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Tales of Rydding Village #1
Tea and Empathy
Welcome to Rydding, the hidden village you might stumble across if you need a home and a fresh start.
For Elwyn Howell, the village is a lifesaver when she finds it just as she’s run out of strength and hope while running for her life. The abandoned healer’s cottage welcomes her, even though she’s given up on that calling. She opens a tea shop instead, using her knowledge of herbs and her empathic gift that allows her to select the perfect tea for each customer. Soon, she’s feeling at home in the village community.
She’s afraid it’s too good to last, a fear that’s confirmed when she finds a wounded man unconscious in her garden. Was he sent by the people who are hunting her? Not even he knows, since he has no memory of who he is or how he got there. As she nurses him back to health, they develop a close bond, but the specter of both their pasts—the one she’s fleeing and the one he doesn’t remember—gets in the way. He doesn’t know what life he may have left behind, and she lives in constant fear that her old life will catch up with her and she’ll end up convicted of a murder she’s not entirely sure she didn’t commit.
They can’t hide forever, not even in Rydding, and if they want to have a future, they’ll have to confront their pasts.
A new cozy cottagecore romantic fantasy from the author of Enchanted, Inc.
For Elwyn Howell, the village is a lifesaver when she finds it just as she’s run out of strength and hope while running for her life. The abandoned healer’s cottage welcomes her, even though she’s given up on that calling. She opens a tea shop instead, using her knowledge of herbs and her empathic gift that allows her to select the perfect tea for each customer. Soon, she’s feeling at home in the village community.
She’s afraid it’s too good to last, a fear that’s confirmed when she finds a wounded man unconscious in her garden. Was he sent by the people who are hunting her? Not even he knows, since he has no memory of who he is or how he got there. As she nurses him back to health, they develop a close bond, but the specter of both their pasts—the one she’s fleeing and the one he doesn’t remember—gets in the way. He doesn’t know what life he may have left behind, and she lives in constant fear that her old life will catch up with her and she’ll end up convicted of a murder she’s not entirely sure she didn’t commit.
They can’t hide forever, not even in Rydding, and if they want to have a future, they’ll have to confront their pasts.
A new cozy cottagecore romantic fantasy from the author of Enchanted, Inc.
218 pages, Paperback
First published October 26, 2023
97 people are currently reading
918 people want to read
About the author
Shanna Swendson
40 books1,133 followersOnce upon a time ...
A little girl learned to amuse herself by making up stories in her head. She turned everyday activities into exciting adventures, and she made up new adventures for characters from her favorite movies, TV shows and books. Then one day she realized that if she wrote down those stories, she'd have a book! But that was crazy, she thought. Real people don't become novelists. That was like deciding you were going to be a movie star. You couldn't just go and do it.
But, it turns out, you can, and she did. She realized her dream of becoming a novelist and seeing her stories in bookstores.
And then she started to wig herself out by writing about herself in the third-person.
This is her story.
The Novelist's Journey
As I said above in that bit of silliness, I've always been a writer at heart. My favorite way to play was to create stories and act them out with my Fisher-Price people, my Barbie dolls or myself and a box of play clothes. If none of those things were available, I could just sit and make up stories in my head. I occasionally got into trouble for being a little too creative, such as the time when I embellished a bit on my kindergarten experiences (where's the dramatic hook in coloring, cutting out and pasting?).
When I was in seventh grade and a bit old for Fisher-Price people, Barbie dolls or the dress-up box, I started writing these stories down in spiral notebooks. Later, I found an old manual typewriter, taught myself to type, then wrote a lot of first chapters of novels on it. I still hadn't figured out how to actually be a working novelist who gets paid for writing (finishing a book instead of writing a lot of first chapters might have been a good start), so when it came time to go to college, I went to journalism school at the University of Texas. While getting my degree in broadcast news, I managed to structure a curriculum that might also help me in my real career plans. I took fencing (which I thought would be useful for writing fantasy novels), an astronomy course on the search for extraterrestrial life (in case I wanted to write science fiction), psychology, interpersonal communication, and parageography (the geography of imaginary lands).
I got serious about pursuing my novel-writing ambitions soon after I got my first job in public relations (TV reporting, it turns out, would have taken away from my writing time) when I started joining local writing organizations and reading books on how to write a novel. Then I took the big step of registering for a writing conference. With the registration fee, you could enter two manuscripts in a contest that went with the conference. I figured if I was paying that much money, I'd get the most out of it, so I wrote two entries. At the conference, I met a real, live editor, who encouraged me to submit, and one of my entries won the science fiction/fantasy category of the contest. I hurried to finish the novel the editor had asked for, then mailed a proposal.
She ended up rejecting the book, but encouraged me to keep trying. I ended up selling that novel elsewhere, then sold two more books to that publisher before I had another idea for that original editor. That book ended up selling, and then one more.
And then I hit the wall. Due to a number of circumstances, some of which weren't my fault and some of which were, I didn't sell anything else for eight years. But then I had the idea that became Enchanted, Inc., I wrote it, sold it, and here I am.
Other Life Stuff
I think I need to get a few more hobbies or something else going on in my life that isn't related to reading or writing because currently my bio in my books is shorter than the "about the typeface" section. Yes, a typeface has a more interesting life than I do.
When I'm not writing, I'm most often reading. Otherwise, I enjoy watching science fiction TV shows and then discussing them on the Internet, working crossw
A little girl learned to amuse herself by making up stories in her head. She turned everyday activities into exciting adventures, and she made up new adventures for characters from her favorite movies, TV shows and books. Then one day she realized that if she wrote down those stories, she'd have a book! But that was crazy, she thought. Real people don't become novelists. That was like deciding you were going to be a movie star. You couldn't just go and do it.
But, it turns out, you can, and she did. She realized her dream of becoming a novelist and seeing her stories in bookstores.
And then she started to wig herself out by writing about herself in the third-person.
This is her story.
The Novelist's Journey
As I said above in that bit of silliness, I've always been a writer at heart. My favorite way to play was to create stories and act them out with my Fisher-Price people, my Barbie dolls or myself and a box of play clothes. If none of those things were available, I could just sit and make up stories in my head. I occasionally got into trouble for being a little too creative, such as the time when I embellished a bit on my kindergarten experiences (where's the dramatic hook in coloring, cutting out and pasting?).
When I was in seventh grade and a bit old for Fisher-Price people, Barbie dolls or the dress-up box, I started writing these stories down in spiral notebooks. Later, I found an old manual typewriter, taught myself to type, then wrote a lot of first chapters of novels on it. I still hadn't figured out how to actually be a working novelist who gets paid for writing (finishing a book instead of writing a lot of first chapters might have been a good start), so when it came time to go to college, I went to journalism school at the University of Texas. While getting my degree in broadcast news, I managed to structure a curriculum that might also help me in my real career plans. I took fencing (which I thought would be useful for writing fantasy novels), an astronomy course on the search for extraterrestrial life (in case I wanted to write science fiction), psychology, interpersonal communication, and parageography (the geography of imaginary lands).
I got serious about pursuing my novel-writing ambitions soon after I got my first job in public relations (TV reporting, it turns out, would have taken away from my writing time) when I started joining local writing organizations and reading books on how to write a novel. Then I took the big step of registering for a writing conference. With the registration fee, you could enter two manuscripts in a contest that went with the conference. I figured if I was paying that much money, I'd get the most out of it, so I wrote two entries. At the conference, I met a real, live editor, who encouraged me to submit, and one of my entries won the science fiction/fantasy category of the contest. I hurried to finish the novel the editor had asked for, then mailed a proposal.
She ended up rejecting the book, but encouraged me to keep trying. I ended up selling that novel elsewhere, then sold two more books to that publisher before I had another idea for that original editor. That book ended up selling, and then one more.
And then I hit the wall. Due to a number of circumstances, some of which weren't my fault and some of which were, I didn't sell anything else for eight years. But then I had the idea that became Enchanted, Inc., I wrote it, sold it, and here I am.
Other Life Stuff
I think I need to get a few more hobbies or something else going on in my life that isn't related to reading or writing because currently my bio in my books is shorter than the "about the typeface" section. Yes, a typeface has a more interesting life than I do.
When I'm not writing, I'm most often reading. Otherwise, I enjoy watching science fiction TV shows and then discussing them on the Internet, working crossw
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
April 4, 2024
Tea and Empathy ме зарадва с цялото си излъчване на приказка. Като всички вълшебни разкази, събирани от братята Грим. Почувства се свежо и щастливо да срещна нова книга, съдържаща всичко необходимо за жанра : херцози, рицари, гъсти гори , магьосници и напрегнат сюжет. Сега, като възрастен човек мога да погледна на посланията в разказа с разбиране и с опит. Силата на приятелството, болката от предателството, втория шанс и късмета да открием най - сетне своето място. Взаимодействието с хората винаги е било сложен процес. Дори в приказките. Характерът на героите, както и нашия, се оформят именно чрез него.
* „Всички ние сме сбор от нашите преживявания, включително хората, които са били в живота ни. "
Хареса ми колко вярвах на героите и на ситуациите. Въпреки магията и интуицията, с които бяха надарени Брин и Елуин, изборите им бяха съвсем честни и реалистични. Страхотно беше да видя , че когато можеха да се върнат в двора на херцога и да заживеят богато във висшето общество, те избраха далечното село с китната му природа, обикновения живот и компанията на новите си приятели сред местните жители. И разбира се, избраха да бъдат един за друг много повече от познати. Без фанфари и страстни сцени. Просто с честност и сърдечна признателност!
Не толкова епична и ярка като трилогията на Катрин Арден, все пак Tea and Empathy ни среща с доброто, на което често се отвръща със зло, но въпреки това когато една врата се затвори, се намира достатъчно силно течение, което да отвори някой прозорец и късметът и добротата , която сме сторили , да ни се върнат и да ни дадат нов шанс да разкрием същността си.
* " Това е вид емпатия. Усещам какво чувства човек, което ми помага да разбера къде е проблемът. Това е много полезно, ако човекът не може да говори, но дори и да може, усещането ми казва неща, които хората обикновено не могат да опишат сами. "
* „Всички ние сме сбор от нашите преживявания, включително хората, които са били в живота ни. "
Хареса ми колко вярвах на героите и на ситуациите. Въпреки магията и интуицията, с които бяха надарени Брин и Елуин, изборите им бяха съвсем честни и реалистични. Страхотно беше да видя , че когато можеха да се върнат в двора на херцога и да заживеят богато във висшето общество, те избраха далечното село с китната му природа, обикновения живот и компанията на новите си приятели сред местните жители. И разбира се, избраха да бъдат един за друг много повече от познати. Без фанфари и страстни сцени. Просто с честност и сърдечна признателност!
Не толкова епична и ярка като трилогията на Катрин Арден, все пак Tea and Empathy ни среща с доброто, на което често се отвръща със зло, но въпреки това когато една врата се затвори, се намира достатъчно силно течение, което да отвори някой прозорец и късметът и добротата , която сме сторили , да ни се върнат и да ни дадат нов шанс да разкрием същността си.
* " Това е вид емпатия. Усещам какво чувства човек, което ми помага да разбера къде е проблемът. Това е много полезно, ако човекът не може да говори, но дори и да може, усещането ми казва неща, които хората обикновено не могат да опишат сами. "
November 13, 2023
Really enjoyed this first entry in a new cozy fantasy series. Shanna Swendson is an auto-buy author for me, and this book did not disappoint. I really hope the series continues because I want to know more about this village and the people in it!
July 19, 2024
The story was quite sweet and charming, though a bit flat. I liked the general premise of it very much. It just didn’t meet my expectation.
It had the guise of coziness, but it never fully felt cozy to me. There wasn’t much to sink into. The world felt a little empty and the characters felt two dimensional.
I liked Wyn and Bryn well enough, but I did not really care about them. Also, the romance was just not romancing.
It had the guise of coziness, but it never fully felt cozy to me. There wasn’t much to sink into. The world felt a little empty and the characters felt two dimensional.
I liked Wyn and Bryn well enough, but I did not really care about them. Also, the romance was just not romancing.
June 9, 2025
It was okay. very predictable, and the issues didnt really make any sence. also the print i had has several errors in it wich is a real shame. the concept of the story has a lot of promise but the execution leaves a lot to be desired.
October 30, 2023
This was truly delightful. I love a good fairy tale story, and this was very good indeed. I am looking forward to the next novel set in Rydding Village.
February 20, 2025
This literally was not my cup of tea.
I didn't like the writing, bland and without any details. Be it history, geography of the land, the TEA itself, which one might expect to be important for a book with Tea in the title.
I didn't like the characters. Bryn, a man so boring he rejected who he'd been before so thoroughly to forget his own name twice, and Elwyn, a woman so indecisive, an easy decision would require a page of consideration and dialogue repeated twice.
Maybe I would like the setting, but it was so vague, that I know of literally 6 inhabitants of Rydding. Where is it, who's the lord, is there a king? Who knows, certainly not me.
No conflict, no characters, no enchanting setting... A book I'll happily forget.
Lovely cover, though.
I didn't like the writing, bland and without any details. Be it history, geography of the land, the TEA itself, which one might expect to be important for a book with Tea in the title.
I didn't like the characters. Bryn, a man so boring he rejected who he'd been before so thoroughly to forget his own name twice, and Elwyn, a woman so indecisive, an easy decision would require a page of consideration and dialogue repeated twice.
Maybe I would like the setting, but it was so vague, that I know of literally 6 inhabitants of Rydding. Where is it, who's the lord, is there a king? Who knows, certainly not me.
No conflict, no characters, no enchanting setting... A book I'll happily forget.
Lovely cover, though.
November 23, 2025
Enjoyed the cozy cottagecore fantasy and found family vibes, although I thought the characters were a little underdeveloped.
February 22, 2024
This is a cozy cottage core romantic fantasy, and it fits those categories very well. There are some general mysteries that are not yet solved at the end of the book, so I hope there are future books in this magical village.
November 22, 2024
What a beautiful story with an amazing world! I want more!
February 1, 2025
”It was funny, but in this moment she had the strongest sense of clarity she'd ever felt. She knew exactly what she wanted out of life, where she wanted to be, and with whom. She loved this crazy little village.”
it took me quite a long time to finish this book. i would say it was a cozy read, but perhaps, it was too cozy? i don’t know. i loved the concept of the helper home, a tea shop, an amnesiac romantic interest. however, i found myself snoozing a lot. maybe it just wasn’t for me.
June 13, 2025
Solidly “fine”. A good cozy read that was nothing special but a very nice mental break at a stressful time.
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
July 1, 2024
This review was originally posted on SFF Insiders
Full video review on my BOOKTUBE CHANNEL
"Tea and Empathy" by Shanna Swendson is a cozy fantasy novel with a touch of romance, set in a charming cottage-core environment. It offers a soothing escape with low stakes and an inviting atmosphere.
The story follows a healer who decides to live in a cottage once owned by another healer, choosing to sell tea instead of practicing her craft. Initially, she’s in a dark place, contemplating an end to her life but is thwarted by practical concerns. Her character development is gradual as she finds purpose and connection in her new surroundings. The arrival of a wounded knight with amnesia in her garden adds mystery and romance to the plot. Their relationship grows as they both confront their pasts, creating a n interesting and beliavable dynamic.
The plot balances low stakes with engaging mysteries. The protagonist's attempt to start anew and her romance with the knight drive the narrative. The village, with its seemingly abandoned nature and the unique stories of its residents, provides a captivating backdrop. Despite its lighthearted tone, the book contains darker elements and unresolved mysteries, hinting at more to come in the series.
The episodic nature and short length of the book leave some questions unanswered, encouraging readers to look forward to the next installment.
