A review by afi_whatafireads
Before We Say Goodbye by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

emotional reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

If you could turn back time, what can be the best way to say goodbye to someone that you love?


"I've only just want you to be happy.


This one had caught my heart and tugged at my heartstrings. The way it had made me tear up. ://

As usual, coming back into the world of Kawaguchi with the eccentric coffee shop with its rules to go back in time, there is a simple nuance to how this story is. One thing's for sure, it portrays a human's desire to never live in regrets. And out of all the four novels in this instalment, this book has by for the most eccentric and possibly unlikeable characters that we won't be able to understand their intentions based on their actions. But, I feel that was the beauty of this book in particular, which shows that humans, no matter what background that they come from, when they do have regrets they will have that desire to do it right again.

I love the simple notion of saying goodbye in here. There is no proper way to say goodbye, but only letting someone know that they were happy to have met them or there were happy to just exist in their life. The complexicity of human's emotions is portrayed in here in a simple nuance told in 4 stories and good lord these stories had really got me sobbing at some. And its more nostalgic as I've just read the third book and its way ahead in the future and knowing Kazu will somewhat become the best person that she will be soon, makes my heart tear up just a bit.

There's something simple in these books and yet can bring so much meaning. Its everything and nothing all at once, but the sense of satisfaction even if we can't change the past nor present it simply by knowing and appreciating the feelings that lingers after.

Definitely would recommend this series to everyone especially for beginners.

4🌟for this gem

Thank you to Pansing Distributions for this copy. I truly appreciate it.