I loved this story of two women that are friends for years and decide to go on a safari together at a time when their lives are changing. I loved that these women help each other to face some troubles they are having in their lives. I enjoyed seeing an African safari through these women’s eyes. I loved all the descriptions of this wild land. I laughed and cried as I learned what Fern and Lily were going through. I received a copy of the book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

This book was so good. I loved the characters, the way it grabbed my attention from the first page, and it kept me hooked throughout the book.
I really loved Fern and Lily. I loved how they were both struggling with something, yet they were able to be there for each other in the way each needed. Their friendship was truly inspiring.
I now have a need to visit Africa. The way it was portrayed in this book was incredible. The immagry was so vivid and I almost felt like I was there, now I really want to be.
I love the was this story unfolds. It's very well written and easy to get lost in.

* I received an ARC to review. All opinions are my own*

*I received a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own*

First, thank you the NetGalley for the eArc in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

I spent my early mom-years reading the Sister Chicks books, and my best friend and I are Sister Chicks to the end. Suitcase Sisters, not quite Sister Chicks. A little less carefree, a little less humor, and a lot more somberness. But that is the way of life sometimes.

I enjoyed going on Safari and traveling through Africa with our suitcase sisters. I loved their reactions to many of the "first time" events. I was excited and overwhelmed with them. (I may have looked up the cost to stay at the hotel to have breakfast with giraffes!)
I understood the pauses and the hesitations to share. The struggles of a long-distance friendship over time. (Sister chick and I are at 25 years, 20 of them long distance)

Once again, Robin writes the truth about women, about our feelings, our journeys, our goods and our bads. She is one of us, she knows and writes truths. Maybe that is where I picked up on the somberness... reflecting some of my own life back into the novel. I know that her novels are not for everyone, that they do have a certain audience. But those women NEED to pick up the Suitcase SIsters and go on adventures of a lifetime.

Personally, my dauther grew up on Christy Miller and is just starting to read Sister Chicks. I look forward to the time in her life when she is ready to pick up Suitcase Sisters.

I haven't read a book by Robin Jones Gunn in awhile, so it was a pleasure to enjoy one of her books again. In this delightful book, you get to travel to Africa with two best friends Fern and Lily as they take a trip of a lifetime. But this book is more than charting their adventure, it's a story of friendship and how iron-sharpens-iron. Each of them learned something new about themselves. EAch of them helped the other deal with a major life crisis during the book. They give godly wisdom and show agape love for each other.

I loved the advice Fern gives Lily about giving her husband some "honey" in their conversations since its been gone for so long. To guide her in falling back in love with her husband and dealing with her past trauma. Likewise Lily helps Fern figure out that she can stand on her own two feet moving forward and be courageous in the new opportunities that life has given her.

I wrote down a few passages for my own journal. The part that really brought tears to my eyes though was the special dishwashing moment between Fern and the older woman. So special.

The whole thing with Mia also cracked me up and made me roll my eyes at the same time.

5 stars because it was just a soul soothing story.

*Thank you to NetGAlley and the publishers for the ARC to review. All opinions are 100% my own.

I have never been to Africa but after reading Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn, I feel as if I've been immersed in all the sights and sounds right along with her characters.

Tea with Elephants is beautifully written and so descriptive that you will hear the elephants, you will feel the tickle of the giraffe's tongue on the palm of your hand as you feed it, and you will gasp with awe at the beauty of the land. Jones Gunn has done a remarkable job of bringing Africa to me and I'm forever grateful to have taken the journey with her characters.

​When Fern Espinoza and Lily Graden are given the gift of a lifetime to travel to Africa neither one realizes how life-changing it would be. Even the reader will find this book life-changing! From peering into Fern's journal and her wonderful way of talking to God, to Lily's friendly and patient way with strangers, you are sure to be touched in some way by this novel.

Both women find themselves on a journey not just of miles, but of introspection as each faces a crossroads in their lives. Their faith in the Lord is strong and I love how Fern allows Him to work in her life.

If you want to go on vacation to Africa, but can't afford it, I highly recommend you get a copy of this book and a nice place to read it. You won't be disappointed!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through NetGalley for my honest review.

Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn is a delightful women’s fiction travel novel and is part of a new series The Suitcase Sisters. The beautiful cover had me wondering about what sort of adventures Lily Garden and Fern Espinoza were going to have as they traveled through Africa. Lily and Fern were friends who met at summer camp many years ago, and now they had an opportunity to fulfill their dream of traveling to Africa.

This was a sweet and well written story told from Fern’s point of view. I was very engaged with Fern and Lily and enjoyed watching them both transform as they traveled through Africa. The descriptions of their time in Africa were mesmerizing and I enjoyed making new friends with the Suitcase Sisters during their adventure. The author knows the heart of women and that comes through in the characters.

This is a delightful story where you will make new friends, travel through Africa, and learn a little more about yourself. I was so drawn in and look forward to more time with the Suitcase Sisters. I highly recommend Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunnn,

I was given copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

** spoiler alert ** 3.5 stars. Read this during and right after our church's missions conference. One of the missionaries who came is a veteran missionary to the country of Kenya. Ironically, this is where the majority of Tea with Elephants is set. Gunn portrays a more luxurious and touristy view of Kenya than the missionary did, which may have affected my review. I am sure there are different places in Kenya as described in this story, however, I kept thinking back to the stories the missionary told of the impoverished people he met and the great spiritual darkness they live in. However, I enjoyed reading about the culture of the people and the nature/animals of Africa.
The story was well written though, the plot was moving and easy to read. One of the main characters is named Fern after Charlotte's Web which made my literary heart glad. Fern is an editor who (spoiler alert) becomes a freelance writer by the end of the book, so I enjoyed that aspect as well.
The key premise of the book discussed when one chapter of your life is closing and another is opening.

1) Make sure you are living a godly life and ask God for wisdom.
2)Talk to family and friends about the problem or decision.
3) Make lists to help you think. This may be listing pros and cons of each situation, etc.
4)Be willing to move forward in your life. Get rid of any feelings or grudges that are weighing you down and preventing you from moving on.
5)Take advantage of opportunities. Say yes to opportunities that come your way.
6)When making a decision about a career, make sure it's something you love; something that uses a gift God has given you.
7)In all of your decision making, make sure you consider the effects your decision will have on others.
8)Never cease to appreciate God's creation.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to review this book.

This was my first RJG novel. I’d heard her name before, so even though I don’t usually read “chick books,” I decided to give this one a try. I was well written and I enjoyed seeing how the characters developed. She painted a beautiful picture of Africa, too. I would have enjoyed it more if I was a travel person who was interested in detailed descriptions. It was a cerebral book, with lots of thoughts and feelings, which, again, isn’t my typical reading material. I think this book is perfect for its genre. Unfortunately, its genre isn’t perfect for me. Not the writer’s fault. I’m glad to read such a good example of this genre,

Tea with Elephants is a book about two best friends who have the opportunity to take a "free of charge" African safari. They travel light and begin reconnecting (they now live in different states). Both are going through a bit of a rough patch in their lives. Tea with Elephants is so beautifully written. The scenery and hotels sound amazing.

Tea with Elephants was my first book by Robin Jones Gunn. I'm always so thankful when NetGalley introduces me to a a "new to me author" that I really enjoy. I plan to purchase this book for my mother-in-law who loves elephants. It is a nice Christian book.

edited: I really love this prayer in Tea with Elephants. Wanted to make sure that I captured in my review. "I am drawing near to You, Father God. Please draw near to me." (possibly drawn from James 4:8).

Many thanks to NetGalley and Revell Publishing for approving my request to read Tea with Elephants in exchange for an honest review. Approx 304 pages. Publication date is Oct 15, 2024.

This is a beautifully written story about two friends who finally get to take the trip they dreamed of as college kids. Both are married with kids, but their lives are far from perfect. Marriage difficulties, struggles with work, loss of a loved one, and conflicts with kids are some of the issues these ladies deal with while they travel in Africa.

