Sadly, this book was a bit of a letdown. The description checks all the boxes for a cozy fantasy- set in a magical world, a bookshop that serves tea, a queer romance - but the stakes were too high to feel cozy and the characters were too irritating to want to spend too much time with. This would have been improved if it was trimmed down to novella length.

I can see why others rave about this cozy fantasy, but I found it a bit slow and meandering. This made it perfect fare for a nighttime sleep hygiene wind down, but if you want something to make your heart race until 2am look elsewhere. Don’t get me wrong I will absolutely be reading the next volume when it comes out and would happily recommend it to friends looking for comforting chicken soup in book form

This audio was just perfect! It made me feel like I just fell right into the story and was amongst the characters. It is not often that an audio book has that effect over me as I listen to many books this way but this one accomplished this effortlessly!

There was so much hype surrounding this title, but it did not live up to it. here's my succinct review: This is not cozy fantasy.

I adore this book. It gave me everything I look for in a cozy adventure. I was invested in the characters and wanted to visit their shop for a cozy cup of tea.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

4.5/5 ⭐️

"I thought all stories needed heart-pounding action, but that one proved me wrong. You're right; the princess lives her best life by abandoning it all."

I first read and fell in love with this story as the indie published version and I'm so happy to say that holds true and then some for the trad pub re-release. I love this sapphic cozy story. Kianthe and Reyna are such fun characters that you can't help loving them both and laughing along with them. They love each other so fiercely while simultaneously being strong powerful women it's truly just *chef's kiss*. Like come on, the most powerful mage and an ex-queensguard who is very adept at hiding multiple knives on her person? Perfection. This story combines both moments of high stakes with also the overall feeling and dreams of a cozy fantasy.

I ended up tandem reading both the audio and physical book. The narration is excellently done with the tones and cadences fitting the individual characters so well. The narration style has a very storyteller feel to it as well. It doesn't feel as if words are simply being read off a page to you but there is an element of performance to the characters as well.

Overall if you want to read a sapphic cozy fantasy about a couple who just wants to open a tea and book shop with high stakes, found family, and tea puns then you definitely need to check this book out! I mean who doesn't want to forget your daily troubles and run away to open a bookshop?

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea is the perfect audiobook companion for an afternoon curled up on the couch with knitting and a cup of tea. A wonderful new voice in the cozy fantasy genre!

A cute little fantasy romance with slice of life vibes. I loved the characters and the narrator was awesome with her voices. Not sure if we need a sequel, but still a good story.

*Can’t Spell Treason Without T* by Rebecca Thorne is an absolute delight! This cozy fantasy novel is filled with warmth, wit, and a charming found family that will steal your heart. The story weaves together the perfect mix of magic, tea, and treason, creating a light-hearted adventure that’s as comforting as a cup of your favorite brew. The characters are endearing, and the bonds they form feel genuine and heartfelt. If you’re looking for a cute and cozy read that leaves you with a smile, this book is a must!

I tried listening to this book several times and while the narrator was fun to listen to I couldn't get invested in the story. I got to 70% before I decided to DNF it because I wasn't invested. I do think that others who like fantasy and slower moving stories would enjoy this.

What a beautiful and heartwarming story. I loved the banter between the characters and the writing was incredibly hilarious at times. This is a cozy fantasy for sure but the plot and setup had me intrigued. I'm curious about what will happen next. I adored the narration of this book as well.

I could see the in between a cozy fantasy and a bit of adventure.
Sometimes I was confuse on who was talking but by chance I had a physical copie of the book
before it was edited. The voice actor was really good and let me be transported in the universe.
I can't wait to read the sequel!

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea (Tomes and Tea #1)
Written by Rebecca Thorne
Read by Jessica Threet
Book 63/250
Genre: Fantasy (Cozy)
Format: ARC, Physical, Digital, Audio
Pages/Time: 438/11hr 26min
Published: 2022, R: May 7, 2024
Rating: 7.5/10
Narration: 9/10

“It was a dangerous thing, mistaking relaxation for boredom.”