The atmosphere of "Tea and Empathy" is its undeniable charm. The book unfolds with a soothing cadence, blending elements of slice-of-life tranquility with tantalizing mysteries. It creates a pacing that feels refreshingly different, drawing readers into the quaint village life and the protagonist's journey of self-discovery. Amidst the everyday rituals of tea-making and exploring the cottage's secrets, there's an undercurrent of intrigue as the mysteries surrounding the village and the characters gradually unfold. This mix of serene moments and investigation makes for a reading experience that is both relaxing and intriguing; it really is a unique blend of genres that feels like a breath of fresh air.
Swendson’s writing is approachable, drawing readers into the charming world she creates; it flows smoothly, making it an easy read. However, there are occasional awkward or contradictory sentences that can momentarily disrupt the flow. These instances are rare and do not significantly detract from the overall experience.
"Tea and Empathy" is a cozy fantasy and cottage-core romance that serves as a perfect palate cleanser between more intense reads.
The overall length could be a problem, to be honest. As it is, the novel leaves a lingering desire for more depth in terms of lore, character development, and plot intricacies.
While the resolutions of the main plot and unveiling of secrets make sense within the context of the story, their delivery sometimes left me wanting more in terms of narrative payoff and emotional resonance
Yes, I found myself yearning for richer exploration into the backstory of the protagonist, the enigmatic village, and the intriguing secondary characters, but I also recognize that the cozy fantasy subgenre often prioritizes a lighter touch and focuses on low-stakes narratives.
This approach aligns with the intent to provide a relaxed reading experience, balancing gentle pacing with hints of mystery and romance.
Still, I wanted more. But I’m not sure if I’m allowed to demand more from a book like this.
Anyway, If you're looking for a light, heartwarming read with a touch of mystery, this book is a good choice.
Settle in with a cup of tea and enjoy the gentle escape "Tea and Empathy" offers.
Full video review on my BOOKTUBE CHANNEL
"Tea and Empathy" by Shanna Swendson is a cozy fantasy novel with a touch of romance, set in a charming cottage-core environment. It offers a soothing escape with low stakes and an inviting atmosphere.
The story follows a healer who decides to live in a cottage once owned by another healer, choosing to sell tea instead of practicing her craft. Initially, she’s in a dark place, contemplating an end to her life but is thwarted by practical concerns. Her character development is gradual as she finds purpose and connection in her new surroundings. The arrival of a wounded knight with amnesia in her garden adds mystery and romance to the plot. Their relationship grows as they both confront their pasts, creating a n interesting and beliavable dynamic.
The plot balances low stakes with engaging mysteries. The protagonist's attempt to start anew and her romance with the knight drive the narrative. The village, with its seemingly abandoned nature and the unique stories of its residents, provides a captivating backdrop. Despite its lighthearted tone, the book contains darker elements and unresolved mysteries, hinting at more to come in the series.
The episodic nature and short length of the book leave some questions unanswered, encouraging readers to look forward to the next installment.
The atmosphere of "Tea and Empathy" is its undeniable charm. The book unfolds with a soothing cadence, blending elements of slice-of-life tranquility with tantalizing mysteries. It creates a pacing that feels refreshingly different, drawing readers into the quaint village life and the protagonist's journey of self-discovery. Amidst the everyday rituals of tea-making and exploring the cottage's secrets, there's an undercurrent of intrigue as the mysteries surrounding the village and the characters gradually unfold. This mix of serene moments and investigation makes for a reading experience that is both relaxing and intriguing; it really is a unique blend of genres that feels like a breath of fresh air.
Swendson’s writing is approachable, drawing readers into the charming world she creates; it flows smoothly, making it an easy read. However, there are occasional awkward or contradictory sentences that can momentarily disrupt the flow. These instances are rare and do not significantly detract from the overall experience.
"Tea and Empathy" is a cozy fantasy and cottage-core romance that serves as a perfect palate cleanser between more intense reads.
The overall length could be a problem, to be honest. As it is, the novel leaves a lingering desire for more depth in terms of lore, character development, and plot intricacies.
While the resolutions of the main plot and unveiling of secrets make sense within the context of the story, their delivery sometimes left me wanting more in terms of narrative payoff and emotional resonance
Yes, I found myself yearning for richer exploration into the backstory of the protagonist, the enigmatic village, and the intriguing secondary characters, but I also recognize that the cozy fantasy subgenre often prioritizes a lighter touch and focuses on low-stakes narratives.
This approach aligns with the intent to provide a relaxed reading experience, balancing gentle pacing with hints of mystery and romance.
Still, I wanted more. But I’m not sure if I’m allowed to demand more from a book like this.
Anyway, If you're looking for a light, heartwarming read with a touch of mystery, this book is a good choice.
Settle in with a cup of tea and enjoy the gentle escape "Tea and Empathy" offers.
December 13, 2023
A new cozy fantasy from Shanna. I rather liked this because it was a fun, easy read. I want to learn more about the mystery behind the village of Rydding, and spend more time there with its inhabitants. Can't wait until the next installment in this world.
May 6, 2025
DNF @ 42%.
Truly disappointed that I can't add this to my cozy reads or my teas-n-tinctures reads.
