The Spellshop

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.

Critic 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

My Soul Needed This Book

This book is what my soul needed! When the world feels mean and dark it’s beautiful when a book can remind you it doesn’t have to be. The writing is beautifully descriptive and immerses you in the plot. I am in love with all of the magical creatures that co-starred and made cameos. For an introvert book lover like me it’s sweet to listen to a story where the protagonist cherishes books as much as myself, but also realizes there is so much outside of books the world can offer. I listened to the audiobook and look forward to listening again and again 💜🌱🌵🥰

It’s such cute fun story!!

The reader’s performance is perfection! The story is sweet and fun and funny! It’s just a fun fantasy book. I highly recommend it.

Just So Cozy

What a calming and comfortable book. Lovely characters, lovely writing, lovely performance. Just a cozy story.

Great Magical Read!

This book kept my attention and had a great storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it, and the performance of the reader was great as well. I recommend this book to anyone who likes Harry Potter mix with romance.

Delightful

Had me giggling and kicking my little feet and then crying and then shouting I loved it

Great listen!

Such a well written story that is sweet, and full of magic and friendship! Loved it! The narrator made the book a very fun listen!!

Sweet Story

I loved how sweet and simple this book was. I was hooked from the very beginning to the end. Great read!!

Great narrator and just overall amazing story!

The feelings I get from this book is like a whole walk in the woods with the smell of the sweetest berries and the warming smell of freshly iced cinnamon buns! It’s very peaceful and cozy like a beautiful morning with a cup of coffee or tea and a toast, sitting in a window seal with the window slightly open letting in the sweet breeze and just soaking up the crisp, fresh and sweet air.
The book kept my attention from beginning to end and it’s just a beautiful journey full of adventure, risks, magic, love, and just being surrounded by the most caring and loving people.

It’s a 10/10 read for me!!

Cozy and sweet!

Loved this book. It has everything you could ask for in a cozy fantasy. Can’t recommend it enough.

Fun characters

Very charming book. I love an easy and engaging book and this was definitely that. The characters were engaging and the story was fun.