Genre: Fantasy

Format: Audio

4🌟 - I liked it!

Thank you @brambleromance for the beautiful #gifted copy and @macmillan.audio for the complimentary audio!

This was the ultimate cozy summer cottagecore book! I truly felt swept away in this little magical island 🏝️ full of a memorable and fun cast of characters, a dash of romance, and magic brimming within the pages.
It made me crave jam and pastries 🥐 immediately!

It had found family, friendship, and a low-stakes but entertaining plot! This whole book feels like a warm hug and was just the mood I was in at the time!

If you’re a fan of Legends and Lattes, run to get this one!

Wholesome, heartwarming, and cozycore to the max!

Magical, wonderful, wholesome, delightful, cozy, heartwarming, lovely, adorable, etc etc etc!!!!

Kiela was a librarian at the capital, very dedicated and content with her job. But the uprising revolution eventually arrived at the library doorstep and the only choices she had was to burn along with the library, or to flee. She chose the later, bringing “only” 5 crates of library books (that were mostly spell books) & supplies and her assistant, a sentient spider plant. And the only destination she could think of was her childhood home, a tiny & remote island called Caltrey.

And so she rebuilt her life, one step at a time.

Kiela was a lovely MC, and i can relate to her. The Caltreyans were amazing folks. The magic system was simple yet intriguing, the magical elements were abundant yet blended nicely. The general vibe was truly cozy, the plot was low-stakes but still interesting enough to keep me eagerly turning the pages. For the setting, it really represented by the cover: warm and whimsical cottagecore, with beautiful landscapes. And of course i want to give a special shout-out to CAZ, THE SPIDER PLANT. He’s truly a diva and must be protected at all cost😭♥️

The list could go on and on but I think that represented my main points already, so. If there’s “imperfections” I didn’t notice it, all overshadowed by the goodness 🥹 love love love it

I had the absolute pleasure of reading an ARC of The Spellshop and I adored it so much!! One of the coziest most magical books. Reading this book felt like eating a freshly baked warm gooey chocolate chip cookie. With jam.

The world building just kept becoming more and more enchanting with the various creatures. Caz the spider plant assistant to the librarian is just the tip of the iceberg of lovable creatures that’ll steal your heart. Loved every single character and the diversity and found family and romance. I don’t want to say much more because not knowing what’s next is part of the magic. Though beware, reading this one may cause intense cravings for jam.

Many thanks to @brambleromance @torbooks and @netgalley for my #gifted (free) copy. Out now!

Look at that cover!!!! The second I saw that cover, I knew I had to read this and escape to that beautiful cottage! I have never read a cozy fantasy book ever, and I am SO happy I stepped out of my comfort zone to try something new. This book was absolutely incredible! The characters, the cottage, the fantasy animals, the ambiance of the whole book, just everything about this book I loved, I never wanted it to end. THE SPELLSHOP is out now, so I definitely recommend heading to your local bookstore right now to get it!

The Great Library of Alyssium is everything to Kiela. She lives and works there until the revolution begins, and she and her assistant Caz (a spider plant) are forced to leave because the library is on fire. Kiela has no other option but to return to her late parents' old cottage in Caltrey, a small, seaside town with three cobblestone streets. So she takes as many books as she can, including all the magical spell books. She just wants to be left alone, but she needs food, and the townspeople will not leave her alone, including her handsome neighbor. The town is lacking on a lot of essentials it needs to survive, but Kiela is scared to reveal the spell books that she has, so she opens up a jam shop. As she grows closer to the people and town of Caltrey, will she be able to help this town thrive again? Caz was my absolute favorite, I promise you, you will fall in love with this whole set of characters and animals.

4 -⭐⭐⭐⭐

“You had a tomato in there?”
“You never know when you’ll need one.”
“I think you really do know…How many tomato emergencies do you encounter?”

The Spellshop is an adult cosy romantasy standalone following librarian Kiela and her assistant, Caz, a sentient spider plant.

For the last ten years, Kiela has worked at the capital city's library protecting and cataloguing magical tomes. When a revolution ends up taking out the reigning monarch, Kiela, in a desperate attempt to protect the magic within the library, escapes with Caz and five crates of magical books. Not knowing where she should go, she decided to return to her old self and start trying to build something in the place of her youth. She soon discovers that magic that was once plentiful has been stripped back and is threatening the way of life in her small island town. To save the island she needs magic and what better way to do this sneakily than to open a jamp shop. Throw in an adorable neighbour and a bunch of sweet villagers and you have yourself a journey Kiela will never forget!

