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満月珈琲店の星詠み #2
ร้านกาแฟจันทร์เต็มดวงในคืนที่จันทร์ไม่เต็มดวง
มาสเตอร์แมวสามสีและพนักงานของ "ร้านกาแฟจันทร์เต็มดวง" จะเข้าใกล้หัวใจของผู้ที่หลงทางด้วยโหราศาสตร์และเมนูอาหารชั้นยอด ไม่ว่าจะเป็นซาโตมิที่มักจะสับสนระหว่างงานกับการแต่งงาน โคยูกิที่แสร้งทำตัวเป็นเด็กดีและสดใสหลังจากที่พ่อเสียชีวิต และจุนโกะที่ครอบครัวแตกแยกเพราะพ่อที่ชอบกดขี่ข่มเหง ร้านกาแฟแห่งนี้จะทำให้พวกเขาได้ตระหนักถึงความปรารถนาที่แท้จริงของตัวเอง
212 pages
First published February 9, 2021
About the author
Mai Mochizuki
98 books431 followersMai Mochizuki was born and raised in Hokkaido and now lives in Kyoto, and originally wrote Alice in Kyouraku Forest as a series of novels. She's written numerous other titles, including 4th Kyoto Book Award winner Kyoto Teramachi Sanjou no Holmes which was turned into a manga and anime series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 822 reviews
October 4, 2024
Pozbawiona głębi i monotonna.
October 20, 2025
HELLO KITTY meets AMERICAN GODS
Pre-Read Notes:
I guess it was only a matter of time before someone wrote an adult novel about giant fluffy talking cats! Right? I mean, right??
"I unlocked the door and was struck with a familiar aroma when I stepped inside. It was a blend of the incense from the Buddhist altar— the sweet tea olive incense Dad always used— and Mom’s cooking. It was the smell of home." p81
Final Review
(thoughts & recs) After I was approved for this arc, I read the first book, THE FULL MOON COFFEE SHOP, in preparation. I didn't like the execution of the concept, as anthropomorphic animals are not my favorite. But this installment doesn't seem to lean into that element so much. Human characters think they're dealing with other humans in costume. I just found it easier this time to suspend my disbelief and accept the story conditions. Because of that, I had a pretty good time with this one. I do recommend reading these as a series, as the concept sometimes gets needlessly complicated. It'll improve your read of BEST WISHES if you have all the backstory.
I recommend this one to fans of contemporary Japanese cat stories, magical realism, and anthropomorphic animals for characters. If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out The Blanket Cats by Kyoshi Shigematsu and The Tortoise's Tale by Kendra Coulter.
My Favorite Things:
✔️ I love the descriptions of the coffee shop: "A clear, bright half-moon hung in the night sky, and nights like this, with a young moon glowing in the sky, are for study. The power of the half-moon as it moves toward a Full Moon pours into everything and is helpful for all manner of improvements." p9
✔️ I really like it when characters get emotional resolution. "I’d rejected happiness this entire time. I’d believed I needed to accept punishment and atone for what I’d done. I’d actually wanted this situation I’d found myself in where no one ever chose me for anything. It all made so much sense. My tears wouldn’t stop , as if all the pain I’d carried was now being washed away." p58
Thank you to Mai Mochizuki, Jordan Taylor (translator), Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of BEST WISHES FROM THE FULL MOON COFFEE SHOP. All views are mine.
Pre-Read Notes:
I guess it was only a matter of time before someone wrote an adult novel about giant fluffy talking cats! Right? I mean, right??
"I unlocked the door and was struck with a familiar aroma when I stepped inside. It was a blend of the incense from the Buddhist altar— the sweet tea olive incense Dad always used— and Mom’s cooking. It was the smell of home." p81
Final Review
(thoughts & recs) After I was approved for this arc, I read the first book, THE FULL MOON COFFEE SHOP, in preparation. I didn't like the execution of the concept, as anthropomorphic animals are not my favorite. But this installment doesn't seem to lean into that element so much. Human characters think they're dealing with other humans in costume. I just found it easier this time to suspend my disbelief and accept the story conditions. Because of that, I had a pretty good time with this one. I do recommend reading these as a series, as the concept sometimes gets needlessly complicated. It'll improve your read of BEST WISHES if you have all the backstory.
I recommend this one to fans of contemporary Japanese cat stories, magical realism, and anthropomorphic animals for characters. If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out The Blanket Cats by Kyoshi Shigematsu and The Tortoise's Tale by Kendra Coulter.
