Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop

by Roselle Lim
Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop cover
Good Books rating 3.5
Magical Realism
Technical:
  • ID: 1323
  • Added: 2025-10-04
  • Updated: 2025-10-04
  • ISBN: 9781432883560
  • Publisher: Thorndike Press Large Print
  • Published: 2020-11-25
  • Reviews: 3

Vanessa Yu has always been able to see people's fortunes in tealeaves, a gift that often leads to unwanted complications. To avoid blurting out fortunes, she switches to coffee, but her abilities still find a way to interfere. Her parents, concerned about her lack of a love life, enlist a matchmaking expert, which leads to Vanessa seeing death for the first time. Determined to live a normal life, she accepts an offer from her eccentric Aunt Evelyn to move to Paris. There, Vanessa uncovers the root of her gifts and learns that knowing one's destiny isn't a curse, but being unable to change it is. In Paris, Vanessa embarks on a journey of self-discovery, exploring the magical possibilities of life in the most extraordinary city. As she delves deeper into her abilities, she realizes the true power of her gifts and the importance of embracing her unique talents. The novel is a delightful blend of magic, romance, and self-discovery, set against the enchanting backdrop of Paris.

Reviews
Romantic Parvenu · Renae · 2021-03-03
whimsical 4.50

The book presents a fairytale vision of Paris that is both charming and unrealistic. The protagonist's unique gift adds a magical touch to the story.

Renae finds the book to be a picture-perfect ode to a fairytale vision of Paris, which, while charming, is not entirely realistic. They appreciate the magical element of the protagonist's ability to tell fortunes, which adds a unique and enchanting layer to the story. The review also notes the exploration of anti-Asian racism, which adds depth and relevance to the narrative. Overall, Renae enjoys the book's whimsical and heartwarming qualities, despite its idealized portrayal of Paris.

Quick quotes

    It's a picture-perfect ode to a fairytale vision of Paris that, frankly, does not exist.

    The protagonist's unique gift adds a magical touch to the story.

    The exploration of anti-Asian racism adds depth and relevance to the narrative.

Takes Two to Book Review · 2021-01-08
disappointing 2.00

The book's concept and food descriptions are enjoyable, but the execution falls short. The reviewer found the overall experience lacking.

The reviewer expresses disappointment with the book, noting that while the concept and descriptions of food are enjoyable, the execution did not meet their expectations. They mention that the story failed to engage them fully, leading to a less satisfying reading experience. Despite liking certain elements, such as the magical tea shop and the Parisian setting, they found the plot and character development to be underwhelming. This mixed reaction highlights the reviewer's struggle with the book's potential versus its actual delivery.

Quick quotes

    I hate giving a book 2 stars, but this one just wasn't doing it for me.

    I liked the overall idea, and I enjoyed the descriptions of the food.

    The story failed to engage them fully, leading to a less satisfying reading experience.

The Lily Cafe · 2020-07-30
enchanting 4.00

The story captures the essence of Paris beautifully and explores themes of destiny and love. The protagonist's journey is both heartwarming and engaging.

This review highlights the atmospheric setting of Paris, which is vividly brought to life through the author's descriptions. The protagonist, Vanessa, is portrayed as a relatable character on a journey of self-discovery. The reviewer appreciates the blend of magic and reality, making the story both enchanting and grounded. They also note the charming romance that develops, adding a layer of warmth to the narrative. Overall, the review emphasizes the book's ability to transport readers and its heartwarming message about finding one's path in life.

Quick quotes

    Vanessa has never felt more cursed than when she meets charming Marc Santos, who shows her the city and the food.

    The story captures the essence of Paris beautifully and explores themes of destiny and love.

    The blend of magic and reality makes the story both enchanting and grounded.

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