I had a lot of fun with these characters. Kiela is headstrong but compassionate as she tries to not only rebuild her life on her own but also help her community. Part of her journey is learning to accept help and it is a bit of a struggle for our girl.

Caz is an assistant who truly is an amazing side character that adds humour and support that Kiela desperately needs. He has no qualms with starting things and his willingness to go to bat for Kiela endears me so much.

Larran is the adorable neighbour who runs a merhouse farm. He tries so hard to connect and win over Kiela from the beginning that gave me such cinnamon roll energy. I found him to be such an easy character to connect with because he is awkward in the sweetest of ways. We as the readers see how he is trying to impress Kiela but it is going right over her head.

There are additional side characters that really help open up this world from me that I wanted to acknowledge. This book shined through the interpersonal relationship and I could not get enough of the village banter...BUT what really stole the show was Meep. He is MVP and you need to read about him.

"These aren't flaws. They're just... you. And I like you. Very much."

This book has no spice in it. There is some kissing but the romance is a slow burn. It gave me Hallmark movie style vibes with a larger "let's save the island" vibe. I found Larran and Kiela to be adorable together with banter and awkwardness. Think of it as a cherry on top.

The story itself is light-hearted with low stakes. I felt Kiela's inner journey to find her place really was the prime push of the story but we also explore spirits in the forest, revitalizing a town, and dealing with the impact of the revolution spilling into the islands. The banter was a delight, the twists and turns, the use of illegal magic for jam making, and the exploration of the character's pasts really helped open this world up for me and I had a blast. The ending is cheesy but in the way this book needed.

Overall if you want cosy romantasy this book will be exactly what you want!

Thank you Bramble for this arc!

Sarah Beth Durst's The Spellshop is like a Hallmark rom-com filled with mythical creatures. This cottagecore fantasy follows an unexpected journey through the low-stakes market of illegal spell-selling and the high-risk business of starting over. This is the authors first foray into romantasy. As a librarian, Kiela Orobidan had become increasingly withdrawn from social contact, especially after her parents died.

Thankfully, as a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she and her assistant, Caz—a magically sentient spider plant—have spent the last decade sequestered among the empire’s most precious spellbooks, preserving their magic for the city’s elite. When a revolution begins and the library goes up in flames, she and Caz flee with all the spellbooks they can carry and head to a remote island Kiela never thought she’d see again: her childhood home of Caltrey, where she was born and still owns the cottage she inherited from her deceased parents.

Taking refuge there, Kiela discovers, much to her dismay, a nosy—and very handsome—neighbor, Larran Maver, who can’t take a hint and keeps showing up day after day to make sure she’s fed and to help fix up her new home. In need of income, Kiela identifies something that even the bakery in town doesn’t have: jam. With the help of an old recipe book her parents left her and a bit of illegal magic, her cottage garden is soon covered in ripe berries.

But magic can do more than make life a little sweeter, so Kiela risks the consequences of using unsanctioned spells and opens the island’s first-ever and much needed secret spellshop. Unsanctioned use of this knowledge is strictly forbidden and severely punished, however, and the danger of discovery turns pressing when another woman (Radane) arrives on the island, claiming to be an imperial investigator. But who is she really?

To survive in very different conditions she realizes that she must learn to be ‘a person who takes risks’, and these include trusting others, as well as making use of the magic spells contained in the books she has saved which leads to the creation of Meep, a cactus like character who is gender confused. It helps when she begins to have a small group of friends who seem not only protective of her, but eventually form a sort of coven.

*Thoughts* This was more entertaining than I realized until I started reading. It's definitely on the side of being a rom-com or cozy romance. This is a magical world in which fantastic creatures abound. Kiela has blue skin and blue hair, Caz is a sentient spider plant; mermaids and merhorses swim in the seas; centaurs and four-armed harpists frequent the village bakery, whose owner has antlers and a body covered in soft downy fur; and in the forest cloud bears drift around. The relationship between Kiela and Larran strengthens to the point where Kiela fights to protect the merhorses which have been raised by Larran since he was a child. Definitely recommended.

