Initially, I wasn’t sure what to think about this story. As things progressed I found I really liked it. I liked the magical realism and I liked all the little insights sprinkled throughout the story. I liked the flow of the story and also enjoyed the way things connect in the end. This was a cute short read that others should give a try.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC of The Full Moon Coffee Shop!

This was a relatively cute and easy read! It’s very heavy on astrology which honestly I’ve never been into, and don’t really understand which is why I’m giving 3 stars. I did enjoy the story and thought the concept was sweet.

If you’re very into astrology this is definitely worth a read!

I thought this was a cute book with a unique premise. It was easy to read and quite enjoyable. I have loved most translated fiction I've read recently and this was no exception!

Unique cozy translated fiction. I loved the descriptions of the coffee shop and food. This book had great atmosphere. However, I felt that there was a bit more telling than showing, and the over explanation bogged it down for me. But! It was pretty cute and moved quickly. I'm happy to have had the opportunity to read it!

Translated from Japanese, The Full Moon Coffee Shop is a short but beautiful novel about how connected people are and the past meeting the present. It has a lovely full circle that’s soft and sweet, and peppered with desserts and drinks that sound delicious and magical, and plenty of talking cats. There’s also a great deal of astrology, which often went right over my head, but I liked how it connected to each character. This was a delight to read, and has exactly what I always expect and get in Japanese novels.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop has three chapters. The first two are devoted to two different women who once worked with each other, and who also have a connection to each other only one of them is aware of, though the second chapter also includes a third woman. The third chapter is split between two characters who are also connected to each other and the first two women. Despite each chapter focusing on a different character, the story deftly links them together, exploring their pasts as they were once part of the same group and played a huge role in the life of another person. It skillfully threads their lives, past and present, together, linking them in both times while also offering them a unique way of jumping over the hurdles in their present lives during their special visits to the magical Full Moon Coffee Shop, owned and run by talking cats who read the stars. This is a story that offers a unique way of saying thanks.

There’s something beautiful and soft in every book I’ve read so far that’s been translated from Japanese. These characters are so full of heart and feel so deeply, and it’s always kept so tightly locked up that getting these glimpses into their deep personal and emotional lives always feels like a treat. I love that each chapter focused on a different character or two. It could make the novel feel episodic and the characters’ problems easily solved, but there’s just so much emotional depth that I never minded. Instead, I was more intrigued by how they were all connected and what it would lead them to. I loved finding out just how they happened to know and remember each other, and getting the different sides gave yet another layer of depth.

Then there’s the Full Moon Coffee Shop itself. This place felt like pure celestial magic. Appearing only during full moons, not everyone is invited to just drop by. Each character somehow finds themselves there because they’re a little lost and could use some of the help the cats who run it offer. I loved that cats run the shop, and they’re not shy about it. They’re actually quite forthright, as I always expect cats to be if they could talk. They’re not exactly ones to mince words, and I liked that they just felt so unapologetic. The astrology part wasn’t exactly my favorite. I wasn’t expecting it, and I know next to nothing about it, so I sometimes felt like I was grasping at straws trying to decipher the wheels and what the cats were saying. Fortunately, the characters were able to put it together, and it did become easier to figure out as each chapter played out, but it felt like a massive info dump in the first chapter. The other chapters do a great job of streamlining it and building on what was given before, so it was easier by the end. The cats, though, were an absolute highlight for me, and it was fun getting to know them and their personalities.

