'Can't Spell Treason Without Tea' sells itself as a cosy lesbian fantasy and overall it delivers on that promise. It's a 'Legends and Lattes'-style novel about a mage and a guard Captain who attempt to run away from their lives and open up a shop selling tea and books. They need to balance dealing with local politics against the larger, more national affairs they've been used to dealing with, while also learning how to run their little business. There's also the small matter of dragon attacks that threaten everything they've built.

This is a mostly charming novel. There are a few missteps - Kianthe letting out moans every time she eats something tasty is weirdly sexual, and the PDAs and overuse of the word 'girlfriend' feels quite teenage - but there is also a lot to like. The sense of place in the border town of Tawnee is strong, with a believable cast of side characters. It's also nice to read stories set in worlds where gay and non-binary people are simply accepted without comment. People keep secrets for political reasons, but not because they fear discrimination,

This is very definitely the beginning of a series. There's a sense of moving into act two at the end of the book - a definite pause but by no means the end of the story. Fans of Casey Blair and Travis Baldree may well enjoy this cheerful novel that contains plenty of cups of tea.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Can't Spell Treason without Tea was originally released back in 2022 and is being rereleased in 2024. It is being sold as a Legend and Lattes but with tea. I don't think that marketing is doing the book any favors. If you don't compare them, this can actually be a good read.

Our story starts with Reyna, a bodyguard to a not so nice queen. When the queen has no qualms about sacrificing her in a murder attack, Reyna finally decides it has been enough. She runs away and sends out a signal for her girlfriend, Kianthe, who is only the most powerful mage in existence. They decide to run away together and start a bookstore.

The story is not without its flaws. Arguably the world building and the plotting around them are some of its weakest points. The supposed vengeful queen that gets wrapped up so nicely in a neat little bow, the bandits they so easily discard of, the all powerful mage.

But Reyna and Kianthe did manage to pull at my heart strings. I enjoyed that they had an established relatonships. All their insecurities came topside when they did start living and working together. They talked these things through and I enjoyed seeing that kind of relationship. No break-up, no threats of breaking-up, no temptations from another person. They just truly wanted to be there for each other and they worked through that. I also enjoyed the side characters that came with them.

I know some people find this too high stakes to be a cozy fantasy. I disagree with that to a point. I don't think the near death experiences means this can't be cozy if that is the feeling that it brings to you. What a lot of people are describing as cozy fantasy seems to be more of a slice of life fantasy. What is and isn't cozy fantasy can be very personal. I do think that there has to be a balance between the higher stakes and the cozy set-ups for a book to remain cozy. For me this book still hits that. I understand that for some, this might not.

I do find that the plot that is clearly moving into the next book concerning the town, makes me wonder where exactly we are going and what the author truly intends with these books. I found it frustrating that this plot point was not wrapped up.

A very cosy and wholesome fantasy book about two lovers who escape together to start a new life as a book and tea shop owners.

I really enjoyed ready Can't Spell Treason Without Tea. It was nicely paced, probably on the slower side for some readers, but considering it's genre, I didn't care too much. There were sprinkles of fantasy and high stake plots which kept me interested, as well as genuine thought and interaction with the characters whether they were main or side (Gossley is precious). Before I realised, I had got to the epilogue and was looking forward to the second book.

The only downside I have is that I would have liked to explore the tyrannical queen of the Queendom more. She had a lot of potential plot points that could have been explored, but nothing happened with them, which was unfortunate. Plus, her naivety which lead to the resolution of a very large issue was kind of too simple.

Nevertheless, thoroughly enjoyed this book as a whole and I eagerly await the sequel, A Pirate's Life for Tea!

A great cosy fan-tea-sy. Not sorry about the pun, Kianthe would be proud. I super loved this book, so cosy and fun. My first foray into cosy fantasy, the slow pace was nice and a nice change from what I’m used to. Just living with these characters was great, and the cast of neighbours added to the great setting of the tea shop. There were a few trials and tribulations, but mostly was events the two main characters had to face. Glad it’s left a sequel open, definitely want to go back to this world.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc, the pub date is 09/05/24

I really loved Can't Spell Treason Without Tea.
The pacing was really well done, and I never found myself bored - it just flowed naturally!
It felt a lot like a Studio Ghibli film - cosy and warm; just like a good brew!
5/5

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital ARC of Can't Spell Treason Without Tea.

