I absolutely loved this book. Its a whole world we weren't aware of. But the world building is second to the story. The author sprinkles in that part into the story. It's 100% a world you can melt into. 400% recommend.

If you are a fan of cozy fantasy and Legends and Lattes you will love this new series. It was a sweet sapphic low stakes story where no one dies and there’s a happy resolution to every problem that arises. Definitely a reprieve from the gut wrenching fantasy I’m accustomed to. It also boasts a queer normative and alternate gender inclusive society. Oh… and there’s dragons! While I can’t say I’m a huge fan of cozy fantasy it certainly makes for a great palette cleanser and I am intrigued to see what happens in the rest of the series. The next one has pirates!

This book was so heavy on the cozy vibes, it felt like a nice warm hug the whole time.
It took me a little to get engrossed in the book because I’m used to romance stories being focused on the start of the relationship and the conflict that happens there but this book starts after all that and the conflict comes from them trying to start their life together. This story is more about forming a lasting bond with someone and helping each other become the best versions of themselves. The conflict isn’t too harsh because it’s meant to be cozy not stressful, and the author plants a lot of seeds for future storylines which makes me excited to follow the series! I do want to include a warning that this story is not spicy at all, there is a lot of romance but no bedroom scenes. That also took a little getting used to but once I aligned my expectations I didn’t miss it.
It’s truly such a cute book, great if you want a little fantasy without dedicating yourself to a lot of world building. It’s just a cozy/comfy story of two women madly in love and dedicated to making each other’s dreams come true!
I did listen to the audiobook read by Jessica Threet and she did a wonderful job.

Audio 5 stars, storyline 3 stars - 4 stars. Thank You NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Rebecca Thorne.
The Audiobook released on 5/7/2024 and is narrated by Jessica Threet. This book is meant to be listened to, Jessica does a fantastic job. I loved all the character voices and it was easy to listen to. This is a cute cozy story with same sex relationships, Tea/book store, Griffins, Dragons, close knit township, Queens guards, Mages. Sign me up. First off I do wish the last chapter was chapter 1, as it would set up everything a lot more clearer. However with that said the book does seem unfinished which definitely leaves room for a sequel as there is a rumor that still needs to be sought out, the fake but real relationship for the Queens benefit, and the most disappointing cliff hanger the Dragons promise.

The book was recommended to me on TikTok, so I rushed through my phone in the hope of finding it on NetGalley. I was so excited. It evaporated like rain in the summer in Florida. This book gave me anxiety. The emotional roller coaster that the main characters are going through is not cozy at all. It seems that the book doesn't know what it wants to be. But definitely, I won't categorize it as a cozy fantasy. It's nothing but. Of course, there is not much action, but going through yet another existential conversation about the sense of their actions makes my head spin. Too much. If they pointed towards dealing with the trauma of letting go of something toxic but familiar, then I would be all for it. But here, it's just a tool for relationship drama.
I am not saying that overall this book is bad. The writing is good, and the audiobook is good. But it is not for me. I need essence. I need something to hang on to.

Absolute perfection. Aggressively 5 stars. This is the cozy fantasy book of the summer, and I loved every second of it.

The storyline was adorable. I loved the way Thorne seamlessly created a fantastical world, in such a way as to make it seem like the norm. Her characters are multidimensional, have flaws, are so human, while also not being entirely human.

Kianthe and Reyna’s story was beautiful. Full of the growing pains of a newer-ish couple, major life milestones, and unwavering love. Rebecca Thorne, in her fantasy world, tackles love, insecurity, fear, frustration, and passion. Something most readers can relate to. There’s a perfect mix of drama and intrigue, in the story, without getting too heavy.

This book is getting compared to Travis Baldree’s Legends and Lattes series (which I also loved!), but I don’t think that’s fair to Rebecca Thorne. Her writing style and authorial voice are so different and unique, and I don’t really think you can compare the two, outside of the shared genre. Thorne weaves a beautiful story, and stands on her own, and is going to be a leader in this genre!

In short, go grab a copy AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Throne is a cozy adjacent fantasy novel about a Queen's guard and a powerful mage dream to open a book and tea shop.

If you like the book Legends and Lattes by Trevis Baldree (a great book as well) but wished for something with more action but still cozy, this is the book for you. There are puns, dragons, magic, books, and tea, and it's sapphic!? What more could I ask for?

