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Sign up todayThe Spellshop
Narrator
Caitlin Davies
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Length
12 hours 11 minutes
Language
English
Bookseller recommendation
“A cottagecore, cozy fantasy with a splash of romance and just a schmear of jam! Between the escape (?!) from a library - ok, it was under fire - and a wise-cracking spider plant, I loved the warm hearted nature of this book! Kiela the librarian's desire to help her fellow townspeople with her spells-cum-'remedies' in the midst of magic run amock shows the reader just how strong she really is. I loved the descriptive story telling - you can smell the flowers and the baked good! A gentle romance with feel-good story telling!”
— Yvonne • Author's Note
Bookseller recommendation
“A sweet story about escaping to the place you belong. Sarah Beth Durst takes you on an immersive story with heartwarming characters and a sassy talking plant in the cozy island of your dreams! Cozy cottage core vibes in every sense of the aesthetic. ”
— Chelsea Semonco • Four Seasons Books
Bookseller recommendation
“Cozy, sweet fantasy that will make you want to eat bread and jam while you read. Very sweet and fun.”
— Alyse • Maggie Mae’s Bookshop
Bookseller recommendation
“A vibrantly warm tale bursting with whimsy about a reclusive librarian's quest to protect what means the most to her. Come along to the island of Caltrey and ride a merhorse, commune with forest spirits, tend to your garden, learn how to craft spells in secret, figure out why the handsome neighbor next door keeps showing up at your doorstep, and most importantly of all, make jam.”
— Jericha Macie • Northshire Bookstore
Bookseller recommendation
“I’m a mood reader from September to January because of all the fun holidays and changes in weather. Initially I picked up “The Spellshop” because of the cover - typically I’d say never judge a book by its cover BUT this book is definitely the exception! Not only is the cover art captivating, the storyline is equally amazing with bits of comedic relief sprinkled in! Sarah Beth Hurst writes such a cozy, fantasy romance story with total hallmark vibes! If you’re a fan of books where the protagonist must rebuild their life, find a sense of community, and a little love along the way, this is a great book to try! ”
— Kenya • Cherry Street Books
Bookseller recommendation
“This one just hits the escapism spot. It's sweet, the stakes matter but aren't earthshattering, the relationships are realistic and hopeful at the same time. Just what we all need right now. Perfect for fans of fantasy and of romance alike - something for both readers. ”
— Stacy • The Curious Cat Bookshop
Bookseller recommendation
“This is an absolutely delightful listen/read. A cozy fantasy novel that you will love to escape into, time and time again. ”
— Mimi • Hearthside Books
Bookseller recommendation
“Gardening, jam making, magic, and gorgeous sunsets.... this is the coziest life I could ever imagine for myself.”
— Olivia • 5 to 9 Books
Bookseller recommendation
“5 STARS! This cottage core fantasy with a little romance was perfect! I totally related to Kiela the librarian who was a socially awkward introvert. She was more comfortable with her books and her sassy but wise and funny BFF, a sentient spider plant, named Caz, than people. Because of political unrest the library catches on fire and she flees but not before saving as many forbidden spellbooks as possible. She finds refuge on an island where she grew up but never expected to return. She opens a secret spellshop that offers useful spells and remedies, but very illegal! It’s a delightful world of magical colors, sounds and food with an added bonus of a sparkling slow burn romance that was SO adorable! I enjoyed every minute. ”
— Sandra • Underground Books
Bookseller recommendation
“Reading this gorgeous cozy fantasy feels like biting into the perfect slice of buttered toast with raspberry jam: delicious, comforting, and with just the right amount of tartness. Following a socially awkward librarian and her sentient spider plant assistant in their search for a new home, The Spellshop is a new favorite of mine, and I can’t wait for the rest of the world to read it!”
— Donna • Kepler's Books and Magazines
Bookseller recommendation
“Cottagecore meets fantasy romance? AND a sassy talking plant? Yes, please! This book is simply delightful and perfect if you need an escape. This book is jam-packed (hahha - literally) with the perfect combination of literary love, magical creatures, a sentient spider plant, a cozy cottage, a sweet romance, small-town vibes, found family, and a little splash of illegal spell craft. The Spellshop has the best balance of a welcoming, low-stress fantasy and excitement/engaging plot of any cozy romantasy I've read so far this year.I also loved the audiobook! It is read by one of my favorite narrators, Caitlin Davies.”
