This is exactly the cozy fantasy I've been searching for since I finished the last Emily Wilde's book. Magic, mystery, found family, a little romance, and some incredible jam make the perfect recipe for this story.
I found myself immediately relating to and rooting for Kiela and the fantastic Caz from the moment I met them.
Kiela is, well was, a librarian in the greatest city in the nation. And then the rebels attacked, burned it down. Being ever pragmatic, Kiela expected this would happen eventually and had been prepping and packing books to take should the need to fell arise.
Now that is has she must decide where to go. Magic use is illegal for anyone who isn't a registered sorcerer, even having these books could land her in big trouble. So as far away as possible from the city is best. And that just so happens to be the exact same island Kiela grew up on as a child, her famiky even has an old house tucked away in a cover there. Perfect for hiding out.
That is until the incredibly kind and helpful neighbor, Larin, shows up and offers all of his help with whatever they need. And then the rest of the island does, and suddenly Kiela is surrounded by people who are choosing to love her and support her, no matter what odd things tend to happen around her. Or hang out with her.
Kielas journey to self-love, and the reciprocal love of others was so incredibly satisfying. The narrator for the audiobook did a fantastic job keeping me engaged and curious about what happens next.
In life, you never know who needs a little help, maybe some jam, to turn things around and change themselves, and the world, for the better.
Now, to begin politely begging for more books like this.
Thank you to Macmillian audiobook and Netgalley for providing me with the free audiobook to listen to and provide my honest feedback. All opinions and statements are my own.

This book was so sweet and magical. I loved the independence and creativity of Keila and the side characters were great. I teach sixth grade and will recommend this book to our fantasy and romance lovers. The only issue I had at all was the main character's name. Keila is pretty but every time the narrator said "to Keila" it sounded like "tequila" and that was enough to take me out of the story. It was said a lot.

This book was my jam! Pun intended.
The story had a really strong start. I was immediately invested in the books and the urgency to go to a new location.
I felt that Kiela is a relatable character to introverts, bookworms, and those with anxiety.
The ending fell a bit flat for me, but overall this was a fun, whimsical, magical, cozy, feel-good story.
3.5 rounded up

This book is completely sweet and entirely cozy. I read in the acknowledgements that Durst intended to write something that reads like a cup of hot chocolate and I’d say she succeeded. This story is a warm hug in book form. 😊

I related so much to the main character, who is a librarian like me, someone who prefers solitude and a good book to most any social situation. I also appreciated the author adding the authentic detail that our heroine acquired an advanced degree to become a librarian (lots of folks don’t realize that, so it’s a pleasure to see represented accurately in fiction).

The romance element was nice, and I appreciated the bit of romance for a couple of side characters, as well. I was pleased to see a bit about the winged cats, and even the sentient plants worked for me.

The mild peril was the perfect amount to make the story interesting without sacrificing the comfortable tone of the read, in general. The theme of found family is strong in this book, contributing to the warm hug appeal.

I hope this author writes more books, either set in this world or another; I will want to read them. I will also be inclined to read this again as a comfort reread! 🥰📚

ETA: I just learned she’s written a zillion books so yay! ❤️

Second ETA: I listened to the MacMillan audio version of this book and it was lovely! The narrator covered a range of characters and voices and did it well. This story is so sweet and cozy, I would 100% re-listen as a comfort reread! 💕

I loved every bit of this book. It's a cozy cottagecore fantasy with a bit of romance and an engaging plot that will keep you turning the pages.

After escaping unrest in the capital city. Librarian Kila, some old books that she "rescued", and her best friend Caz, ended up at her childhood home. A cottage on a small island where she spent her childhood years.
But how would she feed herself? She has nothing but the books she brought with her.
Luckily, she has a tall, handsome "Mr Fix It" neighbor to help with her crumbling cottage.
But, will he shun her when he find out what she did. what's really in those books?
Is her jam shop selling "just jams"?
Will she help save them, are bring them more doom?

