قبل أن أدرك كم أحبك

コーヒーが冷めないうちに #6

by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, توشيكازو كواغوشي, زينة ادريس (Translator)

ماذا لو أتيحت لك الفرصة لتعود بالزمن إلى الوراء ؟ لكن بشروط لا يمكن خرقها، وبفنجان قهوة لا بد أن يُشرب قبل أن يبرد... في هذا الجزء الجديد من السلسلة الساحرة التي أسرت قلوب القرّاء في أنحاء العالم، نعود إلى المقهى الصغير الدافئ في طوكيو، الذي يمكن لزائريه السفر إلى الماضي أو المستقبل، بشرط أن يلتزموا بالقوامة... وأهمها: أن يعودوا إلى الزمن الحاضر قبل أن تبرد القهوة في فناجينهم. تُسلّط رواية "قبل أن أدرك كم أحبك" الضوء على قصص أربعة أشخاص يجمعهم الشوق والندم، وكل منهم يحمل في قلبه كلمات لم تُقل، أو وداعاً لم يكتمل من ابنة تحاول إصلاحعلاقة متصدعة مع زوجة أبيها، إلى شاب ينتظر رداً من حبيبته، ومن امرأة تواجه قراراً مصيرياً، إلى طالب أراد أن يلتقي والده الراحل. بأسلوب جذاب، تستعرض الرواية لحظات من الحب والفقد والتصالح، وتسبر أعماق النفس البشرية، بحيث تلتقي مشاعر الندم بالأمل، والحنين بالمغفرة رواية تلامس القلب وتمنحه الدفء، وتذكرنا أن الوقت الذي نقضيه مع من نحبّ أثمن من أن يُهدر في الصمت وسوء الفهم.

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Japan, Japanese Literature, Magical Realism, Science Fiction, Literary Fiction

230 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 2024

About the author

Toshikazu Kawaguchi (in Japanese: 川口 俊 和) was born in Osaka, Japan, in 1971. He formerly produced, directed and wrote for the theatrical group Sonic Snail. As a playwright, his works include COUPLE, Sunset Song, and Family Time. The novel Before the Coffee Gets Cold is adapted from a 1110 Productions play by Kawaguchi, which won the 10th Suginami Drama Festival grand prize.

Reviews

[ree]

can't wait for the english translated version in the next few years!

[har. (ia, finals) · Rating 3 out of 5]

┆ ⤿ 🥐⌗ started: february 20, finished: february 21

3 stars 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
⤿ arc review with some spoilers.

if you could go back in time, who would you want to meet?

ⓘ thank you to netgalley and harpercollins for the early edition in exchange for an honest review.

thoughts: ⋆˚࿔
i did feel the heartbreak, the stories carry that quiet, reflective sadness that this series is known for, and there were definitely moments that tugged at me. the themes of regret, parental sacrifice, and unresolved emotions were strong, and i appreciated how gently everything unfolded.

but for some reason, it just didn’t fully connect with me. i understood what the stories were trying to convey, and i could see the emotional weight behind them, yet i felt slightly removed from it all. it was like i was witnessing the sadness rather than being completely immersed in it. the emotions were there, but they didn’t hit me as deeply as some of the earlier books in the series.

that being said, i still respect the softness of the storytelling. kawaguchi has a way of making ordinary conversations feel meaningful, and i admire the simplicity and restraint. this one just didn’t resonate with me on a personal level the way i hoped it would. bittersweet, thoughtful, but not one of my favorites in the series.

stories: ⋆˚࿔
i. the runaway
this story covers about azami kishimoto and her stepmother yumiko togo. this story hurt in the softest, most devastating way. azami was a troubled child who pushed away the one person who never stopped loving her. after losing her biological mother, she took her anger and grief out on yumiko, the stepmother who never tried to replace anyone, never forced the “mother” title, but still stayed. yumiko endured everything and continued to care for azami as her own, quietly and patiently.

