Reyna and Kianthe are tired of living their lives only for their duty. They work for political machines that don't care for them as individuals. So they decide to run away together and pursue their own happiness for once. That happiness is being together more than in stolen moments and opening a bookstore that serves tea. Will they be able to keep their pocket of happiness? What will they do when their pasts catch up with them?

This book was the epitome of cozy fantasy. Reyna and Kianthe have such a cute relationship. This book contains a lot of representation of healthy communication in relationships. You don't see that often. Reyna and Kianthe work on their insecurities and share their feelings with each other. It's very wholesome. This book was a daily life type of book, which made it feel slow at times. I thought the mystery introduced was going to be solved within this book, so I was disappointed that it wasn't. It felt a little out of place being introduced and then put on the backburner for the rest of the book. I'm not sure I will read the next one even though the mystery does intrigue me. I recommend this book for cozy fantasy fans who don't mind a slower paced book.

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea follows Reyna and Kianthe who escape from their current magical lives to set up a book and tea store in a small town. Focusing on the good, I loved the sapphic representation that this story provides. I think the banter was fun and I liked the emotional growth that both our characters display throughout the story. I think this cozy fantasy will appeal to established fans of cozy fantasies who are looking for another read. However, I don't think that this story does anything new or exciting for the genre. Additionally, the story was a little too action-packed for my liking; when reading a cozy fantasy, I hope for something more character-driven, especially when I like the characters as much as I liked these.

Ultimately, I would recommend this to cozy fantasy fans, but this would not be the first title that comes to mind.

Adorable and comforting like your favorite blend of tea….

Reyna and Kianthe, an elite queensguard and the powerful Mage of Ages, leave their lives behind to follow their dreams of becoming bookstore owners in a small mountain town. Shop ownership isn’t without its problems though - new issues arise as soon as they arrive in town and their old responsibilities catch up soon enough. Together, Reyna and Kianthe must fight to save their new friends and the new life they’re trying to build together.

This book was very cute and fun to read! Fans of Legends and Lattes and similar cozy titles will enjoy this one. I feel like 1 world have enjoyed this a bit more if I were in the mood for something less high stakes, but I don’t have any complaints.

I really wanted to love this book. I love a cozy fantasy, but this one did not hit the mark for me. The story was a bit slow and there was a lot less focus on the cozy bookshop/tea store than I anticipated. I never really felt much connection to any of the characters either. There was a lot of telling of the story instead of building the world so I could see it for myself.

Reyna is a Queensguard who does her duty well. But the Queen is cold hearted and callous, and when Reyna finally reaches her breaking point, she abandons her post to live the life she’s always dreamed of with her girlfriend Kianthe, the Mage of Ages, the Arcandor. Kianthe is thrilled Reyna has finally left, and now they can open up their combination book and tea shop.

But even though Reyna and Kianthe find a new home in a forgotten town, where people live in harmony with each other, the world won’t just let them be. There are mysteries to be solved, dragon attacks to stop, and not least, a price on Reyna’s head for committing treason.

It’s one thing after another for this pair, and the townsfolk they’ve befriended, but their love in strong, and together they’ll do anything they must to get the happily ever after they desire and deserve. Even if it means facing the Queen.

This book is marketed as a cozy fantasy. For me, it falls short of that mark. It’s a fantasy through and through, but there are only moments in which the cozy component shines through. There is some humor and there are mishaps, but it doesn’t hit the mark of what a “cozy” story should be for me, as the stakes are too high for it to truly fit that category.

I liked the MCs. The story is told through alternating third-person POV, so we get to know them both well. But the chemistry between them was missing for me. The pair are together before the story even starts, and have been for a while, so we’re told of their love, and they constantly tell each other of their love, but I didn’t feel it as a reader. And it’s not because of the lack of graphic sex on page. Instead, it just felt like two women who were sharing space instead of an epic love pairing.

The narrative style didn’t really work for me. It was a whole lot of telling and not nearly enough showing. I felt, as I was reading, as if I was being talked at instead of being immersed in the story. It made it hard to sink into the tale. On top of that, every conflict that arose, whether it was internal or external, was immediately resolved. Now, normally I’m a fan of communication, and I did like that there was a lot of that in the book. But because of the quick resolution of every single conflict, there was no tension pushing the story forward. It just felt like a succession of moments. There was also very little world building, for as long as this story was, and only a surface-scratch of how magic works. It’s the first in a series, and several loose ends were left to set up for more stories, but there’s no anticipation there either.

All in all, I can objectively see how this story would work for some people. There is banter and a light feel, despite the high stakes. But for me, it missed the mark on too many things. All of that combined with an author’s voice that didn’t really work for me as a reader. I’ll not only be giving the rest of the series a pass, but I can’t recommend this book.

"Can't Spell Treason Without Tea" by Rebecca Thorne brews a delightful escape into a world of magic, bookstores, and a touch of treason. The story centers around Reyna, a disillusioned royal guard, and Kianthe, a powerful mage yearning for a simpler life. Together, they ditch their dangerous duties and open a cozy bookstore and tea shop – a dream come true.