A librarian on the run returns to her childhood home and begins a new life filled with new friendships, cottagecore fun, and a sweet neighbor who she's falling for. Kiela is an introvert, she's never liked dealing with people and has been content to work alone with just her talking plant assistant... but when her job as a librarian is jeopardized and she is forced to go on the run, where better to hide than her old childhood home. Kiela takes the books that she can and returns to her home to start a new... but that means being forced to talk to her neighbors, make friends with the townsfolk, and actually having to try and socialize as well as set up a shop and fix her old home. While using unsanctioned spells is illegal and could spell out trouble for her, Kiela can't help but want to make things better and use some magic. The more time she begins to spend making friends and socializing the more she is beginning to realize that she doesn't want to be alone anymore and that sometimes a little magic can go a long way. This definitely was a cozy fantasy that would be perfect for fans of Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing. Its a slow day to day kind of vibe where you get to see the character make their home, interact with villagers, and work. Theres a bit of romance but not a lot, and if you like slow cozy fantasies such as Legends and Lattes then I think this would be perfect for you!

Release Date: July 9,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group | Bramble for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This book had alllll the best cozy, cottagecore, Miss Honey magic vibes, and I couldn’t get enough of it. It’s perfect for anyone who’s looking to escape into a new world for a little bit, without any overly tense or emotional twists and turns. I’d truly consider this the perfect cozy fantasy. It ticked all the boxes as well- plot, characters, pacing. A true home run for me. I’ll definitely read more from this author and I’ll be revisiting this book come autumn as well!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This was wonderfully cozy and delightful. It had all the ghibli vibes I needed right now. I just loved this. I can't stop grinning it was so cute and I want to dive into this world and hang out with merhorses and eat cinnamon buns. If you want something that will just feel warm and lovely, then read this book.

This book is like a warm hug filled with hidden magic, a wholesome cast of characters, and all the cozy, cottagecore vibes that made me fall effortlessly in love with this whimsical story.

On the run, Kiela, Caz (her magical spider plant best friend), and their spellbooks flee from a brewing revolution to take refuge in Kiela’s childhood coastal village, where she starts fresh by making jam and magical “remedies” for the townspeople. As she grows to find her place in this new way of life, Kiela discovers there’s a lot more heart and happiness in her little cottage full of jam and books than she ever could have imagined.

Ah, my heart!! This was the perfect warm and lighthearted read that made me smile from ear to ear! I loved seeing all the magical creatures—from talking plants to cloud bears to mermaids (and merbabies!) to the adorable winged cats—every aspect of this vibrantly colored tale seemed to leap off the page. It felt like a Disney story mixed with a nostalgic, cozy tale, and I just adored it. I especially loved how much Kiela grew and stepped out of her comfort zone while creating a found family and home of her own.

This book is definitely for those who love a sweet, happy read with a dash of magic and romance.

4.5/5

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

For pure escapism, nothing beats entering a world where merhorses exist alongside people and other mythical creatures! I loved this book and it kept me reading waaay past my bedtime!

This was everything I needed it to be. It was sweet, cozy, heartwarming, and left me with a smile. As a library worker myself, I really related to Kiela and Caz, and their relationship was so cute!! Larran is the greenest flag that ever waved, and the only thing I would change is that I wish SO HARD to have gotten some of his pov to understand his past with Kiela. All in all, it was a delight to read, and I will be recommending it to everyone....but especially librarians 😘

This book is honestly the definition of cozy fantasy - but honestly I didn’t connect with the characters as well as I feel like I should have.

The pacing was alright and I liked the overall plot but the characters actions and development was definition not for me

I can see how those who enjoy other similar titles (Secret Society of Irregular Witches, TJ Klune, etc) would really love it though and should definitely give it a shot

Thank you to @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for the #gifted ALC of this book

The Spellshop is the coziest fantasy romance ever. It is a cottage-core dream. We follow Kiela, an introverted, spell-casting, jam-making librarian, as she flees a corrupt capital with rescued spell books. After fleeing the capital, Kiela quickly turns her family’s forgotten cottage into a picturesque Jam shop. She is very introverted and socially awkward, so it was difficult for her to adjust to life outside her library at first. With the help of the kind and inviting townspeople, Kiela slowly comes out of her shell and finds her place in her new home.

I loved how clueless Kiela was when it came to Larran’s intentions. He was head over heels for her and she didn’t know what was going on half the time. He was so thoughtful and kind. I loved seeing their relationship blossom.

