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.
Goodreads | Amazon
Rating: 4 Stars
My Review: This was a cute novel about love and acceptance. I enjoyed all the cultural themes and food. GOD THE FOOD!! I really wished I would have grown up with this kind of family dynamic as I didn't really have traditions or anything like that. The story was well paced and full of great coming of age themes.
From School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up-Lila has led her life following every instruction, much like she does with her beloved family recipes. Nestled in Miami, Lila has been surrounded by her Cuban family and has her life planned out after high school-take over her abuela's bakery, move in with her best friend, and keep seeing her boyfriend Andrés. But even recipes that are tried and true can sometimes fall apart. Lila's best friend Stef wants to do missionary work in a rural village in Africa, Andrés breaks up with her, then the worst thing happens-her abuela passes away. Lila is left numb and, in an attempt to feel something, she goes for a run that lasts hours without telling anyone. Worried, her family makes the decision to send Lila to England to stay with family. There, Lila misses her Cuban family, sunny weather, and her old life. She is stuck in the past and can't seem to move on. New scenery helps Lila reflect on her life and bring into focus what she wants, which may not be what she thought it was. It also doesn't hurt that she meets a cute boy named Orion. Like so many children of immigrants, there is a sense that first-generation children should have careers thought out, and Lila is realizing that she has power over her life's direction. The teen's sweet love story and desire to find herself while trying to stay connected to her Cuban heritage is a relatable message. VERDICT Readers who have often wondered about stepping outside their comfort zone can find courage in Lila's story.-Katie Llera, Brunner Elem. Sch., Scotch Plains, NJα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review
"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 is the Anna and the French Kiss of my Latinx dreams. Bursting with love for home, family, and culture, A Cuban Girl's Guide is an utterly charming read that feels like a treasured recipe that will heal and feed a broken heart." -- Nina Moreno, author of DON'T DATE ROSA SANTOS
"Warning: Do not read while hungry. This delectable blend of romance and pastry across two continents filled me up and left me eager for more. I could live inside Laura Taylor Namey's lush, vibrant words forever." -- Rachel Lynn Solomon, author of TODAY TONIGHT TOMORROW
"A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow is a tale so sweet, savory, and delightful that you'll long to travel, bake, and believe in the possibilities of love." -- Margarita Engle, Young People's Poet Laureate Emeritus and Newbery Honor-winning author of THE SURRENDER TREE
"This book. THIS BOOK. Laura Taylor Namey has written the coziest love story I've ever had the pleasure to read. Her prose left my heart fit to burst into a million starlit pieces scattered between Miami and Britain. Beautiful." -- Erin Hahn, author of YOU'D BE MINE and MORE THAN MAYBE
*"Namey shines.... A heartwarming romance paired with a well-written setting add up to a satisfying read on multiple levels." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
*"A delectable read about loss, renewal and pastelitos." -- Shelf Awareness, starred review
"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
"Part romance, part foodie heaven, the warm atmosphere will make readers want to cook and dance and love." -- Kirkus Reviews
"This is the Anna and the French Kiss of my Latinx dreams. Bursting with love for home, family, and culture, A Cuban Girl's Guide is an utterly charming read that feels like a treasured recipe that will heal and feed a broken heart." -- Nina Moreno, author of DON'T DATE ROSA SANTOS
"Warning: Do not read while hungry. This delectable blend of romance and pastry across two continents filled me up and left me eager for more. I could live inside Laura Taylor Namey's lush, vibrant words forever." -- Rachel Lynn Solomon, author of TODAY TONIGHT TOMORROW
"A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow is a tale so sweet, savory, and delightful that you'll long to travel, bake, and believe in the possibilities of love." -- Margarita Engle, Young People's Poet Laureate Emeritus and Newbery Honor-winning author of THE SURRENDER TREE
"This book. THIS BOOK. Laura Taylor Namey has written the coziest love story I've ever had the pleasure to read. Her prose left my heart fit to burst into a million starlit pieces scattered between Miami and Britain. Beautiful." -- Erin Hahn, author of YOU'D BE MINE and MORE THAN MAYBE
*"Namey shines.... A heartwarming romance paired with a well-written setting add up to a satisfying read on multiple levels." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
*"A delectable read about loss, renewal and pastelitos." -- Shelf Awareness, starred review
"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
"Part romance, part foodie heaven, the warm atmosphere will make readers want to cook and dance and love." -- Kirkus Reviews
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FTC Guidelines: In accordance with FTC guidelines regarding endorsements and testimonials for bloggers, I would like my readers to know that many of the books I review are provided to me for free by the publisher or author of the book in exchange for an honest review. If am compensated for any reviews on this site I will state that post has been sponsored.
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