This was not what I was expecting, but l liked it...
The Full Moon Coffee Shop follows a different character in each chapter, all of them going through a difficult moment in their lives, and the way this book resorts to helping them is through astrology. It is generally based on the myth that if you're kind to cats, they'll one day return the favour, and they do it in a very unique way in this novel. Each character in one way or another finds themselves in a sort of pop-up café run by talking cats (bear with me). Each cat represents one of the governing planets that influence your horoscope, like Pluto, Venus, and so on. They explain to each character how their natal chart influences how they are as people, and how they behave and respond to others. This knowledge can help them learn more about themselves and try to figure out a way out of the uncomfortable situation they're in at the moment.
This Japanese novel is part of the "healing fiction" sub-genre that's been trending nowadays, which I love, but, even though I liked the book, it wasn't my favourite out of the bunch. The talking cats were a bit too much for me, but I loved the descriptions of the food and drinks they served each character. It all sounded delicious! I also quite liked the connection between the characters (which you only find out towards the end of the novel).
All in all, this was a quick and cosy read, so if you're looking for that kind of vibe and you love cats, this might be the book for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for an ARC of this book.

This was a sweet, cozy tale about a mystical coffee shop run by cats. It sort of centered around astrology and the choices you make in life and where they lead you and about how it’s never too late to change the direction of your life.
I saw this book was translated from Japanese and the premise looks new and interesting so I thought I’d give it a shot. Ultimately, it’s not quite the type of book I prefer to read so I did get a little bored of the astrology and reflective parts of the story. I’m sure that you’d certainly enjoy it if you’re into that. It was definitely unlike anything I’ve ever read before, so that part was refreshing.

I had a feeling I was going to like this one based on the premise alone, but I was pleasantly surprised by just how much I enjoyed this short, cozy read! The Full Moon Coffee Shop had such a warm and cozy feel to it and I found that it was the *perfect* book to read either before bed or with a morning cup of coffee.

Vibes:
-cats! so many cats!!
-TALKING cats
-coffee shop
-magical realism
-reconnecting with old friends
-astrology

If any of these appeal to you, I think you'll really enjoy this book. From what I can tell, this is the first English translation released from a Japanese 5-book series. I really look forward to reading the rest of the books in the future!

Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This cozy fantasy is a quick read that packs in myth, astrology, talking cats, and a coffee shop with delectable drinks and desserts. Based on the myth that cats are good luck and kindness to cats will be repaid, this tale reveals connections between coffee shop visitors that are less random than they initially seem. With life advice sprinkled throughout, this charming read is a feel-good delight.

In the enchanting setting of Kyoto, where myths and reality intertwine, "Full Moon Coffee Shop" offers a whimsical and captivating tale of fate and feline magic. According to Japanese lore, kindness to cats can lead to unexpected rewards, and in this charming narrative, it manifests in the form of a mysterious coffee shop that appears only under the glow of the full moon.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop is unlike any other: it has no fixed location or hours, and it's managed by a group of eloquent, wise cats. Each visitor to the shop—ranging from a struggling screenwriter and a love-struck movie director to a hopeful hairstylist and a tech-challenged web designer—finds their path illuminated by the shop’s feline proprietors. The cats, equipped with star charts and cryptic wisdom, help these lost souls navigate their lives, providing insight into where they might have gone astray.

The story seamlessly blends astrology with magical realism, creating an immersive experience that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking. The way the characters' lives interconnect and how their individual journeys converge under the guidance of the talking cats adds depth and coherence to the plot.

I read "Full Moon Coffee Shop" in one evening, captivated by its enchanting narrative and the unique incorporation of astrology. The book's ability to weave together the characters' stories with a touch of feline mystique makes it a standout read. It’s a delightful exploration of fate, guidance, and the serendipitous nature of life.

