I have a mixed reaction to this book.

It has all the tropes that I have come to enjoy in a cozy mystery but it didn't grab my attention. Whether I read a book or listen to an audiobook I truly enjoy it only when I can picturise the characters and incidents described in the book in my mind and it didn't happen with this one. I also could not figure out what exactly the white German Shepherd Spirit was supposed to be... a normal dog or one with supernatural abilities. The paranormal element was a bit confusing... maybe I missed out some details while listening to the audiobook. The climax was good and the person/reason behind the crime was unexpected. I guess I will have to read the book to see if I am better able to follow the plot that way.

This book has received a lot of positive reviews and ratings on Goodreads so I guess I am in the minority here for not liking it as much as the other readers/listeners. Also, the cover picture for the physical/epub version of the book is much better than the one chosen for the audiobook.

My thanks to NetGalley, the audiobook publisher Tantor Audio and the author Lauren Elliott for the audio Arc of the book.

Shayleigh Myers returns to her hometown on the California coast with last of her funds. She has inherited a tea and curiosity shop in town.
There are so many secrets to unravel in this book. As a series opener, it packs in a great many ideas, theories, premises for the best mysteries. I wouldn’t want to give anything away because this is a journey of discovery you should take alongside Shay.
In some ways, this is a rather emotionally exhausting story. There is an angsty teen, Shay’s self doubt and emotional overwhelm, a crooked sheriff, a duplicitous best friend, a possible love interest, a complicated history and many missing links.
I will look forward to the next in the series in order to have the opportunity to continue growing along with Shay.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to review this book.

I also listened to the audiobook after finishing the ebook and I liked the story even better when listening to it. I happily recommend Steeped in Secrets, the first Crystals and CuriosiTEAS mystery.

"This family isn't always what you were born into; sometimes it's where you end up."

Despite murders, break ins, and bodily attacks, Steeped In Secrets by Lauren Elliott is a very heartfelt book 1 in the new A Crystal & CuriousTEAS cozy mystery series.

Shay comes back home after a bitter divorce when she inherits a beach cottage and eclectic tea and psychic reading shop from Bridget, a woman she barely knew but who was a life long local resident. Touring the shop she discovers a dead body. So begins this engaging mystery filled with Celtic lore, Shay's emphatic abilities and a beautiful pure white German Shepard named Spirit, the best dog detective side kick since Scooby Doo.

Narrator Stephanie Richardson
is angelic as Shay. Who was murdered?Why did Bridget leave everything to Shay? Most importantly why isn't Spirit getting more treats? This was a very fulfilling cup of tea mystery.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the Tantor Audio via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

*This Review Is For The Audiobook*

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

Recovering from a brutal divorce, Shayleigh Myers returns to her hometown of Bray Harbor after an inheritance from an unexpected source. Now the owner of Crystals and CuriosiTEAs, Shay finds herself ensnared in a murder. But with the help of her neighbor, family, and a new furry friend-- Shay may not just solve the mystery but discover something about herself.

I had so much hope for STEEPED IN SECRETS-- it had just enough magic to remind me of Bailey Cates' series but fell flat on a few aspects. The dialouge often felt awkward, reading more like a monotone back and forth than a conversation with real substance. Characters, while well developed and interesting, flew off the handle for tiny reasons-- their reactions unrealistic just to move the plot forward.

Overall, this is a great choice for anyone looking for a sweet, cozy mystery with just a touch of magic. It's not a masterpiece, but it's a good read and a solid start to the series!

Fantastic way to start off a new series. Steeped in Secrets is a Cozy Mystery with depth and a touch of magic with Celtic influence.

This story gripped me from the beginning with a detailed setting, engaging plot and characters that I have felt like I've known for years.

I highly recommend the audiobook as the narrator is a great storyteller with engaging accents.

Well THIS was an extremely pleasant surprise.

I was NOT a fan of the previous Lauren Elliott book I read. Not even remotely. So I was hesitant when I saw this. Then, after listening to the audiobook sample on NG [THAT was the biggest draw initially] and looking at a couple of reviews and really looking at the book description, I decided to give it a try, and I have to say, I was not even remotely disappointed.

This is an excellent paranormal cozy with a great story-line and has some really excellent characters [I really like Shay and Tassie, they work well together and Tassie is the perfect teenage, attitude and all, but with a heart of gold. She just needs some care and tenderness] and I spent most of the book wondering just WHO THE HECK the killer could be [I was surprised, though the why was clear before the killer was] and unlike quite a few of the new books I have read this year, this reveal left me with my hands clenched and heart racing and it was very satisfying [and was NOT even remotely rushed at the last 5 minutes of the book, which was a HUGE plus for me as well], but it also leaves you wondering just how much more of the story needs to unfold [with more books on the horizon I certainly hope] and though it is not a cliffhanger, it does leave you wanting more. Which is not a bad thing. IMO.

