This is exactly the book you want if you are looking for soft and cozy. While there is plot (and characters have undergone difficulties, you feel safe within the story. I love that Durst has decided that her world of magic can be populated by characters of all colors (literally), genders, and even sentient plants. Because if your spider plant can talk (and help you with research) there is no reason why all the humans need to be the same color. I wanted to go to Caltray and meet all of the characters! I can't wait to spend more time in Durst's world!

An adorable cozy fantasy starring an (initially) anti-social librarian and her sentient spider plant companion as they navigate love, friendship, and community in a small island town. Reading this was like drinking a warm cup of tea.

This was a decent read for me. It was a bit too sugary sweet with things being too predictable. Characters were okay, but it was obvious as to who would find love and become friends, etc. which was disappointing. If you want a cozy, quick read, this may be it.

This was really a delightful story, one that's been on my TBR for a while and I finally got it. There were a few nitpicky things that bothered me, but I enjoyed it overall and the nitpicks are hardly worth mentioning - other than it made this a 4 rather than a 5.

If I could live in cozy little magical village like this, life would be amazing. And I was a little skeptical of the sentient spider plant being a fun character, but Caz is just *chef's kiss* brilliant.

I really wanted to love this, I have read the entire Queens of Renthia series by Sarah Beth Durst and loved it but that was also more standard fantasy while this is cozy fantasy. I will be the first to admit I am not necessarily the audience for a cozy fantasy, although the cozy parts did work well for me. I love watching a community come together and work to solve problems, so when Kiela was involved in that part of the story I was all in but unfortunately many of my issues lay with Kiela and when the plot adds stakes that felt contrived to me. Kiela is someone who I have met, I know so many people in my life with social insecurities, traumas, that they make my problem by lashing out and forcing me to be patient. I don't mind that in my real life, these are my loved ones and friends and I am happy to give them grace but Kiela is not my friend, and she is not real so I found myself increasingly annoyed with how rudely she treated everyone, even if it was grounded in her characterization. Additionally I don't think the romance did anything for me. Keep Larran but lose the romance and I probably don't notice. Caz and Meep were huge stand outs and I wish there was more of other community members. Its a good book I just am currently not patient enough for a character like Kiela and I think that really hampered my enjoyment.

This fantasy book was a fun read, merhorses, spider plant that is sentient, spells, and a librarian. What more could you ask for friendships, romance and a book IMO that even a teen could read. I enjoyed #TheSpellshop by #SarahDurst and will recommend it our library patrons. Kierra, the librarian went from caring about books to caring for her community and helped them through magic and fell in love with Larran.

I thought this was a charming story! I enjoyed the characters, I appreciated that Kiela was a socially awkward, bookish main character—- can relate. And that she had a sentient plant as a best friend?? Adorable. I just think that as a result of the cozy fantasy sub genre I felt a little underwhelmed in terms of plot. That being said I do believe that this is a good cozy fantasy and have been hand selling it as such.

This was such a cozy, sweet read. I can't express how much this book felt like a warm hug. It's a true "cozy fantasy" read and I'm quickly finding that that is one of my favorite genres. Easy to read in an afternoon.

The Spellshop is like a warm cup of cider and a hand-knit shawl on a perfect fall day. It is cozy and delightful. I can hardly wait for The Enchanted Greenhouse. I believe that Sarah Beth Durst is really going places with her beautiful writing style. I recommend her to MANY of my customers and none of them have been disappointed.

The Spellshop was a book with all of my favorite things. Tons of magic, a determined female lead, a quirky talking plant, romance, and books being saved, just to name a few. This story pulls you in and envelops you like a hug. I must read more books by Sarah Beth Durst.

unbelievably charming and endearing. i thought the spider plant would be too out there for me, but i was proven wrong! consider me seated for any future books like this

This was one of my favorite books of the year and I could not stop telling people about it! I love this world and I am so excited for the sequel to come out this summer

I may be the only person on the planet who doesn't love this one. The voice felt a touch juvenile for adult fiction and with a romantasy, I was looking for the stakes to be a little higher. Beautiful cover, cute concept, but just not my cup of tea.

4.5 Stars. Ohh goodness I'm so mad at myself for waiting so long to read this. I LOVED IT. And it reminded me how much I love cozy fantasies!

This was precious. I immediately loved Kiela and Caz and was invested in their journey from the start. The love and respect they had for one another, for their books, and for everything and everyone around them was heartwarming. They had me laughing and smiling nearly the whole way through. I also adored following Kiela and Larren's sweet relationship and each step that brought them closer together.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was INCREDIBLE. Almost immediately I looked Caitlin Davies up to see what else she's narrated. She reminded me a lot of Elizabeth Evans, who of course is one of my favorite narrators. She brought this story to life so perfectly and I found myself longing to press play whenever I wasn't.

As soon as I was done I missed the story and the island and all of the characters. I can't wait to read another Sarah Beth Durst book and highly recommend this one if you're looking for a feel-good, heartwarming read. 💕

This novel is a comforting escape into a fantasy world where the safety of home and the ones who have always loved you can provide a safety and strength that you never expected. All the characters felt like they had depth and story was so compelling that I couldn't put the book down once I started it. I can't wait for the next novel set in this world.

I absolutely adored this book, and I wanted to bathe in the cozy vibes. The atmosphere of "The Spellshop" made me want to have a thriving garden and left me craving a cute community in which everyone knows everyone else and supports each other. I cannot wait for Sarah Beth Durst's next book! Now, I'm going to go smother my houseplants in love and wish for a sentient spider plant.

The Spellshop is a cozy romantic fantasy, and is a lovely if tropey book, you have the evil/neglectful ruling class that's overthrown in a coup that sends the introverted librarian back to her remote island home where she meets the plucky/weird villagers and the hot mer-horse herder next door. Nothing ground breaking in any of the categories (cozy fiction, romance, or fantasy) but an overall sweet read. Talking plants, mermaids, and winged cats help.

Okay. The Spellshop completely stole my heart. It gave cozy fantasy, magical rebellion, found family, and a grumpy librarian just trying to live her quiet life. What more could I possibly ask for? (Oh wait, a sentient plant named Caz? DONE. Obsessed.)

This book felt like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day. It was comforting, gentle, but also quietly powerful. Kiela’s journey from overworked archivist to slightly illegal magical bookseller was everything. I loved how it balanced softness with strength, and how it made space for rest, growth, and choosing a different kind of life.

I already have The Enchanted Greenhouse on deck and I’m SO ready to dive back into this world. If you’re even thinking about picking this up, consider this your sign.

4.25/5

This was such a cute and cozy fantasy book! The romance was cute and subtle (definitely wouldn't classify this as a "romantasy" or even really a romance book, but it is there) and the overarching feel of chosen family and looking out for one another carries through the whole book.

I definitely recommend for anyone looking for a cozy read with magic (and a little subterfuge)!

I really enjoyed this one! It was a good cute cozy read with magic, fun side characters, and mythical beings. I definitely think it could have been a tad shorter but all in all I had a good time with it. Super cute read!