This. Book. Was. Everything. I absolutely fell in love with Sarah Beth Durst's cozy world, drenched in sunlight and whimsy, and will return to it over and over to fulfill that need for something to heal my soul.

As for the audiobook, I think the narrator did a pretty good job. She isn't necessarily the exact voice I would have picked for this cozy story because she gave a bit more of a contemporary vibe to this fantasy story, which isn't always my favourite, but over all the whimsy of the story did work well through her narration.

I don’t 5 start often but definitely had to for this one. I absolutely LOVED it!!! Such a fun story. I love the world the author created, such unique characters and creatures, my favorite being Caz. I would love to see this book as a series! I look forward to reading more from this author.

A cute and cozy read! If you enjoyed Bookshops and Bonedust or even Assistant to the Villain, this book is for you! I also LOVED the narrator. Highly recommend

I loved the coziness of this book. The story started out strong as Kiela the librarian tries to save spellbooks from a fire. She and her assistant Caz (a spider plant) take the books and sail to the small island where she was born. I loved how the spellshop/jam making came about naturally, and how the small community of Caltrey really backed Kiela. I loved meep the cactus so much as well. I could definitely read more in this universe.. If you are a fan of lattes and legends you should check this one out!! Also the cover of the physical copy is so beautiful and I loved the painted purple edges.

I just know that this will be one of my top fantasy reads of 2024. It was such a quick, delightful, and feel good cottage core fantasy that was full of heart and made me so happy. I am amazed that this is Sarah Beth Durst's debut, since the world building and character development where so well done.

Kiela, is an introverted librarian who likes books better than people. A revolution is taking place in the Kingdom of Alyssium, and unfortunately, the fighting has reached the great Library, where Kiela works. She and her assistant Caz (a sentient spider plant), are forced to flee, however they manage to save five crates of magical books.

Having nowhere safe to go, they decide to head to the island where Kiela was born, and spent the first 9 years of her life. Hoping to live a quiet life, continuing to protect the books they saved. Although she wanted a live a quiet life once on the island, Kiela is drawn into the community and into many interactions with her friendly neighbour Larran. Soon, Kiela ends up opening up a jam shop and seeing remedies (which are secretly spells) to help the Island of Caltrey and it's inhabitants once again thrive.

I think all book lovers will see many parts of themselves in Kiela, she is shy and introverted, but has a big heart and is willing to do what is right and will do anything for her friends. I absolutely loved her. Caz was a delight and such a perfect side character; I would do anything to protect him.

I listening to the audiobook, and the narrator, Caitlin Davies, did such an incredible job bringing this story to life. No spoilers, but there is one character who ends up being introduced who only says one world, and Caitlin managed to convoy so much emotion and expression into that one word!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This was perfectly perfect. Precious. A cozy little story you can get wrapped up in. A sweet slow burn romance with a helpful charming neighbor. A talking plant. Merhorses. It's lower stakes. An easygoing story about finding your way in the world and learning to let people in. Exactly what I want when seeking a cozy fantasy. Also I don't even eat jam and this book as got me craving some.

Thank you to netgalley for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The Spellshop- Sarah Beth Durst
Narrated by Caitlin Davies

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️
Narration 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧

This book has lived up the the hype in my opinion. It was absolutely adorable with all the magical creatures, plants, and a found family within this tiny island who will do anything for each other to keep them safe and happy. The audiobook was phenomenal. I felt like I was right in the action and practicing the magic right along with the characters.

This was the coziest comfort read of 2024. I loved it so much that I listened to the audio as well. The most beautiful cover as well. The narrator did a great job! I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great escape.

Entertaining cozy fantasy. The audiobook narration was great. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.

I can't believe this is a DEBUT NOVEL. This was such an adorable and cute romantasy novel that made me want to have a cute cottage-core aesthetic and do witchy things on my days off. But more than that, i loved the cozy plot and story.

Such a warm cozy hug of a book! I’ve recommended it to a ton of people to unanimous acclaim. I would love to read more books by this author!

