Title: The Full Moon Coffee Shop
Author: Mai Mochizuki
Series: N/A
Dates Read: 30/08 – 10/09/2024
Published Date: 08 July 2020
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 256
Pace: Slow
Content Warnings (May contain spoilers)
Who is this for? Teenagers, Young Adult, Adult.
This book covers:
- Discovering who you are, deeper than you ever knew.
- Astrology playing a large part in why you are how you are.
- Adjusting life with the knowledge of what the stars intend for you.
Format/Disclosure: Owned, paperback.
Rating: 4.00⭐
Review:
Follow the stories of 4 characters who are experiencing difficulty in various areas of their lives when they stumble upon a coffee shop that seemingly appears out of nowhere. Run by talking cats, who may actually be planets, they learn more about how who they are is already set for them by which planets are in which houses for them. They embark on a conversation full of self discovery, issues of the past, and plans for the future, thanks to the assistance of the cats, as well as the delicious treats provided to them by The Full Moon Coffee Shop. Is it all just a dream? They’re not sure, but putting into place the advice they’re given does have a real effect on their lives.
This book appealed to me for 2 reasons – it’s set in Kyoto, and it features talking cats. I recently travelled to Japan, so it’s still heavily on my mind, and I also love cats. I probably should’ve researched it slightly more before spontaneously buying it, since it does heavily feature astrology, which isn’t something I’m too knowledgeable on, but it was still an enjoyable read. I will admit that I skimmed a lot of the more in-depth explanations of the various planets and houses and what it all meant, but I still finished the book wondering what a reading for myself would show (Although I don’t believe in astrology affecting who you are as a person, so it would be purely for fun.)
The cats in the book don’t need to be cats – if they were humans, the story would still be exactly the same. A coffee shop randomly appearing out of nowhere would still be surprising, and I don’t think talking cats made it any more memorable for the people who experienced it. But, I love cats, so I’m happy they were a prominent feature of the book.
The stories themselves were of various struggles each character was facing – feeling like you’ve failed at a job everyone thought you excelled at, being caught in a cheating scandal as a young actress, unrequited love, and issues with confidence. Issues that many people can relate to, that leaves you wondering about your own life and your own struggles.
This was an easy book, but I also found myself skipping it for other books, because it never really drew me in. I did enjoy it, but it’s not something I would rush to pick up again. The cover art is absolutely beautiful though, so I’ll be happy to keep it on display on my shelf.