I was hooked from the beginning!
It was amazing and engaging.
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style.
The characters were all very well developed .
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.

I’ll be completely honest. The cover and title compelled me to request an ARC for this book. A beachy background plus coffee and a romance plot? Yes please!

I’d gone into this book hoping for a summer lit fic type of book, with some minor elements of romance. I loved the idea of going to Costa Rica to learn about the coffee industry. The main character finding themselves and learning more about themselves in a sort of coming-of age sort of way.

The book did start on a great note, setting up the main character and her situation perfectly. I found the author’s writing clever and witty. The story even quickly moves to the main location of Costa Rica too, which I appreciated. I was ready for those warm summer vibes. Dee got placed in a home stay and I was really rooting for some found family moments. I was really looking forward continuing on.

Unfortunately, what I did not expect, was the heavy discourse on politics and religion. I anticipated some aspects of politics to come into play, since this book deals with fair trade coffee. But there were times it felt like I was reading a textbook. Dee comes across as more bark than bite. She’s loud about her opinions, forthright in her own forms of justice, and nosedives into precarious situations. But she doesn’t really understand things completely and doesn’t really try to understand. I admired her chutzpah (since Dee is Jewish, except when she’s flying over to Costa Rica, she briefly becomes Catholic…), but I felt like the author could have explored her inner growth throughout the novel more.

Toward the end, it felt too rushed and incomplete as well. The ending was okay, justice was served, the villain taken down (albeit a bit Disney-Channel-esque). There was a brief moment of miscommunication and deception that made me physically recoil (which I guess was a good thing, because it was supposed to be disgusting). But I feel like this book (ARC) needed an epilogue. Did Dee go back home and become a lawyer, maybe for social justice rather than a divorce lawyer? Or did she stay in Costa Rica with the guy she chose and work with nonprofits? I’d like to know!

Thank-you so much to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for a chance to read this ARC!

LOVE, COFFEE, AND REVOLUTION by Stefanie Leder

Pub date: June 10th, 2025
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Rating: 3 / 5


"When I came to Costa Rica, I had been running away. But now I had to choose—what was I running to?"

Dee Blum cannot keep living like this (i.e. controlled and coddled by her parents and boyfriend). When Dee happens upon a job organizing tours of ethical coffee farms in Costa Rica, she knows this is her out. One interview, breakup, and turbulent plane ride later, Dee has free reign to live her activist life. But she soon finds out these "ethical" farms aren't so perfect. Dee is totally out of her element in Costa Rica. She isn't alone though, and maybe now is her chance to finally take control of her life.

LOVE, COFFEE, AND REVOLUTION is a debut novel clearly written from author Stefanie Leder's heart. The depiction of Costa Rica, the appreciation for coffee farmers, and the focus on environmental activism all shine on the page. The story also has an unexpected sense of adventure and mystery/thriller aspect, as Dee works to take down certain unethical farms. The blend of a new adult coming-of-age story with topical issues like environmental activism and personal identity worked really well. While these were the plot highlights, the main romance was weak and later romantic conflicts felt unnecessary. Dee's romantic pursuits also came across very childish at times. This made her difficult to root for, especially given that her general characterization is just "naive" (stated multiple times in the book). Still, readers looking for a feel good story with strong themes of social and environmental justice should check out this book.


(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!)

4.25


What a pleasant surprise!

I didn’t remember adding this book to the pile and didn’t have particularly high hopes. When I started reading, Dee was a little pathetic. Not that she was unlike many of us at some point, but not the heroin needed to carry this book. I was also hesitant when the books introduced Dee as a 21-years-old college student. How could I possibly relate to her?

Things got worse when she secured the job with Justice League under extremely false pretenses. I just knew what was coming. This was the book where I was going to painfully wait for the rug to be pulled out from under her and she would likely do many more stupid things moving forward. No doubt. Dee was in a little over her head.

Well, I was right that she did several more stupid things, but the book was completely different from what I anticipated, in a good way!
This is a sweet story with a little romance, but really about somebody trying to find themselves and figuring out what is important and how they can make their lives their own and their dreams their own. I think we could all, likely, see something in her that is a reminder for whatever age we are.

There are parts of the story that are a little unbelievable, but also parts I have thought were such, but as a person who has lived in many foreign countries and worked for years in the nonprofit sector, those things have been known to happen. I enjoyed learning so much about coffee and the arguments and truths that I have never considered. I loved where the story went and how people came together. It’s another one of those “found family” books that I have ‘found’ recently and I think it’s great when people, especially those on their own, can make their own family and support system. The characters are, well, charchters and you can just absorb their description and feel like you know them. I was a little surprised by the end. I would have liked a little more of a wrap up, but that’s because I was even more invested with Dee and the professor and the other revolutionaries and what was next. Maybe a sequel?

It seemed like this may be a first novel for the author, which makes it especially impressive. Thank you to Stefanie Leder, NetGalley, and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with a free advanced copy of this book for my unbiased review.

#LoveCoffeeandRevolution #NetGalley #bookreview #ADHDreader #CostaRica #foundfamily #revolution #coffee #BlackstonePublishing #fairtrade #communalcoffee

Love, Coffee, and Revolution by Stefanie Leder is a compelling novel that defies easy categorization. While marketed with romantic elements, the story is far more invested in social justice, environmental activism, and the complexities of human relationships than in traditional romance. The romantic subplots are present but take a backseat to weightier themes—making this a refreshing read for those seeking substance over pure escapism.

