Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop

I loved the echoes of culture I experienced with this novel, which has a Chinese American protagonist. The cultural expectations and even tidbits of language made me feel represented.

I also admired that Vanessa could tell fortunes through examining the dregs of a teacup; as a tea lover, I wholeheartedly endorsed the notion. I was already familiar with Lim’s storytelling and knew I’d be in for a treat of a read, especially one filled with vivid details of Paris and its excellent culinary ambiance.

First: Paris. Second: Magic. Vanessa Yu works at her aunt’s tea shop in Paris but also has the gift of reading tea leaves (for better or for worse). It’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.