Scan barcode
sophiesbookshelf2's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It was a cool idea but with a stringer start could've scored higher.
Minor: Death, Dementia, and Grief
binreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed the concept of time travel that I haven't really seen before. I liked the idea of all these events taking place in this cozy, basement cafe. As a coffee lover, I honestly thought that using the temperature of the coffee as a time travel device was really clever. You never know how quickly your coffee is gonna get cold, I for one always forget I have a cup, then my coffee is freezing cold! So the use of that as a timer for such a delicate action of traveling through time for something extremely important made it very intense.
I did like that it takes place with the core group - the workers at the cafe - and the addition of the characters who seek out the cafe. It made me cry at points. Very moving, I already purchased the second one and I can't wait to start reading it.
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Fatphobia
franzeerdbeerbacke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Death and Dementia
g_monaghan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Minor: Death and Dementia
toastyghosty13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
At the risk of spoiling too much, it is best to not know much about this book besides the above when going into it. This book was very inspiring and very emotional. I do not recommend reading it between work meetings like I did, or you very well might find yourself ugly crying 10 minutes before a meeting (also like I did, thankfully no one showed up to the meeting).
This book is part of a series and I will definitely be revisiting in the future.
Moderate: Dementia and Death of parent
cassieemaree's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, Dementia, Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion
woolerys's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Dementia and Death of parent
emamoretti03's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I don't know how much it'll take to recover from this
Graphic: Death, Dementia, and Death of parent
annakinsky's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
1. **You can only travel to the past**: Customers can only go back to a specific moment in their own past. They cannot change the present or future, only relive moments from their personal history.
2. **You must return before your coffee gets cold**: The time travel is limited to the duration it takes for a cup of coffee to cool down. If you don't return to the present before your coffee gets cold, consequences can occur.
3. **You cannot leave your seat**: While in the past, customers must remain seated in the same spot in the café. They cannot interact with anyone or anything outside of the café.
4. **You cannot meet yourself**: Time travelers cannot encounter their past selves during their visit to the past. This rule prevents paradoxes and disruptions to the timeline.
These rules add layers of complexity and challenge to the characters' experiences as they grapple with regrets, longing, and the desire to make things right. It's a captivating exploration of time, memory, and the human experience.
I like that the stories of the people involved because they are not too compicated and not too elaborate.
1. The Lovers - Fumiko and Goro
- Fumiko went back in time to try to convince Goro not to go to America. They were able to see each other but Goro still went to US to pursue his dream and said he will go back to the cafe in 3 yrs. This was not proven in the end.
2. Husband and Wife - Kohtake and Fusagi
- Kohtake went back to ask for the letter that Fusagi who was suffering from Alzheimers faled to give her before. Realization was that he gave her a letter about living him when his sickness already became a toll on her being a wife. Which made her even more understand his condition and even be proud of using her married name again.
3. The Sisters - Hirai and Kumi
- Hirai went back to apologize to Kumi ( who died from an accident after she came by at the cafe to convince her to come home)
Hirai realized after talking to Kumi from the past that jt was her sister's dream for them to work together at their inn. Contrary to what she thought that Kumi just want to be free from family.
4. Mother and Child - Kei and Miki
- Kei suffering from a weak heart since childhood travelled to the future to meet her own daughter. Which at that time she was already long gone from childbirth. It was a touching and sad meeting. But hearing that her daughter was thankful for the life she has, made Kei happy and even more decided to continue the pregnancy eventhough it means dying.
At the end, the lesson remains.. You may not be able to change the present by going back to the past but you can change the heart.🥰
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Dementia, Car accident, and Pregnancy
onegalonelife27's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Dementia, and Grief
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion