Reading Recommendations: Wanderlust Travel Destinations Vol.3
A new month means another batch of reading recommendations! June’s theme is Wanderlust Travel Destinations. Start off the Summertime with these novels that will take you places around the world and travel through the pages of a book! To see my previous recs from last year, click here.
Salt and Sugar
Lari Ramires has always known this to be true. In Olinda, Brazil, her family’s bakery, Salt, has been at war with the Molinas’ bakery across the street, Sugar, for generations. But Lari’s world turns upside down when her beloved grandmother passes away. On top of that, a big supermarket chain has moved to town, forcing many of the small businesses to close.
Determined to protect her home, Lari does the unthinkable—she works together with Pedro Molina to save both of their bakeries. Lari realizes she might not know Pedro as well as she thought—and she maybe even likes what she learns—but the question remains: Can a Ramires and a Molina truly trust one another?
If you love Romance novels about food and family this story will surely appeal to you. It’s a beautifully written story that showcases the beauty and culture of Brazil through sights, sounds, and smells. I myself, wanted to travel to Lair and Pedro’s cozy little town and taste the food Salt and Sugar were creating. I was so envious of the cooking club (since they didn’t have one at my school growing up) and loved the friendship and teamwork they developed through making food. This novel is a testament to food and the healing powers that it can give by bringing people together and creating memories to last a lifetime.
Almost There
Sometimes, life in the Big Easy is tough. No one knows that better than Tiana, though she also believes that hard work can go a long way. But when the notorious Dr. Facilier backs her into a corner, she has no other choice but to accept an offer that will alter the course of her life in an instant.
Soon Tiana finds herself in a new reality where all her deepest desires are realized―she finally gets her restaurant, her friends are safe and sound, and, perhaps most miraculous of all, her beloved father is still alive. She’s got everything she’s ever wanted…
But after a while, her hometown grows increasingly eerie, with new threats cropping up from unlikely places. Navigating through this strange new New Orleans, Tiana must work alongside Naveen and Charlotte to set things right―or risk losing everything she holds dear.
Almost There is a retelling of a retelling in a sense. It follows the Disney adaptation of The Princess and The Frog tale, but flips the switch as the main character, Tiana, decides to reluctantly make a deal with the Shadow Man (Dr. Facilier) in order to achieve her dreams and bring back a loved one. The novel is enchanting, fun, and suspenseful as Rochon weaves together a tale about dangerous wishes and the consequences they bring. The novel is immersive with a detailed atmosphere of 1920s New Orleans which will transport readers back in time. There are Tiana’s delicious recipes that fill the pages, the sounds of big band Jazz, and the vibrant landscape of the city.
Happy Place
Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college—they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now—for reasons they’re still not discussing—they don’t.
They broke up six months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends.
Which is how they find themselves sharing the largest bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blue week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most.
Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show. It’s a flawless plan (if you look at it from a great distance and through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses). After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week… in front of those who know you best?
A couple who broke up months ago pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends. More than the Romance genre it’s categorized as this book felt more like contemporary fiction as it explores romantic relationships and friendships. This novel felt a bit like a coming-of-age story about growing up, growing apart, and trying to figure out what you want in life. The idyllic cottage in Maine backdrop for a scenic vacation backdrop and adds a bit of coziness during the novel’s quitter moments.
Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop
Vanessa Yu never wanted to see people’s fortunes — or misfortunes — in tea leaves.
Ever since she can remember, Vanessa Yu 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.
The day before her matchmaking appointment, Vanessa accidentally sees her own fate: death by traffic accident. 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 America and bonjour to Paris. While working at Evelyn’s tea stall at a Parisian antique market, Vanessa performs some matchmaking of her own, attempting to help reconnect her aunt with a lost love. As she learns more about herself and the root of her gifts, she realizes one thing to be true: knowing one’s destiny isn’t a curse, but being unable to change it is.
Paris-the city of love! This lighthearted read features of a romantic view version of Paris and carries the same momentum of her previous novel Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck & Fortune. The main character Vanessa, treats us to the sight, sounds, and fortunes of Parisians through her eyes. Everything is new to her, so the book has a delightful sense of wonder and excitement throughout the story. She goes through her own journey of acceptance through trying to learn to control a gift she hates and comes to term with it. It’s a cute and whimsical read!
Haunted Ever After
Small Florida coastal towns often find themselves scrambling for the tourism dollars that the Orlando theme parks leave behind. And within the town limits of Boneyard Key, the residents decided long ago to lean into its ghostliness. Nick Royer, owner of the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop, embraces the ghost tourism that keeps the local economy afloat, as well as his spectral roommate. At least he doesn’t have to run air-conditioning.
Cassie Rutherford possibly overreacted to all her friends getting married and having kids by leaving Orlando and buying a flipped historic cottage in Boneyard Key. Though there’s something unusual with her new home (her laptop won’t charge in any outlets, and the poetry magnets on her fridge definitely didn’t read “WRONG” and “MY HOUSE” when she put them up), she’s charmed by the colorful history surrounding her. And she’s catching a certain vibe from the grumpy coffee shop owner whenever he slips her a free slice of banana bread along with her coffee order.
As Nick takes her on a ghost tour, sharing town gossip that tourists don’t get to hear, and they spend nights side-by-side looking into the former owners of her haunted cottage, their connection solidifies into something very real and enticing. But Cassie’s worried she’s in too deep with this whole (haunted) home ownership thing… and Nick’s afraid to get too close in case Cassie gets scared away for good.
A wonderfully spooky supernatural rom-com that is great for Halloween or a summer read. Though Boneyard Key is fictional, I decided it reminded me most of Key West from its scenic, coastal vibes. It’s not scary at all, and I love the humorous interactions with beyond in this novel. It’s definitely got a cozy, small town feel and I loved being immersed in the landscape of Florida beaches. It has some fun mystery elements along with the romance factors.
That concludes my reading recommendations for books that will take you around the globe! What books do you recommend or what are your favorites? Comment below!
