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!

I wanted to love this one ... it looks like it'd be a super cute, warm, feel-good, cozy story. But it just didn't deliver those feelings for me. It really didn't work for me. I never connected with it and the astrology was too much.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop is a charming novel about a mystical pop-up cafe that only appears during a full moon, and only to those in need. Told in a series of interconnected chapters, this story focuses on several young people who are feeling stuck or adrift in their lives. When they stumble upon the Full Moon Coffee Shop, they find they are finally able to examine their lives after receiving advice from the cafe’s mysterious proprietors (who happen to be talking cats).

I quite enjoyed this, more than I was expecting to. It’s a very mellow sort of read and served as a great palate cleanser for me personally. It’s also short and could be read in one sitting.

I really enjoyed the premise and the focus on self-discovery and second chances, and the descriptions of the cafe, food, and Kyoto were delightful. I didn’t expect this to lean so much on astrology, but it did fit the story and served as a way for the characters to reflect on their lives. I also liked how the stories were connected and how everything came together in the end. It was so sweet and heartwarming, and I hope to see other stories in this series translated!

Thanks to NetGalley and the Random House publishing group - Ballantine for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I wanted to love this book so much more than I did. I love the cozy fantasy genre and as someone who speaks Korean and knowing this book was translated into English from Japanese I wonder if some concepts were lost in translation. I think I expected the cats to be more mystical but they were huge cats with aprons working in a trendy pop up shop and I was like ooo ok hahaha. Overall it was pretty good.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki is a short and humorous tale surrounding a group of students and their teacher who assumed responsibility for a bunch of cats when an old man was taken to the hospital, never to return. It is the cosmos paying for that good deed years later in a strange and unusual way. It is a fun book to read; short and full of astrology and philosophy. I recommend it as a reset for someone who is feeling their life is not moving forward. For a translation, it was entirely readable. Kudos to Jesse Kirkwood for the translation. I enjoyed it.

I was invited to read The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantine #MaiMochizuki #JesseKirkwood #TheFullMoonCoffeShop

In Japan, legend has it that cats are good luck, and if you are kind to them, they will repay your kindness. Mochizuki has some fun with this legend in the lighthearted tale, The Full Moon Coffee Shop. Rest assured that this cafe is not your typical corner coffee shop. For one, it materializes at unexpected times and places. Two, it is run by talking cats with sophisticated tastes, and who know exactly what you need. We meet a few characters who are at a crossroads in their lives; failing careers, messy romances and plain bad luck. But have no fear! The merry and wise band of cats of The Full Moon Coffee Shop know it is a challenging time, and are there to nourish the spirit, read astral charts, dole out advise and help these lost souls correct course.

I enjoyed this charming tale about reconnecting with old friends, second chances and reaching for the stars. I was particularly enchanted by the magical concoctions served up by our feline friends, and would be happy to be served an Aquarius Trifle, a Planetary Affogato made with Venus Ice Cream, or a Lunar Chocolate Fondant. If you are looking for a magical treat featuring some very clever cats who listen to Beethoven, reach for The Full Moon Coffee Shop.


Many thanks to the author Mai Mochizuk, Ballantine Books/ @RandomHouse and @NetGalley for the pleasure of reading this digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

🌕Set in Japan, the story is about a group of people who are connected to each other through various life experiences and how they one day discover a mysterious and magical coffee shop. They all are going through some challenge in their lives as well.

The specialty of this coffee shop is that it only appears on a full moon and the drinks and desserts are chosen for you by cats. These cats are no ordinary cats but they are talking cats who give you advice by analyzing your star chart. The food and drinks they serve you, are also connected to what you are experiencing in your life now.

This book was beautifully written! The description of the coffee shop drinks and food made me crave for them. Absolutely loved how astrology was woven into the story and how the cats are actually the planets giving life insights to the customers. The cat who is Saturn is so adorable and was my favorite. The premise was so unique and I really wished it was real.

How the characters connected and how a good deed they did together in the past being the reason why they find the coffee shop were well written. A warm and cozy read that’s perfect for your fall reading list. Really looking forward to more stories about this coffee shop. The cats reminded me a lot of my late girl Cathy cause she’d give perfect life advice. The smartest cat I ever knew 🥹.

You’d love this book if you love,
Cats
Warm and cozy vibes
Magical realism
Coffee and desserts
Self discovery

Thank you Random House for my ARC. All thoughts are my own.

English translation of a Japanese novel. It was a bit quirky but that made it more interesting to me because I had to see how the stories ended. Thanks to #Netgalley and #TheFullMoinCoffeeShop for advanced digital copy.