You know those books that infuse your heart with warmth? That wrap you up in a cozy embrace and the hours fly by? That was my experience reading A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow. It’s a book full of heart, endearing characters, and good food. Keep reading this book review to find out all the reasons I loved this one!
Summary
For Lila Reyes, a summer in England was never part of the plan. The plan was 1) take over her abuela’s role as head baker at their panadería, 2) move in with her best friend after graduation, and 3) live happily ever after with her boyfriend. But then the Trifecta happened, and everything—including Lila herself—fell apart.
Worried about Lila’s mental health, her parents make a new plan for her: Spend three months with family friends in Winchester, England, to relax and reset. But with the lack of sun, a grumpy inn cook, and a small town lacking Miami flavor (both in food and otherwise), what would be a dream trip for some feels more like a nightmare to Lila…until she meets Orion Maxwell.
A teashop clerk with troubles of his own, Orion is determined to help Lila out of her funk, and appoints himself as her personal tour guide. From Winchester’s drama-filled music scene to the sweeping English countryside, it isn’t long before Lila is not only charmed by Orion, but England itself. Soon a new future is beginning to form in Lila’s mind—one that would mean leaving everything she ever planned behind.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Lila immediately took a piece of my heart. I could relate to her dedication, her need to bake, the conflicts in her heart over her family versus her dreams. Watching the characters unfurl, was beautiful and charming. A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow is infused with Cuban spice, gossip networks, and caring family. You will need a good cup of tea and some snacks to pair with your reading. This book will make your mouth water!
A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow is a heartwarming story about the road back from heartbreak of all kinds. First loves that hollow us out, friendship fall outs that break our heart, and loss that leave us choking down sobs. It’s a journey that illustrates what it means to listen, to fall in love with a new place, and to never stop feeling that pull for home. I related with Lila’s love of London and her home beckoning to her. I think anyone who has ever moved to a new place and found love, can relate to feeling, in some ways, torn.
Sometimes the best things happen to us in new cities on paths that diverge from anything we ever thought. Find A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org & The Book Depository.
About the Author
Laura Taylor Namey is a Cuban-American Californian who can be found haunting her favorite coffee shops, drooling over leather jackets, and wishing she was in London or Paris. She lives in San Diego with her husband and two superstar children.
This former teacher writes young adult novels about quirky teens learning to navigate life and love. Her debut, The Library of Lost Things, published 10/08/19 from Inkyard Press/HarperCollins. Her #ownvoices sophomore project, A CUBAN GIRL’S GUIDE TO TEA AND TOMORROW is coming November 10, 2020 from Atheneum Simon and Schuster, with a third title to follow fall 2021.