THE TEA DRINKER'S GUIDE TO ADVENTURE

To fulfill a deceased friend’s wish, three aging women take an RV trip across the country and have unexpected adventures in Jannette’s novel.

Cathy Rosen, Linda Smith, and Betsy Flynn embark on an RV trip from West Chester, Pennsylvania to tiny Abiquiu, New Mexico, where they plan to scatter their friend Alice’s ashes at the legendary artist Georgia O’Keeffe’s Ghost Ranch. Before making camp one evening, they encounter an injured stray dog and track down a local vet to help; then they find a local RV park where they can stay the night. They quickly make friends with several people there, and the trio become so enamored with the area that they decide to tarry a few days. As the dog recuperates, the women grow attached to a few of the town’s inhabitants, including police chief Peter, who seems sweet on Cathy. During a terrible storm, Linda tries to rescue another dog from drowning and has a near-death experience; then two criminals terrorize the camp, attempting to steal cash and valuables from unsuspecting campers. Along the way, the three friends begin thinking more about their futures and questioning the quiet plans they each had for themselves, noting that perhaps they have time left for more adventure. Jannette’s novel, told from a third-person point of view, gives readers glimpses into the thoughts of many of its characters (even including one of the dogs). The author successfully portrays the main players as kind, endearing people who care deeply for one another and for many people and animals they meet during their journey. Unfortunately, the three women’s personalities are very much alike, and the author does little to differentiate them through character development. Moreover, the constantly shifting perspectives make the narrative feel disjointed and sometimes make it difficult for readers to connect deeply with any particular character. Even so, this is a sweet tale that shows how bonds between friends can become more meaningful with age.

A wholesome tale of friendships that will appeal most to sentimentalists and dog lovers.