Christmas in July!!!! hehe, I love this so much. It's no secret I absolutely ADORE slice-of-life-centric books and I genuinely feel like Asia - whether it be Japan, Korea, China, etc - have this niche genre down to a T! This book was so cute and overall very wholesome with a feel-food message, even with the more dramatic moments interspersed throughout and, similar to its predecessor, I thought the astrology aspects were fun and added so much more sparkle to this book* (*full disclaimer being that this is being said by a woman who also loves/is interested in astrology). While I was a little nervous that this book would read very similar to its first installment, as is sometimes the case with anthology series like this, I'm happy to report that BWftFMCS is both still just as charming AND successfully stands on its own two feet/in its own unique way. 13/10 will always recommend!

As with the first, this is a heartwarming story.

It follows a families stories as each face their own struggles, have family drama, and uncover family secrets.

I admit though I skim over the horoscope parts as that gets confusing for me.

The Full Moon Cafe and its cats are back again to give words of advice and helpful hints to those at Christmas time. Although, the story line was different I felt this book was very similar to the first book. Each character that is chosen by the cats of the cafe has a connection to another character and eventually all the connections are revealed. It's a sweet, heartwarming book.

I remember really enjoying the Full Moon Coffee Shop, but when I saw there was a sequel I thought it might just be a copy/paste of the first book. I was pleasantly surprised to find Best Wishes from The Full Moon Coffee Shop stands well on its own and is much more than a repeat of the first book.

The book begins with an introduction into astrology which unfortunately is a little bit confusing and hard to read through, and it did not give me high expectations for the rest of the book, but I’m glad I kept reading. The characters try really hard to explain the astrology in a simple way by using metaphors and pictures, but it still is a bit hard to wrap my head around.

We’re then introduced to the main family of this book with Ayu, the young daughter with an uncanny ability to read people, and her mother Junko, who has some unresolved daddy issues and carries some guilt from how she treated her childhood dog. Other visitors to the coffee shop are Satomi, Junko’s sister in law, who hasn’t fully committed to her boyfriend even though she fears he might propose soon, and Koyuki who is a temporary worker for Satomi, whose dad passed away when she was younger.

The focus of the astrology lessons in this book tended towards helping characters discover their Moon signs and not just their Sun signs, and leading them to realize what they really desired in life. Each character was faced with a real life situation that I think a lot of people could relate to, and the cats helped them realize how to use their own strengths to navigate their lives.

I really enjoyed the growth of each character and how they were each able to make peace with their problems and learn to understand themselves, and the story plot of the dog was particularly endearing. However, I think the author was walking a fine line with their Jiro character. Are you really telling me Jiro got married and their partner didn’t know about their past dating history? I just really didn’t like how this part was written.

Overall, I found the book really sweet, even though it was a little cheesy at times. I liked how it differentiated itself from the first book. I just struggled a bit with the astrology descriptions, and didn’t particularly like the ending with Jiro.

I enjoy this series and this book did not disappoint. So cute and whimsical I love it. Thank you for the ARC

A quick and cozy read with a fun concept.

I think this can be enjoyed as a standalone though readers might enjoy it more if they have read the Full Moon Coffee Shop (another quick and cozy read).

Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

Cute little cozy fantasy! Best Wishes from the Full Moon Coffee Shop continues on the path of helping others. This time the staff of cats helps those in need to find their one true wish!

This is such a cute little series! I enjoyed reading this one just as much as the first! Best Wishes from the Full Moon Coffee Shop resumes helping those in their time of need. This time with a new set of characters. I found it very interesting by using astrology and natal charts the cats of the coffee shop were able to guide each character on their journey of personal growth.

Thank you Megan Whalen from Random House publishing and Mai Mochizuki for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Review will be posted on Goodreads and Fable on July 13, 2025.

This book felt like a warm drink on a cold day. It’s cozy, bittersweet, and unexpectedly emotional in the best way. I fell in love with how it explored family, grief, healing, and the kind of love that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. Every character brought something raw and real to the table.

The small town charm mixed with big life questions? Ugh, yes. I could practically smell the coffee and hear the snow crunching under their feet. If you love stories that dig into complicated relationships while still wrapping you in softness, this one’s for you. ☕💌💭

3.3 Stars
One Liner: Hopeful and mellow

Satomi has to choose between her career in Tokyo and her country-loving boyfriend, who plans to propose on Christmas.
Satomi's sister-in-law, Junko, lives with her husband and toddler in a small town. When her estranged and abusive father is ill, Junko and her brother (who left after a big fight and stayed in no contact) return home to discover something about their parent.
The story comes in the first-person POVs of Satomi, Junko, and Koyuki, with interludes by the cats.

My Thoughts:
The book should work as a standalone, though I’d recommend reading the first one as well if you are into astrology and a bit of philosophy.
This book has the same mellow tone and vibe. The people are selected by the cats of the Full Moon Coffee Shop as the people they would help during Christmastime.
Then, we get the stories of each of them in their first person. The characters are somewhat related, and one of them has a connection to someone from book one.
Astrology is the major theme in this one, too, though the focus is on sun, moon, and rising signs (which should be easier to follow). Also, the author uses (and follows) Western astrology. There are a couple of horoscopes to visualize the details (very helpful).
The names of the food and drinks served by the cats are delightful as ever. I am tempted to leave a couple of lemons in the moonlight and see if the juice will taste different, lol.
However, I enjoyed the previous book more. The stories were more layered and deeper in that one. Here, we get a few glimpses of the internal conflicts, but the emotional depth is missing. The pacing also feels slower, which shouldn’t be the case since they are simpler!
That said, the book should be a good read if you want something light and hopeful. Don’t miss the author’s note at the end. It is informative and heartfelt!

