Horoscope reading cats? If you can suspend your disbelief long enough to finish this short book, you may find it charming and delightful and full of insight. If like me, you always feel that there is much lost in translation, you may just groan a lot.

Yes, it was a quick read, and yes, there are life lessons to be noted here. But sadly, this little novel about how to live your best life was a bit too "twee for me. And I do like cats.

Due for publication in August 2024 this is a beautiful story about second chances and forgiveness. So often the person we need to forgive is ourselves. If you like cats and astrology this is the perfect tale for you.

I’ve read a number of translated Japanese books and they have a slow peaceful rhythm to them that relaxes one as you read. They also have some deep philosophical questions at their foundations but if that is too much just enjoy the story

"The Full Moon Coffee Shop" is a cozy, comfort read of Japanese fiction that follows several different characters, each going through their own issues and life blocks. This read a bit like an anthology, which each "story" being a character's interaction with the coffee shop and the talking cats, who like to give out some helpful life advice.

I really enjoyed the Astrology elements despite not knowing too much about the topic, so I appreciated the descriptions of what things meant and how star charts work. I also liked how each character's problems weren't all solved with easy, attainable answers, that they had to work for change.

Something that was difficult to get used to was the direct, explanatory style of writing--essentially written entirely as "tell", with very little "show." I attributed this to 1) the story is completely character driven, 2) it's fairly short, and therefore doesn't have words to spare on longer prose, and 3) it is a translated novel, so some things are bound to get lost in the move (jokes, references, grammar, etc). Despite this, Full Moon is still a cute, quick bite to eat (with some real delicious coffee and dessert descriptions to match) that is the perfect mood-lifter. I might have to reread it with some tea and cake.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I was invited to read this book by the publisher. I was glad they reached out to me as I really fell in love with this unique premise. A coffee shop that seems to wander and is run by talking cats? Yes, please! I would love to arrive at coffee shop, place in my path just for me, and have some cats tell me where I went wrong and then give me some advice. Maybe a storyline that has been done before, but too unique with the feline element. An enjoyable read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As soon as I read the synopsis for The Full Moon Coffee Shop, I had to request an ARC! Over the last few years, I have really enjoyed reading Japanese translated novels, as so many of them have had deep, meaningful themes.

Unfortunately, this one didn’t hit the same way. Nothing against the author or the book itself, I just don’t think I was the intended audience. I’m not big into astrology, so I found myself skimming or glazing over too much of the dialogue and pages. I loved the talking cats and the setting, but I think I was just expecting something different. While this book might not have been for me, I know that there will be a lot of people who will enjoy this!

I really enjoyed this sweet story about a magical coffee shop and the lives it touches. I have read a fair bit of translated Japanese fiction, many involving cats, and thought this new book by Mai Mochizuki was a great addition to the genre. The Full Moon Coffee Shop made me think of the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series and combines the stories of several people who are stuck in their lives with the magic of the very special Full Moon Coffee Shop and it’s wise feline staff.

Through the story we hear the stories of the different characters, the struggles they are facing and the advice they are given to make a positive change in their life. I enjoyed the underlying theme of music and the tasty desserts along with the magical element. I thought much of the advice was very clever and something to remember in my own life. The only thing that didn’t work as well for me were the long astrology descriptions.

I recommend this to anyone looking for a sweet, quick and cozy story with a little magic and some very helpful cats. I liked the way the stories ended up intertwining and thought that was well done.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for the digital ARC to review.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine for this advanced reader's copy. This book was absolutely adorable! The Full Moon Coffee Shop only appears at random, and it's run by CATS!! These are not ordinary cats, though. These cats serve coffee and cakes. All the customers who find the Full Moon Coffee Shop are in need of guidance. While customers have their coffee and cakes, the cats help them navigate through difficult paths in their lives. The cats consult star charts and help each customer find where they went wrong in their life and give their cat wisdom to help them when they return to their everyday life. Each customer is then led back into their real life to make changes to improve their life. This book was a fast and quite enjoyable read and I look forward to the next in the series to see what more the cats are up to.

Not really my cup of tea (haha get it? Because it’s about a coffee shop?) but really…. I didn’t enjoy this one. The premise is awesome and even the writing is beautiful but I just wasn’t vibing with the story. I do recommend trying for yourself if the synopsis sounds up your alley!

Cute and imaginative, THE FULL MOON COFFEE SHOP tells a magical story of cats giving second chances to the people who deserve them most.

In typical Japanese fashion, we have a beautiful story about humans being humans. This was really poignant and it touched my soul!

So this book sounds exactly like my cup of tea, but it wasn’t exactly. I was expecting more whimsy and less angst.