The characters are relatable, and the experiences in Africa will make you want to book a trip now. I've been to the place that Brockhurst is based on. The tea fields are an incredible shade of green. They are on vacation so this is not meant to be a commentary on the life of the Kenyans. It is simply an exotic backdrop as these ladies face turning points in their lives.

I enjoyed it and would recommend it to everyone.

This is Christian fiction so expect a lot of discussions on God and faith.

Thanks to Netgalley and Revell. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

ea with Elephants was an interesting story that celebrates everything good about friendships and families. The story is reminiscent of the Sisterchick series, and I felt so at home as one of the friends as Fern and Lily ventured to their long anticipated trip to Africa. Robin Jones Gunn did a fantastic job with helping readers visualize the sights and sounds of being on an African safari. I felt like I was actually there. Even the food and drinks were exotic.

As always Gunn always leaves me with inspirational things to ponder about life, faith and God as evidenced in this quote,
"Something more than a random invitation to go on an extravagant vacation was in motion. I felt seen. God had not forgotten me or placed me aside. The tenderness of that hope made my eyes tear up." Lovely.
I appreciate having a complimentary copy, via Net Galley, of this book by Revell Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

It’s been a while since I read any Christian fiction and I have to say, I enjoyed this immensely. A nice easy read with lovely setting and great moral storyline. I am intrigued to read more of ‘The Suitcase sisters’ series and see how the characters of Fern and Lily change and develop. Robin Jones Gunn has clearly done lots of research into her settings and I now really want to visit Kenya!

My thoughts:  tea with elephants is a woman's fiction with two women who were best friends as teens travel together to Africa. Both of them have issues they are trying to work through on their own and needed a time away to think things through. I enjoyed getting to know them and I enjoyed the vivid details that Miss gun included in the story. If you like women's fiction you will absolutely adore this book. It is written in the style of her sister checked serious series. I hope to see more books of the sort by Miss gun. I was given a copy for you in all opinions on my own.

Fern and Lily have been long-distance best friends since spending a summer together volunteering in Costa Rica as teenagers. Twenty years later, they’re far removed from the starry-eyed teens that had plans to travel the world together.

When Lily is gifted a trip of a lifetime to Africa, she invites her bestie along for the journey. And these two may have only brought one carry-on suitcase with them on the trip, they’re both carrying a lot more baggage internally that they need to wrestle through.

This is a lovely story filled with friendship, faith, and adventure. I felt like I was transported to Kenya along with Fern and Lily and experienced a sense of awe and wonder right along with them. Most of the side characters were endearing as well.

This is my first Robin Jones Gunn book (I’m imagine tons of gasps being released right now) and I’m looking forward to the near Suitcase Sisters story. Robin did an incredible job seamlessly weaving faith throughout the story. 4.5 ⭐️’s from me!

Thanks so much to Revell for providing me with free copy to read and review. All opinions are my own.

"It's true. Once you've had a taste of faraway places, you long for more. I think the longing diminishes your fondness for everything you left behind."
Wow. Author Robin Jones Gunn was able to intertwine friendship, the journey of faith, and self-discovery against the backdrop of the beautiful African safari. It's a heartfelt adventure story between two friends, Fern and Lily remind us that life's most profound lessons are often learned when we least expect them.
What I loved most:
-Long-lasting friendship
-Vivid descriptions (you can tell that RJG had personally taken a trip there herself, I know the story was about two friends but Africa was really the shining star here)
-Bringing the trip to life with bonus recipes

All. The. Stars. Absolutely adore this book about best friends on safari in Kenya. More of the Suitcase Sisters. ASAP!🐘

Here are some things I loved about this amazing read:

🐘Each chapter begins with an African proverb like this one: "May the African sun always shine through your eyes and the sound of its drums always beat in your heart."

🐘Lily and Fern have been BFFs for twenty years since they met on a mission trip in Costa Rica. They have supported and encouraged each other for decades and continue to do so in helpful and heartwarming ways throughout the story.

🐘Africa is a character with support from the gorgeous scenery and awe-inspiring glimpses of wildlife. Loved visiting Kenya in this book.

🐘There are recipes included for a special banana bread and masala chai tea. My mouth is watering! Am definitely going to try both of them.

🐘It looks like Robin Jones Gunn is planning a Suitcase Sisters series. Looking forward to more world travels with Lily and Fern.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. ~ James 4:8a

Thank you to Revell and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

One of the most popular series for Christian fiction lovers is the Sister Chicks series by Robin Jones Gunn. She has not published any the last few years and so the introduction of Suitcase Sisters series is exciting. Tea with Elephants will not disappoint fans of the original series. And if like myself, they will love them even more than original!
Fern and Lily met as teens on a mission trip to Costa Rica and pledge to become travel buddies in life. Real life happens and the next trip does not happen for twenty years when Lily is given a trip to Africa and invites Lily to join her. The two have an adventure of a lifetime and have soul seeking conversations and decisions to make while traveling.
I enjoyed that Tea with Elephants went deeper with life struggles and was more than a travel log. I admit that Africa was never on my list of places to travel, but this novel made me rethink that.
I received a complimentary copy of Tea with Elephants thanks to Revel Publishing and Net galley, but all opinions are my own.

Tea With Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn is the most beautiful Christian contemporary novel that will sink into your heart and soothe your soul. It is the first book in the Suitcase Sisters series and I cannot wait for more.
Tea With Elephants is a story of friendship and love as we follow two ladies who have been friends for over twenty years as they spend a week in Kenya. It is a journey of discovery – literally as there are majestic animals to see in their natural habitat. And also, figuratively as they learn about each other’s lives, their fears and their worries. There is a love between the women. “There is no gift like a friend who knows you by heart.” And there is their love for God and His for them.
We cannot always see the future but we know who holds the future in His hands. “I wanted to be at peace about the unknown.” We trusted God with our past and our present, we can trust Hin with our future. “I didn’t want to get stuck in what was behind. I wanted to look to what was ahead.”
As we wander through life, we pick up baggage. “You will be able to move forward when you’re no longer carrying all this old stuff… It’s weighed you down for too long.” We will never move forward by looking in the rear mirror. We do not need to see where we have been but we do need to look at where we are going.
Prayer is important. Prayer is as vital as breathing. “Prayers are never just prayer… [we are] creating a collection of love letters to Jesus.” We also learn that “our most valuable weapon … is prayer.” Prayers can, and do, move mountains.
When we have troubles and worries, we need to press into Jesus. “I don’t know how people go through difficulties without crying out to the Lord.” We can receive a peace that passes all understanding, a peace despite our circumstances. “Peace was coming after me.” I love that idea of peace pursuing us.
We are called to preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary to use words. “You showed her how Jesus loves people.”
Robin Jones Gunn has captured the essence of the natural Kenya in her book. It is wild. It is untamed. It is beautiful. A little piece of Africa remains lodged in your heart, for a lifetime. “The gentle, maternal manner in… Africa… and how she [Africa] took us in and covered us.”
Tea With Elephants celebrates friendship. It is a friendship that loves enough to ask, really ask, the difficult questions, listen to the answers and come up with suggestions. It is a friendship that points out the beauty in another. It is a friendship that loves, supports and remains.
All the characters were well-rounded and realistic. They came to life for the reader, as did the action which is seen in the first person, enabling the reader to ‘walk’ through the novel.
Tea With Elephants is serenely beautiful. I am so sorry that it has ended. I feel like I just want to read this book again and again.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Readers will enjoy riding along as the suitcase sisters fly off to Africa in this delightful tale of friendship. Having met years ago, the two had always meant to travel but life had gotten in the way. The reflection of the past and promises of the future make this a story that readers will not want to miss. Loved all the adventures! Highly recommended!

Tea with Elephants reads like a travel journal . It was so descriptive sometimes that I caught myself checking to confirm this was actually fiction. Fern and Lily go on a teen dream trip to Africa. Robin Jones Gunn made Africa come alive on the pages. And those who love to learn about new places will enjoy Tea with Elephants. The plot was a little slow moving for me and I caught myself flipping thru the pages. However, I appreciate how well written and realistic everything seemed. This is the start of a new series and it will be interesting to see where Robin Jones Gunn takes her readers next.