Mai Mochizuki has written a charming story full of magic. Written from the point of view of numerous characters who share a common past, the book shows you how the planets may influence your life and how chances may need to be taken. It’s never too late to make a happy ending.

It was a throughly enjoyable read. I loved the concept and how the story wrapped up at the end. I would be happy to read more books written by the author.

The reason for my lower rating was only because I got distracted by what felt like astrology lessons instead of staying involved in the flow of the story.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

An adorable book set in Kyoto, with an intricately woven cast of characters. The staff of the Full Moon Coffee Shop are a lovely, mixed up bunch, and the realizations that they help their customer come to is so well done. A real page turner!

Cats, astrology, and magical realism - 3 things that I absolutely adore.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop was a beautiful read, albeit a bit too prose-y for me (hence the rating). Set inside of a mysterious pop-up cafe, we follow several characters as they navigate life and all thats comes with it.

This short novel is a great read for someone looking for something light hearted that ties up nicely at the end. Also you MUST enjoy astrology as that is an imperative part of the book and I cannot imagine someone who dislikes it would be able to enjoy this.

What beautiful and sweet story.

I adored it. Magical and whimsical. I love when books truly transport you as this one did.

Thank you Netgalley for the early copy.

This was a quirky book full of magical realism. Told from the perspectives of several characters, that all experience the coffee shop run by cats! They each get the help and advice they are needing.

Translated from the Japanese bestseller, inspired by the myth of cats returning favors to those who care for them, this novel reminds us that it’s never too late to follow our stars. In Japan cats are a symbol of good luck and if you’re kind to them, they’ll return the favor one day. As THIS story goes, if you’re kind to the RIGHT cat, you might find yourself invited to a mysterious coffee shop in the mystical streets of Kyoto, under a glittering full moon. Unlike other cafés, The Full Moon Coffee Shop has no fixed location, no set hours, and only appears to people truly in need of a break from it all. It’s also run by three foot tall talking cats, each representing parts of astrology. The talking cat “thing” is where the book loses me only slightly. I would’ve accepted the cosmic communication much easier had it been telepathy. With each chapter, we follow four timelines which intertwine sweetly. As the characters’ paths intertwine, the reader is reminded of the interconnectedness of all lives, and the idea that even the most unexpected encounters can lead to profound transformations.

As a person who follows horoscopes and astrology, chapters titled An Aquarius Trifle, Lunar Chocolate Fondant, and A Retrograde Reunion held my attention. Not a fan of Mercury Retrograde season, I prefer to self isolate and avoid people because miscommunication/failed communication runs heavy, and electronics go awry from cell phones (dropped calls, texts not going through) to microwaves suddenly stop working, to cars (car trouble)… I’m a stubborn, impatient Capricorn. I don’t have time for any of that. I was particularly intrigued by A Retrograde Reunion and how things would work out in the end, considering it’s one thing after another, despite everything the character does to stay on top of things, he can’t seem to get ahead. (I felt for that guy because he’s me. And like him, often times feeling so defeated, I accept the situation and my lack of control over it and recognize that the thing I can control is me, so I avert my focus to remaining calm, patient, exude peace, and just let it be. My most prominent profound transformation.) Atmospheric, cozy, and uplifting,The Full Moon Coffee Shop is a celebration of the serendipitous moments that lead us to where we need to be. It’s a gentle reminder that it’s never too late to rediscover our purpose, and that sometimes, the most unlikely guides can lead us to the most remarkable revelations. While customers at this unique haven partake in custom orders of cakes, the finest coffees, and the most fragrant teas made specially for them, they also receive a generous helping of life-altering wisdom as the cats consult their star charts, offer cryptic wisdom, and some external perspective on their lives, letting them know where their lives have veered off course. It’s the feline guides intention to set them back on their fated paths.

New to the Japanese cozy fiction genre, I appreciate that this was translated into English as I’ve yet to read anything like it. If you like reflective books with a dash of realsim, this one will amuse! An effortless blend of whimsy with profound life lessons, what makes this book special is its ability to combine the magical with the mundane in a way that feels both uplifting, thought-provoking, and personal to the reader. Sage advice from already seemingly intuitive creatures, these cats are more than just charming companions - they serve as mirrors reflecting the characters’ deepest fears and desires. Strongly recommend if you like getting into character studies and intertwined lives. This story is perfect for the changing of the seasons. For those in need of a little magic, this book offers a comforting escape, ethereal and dreamy, different, like Matt Haig’s “The Midnight Library” but not quite. I liked the café and its concept. Thanking NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the #ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Full Moon Coffee shop is a short, charming read. If you loved the "Before the Coffee Gets Cold" books, you will like this, there is a similar focus on magical realism, that I will not spoil, but the best thing about this book is the feelings it evokes, from the food, drinks and music, to the people struggling with their own problems that can be solved by the stars. I would love to be served coffee by such a charming and helpful group of cats!

