Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst is a cozy balm for the soul. This story follows supply runner Marin who appeared in the previous book The Enchanted Greenhouse as she journeys throughout the Crescent Islands following the revolution in the capital city of Alyssium. This book is just as romantic and hopeful as the previous two entries in the series. The connection that develops between Marin and her love interest Dax over the sea and music is beautiful. I loved how Sarah Beth Durst wrote the musical scenes. Sea of Charms is the perfect cozy and emotional fantasy romance.

Sea of charms was such a wonderful continuation of the world building Sarah Beth Durst had created in the first two books. Unlike the first two I took a few pages to grow into Mariner, but I think that lent itself to an even deeper sense of connection to her passions and the conclusion of the story. Perri and Ree were amazing additions and I absolutely loved getting to see more of what happened in the scenes between the greenhouse. Sarah Beth Durst continues to create cozy fantasy, that draws you in and makes you love the characters.

* minor spoiler.
I think I struggled with the continued mention of iovar at the beginning, BUT I realized that as the book progressed we thought of him less, and mariners power and sense of self grew with it. for me it was then that I realized why Mariner was so easy to feel a kinship to. We have all experienced hardship and we realize that it comes and goes and trauma pops it's head up at inopportune moments. But we still push through.

Add this to your TBR list because it is amazing! It’s the third in the series but I do feel like it could be read as a stand alone. The first two character and islands do show up, though, for those of us who adored the first two as well. It’s my favorite of the three books as it really brings together the concept of magic, government power, and community. I loved the metaphors to the sea, sailing, and music as well as the saving of literature from government fear and destruction. It’s whimsical, magical, and reads like a warm cup of tea despite some gut-wrenching allegorical themes that remind us of grief, tyranny, displacement, and censorship. This is the perfect read for anyone needing a reminder that redemption, family, passion, community, and purpose are what’s most important in life, no matter where the sails lead us!

Yet another wonderful installment in this deliciously cozy world. A fast but great read with heart and warmth. Much needed in these times!

Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst is a lovely return to a familiar world. It was a treat to revisit old characters, meet new ones, and get a glimpse of what’s happening behind the scenes with The Spellshop and The Enchanted Greenhouse. While you don’t need to have read those books to enjoy this story, they do add helpful context. The book is cute and sweet, with a charming premise and an enjoyable cast of characters, and it left me excited to see what other stories might be coming next in this world. It's very much a cozy romantic fantasy!

I loved this book! It was another wonderful cozy fantasy read from Sarah Beth Durst. I really liked the focus on the sea--it was an interesting change.

I’ve been counting down the days to Sea of Charms, and wow, did Sarah Beth Durst deliver. I went into this installment buzzing with excitement and a fully unreasonable amount of emotional investment, especially because this time we finally get Marin’s story. And let me tell you, it was worth the wait.

Marin has always fascinated me, and getting to see the world through her eyes felt like peeling back layers I didn’t even know were there. Durst has this magical ability to blend adventure with warmth, and in this book she leans hard into one of my favorite themes: the terrifying, hopeful, messy act of letting people in after you’ve been hurt.

And that’s really the heart of Sea of Charms: trust. How opening the door—just a crack—can bring people into your life who don’t just stick around, but change everything for the better. Marin’s journey from guarded to maybe-I’ll-let-you-help to oh-no-I-care-about-you-now is equal parts hilarious, sweet, and occasionally heart-wrenching.

Plus, the quirky humor? Perfection. The magic? Delightful. The friendships? Chef’s kiss.

If you’ve been loving this series, this installment will give you all the feels… and probably convince you that everyone deserves a found family who barges in and refuses to leave.

This new book in the "Spellshop" series answers a lot of questions left by the other two books - how is Alyssium doing? Is the new government running smoothly? Are the people okay? How are they getting to safety if they need it? It was very satisfying to get some of those answers, but just like the first two this book was filled with a great cast of characters, cozy and comforting vibes, and commentary on how to navigate the world when things look bleak. Marin, Dax, Ree, and Perri have a lot to say and see about the world, and I enjoyed every second of it!

What a marvelous read from Sarah Beth Durst. I sat down and devoured this whole book during the winter storm Fern in early 2026, and it was so immersive to find myself on an enchanted boat sailing the seas and visiting magical islands, each with their own personality and quirks. This book was exactly what I needed, and is definitely another victory for Durst. Looking forward to purchasing a copy for myself.