A heartwarming and inspiring read about second chances, self-discovery, and hope. The story flows effortlessly, intertwining individual character journeys with themes of finding one's path in life. Despite occasional clunkiness due to translation, the book's life lessons and the delightful, magical element of talking cats offering wisdom and star chart consultations shine through. It's a beautifully crafted tale perfect for those who enjoy magic, astrology, and the comforting presence of cats, providing both entertainment and introspection.

If you like whimsical, reflective books with a dash of magical realism, you will love this book! It's formatted similarly to Before the Coffee Gets Cold. The characters are linked but you don't find out just how until the end of the book. There is a lot of reflection on life and choices along with the impacts of astrology. I don't know a lot about astrology, but the reflections are solid without any background or belief in it. This book made me think about my life, choices, and how to do better with future choices. Also, a coffee shop run by cats sounds like the best coffee shop ever. Strongly recommend if you like getting into character studies and intertwined lives.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop is a different kind of book than I have ever read. It's a Japanese fantasy fiction that has random characters come out to the coffee shop during a full moon. The coffee shop is run by cats so I felt confused through most of the book. You may love it, but it wasn't for me. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mai Mochizuki for an Advanced Reader's Copy of this title!

This was a cute, quick little read that delivered what it promised in its premise - a slice-of-like-esque look at several different young people at crossroads in their lives who are all visited by a traveling coffee shop and offered treats, astrology readings, and advice rom the cats who work there. There is an overarching story that I also think comes together tidily, but to avoid spoilers I won't talk about it here. My one critique of the story would be that I felt like I needed a deeper background in astrology to really appreciate what was being discussed at different points, but there is certainly enough explanation to get the gist of what was being described on a surface level, and as a bonus I now want to read more about star charts so it's not necessarily a big negative for me.

If you are the kind of person who likes mood reads and enjoys a short and sweet story as it is, I think you'll really like this! I could see this book being made as a short film with Ghibli-esque vibes, I hope something like that happens in the future.

this was such a magical read!! i really like cafes and wanted to eat everything that was described. i wasn't expecting the ending, and i think it made the whole story more impactful

Imagine if the Room of Requirement was a coffee shop that popped up to give you the answers you seek. This is a cozy and heartfelt novella with three main intertwined stories. Not exactly magical realism, but still a feel-good flight of fancy serving up coffee, tea, and desserts with a side of astrology.

Recommended for cat lovers, horoscope girlies, and fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi or Midnight Diner the tv series.

⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC!

The pitch for the Full Moon Coffee Shop is quite endearing. A little shop, staffed by celestial cats, that magically appears and helps you work through major shifts in your life.

Unfortunately for me, the pitch is where the magic ended. While sweet at times, I found this short novel to be a trudge.

I think this would make a lovely movie. But on the page, nearly everything is told via either dialogue or clunky internal exposition from the current POV character. In such a charming setting, you should be able to feel it more. I felt very disconnected from the characters and the world they existed in.

I would certainly not say it's objectively bad, it's just not to my taste. If you enjoy cozy dialogue-heavy stories, it may be just for you.

ARC provided by the NetGalley and Ballantine Books.

This was not something I would have typically requested and thought I would give it a try. Unfortunately it just wasn’t for me.

I don't think I’ve ever read a novel by a Japanese author before, but I have the sense that, even so, this novel might be unusual. It’s a fantasy novel but it’s more than that. It's also a psychological novel, in which the life problems of the characters are analyzed at the Full Moon Coffee Shop. What’s unusual about that? The Full Moon Coffee Shop appears randomly, but only on nights when the moon is indeed full. And the employees are all star-reading cats. If you don’t believe in astrology, just suspend your disbelief and enjoy the story for what it is.

I'm not sure I'm describing it well, but this is actually a charming and intriguing story by an author who is well-recognized in Japan for her “Holmes of Tokyo” young adult series. The Full Moon Cafe is well-weitten enough that I may dip into one of her “Holmes” mysteries just for fun.

