I had really high hopes for this one after seeing it on a number of recommended lists over the last few months.

I did enjoy it. It's fun, light-hearted and has a heap of magic and romance thrown in. But it also had more danger than expected for the genre, and the stakes were much higher given the type of book it is. Magic seemed to fix a few too many problems, which undermined the development. I wanted to see them work together to fix up their new home, not one of them getting it done in an afternoon using magic.

The characters and their relationship are so fully formed at the start that I'm not sure where any of the development is. It sells itself as a fantasy/romance of two characters trying to get their happily ever after. But rather than it being a story about their relationship developing, the threats are from outside. It felt like it tried to bridge two genres and wasn't sure which side of the fence it came down on?

Don't get me wrong. I still enjoyed this; it made me laugh; it made me root for their happily-ever after; and I'm definitely going to continue the series because it's fun. I think I just went into it with the wrong mind-set of what I would be getting out.

This had so much potential but it did not do it for me at all. I expected a cozy fantasy to feel, well, cozy and it just really didn't. I wanted more of the tea and the bookshop. The plot felt messy and simultaneously rushed and drawn out somehow, like the sequel wasn't planned and needed an excuse to happen. I didn't care about the characters, they felt very one dimensional. If the story and the writing had been polished a bit more this could have been great but it felt like a first draft. It felt like there was no focus and it didn't know what it wanted to be because it definitely isn't cozy

This book is the perfect cosy fantasy for when you want to snuggle up and relax!

The characters are so loveable, throughout the book I felt every emotion and started to form a bond with them. As I explored the journey with the main characters, I felt immersed in their world.

The writing style is easy to follow, it builds a good description of the world without being overwhelming or confusing.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend, I will definitely be looking out for any other works by this author.

I enjoyed this book.

The storyline kept me hooked throughout. I didn't want to put it down as I wanted to know about Reyna's and Kianth's story and wondered if they would get their dream and HEA.

This was okay. The bookstore/teashop concept was cute and I liked the supporting cast of characters quite a lot. The central relationship was very sweet but even in moments of conflict it felt underdeveloped. The antagonist also felt almost cartoonish at times in how much they were said to be keeping the populace ignorant (people in the queendom don't know what paint is?) and this made their larger conflict less intense for me. I was very intrigued by the greater worldbuilding, though - I want to know more about the dragons and how the magic works! And I have to admit, despite how I struggled with this one, the sneak peek at the follow up did catch my attention so I might have to give that one a go as well!

This was such a cosy, low stakes, sapphic, fantasy where a Mage & a queens guard escape the capital to be together and open a tea/book shop.

Along with the cosy setting/vibe we also had great side characters who brought just as much to this story, magical creatures and a very old mystery to solve with some stolen dragon eggs.

With the threat of Reyna (the Queens guard) being killed for treason when she fled the capital, she needs to navigate this new life with Kianthe (the Mage).

Perfect to curl up with your favorite hot drink and a baked snack.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley and Pan Macmillan.

DNF at 116 pages. I was loathe to give up on this one but when you find yourself avoiding picking it up that's a sign to stop.

This book is seven tropes in a trenchcoat and I cannot see that improving. I honestly struggle to differentiate Reyne and Kianthe despite the alternating POV, or maybe partly because of it: without strong discernable characteristics the two of them blur together a little too easily.

There's a strange combo going on here of high stakes but low outcome, big blocks with speedbump aftermath. Reyna is a traitor to her bloodthirsty monarch, but decides to literally set up shop in home territory and starts renovating without a care in the world. Kianthe is the big magic bod of the world and does the magical equivalent of the CEO moving to a town in the sticks with bad WiFi. She repeatedly uses up her magic on setting up cabinets and other basic nonsense that could be done by hand, and then finds herself short for important events. There's a fundamental mismatch between the base story, the character motivations and the actial stakes.

I wanted a book about fantasy sapphics owning a bookshop/tearoom together, and the shop was the aspect given least importance. Cozy fantasy needs to be cozy and this was missing that focus. A sad miss for me.

*Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*

This is a common review for both Can't Spell Treason Without Tea and Pirate Life for Tea as I read one after the other.
COVID was a good way to go back to my TBR and pick up at random. These novels was always in high priority and somehow always postponed reading it.
That said I had fun as it's a cute couple of cosy fantasy novels: there's romance, there's the story of two persons who want to change their way of life and what happens when they try living their life as they like.
There's tea, the dreamy atmosphere of the bookstore. There's intrigue, political intrigue, some action and funny banters.
Kianthe is my fav character: a powerful mage who can use the power and the title to get what they want and is in a happy relationship with Reyna, a former palace guard.
I can't wait to read the next story as I inhaled these two and had fun.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I was really looking forward to escaping into this fantasy novel but sadly I was disappointed. I struggled to get into the story and despite persevering I was unable to finish it.

