The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki (Author) and Jesse Kirkwood (Translator) is set in contemporary Japan and opens with a former tv scriptwriter whose career took a downward turn; she is now writing scripts for a dating game. The eponymous Full Moon Coffee Shop appears, as you might imagine, at the full moon; the waiters are talking cats who can read your birth chart and help you with your problems. I felt this was a mosaic novel; there are different narrators who all experience similar events, but their life experiences in the past have a link that is fully revealed at the end. The experience of reading it, from a narrative standpoint, is fairly static, an exploration of character rather than a plot that surges forward and up into a climax; it was very mindful, if that word can be applied to reading. I felt it could definitely fit into the "cozy vibe."

What a lovely cozy fantasy! Fans of Legends & Lattes, You Cant Spell Treason without Tea, Bookshops & Bonedust will all love this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC copy gifted in exchange for my honest review.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop is a whimsical and magical read about a coffee shop run by cats who have the ability to speak. These cats serve drinks and wisdom and make people believe in themselves.

Highly recommend for those who love Before the Coffee Gets Cold.

4.25 stars!

This was absolutely spellbinding and adorable!

I loved all the interconnected stories about careers, friendships, love, and, above all, happiness. Going into the book, I didn’t expect to have, essentially, short stories featuring each of the customers mentioned in the blurb, but I really liked this layout. These snippets into their lives were well done, descriptive enough to get a feeling for each person but not too much to dwell on any of them for too long. I loved, most of all, how all of the customers were linked by an event in the past (no spoilers!), and the author slowly unwrapped their connections as each story went on. I love when series bring back characters from other books, and I really dug how this book did that with each new person introduced. It was like “Oh! I know her from the first story!!”

I really liked the ending and how everything was tied together (no spoilers!). And everyone got a HFN/HEA, which was great!

I loved the astrological components to the café. It was fun to hear all about what the signs of the customers were and what houses everything was in. I’m into astrology probably about as much as the next female millennial, so this was right up my alley!

Lastly, this was such a quick read!! Fun and quick is always a plus 😊

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Mai Mochizuki for the opportunity to read this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.

This is something along the lines of What You Are Looking For is in the Library or Before the Coffee Gets Cold. Short stories related to people that are all loosely related in some capacity figuring things out about their lives that may help us in our own. Maybe. Okay, that’s what those two books are about and The Full Moon Coffee Shop feels like it should be going down the same path and it is, but it doesn’t necessarily feel like the lessons the characters take away are always things that we can take away. Why? Because of the heavy involvement of astrology.

As one of those girlies who know a bit about which sign is in which house, I was interested in how well the astrology and the star charts were going to figure into the story. Each character has a problem and the cats help them by consulting their star charts and offering them a little push in the right direction. However, I don’t feel like any of the pushes in the right direction made me sit back and go, “Oh yes, this is something that could apply to my life, my friend’s life, a relative’s life…” Most of these types of stories I can find one that either reminds me of myself or someone I know so then I can recommend it. This didn’t really do that for me. However, I will say that it does explain Mercury in Retrograde pretty well for those that are curious.

The star charts while being one of the most frustrating aspects is one of the most unique aspects though. We actually get the star charts of the characters on the page. Those who are really into them might get an extra layer of information and insight because of it. However, those of us who aren’t as into it may just smile at the whimsy of it all and hope for something a little more plot or theme aligned. The cats and their different personalities really added a lot of magic to this. The idea that this shop could pop up anywhere from a train to a garden was magical in itself, but then to be waited on by cats either the size of humans or who had transformed into a human form was quite magical and honestly my favorite part of this.