I really liked the paranormal aspect of this book as well - I know absolutely nada about palm and tea readings, or psychics so some of the stuff that happens I didn't understand, but it didn't take away from the story at all, it just intrigues me. It is not a major part of the story in this book [though it is woven throughout the story so you are not bashed over the head with it in one go], so it gives you time to adjust if you know little about that world and none of it ever feels forced or fake. Shay is as clueless as I am and it was fun to learn along with her.

I really enjoyed this one and am really, really, looking forward to book 2. Sometimes, taking a chance on something really pays off.

I also had the opportunity to receive an audiobook ARC for this book and I had a chance to listen to a sample of this audiobook before requesting it, so I knew going in that I didn't HATE the narrator [LOL], but I was unprepared for just how much I really ENJOYED this narrator [if you listen in the cozy world, you know that a really great narrator is VERY VERY rare - there are some and let me tell you, I lock in on them and look for other things they narrate because I like them so much and Stephanie Richardson has just been added to that list]. She does an excellent job narrating this story and all its weirdness and made both the story and the mystery very believable. Well done Ms. Richardson, very well done.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lauren Elliott, Stephanie Richardson - Narrator, Kensington Books and RB Media for proving the book and audiobook ARCS in exchange for an honest review.

I love the start of cozy mystery series! The first book has the big lift of world building; introducing us to characters, setting and sleuthing skills. In this book Shay has returned to her hometown, broke & divorced, after inheriting Crystals & CuriosiTEAS from a woman she barely even knew.

What I liked:
🫖The magical elements, crystals & tea leaf reading
🫖Spirit, the German Shepard
🫖Small town, coastal California setting
🫖Multiple deaths & mysteries being investigated
🫖Liam, pub owner next door

Final thoughts: This was an excellent first book in the series and I cannot wait to see what happens next.

Thank you @netgalley @kensingtonbooks and @tantoraudio for #gifted copies of this book. I alternated between listening and reading this book and enjoyed both formats. The narrator in the audiobook was excellent and really brought the book to life.

I listened to this book. The narrator did a great job. Shay Myers has returned to her home town, broke and betrayed. Her soon to be ex-husband has stolen her business, home, and dignity.
Shay must pick herself up and start over. She has inherited a tea shop and cottage on the beach.
She meets new neighbors in town and on the beach after there is a death above the shop before she takes ownership of it.

With family and friends, she begins to turn lemons to lemonade.

I enjoyed all the discoveries Shay makes even though many of them are painful. I see hope and strength in her future. I was not prepared for the twists and turns but was ready to ride the story out.

I’m looking forward to the next installment.

I was given the opportunity to hear this from Netgalley. I am not required to leave a positive review.

A promising first in a new cozy series. I’ve been gravitating towards cozies with paranormal elements to them and this one I did enjoy! I loved the setting of Bray Harbor and all the little shops close by. Tons of characters to get the series started and a good mystery with twists I didn’t see coming. I did enjoy the storyline of how it weaves the main characters past into the happenings. I’m hoping in the next book to get more from the characters… for me personally I didn’t feel an attachment to any of them but it is still early in the series and like I said I’m excited to see where it will go!

This was an enjoyable read with many of the standard cozy mystery tropes. That said, I am not interested enough to pick it up as another series I start reading.

I gave Steeped in Secrets by Lauren Elliott 5 stars

Flat broke and divorced, intuitive gemologist Shay Myers has changed since leaving her artsy hometown of coastal Bray Harbor sixteen years ago. But when she moves back under strange circumstances, old instincts may be the only key to spilling the tea on a deadly mystery.

Even with her life in ruins in New Mexico, Shay feels uneasy about settling into the small seaside town where she grew up on California’s Monterey Peninsula and taking over an estate bequeathed to her by Bridget Early, a woman she had barely known. Her heightened senses—an empathic gift she’s had since childhood—go into overdrive upon touring Crystals & CuriosiTEAS, Bridget’s eclectic tea and psychic shop brimming with Irish lore and Celtic symbols. They reach a boiling point when Shay looks up to discover a stranger’s body sprawled across the shop’s greenhouse roof . . .

With her new business a crime scene and questions brewing over Bridget’s so-called accidental death, Shay fears she’s also inherited the attention of a killer. The terrifying realization sets her on an impractical investigation for answers aided by her sister, an elusive pure-white German Shepherd, a strikingly handsome pub owner who speaks in a gentle brogue, and a misunderstood young woman with perceptive talents of her own

-------- REVIEW --------

I recently went on a road trip, so I decided to listen to this book as an audiobook in the car. The narrator was perfect, and it was such a great book. Both me and my boyfriend enjoyed it a lot. It is the first in a new series by Lauren Elliott and also the first book of hers I have read, but definitely not the last one.

The book is well-written and have some likeable characters that I want to get to know more. I especially liked the young girl Tassi who comes to work for Shay. She is smart and energetic, and I think she and Shay are going to become really good friends. I also enjoyed the tea and magical elements of this book. I haven't read too many magical cozies yet, but I do like them.

