Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0

This book was so sweet and cozy. I really grew to love the characters and all their little quirks. It took some time to get to know Kiela, but with time you learn what a kind and genuine person she is.
All of the side characters were just darling. I mean who does not LOVE a sentient spider plant? Caz was the best supporting character you could ask for. I also greatly enjoyed all of the diversity in this book! All of the characters had different and unique mythical heritage. There were hippocami and merpeople, townsfolk with antlers and many arms, cats who fly and giant squids. From the plants to the magic to the cozy jam shop, this book was perfect.
This book reminded me so much of cozy gaming. Like Disney Dreamlight Valley. A new person comes to town and sees so much they can help and repair while also starting a shop that promotes community and economy. The townsfolk see so much kindness in Kiela and quickly take a liking to her. She helps all of them in small ways that turn her home island into the place she remembers. When the townsfolk come to her, she drops everything to solve their problems.
The community and light romance make this such a warm and welcoming story. It wrapped up so nicely yet I am excited for another story.
All opinions are my own. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy.

Kiela is the definition of introvert and after an accident she leaves for her childhood home. A magical place with mermaid and merhorses, and winged cats. Magical storms that are worsening with the imbalance of magic. Kiela who left at a young age remembers a little of this magical land but not the people and she soon finds herself being forced out of her comfort zone and surrounded by people who she starts to develop relationships with. I am removing one star because I loved this as a fantasy but would not categorize it as a Romantasy. There was not enough romantic development in the story for me to believe it fits into that category. A magical adventure where Kiela finds herself being forced place and the people where she belongs.

Thank you for the audiobook and ebook from the publisher! This was such a cozy fantasy that I enjoyed! The pacing was perfect to giving the cozy vibes. I enjoyed the writing style and the beautiful cover!

I never realized how much I needed cozy fantasy in my life. Listening to this book felt like a giant, magical hug. Also, Caz (a talking spider plant librarian’s assistant) is my new favorite book character. And don’t get me started on the slow burn romance- I was swooning from start to finish!

I was actually super disappointed in this book, it wasn't quite what I thought it was going to be. It was cute, but very very slow.

What a fun, cozy, magical book. I enjoyed this one and the audio was fantastic!
I really liked the characters and the setting was perfect. I found myself drawn into this story and couldn't put it down.
I will definitely be reading more from this author.

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.

I received this book for free from netgalley for an honest review. Amazing audiobook. I also got it in print it's the perfect cottage core for anyone who is looking for a low intensity read with no spice.

The Spellshop should have been an easy five-star read. No one is more shocked at my rating than I am. I usually love cozy fantasy, and then you add a talking plant. I mean, come on. Yet, while I enjoyed it enough, it failed to wow me. Everything was just fine. I loved the vibes but kept waiting for something to happen. I will likely pick up the next book because it is a standalone set in the same world, and I did like the writing and the vibes. I do see why so many love this, though. If you love cozy fantasy, sentient objects, books, jam, and magic, you may love The Spellshop.

Caitlin Davies narrated the audiobook perfectly. Her voice was perfect for Kiela and the overall vibes of the story. If you choose to read this one, I highly recommend the audio.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

If you enjoy Studio Ghibli movies, you'll enjoy this. The comparisons to the recent spate of cozy fantasies are not entirely accurate - there's much more drama and tension here than the marketing folks would have you believe...but also more philosophical musings on the nature of home, family, love, etc.

What's missing the deep development of the cast of supporting characters that you might expect from a true cozy. This is Kiela's story, and what we learn about the islanders is entirely focused on how they relate to her. You don't come out of the story feeling like you've visited Caltrey as much as that you've read a lengthy postcard from Kiela about her experience there. Oddly, the best developed characters aside from Kiela herself are the...well, I won't spoil it for you since they're really the highlight of the book, but let's just say there are a couple of characters who really set themselves up well to be plushies someday if there's a movie version.

The audiobook narration is competently done, but doesn't have the fairy tale tone that would enhance the tone of the story. Again, the narrator sparkles when doing certain characters' voices...but isn't quite able to hide the repetitive nature of the dialogue between the fully human characters.

So adjust your expectations (but don't hate on the librarians and booksellers who have been the ones to hype this one up - it really is a beautiful tribute to them!), and give it a chance.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was the absolute definition of a warm hug. I actually cannot imagine anything sweeter.

The banter between the main character and her familiar was 10/10 amazing. Kaz was absolutely hilarious and his comments had me laughing out loud.

The romance was very sweet and I loved how this book tried to redeem everyone.

The coziest fantasy I have ever read!