Overall, this is a quiet and soft book. It’s short and easy to read with a lot of whimsy. I personally am not sure if I’ll read the next ones if they’re translated into English. I might give it another go because it is just so quirky and the next set of characters may just really hit. The inclusion of recipes would be really cool too, but as someone who likes to cook and bake, recipes make everything better. I think there is an audience for this, but I’m not quite sure that it is me. Like I said though, it’s fun and quirky so if you’re curious you should pick it up.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC of this novel, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was honored to be chosen to receive an E-Copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This book is warm and fuzzy and feels like you’re sitting down to enjoy a latte at your favorite indie coffee shop. Everytime I grabbed my kindle and jumped back into the story I was quickly whisked away into this fictional world. This is a short story and could easily be read in an afternoon or great to divide Into small delicious bites. The characters and setting were both memorable and relateable. I loved how they were all interconnected. The story telling is both whimsical and deep at the same time. This would make a great read for a book club as there are a lot of elements that would make for great conversation. I thoroughly enjoyed the authors story telling and look forward to picking up future pieces of their work. I highly recommend.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop, by Mai Mochizuki, translated to English by Jesse Kirkwood, is a magical book. Each chapter of the story is told by a different character, each a little lost, a little stuck, in their own way. We meet a character while hearing one person's story and then that character takes up the story in the following chapter. In turn, all the characters happen upon the Full Moon Coffee Shop, a pop-up cafe that is run by talking cats. The cats know exactly what each customer needs. They serve up fantastic treats and desserts along with some astrological advice to help them get their life back on track. At one point in the book, I wondered if this was going somewhere or if the stories were all random. The good news - there is a connection between the characters. It seems flimsy at first but in the end, we discover a shared experience is the reason each character has been treated to this fantastic and life-changing visit to the cafe. The ending will leave you full of warm fuzzies and a longing to find the mysterious cafe yourself.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki is a cozy, feel good story, translated from Japanese about a cafe, run by cats that only appears to those who need it. Heavily reliant on astrology, each person is guided by the cats to use astrology to see their problems differently. An unusual and interesting novel.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

This book is the first in a series and is seamlessly translated from Japanese. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a Japanese translated novel, and it was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the pictured that were scattered throughout which aided in understanding the story. This book didn’t focus on one human character necessarily, but they were all connected, and I really enjoyed that. The true main characters, though it didn’t feel that way at the start, were the cats of the Full Moon Café. They read the astrological characts of the human characters and offered them guidance for their life. The astrology was so well explained and introduced some deeper terms than I had experienced before. But because of how they were explained, I had a firm understanding of the concepts and really enjoyed the story. This book and how well it was written is why I love magical realism.

I highly recommend this book to cat and astrology lovers alike, and it was a quick read.

This was a really wholesome, fun, easy read. It's a relatively short book, the writing is simple and easy to follow, and I really enjoyed the characters. The premise absolutely delivers on everything it promises. I wouldn't say it's overly deep, but it is a lot of fun. I'm not big into astrology, so some of that stuff went over my head, but I do think astrology lovers especially will enjoy this one. If you're looking for a short book about cats, coffee, and life, I definitely recommend this one.

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was so charming and cozy. I really enjoyed it. I wish that real life would be as enchanting as to produce a mysterious pop up cafe that serves the perfect treats and advice for whatever dilemma is currently plaguing you. I'm not really big into astrology being a determination of someone's fate, but the mythology that went along with the astrology was really interesting.
While I was reading this I could think of several people who would absolutely love it. It's the epitome of a cozy read.

The full moon Coffee shop is a whimsical story very much in line with a Studio Ghibli movie. The story follows different people down on their luck who find themselves at this pop-up coffee shop. While there the cats who run the shop gives advice based on Star Charts.

I really like that all the characters are linked in some way not just because they went into the shop. They know each other outside the shop and have ever worked together. These people managed to have met though there are thousands of people in Japan. It was not likely, but they did it somehow.

The cats play a large part of why I like this story. Cats in Japan are a symbol of good luck and fortune. The cats of the full Moon Coffee shop use astrology and the Zodiac to show their patrons see where they may have gone wrong and to guide them to a new purpose

This book is a relaxing read. A much-needed palette cleanser after reading a bunch of horror novels. within these pages is a warm and compassionate story that feels like receiving a hug. So get a warm beverage and fuzzy blanket and cozy up with this delightful book.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of The full Moon Coffee Shop.

Summary: "A charming and magical novel that reminds us it’s never too late to follow our stars." "In Japan, cats are a symbol of good luck. As the myth goes, if you are kind to them, they’ll one day return the favor. And if you are kind to the right cat, you might just find yourself invited to a mysterious coffee shop under a glittering Kyoto moon. This particular coffee shop is like no other. It has no fixed location, no fixed hours, and it seemingly appears at random. It’s also run by talking cats. While customers at the Full Moon Coffee Shop partake in cakes and coffees and teas, the cats also consult their star charts, offering cryptic wisdom, and letting them know where their lives veered off course."

Rating: In Asian literature fashion, this is a book about nothing and everything at once. About following your heart, stars and of not being too late to follow a new path.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop is a cozy, low-stakes, cat themed tale that follows three individuals on their path to finding meaning life. Only those who need the cafe will have it appear to them. Specifically, those feeling lost in life. This story is filled with astrological star charts and wise tales to guide their customers to a fuller meaning of life all while having cats serve them coffee and baked goods.

While I love fantasy, this book was definitely different than any other book I have read. At times I felt I had a hard time connecting to the characters and keeping track of the astrology at play in their lives. It’s a very interesting concept and may have made more of an impact had I previously been educated in astrology and star charts. If this is something you are interested in, I highly recommend.

