A Spirited Blend
By Lauren Elliott
Kensington
2025

Review by Cynthia Chow

As the owner of Bray Harbor, California’s Crystals and CuriosiTeas teashop, Shayleigh Myers feels the pressure to step up and have outstanding spooky-themed treats for their town’s upcoming Halloween carnival. Shay is already stressed by the competing tea shop across from her, as Madame Malvina had used the pretense of friendship to steal ideas for her own profitable venture. Shay had only recently learned of her own heritage and gift of second sight, which has her infuriated by Malvina’s fake readings and the wreckage her false predictions could wreak. Shay is already irritated with Madigan’s Pub owner Liam Madigan’s obliviousness to her interest in him, continuing to date every available woman in Bray Harbor and placing her in the “Friend Zone.” Shay is ready to give up on them as a possible couple despite her Gran’s insistence that they are destined to be together due to their fairy heritage. Shay must put this aside though when she is asked to do a tea reading for the mayor’s wife Cora Sutton, who after a visit to her family in San Francisco learned of possible relatives they share in common. The abrasive woman is the last person Shay would want to call family, but after looking into Cora’s teacup sees what could be dire portents. While Gran asserts that the meanings are targeted more towards Shay than Cora, it is the latter who is discovered possibly poisoned to death and with a curio from Shay’s teashop. Wanting to disprove any connection and protect the teashop she has grown to love, Shay begins looking into their family history and why her own thieving ex-husband has suddenly moved into town.

This 3rd in the series explores more of the fantasy world that has been introduced into Shay’s life, from reading tea leaves to her mysterious family lineage. She only recently learned that she was adopted, and that her possible father is a nefarious figure who may have had a hand in her mother’s death. Shay has also been hiding a secret, mystical blue bottle and diamond from her sister Jenn, and the fact that they both seem to be hiding truths from one another means that they need to have an honest discussion soon. The mystical element of will fascinate readers and please those looking for their mysteries mixed with fairy myths and lore. Romance fans will also be rewarded as Shay finally moves closer to finding her own true happiness, not to mention building a family who supports and loves her. This is a fun, magical read that will delight a variety of readers.

The tea isn't the only thing brewing when once again Shay stumbles across another dead body! This series is outstanding in that it brings just a tad bit of paranormal to the cozy mystery world, but brings a ton of wonderful character connections that are realistic and endearing. Not only is the mystery boiling over with intrigue, but Shay's personal world is getting a ton of spices tossed into it and not all of them are good. We all have people and events from our past that we would prefer to stay in the past, but just like in real life they don't always stay away. Often times we are forced to confront those past people and events in our current lives whether we want to or not. However, Shay may end up getting more than she bargained for as events unfurl! I do highly recommend that you read this series in order so you will be up to speed with things from Shay's past as well as get to know all the characters in the story. This isn't one that I would recommend trying to read as a standalone or you'll be a bit lost. However, you will get to enjoy hours and hours of great entertainment by starting at the beginning. In the meantime, I will be impatiently awaiting the next book in the series so I can see what happens next in Shay's world!!!

This is the third book in the Crystals & CriosiTEAS series, and I believe I have read them all. They are cozy mysteries and most enjoyable with the tea shop setting and some witchcraft.

Description:
For charmed tea shop owner Shay Myers, getting steeped in Bray Harbor, California’s October festivities is spookier than she ever could have bargained for—especially when a bone-chilling murder mystery spells grave danger . . .

With Halloween around the corner, Shay Myers is brewing witchy seasonal sips at Crystals and CuriosiTEAS—while simultaneously steaming over pub owner Liam Madigan’s decision to take anybody but her to the town’s Monster Mash dance. Her romantic premonitions have missed the mark since she settled into coastal Bray Harbor, opening the door to questions about whether she’s really the gifted seer her late mother imagined. It’s why she second guesses the dark vision in her tea leaves about a local citizen and their obsession with genealogy, Irish folklore, and magic . . .

