Before We Say Goodbye: Before the Coffee Gets Cold, Book 4

⤿ Reading period: May 30 - May 30, 2025Check out my reviews for the series’ books here:Before the Coffee Gets Cold (Before the Coffee Gets Cold, #1)Tales From The Café (Before the Coffee Gets Cold, #2)Before We Say Goodbye (Before the Coffee Gets Cold, #3)⤿ Rating: ★★★☆☆.25“The stronger their affection for a lost loved one, or pet, the harder the second parting can be…even more so than the first parting.”☆In a quaint alleyway in Tokyo, there exists a charming café that offers its visitors a unique opportunity to journey back in time. While many patrons are initially drawn in by sheer curiosity, they often find themselves deterred by the café’s stringent rules. However, a courageous few embrace the challenge, stepping into a world where the past can be revisited, albeit with caution. This narrative unfolds not as a sequel but as a prequel, bridging the stories of Before the Coffee Gets Cold and Tales from the Café. At the heart of this tale is Nagare, the café owner, who is navigating the complexities of fatherhood while grappling with the profound loss of his wife. Alongside him is Kazu, his cousin and the café’s devoted waitress, who is still coming to terms with her own grief over her mother’s passing. Together, they serve as steady, compassionate guides for the new patrons who seek solace and closure through their time-traveling experiences.“It is up to each individual to decide how they feel about the words of others and what action they wish to take.”As the café welcomes a diverse array of visitors, each with their own poignant stories, the emotional weight of their journeys becomes palpable. A husband ventures into the past to finally share a long-held secret with his wife, hoping to mend the invisible rift between them. A woman returns to bid farewell to her cherished dog, seeking closure in a moment that was never fully realized. A daughter takes the brave step of confronting her late father, yearning for reconciliation and understanding that eluded them in life. Meanwhile, another woman seeks a second chance at a proposal, hoping to rewrite a moment that has haunted her. Through these heartfelt encounters, Nagare and Kazu not only facilitate the patrons’ journeys but also find their own paths toward healing, reminding us all of the delicate interplay between love, loss, and the enduring power of connection.“I could talk to her, but I couldn’t’ tell her anything.”In each narrative, the protagonists grapple with the weight of guilt stemming from their last encounters with loved ones, yearning for an opportunity to alter those pivotal moments. These stories delve deeper than mere sorrow; they explore the process of releasing regret by uncovering the untold perspectives of those they lost. Kadokura wrestles with feelings of selfishness, reflecting on how his frequent absences due to work may have affected his wife’s happiness. Sunao is haunted by the memory of being asleep when her beloved dog, Apollo, passed away, burdened by the belief that she failed him in his final moments. Hikari is left feeling trapped by her decision to reject her boyfriend’s marriage proposal, a choice that now feels unresolved and heavy after his untimely death. Meanwhile, Michiko is tormented by her harsh words during her father’s last visit, wishing she could rewrite that chapter of their relationship. Each character’s journey reveals a profound desire for understanding and closure, highlighting the intricate dance between love, loss, and the quest for forgiveness.“

Poignant and at times heartbreaking, this beautiful book deals with the way we handle grief and death. Whether it be a family member or a beloved pet, the Cafe allows visitors to travel to the past, albeit for a short amount of time (the length it takes for coffee to go cold) to face their regrets and make peace with their loss. This short book tugs at your heart strings with so much power, so be prepared with those tissues.