what made this story even more painful was the realization that azami only truly understood her stepmother’s love years later, after yumiko had passed away. once she became a stepmother herself, she finally felt the weight of what yumiko must have carried. the guilt, the regret, the pain of telling her to never look for her again… it all came rushing back.

this chapter beautifully captured regret, guilt, and unspoken love. it shows how sometimes we only understand someone’s sacrifices when it’s too late, and how heavy that realization can be.

ii. the patient man
the patient man follows koku, who has quietly loved kazu for years, knowing she keeps everyone at a careful emotional distance. while those around her sense a wall, kōkū never pressures her to lower it. instead, he remains steady and patient, accepting her responsibilities to the café and the grief she carries from her late fiancé, goro katada.

running alongside this is the story of okishima and kanna, which explores a more innocent, youthful kind of affection. their dynamic contrasts with koku's enduring devotion, highlighting different stages and expressions of love, one built on subtle glances and growing awareness, the other rooted in years of quiet waiting.

overall, the chapter centers on themes of patience, unspoken feelings, and enduring love. it’s gentle and reflective rather than dramatic, focusing more on emotional undercurrents than major twists.

iii. the secret
this story follows rikako, who is anxious about her future with gaku, a kind but struggling comedian whose career feels uncertain and unstable. frustrated by his lack of clear success and worried she might be settling, rikako chooses to travel forward in time to see what becomes of their relationship. she wants reassurance. she wants proof that staying will be worth it.

this chapter explores insecurity, doubt, and the fear of choosing wrong. it asks whether love can survive without certainty, and whether knowing the future truly brings peace, or just exposes what we’re too afraid to face in the present.

iv. the father and son
this story follows tsuguo, who travels back to meet his late father, ryutaro, one more time. raised alone by his father after a divorce, tsuguo grew up without fully understanding the sacrifices ryutaro made. through their quiet conversation, he begins to see his father not just as a parent, but as a man who did his best with what he had.

it’s a soft, bittersweet story about parental sacrifice, misunderstanding, and finally seeing someone clearly, even if it’s too late.

[grebxy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In qualche modo piango sempre, assurdo.

[Nadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

حلم العودة الى الماضي يتحقق في مقهى فونيكولي فونيكولا بشرط العودة قبل ان تبرد ☕️.
حكايات أشخاص عادوا للماضي و عبروا عن مشاعر الحب بكل أنواعه.

[onelmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cried ugly at the last story 🥲 A mix of heart warming story makes the book a nice balance. Some lines do feel like they are there to increase the word count but still okay, I guess.

One confusing bit in the book is where in the last story, Koku told Kinuyo he was going to France "the next day", but Kazu apparently received a message from him attached with his selfie in France "that very evening" 🤷‍♀️

[Adriana Moretti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Il tema del libro è che la vita va presa a morsi ogni minuto. ma ho trovato che alla fine è come tutti gli altri libri; nessun capolavoro, solo un libro tranquillo e carino, da leggere giusto per passare un po' di tempo.
Inoltre penso che dal terzo in poi siano troppo ripetitivi; mi ha dato l’impressione di leggere lo stesso libro.

[pages_amour]

A massive thanks to Pan Macmillan for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

A cute and cosy addition to the Before The Coffee Gets Cold series! I love little magical realism reads, the endearing mundanity of everyday life, the way the small stories show the threads of human connection between all of us, it’s just a comforting palate cleanse. Now I’ve only read the first book of the series and nothing in between, but the simple language and simple premise mean you can easily read this one as a standalone.

By no means a life changing read, but an enjoyable one all the same, albeit less impactful than the original. I would love nothing more than to spend a day in a time travelling cafe in real life.

