A good novel, definitely recommend this series. But I will say once you’ve read one you have kind of read them all, as nothing changes drastically. I feel like the author has had an idea and it’s worked beautifully but now they are milking it and trying to get as much money as possible out of one idea.

If you read it as an individual novel, brilliant, moving, highly recommend, beautiful and moving. As a part of the series much of the same

Kawaguchi once again welcomes us back into the warmth of Funiculi Funicula - the time travelling cafe. Despite the loneliness and heartbreak within the people who come to the cafe seeking to go back in time, there is something so warm and comforting about Kawaguchi's books. I never want to leave the cafe.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Spoiler: I cried. More than once.

Such a heartfelt collection of stories, oh how they made me cry. It touched so many painful topics, like the loss of a parent, or a pet, or a love. For me, especially the last story, "The Daughter", hit hard, showing how grief is felt and dealt with by people in different generations. It was such a cosy, atmospheric read, perfect to enjoy with a cup of coffee during a rainy day.

The only minus was that it felt a little bit repetitive. I get that each separate character needed to learn the rules of the coffee shop, but it got a bit too much reading the same rules and explanations every time in the same context.

Another beautiful and emotional installment in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, Before Your memory fades features four short stories of those left behind, desperate for a chance to save their loved ones and settling for one final chance to share a loving moment with the one they mourn. Exploring the sad reality of grief and loss, Kawaguchi also demonsgrantes the importance of love and seizing every momemt of happiness because you never know when it will be gone. As always, it is poignant and heart-wrenching. I only wish we had more of the central characters' stories. It felt almost like a companion novel with how it lacks the intricacies of life for Kazu, Nagare and Miki. But still an excellent novel!

There is something so comforting about this series and once again it was lovely to venture back to the cafe to experience another 4 stories of love and loss.

Not as long as previous instalments and whilst some of the stories were heartbreaking, as always, they didn't quite pull on my emotions as much as say the previous book 'Before Your Memory Fades'. I also missed the interactions with Kazu etc as they seemed less in this book.

However, if you are a fan of this series it's definitely worth a read.

A truly excellent series, this book surpasses the earlier ones - which is an achievement.
Hard hitting, emotionally jarring and yet enjoyable reading.

Four short stories with characters who want to travel back in time to see a family member/friend for a final time to make amends and have no regrets.

A beautiful book. I haven’t read any of the others in the series but believe this can be read as a stand alone. A gorgeous message behind the story and very cosy vibes. The story was a bit repetitive but very easy to read as I finished it in a couple of hours.

Would definitely recommend and would love to read the others in the series.

Another beautiful addition to this series. The characters and the stories they represent keep you coming back each time and entering the coffee shop once more.

did not enjoy the writing style at all, i even tried the audiobook and it just did not work for me. The idea was good and interesting, but the execution was lacking. sadly dnf'ed it.

Before We Say Goodbye is book 4 in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series where we join staff and people visiting a time-travelling cafe. In this cafe, you can visit the past as long as you return before the coffee gets cold. This gives people the chance to see loved ones one last time, meet old friends, etc.
In book 4 we join:
The Husband with Something Important Left to Say
The Woman Who Couldn’t Bid Her Dog Farewell
The Woman Who Couldn’t Answer a Proposal
The Daughter Who Drove Her Father Away

These books are really sweet but I think for me I might be leaving the series at book 4 as although they are a nice easy read, I just feel for me personally the series has run it's course. But they are well written, not very long, very emotional so I would still recommend the series.

Really enjoyed this, I like the magic of this book.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

As always, a wonderful addition to the series. I really love these stories and the different characters that you meet. Some of their stories really make you think and others may make you cry. A lovely quick read.

Just like with the previous books in this series, I thoroughly enjoyed the stories of each person who chose to sit in the chair.
This is a series that I always enjoy coming back to and I look forward to picking up the next one.

I am not the biggest reader of Japanese fiction, but i must say the 'Before the coffee gets cold' series is definitely a stand out, and this deserves it place on a high shelf with the rest.

Toshikazu Kawaguchi has such a beautiful way of writing that you just want to be kept there reading over and over again. And with the new voices you hear, there is a moment for everyone and you will definitely read this book over and over again, just like the rest of the series.

It was another beautiful read and I loved it. The second story made me quite tearful. I read all the previous books in this series and the second one is still my favourite one, but I haven't got bored of the story even each story has similar flow. I love the story is utterly sad, but so cosy and hearwarming at the same time.
I can't wait to read the sequel coming out this year!

Before We Say Goodbye - Gifted e- ARC

This book was so poignant, I finished it when I was sat in a cafe, drinking coffee, with tears in my eyes.

The stories really touched me, the way each one was different, yet also had markers that united them. The different reasons people had for going back to the past, and the amount of love and wistfulness in the pages. I really appreciated the different types of love that were displayed, including the enduring love people have for their pets. The patience and understanding of all the cafe staff. I loved this book, I’ve read the others, but this one really hit home. Possibly because I read it close to Mother’s Day, and I wish I could see my mum one last time, more than any thing, just to tell her how much I loved her. I thought this was a frankly spectacular, deeply touching, and magical piece of writing. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Whimsical, delightful, magical. Not sure there is anything else I can say about this rather lovely book.

You can see why so many people rave about this series. It’s not always as compelling in these later books, but there is something very readable about the writing, the characters and the plot.

This series has just completely captured my heart! I’m so glad that this book continued to bring me so much as joy as I was worried that it might not have the same magic as the others. In fact, I think I preferred this one to books 2 and 3 so a perfect way to end the series.

The separate stories are heartwarming and enlightening, and I also love the overall theme of the different characters who work in the cafe.

Definitely a book I will read again and enjoy the magic of!

A beautiful addition to this series which follows a Japanese cafe and its visitors. A perfect read for a snuggly afternoon with a hot chocolate. I have enjoyed all these books and I always find myself wishing for another one.