Knowing it is translated from the Japanese, the extremely detailed food descriptions make sense (they sound gorgeous).
But the extensive dissertations on various points of astrology bogged things down a bit.

Also, in the 3rd section of the book the narrative switches from something happening to the characters (or did it...?) to something the characters dreamed about (or did they...?) which knocked the magical feel down another notch.

It's a short book, and has a happyish ending, so I still recommend it. Especially if you are a fan of astrology.

What a delight! This is a cozy, heartwarming, and hopeful novella. Four people each facing their own dilemma happen upon a magical cafe. In this cafe, they don’t ask for your order, they know exactly what you need. Recommended to anyone looking for a quick, quirky, and sweet read.

Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

I recently this arc from Netgalley and Random House Publishing in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Well, that was a fun bite sized treat. It’s only a little over two hundred pages so I ate this up pretty fast and enjoyed every bit, much like the customers at the full moon coffee shop. This is 100% character driven, which I usually steer clear from. But this short novel focuses on a different character in each of the three big sections and they all tie together. There is a lot about astrology in here, which I knew ZERO about, and they did an excellent job of walking the reader through the idea of using astrology to improve the lifestyle of each character.

This book probably won’t be for everyone and you need to pick this up when you just want to escape quietly into someone else’s life for a short bit. This book has given me that beautiful warm hug feeling.

This was a cute and rather charming story. I enjoyed the cat theme but the astrology portions were a bit too much for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This gave me anime vibes. Loved the cozy feel and just thoroughly enjoyed the reading experience. Super cute and would definitely recommend if this is what you like

What a charming little book. Short and sweet, this delightful story is heartwarming and uplifting. Multiple characters are going through something, and a visit to the Full Moon Coffee Shop helps them figure out how to get through it and move on towards something better in their life. In the end, you find out how all of these people are connected, and it’s a sweet and lovely connection.

I found this magical and cozy book to be very entertaining, fun and easy to read. The messages given with each story are something to take to heart and apply to your own life.

If you’re looking for a feel good, short and sweet story, this is the book for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Delightful novella set in Japan and in a cafe run by cats! The separate stories come together quickly and weave into a beautifully surprising tale of reward and redemption. Definitely a worthwhile read for reflection and discovery of how past deeds create dreams-come-true.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine for the opportunity to read this ARC.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki is a charming and delightful read; I found myself more and more wanting to look for this coffee shop at the next full moon.

I do not follow astrology, so I didn’t follow everything that the cats were explaining to the MCs, but that didn’t take away from the delightful experience of a visit to the Full Moon Coffee Shop. I loved how each of the characters stories were entwined with each other and finding out how they were all connected was so satisfying. I really wish this were a longer read because it was such a pleasant escape to sink into.

I’d like to thank Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In "The Full Moon Coffee Shop," Mai Mochizuki takes readers on a whimsical journey reminiscent of beloved series like "Before the Coffee Gets Cold" and "What You are Looking for is in the Library".

This story is set mostly in the cozy ambiance of a Japanese café where magical realism thrives and felines speak the language of the stars. Mochizuki created a delightful fusion of café culture, astrology, and personal growth.

The narrative revolves around people whose lives intertwine through chance encounters. Here in the full moon coffee shop, under the guidance of enigmatic talking cats and the mystique of horoscopes and zodiacs, the story's protaganists embark on a journey of self-discovery. What sets this tale apart is its refusal to offer magical quick-fixes; instead, characters find empowerment and enlightenment through their own insights, that lead to genuine personal transformation.

"The Full Moon Coffee Shop" is a charming and relaxing read that celebrates the joys of friendship, self-awareness, and the simple pleasures found in a cup of coffee and the company of talking cats. Fans of magical realism and feel-good narratives will find themselves enchanted by this tale. Mochizuki has created a story that not only entertains but also inspires reflection on the power of understanding oneself. This is a must-read for anyone seeking a cozy low-stakes escape into a world of magic and astrology.

Disclosure: I received a digital review copy of "The Full Moon Coffee Shop" from NetGalley and Random House Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop weaves together three initially seeming disparate stories. Mizuki is a script writer for story lines for secondary characters in a dating game, instead of the main hero. Akari is working in television and Satsuki, an actress fired from a show for having an affair with a married star. Takashi is a cofounder of a small IT start up in Osaka, M Y Systems and Megumi is a hair dresser in nearby Fushimi.

This book gives cat cafe a whole new meaning. I enjoyed the storyline and how the cafe decided what to serve each guest. Ultimately, the story started strong but lost me in all the astrology. If you love astrology or are interested in it, I think you will enjoy this book

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an ARC on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.