Tales from the Cafe: A Nostalgic Novel Exploring Love, Loss and Missed Connections from a Magical Café―Book Two of the Before the Coffee Gets Cold Series

A sequel that honors the original while moving the story and the lives of its characters forward. New insights about human behavior, regret, and, most of all, happiness, make this a perfect read.

I loved the story, but everyone's name started with the letter T. It was very confusing. I had to keep going back to remind myself who was who. Aside from that, it was a different take on time-travel. If you like this genre, you'll like this series.

This is my 2nd book from the "Before the Coffee Gets Cold" series and it is excellent. The author is very talented, the stories are touching and deep. This isn't just a "here's some more stories" follow-up. The reader learns more about the workers at the cafe, the mysterious woman in "THE Chair" and, of course, the various patrons that visit. Highly recommended.

An interesting continuation of the story. Thought-provoking, quiet, a good bedtime read to quiet my mind. It's funny; I complained after reading book 1 about the translation (it wasn't my favorite). I get why I thought that; I didn't mind it this time round, maybe just knowing what to expect. I will note, there was a lot of repetition--of the time-travel rules, in particular. On the one hand, I get it; it was fleshing out the characters about to time-travel, as much as anything--but for this reader, it did get old quickly.

Author Toshikazu Kawaguchi has once again delivered a wonderful story! The second book is equally as remarkable as the first one!! This writer is truly talented in crafting unique narratives that appear to imbue meaning into the lives of all, even the audience. Both me and you! Continuing from the first book, book two maintains the same characters. The stories from the cafe in the second book introduce new characters while the readers discover their stories. Visiting the cafe once more, characters either revisit the past or look into the future, all before the coffee grows cold. Despite the certainty that nothing can be altered from past events, going back or taking a glimpse into the future provides the opportunity to express unsaid words or shed light on what was previously unclear and unfamiliar. Reading the series "Before the coffee gets Cold" is truly a beautiful experience, allowing one to uncover the wisdom that Kawaguchi introduces. I strongly suggest these books. Anticipating book three, "Before Your Memory Fades", is now my next step.

4.5 Stars!!! There is so much I love about this book and this series. The characters are so relatable and lovable. I can’t help but want to keep reading to find out what the next person’s story is. There are so many great lessons to learn, such as to never judge someone when you don’t know the whole story and there is great healing power in forgiving yourself and striving to be happy after you go through difficult times. I love that it is written in such a way that I feel like I am there in the cafe as events unfold, and I so wish the cafe was a real place that I could visit. I look forward to reading the next book and I highly recommend this series to everyone!

In this second volume of the series, "Before the Coffee Gets Cold," readers are presented with the stories of four new time travelers seeking the chance to make something in their lives right. While most are seeking a second chance at something they failed to do in the past, one travels to the future to help someone in their present move on and find happiness. The stories are similar in nature to those in the first book, and characters from that one reappear along with some new faces. We learn more about the mysterious woman in the white dress who is consigned to spending her afterlife forever anchored to the café seated at a specific table in a specific chair. The travelers’ stories, why they decided to move about in time, and the results of their travels are all touching and satisfying. However, my favorite revelations were about the women in Kazu’s family and how the task of pouring the coffee to send a traveler on their way is transferred from woman to woman. If you enjoyed the premise and lovely tales from "Before the Coffee Gets Cold" and just weren’t ready to say goodbye to the patrons and staff of 'Funiculi Funicula,' "Tales from the Café" is right up your alley.

This is the 2nd I have read in this series and they are among the most heart felt and inspiring fiction I have read. The magical realism is a favorite genre of mine, and this author does more that create a mystical supernaturatal tale. They contain life lessons to ponder that could actually change your life perspective. Sine people visiting this Cafe can choose to go back in time to talk to someone who had also been in the cafe ...currently living or deceased, it has me wondering what I would choose to Talk About if I zapped back to visit with a loved one. You Are not bringing them to your present tense, but entering their world as they were in the past. You don't have long...only until your coffee gets cold. I know I will be reading the other 3 of this 5 volume set. Most less than 200 pages, so easy to do!

Very good book, a light and enjoyable read that was well written by the author. Made you reflect on your own life.

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It's a must read book for everyone 👍👍

Toshikazu Kawaguchi has a beautiful way of keeping the readers engaged even though the premises of this series is known it's interesting how each story uncovers and how characters are described. Definitely reading in sequence helps but individually also worth the read!

Me apaixonei pela escrita de Toshikazu Kawaguchi desde o primeiro livro da série. Maravilhoso.