This book is a captivating and immersive read that hooks you from the first page. The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and strong character development that makes the story come alive. The plot is well-paced, balancing moments of tension with quieter, reflective scenes that allow the characters to grow. The themes explored are deep and thought-provoking, resonating long after the final page. Whether it's the emotional depth, the twists and turns of the plot, or the unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys rich, engaging stories. Highly recommended for fans of fantasy.

Didn't quite have the magic I was looking for. I felt a little distanced from the story and the characters, and I didn't really love Caz. I'm all for a sentient plant. It just didn't really... behave the way I would have expected. I don't regret reading it, but it wasn't the next Legends & Lattes I was looking for.

Beautifully written and wonderfully narrated. I loved every moment of this cozy, magical, witchy read. I absolutely cannot wait for book 2!!

Sadly, I was really disappointed by this cozy fantasy, despite all the hype surrounding it. The plot sounded like something I’d love, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a fantastic job with the character voices, but even her performance couldn’t redeem the story for me. That said, I did appreciate that the book included no language or spice. To note, there are gay side characters and a sentient cactus uses they/them pronouns—a quirky touch that didn’t resonate with me but may appeal to others.

The world itself was enchanting, filled with whimsical fantasy elements and magical creatures. It felt like stepping into a cozy video game, which I can see appealing to fans of that style. The author’s creativity and imagination really shone, and I enjoyed the found family dynamics between the characters.

However, while the premise was interesting, the execution felt flat. The story didn’t captivate me, and I found myself bored for much of it. It took longer than expected to finish because I wasn’t invested. The characters lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them or care about their journeys. The narrative felt disjointed, with scenes resembling disconnected video game quests rather than a cohesive story.

The pacing was another issue—it was slow, with overly detailed descriptions and long paragraphs that I ended up skimming. Without a strong overarching goal or engaging plot, the book felt too long and could have benefited from tighter editing. As for the romance, while it was present, it lacked chemistry and wasn’t central to the story. I’d classify this as more fantasy than romantasy.

Despite my disappointment, there were elements I enjoyed. It’s undeniably cozy, heartwarming, and charming, with moments of humor. My favorite character was Caz, the sentient spider plant who acts like a mix of a loyal pet and a quirky friend to Kiela. His antics made me laugh out loud and brought much-needed levity to the story.

If you’re a fan of slow-paced, whimsical cozy fantasies, you might enjoy this book. But if you’re looking for depth, action, or a gripping plot, you may want to skip this one. While this wasn’t a new favorite for me, I might give the author another try to see if her other works are a better fit.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

The Spellshop is everything that Legends and Latte lacked for me. I loved the story, the characters, the resilience of the MC, and her arc and development. The audiobook production added an extra layer to the enjoyment of the story. It was so pleasurable that I’m surprised I don’t see more of this online. The story made sense and hit close to home with its theme of building something from the ground up for survival, only to discover that we are not alone in our struggle and there is a whole village w.aiting to welcome us if we let them.

I am a fan! You had me at sentient spider plant. I was sold on the entire book. It’s cozy without being so cozy that it’s boring. The magical creatures alone are worth it! The plot was excellent and the only critique is that it lagged a bit for me in some parts, but honestly I don’t even care. Give me more!

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.

I had the opportunity to listen to the audio ARC thanks to MacMillan Audio via Netgalley , and the narrator, Caitlin Davies, really added to the cozy feel of the book. She made you feel immersed in the world and the story!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

This was a cozy fantasy with a sentient spider plant, magical beings, and a beautiful island that becomes home again for Kiela. Fleeing from the capital, Kiela returns to her hometown with contraband on hand and sets to hiding and secluding herself away. But, on an island full of friendly and nosy neighbors, that is not as easy to do. With the help of a cinnamon roll love interest, Kiela makes new friends and abilities through conflicts and baking. Read this for a cozy cottage core novel that is lighthearted, quick, and well-told.

I was so excited to get this Audio book, as I knew I was going to get the physical book from Fairyloot. The Audio was done so well, I felt immersed in the world, and really enjoyed all the different charter voices. Well done!

This was quite a fun cozy book. Instantly Caz, the sentient spider plant was an unusual flag and I wanted to read it. Kiela and Caz flee the burning library (where Caz was born) and where Kiela never expected to have to leave. Her parents gone from sickness they need a new place to live and Kiela's parents had a cottage on a island where they should be safe-even if they did rescue several crates of spell books, they probably won't be accused and prosecuted for stealing the books,,,right?