I was in heaven the second Caz, the sentient spider plant, was introduced. He was adorable!! Then, we also get Meep!! The sweet little cactus. All they say is “meep” and I nearly died from cuteness overload. I was a little confused as to why everyone would make a big deal about a talking spider plant when there are so many fantastical creatures throughout the story, but I accepted it and enjoyed the ride.

The stakes are very low in this story. Perfect for when you want a break from darker fantasy and want something sweet and relaxing. Caitlin Davies has the perfect voice for a cozy witchy romance. I’ve listened to her books before and loved them all. The audio version of this book was great. 🩷 This was a cute story and I’m happy to have had a chance to read it.

The Spellshop is a cozy fantasy that will transport you to a whimsical island full of heart, found family and mythological beings!

To me this book was like drinking a warm cup of coffee while sitting in my garden reading a favorite book!

Read this if you love:
🌼Cottagecore vibes
🌼Found family
🌼Fun sidekick characters. In this case, a brave spider plant named Caz.
🌼Sweet romance with “cowboy” neighbor-Who raises merhorses 🤩
🌼Small town vibes but on a magical island!
🌼Love of books
🌼FMC personal growth throughout the story
🌼Magical spells using nature

This is the perfect book to read anytime you are looking for something light hearted, cozy and sweet. Highly recommend!

This cozy fantasy was a perfect comfort read!

Librarian Kiela flees a rebellion in the city, sailing away with crates of spellbooks and her plant companion, and ends up returning to the island where she was born. She is initially worried about getting too close to the others on the island, but after encountering a kind, handsome fisherman and a friendly bakery, she begins to build connections with her community and wants to help them. But what if helping her newfound community means putting herself at risk?

While it has been many years since I read "Howl's Moving Castle" by Diana Wynne Jones, it sometimes reminded me of that favorite book. I would recommend this book to fans of cozy fantasy (or other cozy genres like cozy mysteries or cozy games) or fans of Hallmark movies.

This book made me feel like I was wrapped up in a. Warm blanket on a fall day. The absolute coziest vibes with romance and fantasy elements. The description of scenery was so dreamy and I want to move myself to a cottage in a magical island immediately.

This is my first foray into the cozy fantasy scene, and it did not disappoint. The Spellshop feels like a warm hug. Grab a blanket and a cup of your favorite warm drink, and cuddle up for a heartfelt adventure. 

The Spellshop is the perfect blend of coziness, a small-town setting, fun fantasy elements, and a heart-warming romance.

Kiela, our protagonist, is used to living a quiet life in a library with her best friend, Caz, a sentient snake plant. After rebellion hits the city, they flee to her childhood home on an island with spellbooks in tow. Once they settle on the island, Kiela must learn to interact with people again and put herself out there. Kiela is a quiet, kind, cautious person. She’s lived a fairly sheltered life, but now she’s forced to leave her comfort zone in several ways. I enjoyed watching Kiela stumble at first when she moved to the island. Her character grows from the start of the book. 

Let’s be honest. The real scene-stealer is Caz. I adore him. He made me laugh so much! You have to read this book for him alone. 

Can I move to Caltrey? Please? Where do I sign up? I would also like to live in a cozy cottage with a sentient snake plant and fall in love with a merhorse herder. That sounds delightful. 

If you’re looking for a cute book that will make you smile from ear to ear, pick up this book!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bramble Romance for sending me an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was so good!! It was literally the perfect cozy lower stakes fantasy. I feel like cozy fantasy can sometimes be hit or miss but this was such a hit. I loved the spider plant so much and the mer horses it was just so incredibly unique and different. I’ve never read anything like it even in the realm of cozy fantasy. I loved the little romance as well it didn’t overtake the plot. Would for sure recommend this!

Thank you NetGalley and Bramble for the ARC! Librarian Kiela and her sentient spider plant Caz flee the library with their special collection of magic books while the rest of the stacks burn behind them during a political revolution. Fearing the repercussions, Kiela escapes to her childhood home on a remote island. As she readjusts to a quiet life in hiding, Keila comes to understand the importance of magic on the people, but how can she share the knowledge and magic found within her books, while keeping herself safe from those in power? With a great and varied cast of characters, The Spellshop, while containing some tension and threats, is as warm and welcoming as a familiar hug or a comfy warm drink on a cold day. Perfect for fans of cozy fantasy.