[claire (franchaela pilled) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 / 5 ⭐

credo ancora che questa serie sia molto molto bella da leggere, nel suo insieme, anche solo per le interconnessioni tra i personaggi e le loro storie che si evolvono con il tempo.

penso, però, che alcuni racconti, soprattutto le dinamiche e l'incipit alla base, stiano divenendo un po' ridondanti e ripetitivi.

comunque, non ho pianto nemmeno una volta rip

[Rachele Stoduto · Rating 4 out of 5]

In una strada defilata del Giappone, a pian terreno, esiste una caffetteria in cui è possibile viaggiare nel tempo, rispettando poche, semplici regole: si può viaggiare nel tempo solo una volta nella vita, si può rincontrare una persona solo se è stata nella stessa caffetteria, per viaggiare nel tempo bisogna accomodarsi su una sedia subito domo che "la dama bianca" si alza, si può stare nel passato/futuro solo finché il caffè è caldo. "La bottega del tempo ritrovato" è una raccolta di quattro racconti, ognuno con un messaggio ed un insegnamento importante il cui filo conduttore è il tempo. Lo stile narrativo è piacevole e scorrevole nonostante l'importanza delle tematiche: avere una seconda possibilità per dire ciò che non si è mai detto, oppure decidere se vivere il momento ed essere felici o rinunciare a tutto ... in altre parole, prendersi un attimo per sé stessi, ascoltarsi, ripartire.
Una lettura sicuramente consigliata, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Vicky Sp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esiste un luogo dove é possibile tornare indietro nel tempo, per la durata di un caffé, purché si ritorni prima che questo diventi freddo.
Dove? Nella caffetteria piú famosa del Giappone, in una stradina defilata, dove esiste una bottega del tempo ritrovato.
É l'occasione giusta per rimediare a errori, o per esprimere semplicemente affetto e riconoscenza ai propri cari.
Tante le storie emozionanti raccontate con la sensibilità tipica dell'autore, fenomeno editoriale degli ultimi anni, che abbiamo imparato ad amare in Finché il caffé è caldo. Un meraviglioso libro coccola che vi farà sognare .
Anche questa copertina è semplicemente stupenda.
Consiglitissimo

[Anna Mikulec · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've absolutely loved and cherished this whole series so much!

This new installment is sadly my least favorite so far. I remember the rules being repeated a lot in previous books but it felt like it was happening way more in this one. Considering this is now the 6th book in the series it does get a little annoying having the rules of time travel explained almost every 5 pages. Then there was also way more handholding to explain exactly what characters were feeling than I remember. I know that absolutely existed in previous books but the stories were so emotional and impactful that I could overlook it. I just couldn't do that with this one as much and it stood out a lot more when reading.

Still very heartwarming, slice of life stories but not on the same caliber as previous installments.

[Anna Nenci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Torna Kawaguchi, una delle penne più acclamate del Giappone con la sua indimenticabile, ineguagliabile sensibilità. C'è un luogo in cui si può ripartire, in cui si può tornare indietro e sperare di recuperare o cogliere quell'attimo di svolta, perché a volte ci si rende conto dei propri errori quando è tardi, rimpiangendo quell’attimo perso.
Un abbraccio mancato, il rifiuto voluto, ingiustificato con l'inevitabile sofferenza di chi invece crede in quel sentimento sano e vero di una madre; una dichiarazione mancata per paura, rinviando ad un domani che non arriverà mai.
Tante storie, diverse esperienze in un romanzo toccante, delicato, che ci accarezza, riflettendo sull'importanza di vivere e godere di ogni attimo. Ripensare alla propria vita vivendo con la consapevolezza dello scorrere del tempo, cercare la felicità e trovarla anche nelle piccole cose in quei piccoli gesti che possono fare la differenza ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Emi · Rating 4 out of 5]

In una piccola caffetteria giapponese, avvolta dal profumo del caffè e dal silenzio delle attese,
il tempo può piegarsi — avanti o indietro — per chi ha qualcosa da ritrovare.
Ogni storia è un frammento d’umanità, un gesto semplice che sa di cura.

[Nicole Perrotta · Rating 3 out of 5]

«Soffriva, ma tormentarsi non avrebbe cambiato nulla, perciò doveva solo pensare a come vivere il tempo che le rimaneva.»

