The Language of Weeds: a Moonbeam Coffeehouse novel

by Tristan Rhea

After discovering that the grandpa she acts as a caretaker for isn’t her biological grandfather, sunshiny Thea Shepherd (with the help of the surly man-of-few-words Bas Bennett) embarks on a journey to find the mystery man her late grandma kept a secret for decades; but, each step along the search brings her closer to more than just answers. It also brings her closer to Bas.


grumpy x sunshine
amateur investigators
slow burn
bilingual characters

The Language of Weeds is book 1 in the interconnected standalone Moonbeam Coffeehouse Series.

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 22, 2026

About the author

Tristan Rhea is a small-town Kansas girl raising her kids with her loving husband on the same roads she grew up on. She has a Master of English Literature degree and also works as a 7-12th grade English teacher. When she’s not doing bookish things, Tristan can be found in the dance studio creating all types of choreography or planning a vacation with her husband.

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thea, like a dandelion, is navigating her sophomore year of collage as she works towards a degree in Spanish with goals of becoming an interpreter. She feels as though she is floating by in life with her friends but doesn’t identify as anyone’s best friend or first choice. She has a close relationship with her grandpa, whose health is slowly deteriorating. He lives alone after the passing of his wife, who was Thea’s most favorite person, four months prior.

Thea frequents Moonbeam Coffeehouse almost daily where she enjoys various coffee creations and the friendly staff. She stumbles across an unfamiliar barista one evening as he assists her with her Spanish translation assignment and a game of chess. Bas, like a thistle, is described as reserved, grumpy like punk-rock lumberjack. He is the owner Moonbeam Coffeehouse and has some of his own family struggles. On this same night, Thea has a family emergency with her grandpa and Bas rushes her to the hospital.

As grandpa is recovering, Thea discovers some information about her family that makes her even more confused about herself. She ventures to Moonbeam Coffeehouse where she devises a plan with Bas to discover more about her grandma’s past. As the two plan for a trip to Kansas and other locations a friendship is formed. Eventually this friendship blossoms into more but Thea and Bas both have their insecurities that come to light more and more as they spend time together. Will Thea find the information she is looking for about her family? What will come of the beginning relationship of Bas and Thea?

The language of weeds is a Beautiful heartwarming, contemporary college romance. This is Tristan Rhea’s debut novel and I was so lucky to get my hands on an ARC copy! I loved everything about this book! Thea and Bas truly have a heartwarming and heartfelt relationship. I LOVED watching their story unfold and how they grow individually and together.

Grandpa. I freaking LOVE HIM and grandma too!! I love how grandma was such a strong person for Thea. The relationship Thea has with her grandparents is truly amazing. Grandparents have such an importance in the lives of their grandchildren and this is so evident in this story. I thought of my grandparents as I read this story and moments of my childhood. I knew when I became a mother, I wanted my kids to have a strong relationship with grandparents, much like Thea has with her grandpa and had with grandma.

Then there is aunt Janice. RUDE. Every family has a Janice.

Thinking back to my college years, I can remember feeling like a weed at times similar to Thea. This is a very emotional time more many young adults as they navigate life after their high school years. It can be even more trying for young adults who don’t finish high school or attend college. We see both sides in this story. Tristan does such a a wonderful job depicting the love and emotions between Bas and Thea and their journeys.

[Liv Arnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay Tristan! I was unaware of your game!! The moment Bas took Thea to the hospital I was sucked in.

Brooding mystery guy and sunshine girl ✨ that’ll get me every time. Then add emotional complexity, tattoos and another language and I’m sold!

Oh and don’t forget the humor! This book had everything you could want plus it was so eloquently written. You have a beautiful skill with your writing that shouldn’t go unnoticed.

I think my favorite character had to be Grandpa though! He reminded me so much of my own grandpa & constantly had me laughing.

Thanks Tristan for sharing what you wrote with us! I was so lucky to receive an ARC copy of this book. 🩷

[Anna Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

i always need days after finishing a book to process and review and attempt be a normal human being again, so I’ll probably edit this in a few days.
Ugh Tristan, my beautiful baby girl. You are an amazing writer, I can see so much of you in this and it makes me SO PROUD. The tattoos…the songs….trying not to spoil anything for the readers that will get to read this. All of the metaphors and the language of weeds…wowowowowowow. You are the dandelion I want forever. Keep writing, you’re pretty good at it ;)

[Bris.reads.and.recs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from Author.

I love it! 😊

First off, I want to note how well the no-spice romance is handled here. Even without that element, the story still feels incredibly sweet, emotional, and beautiful. The focus on emotional intimacy between Thea and Bas really carries the narrative, and it’s something that shines throughout the entire book.

Also, the reveal about Thea’s biological grandfather definitely made me want to tear up, but mostly because of how important it is in helping her process the complicated feelings she has toward her grandma, which is why I think the conversation with her grandpa near the end feels like such a soft, full-circle moment for her growth.

Overall, this is a charming and thoughtful story. It reminds me a bit of Willowbrook Wishes by Kristen Reads in how it centers connection and character growth without relying on the spice that people tend to expect—and I love it for that.

[Veronica Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. Bas and Thea are the perfect example of finding what you need when you’re not even looking. Their friendship was formed organically and blossomed into something so beautiful that neither could have expected. What they were to and for each other was not only sweet, but believable.

I loved the bilingual presentation, especially that it was Spanish speaking characters ❤️