Dedicated: Before Your Memory Fades (Review by Erin Woodward)

Rating 4.5/5

This book intrigued me right away – and not just because I’m an enthusiastic coffee drinker. I loved the devour-able way the book is written (I think it was originally a play, which makes sense as the author was a playwright) although this might not be everyone’s cup of tea (coffee?)

The novel is part of the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series and explores the lives of four customers who visit a small, back alley coffee house in Tokyo where patrons are able to travel back in time. Cafe Funiculi Funicula’s special offer is that it has time travel on the menu so people can go back and change something they said. We meet a daughter, a comedian, a sister and lover each with their own stories and regrets.

The best part of the book for me was how heartwarming each individual story was. I was constantly reflecting on my own life and the people in it and how I show up everyday. A book that can make me look and make real change in my own life is a winner in my POV. I do however recommend that you go back to book one before delving too deeply into this one; there are some wonderful stories and characters you don’t want to miss.