Why am I passionate about this?

As a well-traveled writer who has lived around the world, Iā€™ve visited a tea salon in almost every city I visit. My favorite places are small communities filled with old-timers and well-wrought customs. Our lives are very fast-paced, and books that celebrate slowing down and a simpler life will always be a draw for me. Since Iā€™m primarily a fiction writer, I also like a little mystery and tension in these otherwise idyllic little towns, not to mention the occasional scone and cup of tea.


I wrote

The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society

By Darien Gee,

Book cover of The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society

What is my book about?

The second book in the Friendship Bread series, Madeline's Tea Salon is the cozy hub of the small river townā€¦

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

The books I picked & why

Book cover of Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop

Darien Gee Why did I love this book?

First: Paris. Second: Magic. Vanessa Yu works at her auntā€™s tea shop in Paris but also has the gift of reading tea leaves (for better or for worse). Itā€™s a wonderful blend of past and present, east and west. I was enchanted by the blend of magic, romance, and food, as well as the multicultural cast.

By Roselle Lim,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From the critically acclaimed author of Natalie Tanā€™s Book of Luck and Fortune comes a new delightful novel about exploring all the magical possibilities of life in the most extraordinary city of all: Paris.
 
Vanessa Yu never wanted to see people's fortunesā€”or misfortunesā€”in tealeaves.
 
Ever since she can remember, Vanessa has been able to see people's fortunes at the bottom of their teacups. To avoid blurting out their fortunes, she converts to coffee, but somehow fortunes escape and find a way to complicate her life and the ones of those around her. To add to this plight, her romance lifeā€¦


Book cover of Rosieā€™s Travelling Tea Shop

Darien Gee Why did I love this book?

With the advent of food trucks, I canā€™t think of anything more charming or lovely than a tea shop that hits the road, and in a bright pink van, no less. Raisinā€™s writing goes straight to the pointā€“weā€™re on the road with Rosie in no time, and itā€™s a journey you wonā€™t want to miss. 

By Rebecca Raisin,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Rosieā€™s Travelling Tea Shop as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The trip of a lifetime!

Rosie Lewis has her life together.

A swanky job as a Michelin-starred Sous Chef, a loving husband and future children scheduled for an exact date.

That's until she comes home one day to find her husband's pre-packed bag and a confession that he's had an affair.

Heartbroken and devastated, Rosie drowns her sorrows in a glass (or three) of wine, only to discover the following morning that she has spontaneously invested in a bright pink campervan to facilitate her grand plans to travel the country.

Now, Rosie is about to embark on the trip ofā€¦


Ad

Book cover of A Theory of Expanded Love

A Theory of Expanded Love by Caitlin Hicks,

Trapped in her enormous, devout Catholic family in 1963, Annie creates a hilarious campaign of lies when the pope dies and their family friend, Cardinal Stefanucci, is unexpectedly on the shortlist to be elected the first American pope.

Driven to elevate her family to the holiest of holy rollers inā€¦

Book cover of The Tea House on Mulberry Street

Darien Gee Why did I love this book?

The Belfast locale is utterly charming, and I loved these characters and how their lives intersected. Thereā€™s so much we share with the neighbors and people in our community, sometimes unbeknownst to us, and Oldā€™s storytelling reminds us of these delicate threads. Her writing is a joy to read, and if you havenā€™t read her before, start here and keep reading.

By Sharon Owens,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Tea House on Mulberry Street as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The old tea house on Mulberry Street in Belfast hasn't changed much over the years. But it's about to bear witness to some significant transformations ...

Daniel Stanley might make the most glorious deserts in the whole of Ireland, but he won't support his wife Penny's desire to have at least one bun in the oven. And the owners of Muldoon's Tea Rooms are just two of the people inside hoping for change.

