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The Charmed Leaf Legacy #1
Tempests & Tea Leaves
Bridgerton meets cozy fae fantasy with a dash of Pride & Prejudice in this sparkling, no-spice tale of magical debuts, an enchanted tea house, and banter-filled romance.
In a world where both race and magic determine one's place in society, half-fae Iris Starspun has always known she doesn't belong. Having a human mother is bad enough, but being magicless as well? That’s simply unforgivable.
But when Iris unexpectedly manifests magic at age nineteen, her parents see it as their chance to save the family from financial ruin. Never mind that her silly paper-folding magical ability is considered frivolous at best, useless at worst. And never mind that she decided long ago not to marry. The Bloom Season has begun, and Iris must attempt to secure a match—or watch her family's future crumble.
Enter Lord Jasvian Rowanwood, heir to the most powerful family in the United Fae Isles. His ability to calm the deadly magical tempests that form in his family's lumyrite mines is revered by all, and he takes that responsibility very seriously. Perhaps too seriously, if you ask his meddlesome grandmother. But Jasvian knows exactly what magic should practical, purposeful, and definitely not involving delicate paper creations or half-human debutantes with razor-sharp tongues.
But then Jasvian's grandmother—the formidable Lady Rivenna—does the unthinkable and offers Iris the coveted position of apprentice at The Charmed Leaf Tea House, the most influential establishment in all of Bloomhaven. Now Iris must navigate both her new role and the scorn of Lady Rivenna's grandson, all while trying to secure a match that might save her family.
Set in a whimsical world of paper magic, mischievous gossip birds, and a tea house with a mind of its own, this charming romantasy serves up a perfectly steeped blend of swooning romance and delightfully barbed banter.
In a world where both race and magic determine one's place in society, half-fae Iris Starspun has always known she doesn't belong. Having a human mother is bad enough, but being magicless as well? That’s simply unforgivable.
But when Iris unexpectedly manifests magic at age nineteen, her parents see it as their chance to save the family from financial ruin. Never mind that her silly paper-folding magical ability is considered frivolous at best, useless at worst. And never mind that she decided long ago not to marry. The Bloom Season has begun, and Iris must attempt to secure a match—or watch her family's future crumble.
Enter Lord Jasvian Rowanwood, heir to the most powerful family in the United Fae Isles. His ability to calm the deadly magical tempests that form in his family's lumyrite mines is revered by all, and he takes that responsibility very seriously. Perhaps too seriously, if you ask his meddlesome grandmother. But Jasvian knows exactly what magic should practical, purposeful, and definitely not involving delicate paper creations or half-human debutantes with razor-sharp tongues.
But then Jasvian's grandmother—the formidable Lady Rivenna—does the unthinkable and offers Iris the coveted position of apprentice at The Charmed Leaf Tea House, the most influential establishment in all of Bloomhaven. Now Iris must navigate both her new role and the scorn of Lady Rivenna's grandson, all while trying to secure a match that might save her family.
Set in a whimsical world of paper magic, mischievous gossip birds, and a tea house with a mind of its own, this charming romantasy serves up a perfectly steeped blend of swooning romance and delightfully barbed banter.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2025
1067 people are currently reading
6120 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Morgan
51 books1,913 followersOnce upon a time, in a land not so far away, a young science graduate named Rachel found that the real world wasn't a place she wanted to inhabit all the time. So she decided to escape into the magical realms that had occupied her mind since childhood.
Armed with a vivid imagination, Rachel spends her days conjuring up fantastical worlds filled with adventure, romance, and plot twists, where readers can escape the real world along with her.
Rachel lives in Cape Town, South Africa, with her husband, two little wildlings, and three fur-babies.
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Armed with a vivid imagination, Rachel spends her days conjuring up fantastical worlds filled with adventure, romance, and plot twists, where readers can escape the real world along with her.
Rachel lives in Cape Town, South Africa, with her husband, two little wildlings, and three fur-babies.