My Favorite Things:
✔️ I love the descriptions of the coffee shop: "A clear, bright half-moon hung in the night sky, and nights like this, with a young moon glowing in the sky, are for study. The power of the half-moon as it moves toward a Full Moon pours into everything and is helpful for all manner of improvements." p9
✔️ I really like it when characters get emotional resolution. "I’d rejected happiness this entire time. I’d believed I needed to accept punishment and atone for what I’d done. I’d actually wanted this situation I’d found myself in where no one ever chose me for anything. It all made so much sense. My tears wouldn’t stop , as if all the pain I’d carried was now being washed away." p58
Thank you to Mai Mochizuki, Jordan Taylor (translator), Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of BEST WISHES FROM THE FULL MOON COFFEE SHOP. All views are mine.
January 13, 2026
“The Full Moon Coffee Shop has no fixed location. It might appear in the middle of a familiar shopping arcade, by the station at the end of the railway line, or on a quiet riverbank. At the Full Moon Coffee Shop, we don't take your order; instead we bring you desserts, meals and drinks - selected just for you.”
This book is the sequel to The Full Moon Coffee Shop.
I enjoy reading Japanese fiction for the gentle way it captures slices of everyday life and effortlessly weaves in magical realism without making it feel overstated. This novel does exactly that. The author once again blends astrology into the storyline with ease and subtlety.
Each story gently questions its protagonist about their deepest, most rooted wish. We often believe we know what we want—winning the lottery, succeeding at a diet, becoming famous—but these desires are often slightly misaligned with what our hearts truly seek. Through the Full Moon Coffee Shop master and the Servants of the Stars, the characters (and readers) are guided toward understanding their true wishes.
✨✨Softly magical, quietly wise, and deeply comforting—just like a midnight conversation under the full moon.
This book is the sequel to The Full Moon Coffee Shop.
I enjoy reading Japanese fiction for the gentle way it captures slices of everyday life and effortlessly weaves in magical realism without making it feel overstated. This novel does exactly that. The author once again blends astrology into the storyline with ease and subtlety.
Each story gently questions its protagonist about their deepest, most rooted wish. We often believe we know what we want—winning the lottery, succeeding at a diet, becoming famous—but these desires are often slightly misaligned with what our hearts truly seek. Through the Full Moon Coffee Shop master and the Servants of the Stars, the characters (and readers) are guided toward understanding their true wishes.
✨✨Softly magical, quietly wise, and deeply comforting—just like a midnight conversation under the full moon.
July 25, 2025
The Full Moon Coffee Shop is making an exception and appearing at Christmastime, regardless of the moon phase. Cats that transform into humans, they serve what each customer needs, not wants, and the shop pops up when they sense someone needs them, helping them find their heart’s desire with pointed questions, astrology, and of course the special dishes they serve. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this unique, feel-good fantasy ably translated from Japanese by Jordan Taylor.
December 23, 2025
1⭐️
This collection of interconnected anthology stories felt riddled with undertones of christian and conservative propaganda under the guise of a cute astrology cozy cat coffee shop book.
This collection of interconnected anthology stories felt riddled with undertones of christian and conservative propaganda under the guise of a cute astrology cozy cat coffee shop book.
June 25, 2025
"Best Wishes from the Full Moon Coffee Shop" is a glossy, whimsical novella that blends magical realism, astrology, and holiday sentimentality into a series of loosely connected vignettes. Set during Christmas and populated by gods and goddesses who shift between cat and human forms, the story feels like a blend of a Japanese fairytale and a Dickensian ghost story—with a heavy dose of aesthetic charm and celestial symbolism.
The narrative follows three main characters:
Satomi, whose boyfriend plans to propose on Christmas Eve, though she’s unsure about her future;
Junko, her sister-in-law, who is estranged from her father and navigating new family dynamics (including a strangely delayed dog adoption from the café’s magical cats);
and Satori’s employee, a young woman grieving her father’s death who ultimately reconnects with her mother, stepfather, and half-brother.
Each character is guided by planetary deities who offer moral lessons tied to reincarnation, forgiveness, and personal growth. The book leans heavily on astrology, even including star charts for each character and emphasizing the ascendant sign as a marker of past-life strengths. While this may appeal to astrology enthusiasts, the execution often feels twee and overly expository.
The café staff—celestial beings in disguise—are given their own chapters, but their personalities blur together despite the effort to tie their roles to planetary movements. The result is a story that feels more like a concept pitch for an animated film than a fully realized novella. The emotional beats are present, but often feel distant or overly orchestrated.
While the book has moments of charm and visual richness, it’s weighed down by its own aesthetic and moral framing. Readers looking for a cozy, magical holiday tale with strong visual and astrological themes may enjoy it, but those seeking deeper character development or narrative cohesion might find it underwhelming.
ORIGINAL URL: http://www.livegreenwearblack.com/202...
© Jennifer R Clark. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. You may share and adapt this content with proper attribution.
The narrative follows three main characters:
Satomi, whose boyfriend plans to propose on Christmas Eve, though she’s unsure about her future;
Junko, her sister-in-law, who is estranged from her father and navigating new family dynamics (including a strangely delayed dog adoption from the café’s magical cats);
and Satori’s employee, a young woman grieving her father’s death who ultimately reconnects with her mother, stepfather, and half-brother.