Already looking forward to the next book.

This audiobook comes out November 29.

Thank you Net Galley and Tantor Audio for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cldut6GLBTT/
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5011500640

Overall:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Story:
📘📘📘📘
Narration:
🎙🎙🎙🎙️


I really liked this one! It was a great start to a new series! Magic, tea, intrigue and Irish accents! You can’t go wrong!

Steeped in Secrets by Lauren Elliott was a good cozy murder mystery book. I enjoyed the secrets and guessing game. I also loved that everything, except the explanation for the murderer's actions, wasn't saved for the end.

However, Stephanie Richardson's voice distracted me when reading. There were some misspeaks, missed words, and words pronounced incorrectly. I did not like it. This is the reason I rate it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4, instead of 5.

Thank you to Tantor Audio for providing me with an ALC.

This might be my new fav cozy! I loved this one! It had all the fun characters, but it also had this extra layer of mystery and magic, which I loved. It also wasn't too over the top as some cozies are want to do. I'll definitely be keeping a look out for the rest of the series.

I listened to the audio form of the book and loved how it was narrated. I picked this book because of the white german shepard on the cover abd throughout this story Spirit did not disappoint. This book had me from ch 1. You had characters to root for to love and to hate. I love that it was smuttless. It was a perfect cozy read curled up with my Boykin Spaniels and Black German Shepard. I will be ordering a finished copy of this book and checking out her backlist as I wait for the next book in this series to released. I did write a review on goodreads but could not figure out how to link it here.

Really enjoyed this first book in the series. I loved the magical element to it and the way the characters were introduced was fantastic. Can’t wait to read the next book. Narrator was fantastic as well.

“Flat broke and divorced, intuitive gemologist Shay Myers has changed since leaving her artsy hometown of coastal Bray Harbor sixteen years ago. But when she moves back under strange circumstances, old instincts may be the only key to spilling the tea on a deadly mystery.”

***

Binge watching Sex and the City hits way different than if you watch it, one episode per week, as God intended. The girls just come off way more sketchy when viewed one episode (and bed partner) after another after another after another.

I think the reason this book didn’t work for me is similar. If I hadn’t just recently read a string of meh fiction, I probably would have read this one with a much better attitude.

First, I had a hard time getting past the Steeped in Exposition dialogue.

“You should ask Stephen.”
“Stephen? Your ex-roommates step-father, who opened up a bait shop two towns over after retiring from the salt mines after an accident left him with a limp in his left leg?”

I fully understand the author is trying to build a whole world in Bray Harbor, but I felt tube-fed.

It went downhill from there.

The town-folk were caricatures (I’m surprised the Sheriff didn’t have a mustache to twirl), the love interest used his fake accent to manipulate women, and the main female character was creepily gleeful, considering her inheritance came from the suspicious death of an old woman.

I didn’t even like the dog!

“What is it, boy? What are you trying to tell me? Timmy’s in the well?”

You know I’m grumpy when I can’t be put in a good mood by a puppy.

Listen, this book is has a 4.5 star rating on Good Reads, so LOTS OF PEOPLE LOVE THIS BOOK.

I’m just not one of them.

3/10

Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Tantor Audio for this ARC.

Thank you to the publisher/Netgalley for allowing me to review this audiobook!

Honestly this was such a cozy book to read. I can't wait to read other books possibly within this series or others from this author! It was hard to get into at the beginning but after the first 5 chapters it really became intriguing. I loved the dog and the atmosphere this book had. I think the potential Love Interest was great. The entire idea was unique and was well done.

One slight negative was that I wished this actually had more witchy vibes to it and went more in-depth into the folklore/mythology aspect. Also some parts weren't as well defined throughout the book that maybe should have been tweaked before publishing but I think its a great start to a cozy mystery series. I think the antagonist wasn't set up the best but that might just be personal preference.

The audio itself was wonderful. The narrator was a great fit. I think this could have been better if there was one more narrator in the mix but that's a minor issue and doesn't detract from the book.

Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good cozy mystery that is placed in a small town.

I absolutely loved this first installment in Lauren Elliott's new cozy mystery series! It has just a touch of paranormal, and the dog, Spirit, is one of my new favorite animal companions. I really liked Shay, our protagonist, and found her to be endearing and very relatable. I loved following her journey through learning why she inherited a shop and a beachfront cottage and while she was solving the mystery. It was well paced and plotted, and I cannot wait for the next book!

Good start to a new series. This one has a lot of the tried-and-true cozy tropes: inheriting a business, suffering through a breakup, meeting handsome new stranger… (all of which can be found in the author’s other series). There is an added paranormal element in this that didn’t work for me. I did like the gemologist aspect, something I don’t really see in cozies so this may be what gets me to read the next one. Enjoyable but maybe I’ve hit my limit with cozy mysteries.

Narration is well done, no issues.