A quick and cozy read about a magical pop-up cafe that only appears during a full moon, but only to those who are invited to it. Oh, and it’s run by talking cats. What’s not to love about a talking cat?

Four interconnected people are brought to this cafe, and are served exactly what they need (the cats won’t take your order!) according to their star chart. After their visit is complete, the cafe disappears as quickly as it appeared.

I loved how the ending tied everything together - from how everyone was connected, to the reason the Full Moon Coffee Shop exists.

As someone who doesn’t follow Astrology, that aspect of the book was a bit over my head. But don’t let that steer you away from this story.

If you are a fan of the “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” series, I recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A representative from Penguin Random House reached out to me through NetGalley to request I read this book, since it seemed like something I would enjoy based on my past reading history. And honestly, the premise absolutely sounds up my alley. A magical pop-up coffee shop run by cats who know exactly what you need to hear and to drink sounds delightful! And parts of it were, but I was not prepared for the level of astrology that was included in this book.

Every time a character finds themself in the coffee shop, the cats read their astrology charts in great detail and explain their lives to them through the stars, and that lost me every single time. I started regretting when the coffee shop would pop up because I knew it was coming! Maybe I would have appreciated it more if I knew anything about astrology, but for me it made what little plot there was come to a stand still in every chapter.

This book was pretty short, but I almost couldn't finish it. The ending almost redeemed it for me, except that a new (more interesting) character was introduced that we then learned almost nothing about. I think this book would have been better if we had focused on fewer characters and let them develop more.

A magical read. If you love a bit of magic, cats, and astrology this is the read for you. Such a cozy read that will transport you to another world while your reading.

Thank You to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

I love the idea of a cafe that only appears when the full moon is up, and only for people the cats invite to it. It reminded me of The Cat Returns film with the vanishing places and talking, bipedal felines! I loved that the cats represented planets, serving food that sounded out of this world! My eyes got a bit glassy when the astrology talk got heavy, seemingly trying to convert people to the belief of natal charts and house placements rather than seamlessly fitting the concept into the narrative. Aside from that, I found it cozy, a book to pick up when you want something quick and light-hearted!

This book was so much fun. Who doesn't love a talking cat, let alone a talking cat at a coffee shop? I really enjoyed this one. Thank you for the opportunity to read this one early!

The Full Moon Coffee Shop" offers a whimsical journey through the lives of characters facing personal turmoil, finding solace in a café run by talking cats representing astrological forces. While some may find the feline element a bit much, the novel's descriptions of food and drink are delightful, and its themes of self-discovery resonate. Interconnected characters and light-hearted prose make for a cozy read reminiscent of other Japanese healing fiction. Though lacking the emotional depth of similar works, it's a charming option for those seeking a quick escape.

A translated Japanese novel about cats & their mythical powers... I should have known better than to think I'd *love* a novel about cats.

Absolutely adored this book. there’s nothing i enjoy more than an easy read that involves cats! such a cute and fun ready and i finished it within hours. the characters within the story all share so much and are also so drastically different. the way they evolved throughout the story and then came to realize what these talking cats were trying to tell them, i loved it. from the people, to the plot, to the cats, this book was so cute and so well written. definitely going to buy when it comes out.
5/5 stars

3.5 stars rounded up. This book has a really good idea, I like how everyone is interconnected, and the stories are interesting, but some of the astrology stuff reads dry. Also, it's not very good explanations for the astrology stuff. Would be great if a guide was added.

Thank you to Balletine Books for the opportunity to read the ARC copy of this short little book!

All in All: It was okay.

The characters were bland. There was not really any deepness to them. Granted, I understand they were supposed to be ‘normal people’ but they didn’t really have a single interesting thing about them until the end.

Which, even though I loved the concept, they should have had the ending in the beginning and then having them go through the Full Moon Cafe. It would have made a lot more sense to do so. Especially when I was lost in some places.

But, what I enjoyed the most, was the cats and the horoscopes. The cats were fun and reminded me of ‘The Cat Returns’, on top of learning of all the signs and what they meant. Especially when it came to understanding the main characters a bit.

