Not sure why but I just couldn't get into this one. I guess it just wasn't for me this time around. What a bummer. It wasn't a bad book though, I just didn't connect

#thespellshop:⁣
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Thank you @macmillan.audio #MacAudio2024 & @brambleromance for my gifted audio copy!⁣
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“Some people are like that. They derive joy from sapping other people’s joy. The trick is not to let them. Just keep playing your own song.” Just keep playing your own song”⁣
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This was such a big hug cozy fantasy. Honestly, I felt like Caz was like Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast with his wit and genuine concern for others. I loved Caz and Meep (who will forever be a Pokémon in my eyes) ⁣
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Also, isn’t this @owlcrate edition just perfection? I love purple books, and this one definitely takes the cake. (Err.. or jam) ⁣
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Audio was phenomenal. Caitlin Davies is a favorite and just brings everything I needed in this ride.⁣
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A hug, a love, a fun and cozy small town. Ugh, adorable. Out now.⁣
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Predict Text: The Spellshop is…

This was such a cute book! I had a really good time with it. While the narrator wasn't my favorite at the beginning, she did start to grow on me and eventually felt like the right fit for the MC that was telling this story.

The exciting beginning was just right for me to get me invested and then I liked the slow settling into the world as the MC got to know her new surroundings and its inhabitants. The world building and cozy feel were fun and it was easy to picture everything as the story unfolded. Some of it did feel a little... extra... when it came to the magic but it wasn't anything that really took away from the fun of the book. I liked the MC and the supporting characters, the relationships that developed between them, and the trust that was slowly build as the plot unfolded. The story did feel a little slow in some parts but overall had a good pace with an exciting and heart-warming ending.

Overall, I had a really good time, some good laughs, and really enjoyed the magical creatures. The cover for this book is just absolutely magical and I hope I can add a special edition of this to my shelves eventually.

3.5 stars.

This was cute and sweet, and I liked that it varied from some other cozy fantasies by having a couple strong plot threads. However, true to its genre, problems that arose were quickly solved in a convenient and happy way.

I of course loved Caz, and later, Meep. Kiela, well... she was extremely naive and oblivious. It made it difficult for me to connect with her. Also, there were several times when the trauma of escaping the library was mentioned and she just kind of brushes it away - these moments could have added just a liiiittle more depth to the story if they were focused on for a longer (which I would have appreciated).

Also, aside from Kiela being oblivious, the romance in the story is front and center. It's very tame (just kisses) and sweet.

If you like cozy fantasy, The Spellshop is for you!

This started out so promising but quickly became interminably boring. I love a cozy fantasy, but the romance was beyond a slow burn. We're talking 75% through they hadn't even kissed. In audiobook, the story turned into a dull drone that continued to lose my attention, and I've been trying to finish it for am month. Unfortunately, this wasn't a win for me especially since the book itself is such a beautiful edition!

For fans of cozy fantasy! The Spellshop felt like a warm hug wrapped in a magical blanket. I loved these characters from the first page! Caz, the magically sentient spider plant, is probably my favorite, but I loved them all! Sarah Beth Durst has created a wonderfully magical world full of fun creatures, friends, interesting places, and that's just the beginning of all the things to love in this book. The world is so unique. I really hope more books come in this world, there's so much to explore.

this was such a sweet and cozy romantasy story! i was not expecting to love a plant companion as much as i did Kaz. I was extremely connected to the main character and felt i could relate to her introverted book loving self every moment of the story. i loved how the plot unwinded and we learned more about the world through the main characters point of vew. i also really appreciated how sweet the love interest was. there was a bit much happening at the end, but all around was a great read!

This is a sweet, cozy, cottagecore fantasy, perfect for readers looking for a comfort read. Think fantasy romance, but Hallmark edition.

The book follows Keila on her journey after leaving the city after a revolution. The narrator was perfect for this book, and it was such an easy listen.

I highly recommend this book for a light read that will warm your soul.

This was cute and cozy. I wasn't convinced by the romance at all, but I loved the Pinecone Coven and Caz the sentient spider plant. (Even though my brain failed spectacularly at imagining what the heck a spider plant writing looks like.) Also Meep the sentient cactus was *adorable*.

Some of Kiela's decisions seemed ... suspect. Like, must protect magic books at all costs and tell no one. Then immediately, maybe I can convince the townspeople that they're not *really* magic spells but old family remedies... If you can suspend your disbelief though and just ride with the cozy vibes then it's an easy and fun read.

The audiobook was well done. The narrator wasn't my favorite, but she did a good job with the different character voices.

*Thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing an early copy for review.

This is my second read by Sarah Beth Durst. I really enjoyed The Bone Maker a few years back, so I was excited to receive an advanced listening copy for this one. It was a cozy fantasy that felt like a warm hug just when I needed one in my life.

The audiobook is narrated by Caitlin Davies. This was my first audiobook listen by this narrator and I found her voice for the characters to be genuinely compelling, guiding me through the story in a fresh and absorbing manner. I was so spellbound by this story that I kept finding mindless activities to keep me occupied so that I could continue listening.

