Thank you to the publishers for an early copy of this book in exchange for a review 😊 I really enjoyed this book (and it was a fast read!). A cozy little Japanese series and I loved. each of these 4 stories! The different reasons these characters had for going back in time was intriguing to me.This was really emotional and contemplative.. it really makes you think about love, regrets, friendships, relationships… so many things! whenever I finish one of these books I’m always asking myself where I would go if I could turn back time? 🥹 huge thank you again to the publisher for sending me a signed early copy of this! 😭

Another feel-good, moving, cozy fantasy story set in the Before the coffee gets cold universe. This new series of interconnected stories has both some new and familiar characters and touches on more instances of second chances, family connections, opportunities for forgiveness and more. Great on audio and perfect for anyone who has been enjoying this series so far. It can definitely be read as a standalone though for anyone new to the magical Japanese cafe that can transport people back in time. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

I first discovered Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s Before the Coffee Gets Cold series a few years ago during a difficult time in my life. I was lost and searching for something to hold on to; to find connection in a world that seemed more disconnected than ever. Reading about this small, unassuming café in a back alley in Tokyo, which contains the power to reach beyond our timeline and heal, brought me a great sense of peace; in turn, it helped me to process my own grief. Ever since it’s been my go-to recommendation to others when they want a deeply touching emotional journey. And joining the bookshelf in my heart reserved for this series is Before We Forget Kindness.

For those unfamiliar with the café at the center of the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, it goes a little something like this: Customers can travel to a time of their choosing, so long as they follow a strict set of rules, that begin when they are served a particular cup of coffee. They must sit in a specific seat—waiting for the ghost occupying it to vacate her spot (which she does once a day). They cannot leave that seat until their trip is over, and they can only meet with other customers who have visited the café. They also must return to the present before the coffee gets cold, giving them just a short amount of time to share their feelings. But perhaps the most important rule is that nothing they say or do will change the present.

With such a long and complicated list of rules, customers who were hoping to change the past give up and leave. But a few come to terms with the fact that they cannot change the past, or the future, and simply wish to visit loved ones—for a variety of personal reasons. And there are the café’s staff and regulars who help make that happen. This series tells their stories.

The latest novel, Before We Forget Kindness, contains four chapters. The first is about a son who wishes to visit his parents back when they were together; the second, a widow who wants her husband to meet their child; the third, a father and daughter wishing to resolve their disagreement about her elopement; the fourth, two friends with painful questions about their love for each other.

Stepping back into the Funiculi Funicula café feels like being welcomed home. By this point in the series, the staff and regulars feel like family; to new readers, they may seem quirky and at times standoffish but, with the layers Kawaguchi has built over the years, their simple acknowledgment of the rules provides a steady comfort to those going through the time travel process.

While the series often explores whether the process of traveling through time to visit loved ones benefits the visitor, Before We Forget Kindness highlights most of all how those visitors decide whether or not it benefits the person they want to visit. Will traveling back to the past bring them any pain? What is the real reason for going to the past or future? Does the reward outweigh the risk?

It’s easy to sink into the pages of each story, becoming attached to the new customers and holding their hand as they go through the emotional upheaval of visiting another time. Every chapter is carefully designed to pull gently on heartstrings, mixing melancholy and regret with hope and love. It beautifully illustrates the complexities of the human condition; how we must walk the line between what’s best for ourselves and those we love.

You’ll feel the ache of lost futures and the finality of being unable to change the outcome of fate. The writing is simple but heartbreakingly poignant, always wrapping up the revelations in new layers of life lessons. It’s as if Kawaguchi is pouring parts of his heart into the characters. Each story tackles a different form of regret or yearning, showing how even simple choices can have complicated outcomes. Through the different visitors, the novel explores new aspects of the café’s rules, testing their limits to add new twists and surprises.

Before We Forget Kindness is a moving addition to the Funiculi Funicula café universe, keeping your heart warm with tales of love persevering through time, even when it’s bittersweet. It’s ultimately comforting, wiping away your tears with profound observations that cut to the heart of each matter. Once again, this healing series sends you on your way with a wistful smile that stays with you long after the café closes for the night.

This is the third novel I've read recently, that has been translated from a popular Asian author. They’ve been very interesting but quite different from anything I've read. All three, including this one, have a mystical premise and some deep things to think about.

In Before We Forget Kindness, the magical premise concerns a cafe where one can go and, under the right conditions, briefly visit the past, but only for ten minutes. And there are strict rules. You must sit in a certain chair. You must drink the special cup of coffee you are served. You must finish the coffee before it gets cold. Finally, you are not able to change anything about the past that you visit.

For me (I am quite sure this is the author’s intent), what is captivating is not the idea of a magical cafe but rather the stories of the people who want to visit the past. What would motivate them if they can change nothing?

The first story is that of a seven year old boy who simply wants not to cry when he learns his parents are separating. He learns that they will be happier, and thus he will be happier, but he finds he cries anyway.

This is the fifth in a series of books all set in his same cafe. Those who travel to the past for ten minutes can't change anything that happened. But they can change themselves. They can learn to cope in more positive ways. They can make amends with the living and ask forgiveness of the dead. Those who have read the earlier tales will love this volume, but it isn't necessary to have read the others to enjoy it.

Another five star read from Toshikazu Kawaguchi! The entire "Before the COffee Gets Cold" series holds a special place in my heart, but "Before We Forget Kindness" rose to my absolute favorite barely after the first customer's story finished. I laughed, I cried, I felt hopeful. This series always has a way of being thought-provoking and heartwarming at the same time. I hope there are many more to come, I can't recommend this one enough. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC opportunity! It made my day to revisit some of my favorite fictional friends.

I have only read the first book but I knew the premise and the kind of emotional stories that are told. So many hit close to home and this book was no different. As a parent myself, I saw so much pain and healing in the words of the pages in these stories. A kid who feels responsible for changing how he reacted for his parents' sake, the parent who wished they had acted differently to have a better relationship with their child, the spouse who lost their partner too soon, and a woman overcome by jealousy of her now estranged best friend... so many relationships in life to reflect on and care for. I will say there was quite a bit of repetition of the cafe rules, which I know they need to tell each person, but when they say it for each story, it gets very repetitive... Otherwise, loved these touching tales!

The fifth in the series, this short read is a collection of short stories of people who take advantage of the Funiculi Funiculi cafe, and being able to go to some point in the past during the brief window in which it takes a cup of coffee to get cold. I read this because it was listed in B&N best books of 2024, although I hadn't read or heard of the other 4 books. There are 4 stories, all very heartwarming, the first being my favorite. The first was about a young boy whose parents were divorced and doing well. Both of them much happier and better parents. Going back will not change their divorce, but he wants to change his reaction. I can relate as if I had the chance to go to the past for ten minutes I would change my reactions to things. The author understands the nature of regret and writes well. Although translated from the original Japanese, I found the prose to be natural and comforting. A charming series!

Thanks to @netgalley and @harlequinbooks for the ARC. Book to be published (in the US) November 5, 2024.
#booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #booklover #arcreview #booktok #netgalley #bookrecommendations #BeforeWeForgetKindness

Once again, Toshikazu Kawaguchi made me cry during my lunch break. Before we forget kindness uses the same winning formula as the three previous novels in the series, and does not miss the mark. 10/10, buy this book for Christmas - for yourself, and for your bookish friends.

𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 4⭐️
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: Fiction📚

𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
As the fifth book in the series it can still be read alone. A quick and heartbreaking read with four different stories. The cafe is just as cozy and magical as ever. Beautiful and though provoking

This book was very thought provoking and somehow made me feel nostalgic for experiences I did not have. I was not the biggest fan of the point of view this book was told from and had some trouble keeping up with what was happening when coming back to the book. However, it was a lovely story to read.

I cried with the first two stories!!

Before We Forget Kindness is a collection of very genuine, very human stories. Each of the four chapters covers the story of a person who wants to travel to a time to make amends with someone they love for something they regret doing.

Each story is an example of the human experience, and how sometimes in our lives, we say or do things out of spite, envy, or pride - although these actions may not feel BIG in the moment, they have a butterfly effect that alters the story of our lives, or how we feel about ourselves.
In this book, although these characters can't change the past or future by traveling in time, they do have the opportunity to apologize for their wrong-doings, or make peace with the things that have happened. Sometimes the peace that comes from that is all you need. I think the sentiment in each story can be sympathized with by anyone. It's a reminder of how human we all are, and how important it is to make peace with your actions so you can live more freely. I loved this book.

I'll be posting a more in-depth review on my tiktok, @digi.reads closer to the release date (November 3rd) and have posted the same review to my Goodreads and Fable accounts.