All in all, it was enjoyable but kind of fell flat on its face.

This was the right book at the right time for me. I had trouble finding and sticking with a book- my mind was craving something light and optimistic. The Full Moon Coffee Shop book summary intrigued me and it turned out to be just what I was looking for.

Magical cats help (seemingly) unrelated humans. The characters are woven together to tell a larger story about community, highlighting the implications of our choices. Karma that extends to our good deeds and doesn't get too deep. Cause and effect. Do good and the universe will respond.

It was not originally written in English, but I didn't feel like I lost much in translation. When I closed the book at the end, I felt like hugging it and thanked the universe for giving me what I needed at the right time.

This was a very cute, heartwarming story about different but intertwined lives. The cats seem to be symbolic for Venus and Mercury and they touch on astrological reasons for why things are the way they are. In doing so, they (probably inadvertently) give advice/plant ideas on how things can be improved.

I loved that it showed characters accepting their circumstances but changing things within their controls. It shows conviction and motivation, an important lesson for all of us.

3.5 stars. I had a good time with this! A quick, cozy read, just a little heavier on the astrology that I anticipated, and I would have appreciated more of the cozy coffee shop vibes. Some sweet moments and good life lessons in here.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop is translated from its original Japanese. I found the story and writing to be charming and calming. Run by cats, the lovely Coffee Shop appears to certain people in need of a little life course adjustment. The story pulls from the myth that if you are kind to cats, they will eventually return the favor to you. Following the lives of four different people, we learn of their struggles and how they end up at the Coffee Shop. With some magical intervention, the customers gain insight into their path and how to get their lives back on track. All of the characters have a vague connection to each other, and it is this connection that is the reason the cats are helping them. The story is a quick read and very sweet.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a cute short read. I absolutely loved how whimsical the writing was. I enjoyed going on the self reflecting journey with the characters and I actually did some self reflecting of my own. This was a good read and a nice break from my usual genre of romance and thrillers.

If you want similar vibes to the cozy Before the Coffee Gets Cold, pick up this book.
However for me it was a little bit too similar in the vibes of the story, and I don't think the astrology aspect did much for me in terms of impacting the story. I did really enjoy how this story intertwined the characters we met throughout the book, so we really got to know more and care more about them. The most important message of the book though is that <spoiler>if you treat cats well, they'll help you out in return.</spoiler>

Thank you @netgalley for my advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was a quick (240 pages), imaginative read about a coffee shop that only appears at midnight to those who need it. It has no fixed location and could pop up anywhere. I enjoyed the intertwined stories and the various struggles each character was going through with career, love, and family. This book was cute, but definitely gets a bit “out there” with cat/human waiters at the coffee shop who read each person’s astrological chart in order to provide them with more insight into the path their life has taken.

Overall, this was a fast, fun read, but I think the concept wasn’t executed as well as it could have been. It felt a bit jarring going back and forth between “realism” and the magic of the coffee shop. Unique premise, but not my favorite overall.

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley.
This book is set in Japan and I have to admit that I haven't read many books set in Japan. If you like cat cafes or astrology, then you might be more interested in reading this book. It's a bit of a magical fairy tale with a pop-up cafe that appears out of nowhere (even in your dreams) and guides you into better decision-making based on your star sign. The characters in the book are well-written and the food sounds amazing. It is a quick read.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki is such a magical, beautiful book! I adored the interweaving of each characters story. The astrology elements were captivating and I especially enjoyed the cats and their names and characteristics. The mystical cafe is beautifully described and the drinks and treats sound delicious. This is a cozy short story that I enjoyed immensely.

Just another adorable J-cat book with a magical coffee shop. The premise is simple and cute and could be. largely expanded upon. I love that it was set in Kyoto, because it is the perfect setting for things you can't imagine happening that do. Anyone who has enjoyed other cat books out of Japan will find this one fun and with a new twist to it.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. So cute!