Each character is guided by planetary deities who offer moral lessons tied to reincarnation, forgiveness, and personal growth. The book leans heavily on astrology, even including star charts for each character and emphasizing the ascendant sign as a marker of past-life strengths. While this may appeal to astrology enthusiasts, the execution often feels twee and overly expository.
The café staff—celestial beings in disguise—are given their own chapters, but their personalities blur together despite the effort to tie their roles to planetary movements. The result is a story that feels more like a concept pitch for an animated film than a fully realized novella. The emotional beats are present, but often feel distant or overly orchestrated.
While the book has moments of charm and visual richness, it’s weighed down by its own aesthetic and moral framing. Readers looking for a cozy, magical holiday tale with strong visual and astrological themes may enjoy it, but those seeking deeper character development or narrative cohesion might find it underwhelming.
ORIGINAL URL: http://www.livegreenwearblack.com/202...
© Jennifer R Clark. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. You may share and adapt this content with proper attribution.
June 10, 2023
เล่มสองมาในธีม ‘รู้จักความปรารถนาที่แท้จริงของตัวเอง’
เรามองว่ามันก็คือการซื่อตรงกับความรู้สึกของตัวเอง จะรักหรือจะเกลียดก็พูดมันออกมา
โลกนี้มีเรื่องปวดหัวมากมายเพราะต่างคนต่างไม่ซื่อตรงกับความรู้สึกของตัวเอง
ยิ่งกดมันไว้ ยิ่งบิดเบี้ยว จนสุดท้ายไม่รู้ว่าแท้จริงแล้วตัวเองต้องการอะไรกันแน่
และเล่มนี้ก็ยังโยงไปกับอิทธิพลของดวงดาวเหมือนเดิม ทำให้อยากดูดวงกับหมอดูที่ดู natal chart ได้เลยเนี่ยยยยยย
เรามองว่ามันก็คือการซื่อตรงกับความรู้สึกของตัวเอง จะรักหรือจะเกลียดก็พูดมันออกมา
โลกนี้มีเรื่องปวดหัวมากมายเพราะต่างคนต่างไม่ซื่อตรงกับความรู้สึกของตัวเอง
ยิ่งกดมันไว้ ยิ่งบิดเบี้ยว จนสุดท้ายไม่รู้ว่าแท้จริงแล้วตัวเองต้องการอะไรกันแน่
และเล่มนี้ก็ยังโยงไปกับอิทธิพลของดวงดาวเหมือนเดิม ทำให้อยากดูดวงกับหมอดูที่ดู natal chart ได้เลยเนี่ยยยยยย
October 15, 2025
I can’t believe this book had the audacity to make me tear up when book one had already done the same thing. I’ve already met my quota for the year! I had to put the book down for a few hours so that my tear ducts didn’t try to get up to any more nonsense. I thought the structure of the story was better in book 1, but this sequel brings the same gentleness and insight into the human condition to new characters. The writing style is simple but moving, and easy to read. Like the previous book, it’s divided into several connected points of view and I enjoyed how the story flowed between them. This author never fails to write a moving piece. This book can be read without reading the first one, but I still recommend reading book 1 first, as there are some cameos from book 1 that can be better appreciated having read it. Recommended for anyone looking for a light but thoughtful read and also to those interested in starting out with books in translation, for a peak into Japanese life without too much confusion.
ARC from NetGalley.
ARC from NetGalley.
April 10, 2023
เซอร์ไพรส์มาก ไม่คิดว่าจะชอบ ปรากฏชอบเฉยเลย เพราะตอนที่อ่านเล่มแรกนี่เฉยๆ ไม่ได้รู้สึกว่าสนุกอะไรขนาดนั้น ยิ่งเรื่องดวงเรื่องอะไรนี่ไม่ซื้อเลย กับเล่มนี้ก็คิดว่าคงไม่ต่างกัน ก็หยิบๆ มาอ่านไป แต่ดันสนุกซะงั้น
เล่มนี้รู้สึกว่าผูกเรื่องได้ดีขึ้น กลมกล่อมขึ้น เอาอยู่ว่างั้น แถมโดนอายุจังตกเฉย 555
ในส่วนคำนำบอกว่าไม่จำเป็นต้องอ่านเล่มแรกมาก็อ่านเล่มนี้เข้าใจ ก็เข้าใจน่ะแหละ แต่เชื่อเหอะว่าควรอ่านเล่มแรกมาก่อนแล้วจะดีเอง
เล่มนี้รู้สึกว่าผูกเรื่องได้ดีขึ้น กลมกล่อมขึ้น เอาอยู่ว่างั้น แถมโดนอายุจังตกเฉย 555
ในส่วนคำนำบอกว่าไม่จำเป็นต้องอ่านเล่มแรกมาก็อ่านเล่มนี้เข้าใจ ก็เข้าใจน่ะแหละ แต่เชื่อเหอะว่าควรอ่านเล่มแรกมาก่อนแล้วจะดีเอง
October 26, 2025
Mai Mochizuki has done it again!