— Anna Rose • The Well-Read Moose
Bookseller recommendation
“Wonderful cozy read”
— Melissa • Books4Brains
The Spellshop is Sarah Beth Durst’s romantasy debut–a lush cottagecore tale full of stolen spellbooks, unexpected friendships, sweet jams, and even sweeter love.
Join Kiela the librarian and her assistant, Caz the sentient spider plant, as they navigate the low stakes market of illegal spellmaking and the high risk business of starting over.
“Sarah Beth Durst is the hidden gem of the fantasy world.” —Book Riot
Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people. Thankfully, as librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she hasn’t had to.
She and her assistant, Caz, a magically sentient spider plant, have spent the last eleven years sequestered among the empire’s most precious spellbooks, preserving their magic for the city’s elite. But when a revolution begins and the library goes up in flames, she and Caz save as many books as they can carry and flee to a faraway island Kiela was sure she’d never return to: her childhood home. Kiela hopes to lay low in the overgrown and rundown cottage her late parents left her and figure out a way to survive without drawing the attention of either the empire or the revolutionaries. Much to her dismay, in addition to a nosy—and very handsome—neighbor, she finds the town neglected and in a state of disrepair.
The empire, for all its magic and power, has been neglecting for years the people who depend on magical intervention to maintain healthy livestock and crops. Not only that, but the very magic that should be helping them has been creating destructive storms that have taken a toll on the island. Due to her past role at the library, Kiela feels partially responsible for this, and now she’s determined to find a way to make things right: by opening the island’s first-ever secret spellshop.
Her plan comes with risks—the consequence of sharing magic with commoners is death. And as Kiela comes to make a place for herself among the kind and quirky townspeople of her former home, she realizes that in order to make a life for herself, she must learn to break down the walls she has built up so high.
Like a Hallmark rom-com full of mythical creatures and fueled by cinnamon rolls and magic, Sarah Beth Durst’s The Spellshop will heal your heart and feed your soul.
A Macmillan Audio production from Bramble Books.
Sarah Beth Durst is the New York Times bestselling author of over twenty-five books for adults, teens, and kids, including cozy fantasy The Spellshop. She's been awarded an American Library Association Alex Award, as well as a Mythopoeic Fantasy Award. Several of her books have been optioned for film/television, including Drink Slay Love, which was made into a TV movie and was a question on Jeopardy! She lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her husband, her children, and her ill-mannered cat. Visit her at sarahbethdurst.com.
Caitlin Davies is a New York City-based actor and audiobook narrator. Davies specializes in audiobooks for teens and young adults, including the House of Night series by P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast. She has performed in New York and regional theaters and is a member of the WorkShop Theater Company in New York City. She has a bachelor's degree from Vassar College, and has studied acting at the Eugene O'Neill National Institute, the British American Drama Academy, the Barrow Group, and Brown University/ Trinity Rep.
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Reviews
"Sarah Beth Durst is the hidden gem of the fantasy world." —Book Riot
Praise for The Spellshop:
"Those who come for the cheery aesthetic and celebration of everyday successes... will find this utterly delightful." —Publisher's Weekly
"The Spellshop sweeps readers into a world of merhorses, illegal spells, and first loves… it’s as comforting as homemade jam on a fresh baked muffin!" —Rebecca Thorne, author of Can't Spell Treason Without Tea
"Thoroughly enchanting! The Spellshop is brimming with cozy charm, endearing characters, and reminders that sometimes the biggest risks lead to the sweetest rewards. I’m looking forward to reading more of Sarah Beth Durst’s magical books." —Heather Webber, USA Today Bestselling author
“The Spellshop is about believing in the kindness of people, even when you’ve seen nothing but cruelty. There is beauty in Kiela’s building of a new and brighter world. There is courage in the love of this found family.” —J.R. Dawson, author of The First Bright Thing
"Reading this book was like sitting in the sun, watching bees in the foxgloves; a warm, peaceful delight of a novel. You can almost smell the jam, and hear the ocean. I finished the book smiling." —Katherine Arden, New York Times bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale
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