I used to read books by Robin Jones Gunn as a teenager, but I hadn’t read one of her books in years. Tea with Elephants did not disappoint. What a sweet story about two friends discovering the beauty of Africa while helping each other through the disappointments of life. They both come home changed by their experiences. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This book is so delightful on so many levels. I’m so glad I started it right before getting on a plane - so I had uninterrupted time to keep reading, and finish, it!

My teenage, Christy Miller-loving self so enjoyed the subtle nods to that series (and even a Glenbrooke reference!). I’m sure there were many other references that went over my head, but I sure enjoyed the ones I picked up on!

Longtime readers of Gunn’s books (especially the Sisterchicks series) will settle right back in here; it’s totes a comfort read that feels like sitting down with an old friend or putting on a comfy sweater as we enter the fall season. New readers will also enjoy it, and Easter eggs aside, it’s a great start to Gunn’s body of fiction. It also makes me want to travel to Kenya (with the first-class plane tickets and upscale hotels/moments…it’s true, I’ll admit it). I have expensive taste.

I really enjoyed watching the two MCs reconnect in person after some time/life has passed and under trying circumstances. They both experience growth, change, challenges, and epiphanies on the trip - as any good trip has! - and learn about themselves and God in new ways. I’m excited to see how future books in the series unfold!

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#TeaWithElephants is classic @robingunn . Me and Robin go way back with the Christy Miller series then the Sister Chicks. This a sweet book of friendship, travel, life change, and some romance 😉

Thanks @netgalley for ARC in exchange for a review

When I first looked at this book, I wasn’t sure that I wanted it. But now, I’m so glad that I chose it. Oh my! I so enjoyed this! I didn’t want this to end at all!
The characters were delightful and fun to know. Especially Wanja and her mom. Fern and Lily are two lucky ladies to get to go on such an adventure. They’re also lucky to have such wonderful families too.
Love is an amazing feeling. It also takes work to make things work, too. I was rooting for these ladies that they’d find their inner peace that they needed so much.
The animals! I honestly felt like I was there in Africa. I really enjoyed and appreciated the safari a lot. I definitely didn’t want that to end. Now I want to go on one.
Five stars from me for keeping me entertained with all the wonderful animals, especially the lions. They’re so beautiful and majestic. Nothing cuter than a lion cub.
I will be re-reading this again and again because this is a wonderful adventure.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

'Tea with Elephants' is a breath of fresh air for Christian fiction readers. I'm usually weary of women's fiction novels, because of 'worldly' messages regarding feminism, selfish ambition, idolization of alcohol, infidelity, man-shaming, etc. Instead, Robin Jones Gunn has debuted a fantastic series about 2 best friends in their late thirties, facing unexpected disappointments, and finally getting to travel the world like they committed to as teenagers. One of my favorite aspects of this novel was seeing the characters cry out to God with vulnerability and trust.

Special thanks to the Publisher, Revell, and Net Galley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a perfectly lovely story about 2 friends and their journey in Africa and their personal journeys in life. It makes me want to grab a friend and take a trip. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reader’s copy.

How can I do this newest book by Robin Jones Gunn justice?

This novel was a very easy, enjoyable and engaging read, It is not a romance novel but about two longtime friends, nicknamed Suitcase Sisters and how an unexpected trip to Africa together changed their perspectives of their individual lives.

It is so beautifully written and I enjoyed reading the eARC so much I preordered the book. This is one I will read again.

This is the first in a new series and I can’t wait to read the next.
Tea With Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn is definitely a must read.

Thank you Revell Fiction for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a book that reads like a warm hug, two friends that are there for one another through life's journey. They live miles apart, but when the need occurs, they are there. Now they are on an unexpected gift of a safari to Africa, and they are going make so many memories.

Two girls, Fern and Lily, friends since teenagers, and now about to experience a magical trip together. God has plans for their lives, and this trip has such a spiritual affect on them.

Come and get lost in this page turner, I now want to go and see this beautiful area and lunch with giraffe's!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.

Robin Jones Gunn has been around for as long as I can remember. I read her books as a teen and now my teen has read them too! Tea with Elephants is not a romance. It is not suspenseful. It is a story of two best friends in their 30's who both need to step back and ask the questions; who am I? Where am I going? Am I going with the right people? Do I still have Faith?

Fern and Lily are best friends who always dreamed of going to Kenya after high school. But life got in the way and they never did. The two ladies have a second chance to fulfill their dream and travel to Africa. They each are struggling in different ways and find it difficult to confide in each other. Fern has lost her dream job and doesn't know what to do next. Lily woke up on day and realized that after 2 boys, she and her husband don't know each other anymore. She's not sure if she should give up or fight for her marriage.

