Cafe. Waiting. Love. by Giddens Ko

‘Dreams that are laughable when said aloud are what’s worth pursuing. Even if you fall, you do so with much poise.’

In a small, enigmatic cafe in Hsinchu, Taiwan, everyone is waiting for someone. Whether it’s love, a second chance, or a sign of something greater. The cafe is more than just an ordinary coffee shop; it’s a place for serendipitous encounters.

Si-Ying, a young woman working at the cafe, harbors a secret crush on the handsome Ze-Yu, who is always surrounded by a string of girlfriends. However, her life takes a turn when she befriends the quirky and earnest A-Tuo, who introduces her to a vibrant cast of characters who aren’t what they seem to be, including a triad boss who is a cinephile and a laundromat boss who whips up exquisite dishes worthy of the Michelin stars.

As Si Ying’s friendship with A-Tuo deepens, she begins to realize that her true feelings may not be for Ze-Yu after all. Within the cafe’s walls, moments of quiet reflection reveal profound truths, and amidst the wait for someone else, Si-Ying learns that sometimes the most significant journey is the one inward.

** Translated from the Taiwanese by Shanna Tan **

Bestselling translator Shanna Tan teams up with renowned Taiwanese author and filmmaker Giddens Ko to bring readers one of his modern classics about coming of age and finding love, for the first time in the English language – adapted for the screen as Cafe. Waiting. Love

About the Author: Giddens Ko is an award-winning and highly popular Taiwanese writer and filmmaker. He writes under the pseudonym JIUBADAO ‘Nine Knives’ and has authored more than sixty books, primarily novels spanning a diverse range of blended genres including thriller, speculative fiction, horror, fantasy, romance and more. At his peak, he published one book per month for more than a year. Since 2009, he has also become a well-known figure in the film industry, having directed, produced and wrote several blockbuster Taiwanese films, including adaptations of his novels. You Are the Apple of My Eye, a 2011 Taiwanese coming-of-age romance film based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Ko, was a box office hit, winning several awards, and inspiring several film and drama remakes in Thailand and South Korea.

27 Aug 2026
 

Cafe. Waiting. Love. by Giddens Ko ISBN 9781035434237