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This installment in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series maintains the sweetness of the original with its genuine connections and human stories while keeping the concept of traveling back in time fresh and interesting.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

[Anna Bellin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect way to start September. It’s always a nice and calm reading that makes you think about important topics and makes you dream of seeing again those who are no longer with you. It brings hope, and it never disappoints.

[Alfonso · Rating 1 out of 5]

La ripetizione di un suo precedente lavoro. Per di più abbastanza melenso e vuoto.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

"La bottega del tempo ritrovato" di Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Pagine 192

In una strada defilata del Giappone c’è un posto in cui si possono ritrovare piccoli gesti chiave, indispensabili per riappropriarsi del tempo. Qui, ogni avventore può creare un rituale sempre diverso per entrare in contatto con chi è davvero. Bastano pochi dettagli: un leggero alito di vento dalla finestra, il profumo dei fiori di ciliegio, un caffè fumante sopra il tavolino, le ginocchia affondate nel cuscino. Dettagli di poco conto che, di solito, passerebbero inosservati. Ma in quel luogo, per qualche ora, è possibile dimenticare la famiglia, gli amici, il lavoro: tutto ciò che ci distrae da quello che sentiamo davvero. È una sfida che pochi accettano. Tra questi coraggiosi, ci sono Azami, che capisce di dover tornare a casa per dire alla matrigna quanto è importante per lei; Rikako, che vorrebbe scrutare nel futuro per capire se il fidanzato sia la persona giusta; e Okishima, che nel trambusto della quotidianità riscopre l’importanza di aspettare. Sono lezioni che gli ospiti della bottega apprendono concentrandosi su piccole cose come ritrovare la camera dell’infanzia intatta a casa dei genitori, gustare un pezzo di cioccolato bianco, ricevere un messaggio inaspettato. Ogni momento va vissuto senza mille pensieri per potersi concentrare su quello che desideriamo davvero.

Da un pò di tempo aspettavo l'occasione giusta per tornare in questa magica caffetteria e, quando questa finalmente ha bussato alla mia porta come potevo rinunciare?
La modalità della storia è sempre la stessa, quattro protagonisti, quattro racconti diversi, una sola cosa in comune: la caffetteria dei viaggi nel tempo.
Ammetto che alla lunga, il continuo ripetere all'infinito le regole e seguire sempre lo stesso schema è stancante ma la verità di fondo è che io voglio ormai assolutamente sapere cosa accadrà ai proprietari della caffetteria e così mi costringo a leggere ancora e ancora.
A livello emotivo ho trovato le storie dei quattro protagonisti molto più intense rispetto al precedente volume.
Azami, Okishima, Rikako e Tsuguo mi hanno conquistata.
Amore e famiglia i temi centrali.
La storia di Okishima e Kanna è sicuramente la più dolce dal mio punto di vista ma comunque è stato veramente difficile scegliere il mio preferito.
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

[Noemi L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Da buona napoletana, il caffè ☕️ è il mio piccolo rito quotidiano. Un gesto semplice, ma carico di calore e significato.
E quando il caffè diventa il filo conduttore di un romanzo, è impossibile non sentire il cuore battere un po’ più forte.

Nei libri di Kawaguchi, basta varcare la porta di una piccola caffetteria giapponese, sedersi su una sedia precisa, e accade la magia: si può viaggiare nel tempo. Un salto nel passato o uno sguardo al futuro, con un’unica regola da rispettare: bisogna tornare prima che il caffè si raffreddi.

Non è un gioco. È un viaggio nell’anima.
Solo chi trova il coraggio di affrontare i propri rimpianti ha la possibilità di rivivere quel momento che ha segnato il suo cammino. Non per cambiare ciò che è stato, perché il passato resta immutabile. Ma per imparare, per comprendersi, per trovare finalmente pace.

Con una scrittura delicata e profonda, Kawaguchi ci racconta storie che sanno toccare corde intime, che accarezzano il cuore e, spesso, lo stringono in un nodo di commozione.
Ci ricorda quanto sia prezioso il presente, l’unico tempo in cui possiamo ancora scegliere, dire, amare, perdonare. ❤️‍🩹

Perdono. Accettazione. Speranza.
Tutte quelle emozioni che, mescolate insieme, danno il sapore unico di una vita piena. Proprio come un caffè: caldo, intenso, da gustare lentamente, magari in silenzio, magari con chi amiamo.

