A Solid Christian Romance Featuring a Filipino Protagonist! - The Solid Grounds Coffee Company by Carla Laureano [Review]

Delving into the artisan coffee roasting industry, the final novel in Carla Laureano's foodie themed trilogy features compelling characters, distinct settings, and a complex Asian American protagonist (providing diverse representation that is often lacking in the Christian Fiction market). Read on for the full review!

Title: The Solid Grounds Coffee Company [Saturday Night Supper Club Trilogy #3]
Author: Carla Laureano
Published: 2020 by Tyndale House Publishers

About the Book:
Analyn Sanchez can handle the long hours and arrogant clients that come with her job as a crisis management associate at Denver’s largest publicity firm. The high-powered job, expensive condo, and designer wardrobe are all part of her plan to prove to her family that her life choices haven’t been in vain. But when she’s asked to cover up a client’s misdeeds with serious moral and legal ramifications, she can no longer sacrifice her conscience for her career . . . and the cost is no less than her job.

Ever since a devastating climbing accident in South America eight months ago, and a bad decision that dried up his sponsorships, professional rock climber Bryan Shaw has found himself at similar loose ends. When the opportunity to buy a coffee farm in Colombia arises, he jumps on it—only to discover his wandering ways have left him utterly unprepared to run a business.

When Bryan returns home and offers Ana a role in his company as a solution to both their problems, she’s desperate enough to consider working with the far-too-flippant and far-too-handsome climber, even though he’s the polar opposite of her type A nature. As they delve deeper into the business, however, she begins to suspect there’s much more to Bryan than she’s given him credit for . . . and that sometimes the best plans are the ones you never see coming.

The Artist Librarian Review:
Carla Laureano's Saturday Night Supper Club was one of best contemporary novels I've read in the Christian Fiction market in recent years, so I was thrilled to be able get my hands on an ARC for The Solid Grounds Coffee Company.  Delving into the artisan coffee roasting industry, the final novel in this foodie themed trilogy features compelling characters, distinct settings, and a complex Asian American protagonist (providing diverse representation that is often lacking in the Christian Fiction market). 

One of the things that drew me to this trilogy were the details that Laureano incorporates into her settings.  Whether the worlds of a professional chef, columnist, or small business owner, I felt like I learned more about each industry or career.  In The Solid Grounds Coffee Company, the details of things such as coffee roasting and farming, professional rock climbing, and crisis management add an air of authenticity to the story and setting.

Best of all were the characters.  Not only do we see beloved characters from the two previous books in this trilogy, such as Rachel, Alex, Justin, and Melody, but Ana and Bryan, side characters we've seen throughout series, finally get their story told!  Bryan (Alex's best friend) has returned back to Colorado a changed man and struggles to be taken seriously due to his past reputation as a bit of a rogue.  Meanwhile, workaholic Ana finds herself adrift after her perfectly organized life slowly unravels. 

I won't lie, I had definite Han Solo/Princess Leia vibes from the main couple and I loved it!  They were definitely "opposites attract" and it was so fun to read!  Themes touching on perfectionism, reputation, new life through Christ, and trusting God were subtle and not preachy.  I also was interested to see a slightly non-traditional closure for Christian romance and I'm curious to see the reactions of other readers.

Finally, it was incredible to see a strong, contemporary female Filipino protagonist in Christian Fiction.  While I'm not Filipino myself, I grew up in a town that had a large Filipino population and while Ana being Asian American wasn't a huge part of the plot (and rightly didn't need to be), she was very authentic and her family felt so believable, I had flashbacks to Camy Tang's Sushi Series.  As a librarian, I'm so excited to be able to suggest this book to those looking for Asian American protagonists in Christian Fiction.  I pray more authors in the Christian publishing industry will also be inspired to introduce more diversity to their characters in the future.  It was also refreshing to see the agency of the lead female characters and I think it's good to have a diverse range of ideas and characterizations in the Christian fiction market.  As someone who stayed up until 3am to finish this novel, I eagerly look forward to seeing what Carla Laureano will write next!

What is your favorite coffee drink?  Mine are ice blended coffee drinks like frappuccinos!


[Disclosure: I received a complimentary digital advance reader's copy for review purposes as a member of the author's street team.]

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