by Laura Taylor Namey
Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Nov 2020
320 pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publication Information
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 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.
"Namey shines at characterization and portraying self-discovery. A heartwarming romance paired with a well-written setting add up to a satisfying read on multiple levels." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"This sweet coming-of-age novel looks at grief head-on but contains plenty of lighthearted moments. The food Lila cooks and the Spanish she uses will feel comfortingly familiar to Cuban readers. Part romance, part foodie heaven, the warm atmosphere will make readers want to cook and dance and love." - Kirkus Reviews
"This book has it all: the recipe for new, lasting, happy friendships, a dash of romance, and some gentle (albeit hard) lessons about honoring yourself and letting go." - Booklist
"The teen's sweet love story and desire to find herself while trying to stay connected to her Cuban heritage is a relatable message. Readers who have often wondered about stepping outside their comfort zone can find courage in Lila's story." - School Library Journal
"A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow is an absolute delight. Cozier than a hand-knit gray cardigan and richer than Abuela's pastelito recipe, Namey takes you from Miami to Winchester, and leaves your heart belonging to both." - Rachael Lippincott, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Five Feet Apart
This information about A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
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, two superstar children, and her beloved miniature schnauzer/muse.
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