Come nei precedenti volumi, anche qui la malinconia e la delicatezza tipiche della narrativa giapponese si fondono in un’atmosfera sospesa, dove ogni parola ha il peso di ciò che non è stato detto. Sullo sfondo, un Giappone caldo e accogliente, che profuma di fiori di ciliegio 🌸.

Ho amato profondamente questo libro e quel filo 🪡 invisibile che, ancora una volta, unisce tutti i personaggi, trasformando questa raccolta di racconti brevi in un nuovo tassello da incastonare con delicatezza nella cornice tracciata dai suoi predecessori.

[Selena · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always a delight to return to Tokyo’s mysterious cafe, Funiculi Funicula, and Kawaguchi’s sixth addition to the BEFORE THE COFFEE GETS COLD series doesn’t disappoint. Four new customers enter the cafe, hoping for resolution:

*The Runaway - A mother looking to repair the relationship she had with her own stepmother
*The Patient Man - A young man trying to right a disastrous high school Valentine’s Day
*The Secret - A woman seeking answers from the future to help her make a life-changing decision
*The Father and Son - A boy wanting to see his father after he suddenly passed away;

A couple of previous time travellers also make an appearance, as cafe regulars or helping the new customers understand the cafe, and it was good to hear how they were getting on. But I was most excited to learn about new developments in the lives of cafe owner Nagare and his stoic cousin, Kazu, who works alongside him.

Previously, I started to get a bit irritated by the seemingly pedantic rules customers need to follow to time-travel, which have to be repeated in each story, but I seem to have made my peace with them now, and it's quite relaxing having them signal what’s to come, like a mantra. There was also a novel workaround for one of the rules, and it will be interesting to see what happens with this in future books (I’m guessing there will be more?). As usual, the stories are long enough to build a customer’s backstory without being too taxing. I was also pleased to see the relationship diagram, which I always find helpful, and probably good for anyone new to the series (although I always say it’s worth starting with the first). It’s a sad/sweet collection: people making mistakes, fears between parents and children, people thinking so hard about situations that they miss opportunities, people worried about the future, or people just missing someone. Still one of the best examples of Japanese healing fiction, I was in tears at the end of The Secret. These are always a comfort read for me, like being back with old friends.

[Topo Chicas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any time I see a new Toshikazu Kawaguchi novel, I can’t help but be excited to return to the Funiculi Funicula cafe. Like all the books in the series before this one, I read this in just a few hours not able to put it down for a second. Also like the others, it’ll have you in your feels during and for days (if not weeks) after.

In the latest installment, we encounter an angsty teen daughter and her stepmom; a man who waits years to connect with his childhood crush; a woman who wants to travel to the future to see how she should make a present-day decision; and a son who goes back in time to see his father.

Each of the short stories will make you feel the gamut of human emotion: warmth, joy, sadness, and love. I love getting to live with each of these characters, as they deal with regrets, hopes, and wishes. I appreciate getting to explore humanity through the lens of these characters, even if for just a short while. Like the other books in the series, there is such warmth and beauty in how the author writes about the breadth of the human experience. I loved getting to return to the cafe with these new characters and quite a few of the old.

You don’t need to have read any of the others in the series to enjoy this. However, those that have will see a few Easter eggs throughout (as per usual). While not my favorite in the series, I definitely enjoyed it and will be ruminating on it all week/month/year. Definitely a book worth reading this summer while on vacation or for a cozy moment at home!

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Once again, I find myself back in the world of Before the Coffee Gets Cold. I am HUGE fan of this cozy stories which are a mix of happy and heartbreaking.

This collection included:
- A woman who wished she could tell her step-mother how much she meant to her.
- A man who has been waiting years for his school boy crush to show up.
- A woman grappling with a tough choice.
- A boy who hopes to speak to his father again.