The world itself was enchanting, immersive, magical, and gave off cottage core vibes. Anyone who enjoys cozy fantasy would enjoy this book. However, I've come to terms with the fact that cozy fantasy is not my thing. With that said, I have to DNF this. However, I feel this book is deserving of a mid rating.

This was a great cosy fantasy romance.
The characters, plants and worldbuilding all where very well done.

This is an absolute gem in the fantasy romance genre. Kiela, a socially awkward librarian, flees to her childhood island home with her sentient spider plant, Caz, after a revolution destroys the Great Library of Alyssium. There, she starts a secret spellshop, using forbidden magic to create unique jams while navigating an unexpected romance with her charming and helpful neighbor. The book's cozy, whimsical setting, slow-burn romance, and delightful characters make it a heartwarming read. The magical creatures, from sentient plants to mythical beings, add color and life to the story. The audiobook, narrated by Caitlin Davies, is entertaining. Her engaging performance brings the characters to life, enhancing the enchanting and cozy experience. A truly magical read!

This Spellshop is a cozy romance fantasy that’s perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes. This story follows introverted librarian Kiela and her sentient spider plant through an adventure that unfolds like a cozy video game and reads like a warm hug. The book opens with the Great Library of Alyssium going up in flames and Kiela fleeing to a faraway island where she spent her childhood. There she opens a spell shop to help restore the island's power, meeting a lovely cast of characters along the way. Not only will Kiela challenge herself to come out of her shell a bit more, she may just find that in pursuing new things, she finds more of herself in the process. This sweet read came out in July, but is the PERFECT fall read with its quaint setting, amazing characters, and of course some romance for good measure. The audiobook narration was enjoyable and enhanced the story overall.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an Advance Listeners Copy(is that what it's called?)

I'm not sure if I would call this a romantasy, though the romance was cute (and he respects her boundaries and independence! He's a keeper). This is 100% a cozy fantasy, and it's very well done. It's the sort of cozy where a tight-knit community can be found family, and your foe can become your ally with the power of friendship and kindness. It's almost cloyingly sweet at times, but that's more of my preference as a reader. If you like cozy fantasies, this fits the bill.

Is there anything cuter than a walking, talking, sentient spider plant as a travel buddy? I don't think so. This book isn't a dramatic epic tale but is warm and tugs at your heart. It was written with such a love of books in mind that it drew me right in. The characters are loveable and memorable and filled with goodness. This is a comfort read from page one.

“It wasn’t that she didn’t like people, it was that she liked books better.”

“You want us to build a new life based on jam?!”

Kiel’s flees her life as a librarian during a tumultuous time in her home of Alyssium. Along with her assistant, Caz (a spider plant given human qualities as the result of a magic spell) she smuggles out as many spell books as she can handle. They settle on an island full of interesting characters in the hopes of creating a new life.

This book was absolutely adorable! I loved the cozy, magical vibes and the audio was very enjoyable. The characters were interesting, funny, and the love story was sweet. I definitely recommend picking up this one!

Thank you to @macmillan.audio for a copy of this ALC!

4.5⭐️

Absolutely charming and whimsical. This was one of my favorite cozy magical fantasy reads of the year so far. I enjoyed the magical creatures, the funny nature of Kiela and Caz figuring out the spells to help the trees. The found family aspect was done so well. The cute little romance between Kiela and Larran, it was sweet all the not a huge focus of the book. Kiela is absolutely the most introverted introvert that every was, but I loved seeing her open up to her new friends and grow to rely on the town and its people.

The best best best part of this whole book were Caz and Meep....both sentient plants!!! I want a Meep so badly!!

I would highly recomenend the audiobook version of this book. It was a joy to listen too.

**** spoiler/plot hole****




There was a a plot hole in this story that just got under my skin. There is a moment later in the book when Kiela believes she needs to hide Caz, Meep and the books in the cave because "the imperial investigator" hasn't seen the setient plant....but that isn't true. She sees Caz when Kiela goes to Larran's to help the merehorse who has storm sickness. Caz is there and talks to Radane to try to distract her. So she has already seen and talked to the setient plant.

I received this audiobook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is so cute!! I you like The Phoenix Keeper, You Can't Spell Treason Without Tea, or Legends and Lattes I think you will love this book.

We follow Kiela, a librarian at the Great Library, as she rescues books from burning in a fire started by the revolution. Kiela flees, along with her sentient spider plant, to a small island where she grew up. Keila develops strong relationships with the townsfolk, as well as a romance with her neighbor. This story is as sweet as the jam Keila sells to hide her use of magic.

I can't wait for the next installments in this series.