The third book has everything readers want in it--heart, humor, a bit of higher stakes, and best of all, a wedding. The stakes felt a little higher in this one with the coup happening, but it still kept it's cosy feel. A welcome addition to the series. I can't wait to see how it all ends.

This is a cute, light, fun fantasy series that I am very much enjoying. I mentioned this book on EarlyWord GalleyChat in February along with the next book "Alchemy and a Cup of Tea," which I also enjoyed, but I think I forgot to vote for this one for LibraryReads. I'll try to be more conscientious about "Alchemy" which I just got from Edelweiss.

Thank you Tor, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for the ARC.

This series has my whole heart. This book in particular had scenes that made me cry and laugh harder than any of the previous ones. The intimacy between Kianthe and Reyna, the growth of Kianthe's mom, the plotting? All of it was incredible. I appreciate the stakes this book had as well, as it shows how hard we have to fight to keep our peace. I am a little sad that we may be saying goodbye to the bookshop, and I am so glad I have the arc for the next book because that cliffhanger? I appreciated getting to see all of our side characters in this one and them interacting together.

I am not ready to say goodbye to these characters yet.

Continually grateful to TOR who continues to provide me ARCs of this series via Netgalley.

Unlike the previous books, I didn't like this one as much as the first two. It still continues to be a medium-low stakes series, but to me, overthrowing a Monarchy from a woman who's been depicted as cruel and controlling shouldn't be accomplished so easily. And it was accomplished easily, all things considered. I assumed that there would be more political intrigue, but instead the story was tied far more around the wedding.

Two new characters joined the cast, having been introduced in the epilogue of the previous book. Tessalyn and James, like all of Thorne's characters, are easy to like and interesting. Thorne also continues to expand her queer representation, as Tessalyn is asexual. I was mildly annoyed that the character had to respond to an insensitive question with a defensive answer instead of shooting it down. None of the other characters have had to defend their orientation in the same way. It's not a big thing, it's just something that stood out to me.

Overall though, the book is a good addition to the series, the characters are still relatable and enjoyable, and I am still holding out for a story more focused on Wylan and Feo. Given how the Epilogue went though. I'm betting the fourth book is going in a different direction.

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 installment was the best one yet! This storyline, the twists, the new characters, the expansion and betterment of the world just was everything to me! This book made me both excited and sad that the series is ending with the next book!

Rebecca Thorne has solidified herself as an autobuy author for me with this book, and the Tomes & Teas series will likely become my favorite cozy fantasy series and is now a comfort read for me.

I honestly have zero critiques of this series so far. This series is so deep and so fun simultaneously! Rebecca Thorne writes amazing romances, the relationships are top tiers, the world is immersive and it feels like a warm hug and hope for a world we can create (without all the magic and mythical creatures sadly).

I am absolutely stoked and saddened by the series ending, but I’ll always have Tawney to go back to!

Another great read in the Tomes and Tea series! I love these books and seeing what Reyna and Kianthe are up to - because it's always something. WE got to see a host of past characters as they are all coming together for the wedding and it was really fun to see everyone interact. Also, the plot twist/ending was fantastic, and I am so sad that this series is a quartet!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

I adore this series and Kianthe and Reyna to the ends of the earth! Their banter and camaraderie and love story are fantastic and the addition of baby dragons only makes it that much better. I can't wait to read the next installment!

Rebecca Thorne's series continues offering cozy fantasy joy with the third book about Kianthe and Reyna's upcoming weddings.