Receive bookish updates directly from Rachel:
Rachel's email newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 339 reviews
February 9, 2026
What to expect: Pride and Prejudice vibes, grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, Regency-inspired world, no-spice Bridgerton vibes, fae nobility, character-driven, *no* high stakes (unless you include hearts on the line)
This was an absolutely lovely cozy fantasy read. 🥰 I adored the whimsical setting and the tea house. It was very atmospheric and reminded me of Evergreen Academy by Heather Schneider (iykyk, just referring to the atmosphere, not the plot). Since it was Regency-inspired, I appreciate that the writing style also reflected that as well. I loved the tea house owner, Lady Rowanwood, she was a great side character and mentor to the MCs. This book delivered on the much-needed character development, and that’s when the Pride and Prejudice vibes really came in but with more bickering and banter. There are a couple of other details I loved, but I want them to be a surprise if you read it. If you are a high-stakes, action-packed only kind of gal, this is not the book for you. But if you like lighter, cozy atmospheric books with character-driven plots and slow-burns, you should give it a try. I’m very glad I read it and am excited to visit this world again with the other books.
I actually wish the climax was drawn out more since a lot of time was spent building up to that point and wish we got more explanation of something I won’t name for spoilers, but other than that, I really enjoyed it.
📚content 📚
Spice - kissing only (a little heated but not overly done, the romance is not lusty)
Language - a few uses of d***, nothing else
Warning - I can’t thing of anything other than fantasy-world prejudices from the fae against the humans, mentions of death of a parent
Religions not mentioned
This was an absolutely lovely cozy fantasy read. 🥰 I adored the whimsical setting and the tea house. It was very atmospheric and reminded me of Evergreen Academy by Heather Schneider (iykyk, just referring to the atmosphere, not the plot). Since it was Regency-inspired, I appreciate that the writing style also reflected that as well. I loved the tea house owner, Lady Rowanwood, she was a great side character and mentor to the MCs. This book delivered on the much-needed character development, and that’s when the Pride and Prejudice vibes really came in but with more bickering and banter. There are a couple of other details I loved, but I want them to be a surprise if you read it. If you are a high-stakes, action-packed only kind of gal, this is not the book for you. But if you like lighter, cozy atmospheric books with character-driven plots and slow-burns, you should give it a try. I’m very glad I read it and am excited to visit this world again with the other books.
I actually wish the climax was drawn out more since a lot of time was spent building up to that point and wish we got more explanation of something I won’t name for spoilers, but other than that, I really enjoyed it.
📚content 📚
Spice - kissing only (a little heated but not overly done, the romance is not lusty)
Language - a few uses of d***, nothing else
Warning - I can’t thing of anything other than fantasy-world prejudices from the fae against the humans, mentions of death of a parent
Religions not mentioned
December 13, 2025
Sometimes it feels like I'm draining the Hoover Dam to find a book that is solid, without spice. And a fantasy one, too.
This one is a delight since it is kind of like a Pride & Prejudice meets S2 of Bridgerton with magic involved. And, a cozy tea-shop run by a grandmother who has a way of setting people up.
Jasvian is an interesting male lead. He is one of those where he starts off pretty 'ew, him?' because of his dislike when it comes to humans. But, over time, and constantly being around our lady Iris, he softens to understand and to be kinder to those of mixed heritage.
I like the world that the author created and I love that it is a mixture of regency / gaslamp and fae.
I purchased Book 2 since I'm curious about our next couple.
This one is a delight since it is kind of like a Pride & Prejudice meets S2 of Bridgerton with magic involved. And, a cozy tea-shop run by a grandmother who has a way of setting people up.
Jasvian is an interesting male lead. He is one of those where he starts off pretty 'ew, him?' because of his dislike when it comes to humans. But, over time, and constantly being around our lady Iris, he softens to understand and to be kinder to those of mixed heritage.
