A review by laurennoel
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The book wasn't bad but it also did not live up to what I expected and I found the writing stilted and awkward at points, which could very well be because of the translator. The plot was also predictable and not in a fun way. I liked the first two stories well enough but found the last two tedious, especially the last one because I hate the trope that was utilized. Kawaguchi also toes the line of men writing women. All the women are pretty and makeupless while the men just get to be obscure figures in the background with characterization reduced to their body mass.

All in all, the book was significantly simpler than expected and not really my cup of tea (coffee).