This is a lovely open door romance. It's a bit of an unusual comparison but fans of the Spellshop books will love this, it's cozy and amazing world building. The chemistry is lovely and the characters are well developed and have real inner depth and growth through the arc of the book! Highly recommend.

"How boring the man who never makes mistakes; for how can one learn to stand, if not from his knees." - Where the Tea Still Steeps

This was a phenomenal read! This was such a cute, whimsical story that I got sucked in immediately, and I kept reading and reading until I was finished. This book was the absolute perfect blend of Studio Ghibli vibes and realism - adding in tragedies and learning to be your self.

One of the things that I loved about this book was that I genuinely felt like I was watching Spirited Away - with many different changes. The teahouse was absolutely beautiful, and I loved all of the characters that were included in the book. The author did a wonderful job at really making it it feel whimsy magical.

The characters of the book felt like they were added for actual plot and to have a found family for our main character, Liora. There were all types of different spirits and creatures, and I found myself loving all of them - especially that of the notoriously mischievous owl.

Liora and Silas were a beautiful pairing, and as they slowly started to learn more about each other, they grew and grew. I felt like their relationship was beautiful, and I loved that it was less banter than most fantasies and more about learning about each other.

One of the best things about this book was that of the teahouse itself, Emberlee. I loved that this house was very much alive, and how it changed emotions. I loved being able to get to know the house as a character, and how even Liora became friends with her.

Overall, I loved this book, and it really is between a 4-5 easily, there were just a few parts that became a bit slow, but otherwise I think this is a wonderful cozy read!

That cover drew me in so fast. And the story was beautiful. I loved the cozy fantasy elements paired with a Beautiful romance.

This is a must-read for any lover of magical fantasy! Not only are there magical animals and beings and places within Emberlee, there is emotional depth in the characters of Liora and Silas. I enjoyed their love story, and the underlying theme of paying attention to what we really want and need, as well as healing from grief, and risking our hearts when we truly decide to love.

Thanks to the author and publisher and. NetGalley for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

If ‘Spirited Away’ had an older sister, it would be this book. (In the best way possible!)

‘Where the Tea Still Steeps’ is a cosy fantasy, where we are transported into a world where Liora finds herself as an unwilling guest to a sentient tea house after escaping from a strange train journey to visit her grandmother.

The story is full of so much whimsy and intrigue, I could hardly put it down and finished it in record time. I am usually not one to finish books within 1-2 days, so this says plenty on how thoroughly I enjoyed this!

I do wish there was a little more clarity on what caused Liora’s stay at the tea house, as all guests have a purpose for their visit, but it didn’t take away from the book as a whole and I was still able to easily enjoy this story.

I am incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity to read the E-ARC of this book through NetGalley with the approval of the publisher prior to release. :)

It has been truly an honor to have been selected as an Advanced Reader for this beautifully written book set to be published on June 20, 2026.

Loira, a young woman, sets on a unique journal to visit her grandmother. She stumbles into a new realm that is both whimsical but lingers with a feeling of brokenness. As an outsider, she struggles to find her place amongst the townsfolk, but when the garden keeper, Salis, is tasked with monitoring her whereabouts, things start to unfold of why she's there.

This book has so much warmth and beautiful words that string together like a set of twinkling lights. I could imagine myself sitting outside, in late evening, on a warm's summer day listening to the wildlife sing, being carried away by the wind. This is a book that I will buy a hard copy so I can read over and over as the years pass.

I read this ARC in under 48 hours and couldn't put it down. As someone who doesn't usually gravitate towards cozy fantasy, Where the Tea Still Steeps completely won me over.

Rachel Ann Hubert somehow made a low-stakes fantasy feel just as impossible to put down as an action-packed adventure. I loved the characters, the side quests, and the bits of spicy romance sprinkled throughout. While the plot isn't packed with world-ending stakes, it never felt lacking- instead, it felt warm, immersive, and delightfully cozy.

Book one isn't even out yet, and i'm already ready for book two.

** Review is also published to Goodreads now. It will be published to Barnes & Noble and Amazon after publication as reviews are not allowed yet.
I will also be posting a review to my Tiktok book account @cassidyaleksaa

Where the Tea Still Steeps felt like being gently carried into another world and coming back a little softer with great main characters, romance and a sentient teahouse.

It gave me major Spirited Away vibes - strange, whimsical, a little bittersweet, and so vividly written that I could see every cup of tea & every magical corner and creature.

This isn't just a cozy romantasy. It's a healing one. The kind of book that feels like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day and quietly reminds you there is still magic, love, and hope waiting for you (I did read this while it was a rainy day and with copious amounts of tea and chai lattes) It did make me feel very calm, hopeful and wanting to go into this world.

For readers who love Studio Ghibli, gentle portal fantasies, and stories that hold your hand through the messy parts of being human, this is an easy favourite and one of my favourite reads of the year!

Very very well written. Thanks so much Netgalley for an e-arc. Highly highly recommend! and thank you to Rachel for writing it.

One of my favourite quotes:

"Looking at you makes me so starving, I'd gladly die upon that blade if allowed a single taste, is what he wanted to say."

There isn't much I can tell you other than I loved this story. I wasn't sure what was going on at first but i think that is what was expected. It puts you in the same frame of mind as the FMC and that really makes the book more impactful. Well done. I will definitely be getting a copy for my libraries, and for myself. 5 Stars

Where the Tea Still Steeps is the kind of story that feels like stepping through a doorway into another world — soft, strange, enchanting, and quietly emotional. From the moment Liora boards the wrong train and finds herself in the ivy‑wrapped mystery of Emberlee, the book wraps you in its warm, whimsical atmosphere and refuses to let go.

The teahouse itself is a standout: alive, moody, and full of secrets, humming with spirits and staff who feel both magical and deeply human. It’s the perfect backdrop for a story about grief, healing, and rediscovering who you are when the life you planned slips out of reach. Every cup of tea, every shifting hallway, every whispered memory adds to the sense that Emberlee knows its guests better than they know themselves.

Liora and Silas are a beautifully drawn pair — reluctant allies who slowly soften toward each other through late‑night conversations, shared vulnerabilities, and a simmering attraction that grows with every chapter. Their connection feels tender and earned, grounded in emotional honesty rather than banter alone. The slow burn is delicious, and the romance blends seamlessly with the book’s magical realism.

What really makes this story shine is its heart. Beneath the whimsy and the Studio Ghibli‑esque charm lies a thoughtful exploration of grief, guilt, and the courage it takes to choose a future that looks different from the one you imagined. It’s cosy, yes — but it’s also quietly profound.

A beautifully written, atmospheric romantasy perfect for readers who love enchanted inns, found family, gentle magic, and stories that feel like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day. Utterly charming.

with thanks to Rachel Hubert, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC