The Spellshop

Written by Sarah Beth Durst

Narrated by Caitlin Davies

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Jul 9, 2024
• ISBN: 9781250351265

Sarah Beth Durst

Sarah Beth Durst is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Spellshop, as well as over twenty-five fantasy books for adults, teens, and kids, including the Queens of Renthia series, Drink Slay Love, and Spark. She has won an American Library Association Alex Award and a Mythopoeic Fantasy Award and has been a finalist for the Andre Norton Nebula Award three times. She lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her husband, her children, and her ill-mannered cat.

Reviews for The Spellshop

[kim.zavage · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As far as cozy fantasies go, this one was the perfect mixture of interesting plot, thoughtful characters, whimsical fairytale, and that warm wholesome feeling of being happy. It made me miss living in a world where I believed good would prevail. It was a nice and much needed visit ❤️

[Sara Cervantes · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Super nice cozy and hopeful read. Perfect to lift up your spirits.

[Lisa Ryan-Herndon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Whimsical, cozy, comforting yet not ignoring societal pressures and threats.

[shannon steller · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A warm and cozy read. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to read The Enchanted Greenhouse!

[bradleysierra0 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is so cute and wonderful to listen to!

[deadgirlindisguise · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It’s a fun read. Like hallmark movies but with magic. Cozy and comfortable with a dash of intrigue.

[Morgan Hall · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Delightful and whimsical. Lighthearted and lovely. An instant favorite for me.

[taras.anthenauem · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A truly wonderful magical journey! The most perfect summer read! I cannot get over how much not only did I enjoy this book but it was just such a cozy, lighthearted fairytale!

[hotmom009 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was a very sweet book about community coming together and family isn’t always blood related

[Bridgett Monica · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The most perfect cozy fantasy novel! Loved every bit of it.

[Arnis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is my new favourite comfy book! Very nicely crafted world with it's own rules and details. Lovable characters and good voice acting.

[Adrienne French · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A sweet, wonderful example of cozy romantasy! Very enjoyable to read.

[sarahjanke · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is perfect for cozy season. The characters are whimsical and full of charm. There is the perfect blend of humor and deep felt emotions. This book is the perfect example of found family.

[Allison Smith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was fantastic, so much happened. Loved the voices for each character. Favorite character was definitely Caz he's hilarious

[vctm2m2t89 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was amazing! What a perfect book! Cozy, magical, charming and just like a warm hug!??

[Judy Spezzano Barnum · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The story definitely classifies as a fantasy novel. Speaking and intelligent plants that move around to participate in the drama of the island village. The characters are lively and amusing! The story offers us magic, danger, drama, romance and even unicorns…

The story could be about today (with more human characters). It delivers a message of kindness, unity, integrity and survival.

[Kacie Beasley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved the story and the narration! Very sweet book with a unique story line. Would love more in this world!

[book.markedbyash · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a Perfect Fall Read! So cute and cozy. I loved the Cottagecore fantasy vibes! Small town!

[dlongstreet3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was incredibly cute and cozy! I loved it!

[shz8vmjfbx · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Perfect witchy vibes, with a dash of fantasy creatures and a pinched of love, perfect for the spooky fall season

[penelton.hayley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved how cute and descriptive this book was. The main character is very relatable. This was a fun read!

[haileybegnaud · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was the cutest little book. The narrator did a wonderful job with it. It was better than I thought it was gonna be. I now want purple freckles

[spookie1026 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely LOVED this book! I think it would make a beautiful movie! Great storyline! Amazing details! And such a wonderful feeling throughout the story. Not too much anxiety or negativity. Just the right amount of drama to make it interesting and keep the reader excited. I loved the twists and turns and all the feel good moments. Great book! I can't wait to read more from her.

[Diana Darce · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I haven’t read something as sweet and wholesome as this. 12/10

[Mr. Crowley And Madame · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a great book! Easy listen. Magic & mythical creatures, libraries, forbidden books, spell casting, love & there is even a taking plant!! It really is a magical story! Highly recommend this one. Narration was perfect!

[Allisen Greathouse · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Adorable a great start to fall read! I would recommend

[Rebecca · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely perfectly enchanting. This is a great fall read with cozy vibes.

[brelovezcoupons · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a beautiful quaint little story. I loved the story line. I also loved it wasn't a very vulgar romance story. Hope to hear more from this author

[kriatalynn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well written and whimsical loved it so much I listened to it twice

[marie.madeleine · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very cute and wholesome cozy fantasy, exactly what I needed