What I enjoyed about this book was the development of themes like the inherent problems of imperialism (such as the restriction of knowledge/magic/power to an elite few), the desire to escape political upheaval in favor of the simple life, the importance of community, and the need to let kindness and human decency prevail over a legalistic view of what is "right." The plot was intriguing and reasonably well developed. But the character development fell flat with the main characters, with a lot more telling than showing and with a repetitive attention to less than useful details, and that really kept me from getting too engaged with the story. Yes, it's a nice cozy read and worth the time, but unfortunately not as much for the characters (except for Caz and Meep and even Bryn), so I was a little disappointed overall. 3 stars,

Thank you, Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

Kiela has never been a people person, so her job as a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium is perfect. But when a revolution breaks out in the city, Kiela must flee her sanctuary. Along with her sentient spider plant, Caz, and as many books as she could smuggle out, Kiela sets out for the faraway island she grew up on. When Kiela arrives, she notices that the island isn't what it used to be. The upheaval in the capital has meant that smaller islands haven't received the much-needed magic that keeps them prosperous. Kiela knows that using the magic from the books she stole is forbidden, but she's determined to help her home. She decides to set up a spell shop, and soon, Kiela finds herself opening up and finding a community of her own. But when the empire comes sniffing around, will Kiela lose the life she's starting to build?

First, can we talk about how gorgeous this cover is? I want to crawl in and live it in. Admittedly, I'm not the biggest fan of cozy fantasy. I've enjoyed some, but I usually find them boring. Sadly, that is what happened here. I like my cozy fantasies to still have some bite to them, but this was more slice-of-life. The stakes were so low that I had difficulty staying interested. Caz was the highlight and saving grave for me. A sassy sentient spider plant sidekick was everything I didn't know I needed. I also loved all the food descriptions. My mouth was watering every time a cinnamon roll was mentioned. It wasn't a bad book; it just didn't work for me and my reading tastes, but I think it'd be perfect for fans of a slower-paced story.

"The Spellshop" by Sarah Beth Durst is a romantasy debut that unfolds a lush cottagecore tale filled with stolen spellbooks, unexpected friendships, sweet melodies, and even sweeter love. This gorgeous hardcover edition features lavender spray-painted edges.

The story follows Kiela, a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, who has always struggled with dealing with people. Sequestered among the empire's most precious spellbooks with her assistant, Caz, a magically sentient spider plant, Kiela's life takes a turn when a revolution breaks out, and the library is set ablaze. In a bid to preserve magical knowledge, she and Caz flee to her childhood home on a faraway island. There, Kiela encounters a nosy neighbor and finds the town in disrepair due to the empire's neglect of those who depend on magic for their livelihood.

Haunted by her past role in the destructive storms created by the empire's magic, Kiela is determined to make things right. Despite the risks involved—sharing magic with commoners is punishable by death—she decides to open the island's first secret spellshop. As she integrates into the quirky community and builds relationships, Kiela discovers that breaking down the walls she built around herself is essential for making a life in her former home.

Described as a Hallmark rom-com filled with mythical creatures and powered by cinnamon rolls and magic, "The Spellshop" promises to heal hearts and feed the soul. Sarah Beth Durst's storytelling is praised for its enchanting qualities, blending romance with fantasy in a captivating and delightful narrative.