I would say there were more sad tears than happy tears for me, but I have no regrets letting these stories into my heart. My favorite was the third one which was also probably the most devastating to me, but it was beautiful! *wipes tears* The second story was the sweetest one while the first tale put a twist on the tradition way these people "visit" their loved ones.

It was also wonderful to learn more and more about the keepers of the cafe. If you have read the other books, you know Kazu's story, and here, she begins to open her heart again. I cried happy tears for her and was excited about her future.

Overall: Another warm and touching collection which tugged at heartstrings.

*ARC provided by publisher

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[Kelsey Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I Knew I Loved You is the sixth volume in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series. While I haven’t read every book yet, I have read the first installment, When the Coffee Gets Cold. I would recommend reading the series in order if you can, and I plan to go back and read the ones I’ve missed. That said, each book works as an interconnected standalone.

Reading the first book isn’t required, but I do think it adds helpful context for the café, the staff, and the mysterious woman in the white dress.

Like the other books in the series, this volume is made up of four interconnected stories centered around visitors to a small Tokyo café called Funiculi Funicula, where customers have the opportunity to travel back in time. However, there are strict rules: they cannot leave their seat, and their journey lasts only until their coffee gets cold.

What stood out to me most in this volume is the idea that we don’t know what we don’t know. Life can shift in unexpected ways, offering new perspectives on our own actions and the actions of others. The stories beautifully explore the idea of getting a chance to say the things left unsaid, and how meaningful and sometimes complicated that can be.

Overall, this was a thoughtful and emotional continuation of the series that highlights the power of perspective, timing, and human connection.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review

[Leggi&Sogna By · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mi sono nuovamente lasciata avvolgere dalle atmosfere del Giappone e sono tornata nella speciale caffetteria di Tokio, un posto unico dove fermarsi a riflettere sul tempo passato e sul potere che alcune scelte o azioni hanno sulle pagine della vita ancora da scrivere.

“C’è un luogo in cui ti è concesso ripartire.
Basta accomodarsi.
E ascoltare.”

𝐋𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨 𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐨 è il sesto libro della serie 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞́ 𝐢𝐥 𝐜𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞̀ 𝐞̀ 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐨 ,e anche questa volta abbiamo quattro storie con quattro protagonisti.diversi.
Ognuno di loro è consapevole che varcando la soglia della caffetteria avrà modo di tornare nel passato o andare nel futuro, non per modificarlo ma per trovare la propria serenità, la forza per rialzarsi ogniqualvolta cade e il coraggio di affrontare tutte le cose rimaste in sospeso,come le parole non detti o gli abbracci mancati.


L’autore ci i ricorda che ogni attimo deve essere assaporato in piena consapevolezza. E la vita presa a morsi ogni minuto.

Una scrittura come sempre toccante ed evocativa,ben scritta e curata.
Ricca di dettagli che tocca corde nascoste della nostra anima.

Questa storia è una piccola coccola che fa bene al cuore e mi sento di consigliarla a chi cerca la felicità anche nelle piccole cose.

[arcobaleno · Rating 2 out of 5]

Questo libro contiene quattro racconti molto simili nello schema: persone (giovani) che hanno la possibilità di viaggiare nel tempo: tornano nel passato per rivedere persone morte, con cui chiarire malintesi e liberarsi di rimorsi, oppure che avanzano nel futuro, per conoscere gli sviluppi della propria vita.
La lettura non mi ha appassionato né per gli argomenti trattati né per lo sviluppo: la scrittura mi è apparsa piatta e fredda, senza partecipazione. I personaggi, a mio parere non ben caratterizzati, non mi hanno coinvolto né commosso. Non condivido tutte le stelle e le lacrime osservate nel cielo dei commenti ..."goodreadiani", ma forse sono io insensibile e una lettrice poco attenta?!
Ho letto che questa è l'ennesima pubblicazione di Toshikazu Kawaguchi con le stesse impostazioni e negli stessi luoghi (ciò può spiegare l'esaurimento della vena). Non ho desiderio di approfondire la sua conoscenza ma, se qualcuno volesse proprio sperimentare questo Autore, consiglierei di provare con la prima uscita: forse contiene qualche guizzo in più. Ringrazio comunque chi mi ha fatto dono di questo libro, per avermi dato l'occasione di incontrare almeno una volta T. K. e di scegliere di non cercarlo più.

