Book Review: The Spellshop

The Spellshop Synopsis

Kiela was never one for small talk or big crowds. As a librarian tucked away in the enchanted Great Library of Alyssium, her world was filled with spellbooks, silence, and her loyal houseplant who just so happens to talk. But when a revolution turns her quiet life to ash, Kiela grabs what matters and runs… all the way back to the island she thought she had left behind for good.

Cue the cinnamon-sweet magic. With forbidden spells and heirloom jam recipes, Kiela starts to stitch a new life together one berry at a time. And when a persistent (and charming) neighbor insists on helping her rebuild, Kiela finds herself facing the one thing she’s always avoided: connection.

My Review

This book was absolutely adorable. Like if Animal Crossing had spellbooks and emotional growth, this would be it.

The Spellshop gave me exactly what I wanted in a cozy romantasy. It’s quiet, sweet, and has just enough magic to keep things interesting without making your brain work overtime. I went into it expecting a soft romantic fantasy and what I found was a surprisingly sharp story about choosing connection, even when every part of you wants to hide behind your herb garden and never make small talk again.

Kiela is prickly, introverted, deeply flawed… and I kinda loved that about her. Not every heroine needs to be charming. Her grumpiness made her eventual growth all the more satisfying, even if I did want to shake her a few times. And Caz? A talking spider plant who’s both anxious and wise? Obsessed. He’s funny, dramatic, and makes the book a lot of fun.

This book isn’t about the rebellion. It’s about what you do when the world burns down and you have to grow something new from the ashes (preferably in a cozy cottage with a nosy, cinnamon-sweet neighbor who cannot take a hint and just keeps showing up with tools and good intentions).

There are moments that felt a bit too convenient, and the romance? Definitely more low-simmer than slow burn—but I didn’t mind. I wasn’t here for a love triangle or magical warfare. I was here for emotional healing, found family, and magical jam. And on that front, The Spellshop delivered in spades.

If you’ve ever wished your houseplants could talk, or secretly dreamed of running away to a cottage and selling enchanted berry preserves to fund your semi-illegal side hustle, then this book is basically your love language.

If you’re looking for high fantasy or deep worldbuilding, this won’t be your thing. But if you’ve ever wished your houseplants could talk, or secretly dreamed of running away to a cottage and selling enchanted berry preserves to fund your semi-illegal side hustle, then this book is basically your love language.