Thank you NetGalley and Ballentine books for reaching out to offer me this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review. I don’t know that I would have pulled this book out of a larger list on my own but receiving the invite I was intrigued. It was a quick read but I just think the style/content wasn’t for me. I have realized that translations stylistically do not always “translate” for me and I have a feeling this was beautifully received in its original language. I think culturally I don’t understand the characters so it was hard for me to relate to them at all. The book would probably resonate more with a reader who knows about astrology or has more interest in it. I’m also not really a cat person so talking cats.. meh. I like that all the characters were intertwined and the connections revealed through each of their experiences with the cafe but that and the simple morals (don’t be too hard on yourself, surround yourself with things that bring joy if you want to feel joy etc) were the only things I really enjoyed.

3.5
We love a magic kitty coffee shop. So basically, a magic coffee shop truck shows up during the full moon, only to those in need (e.g. going thru a crisis) and the "baristas" provide knowledge based on astrological theory and overall reassurance that they are exactly where they are supposed to be and tips to assist them in manifesting their true self.
I really enjoyed the parallels between the celestial "phases" and Erik Erikson's Developmental theory.
While I could also appreciate the astrological knowledge, I thought it got repetitive toward the end. It would've been stronger if the main 2-3 characters were expanded upon rather than bringer others in.
I did find some of the "lessons" and fable-like quality of the story enjoyable and found some parts to be even therapeutic but the redundancy of the astrological info dumps made it drag.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my eARC.

A café that mysteriously appears on full moons and is run by talking cats helps those who find their way to it explore their destiny and selves in The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki and translated by Jess Kirkwood.
A screenwriter who finds her career in a lull and writing for video games under a pseudonym while waiting for her next success, a movie director whose love life has been stuck and a tad scandalous, a website designer whose sites seem to keep going awry, and a hairstylist who is hopeful of forging a new path of her own all have a connection to one another in some way and find themselves either visited by wise cats or visiting the cats as they work at a mysterious café that appears under a full moon, where they each have an experience that helps guide them forward on their directions in life having gained a deeper understanding of themselves.
Presenting narratives of four people’s lives, which are conveniently interconnected to more cohesively tie together the three vignettes depicted, a surreal experience of self-exploration is offered through the randomly appearing café run by talking cats who provide an opportunity for learning for those who are open to it and at a turning point in their lives. Astrology was a heavy focus and discussion point within the conversations carried in the vignettes, which while not everyone’s cup of tea (ha!) was entertainingly incorporated, especially through the characters of the cats, who through the wonder of magical realism were occasionally human sized and walking on two legs – a jarring image to reconcile with that of a standard-sized cuddly cat. The stories are quick to read and can be easily consumed in one go or parsed out over a longer time, but either way they are a thought-provoking way to refresh the palate, both with the ideas and menu items described.
Overall, I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Yes, well even though I'm not entirely sure what to make of this, it's the stories of the people who come to the cat cafe that make this an interesting read. The premise that cats representing the ruling planets (I'm not sure I've got this right) can read a person's star chart and find a point in their lives that will enhance their present is intriguing but let's fact it, pretty preposterous. That said, this isn't really about those cats but about how we all have good within us. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Over to other.s.

Thank you to netgalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC! I’m a little conflicted on how I feel about this book. I like the individual stories and their interconnecting storylines. But I think the book ends up falling flat when it starts to describe astrology and natal charts in detail. I think the biggest takeaway of needing to know yourself to make your own way in life is something that everyone can benefit from. Overall, the book was good but I think it falls a little flat for me from being great or a book that I would want to re-read over and over again.

I found The Full Moon Coffee Shop to be a delightfully cozy read with magical realism. I appreciated what a short quick read it is as I was able to read it start to finish in one sitting. I enjoyed how it focused on multiple people whose lives were intertwined and how it tied in astrology to the characters’ lives. This is a low stakes read that focuses on character development to further the story, which I felt was incredibly well done. I also really enjoyed the personality injected into each of the different cats who ran the coffee shop. Overall, this is a short, simple yet thought provoking story that was well worth the read.

Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC. Unfortunately this did not meet my expectations from what I gathered from the synopsis. I liked the individual stories of each character until they got to the cafe. Once they meet the cats it’s like the story came to a screeching halt. And then we’d do it all over again for the next character. Just not what I was hoping this was going to be.

I love the idea of a coffee shop run by talking cats, especially one that appears when a person needs a bit of direction in their lives. It also felt delightfully Dickensian, the way that the stories of the five main characters were interwoven.
What I did not care for was the role that astrology played in the story. The cats read each person’s sky chart and offered suggestions based on the presence or absence of a planet in a particular house. It also felt a bit preachy when the cats were urging each person to take stock of their lives, and change something in order to move forward.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop is suitable for one who like/have interest to cat and astrology, beside Japanese Lit.

This book is about solving current challenge of the characters. Where the full moon coffee shop emerges to help them solve it by tell them their stars readings and advices. The readings and advices given by the master of the coffee shop is one make this book philosophical and I'm quite like it. Even tho, I'm not into star reading or astrology or horoscope.

This book is easy and enjoy to read. Not overwhelming because the writer packs the messages through conversation between the characters. So, it feels like the read just listening to their convos.

This book is also not complicated tho there are several characters who link to each other in past and present. I like how the writer connect the puzzle of stories in the end of the book seamlessly.

This book makes me even more excited to visit Japan next year! Talking of Kyoto, Osaka, and Toyko, all the places I will be visiting! I knew when I read the description I just had to read it. I love cats and the idea of them giving advice and serving planetary treats was too good to pass up! The story line is very "6 Degrees of Separation" in that each story and person are tied together. Four people that are connected from the past find themselves reconnecting in the present. Each of them are currently struggling with something in their lives and the cats appear with their Full Moon Coffee Shop and divine treats to help steer them in the right direction based on their star charts.

The concept of this story is super cute, but it didn't quite hit like I hoped it would. The story isn't terrible it just wasn't quite what I expected, although it is exactly what it claims to be! I'm not super into star charts and astrology, but I do find it interesting. I think I just mostly felt lost because they went super in depth with each reading. I do think it's neat how there is an illustration for each star chart, and they do a great job of explaining it. It just didn't give me the feeling I was looking for. Thankfully it's a quick read but that also didn't allow me time to connect with any of the characters. All in all, it makes a really good short story.

Thank you NetGalley and Mai Mochizuki for providing me with a copy of this book to review!

This was not what I was expecting, but l liked it...
The Full Moon Coffee Shop follows a different character in each chapter, all of them going through a difficult moment in their lives, and the way this book resorts to helping them is through astrology. It is generally based on the myth that if you're kind to cats, they'll one day return the favour, and they do it in a very unique way in this novel. Each character in one way or another finds themselves in a sort of pop-up café run by talking cats (bear with me). Each cat represents one of the governing planets that influence your horoscope, like Pluto, Venus, and so on. They explain to each character how their natal chart influences how they are as people, and how they behave and respond to others. This knowledge can help them learn more about themselves and try to figure out a way out of the uncomfortable situation they're in at the moment.
This Japanese novel is part of the "healing fiction" sub-genre that's been trending nowadays, which I love, but, even though I liked the book, it wasn't my favourite out of the bunch. The talking cats were a bit too much for me, but I loved the descriptions of the food and drinks they served each character. It all sounded delicious! I also quite liked the connection between the characters (which you only find out towards the end of the novel).
All in all, this was a quick and cosy read, so if you're looking for that kind of vibe and you love cats, this might be the book for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for an ARC of this book.

This was a sweet, cozy tale about a mystical coffee shop run by cats. It sort of centered around astrology and the choices you make in life and where they lead you and about how it’s never too late to change the direction of your life.
I saw this book was translated from Japanese and the premise looks new and interesting so I thought I’d give it a shot. Ultimately, it’s not quite the type of book I prefer to read so I did get a little bored of the astrology and reflective parts of the story. I’m sure that you’d certainly enjoy it if you’re into that. It was definitely unlike anything I’ve ever read before, so that part was refreshing.

