This Spellshop is a cozy romance fantasy that’s perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes. This story follows introverted librarian Kiela and her sentient spider plant through an adventure that unfolds like a cozy video game and reads like a warm hug. The book opens with the Great Library of Alyssium going up in flames and Kiela fleeing to a faraway island where she spent her childhood. There she opens a spell shop to help restore the island's power, meeting a lovely cast of characters along the way. Not only will Kiela challenge herself to come out of her shell a bit more, she may just find that in pursuing new things, she finds more of herself in the process. This sweet read came out in July, but is the PERFECT fall read with its quaint setting, amazing characters, and of course some romance for good measure. The audiobook narration was enjoyable and enhanced the story overall.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an Advance Listeners Copy(is that what it's called?)

I'm not sure if I would call this a romantasy, though the romance was cute (and he respects her boundaries and independence! He's a keeper). This is 100% a cozy fantasy, and it's very well done. It's the sort of cozy where a tight-knit community can be found family, and your foe can become your ally with the power of friendship and kindness. It's almost cloyingly sweet at times, but that's more of my preference as a reader. If you like cozy fantasies, this fits the bill.

Is there anything cuter than a walking, talking, sentient spider plant as a travel buddy? I don't think so. This book isn't a dramatic epic tale but is warm and tugs at your heart. It was written with such a love of books in mind that it drew me right in. The characters are loveable and memorable and filled with goodness. This is a comfort read from page one.

“It wasn’t that she didn’t like people, it was that she liked books better.”

“You want us to build a new life based on jam?!”

Kiel’s flees her life as a librarian during a tumultuous time in her home of Alyssium. Along with her assistant, Caz (a spider plant given human qualities as the result of a magic spell) she smuggles out as many spell books as she can handle. They settle on an island full of interesting characters in the hopes of creating a new life.

This book was absolutely adorable! I loved the cozy, magical vibes and the audio was very enjoyable. The characters were interesting, funny, and the love story was sweet. I definitely recommend picking up this one!

Thank you to @macmillan.audio for a copy of this ALC!

4.5⭐️

Absolutely charming and whimsical. This was one of my favorite cozy magical fantasy reads of the year so far. I enjoyed the magical creatures, the funny nature of Kiela and Caz figuring out the spells to help the trees. The found family aspect was done so well. The cute little romance between Kiela and Larran, it was sweet all the not a huge focus of the book. Kiela is absolutely the most introverted introvert that every was, but I loved seeing her open up to her new friends and grow to rely on the town and its people.

The best best best part of this whole book were Caz and Meep....both sentient plants!!! I want a Meep so badly!!

I would highly recomenend the audiobook version of this book. It was a joy to listen too.

**** spoiler/plot hole****




There was a a plot hole in this story that just got under my skin. There is a moment later in the book when Kiela believes she needs to hide Caz, Meep and the books in the cave because "the imperial investigator" hasn't seen the setient plant....but that isn't true. She sees Caz when Kiela goes to Larran's to help the merehorse who has storm sickness. Caz is there and talks to Radane to try to distract her. So she has already seen and talked to the setient plant.

I received this audiobook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is so cute!! I you like The Phoenix Keeper, You Can't Spell Treason Without Tea, or Legends and Lattes I think you will love this book.

We follow Kiela, a librarian at the Great Library, as she rescues books from burning in a fire started by the revolution. Kiela flees, along with her sentient spider plant, to a small island where she grew up. Keila develops strong relationships with the townsfolk, as well as a romance with her neighbor. This story is as sweet as the jam Keila sells to hide her use of magic.

I can't wait for the next installments in this series.

"The Spellshop" by Sarah Beth Durst is an enchanting and heartwarming romantasy that seamlessly blends magic, whimsy, and self-discovery. Following Kiela, a reclusive librarian with a complicated past, the story weaves a delightful tale of stolen spellbooks, a sentient spider plant named Caz, and an unlikely new beginning on a magical island. As Kiela navigates the chaos of a revolution and the challenges of starting over, Durst creates a vibrant world full of quirky characters, a burgeoning romance, and the high stakes of illegal spellmaking. What truly makes "The Spellshop" shine is its cozy, cottagecore atmosphere—a sweet blend of magical mishaps, cinnamon rolls, and found family that’s perfect for anyone craving an uplifting fantasy with a touch of charm and tenderness.

A story about an introverted librarian & her talking spider plant... YES PLEASE!

This book is what I want out of a cozy fantasy!

The story has the right amount of coziness, with high enough stakes to keep the story interesting and the plot engaging.

Oh, and don't forget about the cute slow-burn romantic subplot.

*chefs kiss*

To me, this wasn’t a cozy read. There was too much action to be considered cozy. Kiela’s character growth was artificial, and I dislike it when characters tell the reader that they’ve changed. That’s something that should be shown to the audience, not told. The romance was weak. The main guy was so perfect that he was unrealistic. Because I like the author and genre, this was a disappointment.