3.5 stars. I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. Review based on final copy. All opinions are my own.
After my mixed experience with the prior book, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read Tea You at the Altar, despite obtaining an ARC. However, I decided, why not give it another chance? And while this was better, I find myself once again questioning if I’m the right reader for this series, or if I went in with the wrong expectations.
I did appreciate the focus solely on Kianthe and Reyna again. While I have some issues with the character development (or lack thereof), I infinitely prefer them to the other two POV characters in the last book, who ended up sapping up so much page time. And while I do question whether Kianthe and Reyna’s wedding really merited a book-length affair, it is nice to see these two still going strong.
And there’s a lot in the external plot department to keep things from getting boring, so while the last book was a slog, this one was a breeze to get through. The wedding hijinks, including interference from Kianthe’s parents, are a lot of fun, and the light politics was pretty cool too.
But all this comes back to expectations. And in some ways, it’s not entirely the book’s fault; romantasy is such a rough, new category, with some claiming it’s just fantasy romance reskinned for BookTok, while others say it’s fantasy with a romantic subplot (how strong the subplot is varies). And this one leans much more toward the latter, and I feel like it suffers for that at times. One thing I come to romance for is emotional growth and romantic development, and once again, this book felt so busy with other things, it just didn’t do that. And what was really at stake romantically, anyway? They’re literally about to get married. There’s an attempt to bring conflict to their dynamic, but it just feels like beating a dead horse and dragging things out needlessly.
Perhaps it’s time to admit this is one of the cozy fantasies that just did not work for me, at least not past the novelty of the first book. But I can see why they work for other readers who may not have the same baggage I do with both the “cozy fantasy” and “romantasy” categories, and would recommend this to readers who more avidly enjoy them, especially if you’ve enjoyed the series thus far.

This whole series are just the perfect cozy fantasy books! The start of this one was a bit slow, and it took me a while to get pulled in, but the payoff was worth it! I even cried a few times, which I love when a book can make me do. I just love Reyna and Kianthe so much!

4.5

So happy to be back in this world and with this couple. This continues from where book 2 left off and Kianthe and Reyna are ready to get married, but it can't be that easy for them. I think this may be my favorite in the series, but I love them all, so much. It feels like this could end their story, but there is another one coming. So I'm very excited to get more of their story.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Libro.fm's ALC program for eARCS and eALC of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Tea You at the Altar by Rebecca Thorne is a delightful blend of romance, humor, and heartwarming moments. The story follows two characters navigating a whirlwind of emotions as they prepare for a wedding with unexpected twists. Thorne’s writing is witty and engaging, with strong character development and a light, fun tone that keeps readers hooked. The charming setting and delightful chemistry between the leads make this a perfect read for fans of romantic comedies. It's an enjoyable and feel-good story that delivers plenty of heart and humor.

This was a delightful continuation of this series. The characters and plot continue to be beautifully written and richly imagined. I look forward to the final book in the series!

Audience: Adult
Plot: 4.5 out of 5
Characters: 4.5 out of 5
Spice: 0 out of 5

Keywords: Romance, Fantasy, Cozy Fantasy, Sapphic, LGBTQIA+, Political Intrigue, Mystery, Hidden heir, Dragons, Pirates, Adventure

Tea Pairing: Reading Nook Tea by Plum Deluxe — a chamomile, lavender, and rose blend (Reyna’s blend)

I received copies of this book through NetGalley from Tor Publisher, and audio from Macmillan Audio. Thank you! All opinions are my own.

The third installment in the Tomes & Tea quartet takes place several months after the events of book two. The pacing in this book felt relatively quick — with all the events taking place within a week. Reyna and Kianthe are planning their upcoming nuptials, and it’s going to be the event of the year. Everyone is invited — but it’s not all smooth sailing. New friends, and old ones, arrive in Tawney all wanting to wish the couple well. Well, maybe not everyone…

Oh wow! Book three was absolutely amazing. This is probably my favorite in the series so far. Following Kianthe and Reyna on their relationship journey has been an absolute joy. And I can’t wait to see what adventures they’ll have in the final installment of the series. I absolutely enjoyed this book, as well as the audio narration by Jessica Threet. I’ve enjoyed Threet’s performance for all three novels so far. She gives each character their own unique voice and style, and I can really appreciate her commitment to the performance and voice work.

Overall, Thorne has created a sweet, cozy, fantasy series, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys sweet romances, fantasy bookstores, and of course, tea.

