This was not a bad book but I didn't really connect with the romance. It was manufactured so it took all the suspense away and it was just kind of...there. The secondary characters' romance was much more interesting and I cared more about it than Vanessa's. There was also nothing special about her matchmaking skills. If you look at this book from the family aspect it was great, but the main romance seemed to weigh it down. I will say there were a lot of lines that really hit me hard and spoke to me on a personal level and I do think people who enjoy light, airy romances (with a dash of magical realism) will enjoy this. The author's writing is charming. A solid 3 stars.

A lovely novel from Roselle Lim. This book is perfect for reading on a sunny afternoon. Thanks to Netgalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for this chance to read and review!
Description: "Vanessa Yu never wanted to see people's fortunes—or misfortunes—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 life is so nonexistent that her parents enlist the services of a matchmaking expert from Shanghai.
After her matchmaking appointment, Vanessa sees death for the first time. She decides that she can't truly live until she can find a way to get rid of her uncanny abilities. When her eccentric Aunt Evelyn shows up with a tempting offer to whisk her away, Vanessa says au revoir to California and bonjour to Paris. There, Vanessa learns more about herself and the root of her gifts and realizes one thing to be true: knowing one's destiny isn't a curse, but being unable to change it is."
This book was a whirlwind of a read, it went by fast and it kept me entertained! I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a relaxing, funny, and adventurous tale.

I loved Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune and have really been looking forward to this read. It didn't disappoint at all! It was sweet, whimsical, and often hilarious when I least expected it. And so much heart, too. I didn't want to finish it because it was so enjoyable living in Vanessa's world and such a great break from the craziness going on in the world right now.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a delicious and light read was a welcome distraction from the stress of the pandemic. Vanessa Yu has a the gift of prophecy and she wants nothing to do with it. It has wreaked havoc on her life. Her Auntie Evelyn shares the same gift and is trying to mentor Vanessa in developing her skills and gain control of her gift.

It is believed that a side effect of having the gift of foreseeing others' futures is the inability to have a lasting romantic relationship. No soulmate for you! Vanessa drowns out her lack of a romantic connection in romance novels, exquisite food and fine art. Her well meaning yet interfering family sends Vanessa to a matchmaker in Shanghai who confirms that there is no soulmate match for poor Vanessa. After returning home to California, Vanessa and Auntie Evelyn set off to Paris to Auntie's new tea shop where Vanessa finally agrees to undergo the formal training she as vehemently protested against in the hope that the nasty physical side effects she experiences with each prophecy will finally stop once she learns to manage her gift.

The novel is ripe with lots of Parisian culture which Vanessa experiences with her new "tour guide" and potential love interest, Marc, who is also an avid foodie and lover of the arts. I personally could have used a little less of the food description and a little more focus on the story. During my own Parisian adventure I stayed in the same neighborhood that the story is set in so for me that was a lovely trip down memory lane.

A near death experience changes everything for Vanessa, careening her down an entirely different path where she discovers her true life purpose.

There is lots of romance and matchmaking along with a good dose of magical realism in Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop. If you enjoy a light chick-lit read, this may be up your alley. It is not my personal cup of tea. As a diviner and tarot card reader, I was more intrigued with the promise of adventures in divination and would like to have seen that story line developed. While I enjoyed the brief diversion I can't give this much more than a 3 1/2 star rating.

Vanessa Yu can read people’s tea leaves. She goes to Paris with her aunt who is opening a tea shop to learn about her abilities. She learns about her destiny and what she is really meant to be. This is a fun book by the author of Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune. I loved this really fun novel.

This was cute and I enjoyed the story. It seemed a bit rushed with the romance between Vanessa and Marc but it was still really sweet and I enjoyed the relationship Vanessa had with her Aunt & her family. Everyone has a noisy person in their family and they can relate to the Aunties. I wish that the main problem Vanessa was having was solved a bit better but I won’t give away any details. This was a cute quick beach read and something simple to take my mind off this epidemic.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A young woman with powers to predict the future has strong family connections. She travel to Paris with her aunt to unwittingly help her aunt mend a broken relationship and to build a new business.