Overall rating: 2
I really fought to finish this one. It was really sweet and heartwarming in some aspects but on the other hand it was…mehhhh.

I absolutely loved the premise, but didn’t love the execution. I loved the idea of a magical cafe that is hyper-specific to an individual’s personality! I also loved how every character was connected, despite the book being an anthology/composed of short stories. The imagery was gorgeous and well planned, and I loved the addition of cats! Until the cats stood up on two legs and started talking.

This book was super reliant on astrology, like super intricate charts. And *everything* was explained by the astrological charts. I love astrology as much as the next girl, I just wish there was less reliance on astrology. People exist, breathe, and make decisions that aren’t always based on the star’s positions. The overuse of the charts kind of felt like a cop out to me, or a prolonged excuse to avoid adding depth to the characters. I unfortunately couldn’t emphasize or connect with any of the characters—they mostly felt underdeveloped and unremarkable. For me, it would’ve been nice to add in star charts as support instead of a main focus.

I honestly just think the book wasn’t for me! For people ready to delve into the intricacies of astrology, this book is definitely for you! It’s a rich book with many unique elements (and cats!).

* I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A novel ringing with themes of change, acceptance, and love, The Full Moon Coffee Shop is an amazing read that reinforced my love of Japanese literature.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop's format of storytelling was quite interesting. I loved having the three main characters lives, all of whom intertwined with each other, be the focus of the story. All of the main characters were unique and interesting and I found myself rooting for each of them to find their own happiness by the end of the story. I felt especially taken by Mizuki's story. I feel that the struggle to become content and satisfied in a life that isn't what one had before is likely very relatable to many people, no matter what phase of their life their in.

Additionally, I'll always love cats and wise cats that work at a cafe is even better. One of my absolute favorite books is The Traveling Cat Chronicles - also a translated Japanese book - and I felt that the writing style (and presence of cats that are so much smarter than humans would ever think) of The Full Moon Coffee Shop and TTCC are very similar. I love the short and concise delivery while keeping the prose stylistic.

The reason that I give The Full Moon Coffee Shop and 4/5 as opposed to a 5/5 was due to the aspects of astrology throughout the novel. Astrology is huge in this story and being the connector between the coffee shop and the main characters, I felt a bit disappointed with how it was written. Of course, this could be due to the translation but in my opinion, the astrology parts of the story came across and info dumps and almost too detailed. During these moments in the story, the tone seemed to abruptly change from amazing storytelling to a lesson on astrology. Additionally, it seemed a bit strange that the astrology in question was American astrology as opposed to a form of Japanese/Asian astrology. The story made me feel fully immersed in the Japanese culture and lives of the main characters, until the moments when astrology came up, which was often.

All in all, I really did love The Full Moon Coffee Shop (I read it in one sitting!) and would recommend it to those looking for a cozy novel full of hope and cats!

Wow! Beautiful! I audibly squealed at the end!

The Full Moon Coffee Shop follows the interconnecting characters separate visits to a magical pop-up cafe. The story is stunningly written and an absolute joy to visualize. I only wish it were longer, as I want more trips to the Full Moon Cafe!

This book is about a mystical coffee shop that only appears to those who need it most. The café is run by cats that help the patrons by guiding them and helping them chart their futures. The book involves four characters who are at a crossroads or struggling with the path they are currently on. On the surface, it seems whimsical and cute, but it has more profound themes. The self-reflective and understanding of our purpose brings clarity to the characters and, ultimately, their fulfillment in staying true to themselves. It was uplifting and created a pause for my direction and purpose. The characters and their stories are beautifully woven with a dash of humor. I recommend this book to anyone who loves magical cats and loves stories about finding destiny.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine Books.

First let me say I am giving this book 5 stars because I really enjoyed reading it. It offers life lessons to each of the characters that can easily be applied to our own lives. My only complaint was that since it was translated from Japanese the names of the characters and places were very unfamiliar so at times it was hard to keep track of. If you can get past that, it is a very enjoyable read, relatively short and you just might learn something about yourself in the meantime.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki
Is a feel good novella about a coffee shop that appears in a dream, doesn’t take orders, and offers astrological advice to change lives. This is a touching compilation of interconnected stories of people who have wandered off track in their lives and the beings who help them.

I haven’t read anything by Mai Mochizuki before, but this novella has a very distinct style that is calm, considered, and thoughtful. It offers insights into life. Some people may find it preachy, and it is interesting that there is a large component where astrology is explained to the reader, but overall I enjoyed the story. It was a quick read, but had some nice insights into human behavior.