[Maria Viselli · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 Going into this, I think I was expecting more depth right away with the characters and the cafe itself. It was interesting to see 4 different people come into the cafe & either go back into the past or present, however, I feel like the rules were very repetitive. It’s understandable that it may need to be, however, it seems to be too much. I enjoyed the 3rd story a lot, but the other stories felt a little bland to me & feel like they didn’t pack that much of an impact as I thought it would. I wanted to have more emotion evoking feelings & the characters who did the travel seemed to be kind of “meh” to me. I did like how there were different reasons they had to do the time travel but something was missing. I also noticed lack of the magical realism, I get the ghost & the dusting to go back & forth but having more of that feeling & side effects would’ve really been interesting to see how they react to the transformation.

There were so many characters too & I feel like that was overwhelming because it was going back & forth but randomly it felt like & it felt like a pinball machine with how things were going on - as if the side stories of them were put into different places. All in all, I don’t think this read was for me.

[Michelle G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review; thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Hanover Square Press for the access to this ebook. Pub date: May 26, 2026.

While this is the 6th book in the series, it's the first one I picked up cause I understood these worked as standalones, and they do. While there are some characters in the café I believe are recurring because though they were kind of background characters, they were focused on enough for me to feel like people may be familiar with them from following the series from the start. Still, I didn't feel like I was missing anything more than maybe a more emotional connection to them.

Overall, I thought this was just fine. It's an easy read; very feel-good and chill. The time traveling aspect of it doesn't seem to be the focus and I wanted to know more about it, but the focus is on the characters and the little glimpses into their lives and what they get out of traveling in time to do whatever it is they need to do. That was fine and it was done well, it just wasn't memorable or super engaging to me. Definitely felt like stories I've read before and they didn't make a huge impact on me, but this isn't a bad read. I recommend if you're in need of something very light and nice to read that won't require much brain power.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I Knew I Loved You by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is another installment in the beloved time-travel café series, blending gentle science fiction with reflective, character-driven storytelling. As with previous entries, the novel presents stories that explore love, regret, and the emotional weight of choices across time.

While this installment feels slightly less heart-wrenching than earlier books in the series, it still carries the same quiet emotional resonance. Each story offers something to reflect on, capturing small but meaningful moments that linger with the reader.

The translation reads beautifully, preserving a literary and contemplative tone that suits the series perfectly. Each story thoughtfully explores different expressions of love and relationships, often revealing their depth through quiet, understated moments. Combined with the accessible, episodic structure, this results in a quick yet meaningful and reflective read.

Overall, Before I Knew I Loved You is a gentle and moving continuation of the series—less intense emotionally, but still rich in feeling and insight.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/ Hanover Square Press for this ARC . This is my honest review .

[gwen_is_ reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a huge fan of these books since Before the Coffee Gets cold. I love the way they are portioned out, like mini stories that somehow click together. The fact that I get to spend time with the staff and certain patrons in all the book give it kind of a cozy feel. Besides that, the premise of the stories have always intrigued me. Would you go back- knowing you could never change anything? How much is one more moment worth? These are sweet stories filled with emotion.

Only a few of these stories really resonated with me, though, when normally the entire book does. I think I liked the interactions between Kazu and an admirer best. For me, this installment didn’t hit as hard. I still loved it, and I will be buying it when it comes out. But for me, this was maybe a four star where the others were a five. Still fantastic, but not quite living up to it’s predecessors.

I would say these are geared for new adults and adults. While there aren’t any topics that I would consider mature content, some of the themes may hit harder.

I was lucky enough to recieve an eARC of this book from Netgalley working with Harlequin Trade publishing in exchange for an honest review. My thanks.