Image from BakerPublishingGroup.com

Review: 

Robin Jones Gunn is back! Fans of Robin's Christy Miller series will love this new release, and new readers will enjoy the series as well. It centers around two new characters, Fern and Lily, but expect some fun easter eggs from Robin's other series!

Fern and Lily are such fun, lovable characters. Both come to Africa with a wanderlust long kept dormant, and both also arrive with burdens that they must deal with during their trip. Their friendship is unique and heartwarming- I love the way Robin can write about so many different friendships and people over the years, and yet make each specially unique and interesting!

This was a perfect read for me during the chilly fall evenings- a cup of hot chocolate while reading TwE made for the best cozy evening. However, while this is definitely a laid-back, heartwarming read, expect to be challenged a bit on the way, as the characters each confront things in their own hearts.

I've heard Christians place fiction as less important, underneath non-fiction theological books. I think both are necessary, both can make an impact. Ironically, I had just recently become jobless when I received this book to review, and so Fern's plight resonated with me even more. It was like a little nod from God saying, "I see you. I've got you."

Tea with Elephants is also a love letter to God's awe-inspiring creation. Robin's beautiful descriptions take you right into the heart of Africa, and make you long to jump on a plane and go visit this beautiful country. It made me nostalgic for the international trip I've been on, and may have been part of the reason I said yes to my next adventure.....

From the eye-catching cover; to Robin Jones Gunn's sweet, prayer-filled words inside; to the prose that takes you right into Africa; this book holds a special place in my heart.

Photo from Amazon.com

My Review: 

Usually, I am an advocate for hard, (sometimes gritty) realism in stories, and that hasn't changed, but I feel like we can give Christmas books a pass. There's just something special about that time of year, something that makes the occasional Hallmark movie or fluffy Christmas book more palatable. I've read Melody Carlson books before and have never been a huge fan of her style, but I actually did enjoy The Christmas Tree Farm. Like I said, it's a little fluffy. I can definitely see it premiering on the Hallmark Channel as a Christmas flick. However, the protagonists and their situations had more depth and realism than I was expecting, and I found myself engaging with the story and the plight of its characters. 

I liked Madison's can-do attitude, her willingness to get dirty if it meant getting things done, and how she preferred the outdoors. It made a good foil to her sister's more typical girly-girl personality. The dirt bike aspect was fun, too. 

Also, the cover is so cute and appealing for a Christmas novella! It fit the story perfectly. 

Overall, if you're looking for a cute Christmassy novel to get you smiling over the holidays, then this book is for you. There were still some cheesy moments that made me cringe a little (like the ending...) but all in all, this book got me a little more in the Christmassy mood. 

Photo and description from BakerPublishingGroup.com

Review: