Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn

 

I have been looking forward to Robin Jones Gunn new book, Tea with Elephants so I was excited to have an advanced copy. I got it in the mail and started reading right away! I read and treasured every bit of this book.

Fern and Lily have been friends ever since they met in Costa Rica while doing volunteer work. Together, as young girls, they dreamed of traveling the world and the good that they could do. Then life happened. Lily got married young and had two children. Fern took an internship that led to a job in publishing and has been working ever since. Then several years later, Fern's father and mother-in-law gave Fern and Lily tickets to Africa to go on safari. This is the story of their trip--as well as the challenges in their lives that they left behind.

I read Tea with Elephants quickly as I could not put it down. I enjoyed The Sister Chicks series. This series is along those lines as the start of the Suitcase Sisters novels begins. I enjoyed the camaraderie of Lily and Fern being long time friends. I enjoyed seeing Africa through these two women's eyes. The descriptions of the countryside, the people and the animals was quite rich with details. 

I also enjoyed how the friends worked to process the struggles in their life--both as friends together and on their own, in their own ways. I tend to be more like Fern as I like journaling to process my thoughts and I love a relaxing cup of tea. Lily was a bright spot too and I could relate to her in other ways. As part of the story, there are elements of faith that are well-woven in. At the back of the book, there are even two recipes from their African travels that look like fun to try. This may be a good book club discussion book and the recipes could be made and served at a meeting for fun! I enjoyed this story from cover to cover. I already can't wait for the next Suitcase Sisters novel to release.

Tea with Elephants releases on October 15 and is available for pre-order now.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own.

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