"The Spellshop" by Sarah Beth Durst is an enchanting, cozy fantasy that delivers all the magic and whimsy you could wish for. Narrated by Caitlin Davies, this audiobook had me hooked from the start. Kiela, a librarian turned secret spellshop owner, and her sentient, book-loving spider plant companion, Caz, make for a delightful duo in a world filled with magical creatures and unique spell ingredients. The world-building is fantastic, with a variety of magical beings like four-armed harp players and centaurs blending seamlessly into the story. Kiela's relationship with Caz is charming, feeling like a mix of sibling antics and colleague camaraderie.

The audiobook narration by Caitlin Davies is top-notch, perfectly capturing the essence of the characters and the magical ambiance of the story. While the plot sometimes felt a bit convenient and the tension a bit forced, the overall experience was still heartwarming and enjoyable. The casual magic and the cozy vibe make it a perfect escape, though a bit more depth on the political intrigue would have added to the excitement. If you love cozy fantasies with a touch of drama and a lot of charm, "The Spellshop" is definitely worth a listen!

The Spellshop is a lovely new addition to the cozy sub genre of fantasy. While ultimately a story about finding oneself, it’s also a story with a pinch of adventure, a dash of romance, and lots and lots of jam. Featuring a unique cast of characters ranging from human to centaur, many animalian peoples in between, and the single most anxiety ridden sentient plant to ever Grace the pages of a book. The perfect read to settle down with on a lazy day, or to tuck into right before bed. The only downside that the Spellshop can claim to have a few too many convenient solutions to rather complex issues the characters face throughout.

Thank you @macmillanaudio for the #gifted copy of this audiobook.

Summary: Kiela has always liked keeping to herself. As a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she has been able to stay tucked away from people for the last decade, except for her assistant, Caz, a magical sentient spider plant. Her peaceful life amongst the stacks is derailed when a revolution begins sending the library up in flames. Kiela, Caz, and all the spellbooks they can sneak out hop into a boat returning to her childhood home on a remote island. Kiela and Caz soon find that her parent's recipes and a touch of illegal magic might not only keep them from starving but also might save the island as well.

Thoughts: Well this was the cozy fantasy book I didn't know I needed. I never knew that I would grow to care so much for a talking spider plant, but Kaz was hands down one of my favorite characters in this book. The banter between Kaz and Kiela had me laughing throughout. I love the found family/community support in this story, and just how that community set out to help their own no questions asked. Kiela loved her peaceful, quiet life in the library in the city, so the life she stumbles into in her hometown throws her off course for a little while. When she finally decides to embrace the help and chaos around her, Kiela discovers a love for the life she never knew she wanted. Caitlin Davies did a wonderful job bringing this book to life for me, helping me feel I was right on that island as well. Listen to the audio if you're able!

Oh my gosh! This was the cutest cozy fantasy story! I absolutely loved the characters, especially Caz! The story is well written and unfolds so beautifully. There are fantastical characters, magic, and a love interest. I love how the community came together to protect each other when they were concerned for the safety of their citizens. I related to Kiela so much, minus the blue features, because I have such a deep love and need to protect books. Caitlin Davies is so easy to listen to. She does an excellent job differentiating the different character. She brings Kiela's matter-of-factness to life-you really understand her. Caz sometimes sounded silly, but I think it made the story that much more fun. If you like House in the Cerulean Sea, this book is for you!

The audiobook was great! The narrator did a great job capturing the characters. The story was charming and soft. Not a lot of conflict but a lot of cozy cottage vibes.

Story Review:
The Spellshop is a sweet, cozy fantasy about a librarian of magical books who saves them from being burned by whisking them away to the remote island where she grew up & hiding them under the guise of a jam shop.

The novel is filled with lyrical prose and vivid depictions.

“About a third of the slots were missing, like the smile of an old man who had lost some of his teeth.”

The characters were well developed and quite likable. Honestly, I don’t know if I’ll like any familiar as much as I liked Caz, the sentient spider plant.

