When Kiela finally decided to flee the city with the books they had curated, to save from the shelves of the magical book section she was in charge of as a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium. She thought the mobs wouldn't dare attack and burn the library. But with the smell of the burning books and smoke filling the library, she fled to the boat they'd filled on the water level of the library. Luckily she'd learned to sail years ago on her home island.

Kiela and Caz, her research assistant and sentient spider plant moved through the canals heading to the open sea. The smoke and fires didn't hide the screams of terror and destruction as they moved through the night. Once on the open sea they needed a destination and Kiela headed them toward the island she'd left as a child. Her parents had left her the home she grew up in. She hoped it would still be there.

After their nightmarish journey, they found that they had a lot of work before the house would be habitable and safe for the books. They hoped to avoid any contact with the people in the village—that lasted less than a day. Kiela had never been comfortable with people hence her love of working in a library where she seldom had to interact with people more than a few times a year.

As Kiela and Caz settle into their new home. They have to learn to deal with people who want to help them with the work to be done. The fun of this lovely cozy fantasy adventure is watching Kiela and Caz grow comfortable in their new circumstances.

What they did to escape could be called treason and they don't dare to tell anyone what really was happening in the city. Meanwhile, the island has been left without the regular visits by the magicians to regulate the magical residue. Thus the island and its people are struggling to survive as the crops fail, the storms worsen, and the fish are not as plentiful as they used to be.

The characters are well-rounded and I loved the growth of Kiela, Caz, and the community of friends they make as they open themselves to experiencing life as part of group of people who are willing to help keep their secrets.

There's plenty of drama, adventure, and danger to keep the pages turning. Well worth the time spent between its pages.

A duty bound librarian rescuing spellbooks from the fall of the capital city, a talking sentient plant and a return to the home of her youth on a remote island is where we start this cozy fantasy. The community of islanders coming together to aid a newcomer, a librarian discovering that she might not enjoy being as alone as she once did and a merhorse herder determinedly showing up with a helping hand is the perfect backdrop for making new friends, a light romance and the revitalization of an island that was dying without magic. This book was not only whimsical, but humorous at times as well as serious and sad. The contrast made it feel more real and really connects the reader to the characters and the story. I loved it!

Book Summary:

Kiela has never been the best at dealing with people but has always loved her job at the Great Library of Alyssium. It didn’t call for her to talk to people; her only friend there was Caz, a magical plant.

Then, the city burned, thanks to a revolution. It wasn’t long before the library became a target. Kiela and Caz fled, carrying as many books as possible with them. Their only safe haven is an isolated island - the home Kiela left when she was very little.

My Review:

I have heard nothing but praise for The Spellshop, and having finally read it myself, I can see why. This novel is like a warm hug for fantasy fans and book lovers alike, but perhaps not in the ways one might expect.

The story starts in the library, with Kiela and Caz trying to save what books they can. Well, it sort of even starts before that, with the two almost in denial about the idea of the library burning. Their debate hits hard. How many people in history thought the books would be safe?

After leaving the library, there’s a pretty strong tonal shift. Instead, readers are gifted a view into a small town/island life. Small towns mean nosey people but also people who will take care of each other. Here’s where that warm hug comes into play.

The magic of this story is subtle at times, but that made me appreciate it all the more. Kiela’s exploration of the magic gave readers plenty of time to learn about it while also enjoying the secondary characters coming into the mix.

Overall, I really loved The Spellshop. Some part of me dearly hopes it will become a series, while the rest of me is simply happy that I have this much. Either way, this book is worth the read (especially for fans of Legends & Lattes).

Highlights:
Magical Librarian
Cozy Mystery
Fantasy Romance
Isolated Island
Plant Pet

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst!

✨𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
📖: The Spellshop

The revolution and a great fire forces Kiela, a librarian of the Great Library of Alyssium, to flee with some spellbooks and her trusted assistant Caz in tow. Seeking refuge on the island of her birth, she starts anew, opening up a jam shop while hiding forbidden magic.

The imbalance of magic leaves the lands in need of healing. Kiela slowly discovers the things she was missing as she adjusts to life with the island natives and a childhood acquaintance.

Will Kiela open her heart to the possibility of love and new beginnings?

Tropes:
📚Bookish FMC
🥐Cinnamon roll MMC
🏡Cottagcore vibes
🌱Magically sentient spider plant
🫂Forced proximity
💫Magic & magical creatures
🫑Romance

I was swept away by this magical world and quirky characters. The author infuses a lovely balance of humor, Cottagecore vibes, and fun banter into this cozy standalone. Kiela is relatable as an introverted, lonely, and bookish FMC. Her relationship with Caz is so endearing and her romance with Larran is gradual but ardent.

The Spellshop is an enchanting fantasy with whimsical prose, heartwarming characters, and a sweet romance.

Huge thanks to the author, Tor, Bramble, and NetGalley for the ARC opportunity! This is my honest and voluntary review.

I’m a mood reader from September to January because of all the fun holidays and changes in weather. Initially I picked up “The Spellshop” because of the cover - typically I’d say never judge a book by its cover BUT this book is definitely the exception! Not only is the cover art and purple spayed pages super captivating, but the storyline is equally amazing with bits of comedic relief sprinkled in! Sarah Beth Durst writes such a cozy, fantasy romance story with total hallmark vibes! If you’re a fan of books where the protagonist must rebuild their life, find a sense of community, and a little love along the way, this is a great book to try!

A lovely cozy fantasy for anyone looking for a joyful reading experience. The world created by Durst felt much more fleshed-out and tangible than other cozy fantasy stories I've read. I can't wait to read more from this author in this genre!