I can't resist a cosy fantasy and this delivered just that and more.

A guard and a mage run off together to start their own bookshop cafe? Count me in! I really liked the relationship between the two main protagonists, the humour and also the action - despite featuring a barn conversion into a cafe, there was enough action in terms of potential assassins, a vengeful queen, dragon and griffins to keep me engaged. Looking forward to reading book #2.

Cosy, sapphic fantasy! Yes please!
For fans of legends and lattes, with slightly higher stakes. But keep the cosy vibes.

I will be continuing this series!

Thank you for my e arc.

A fantastic cozy fantasy read, the writing was fabulous. I loved the characters, the story, and most importantly the relationship between Reyna and Kianthe, they perfectly balance each other and I wish I could visit their shop!! I’m very excited to read their next adventure.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a copy of this book

This is super cute and I loved it! The acknowledgements state that she was inspired by "Legends and Lattes" and I can see it and I am here for it!

Reyna is sick of her Queensguard life so decides to follow her secret Mage girlfriend's wishes to abscond to the middle of nowhere and set up a combined tea room and bookshop.

Life isn't simple though. Kianth is basically the boss of the Mages, the most powerful one, and some feel that she's shirking her responsibilities. Their new town also has problems: bandits,dragons and town leaders at loggerheads.

I loved the characters in this and the way everything developed, the pacing was perfect as well.

Although not quite as cosy as its marketing would have you believe, Can't Spell Treason is a largely delightful sapphic fantasy about assassins, queens, and escaping ones circumstances.

Perfectly atmospheric with a great mix of both fantasy and cosy vibes. Both humourous and heart warming. I enjoyed learning about the world and the characters. I would love to live in this world and visit the bookstore, it feels like ultimate cosy vibes for a rainy winter afternoon. I can't wait to read the sequel!

I can't recommend this cosy read highly enough! Creative, heartwarming, and soothing as a cuppa. I've already recommended it to my friends and I bought a hard copy for myself!

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea felt like it was trying to be Legends & Lattes, but fell flat on its execution. It's hard to do a cosy, lowstakes fantasy when your protagonists have a highstakes conflict.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC copy of this book, in exchange for this honest review.

Rebecca Thorne's "Can't Spell Treason Without Tea" is a delightful read! This comfortable, heartwarming vision is comparable to a hot cup of your preferred brew on a wintry day. The transformation of Reyna and Kianthe from perilous lives to launching an idyllic bookshop in a small town is nothing short of amazing. I was immediately captivated by the blend of sapphic romance, adventure, and a hint of thrilling dragon content.

For those who enjoy "Legends & Lattes" and TJ Klune, Rebecca Thorne's universe is both cosy and full of surprises. I had to buy a copy of this book for a friend since I was so happy with it. This is the perfect book to curl up with if you're searching for something warm and charming to read.

3.5 stars

I SO badly wanted to love this book. Everything about it sounded fantastic - dragons, tea shop, a love story. I love a cozy fantasy.

Unfortunately it all fell a little flat for me and the story took far too long to get going. I loved the relationship and the world building was great but I found myself switching off around 75%.

What I'm finding more frequently is books that are part of a larger series just end up being a bit too slow cos the next book will have the adventure, forgetting that the first book needs to keep you entertained too!

Loved by BookTok.

Reyna, a fiercely loyal Queens bodyguard, finds herself torn between duty and desire when her girlfriend Kianthe, a spirited mage, proposes they abandon their roles to open a charming tea and book shop.

Despite Kianthe's persuasive allure and Reyna's longing for a simpler life, loyalty to the crown and fear of repercussions have always held Reyna back. However, a brush with mortality prompts Reyna to reassess her priorities and take a leap of faith.

Settling in a secluded border town, Reyna and Kianthe embark on a journey to build a new life together. Amidst the quaint charm of their shop and the eccentricities of their new community, they find solace in each other's company and the warmth of belonging.

However, their idyllic aspirations are threatened by the looming shadow of a vengeful queen and the dangers lurking in their past.

As they navigate the challenges of their new life, including encounters with magical creatures like griffons and dragons, Reyna learns to embrace her emotions while Kianthe revels in her vibrant and playful nature. Together, they face mishaps, mysteries, and the wrath of a queen unwilling to relinquish control.

In a tale filled with cosy moments, Reyna and Kianthe discover the true depths of their love and the power of their bond. Against the backdrop of a turbulent realm, they forge a path towards freedom and self-discovery, proving that together, they can overcome any obstacle that stands in their way.

Thank you so much to the author - Rebecca Thorne as well as Olivia-Savannah at Tor Books and Pan Macmillan for running this amazing book tour!