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Title: "Tea with Elephants" by Robin Jones Gunn
Series: Suitcase Sisters Novel Book #1
Format: Paperback
Pages: 304
Date Published: October 15, 2024
Publisher: Revell
Stars: *****
Book Description:
Ever since they met as teenagers volunteering at a conference center in Costa Rica 20 years ago, Fern Espinoza and Lily Graden have shared a close friendship, even though they live in different states. They can hardly believe it when their teen dream of traveling to Africa together becomes a reality. It's the trip of a lifetime--but life sure isn't what they thought it would be back when they were young.
Along with their suitcases, each woman brings along emotional baggage that weighs heavily on them. Yet the people they meet and the places they experience have the power to change their hearts--but only if they surrender to the lessons God wants to teach them in this unexpected land of emerald tea fields, graceful giraffes, and rambunctious elephants.
Pack your bags and get ready for adventure as Robin Jones Gunn invites you on a safari of the heart in this vulnerable exploration of how to move forward in faith even when the future is uncertain.
Ever since they met as teenagers volunteering at a conference center in Costa Rica 20 years ago, Fern Espinoza and Lily Graden have shared a close friendship, even though they live in different states. They can hardly believe it when their teen dream of traveling to Africa together becomes a reality. It's the trip of a lifetime--but life sure isn't what they thought it would be back when they were young.
Along with their suitcases, each woman brings along emotional baggage that weighs heavily on them. Yet the people they meet and the places they experience have the power to change their hearts--but only if they surrender to the lessons God wants to teach them in this unexpected land of emerald tea fields, graceful giraffes, and rambunctious elephants.
Pack your bags and get ready for adventure as Robin Jones Gunn invites you on a safari of the heart in this vulnerable exploration of how to move forward in faith even when the future is uncertain.
The Logistics:
I read and LOVED the "Sisterchick" series by Robin Jones Gunn so I knew I would absolutely HAVE to read the first "Suitcase Sisters Novel".
I recently got a library card and was so excited to see "Tea with Elephants" was available through the library network. I instantly got myself on the wait-list and and it was only a short time before I got the email/text that the book was able to be picked up!
My Overall Feeling of the Book:
Robin Jones Gunn NEVER disappoints! The descriptions and atmosphere that were created were amazing. I love that point in reading a book where the pages disappear and the story becomes a movie in my head. From the tea fields to the treetops, this book was so well done!
Main Characters:
Fern Espinoza: The book is written in the first-person from Fern's point-of-view. She is a thirty-something woman at a crossroads in her life. Fern is in the book publishing industry and loves to write love letters to Jesus in her journal.
Lily Graden: Lily is Fern's bestie, an event planner, a wife and a mother of two teenage boys. She's also facing a time of possible upheaval.
Main Characters:
Fern Espinoza: The book is written in the first-person from Fern's point-of-view. She is a thirty-something woman at a crossroads in her life. Fern is in the book publishing industry and loves to write love letters to Jesus in her journal.
Lily Graden: Lily is Fern's bestie, an event planner, a wife and a mother of two teenage boys. She's also facing a time of possible upheaval.
One of My Favorite Scene(s):
The entire book was full of favorite scenes for me. I took longer to read it than I thought it would because I wanted to savor each and every chapter.
If I had to pick, I'd pick the scenes with Wanja, Fern and Lily's tour guide. She was the one who dubbed them the "Suitcase Sisters" and was just such a character. The book wouldn't have been the same without her.
I also loved Fern and Lily's deep conversations where they hashed out their trials and troubles. They really were the best of friends and the way they respected each other and talked to and about one another was so heartwarming and made me wish I had a best friend like that in my life.
A Brief Excerpt:
"Looking up from my chair on the balcony, I put down my pen and surveyed the immense view once again. I could see for miles across the vast plain and spotted several giraffes and lots of zebras. Page 179
A Brief Excerpt:
"Looking up from my chair on the balcony, I put down my pen and surveyed the immense view once again. I could see for miles across the vast plain and spotted several giraffes and lots of zebras. Page 179
The Cover:
I wasn't totally in love with the cover until I read the scene that it portrays. At that point, the cover all came together for me right down to the scarves that Fern and Lily are wearing.
Other Notes:
~As noted above, this is the first book in the "Suitcase Sisters". The second book, "Gelato at the Villa" has already been released and I can't wait to get my hands on it!
~I loved how each chapter started with a quote!
~I also want to give a heads up that there are a few scenes that could be a bit disturbing to some due to the graphic nature of wild animals. I've seen some reviewers take issue with this, but being a country girl, it didn't bother me to that extent. The circle of life and all that, you know :)
Rating
5/5
~I also want to give a heads up that there are a few scenes that could be a bit disturbing to some due to the graphic nature of wild animals. I've seen some reviewers take issue with this, but being a country girl, it didn't bother me to that extent. The circle of life and all that, you know :)
Rating
5/5
Onto the next book :)
Title: 70 North 
Title: Inferno 
