Tea with Elephants: A Suitcase Sisters Novel

By Robin Jones Gunn

Book Overview

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0800744829
• ISBN13: 9780800744823
• Release Date: October 2024
• Publisher: Fleming H. Revell Company
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.61 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A story of Christian friendship on an African journey

Thanks NetGalley and Revell for a digital advance reader copy. All comments and opinions are my own. I’ve read several of Robin Jones Gunn’s adult novels, so when I saw this new one, I couldn’t wait to read it. I liked the premise of two long-time, long-distance girlfriends who have the opportunity to travel together to Africa and experience an all expenses paid upscale safari. The novel begins when they fly first class, enjoying the new-to-them pampering. Each step of the trip made me want to book one for myself – from the plane to each of the hotels and resorts where they stayed, the meals, the safaris, the tours, even the souvenir shopping. But the heart of the novel is the personal problems that Fern and Lily bring with them on their trip, and how they help each other resolve their significant life issues. Each chapter opens with a quote, the kind you want to underline. Here are a couple about friendship – a little corny, but sweet, nonetheless. “A good friend listens to your adventures. Your best friend makes them with you.” “A true friend sees the first tear, catches the second and stops the third.” Who wouldn’t want a friend like that? Worth noting is that this is Christian fiction, and contains Bible quotations, affirmations of faith, and prayers. It could be an encouraging read for those who enjoy stories about Christians who have life problems and how they solve them. I thought the storyline could have been more substantial. The trip itinerary took priority over the plot, so landscape and animal descriptions were featured rather than any dramatic story arc. There were a few times I thought the threat of safety was hinting at what was to come, but things remained peaceful other than a hyena eating its prey on the savannah. If you’re looking for a story of Christian friendship that takes place in Africa, try this quick read. This is a novel of friendship, hope, family and faith, and includes a couple of delicious-sounding recipes to make and eat while reading.