Personally I really enjoyed the already established relationship but I understand that may not be everyone's thing.

I am looking forward for the next in the series. Thank you Net Galley and Macmillian Audio for an arc of this audiobook.

I freaking loved this one!

I requested this one specifically because it was being compared to Legends & Lattes, which i adored. There's definitely a little more adventure and a lot more killing than in Legends & Lattes but I love that the sapphic romance was more at the center. And it was definitely still a cozy fantasy, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite genres.

I enjoyed this one so much, I already ordered a copy of the pretty edition with the sprayed edges so I can have it for my phsyical library (Target is having a sale on books). The second book apparently comes out this fall and I will definitely be getting it.

As for the narration, I liked the inflections and emotions the narrator expressed a lot. I would definitely listen to more audiobooks narrated by her. My only nitpick is I think her fake laugh was a bit awkward.

Unfortunately, I've decided to DNF this one. I made it 44% of the way in and I'm just not motivated to continue.

This actually started off incredibly well. I found the writing style to be very enticing and intriguing and I was really interested in the premise. Unfortunately, the book hit a plateau very quickly and there was absolutely no development in terms of the story or our characters. I didn't hate my time while listening, but I frequently found myself drifting off and switching to music which is never a good sign...

I would have been ok with a slow plotline if we had some character development, but that was lacking as well. We were introduced to some very interesting characters with intriguing backstories but nothing came of them. Nothing was done to really bring them to life and we were simply told things about them in a way that added nothing to the overall story.

This absolutely should have been shorter. I don't see any reason this story needed to be more than 200 pages and I really wish it had been a novella because I think I could have loved it. I should have finished this in about 6 days or less but after 5 days, I'm not even at the halfway point, so it's just time to move on.

My one positive note, though, is that the audio book is really well done.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I was truly the coziest fantasy I've ever read! The amount of domestic nesting between this bodyguard and the strongest witch in the land - oh my heart! I also loved the magic system and dragons. The narrator did a wonderful job on differentiating between the characters and her acting made me feel their love and the fear that they would lose each other in this quest that was both soft and cozy and defying an entire kingdom. I can't wait to read more in this world!!!

You Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea is a delightful, cozy, slightly fluffy (and I don’t at all mean that in a disparaging way!) fantasy read. I was given an audiobook ARC and actually think I enjoyed this even more than I would have if I’d simply read the physical book. The narration was well done and added to the whimsical nature of the story. Listening to this on my daily walks was a fun escape! Don’t go into this expecting some grand, high stakes epic fantasy with intricate world building (I don’t know why you would, since this is clearly marketed as a lighthearted, cosy read). I especially appreciate the romance between the two main characters. Seeing a committed (sapphic!) relationship continue to develop and navigate the ups and downs of learning to share a life with someone you love was truly refreshing.

The narrator here is absolutely lovely and tells the story so well.

This story waffles the line between cozy fantasy and normal fantasy - the stakes definitely err on the side of too high but I can see the marketing perspective and it didn't take away from the story for me as I saw the author's tiktoks about there being epic battles and it very much riding that line.

I did also feel the story showed a bit more than told. How often do you need to tell me you're in love. You can show me.

But otherwise, this was really good. I found the world interesting, I liked the pacing and was interested in wanting to know what happened next. I didn't feel any one character really grabbed me or made me super immersed, which is why I gave four stars. This was very good, fun, and I highly recommend it. But it wasn't something that worms into my brain and I know I will be thinking about for weeks to come.

I had been wanting to read Can't Spell Treason Without Tea book one in the Tomes & Tea series by Rebecca Thorne, so I was very excited when I was approved for an audiobook arc on Netgalley. Narrated by Jessica Threet, this was such a cozy fantasy treat!

“In the tradition of Legends & Lattes, comes a cozy fantasy steeped in sapphic romance about one of the Queen’s private guards and a powerful mage who want to open a bookshop and live happily ever after…if only the world would let them.”

The audiobook is 11 Hours, 26 Minutes and Threet does an excellent job. Each character had a unique voice so it was easy to follow. I would very much like to drink tea with Reyna and Kianthe and relax in their bookshop. This was a nice balance of cozyness and adventure. Reyna and Kianthe are a wonderful couple. @macmillan.audio

I listened to the Audiobook of this cozy fantasy and I absolutely loved it. It was the perfect thing to listen to while relaxing. I loved the relationship between Raina and K; it was sweet and endearing. There support of one another was relationship goals. I also loved that the main premise of this book is two women leaving their stressful jobs behind to start a tea and bookshop, a dream of my own for as long as I can remember. The supporting cast ensemble in the book also added to the cozy small town feel of this book. They really created that found family that I adore. All around great book.