But what starts as a charming escape takes a turn when their pasts catch up to them. The thrill of danger lurks beneath the surface of their peaceful new life, threatening to shatter their newfound happiness.

Thorne's masterful world-building creates a captivating atmosphere. The quaint bookstore, filled with the aroma of brewing tea and the rustling of turning pages, provides a comforting contrast to the looming threats Reyna and Kianthe face. This clever juxtaposition keeps the reader engaged, eager to see how the couple navigates the challenges that arise.

The heart of the novel lies in the relationship between Reyna and Kianthe. Their love story unfolds organically, fueled by shared dreams and unwavering support for each other. Thorne's portrayal of their bond is heartwarming, making you root for them throughout their adventures.

While the book's overall tone leans towards cozy fantasy, it doesn't shy away from moments of suspense and intrigue. The looming shadow of the past keeps the plot moving at a steady pace, offering a satisfying balance between heartwarming moments and thrilling encounters.

If you're looking for a captivating escape that blends magic, romance, and a touch of rebellion with a steaming cup of tea, then "Can't Spell Treason Without Tea" is the perfect book to curl up with. Just be prepared, because this delightful novel might leave you yearning for your own cozy bookstore adventure.

Recommendation: A charming and heartwarming read with a hint of danger, perfect for fans of cozy fantasy and LGBTQ+ romance.

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea is the sapphic cozy fantasy of my dreams! I adored Reyna and Kianthe and cannot wait for the next book.

A nice cosy fantasy with books and tea ? Of courde I was eager to read it! Make it lesbian going cottagecore, pre existing romance, and there was everything for me.

Great for fans of Legends and Lattes and those who are looking for a romance (but not a budding romance) and a bit more action than L&L.

It might have felt off sometimes, too much or not enough action, at times forced into creating situations to create situation, verbose when too much talk about feeling and trauma, but overall I had a great time. It did its job and was everything that was advertised. Not the book of the century but a welcomed and refreshing pause when you need to relax and turn your mind off.

Who wouldn't want to open a bookstore and tea shop with the one they love? This book was like the perfect setting with scenes of action throughout! Reyna, a member of the Queen's guard and Kianthe, a powerful mage, escape their current lives and move to a new town to open their own bookstore/tea shop. Will they be able to outrun and hid from the Queen? I loved both main characters independently and together! The supportive villagers and their stories also had me not wanting to put this book down! I could envision myself walking alongside them throughout the whole story and didn't want to leave them. I cannot wait to continue with their story! Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

This was so fun! I am hit or miss with cozy fantasy, but this actually had some fairly high stakes and plot. The romance was predictably sappy-sweet but I love how the all-powerful mage is an anxious girly just like me!

The book was recommended to me on TikTok, so I rushed through my phone in the hope of finding it on NetGalley. I was so excited. It evaporated like rain in the summer in Florida. This book gave me anxiety. The emotional roller coaster that the main characters are going through is not cozy at all. It seems that the book doesn't know what it wants to be. But definitely, I won't categorize it as a cozy fantasy. It's nothing but. Of course, there is not much action, but going through yet another existential conversation about the sense of their actions makes my head spin. Too much. If they pointed towards dealing with the trauma of letting go of something toxic but familiar, then I would be all for it. But here, it's just a tool for relationship drama.
I am not saying that overall this book is bad. The writing is good, and the audiobook is good. But it is not for me. I need essence. I need something to hang on to.

This was cute, but a bit slow for me. Much in the vein of cozy fantasy, Rayna wants nothing more to escape the Queen's service and run away with Kianthe. They'd start a book shop that serves tea and just be happy. So that's exactly what they do.

But then they're discovered and they must fight their way to survive, betting on the Queen's blessing of Mercy...and some well crafted lies. They're able to love one another and create this wonderful place, but will they survive to continue?

Reyna works as one of the Queen’s private guards, and Kianthe is the most powerful mage in existence. They just want to open a tea shop with books, but stepping away from their lives and duties isn’t so simple. After surviving being taken hostage, Reyna decides she’s done risking her life for a self-centered queen. Kainthe is thrilled and together they open their shop of dreams in Tawney, a town with more dragons than people. Queue mysteries, mishaps, and small, fantasy town life. Plus a queen’s temper tantrum.

This book is about as cozy and cute as you’d imagine and was a pure delight to read. Sometimes I want high drama that completely breaks me, annnnd sometjmes I want cute girlfriends and tea and books. If you, too need the latter, definitely check this one out.

This book right here is why cozy fantasy is amazing and an ever-growing genre that became popular and better known after Legends and Lattes. I loved the premise of the two characters that had huge responsibilities in this fantasy world finally deciding to take care of themselves first and follow their passions while the world around them was going to eventually come calling.

Reyna and Kianthe (or Rain and Key) are incredibly cute and their banter and vibes feel like my own with @mandyisreading_ due to the number of puns involved. The humor is very much for me and I ate that up.

I love that this has very much set up the sequel which also comes out this year and I’m very excited for that!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to @torbooks and @netgalley for the eARC! All thoughts are my own.

It's nearly impossible to read Can't Spell Treason Without Tea and NOT compare it to Legends and Lattes. On the surface, they have a lot of similarities: they are both cozy books about a warrior (a Queen's Guard in this case) who retires to renovate and then open a shop with a love interest, all while making new friends from a collection of strangers in the town.

Yet, for all the similarities, Can't Spell Treason Without Tea is unique and wonderful in its own right. Personally, there was a lot about this book that I enjoyed more. The magic system is fun and interesting. The relationship between the main POV characters, Reyna and Kianthe, is deeper and realistic, with a level of bickering that you only get in well established and loving relationships. Their communication and they way they are consistently working on their relationship was lovely and inspiring. The side characters are all well developed and the town itself is somewhere I wish I could visit!

This book felt queer and grounded and comforting. It's a story that I foresee visiting again many times!

Thank you to the publisher for the eArc. This was one of those stories that took me a while to get through, but was such a delight every time I picked it up. It didn’t inspire an obsessive need to see what happened, instead it gradually unraveled and told the cozy story it needed to. The best way I could describe this book is “fluff” but in the best way possible. Sometimes fluff can feel like a way for an author to add to the word count and not feel intentional. On the other hand, here it IS the purpose, with the softest, cutest sapphic romance at the heart of it. I instantly connected with Reyna and Kianthe’s relationship and loved seeing it, and all the domestic moments, throughout this book.

I will definitely be recommending this and look forward to reading the next one!

CAN’T SPELL TREASON WITHOUT TEA made a big splash when Rebecca Thorne self-published it, and I was thrilled to get an ARC in support of Bramble’s paperback rerelease. I’m always on the lookout for more fantasy that tackles common tropes from slightly different angles. Bonus points for worlds with normalized queerness!

I liked the cozier scenes very much, and grew deeply invested in Reyna and Kianthe’s new bookshop, their developing relationships with the townspeople, and their established romance. (Which, to my mind, holds enough of a place to make this a fantasy with a romantic component, but not enough that I’d rec the book as a romance.) I also eagerly awaited the moment when the two rival town leaders would quit fighting their attraction to each other.

The wider plot, with the dragon attacks and Reyna’s uncertain status as a treasonous runaway, didn’t land as well for me. It ups the stakes and lays the groundwork for further adventures, but it doesn’t break much new ground on the tropes and I was so much more interested in the bookstore that I didn’t invest in the rest of it until pretty far into the book. That kept the story in like-not-love territory for me.

That won’t be an issue for every reader, of course, and it wasn’t such a stumbling block for me that I won’t read Reyna and Kianthe’s next adventure.

I thought that cozy fantasies didn’t exist past Legends and Lattes Boy was I wrong. As I dive deeper into the cozy world, I have found another beautiful book written by Rebecca Thorne. Can’t spell treason without tea is just that! It has a beautiful atmospheric bookstore that also has a small tea shop. So make sure when you read this you have a nice big cup of tea!

Reyna and Kianthe want to open a bookshop that serves tea. The problem is their jobs. Reyna works as a personal guard to the queen and Kianthe is the most powerful mage in existence. So trying to have a quiet life isn’t possible. That all changes when Reyna is taken hostage and she decides that she’s over all of this and just wants to be with her girlfriend. So she decides to flee her current life and hide in a small town with her girlfriend. That's where they decide to open their shop and live their dreams but the queen won't have it. The queen throws the largest temper tantrum that could be the end of their cozy tale.

I have waited over a year to get my hands on this book! The first thing I want to note is that the two main characters are written so beautifully. Their love for each other knows no bounds and it was wonderful reading about it. I also love the dedication, “For anyone who really needs a cup of tea and a nice book. You’ve earned it.” That dedication couldn’t be more fitting for this book. Aside from all that, it's a well written love story in a very cozy atmosphere. If you also like small towns coming together then this slice of life is for you. When reading this book you’ll fall in love with the characters and all their problems.

While I wouldn't give this book a solid 5 stars I would give it 4. I loved the book but it also had some very slow parts to it that made me feel like the stoay was dragging but if you can get through those parts you will end up loving it!

This was SUCH a cute story. I want to run away and open my own book and tea shop!! Reyna and Kianthe are the sweetest couple. I loved how well they supported each other and communicated any doubts they were having.

The world building was actually really interesting too. I loved the dragon and griffon lore. I’m curious to see more in the second book and find out more about this world! (Also, I need to know more about Feo and Wylan!)

I recommend this book if you’re looking for a cozy sapphic fantasy with low stress and not overwhelming world building.

Thank you so much to Rebecca and Netgalley for sending me this book for an honest review.

A very charming story! It isn't quite as cozy as advertised, as I thought the stakes were pretty high, but I still enjoyed it. I liked Reyna and Kianthe's relationship, and honestly I did really like that it was already established! I think I disagree a bit that it is for fans of Legends and Lattes, but it does have some very lush descriptions of food and drink that I really enjoyed.