Book Review- Before we forget kindness by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Is this book simply a quick money-making scheme? Yes.

Is the plot repetitive and identical to the first four books? Yes.


Will I likely purchase the inevitable sequel? Of course.


For fans of the series – “Before the coffee gets cold ,” “ Tales from the Cafe,” “Before your Memory Fades ,” and “Before We Say Goodbye ” – this fifth book offers familiar comfort as it explores modern familial and relationship dynamics while stirring deep emotions.

For this series, the mysterious café Funiculi Funicula welcomes four new guests, each hoping to travel back in time for different personal reasons. They are-

- The father who could not allow his daughter to get married

- A woman who couldn't give Valentine's Day chocolates to her loved one

- A boy who wants to show his smile to his divorced parents

- A wife holding a child with no name

These simple stories of people longing to undo a major regret are filled with grace and forgiveness. These remind us of the importance of being kind at all times. They encourage us to remain compassionate even during the most challenging moments. They highlight the lasting impact of our words and actions, demonstrating how unkindness can leave scars and regrets that linger.

I felt this book had a much more philosophical feel because the stories were about not taking things for granted, since you never know what might happen tomorrow.


Quotes from the book-

“Regret comes in two flavors: actions taken and opportunities missed.”

“With life comes many regretful actions that we can’t undo. Most of these come down to things we do or say in the heat of the moment.”

“People’s hearts are forever changing. However firm one’s resolve might be, even the most trivial event can trigger doubt.”

With this blog post, the year 2025 comes to an end for wisdomekta, and I hope to share more posts in the new year 2026, filled with better or bittersweet experiences of my life.

Keep reading. Keep sharing. Keep talking.