Best Wishes from the Full Moon Coffee Shop was just as scintillating and magical as the first book in this interconnected standalone series.
I loved how 2020 being this tumultuous time (both from a COVID perspective and a political lens, in my opinion), was explained as a shift in the age of astrology. I further loved how the author took this shift in age to enhance periods of transition in our 3 main character’s lives. Through their stories, we watched each woman’s views on their lives and what they really wanted out of them (ie, their true wishes) transition a part of themselves into the next phase of their lives. From a burnt out career woman realizing it's ok to want a family as well, to a young temp worker sacrificing her happiness due to an internal atonement from past guilt who gets a visit from a most unexpected guest, to a woman who grew older and was able to understand that her parents were flawed like any other human but was also granted lifechanging news via an old friend, each woman was able to realize their true wish buried in their core and move forward on a clearer path for their futures. Not only were their stories incredibly relatable, but the experiences and emotions explored definitely gave me chills several times throughout the stories.
I loved how each story was interconnected, with the women being in each other’s lives in some respect. We also saw characters from the first book make a reappearance or at least be mentioned, which was fun to see as well. I love seeing how all things are connected, much like astrology itself 😊
Finally, I liked the insights we got into the different planet’s studies and group dynamics. As the “workers” at the full moon coffee shop doling out the wisdom to patrons, it was interesting to see what their “lives” where like behind the scenes. I liked seeing the individual personalities and seeing where friendships lay. The fact that it all just made sense in line with astrology as well made it incredibly fascinating!
Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Mai Mochizuki for the opportunity to read this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
Best Wishes from the Full Moon Coffee Shop was just as scintillating and magical as the first book in this interconnected standalone series.
I loved how 2020 being this tumultuous time (both from a COVID perspective and a political lens, in my opinion), was explained as a shift in the age of astrology. I further loved how the author took this shift in age to enhance periods of transition in our 3 main character’s lives. Through their stories, we watched each woman’s views on their lives and what they really wanted out of them (ie, their true wishes) transition a part of themselves into the next phase of their lives. From a burnt out career woman realizing it's ok to want a family as well, to a young temp worker sacrificing her happiness due to an internal atonement from past guilt who gets a visit from a most unexpected guest, to a woman who grew older and was able to understand that her parents were flawed like any other human but was also granted lifechanging news via an old friend, each woman was able to realize their true wish buried in their core and move forward on a clearer path for their futures. Not only were their stories incredibly relatable, but the experiences and emotions explored definitely gave me chills several times throughout the stories.
I loved how each story was interconnected, with the women being in each other’s lives in some respect. We also saw characters from the first book make a reappearance or at least be mentioned, which was fun to see as well. I love seeing how all things are connected, much like astrology itself 😊
Finally, I liked the insights we got into the different planet’s studies and group dynamics. As the “workers” at the full moon coffee shop doling out the wisdom to patrons, it was interesting to see what their “lives” where like behind the scenes. I liked seeing the individual personalities and seeing where friendships lay. The fact that it all just made sense in line with astrology as well made it incredibly fascinating!
Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Mai Mochizuki for the opportunity to read this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
June 9, 2026
I really need to keep reading translated books because they have all been delightful and different ways. Even though this is a definitive sequel, just like the author intended all the stories can essentially be read in any order because while all meaningful and resonate in different ways, some better than others. They all have their own life and struggles and it really makes for a unique but relatable story even with the spiritual and fantastical elements because it holds that important level of humanity that some authors just can’t seem to fully nail. I’m truly looking forward to seeing what else this author puts out and hopefully translates, also if I could get an invite to the cafe sometime I’d be so down…. I love cats and snacks.
January 7, 2026
I thought the full moon coffee shop was magical and it still is but this one is just as good as that one. I loved all the characters and their awkward stories which are all interconnected and intertwined with each other through them visiting this magical and enchanting coffee shop. Again I fell in love with the cats who are I think manifestations of the planets and who want to help out some troubled humans and nudge them towards finding their inner happiness, peace and yes true wish. I think I have found another author to follow.
September 10, 2025
I read the first book and was charmed by it. When I saw a chance to read this one through Net Galley, I jumped at the chance. Like the first one, this is almost like separate short stories, They are strongly connected by relationships between the characters as well as by the cats and the cafe. There is magic and a strong emphasis on astrology to help the characters resolve problems so their lives can be richer and more complete. This one was just as enjoyable as the first. I hope there’s another one coming at some point.
December 23, 2025
Easy read. Love a festive themed book but could've been a bit more christmassy
December 9, 2025
Este libro no podía haber sido más ideal para esta época del año. Es la segunda parte de El café de la luna llena, pero llega cargado de un ambiente navideño que lo vuelve todavía más cozy, reconfortante y perfecto para quienes buscamos esa dosis de healing fiction que a veces nos hace tanta falta.
Al igual que en el primer libro, volvemos a esta cafetería mágica, regentada por gatos (que en realidad son los dioses a cargo de las constelaciones) y que aparece solo los días de luna llena para quienes están perdidos, necesitan reencontrarse o buscan un pequeño empujón del universo. Allí, entre bebidas deliciosas, comida casera y una carta astral, cada personaje recibe el mensaje que necesita escuchar.
Aunque no soy particularmente creyente de la astrología, me sorprendió lo bien que el libro transmite enseñanzas bonitas y reflexivas sin sentirse forzado. Y aunque la premisa de “gatos parlantes que dan sabiduría ancestral” pueda sonar descabellada, la historia nunca se siente rara: lo que predomina es el corazón del mensaje.
Me gustó tanto como el primero, quizá incluso más por su atmósfera navideña. Es el tipo de lectura ideal para diciembre: suave, acogedora, que te acompaña con ternura y te deja el corazón un poquito más lleno. Si buscas algo que te abrace desde la página uno, esta es una muy buena elección.
Al igual que en el primer libro, volvemos a esta cafetería mágica, regentada por gatos (que en realidad son los dioses a cargo de las constelaciones) y que aparece solo los días de luna llena para quienes están perdidos, necesitan reencontrarse o buscan un pequeño empujón del universo. Allí, entre bebidas deliciosas, comida casera y una carta astral, cada personaje recibe el mensaje que necesita escuchar.
Aunque no soy particularmente creyente de la astrología, me sorprendió lo bien que el libro transmite enseñanzas bonitas y reflexivas sin sentirse forzado. Y aunque la premisa de “gatos parlantes que dan sabiduría ancestral” pueda sonar descabellada, la historia nunca se siente rara: lo que predomina es el corazón del mensaje.
Me gustó tanto como el primero, quizá incluso más por su atmósfera navideña. Es el tipo de lectura ideal para diciembre: suave, acogedora, que te acompaña con ternura y te deja el corazón un poquito más lleno. Si buscas algo que te abrace desde la página uno, esta es una muy buena elección.
June 14, 2026
I enjoyed this follow up book to The full moon coffee shop. Though the concept was obviously the same, the characters and their situations were interesting.
Satomi loves living in Tokyo and being good at her job but she cannot let go of her yearning to have a marriage and family.
Her colleague Koyuki struggles with feeling unwanted after a childhood trauma for which she feels responsible.
Satomi's sister- in- law Junko is estranged from her father who she considers emotionally unavailable and cruel. She's forced to reckon with her feelings when her father falls sick.
The Full moon coffee shop appears to all three in various ways and gives them a chance to reflect on their true wish or what they really want out of life. The desserts and drinks are of course made according to their natal charts which are explained to them. They all sounded delicious.
The presence of Ayu ,Junko's little daughter, brightened up the stories because she was so sweet and empathetic.
The astrology parts also made more sense to me or maybe I got more used to them this time around!
Satomi loves living in Tokyo and being good at her job but she cannot let go of her yearning to have a marriage and family.
Her colleague Koyuki struggles with feeling unwanted after a childhood trauma for which she feels responsible.
Satomi's sister- in- law Junko is estranged from her father who she considers emotionally unavailable and cruel. She's forced to reckon with her feelings when her father falls sick.
The Full moon coffee shop appears to all three in various ways and gives them a chance to reflect on their true wish or what they really want out of life. The desserts and drinks are of course made according to their natal charts which are explained to them. They all sounded delicious.
The presence of Ayu ,Junko's little daughter, brightened up the stories because she was so sweet and empathetic.
The astrology parts also made more sense to me or maybe I got more used to them this time around!
November 20, 2025
actual rating: 2.5⭐️
Spoilers ahead, you have been warned.
I really enjoyed the Full Moon Coffee Shop and I was excited to receive this book from NetGalley and the publisher. This book is perfect for this time of year as it sets right in the heart of December and the Christmas season. But before I get into my thoughts, the Full Moon Coffee Shop is a moving, magical food truck that offers exquisite cuisine carefully selected for each of its patrons. While also offering enlightenment and wisdom for its visitors that gives them to clarification/closure to their dilemmas in life.
This book features three stories that are all interconnected in the way that the women featured are either related or have a close connection to one another. For instance, in the prologue we meet Junko and her adorable daughter, Ayu who stumble in the path of the Full Moon Coffee Shop but actually start the process to adopt a dog at an event that was put on by Junko’s sister-in-law, Satomi. And from this starting point, the narratives become interweaved with each other as the three women featured have yet to realize their true wish.