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea is a relaxing cozy fantasy in the vein of Legends and Lattes, with a promising future on the horizon. When I say this book is “in the vein of Legends and Lattes,” I mean that it is extremely similar to the Travis Baldree’s book. If you did like that one, I would recommend giving this one a read as well, because, while it is similar, the hints at the future books (two of which have release dates) are sure to deviate into a new and exciting direction.

All in all, CSTWT is fun and cozy, with sorcerers, dragons, swordfights, and romance. It is delightful from beginning to end and I definitely recommend it for anyone that enjoys cozy fantasy.

I really enjoyed the narrator. I just couldn’t get into this one. I listened to it for a good portion of the book. It was just very boring to me. I love that it was a sapphic romance and had cozy vibes.
Thank you NetGalley

Reyna is a Queen’s guard that runs away from her job after being taken hostage and having the fact that the Queen doesn’t care for her even as she dedicated her life to her as has the rest of her family that has died in service to her. Kianthe is a powerful wizard and the secret lover of Reyna. With Reyna leaving the queendom in secret, Kianthe joins her for some quiet time in starting a life together hiding from the Queen and Kianthe ducking everyone that wants to use her power for things they can do themselves. Of course, they have to deal with spies from the Queendom and set up a tea shop/ book store in peace. Of course, this doesn’t always work out and there are some hurdles to be taken care of. A nice lower stakes fantasy story of lovers finally getting together and settling down.

I cannot avoid mentioning another very popular book I really enjoyed when reviewing this book: Legends & Lattes. The similarities are too blatant. Just want to put that out there first....

The narrator's voice may have been a contributing factor to my not enjoying this book as much as I would've expected to. Her voice is professional and she does a good job of differentiating the characters, but hers is just not a voice that I like to listen to as much as others. I realize this is a me-problem and will re-read this as a regular book.

I did enjoy certain aspects: descriptions of tea, the way the townsfolk accepted the newcomers so quickly, developing relationships and friendships.

However, I feel that it started off kind of boring (to me) and a lot of the political back and forth sort of made me zone out.

I love cozy fantasy and read it all the time. One issue that I sometimes have is that the stakes are not high enough. This book definitely did not have that issue. While it had all of the amazing cozy vibes that made me just want to live in the world, it was also tense and had some fantastic action scenes.

I was in love with the characters, their struggles, and the location. The magic system was incredibly interesting and I would love to see more about it in the coming books.

I will absolutely be continuing this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

A fun tale of setting out on your own to chase your dreams and live a quiet fulfilling life. Felt like a cozy D&D game. Great audiobook!

This is a blend of cozy fantasy and action-packed adventure. Reyna, a former Queen’s guard, and Kianthe, the most powerful mage in existence, leave their demanding lives behind to open a bookshop that serves tea in a charming little town. The story follows their attempt to build a peaceful life while navigating mysteries and the wrath of a vengeful queen.

The little community’s warmth is palpable and I enjoyed learning about those who lived there. The two main characters are interesting and I enjoyed the story.

What I like most about cozy books is that they typically revolve around the characters. Most of them that I've read take the time to deepen relationships and the lower stakes allow for that. The romance between Reyna and Kianthe, while sweet and enjoyable, feels underdeveloped. Starting with an already well-established relationship meant that there was less room for growth. Especially because the two characters often find themselves separated, focusing on their individual tasks. It feels like it limited their on-page interactions and relationship development.

Despite the increased amount of action and peril, they are resolved with minimal bloodshed (and perhaps too much convenience), and the story mostly maintains its cozy charm.

Overall, Can't Spell Treason Without Tea is a fun and cozy read with an edge of action and peril. While it may not delve deeply into character development or relationship growth, it offers an enchanting escape into a world where books, tea, and a touch of magic come together in a charming tale. I had a fun time and the audiobook was well-narrated.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC and Macmillan for the physical copy. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review.