Thank you Berkley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I’ve never read this authors books before but I’ve only heard good things and decided to try it out.

The beginning was a little slow for me but once the story got going I really fell for it. The authors details really make the story come to life. If you looking for love, good, fashion, and just a fun book to read then you’d love this one. The author really takes you on a trip with her and it was nice to read since were all stuck at home.

I loved Roselle Lim’s debut novel, Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune, with its blend of delicious descriptions of food entwined with the main character’s affection for her community. Her second book also speaks to those themes.

Vanessa has the ability to see other people’s futures in tea and other beverages but she’s fought against using her gift her entire life knowing that she’ll never find love because of it. When her Aunt Evelyn asks Vanessato join her in Paris to open a new tea shop and explore her gift, Vanessa accepts. When Vanessa meets Marc, her heart melts despite knowing that she’ll never find love.

Lots of glorious food, clothing, and art descriptions make this book the perfect sensual indulgence of a book. Like a delicate cup of Aunt Evelyn’s tea accompanied by a madeline.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the DRC.

This is becoming one of my favorite authors! I love all the details that she puts in her books and magical realism is one of my favorite fiction genres . I cannot wait for more! If you looking for a dreamscapes,fantasy,love and escape into food and fashion, this is absolutely going to be one of your favorites this year. I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't make a bestseller list. But, even if it doesn't, it'll be one of the best books you have read in a long time.

Oh, how I loved this book. I have been having such a difficult time reading during this pandemic and this was the perfect book to sweep me off my feet. What could be better than a love story set in Paris with a little magic sprinkled on top? This is not a complicated or unexpected story. But what it is, is delightful, fun and lighthearted. Vanessa Yu never wanted to see people's future in tea leaves and spent her entire life fighting it. She also knows that this "gift" will stand in the way of having a successful relationship because she cannot stop blurting out truths whether she wants to or not. When Vanessa's aunt offers to bring her to Paris to hone in on her skills and get her life in order, Vanessa goes. As she finally gets to experience Paris, she wonders if she can change her destiny as well.
This is such a feel-good book. Thank you so much to Netgalley for my review copy. 4.5 stars

Thanks to Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book I sought because I especially loved Roselle Lim's first book ("Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune"). In her sophomore novel, Roselle Lim uses the same elements of magic, food, and family ties infused into an intriguing pot of Chinese fortune-telling and pursuit of one's own destiny. Lim continues the use of imagery and similes to vividly describe and bring to life the characters, the setting, and the emotions felt by her characters. Set mainly in the romantic city of Paris, the author takes you on a whirlwind tour of foodie places and Art 101 as Vanessa Yu tries to accept her fate as the family's next-generation clairvoyant and her desire for one true love despite the lack of that mythical Red Thread--the string of destiny that binds the two who are meant to be. How does she come to terms with her fate? Is she forever doomed to a life of solitude? The ending may surprise you and you will keep wanting to turn the page to see how this gets resolved.

Overall, I was pleased to see so much of the things I grew up with represented in the book--the food, the "weird" customs, the seemingly baseless beliefs that have been passed down as truths from one generation to another, and, of course, the extended family unit (especially the aunties). The book is a wonderful escape, not just for the wonderful Paris backdrop, but also for the levity provided by the mahjong-loving aunts.

Fans of Garden Spells and The Book Charmer
will adore the whimsy of Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop. You will fall in love with the eccentric family, the lush Parisian settings and of course, the food! I hope Vanessa Yu and her family appear in another story someday.

Vanessa has always had a gift. She could see people's fortunes -or misfortunes- in tea leaves. She has never wanted the gift. It runs in the family and an unfortunate event has Vanessa asking her Aunt Evelyn for lessons on how to control her predictions. The two fly off to Paris and experience a truly magical journey.

