3.5⭐. Thank you NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC.

CSTWT is directly inspired by Legends & Lattes (as said outright by the author Rebecca Thorne in her acknowledgements), so comparisons between the two can be expected. I enjoyed L&L very much, and CSTWT slightly less so. While CSTWT nicely captures the relaxing, low-stakes vibe that comes with a cozy fantasy, it doesn't charm me as much as L&L. The main difference is that L&L's coffee shop is the heart of the story; it feels like a culmination of its cast's love and efforts in making it bustling and successful. In contrast, the tea/bookshop in CSTWT is mostly dressing. Once it is built and open for business, it just so happens to merely be a setting where interactions take place. So if you're expecting a similar-ish vibe of bookshop-running, time to realign your expectations.

CSTWT tries to set itself apart from L&L by focusing more on the outside forces plaguing the town of Tawney, where protagonists Reyna and Kianthe have settled in. There are two main external threats: the mystery behind the dragons attacking the town every now and then, and the tyrannical Queen whom Reyna has fled from, leading her to live a fugitive life. These two issues are understandably life-or-death situations, and actually make very interesting conflicts! But CSTWT feels like it's far too concerned with maintaining its "coziness", and therefore such stakes cannot possibly be any higher than the shop counter where tea is served. Both threats are resolved rather anticlimactically, and instead are delegated to "That's a future sequel problem" status. Despite the lukewarm so-called resolutions, these external issues managed to hold my attention when my interest waned at times (far too many times for my liking). so it did the job of getting me to read on.

The sapphic relationship between Reyna and Kianthe was delightful as a whole. Thankfully, author Thorne manages to add a layer of complexity by weaving in both women's insecurities in their roles in the other life's and differences in ideologies. Otherwise, it would've unfortunately been a pretty bland and safe romance.

3.25-3.50*

After a tough few years, comfort blanket reads have been my go-to so I've loved the rise of cosy fiction - be it mystery, science fiction or in this case, fantasy, I just can't get enough of low stakes, people driven stories.

In this addition to the subgenre we meet Reyna, a Queen's Guard and Kianthe, an all-powerful Mage who have run away together to set up their own bookish tea shop, far away from court intrigue and fighting. Along with a hardy band of supporting characters and loyal animal companions we go along with them on their adventures as they start their new lives together.

All the elements were there for me to have loved this book - books, tea, queer relationships, a great supporting cast of characters and adorable animal/creature sidekicks, but despite this combination there was something that fell a little flat and to be honest so whilst I liked it, I didn't love it. Also for me as a downside there was actually too much action for it to be truly considered cosy which is what I really wanted out of this.

I think at the core the relationship also didn't click in the way that others have in different books (i.e. in Legends and Lattes). A powerful mage and a queen's guard are two badass fantasy leads but their relationship lacked confidence and humour so the banter fell a bit flat and I felt that better connections were made with people like Tarly and Mathild. It did pick up towards the end but was a little bit too late unfortunately.

The world created however, is wonderful. It's vibrant and vivid with plenty of scope for further adventures in the future. The bookish tearoom is a wonderful idea and I loved when the book focused on them getting it fixed up and ready for business as that's when the story felt properly cosy and was exactly what I hoped for and wanted.

This was an ideal set up book for a series but doesn't read the best as a standalone. It's fun, with a fabulous setting and a lovely cast of characters. I wish it had clicked better for me but will still check out future instalments to see how the world develops and characters grow.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan | Tor for a digital review copy of "Can't Spell Treason Without Tea" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

This is a warm cosy read.. exactly what you need when you want to feel good. This was a delightful read full of whimsical feelings but also plot and tension..

It’s an easy read, easy to follow along everything you want when reading a story in the fantasy universe. Enjoyed reading the love and the relationship between the two main characters they were so likeable. I guess opening a bookshop doesn’t always go to plan.

The main reason why I loved this story was because of the side characters wish they were featured more in the story. Maybe more of them in the sequel ..and of course the dragons 🐉

can’t wait to read the sequel of this book. Thank you at net galley for the opportunity to read this arc
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Solid 3 5 stars. I don't understand all the low ratings for this book, was it the greatest ever book ever written, no? But it was a good, easy read, with simple language, no massive world building info dumping, and mild peril. Oh, and dragons.

