The heart of Madrid becomes a place that beats with each step taken by the characters of this story. The novel perfectly exemplifies Spanish society in the last years of Franco's dictatorship and the struggle for freedom by a generation of brave women who fought to make themselves heard. The Matesa case, the most prominent scandal of Francoist corruption, shook the political and social stage in what were already-complicated times. But far removed from this reality, Adela, a privileged young woman, only has eyes for Carlos, a musician she has known since childhood who only cares about two things: living with no responsibilities and his best friend Contanza. As We Were Drinking Coffee is a novel that reflects the social idealism and cultural movement that was bubbling up in Madrid's cafés with hopes of making change.