The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki

This early review copy was provided to me by Ballantine Books through NetGalley. This in no way impacts the rating of the book. All of my reviews contain my honest opinions.

Title: The Full Moon Coffee Shop

Author: Mai Mochizuki

Translator: Jesse Kirkwood

Release Date: August 20, 2024

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Source: digital, NetGalley

TW: infidelity, death

Synopsis

Translated from the Japanese bestseller, this charming and magical novel, inspired by the myth of cats returning favors to those who care for them, reminds us that 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 seemingly appears at random to adrift young people at crucial junctions in their lives.

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 them on their star charts, offer cryptic wisdom, and let them know where their lives veered off course.

Because every person who visits the shop has been feeling more than a little lost. And for a down-on-her-luck screenwriter, a romantically stuck movie director, a hopeful hairstylist and a technologically challenged website designer, the coffee shop’s feline guides will set them back on their fated paths. For there is a very special reason the shop appeared to each of them…

Thoughts

I recently read "The Full Moon Coffee Shop" by Mai Mochizuki, and I found it to be a sweet, heartwarming, and lovely read about second chances, understanding ourselves, and hoping for a better and happier future. This book is both fun and light, yet also thoughtful and inspiring. If you're looking for some healing fiction that features cats and astrology, I definitely recommend giving this one a try!

One of the aspects I enjoyed most about this book was how effortlessly the story flowed. It was a super quick read, and I found myself getting lost in its pages quite easily. The way the individual stories of the characters ended up intertwining was very well done and added depth to the narrative. I appreciated how each character's journey felt unique yet connected, and the overarching theme of finding one's path in life resonated with me.

The book does read a little clunky at times, which I suspect might be due to the translation from Japanese. However, this slight clunkiness doesn't hinder the ability to understand the important life lessons embedded in the story. The essence of the characters' struggles and the wisdom imparted by the talking cats of the coffee shop still come through clearly.

Speaking of the talking cats, I found them to be a delightful and magical element of the story. Their cryptic wisdom and star chart consultations added an enchanting layer to the book. The myth of cats returning favors to those who care for them, and the idea of a coffee shop that appears at crucial moments in people's lives, was both charming and intriguing.

In conclusion, "The Full Moon Coffee Shop" is a beautifully crafted tale that offers both entertainment and introspection. It's a perfect read for anyone who enjoys a touch of magic, a dash of astrology, and the comforting presence of cats. I highly recommend it for those moments when you need a quick, uplifting read that also provides some food for thought.