What a delightful, cozy little book. This was just a fun and sweet read from start to finish. Fantastic characters that had me rooting for them from the start and the perfect amount of conflict. If you are looking for oodles of angst this isn't the book for you but if you like your fantasy low stress and you enjoyed the House in the Cerulean Sea, you should definitely give it a read.

If you haven't read a cozy fantasy, this is a great one to start with. It gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling and I didn't want to put it down. Who knew I'd fall in love with a sentient spider plant (Caz often steals the show) and an island community of unique personalities? The magic, the hope, the connections, the friendships, the romance, and the growth. I loved it all!

This is the exact sort of cozy magical book that is perfect for autumn reading--full of sweet treats and positive vibes.

3.5 ⭐️

In The Great Library of Alyssium, Kiela has always preferred the company of books over people, making her role as a librarian a perfect match. But when a revolution disrupts her quiet existence, she must flee with her quirky sentient spider plant, Caz, and a handful of cherished books. Returning to her childhood island, Kiela discovers a landscape in decline, starved of the magic that once nourished it.

Determined to make a difference, she opens a spell shop, transforming from a reclusive, blue-skinned librarian into a beloved figure within her community. The whimsical world brims with diverse creatures—merhorses, flying cats, and adorable cloud-like bears—which adds an enchanting flair to Kiela’s journey.

While the cover is a visual delight, the pacing of the story leaned more toward slice-of-life than the cozy fantasy I typically enjoy. The stakes felt low, making it challenging to stay fully invested. However, Caz’s sassy antics were a saving grace, infusing humor into the narrative. Plus, the mouthwatering food descriptions—especially the cinnamon rolls—were a treat for the imagination.

Though it didn’t fully resonate with my reading preferences, this charming tale offers a warm, gentle escape for those who appreciate a slower-paced story. If you’re a fan of cozy worlds and character-driven narratives, Kiela’s adventure may just be the cozy escape you’ve been looking for.

This book was so good! I was sucked in immediately when I realized that Kiela was just as passionate about books as I am. A librarian who wants to spend all her time reading and researching is immediately a protagonist I want to succeed. From saving multiple crates of books from a revolutionary fire, to starting a new life on an island she half remembers, Kiela and Caz handle everything with so much energy it's great to see. I also loved the side characters, they all felt like they had their own lives to live and not like they were only there because of the story, but genuinely had things to do that just so happened to bring them in to the story. The pacing was also really enjoyable, and I finished this book so quickly because I wasn't able to put it down, that's how good it was! I want to know more about Kiela and Caz and Meep's lives on the island, how much better they've been able to make it with their "remedies" and what changes have been made now that the political situation has shifted. I also loved learning about the merhorses, and how they impact the health of the island. Honestly, all of the facts made my nerdy little heart so happy, mostly because I also just blurt out random facts when nervous. Not only do I want more, I want all my friends to read this so that we can all discuss our favorite bits.

This book had me at librarian and kept me engaged until the end. Kiela is quickly shown to be more than just a librarian lost in the stacks, although she doesn't seem to know it herself. Her desire to see see valuable knowledge saved and willingness to help others with that knowledge are what make her a compelling character. The community in which she finds herself is full of caring and close-knit, which makes it all the better to see Kiela earn their trust and connect with them. Fans of cozy fantasy and romance will not be disappointed. I would love to see this become a series as the world building and characters are grade A.

This was my very first cozy fantasy and I have to say the genre is not for everyone. I can see how people can adore this book but for me personally, it fell a bit flat and was quite boring at times.

Thank you @brambleromance and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted book and audiobook.

2.5 stars

Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it. I knew going into this that it was a cozy but it was… too much. What start off as an adorable story ended up feeling saccharine. I know that probably sounds ideal for a good light read but it was akin to eating too much [insert your favourite sweet here] and feeling sick after a while. Also, it was a little too long, by the 83% mark I was ready for it to be done. I may have dnf’d but I was buddy reading with @reliablebookgirl_rbg and wanted to finish it so I was grateful for the audio to help me along. Caitlin Davies was the narrator and nailed the sugary sweet tone of the story. If you’re in the mood for a hallmark style fantasy, then this one’s for you.