Satomi, is a workaholic and very career driven woman that lives in Tokyo that loves her routine and current lifestyle. She has a boyfriend that lives in the countryside that she likes but doesn’t want to move the relationship forward—she’s happy where it’s at. However, her boyfriend wants to spend Christmas Eve with her and she learns from her sister-in-law, that he has plans to propose. I found Satomi to be the picture of a modern day woman, a woman that doesn’t want to become like her mother a stay-at-home mom but rather retain her independence by staying childfree. I personally found some issues with her characterization after her visit to the Full Moon Coffee Shop with her niece, Ayu. She completely did a 180 and decided that she did want a family which I’m sorry I find to be so unrealistic. She spends one afternoon and night with her niece and she decides that “Yeah I want to be a mom”. Like that personally didn’t sit well with me.
Moving onto the second story, this time we follow Satomi’s co-worker that’s a temp at her job, Koyuki. This story was definitely the best one out of the trio because Koyuki has been wearing a mask of positivity for years ever since her father passed away on Christmas Eve when she was a little girl. She has accepted her mother’s new family, father and half-brother but has remained at an arms length from them, not wanting to impede in their lives. She also has another dilemma, she has been floating from temp position to temp position, never being chosen to take a permanent role and always being showered with praise from her co-workers for bringing good energy to the workspace. Her experience at the Full Moon Coffee Shop actually brought me to tears because she is absolved on the guilt she feels from her father passing away since she believes it was her fault. Also her true wish was something so simple yet so human, wanting to be needed. I would’ve loved if in the epilogue there could’ve been a fast forward where we saw Koyuki in a permanent position at Satomi’s workplace.
Now the third story is truly the one I had a problem with because of the way it handles childhood emotional abuse. We are reunited once again with Junko, and we get to know details of her past such as the fact that she has an estranged relationship with her father because of her emotional abusive tendencies not only to her but to her brother. I will refrain from summarizing Junko’s story but I will say the reframing done by Junko’s mother to (in a way) absolve her father’s past wrongdoings is actually crazy. Him being labeled as misunderstood and socially awkward in order to override Junko’s memories of him so that way she can see him in a new light….I don’t know but I personally didn’t like it. Especially the way her father treated her brother which was not okay at all, there’s no justification for it.
I also didn’t enjoy much of the astrology in the book because some of it was really dense to understand. Especially how Venus (one of the cats that can also transform into a human) would be like “Oh I get it, let me simplify this explanation” and she would actually make it even harder to understand.
Overall, I definitely prefer the first book over this one because the stories were more coheren and the astrology was easier to understand. I didn’t necessarily like the new addition of these characters that represent each of the planets because the standout character in this group, Venus, added nothing to the story.
Thank you to NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Spoilers ahead, you have been warned.
I really enjoyed the Full Moon Coffee Shop and I was excited to receive this book from NetGalley and the publisher. This book is perfect for this time of year as it sets right in the heart of December and the Christmas season. But before I get into my thoughts, the Full Moon Coffee Shop is a moving, magical food truck that offers exquisite cuisine carefully selected for each of its patrons. While also offering enlightenment and wisdom for its visitors that gives them to clarification/closure to their dilemmas in life.
This book features three stories that are all interconnected in the way that the women featured are either related or have a close connection to one another. For instance, in the prologue we meet Junko and her adorable daughter, Ayu who stumble in the path of the Full Moon Coffee Shop but actually start the process to adopt a dog at an event that was put on by Junko’s sister-in-law, Satomi. And from this starting point, the narratives become interweaved with each other as the three women featured have yet to realize their true wish.
Satomi, is a workaholic and very career driven woman that lives in Tokyo that loves her routine and current lifestyle. She has a boyfriend that lives in the countryside that she likes but doesn’t want to move the relationship forward—she’s happy where it’s at. However, her boyfriend wants to spend Christmas Eve with her and she learns from her sister-in-law, that he has plans to propose. I found Satomi to be the picture of a modern day woman, a woman that doesn’t want to become like her mother a stay-at-home mom but rather retain her independence by staying childfree. I personally found some issues with her characterization after her visit to the Full Moon Coffee Shop with her niece, Ayu. She completely did a 180 and decided that she did want a family which I’m sorry I find to be so unrealistic. She spends one afternoon and night with her niece and she decides that “Yeah I want to be a mom”. Like that personally didn’t sit well with me.