Rebecca’s books always put a smile on my face these books give you everything thing you want in cozy fantasy and more I will always pick up her books when I need an escape with no high stakes

Tea You at the Altar is the third book in the Tomes & Tea cozy fantasy series, and it follows Kianthe and Reyna as they plan their wedding… and possibly a coup. (This review contains spoilers for books one and two.)

I really enjoyed Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea, but I thought the second book faltered. While the first book was mostly cozy with a few dramatic scenes, A Pirate’s Life for Tea felt like a series of slow speed boat chases—neither cozy nor exciting. It also didn’t help that Kianthe and Reyna were separated for a lot of the story. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, but I’m happy to say it returned to a lot of what I liked best in Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea.

Because the plot revolves around planning the wedding and its accompanying political confrontation, there’s a bit of a countdown element, which is fun. It also is a great balance between coziness and epic fantasy: there’s tablecloth colours to pick and allies to persuade.

Similarly, at the same time that Reyna and her allies are trying to decide on a replacement government, she’s also trying to win over her parents-in-law. Kianthe’s parents planned for her to marry a man. They always expected her to end up with her childhood best friend. After being estranged during her magic education, they unexpectedly show up prior to the wedding—with her childhood best friend in tow.

Reyna is initially surprised and even amused, especially because “Female pairings are always preferred in the Queendom.” Still, being rejected and seen as inferior by her in-laws is painful, and trying to win them over and help to repair their relationship with Kianthe adds a whole layer of complexity to an already overwhelming endeavor.

Another fun aspect of the wedding is that it brings together characters from the previous books in a new setting. There’s Bobbie and Serina, of course, who played a major role in A Pirate’s Life for Tea and still haven’t totally settled into their new relationship, often resorting to bickering like they did as kids. There’s also the Dastardly Pirate Dreggs, who is a fun addition.

The lost princess Tessalyn along with her bodyguard are the new additions to this growing cast, and I really liked them. Tessalyn is coded as asexual and aromantic. She also grew up in a culture that values academics above all else, so she brings a different perspective. I appreciated her strength in her own convictions and independence, regardless of pressure from others.

The subplot I found most interesting was Reyna’s questioning of her faith. Until recently, she lived in the Queendom, where its citizens worship a pantheon of gods. Kianthe, like most non-Queendom people, worships the Stars and Stone that she draws her magic from. As Reyna questions more of what she was taught, she also begins to doubt the gods—but there is so much else going on, she doesn’t have much time to think about theology. What comes out of this helps add to the worldbuilding.

I will say that sometimes the cozy and high stakes elements clash a bit and end up with something like a Disney movie villain confrontation, but I think that’s okay. It may be a little overly neat, but you’re not going to cozy fantasy for realism. I also want to warn that this volume ends on a cliffhanger, but we’ll be getting the last book in the series in August.

I'm in the middle of this right now, but I doubt my feelings will change. I'm enjoying this third outing of Reina and Kianthe more than the second so far. The time crunch makes for some very clear stakes (which seem pretty high in this one, making me feel like I can't exactly call it cozy, the way the first book was). Always good to spend more time with these two and their growing circle of friends.

I really enjoyed reading the next installment in the Tomes & Teas series! And the fact that this ended on a massive cliffhanger made me very happy that I'm on Tor's email list for the monthly catalogue, so I was able to start the next one immediately after.

I'll be interviewing Rebecca for Tea You at the Altar in a couple weeks for my podcast, Novel Finds. It will be available on all podcast/music platforms when the episode releases.

Thank you for the advanced copy!

Rebecca Thorne brings us Tomes and Tea book three in Tea You at the Altar. Kianthe and Reyna are getting married in seven days when Kianthe's parents turn up and try to derail things in honour of a homegrown male suitor. Their baby dragons are out of control and Reyna is sucked into a plot to dethrone the nasty queen. Kianthe is the Arcander who controls elemental magic and Reyna was the queen's assassin. Now they operate a tea shop with books and want to be left alone. Not going to happen. Mayhem follows in its own wacky way. Read this lightly moving fantasy.