The Crescent Moon Tearoom

The Spellbound Sisters #1

by Stacy Sivinski

'A delightfully sweet and cozy novel that's as comforting as a warm cup of tea' - Kirkus Reviews, Starred

Following the untimely death of their parents, Anne, Beatrix, and Violet Quigley have made a business of threading together the stories that lie at the bottom of their customers' teacups. Days at their teashop are filled with fortune-telling intertwined with the sound of clinking china and the scent of cinnamon shortbread.

When the Council of Witches comes calling with news that the city Diviner has lost her powers, the sisters suddenly find themselves being pulled in different directions. As Anne's magic begins to develop beyond that of her sisters', Beatrix's writing attracts the attention of a publisher, and Violet is enchanted by the song of the circus-and a mischievous trapeze artist threatening to sweep her off her feet-it seems a family curse that threatens to separate the sisters forever is taking effect.

With dwindling time to rewrite their future and save the cosy and much-loved tearoom, the Quigleys set out to bargain with Fate. But in focusing so closely on saving each other, will they lose sight of themselves?

Genres: Fantasy, Cozy, Fiction, Witches, Cozy Fantasy, Magic, Romance

337 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2024

About the author

Stacy Sivinski was raised in the Appalachian mountains of Virginia and now is a writing and literature professor in the Midwest. She holds a PhD in English from the University of Notre Dame with a specialty in sensory studies and nineteenth-century women’s writing. In her fiction, Stacy focuses on themes of sisterhood, self-discovery, and magic. The Crescent Moon Tearoom is her debut novel.

Reviews

[Mary Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think there are folks that will be big fans of this but ultimately the writing wasn’t engaging enough for me to be drawn in. By the end of this i was simply skimming to the end out of sheer determination to finish it, but i didn’t feel particularly enamored of the writing or any of the characters. It is however, absolutely itching to be a movie and i could see it excelling in an adaptation for the screen.

[Summer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Triplet witches, Anne, Beatrix, and Violet, are told they’ll be separated by a curse, and on top of that they must help three elder witches or lose their tea shop (where they read tea leaves for customers), yet despite those two things combined there’s less urgency to the pacing than I thought there might be.

After setting up the elderly witches aspect of the plot like it was going to be a major part of the story, it seemed odd how little time here is spent on the sisters puzzling through those tasks or interacting with those elderly witches.

As for the curse, maybe if I’d seen more of the sisters actually together the idea of their separation may have tugged at my heart like it should have, but since the majority of the book sees each triplet doing her own thing anyway and sharing few scenes or conversations, I just wasn’t sure how much it mattered if they followed their own paths like most siblings do. The reader isn’t given nearly enough of a look at their bond or reliance on one another in the first place to feel the stakes of any possible separation. I had a stronger sense of how much their sentient home loved the sisters than how much they loved each other.

There was a repetitive feel here, over and over Beatrix sat down to write while telling herself she shouldn’t, Violet visited the circus while telling herself she shouldn’t and Anne kept trying to hold herself back from exploring her growing magical powers. Maybe similar scenarios playing out over and over again would appeal to a reader wanting to be lulled into something of a comfort zone, but I was desperate for more variety to the scenes and the types of things happening.

While I enjoyed the occasional bits of sensory detail mostly involving food and tea, so much of this story seemingly lacked details. Everything Beatrix writes is brilliant but at no point is the reader given any hint of what kind of stories she writes. There are mentions of women wearing petticoats and old Chicago department stores but otherwise the time period felt vague and didn’t particularly factor in to the narrative. Also vague were the personalities or backgrounds or anything else about the two love interests. I went away from this knowing almost nothing about these two guys other than their source of employment and since I didn’t feel like I knew them, I didn’t feel even remotely invested in their romances (which were pretty slight anyway).

Overall, this skimmed the surface too much, the plot, the characters and their emotions, the setting and the world of these witches, so much of this seemed underdeveloped. I did like the house though, easily my favorite character, as its emotions were more keenly felt.


I received this ARC through a Goodreads giveaway.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers will find themselves in the midst of three triplet sisters. They just happen to be witches that run a magical tearoom that offer tea readings in their community. There is just one slight problem for these sisters. Apparently, they have been cursed.

With whimsy and charm, this is an endearing, imperfect, enchanting mystery story of self-discovery in which readers root for the sisters as they search for a way to break the curse.