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC❤️

As another reviewer said "I need more cottagecore fantasy romance in 2024" and I couldn't agree more!

I am so happy I had a chance to listen to this book. Caitlin Davies did an excellant job!

This book is cozy, funny, sweet and so much fun! Her little plant sidekicks Caz and Meep were my favourite part of the story. I would do anything for them!

I just had a great time listening to this!

Thanks to NetGalley for the Audio ARC!

This was everything I wanted and MORE. It was cozy, funny, sweet, unexpected, and really fun. It was extremely well written with amazing characters, a beautiful setting, and an interesting plot. It walked the line perfectly between keeping me interested but not raising my blood pressure and leaving me feeling lighter.

This has easily risen to the upper echelons of cozy fantasy for me. I would die for Caz and Meep....they are perfect babies and you cannot tell me otherwise. I love the hesitant and beautiful love story with the hunky, softspoken merhorse herder that build book and jam shelves and the quirky, socially awkward librarian.....it makes me smile to even think about.

The ensemble case is AMAZING - I want to live there and meet them all eating at the bakery and riding the merhorses, exploring the orchards and visiting the cloud bears....I could go on and on about how much I loved it, seriously.

If you love cozy fantasy (or even if you don't), you do NOT want to miss this one. It's beautiful and is a warm hug with a cup of tea with a side of toast and jam, perfect.

Ahoy there me mateys!  I be a fan of this author's writing and was excited to listen to her cosy novel.  This follows a librarian, Kiela, whose world goes up in literal flames when the Empire faces a rebellion.  Kiela escapes the library with 5 crates of spellbooks and her friend, Caz, a sentient spider plant.  Kiela has no choice but to return to her parent's cottage on her home island and start over.

First, let me start by saying the title is misleading.  Kiela's store is a jam shop because her magic talent has to be hidden.  Secondly, Kiela inherits the cottage and is a native of the island which makes her journey a lot easier.  Thirdly, her handsome neighbor helps her fix things which is also convenient.  And lastly, Kiela is kind of a special snowflake due to said magical ability.

I did like the majority of the book.  The first third was excellent fun.  Caz is awesome and was the best part of the book.  I wish he had more page time.  I also loved the addition of Caz's friend Meep.  It was enjoyable to watch Kiela deal with her shyness and also see her determination to learn new skills.  I also wish there would have been a lot more of the tree spirits.

Lesser enjoyment came from the fact that there were three potential endings and each one resolved too quickly and easily for me.  The magic system could have used a bit more explanation.  I also thought the world building regarding the empire could have been fleshed out more.  Kiela is a LOT more forgiving then I thought she should be and I was annoyed by this.  Of course, that is personal preference.

I am glad I listened to this one and think that it will have a ton of fans.  For me it was very mixed.  Arrrr!

3.5 starts rounded up

3.5 stars rounded up
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst is a cozy cottagecore fantasy where the focus is on books, spells, gardening, a little romance and tons of adorable mystical creatures. The first half was a bit on the slower side for me, but I felt like it picked up in the second half. I loved the adorable sentient spider plant companion, Caz, and I always love a cinnamon roll MMC.

What to Expect:
- An adorable sentient spider plant and other mystical creatures 🌱
- Dash of romance ❤️
- Cinnamon roll MMC 🥐
- Found family
- Jam making (kind of made me hungry for an English muffin with jam) 🍞
- Legend & Lattes vibes ☕️

Special nod to Caitlin Davies and her fantastic job doing the narration.

Thank you to Sarah Beth Durst, Macmillan Audio, and to NetGalley for providing an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

That is just one of those books that just makes you smile. I love the characters. Everyone needs a friend like Caz! If you love cozy romantasy with a side of laughter, you should read this book. This has been one of my favorite cozy reads!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)

Listening to The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst as an audiobook was a delightful experience. Caitlin Davies' narration really brought the story to life, making it easy to get immersed in the cozy fantasy world.