Kiela’s romance with Larran was sweet, not rushed or lagging. It’s a clean romance with no sign of steam, which fits with the cozy genre. An additional romantic couple is introduced near the end but this couple feels forced. It wasn’t necessary and just felt like it was thrown in there for another conflict point. Ultimately, there was so much going on, I didn’t feel the romance element was enough of a plot device to consider the entire novel a cozy romance

My critique may be more on the genre than the novel itself. It seemed there were a plethora of plots points and minute conflicts that would get resolved & never discussed again, just for another plot point or minute conflict to pop up. At 95% I was wondering, “At what point does this story end?” There was nothing in the book that gave me the feeling that I had to get back to reading to find out what happens. I realize this is a common theme for cozy novels, so again, it could be more of a genre critique than a story critique. I need to delve deeper into the cozy world to get used to this method of storytelling.

Audio Review:
My initial response to the narrator was that she sounded pretentious while reading - so prim and proper. As I heard her voice other characters, I realized this prim & proper voice is an actuate portrayal of Kiela. I didn’t love it, but it made sense for the character.

The voice actress did a great job at voicing each character with distinctly. I rarely had an issue keeping track of who was speaking, which can be challenging with so many characters!

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the summer, I liked it, but it wasn’t love for me. The Spellshop is the coziest of cozy fantasies. Listening felt like a warm summer day, picking raspberries & eating them fresh from the bush. It was a lovely audiobook. I would recommend it to anyone who loves the cozy genre, though maybe not to those who are new to it.

Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest opinion! The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

The Spellshop is the coziest fantasy romance ever. It is a cottage-core dream. We follow Kiela, an introverted, spell-casting, jam-making librarian, as she flees a corrupt capital with rescued spell books. After fleeing the capital, Kiela quickly turns her family’s forgotten cottage into a picturesque Jam shop. She is very introverted and socially awkward, so it was difficult for her to adjust to life outside her library at first. With the help of the kind and inviting townspeople, Kiela slowly comes out of her shell and finds her place in her new home.

I loved how clueless Kiela was when it came to Larran’s intentions. He was head over heels for her and she didn’t know what was going on half the time. He was so thoughtful and kind. I loved seeing their relationship blossom.

I was in heaven the second Caz, the sentient spider plant, was introduced. He was adorable!! Then, we also get Meep!! The sweet little cactus. All they say is “meep” and I nearly died from cuteness overload. I was a little confused as to why everyone would make a big deal about a talking spider plant when there are so many fantastical creatures throughout the story, but I accepted it and enjoyed the ride.

The stakes are very low in this story. Perfect for when you want a break from darker fantasy and want something sweet and relaxing. Caitlin Davies has the perfect voice for a cozy witchy romance. I’ve listened to her books before and loved them all. The audio version of this book was great. 🩷 This was a cute story and I’m happy to have had a chance to read it.

I received an ARC of this audiobook from netgalley. Let me tell you, this is the best book that I have read so far this year. The narrator was wonderful and really brought the characters to life. The Spellshop is quirky, cute, surprisingly funny, and an all-around cozy read. If you're looking for spice, this isn't the book for you. There is an adorable romance in the story, but with just a few mild kisses, this book is definitely SFW. The main character, Kiela, is an extremely introverted librarian who lacks basic social skills. Despite that, her character growth throughout the book is remarkable, and you find yourself rooting for her to succeed! Her best friend and librarian assistant is a sentient plant named Caz. Caz is 100% my favorite part of this book. He is an anxious yet extremely intelligent plant who will do anything (including face his biggest fears) to protect Kiela and see her happy. This book was an adorable story and worth spending all day curled up on the couch with your book, a blanket, and some toast with jam.

⭐️: 5/5
🌶:1/5

When I started out, I wasn't sure I was going to like this book but as soon as Kiela and her assistant Caz, a talking walking spider plant, flee the library while it is underseige and they get on the boat and go to the island that Kiela was born and raised on, I was hooked.