This is a cozy, heartwarming story for anyone who loves magical realism and stories of sisterly connection and community.

[Mbhabibti · Rating 3 out of 5]

A classic, cute, cozy fantasy. It was short and sweet, and it's certain to pull on the heartstrings of anyone who grew up close to their sisters. (And sometimes misses their relationship in childhood as an adult.)

Love the cover as well - thanks to Netgalley, Stacy Sivinski, and Atria Books for this eARC!

[Kurryreads (Kerry) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - this is my type of fantasy book! Loved. Thank you to the publisher for an early copy in exchange for my honest feedback!

Further thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFcwWYvs/

[MillennialMomReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️-this is a cozy fantasy with triplet witches who run a tearoom, telling their customers’ fortunes, until they are confronted with a family curse that threatens to separate them. I thought this book was thematically beautiful, exploring family relationships, keeping secrets, and growing apart. I did think that the pacing struggled a bit as there was so much lore that needed to be explained in a short period of time, and the stories of all three sisters felt rushed at times. Overall, this was an absolutely cozy read that I would recommend, and my only critique is that I’d have liked to see more. A solid 3.5⭐️, and I’m looking forward to The Witching Moon Manor!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Crescent Moon Tearoom by Stacy Sivinski is an even-paced, cozy fantasy - full of magic and tales of fate. Triplets, Anne, Beatrix, and Violet Quigley fight to untangle the stands of their seemingly cursed fate just to discover that not all is as it seems. The push against, not only each other- but themselves to find a way to fulfill their destinies yet stay together, as sisters.

This tale unravels at a good pace and the sisters are similar yet completely different enough to all be interesting for their own personalities. I love that they all protect each other in their own ways, even at the risk of giving up their own dreams.

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria books for early access to read The Crescent Moon Tearoom in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed it!

[Uyen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf 55%

Thank you netgalley and atria for the arc.

The beginning was good. It felt really cozy and interesting.

But my issue was that as it went on....this became nothing but my least favorite trope.
It was just the sisters hiding and lying to one another and not communicating.

It lost its cozy factor real fast after that.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5 Stars*

The Crescent Moon Tearoom is a perfect cozy fantasy that had my attention from the first page. I loved the atmosphere of the tea shop and the enchanted house that seemed like another main character throughout the book. This book was like three stories that merged into one as we follow the paths of the Quigley triplets. I loved each of their stories as they found their way towards their own paths in life. The ending had me feeling all sorts of emotions and was beautifully done. Overall, I found The Crescent Moon Tearoom to be the perfect magical read and I will be buying the physical copy when it releases to reread for Fall.

The Crescent Moon Tearoom comes out October 1st.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to review The Crescent Moon Tearoom. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Crescent Moon Tea Room is a cozy, witchy, and utterly captivating story! The sisters kept me intrigued and always craving more. The fast-paced plot made it impossible to put down. A must-read for fans of magical mysteries!

[Dots · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute cozy fantasy about magical triplets seers who can see your future at the bottom of your tea cup. They're the first set of "fates" in generations. After the untimely death of their parents, the three opened up a tearoom where they read the futures of their customers (the ones who get info about stuff like the stock market don't seem super ethical tho lol there should be rules!) Everyone loves their teashop; they love their teashop. Life is great! Unfortunately, the sisters are getting drawn apart down different paths. Will they separate or stay together? And is something drawing them apart on purpose??

The world building is really nice and cozy and cute. The three of them live in a sentient house similar to that found in Encanto. It might increase the length of a countertop to catch some crumbs or make a room a few inches bigger if any of the sisters are feeling anxious. Also it does the dishes!! The best character in the book is the house, tbh. Each chapter starts with a symbol of fortune telling and what it means, which was a nice touch.

My biggest complaint is the one trope I hate usually found in a romance novel... Lack of communication being the main plot of the book. It's so lazy. Just talk to each other! You expect me to believe that these triplets are so close to each other and tell each other everything and then suddenly when it matters, they close up like clams??? Whyyyyyyyy.

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enchanting fantasy novel about clairvoyant triplets Violet, Anne and Beatrix Quigley who are told will be separated by a cursed fate. They are used to spending their days at the teashop threading stories together from the bottom of their customers' cups; until a visit from the Council of Witches, where they are forced to navigate being pulled in different directions and bargain with fate.

This was an easy read with themes of sisterhood and self-discovery.