What stood out most to me was Leder’s unflinching exploration of the coffee industry’s dark side, from child labor to environmental degradation and the dangers faced by labor organizers. These issues are woven into the narrative with care, adding depth and urgency to protagonist Dee’s journey. Speaking of Dee, she’s a wonderfully flawed character—idealistic yet naive, compassionate but occasionally selfish. Her growth feels authentic, especially as she discovers her talent for photography (even if she doesn’t immediately recognize its power).

The supporting cast of women is another highlight, ranging from fierce activists to morally ambiguous figures, each adding layers to the story. Leder avoids stereotypes, creating characters who feel real in their contradictions.

If you’re picking this up expecting a light romance, you might be surprised—but in the best way. Love, Coffee, and Revolution is a novel with heart, conscience, and a call to awareness, perfect for readers who enjoy stories where personal and political struggles intersect.

2.75 ⭐

If you like books with a lot of political aspects to it, you'll love this book.

I was disappointed in the "love triangle". It felt more like a couple of rebounds and then at the end the FMC decides she's in love with one of the MMC's. I felt like all of the male love interests were not a good fit for the FMC.

I liked learning about the coffee industry. Parts of the book gave me thriller vibes, which I was not expecting.

The FMC seemed to always be in danger but never knew it and seemed to always ignore her gut instincts and what people told her. She "wanted" safety but threw herself into danger.

The ending felt rushed and incomplete. I feel like there was an opportunity for a solid ending but I was left with more questions than answers.

4.5 stars rounded up. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect with this book and I wasn't sure I would even like it. Man was I wrong! I read this in one sitting, it was so easy to read and really kept my attention the entire time. It's completely different from anything I've read but still had elements that I enjoy; romance and a touch of mystery and a twist I wasn't expecting. This is a book about Dee, who decides she wants to do more than just protest and find something more meaningful. She very impulsively drops her current life and moves to Costa Rica to organize coffee tours to ethical coffee farms. Along the way, she meets a native she starts to fall for and finds some disturbing truths to the coffee industry. I learned A LOT about the coffee industry and I really enjoyed the progressive ideas Dee had. I think a lot of people wish they could make a difference in our world and I enjoyed seeing how Dee wrapped her mind around how hard that is. While Dee may have been naïve to Costa Rica and how unsafe other countries can be, I feel like this is a common trait of Americans who live in their own bubble and don't seem to notice what is happening outside of it. I didn't feel as though the author was trying to pushed her ideals on the reader, instead just informing and showing how even one person can make a change, however small that may be.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

definitely an interesting book, but I never really felt like Dee was a super great protagonist, as she felt quite unrealistic at points. 3 stars. tysm for the arc.

Unfortunately, despite the numerous times I have attempted to fix the issue, the book file will not download properly. I am unable to read this book on my phone or computer as it causes me migraines. I wish both the author and publisher great success with this release!

Love, Coffee and Revolution is the story of Dee Blum and her adventures in Costa Rica. Dee is a college student who is uncertain of her future path, and wants to be an activist, so she drops out of college and heads to Costa Rica to work in and learn more about the coffee industry. In Costa Rica, Dee quickly realizes that she is in over her head. She knows little about the country and lacks the life skills to navigate the situation.

As the book progresses, Dee learns about both sides of the coffee industry, and finds herself torn between two men who represent each side. Adrian is fun and adventurous, but his wealthy family owns a traditional coffee plantation, which doesn’t align with Dee’s political views. Matias is on the opposite side politically, and is a passionate activist for worker’s rights.

As Dee spends more time working as a tour guide in Costa Rica, she learns that the fair-trade organization she is working for is not as beneficial as she originally thought. She suspects that this organization may be harming the environment, and exploiting the workers. Dee questions her own beliefs and struggles to decide what the right thing is to do. She risks her own safety to try to find a solution and help the workers.

I enjoyed this book, but had issues with Dee’s extreme naivete and lack of understanding about Costa Rica. She is unprepared for moving to a new country and working as an activist. The romance aspect of the book was fun, but Dee’s character was annoying at times. I didn’t love either of the male main characters, so I wasn’t really invested in the romance part of the story.

This book is a good combination of romance and political activism. The author skillfully shows the reader detailed views of both sides of the coffee industry in Costa Rica. Many of us wanted to go out in the world and change things for the better, so in that way, Dee is very relatable. I wanted to love this book about adventure in another country and personal growth, but it just didn’t work for me.

Thank you to Stefanie Leder, Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Dee Blum is a utopian, semi-radical college student who feels trapped in a world that either doesn't care or think much about where things come from, how they are made and the laborers that make them. Dropping out of college as a senior and denying the fact that her family wants her to become a lawyer, she signs up with an organization that does eco tours of coffee farms in Costa Rico. It is there that Dee finds a less than perfect world, including the truth that the people she is working for (fair-trade organic coffee network) — jeopardize both the environment the laborers and the farmers' livelihoods. While this is a serious topic, it is told in witty fashion that makes this novel actually fun to read. Highly recommended! My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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.