There’s a coffee shop in Japan that offers its patrons the incredible opportunity to go back in time. As long as you follow the rules (you must have been to the cafe before and must return to the present before the coffee gets cold), you can have a second chance to see someone who’s passed. Revisiting pivotal people and moments will shift anyone’s perspective, and you get to watch as the switch is flipped.
This is technically the fourth in a series but you don’t need to have read any of the first books – the setup is all still there. (This is the only one I’ve read.) The beauty of these stories is that each is an encapsulated tale of love, be it familial or romantic. It reminds us that everyone’s experience with love is both unique and beautiful. There is, of course, a touch of melancholy, as you’d expect from a collection of stories about people revisiting a loved one who passed and knows nothing can change the reality that they’re gone. But there is closure. And there’s a reminder that for a moment in time they experienced something beautiful – just like us – even if it wasn’t noticed at the time. It’s not a groundbreaking book, but you’d describe the reading experience as just…lovely. It’s like someone reaching out and covering your hand with theirs on a rainy day and you can easily read it in a single sitting.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
Pair with: Coffee, duh.
Peaches to Apples 