This was so cute. I loved it so much. Kiela's growth was amazing to see. I loved seeing her come out of her shell more and realize she wanted more. And Caz. Sweet and vicious Caz. He took the show. He had me cracking up multiple times. Very much looking forward to more from this author.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the earc in exchange for an honest review.

Fun cottagecore fantasy with some serious cosy vibes. A little thin on the ground in terms of character building (some of the folks start out flat and don't gain too much dimensionality as they go), but the world and creatures created are fantastic. Might benefit from a different format rather than prose - audio for some voice acting or graphic for the aesthetics. Would love to see a graphic novel adaptation of this.

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst is a delightful foray into a world brimming with magic, creativity, and adventure. The story follows a young witch determined to save her family’s struggling spellshop, weaving themes of resilience and self-discovery throughout. Durst’s writing is vibrant and engaging, painting a vivid picture of a fantastical realm filled with whimsical spells and memorable characters.

The balance of humor and heartfelt moments makes the narrative truly enjoyable, and the protagonist’s journey resonates with anyone striving to carve out their own path. With its clever twists and charming atmosphere, The Spellshop is a captivating read that will enchant fans of fantasy and magic alike.

5 stars! This book encapsulates everything I love about cozy family. All my favorites were included like found family, homespun magic and sentient animal companions (of a sort). I loved the setting and the characters! Sarah Beth Durst gave us a wonderful warm hug of a book that was perfect as a weekend read while snuggled up on the couch. I devoured this book in 2 days. I cannot wait for her 2025 release of The Enchanted Greenhouse about a character that is mentioned in The Spellshop, I already pre-ordered it for next July! The characters were so adorable and charming in The Spellhouse and the low stakes typical to cozy fantasy were just enough to keep me on the edge of my seat. Could not put this book down, highly recommend!

Books described as “cozy” have been hit and miss with me; however The Spellshop is simply delightful! I loved Kiela and her plant sidekick Caz! The townspeople are so fun and entertaining, and I think the points of tension within the story are interesting. Great read - especially for a fall evening!

If you are a fan of cozy reads with some whimsy and spells, this book is for you! It was a quick read that put me in the spirit of fall and cant wait for more in the series!

This was super fun! I liked the characters, the setting, and the plot. It did indeed feel a lot like a warm hug as intended and I appreciated that there were some actual stakes involved and that the problems weren't immediately solved. Overall, I really enjoyed this!

The best way I can describe this book is that it feels exactly like the experience of running around in the woods with my cousin when we were kids making “magic potions” out of leaves and berries. A very soft and gentle read where everything magically works out exactly the way it needs to.

I absolutely loved this book!! This should be the poster child for Cozy Cottagecore books. All of the characters are well developed, and where a pleasure to get to know.

If you like cozy fantasy you will be right at home!
This has all the cottagecore vibes you could ever want.
It's soft and magical, and honestly the vibes inside the book absolutely match the cover.
Love love love!

Gorgeous cover with a gorgeous book to match. I loved the world, loved the romance. Loved the cosy vibes, This absolutely hit the
Legends and Lattes spot.

Like the author mentioned in the acknowledgement reading this was like drinking a hot chocolate, comforting, warm, sweet and overall satisfying.
I got about half way through and took a few month break as I was a little bored while reading, it may have been the wrong book wrong time thing though. I found this dragged a bit and was a bit too long, half/1/3 of the book was set up and then the last quarter flew by with lots of things happening. I liked the side characters better than Keila the MC, I especially like Caz the sentient spider plant.
This book is perfect for fans of cozy fantasy to cozy up with a warm blanket on a cool fall day.