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toastyghosty13's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a really interesting book where people can enter a cafe and travel back in time. There are some rules that go with the time traveling, but it still does not stop the characters from having meaningful exchanges with whoever they see while time traveling.
At the risk of spoiling too much, it is best to not know much about this book besides the above when going into it. This book was very inspiring and very emotional. I do not recommend reading it between work meetings like I did, or you very well might find yourself ugly crying 10 minutes before a meeting (also like I did, thankfully no one showed up to the meeting).
This book is part of a series and I will definitely be revisiting in the future.
At the risk of spoiling too much, it is best to not know much about this book besides the above when going into it. This book was very inspiring and very emotional. I do not recommend reading it between work meetings like I did, or you very well might find yourself ugly crying 10 minutes before a meeting (also like I did, thankfully no one showed up to the meeting).
This book is part of a series and I will definitely be revisiting in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Dementia
cassieemaree's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, Car accident, Death of parent, Dementia, and Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion
woolerys's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Either something didn’t come through on translation or I am missing some cultural context because the prose read very strangely to me, kind of stilted, and I felt like certain things were supposed to be humorous but they weren’t quite landing.
That said the concept was enjoyable, the encounters were touching, and I felt attached to the little coffee shop family by the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Death of parent
emamoretti03's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.25
So heartwarming and touching. It'll make you ugly cry. It starts a little bit slow, it almost seems pointless but then it starts hitting. When you are chilling and when you less expect it it starts with these heart wrenching situations that feel like a punch in the gut.
I don't know how much it'll take to recover from this
I don't know how much it'll take to recover from this
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Death of parent, and Death
onegalonelife27's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
In the hustle of Tokyo, a little cafe exists where you can go back in time…
I found this story fascinating since there are several rules-simple enough but daunting in practice-that makes one question if it’s even possible. Each chapter stars a traveler of the chapter, wrestling about traveling, overcoming the rules and then being able to to talk to whoever they wanted-before the coffee gets cold.
I do feel like the last chapter was more of a gut punch then it needed to be-like it’s good but man it just hurts so much. Like the author wanted to make sure you cried before you finished the book, I certainly teared up.
We actually meet quite a lot of the cast in the first chapter-made up of various regulars of the cafe and the staff. I think this lends to more telling than showing in the narration, but given the setting is always in the cafe and the characters that often show up, I found the style fitting. It gives enough description to help build on and helps the reader understand each character.
While it does make me curious how the formula is changed for future stories, I’m currently good on the series. Like i said, the last chapter really puts you through the emotional wringer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Dementia, and Grief
Moderate: Pregnancy, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Abortion
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.rae1523'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love the premise of the book. All throughout the story you know what the book os about, its about a time traveling cafe, but it doesn't prepare you for the sad stories that come out of this cafe. It was eye watering and very reflective. All along I wondered if I could travel back in time who would I meet and what would I say? I think the biggest take away from this story for me was that we should always say what needs to be said and be honest with the people we care about the most.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
bethanwx's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
5.0
A profound story of how we are changed by gaining closure from our past. Kawaguchi is a master in creating characters with whom you can deeply empathise and love. A remarkable book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Dementia, and Death of parent
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