I had a feeling I was going to like this one based on the premise alone, but I was pleasantly surprised by just how much I enjoyed this short, cozy read! The Full Moon Coffee Shop had such a warm and cozy feel to it and I found that it was the *perfect* book to read either before bed or with a morning cup of coffee.

Vibes:
-cats! so many cats!!
-TALKING cats
-coffee shop
-magical realism
-reconnecting with old friends
-astrology

If any of these appeal to you, I think you'll really enjoy this book. From what I can tell, this is the first English translation released from a Japanese 5-book series. I really look forward to reading the rest of the books in the future!

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

This cozy fantasy is a quick read that packs in myth, astrology, talking cats, and a coffee shop with delectable drinks and desserts. Based on the myth that cats are good luck and kindness to cats will be repaid, this tale reveals connections between coffee shop visitors that are less random than they initially seem. With life advice sprinkled throughout, this charming read is a feel-good delight.

In the enchanting setting of Kyoto, where myths and reality intertwine, "Full Moon Coffee Shop" offers a whimsical and captivating tale of fate and feline magic. According to Japanese lore, kindness to cats can lead to unexpected rewards, and in this charming narrative, it manifests in the form of a mysterious coffee shop that appears only under the glow of the full moon.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop is unlike any other: it has no fixed location or hours, and it's managed by a group of eloquent, wise cats. Each visitor to the shop—ranging from a struggling screenwriter and a love-struck movie director to a hopeful hairstylist and a tech-challenged web designer—finds their path illuminated by the shop’s feline proprietors. The cats, equipped with star charts and cryptic wisdom, help these lost souls navigate their lives, providing insight into where they might have gone astray.

The story seamlessly blends astrology with magical realism, creating an immersive experience that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking. The way the characters' lives interconnect and how their individual journeys converge under the guidance of the talking cats adds depth and coherence to the plot.

I read "Full Moon Coffee Shop" in one evening, captivated by its enchanting narrative and the unique incorporation of astrology. The book's ability to weave together the characters' stories with a touch of feline mystique makes it a standout read. It’s a delightful exploration of fate, guidance, and the serendipitous nature of life.

A heartwarming and inspiring read about second chances, self-discovery, and hope. The story flows effortlessly, intertwining individual character journeys with themes of finding one's path in life. Despite occasional clunkiness due to translation, the book's life lessons and the delightful, magical element of talking cats offering wisdom and star chart consultations shine through. It's a beautifully crafted tale perfect for those who enjoy magic, astrology, and the comforting presence of cats, providing both entertainment and introspection.

If you like whimsical, reflective books with a dash of magical realism, you will love this book! It's formatted similarly to Before the Coffee Gets Cold. The characters are linked but you don't find out just how until the end of the book. There is a lot of reflection on life and choices along with the impacts of astrology. I don't know a lot about astrology, but the reflections are solid without any background or belief in it. This book made me think about my life, choices, and how to do better with future choices. Also, a coffee shop run by cats sounds like the best coffee shop ever. Strongly recommend if you like getting into character studies and intertwined lives.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop is a different kind of book than I have ever read. It's a Japanese fantasy fiction that has random characters come out to the coffee shop during a full moon. The coffee shop is run by cats so I felt confused through most of the book. You may love it, but it wasn't for me. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mai Mochizuki for an Advanced Reader's Copy of this title!

This was a cute, quick little read that delivered what it promised in its premise - a slice-of-like-esque look at several different young people at crossroads in their lives who are all visited by a traveling coffee shop and offered treats, astrology readings, and advice rom the cats who work there. There is an overarching story that I also think comes together tidily, but to avoid spoilers I won't talk about it here. My one critique of the story would be that I felt like I needed a deeper background in astrology to really appreciate what was being discussed at different points, but there is certainly enough explanation to get the gist of what was being described on a surface level, and as a bonus I now want to read more about star charts so it's not necessarily a big negative for me.

If you are the kind of person who likes mood reads and enjoys a short and sweet story as it is, I think you'll really like this! I could see this book being made as a short film with Ghibli-esque vibes, I hope something like that happens in the future.

this was such a magical read!! i really like cafes and wanted to eat everything that was described. i wasn't expecting the ending, and i think it made the whole story more impactful