I enjoyed the sentient house as an additional character and really would appreciate a home that manages the dishes on my behalf!

This uplifting book would be ideal if you enjoy short, cosy fantasy novels; appreciate stories of family, love and self-discovery; like delightful descriptions of tea or food; or want to imagine your own enchanted house!

[Bianca Pungartnik · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea

[briar ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ · Rating 2 out of 5]

⋆⋆½ — honestly, after reading the blurb again, i am definitely not the target audience for this book. so this review means nothing. i don't usually enjoy cozy fantasy, but i requested this anyway because i have loved other nothingburger plotless books in the past (the night circus, emily wilde, the floating hotel). however, neither the characters nor the prose in this was enough to enchant me the way the above novels did, and the worldbuilding was almost nonexistent. but i did like the last six or so chapters, so there's that.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced copy.

[LadyAReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family is hard. Magic and fortune telling doesn’t make it any easier. The House is my favorite character in this magical tale of sisterly love and learning to love each other while being yourself.

# The Crescent Moon Tearoom
# 10/28/2024 ~ 10/29/2024
# 4.0 / 5.0

[JackiesReadingJourney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be considered “cozy fantasy” because there aren’t any high stakes involved and there’s no violence. This was just a very simple story about three sister witches who run a tearoom together reading tea leaves for humans and other witches. One day, the witches council assigns them a very difficult series of tasks and threatens to take their tearoom away from them if they don’t succeed. They also discover a curse that threatens to separate the sisters, and they must find a way to prevent it from coming true.

This book was pretty weird tbh. One sister wants to be a novelist, one is weirdly obsessed with a Circus, and the other is like trying to hold them hostage to prevent the curse from happening 😆 I read this with my friend and we both stopped feeling cozy vibes when one of the sisters was acting fucking crazzzzzy. The actions of the sisters just didn’t make sense and the plot was just… odd.

There is minimal romance and a fun twist or two, but overall, I don’t think this should be on anyone’s witchy TBR for this fall unless they LOVE reading about tea, learning about what tea leaves signify, obsess over sweet treats, and want a simple low-stakes witchy fantasy without any romance or action.

This was okay - but I definitely think if any of you want to read this audio is the way to go. It’s incredibly slow to physically read and it feels smoother on audio. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Thank you Atria for the finished copy & Simon audio for the audiobook!

[Laura • lauralovestoread · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

[Sara Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un cozy fantasy davvero delizioso, pieno di dolcezza e magia quotidiana. È una storia che parla di sorellanza, di cambiamenti e di come, a volte, crescere significhi anche trovare la propria strada.
Ho amato l’atmosfera: tra profumi di fiori, erbe e spezie, dolcetti appena sfornati e incantesimi gentili, ci si ritrova immersi in un mondo accogliente, quasi terapeutico. È una lettura che trasmette calma, serenità e quella sensazione di calore che si prova davanti a una tazza di tè fumante. Anche se la trama è statica e i conflitti sono lievi, la storia è tutt’altro che vuota: parla di cambiamento con grande sensibilità, mostrando come lasciar andare possa essere un atto d’amore e non una perdita.
Mi è piaciuto molto lo stile dell’autrice: delicato, evocativo e pieno di piccoli dettagli magici che fanno sognare. Ho adorato la casa incantata che aiuta nelle piccole faccende domestiche (quanto vorrei lo fosse anche la mia!) e il modo in cui tutto sembra trasmettere gentilezza e luce. È uno di quei romanzi che non cercano l’azione, ma accompagnano la lettura con dolcezza, lasciando il cuore leggero e facendo riflettere. La lettura perfetta per chi desidera una storia serena ma ricca di significato.

[Janereads10 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Simon and Schuster Audio, for my free audiobook for review.

Stacy Sivinski's "The Crescent Moon Tearoom" captivated me from the start with its enchanting premise: three sisters, triplets no less, all blessed with witchcraft. It's a perfect autumnal read that beckons with its stunning cover art.

This magical tale revolves around a trio of sisters running a tea shop and offering tea leaf reading services. Despite being witches, they're still coming into their powers. Sivinski masterfully portrays each sister with distinct personalities and talents, though they mirror each other in appearance. Anne, seemingly tethered to the tea shop, possesses the strongest gift for divination. Beatrix harbors a passion for words and storytelling, while Violet, the most emotional of the three, yearns for adventure yet grapples with her wanderlust. Each sister's journey is endearing, and as a reader, I found myself deeply invested in their struggles—from the looming threat of losing their beloved tea shop to the fear of growing apart.

A particularly engaging element of the book is the trio of challenges presented to the sisters. These tests not only pique the reader's curiosity but also serve as catalysts for the protagonists' growth. As they rise to each occasion, they uncover secrets their mother kept hidden and find the courage to be honest with themselves and each other.

I had the pleasure of experiencing this story through its audiobook version, narrated by Nikki Massoud. Her voice, reminiscent of a siren's call, made it impossible to press pause once I started listening.

At its heart, "The Crescent Moon Tearoom" is a tale of sisterhood, self-discovery, and the realization that pursuing individual paths doesn't necessitate abandoning familial bonds. It's a must-read for fans of "Practical Magic" and anyone who appreciates a well-crafted, magical story about the power of family and personal growth.

[Zainab Bint Younus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading "The Crescent Moon Tearoom" is like picking up a delectable-looking pastry and biting it only to discover that it is bland and tasteless, leaving you frustrated and longing for something substantial.

And yes, the entire book is written like this - filled with endless, unnecessary similes that are meant to make the story feel "cozy" and instead are incredibly aggravating.

Three sisters run a magical teashop, telling people's futures; they are given a mission and told that if it is not completed, they will be forever cursed. The previously inseparable sisters do try to fulfill this magical task, but along the way, find themselves growing apart rather than closer.

This book absolutely is an example of the "Sheinification" of books: looks pretty but is garbage quality. The genuine potential of this story is ruined by lack of editing (all I could think about while reading is how half the useless similes should have been deleted), and lack of development in every way: worldbuilding, character, and plot.

Very blah.

Also this was an ARC from @simonandschuster and it took me this long to actually read the book because IT NEEDS AN EDITOR!!!

[Samantha Miley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy of "The Crescent Moon Tea Room" by Stacy Sivinski.



Triplet witch sisters own a cozy tea room where they serve tea, pastries and fortunes. They soon discover that they are starting to forge their own paths. Anne, whose powers are the strongest any witch has seen in decades, struggles with letting go of the past. Beatrix is delving into a new power while writing a book. Violet dreams of flying. The three sisters must figure out a way to help three elderly witches find their Task all the while trying to break a curse. Will they be torn apart by these trials?

I can't believe this is a debut novel by Stacy Sivinski. This book was so heartwarming and cozy! 5 cups of tea for me. I will definitely be getting a physical copy on October 1, 2024 so I can annotate in it!

[-ˏˋjamieˊˎ- · Rating 3 out of 5]

i was charmed by the premise of this book (three witchy sisters who can read fortunes in tea!), but unfortunately, the execution didn't quite wow me. i liked the cozy writing and setting, but the story just wasn't particularly exciting. it hit a lull pretty early on, with the sisters going through the same motions over and over again, and i found my attention wandering. i did like how distinct the sisters were from one another, but i also feel like we never dug into the meat of who they were at their cores.

also i was bothered by how purrrrrfect beatrix's writing apparently is. yes, it's magic blah blah, but her whole situation felt unrealistic knowing how publishing works lol, it really took me out. we also never got to see any of it—i wanted to judge it for myself!

[Bel lvndrgms3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was totally charmed by this story of three sisters - Anne, Beatrix, and Violet - who have the magical ability to read tea leaves. They own a popular tearoom receiving many customers per day. When representatives from the Council of Witches show up one night with an assignment to complete or risk losing their shop, they panic. The sisters’ individual abilities are also coming to light, though they’re keeping them secret from each other. Oh and they also learn a curse was placed on them years ago.

I felt the writing transport me to a different time through these pages. The pacing was good. I liked the chapter headings that give the meanings of different images from the tea leaves. They also hint at what’s to come in the chapter. I liked the message about family and secrets, bonds being tested, and how there’s also strength in individuality. And the magical house that’s attuned to the family is like a fourth main character.

Highlights:
🫖 3 POVs
🫖 Cozy mystery/fall/witchy read, family secrets
🫖 Magical realism
🫖 Chicago setting
🫖 Individual destinies

I experienced such a sense of calm while reading this, and enjoyed learning a bit of Chicago history. It’s a delightfully charming debut, and a good book to curl up with along with a nice cup of tea!

