Have you ever wished that you could see into the future? In Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop by Canadian writer, Roselle Lim, our lead character can do just that with the aid of tea. However, she sees this as a curse, not a gift, especially after Van foresees a death for the first time.

For as long as she can remember, Vanessa Yu has been able to see the future, something she is not very comfortable with especially when the sharing of the information is uncontrolled. Before she knows it, Van is blurting out what she sees to strangers. Sometimes the future is very good, sometimes very bad.

When her well-meaning Mother and Aunties line up an appointment with a matchmaker for “still single” Vanessa, she has reached her limit. It is time to escape and, thankfully, Vanesssa is able to flee to Paris where her elegant and independent Aunt Evelyn is setting up a new business.

Evelyn too has the gift of seeing into the future, but has learned over the years to control it rather than the other way round. As she begins a new life in France, Evelyn works with her niece as they both face challenges, partake of amazing meals (the food references in this novel are mouthwatering) and the lure of romance.

This is Roselle Lim’s second novel. Her first, Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune, was another favourite of mine and Vanessa Yu’s is equally as enjoyable and will make you equally as hungry and ready to get cooking (and eating)!

— Sandi H.