The Traveling Tea Shop by Belinda Jones

Publisher: Hodder
Release Date: May 22nd 2014
Pages: 316
Source: Publisher

Laurie loves a challenge. Especially if it involves anything beautiful, baked and frosted. The brief is simple: With three other women, Laurie will board a London bus - kitted out as an English tea shop - on a deliciously different road trip of the USA.  Traveling with Laurie are Pamela's mum Gracie and her stubborn teen daughter Ravenna.
Their mission: To bring home-grown classics like Battenberg, Victoria sponge and scones to the land of cupcakes, whoopie pies and gold-leafed chocolate sundaes. 
And to show them how a real cup of tea is made. All of the women have their own secrets and heartaches to heal. As well as a grand appreciation of cupcakes, there's also the chance for romance...


The Traveling Tea Shop is a delicious read that takes you all over the United States, introducing the reader to some lovely local pastries and cakes. The character of Laurie was adorable, she had some troubles with her sister that are also focused on in the book. She is very organised and a professional in baking. There is a tiny romantic side story in the story, but I was not very impressed by it. The story just flows along during their tri through the US and doesn't have any major plot twists or progression in the characters. This book provided a lot of fun local facts and inspiration for places to visit on the East Coast of the States (mostly cake places.) and it helped me discover loads of new cakes that I didn't even know existed! I enjoyed all the real-life recommendations and facts provided including the movie, book and Broadway recommendations, and the interesting facts about how certain dishes are made. Make sure you got a sweet pastry and a cup of tea when you start reading this book, it will definately give you cravings for that!