Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for my unbiased review.
This book felt like a mug of warm tea: cozy, comforting, and a perfect way to end a long, exhausting day. Reyna and Kianthe's relationship is deeply realistic. They navigate their different ways of life with communication and love, which is a breath of fresh air after reading an excessive amount of romance novels with frustrating miscommunication tropes. This book gives its sapphic main characters the comfortable domestic romance that has been severely lacking in the Romantasy genre.
Just because this book is branded as a 'Cozy' does not mean it is boring. It keeps readers invested with exciting side plots that are intriguing but do not detract from the main plot of the book/teashop.
I would recommend this to anybody who is looking to see a sapphic relationship that is simple and thus so investing. Reyna and Kianthe are the kind of relationship I wish I had read about sooner.

This story was a warm mug of tea by a fire. There is not much I love more than a cozy little fantasy book about leaving the hard life behind and opening up a cute little cafe and bookshop. Secret identities, found family, magic, flying, dragons, this book has it all. It’s certainly not high fantasy, but sometimes you just need a cute little story about happily ever after to cheer you up. This is one of those books.

⭐ Rating: 5/5 stars
🗓 Publish date: May 7, 2024
🌈 Representation: lesbian MCs, non-binary SCs, queernormative world

CW/TW:
Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Cursing, Violence, Death of parent (minor)


Omigosh, I loved this book so much!!

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea has so many things I love in a story: characters that feel real and interesting, a world that completely immerses you, and plenty of action and drama to keep you invested.

One of the main strengths of this story, in my view, is that the main characters are already in an established relationship. I wish more books had that! I adored the way Reyna and Kianthe were always supporting each other and building a home for themselves. I would read infinite books of them going on adventures together (which is why I’m so excited for the next book in this series!)

Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Reyna and Klianthe want to open a tea shop together, but have responsibilities: Reyna is one of the Queen's private guards, and Klianthe is a powerful mage. When Reyna is taken hostage by an assassin, the two are fed up enough to leave. They set out for a small town near Dragon Country and set up the shop of their dreams. In the meantime, there are mishaps and a Queen throwing a temper tantrum.

Cozy fantasy tales are a fun genre, and this book is directly inspired by Legends and Lattes. There doesn't need to be a world-ending disaster to stop. Sometimes it's enough to realize what makes you happy or to fall in love. Reyna is finally ready to leave her cruel queen when she doesn't care that an assassin almost kills her. The town she and Klianthe choose to settle in is in dispute between the Queendom and another country, right next to Dragon territory. On top of that, they take over an old bandit hideout, setting themselves up for hilarious misunderstanding and found family situations. The supposed rulers on both sides are fun characters when they show up at the shop, and the mystery of missing dragon eggs makes me hope for a sequel. Reyna and Klianthe got lucky at the end, and I look forward to seeing how it shakes out if this becomes a series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bramble for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I stopped at about 25% in. In theory, this book was going to be everything I loved in a more cozy fantasy setting. Since this book is continually comped to Legends and Lattes, I couldn’t help but compare the two as I was reading. Can’t Spell Treason without Tea has its charms and decent world-building, yet I was left unsatisfied by the characters and their pursuit in opening up a bookstore and hiding away from the Queen, the latter of which felt wholly unnecessary. However, I do see how this book continues to pave the way for the cozy fantasy genre, and I believe people who enjoy low stakes and DND will love this one too. It just wasn’t for me.

Cozy fantasy with lesbians and fun magical creatures, what more can you want?

I really loved the dynamic between our main characters, they’re so completely for each other. The world building is good and interesting enough but not so overwhelming to take away from the main relationship and their cozy journey. I’m thrilled to already have book 2 to dive in!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bramble for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you enjoy cosy fantasy, this book is worth a read. While the writing was lovely and the romance sweet, I discovered that the cosy fantasy plot isn’t quite my style. I wanted to connect more with the story, but I’ve come to realise that I prefer emotionally intense & traumatic books with complex morally grey characters (which is seemingly the opposite of cosy 😭). I’d give it a solid ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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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.