To summarize, Best Wishes from The Full Moon Coffee Shop is a cozy little book about forgiving oneself, second chances, and learning to be happy.
Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I had previously read The Full Moon Coffee Shop and loved it, so was very interested in reading this one. While still interesting and magical, helping 3 women find their true wish, I did not find it quite as engaging as the first one. Something about the old man being saved by all the cats that were led to him was really touching. Still, it was nice to see all of the Cats again and learn more about the sun and moon signs.

BEST WISHES FROM THE FULL MOON COFFEE SHOP REVIEW
RATING: 4
GENRE: Fiction, Fantasty

Thank to Netgalley and Ballentine for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review. Best Wishes is the sequel to The Full Moon Coffee Shop. I’m happy to see a follow up by Mai Mochizuki. While I enjoyed the first book, I was a bit turned off by the astrology explanation. It went a bit too technical for my liking and it seemed Mochizuki took this feedback into consideration for the second book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the second book more as it follows three characters intersecting with each other’s lives - we also get a glimpse of some of the characters from the first book. Overall, it was a quick and cozy read set to the background of the Christmas season. I would recommend this book for a heart-warming read for the holiday season.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop is back and helping people find their true wish. What will be find when we learn to forgive, both ourselves and others. My favorite thing about this book (& the one before it) is the invisible thread connecting the characters to each other.

#bestwishesfromthefullmooncoffeeshop
#maimochizuki
#jordantaylor
#netgalley

Many thanks to Ballantine Books and Netgalley for this absolute hidden gem. I was unfamiliar with this author and her work before this book but a magical cat cafe? Immediately sold. I did find the first book in this series, and I will say that it’s not necessary to read at all before this book. It helps give some context but these books can definitely stand on their own.
While not as strong as its predecessor, this novel did not lack the charm and sense of wonder and awe the first novel had. The author was once again able to transport us to this wonderful place and time and live in the magic and connections made. To me, the only thing lacking in this book was the character development. It did not flow as smoothly as the last book and I didn’t find myself as attached to the main characters in this novel. I did enjoy getting to know the staff of the cafe a bit more and the astrology lessons are always such a delight!
Overall, I would recommend this book and it would make a great gift for the holidays!

I loved this short, feel-good read. I appreciated the characters and the way the story wove them into a tapestry of love, generosity, and kindness. I was captivated by the astrological aspect and how it also brought the plot and themes together into a cohesive whole. If all that wasn't enough, it had a happy ending. I was happy to get this second chance to connect.

I really enjoyed this one. Makes me want to go visit. Thank you for the opportunity to read this one early!

Best Wishes from the Full Moon Coffee Shop is a delightful sequel; however, the author points out in the afterword that it can be read as a standalone, and I agree. Reading the first book will absolutely help give background to some of the café staff members, and premise of how the café works, but this book does a great job bringing the reader into the space without feeling redundant.

Set during the Christmas season, we follow a cast of characters as they navigate life's difficulties. Much like the first book, I really enjoyed the interconnectedness of the characters throughout the story. We even see some familiar faces from the first book back to visit!

Interwoven into the story are elements of astrology (this book primarily focuses on rising, mood, and ascendant signs), which members of the café "staff" use to help the patrons reflect on their lives and answer questions like "what is your true wish", "how do you begin to forgive yourself?", and "how do we remember those closest to us?". If you're looking for cozy literature that also makes you reflect on where you've been in life and where you'd like to go, this is a great choice to pick up.

One of my favorite lines in the book was "You're the only one who sees the sights you do. The Universe around you is for no one but you.". To me this is a great reminder that we all have a unique perspective on things, and that while you can hold power in your perspective, it's important to practice empathy and remember that other people's perspectives can be just as relevant as your own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book, in exchange for a review.

What a lovely, interesting and life affirming story.
I have not read the first book but I do not feel
like I have missed anything. This is the first
novel I’ve read that was translated from
Japanese, and it’s the first look at Japanese
culture from a novel. I would say that the
translation and experience have both
been successful. I enjoyed the book !
My thanks to Brazen Books via NetGalley
for the copy of the book for review purposes.
of,the book

Charming and magical. A wonderfully encouraging and uplifting read.
This is the second "Full Moon Coffee Shop" book. I hope there will be more.

I am loving all these books with coffee shops, cats, and a sprinkle of magic. This book follows several women who are a little down on their luck and need some direction in their lives. I will say I wish the cafe and the cats would have been more present but I didn't enjoy my time reading this.

This book is a delightful continuation of the first -- such a fun sequel to read. I love how each chapter is from the POV of a different individual and their birth chart, but all the characters and their stories are intertwined. I think the first novel set up the scene of the full moon coffee shop and its purpose and then the sequel brings everything to life and shows its impact. I am having so much fun reading this.