Thanks to @atriabooks for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Caitlin (CMAReads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atria eARC
If you’re wanting a witchy book for fall that’s not a romance, I highly recommend this one. Anne, Beatrix, and Violet are triplet witches, that run the coziest tearoom. They are called on by the Council of Witches and their lives start taking paths they didn’t expect. This is a beautiful book of sisterhood and what happens when familial bonds are put to the test. It showed what it meant to start a new path with figuring out what that meant for the old one. It explored how sisterhood changes as they work towards their own goals, instead of collective goals. I just loved this story. It was sweet and sad, heartwarming and nostalgic, and left me full of hope.

[Heather | Nerdy By Nature Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5

Sisters Anne, Beatrix, and Violet Quigley have always been close, but since the passing of their parents, the triplets rarely leave one another's sides. The sisters are witches, each gifted with a different magic, and they use their gifts to run a tearoom where customers are constantly flooding in to get their cups read. The Quigleys have always enjoyed their quiet life, but when the Council of Witches comes calling for a favor, the sister's lives are upended.

The city's Diviner--a seer who helps the witches of Chicago--has lost her powers, and it's up to the Quigleys to help three witches before it's too late. Anne, Beatrix, and Violet have always been on the same page, but this new endeavor pulls them in different directions. Anne's power is growing beyond her sister's, Beatrix's secret passion for writing is gaining popularity, and Violet gets swept up in the dizzying sensation of the circus and a handsome trapeze artist. The sisters are worried that a family curse threatens to tear them apart, but what if the only way to break it is to go their separate ways?

I haven't seen many people talk about this book, which is a shame because it's a delight. I'm a sucker for a witchy story and one centered around a family who owns a teashop? Sign me up. I enjoyed the sisterly dynamic between Anne, Beatrix, and Violet. They each had such a distinct personality. Anne was the leader and almost more of a mother figure. Beatrix was more timid and felt more comfortable crafting stories than speaking to people. And Violet was a free spirit with wild ambitions. While bittersweet at times, I enjoyed watching them grow into their powers and accept their different destinies. The pacing was a little slow, but I find that to be the case with more cozier-leaning stories. If you enjoy books with magic, lower stakes, and self-discovery, then I recommend checking it out.

[Cláudia Oliveira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Que livro tão COZY !!!! 😭😭 É a palavra que melhor descreve esta história !!!

Imaginem 3 irmãs bruxinhas a gerir um salão de chá, onde vêem o futuro dos clientes no fundo das duas chávenas, mas depois têm de impedir que uma maldição as separe enquanto ajudam 3 bruxos idosos a descobrirem a sua missão de vida 🥹 foi tão fofo !!!

Adorei toda a vibe do salão, só me apetecia ir para um, beber chá e comer biscoitos enquanto lia o livro! Adorei todos os pedacinhos de magia espalhados neste livro! Adorei tudo!! Não é daqueles cheios de ação, plot twists e reviravoltas, mas é lindo, fofo e muito cozy! Tem ação e tem um plot twist final que eu não estava à espera, mas que adorei!! 🫶🏼

Resumindo, preciso do segundo livro para ontem 😭

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the cozy mystery vibes with that added flair of three witch sisters in old style Chicago!

This is a 3 star read for me but I gave it 4 stars because if this is your genre of book (cozy mystery) you will enjoy this. I personally wanted more intrigue more mystery and more use of the magic. The pacing felt slow and found myself wanting to skim read parts not relevant to the main plot.

However, the cozy tea room vibes are immaculate. I love the ladies of the town coming to gossip and get their fortunes read while eating just lovingly described treats. Oh and the tea of course. And the house! The house is my favorite character.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! All opinions are my own.

[Celia Posada · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely recommend this book if you’re in the mood for a cozy, low-stakes fantasy. The story spans several months, making it perfect for any time of year. It’s whimsical, magical, and even features a sentient house which I absolutely loved!

There’s also a touch of mystery that kept me engaged, and the ending wrapped everything up in such a touching and satisfying way.

I did have some initial trouble keeping the sisters straight, their distinct personalities eventually made it easier to follow. A few parts felt a little slow paced, but overall I really enjoyed the story!

[Cat · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I believe I was not the intended audience for this book. It felt too juvenile for me and I found it hard to care about the Quigley sisters. And I can't believe it took me a week to get to the end of this.

The house and the cat were the best characters, though.

[Colleen Whitcomb · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars