I loved the cottagecore, magical, and whimsical vibes!

I really enjoyed the idea to use the spells to help the community, the people on the island trading each other for things they needed, and just helping each other in general. This gave the cozy vibes of the book, though there were some higher stakes too. I also liked the love interest. I thought it was sweet how the recipes and cottage gave the Kiela a connection to her parents.

I would have liked more in-depth world building, the different types of characters and creatures in the world seemed so interesting and I'd love to learn more about them.

I do feel that the MC seemed a younger/immature to me, especially since this was not a YA book. It was like she never had to grow up despite being an adult, and I did not really care for her in the beginning of the book. She did have some decent development by the end, but she was unnecessarily rude to the MMC, who was simply being nice. I understand being used to your own space and being afraid of what he might find, but it still seemed a little much.

I thought the narrator was a little over the top for my taste, especially for an adult book. I have listened to this narrator before and did not feel this way. The narration gave it more Disney vibes than adult cozy fantasy vibes (I've seen a lot of Disney comparison, so I guess if that's your vibe then you'd like it for that reason), luckily I also have a physical copy, I preferred it in that format.

First I want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think I’m in my cozy fantasy era because I’ve been eating it up lately, and The Spellshop just hit all the right notes for me. It’s got cottagecore vibes, a sentient plant companion, and the sweetest little love story. I thought the character work was great in this book. Kiela is an introverted, sort of prickly main character, who prefers the company of books, and Caz, her sentient spider plant, to that of people. And really, who among us can’t identify with that? She’s trying to start fresh on a new island after some rather traumatic events force her to leave her old home. In the process of settling into her family’s old cottage she meets the locals who worm their way into her heart, including the sweetest cinnamon roll of a neighbor. I loved the premise of this book, I loved the sweet romance, and I loved all the quirky side characters. If you liked Legends & Lattes, or Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea, you’ll definitely enjoy this book. And the audiobook narrator was fantastic!

I so wanted to love this book! Everything about the description hits every cozy vibe I gravitate toward. A librarian who opens a forbidden spellshop disguised as a jam shop, talking plant friends, LGBTQ content, and a small island town filled with a variety of inhabitants are all things that would make a book an instant-buy for me. Unfortunately, I found it difficult to fully sink into the world of THE SPELLSHOP and enjoy my time turning the pages. Most of this is because of the storytelling style and how new information was being introduced whenever convenient rather than it being integrated naturally, interrupting the story and thus being somewhat jarring to read, but also because of frustrating character traits from both Kiela, the main character, and her trusty but highly strung talking spiderplant friend, Caz. Is it charming? Yes. Was it as cozy as advertised? No. This is the opinion of this reader, though, and I am sure the elements that made me not enjoy this book will delight others.

I liked this! I think I would have liked it more if I had read it without the audiobook. The narrator was a little too over the top and cheesy for my liking. I really enjoyed the first 50-ish percent of this when it was the slow and cozy building of the jam shop and getting to know the villagers, but once a certain character gets introduced, I started to lose interest. I also found myself getting annoyed and stressed out by Kiela and Caz’s over the top anxiety about literally everything. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and setting descriptions as well as all of the people on the island. The found family vibes were awesome! I loved any time that baking or jam making was happening. On paper, this should have been my perfect book, so I think it’s a me problem and not the books fault that I didn’t rate it higher. I’ll definitely still be highly recommending this to everyone who likes cozy fantasy!

Kiela, a librarian from the Great Library of Alyssium, escapes a revolution with her sentient spider plant assistant, Kaz, and sets up a secret spellshop on her childhood island. As she helps the neglected community, she finds friendship and romance. The story is slow-paced and character-driven, with underdeveloped but endearing characters. The world-building is thin but believable, making for a cozy and comforting read. Though it touches on various elements without deep exploration, it remains an enjoyable escape.

Recommend for readers who enjoy cozy fantasy novels, especially those who enjoy light and endearing reads.

I need more cozy fantasies just like this one!
Well, maybe not exactly like it, I do want a little variety, but this feeling, this sentiment, this perfection.
Kiela is a rather introverted librarian, forced to flee the Great library after revolutionaries set fire to her beloved library. She heads for her home island, a home she has been absent from since she was a child, with nothing but crates of spellbooks, and her assistant a sentient spider plant name Caz.
As she tries to settle in, she's forced to try new things, meet new people and re-evaluate whether or not her choice of a quite solitary life was really enough for her.
I adored the world and the characters that Durst created and the sweet story that tied them all together. I defintely wouldn't mind revisiting the island for a peek into some of the other residents lives in the future!