I actually rated this 4.5 stars. This is definitely for fans of Legends and Lattes, however this story did seem to involve much more high stakes fantasy and jeopardy. Seeing Kianthe and Reyna open up their little tea shop after conforming to what's been expected of them and keeping their relationship secret was such a breath of fresh air despite being quite a common trope in fantasy stories such as this. The found family themes were so heartwarming and like the title suggests, it was like drinking a hot cup of tea by a lovely warm fire in a snuggly jumper! An absolute credit to Rebecca Thorne and I can't wait to read book 2 which will be released later this year!

This is a little treat, cozy fantasy but with higher stakes than Travis Baldrees work, ie there is a lot of retail comfort but there are also dragons and evil queens . A lovely bridge between two fantasy genres with compelling characters entering a cozy small town vibe. Clearly the opening of a new series I’m interested to see where it goes from here!

soft DNF @ 44%

I was so excited for this cosy sapphic fantasy with dragons as that is right up my alley but unfortunately I'm not loving it. After getting almost halfway through and putting it down for a bit I find myself not wanting to pick it up again and always choosing another read instead. I love the whole idea of a tearoom/bookshop but I'm finding the process so far extremely boring and I'm not really invested in the character's stories. The writing feels a little lazy to me, for example, Reyna is supposed to be in hiding and using an alternative name to stay anonymous in Tawney but is constantly referred to as her real name around townspeople as though the author forgot she's in hiding. I might pick this back up in the future when in the mood for something slow and easy.

Thankyou to Netgalley and the puclisher for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was ok. Not bad but not great either. I found it was way too similar to Legend's and Lattes. So much so I pictured Rayna as an ogre. I found the word Arcandor weird to read, it was like my brain stumbled on it every time. Also there is a phrase used in the book 'another think coming ' which should be another thing coming. I get that it was a cosy low stakes fantasy but it just felt like nothing really happened.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

I haven’t read a lot of cost fantasy before this. The low stakes were nice, the characters were cute, and the story was fun.

I don’t have a lot to say about it, it was a solid read. If you do already enjoy cosy fantasy, if you want to read about two lesbians with a magical book/tea shop - this is for you. You can’t really go wrong by picking this up!

4⭐️

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea written by Rebecca Thorn is an original, fun, fantasy which explores new definitions of the genre of cozy/ fantasy/ adventure

Jessica Threet is a fantastic narrator and I really enjoyed their performance in this book. Threet is versatile and gives each character depth and individual idiosyncracies that just work in defining their personalities

I have not read anything by Rebecca Thorn or indeed anything like this before. I love me a cozy mystery and Tea is my main food group, so this was a potential win for me and tbh, it did not disappoint.

Did it make me smile, yes. Did it have a lot of heartwarming moments and squishies? Yes. Did it have an utterly adorable paranormal pet? Oh very much yes (seriously a chirruping gryphon, what's not to love) Was it a good start to a series that left a lot to build on, absolutely!

I really like that Thorn is defining her own space in cozy fantasy. There is always going to be edges when categorising, so I sometimes find it easier to embrace these books as the crossovers and genre building that they are. Yes, Cozy Fantasy is a good starting point, but also adventure, sapphic romance, romantasy, paranormal fantasy and more. The one category I would certainly put it in in my library, is "very enjoyable and one to keep an eye out for"

Thank you very much to Netgalley, Macmillan UK | Tor and the author Rebecca Thorne for this fantastic ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

"Run away with me. You like tea. I like books."

A 3 star soft fantasy read.

I appreciated the soft and calm story that I believe was the aim of the book. However, I felt that something either was missing or that too much was being tried throughout the book - I felt there were elements that clashed with the main push of this as a cosy fantasy.

I appreciated the overall storytelling, the characters and the soft elements that were presented to the readers. The writing made the story flow with ease, I will note that the flow of this book is on the slower side compared with other fantasy books I have read (it could be that the writing method is a style chosen to further express the gentle story and characterisation). I liked the main characters, they were the main aspect that kept me engaged in the story. I would have loved more soft and cheesy romantic scenes between them, especially more scenes featuring their new life within their shop.

Unfortunately for me, and what stopped the rating from being higher, was the different elements that were involved without any real developments happening with them. The main arc was completed, but I find myself wanting so much more to happen within the story here without this book being used as a foundation and the background for further books? I understand the element of setting up plot points throughout the series but for me personally, so many different elements were placed into this one without furthering them that it just became a bit too much for me.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan, Tor for this eARC, I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Can’t spell treason without tea is the first book in the “Tomes & Tea Cozy Fantasies” by Rebecca Thorne. The narrative centres on Renya, a Queensguard, and Kianthe, a powerful mage known as the Arcandor and their relationship. Together, they settle in Tawney, a town riddled with bandits and dragons, and open the shop of the shop of their dreams that sells tea and books.

