The Colour Of Tea by Hannah Tunnicliffe, Pan Macmillan, $32.99.
Grace’s life is unravelling. She feels lost in eclectic, buzzing Macau, where her husband Pete is managing the opening of a casino.
Devastated that her dream to have children is cut short, her marriage becomes strained and their sadness remains unsaid, causing them to drift further away from each other.
During celebrations for Chinese New Year, Grace watches the fireworks and an idea is sparked. She’ll turn her love and memories of Parisian “macarons” into the opening of her cafe, Lillian’s.
For ex-pats, drinking “real” coffee is a godsend, for others, it is tea and sympathy that bring them back.
With a much-needed focus and newly found friends, there’s now a reason for Grace to get up each morning — until Pete tells her news that will tear at her heart.
The Colour Of Tea, the author’s debut novel, is full of sensuous descriptions, the best ones, of course, of the “macarons”.
There are insightful observations of men and of the complexity of female friendships.
Grace’s introverted character will have you thinking about how you relate to the world outside and nodding in recognition at our own foibles and misgivings about love.
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