The book kept getting better and better as it went along. By the end I was misty-eyed and felt my own connection to Africa, even though it’s never been a place I’ve had a huge desire to go. But now, it actually is. I saw this awesome country through the eyes of these characters. Beautiful. I also loved their friendship and the interestingly different and real lives they each live. Fantastic story. So well done. And we see a snippet of a character from one of her books from long ago (wonderful surprise).

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Tea with Elephants
by Robin Jones Gunn
Pub Date: Oct. 15, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
What a safari journey in time!
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.
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.
I enjoyed how the friends worked to process the struggles in their life--both as friends together and on their own, in their own 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 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.

Robin's latest book doesn't disappoint. Even though I'm not particularly interested in Africa, I learned so much and really enjoyed the journey the two women went on. Loved it!

Tea With Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn embarks on a journey of two friends as the learn to process the struggles in their lives. Both Fern and Lily are at a crossroads, but the timing is perfect to explore Africa and strengthen their friendship, lean on each other in their struggles, and deepen their faith.

Everything Robin Jones Gunn writers is so warm and fulfilling. Her descriptions are vivid and rich creating a sense that the reader is right there with the characters. I can’t wait for book 2!

My heart is full! I'm so happy that Robin Jones Gunn started a new series, Suitcase Sisters, similar to Sisterchicks, which is my all-time favorite series. Tea With Elephants transports you to the wilds of Africa where friends Lily and Fern learn some life lessons while enjoying their long-anticipated trip together. If I could give it a hundred stars, I would.
This book was provided to me by the publisher. All of my opinions here are my own.

"Tea with Elephants" by Robin Jones Gunn is an excellent Christian Woman's fiction book about two best friends, Fern and Lily. The women have been friends for 20 years and when Lily's in-laws give her a trip to Kenya, she invites her friend Fern along. The two first met in Costa Rica and like many of us, made plans to travel the world together as much as possible but due to life, never made the trips they hoped to make earlier in life.

The two women find themselves at a crossroads in each of their respective lives, not sure how to tell the other of the great disappointments in lives each are facing prior to coming on the trip. Throughout the trip they share in each other's struggles and most important to me as a reader, share such a strong faith with one another in their conversations and their conversations with some of the side characters.

The author does a great job describing the scenery and animal encounters during the trip. This book definitely had me wanting to buy a plan ticket, pack my suitcase and explore a world very different from the one I live in. It is the first of what is a new series by Robin and I look forward to the next books she will write for this one.

Thank you to Revell Fiction and Netgalley for the chance to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Are you looking for a wholesome women’s fiction? Read? Check out Tea With Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn. This was a great read.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

What a good book! I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. This is a first by this author but will not be my last! I read this in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down.

What an absolutely beautiful story this was! Fern and Lily first connected first met as teenagers in Costa Rica. They connected and made plans to do more traveling in the future-- but life got in the way and that never really happened. Twenty years later, they are given the opportunity to take a trip to Africa together and we get to follow along on that adventure. Both women are at a crossroads in life, trying to figure out their uncertain futures. I loved seeing them support each other along the way... they had such a genuine friendship that I found I really enjoyed. And the setting of Africa was such a perfect backdrop to their story... I must admit I've never considered a trip to Africa myself... until reading this book! This is kind of an unusual read for me in that most books that I read do have at least a small hint of romance and this one does not... but honestly, I enjoyed their friendship so much that I found I really didn't miss it at all. If you're looking for a beautiful women's fiction read filled with inspiration and friendship, this is absolutely one not to be missed.


**I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley & Revell for allowing me access to this ebook!

Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn will be released on Oct 15. It's a beautiful exploration of friendship, faith, and self-discovery. The story follows lifelong friends Fern Espinoza and Lily Graden as they embark on a long-awaited journey to Africa, fulfilling a dream they’ve shared since their teenage years. But this trip isn’t just about exotic landscapes and wildlife; it’s a deeply personal journey as both women confront the emotional baggage they've been carrying for years.
I want to acknowledge how gorgeous this cover is! Also, I never read a book by this author and it made me want to explore a bit more of what they have written before!

Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy.

I have been a fan of Robin Jones Gunn since I read the first Sisterchick book. Each one holds special memories and dreams.
When I heard this new series Suitcase Sisters I knew I had to read this book.

The book is in the same vein as the Sisterchick books with two friends travelling to a distant place in this case Kenya. But it is also different. I found the book to still have Robin's flair for storytelling but there was also a deeper level to the story. Both Fern and lily have issues they are dealing with and both feel overwhelmed due to this. The story has a strong faith element which enriches the story but doesn't bog it down. There are so many times I gained insights. I loved reading about Kenya and the animals there and felt like I was seeing what Fern and Lily were. Even the walk to a tea plantation was insightful.

This book shows how important it is to have that special friend you can talk to. Share your dreams with and not be judged. Someone who gets you. I think this is another part of the charm. Reading the book makes me wish I had that special bond and could go on an adventure the same way.

Again I would love to talk about how different part of the book impacted me but then you wouldn't find these gems on your own, I also know everyone will have different parts they connect with.

If you enjoyed the Sisterchick Books then you will love this new series. I can't wait to read more. This is by far one of the best books I have read this year.

I received a complimentary copy and this review is my own.
I have always loved Robin Jones Gunn and this book did not disappoint!
I was super excited when I heard she had a new one and I can't wait to physically own a copy.
This was well written and can't wait until there is book 2!

Two friends each facing issues take a life-changing trip to Africa in this fictional travel log. The author's descriptions were vivid, and I felt almost like I was there. A very enjoyable read!

Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn reminded me a lot of her Sisterchicks series. I have loved Gunn's writing since I picked up True Friends with Christy and Katie back in high School. Now almost an empty-nester myself, there is a lot of changes coming to my life soon. It is nice to see Gunn create characters who are teenagers and handling that part of their life, then she moves into young adults, then adults, then late thirties adults. With Tea with Elephants, I enjoyed the concept and the characters, but the story really did not capture my attention. It read more like Fern's opinions on her trip. A journal entry of every day. Her thoughts. Her actions. Her descriptions. Once in a while, Gunn would thrown something to move the plot along, but I wanted more in-depth. Sometimes we had discussions between Lily and Fern, but since they were good friends, it took them a long time to allow their own walls to come down and be honest with each other. I found that odd. If they had been such good friends for a long time. Why didn't they share their woes on the plane to Africa or as soon as they entered their first cabin. Why keep it hidden from each other? Gunn does a wonderful job at describing the setting. If readers are interested in Africa, this might help hold the thirst at bay. For me, I have no desire to visit Africa, so it did not seem like a place I wanted to visit. Overall, Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn is a good friendship story, but the story lacked the movement of what I wanted to see when two friends are spending time on the side of the world.

I received a complimentary copy of Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.