This book is such fun! Stefanie Leder manages to wrap a breezy tropical romance in heady discussions about idealism vs realism, hypocrisy, virtue signaling, and the real-life impact of environmentalism, without ever descending into preachiness or sanctimony. The best part is that Dee is unsure of herself in the best possible way. She’s not a wilting violet paralyzed by insecurity. She’s a questioner who acknowledges that she doesn’t know it all and is open to learn. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from (virtual) cover to cover. Highly recommend.

I really loved this interesting take and spin on working within the coffee world - however the blantant lack of knowledge by Dee of Costa Rica in general really blew my mind a bit. She chose to drop out of college and rush there, but had no knowledge of trafficking or drugs, or just how much of a danger she could be in by being a woman? It felt far too optimistic and idealistic and really rubbed me the wrong way.

That being said; I really loved the talk about coffee growing - the strict rules, the regulations, the hardships. It was really eye-opening and I enjoyed the read.

Thank tyou to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

2.5 stars, DNF
Aimless college student Dee Blum lies her way into an eco-tourism job in Costa Rica, giving tours of coffee plantations to those with the means to bring awareness and change to a global problem in a political minefield to escape the prospects of either moving back home and go to law school as her parents wish, or in with the activist boyfriend she doesn't seem to like very much. Dee Blum is not particularly likeable, and possibly an unreliable narrator as she recounts her absurd adventures.

The tone of this book screamed college undergrad creative writing class, and was such a disappointment after the author's tightly written tale of a sociopathic pharmaceutical representative ready to murder her sister's abusive boyfriend. I ditched this one at 25% complete.

I received a free advance reader's review copy of #LoveCoffeeRevolution via #NetGalley courtesy of #Blackstone. A review will post to HLBB in June 2025.

When naive and sheltered Dee rebels against everyone in her life she does what every normal college student does…drops out and gets a job in Costa Rica. Throughout the story Dee struggles with her idealistic views being challenged with hard realities while she learns about the coffee growing world.

The story encourages readers to look internally and rethink some of their own beliefs, applying the wisdom and thinking introduced in the book. I especially enjoyed how Stefanie Leder depicted both sides of the argument, helping inform readers about the ins, outs, and trade-offs of the coffee world.

I did struggle with Dee as the narrator. She came across naive and idealistic to a fault, though I believe that was a stylistic intention to help bring readers along on the journey no matter where they were in knowledge before starting the book. However there were times it was just too much for me (e.g., Dee not realizing drug trafficking happens in Central America, openly sharing with strangers she’s a single woman traveling alone).

Thank you to Stefanie Leder, Blackstone Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Love, Coffee, and Revolution by Stefanie Leder is a captivating read! Dee Blum, a college senior, escapes her parents' plans and lands a job organizing eco-tours in Costa Rica. There, she meets Adrián and Matías—two attractive men with different political views. Dee discovers that a fair-trade coffee network is exploiting the environment and the people it claims to help. She risks her safety to expose the truth. The novel combines romance, action, and humor with social justice. If you enjoy a rom-com with a side of activism, this book is a must-read!

Stefanie Leder's Love, Coffee, Revolution is an entertaining tale of adventure, romance, and the pursuit of justice. Follow idealistic college senior Dee Blum as she drops out of school and embarks on a life-altering journey to Costa Rica.

In search of freedom and meaning, Dee quickly discovers that her new job organizing eco-tours of coffee farms is not as straightforward as it seems. As she navigates the complexities of a new culture, Dee finds herself caught between two attractive men: the fun-loving Adrián and the passionate revolutionary Matías.

When Dee uncovers a dark truth about the fair-trade organic coffee network she's working for—one that threatens both the environment and the farmers' livelihoods—she's forced to confront the harsh realities of her progressive ideals.

Filled with heart, wisdom, and romance, Love, Coffee, Revolution is a thought-provoking read that challenges us to consider the real-world implications of our beliefs.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it had that romance element that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this. It had that realistic element that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall concept of the characters. Stefanie Leder has a strong writing style and was glad I got to read this.

This book was just okay.... It was too cheesy, unrealistic, and felt like it was putting women down, which was not good. I think the overall premise was enjoyable but I wish it was more realistic honestly

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

I really enjoyed this title. I love coffee and travel and was interested in the story Leder crafted. I thought the writing was authentic and the way the main character navigated life away from her parents was spot on. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Relatable story to those of us who weren't really sure what we wanted to do "when we grew up". I related to and liked Dee's character a lot and definitely recommend to anyone who wants a fun read.