Firstly, I will say that I think that this book is mistitled as a cosy fantasy. Yes it is set in a cosy setting, but it did not leave me feeling very cosy as the stakes were too high throughout.

The world building was done well in this book and I felt like I understood what I needed to understand about the countries, rulers, different cultures, magic etc. without being overwhelmed. However, the flips between a cosy fantasy at the tea/bookshop and the more high stakes adventure elements made the pacing feel really off throughout.

I really struggled to connect with most of the characters. I also never felt like I believed the relationship between Reyna and Kianthe, their relationship has zero tension and their references to their “passion” had me feeling nothing. I do appreciate that this is a YA book so I didn’t expect much passion on the pages but this really let the relationship down for me. I will say that I really enjoyed the representation of the LGBTQIA+ community in this book, not only through our main couple, but also through non-binary and other non-heteronormative relationships throughout.

The ending had me feeling really underwhelmed and had me questioning what the main point of the story was. I enjoyed most of the epilogue as it told the story of Reyna and Kianthe’s first meeting. However, I may have believed their relationship more within the main story if this was written as a prologue.

Overall this was an okay read with some nice elements, but wasn't quite what I'd hoped it would be.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Some sweetness in this tale of a mage and a guard who run off to set up a tea and bookshop together, but ultimately it didn’t quite work for me, although I love the premise of cosy sapphics reading books and brewing tea.

Perhaps it was too much telling and not enough showing, or the swinging juxtaposition between: the dull practicalities of actually setting up a small business, a great deal of setting the boundaries of a relationship, and then actual peril, like, dragon invasion and murderous queen type peril.

I did enjoy some elements, like the griffon, and the found family, but the story didn’t quite lean far enough into either humour, coziness or action for me. For someone who’s looking for something light that skates over the surface of all those things, possibly along with discussions about relationships, this would be perfect.

***Contains Slight Spoilers***

It was said that this book is ideal for fans of T.J Klune - who I absolutely love - and Legends and Lattes - which I absolutely did not, so this could have gone either way. Having finished it, I would say it's more on the Legends end of that scale, which is possibly why I didn't take to it completely.

But first, the positives.

This is my first book by Rebecca Thorne, but I can say she is very good at creating a wonderful sense of place and setting. The physical setting, the furnishings, the clothes, the sights, sounds, and smells, the people - it really paints a picture so you can become more invested in the story.

Reyna and Kianthe make such a gorgeous couple. Two powerful women that are just fabulous. They make a formidable team.

I know it's more complicated than this, but to open a tea room filled with books, and magic, it just sounds idyllic, and if you could promise me less violence and worry, then sign me right up!

Now for the not so positive.

I was expecting a cosy crime situation, which it was sometimes. It hits the ground running and you're instantly involved. Having said that, it quiets down quickly and takes a while to pick back up again. That's not necessarily a bad thing; it's going to be a series so I suppose it works to set the scene and introduce the characters etc. but it means there's some loose ends here and it just didn't feel like it ever got going. It's not bad, it's interesting reading and enjoyable, but the full-on drama we got in the first chapter promised a bit more.

I did read a review that said it all seemed a bit too easy, and I do agree. Reyna has no difficulties fleeing the Queen, they have no problem finding a venue, the venue is kitted out in one day, they stumble upon other characters who are willing to drop everything to help - it all seems a bit too tidy.

There were a few moments where we are told what is happening rather than shown. The sort of thing where it goes: "We need to get to PLACE NAME", and the other person goes "PLACE NAME? The town up North in the mountains where the Smurfs used to live? The place that is now under the rule of the toilet paper man and you have to ring a bell three times to get in? That place?". Conversations that wouldn't need to happen because the characters would already know of it, and it just feels a bit stilted to the reader. It doesn't detract from the reading as such, but if I'm going to write an honest review, then I need to include it. I just think it needs tidying up a bit.

The start was fantastic. The ending was great. And for the most part - 85% perhaps - it was jolly good. There was just a bit, about 20% of the way in that was a bit too slow for my liking.

