STAY FOR A SPELL by Amy Coombe
Fiction, Fantasy
5*****
BLURB: A cursed princess must discover what her heart truly longs for in this charmingly cozy romantic fantasy for everyone who’s ever lost – or found – themselves in a bookshop. Princess Tanadelle of the Widdenmar is disillusioned with life as a princess. She longs for real conversation, the chance to build a life of her own making, and uninterrupted reading time. During a routine royal visit to the town of Little Pepperidge, Tandy’s dream comes true when she finds herself cursed to remain in a run-down bookshop until she unlocks her heart’s desire. Certain that someone will figure out how to break the curse eventually, and delighted by the prospect of an entire bookstore of her own, Tandy settles into life among the stacks. She finds it easy to exchange balls and endless state dinners for teetering piles of books and an irritatingly handsome pirate who seems bent on stealing her stock. She even starts to believe she’s stumbled into her very own happily ever after. There’s just one, minor problem: as Tandy’s royal duties go unfulfilled, her frantic parents start sending princes to woo her, each one of them certain their kiss will break the curse. After all, what more could a princess want but a prince?
THOUGHTS: This book was so much fun that I want to go back and read it all over again. The characters were really well-done, as was the world building. I was a little confused at first about women being “princes” but kind of understood it toward the end. Tandy (Tanadelle) is a princess because she’s not first in line for the throne. Her sister, who is first in line, is a prince. Tandy spends her life going from one town to another cutting ribbons, kissing babies, attending everything her parents send her to. Her secretary, Honeyrose, is her best friend, but answers to the Crown (Tandy’s parents). While attending another event at a small town in the middle of nowhere, Tandy is bored and wants a book to read so she goes to the local bookstore and meets an elderly woman. When Tandy goes back the next morning for another book, the old woman gives her a key and curses her by telling her she won’t be able to leave until the curse is broken and she finds her heart’s desire.
And thus begins her new life. When her parents find out, they start sending the seven princes from surrounding realms because the kiss from true love can break a curse and of course, a prince’s kiss is the most potent. Tandy settles into her new life with a bit of reluctance, but also glee. Except the bookstore is a mess. When a morose teenager shows up, Tandy hires her to help clean up the place. They spend the next few months turning the mess into a sparkling bookstore. Oh, and there’s also a cursed pirate who shows up and makes a nuisance of himself. And seven princes. And a cat who looks to be one place, but is actually another. And so much more.
Tandy is a good character who is coming into herself as she learns about being a regular person and not just a princess. The pirate is a hoot. He steals stuff, but then leaves something in exchange (like a seashell for a cobweb). And Sasha (the teenage assistant) is amazing. I love how she breaks down in front of her parents, but then stands up for herself. She has grown a lot since taking over the bookstore. It’s a fun story I couldn’t put down with an ending that satisfies.
Definitely recommended.
Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
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