I received an E-Arc from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The Spellshop

Oh my heart, this is the most adorable cozy fantasy! Such a delightful cottagecore story of love and found family and helping others.

Kiela is a librarian who has to flee the imperial city when a rebellion begins. Narrowly escaping from the burning stacks, she saves as many spell books as she can carry and sails to her home island where she hasn’t been for many years. Her trusty assistant, Can, a sentient spider plan, comes along for the ride as they settle into their new island life, determine how to make a home for themselves and help their new neighbors (including the attractive man next door) with “home remedies” which are definitely not spells because that would be highly illegal.

This was a light and fluffy cozy fantasy romcom. I absolutely adored Kiela and Caz’s adventures, as well as all the townsfolk and magical creatures.

Check this one out if you’re looking for:
✨ Cozy fantasy Hallmark romcom
✨ Spells and magical creatures
✨ Found family
✨ An incredibly relatable love of books
✨ Sentient plants and their antics

The narration is adorable and the narrator is so well cast. I loved how she brought the magic to life off the page, delivering me into the story.

Thank you to Maximillian Audio for my ALC!

I was so excited to get an audio copy of The Spellshop by sarahbethdurst from netgalley and macmillan.audio.

We start out The Spellshop with our FMC, Kiela, and her sentient spider plant friend, Caz, escaping the libraries as they are being burned to the ground. In this world magic is controlled so only those employed by the Emperor may use it, and the people are revolting.

They escape to the only place Kiela can think of to go, her remote childhood island, her parents cottage is still there. She arrives safely with her 5 crates of books and makes it to the cottage. Only to be awakened by her neighbor, and childhood friend.

We follow Kiela and Caz as they restore balance to the island, crush on her neighbor, make jam, and friends!

Perfect if you want a low key, cozy fantasy novel. The narrator was great for this story. Her voices for Caz 100% relayed the panic and anxiety, and just really kept my attention the whole story!

This is super adorable and has a great cast of characters that make up a found family. It reminds me of Legends and Lattes! I loved the narrator and the way that she differentiated the characters. It was very well done.

Macmillan Audio ARC, these are my own thoughts & opinions. Thank you for the advanced copy!

This was such a cute cozy fantasy read! I don't know why, but the entire time I read it I kept thinking about the Disney movie Luca. Same vibes maybe? If you're looking for a low stakes cozy fantasy read that will give you all the bubbly feelings, this one is for you! Bonus, the narrator did a phenomenal job and kept me entertained and hooked the whole time, which I ususally struggle with when listening to fantasy books.

DNF at around 15% in, I just couldn't really get into this. Not sure if it was just being an audiobook or not.

Thank you net galley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review

I listened to the audiobook version of this book and absolutely loved the story. It is truly an adventure for book lovers & plant lovers alike!

I never thought I would love a sentient spiderplant... but here we are! Caz was such a cute co-star in the story. I can't wait to read more by this author!!

Is cozy cottagecore romantasy a thing? Because if so, this book embodies it! This story feels like a warm hug, smells like old books, and tastes like raspberry jam. (Not literally, but it does give all the cozy vibes!) I rated this 4.5 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫. While I loved the journey we went on in this book, the ending and romance felt a little rushed and forced. But I think this book is absolutely worth reading if you want to read about a cute talking plant and small-town friendships with fantasy elements! 🪴 💚

Synopsis:
Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people. 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. Taking refuge there, Kiela discovers, much to her dismay, a nosy—and very handsome—neighbor 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.

Thank you, @netgalley and Macmillan Audio for a free ALC copy in exchange for my honest review! (This narrator is so so good!) 🎧

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC of The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst. All opinions are my own.

I have very little reading experience with cozy fantasies, but after reading this book, I’m going to have to read a lot more because I loved this book so much!

The Spellshop is such a sweet story with found family, a cute romance, and a sentient spider plant!

Unlike a lot of fantasy books, this story is a standalone and is very low stakes. It’s a relaxing read and has such lovable characters.

The found family aspect was so sweet because the town welcomes the main character into their community so quickly. They were protective and so helpful to her.

While the romance wasn’t the focus of the story, I still found it really cute and wholesome. The love interest was so sweet and was constantly doing things for the main character.

One of my favorite parts was Caz, the sentient spider plant. He was so funny and sarcastic. This was such a great addition to this story.

Overall, I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for a cute cozy fantasy.

5⭐️s I loved this! Such a good, cozy fantasy. Wonderful narration by @caitlindaviesny. She never disappoints me with her narration. The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst will be available July 9th on audible, kindle, and hardback with beautiful purple sprayed edges on Amazon. But always check with your local bookstores too. #supportsmallbusiness

Kiela is just a librarian surrounded by spell books at the Great Library of Alyssium. With the help of her assistant, Caz, they manage to save as many books as they can when the revolution brings a fire to the library. With no where else to go, they both set off to Kiela’s family cottage. What she finds when she returns home is a cottage in need of a lot of work, a town neglected, and a very handsome neighbor. With spell books hidden in the cottage, Kiela gets an idea. If she can manage some of the spells, she and Caz can help grow and fix the resources this island needs. The only problem is it’s very illegal. They create a plan for a jam shop that they can also sell plant remedies to help the town grow the resources they so desperately need. But, what will happen when a magical storm brings someone from the empire and questions are being asked.

Thanks so much to @netgalley, @macmillan.audio, and @sarahbethdurst for the advanced listener copy. #advancedlistenercopy #netgalley #cozyfantasy #sarahbethdurst #sprayededges #thespellshop

A librarian working for the Great Library Alyssium, Kaela is forced to flee when a revolution sets the city on fire. Fleeing with her sentient spider plant, Kaz, the two head to Kaela’s family home on the island. Taking with her as many spellbooks as she can save from the library, she vows to lay low. When she gets to know the town, however, she realizes how neglected by the capital the island is. Lacking magic and quickly deteriorating, villagers are struggling to survive on the land. Using magic that’s illegal outside of the library, Kaela uses her powers, spells, and potions to heal the island. Meanwhile, Larren, a local merhorse owner, finds out and decides to help her heal the town. As their love for each other grows, they can’t help but worry about what will happen if the emperor’s guards discover what they’re doing. Will the two heal the town? Will the two’s romance last?

Narrator, Caitlin Davis’ unique intonations bring life and humor to the characters. Her narrative pace is a little slow, but matches well with the author’s writing style. The plot is slow-paced and more character-driven, but is endearing. The characters are underdeveloped, but grow on the listener. The world building is thin, but believable. Readers who like Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea, magic, fantasy, and romance will want to pick this one up. Recommended for libraries where cozy romantic fantasy novels are popular.

Please Note: A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own. No other compensation was received.

Delightfully cozy, fantastical, whimsy, and simply scrumptious! There is something so comforting and special about diving into cozy fantasy that just warms your soul and leaves a smile on your face. The Spellshop is a feast of the most gorgeous and whimsical imagery. Starting with the cover, which is one of the most stunning covers I’ve seen, to the vivid and lush descriptions of the inhabitants and landscape of this world, this story is an experience for all the senses and will have you craving adventure and a warm piece of bread slathered in jam.

The entire cast of characters were delightfully quirky and endearing and so very lovable - Caz wrapped his little spider plant tendrils around my heart and was my favorite character. I loved how the villagers rallied around each other, became a close knit family, and offered grace, support, and a safe haven for those in need.

Caitlin Davies is one of my favorite narrators and I love hearing her narration. She brings so much color, heart, and humor to her performances and I especially loved her voice for Caz.

My only critique is that the story is a smidge too long. Especially in the last portion of the book, the pacing slows down a bit and I think some of it could have been cut down.

If you’re looking for a cozy fantasy that will fill your heart with warm fuzzies, has a beautiful found family, and will transport you to the most gorgeous realm with fantastical creatures like talking plants, merhorses, and cloud bears, I highly recommend this delightful tale!

A comforting and a cozy fantasy, full of kindness, friendship, small town charm, and dizzying amounts of jam. Kiela, an empire librarian, escapes on the eve of rebellion with crates of stolen spell books to keep them safe. She returns to the island she was born on, hoping for quiet and secrecy. Instead, she finds a town who wants to befriend her, a neighbor who might be more, and a home.

This cottagecore fantasy was a delight to listen to and enjoyable to follow along. I think we could have tightened up the pacing jsut a hair, but overall, a stunning read.

What a lovely, whimsical, and enchanting little story. This gave me all the comfort and cozy vibes. Perfect to enjoy im your coziest reading setup. You will not be disappointed after reading this warm story full of found family and funny side characters. Thank you so much for this ARC opportunity, I love audiobooks and this was an enjoyable experience.

I thought this was a very cute, cozy and entertaining audiobook. A mix of two books that I have enjoyed: Legends and Lattes and A Very Secret Society for Irregular Witches. Loved the found family aspects. The plant Caz and Meep the cactus were adorable side characters. I would have preferred more romance in the story, there was some but felt like such a little part of the book. The pacing was slow and felt bored at some parts but it was easy to get back into. Would recommend! I wrote a Bookstagram review for it which is linked below.