Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn: Book Review

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

The Book

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 Author

ROBIN JONES GUNN is the best-selling author of over 100 books, including the timeless Christy Miller series for teens. The characters continue in Christy & Todd: The College Years, The Married Years, The Baby Years and Haven Maker series.

Her multi-award-winning Christian fiction includes the Glenbrooke and Sisterchicks series. Four of her novels have been made into Hallmark Christmas movies. The Father Christmas movies broke records for the network by becoming the most watched and highest rated movies in 2016 and 2017.

Robin's popular non-fiction includes, "Victim of Grace" along with "Before You Meet Your Future Husband" and "Praying for Your Future Husband" both co-authored with Tricia Goyer.

Robin is a frequent speaker at international and local events. She and her husband have two grown children and live in California. She co-hosts the "Women Worth Knowing" podcast with Cheryl Brodersen.

Book Review

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. 

You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/3MquCZ0