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.

I really wanted to love this book. I hate to say it, but I found it super boring. I just really didn't care about the characters. I kept waiting for the story to grab me. It never did. It was like reading those Christmas letters you get telling you all kinds of information that you probably don't want to know about people you never see. The characters seemed like first world problem tourists, which is basically what they were. It feels harsh to say it but it's true.

An absolutely delightful, engaging, impactful story, full of true friendship, a love of Africa, and relationship struggles and spiritual truths and growth. Lily and Fern - the Suitcase Sisters - became real to me, and I was drawn into their lives and struggles - laughing and crying with them, and sitting in awe with them of the wonders of the African continent. I will definitely be reading the next books in this series. Love her voice!

I'd never read anything by Robin Jones Gunn, but that is DEFINITELY going to change. Highly recommended!

Oh my goodness! I am blessed to have had the experience of losing myself in this story. Gunn's eloquent language paints the most beautiful, vivid pictures of Africa and creates the most intense experience of empathy for the leading ladies of Tea With Elephants. As if my TBR pile wasn't large enough, now I want to go back and reread her Sister Chicks series while waiting for the second book in her new Suitcase Sisters series.

Fern and Lily have been long-distance friends since meeting in Costa Rica as teenagers. Now they are a bit older and a bit wiser traveling together to Africa at a time when they are both at a crossroads in their lives. Robin Gunn does such a beautiful job of demonstrating the beauty of close female relationships and the importance they play in emotional health.

So, grab your favorite comfort food or indulgent treat and that hot beverage that always brings along that deep sigh and sweet smile; draw that hot bath or snuggle under that cozy blanket or quilt and settle in for hours of reading pleasure.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Tea With Elephants from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

This a must read for women. The story kept me engaged from beginning to end. The story of two women who became best friends in their late teens. As middle aged women they are given a wonderful trip to Africa. Mrs. Gunn describes the scenes so vividly, I could see, smell, taste and picture each scene. I cried happy tears and sad tears. Such a touching, heart warming story. I love the series title, The Suitcase Sisters. Several laugh out loud moments. It tapped all my emotions. High faith content without being overbearing. Looking forward to the next. One of my favorites of the year. Highly recommend.

My heart is so full. I read all the Sister Chicks books and hoped that Robin Jones Gunn was not finished blessing us with travels that include God’s heart.
I love Lily and Fern’s stories. The journeys that life took each of them on and the journey they experienced in Africa.
I whole heartedly recommend this book. Read it with an open heart. It is a very Christian women’s fiction. If that isn’t your jam, please move one to something else.
Thank you to Netgalley and Revell for the blessing of reading this book.

Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn is a book meant to be savored. Following in the flavor of her Sisterchicks books, this novel is full of poignant memories, sisterhood adventures, and deep insights. Reading this was like coming home after a long time away - refreshing, cleansing, and healing. Gunn is a master storyteller, and I never leave her books unaffected. I can only hope there are follow up books to this one. I am not ready to let Robin Jones Gunn go!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

This story is a heartfelt journey of friendship, faith, and self-discovery that takes readers on an emotional safari through the stunning landscapes of Africa. Centered on the friendship sister bond between Fern Espinoza and Lily Graden, the book truly captures the essence of a long-term friendship that has weathered the trials of time and distance.

Tea with Elephants, A Suitcase Sisters Novel by Robin Jones Gunn is a cleverly conceived and amusingly executed story that had me thinking it was real instead of fiction. Fern Espinoza and Lily Graden are close friends since their teenage years of serving summer conference together. They had big plans to do great things for the Lord as they got older. However, life seemed to get in the way. That life can be resonant with many, it certainly did with me. However, the underlining theme is trusting God, His plans, His ways and His grace.

I thought that the women’s trip to Africa would involve a mystery. You know like a cozy mystery story. Instead, the mystery was how God would use this time to change their perspective, their trust in Him and then their lives, along with their families. What a wonderful excellent simple story of complex women with everyday lives.

This marvelous storyteller is a new-to-me-author but boy, is she great. Now I will be looking for all of her books, this is one Christian author to put on you TBR list.

I have never read Robyn Jones Gunn (sue the gasps...) and wanted to know what all the hype was about. It was a sweet story about friendship and life challenges, with an African safari background. I loved all the African proverbs at the beginning of each chapter. It was a pleasant read.