Kiela is a curmudgeonly librarian type, and Caz is a bit of a worrywart, and they want to lay low, just in case the capital didn't fall and people come looking for them, and the books they stole, however that is a bit difficult to do when you show up on a small island and rein habit a cottage that has been empty for many years (like 10+?) Their neighbor is a friendly and inquisitive type that really just wants to help and it takes time for Kiela to warm up to him and the townsfolk but she'll need a way to get food, so she also needs a way to make money, so she starts a jam shop-with the help of some spell books, and a few villagers.

This is definitely a low stakes (for most of the book) story with a slow-burn romance aspect. The narrator for the audiobook was also fantastic.

This one was a DNF for me. I just couldn't get into the story. Most reviewers really enjoyed this one - unfortunately, it just didn't resonate with me.

A heart warming story of finding your people and discovering yourself. The characters are all lovable and supporting even the grumpiest ones. The whimsical setting is cozy and I hope to read more set in this world.

4.15⭐️
Thanks to Netgalley for this arc! (Even if im a hundred years late)
This has the best cozy small town fantasy vibes ever. It’s the perfect fall read! I had so much fun with this book, honestly I’ve been unable to stay engaged in a book cause of stress, buttttt this one really had my attention. It’s weird and fun and so so so wholesome. I loved the librarian main character, Kiela, she was such an enjoyable main character to follow. Shes introverted and would rather have the company of her books over people. And i love the talking plant aspect, Caz made the book even better. And Lauren (probably spelling his name wrong cause i listened to this book) was SUCH a good man. Oh to have a love like the one in this book. This man was the sweetest guy yo ever exist, he buys her cinnamon buns, cares for her, AND BUILDS HER BOOKSHELVES!!! (Me and who). And he’s not the only amazing side character, almost everyone in this small town was so damn welcoming and loving, it makes me want to live in this book. The plot was good, kept me engaged while also not being too high-stakes.
I really am craving cinnamon buns now.

A cute, cozy fantasy full of plants, books, magic, and jam! This is a perfect escape from reality to an island of misfits that find themselves banding together in perfect found family fashion. I found myself increasingly happy getting to know each character. I would have liked a touch more romance development though.

The audiobook narrated by Caitlin Davies was brilliantly done! She has the ability to give every character their own personality - even the sentient ones! She is also easily understood at faster speeds.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and author Sarah Beth Durst for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

This was so sweet and cozy. I loved the magic system and the subtle but elegant world building. I felt like the pace was quite nice and this was a lovely borderline romantasy story. The characters were all interesting and complex, the love was sweet, and this was just a good time.

Easiest review in a while: comforting, soothing, soft, peaceful. It was a bit uneventful even by cozy fantasy standards but just exactly what I needed at the time I listened/read.

Need a nice escape from reality? The Spellshop is a quaint book to take you away from your troubles. It offers all the characteristics of a fantasy with the addition of new ideas. It was refreshing to hear new fantasy ideas along with new takes on old legends and creatures. Follow Kiela on her journey from everything she has known back to her birthplace. Where she has to start over to make a living while hiding the secrets of her new life.

While adjusting to her new home she meets a handsome islander, a corky baker and new mystical friends. Thumbs up to it being a friendly read and the narrator in the audio version does a great job throughout. A fun story that will make you smile.

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst, as an audiobook, is an enchanting and whimsical journey into a world filled with magic, adventure, and self-discovery. From my perspective, Durst's storytelling is immersive and engaging, making it easy to get lost in the vibrant universe she has created. The narration enhances the experience, bringing the characters and their magical escapades to life with lively energy and distinct voices.

I loved how the story balances humor and heartfelt moments, allowing me to connect with the characters on a deeper level. The protagonist's journey of finding her place in a world of spells and enchantments is relatable, and the exploration of friendship and family adds layers to the narrative. The pacing is generally brisk, keeping the excitement flowing, though there were moments where I wished for a bit more depth in character development.

Overall, The Spellshop is a delightful audiobook that left me smiling and enchanted. It’s a fantastic choice for listeners of all ages who enjoy imaginative tales filled with magic and adventure, and it showcases Durst’s talent for crafting captivating stories that resonate with the heart.

Short synopsis: Kiela is forced to leave her beloved library after a fire, along with her faithful sidekick Caz and some stolen spellbooks they go to her home island.

My thoughts: I was immediately smiling from the first few pages of this book. I love plants, so when I heard about a talking spider plant I was Immediately entranced. Throw that in with a little magic, some mermaids and merhorses, a romance, and the fantastic small island setting and it’s the perfect cozy fantasy.

This one did feel a little on the long side, I think some of the minor plots could have been eliminated to shorten it up at bit. But overall I really enjoyed the atmosphere from this one!

The audio was so well done in this! The narrator added so much depth to the story!

Read if you love:
- Spider plant sidekick
- Mer-horses
- Found family
- Magic
- Slow burn romance