Moving onto the second story, this time we follow Satomi’s co-worker that’s a temp at her job, Koyuki. This story was definitely the best one out of the trio because Koyuki has been wearing a mask of positivity for years ever since her father passed away on Christmas Eve when she was a little girl. She has accepted her mother’s new family, father and half-brother but has remained at an arms length from them, not wanting to impede in their lives. She also has another dilemma, she has been floating from temp position to temp position, never being chosen to take a permanent role and always being showered with praise from her co-workers for bringing good energy to the workspace. Her experience at the Full Moon Coffee Shop actually brought me to tears because she is absolved on the guilt she feels from her father passing away since she believes it was her fault. Also her true wish was something so simple yet so human, wanting to be needed. I would’ve loved if in the epilogue there could’ve been a fast forward where we saw Koyuki in a permanent position at Satomi’s workplace.
Now the third story is truly the one I had a problem with because of the way it handles childhood emotional abuse. We are reunited once again with Junko, and we get to know details of her past such as the fact that she has an estranged relationship with her father because of her emotional abusive tendencies not only to her but to her brother. I will refrain from summarizing Junko’s story but I will say the reframing done by Junko’s mother to (in a way) absolve her father’s past wrongdoings is actually crazy. Him being labeled as misunderstood and socially awkward in order to override Junko’s memories of him so that way she can see him in a new light….I don’t know but I personally didn’t like it. Especially the way her father treated her brother which was not okay at all, there’s no justification for it.
I also didn’t enjoy much of the astrology in the book because some of it was really dense to understand. Especially how Venus (one of the cats that can also transform into a human) would be like “Oh I get it, let me simplify this explanation” and she would actually make it even harder to understand.
Overall, I definitely prefer the first book over this one because the stories were more coheren and the astrology was easier to understand. I didn’t necessarily like the new addition of these characters that represent each of the planets because the standout character in this group, Venus, added nothing to the story.
Thank you to NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 7, 2025
3 ⭐
This book is an interesting one for sure. I enjoyed the magical realism and I loved the concept of the cats, though the usage of the imagery seemed less important throughout. I love the idea of a magical coffee shop showing up when you need it most!
I have 2 main struggles with this book.
1. The astrology: I actually do love the idea of incorporating it as a concept. My difficulty was as someone who's not well versed in astrology or planetary alignments, it was very hard to follow and I ended up having to accept my confusion. I think that astrology could have been used more effectively that would be appreciated by those who know nothing and those who know a lot.
2. Honestly, 2 of the 3 stories fell short for me. The first story wrapped in a way that felt surprising but I figured, that's okay it just wouldn't be my choice. But the last one in particular, it out a really bad taste in my mouth. I was feeling a 3.5 ⭐ for a lot of the book but that last story and what it was communicating, just not for me.
Overall, I think people in general could enjoy, especially if you like books like Before The Coffee Gets Cold and Well Prescribe You Another Cat.
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This book is an interesting one for sure. I enjoyed the magical realism and I loved the concept of the cats, though the usage of the imagery seemed less important throughout. I love the idea of a magical coffee shop showing up when you need it most!
I have 2 main struggles with this book.
1. The astrology: I actually do love the idea of incorporating it as a concept. My difficulty was as someone who's not well versed in astrology or planetary alignments, it was very hard to follow and I ended up having to accept my confusion. I think that astrology could have been used more effectively that would be appreciated by those who know nothing and those who know a lot.
2. Honestly, 2 of the 3 stories fell short for me. The first story wrapped in a way that felt surprising but I figured, that's okay it just wouldn't be my choice. But the last one in particular, it out a really bad taste in my mouth. I was feeling a 3.5 ⭐ for a lot of the book but that last story and what it was communicating, just not for me.
Overall, I think people in general could enjoy, especially if you like books like Before The Coffee Gets Cold and Well Prescribe You Another Cat.
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
May 29, 2026
2.5 🌟
Взяла у відпустку в якості затишного чтива. Щоправда виявилося, що книга різдвяна, проте у Японії Різдво не святкують так, як ми звикли, тож не було якогось разючого різдвяного настрою — і добре.
Книга доволі схожа на першу, може трохи слабша. Але я її читала як щось легке і не вимогливе, тож претензій до того, що вона доволі простенька, не маю. Астрологію, довкола якої побудовано сюжет, сприймала як іще один елемент містицизму і сеттингу, тож вона мене не напружувала так, як решту читачів (з відгуків).
Неприємний післясмак лишили дещо консервативні нарративи й гомофобний фінал в останній історії, але були і теплі, приємні моменти. Хоча загальне враження в мене нейтральне, за ці дві речі я оцінку занижую.
Взяла у відпустку в якості затишного чтива. Щоправда виявилося, що книга різдвяна, проте у Японії Різдво не святкують так, як ми звикли, тож не було якогось разючого різдвяного настрою — і добре.
Книга доволі схожа на першу, може трохи слабша. Але я її читала як щось легке і не вимогливе, тож претензій до того, що вона доволі простенька, не маю. Астрологію, довкола якої побудовано сюжет, сприймала як іще один елемент містицизму і сеттингу, тож вона мене не напружувала так, як решту читачів (з відгуків).