The novel has a Prologue and Epilogue and is divided into three sections. Each one has a different main character with a different need, but they’re all interlinked. I think Mouchizuki’s main point is “be yourself.” sounds simplistic, but maybe a message we all need to hear right now. Simply put, I loved this charming tale.

A magical coffee shop that only appears as needed and run by talking cats who share astrological information pertinent to the guest? The Full Moon Coffee Shop is terrific magical realism read full of kindness and empathy for cat and astrology lovers alike.

This is a coffee shop I’d love to come across.

I really enjoyed my reading of this; the premise and plot worked well for me, and I found the astrology aspect really interesting - cats discussing birth charts and astrology was something I didn’t know I needed.



Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the DRC

This is whimsical and mystical read for fans of Studio Ghibli. It's divided up between four characters and shows how their lives have intertwined. Each encounters a magical coffee shop where they speak to cats who help them interpret their astrology to make a decision on something they're facing. I enjoyed it although it felt slow and hard to engage at times. This is likely due to translations and author style, but definitely a neat premise!

I love this trend of Japanese literature where the protagonist is a struggling someone and there is a person out there that has the answer to their problems whether it’s through a book, through food or in this case through astrology. It’s fantastical obviously but it has such a wistful and dreamy element to it that’s so soothing. Also as someone who grew up with classical music (both listening and playing) the references were an added bonus. It’s curious - I’m such a skeptic when it comes to astrology because I can’t fathom placement of planets and stars determining what my life could look like. But this read made me question it all, and I think that’s a really beautiful thing.

Book: The Full Moon Coffee Shop
Author: Mai Mochizuki
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher, Ballantine Books, for sending me an arc. Now, this book is out in Japanse, but, at last, I cannot read Japanese, so I have to settle for the English version. I found this one to be very charming and cosy. It kind of gave me the same vibes as Legends and Lattes.

In this one, we follow a group of characters who all need or are looking for something. They can’t shake cats though. According to Japanese legend, if you are good to cats, they can bring you good luck and will return the favour. The characters in this book find their favour being paid in a rather odd way. You see there is this coffee shop that randomly appears on the full moon. That’s not the strangest part about it. It is run by cats. Everyone who finds this shop is a little lost and the cats know just what to do. While they do serve the normal coffee shop items, they also offer more. They look at their star charts and let them know where their lives veered off course. It gives the characters a chance to look within and find out what path they are supposed to take.

This is a strange book. There is no other way to put it, but it is a good kind of strange. It has charm. It has magic. It has human life. The story is woven in a way that is very magical, very calming, and full of a lot. We have characters who are very down on their luck and lost. Now, this should not have a calming tone to it, but it does. Now, when the characters are lost, the tone leans into that. We can feel that our characters have hit rock bottom and don’t know what to do or where to go. The coffee shop offers this calming tone. You get the sense that everything is going to be okay, that things will work out, and all you have to do is slow down and listen.

The coffee shop does offer our characters advice. Now, it is based on astrology, which is kind of strange because it uses Western instead of Eastern, but we are just going to do with it. This element of the book did take me by surprise-even though it is mentioned in the summary. I am not a big astrology person, but, once again, something was calming about it. It added a sense of hope and purpose to the book. It allowed our characters to take a step back and see where they lost themselves and see what they needed to do to get back to who they used to be.

This book also allows you to reflect on your own life. Now, you may not be going through what the characters are, but it allows you to slow down and think about where you are now. If you don’t have joy, it may give you something to think about and give you a chance to look back on life.

Overall, I am very happy that I read this one.
As I said at the start of my review, this book is out now in Japanse. It will be out in English on August 27, 2024.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/0evtnhsbmf4

An absolutely delightful Japanese tale involving a coffee shop run by talking cats. A must read for lovers of Japanese fiction!

Touching Japanese novella that shows the connection of people through cosmic cats that operate a special coffee cafe when the moon is full.