The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

Book Description

Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people. Thankfully, as a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she and her assistant, Caz have spent the last decade sequestered among the empire’s most precious spellbooks, preserving their magic for the city’s elite. When a revolution begins and the library goes up in flames, she and Caz flee with all the spellbooks they can carry and head to a remote island Kiela never thought she’d see again: her childhood home.

In need of income, Kiela identifies something that even the bakery in town doesn’t have: jam. With the help of an old recipe book her parents left her and a bit of illegal magic, her cottage garden is soon covered in ripe berries. But magic can do more than make life a little sweeter, so Kiela risks the consequences of using unsanctioned spells and opens the island’s first-ever and much needed secret spellshop.

Review

Sarah Beth Durst’s The Spellshop blends the fun of romantasy with a charming cottage-core aesthetic.

Warning: The Spellshop will wrap you in a fluffy blanket of magic and charm. But if you loved At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber or Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree, you’ll safely find a similar heartwarming magic here.

The Spellshop delivers a comforting escape from reality. It offers a determined protagonist with a scrappy sidekick.  There’s a quaint sea-side village. Books, magical hijinks, and mermaids. Jam making. Oh, and did I mention the tender, slow-burn romance? It adds just the right dab of sweetness to an already delicious tale.

Besides its feel-good tone, The Spellshop also offers a heartfelt exploration of themes like community and self-discovery, all while finding beauty in small moments.

Durst’s descriptive writing brought the warmth of the shop and the idyllic island to life. You’ll feel you’re right there, sipping tea and enjoying the vivid hum of village life. Every character feels like someone you know. For readers craving high action and adventure, this is not it. Instead, this novel offers gentle pacing as we follow Kiela’s journey of self-discovery.

If you’re looking for a story to pull you into a warm hug, this is the one. It’s perfect for anyone craving magic, love, and the simple joys of life. If cozy fantasy is your happy place, grab a comfy spot and dive in. You won’t regret it!

Content Warning

Blood, Colonization, Death of a Parent, Fire, Grief, Pregnancy, Revolution, Violence

The header photo is a composite image. Base image by Monika Grabkowska on Unsplash