As Fern and Lily travel through Kenya, they make some amazing connections with brothers and sisters in Christ that they will remember for a lifetime. They are reminded that God can speak through complete strangers or situations.

I enjoyed Tea with Elephants. The author gives such vivid descriptions of life, culture, animals, and travel that she must have experienced it herself. A very good read! I will be looking forward to the next book in the Suitcase Sisters!

This was a heartwarming and reflective read that left a deep impression on me. It’s not just about seeing majestic elephants, but about the connections she made, with nature, others, and ourselves. The authors writing style is gentle and invites personal reflection, the vivid descriptions transport you right into the heart of the experience. It’s a peaceful and inspiring book that lingers with you long after the last page.

By now, anyone who reads these book reviews regularly knows that, while I will read almost anything as long as it is clean, I really prefer books that don’t include much romance. I am delighted when I can find a Women’s Fiction book that isn’t a romance. That alone made Tea With Elephants attractive to me, but the setting sounded fun, too.

I found myself surprised by the depth I found in Tea With Elephants. Both women had a lot to work through, and I enjoyed reading about their journeys as they learned about themselves and about what God wanted them to do. Their challenges were quite different from each other. I enjoyed following along as they met up with various people who helped them, either intentionally or inadvertently (and sometimes by acting the opposite of the way Fern and Lily wanted to be!), to find God’s direction for their lives in a new phase of life. This is the perfect book for those like me who enjoy stories with a lot of internal conflict. It is a women’s fiction book without romance but with plenty of conversation and action to keep it interesting. I enjoyed it, and will be watching for more from this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

I absolutely adore Robin Jones Gunn so I was looking forward to reading her new novel, Tea with Elephants. It was a wonderful, sweet novel about two close friends who have not traveled together since being married. So they travel to the beautiful Kenya. The way she described the landscape and native animals was lyrical and made me yearn to visit. I loved the friendship between these two women and loved their heart to heart conversations and personal growth, though their lives have changed since their trip to Costa Rica, all those years ago.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

“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.”

Although Fern Espinoza and Lily Graden met as teenagers at camp in Costa Rica and stayed in touch, they failed to carry through with their dream of travelling as Suitcase Sisters. Twenty years later, when these two best friends are gifted a safari travel package and leave, with short notice, on an African adventure, neither of them fully realize until they arrive that they “had brought with [them] great lumps of hurt in [their] punched and kneaded souls.” Despite arriving with heavy hearts, they allow Africa to give them a place to rise and prove like sourdough bread, learn to share honestly with each other again, and leave ready to step back into life.

I connected with the vulnerability the friends exhibited and loved seeing how they invited God into the process of bearing the burdens. I appreciated the reminders each gave the other about times God had provided for them in the past and how his promise to guide them on the journey was still available in the present and future.

Highlighting the importance of female friendships, and focussing on loss, marriage and faith, this novel is a wonderful start to a contemporary women’s fiction series of three books

Three things I’ll remember: Surrender the struggle, enjoy the unravelling and step into your purpose.

I was gifted this copy by Revell and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Sweet story about 2 close friends who have not traveles together since before marrying their husbands. One shares a luxious trip to Kenya at a time when both are facing disruptions in their lives. describes animals and people they see in Kenya, and describes their heart-to-heart discussions of the disruptions in their Christian lives without being preachy.

Tea with Elephants is a well written novel. I throughly enjoyed the plot and the character dynamics. I loved the African setting. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

Robin Jones Gunn's story follows two friends who make difficult decisions that could lead them to fulfill a 20-year-old ambition. Then, to their astonishment, their schedules and lives coincided, allowing them to finally embark on the voyage they had hoped for.

This reminds me of the "Sister Chick" series, in which the author brought readers around the world on delightful trips. In this novel, the author transports readers to Africa. I learned about the people (elephants) and admired these courageous women who pursued their aspirations while allowing God to heal their broken hearts. I'm excited to see where this author takes readers next.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

In the first installment of the "Suitcase Sisters" series by Gunn, childhood friends Fern and Lily reunite at a Christian camp, dreaming of making an impact in the world. As they face the challenges of middle age—Lily with her tumultuous marriage and Fern navigating a blended family—they receive a surprise trip to Kenya. Immersed in luxury and adventure, they embark on a safari that not only reveals the beauty of the wilderness but also deepens their friendship. Through encounters with diverse people, they learn valuable lessons about generosity and self-acceptance. This heartwarming story is a refreshing take on Christian fiction, focusing on friendship and enduring relationships rather than just early romance. It's both poignant and enjoyable, offering readers a comforting narrative essentially a hug in a book.

4.25

I almost never admit this, but I am jealous. I’m jealous because having lived in West Africa, having lots of friends from East Africa, and having taken work trips to places in Africa where the big five roam the savanna, I’ve never been on a safari. Not even close. Unless you count the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (before “safari” was part of its name).

Safaris are very expensive. Of course neither Lily or Fern could afford to go on safari either, especially not this first class experience that they got. What doesn’t make sense is why Lily’s in-laws chose the safari as the annual destination with their friends, yet weren’t adventurous enough to go, even though they had travelled to other places that are for more seasoned travelers.

When I first selected the book, I hadn’t even noticed it was categorized as a Christian fiction. That does not bother me. I’m just more of a private, quiet worshipper and have had some bad experiences (in Africa, actually) with very charismatic Christians. When Fern started describing meeting Lily at age fourteen at a Christian conference center in Costa Rica, I thought maybe this wasn’t for me. Most importantly though, this is a book about being at a crossroads in life and having faith, not just in God, but in yourself and being open to new possibilities. I could certainly relate to that.

Their faith and gravitation towards others of faith is a constant throughout the book, but is generally more inspirational and often seems inevitable given the amazing experiences they have, and in such a short time. I generally prefer long trips or living in countries to have the life-changing experiences that Fern and Lily achieved in such a short time. Thus the jealousy.

Many of the places are real, though some have slightly different names in real life. It was interesting to actually see pictures of the giraffe hotel and many of the places on the itinerary,, and you could feel what they were seeing, especially on the safari trips. I was glad that they were committed to making the most of the trip like going on all of the drives out to see the animals in the massive “park”. Even as people who thought they didn’t really like animals, it would be amazing.

This isn’t groundbreaking literature, but is very inspirational and is a feel good read whether you appreciate the faith elements or not. A great read.

Thank you to Robin Jones Gunn, NetGalley, and Revell for providing me with a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

In this faith-filled novel, two long-distance friends embark on a trip to Africa. Both women are at a crossroads in life, and they are hoping that Africa and each other can help them find their way forward.

I loved the premise of this book. First of all, what's not to love about tea and elephants? But also, I was drawn to the idea of a road trip, or in this case, plane trip with two female, middle aged friends. The writing was good, and I feel like this could be a very inspiring read for someone who is feeling the pressures of life. The faith element is very strong here, although it's well-done and adds rather than detracts from the story, and the message is one of hope especially for those who are walking through difficult situations in life. As a story, though, I did think it fell a little flat. The friends were completely enthralled with Africa and found it's nature and it's people a balm to their spirits, but as a reader, I wasn't quite able to capture that excitement myself. I wanted to leave this book with a desire to experience Africa for myself, but I didn't quite get there. However, I still think this is an uplifting read and is perfect for fans of Christian fiction or anyone who needs and infusion of hope, faith, or encouragement in their life.

“Tea with Elephants” is a wonderfully deep novel full of delightful descriptions that invite the reader into the beautiful landscape and culture of Africa. Two women, Fern and Lily, met on a mission trip to Costa Rica when they were just out of high school. Their long-distance friendship has continued through the years, and they both still dream of traveling together one day. Lily calls to invite Fern on a trip to Africa, and God uses this trip to take them, not just on a trip, but on a life-changing journey. Along the way, these two friends meet amazing people and see marvelous works of God in His creation. I loved reading this story. It was like sharing a journey with a friend, and I so wish I could see and experience all the wonderful sights and people that Fern and Lily did. I also loved that each woman went through a personal growth journey during their time in Africa. God used this trip to grow both women in ways they could never have imagined before leaving for Africa. They each guided each other through parts of those growth journeys, which is also an encouragement to women everywhere - be the friend who cheers and encourages! This book was just a lovely, encouraging, fictional escape into the very real world of Africa and our everyday lives. It is well written. The plot moves along gracefully without hurry, but without belaboring anything. The characters in this story are rich, well-developed, and real-to-life; I almost wished that the wrap up at the end would tell me the premise for the novel was true and Fern and Lily are real women. I highly recommend this book. Read it. If for no other reason than to literarily experience the landscape of Africa from your own living room, I encourage you to read it.

I requested a copy of this book for review. The thoughts expressed here are wholly my own.