Audiobook Review: The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

Author: Sarah Beth Durst
Narrator: Caitlin Davies

Title: The Spellshop

Series: Spellshop #1

Genre: Fantasy, Cozy, Romance
Format: Audiobook

Published: July 9, 2024
Where I Got It: Library


Summary: 

Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people. Thankfully, as a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she and her assistant, Caz—a magically sentient spider plant—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. Taking refuge there, Kiela discovers, much to her dismay, a nosy—and very handsome—neighbor who can’t take a hint and keeps showing up day after day to make sure she’s fed and to help fix up her new 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:

Been itching to check this one out. Love a good cozy. Plus, I've been wanting some fantasy. 

Here we follow Kiela, who has lived a quiet life as a librarian. Her only friend has been her assistant and plant, Caz. Revolution breaks out, and they are forced to flee. Taking some books with her, she finds herself in her childhood home. Needing an income, she starts selling jam and a bit of illegal magic. She tries to keep her books and magic a secret, but it is hard with the nosy townsfolk and her handsome neighbor. 

This was a fun lil guy. Fantasy and cozy with just enough drama to keep it interesting. Kiela is just wants to be left alone with her books and Caz. But moving back to the small town of her youth...well...that isn't an option. 

There is a splash of romance here, but it wasn't the whole thing, and that made me happy. I liked seeing Kiela find friends, peace, and a place to call her own. 

I do want to learn more about this revolution tbf. It could make for a good not cozy read. 

Mmmmm what else? 

OH! That cover???? LOVE. 

Oh. The narrator did a good job. I liked her voices overall. Some were a little too similar that there was a time or two I had to backtrack because I lost who said what. But she did well!

Overall, this was a nice cozy listen. Loved the fantasy elements. The romance, cozy, and drama were well balanced. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #48

- Library Love #33