*Before We Say Goodbye* by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is the fourth book in the *Before the Coffee Gets Cold* series, set in the beloved Café Funiculi Funicula in Tokyo. The novel explores themes of love, regret, and the need for closure through four interconnected stories, where characters use the café's unique time-traveling experience to revisit moments in their lives.

Each story features a different character: a former professor seeking to connect with his bedridden wife, a husband wanting his wife to say goodbye to their deceased dog, a young woman following a message from her late boyfriend, and another woman looking to apologize to her father after his passing.

With its beautifully written and heartwarming narratives, the book prompts reflection on life's crossroads and the regrets we carry. It left a lasting emotional impact, making it a highly recommended read for fans of the series, as well as newcomers.

This is such a comfort series for me and I can't help but recommend these books to everyone. I love returning to this coffee shop in each books and being introduced to new characters. I really can't say enough about these books and this fourth book was no different.

If you haven't yet picked up any of the Before the Coffee Gets Cold books, I highly recommend that you do!

Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book tells four stories, each with a focus on a different character who desperately wants to change things in their past. Though the stories have an overfeel feel of dejectedness about them, they end with a bittersweet acceptance of how life doesn't always follow human plans.
I enjoyed this book but not as much as the previous books in this series as the plotline this time seemed to be overused and somewhat underwhelming.
But that said this is still a though-provoking, emotional read.

This book was a great read. I can't wait to read more in the series. I only wish the book was longer. I finished in one day!

Before We Say Goodbye features 4 different stories that take place at this magical café that allows you to travel back in time. These thought-provoking stories explored love, loss, and regrets, and each of these stories devastated me in different ways. The second story about the woman who was unable to say goodbye to her dog especially hit so close to home for me. This short book was incredibly moving and worth the read. I loved it so much

Such a cozy read. I love these quirky little books and thought I was in for just a weird ride through time travel. What I got instead was depth and heart and a book that really made me think. Every encounter was great, but I was particularly enamored with the story about the dog Apollo. I loved it but it devastated me at the same time.

Toshikazu Kawaguchi's "Before We Say Goodbye" is a beautifully poignant novel that delves into the complexities of love, loss, and the preciousness of time. Set in the same enchanting café from his previous works, Kawaguchi invites readers to once again ponder the "what-ifs" of life through heartwarming and bittersweet stories. Each tale is filled with emotional depth, offering a profound reflection on human connections and the significance of farewells. Kawaguchi's gentle prose and insightful storytelling create an atmosphere of quiet introspection, making it impossible not to be moved by the characters' journeys

What can I say about “Before We Say Goodbye”, other than it’s the perfect addition to the “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” series. This one is definitely one of my favorites from the four of them.

Here is another title in the series that began with Before the coffee gets cold. Those familiar with the books know what to expect.

For those who are new to the author, it is important to know that a unique cafe is featured. This spot helps select patrons to return to the past so long as they are ready to return within the proscribed time frame. It is critical that the rules are followed.

Four customers want to go back in time. For example, one is a daughter who pushed her father away.

Will these returns bring peace or resolution? Read this short collection to find out.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

I DNF’d this book after about 60% of the way. I just could not get into the style of the writing. I think the story was there for me but I was confused easily.

As brilliant as all of the books in this series. Mesmerizing. Transporting. As someone who truly does not enjoy a series, every one of these books got me.

This was wonderful. I loved this book. It was very interesting and nothing like ever read. This is definitely worth the read and it’s a quick read as well.

Poignant and at times heartbreaking, this beautiful book deals with the way we handle grief and death. Whether it be a family member or a beloved pet, the Cafe allows visitors to travel to the past, albeit for a short amount of time (the length it takes for coffee to go cold) to face their regrets and make peace with their loss. This short book tugs at your heart strings with so much power, so be prepared with those tissues.

Have you ever wanted to travel back in time to try and revisit some person or event in your life? In a quiet back alley in Tokyo, Café Funiculi Funicula allows customers to do just that – take a trip into the past. But strict rules exist: the present will not change, the customer cannot leave the chair that allows the travel, each traveler must return in the time it takes for their coffee to get cold, and more. In Before We Say Goodbye, four new visitors arrive at the café to travel back in time. These moving and thought-provoking stories will have you re-evaluating some of your own encounters and relationships as well as pondering what would you change if you could travel back in time. While this is the fourth installment in this series, each one can be easily read as a standalone since the primary focus is the new customers and their journeys.

This series is getting repetitive. It is written well, but I feel like it's just the same story over and over again.

Like the others in this series: sweet satisfying and healing I loved this book and series. Read if you need to heal

This book was not for me I’ve heard great things about it but it didn’t work for me but I’m happy I tried it. I know many friends that will love this book.

I adore this series! Anytime a new volume comes out I preorder a copy for my home library. The staff and customers of Café Funiculi Funicula continue to break my heart in all the best ways. It was a pleasure to revisit this magical place.

The woman and her dog got me right in the feels.

I need to go back and read the previous three books now.

BEFORE WE SAY GOODBYE is the 4th book in the BEFORE THE COFFEE GETS COLD series. Once again the author follows their formula — 4 stories, the stories stand alone on their own but they do connect into a single linear narrative, each story has a meaning, and there is one primary theme throughout the entire book — regret. The first book in the series is the author’s best, but this latest book is just as poignant. It is a fitting end to the series. Of the 4 stories, “The Proposal” is the best. The author does change their writing style in this book, which does come across as a bit unnerving, but the reader will appreciate why this change is necessary given each story’s content. The author wants the reader to have a better appreciation and understanding for the characters grappling with whether or not to go back in time. A lot of energy is focused on repeating the rules and challenging the rules, which is an interesting change of pace. Ultimately, this is a heartwarming book that devoted readers will enjoy, just as I did. One note — readers will need to read all of the other books in the series for this book to make sense.