It started off interesting enough...she's on the run for a crime (that was probably poison by someone else), she happens upon a sleepy little village, takes over a healers cottage (with an invisible helper so it's like a sentient-house which I LOVE), and tries to make a living by serving teas just right for the townsfolk (small such as it is).
However, descriptions of the tea were almost non-existent (I expected more about the leaves themselves, the perfect steeping temperature, the way its served...not just heat the water, here's some herb names, and it just so happens to be perfect), there wasn't a lot of effort to restore the herb gardens or tend do herbcraft which I would have expected, and the characters overall seemed very caricature-like.
Enter in the "love interest" and I lost interest.
Read A Coup of Tea instead. It did it better.
Truly disappointed that I can't add this to my cozy reads or my teas-n-tinctures reads.
It started off interesting enough...she's on the run for a crime (that was probably poison by someone else), she happens upon a sleepy little village, takes over a healers cottage (with an invisible helper so it's like a sentient-house which I LOVE), and tries to make a living by serving teas just right for the townsfolk (small such as it is).
However, descriptions of the tea were almost non-existent (I expected more about the leaves themselves, the perfect steeping temperature, the way its served...not just heat the water, here's some herb names, and it just so happens to be perfect), there wasn't a lot of effort to restore the herb gardens or tend do herbcraft which I would have expected, and the characters overall seemed very caricature-like.
Enter in the "love interest" and I lost interest.
Read A Coup of Tea instead. It did it better.
November 6, 2023
What a charming cozy fantasy! I loved the village of Rydding and the people who lived there. They were so inviting and kind to Elwyn, who was in a rough spot when she arrived. There was an air of mystery to the place that had me eager to learn more about it. I'm hoping we'll get some more answers in future books because I'm intrigued!
Elwyn was an easy character to like. I felt bad that her confidence was so shaken in her healing abilities that she didn't trust herself to use them. I was hoping she'd be able to overcome that, but really admired her ingenuity in opening up a tea shop where she could use her knowledge without feeling like she was putting anyone in danger.
I was so intrigued by the mystery man who showed up injured in Elwyn's garden. Who was he? What happened to his memories? Who injured him and why?
I hope there are many more stories to come in this series. I loved spending time in this charming and mysterious village with these wonderful characters. I highly recommend it!
Elwyn was an easy character to like. I felt bad that her confidence was so shaken in her healing abilities that she didn't trust herself to use them. I was hoping she'd be able to overcome that, but really admired her ingenuity in opening up a tea shop where she could use her knowledge without feeling like she was putting anyone in danger.
I was so intrigued by the mystery man who showed up injured in Elwyn's garden. Who was he? What happened to his memories? Who injured him and why?
I hope there are many more stories to come in this series. I loved spending time in this charming and mysterious village with these wonderful characters. I highly recommend it!
August 13, 2024
Sweet. Inoffensive. Reminded me of the Hallmark channel version of romantasy. Very tame. No shocking plot twists. Just easy reading. Not interested enough to read sequel.
August 5, 2024
This book seems to be based on two premises. Number one, every place has a soul. Number two, every soul needs a place. Shanna now apparently took those two premises, combined them in the most charming way possible, and took them a step further, to the only logical conclusion: If every soul needs a place, and every place has a soul, even a place needs a place. Now how can that be achieved?
The village Rydding, where the story is set, has found its own solution to this conundrum. It has hidden itself away. It can’t be found by just anyone, and if you do find it, you’ll discover that you needed it as much as it needs you. The village lets people go if they don’t belong, and it calls those who do. Naturally, it is rather empty, but those who do live there, belong there most thoroughly. They probably couldn’t leave if they wanted to. They form the village’s soul and, in turn, they let the village live in their hearts.
The result of this entire concept, as you can easily guess, is a book you could gladly live in.
When we meet Elwyn, our main character, she isn’t looking for a home, but a place to die. Rydding doesn’t let her. The village shows up just as she’s about to give up on herself, and directs her to the abandoned healer’s cottage, where she sets up a shop which provides just what the title says – Tea and Empathy.
Rydding isn’t the only hidden thing, though. There’s also something ugly in Elwyn’s past. Something that’s threatening to follow her even to this virtual little paradise, so while everything seems perfectly sweet and cozy, Elwyn can’t relax.
And neither can the reader.
Seriously, I didn’t expect a cozy fantasy to be such a page turner. We know from the start that the bomb will drop, the question is only when, and who it will hit. The thing is, it might actually be pretty predictable, but I honestly didn’t – don’t – care. I’d love to tell you now that there’s a subtle sense of menace, masterly woven in, but I’m not even sure that’s a fact. The one thing I am sure of is, this book manages to walk the fine line between sweet and cheesy. You will fall in love with the village and the crazy bunch inhabiting it, up to and including the chickens. You will stay glued to the pages until you know they’re all okay, and you will want to come back.
There’s no sequel yet, but I suppose it’s called Tales of Rydding Village Book 1 for a reason. I’ll surely watch out for Book 2 and any that might follow.
The village Rydding, where the story is set, has found its own solution to this conundrum. It has hidden itself away. It can’t be found by just anyone, and if you do find it, you’ll discover that you needed it as much as it needs you. The village lets people go if they don’t belong, and it calls those who do. Naturally, it is rather empty, but those who do live there, belong there most thoroughly. They probably couldn’t leave if they wanted to. They form the village’s soul and, in turn, they let the village live in their hearts.