But when bad omens come true, Shay doesn’t have time for self-doubt. A woman’s body has been discovered, frozen in a strange pose with an eerie black butterfly on her forehead, leading to suspicions that the victim took a conjuring ritual too far due to limited experience—or was murdered by someone with too much. As an investigation stirs up a sinister connection to a boardwalk mystic shop, Shay, guided by her knowing dog, Spirit, finds herself tracking down a shady figure from her past, navigating the sudden reappearance of her ex-husband, and chasing down a wickedly perceptive criminal who might finally be her match!

My Thoughts:
I was happy to join the sisters, Shay and Jenn, in another mystery. There are several issues going on in this book: the competition between the tea shops, Shay hiding stuff from her sister, the possibility that the dark presence who wanted her special gem might be in town stalking her, the presence of her ex-husband and what's going on with him, the situation with the Mayor's wife, and the relationship with Liam. Lots of intrigue in this one! The story is well written and enjoyable. I enjoyed the characters and the setting of the small town of Bray Harbor. This is a fun cozy series and anyone who likes cozies with a little magic will enjoy this.

Thanks to Kensington Publishing | Kensington Cozies through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Mysteries, surprises, and revelations abound in this interesting third addition to the Crystals & CuriosiTEAS Mystery series as Shay and crew try to figure out what happened to a pillar of the community, what exactly a fellow teashop owner is up to, and why Shay's ex-husband is in town. Definitely recommend.

Many thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

The third book in the Crystals and curiosities series is a blend of cozy mystery and spirits. Shay is a budding seer in Bray Harbor. Shay reads the tea leaves of a prominent citizen who later dies. Determined to find the killer she sets out unraveling the clues. A spirited mystery! Thanks #Netgalley and #Kensington for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

A Spirited Blend by Lauren Elliot is a mystery with a touch of magic. Truthfully, I have always had trouble getting into this story. Shay Myers own a teahouse, Crystals and CuriosiTEAS which she has inherited from her birth mother. She worked there with her adoptive sister, Jen as they brewed their own teas and sold baked goods made by Tassi, the daughter of a friend who had become one of Shay’s good friends. It was Halloween weekend and there was a festival, and to be honest, Shay was not looking forward to it. Madame Malvina, who had pretended to be Shay’s friend, had opened a rival teashop and things were not good between them. Amongst the things Shay had inherited from her mother was a small blue bottle with a magic blue diamond inside. Shay wore it around her neck. Lots of people wanted it, including Malvina. Liam was underfoot, asking her about yet another potential girlfriend and Shay was done with that, too, and told him to get out and not return. It all got complicated when her ex-husband and his new wife turned up, announcing they had bought a vineyard and would be moving here. There’s a lot of backstory there. Let’s just say, Shay was not happy.

Shay had a small cadre of friends to help her investigate and they are some of the high points of the novel. Her grandmother, in particular, an elderly Irish woman who never minces words is particularly entertaining. The setting is gorgeous, much of it at or near the beach, and the touch of magic is entertaining, except for how many people are after it, which always causes trouble. Shay is a good character, simply trying to move forward and learn as much as she can from her dead mother’s journals and not run her business into the ground. The woman had been an expert herbalist and brewer of teas, as well has possessing magic. The plot is good and the pacing works. I have high hopes for the future of this series.

I was invited to read A Spirited Blend by Kensington Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #KensingtonPublishing #LaurenElliott #ASpiritedBlend

3.5 stars

A SPIRITED BLEND, the third installment in the Crystals and CuriosiTeas, continues to follow protagonist Shay as she navigates her emerging abilities as a seer. When a prominent citizen of Bray Harbor dies after Shay reads her tea leaves and bad omens come true, Shay is determined to find the killer. All the while, she is frustrated with pub owner Liam’s love life, her ex’s sudden appearance, and the very real worry that the man who might be her father is out to kill her.

I love the first two books in this series, and A SPIRITED BLEND is quite enjoyable, but it is a bit repetitive. The pace sometimes lags even though there is plenty of action and intrigue. Shay, who I have always thought of as having inner strength and determination, seems so unsure of herself here. The mystery itself is interesting, and I did pinpoint the killer’s identity before the climax of the tale. Gran and Shay’s dog Spirit are my favorite characters, but everyone else is well drawn and entertaining.

A SPIRITED BLEND is a worthy read, and I look forward to more adventures with Shay and company. Recommended to any cozy mystery reader, especially those who enjoy a bit of the paranormal.

I received an ARC of this title from the author and Kensington Publishers and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.

#ASpiritedBlend #NetGalley

While I liked this book, I absolutely loved the first two books in the series. And the mystery posed and solved in this book, was interesting. Yet the overarching mystery from the series is being drawn out too much. And there's such a a dichotomy with the main character. In previous books I felt her strength, but here she's almost simpering at times. It's still a decent read and I will definitely read the next book in the series.Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been reading this series since it first came out. The first two hours have been fabulous. This one is a little darker so keep that in mind as you’re add it to your reading list. If darkness bothers you and you truly want light and happy cozy only, skip this one. You’re best and a great story, but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

A Spirited Blend truly lives up to its name, offering an interesting mix of suspense, mystery, murder, and magic. The story follows Shay, a budding seer, as she becomes entangled in a murder investigation. Acting on her unique gifts, she uncovers unsettling revelations about both the past and present. This engaging story ends with a five-star ending that I never saw coming.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you Lauren Elliott ( @laurenelliottcozymysteryauthor ), Kensington Publishing ( @kensingtonbooks ), and NetGalley ( @netgalley ) for allowing me to read A Spirited Blend (out March 25, 2025).

I just love this series and the female main character, Shay. Shay is a tea shop owner who also has the gift of seeing. She has a variety of friends, and one in particular person who she would like to be more than friends. Add to that, Shay wears around her neck a powerful blue bottle with a priceless diamond inside that gives her powers…and enemies, who want it for themselves.

In this book, Shay is losing customers to the new town tea shop, run by her former friend. When someone who wants the blue bottle is spotted with this former friend, it seems they have worked together to cause a death of one of the town’s elite. It’s up to Shay to win back her business and use her powers to find the murderer.

#ASpiritedBlend #NetGalley #LaurenElliott #KensingtonBooks

A Spirited Blend is the third book in the Crystals & CuriosiTEAS Mystery Series by Lauren Elliott. The story is set in Bray Harbor, California and features a tea shop owner turned amateur sleuth. 

The tea shop owner is Shay Myers, who has inherited witchy seer powers from her mother's side of the family. Her magic (and its source) is a secret that Shay does not want certain people to know about. 

Shay can read tea leaves, and she is seeing all sorts of signs in the bottom of her cup. The big question is how to interpret them...

With the Spooky Season approaching, Shay is busy making witchy brews and being mad at the cute pub owner who wants to date everyone but her. And then there is the family drama...

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. It is a super fun read and would be even more fun around Halloween time. A loved the concept of a Monster Mash Dance.

The characters in this book are enjoyable. Shay is an interesting sleuth. I adore Gran and Shay's clever German Shepherd, Spirit.

Lauren Elliott's writing is also engaging. The story hooked me early on and I was excited to read to see how the plot and the mystery unfolded.

The coastal setting is also a plus. I would like to visit Bray Harbor to go into the shops and walk the boardwalk.

I would definitely recommend A Spirited Blend to cozy mystery readers who enjoy seasonal reads and a dose of the paranormal. However, there is a lot going on in the story. Although readers could jump into the series and read book three as a stand-alone, you are going to enjoy this story more if you read the first two books in the Crystals & CuriosiTEAS Mystery Series. This well help you to better understand the family subplot and the unrequited love subplot. 

Thanks to Net Galley and Kensington for the advanced reader copy.

A Spirited Blend is book #3 in the Crystals & CuriosiTEAS Mystery series by Lauren Elliott.

It was good to visit Bray Harbor and its interesting residence again. Shay has a lot going on with Liam needing romantic advice, her ex-husband buying a local winery, competition from Madame Malvina, and the Halloween festival. Then add in a murder that she is drawn to investigate and her plate is full. I was drawn into the story and couldn’t put it down

Thank you to the author, Kensington Publishing, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

There are good reasons why Shay does not trust her instincts. She was so wrong about her ex and also her supposed friend and assistant. She was wrong about a woman who seemed like a friend only to be stabbed in the back by all three. The third lady, Madame Malvina has opened a rival tea room and is siphoning off Shay’s clients and the despicable duo have shown up in the town where Shay escaped to get away from them. Coincidences are one thing but she is beginning to suspect there is a mastermind behind it all and it may be the evil villain Shay suspects may be her biological father.

It seems she inherited a very special stone from her biological mother that has enormous power. She also inherited the “sight” but she has yet to really harness her powers or be able to discern what her visions are showing her. It becomes urgent for her to get a grasp after there is a murder and Shay believes she may be the next victim. In the background there is a nascent relationship with the guy she’s been told is her soul mate. But neither of them can do anything but stumble around each other and send mixed signals. Everybody wants them to “get a room” but neither of them can pull it together.

It took a while for the story and characters to gel but once they did, the book was entertaining. And it left a lot of loose ends that clearly will be dealt with in future stories. Four purrs and two paws up.

I love this author’s Beyond the Page series, so I was excited for this. This is my favorite in the series so far. There’s a mystery to solve but it also has a continuation of things that started in book 1. I love how it’s all connected. It was so much fun reading it while it was all unraveling. The characters are wonderful. The ending was exactly what needed to happen. I cannot wait to see what happens next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my e-copy in exchange for a review.

I was so looking forward to this book. I loved the first two books in the Crystals & CuriositiTEAS series. This book inspired a wide range of emotions. I’ll be honest part way through it felt so dark to me that I had to push myself to keep reading. Shay experiences quite the mental state as events progress.
I’ve read that the author likes to give her characters difficult situations but some of the things in this book felt excruciating to me. It may be where I am in my own life right now, such that I would have a different experience reading it at some other time. Just know that this book may be difficult if you are having a difficult time yourself. It didn’t feel like there was light in this tunnel and I did consider whether I would continue to read books by this author because she treats her other main character in a different series this way as well. I’m glad I continued.
The end of the story reintroduces hope. At least a few of the issues from throughout the series see resolution.
I like the book but it wasn’t the book I was hoping it would be. It is a good example of how life often is and that if you keep going you come out the other side. Most the time I prefer my cozy mysteries to not be this emotionally challenging. But again my response and review may well be very influenced by what is happening for me. If you are a fan of the first two books, I think you will find this a satisfactory addition to the series.
Thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I’ve come to think of these characters as old friends now especially Liam’s crazy fun Gran, she’s such a hoot! She’s always after Shay and Liam to get together since her fairies predicted it, so I guess it’ll remain to be seen if Gran gets her wish soon or not lol. This was a mystery with a couple sides thrown in that weren’t gonna be solved immediately, but the main murder was solved so that’s what matters. There’s always a storyline waiting on the sidelines in this series which makes readers eager for the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Shay gets involved in another murder in this 3rd installment of the Crystals and CuriotiTEAS series. When someone from Shay's past moves in next door to her business, and a body is later discovered on the property, it's up to Shay to figure out what is going on. I love the cast of characters in this series, and the setting. Shay also gets some answers to her past in this book, as well as making progress with Liam, her love interest. This one had several great twists, and I will be looking forward to the next in the series.

I seriously get this series confused with another one. They seem similar. Inherited tea shop, secret magic. When reading I'm trying to differentiate between the two series. Usually by the halfway mark I'm drifting out of the fog and enjoying the book. I enjoyed the mystery and following the clues with the main character. Overall a fun paranormal cozy mystery with more romance.

Part of series.
Shay runs a tea shop where she does readings.
She gets involve in a murder in a Fairy ring.
Good suspense ,drama ,twists, with god characters.
Voluntarily reviewed.