I thought the love between the two characters was well thought out and sweet and there was other rep writing the book too including NB.

I will definitely up the sequel.

The audiobook narrator was also great.

Thank you to netgalley for advanced copies of both the book and the audiobook.
An enjoyable romp through Tawney!

Can’t spell treason without tea is a gorgeous, cosy, sapphic fantasy.

At the start of the book we get thrown straight into the action with a near death experience which leads our main characters to make some life changing decisions.

From there we follow their journey as they find a village, premises and set up their business - selling books and tea.

I love the premise of this book. It’s such a cute set up.

There are some obvious comparisons to be made with Legends and Lattes but for me this is quite different.

It’s an interesting blend of cosy fantasy with some high stakes fantasy plot lines thrown in for good measure. It’s an interesting read and I mostly enjoyed these although occasionally I found them a bit jarring.

The characters in this book are very distinct and likeable. They’ll do anything for each other and I loved that they were prepared to give up everything to be together.

The sidekicks in the book are great. I love Visk, we don’t have enough books with Griffin sidekicks. And we got to see a baby Griffin which was so cute.

Oh and did I mention there are dragons?🐉

All in all this is a gorgeous, sweet cosy fantasy - like a warm hug on a cold day

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor / Pan MacMillan for allowing me to read an ARC of this cosy little book.

If you’re looking for a novel that is as cosy as a cup of tea in a bookshop and doesn’t take much brainpower to read then this book would be perfect for you.
It wasn’t my cup of tea entirely, I do like a cosy book but I felt as though this book was a bit lacklustre with the plot and some of the conversations and phrases used were a bit too juvenile for me.
That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy reading it. I really did like Reyna and Kianthe as characters and the cutesy cold town of Tawney and the selections of characters that occupied the town and the bookshop that the couple set up.
I thought the world building was pretty decent for this kind of book. Usually you can expect to not have a rich world in a cosy book like this, but I was surprised to be intrigued by the world building and I thought it was clearly thought out.
It was an enjoyable read, nothing world changing or jaw dropping, but the characters were the standout and the relationships forged between them.
I’d be intrigued to see what Rebecca Thorne does next, I hope she uses a slightly stronger voice in her next novels because I believe they truly have fantastic groundwork!

Thank you Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was sure I was going to absolutely love this book and I predicted it would be one of my favourite reads of the year. The cover, the blurb, the comparison to other books I adore, the protagonists being in a sapphic relationship, a world with dragons... everything pointed in the direction of it being exactly my kind of book. Unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to those expectations. I didn't NOT enjoy it... but I didn't love it.

Let's start with what I really liked: the concept of the Arcandor's magic sounds really cool and I love the creative idea of the power deriving from a Stone deity. I was also intrigued by the magical mystery that develops in the second half of the story. In terms of characters, I enjoyed how badass both protagonists were, while still maintaing weak spots and insecurities that made them feel quite relatable. Also - the two rival lords of the small town were entertaining and I liked the scenes featuring them (I can't say more to avoid spoilers), and the griphons were cool side-characters.

The pacing was a bit mixed - it started out quite slow, but then it picked up nicely half way into the story. I have to say I was really intrigued by certain unexpected developments by then!

Now moving onto what I struggled with... The tag line promises a cozy fantasy along the lines of Legends & Lattes and, while I definitely saw some similarities (coffee shop / tea shop, two women running it, friendly neighbours), Can't Spell Treason Without Tea didn't really feel "cozy". Yes, some scenes were beautifully cozy and the shop in itself sounded delightful, with a warm atmosphere that would make me want to visit instantly. But the book in itself didn't feel cozy - there were a number of life-threatening situations and the characters often felt the tension of being on the run. That made me, as the reader, feel tense as well... which I technically really like in a fantasy, but it defeats what to me should be the point of a "cozy" read. I would have liked some more focus on the set up of their new life, rather than the whole "opening a shop and settling in a tiny new town" happening so quickly and smoothly, rather than so much attention going to the risks of Reyna's escape.

Something else that didn't convince me was the amount of telling, rather than showing, when it came to Reyna and Kianthe's relationship. I was intrigued by the pre-established relationship (something quite unusual, as romances often develop during the course of a novel) and I was curious to see how it would be. I was, however, a bit let down by the chemistry between the women... A chemistry they described quite often with words, but rarely showed. There was so much telling the reader about how compatible they are, how well they communicate, how hot they find each other, but it didn't really show in their interactions.

This review definitely spends more time and words on the negatives, but that isn't to say it isn't an enjoyable book. I just had a lot to say on those points, as I had such high expectations of this book and was quite let down.

This is a very sweet sapphic fantasy that had me rooting for both characters along with everyone in their little town.

Reyna decides to run away from her job as a Queen's Guard for a tyrannical queen to start a tea and bookshop with the most powerful mage in the world, Kianthe, who she has been in a secret relationship with for years.

Although their new home is dealing with dragon attacks and Reyna is being searched out by the brutal queen for deserting her post, their relationship with each other and the residents of their new town is the shining point of this book for me. I was interested enough in all of the side characters that it never felt like it was intruding in on the focus of the romance at the heart of the book.

The addition of the prequel story of how they met at the end of the book was honestly one of the highlights for me, it was so funny and sweet. Also the epilogue at the end felt out of place at first but then immediately made me want to pick up the sequel.

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea is your sapphic daydream of running away with your lover to open a book and tea shop turned reality. I had such a nice time reading this book, it's astoundingly comforting. It leaves off with a bit more story still to come, so I really look forward to the next installment; I love that we are seeing more indie pub coming into the traditional/more accessible setting.

I loved Legends and Lattes so picked up this book. It has similarities but is a book worth reading on its own merits. This story has a much slower pace. I suppose you could say it’s about retiring. What happens when the kingdom expects of you as a powerful Mage or a supreme Royal guard, and then you find someone to love, and all you want to do is spend time with them. Well you could run away to a back water, open up a tea room and have an easy happy ever after. Simple? Not really! I don’t drink tea, but I did enjoy the gentle humour and shenanigan going ons. Thank you to Pan MacMillan and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

The book was ok. I enjoyed the characters, Reyna, Kianthe, Gossley, Matild and Tarly and while it had cosy elements like the tea / bookshop I don't think it really qualifies as a cosy fantasy because of violence in the beginning, so it loses a star.

I really enjoyed my first foray into 'cosy fantasy', there really isn't anything not to like. The relationship between Reyna and Kianthe was inspiring to read as they supported each other to become individuals away from their roles as Queensguard and Mage. I loved the mix of fantasty and magic with griffons and ever-lasting flame/plants. I'd definitely want to read further books in this genre.

**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **

A sweet and easy read. I’m not sure it’s totally “cosy fantasy” as the stakes were consistently quite high throughout the book, and there was repetition in the story with the main characters taking it in turns to be in trouble/be the rescuer.
With that being said, I loved the different background stories of the main characters and the representation that felt very natural. Would have loved more on the town they moved to and the side characters’ stories but hopefully they come in the next book!

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea might be one of the most intense and high stakes cozy fantasies I have read so far, but I was here for the chaos!

The queen's bodyguard and the world's most powerful mage are just about done with all the shit they have to put up with, so they decide to follow their hearts and flee to a backwater village in the dragon country where they open a bookshop that serves tea. But the chill idyllic vibes are quickly disturbed by some raging dragons, inexplicable mysteries, squabbling lords, dangerous spies, and a vengeful queen... in other words, que the mishaps and mayhem!

Now, this story delivered exactly what it promised, while also being completely unlike anything I was anticipating. The sapphic romance was entirely too wholesome, I gobbled up the cozy teashop vibes, I loved the support of the small-town community, and my bookish heart burst with joy from all the bookish love in this story.

However, I do feel like this story took on a bit too much at times. For me, most cosy stories work so well because they are so driven by the characters and their interpersonal relationships, but there was a lot in this story that distracted from those aspects here. Amidst the chill moments of building their dream life, Reyna and Kianthe are thrown into a lot of high-stakes situations, especially for a supposedly cozy book. And all that action, combined with the fact that I found their respective inner voices to be a bit weak and indistiguishable, resulted in the fact that I just could not really get emotionally invested.