The result of this entire concept, as you can easily guess, is a book you could gladly live in.
When we meet Elwyn, our main character, she isn’t looking for a home, but a place to die. Rydding doesn’t let her. The village shows up just as she’s about to give up on herself, and directs her to the abandoned healer’s cottage, where she sets up a shop which provides just what the title says – Tea and Empathy.
Rydding isn’t the only hidden thing, though. There’s also something ugly in Elwyn’s past. Something that’s threatening to follow her even to this virtual little paradise, so while everything seems perfectly sweet and cozy, Elwyn can’t relax.
And neither can the reader.
Seriously, I didn’t expect a cozy fantasy to be such a page turner. We know from the start that the bomb will drop, the question is only when, and who it will hit. The thing is, it might actually be pretty predictable, but I honestly didn’t – don’t – care. I’d love to tell you now that there’s a subtle sense of menace, masterly woven in, but I’m not even sure that’s a fact. The one thing I am sure of is, this book manages to walk the fine line between sweet and cheesy. You will fall in love with the village and the crazy bunch inhabiting it, up to and including the chickens. You will stay glued to the pages until you know they’re all okay, and you will want to come back.
There’s no sequel yet, but I suppose it’s called Tales of Rydding Village Book 1 for a reason. I’ll surely watch out for Book 2 and any that might follow.
November 5, 2023
3.5 stars, Metaphorosis Reviews
Summary
Elwyn, fleeing capture, and near starvation, is looking for a place to die. Just on the verge of giving up, she finds a seemingly deserted village and sleeps in an abandoned cottage. But when she wakes up, she finds a small community, and some friends.
Review
I hadn’t encountered Shanna Swendson until I ran across this book, but it turns out she has an extensive bibliography. This no doubt accounts for the competent, confident writing, and I liked the characters as well.
‘Cozy fantasy’ seems to be a thing these days, and I found Tea and Empathy to be, if you will, almost aggressively cozy. It’s about healing, largely takes place in tea shop, and there are a lot of doilies. Added to that, it’s pointedly touchy-feely, warm, and fuzzy. That’s great, in a sense – I agree with most of the viewpoints expressed – but I did begin to find it a bit treacly after a while, wishing that someone (who was not clearly signaled as ‘bad’) would do something controversial. The closest we get is that the protagonist’s close friend seems to think all men are bad (but is still hot for the male love interest). That was a bit disquieting in that it didn’t come across as a character trait so much as a statement of policy – and in fact almost all the men in the story are pretty rotten, except for one male Mary Sue, and one with slight complications. Happily, the book largely gets away with all this, in part because it’s so short – about 160 pages for me.
All in all, a pleasant read, I enjoyed the setting, and the book does well at building satisfying low-risk tension, but I would have liked a little more depth and complication (and curiosity!) to the characters. There's also a bit of a disconnect in that the village attracts people who need a home and safety, but bad folks can also get in. Also, in that the coziness doesn't seem to extend to the farm animals killed and used for food.
The book is the first in a series, and there’s clearly quite a lot to explore in its setting. I found it a little on the cloying side, but I’d be interested to look at Swendson’s other work.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Summary
Elwyn, fleeing capture, and near starvation, is looking for a place to die. Just on the verge of giving up, she finds a seemingly deserted village and sleeps in an abandoned cottage. But when she wakes up, she finds a small community, and some friends.
Review
I hadn’t encountered Shanna Swendson until I ran across this book, but it turns out she has an extensive bibliography. This no doubt accounts for the competent, confident writing, and I liked the characters as well.
‘Cozy fantasy’ seems to be a thing these days, and I found Tea and Empathy to be, if you will, almost aggressively cozy. It’s about healing, largely takes place in tea shop, and there are a lot of doilies. Added to that, it’s pointedly touchy-feely, warm, and fuzzy. That’s great, in a sense – I agree with most of the viewpoints expressed – but I did begin to find it a bit treacly after a while, wishing that someone (who was not clearly signaled as ‘bad’) would do something controversial. The closest we get is that the protagonist’s close friend seems to think all men are bad (but is still hot for the male love interest). That was a bit disquieting in that it didn’t come across as a character trait so much as a statement of policy – and in fact almost all the men in the story are pretty rotten, except for one male Mary Sue, and one with slight complications. Happily, the book largely gets away with all this, in part because it’s so short – about 160 pages for me.
All in all, a pleasant read, I enjoyed the setting, and the book does well at building satisfying low-risk tension, but I would have liked a little more depth and complication (and curiosity!) to the characters. There's also a bit of a disconnect in that the village attracts people who need a home and safety, but bad folks can also get in. Also, in that the coziness doesn't seem to extend to the farm animals killed and used for food.
The book is the first in a series, and there’s clearly quite a lot to explore in its setting. I found it a little on the cloying side, but I’d be interested to look at Swendson’s other work.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2024
If you need a cozy, friendly book, this is it. Lots of tea and a warm community with a dash of mystery and a bit of magic.
And the main characters are in their 30s!
I especially loved the main love interest. No toxic macho crap with being
so tall as to dwarf the heroine (as if she were a child, not a grown woman) swinging a sword, flexing muscles and coming to her rescue all the time. He's friendly and fun, actually has a personality, is almost the same height as her, is completely rubbish with a sword, and she takes her time to get to know his personality because that's important to her. She's not even sure if she thinks he's handsome the first time she meets him. But he cooks and cleans, helps her with her work, reads to her out loud, and all in all, he's a good person who respects her and they have a wonderful time together. There is some rescuing involved, but it comes from both sides. What a refreshing take on romance!
