Before the Coffee Gets Cold Series by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

The Before Coffee Gets Cold series by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a charming, thought-provoking collection of novels that centers around a unique cafe with a mystical power: it allows customers to travel back in time—but only under very specific conditions. The series is known for its gentle exploration of time, relationships, and the choices that define our lives.

Overview of the Series:

The story is set in a small, somewhat quirky Tokyo cafe called Funiculi Funicula, where a strange but fascinating phenomenon occurs. The cafe has a seat that, if occupied, allows a person to travel back in time—but only for the duration of one cup of coffee, and only if certain rules are followed:

1. The customer must remain seated in the designated chair.
2. They cannot leave the seat once they’ve traveled back.
3. They can interact with the past, but they cannot alter the events that have already occurred.
4. They must return to the present before the coffee gets cold.

Each book in the series focuses on different characters who visit the cafe and wish to revisit a specific moment from their past. The stories delve into the reasons these individuals want to go back in time, often exploring themes of love, regret, loss, and reconciliation. Despite the magical premise, the novels are deeply human and focus on emotional growth, forgiveness, and the importance of making peace with the present.

The Before Coffee Gets Cold series combines a unique, magical premise with deeply emotional storytelling, making it a heartwarming read for those interested in personal growth, love, and the passage of time.