There's lots I could say about it, and have said about it, but on the simplest terms - I liked it for the most part, but there are some issues for me. It is full of fun and love and magic, is warming and cosy and adventurous - but a bit messy. I think it would be more suited for an autumn/winter read than Spring. I think I would still recommend it, because I know how much people loved Legends and Lattes, and I think it would appeal to those readers too, but I was slightly disappointed.

This book was everything I wanted and so much more! It is the ultimate cosy fantasy. If you love Legends & Lattes then this is for you. Whilst the author herself has said this is inspired by Legends & Lattes I feel that Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea is far superior and is definitely not a replica.

I would do anything for the main characters. Reyna and Kianthe and their relationship is wonderful. You can tell that they adore each other and are completely in love with on another. The aspect of owning and running a bookshop with all the quirks and references makes any book reader feel at home. The indepth descriptions about brewing tea and the general feelings associated with a tea shop help to develop an atmosphere that filled me with warmth and made me feel like I was actually in the shop with the characters. However it probably helped that I drink cups of tea whilst I read.

The plot is engaging and I want to know more about the side characters. Maybe they can have their own stories too! I may have pre-ordered a copy as now I need to have this book physically.

Read: March 2023
Reviewed: April 2023

I read this as an e-arc which disrupted the format that I normally read books in and made it hard to get into this story, but overall I don't think it effected my opinion of the story.

This a what I would think of as a slice of life story, many snippets of daily life sliced into a larger story. It was very easy to put this down and pick it up after a while without struggling to adjust back to the story, which also means I didn't feel compelled to finish this in any rush.

I feel like this was an epilogue to a story I would have enjoyed to read. The character growth leaned more to the telling end of the show-vs-tell methodology - which disrupted me a little as I don't think people are so self-aware in reality.

3.5 🌟

I first off have to ask the same question most are asking, why was this promoted so much as being cozy fantasy?
Sure, some scenes take place in a bookstore and there’s a bit of tea but for 95% of the book it’s more so plain fantasy.

Overall the book was good, nothing spectacular, but it was fun to read - and it’s sapphic so of course i’d enjoy it more than your average book!

I feel as though the author could’ve gone more into detail with each character, as I felt a lot of them were a bit underdeveloped. Also would’ve loved some more world building. I got the gist of it, but a lot of the world I felt I had to make up myself and fill in a lot of blanks.

I loved the concept of the book, and it had potential to be a new favourite, but unfortunately this book fell short for me and I had waaaaay too high expectations. Hopefully the next book in the series has more world building and character development! Also - relationship development !!!! I would’ve loved to see more from their relationship, it often felt as though they were just friends bar a few kisses and i love yous.

[Thank you to Netgalley and Rebecca for providing me with a free ARC in return for an honest review 🌪️]

I really enjoyed this book!

This story is about a pair of young lovers whose dream it is to run away and open a tea/book shop. Reina is the Queens body guard and Kianthe is a very high ranking (if not the the most high ranking) mage in the assembly. Something happens and they actually follow through with their dream and run away. We follow them through the story as they make their dream a reality.

The characters are adorable together and their romance is very sweet and genuine. I especially liked Kianthe and her absolute adoration of her girlfriend. They’re both really likable, as are the rest of the other townsfolk. By the end I was really attached to all of them

The Plot is low stakes, though admittedly I was worried for a while at first because it didn’t seem like it would be. Though I suppose, Treason isn’t really low stakes in the best of circumstances. In any case, the bulk of the story is wonderfully heartwarming. The relationships they develop with the townspeople are wholesome and meaningful. There are some stakes in relation to Reina and her escape from the queen, nothing that you wouldn’t expect considering the way she left, and some other stakes with dragons. Overall they don’t weigh heavy enough on the story that I wouldn’t say this isn’t a cozy read. It kept things interesting and helps the story progress wonderfully.

The only thing I would say I didn’t enjoy as much would be that occasionally, the banter between characters threw me a little off with phrases that felt more suitable for a present day story rather an a fantasy one. However that could just be a me issue. It was somewhat jarring for me, though I suspect it might easily be overlooked by other readers.

Overall, I found this book really enjoyable and cozy. I am somewhat biased of the premise because I adore tea and books so much. Still, if you enjoy cozy reads, stupidly in love girlfriends, and a host of lovable characters, I would absolutely recommend this book.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan via NetGalley for sending me the ARC. This review is my true and honest opinion. Posted to my Goodreads and Amazon and instagram.

I only got to around 20% of this book and it was a dnf for me. I dont think it would be fair for me to post a goodreads review on a book I didn't finish. I just couldn't connect to the story or characters it felt like a chore to carry on reading it