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annakinsky's review against another edition
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
kalitise's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: 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
squintyfarmer's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Chronic illness, and Death
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 against another edition
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
bookishevy's review against another edition
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
adamparrishlover's review against another edition
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
avisreadsandreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Terminal illness, Death, Dementia, Grief, Pregnancy, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Death of parent
kataleen1989's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death