The story follows Kiela as she flees the Great Library of Alyssium where she works as a librarian, sequestered in the stacks for the last eleven years, but a local revolution has put the library in danger of burning down. She gathers as many of the precious spellbooks under her care as possible, and along with her assistant, a sentient spider plant named Caz, they travel via boat to the island of Caltrey where Kiela spent her early childhood.

I loved grumpy, pessimistic Caz who saw catastrophe around every corner. His melodramatics had me laughing hysterically while Kiela fretted over nosy, quirky townspeople popping in to visit, disturbing the quiet, isolation to which she has become accustomed. The village is primarily a warm community, protective of their own.

When another outsider arrives, Caz fears that she will be arrested for stealing the library books, which at first, I thought was absurd since didn’t she rescue them? But as the story progresses, you find that the restrictions and intolerance of those in charge have led to untenable situations in the neglected villages. There’s an underlying theme here about protecting knowledge and taking care not to put all your eggs in one basket, so to speak.

Recommended to cozy fantasy lovers and those looking for a warm, uplifting read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for a copy provided for an honest review.

"The Spellshop" by Sarah Beth Durst is an enchanting, cozy fantasy that delivers all the magic and whimsy you could wish for. Narrated by Caitlin Davies, this audiobook had me hooked from the start. Kiela, a librarian turned secret spellshop owner, and her sentient, book-loving spider plant companion, Caz, make for a delightful duo in a world filled with magical creatures and unique spell ingredients. The world-building is fantastic, with a variety of magical beings like four-armed harp players and centaurs blending seamlessly into the story. Kiela's relationship with Caz is charming, feeling like a mix of sibling antics and colleague camaraderie.

The audiobook narration by Caitlin Davies is top-notch, perfectly capturing the essence of the characters and the magical ambiance of the story. While the plot sometimes felt a bit convenient and the tension a bit forced, the overall experience was still heartwarming and enjoyable. The casual magic and the cozy vibe make it a perfect escape, though a bit more depth on the political intrigue would have added to the excitement. If you love cozy fantasies with a touch of drama and a lot of charm, "The Spellshop" is definitely worth a listen!

The Spellshop is a lovely new addition to the cozy sub genre of fantasy. While ultimately a story about finding oneself, it’s also a story with a pinch of adventure, a dash of romance, and lots and lots of jam. Featuring a unique cast of characters ranging from human to centaur, many animalian peoples in between, and the single most anxiety ridden sentient plant to ever Grace the pages of a book. The perfect read to settle down with on a lazy day, or to tuck into right before bed. The only downside that the Spellshop can claim to have a few too many convenient solutions to rather complex issues the characters face throughout.

Thank you @macmillanaudio for the #gifted copy of this audiobook.

Summary: Kiela has always liked keeping to herself. As a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she has been able to stay tucked away from people for the last decade, except for her assistant, Caz, a magical sentient spider plant. Her peaceful life amongst the stacks is derailed when a revolution begins sending the library up in flames. Kiela, Caz, and all the spellbooks they can sneak out hop into a boat returning to her childhood home on a remote island. Kiela and Caz soon find that her parent's recipes and a touch of illegal magic might not only keep them from starving but also might save the island as well.

Thoughts: Well this was the cozy fantasy book I didn't know I needed. I never knew that I would grow to care so much for a talking spider plant, but Kaz was hands down one of my favorite characters in this book. The banter between Kaz and Kiela had me laughing throughout. I love the found family/community support in this story, and just how that community set out to help their own no questions asked. Kiela loved her peaceful, quiet life in the library in the city, so the life she stumbles into in her hometown throws her off course for a little while. When she finally decides to embrace the help and chaos around her, Kiela discovers a love for the life she never knew she wanted. Caitlin Davies did a wonderful job bringing this book to life for me, helping me feel I was right on that island as well. Listen to the audio if you're able!

Oh my gosh! This was the cutest cozy fantasy story! I absolutely loved the characters, especially Caz! The story is well written and unfolds so beautifully. There are fantastical characters, magic, and a love interest. I love how the community came together to protect each other when they were concerned for the safety of their citizens. I related to Kiela so much, minus the blue features, because I have such a deep love and need to protect books. Caitlin Davies is so easy to listen to. She does an excellent job differentiating the different character. She brings Kiela's matter-of-factness to life-you really understand her. Caz sometimes sounded silly, but I think it made the story that much more fun. If you like House in the Cerulean Sea, this book is for you!

The audiobook was great! The narrator did a great job capturing the characters. The story was charming and soft. Not a lot of conflict but a lot of cozy cottage vibes.

Story Review:
The Spellshop is a sweet, cozy fantasy about a librarian of magical books who saves them from being burned by whisking them away to the remote island where she grew up & hiding them under the guise of a jam shop.

The novel is filled with lyrical prose and vivid depictions.

“About a third of the slots were missing, like the smile of an old man who had lost some of his teeth.”

The characters were well developed and quite likable. Honestly, I don’t know if I’ll like any familiar as much as I liked Caz, the sentient spider plant.