The reader, Caitlin Davies, was good.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* I LOVED this book! i was so sad when it ended!!! something i will reread and im buying it for my mom for a gift too lol

This is a cozy romantasy read! It was a bit long, but I enjoyed the story as a whole! Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen in exchange for a review!

"Spellshop" by Sarah Beth Durst is a delightful gem, perfect for readers who enjoy both fantasy and romance. The story follows Kiela, a librarian, and her assistant, Caz—a sentient spider plant—as they escape a revolution and find refuge in Kiela's childhood home.

The novel expertly blends magic and romance, showcasing a unique and captivating world with an intriguing magic system. The relationship between Kiela and Caz is central to the story, evolving from colleagues to friends and beyond. Quirky supporting characters, including eccentric townsfolk and a mysterious love interest, add depth to the narrative.

Overall, "Spellshop" is an engaging read for fantasy and romance enthusiasts. Durst's storytelling skills make you root for Kiela and Caz throughout their journey, resulting in a highly recommended, heartwarming tale.

A cute and cozy fantasy novel! The world of The Spellshop is one you would love to fall into - talking plants, jam magic making sessions, and so many magical creatures! This book left a smile on my face and was an enjoyable surprise to read.

A perfectly charming take on the secret-magic trope; in a world where the practicing of magic has been limited to a select few, one (ex-) librarian - with the help of her sentient plant - tries to heal her childhood home just a little bit with the help of the books she's saved from rebellion, thereby defying the empire herself in her own small way. The characters are universally adorable and interesting, the romance is lovely though not overly-centered, and the sentient plants and bits of magic add so much atmosphere. This is a book that drops you right into the middle of a magical system without being jarring, an honestly impressive feat. I was immediately wrapped in and anyone who enjoys these type of stories will love this one

The Spellshop is the cutest cozy mystery / romance fantasy. I loved how whimsical Kiela's world is. At first I was a bit annoyed that she talked to her plant a lot, but it definitely grew on me. This was totally just a comfort listen and it's easy to see why it was up for a Goodreads Award. I am looking forward to book two as well. Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillion audio for this audio arc. I really enjoyed Caitlin Davies narration. She really felt with what I imaged Kiela to be. I'd highly recommend this audiobook!

This book is a captivating and immersive read that hooks you from the first page. The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and strong character development that makes the story come alive. The plot is well-paced, balancing moments of tension with quieter, reflective scenes that allow the characters to grow. The themes explored are deep and thought-provoking, resonating long after the final page. Whether it's the emotional depth, the twists and turns of the plot, or the unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys rich, engaging stories. Highly recommended for fans of fantasy.

Didn't quite have the magic I was looking for. I felt a little distanced from the story and the characters, and I didn't really love Caz. I'm all for a sentient plant. It just didn't really... behave the way I would have expected. I don't regret reading it, but it wasn't the next Legends & Lattes I was looking for.

Beautifully written and wonderfully narrated. I loved every moment of this cozy, magical, witchy read. I absolutely cannot wait for book 2!!

Sadly, I was really disappointed by this cozy fantasy, despite all the hype surrounding it. The plot sounded like something I’d love, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a fantastic job with the character voices, but even her performance couldn’t redeem the story for me. That said, I did appreciate that the book included no language or spice. To note, there are gay side characters and a sentient cactus uses they/them pronouns—a quirky touch that didn’t resonate with me but may appeal to others.

The world itself was enchanting, filled with whimsical fantasy elements and magical creatures. It felt like stepping into a cozy video game, which I can see appealing to fans of that style. The author’s creativity and imagination really shone, and I enjoyed the found family dynamics between the characters.

However, while the premise was interesting, the execution felt flat. The story didn’t captivate me, and I found myself bored for much of it. It took longer than expected to finish because I wasn’t invested. The characters lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them or care about their journeys. The narrative felt disjointed, with scenes resembling disconnected video game quests rather than a cohesive story.

The pacing was another issue—it was slow, with overly detailed descriptions and long paragraphs that I ended up skimming. Without a strong overarching goal or engaging plot, the book felt too long and could have benefited from tighter editing. As for the romance, while it was present, it lacked chemistry and wasn’t central to the story. I’d classify this as more fantasy than romantasy.

Despite my disappointment, there were elements I enjoyed. It’s undeniably cozy, heartwarming, and charming, with moments of humor. My favorite character was Caz, the sentient spider plant who acts like a mix of a loyal pet and a quirky friend to Kiela. His antics made me laugh out loud and brought much-needed levity to the story.

If you’re a fan of slow-paced, whimsical cozy fantasies, you might enjoy this book. But if you’re looking for depth, action, or a gripping plot, you may want to skip this one. While this wasn’t a new favorite for me, I might give the author another try to see if her other works are a better fit.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

The Spellshop is everything that Legends and Latte lacked for me. I loved the story, the characters, the resilience of the MC, and her arc and development. The audiobook production added an extra layer to the enjoyment of the story. It was so pleasurable that I’m surprised I don’t see more of this online. The story made sense and hit close to home with its theme of building something from the ground up for survival, only to discover that we are not alone in our struggle and there is a whole village w.aiting to welcome us if we let them.