Struggling artist Brenda sits penning letters to Nicholas Cage and dreaming of a better life. Sadie finds refuge from her diet and her husband's infidelity in Daniel'sā€¦


Book cover of Tea for Three: The First Three Tea Shop Mysteries

Darien Gee Why did I love this book?

Laura Childs is the queen of the cozy mystery genre, with over 25 tea shop mysteries and 16 scrapbooking mysteries (my other favorite subject). If you havenā€™t read Laura Childs before, Tea for Three is her first three books and a great way to fall in love with the series and her protagonist, Theodosia Browning, owner of Charleston's Indigo Tea Shop.

By Laura Childs,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Tea for Three as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

NOW IN ONE VOLUMEā€”A DEADLY BLEND OF THE FIRST THREE TEA SHOP MYSTERIES FROM NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR LAURA CHILDS

Charleston tea shop owner Theodosia Browning always seems to find herself steeped in mystery and murder.

Death by Darjeeling
Theo is serving tea for two hundred or so at the annual historic homes garden party when one guest is found dead clutching a teacup.

Gunpowder Green
While unveiling her newest flavor of tea at a yacht race, Theo hears the crack of an antique gun and a member of Charlestonā€™s elite falls dead.

Shades of Earl Grey
Theo attendsā€¦


Ad

Book cover of Returning to Eden

Returning to Eden by Rebecca Hartt,

Looking for clean romantic suspense with spiritual undertones?

Look no further than the Acts of Valor series by Rebecca Hartt. With thousands of reviews and 4.7-5.0 stars per book, this 6-book series is a must-read for readers searching for memorable, well-told stories by an award-winning author.

A dead man standsā€¦

Book cover of Fortnum & Mason: Time for Tea

Darien Gee Why did I love this book?

While this isnā€™t a novel about tea or tea salons, itā€™s a great primer on all things tea related. Fortnum & Mason has been in the tea business since 1707, and their expertise will help you brew the perfect pot of tea to pair with your favorite tea salon novel.

By Tom Parker Bowles,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Fortnum & Mason as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Time for Tea is a celebration of Fortnum's passion for tea in its every form. Drawing on over 300 years of experience, you will find the history, geography, seasonality of tea - everything from leaf to cup - as well as 50 delicious recipes.

Fortnum & Mason has nearly as much experience of selling tea as Britain has of drinking it - some three centuries' worth, in fact, since the early eighteenth century.

This fun and deeply authoritative guide whisks you through all the information you need to get the most out of your cuppa. It instructs on how toā€¦


Explore my book šŸ˜€

The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society

By Darien Gee,

Book cover of The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society

What is my book about?

The second book in the Friendship Bread series, Madeline's Tea Salon is the cozy hub of the small river town of Avalon, IL, where local residents scrapbook their memories and make new ones. Under the guidance of Bettie Shelton, the irascible founder of the Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society, even the most reluctant of Avalon's residents come to terms with their past and make bold decisions about their future. When the group receives unexpected news about their steadfast leader, they must pull together to create something truly memorable.

Book cover of Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop
Book cover of Rosieā€™s Travelling Tea Shop
Book cover of The Tea House on Mulberry Street

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

2,007

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

šŸ“š You might also likeā€¦

Book cover of Christmas Actually

Christmas Actually by Lisa Darcy,

Every picture tells a story, but itā€™s not always the one we expect or remember. Christmas Actually is a festive drama about family and forgiveness and a snapshot of modern family life, addressing Instagram to motherhood and everything in between.

Why Christmas? My publisher wanted my new novel to haveā€¦

Book cover of A Darling Handyman

A Darling Handyman by Lark Holiday,

Sheā€™s hiding from pain. Heā€™s lost everything but his dog. When fresh air and second chances bring them together, can they rediscover true love?

If you enjoy kind-hearted heroes, small towns, and more humor than heat, youā€™ll adore this contemporary Alaskan romance! A Darling Handyman is the feel-good first bookā€¦

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in tea, divination, and Chinese Americans?

Tea 42 books
Divination 31 books