I liked the human characters, too. Mizuki is a former star scriptwriter for TV shows who fell into obscurity when her stories were deemed irrelevant. My heart really felt for her, and I really liked that she was a recurring figure throughout the rest of the novel so the reader gets to find out exactly what happened to her after her visit to the Full Moon Coffee Shop. Akari is a former colleague of hers. She reveals an unexpected connection to Mizuki, so feels terrible about some bad news she had to deliver, though she’s also dealing with problems in her romantic life. I liked that her chapter also involved a disgraced actress who visited the coffee shop with her, and it was fantastic to watch her story play out as well. I was a little disappointed Akari wasn’t seen as much, but she’s connected to the last couple of characters, so that was lovely to see. Takashi discovers he has an unexpectedly amazing connection to Megumi, and his story involves a bit of romance that ends up playing a minute yet satisfactory role as he meets Megumi again. I loved diving into each of these characters and where they came from. The reader doesn’t get to spend a lot of time with any of them, but there’s a great deal of depth given to each of them and their emotions, so I came out of it feeling like I absolutely knew them.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop is a lovely novel. It’s a quick read, but offers plenty of food for thought as well as a heartwarming story. I loved seeing how connected the characters were. Their stories did seem like they were resolved rather quickly once they finished visiting the coffee shop, but perhaps they were just ready for a change and that’s why the coffee shop appeared to them, to offer that nudge in the right direction. Aside from all the astrology, I really enjoyed this. It’s sweet and soft, and I absolutely loved all the cats, and that one final connection all the characters had that’s discovered at the end managed to make me misty eyed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you, NetGalley and publishers.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop is a little slice of cozy fantasy blended with magical realism. A series of characters discover both the cafe and a new perspective on life and challenges. Especially recommended for those who loved the Heartbeat Library or Tales From the Morisaki Bookshop.

Cats, tasty beverages, Japanese culture, and magical realism? Yes, please! A cute, short novel in translation, The Full Moon Coffee Shop follows several different characters who are seemingly stuck in their lives who all stumble upon a pop-up coffee shop in which they are served delicious beverages and desserts designed specifically for them by talking cats.

I found the premise absolutely delightful, however the majority of the story focused on astrology and natal charts. I can usually get fully behind magical realism, but the astrology for me personally was a bit too much woo, even though the lessons that the characters learned were universally important. The overabundance of astrology explaining why the characters chose to make the life decisions they did overtook the enjoyment of the journey of the characters themselves. I would have happily enjoyed reading further about their lives after their nightly stop at the Full Moon Coffee Shop.

For those who love astrology, this book is definitely for you. Unfortunately, this one was one that I liked, but ultimately did not fall in love with.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Mai Mochizuki for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this relatively short story. A little quirky but also very endearing. I loved that the talking animals were cats, each with their own unique personality. I also loved that the pop-up coffee shop appeared to 4 people who were interconnected. All were at a crossroad in their life or career. The opportunity to experience the Cafe was actually a gift of thanks from an old man who felt that the characters as children had so enriched his life and had brought a group of homeless cats into his life, that he in turn felt had saved him. Quite a beautiful sentiment.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop is an odd, gorgeous, lovely little book. It's a study of people going through transitional and often difficult times in their lives, and it's also a book about cats who are also manifestations of the planets solving those people's problems through astrology and desserts. It's a quick read and a read that stayed with me.

There are 3 interwoven stories that make up this book, all tied together by a good deed in the past. The different sets of characters grabbed me, although the brevity kept them from being fully fleshed out at times. The first vignette was my favorite, and in my opinion, the strongest. The other two were engaging but felt a little less internally logical. Still, I enjoyed all of them, and especially enjoyed the weird personalities of the planet-cats.

Overall, this is a sweet little read, perfect for astrology- and cat-lovers alike (and anyone who likes a weird book that'll make you smile).

4/5

A cafe that only appears during a full Moon to those that need it. You can't order, the staff will bring something to you.

A story told in three parts of people connected in a way they didn't realize. This book surprised me in the beginning and hooked me. I'm not a big believer of astrology and felt the explanations were a bit long winded. This is a lovely story to pull at your heartstrings.

Have you ever wanted to feel like you were wrapped up in a warm blanket, being tucked in by a grandparent, and being fed warm milk? Reading this book felt like that. The story walks through current day for a group of people who all went to primary school together, and they are all now reconnected by a mysterious cafe run by cats that only appears on the full moon. Life lessons are learned, and some of the prose really makes you think. This was a beautiful story and it is definitely worth picking up!

Cats are a symbol of good luck in Japan and supposedly will return the favor if you're kind to them. If you are kind to the right cat, you get invited to a mysterious coffee shop run by talking cats. Customers at the Full Moon Coffee Shop get the usual cakes, coffees, and teas, but the cats also consult their star charts, offer wisdom, and let them know where their lives veered off course. For a group of customers, there's a very special reason they were invited.

Translated from the Japanese novel, we follow a group of people in three sections of the book, slowly realizing that they're connected to each other. They knew each other a long time ago when Mizuki had been a substitute teacher and had guided her students, several of whom remained in touch as adults. Most had become so driven in their careers and now feel stuck, though they don't know how to fix it. I liked the idea of the cats reaching out, and the idea of reading birth charts to pinpoint what each person needed. It's astrology to outline areas of trouble and what will help, but it's up to the individual to take the steps to correct it. In the end, we realize why these special cats choose to help these particular people, and we see how the advice works out. It's a cozy, heartfelt novel, and a joy to read.

There’s an … idea? Trope? Not sure what the best word is … in Japanese myth that kindness to cats will be repaid. Be kind to cats, give them help, and they will repay that favor at some point in the future. This is the English translation of a Japanese best-seller about that notion.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop isn’t in a fixed location, and it isn’t something just anyone can find. It only appears at the full moon, for starters, and it only appears for the right people to find. There is no menu; one neither orders nor pays. The staff simply presents you with a drink or a dish, and it is invariably exactly what you wanted.

The staff also happens to be cats, that are also planets.

This tells the story of a small group of people, tenuously connected. There’s a television publicist, who has to tell a television star that she has been fired because of a scandal with a married man; there’s the television star herself; there’s a hairstylist who recently quit her job at a successful salon to work in her parents’ salon; there’s an IT worker who is constantly plagued by glitches; there’s a substitute teacher turned scriptwriter who used to be a rising star, and has since suffered failure after failure. The connection between them is that they used to walk to school together: the first four, escorted by the scriptwriter/substitute teacher. They weren’t in the same year, and they weren’t friends. But they were all there.

They are all, to one degree or another, dissatisfied with their lives. The cats, which as I said are also planets, welcome to the Full Moon Coffee Shop, and read their horoscopes. The wisdom they provide from their star charts isn’t prophetical; there’s nothing about all about what will happen to the people in question. Rather, they’re told things about themselves, aspects of their personality they need to embrace or accommodate if they want to live a harmonious life. No easy answers or quick fixes, but things that might, with work and more than a little courage, put their feet on a better path.

There’s not really a *plot* here as such. You get brief introductions into one character, and then they end up at the coffee shop and get feline advice. Then the book switches to the next point of view, which is that of a minor character in the prior character’s story, and the process repeats. We get glimpses of the former characters in the stories of the latter characters, providing at least hints of how they handled the advice they were given.

It’s all very heartwarming. This is the epitome of cozy fantasy, as far as I’m concerned. Low stakes, no physical danger, just people living their lives and hopefully living them a little better. I recommend waiting a few months until the fall sets in, and then reading it outside on a cool day with a warm beverage of your choice.

Interconnected characters visit a pop up coffee shop run by cats who rely on astrology to help the characters get unstuck in their life. It was an interesting story and engaging, but it just sort of ended. It would have been great to have the story continue on.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars)

Review:

The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki is a delightful blend of cozy mystery and heartwarming storytelling. Set in a charming, off-the-beaten-path coffee shop, the novel introduces readers to a unique cast of characters, each with their own quirks and secrets. The author does a wonderful job of creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that feels like a second home, making it easy to get lost in the story.

The mystery at the heart of the book is well-crafted, with just the right amount of twists to keep readers intrigued without overshadowing the character development. I particularly enjoyed the interplay between the regulars at the coffee shop and the subtle, yet meaningful, connections they share. The themes of friendship, community, and second chances are woven beautifully throughout the narrative.

