Book Review: The Traveling Tea Shop

Author: Belinda Jones

Publication Date: March 3, 2015

Publisher: Berkley

 

Love isn't always a piece of cake...

Laurie Davis has always followed her passion. After escaping family drama to start a new life in New York City, she’s up for whatever challenges life brings. So when an opportunity arises for her to use her travel industry expertise and serve as an assistant and tour guide for her idol, Pamela Lambert-Leigh, star of television’s Tea-Time with Pamela, she jumps at the chance.

But Laurie’s exciting adventure ends up entailing a lot more than scouting locations for the cake queen’s new cookbook when Pamela’s sassy mother and sulky, rebellious daughter tag along for the trip. As they cruise around bakeries in New England trading local delights like Red Velvet Cake and Whoopie Pies for British specialties such as Victoria Sponge and Bakewell Tarts, more secrets than recipes are revealed.

Now, in between rediscovering romance, learning to forgive family, and finding the best dessert on the East Coast, Laurie, Pamela, and the gang might find there’s nothing a nice cup of tea, a sweet treat, and a little bit of friendship can’t heal…

There was one Ice Cream Sundae Cupcake that was drizzled with chocolate sauce, scattered with sprinkles and topped with a glace cherry! I could barely keep from licking my laptop screen.

“Let’s see if a cup of tea can make everything better…”

It’s like they say – if you want to develop more patience, spend more time with frustrating people.

This book was such a feel good read and was perfect for this time of year! Laurie, our leading lady, is offered the opportunity to help her long-time idol, Pamela Lambert-Leigh, with her new cookbook by being the traveling guide and planning the route in which they will take to discover timeless old recipes. They will be traveling around New England in an old-fashioned London bus with Pamela’s family: her mother and her slightly rebellious and misunderstood daughter. Ravenna, Pamela’s daughter, makes things difficult for Laurie who has prepared a fun-filled trip with lots of delicious cakes and surprises. Laurie sees that this family needs more work than the upcoming cookbook, so she hopes that the trip is able to mend some broken fences and patch some broken hearts.

This story was not only warm and endearing but also very educational. Laurie plans to take Pamela to several destinations where certain cakes and desserts were invented, like red velvet cake for example. I loved stopping at all the destinations and learning about where so many things originated. However, reading this book made me very hungry! The whole premise of this book is enough to make you want to read it again and again. Who doesn’t love a good book were cakes and pies bring a family back together again? This was one of the most charming stories I have read this year. I could see myself reading this over and over again.

***A free copy was provided to me by the publishers at Berkley Trade in exchange for my honest review***