The Spellshop

By: Sarah Beth Durst

Narrated by: Caitlin Davies

Long-listed, Barnes and Noble Best New Books of the Year, 2024

Long-listed, Hudson Booksellers Best of the Year, 2024

Long-listed, Amazon.com Best Books of the Year, 2024

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.

©2024 Sarah Beth Durst (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"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 talking plants.

I loved the talking plants, the story was good but centered a lot on the main characters internal struggle. The story is fluff but is enjoyable enough.

Cute story

It felt cozy, good balance of romance, friendship, anxiety and realism. I hope there’s a second book in the making.

Magical Comfort

The characters were fun, the story is unique, and I loved everything about this book. The narrator was great.

The plant characters were so interesting!

The storyline and the characters were very interesting and amusing. I found myself constantly wanting to hear what happened next.

Overshadowed by a juvenile sounding narrator

This book has a lot of potential to turn into a great series. Get a better narrator and I’m all in! I had to make myself finish this book because of the narrator that sounded like she was in junior high school.

This was so Cozy and comforting.

I enjoyed the story alot. This was a story for relaxing not stress just simple. the narrator was perfect and I loved the characters and there development.

So cozy and magical

My seven year old and I listened to this together in our car rides and while folding laundry. He was excited to get to the car each time asking if we could listen to the jam shop story. Love it. Hoping to find more stories like this soon!

steady flow of storyline

I really enjoyed this story. the visualization of all the characters are very important to me in the author and reader really makes you feel like you know these people. it is very humorous in parts. and in other parts it kept you on your toes wondering what was going to happen. I would definitely recommend it

The main characters growth

Super cute, easy to follow book. The main characters growth through the book was a delight and I loved learning about all the people of the island.

This was a very lighthearted romantic fantasy

I could see myself reading again as a quick lighthearted read. This was a good stand alone book that I would recommend to others.