Book: Stay for a Spell by Amy Coombe
Reviewed by Michelles_Cosy_Booknook
Rating: 4/5
4.25 ⭐'s
A cursed princess. A magical bookshop. Seven princes… and the promise of true love’s kiss.
This story is the very definition of a cosy fantasy escape—warm, whimsical, and brimming with charm.
Princess Tandy, a fellow lover of all things books, finds herself trapped within the walls of an old, cluttered bookstore after a curse is placed upon her: she cannot leave until her heart’s true desire is realised. What follows is a delightful mix of self-discovery, slow-building magic, and wonderfully chaotic encounters.
While awaiting her curse to break, Tandy throws herself into transforming the shop, helped along by a brilliantly sassy (and slightly surly) teenage assistant.
But peace and productivity are frequently interrupted by a gorgeous, infuriatingly timed, kleptomaniac pirate—who may just have a curse of his own…
This was an absolute joy to read. The writing is quick, sharp, and filled with cutting banter that kept me smiling throughout. Each character brings something unique to the story, creating a vibrant, quirky cast that feels full of life.
The cosy, book-filled setting is a bibliophile’s dream, wrapping you in warm, homely comfort from beginning to end. While the story remains entirely within the bookstore—which adds to its charm—I did find myself wishing for a little more depth around the magic system.
That said, this is a fun, well-paced, and heartwarming read that I simply couldn’t put down.
I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from Amy Coombe—her writing style and character work are an absolute delight.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.