Kiela’s romance with Larran was sweet, not rushed or lagging. It’s a clean romance with no sign of steam, which fits with the cozy genre. An additional romantic couple is introduced near the end but this couple feels forced. It wasn’t necessary and just felt like it was thrown in there for another conflict point. Ultimately, there was so much going on, I didn’t feel the romance element was enough of a plot device to consider the entire novel a cozy romance

My critique may be more on the genre than the novel itself. It seemed there were a plethora of plots points and minute conflicts that would get resolved & never discussed again, just for another plot point or minute conflict to pop up. At 95% I was wondering, “At what point does this story end?” There was nothing in the book that gave me the feeling that I had to get back to reading to find out what happens. I realize this is a common theme for cozy novels, so again, it could be more of a genre critique than a story critique. I need to delve deeper into the cozy world to get used to this method of storytelling.

Audio Review:
My initial response to the narrator was that she sounded pretentious while reading - so prim and proper. As I heard her voice other characters, I realized this prim & proper voice is an actuate portrayal of Kiela. I didn’t love it, but it made sense for the character.

The voice actress did a great job at voicing each character with distinctly. I rarely had an issue keeping track of who was speaking, which can be challenging with so many characters!

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the summer, I liked it, but it wasn’t love for me. The Spellshop is the coziest of cozy fantasies. Listening felt like a warm summer day, picking raspberries & eating them fresh from the bush. It was a lovely audiobook. I would recommend it to anyone who loves the cozy genre, though maybe not to those who are new to it.

Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest opinion! The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

The Spellshop is the coziest fantasy romance ever. It is a cottage-core dream. We follow Kiela, an introverted, spell-casting, jam-making librarian, as she flees a corrupt capital with rescued spell books. After fleeing the capital, Kiela quickly turns her family’s forgotten cottage into a picturesque Jam shop. She is very introverted and socially awkward, so it was difficult for her to adjust to life outside her library at first. With the help of the kind and inviting townspeople, Kiela slowly comes out of her shell and finds her place in her new home.

I loved how clueless Kiela was when it came to Larran’s intentions. He was head over heels for her and she didn’t know what was going on half the time. He was so thoughtful and kind. I loved seeing their relationship blossom.

I was in heaven the second Caz, the sentient spider plant, was introduced. He was adorable!! Then, we also get Meep!! The sweet little cactus. All they say is “meep” and I nearly died from cuteness overload. I was a little confused as to why everyone would make a big deal about a talking spider plant when there are so many fantastical creatures throughout the story, but I accepted it and enjoyed the ride.

The stakes are very low in this story. Perfect for when you want a break from darker fantasy and want something sweet and relaxing. Caitlin Davies has the perfect voice for a cozy witchy romance. I’ve listened to her books before and loved them all. The audio version of this book was great. 🩷 This was a cute story and I’m happy to have had a chance to read it.

I received an ARC of this audiobook from netgalley. Let me tell you, this is the best book that I have read so far this year. The narrator was wonderful and really brought the characters to life. The Spellshop is quirky, cute, surprisingly funny, and an all-around cozy read. If you're looking for spice, this isn't the book for you. There is an adorable romance in the story, but with just a few mild kisses, this book is definitely SFW. The main character, Kiela, is an extremely introverted librarian who lacks basic social skills. Despite that, her character growth throughout the book is remarkable, and you find yourself rooting for her to succeed! Her best friend and librarian assistant is a sentient plant named Caz. Caz is 100% my favorite part of this book. He is an anxious yet extremely intelligent plant who will do anything (including face his biggest fears) to protect Kiela and see her happy. This book was an adorable story and worth spending all day curled up on the couch with your book, a blanket, and some toast with jam.

⭐️: 5/5
🌶:1/5

When I started out, I wasn't sure I was going to like this book but as soon as Kiela and her assistant Caz, a talking walking spider plant, flee the library while it is underseige and they get on the boat and go to the island that Kiela was born and raised on, I was hooked.

The go to find safety in the home that Kiela lived in as a child. It's in disrepair after her family left it and the island isnt the place it once was. Everyone is hurting and the storms that come, full of magic, are no longer control the way they used to. Kiela uses the magical spell books that she liberated when she left to open a secret magic shop in hopes of helping the island balance itself out, while not drawing attention to the fact she is not supposed to do magic or have these books.

It was so good. I loved the dialogue and the plot was phenomenal. I want to buy a copy of the book if it comes out in a special edition hardcover because it is magnificent. Beautifully written and it will suck you into a world of greed but with the humility of people who have nothing but they will give you the shirt off your back. The protect Kiela when the revolutionists come looking for someone else who fled.

I was blown away by how much I loved this book

5 stars

If you're looking for your next cozy fantasy book then you should try The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst. This story follows a junior librarian named Keila that must flee for her life with some books she rescued and her assistant Caz. Caz is my absolute favorite character in this series. He is a sentient spider plant that has my whole heart. Kiera settles and opens up a "jam" shop that is actually a spell shop in disguise. The characters, while a little bland, were still really fun to get to know. This has all the vibes I look for in a cozy fantasy. I just adore when a book feels like a warm hug.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.