I'm a massive fan of cozy fantasy, and there was a lot I was excited for with this one, but something baout it just wasn't clicking for me. I was hoping I could push through with the audiobook, but I couldn't get past the 15% mark, so I'm gonna set it aside and try to come back to it at another time.

ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕥: 𝓐𝓾𝓭𝓲𝓸𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴

ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨: (𝟑.𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩!). 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 “𝐜𝐨𝐳𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐲” 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐲𝐩𝐞! 𝐈 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧, 𝐚 𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐜 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐩 𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞/𝐭𝐞𝐚 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩? 𝐇𝐚𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐧, 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐦, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠; 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐯𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐬.

𝐈𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐚 𝐭𝐚𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞 (𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐈 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐳𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐲), 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝!

𝐻𝓊𝑔𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓀 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝑜 𝑅𝑒𝒷𝑒𝒸𝒸𝒶 𝒯𝒽𝑜𝓇𝓃𝑒, 𝑀𝒶𝒸𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓁𝒶𝓃 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒩𝑒𝓉𝒢𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓎 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑅𝒞! 𝒜𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝓅𝒾𝓃𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝑜𝓌𝓃.

This was super enjoyable! I saw a lot of reviews comparing it to Legends and Lattes, which I also really enjoy. I think this book had similar elements, but was also more action packed. There was a nice balance between the fast-paced action and the slow, cozy moments.

3.75 ⭐
I've been getting more and more into cozy fantasy/ cozy mysteries ever since I read Legends & Lattes. I got real excited when I got the opportunity to get an advanced listeners copy for "Can't spell Treason Without Tea" through Netgalley I knew I had to jump on the chance.

Short Summary: Reyna and Kianthe just want to open their own little bookshop/teashop hybrid. However Reyna works as one of the Queens private guards and Kianthe just so happens to be the most powerful mage in the world. All of that makes it a little hard to simply leave and start a new life so to speak. One day on a mission Reyna gets taken hostage and decides that she has had enough with this life so both of them settle in a small town in order to pursue their dreams but things are never as easy as they sound. a book full of silly mishaps, mysteries, and a temper tantrum throwing queen, the two women must discover what they mean to the world as well as each other.

Our main characters Reyna and Kianthe are in a relationship from the start of the book, so we don't exactly get to see them falling in love which is something that I don't usually like in books BUT I did enjoy seeing the two characters growing together as a couple and learning how to live together. It's a very relaxed and chill book it reads more like a little slice of life fantasy with mild violence sprinkled on top than a big epic fantasy so keep that in mid when picking it up.

the narration was good as well!

on to book #2 cause duh PIRATES!!!

Thank you so much Netgalley for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook version of this book.
I’m not the one that determines Genre of books, however, I don’t think id go with “cozy fantasy” if I were. This story outlines higher stakes than what are typically in cozy fantasies. I love fantasy, and romantasy and when I’m in the mood cozy reads but I feel like this book can’t decide.
I couldn’t really connect much with the two main characters leaving me not really caring. I think some will love this book but it just wasn’t it for me.

I requested this based on its clever title. But it wasn’t really my genre, I thought it was a mystery cozy and instead it was a fantasy cozy and it just wasn’t for me.

This book is high fantasy and low stakes, and absolutely cozying to the heart! Both of the main characters try to leave their past lives behind and open a tea and book store. Their past lives seem to keep popping up and trying to pull them back, when they just want to start their own romantic life together. The romance is so sweet, and their obvious love and care for each other can consistently be felt. I was on the edge of my seat, rooting for them the whole time. The narrator is absolutely amazing. She brought this book to life and I could picture each character so much clearer with her interpretation and voice inflection. One of the coziest and sweetest sapphic romance books I've read in a while!

**Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 (4.5 rounded up)**
What an adorable book! In *Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea,* we follow Reyna—a runaway Queen’s guardsperson—and Kianthe—the realm’s most powerful mage—as they take a chance on love and escape together to a small town where (they hope) no one will find them for a while. As they work to build a life together and their Tea shop and bookstore, they find community, try to solve a town mystery, and protect one another from powerful forces that seek to control them.

>> What I loved: This is probably the first book I’ve ever read that featured a relationship without any unnecessary drama or a super slow burn. I love that the author found ways to build a captivating story without relying on relationship drama between our FMCs. Thorne created an exciting, cozy, and queernormative world complemented by an engaging plot and cast of supporting characters.
> > What I didn’t love: A few parts where things felt a bit slow in the pacing of the overall story, but overall I was a big fan!

This is an easy recommendation to anyone looking to escape into a cozy, queer fantasy*.* I was excited to see there was a second book in the series, and I look forward to continuing to follow these characters in their next adventure.

**Acknowledgments & Disclaimers**
✨ Thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Thorne, and Macmillan Audio, for providing an ARC and the opportunity to share an honest review of this book.
✨ All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
✨ My reviews and ratings strive to evaluate books within their own age-demographic and genre.

Overall it was a good time. The characters where likable and the Queen was annoying. The creatures in this book were the great. The thing is I did not get cozy fantasy. The stakes are high from the beginning. Something big happens at the beginning and they run away. There is never a calm moment where they arrive where they wanted to be. While they set up shop there is so much going on. It was a great fantasy with big stakes but I didn't get the cozy vibe.

I didn't feel the love of book or the love of tea. I expected there to be more about teas, but it was not the case. Like I said overall great fantasy without the cozy vibes for me.

Okay so I really enjoyed this book. I will say the writer definitely has cozy fantasy down. I enjoyed the main characters in their own right, but I especially loved their relationship with each other. The way they talk to each other was adorable and funny. I really enjoyed their healthy relationship. The side characters were pretty great too. There wasn't too many, which I like so I can remember everyone. This book was sweet and hilarious to be honest. The narrator for the audiobook did very well with different voices for different people. Another note on the audiobook version of this I love the music that they play at the beginning of the audiobook. To sum up I say definitely go read this book!

I first read this book back in 2023 when it was independently published, at that point in time I was going through a lot. i was recovering from a back injury, stressed emotionally because of that and how my previous place of employment used me in so many ways. My previous manager overstepped so many boundaries and I was just in such a low place. Then one day, I decided to redownload tiktok as a source of entertainment since I was confined to my recliner and I stumbled upon a content creator called MegsTeaRoom and she recommended this book. I hadn't read a book in so long. As someone who used to frequent going to the library and woke up one day and just stopped reading, I felt strongly urged to pick up this book.

I had KU at the time so I immediately downloaded it and I finished the story within a few days between lots of rest. I cried. I cried so hard because I didn't think it was possible for me to feel as happy as I did after reading that story, to feel anything like that. I am not crying as I type this out no way. (okay so I actually am.)

Because of this book. I decided to I was never going to allow myself to fall out of love with reading again because it made me remember how powerful the words of a book can be. They have the power to heal, to show compassion, love. From that point, I just kept reading and watching content creators on tiktok and found myself itching to really become apart of the community. and so that I did.

Fast Forward over a year later and I am now finishing the audiobook that comes out soon. This book has received a trad deal and I am blessed to have found and made so many friends within the book community. I found so many stories to love and share and that emptiness and hurt I felt are not there anymore. All because I learned of this book.

If you have a story in your mind and heart that you want to write, I say go for it. You never know your story could be to someone else what this story was for me.

So if you like stories where a queensguard flees the queendom to open up a tea and bookshop with the love of her life, that has a pinch of adventure and and friendships to be had, you should absolutely read this book.

This was in many ways exactly what I was hoping for, but not entirely. A cozy fantasy with an established sapphic romance where a queen's bodyguard and a mage run away together to open a tea and bookshop. Really charming, but with more plot and higher stakes than something like Legends and Lattes (which I also loved, but I know it was TOO cozy for some readers). This reads more akin to a cozy mystery than a cozy fantasy romance so set expectations.

It was a little slow to start and it took me awhile to get the two characters straight. I can't tell how much of this was the audiobook narrator and how much was the headhopping, but I kind of thought the way she decided to do the voice of the bodyguard didn't entirely fit. That said, I got over it and loved the caretaking, the slight mystery plot, and how the couple overcame some real obstacles. And I LOVED the ending! It was perfection and I anticipate reading more in the series. I received an audio review copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own

