Chai Tea Sunday by Heather A. Clark

Publisher: ECW Press

Publish Date: April 1, 2012

Format: download library

Pages: 298

ISBN: - 

Thirtysomething Nicky Fowler has it all – a rewarding career, a loving husband and the perfect home.  But when she and her husband suffer a complicated tragedy, the strain of two people dealing with an impossible situation in different ways breaks up her marriage.  Emotionally lost, Nicky travels to Kenya to volunteer at an orphanage.  Amidst the violence and abject poverty, Nicky discovers the one thing that keeps Kenyans moving forward: hope.  Over steaming mugs of chai, the country’s signature drink, Nicky opens up to her host mother Mama Bu, and finds understanding, love and strength.  And with that strength, Nicky realizes what she needs to do to save the endangered children she’s grown to love.

My Thoughts

So I wasn't really expecting to like this book as much as I did...I more or less read it because I love Chai tea.  It ended up being a great quick read.  

What I love most about this particular story, is that it was inspired by Clark's cousin, Rachel, and her experience with teaching in Kenya.  It really is a remarkable tale of how orphan children, who have literally nothing end up giving Nicky more than she ever imagined.  She finds out during her work at the orphanage that the Orphanage Director is harming the children and is determined to do something about it in a country that is corrupt and everyone can be bought off.  Right from beginning to end it was a heartfelt book that brought a few tears and a few winces. My only criticism is the end, I wish it had gone a different direction and Nicky's choices were based on her brain not her heart (cold to say that, I know) because I think it would have made for a more interesting conclusion.  It all just seemed too neat and tidy.  All in all it was a great debut novel.

A portion of proceeds from this novel go to Artbound, a charity that provides clean water, food, medical care, and funding to build schools in developing nations.

My Rating: ««««

Buy it Now!

The reviews made here are my personal opinion. I’m not being paid to review any of these books. I am by no means a professional book reviewer or editor.  I do this for the love of books.