
Member Reviews

I was really looking forward to escaping into this fantasy novel but sadly I was disappointed. I struggled to get into the story and despite persevering I was unable to finish it.

I can't resist a cosy fantasy and this delivered just that and more.
A guard and a mage run off together to start their own bookshop cafe? Count me in! I really liked the relationship between the two main protagonists, the humour and also the action - despite featuring a barn conversion into a cafe, there was enough action in terms of potential assassins, a vengeful queen, dragon and griffins to keep me engaged. Looking forward to reading book #2.

Cosy, sapphic fantasy! Yes please!
For fans of legends and lattes, with slightly higher stakes. But keep the cosy vibes.
I will be continuing this series!
Thank you for my e arc.

A fantastic cozy fantasy read, the writing was fabulous. I loved the characters, the story, and most importantly the relationship between Reyna and Kianthe, they perfectly balance each other and I wish I could visit their shop!! I’m very excited to read their next adventure.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a copy of this book

This is super cute and I loved it! The acknowledgements state that she was inspired by "Legends and Lattes" and I can see it and I am here for it!
Reyna is sick of her Queensguard life so decides to follow her secret Mage girlfriend's wishes to abscond to the middle of nowhere and set up a combined tea room and bookshop.
Life isn't simple though. Kianth is basically the boss of the Mages, the most powerful one, and some feel that she's shirking her responsibilities. Their new town also has problems: bandits,dragons and town leaders at loggerheads.
I loved the characters in this and the way everything developed, the pacing was perfect as well.

Although not quite as cosy as its marketing would have you believe, Can't Spell Treason is a largely delightful sapphic fantasy about assassins, queens, and escaping ones circumstances.

Perfectly atmospheric with a great mix of both fantasy and cosy vibes. Both humourous and heart warming. I enjoyed learning about the world and the characters. I would love to live in this world and visit the bookstore, it feels like ultimate cosy vibes for a rainy winter afternoon. I can't wait to read the sequel!

I can't recommend this cosy read highly enough! Creative, heartwarming, and soothing as a cuppa. I've already recommended it to my friends and I bought a hard copy for myself!

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea felt like it was trying to be Legends & Lattes, but fell flat on its execution. It's hard to do a cosy, lowstakes fantasy when your protagonists have a highstakes conflict.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC copy of this book, in exchange for this honest review.

Rebecca Thorne's "Can't Spell Treason Without Tea" is a delightful read! This comfortable, heartwarming vision is comparable to a hot cup of your preferred brew on a wintry day. The transformation of Reyna and Kianthe from perilous lives to launching an idyllic bookshop in a small town is nothing short of amazing. I was immediately captivated by the blend of sapphic romance, adventure, and a hint of thrilling dragon content.
For those who enjoy "Legends & Lattes" and TJ Klune, Rebecca Thorne's universe is both cosy and full of surprises. I had to buy a copy of this book for a friend since I was so happy with it. This is the perfect book to curl up with if you're searching for something warm and charming to read.

3.5 stars
I SO badly wanted to love this book. Everything about it sounded fantastic - dragons, tea shop, a love story. I love a cozy fantasy.
Unfortunately it all fell a little flat for me and the story took far too long to get going. I loved the relationship and the world building was great but I found myself switching off around 75%.
What I'm finding more frequently is books that are part of a larger series just end up being a bit too slow cos the next book will have the adventure, forgetting that the first book needs to keep you entertained too!