Thank you MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for a ALC
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This was my book club’s pick for August and it was just a delightful read! Caz won my heart immediately. Filled with fantastic characters, magic, mythical creatures, small town “going home” feels and some romance, it was just one of those books that makes you smile and is good for your soul. Caitlin Davies did an amazing job of bringing all the characters - even the plants! - to life. And the cover! Gorgeous!!

This has been one of my favorite reads this year, and I greatly enjoyed the audiobook version of this story. It flowed nicely, with great character choices by the narrator and easy to understand pacing.

I also greatly enjoyed the story itself, and I am now officially swayed towards the fun and excitement of cozy fantasy reads. This read like if Stardew Valley was turned into a fantasy novel, and it was a great enjoyement to read. I finished it in less than a day!

I will definitely recommend this author to others, and I look forward to their next story.

- This book is a delight. If you are into the cozy fantasy genre, THE SPELLSHOP is a must. What’s not to love about a rogue librarian, an anxious spider plant, and an attractive merhorse herder, along with the rest of the island’s inhabitants?
- I also liked the conversation layered into the story about whether libraries are for keeping information from or sharing it with the people.
- I read the audiobook, and narrator Caitlin Davies is super engaging, managing to do slight voices for each character without making it cartoony (even when said character is a sentient plant).

I LOVED The SpellShop. This book is the definition of a cozy fantasy read. The world the author created is full of whimsy and endearing characters. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to escape for a high fantasy low risk book. The audiobook narration was great.

The Spellshop was an absolutely lovely book! I loved the descriptions - the setting, the mystical creatures, the humour and the story. The main character and the friends she met along the way, I enjoyed their banter and her journey from loneliness to community. Caz and Meep are the best and they're hysterical.

I’ve been a fan of Sarah Beth Durst for years now, so I was happy to see the attention her latest novel is receiving. Of course, I eagerly grabbed a copy and devoured it. It’s an understatement to say that The Spellshop is wildly inventive, sweet, enchanting, and impossible to put down.

Fleeing the violent revolution in the capital city, librarian Kiela packs a few crates of precious books of spells (which are illegal for non-approved sorcerers to cast, by the way) and escapes with her friendly assistant, a talking spider plant named Caz, who has more common sense than most humans. She lands on the island of her birth, where she thinks to hide in her parents’ abandoned house until—she does not know, she can’t plan that far ahead. Nor can she cope with the sudden appearance of her neighbor and childhood friend, merhorse herder Loran, who shows up on her doorstep with a welcoming gift of cinnamon buns. Soon Kiela and Caz are drawn into the community of humans and magical beings, ever fearful to keep their stash of forbidden hidden. Before long, however, Kiela ends up creating spells (for reasons that seem good at the time) that she calls folk “remedies,” sometimes with hilarious results (like the apple-tree bird or the sentient cactus that Caz falls in love with).

The world building and cast of characters are fresh, original, and charming, but for me the best part of The Spell Shop was the skill and sensitivity with which Durst portrays how those characters change and grow. In particular, she captures Kiela’s voice as the reclusive librarian slowly emerges from her isolation with evolving insight into the motives and emotions of others…and herself. No wonder Book Riot called Durst “a hidden gem of the fantasy world.”

File this tale under: Perennial Comfort Reading. And buy a second copy to lend to special friends.

This book was cozy and wonderful. I thought Kiela was relatable to an introvert like myself. And Caz was the star of the show. I loved every minute of it.

Thanks net galley, publisher and author for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review. This was a cute, cozy read. Absolutely obsessed with this book. Will definitely be picking this up again. I will definitely be reading it on my kindle as I felt sometimes I lost track due to not being able to focus lol adhd.

As soon as I saw "sentient spider plant sidekick" I knew I needed to read this, and it didn't disappoint. I've seen some classify it as romantasy but the romance is sparse and not at all the main focus of the plot. I'd say it's more of a cozy fantasy with light romance. I listened to the audiobook and the narration was great!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.