before your coffee gets cold, consequences can occur.
3. **You cannot leave your seat**: While in the past, customers must remain seated in the same spot in the café. They cannot interact with anyone or anything outside of the café.
4. **You cannot meet yourself**: Time travelers cannot encounter their past selves during their visit to the past. This rule prevents paradoxes and disruptions to the timeline.
These rules add layers of complexity and challenge to the characters' experiences as they grapple with regrets, longing, and the desire to make things right. It's a captivating exploration of time, memory, and the human experience.
I like that the stories of the people involved because they are not too compicated and not too elaborate.
1. The Lovers - Fumiko and Goro
- Fumiko went back in time to try to convince Goro not to go to America. They were able to see each other but Goro still went to US to pursue his dream and said he will go back to the cafe in 3 yrs. This was not proven in the end.
2. Husband and Wife - Kohtake and Fusagi
- Kohtake went back to ask for the letter that Fusagi who was suffering from Alzheimers faled to give her before. Realization was that he gave her a letter about living him when his sickness already became a toll on her being a wife. Which made her even more understand his condition and even be proud of using her married name again.
3. The Sisters - Hirai and Kumi
- Hirai went back to apologize to Kumi ( who died from an accident after she came by at the cafe to convince her to come home)
Hirai realized after talking to Kumi from the past that jt was her sister's dream for them to work together at their inn. Contrary to what she thought that Kumi just want to be free from family.
4. Mother and Child - Kei and Miki
- Kei suffering from a weak heart since childhood travelled to the future to meet her own daughter. Which at that time she was already long gone from childbirth. It was a touching and sad meeting. But hearing that her daughter was thankful for the life she has, made Kei happy and even more decided to continue the pregnancy eventhough it means dying.
At the end, the lesson remains.. You may not be able to change the present by going back to the past but you can change the heart.🥰
1. **You can only travel to the past**: Customers can only go back to a specific moment in their own past. They cannot change the present or future, only relive moments from their personal history.
2. **You must return before your coffee gets cold**: The time travel is limited to the duration it takes for a cup of coffee to cool down. If you don't return to the present before your coffee gets cold, consequences can occur.
3. **You cannot leave your seat**: While in the past, customers must remain seated in the same spot in the café. They cannot interact with anyone or anything outside of the café.
4. **You cannot meet yourself**: Time travelers cannot encounter their past selves during their visit to the past. This rule prevents paradoxes and disruptions to the timeline.
These rules add layers of complexity and challenge to the characters' experiences as they grapple with regrets, longing, and the desire to make things right. It's a captivating exploration of time, memory, and the human experience.
I like that the stories of the people involved because they are not too compicated and not too elaborate.
1. The Lovers - Fumiko and Goro
- Fumiko went back in time to try to convince Goro not to go to America. They were able to see each other but Goro still went to US to pursue his dream and said he will go back to the cafe in 3 yrs. This was not proven in the end.
2. Husband and Wife - Kohtake and Fusagi
- Kohtake went back to ask for the letter that Fusagi who was suffering from Alzheimers faled to give her before. Realization was that he gave her a letter about living him when his sickness already became a toll on her being a wife. Which made her even more understand his condition and even be proud of using her married name again.
3. The Sisters - Hirai and Kumi
- Hirai went back to apologize to Kumi ( who died from an accident after she came by at the cafe to convince her to come home)
Hirai realized after talking to Kumi from the past that jt was her sister's dream for them to work together at their inn. Contrary to what she thought that Kumi just want to be free from family.
4. Mother and Child - Kei and Miki
- Kei suffering from a weak heart since childhood travelled to the future to meet her own daughter. Which at that time she was already long gone from childbirth. It was a touching and sad meeting. But hearing that her daughter was thankful for the life she has, made Kei happy and even more decided to continue the pregnancy eventhough it means dying.
At the end, the lesson remains.. You may not be able to change the present by going back to the past but you can change the heart.🥰
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Pregnancy, Dementia, and Chronic illness
squintyfarmer's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Chronic illness, and Death
rainbowbrarian's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
I found this one a little challenging to get into. Books in translation can be tough, Japanese culture is very different from American culture so it felt challenging to relate to some of the characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness and Death of parent
A person has early onset Alzheimer’s.bookishevy's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
If you could time travel, who would you meet? This is a question that I think all of us have thought of at least once, but four characters in this book actually get the opportunity to make this journey.
More than coffee is being served at an old back alley café in Tokyo. Local legend says customers get a chance to travel through time, but many of them don't go through with it after learning all of the rules, the most important one being they have to return to the present before their coffee gets cold.
I timed my coffee yesterday to see how long it would take to get to room temperature and it took around 25 minutes, which isn't a lot of time to make amends. But these four characters are up to the challenge, and I was very stressed over them making it back in time.
This quirky read warmed my heart as it explores missed opportunities and regret. My biggest takeaway is to live in the moment and let the people you love know how you feel while they're still here.
There are four long chapters, each focusing on a different character. The writing is a bit melancholy, but the stories move quickly despite dealing with heavy themes.
This is book one of a series. There are currently four books, and I think a fifth is on the way. I'm a sucka for anything dealing with time travel, so I'll be collecting them all.
More than coffee is being served at an old back alley café in Tokyo. Local legend says customers get a chance to travel through time, but many of them don't go through with it after learning all of the rules, the most important one being they have to return to the present before their coffee gets cold.
I timed my coffee yesterday to see how long it would take to get to room temperature and it took around 25 minutes, which isn't a lot of time to make amends. But these four characters are up to the challenge, and I was very stressed over them making it back in time.
This quirky read warmed my heart as it explores missed opportunities and regret. My biggest takeaway is to live in the moment and let the people you love know how you feel while they're still here.
There are four long chapters, each focusing on a different character. The writing is a bit melancholy, but the stories move quickly despite dealing with heavy themes.
This is book one of a series. There are currently four books, and I think a fifth is on the way. I'm a sucka for anything dealing with time travel, so I'll be collecting them all.
Content Warnings
Minor: Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, and Death
frostedpetals's review
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Minor: Pregnancy, Suicide, and Death of parent
adamparrishlover's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Chronic illness
mmarquis1158's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
This book felt like a warm hug. It was a perfect rainy day read. There was just something so cozy about it that made it feel ok to be sad and empathize with the characters. I love how the 4 stories all tied together at the end
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Grief, Death, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Abandonment, Chronic illness, and Car accident
Minor: Pregnancy
leaonaxreads's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was exactly what I was looking for. I’m in a reflective and transitional period in my life and I’m very much a mood reader so this fit the bill. I was recommended this because I enjoyed The Midnight Library.
Something to keep in mind is that this is translated from Japanese I believe, so the prose is not perfect , but the message is perfectly clear. It follows a few different characters wanting to visit different periods in time directly related to events that took place in their lives. Reading it left me wanting to live my life more purposeful and with more meaning; say the things I want to say, and do the things I want to do because time is a precious gift.
There are some sad topics covered here, but such is life
Something to keep in mind is that this is translated from Japanese I believe, so the prose is not perfect , but the message is perfectly clear. It follows a few different characters wanting to visit different periods in time directly related to events that took place in their lives. Reading it left me wanting to live my life more purposeful and with more meaning; say the things I want to say, and do the things I want to do because time is a precious gift.
There are some sad topics covered here, but such is life
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Pregnancy, Grief, and Death