A review by ashmagoffin
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

4.0

The ultimate cosy fantasy read, this book reminded me nostalgically of fairytale pc games where you had to renovate a magic shop to sell your wares. Kiela escapes the mainland during fires, looting and a revolution, taking as many spell books as she can. She seeks refuge in her old family cottage on a remote island where she begins to sell jam to support herself with the help of some illegal magic.

A slow-paced and heartwarming read, there isn't a lot of complication in the first half of this novel. The primary themes are about starting fresh and letting down your walls which isn't exactly a new concept. As the plot continues, problems arise which are episodically resolved, the majority in the last hundred pages which almost felt too numerous. However, this book was wholesome and enjoyable. It features an assortment of magical creatures, a talking spider-plant companion and a walking cactus that only says the word 'meep'. A fluffy romance was thrown in too, this book seemed to be designed to be heartwarming.
  
This book rides primarily on the vibe it sets, but the vibes are immaculate. This book felt like sunbaking.