Highlights:
✨Powerful Mage x Experienced Guard MCs
✨Cozy Fantasy
✨Tea & Book Lovers
✨Mythical Creatures
✨Sapphic Romance
✨Found Family

Favorite Quotes: “Run away with me. You like tea. I like books. Care to open a shop and forget the world exists?”

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

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio for this advanced copy. My opinions are my own.

This was such a cozy read. It was a charming, sweet, adventurous fantasy romance.
I wanted to like it more than I did. I didn't hate it. It was fine. It just won't go down in my list of must reads, or even really remember.
The narrator did a good job with it, I think either I just am not in the mood for fantasy or this wasn't the book for me because it didnt hold my attention the way I thought it would. I can't say I won't try to pick up a hard copy, because it is on my shelf so I will try again, but this storyline didn't hold my attention phonetically at all.

Oh how I wanted to love this one! The setting and characters are charming but the actual story was a miss for me. I found my mind wandering throughout the whole audio-book. There is a way to craft a low stakes, slow moving, cozy fantasy, that still remains engaging. Sadly, I do not feel that was achieved here.

***4.0 Stars***

Overall,
A lot of people equate this book with Travis Baldree's Legends and Lattes, Cozy low stakes fantasy. I do not think that I would put these stories quite in the same bucket. For one, there are stakes in this book. It does have a similar vibe of sapphic romance (very PG) and opening up a new shop. With that said the stories are quite different. I will say that if you liked Legends and Lattes you will enjoy this book. The book follows a treasonous guard and a mage who just want to run away together, open up a shop and live quite lives. Along the way they make some friends, have a couple adventures and find a found family where they feel like home.

Narration,
I listened to the audiobook for this story and I can say that it was very well done. I like the voice's for the characters, you could easily tell them apart.

Recommendation,
I would recommend this to people who do enjoy a cozyish fantasy with a bit more adventure. I will also say there are some things that are left uncovered that lead to a sequel. Not every question is answered in this book, and by the end you will not have closure on everything.

I really could not get into this audiobook narrated by Jessica Threet. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the narration (I did have trouble with some of the volume differences). It was actually probably the best thing about this book.

First of all, let me say that I saw the cover and the word "cozy" and didn't go far enough to see that it was fantasy. I'm not a fan of that genre. I figured a good story will still be a good story... Yeah, I could have done with part of the beginning and then part of the end. The middle of the story was just way too long and really wasn't interesting enough.

I always feel really bad when I leave a less than positive review, but I just could not make myself enjoy this.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio, Google Play and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

Thanks you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Rebecca Thorne for the complementary audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

I honestly enjoyed this sapphic cozy romantasy.

Following Reyna, a runaway queen's guard and her girlfriend Kianthe. a powerful mage, as they attempt to create a quiet new life for themselves. They decide to leave the Queendom, settle in a small town, and open a tea shop/bookstore. Little did they know, that settling into this lifestyle would not be so easy.

This book has all of my favorites: mystery, romance, magic, griffins, dragons, clever banter, and strong female main characters. Rebecca Thorne did a bang-up job of writing Reyna and Kianthe's story, I felt like I was watching two friends navigate the new level their relationship has taken and the realization of just how differently they saw themselves as opposed to how their partner saw them. I could see the war interior and smell the shop, with various tea blends and baked goods wafting in the air.

Grab your favorite tea blend, comfy socks, and sweater, and wrap yourself in Can't Spell Treason without Tea!

*3 stars*

This was a fun, queer, cozy fantasy. The world was interesting and the characters had a lot of potential.

I would have liked more chemistry between the two main characters, their relationship felt a little thin and I wanted a little more. The world and magic were interesting but barely explored. The plot was somewhat compelling but I think in the end it was a little too action packed to be cozy and a little too slow in parts to keep my attention. I would have liked a slower plot with more character development and a more fleshed out world. This wasn’t bad, it just didn’t work for me.

The narration was great, each character was pretty unique sounding and I really liked the narrator.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ALC of this work. All opinions in this review are my own.