Plot and Characters:
The story begins with Kiela, a shy librarian, escaping a burning library during a rebellion. She ends up on her childhood island with crates of valuable spellbooks and her unique assistant, Caz, who is a sentient spider plant. The island, which has seen better days, becomes the perfect place for Kiela to rebuild her life and form new connections.

Kiela is a wonderfully relatable character, especially for anyone who loves books and sometimes prefers solitude. Her transformation from a solitary librarian to an active member of the island community is heartwarming. The developing romance between Kiela and her neighbor, Larran, is sweet and adds a nice touch to the story without taking over.

Caz, the talking spider plant, adds a lot of humor and charm to the story. His quirky personality and the diverse cast of magical creatures and townspeople make the island feel vibrant and alive.

World Building:
The world-building is engaging but could use a bit more detail. The magic system, in particular, felt somewhat vague at times. Additionally, the political backdrop of the rebellion could have been explored more to add depth to the story.

Imagery and Descriptions:
Durst does a great job of creating cozy, inviting scenes. However, some descriptions felt sparse, making it a bit challenging to visualize certain characters and settings. For example, Larran, the love interest, is described in general terms, leaving his appearance somewhat open to interpretation.

Ending:
The ending felt a bit drawn out, with several conflicts arising and being resolved quickly. This made the final chapters feel slightly rushed and repetitive. Despite this, the overall conclusion was satisfying and left a warm feeling.

Final Thoughts:
The Spellshop is a charming and cozy fantasy that is perfect for those looking for a feel-good read. The audiobook enhances the experience, making it easy to get lost in Kiela’s world. While it has its imperfections, the lovable characters, sweet romance, and magical elements make it a book worth reading. If you enjoyed Legends & Lattes, you’ll likely find The Spellshop a delightful addition to your reading list.

Thank you NetGalley and author for allowing me an ARC audiobook for The Spellshop.

This was such a cozy read and had lots of sweet found-family moments/ loveable characters (meep!!) The world building and imagery was so cozy and imaginative!

This book had stakes while still remaining cozy, which is a five stars in my book.

AND THAT COVER!!! It is GORGEOUS!!!!!!

This book was absolutely perfect. The narrator did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life and the voices are the best. I imagine listening is an even better experience than if I had read it on my own in my head. The story is charming - the main character does have some problems to fix but ultimately very low stakes. I want a Caz of my own as a friend. The idea of an alive, talking spider plant is a great friend. I already bought a physical copy of the book before I even finished it because I knew I would want to read it again. Thanks so much!

4.5 Stars.

A cozy story of a introverted librarian who learns the value of good friends and community. Kiela and her sentient spider plant, Caz escape the revolution and go back to her homeland, an island cut off from the rest of the world with many of the spellbooks stolen from the Library. Larren, the friendly neighbor is kind and thoughtful, and the sweetest cinnamon roll character and I’m a little in love with him. a bit. He builds bookshelves and keeps merhorses <3

This story was one of the few cozy fantasy stories I actually enjoyed. Normally I need more plot than some cozy stories have offered and this one had enough to make it enjoyable. The romance was slow burn and the characters were sweet.

A few negatives: Kiela was a little too introverted in the beginning and I thought I wasn’t going to like her but I warmed up to her pretty quickly after she decided to open the shop. Also, the story seemed a little too long for my personal tastes, Like maybe one less story beat would have made it better?

This was a wonderful, cozy fantasy! The Spellshop has a delightful cast of characters starting with Kiela, a spellbook librarian who has fled her position as a librarian in the city of Elysium with crates of precious spellbooks and arrives at her childhood home on an idyllic island. On the island, she slowly bonds with the locals and dabbles in spellwork to help various people and creatures. She has a talking plant sidekick and finds a heart-warming found family by the end of the book. Her romance with her neighbor on the island was so charming and sweet. This book wasn't heavy on the romance, but we still get enough moments of connection that I was fully convinced of their feelings for each other. There was just enough plot with an overthrown dynasty and a mysterious visitor to the island to drive the story without it feeling too high stakes for a cozy fantasy.

