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 near 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.
It was a little wild to read the acknowledgments for Rebecca Thorne’s CAN’T SPELL TREASON WITHOUT TEA and see that she lists LEGENDS & LATTES as an influence. One, because I STILL haven’t read it (I will, I will!)
But two, because it’s just such a new book in the grand scheme of things. It really goes to show how much of an impact that book seems to have had on a lot of people! People are looking for more cozy fantasy stories…the whole “high fantasy, low stakes” vibe is definitely one I can get behind!
Like, it’s ok to just read a nice story where people live their lives, fall in love, and yeah, maybe there’s some peril & danger (it’s a fantasy novel, after all), but things don’t feel quite so dire all the time. It’s not something I’m used to reading, but I can for sure see myself seeking out more & more of this.
All of this to say that I adored CAN’T SPELL TREASON WITHOUT TEA, completely. This is the first book in the TOMES & TEA series, and it charmed me from the start.
I feel like this is completely different from any other romance books I’ve read in that the main couple in the book are already established (there’s a great short story at the end of this edition called “Meet & Greet” that explains how our two main characters met!) So it’s completely lacking in the “will they, won’t they?” department, and I really liked that.
Our two main characters are Reyna & Kianthe.
Reyna is a loyal member of the queen’s guard, but increasingly she’s growing weary of the Queen’s casual cruelty. Kianthe is the Arcandor, the Mage of Ages. She’s the most powerful mage in the land, is what she is.
But behind the scenes, what Reyna & Kianthe really want to do is run away from all their troubles & open a bookshop that serves tea. Reyna is the tea expert, Kianthe the bibliophile. It’s a great idea…only their ties to the Queendom make it, well.
Difficult.
Or in Reyna’s case, treasonous.
But they go ahead with their plan, settling on the icy town of Tawney for their shop. There they meet & befriend the locals, help with a tricky dragon problem, and even do a bit of matchmaking for a couple other people. All while building/organizing/opening the shop of their dreams.
This was just so much fun! As I mentioned, Reyna & Kianthe are solid as a couple, so while they have their ups & downs, and are still working towards figuring one another out (and cohabitating for the first time), the book doesn’t really feature a ton of drama around the relationship.
The book also has really strong & relatable anxiety rep, with Kianthe often in the grip of some strong intrusive thoughts (mostly about Reyna’s safety). Not necessarily a content warning, but just something to be aware of heading into this one…I think Thorne captures these types of feelings really accurately, and it can feel quite intense as a result.
CAN’T SPELL TREASON WITHOUT TEA was a delight…it’s warm, and sweet, and funny, and also quite adventurous! Really enjoyed this one a lot & I’m looking forward to the sequel, A PIRATE’S LIFE FOR TEA!
Many thanks to Bramble Romance for sending the ARC my way!!
Grimdark Dad 