Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn - 4 Stars
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.

This is a Christian contemporary women's fiction story that I truly felt connected to. I loved the writing style, faith content, travel elements and the characters. This book opens up to the teenage years of Fern and Lily, who first connected while volunteering in Costa Rica. 20 years later, here they are, embarking on a long-awaiting trip to Africa - a dream trip that they talked about many years ago. This trip soon becomes one of emotional growth as each woman carriers their own struggles. The author intertwines their personal stories well with the beautiful backdrop of Africa.

We see Fern dealing with struggles as she lost her job at a Christian publishing company and is unsure of what her next steps in life are, just as Lily is worried about the hardships within her marriage. Both ladies experience personal growth and lessons that challenge their perspectives and encourage them to surrender to the Lord's plan in their lives.

Overall, this is more than just a safari story among friends - this is a story filled with lighthearted moments and deeper reflections between two friends who are more sisters than friends. I loved the side characters they met along the way that encouraged them in their faith and challenges. Anyone who loves good faith filled, travel, contemporary adventure stories will like this!

Highly recommend. Thank you to the publisher for providing an early copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

DNF. I was excited when I read the premise, but from the get go we're dropped into the characters' lives in what feels like a lot of telling and not a way for me to become connected to the characters. The writing felt descriptive and dramatic and I couldn't find a way to get closer than arm's length. I found myself detached from the story and ultimately I wasn't compelled to continue.

I will begin this review by saying that I'm not the intended audience for this read. I'm a romance girl, through and through. I love stories of friendship, but I usually need a strong romantic storyline to hold my attention through the whole shebang.

With that being said, I definitely enjoyed the details of traveling in Africa. There were several moments when I felt like I was right there with Lily and Fern, experiencing the highs and lows of such a beautiful trip. I feel the author carried Africa with humility and respect in this novel.

I also really enjoyed the spiritual truths shared throughout the book. Some books in Christian fiction are more reserved in the spiritual storytelling, but I was pleased that this author was very straightforward and generous with the message. It's evident that her heart is to share the Lord through the story and I was blessed several times, especially through Fern's growth.

Overall, I firmly believe you should read this book if you enjoy tales of friendship, stories that make you feel like you've actually boarded a plane to travel, and a novel that doesn't shy away from the Gospel. This book releases later this month, so get your hands on it!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. All expressed opinions belong to me.

Fern and Lily struck up the beginning of a lifelong friendship as teenagers on a missions trip. The two of them were on fire for the Lord and ready to travel anywhere and everywhere together. But then along came a boy and Lily got married instead of traveling the world.

Fast forward 20+ years. The two women find themselves reuniting for a vacation in Kenya. Each of them are in very different places. Fern has been working through struggles with an adopted teenage step son as well as the loss of a job. Lily feels distant from her husband and is scared for her marriage.

This was my first book I’ve read in the genre of “Women’s fiction”. It was fun to read something a little different. It wasn’t focused on mystery or romance, but instead on two friends just walking through life together.

A few of my favorite things…
-the setting. All the details about Africa had me reminiscing about my time there. Street markets, hospitality, bright clothes, scenery, animals…I loved it.
-playful humor
-friends who encourage each other
-Anne of Green Gables references
-delicious description of food and drinks

I didn’t care for…
-I can’t think of anything.

Know that…
-it deals with a women being scared she might follow in her mom’s footsteps and get a divorce

Perfect for…
women looking for a relaxing comfort read about traveling and going through life changes.

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

A sweet story of friendship, adventure, and faith. I loved the Africa descriptions that help the reader to experience the wonder the MC feels as she sees new things with wonder. I also learned a few friendship tips along the way!

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.