Неприємний післясмак лишили дещо консервативні нарративи й гомофобний фінал в останній історії, але були і теплі, приємні моменти. Хоча загальне враження в мене нейтральне, за ці дві речі я оцінку занижую.
April 9, 2026
Problematic and disappointing….
The first book was so cute. What happened? The first character was career driven and ambitious, but after hanging out with a kid for one day she decides motherhood is her purpose? The second character has reservations about her relationship but decides her boyfriend is actually great and they should get engaged after all? The third characters dads homophobia tore the family apart, but on his deathbed his son declares that he’s now “too old to be gay” and the family is together again???
The first book was so cute. What happened? The first character was career driven and ambitious, but after hanging out with a kid for one day she decides motherhood is her purpose? The second character has reservations about her relationship but decides her boyfriend is actually great and they should get engaged after all? The third characters dads homophobia tore the family apart, but on his deathbed his son declares that he’s now “too old to be gay” and the family is together again???
October 23, 2024
Lekka i przyjemna, jednak czegoś w niej mi brakowało. Miała fragmenty, które poruszały, ale pojawiały się niestety nieczęsto.
December 14, 2024
That was so... cinematic..✨️
December 9, 2025
Il primo libro di questa serie non mi era piaciuto, questo secondo libro l'ho trovato invece molto migliorato, a partire dall'ambientazione durante il periodo natalizio, che aggiunge piacevolezza e suggestività alla storia! L'autrice ha corretto il difetto del libro precedente (i troppi, lunghi e complicati spiegoni sull'astrologia) dando qui spiegazioni astrologiche molto più brevi e semplici. Anche la storia dei personaggi l'ho trovata migliorata, questa volta le varie vicende sono più coinvolgenti e raccontate meglio (di base i personaggi sono diversi rispetto a quelli del primo libro, perché in pratica questo libro è formato da tre storie di personaggi differenti ma legati tra loro. Ma poi a lettura avanzata si scopre che alcuni personaggi di questo libro sono legati a quelli del primo libro, dando maggior senso alla serie e una sensazione di continuità alla storia che ho apprezzato). Insomma, il concept è sempre il solito, ma qui ho trovato tutto più soddisfacente!
January 21, 2026
Dankeschön meine Liebe♥️
Band 2 war ebenso schön wie Band 1 , manches war ähnlich zauberhaft & berührend, dieses Mal waren die Cats aus dem moonlight coffee shop nicht ganz so oft präsent (wenn doch haben sie uns wieder sehr schön die Astrologie die hinter allem steckt näher gebracht ) es ging etwas mehr ums leben der Hauptdarsteller der Geschichte , was sehr spannend & emotional & sehr kurzweilig voller Leichtigkeit erzählt wird , ein ganz wundervolles Buch !!
‚A fun way to know yourself is to know your true wish.' (S.15)
Band 2 war ebenso schön wie Band 1 , manches war ähnlich zauberhaft & berührend, dieses Mal waren die Cats aus dem moonlight coffee shop nicht ganz so oft präsent (wenn doch haben sie uns wieder sehr schön die Astrologie die hinter allem steckt näher gebracht ) es ging etwas mehr ums leben der Hauptdarsteller der Geschichte , was sehr spannend & emotional & sehr kurzweilig voller Leichtigkeit erzählt wird , ein ganz wundervolles Buch !!
‚A fun way to know yourself is to know your true wish.' (S.15)
January 4, 2026
3,75/5. Ik heb dit boek oorspronkelijk gewoon gekozen vanwege de cover (Kat & Kerstvibes, meer vraag ik niet). Het zit vol met astrologie en alhoewel ik in het begin niet overtuigd was, vind ik de betekenis die ze weergeeft erachter wel mooi. Het is een kort boekje, die verschillende mensen volgt vanuit verschillende standpunten, maar hun verhalen zijn allemaal verbonden met elkaar. Leuk als tussendoortje, maar ik ben niet geneigd om het eerste boek van deze reeks nu te lezen.
July 30, 2026
Introspective and emotional, mwah !! 💋
August 15, 2026
a. dla ludzi lubiących astrologię
b. dla ludzi UWIELBIAJĄCYCH tego typu literaturę
jeśli nie jesteś w jednej z tych grup,
odwróc wzrok, nie trać czasu :)
b. dla ludzi UWIELBIAJĄCYCH tego typu literaturę
jeśli nie jesteś w jednej z tych grup,
odwróc wzrok, nie trać czasu :)
November 15, 2024
Podobała mi się trochę mniej niż pierwszych tom. Myślę, że jak ktoś lubi astronomię i książkę "Zanim wystygnie kawa" to będzie zachwycony.
January 2, 2026
Loved the first one and this was just as good. A great book to start the year with.
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