The only thing I didn't like was that
There were some minor issues with pacing but all in all I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the next one to see some of the minor mysteries that remained resolved.
Reading time: 4h 23m
And the main characters are in their 30s!
I especially loved the main love interest. No toxic macho crap with being
so tall as to dwarf the heroine (as if she were a child, not a grown woman) swinging a sword, flexing muscles and coming to her rescue all the time. He's friendly and fun, actually has a personality, is almost the same height as her, is completely rubbish with a sword, and she takes her time to get to know his personality because that's important to her. She's not even sure if she thinks he's handsome the first time she meets him. But he cooks and cleans, helps her with her work, reads to her out loud, and all in all, he's a good person who respects her and they have a wonderful time together. There is some rescuing involved, but it comes from both sides. What a refreshing take on romance!
The only thing I didn't like was that
There were some minor issues with pacing but all in all I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the next one to see some of the minor mysteries that remained resolved.
Reading time: 4h 23m
Want to read
July 23, 2024This is not a full review. I read through the beginning of all 300 SPFBOX contest entries. This was a book I wanted to read more of.
A young woman, homeless and starving, finds herself trapped in an enchanted cottage. At least the house spirit will make sure she doesn’t die, but what now?
There’s a quiet charm to this opening. Our MC, and how she got herself into her current plight, remain somewhat mysterious, but the 3rd person close POV fixes us firmly in her corner. I find myself rooting for her.
What she wants is very clear at first: she wants to find a nice place to die. No, she doesn’t really WANT to die, but it seems she’s very clearly going to collapse and expire soon, and she’d rather not do that on the roadside.
But by an odd happening, it seems like she’s found herself exactly where she needs to be. In fact, the nature of the enchanted cottage she stumbles into is not altogether unfamiliar to her!
The prose here was competent enough. I was never confused, though it did drag through some of its physical descriptions of the village. That seems like more of a pacing issue, tho.
This has a MG, YA quality to the writing. It is simple and approachable, but nice. And by the end of the first chapter, I found myself quite comfortable in the story.
Something has definitely just happened to change our MCs life forever, and I very much want to know what happens next in this very cozy novel. It’s as simple as that. I’m in!
A young woman, homeless and starving, finds herself trapped in an enchanted cottage. At least the house spirit will make sure she doesn’t die, but what now?
There’s a quiet charm to this opening. Our MC, and how she got herself into her current plight, remain somewhat mysterious, but the 3rd person close POV fixes us firmly in her corner. I find myself rooting for her.
What she wants is very clear at first: she wants to find a nice place to die. No, she doesn’t really WANT to die, but it seems she’s very clearly going to collapse and expire soon, and she’d rather not do that on the roadside.
But by an odd happening, it seems like she’s found herself exactly where she needs to be. In fact, the nature of the enchanted cottage she stumbles into is not altogether unfamiliar to her!
The prose here was competent enough. I was never confused, though it did drag through some of its physical descriptions of the village. That seems like more of a pacing issue, tho.
This has a MG, YA quality to the writing. It is simple and approachable, but nice. And by the end of the first chapter, I found myself quite comfortable in the story.
Something has definitely just happened to change our MCs life forever, and I very much want to know what happens next in this very cozy novel. It’s as simple as that. I’m in!
November 20, 2023
Herb tea and cottage and girlfriends, oh my!
TEA AND EMPATHY is a lovely, light, cozy fantasy read. The village of Rydding is intriguing, and there are clearly many more stories to be told from this extensive cast of characters.
I would have liked to see a bit more attention to facts (e.g., dried herbs that have been hung up for more than five years get dusty and lose flavour), and more specific details (such as, not just "She blended some herbs," but, which herbs? what did they look like? smell like? what did they do?).
However, the coziness of this cozy fantasy was all I could wish for. The mystery was mysterious enough to keep me reading without making me tense up with the fear that something awful was going to happen to the characters, and the ending is lovely and satisfying. As for the magical cottage, well - you'll just have to read it to find out what that's about.
I'm thrilled that Shanna is planning to write more books in this series, and I'm looking forward to the next instalment.
TEA AND EMPATHY is a lovely, light, cozy fantasy read. The village of Rydding is intriguing, and there are clearly many more stories to be told from this extensive cast of characters.
I would have liked to see a bit more attention to facts (e.g., dried herbs that have been hung up for more than five years get dusty and lose flavour), and more specific details (such as, not just "She blended some herbs," but, which herbs? what did they look like? smell like? what did they do?).
However, the coziness of this cozy fantasy was all I could wish for. The mystery was mysterious enough to keep me reading without making me tense up with the fear that something awful was going to happen to the characters, and the ending is lovely and satisfying. As for the magical cottage, well - you'll just have to read it to find out what that's about.
I'm thrilled that Shanna is planning to write more books in this series, and I'm looking forward to the next instalment.
Read
January 8, 2025Tea and Empathy by Shanna Swendson is a sweet, calm book. Elwyn is a healer on the run from an incident in her past who’s ready to expire in the forest when she stumbles into an odd, semi-abandoned village. The healer’s cottage opens its door to her (literally) and she moves in but opens a tea shop as a way to serve the villagers while avoiding officially being a healer.
This story is akin to the cozy fantasies like Legends and Lattes where the protagonist escapes the real world to live a new life. Instead of watching Elwyn renovate a building, we watch her serve tea and other remedies to her new friends as she slowly accepts the role of healer. There is almost no conflict in the story and the romance is very slight.
My favorite part was the magical healer’s cottage and the general mysterious vibe of the village, which mostly doesn’t get explained.
This story is akin to the cozy fantasies like Legends and Lattes where the protagonist escapes the real world to live a new life. Instead of watching Elwyn renovate a building, we watch her serve tea and other remedies to her new friends as she slowly accepts the role of healer. There is almost no conflict in the story and the romance is very slight.
My favorite part was the magical healer’s cottage and the general mysterious vibe of the village, which mostly doesn’t get explained.
March 7, 2024
Absolutely love Shanna Swendson! This was such a fun cozy fantasy read.
I loved getting to meet Elwyn and Gladys and the rest of the characters in this new series. The mystery of what lead Elwyn to the village of Rydding, the mystery of who Bryn is, and the question of why this village is so empty kept me so engrossed with this book.
I'm so glad that Elwyn makes friends with those who live in the village who then come to her aide and I love seeing her start to realize that being a healer is who she was meant to be all along.
I cannot wait to find out more about this village and to see what other adventure awaits!
I loved getting to meet Elwyn and Gladys and the rest of the characters in this new series. The mystery of what lead Elwyn to the village of Rydding, the mystery of who Bryn is, and the question of why this village is so empty kept me so engrossed with this book.
I'm so glad that Elwyn makes friends with those who live in the village who then come to her aide and I love seeing her start to realize that being a healer is who she was meant to be all along.
I cannot wait to find out more about this village and to see what other adventure awaits!
December 5, 2024
Shanna Swendson can be a bit hit or miss for me. This one wasn't exactly a miss but it wasn't really a hit either. At least it was short. Not to bad, something of a slice of life with a bit of mystery.
It started off pretty interest. The characters weren't bad. The setting pretty nice. I would love a helper to get my meals together and keep the house tidy. Overall plot wasn't terrible but I got a bit bored halfway through.
Recommended? It wasn't to bad. So I think it's something you could pick up on a whim or if you're in between books.
Buy/Borrow? Borrow
It started off pretty interest. The characters weren't bad. The setting pretty nice. I would love a helper to get my meals together and keep the house tidy. Overall plot wasn't terrible but I got a bit bored halfway through.
Recommended? It wasn't to bad. So I think it's something you could pick up on a whim or if you're in between books.
Buy/Borrow? Borrow
May 1, 2025
Pretty decent cozy fantasy in my opinion. The writing was better than I expected (I expected it to have a wattpad feel). It’s a bit of a brain candy book and not a ton of plot going on, but enough to make me satisfied. I’m interested if further books will talk about how the village came to be enchanted. Romance was slow and realistic, the book ends with both characters knowing their feelings are reciprocated and wanting to get to know each other more, which makes sense because the ML had lost his memory for so much of the plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2025
This was a most delightful cozy fantasy! I love how welcoming the villagers of Rydding were in inviting Elwyn, who was in desperate need, into their fold when she arrived. The mystery of the village seems to be low stakes, but innate and I'm looking forward to the slow reveal in the coming books. I especially adored the house helper.
This was soothing and sweet, perfect for fans of a good cozy.
#FantasyRomance #Cozy #Magic #Mystery #Historical #Gaslamp
This was soothing and sweet, perfect for fans of a good cozy.
#FantasyRomance #Cozy #Magic #Mystery #Historical #Gaslamp
July 4, 2024
I enjoyed this. It has a cute setting with nice characters. I think the writing could be a bit better, though. It's close to ok, and it didn't bother me the whole time. But there was a bit too much tell, not show, especially when Bryn got his memory back, and the dialogue was a bit unnatural at times. Overall nice, but not brilliant.
January 20, 2025
Just a good cozy fantasy! I loved the original premise of the town and her house calling to Wyn. She has a mysterious past, and her surprise guest which both add a bit of intrigue. The romance is light, and the main characters are discovering who they are. The ending ties things up well. Will continue the series.
February 7, 2025
Absolutely sweet and cozy!
I really enjoyed the two MCs and love the open communication they shared. The simple day-to-day of the village life paired with the combo of her past coming to haunt her and him losing his memory, was an excellent balance of low stakes with the shadow of high stakes lingering in the background.
Now I’m in desperate need of book 2!
I really enjoyed the two MCs and love the open communication they shared. The simple day-to-day of the village life paired with the combo of her past coming to haunt her and him losing his memory, was an excellent balance of low stakes with the shadow of high stakes lingering in the background.
Now I’m in desperate need of book 2!
February 14, 2025
What a lovely story and I can’t wait to find out more about the secrets of Rydding Village. I wasn’t really expecting this book to lean so hard into the romance, but I really enjoyed it nonetheless.
The village feels real and full of life even if it’s fairly empty in this first book. I’m excited to meet more people as they start to trickle into this magical village.
The village feels real and full of life even if it’s fairly empty in this first book. I’m excited to meet more people as they start to trickle into this magical village.
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