The Spellshop was such a heart-warming experience to read. I sat down and started this book one morning and did not put it down until it was finished. Sarah Beth Durst was able to have me feel a wide variety of emotions while still having this be a cozy experience. I can not wait until I can read more in this world. Highly recommend to anyone who wants a cozy and heartwarming read.

I loved THE SPELLSHOP which is not an unpopular opinion. Sarah Beth Durst does what she does best here and creates a wholly original magical world for the reader to steep in. I have never read a book like THE SPELLSHOP and was delighted time and time again by every new reveal. It's not a traditional romance with the familiar beats of a kiss every fifty pages, a sex scene, and a break up. It's gentler in all aspects than what I expect from either a romance or a fantasy novel. Lovely, refreshing, and endlessly rereadable.

The Spellshop follows librarian Kiela and her sentient pet plant Caz as they flee a revolution and settle down in Kiela's hometown, which is on an isolated island. Her parents' old home, a cozy forested cottage, has been left to her. She plans to start a new chapter of her life here as her old profession is left in shambles after the library was burned down. She recused some of the library's holdings and smuggled them with her; most of which are spellbooks. Technically it is illegal for non-sorcerers to practice magic, so possessing these books is a crime. Kiela is in need of food and other essentials. She doesn't have a way to make money to buy some, so she needs to grow her own food. The cottage has an unattended garden, but obviously growing food takes time. She references a spellbook to look for spells to help plants grow, and combined with a family recipe for jam, starts her own jam shop. Maybe she can use "family recipes" to help the other people on the island out, as the island used to have some sorcerers visit and cast spells to help with the weather and other areas to improve their life, but they've stopped coming out years ago. Kiela's old cottage is also in need of some upkeep and new bookshelves-- luckily there is a very handy and attractive neighbor, Laran, who can help out.

This is a very cute and cozy romantic fantasy story. If you like romantic slice-of-life, you'll like this. It appeals to readers of all sorts because she is a librarian who not only loves books, but she also saves a whole bunch from destruction. Also, the sentient spider plant appeals to many a millennial and their houses full of plants. :) If the synopsis sounds interesting to you, I think you'll get exactly what you're looking for if you pick this up. This is an author I've been meaning to pickup for quite some time, so I will have to go and try out some of her previous works. She does write across many different age groups and genres; given this book she seems to be a talented writer!

This warmhearted and cozy romantic fantasy is like warm summer winds blowing through the fields and bringing the scent of adventure. Joining our shy protagonist as she discovers the world right outside her front door with an amazing and lively cast of sidekicks, friends, and spellbooks - you won't be disappointed to pick up this novel and be transported to her magical island. I loved every moment that I got to spend in this wonderful world and highly recommend it for anyone looking for a book about finding family and purpose with a dash of magic!

A great cozy fantasy for readers to enjoy. Fun worldbuilding and lovable characters. Perfect for those looking for a fantasy escape.

If you are looking for something with some romance, magic, and all the cozy vibes you can handle then check out The Spellshop! I really loved this set up and how the humans in this one were super bland but other creatures/beings in this story were so amazing!! I loved how the main characters grew through the story and the ending was epic in a cozy way. I can not wait to get my hands-on the next one.

I apologize for the lateness of this review. What a warm hug of a book. It was like all the best fairytales, full of fantastical creatures and compelling characters. Having the heroine be a librarian introvert was icing on the cake. Thank you for allowing me to read this book.

3.5 stars

I’m not sure I’m totally cut out for cozy fantasy, but this was super cute! The love interest was a sweetie cutie pie and the story wasn’t wholly without plot. But I do think I need a bit more of it. This, however, is the best cozy fantasy I have read.

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst is an enchanting and whimsical story that will captivate readers with its imaginative world of magic. The protagonist, Kellen, is a relatable and likable character, and her journey to take over her family's spellshop is both heartwarming and adventurous. The magical system is well-crafted, with interesting twists that keep the plot engaging. While the pacing can sometimes feel a bit slow, the story is rich in charm, and the relationships between characters are well-developed. Overall, The Spellshop is a delightful read that fans of fantasy will truly enjoy, even if it doesn't fully hit every note.

The coziest and cutest little fantasy! This had just the right amount of soft romance, fantasy elements and quirkiest little creatures around. It was immersive and all I wanted to do was sink into it! I am so looking forward to Sarah’s next. Books! This was excellent.

Super cute cozy fantasy. I had a fun time with this one - definitely a perfect fall read.

Also not about the book specifically but I loooooove the cover.

Absolutely loved this story! I think this is one of the best cozy fantasy books I have ever read! I felt like there was actual conflict but not so much that it felt heavy. There were so many lovable characters and I love how they all came together as a family! ❤️ Kiela and Caz were such a great duo and I felt like I could see myself in them, their love of books and their willingness to help others. The fantasy aspects of this book were so whimsical and imaginative. ✨ I felt like I could vividly picture what the author was describing without the author needing to go into excruciating detail. I will be telling everyone that they need to read this book!!! 📖

The Spellshop is an absolutely adorable cozy fantasy novel with a wide array of magical creatures, plants, and beings. Cozy fantasy is not usually my favorite sub genre of fantasy, but this one was just too cute not to love!

Starting with the characters, I think I loved every single character in this story. They’re all unique and lovable and funny, while also being flawed in the most beautiful ways. We get some excellent neurodiverse rep, including a presumably autistic MC and an anxiety ridden talking plant who may be my favorite character in the whole book. The character interactions and relationships were so sweet, and I loved the budding romance in the book.