Published by Hanover Square Press on May 26, 2026
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction
Rating:
Goodreads
In a special seat in a fabled Tokyo cafe, you’re offered something irresistible – not just a warm, comforting coffee, but the chance to go back in time to revisit the ones you love . . .
In Before I Knew I Loved You, Toshikazu Kawaguchi takes us back to the warm heart of the mysterious Funiculi Funicula Cafe, with another four guests whose luminous stories of love, lost and won again, will reaffirm your belief in its eternal potential. In this book, we meet:
- The girl who couldn’t call her mother, and yearns to reconnect with her
- The man who waited for a reply from his girlfriend, and never heard from her
- The woman, anxious to travel ahead to know what her future holds
- The student who travels back to meet his father again, who passed away many years before
Yet the same rules always apply – you must return before the coffee gets cold. And while it does, memories are revisited, people are changed forever, and the enduring power of love transcends the boundaries of time.
The sixth book in the phenomenal, bestselling series, translated from Japanese, Before I Knew I Loved You asks the irresistible what would you do if you were offered the chance to go back in time?
Once again, I find myself back in the world of Before the Coffee Gets Cold. I am HUGE fan of these 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 hopeed 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 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. This elicited happy tears, and I was excited about Kazu's future.
Overall: Another warm and touching collection which tugged at heartstrings.
*ARC PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER
Published by HarperCollins on August 26, 2025
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction
Rating:
Goodreads
For fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold, What You Are Looking for Is In the Library, and Days at the Morisaki Bookshop comes an enchanting novel that will linger in your heart long after the last page is turned.
As the last petal falls, the final page is turned…
Welcome to The Cherry Blossom Bookshop, a haven for book lovers that only appears during the fleeting cherry blossom season. Nestled amidst the bloom of delicate petals, you’ll find a sanctuary for those burdened by regrets and past sorrows. Here, Sakura, the mysterious young owner, and her wise calico cat, Kobako, patiently await the arrival of souls in need of solace and healing.
Told over four seasons, each visitor to the bookshop holds a book that bridges their past and present, guiding them towards understanding and acceptance. Within the antique charm of the shop and the soothing aroma of freshly brewed coffee, Sakura and Kobako help their guests confront their lingering sadness through the power of stories, enabling them to move forward with renewed hope.
As a fan of the Before the Coffee Gets Cold books, I had to read this book, and it did not disappoint. The book was broken down into four stories of people who found themselves transported to this magical bookstore. A book was at the center of their ability to travel there because they were reading the same passage, from the same book, at the same time as the caretaker of bookshop.
While there, each visitor had an opportunity to explore some part of their life. To see something more clearly, relive a memory, see an event from a different point of view. The stories were very touching and dealt with some kind of loss, but I wasn't expecting the last one. It was the icing on the cake.
My love for Japanese lit has grown over the past few years, and we are lucky enough that the number of translated books keeps growing. I enjoy the quiet beauty of these stories, many having a touch of magic, and all infused with so much warmth and charm.
Overall: I adored my trip to the Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop!
Let us know in the comments!
I had read the first 'Before the coffee gets cold' and I didn't like it so I didn't read the other books. Maybe I'll try 'Before I knew I loved you' later. 'The vanishing cherry blossom bookshop' sounds good. They have such enticing synopsis. These books are quite popular so there is a long hold on them at the library so who knows if I'll get to read them.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day.
I think you have to like the style. I am good with quiet, slice of life books, and I like the short story style they use. Both of these books were written that way.
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