A sweet, cosy fantasy romance, great for fans of Legends and Lattes.

I quite enjoyed listening to this one, the audio was brilliant and I could really imagine the book/tea shop and characters well. I loved that there was a clear sense of whose POV I was listening to.

I really enjoyed the sapphic romance in this one. Reyna and Kianthe are both great characters (individually and together) they have distinct personalities and traits which I really enjoyed. I also just really liked their relationship and dynamic, the way they were there for each other and the banter between them made me laugh and feel all fuzzy too.

The world in general and the specific town of Tawney was an interesting setting. I felt that the world building was easy to follow and I understood what I needed to understand about the countries and rulers, the different cultures and the magic system.

Whilst the cosy setting drew me in, I also enjoyed the more high stakes moments with the dragons, but I think I’d have preferred it to be more low stakes and cosy vibes.

That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this audio and have since pre-ordered the physical book for my collection!

This is a lovely cosy story. Unfortunately the narration wasn't for me. I didn't really understand why the narrator was American but the voices were all British.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

DNF at 31%, I just could not get into this one at all and got to the point that i was dreading picking it up. I just found it dull, not enough happening to engage me. I liked legends and lattes so I do like cosy fantasy but for me this one fell short.

I received an advanced copy of the audiobook from NetGalley.
I'd been seeing so much about Can't Spell Treason Without Tea online, but I was concerned it was going to be one of those books that are built up so much, they set you up for disappointment, but I was wrong. All praise is so well deserved.
I really enjoyed the journey that Kianthe and Reyna went on throughout the story and I loved meeting all of Tawney's townspeople.
There were high stakes and problems cropping up but Reyna, Kianthe and the Tawney townspeople worked together to become a true community, I loved the casual love between Reyna and Kianthe.
The inclusion of the one shot at the end of the story showing Kianthe and Reyna's first meeting was so nice to hear as well.
It did take me a little while to get used to Reyna's accent but now I couldn't imagine her voice in any other way. I can't wait for the next installment of Tomes and Tea

This book had such great promise and I really enjoy reading Sapphic novels, I liked Reyna and Kianthe as a couple I just wish there was more development with their relationship, as the book just came with premade characters who were already in an established relationship, how they came to this stage in their life would have been interesting to see.

I didn't like how unrealistic it was in regards to every problem they faced was immediately sold, and maybe it's the pessimist in me, but to move to a new community and straight away have people befriending you and doing things for you for free felt fake.

I absolutely love the premise of Reyna trying to find a new life for herself as her role as bodyguard was just not fulfilling enough, this really had the ability to be a lovely contemporary Romance, the fantasy was not needed if the relationship was given more depth.

I'm grateful for a gifted book, I am sorry I just found this book lacking

Really enjoyed this cosy Fantasy story. The stakes were a bit higher than some to keep it interesting but still had cosy vibes.
The 2 main characters was wonderful relationship. The world building was great and there was even a cute baby Griffon..

solid 4 ⭐️ read

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea has everything I'm looking for in a cozy fantasy read:
🐉 whimsical setting
🐉 books & tea
🐉 magical creatures, including DRAGONS!!
🐉 an atmosphere that feels like a big, warm hug

Even though I wouldn't say this book is low-stakes by any means, it was very relaxing to read. Reyna and Kianthe are relationship goals, and I can't wait to see where their story goes in the next book.

I feel like this book has been given a disservice by being branded as a cosy fantasy because it's not at all it's a fantasy. While the story was OK I felt that it was trying too hard to be something it wasn't the stakes were far too high for it to be a cosy and just because the characters were very occasionally in a cosy setting didn't cut the mustard. This felt very tropey and basic to me it didn't bring anything new or exciting to the market. That being said the audio narration was well done.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ALC of this book.

Reyna and Kianthe are on their forbidden love journey, as in they both have very demanding fantastical careers that would prevent them from being together. Unless they take a giant leap of faith on a small village where no one would know who they are, their love and their dreams will forever be on the back burner. So running away together and opening a bookshop where they can build a community for themselves and sip tea all day it is then.

Except this is their first time living together and they are learning each other and how to be in a proper relationship. That in combination with a series of rather unfortunate events is what makes this cosy fantasy sо fun and relatable.

What I enjoyed the most was the fact that we were reading about a couple that felt real. They went through the growing pains of figuring out how to be companions outside of being lovers. They fought, and worried and supported each other; there was no miscommunication, they discussed their problems and came to solutions they could execute together. I really appreciated the representation of what a real couple going through real things looks like; even with the fantastical elements intertwined.

What lost me a little was the ending because it felt somewhat rushed, the culmination of events felt like it came and went when I was expecting more of all of it.