Loved by BookTok.
Reyna, a fiercely loyal Queens bodyguard, finds herself torn between duty and desire when her girlfriend Kianthe, a spirited mage, proposes they abandon their roles to open a charming tea and book shop.
Despite Kianthe's persuasive allure and Reyna's longing for a simpler life, loyalty to the crown and fear of repercussions have always held Reyna back. However, a brush with mortality prompts Reyna to reassess her priorities and take a leap of faith.
Settling in a secluded border town, Reyna and Kianthe embark on a journey to build a new life together. Amidst the quaint charm of their shop and the eccentricities of their new community, they find solace in each other's company and the warmth of belonging.
However, their idyllic aspirations are threatened by the looming shadow of a vengeful queen and the dangers lurking in their past.
As they navigate the challenges of their new life, including encounters with magical creatures like griffons and dragons, Reyna learns to embrace her emotions while Kianthe revels in her vibrant and playful nature. Together, they face mishaps, mysteries, and the wrath of a queen unwilling to relinquish control.
In a tale filled with cosy moments, Reyna and Kianthe discover the true depths of their love and the power of their bond. Against the backdrop of a turbulent realm, they forge a path towards freedom and self-discovery, proving that together, they can overcome any obstacle that stands in their way.
Thank you so much to the author - Rebecca Thorne as well as Olivia-Savannah at Tor Books and Pan Macmillan for running this amazing book tour!

Thank you to the publisher for the chance to read this through @netgalley. This book will inevitably be compared to Legends & Lattes with the "cosy" label, shop setting and fantasy elements. The main characters are an established couple which helps the narrative to get off to a quick start, and the various personalities they meet along the way all add to the story. While the pace of this story is too slow at times, the ending was a little too abrupt - more balance between these would have been welcomed. Despite this, this is a world that has stayed with me and I will probably seek out the next one in the series. #CantSpellTreasonWithoutTea #netgalley #rebeccathorne #cosyfantasy #tor

I was sent a copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.....for a full review please see my Amazon and Goodreads accounts

I really enjoyed Can't Spell Treason Without Tea.
We had magic, dragons and romance - what's not to like? I enjoyed the pacing of this novel, I felt I sank into this storyline straight away and I was eager to find out more. I loved the characters and their relationships and I felt they were created really well. The writing was descriptive and really painted a picture and I liked the way the storyline developed.

I really enjoyed this read - it's got some adventure, a lot of love, dragons and magic!
I loved the cosy feel of it!
This is the first book I've read by Rebecca Thorne, but I'll be on the lookout for more!

I wanted to love this as I love cosy fantasy, but this just missed the mark for me. I felt several points were filled out and the whole book was just flat.

too long. i was intrigued at first, but after 65% i started to lose my interest.
slightly has a higher stake than the other cozy fantasy i’ve read, but i get the coziness. a mage—kianthe, and a queen’s guard—reyna running away to a small village to build a new life together, planning to open a bookshop-slash-tea cafe. but kianthe still have a responsibility as the mage of ages, and reyna was considered a traitor since she abandoned her post. and they could only ignore those for long.
with the book being this long, it’s funny how it actually didn’t explain a lot of setting or magic system and after a while i stopped trying to wove them in my head, and just accept the plot on face value. there’s too much empty patches.
on the other note, it WAS brimming with love. the couple was adorable. and the epilogue insinuating that they appear again in the next book? we’ll see.

Cozy fantasy is still a hit or miss for me but I did enjoy this one somewhat. The pace was my biggest problem as it sometimes felt somewhat boring, but because of the characters I ended up not really minding the pace.
The characters were really enjoyable and I LOVED the main relationship! Sapphic couples aren't always well written but the author did a really good job with their interactions and characters arcs.
It's a great book to read if you're not looking for anything high stakes.

3.5 stars!!!
Brew yourself a warm cup of tea and get ready to delve into a new world that promises to wrap you up like a comforting hug!
Cozy fantasy is 100% a comfort genre for me. This book delivered on so many levels - I was whisked away to a realm where you can picture every detail and imagine yourself in their shoes, Rebecca Throne truly made the world come alive. It was a nice change to read an already established couple who just continuously grew stronger together throughout.
There were definitely moments that could have moved a little quicker, however the balance of coziness and tension definitely kept me engaged throughout.
I am excited to hear this is a series and will look forward to seeing what adventures the next book holds!