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A review by allthatissim
Before We Say Goodbye by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A steaming cup of coffee, a time-traveling cafe, and stories that mend broken hearts - welcome back to Cafe Funiculi Funicula!
If there’s one thing consistent about the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, it’s the ability to stir up a whirlwind of emotions while providing the cozy comfort of a familiar setting. In Before We Say Goodbye, the fourth installment in the series, author Toshikazu Kawaguchi takes us back to the beloved Café Funiculi Funicula, set after the events of the first book, and invites us to delve into four interconnected stories, each exploring the profound themes of love, regret, nostalgia, and the need for closure. Through the lens of diverse characters – from a former professor longing to speak to his bedridden wife, to a young woman seeking reconciliation with her deceased father, to the owner missed out on the chance to bid her beloved dog a proper farewell, to a young woman wanting to decrypt a message from her deceased former boyfriend – Kawaguchi masterfully weaves tales that tug at the heartstrings while offering solace in the face of life’s uncertainties.
While Before We Say Goodbye maintains the series’ signature charm, and I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting the café and its eclectic cast of characters, I couldn’t help but wish for more development in the café family’s storyline. Interacting with the staff has always been a highlight for me, and I longed for deeper insights into their lives and dynamics. However, the repetition within the stories seems redundant at times. But in this repetition lies comfort.
Despite these minor shortcomings, Before We Say Goodbye continues to captivate with its thought-provoking narratives and heartwarming moments. Each visit to Café Funiculi Funicula feels like a reunion with old friends, accompanied by a sense of warmth and understanding. Whether you are a long-time fan of this series or just looking for a comforting read that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you pondering life’s complexities, Before We Say Goodbye is a great fit.
And now, I eagerly await the arrival of the fifth installment.
If there’s one thing consistent about the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, it’s the ability to stir up a whirlwind of emotions while providing the cozy comfort of a familiar setting. In Before We Say Goodbye, the fourth installment in the series, author Toshikazu Kawaguchi takes us back to the beloved Café Funiculi Funicula, set after the events of the first book, and invites us to delve into four interconnected stories, each exploring the profound themes of love, regret, nostalgia, and the need for closure. Through the lens of diverse characters – from a former professor longing to speak to his bedridden wife, to a young woman seeking reconciliation with her deceased father, to the owner missed out on the chance to bid her beloved dog a proper farewell, to a young woman wanting to decrypt a message from her deceased former boyfriend – Kawaguchi masterfully weaves tales that tug at the heartstrings while offering solace in the face of life’s uncertainties.
While Before We Say Goodbye maintains the series’ signature charm, and I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting the café and its eclectic cast of characters, I couldn’t help but wish for more development in the café family’s storyline. Interacting with the staff has always been a highlight for me, and I longed for deeper insights into their lives and dynamics. However, the repetition within the stories seems redundant at times. But in this repetition lies comfort.
Despite these minor shortcomings, Before We Say Goodbye continues to captivate with its thought-provoking narratives and heartwarming moments. Each visit to Café Funiculi Funicula feels like a reunion with old friends, accompanied by a sense of warmth and understanding. Whether you are a long-time fan of this series or just looking for a comforting read that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you pondering life’s complexities, Before We Say Goodbye is a great fit.
And now, I eagerly await the arrival of the fifth installment.