A review by lcr16
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

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

4.5

If you’re looking for a combination of hopeful, inspiring, and bittersweet, this is the perfect book. A beautiful addition to the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series. Kawaguchi’s exploration of grief allows characters to be imperfect and messy in their journey without judgement. With a new location and some new faces to keep the series fresh, Kawaguchi sticks to the heart of the series. Many of the new characters are professional comedians who are trying to find balance in happiness through laughter while honoring their loved ones and their grief. Burnout, anxiety, and regret are central to these characters lives. This dynamic brings both tension and a hopeful tone. The last paragraph of the book is so incredibly bittersweet, you want to wallow in it. Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in return for the honest review