Wow, each of the four stories was emotional but so good. Truly about the regrets we have in our lives and hope we should confront our feelings so much earlier. The last story really broke me and it was the best one in my opinion. He has such a way with words that it truly makes you think. If you already read this series this one you will absolutely love, and if you haven't read any, this is a great book to read either way.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Asian Literature, Magical Realism, Fantasy, Cozy Fantasy, Japanese Literature
Language: A couple of words were said but nothing overly vulgar
Spice Level: Kissing
Representation: This seems obvious, but the characters are Japanese. There is also one gay character
Format: One thread pulls the story together, but it's really a series of vignettes or short stories. You do not need to read the previous books to understand this one.

BEFORE WE FORGET KINDNESS is perfect reading for warm and cozy feelings, and the right length for a commute read / listen.

Why go back to the past if it won't change the future?
That was my biggest question.

Kawaguichi explores regret and how changing what we say maybe doesn't change the future, but it changes our perceptions and feeling of closure. I thought each of the characters' goals were interesting. There's one dealing with a child that made me teary too. The sense of belonging and all coming to the right ending is wonderful. This is something I've found in Japanese literature—a sense of space and time to ruminate and become easy with who you are.

This is a thoughtful book and delightful.

Happy reading!

This is the fifth book in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series. We’re back at the café where visitors can go back or froward in time to meet someone who’s also visited the cafe, but only if they follow the rules, especially that of returning before their coffee gets cold. This time, we meet four new characters, each person goes through a kind of transformative journey. The son, the nameless child , the father and the valentine.

I always enjoy these book , though each persons goals and stories are different they are all connected by the theme of regret, while longing for closure which ultimately leads so some form of transformation in the characters. I also, liked how this time the author included an explanation of the Japanese culture, history or way of thinking to help those who don’t know about Japan have a deeper understanding of the situation of the characters. The café setting is cozy, relaxing, magical realism atmosphere. This books stories has more positive emotional outcomes so I didn’t need a box of tissues for this read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press for the ARC. This is my honest review.

Thank you for providing me with this ARC! I loved this series and I am glad to see it continue. The cover is beautiful and so was the story. It was difficult to follow at times, however, I enjoyed the ride.

Four new characters have a chance to revisit their pasts in the latest in this heartwarming series set in a cafe. Those who have read the earlier books know that this follows a bit of a formula and that nothing bad happens. Thanks to the publisher for the arc. It's an easy read.

Firstly, thank you to the publishing company for allowing me to read and review this book.

I absolutely enjoyed reading this book, very heartfelt and really gives a great message about how easy it is for us to be constantly trying to live in the past versus living for the present day.

Thank you to Hanover Square Press and Netgalley for the advanced readers copy of Before We Forget Kindness by Toshikazu Kawaguchi.

Having read the first four books in the series, I was looking forward to this newest installment of the Before The Coffee Gets Cold series. Though there were a couple of stories in this one that definitely made me cry like the others, I felt like this book felt more forced. It didn't quite land as emotional as some of the previous installments. This one was quite repetitive in the rules of moving through. This book also spent more time moving to the future which is what stood out in my mind.

I think most who love this series will love this one too.

This series is some of my favourite book, and Before We Forget Kindness is no exception. The short stories make the books easy to pick up and put down, while still making one think about how they might interact in these situations. They can certainly be sad tales, but they are heartfelt and often make me smile. Would certainly recommend to reads and non-readers alike

"Before We Forget Kindness" is the 5th book in the "Before the Coffee Gets Cold series." These interwoven collections of short series really explore the emotions of human nature. It’s heartbreaking and heartwarming. It’s about human relationships, regrets, forgiveness, and coming to terms with the past.

In this novel, we have four new distinct stories. A 7-year-old boy who wants to show a smile to his separated parents, a mother who wants her late husband to name their child, a father who regrets opposing his daughter’s marriage, and a woman who was unable to confess her love on Valentine’s Day. There is so much emotion and depth in these characters journeys. Each story beautifully captures the regrets that human carries. My favorite was "The Nameless Child" and "The Valentine." These two stories completely brought me to tears, because it shows that going back to the past not only brings closure to the people who goes back, but also the people who are visited, since we learned in the last book, their memories are not affected. I also love how we learn a loophole in this novel. We learn that “there was no rule stating that only one person could go back in time.” Knowing this, I am excited to see what new stories the author will come up with in the future.

Overall, I still continue to enjoy this series. Although I wish the rules of the café wasn’t so repetitive with the start of each new short stories, I still found them engaging and thought-provoking. Can’t wait for the next book to come out!

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.