However, there were moments when the pacing felt a bit slow, and a few plot points could have been explored in more depth. Despite this, The Full Moon Coffee Shop offers a cozy and satisfying read that leaves you with a warm, lingering feeling—perfect for fans of gentle mysteries and character-driven stories.

This was a such a fun and fast read. I loved how interconnected all three of the separate stories were and how the different characters’ lives were woven together. I also loved the message behind how being kind to a group of cats turned into this magical cafe run by them finding these people many years later as grown ups and trying to return the kindness. If you love astrology or cats you will love this one as astrology also plays a big role in the plot and how the kindness is paid back to each of the main characters.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and Netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.

I just finished reading "The Full Moon Coffee Shop" by Mai Mochizuki and I'm still reeling from the experience. I have so many sections of this book highlighted to save and reflect on for later. This beautifully written novel has captured a piece of my heart and I know it will stay with me for a long time.

It is a heartwarming tale that centers around the deep connections between people, a bit of astrology, and the enchanting Full Moon Coffee Shop, which only appears under the light of a full moon. It is suggested by mysterious “strangers” to potential patrons who are struggling in their life. Set in a quaint, open-air, and mysterious café, this novel is a soothing escape into a world where time slows down, and the “baristas” at this coffee shop know exactly what you need - no need for menus!

Mochizuki's writing is both lyrical and evocative, painting vivid pictures of the cozy café, the scrumptious desserts, soothing teas, and most of all its eclectic servers. The patrons of the Full Moon Coffee Shop are all seeking answers or searching for something more in their lives in one way or another, as they are drawn into its spellbinding atmosphere. The characters who visit the café each have their own unique stories, from tales of lost love, and career failures, to forgotten dreams - can a cup of tea and Full Moon Pancakes with Astral Syrup really allow you to view your life with a new set of eyes? Or look back on your past not with regrets but as an opportunity to give yourself a second chance?

What makes this book truly special is its gentle exploration of themes like love, loss, and the passage of time through the stars. Mochizuki has a gift for crafting characters that feel real and relatable, each one leaving a lasting impression on the reader. The conversations shared over steaming cups of tea, coffee, and delectable descriptive foods are filled with so much wisdom, warmth, and a touch of melancholy, making the book a comforting companion for anyone who has ever felt lost or in need of a self-transforming boost.

"The Full Moon Coffee Shop" is more than just a novel; it's an experience. Mochizuki invites readers to sit down, savor the moment, and reflect on the beauty of life's fleeting moments, our connections to others (however small and insignificant they may seem to you), and our connection to the universe. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves stories that nourish the soul and warm the heart. I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars!

Thank you #NetGalley, #MaiMochizuki, and #RandomHousePublishingGroup #BallantineBooks for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. #FullMoonCoffeeShop

The overall story is very nice. The talking cats are strange but I think I understand why they are cats and not people. I don’t know much about astrology so the crash course helped but it was still a bit much sometimes in my opinion.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC

Plot:

Cats are considered good luck in Japan. In this short novel, we meet a failed screenwriter who is feeling down about being rejected once again. She finds herself at a coffee shop run by cats, who give her insight and a new understanding of herself through horoscopes. We also meet other characters, whose stories intertwine, who also visit this coffee shop.

Review:

I generally like Asian-translated novels (Dallergut Dream Department store was a five star read for me), and I did like the magical realism in this novel. The writing was digestible and the length was perfect. That said, I felt a bit bogged down by the horoscopes and related discussion. I didn’t feel connected to the characters. And ultimately, I didn’t care much about how the story ended. This unfortunately was not a good fit for me, but it is worth checking out if you love horoscopes and cats.

Not the worst book I’ve read, but not something I would recommend to most, unfortunately.

2.5🌟

I loved this book so much! It was such a fun, cozy, breezy read. The creativity was *astronomical* (lol) and I could see the characters and world so vividly! Thank you NetGalley for this ATC in exchange for an honest review, I can't stop raving about this one!