A New York Times bestseller A Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club YA Pick Love & Gelato meets Don’t Date Rosa Santos in this charming, heartfelt story following a Miami girl who unexpectedly finds love–and herself–in a small English town. 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 panaderÃa, … 1) take over her abuela’s role as head baker at their panaderÃa, 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.
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It took me a little bit to get through this novel because of the pain/grieving Lila was feeling for her grandmother. I related to it so much.
I enjoyed learning about a new culture (two?) Reading this. Towards the two hundred page mark I was getting disinterested. Lila and Orion, although had a lot of cute moments and almost kisses, they never actually kissed until about three hundred pages in. I kept telling my book ,”kiss, kiss, kiss.” The romance that way, to me, felt like it was on the back burner.
This book felt more like healing after a loss and baking than a romance. Which, even though I understand the grieving part of the novel, wanted more romance. That’s why it lost stars for me.
TW: depression, loss of a loved one
I cried! Laura Taylor captured so well what it feels like to fall in love with the British Isles and the people. She really understands the war inside about going back home because of split loyalties. I related to the story and loved the feelings of home, family, and change. This book made me happy sigh when it was over.
A YA romcom with a Latinx protagonist written by a Latinx author…I couldn’t wait to read this book and it didn’t disappoint.
Lila Reyes is a Miami girl who ends up in Winchester, England, for the summer not by her choice. While there, she gets an opportunity to bake and cook in a small inn. I enjoyed reading about her love for Cuban food and Miami flavors. I really want to make flan now! Lila also meets Orion Maxwell, a tea shop clerk who introduces her to his friends and makes her feel welcomed. I adored Orion. The small group of friends are wonderful and I really liked feeling like I was a part of their little world. This book is a beautiful coming of age story that covers romance, friendship, and family in a way that anyone can relate to.
I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it. Sometimes audiobooks don’t work for me, but this one definitely did. Loved the Spanish accent.
I never expected to fall in love with this book, but I slowly did. It pulled me in, filled my heart up in some inexplicable, cozy way and left my stomach grumbling with longing. This is yet another book I picked up on a whim and loved. Apparently my former reading system simply wasn’t working and changing it was all that was needed to get out my months long reading slump.
The first thing that I fell in love with about A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow was Namey’s characters. They are absolutely lovely and wonderfully relatable and their pain and experiences felt raw and authentic. Lila undergoes quite a bit of character growth as the story progresses, or perhaps refinement is a better word, and emerges a shining estrellita. Orion is sweet and kind, the best friend and tour guide any girl could ask for or dream of. Lila and Orion work together, and have a relationship I actually enjoyed and rooted for.
Full review: https://latteswithliterature.wordpress.com/2020/12/13/a-cuban-girls-guide-to-tea-and-tomorrow-laura-taylor-namey-a-book-review/
If you want to travel to small town England and constantly have hunger pains because of all the delicious foods and treats described, this is the book for you.
Lila has the trifecta of disappointments when her grandmother passes away, her boyfriend breaks up with her before prom, and her best friend is MIA. Her family sends her to England to kickstart her mood and give her a change in scenery. What will she do with her unexpected summer?
I liked Lila quite a bit. I wish she would have taken more advantage of her summer abroad – maybe because I would have spent it touring and soaking it up – but I adored her homage to her grandmother in the kitchen day after day. This is the first time I didn’t want an HEA or HFN because I think her self discovery and grief cycle is satisfying.
This is a great YA story and I’m so glad I picked it up!