As always, thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC!
I have been looking forward to this book since I read the other 4 books in the series in May. I devoured those books in 4 days, which meant crying my eyes out for 4 days.
...I don't know what happened but I feel like a different person wrote this book compared to the other 4 books in the series. The way the different stories were told in this book was completely different than the previous books. The stories were so matter of fact and perhaps 3 or 4 pages of each short story was really engaging and as emotional as the previous books, but this one fell flat. I caught myself skimming half the book. I am so disappointed. Luckily, you can read each book as a stand alone so this one isn't needed to fill in anything from previous books.

Any book in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series should brace itself for my fierce admiration of it. Kawaguchi possesses a remarkable talent for weaving together stories that delve into grief, loss, love, and the complex tapestry of human emotions. While this latest collection begins with a somewhat less engaging narrative, the subsequent three stories deliver a powerful emotional impact. Returning readers will find it a quick read; just like in previous installments, the cafe’s time travel rules are revisited with each new customer, making it easy to skim through the familiar setup and dive straight into the heart of each character's journey.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Before We Forget Kindness by Kawaguchi Toshikazu is a third person multi-POV Japanese magical realism continuation of Before the Coffee Gets Cold. The coffee shop that allows people to travel back in time is back with four new stories and so are the employees (Kazu, Nagare, and his daughter Miki) and several guests from previous books to help guide new customers to achieving a sense of peace.

The first story was about a young boy who wants to go back in time to not cry when his parents told him they were getting a divorce. I loved how this story reflected the maturity a lot of young children express when their parents are going through a separation or divorce as they don’t want to cause more stress or be difficult. The real cherry on top was the boy realizing that his parents were happier apart and with new partners because we so often have these kinds of stories featuring the parents bad mouthing each other to get the majority of the child’s affection. It’s an ideal situation for a divorced couple in some ways, but it’s still something painful for their child to work through even if that child is happy that their parents are happy.

My favorite of the four stories involved a new mother wanting to go back in time with her newborn daughter to meet her husband so he could name their child. I actually cried while reading this one because it hit me quite hard. Like a lot of these stories, there’s emotional depth in the mundane aspects that make a tragedy all the more tragic and it really exemplified what I think this series is really all about: having the chance to achieve closure for something you cannot change. Reading the husband talking about everything he wanted for his daughter and all the things he’s going to miss is so heartbreaking but the whole reason his wife is there, so he can give their child one final gift, is undeniably beautiful.

I would recommend this to fans of magical realism, readers who enjoy grief stories with a bittersweet ending, and those looking for an episodic speculative that focuses strongly on the characters’ emotions

This series continues with four new individuals who come to the Funiculi Funicula Café trying to come to terms with something from their past. Their stories are both heartbreaking and heartwarming to read. The final tale about Valentines Day had me (and both the the characters) in tears as I read of what could have been.

Lovely book that everyone should read. The cover pulls you in immediately. I had heard about this author from tiktok. So glad to have received an ARC of this.

This fifth book in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series was such a touching read! We’re back at the mysterious café where visitors can go back in time, but only if they follow the rule of returning before their coffee gets cold. This time, we meet four new characters, each with their own emotional journey. There’s the father who couldn’t accept his daughter’s marriage, the woman who never gave her Valentine’s chocolates to her love, a boy who wants to show his smile to his divorced parents, and a mother holding a nameless child.

I loved how each story was so different, yet all connected by the theme of regret and longing for closure. The book is relatively short but manages to dive deep into these characters’ sorrows and hopes. What always gets me about this series is how quietly powerful it is. The café setting is cozy and almost magical. Each visit feels like a comforting return, even though every story hits me right in the emotions.

This one, just like the previous books, had me feeling so much by the end. It’s not flashy or full of plot twists, but that’s part of its charm. It’s all about human connection, forgiveness, and finding peace with the past. I’d recommend this to anyone who has read the earlier books because it definitely continues to deliver that same quiet, bittersweet beauty. If you’ve followed the series this far, you won’t want to miss this next chapter.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

There is only a month or so until release day for this lovely book, and I must say it is the perfect fall book. Every short story enraptured me, and I loved each of the unique themes that the story had. The characters were all so different, and each learned an important lesson from their time travel.

The magic, the vibes, everything was so perfect for fall! I definitely recommend it!! I cannot wait to read all of the other books from this series <33

I've really enjoyed this series, this latest installment was just as enjoyable as the first few in the series.

This book was extremely emotional and hard hitting. I’ve been a fan of this series from the first book, but this one has been the most impactful to me. I love how each of the stories gets very personal. There is always something for everyone, but this installment was for the parents. I will continue to revisit this book in particular, when I need a reminder of how important family is and how grateful I am to have the one I have.

This series is similar to the books that come before, and that is a good thing. I really enjoyed the stories - most sad and I cried. Anyone reading this book may have read some of the others in the series and knows what to expect. This book can also be read by newbies - there is no need to read in an order. At 240 pages, it is a short and poignant read.

"Before We Forget Kindness" is a poignant exploration of memory and human connection. The novel’s strength lies in its beautifully crafted prose and deeply empathetic characters. The narrative unfolds with a gentle yet compelling rhythm, drawing readers into its emotionally resonant story. The author skillfully navigates themes of loss, love, and the impact of our actions on others. While some plot points may feel predictable, the heartfelt execution and reflective nature of the book more than compensate. This is a moving read that will leave you contemplating the nature of kindness long after the final page.

In the fifth installment of the 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold' series, Kawaguchi takes readers on another emotional journey through time and memory. 'Before We Forget Kindness' explores the complexities of family relationships and the power of forgiveness through four interconnected stories.

As always, Kawaguchi's writing is beautiful and poignant, drawing readers into the lives of his characters and the magical world of the time-traveling café. The stories are deeply moving, exploring themes of regret, loss, and redemption with sensitivity and grace.

While the overall structure of the book is similar to previous installments in the series, 'Before We Forget Kindness' feels heavier and more emotionally intense. Kawaguchi delves deeper into the emotional lives of his characters, exploring their pain and vulnerability in a way that is both heartbreaking and uplifting.

Overall, 'Before We Forget Kindness' is a powerful addition to the 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold' series, offering readers a moving exploration of family, forgiveness, and the power of kindness.

Before We Forget Kindness, may be my favourite in the best-selling Before the Coffee Gets Cold series to date! I found the various viewpoints quite engaging, especially with the introduction of a new time travel loophole. It was also exciting to see time travel to the future make a comeback, as it was a welcome change from the common theme of traveling to the past. Overall, these four tales strike an excellent balance—neither too melancholic nor excessively sweet. Five books in, it’s intriguing to observe how these stories have evolved to reflect the slowly changing societal norms in Japan regarding family, love, and relationships!

I love this series by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. I have read all of them now and they still haven't lost their magic. The stories of family, forgiving, and reconciliation are always touching and comforting.

Such a great read! Highly recommend this one.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I am so honored I was able to get the ARC for this book. I know a lot of people enjoy this series and are looking forward to this book coming out so getting to read it was very nice. Thank were some spacing errors where a letter or two in a word would have a space that shouldn’t be there, or words wouldn’t have space between them but other than that I did enjoy this book. Much like the first one I got a little lost in the writing from it being translated but I thought the stories were very nice and I think this is a great addition to the series!

Before We Forget Kindness is the fifth book in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold Series, and I’ve enjoyed it just as much as all of the other books in the series. In this book, characters can still travel in time if they follow the cafe's rules. Even with the cafe and the rules remaining the same throughout the series, the stories are still heartfelt and feel unique.

Thank you, NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Hanover Square Press for the ARC.

*Before We Forget Kindness* by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a tender and introspective novel that beautifully captures the fleeting nature of time and human connection. Kawaguchi’s gentle prose and profound reflections on kindness and memory create a deeply moving and heartfelt story. It’s a poignant reminder of the power of compassion in our everyday lives.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

Another sweet book in the series, this series sort of reminds me of Chicken Soup for the Soul -- I picked this up, recognizing the title layout from a book my friend had recommended me. Though I haven't read any of the prior books in this series, I imagine they're all similarly sweet, a little bit sentimental, and perfect to read on a winter day cozied up with some hot chocolate. Not my usual go-to, I'[ll be honest, because I feel as though I rarely know that I'm craving something emotional-- but I'm always glad to have picked it up regardless.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Before We Forget Kindess is the fifth book in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, and it is just as good as the previous four! This book was heartwarming and very sweet and I’m so glad I had the chance to read this advanced copy! I hope Kawaguchi continues to add to this story!