Being owned and loved by several cats, I knew I had to read this novel. Unfortunately, I found the book disappointing. I enjoy books where mystical happenings occur but to me, this one felt like reading a fairy tale. I gave up on it. Thanks to the author Mai Mochizuki, Random House/Ballantine, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This one was on me. I read coffee shop and cats and Japan and didn't read the entire synopsis, it seems. I love fantasy but I'm not big on mass amounts of astrology in a book and this one had it in spades. I can see how if someone enjoyed reading more about those things, they would love this particular novel! So if you love coffee shops and cats and Japan AND astrology, this book is definitely for you!

This is a cozy little book made up of several interconnected stories: a 40-something scriptwriter, a TV producer, an actress, a hairdresser, and a tech entrepreneur are all invited to eat at the Full Moon Coffee Shop where they get a little astrological therapy. I think I'd have liked the book just a little more if the astrology hadn't been such a big part of the narrative (characters' star charts are analyzed on-page). The everyday stories and the final reveal of how they are all connected were quite fun! All in all, I enjoyed my time at the Full Moon Coffee Shop even if I didn't get my stars read.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

I think the description of the novel doesn't necessarily prepare the reader for the journey. Knowing it's magical realism helps, and the premise sounds great, but the cats end up being more cartoon-esque than what would fit the expectations. I think cat lovers will enjoy this, but I didn't as much as I expected.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki is an enchanting escape into a world where magic and everyday life blend seamlessly. This delightful novel is like a warm, cozy hug wrapped in a sprinkle of fantasy. Mochizuki’s portrayal of a coffee shop run by talking cats is both whimsical and heartwarming, creating a space where lost souls find their way with a touch of feline wisdom. Each character’s journey through the magical café feels like a personal, transformative experience, making you wish for a seat at this celestial café yourself. The novel’s gentle charm and sparkling prose invite you to savor each page like a perfect cup of coffee, with a sprinkle of stardust and a dash of hope. If you’re a fan of books that combine magical realism with heartwarming storytelling, this one is a must-read.

Weird and Whimsical, The pages The Full Moon Coffee shop were an absolute delight to get lost inside.

Felling a little lost? In the world readers are introduced to, there's a solution and that is a cafe in Kyoto run by talking cats! They will look into your star charts while you nibble and sip on a magical treats. Readers are introduced to a handful of patrons and get small but impactful glimpse into their lives.

While I don't think this will work for everyone, I do think readers who love evocative atmosphere and slow thoughtful tales will fall in love with this cozy offering.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this title. A book about magical cats that also talk and simply being nice to them grants you luck in life? A DREAM.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC! This book stood out to me due to many different themes - the cats, the magical realism and the astrological aspect. It was so interesting and I cannot wait to read more books like this.

Cute, whimsical cozy fantasy!

I received this ARC through Random House Publishing Group via NetGalley, for which I am very grateful.

This is a very short read and follows several characters through loosely connected storylines as they navigate their personal struggles with the help of magical cats and their cafe. From vivid imagery of food to the mysterious and comfy vibes surrounding the cafe and the cats, the translator has done an amazing job of taking a Japanese novel and communicating its aesthetic to a western audience. I hadn't necessarily expected astrology to factor so heavily into the plot, so I think folks who enjoy witchy readings may want to check this one out as it hits similar notes.

Overall, it's a fairly diverse group of adults (by age range, by profession, by career progress) navigating mature issues with a whimsical spin that maintains fairly low plot stakes. I'm looking forward to future installments!

The Full Moon Coffee Shop was not what I expected. It doesn't really read like a novel. To me, it kind of felt like those opening vignettes that sometimes appear in textbook chapter openers. This book focused heavily on the zodiac, which I happen to be interested in, but it was oddly instructional for a novel. The storyline felt secondary to the details about horoscopes and how to read one's natal chart. I didn't dislike this book, but it's just not what I expected from a novel. If you're interested in interpreting horoscopes with "real" examples, you might like this!

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group (Ballantine), for the eARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This was a very cozy and heartwarming read, perfect for lovers of cats. There was more astrology than I expected so your enjoyment of the book may depend on how interested you are in astrology. I would say this had very similar vibes to the 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold' series, so if you enjoyed that series, check out The Full Moon Coffee Shop.

This is a short [but very full] book about a group of people [all tied together in a very unique way] who are struggling with life and how a magical coffee shop [which itself is more than it appears to be], that only appears during the full moon, and is run by CATS that talk [not going to lie, that would have totally freak me out initially] shows them where they may be going astray or needing adjustment [that pesky Mercury in retrograde amirite?] and how to look at their lives differently and in the end, how it changes everything for them all.

Filled with magical realism [I mean, the talking cats kind of proves that right?], astrology, some amazing sounding drinks and desserts, friendships, love, and caring [and how one simple act can change your trajectory in life] and was really just a lovely feel-good read that I recommend to anyone who needs to be uplifted, encouraged, or someone who just needs a lovely, quiet, book. It was just what I needed to end my crazy month and I am so glad that I saved it until then.

Thank you to NetGalley, Mai Mochizuki, Jesse Kirkwood - Translator, and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine/Ballentine Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review

This book ended up not being exactly what I thought I was getting. I liked how the characters’ stories ended up tied together, but it felt like nothing really happened and the cozy cat cafe ambience I was expecting wasn’t really what was in the book.