The audiobook narration was fantastic! The narrator wasn't simply reading the words; she added all the right emotions and brought the story to life. Each character had their own voice so the world felt very fleshed out. I will definitely be seeking out more by this narrator.

Overall, a charming read perfect for those seeking some cottagecore cozy escapism!

Such a phenomenal cozy fantasy! I loved following our lovely heroine, especially with her love of books.

A librarian with books she saved when her library burned down seeks refuge in her hometown. While her parents left the island because they wanted the hustle and bustle of the big city, she instead finds solace in small town life alongside her charming assistant Caz.

The conflict comes from the fact that the rescued books are spell books, which are illegal to use by all but approved sorcerers. When others from the city start showing up, Kiela may be forced to choose between her happiness and the safety of her newfound community.

I loved the cozy atmosphere built by the author and the amazingly diverse cast of characters. There are merpeople, tree spirits, and talking plants (my favorite). The found family and cozy community were completely heartwarming and reminiscent of my own experiences with small town life.

The narration of the audiobook was perfect! It was such a wonderful listen with emotions - particularly Kiela’s anxiety - expressed so realistically. It really brings you into the story as the listener.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to and review this title.

My heart is so happy.

The Spellshop is exactly the fun, magical book I needed.

It’s also beautiful and sweet, full of memorable characters, a vivid setting, and so much love.

The audiobook production is excellent. Caitlin Davies brought me right into the story and my attention never wavered.

This is the perfect feel-good fantasy that will make you believe in magic!

I never expected to fall in love with a sentient spider plant, but here we are.

I am so glad I gave this audiobook a shot. This book could easily be one of my favourites for the year. The VA is perfect for the FMC, and I truly enjoyed listening to this book! I wasn’t even halfway through before giving this five stars.

Cottagecore
Slow burn romance
Quirky plants, and animals
Spells, and witchiness

Just overall a lot of fun, and very cute.

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst is a sweet slow burn cozy fantasy.
We start off with a fire and revolution and our main character Kiela needs to escape with her trusty assistant Caz, a spider plant who is terrified of goats.
Kiela makes it back to her home island that she hasn’t been to since a kid. The island needs help and Kiela and Caz are ready to help with jam and “remedies.”
The island is super cute and whimsical with all the townspeople and magical creatures who live there.
If you are a fan of Legends and Lattes and other similar cozy fantasy then you will enjoy this.

"The Spellshop" is the perfect cozy fantasy, full of magic, friendship, and a touch of romance. I knew within 5 minutes of starting the audiobook I was going to love it!

We follow Kila, a librarian in the city of Elysium, and her sentient spider plant Kaz as they flee from a fire in the library caused by a rebellion. They take as many spell books as they can in their little boat and end up in Kila's home town, Caltrey. Kila and Kaz aim to lie low, but when it turns out the island has been suffering under the neglect of the empire, it's up to them to fix the town with their magic as indiscreetly as possible.

The audiobook narrator for this book was wonderful! As previously mentioned, I was hooked immediately. I loved the differences the audiobook narrator was able to produce to create different character voices. Her voice also drew me into the story. It's possibly the best audiobook I've ever listened to.

The story had me wanting to listen to more even when I had to turn the audiobook off. I loved the cozy, small town vibes, the cute budding romance, and the bits of magic interspersed throughout the story. The characters were wonderful, and I love the found family aspect to the story. I also loved learning about the magic and seeing what spell Kila and Kaz would try next. I truly think this is a contender for favorite book of the year!

If you like the cozy fantasy genre this book is for you! I think you'd like this if you enjoyed "Legends and Latte's" or "Can't Spell Treason Without Tea". While it's marketed as adult, I think it would be great for teens as well.

5/5 stars-would give it more if I could!!!

Thank you so much the Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an advanced listener's copy in exchange for an honest review.