Title: Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea
Series: Tomes & Tea, #1
Author: Rebecca Thorne
Publisher: Bramble
Publication date: September 15, 2022
Length: 345 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Source: Purchased
Rating:

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

All Reyna and Kianthe want is to open a bookshop that serves tea. Worn wooden floors, plants on every table, firelight drifting between the rafters… all complemented by love and good company. Thing is, Reyna works as one of the Queen’s private guards, and Kianthe is the most powerful mage in existence. Leaving their lives isn’t so easy.

But after an assassin takes Reyna hostage, she decides she’s thoroughly done risking her life for a self-centered queen. Meanwhile, Kianthe has been waiting for a chance to flee responsibility–all the better that her girlfriend is on board. Together, they settle in Tawney, a town nestled in the icy tundra of dragon country, and open the shop of their dreams.

What follows is a cozy tale of mishaps, mysteries, and a murderous queen throwing the realm’s biggest temper tantrum. In a story brimming with hurt/comfort and quiet fireside conversations, these two women will discover just what they mean to each other… and the world.

Author Rebecca Thorne states clearly in her author’s notes that she was inspired by Travis Baldree’s Legends & Lattes… and the footprints of that cozy fantasy can be seen all over Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea.

If you’re a fan of the cozy fantasy genre, then prepare for delight — all the genre’s major beats are here: Renovations, baking, steeping tea, lots of books, settling in a new town, finding community… Can’t Spell Treason has them all!

And yet, despite treading familiar ground, this sweet book is still quite lovely to read. It may not be 100% new or different, but the author take the basics of the genre and spins a charming tale of love, magic, and adventure, with characters to care about… even if, most of the time, the stakes are either relatively low or easily overcome.

Reyna is one of the Queensguard, raised from birth to protect the (terrible) Queen at all costs, including sacrificing her own life, if necessary. Kianthe is the Arcandor, the most powerful mage in the land. After a chance meeting at the palace, they’ve fallen in love, but neither has the ability to choose a life together. Or do they?

After one particularly violent incident, Reyna has had enough. All she wants is the life she and Kianthe have been fantasizing about for two years. It doesn’t take much (or any) convincing for Kianthe to agree to run away with Reyna and build a life together, one where they’ll open a tea and book shop and live happily ever after.

It’s easier for Kianthe — she’s the Arcandor and can do whatever she likes. Sure, the other mages aren’t thrilled that she’s not going to live full-time at the Magicary any longer, but she’ll still be available to carry out her duties. Reyna is actually committing treason by leaving the Queen’s service without permission (which would not be given, even if asked; hers is a lifetime post). She knows that eventually, someone may track her down, but for now, she’s determined to pursue happiness with the love of her life.

We get long stretches of Kianthe and Reyna finding an unused barn in a remote town near the border with dragon country, then renovating it, stocking it, and opening up their business, which immediately draws the community together. It’s very sweet, but not exactly full of drama.

Eventually, there’s more action as Kianthe saves the town from a dragon attack and figures out why they’ve been attacking, ultimately committing to a quest on behalf of the dragons (which sets up the plot for the next book). Plus, Reyna is eventually discovered, and must find a way to avoid execution for treason — lots of negotiations ensue.

All in all, this is indeed a cutely cozy fantasy, which kept me entertained despite the overall fluffy nature of the story. The characters are quite fun. Gotta love how Kianthe, most powerful mage in the land, is at her most gleeful when she’s making simply awful puns — it’s actually quite charming:

The mage paused. “Sorry. This is sappy.”

“Is that a tree pun?” Reyna’s tone was bone dry.

“Maybe. But don’t worry, I’ll leaf it at that.”

The story beats, while having a familiar feel, still manage to entertain and introduce plenty of nice little moments along the way.

If you’re looking for a bit of uplifting joy in fantasy form — with tea and a bookshop — this book makes a very nice reading diversion. I enjoyed it enough to want to continue with the series.

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