***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

Low stakes, high fantasy, queer representation and such a healthy relationship portrayed throughout!
A refreshing read and a lovely one too, amazing character development, the world building was top tier, if you like Legends and Lattes or till death do us bard, then this is for you!
It literally felt like a warm hug, I loved every moment of this story, not one bad thing to say about it. Apart from I now want my own cosy tea shop!

'Can't Spell Treason Without Tea' by Rebecca Thorne.

Two women wanted to open a cosy bookshop. They discovered a world of adventure.
Reyna and Kianthe dream of opening a friendly book shop together, serving the very best tea and cakes. Worn wooden floors, plants on every table, firelight drifting between the rafters – all complemented by love and good company. But Reyna is an elite bodyguard to a vengeful queen, and Kianthe is the most powerful mage in existence. Leaving their lives behind seems . . . impossible. Yet they flee to Tawney, a town nestled in the icy peaks of dragon country. There, they open the bookstore they'd always wanted.
What follows is a tale of mishaps, mysteries, dragons, and a murderous queen throwing the realm’s biggest temper tantrum. Through it, these two women will discover what they mean to each other – and their world.
I loved this book. Reyna and Kianthe are really lovable characters. I've got a massive soft spot for Visk the Griffin :)
It's a great cozy fantasy, if you are a fan of Travis Baldree's 'Legends & Lattes' then give this book a go, you will love it.
Thankyou to NetGallery UK, the publishers and the author for letting me read this in return for an honest review.

Two women wanted to open a cosy bookshop and they discovered a world of adventure. What follows is a tale of mishaps, mysteries, dragons and a murderous queen throwing the realm in chaos. These two women discover what they mean to each other and their world. A beautiful novel filled with cosy adventure, sapphic romance and warm atmosphere.

Let me paint you a picture of worn wooden floors, plants on every table and firelight drifting through the rafters. All complemented by love and good company. But the owners are another story: one is an elite bodyguard to a murderous queen and the other is the most powerful mage in existence. Leaving their lives behind seems impossible. A heart warming novel brimming with magic and a love of tea.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘗𝘢𝘯 𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘛𝘦𝘢 𝘣𝘺 𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘤𝘢 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦

I absolutely adore everything about this book. It’s so beautiful. I love Reyna and Kianthe’s relationship so much, and the way that they actively try to communicate with each other, both the good things and the bad things too. They’re very human in their fears and the way they react when bad things happen to their beloved, and I loved watching them actually talk through that. This book was so cozy too, whilst having a very engaging storyline. 10/10, so excited to get my hands on a physical copy !!!

Can't spell treason without tea was the perfect cosy fantasy read for those that like their stories with a little intrigue and drama, I found myself thoroughly inthralled from start to finish. What more could you want from a story but evil Queens, dragons, and a cosy tea shop? If you're already a fan of cosy fantasy or you're a high fantasy reader wanting to see if cosy fantasy if the sub-genera for you, I promise you won't be disappointed. I loved the character development throughout and how real and fleshed out so many of the characters were, this is a definitely a read you'll want to savour every moment of! I can't wait to see what Rebecca Thorne writes next!

4.5 stars

OMG this was so stinking cute!!!

What happens why a Queens Guard, who is sick of the politics, and her girlfriend, the supreme Mage of all the land, decide to leave their treacherous lives to run away and set up a bookshop that serves tea? Well, that's what you get in this new cosy fantasy adventure from Rebecca Thorne.

Reyna and Kianthe's relationship was just an utter joy and really made my heart smile, while the rest of the characters we meet in the village of Tawney and beyond are all just so wonderful.

The bookshop element can draw parallels with the superb Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree, but for me, this book is more about Reyna and Kianthe's relationship, with the bookshop being an important side point to that. This one also has more action sequences than L&L but does retain it's cosy elements outside of that.

It also made me really smile that Rebecca Thorne's next book - A Pirate's Life For Tea - is as a direct sequel, which means more good wholesome fun is coming my way!

'Can't Spell Tea Without Treason' is probably the weirdest Fantasy book I've read in a while, and a rather well-crafted one! Often, this type of fantasy novels, which are plenty in the self-publication world, tend to be pretty all-over the place and rather poorly written (due to a lack of help mind you). But here, a publisher helped put together a unique story with an ultra-modern voice, a book which is not perfect but will definitely find its audience.

On one hand, the best part of the novel is undoubtedly the two main characters, Reyna and Kianthe, whose backstories and interactions feel dense and make them look as if they really know each other so well. They make some aspects of their wild adventure seem mundane and humane, which is a really nice touch in this magical world full of obsctacles and barbaric warriors for the Crown.

On the other hand, where the book fails to keep up with its cool protagonists, it is within its tropes. It tries too hard to sell the coziness in some twists, the violence in some turns, and fails to find a real balance between its different tones. This book could for example have been split in two parts, a first volume where the reader got to know the couple in the tea shop, and a second one after the kidnapping happens, in order to really ignite fear. Rebecca Thorne clearly has a very creative mind, and I can assert that she will rightly grow a fandom. I just think that there is room to grow for her, some maturing to be done in order to rise among the great contemporary fantasy authors.

I had high hopes for this as I've been more into Cozy Fantasy books recently! It did not live up to my expectations at all. The chemistry between the main couple was very surface level, a bit too corny for my taste. The writing style felt a bit like an info dumpy. I really wanted to like this but I just really didn't connect with the MCs.

Está claro que hay alguna relación indisoluble entre la fantasía cozy y el té, porque no hay libro que no se encuadre en este subgénero que no esté regado con litros y litros de infusión. Esto de por sí no tiene que ser malo, pero me gustaría que aparte de eso sucediera algo más en la novela y es algo que en Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea se echa mucho en falta. Un conflicto, algo que nos haga tener más interés por la historia, porque tanto buenrollismo altera menos la tensión que un vaso de agua destilada a palo seco.


Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea es la historia de una pareja un tanto inverosímil, una guardia real y una poderosa hechicera, que sueñan en secreto con huir y montar una librería con servicio de te. Porque claro, cuando eres capaz de derrotar dragones con el chasquido de dos dedos o vas aniquilando amenazas que penden sobre tu soberana, es muy normal pensar en pastitas de té.

En un mundo poblado de dragones y con intrigas palaciegas variadas, lo mínimo sería que hubiese algo de tensión, pero es que todo les sale rodado a las protagonistas. La guardiana que no debería dejar su puesto bajo pena de muerte se escapa del palacio con una facilidad apabullante, la hechicera ultrapoderosa que debería estar defendiendo el reino tiene tiempo para tratar las impermeabilidades del granero que convierten en librería, y las situaciones más conflictivas y peligrosas a las que se enfrentan son una herida infectada y una caída en altura (el PRL de la fantasía deja bastante que desear).

Las relaciones interpersonales que también deberían ser un pilar en este tipo de libros se dan por supuestas. Llegamos al pueblo y ya son todos amigos para siempre cual canción de Los Manolos. Y los dos supuestos gerifaltes del pueblo al que van a parar, enfrentados por el poder, ya sabemos cómo van a acabar desde el minuto uno. Cero desarrollo de personajes.

Mira que la narración de Jessica Threet intenta arreglarlo, pero el material de partida es bastante pobre. Me temo que Rebecca Thorne no va a estar entre mi lista de autoras que seguir.

(Listened on Audiobook) This was a sweet sapphic cosy fantasy, that sometimes struggled with balancing high stakes and cosy feelings. For the length of the book I would also expect the plot to be resolved within one book, which is was not. The world is cosy, but shallow, and often doesn't make logical sense. Overall it's still a sweet and calm story, focusing on the relationship of the main couple, but doesn't quite pack any emotional punch.

I had heard all of the hype about this book on Tiktok, so couldn't wait to read it. Do I think it lived up to the hype? Mostly.

Rain is a Queen's Guard, and Key is the Arcandor, the most powerful mage around, and they want nothing more that to run away together and run a book/tea shop. This book is every bit the cozy fantasy that it sounds like, with a small sideline in assassins, dragons griffins and bandits.

Who doesn't love a book with a lesbian couple, and a small town in it? I enjoyed this book, and I am keen to see what comes next for Key and Rain. I wish there was a little more jeopardy, or adventure, but I guess that's when it would lose its cozy edge.

A fun read, and a great intro to the genre, or a great next read if you loved Legends and Lattes.

Reyna has betrayed the vicious Queen that she was sworn to, and now just wants to open a quiet bookshop/tearoom with her love, Kianthe.

I was hoping for a cosy fantasy here, but instead the plot was quite intense in parts. The world building wasn't very convincing, so although I mostly enjoyed the book I did still have a lot of questions. It was a fairly easy read though, which I think is all that stopped it becoming a DNF!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

I really enjoy a cosy mystery and this one was perfect as it had fantasy too.
It was well written and had a good steady plot. I really like the authors writing style and found it easy to follow.
The world building was rich and really descriptive. I love the side characters just as much as the main characters. I found them to be well written and have a good depth to them. I would definitely love to read more about them.
As someone who doesn’t drink Tea this actually made me want to have some. I’ve already bought a special edition of this book and can’t wait to add it to my collection.
I’d love to read more from this author! And I can’t wait for the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley, the Author and the Publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this. It was a low (to medium) stakes high fantasy adventure, with a really good balance of cosy romance and an interesting mystery with an evil queen and dragons. I'm really excited to read more and learn about the dark secrets surrounding the palace.
Anything based around a bookshop/tearoom is going to be a winner, and the addition of dragons and magic had me hooked. The characters were fun, and I loved the interactions, especially with Gosling, he was such a sweetheart.
This is a definite recommend.