Café. Waiting. Love. ☕️
By Giddens Ko.
By Giddens Ko.
Can the person you've been waiting for help you discover who you really are?
That question quietly unfolds throughout Café. Waiting. Love. by Giddens Ko, a warm and uplifting coming-of-age story that blends romance, friendship and self-discovery within the welcoming walls of a quirky Taiwanese café.
The colourful cover immediately caught my attention before I even began reading. It perfectly captures the charm and warmth of the café itself, hinting at the memorable characters and heartfelt moments waiting inside.
Tucked away near National Tsing Hua University in Hsinchu, Café. Waiting. Love. is a place where customers arrive carrying hopes, regrets and dreams of finding something they feel is missing. For Si-Ying, a high school student working part-time at the café, life revolves around preparing for university while quietly nursing a crush on the seemingly unattainable Ze-Yu. Everything begins to change when she befriends the kind-hearted A-Tuo, opening the door to unexpected friendships and a new understanding of what love really means.
What I enjoyed most about this book was its wonderfully eclectic cast of characters. Every regular who walks through the café doors has their own story to tell, and I loved watching these seemingly separate lives gradually intertwine. The café feels less like a setting and more like a character in its own right, bringing people together in ways they never expected.
Si-Ying is an engaging protagonist whose journey feels relatable and genuine. Although romance is an important part of the story, this is equally a book about growing up, discovering your own priorities and recognising that the future you imagined for yourself may not be the one that ultimately brings you happiness.
I also really enjoyed the quieter moments centred around coffee itself. The discussions surrounding brewing methods and different coffees add another layer to the story, creating an atmosphere that will particularly appeal to anyone who enjoys spending time in independent cafés. These details help make the setting feel authentic without ever slowing the pace.
Alongside Si-Ying's story, the supporting characters bring warmth, humour and emotional depth. I especially enjoyed learning more about Abusi and the café owner, whose backstories add richness to the narrative while reinforcing the idea that everyone who enters the café is waiting for something different.
The romance develops naturally throughout the story, balancing light-hearted moments with genuine emotional growth. Rather than focusing solely on who Si-Ying ends up with, the book places equal importance on friendship, self-reflection and embracing new possibilities, making the relationships feel believable and rewarding.
Heartwarming, charming and filled with memorable characters, Café. Waiting. Love. is a delightful coming-of-age story that celebrates love in all its forms while reminding us that sometimes the journey towards finding someone else begins with discovering yourself.
Thank you to Carmella and the team at Headline Books for sending me such a beautiful copy of the book!
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