I read this in the middle of a reading slump, and it's this book that pulled me out. Much like Lim's previous book, this was a story that requires the reader to believe in a little bit of magic. It was as fast read with an easy plot to follow. It lacked some character depth, but I didn't find that to be much of an issue because the story was so enjoyable.

The vivid descriptions of Paris brought me back to my own vacation there and had me longing to return. If you're looking for a magical distraction or want a cute romance in the city of love, then I highly recommend this book.

Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop is a fluffy, sweet book, with delicious descriptions of teas and Paris delicacies. However, I felt like the character development was lacking. I felt like I didn't know Vanessa, or her struggles with her gift very well. The ending felt abrupt, as well as Vanessa suddenly being in love with Marc. It felt like they had just met! the ending seemed to tie itself together too quickly, and a little too well. Fine for a bit of magical escapism, but I craved more depth.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC!

The Immortalists meets a light & fluffy (& delicious) contemporary story!

3.5 stars

This story weaves magical realism, Chinese mythology & foodie culture into one whimsical tale about self-acceptance and fate. One of my favorite themes in books is big families/discovering your identity through your culture. I thought the way this book handled family relationships through food and taste was so beautiful.

Overall, great writing too. It was so easy to fly through and yet crisply written and just descriptive enough. I prefer dialogue to lengthy, drawn out prose.

After one look at the cover and description of Roselle Lim's latest novel, I felt sure I'd fall in love with it. And I did. Now, I'm hardly clairvoyant, unlike the main characters in Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop, who can tell the future--whether they want to or not. Vanessa travels from California's Bay Area to Paris to consult with her aunt, the main clairvoyant in the family, about how to finesse her talents, though she'd prefer to be rid of them. Since it's not likely I'll get to Paris for a while, sadly, Lim's book is a great substitute, or should I say, appetizer. Lim specializes in describing delicious delicacies, remembering to give us the taste, the scent, the texture, so that we'll all but want to eat the pages (and pretty cover). Plus, there's a well-timed, super-sweet love story like a nice buttercream filling inside a layer cake. This is a fun, light, charming book that is exactly what I want to read these days. I so adored it that upon finishing (for dessert, you might say), I ordered Lim's first novel, which I somehow missed, called Natalie Tan's Book of Love and Fortune (soon to be a movie!). Order this immediately for another thrilling foodie-centric novel that's also layered with familial miscommunications, missed opportunities, and the chance to reinvent the future. I give both books five cherries. Read them with something sweet.

When Vanessa Yu was three years old, she told her first prophecy. Ever since, tea has prompted her inner gift to reveal itself--often for the worst. Deaths, betrayals, heartbreak, infidelity, and more. It's no wonder she can't get a second date. Vanessa had always hated her "gift", refusing to learn from her Aunt Evelyn how to manage it. But after a matchmaker reveals that Vanessa doesn't have a red thread is followed by a particularly horrific prophecy, Vanessa agrees to spend three weeks with Aunt Evelyn in Paris as she prepares to open a tea shop in the City of Love and learn how to use her gift. But will she finally be able to master her clairvoyance? Or will it continue to dictate her life?

Like her debut, Roselle Lim's "Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop" is a beautifully atmospheric novel full of lush descriptions of art, fabric, and food. Just as Lim placed readers into the heart of San Francisco's Chinatown, she brings Paris to life. Gorgeously written, expertly plotted, and richly detailed with fantastic characters, intricate yet subtle magic, and all-around beautiful, "Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop" is one of the best books of 2020!

Utterly enchanting. Perfect for fans of the author's first book or anyone looking for a fun foodie read. A first purchase for all general fiction collections.

Wow. Roselle Lim has delivered another perfect magical novel with Vanessa Yu. Lim takes her signature prose to Paris, where the city, and the pastries dazzle.