Reyna has always dreamed of running away with her girlfriend, Kianthe, but never thought she'd get the opportunity. After a near death experience, Reyna decides to take a chance and runs away from her job as a Royal Guard. Now on the run, Reyna and Kianthe decide to follow their dreams and open a book and tea shop in the secluded town of Tawney. But with the fear of dragon attacks and the Queen's spies closing in, their dream of a quiet life may not be quite what they expected.
I had not read a cozy fantasy before this book, but overall I enjoyed it. I really liked the adventures that Reyna and Kianthe experienced and I felt that the storyline flowed well. The townspeople of Tawney were well written and I liked the sense of camaraderie shown throughout the book. I really enjoyed this audiobook and I felt the narrator did a good job with this book! I am excited to see what happens in book two.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne is a sweet and romantic cozy fantasy. Reyna, one of the Queen's Private guard, and Kianthe, the most powerful mage, both are sick of their given responsibilities. They are tired of hiding in the shadows to be together and no longer want to be stuck in these lives that have been thrust upon them. All they want is to set up a bookstore and tea shop and live their lives together. They will do anything they have to do to make that dream happen.
I loved this book! Easy 5 stars! I always enjoy a good cozy fantasy and this is the best one I have read yet. I loved the main characters and their deep love for each other. Their relationship is so adorable and you just want to fight for them and their right to have a peaceful life together. They are not perfect but work together on the issues they have to be better. That is such a great thing to see in a romance.
The plot line is also incredible. There is enough suspense and action to keep things going throughout the novel. While also having the nice breaks for the characters to continue taking care of their shop. My only complaint is that I wanted to see more of their shop preparation in detail but what we got was great. I also really enjoyed their connection to the town and how everyone comes together to help and take care of each other. I did not expect that to be the case at the beginning and it was great to see the growth as the characters got closer and more trusting of each other.
I would definitely recommend this book to any cozy fantasy lovers! I am so excited to read the next book in the series and see what else is in store for these two!

4.5 ⭐️What a fun read! A beautiful sapphic relationship, a vengeful queen, a sassy griffin and a bookshop with tea.
Dragons are missing something important which threatens a small village important to Kianthe and Reyna. I loved this. Super fun, can’t wait for book 2. Also really enjoyed the addition of the one shot at the end of Reyna and Kianthe meeting.
Also has non binary rep.

This book was sweet and simple. I absolutely ADORED the narrator and all the charm they infused the reading with. However the story was not something that will stick with me long term. I liked it, but not enough to really recommend it to people as a must read. The characters were fine, but I feel the "cozy" was a little forced? It was like a checklist was run though: plants, tea, books, check check check! I also couldn't tell if the city was small or medium sized? If this was a wild frontier town, could the economy really support a tea shop? I don't know, I tried not to look to hard into it.

This audiobook was made available for me to listen to and review by Rebecca Thorne, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley.

Cozies are my favorite comfort reads. This book has 2 main characters, Reyna who is a guard for a problematic queen and Kianthe who is an exceptionally powerful mage. The main characters are in love and quit their fast-paced life for a quiet book & tea shop. This is steadily paced. The main characters grow but I'm not really attached to them. The blend of history with fantasy works for the setting but feels somewhat flat for the characters. I never really became invested in this story or care much about the characters. For a cozy to be successful for me I have to be invested in the main characters and like the setting. I did like the setting but the characters feel more like they are being explained than showing in the narrative who they are and why. Much of the character development reads like character outlines more than story action. The romantic relationship between Reyna & Kianthe felt awkward and they've been together long enough it should've felt comfortable. The reader is told they are in love but I don't feel that love is reflected in the text. It's told but not shown in the various story elements.
This is fun, cozy and a quick read. While I will not read further in this series, I will read another book by this author.

This was my first exposure to Jessica Threet as a narrator. I felt her approach to narrating this novel was light and fun. It was a perfect tone and helped to bring Reyna and Kianthe to life.

Thank you to Rebecca Thorne, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.

I don't think this book was for me...

It felt more like a regular fantasy book than a cozy fantasy. I didn't connect to the characters, and it felt more modern than what the setting seem to be.

I liked the narrator, I think she's the reason that I finished the book in the first place, but the story overall didn't grab me like I thought it would. I also liked that it had dragons (they're a favorite of mine).

I don't think I'll be reading the next installment.

This book wasn’t quite what I was hoping for. I agree with other reviewers that the stakes were too high for what I would like to see in a “cozy fantasy” but if you want a standard fantasy that has a few cozy elements, it’ll work just fine. I liked that the protagonists were already in an established relationship when the book started as well. I received an advanced copy of the audiobook from NetGalley (thank you!)

3.5 : to be completely fair, cozy fantasy may not be my thing. I may need the high stakes. BUT, anyone looking for a cozy, heart-warming fantasy, this is for you. This story follows the Queen’s ex-private guard, and her partner, the most powerful mage there is, as they settle down in a town and open a tea/bookshop. They get to know the townsfolk and assist with their troubles. It was all around a cute story. I did enjoy the already established sapphic relationship between the two MCs, and will likely continue the story with the next installment.