The go to find safety in the home that Kiela lived in as a child. It's in disrepair after her family left it and the island isnt the place it once was. Everyone is hurting and the storms that come, full of magic, are no longer control the way they used to. Kiela uses the magical spell books that she liberated when she left to open a secret magic shop in hopes of helping the island balance itself out, while not drawing attention to the fact she is not supposed to do magic or have these books.

It was so good. I loved the dialogue and the plot was phenomenal. I want to buy a copy of the book if it comes out in a special edition hardcover because it is magnificent. Beautifully written and it will suck you into a world of greed but with the humility of people who have nothing but they will give you the shirt off your back. The protect Kiela when the revolutionists come looking for someone else who fled.

I was blown away by how much I loved this book

5 stars

If you're looking for your next cozy fantasy book then you should try The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst. This story follows a junior librarian named Keila that must flee for her life with some books she rescued and her assistant Caz. Caz is my absolute favorite character in this series. He is a sentient spider plant that has my whole heart. Kiera settles and opens up a "jam" shop that is actually a spell shop in disguise. The characters, while a little bland, were still really fun to get to know. This has all the vibes I look for in a cozy fantasy. I just adore when a book feels like a warm hug.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Cozy fantasy perfection! If you love cozy fantasy I HIGHLY recommend this book.

I loved everything about this book. The characters, the small town vibes, the 'cozy' conflict, and the book is gorgeous!

Do not come into this book expecting Sarah Beth Durst's other (higher) fantasy titles as you will be disappointed. This book, however, is the perfect palate cleanser for in-between the high fantasy novels.

I really wanted to love this. There's so much buzz online about this book, I thought it was going to be revolutionary or thought-provoking but it was a lot fluffier than I anticipated. You have to suspend your disbelief in a big way to accommodate the characters in this book, and I must not have been in the right headspace to stretch that much. I was laughing at the mer-horses with a friend, and we were trying to figure out what they would look like, and two sentient plants, one fully intelligent and articulate while the other just says "meep" for everything., was kind of the last straw. The other aspects of the story were more compelling. The silliness just didn't hit me right this time.

Rating : 3.5
Overall, I really enjoyed this book.

Things I loved:
- Cozy vibes galore! This book is described as cottagecore fantasy romance--I would 100% agree with that. I loved the setting of this book!
-Role of books and food always make for a more enjoyable experience
- Charming characters- Caz- was by far the best character ever. I was not sure at first when he was introduced as a sentient snake plant but he was the scene-stealer.
- It is very reminiscent of Legends and Lattes. So give this a whirl if you enjoyed that.

Things that I didn't love so much:
- I will say the one thing that I didn't completely love was our main character. Kiela was for the most part was fine but there were a couple chapters in the book that she was really insufferable and naïve but luckily that usually was short-lived and she redeemed herself for me. ---I will say I totally related to her introverted ways :)
- The plot is also very straightforward but it worked well for the intended purpose of low-stakes fantasy.
- The romance was definitely slow-burn but also felt a bit under-developed.



I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Do you like low-stakes fantasy? Misfit characters who find a found family in the most unexpected of places? A beautiful, supportive friendship? And the best cottage core vibes? If so, this is the book for you.

Reading this felt like a warm cup of tea on a crisp, fall evening with light rain outside. I loved reading about Kiela, her friendship with Cass and seeing her develop into a stronger and more self-assured person.

There is a dash of romance and I was afraid that the plot would fixate on that but was relieved when it wasn’t.

What I really appreciated and thought made this novel unique amongst other cozy fantasy stories was the not so subtle social commentary about book banning and the squelching of ideas that differ from our own. In today’s political climate, that’s a message that should continue to be emphasized.

As someone who doesn’t gravitate towards fantasy books, it speaks volumes for me to rate one this highly. I will definitely be reading more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ARC and ALC!

*3.25 stars*

This was cute and fun. More cozy vibes than plot but still a fun little romance.

The world building was a little sparse and the world seemed a little less thought out than it could have been. Some of the conflict felt like a little too much miscommunication (or absence of communication).