Aside from that I really enjoyed this, it was an easy, fast listen with a great narrator.

3.5/5 stars.

I'm part of a book tour for this title, but was glad to get the audio version too, so that I could read/listen on the go! The full book review will be posted on that page (and my blog), but with reference specifically to this audio, it's one of the best narrations I've heard in a while.

The narrator is absolutely perfect in their characterisation, bringing everyone to life and allowing me to seamlessly move between the paperback ARC and the audio. Some books really are just telling the story in a somewhat bland way; this captured the tone of the tale, with all of its love, magic and charm, while maintaining the action and undercurrent of threat. The protagonists were exactly as I wanted them to be, and I found myself hearing these voices for them in my head when I read the physical book!

One of the best audiobooks I've had the pleasure of listening to this year. It does the story and author proud, and I'm already recommending it as an option for those friends I think would like the story but who don't 'have time' to read.

Thankyou for the timely release of this format and for giving me the chance to hear it in tandem with the book tour.

In the wake of Legends and Lattes, there have been a slew of 'cosy fantasies' specifically sapphic, and specifically written in the traditional 'Historical Fantasy' style - and I'm so here for it.

Can't Spell Treason without Tea is a fun, light, gently written story (even the violence) with very 'traditional RP' dialogue, fun fantasy names and 'crimson and gold' antiques. It's a great read for those who need a quick and easy win and seems like a great start to a wider world/continued series.

I really enjoyed this, and it was just what I needed after darker, more traumatising reads. I'd easily recommend this to my readers who like a myriad of fantasy styles.

I had recently read Bookshops & Bonedust, and was hearing a lot about this book, so I decided to request it. I have to say that it feels very immature. I cannot tell if it was suppose to be marketed to YA or not since the characters are not YA age, but they sure do act like it.
They seem to be constantly acting dramatic like every problem is the end of the world, and their relationship is always on rocky ground.
Is is supposed to be cozy fantasy? or high stakes? or relationship focused drama? It wants to be all three.

I'm not saying you cant do multiple things at once, but this just makes me more annoyed than it does interested. (much like YA books with tumultuous High School relationships do.)

I do enjoy the narrator. However, I don't really enjoy this story. I think I would like it if the relationship was a bit more emotionally mature. The cozy versus high stakes doesn't really matter to me either way, as I enjoy both.

As I delved into Rebecca Thorne's enchanting tale, I found myself drawn into a captivating sapphic journey filled with peril, magic, and a shared passion for tea. The narrative unfolded in a world teeming with mages, dragons, and griffins, all under the shadow of a vengeful queen with a score to settle. One aspect that struck me was the representation of OCD, a refreshing inclusion that added depth to the characters and storyline.

Throughout the audiobook, Jessica Treat's narration brought the characters to life with distinct personalities and voices, infusing the story with humour and emotional depth. The protagonists, Reyna and Kianthe, embarked on a daring venture to open a bookshop in a town on the fringes of dragon territory. Their aspirations were met with challenges, including dragon attacks and the looming threat of the queen's pursuit, setting the stage for a riveting tale of resilience and determination.

Despite the high-stakes nature of their journey, Thorne still manage to provide a cozy escape into a world filled with mystery and the blossoming relationship between Reyna and Kianthe. Their banter and unwavering bond brought warmth and authenticity to the story, creating a tapestry of emotions that resonated deeply. The narrative wove mishaps, revelations, and the enduring power of love into a rich tapestry of wonder and enchantment. Despite the engaging nature of our journey, I couldn't help but reflect on the placement of the last chapter, maybe that could have been saved for a follow up book, or interwoven at the start of the book, perhaps I am being too picky.

Ultimately, 'You Can't Spell Treason Without Tea' offers a delightful escape into a world where the ordinary blends seamlessly with the extraordinary, leaving a lasting impression of resilience, love, and the magic of storytelling.

Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan UK Audio (Tor) for the arc

CSTWT is a sapphic romantic fantasy about a royal guard and an esteemed mage running away together to open a bookshop cafe in pursuit of a peaceful life together. But running away from one's past will eventually spell trouble when the past finally catches them up.
while I would certainly categorise this as a cosy fantasy, unfortunately, I think this book might be filled with a tad too much drama to fully be able to call itself cosy.
Reyna and Kianthe are a very wholesome couple. They're written in a very comfortable way that makes them feel believable as a couple with history. That being said, as individual characters, I can't say I was overly attached to either of them.
I was surprised with the level of world-building here. While not intricate, it's much more detailed than many other cosies I've read recently. I do, however, wish a bit more focus was given to Tawney, their new home. I wouldn't liked the town to have been a bit more fleshed out and really get a vibe for it.
It's cosy at times, but not really what you're looking for if you want a straight-up cosy fantasy in the vein of Legends and Lattes.

I have to start with that the audio for this was amazing! Brilliantly narrated and I was engaged the whole time. What was struggling to keep me hooked was the story?! I mean I liked the characters and the settings and some sorta things were happening but not really. There was nothing that made me gasp and while I liked Kianthe and Reyna, I didn’t really care about them. I loved the idea of this, and I had a nice time, I just wasn’t sure what the point was! Disappointed - I think I probably hyped it up a little too much for myself, but I imagine a lot of people will really love this!

Enjoyable to knit to!
What drew me to this story was the idea of a bookshop that serves tea, and the two very different protagonists running it.

On that front, it delivered beautifully. The whole plot strand of setting up, outfitting, and running the store was cosy entertainment at its best.

I enjoyed Rayna and Kianthe, too, and loved that they weren't clones of one another, but their separate skills and outlooks meant that the story then splintered into dangers each handled alone while the other half of the pairing stayed behind to fret. Yes, they were a team, but not one that worked hand-in-glove. While that was the nature of the story, it made it a little too predictable.

Will I check out the sequel? Yes, because this book didn't feel as if it had a proper ending. Several important plot points were left unresolved. But also, because this was a comforting story to knit to and books and tea rarely lose their draw.

So I decided to read this because it was supposed to be a cozy fantasy with a bookshop and dragons but it wasn’t really a cozy fantasy. Both MCs lives were constantly in danger and it felt like a normal fantasy book wwhich itself isn’t a bad thing but i picked this up for a cozy fantasy low stakes story and it wasn’t that.
I also had some issues with the MCs who weren’t very memorable or fleshed out especially as there’s only one narrator i couldn’t always immediately differentiate between the pov change.
The narrator was actually great at keeping me interested and probably the only reason i finished it was because of the narrator doing a great job and keeping me interested enough to see what willhappen next.

“𝘙𝘶𝘯 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢. 𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴. 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴?”

This is something I can see myself saying, to just about anyone if it meant I got to own my own bookshop.

The story follows Reyna, a guard to what can only be described as a tyrannical and brutal Queen, calling her a psychopath is an understatement. And Kianthe, the most powerful mage in the kingdom, who is stiffled by the job her power dictates she must do, even though she never asked for it.
Their secret relationship has bloomed over the years and now exhausted of having to hide their love and by the roles they must play, they decide to run away and start a new life together. Their dream, probably like many of us, opening a quaint bookshop that sells tea and the odd pastry. So what could go wrong...

Well other than the usual drama of starting a small business, there is the fact the town they choose is on the edge of dragon country and they are having issues with dragon attacks. Oh and that tyrannical Queen I mentioned isn't too pleased with Reyna leaving, so now there are spies hunting her down to bring her back, with an execution order waiting.
Suddenly the life they are desperately trying to make for themselves is put in jeopardy and they must fight for their dream.

For a cosy fantasy read this had pretty high stakes but I didn't mind that. I adored the relationship between Reyna and Kianthe, their banter was perfection. I enjoyed the world building and look forward to it being explored more in the next book.
I do feel like the bonus chapters would have read better and helped you understand the relationship earlier if they'd been at the beginning of the book.
The narrator did a fantastic job and created two distinct personalities, that exude humour and depth.

Overall, it was a sweet fantasy read with a sprinkle of mystery, topped with all the Sapphic feels.
You want bookshops, dragons, freshly brewed tea and unhinged disgruntled Queens, then this is the read for you.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan for the Audio book of Can't Spell Treason Without Tea.

3.5/5 ⭐️!

This was my the first „cozy fantasy“ book I‘ve read so I didn‘t exactly know what to expect. I initially was worried I might get bored or not vibe with it, so I‘m happy to report that wasn‘t the case!

Naturally, there were parts where not much was happening, but hey - with books and tea and baking being the topic I really can‘t complain too much! There was enough happening beside establishing their new lives in Tawny that held my interest and made me happy to continue listening. I liked Reyna and Kianthe as characters as well as their banter and think the narrator did a great job with how she told the story. The overall World-Building could use some more depth to really make us understand its politics and dynamics and maybe a teeny bit more happening in the story but with the ending the way it is (the book really picked up plot-wise towards the end) I see lots of potential for the sequel and look forward to reading it!

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan UK Audio for the advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review.

I gave this as much of a chance as I could, but ultimately I could not finish this. I found it so boring. The characters were bland and that it so I could not care about them or their problems, and therefore the actual plot. The first chapter was so promising but being dropped into a world with established connections between characters left me knowing nothing about them and their relationships. The plot was also not, as advertised, cosy. The stakes were very much high, and the inclusion of tea and books does not aid that. The narrator was very good, however.