4 stars for Before We Forget Kindness (Before the Coffee Gets Cold book 5) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi.
This post is long overdue. I know I should have posted it months ago but somehow or other, I am unable to find the time to sit down, write my review and publish it.
This book is the reason I re-read the entire instalment of Before the Coffee Gets Cold series. I was told this book 5 is awesome and the best of all. But I have forgotten most of the characters and their stories. So I made the decision to re-read all the books to refresh my memory before coming to this latest book.
Despite this being the fifth book in the series, the author still manages to throw in surprises surrounding the magical Tokyo cafe and the chair that can bring one back to the past or to the future. This book focuses on four new stories, each with its own poignant tale of love, regret and the desire for connection.
Same as the earlier books, the novel follows a similar structure: a new cast of characters, each with their own reason for visiting the cafe and its unique time-travelling rules. While the formula might feel repetitive to some, it is this consistent, gentle rhythm that provides a sense of familiarity and warmth.
The strength of this book lies in its heartfelt exploration of the human state of mind. Author Kawaguchi masterfully weaves stories that, despite being about time travel, are really about the present. The central theme is that even though we cannot change the past, we can find peace and closure by understanding it and showing kindness to those we care about. This instalment, in particular, leans into the idea of kindness as the primary motivation for time travel, making for some truly touching moments.
If you are already a fan of the series, Before We Forget Kindness is a great read that delivers the same mix of bittersweet emotion and quiet wisdom we have come to expect. For new readers, I will recommend to start the series from book 1 Before the Coffee Gets Cold. Book 1 is still the one I like most. It leaves me with tears and a full heart even as I read it a second and third time.
