Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop - Roselle Lim Page 0,96
my age, but I’m catching up. She believes I have a natural aptitude. I honestly think it’s why she took me on in the first place.”
Girard smiled. “Despite your harsh assessment, it sounds like you’re doing well.”
“To Vanessa.” Marc raised his glass. “We are all here together because of you. We are your success stories. To our soon-to-be-full-fledged matchmaker! We’re proud of you.”
I glanced around the table and at everyone’s raised glasses.
When I left for Shanghai, I was certain it was what I was meant to do, but to have it confirmed by them, with joy in their eyes, was touching. I knew why Aunt Evelyn prided herself as clairvoyant.
“Thank you.” I smiled. “This means so much to me. Oh, Aunt Evelyn, before I forget. Remember how you were confused as to why you have a red thread now? I asked Madam Fong. She believes I gave it to you when I matched you and Girard. No matchmaker has done it before, but my society thinks it’s because I had two destinies and we were linked through our clairvoyance. I’m glad I was able to do this for both of you.”
Aunt Evelyn sniffed and wiped her eyes. Girard mouthed his thanks to me before comforting her.
“I also have one more thing to say.” I reached into my pocket and slipped the ring on my finger. I raised my hand and flashed a one-carat diamond engagement ring. “This was Marc’s mother’s ring. We haven’t set a date yet, but it’ll be after I finish my training with Madam Fong.”
The room erupted.
The men pounded Marc’s back. I received a flurry of kisses.
A little over a year ago, I found happiness in Paris. He followed me to Shanghai, and he told me he would go wherever I was. The future was ours to shape.
Acknowledgments
This book began as a dream.
All my life, I’ve yearned to visit Paris—for the art, and for the incredible cuisine. The Eiffel Tower called to me, yet it felt so far away. Growing up in the Philippines, my family had no interest in visiting Europe, preferring instead to visit Asia and North America. After I grew up and married, this trip remained a cherished desire placed on a high shelf: visible whenever I daydreamed, but just out of reach. I could never rationalize, nor justify, going—until the summer of 2019. I had been working on the manuscript for what would become Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop when I decided I must go—for book research—as I knew I could not do Paris justice without experiencing its charm firsthand.
The city of Paris is one of wonder, and yes, I fell in love! I’m already planning my return trip.
On June 11, 2019, my debut was published. We held a book launch party at Queen Books in Toronto (shout-out to Raevin), bringing together the family and friends who had supported me through years of struggle and uncertainty. I drank many glasses of wine in celebration, and capped the evening with a rooftop dinner with my family. After all, one can only have a debut launch once!
The next day, I went home, opened my iPad, and continued to work on my manuscript.
Now, after years of writing and editing (and rewriting and reediting), my words—my story—were in the hands of readers. I was terrified. I didn’t know whether anyone would connect with Natalie and her community. My fears were assuaged when I began hearing from readers who understood Natalie’s struggles and her need to make amends.
One of the major highlights for Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck & Fortune was when Erin Jontow at John Wells Productions bought the TV rights, and when Michael Golamco signed on as the screenwriter. I feel so fortunate to have both Erin and Michael guiding my book toward its screen adaptation.
After an emotional debut year, I’m indebted to all the people who helped shape the story you’re holding.
To my incredible agent, Jenny Bent, and her colleague Sarah Hornsley. Jenny, this book wouldn’t exist without your enthusiastic encouragement to visit Paris. I’m so happy and thankful I did. It changed my life.
To my editor, Cindy Hwang. Thank you for believing in me and my stories. To the rest of the incredible Berkley team: Angela Kim, Fareeda Bullert, Tara O’Connor, and Dache Rogers. I am grateful for your work, guidance, and support. To my copy editor, Angelina Krahn, thank you for your eagle eyes. This book would not have come together without the tireless work of my production editor, Lindsey Tulloch. A special thanks to Rita Frangie and Vikki Chu for another fantastic cover.
To Claire Pokorchak at PRH Canada. Thank you for arranging all the wonderful events during my debut year and beyond.
Thank you to Mary Pender and Orly Greenberg at UTA.
To my family: Robert (my ever-patient husband), Natalie (my encouraging daughter), and Chichi (my beautiful, cranky cat); Racquel (my sister); Rosemarie (my sis-in-law); my parents; my in-laws; and the rest of my extended family.
To my friends who exist outside of writing: Sneha Astles, Megan Hood, Andria Bancheri-Lewis, Jean and Dean Rainey, and Patti Earls-Ferguson.
To Claire Morrison and Kelly Grenon, for helping me take care of my mental health and my body.
I’m indebted to my village of writers and friends: Helen Hoang, Suzanne Park, Kellye Garrett, Sonia Hartl, Annette Christie, Andrea Contos, Farah Heron, Rachael Romero, Jenn Dugan, Karen Strong, Kess Costales, Victoria Chiu, Nafiza Azad, Tamara Mataya, Karma Brown, Tom Torre, and Samantha Tschida.
To the librarians, booksellers, bloggers, and readers, I can’t thank you enough for your support: nothing fills my creativity well—and my writing—more than your encouragement and enthusiasm.
Discussion Questions
1. Do you believe in destiny? Why or why not?
2. Families are a big part of Vanessa’s life: both her nuclear and her extended. How do you think this affects her life positively and negatively?
3. Vanessa and Evelyn have a complicated relationship. Do you believe they are in conflict because they are too alike or too different? Why?
4. Paris is an iconic tourist destination. If you had to take fortune-telling lessons yourself, where would your ideal locale be?
5. Vanessa has a fear of her fortune-telling gift. She never wanted it. If you were given this gift, would you accept it? Why or why not?
6. Vanessa and Evelyn share a love for French pastries. Do you have a favorite dessert or snack? Is there a significance to it?
7. Family secrets are a common theme in Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop. Why do you think Evelyn was so guarded about her personal life? What is she afraid of?
8. The blue butterfly and the wind are two important recurring symbols in the novel. What do they represent, and where do you see them?
9. Fortune-tellers do not have red threads. Vanessa is adamant about the unfairness of it all, while Evelyn is resigned to her fate. Why is there such a difference in their points of view?
Author photo by Shelley Smith
Roselle Lim is a Filipino Chinese writer living on the north shore of Lake Erie. She loves to write about food and magic. When she isn’t writing, she is sewing, sketching, or pursuing the next craft project.
CONNECT ONLINE
RoselleLim.com
RoselleWriter
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