The narrator did a great job but the audio seemed to have some sound quality issues. Nothing too huge just occasional inconsistencies in volume.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ALC of this work. All opinions in this review are my own.

This was a sweet story. I love how welcoming everyone, well almost everyone, is to Kiela when she returns home to the island. Sarah Beth Durst created such a warm and inviting island that I would love to live there as well. Who wouldn't want to live on an island with mermaids, seahorses, magical fountains, and caves with magical paintings. I will definitely read more of Sarah Beth Durst's work in the future.

Caitlin Davies did a great job narrating this novel an I look forward to listening to more of her work in the future.

“We’ll write ‘Not at all illegal magic’ on the label and hope that people believe what they read.”

Kiela Orobidan never meant to become a rogue sorcerer. Honest. In fact, she never even meant to leave her library. However, when rebels set fire to the Great Library of Alyssium, she didn’t have much of a choice. She packed up as many books as she could, grabbed her best friend (a sentient spider plant named Caz), and set sail for the island of Caltrey. Kiela was born on the island, but many things have changed while she’s been away. In an attempt to eke out a living, Kiela turns to her rescued (A.K.A. technically stolen) spell books. Surely a little magic couldn’t hurt?

This is a cozy fantasy with just a dash of romance. It was fun to see quiet, introverted Kiela slowly find her place on Caltrey. I enjoyed several of the side characters, but Caz is definitely my favorite. He’s just so sassy and has zero patience for Kiela and Larran’s slow courtship. Larran has a couple missteps at first, but I love his quiet acts of love. Even if Kiela would rather just hide in her cottage with her books.

The audiobook is narrated by Caitlin Davies. She did a great job giving voice to Kiela and her adventures.

Romance Steam Rating: Warm Cocoa [1 out of 5] (Kisses Only)

3.75 stars
Okay I genuinely did end up enjoying this book a lot but it was such a journey to get there. I was kind of hesitant on the “hallmark” movie premises because I was scared it was gonna be too corny; but luckily it was the perfect amount of corny and heart. I mention it being a journey to enjoying it because I simply could not stand how often she mentioned being a librarian or loving books or comparing things to books. Like I get it!! You like to read and are a librarian! She drilled it into my head as if she was worried I would forget. It made me feel like that was truly her only personality trait, I mean in a sense it is but she does develop more motivations as the book goes on. I loveeeeeee the lil plant guy and the world. I honestly enjoyed the light world building because I don’t really feel like it was the point of the book, I kind of just enjoyed taking the fantasy creatures and lore as law and rolling with it (if I’m being honest I literally pictured everyone as a normal human sorry !!).

What I enjoyed:
- magical baking!
- Cloud bears
- MMC was super sweet (his love language is acts of service. A man after my own heart)
- found family vibes

What I didn’t enjoy (as much):
- wish their was more romance, it felt more like a coming of age story.
- Her inner monologue about books and the library is kind of unbearable.
- Thought the 3rd act conflict was kind of silly.
- Audio book narrator’s voice for the MC felt too old, almost like an office lady or school teacher. Which I guess fits since she’s a librarian but I didn’t particularly like it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this world! So many unique and wonderful characters. I loved the female empowerment and the fun subtext the women all agreed on.
If you are looking for a romance in a unique world where the heroine learns that there is a life if she releases the tight boundaries around herself, I highly recommend you check out The Spellshop.

What an absolutely wonderful book! The Spellshop is a bit out of my normal reading, but I adored it. A cozy fantasy with cottagecore vibes. This was such a fun listen that felt like a good mix between fantasy romance and cozy fantasy.

Keila works at the Great Library with her talking plant assistant Caz. When the revolution hits and there's a fire, they grab some of the most valuable books from Keila's old house and run away. Keila just wants to stay in Caltrey, but she needs food to live, so she has to go out into town. She's not sure what to expect from these people who were just strangers to her. She decides to start a local business to get what she needs to survive, but it's tough for her to get used to kindness of the locals. Such a great little story, made me laugh and smile.

A heartwarming story, compelling characters, found family…it was all I was expecting and more.