Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a heartwarming Japanese novel that explores themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Set in a small, almost magical café in Tokyo, the story revolves around a unique premise: patrons can travel back in time, but only under strict rules. They must sit in a specific seat, cannot leave the café, and must return to the present before their coffee gets cold.

The book comprises four interconnected stories, each focusing on a different character grappling with unresolved emotions or missed opportunities. These include a woman confronting an ex-lover, a wife seeking closure with her husband, a sister yearning to reunite with her sibling, and a mother meeting her unborn child. Each story highlights the fragility of human relationships and the importance of cherishing the present.

Kawaguchi’s prose is simple yet poignant, creating a gentle and reflective atmosphere. The novel emphasizes that while the past cannot be changed, revisiting it can provide the clarity and courage needed to move forward.