Tea with Elephants--A Suitcase Sisters Novel

September 1, 2024

Starry-eyed adolescents Fern and Lily meet at a Christian camp and dream of making a difference while traveling the world. Eroded by life--an early marriage and whirlwind life changes for Lily and a tumultuous blended family and sudden career change for Fern--the two are approaching middle age when they are gifted a last-minute trip to Africa. Ensconced in luxury in the heart of Kenya, the ladies learn about the wilderness in their own hearts as they encounter the wild animals on their safari. The friends of many nationalities they meet on the way challenge them to be more generous with others and themselves. Despite their cross-country friendship, Fern and Lily see each other clearly, and each helps the other navigate a crossroads in life. VERDICT Both poignant and fun, Gunn ("Sisterchicks" series) delivers a story that is like a warm hug from a good friend in this first installment of the "Suitcase Sisters" series. It is refreshing to see a new trend in Christian fiction focused on friendship and seasoned marriage rather than solely early romance and dating.

Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 18, 2024
Fern and Lily met as hopeful young adults with the shared dream of following God's calling through a lifetime of global adventures. Life, however, has taken unexpected turns, and their jobs, marriages, and dreams have diverged from their once youthful aspirations. Now in their thirties, the two have the opportunity to travel together once again, and they leap at the chance to reclaim a part of themselves they once thought lost to the passage of time. As they embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through Kenya, Fern and Lily will explore stunning landscapes, embrace unfamiliar culture, and navigate the tension between gratitude and regret. Gunn premiers her ""Suitcase Sisters"" series with a heartwarming story of sisterhood, international travel, and Christian faith in times of uncertainty. The maternal essence of Africa and the richness of Kenyan culture intertwine with reflective and spiritual encouragement as Fern and Lily seek to reconcile their past and present selves. Readers will find Tea with Elephants--steeped as it is in loving accountability, reverent awe, and joyful rediscovery--a mesmerizing balm for the raw but hopeful dissonance of middle life.

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