Hidden in a back alley of Tokyo sits a café rumored to give its customers a chance to travel back to the past. Adapted from an award-winning play, BEFORE THE COFFEE GETS COLD is a heartwarming and quirky book from playwright Toshikazu Kawaguchi.

The story follows four time travelers as they embark on their journey to a different time. They all want to see someone special --- a lover, a husband, a sister, a daughter --- and travel for different reasons, with love being the common thread that drives them. However, time travel in this café has its limitations. There are an assortment of rules, including one stating that the time traveler cannot change the past or leave their seat during the duration of their trip. They will receive a cup of coffee and must return to the present before it gets cold.

"I appreciated how short and sweet both the novel and the time-travel trips were. BEFORE THE COFFEE GETS COLD is perfect for anyone who wants to feel connected right now."

At the very beginning, Kawaguchi throws all of these personalities at the reader in rapid succession, and it was difficult for me to keep track of who was who. Also, the names are very similar, which made it challenging to identify the characters until much later on in the story. However, I recognize that the book was adapted from a play, where it is easier to differentiate the players (thanks to the visual cues).

The novel takes place in the same café over a continuous time period, so you really get to know the regulars and the staff. They have their own troubles and joys, and each relationship is unique and heartfelt. In the absence of a magical café in real life, Kawaguchi encourages readers to value the time they have with their loved ones.

Although a bit slow at times, the story is gold and brought me to tears multiple times. What would you do if you could go back in time for just a couple of minutes? I appreciated how short and sweet both the novel and the time-travel trips were. BEFORE THE COFFEE GETS COLD is perfect for anyone who wants to feel connected right now.