Moreover, Kianthe and Reyna are already in a steady (though long-distance) relationship when the story starts, and it took me a long time to catch up to their level of love and devotion for each other. Normally I love a romantic element in my stories because we get to see the build-up and yearning, but here that development has happened off-page. Now, there was a bonus short story at the end of the book that gave a glimpse into their first meeting, and those were actually my favourite scenes of them together, and it made me enjoy their dynamic a lot more in hindsight; I almost wish we would've gotten that at the start of the story!

Despite my little quibbles, I still had a very delightful time with this story. I mean, we've got a delightfully queer-normative world full of lovable chaos queers, there's a cute griffon companion, and it features plenty of cheesy and hysterically bad tea puns that will have you giggling like a little kid... how could I not have a fun time?!

If you are looking for a more high-stakes version of Legends & Lattes full of magic, dragons, endearing characters, and wholesome queer love, then you have to check out Can't Spell Treason Without Tea.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor UK for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book is scheduled for release on 9 May, 2024.

This was very much a cozy fantasy with really fun ideas and world-building, but the characters were already established and the plot was solved as soon as problems arose, which meant there was absolutely no tension and no character development. Unfortunately this made it a bit of a slog, but it was still a fun read.

Sadly dnf'd, felt too.much like a replica of much loved Travis Baldree's books.

Recently watched an interview with the author & as a result understand why I didn't connect with this, her approach is self declared as being based on a formulaic approach where she writes the end and several plot points & that this formula always works, that all books are based on a few ideas & it's not plagiarism to copy another's idea & develop it.

More mature authors reflect that they learned to let the characters speak to them & guide them. A formulaic approach doesn't create a great novel.

Books, tea, and magic - what more could you want?

This was such a perfect and cosy story, especially after having read so many heavy fantasy novels lately.

Reyna and Kianthe both had interesting perspectives, and I never found myself disappointed at whose POV I was reading. I loved their relationship, and even though it seemed a little too good to be true at times, I really enjoyed watching them progress in their new life.

The main selling point of this story for me has to be the atmosphere itself - it was so comforting to read, and I want nothing more now than to curl up with a chair by the fireplace with one of Kianthe's books and Reyna's tea and cake! But at the same time there was still a level of drama, and I'm curious to see how the tension and cosiness will mix in any future stories.

Books with similar vibes - Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree, The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers, A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers, and Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree.

I enjoyed this book. I've seen it described as Legends & Lattes (L&L) but with tea, and to some extent that's true. The acknowledgements explicitly say that the book was directly inspired by L&L. However, personally, I found this book more engaging than L&L. Reyna and Kianthe's story is just beginning and although you can read this book and be left with a warm cosy glow at the end, I'm hoping that we'll get to read more about what happens next. Especially if we get to see more of Ponder.

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne is a cosy fantasy about a royal guard and a powerful mage who run away and open a bookshop tea cafe. Rayna is tired of risking her life for a selfish queen and Kianthe wants to build a life with people who see her as herself and not just a vehicle for powerful magic.

It's a cute and easy read. I liked the characters and enjoyed the little community they become part of. It drags a bit at points but I wasn't in a rush and for the most part was happy to just follow along. What did frustrate me was some of the details, for example they are in hiding but repeatedly use Reyna's real name in group settings instead of her alias.

Some of the plot points also felt too easily resolved but it's a cosy fantasy so I can mostly forgive needing to suspend my disbelief a bit more than usual. If we can have elemental magic, why not particularly gullible villains.

Pick this one up if you're in the mood for a cute, cosy fantasy story with a loveable couple, lots of puns and are happy with world building based on *vibes*. For me, I picked it up at the right time and this was lovely to read while recovering from a cold. ⭐⭐⭐.5 stars

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea is coming out May 9th. Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the eARC.

A beautiful y written and perfectly paced cosy fantasy. A bookshop I could only ever dream to live in. A recommendation for anyone who just needs a good relaxing read with dragons, books and tea.