I like the world that the author created and I love that it is a mixture of regency / gaslamp and fae.
I purchased Book 2 since I'm curious about our next couple.
June 18, 2025
This was one of our two picks in our indie book club this month and I’m so glad someone suggested it and it got voted in because I’d have never heard of this otherwise. And it was a lovely read.
This felt like such a nice and cozy read. It was a refreshing break from a lot of other books I tend to read. Though the main character was frustrating at times, she was likeable. Though my favourite character was probably Lady Rivenna.
I loved the banter between Iris and Jasvian and seeing their dynamic change throughout the book was really fun.
“What does that look like, my lord? You standing rigidly in the corner of a gathering, cataloging all the ways in which everyone else is failing to meet your exacting standards?”
I also enjoyed seeing some genuine women friendships.
Overall, a really solid book that was a comforting read for me.
July 24, 2025
3.5 up to 4. A sweet little rendition of Pride and Prejudice with all the sass and yearning we know and love. Gotta love a sentient magical tea house too. That was my favorite bit, honestly. I'm interested to learn more about this world and setting.
August 17, 2025
All promise of fae enchantment, none of the delivery—just a rude love interest and a Regency dress code.
Why bother getting to know a smart, kind, and open‑minded man, or bother working hard at the opportunity dropped in your lap, when you could instead go around desperately chasing after a man who is a raging racist and a cruel narcissist? One who said horrible things about your race, your lineage, and your inborn skills, both behind your back and to your face in front of everyone who mattered, and who, every time you did something he disapproved of, right to the very end of the book, continued to angrily insult you. Why indeed.
I really think I should have dropped this book when the racist slurs started to drop from the main love-interest (in-universe, that is, there are no real-world racist slurs, to be clear).
And if you’re coming for the fae, don’t bother packing your wings. This isn’t a fae society—it’s a Regency romance with magic in it. The setting might as well be a provincial English town with a touch of magical realism tossed in. The so‑called fae characters? Aside from a very rare reference to pointy ears and the occasional spell they use, they are indistinguishable from Regency humans in their behavior, attire, and manners. There’s no inability to lie, no cunning bargains, no glamour, no court intrigue, no whisper of immortality or agelessness, not even something uniquely crafted for this book alone to make this world feel fae.
There are some redeeming qualities, the Tea House had a lot of potential, their written banter was fun, and the writing in general is really not bad at all.
But The other characters that had potential, as well as intriguing plot-lines simply disappeared from the book to make room for unnecessary love-triangle drama. Oh, and did I mention grievous invasions of people's privacy, by a character we're supposed to love, that are brought up but also dropped at the expense of the love drama?
Why bother getting to know a smart, kind, and open‑minded man, or bother working hard at the opportunity dropped in your lap, when you could instead go around desperately chasing after a man who is a raging racist and a cruel narcissist? One who said horrible things about your race, your lineage, and your inborn skills, both behind your back and to your face in front of everyone who mattered, and who, every time you did something he disapproved of, right to the very end of the book, continued to angrily insult you. Why indeed.
I really think I should have dropped this book when the racist slurs started to drop from the main love-interest (in-universe, that is, there are no real-world racist slurs, to be clear).
And if you’re coming for the fae, don’t bother packing your wings. This isn’t a fae society—it’s a Regency romance with magic in it. The setting might as well be a provincial English town with a touch of magical realism tossed in. The so‑called fae characters? Aside from a very rare reference to pointy ears and the occasional spell they use, they are indistinguishable from Regency humans in their behavior, attire, and manners. There’s no inability to lie, no cunning bargains, no glamour, no court intrigue, no whisper of immortality or agelessness, not even something uniquely crafted for this book alone to make this world feel fae.
There are some redeeming qualities, the Tea House had a lot of potential, their written banter was fun, and the writing in general is really not bad at all.
But The other characters that had potential, as well as intriguing plot-lines simply disappeared from the book to make room for unnecessary love-triangle drama. Oh, and did I mention grievous invasions of people's privacy, by a character we're supposed to love, that are brought up but also dropped at the expense of the love drama?
July 11, 2025
15% in and I'm thinking of giving it a miss.
The parents brought their daughter to the ball in the hope of securing her a wealthy husband because the father spent too much on keeping up the appearance of a wealthy family, although HE married a human despite knowing their family fortune was dwindling and why did he not work a proper job? Or encouraged his daughter to learn something useful? Instead of making her marry some snobby Fae while he married his human wife out of love?
It reminds me why I don't like regency novels or enemies to lovers - because really, what other end is there?
The parents brought their daughter to the ball in the hope of securing her a wealthy husband because the father spent too much on keeping up the appearance of a wealthy family, although HE married a human despite knowing their family fortune was dwindling and why did he not work a proper job? Or encouraged his daughter to learn something useful? Instead of making her marry some snobby Fae while he married his human wife out of love?
It reminds me why I don't like regency novels or enemies to lovers - because really, what other end is there?
April 11, 2025
Rachel Morgan never disappoints with her world building! I was quickly drawn in to the intriguing magical society where fae and humans exist together. There were definite Pride and Prejudice vibes, but the characters were well-fleshed out, and it didn’t seem formulaic in any way. This was a complete story on its own, but there were plenty of other characters that I am looking forward to learning more about and reading their stories in the future.
I read an ARC of this book.
I read an ARC of this book.
January 13, 2026
Oh my goodness this is the most adorable book and I never want to leave it. With an enchanting world filled with society drama, an enchanted tea shop, a misfit lady visiting for the season, and a broody lord who brings the sweetest hate to lovers trope, it’s the most exciting cozy read I’ve read. Reading this book felt like spending a night encountering the magic of Disney’s Magic Kingdom. This is the magical, cozy read I needed right now 💗 The writing is absolutely whimsical. You get all the fun regency season feels of Bridgerton with a tension-filled sweet romance. The ways the powers manifest and act of the characters adds so much depth to the story. You get to be a part of a variety of magical balls that were so creatively written. I am so very much in LOVE with this book!!
The MMC has a family full of characters to enjoy which was a fun contrast to his structured and stormy personality. All it took was one half-fae coming to town stirring up the judgment and gossip to turn his whole life upside down. I LOVED his character growth!!
The hate to lovers filled with judgments was accented beautifully by how the main characters’ magic complimented each other.
A slowburn romance laced with preconceived prejudices turned to stolen glances, fingers barely grazing, and flirty bantery enchanted letter writing, to deep longing and love.
💗 Cozy and Magical
💗 Enchanted Tea House
💗 Magic Letter Writing
💗 Forced Proximity
💗 Hate to Lovers
💗 Stabby Banter
💗 Grumpy Sunshine
💗 Enchanted Sentient Notebook
💗 Magic letter writing - Swoony
💗 Meddling Grandmother
💗 Longing
🫑 No Spice | Closed Door
super sweet and Swoony
No language
The MMC has a family full of characters to enjoy which was a fun contrast to his structured and stormy personality. All it took was one half-fae coming to town stirring up the judgment and gossip to turn his whole life upside down. I LOVED his character growth!!
The hate to lovers filled with judgments was accented beautifully by how the main characters’ magic complimented each other.
A slowburn romance laced with preconceived prejudices turned to stolen glances, fingers barely grazing, and flirty bantery enchanted letter writing, to deep longing and love.
💗 Cozy and Magical
💗 Enchanted Tea House
💗 Magic Letter Writing
💗 Forced Proximity
💗 Hate to Lovers
💗 Stabby Banter
💗 Grumpy Sunshine
💗 Enchanted Sentient Notebook
💗 Magic letter writing - Swoony
💗 Meddling Grandmother
💗 Longing
🫑 No Spice | Closed Door
super sweet and Swoony
No language
August 7, 2025
What the heck did I just read? It promised to be Pride and Prejudice but with fae and a teahouse.
Spoiler -- it was not.
While I definitely liked some of the world building, the mix of Regency era romance and fae magic and modern morality led to a very odd combo. I know it's the thing in romances for characters not to care about how they act with regards to engaging in public acts of romance but it just reads so crazily when the society they're in would basically condemn them to being outcast for that!
Additionally, there is some talk about how Iris's magic is deeper and important and then that trails off... the giant ball she is aiming to use her magic at just kind of falls off and is mentioned in passing in one sentence.
Lastly, Javian is the most melodramatic bitch ever in this book. I literally was laughing at his melodramatics at one point. Kind of made me like him more honestly.
Spoiler -- it was not.
While I definitely liked some of the world building, the mix of Regency era romance and fae magic and modern morality led to a very odd combo. I know it's the thing in romances for characters not to care about how they act with regards to engaging in public acts of romance but it just reads so crazily when the society they're in would basically condemn them to being outcast for that!
Additionally, there is some talk about how Iris's magic is deeper and important and then that trails off... the giant ball she is aiming to use her magic at just kind of falls off and is mentioned in passing in one sentence.
Lastly, Javian is the most melodramatic bitch ever in this book. I literally was laughing at his melodramatics at one point. Kind of made me like him more honestly.
January 6, 2026
2026:
I loved this even more than the first time! The banter was so good and the characters were amazing!!!!
2025:
This was so much like Pride and Prejudice! It was so good! I loved all the tea and magic descriptions. The Elizabeth and Darcy characters were so realistic! All the arguing and banter was adorable! There was a part that I didn’t like and felt like it wasn’t necessary, it was not too serious but it mentioned a kinda intimate scene, it didn’t really go into detail and nothing happen in real life just a possibility. I just wasn’t a fan of it being in there. But I did love the book and I can’t wait to read the next one!
I loved this even more than the first time! The banter was so good and the characters were amazing!!!!
2025:
This was so much like Pride and Prejudice! It was so good! I loved all the tea and magic descriptions. The Elizabeth and Darcy characters were so realistic! All the arguing and banter was adorable! There was a part that I didn’t like and felt like it wasn’t necessary, it was not too serious but it mentioned a kinda intimate scene, it didn’t really go into detail and nothing happen in real life just a possibility. I just wasn’t a fan of it being in there. But I did love the book and I can’t wait to read the next one!
May 15, 2025
This book was the fragrant blend of Pride and Prejudice regency, Bridgerton gossip society with delightful notes of magic and whimsical settings.
I finished this book with happy tears in my eyes and held it close against my heart like a warm hug. It was so fulfilling and utterly beautiful. I had become so invested bc of Morgan's skillful way of writing emotions and captivating scenes.
I am a regency girlie and this absolutely tickled my fancy. The tension mixed with the proprietary was addictive. The characters deep and so so so charming.
Have I found a comfort reread?
Absolu-tea☕️✨️
I finished this book with happy tears in my eyes and held it close against my heart like a warm hug. It was so fulfilling and utterly beautiful. I had become so invested bc of Morgan's skillful way of writing emotions and captivating scenes.
I am a regency girlie and this absolutely tickled my fancy. The tension mixed with the proprietary was addictive. The characters deep and so so so charming.
Have I found a comfort reread?
Absolu-tea☕️✨️
November 22, 2025
This book was absolutely one of my favorites I read this year! How enemies to lovers trope is written in this book is how every enemies to lovers story should be written! The world building and how well each character is written is executed perfectly! Each character was necessary to the story unlike how some books have characters just to fill in the empty space.
And it’s no question that “Tempest and Tea Leaves” is now, by far the prettiest book I will ever own.
I will forever be recommending this book to everyone I know, it’s that freaking good!🩷
And it’s no question that “Tempest and Tea Leaves” is now, by far the prettiest book I will ever own.
I will forever be recommending this book to everyone I know, it’s that freaking good!🩷
June 22, 2025
My favorite part of being on Bookstagram is discovering new favorites and this book, and Rachel as an author, have definitely made the list. Reading this book felt like reading an Austen novel in the best way (but with MAGIC). You can just feel the love that the author has for the Regency era (and there are some exciting callbacks to Pride & Prejudice in all its forms, like a hand flex that had me SCREAMING).
The magic system was so cool—the FMC, Iris, had a form of magic that I have never read about before and the descriptions were so good. ALSO: the world was SO lush and beautifully written. If you love Caraval, you will LOVE this. The food and magical items were described with such care. I wanted to dive right in!!
And that’s not even mentioning the CHARACTERS. You guys, the banter in this book is so good. If you want to see a brooding, snobby MMC get put in his place by a feisty FMC time and time again, this is the book for you. Jasvian truly went on a journey of self-discovery over the course of the book and it was so satisfying to see him take credit for his wrongs and strive to do better. There is no spice but there is STEAM AND YEARNING and that’s really all I want at the end of the day.
Iris has my entire heart. I related so much to parts of her journey—to realizing you can’t just go along with the plan others have for your life without fighting for your own chance at happiness. There are also some amazing side characters here that I desperately hope get a novel of their own someday!!
Tempests & Tea Leaves is available on KU so there's really no reason NOT to read it the next time you're in the mood for something cozy.
Thank you so much to the author and MTMC books for providing a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
The magic system was so cool—the FMC, Iris, had a form of magic that I have never read about before and the descriptions were so good. ALSO: the world was SO lush and beautifully written. If you love Caraval, you will LOVE this. The food and magical items were described with such care. I wanted to dive right in!!
And that’s not even mentioning the CHARACTERS. You guys, the banter in this book is so good. If you want to see a brooding, snobby MMC get put in his place by a feisty FMC time and time again, this is the book for you. Jasvian truly went on a journey of self-discovery over the course of the book and it was so satisfying to see him take credit for his wrongs and strive to do better. There is no spice but there is STEAM AND YEARNING and that’s really all I want at the end of the day.
Iris has my entire heart. I related so much to parts of her journey—to realizing you can’t just go along with the plan others have for your life without fighting for your own chance at happiness. There are also some amazing side characters here that I desperately hope get a novel of their own someday!!
Tempests & Tea Leaves is available on KU so there's really no reason NOT to read it the next time you're in the mood for something cozy.
Thank you so much to the author and MTMC books for providing a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
July 6, 2025
DNF'd at 45%. The concept is absolutely delightful (Pride and Prejudice with Fae? Those are my two favorite things!), but I just couldn't connect with the characters or dialogue.
I think part of my struggle was that the comparisons to Pride and Prejudice gave me higher expectations. While Iris as a character does have her own charms (I was particularly interested in her unique magical ability), she just doesn't have the same character depth of Lizzie Bennet (or any other of Austen's heroines). Similarly, Jasvian's character felt rather bland, which made his conversations with Iris just feel...meh. Overall, I was craving more than superficial characterization.
In general, dialogue exchanges felt blunt and tedious, instead of sharp and clever. Because the book's marketing emphasized the Austen connection, I expected the dialogue to sparkle instead of fizzle out. I also wanted to see more layers and subtlety to court dynamics, but instead the narrative overexplains everything (both in dialogue and in narration). Overall, it made the story feel a bit simplistic.
I think I was just hoping the story would be something other than what it ended up being. And that's okay! It is charming in its own way, but ultimately not what I was looking for.
I think part of my struggle was that the comparisons to Pride and Prejudice gave me higher expectations. While Iris as a character does have her own charms (I was particularly interested in her unique magical ability), she just doesn't have the same character depth of Lizzie Bennet (or any other of Austen's heroines). Similarly, Jasvian's character felt rather bland, which made his conversations with Iris just feel...meh. Overall, I was craving more than superficial characterization.
In general, dialogue exchanges felt blunt and tedious, instead of sharp and clever. Because the book's marketing emphasized the Austen connection, I expected the dialogue to sparkle instead of fizzle out. I also wanted to see more layers and subtlety to court dynamics, but instead the narrative overexplains everything (both in dialogue and in narration). Overall, it made the story feel a bit simplistic.
I think I was just hoping the story would be something other than what it ended up being. And that's okay! It is charming in its own way, but ultimately not what I was looking for.
July 13, 2025
I really enjoyed the magical aspect of this book—the whimsical, cozy fantasy elements were charming and creative, and the slow-burn romance added a soft sweetness that kept me turning the pages. There’s something special about a world where paper can come alive, tea leaves whisper the future, and the tea house itself has a personality of its own.
That said, I wasn’t completely sold on the regency theme. The pressure placed on teenagers—literal teenagers—to marry well for the sake of their families felt unfair, dramatic, and honestly exhausting. Iris has the weight of her entire family’s future on her shoulders, and that just didn’t sit right with me. She deserved to be more than a bargaining chip at society’s matchmaking table.
One thing that frustrated me deeply was how her own grandmother viewed her. The idea that Iris wasn’t “pure” enough because she was half-human made me angry—especially coming from family. She didn’t choose her lineage, and yet her worth was constantly being measured by what she could bring to the family, not who she was as a person. That kind of conditional love was hard to read.
Still, the book’s atmosphere pulled me in. The blend of magic, snarky banter, and soft romantic tension made up for a lot. One of my favorite quotes perfectly sums up the fiery dynamic between Iris and Jasvian:
“I suppose,” he said finally, “you’re expecting an apology.”
“Not at all,” she replied. “That would require you to possess both manners and regret. I suspect you have neither.”
It made me laugh out loud—and also cheer for Iris.
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy whimsical fantasy with a splash of enemies-to-lovers and a setting that feels like Bridgerton met a fae forest, you’ll probably enjoy Tempests & Tea Leaves. Just be ready to roll your eyes at the unfair societal expectations and root hard for a heroine who deserves so much more than what the world tries to force on her.
That said, I wasn’t completely sold on the regency theme. The pressure placed on teenagers—literal teenagers—to marry well for the sake of their families felt unfair, dramatic, and honestly exhausting. Iris has the weight of her entire family’s future on her shoulders, and that just didn’t sit right with me. She deserved to be more than a bargaining chip at society’s matchmaking table.
One thing that frustrated me deeply was how her own grandmother viewed her. The idea that Iris wasn’t “pure” enough because she was half-human made me angry—especially coming from family. She didn’t choose her lineage, and yet her worth was constantly being measured by what she could bring to the family, not who she was as a person. That kind of conditional love was hard to read.
Still, the book’s atmosphere pulled me in. The blend of magic, snarky banter, and soft romantic tension made up for a lot. One of my favorite quotes perfectly sums up the fiery dynamic between Iris and Jasvian:
“I suppose,” he said finally, “you’re expecting an apology.”
“Not at all,” she replied. “That would require you to possess both manners and regret. I suspect you have neither.”
It made me laugh out loud—and also cheer for Iris.
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy whimsical fantasy with a splash of enemies-to-lovers and a setting that feels like Bridgerton met a fae forest, you’ll probably enjoy Tempests & Tea Leaves. Just be ready to roll your eyes at the unfair societal expectations and root hard for a heroine who deserves so much more than what the world tries to force on her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2025
I loved Tempests & Tea Leaves by Rachel Morgan. It's the perfect Bridgerton-meets-fantasy hybrid that I didn't even know I was lacking in my life. Cozy fae setting, snarky banter, attitude-filled enchanted tea shop, and just the right amount of romantic tension—spice-free.
Rachel does what she's always done so beautifully: writes the kind of YA romance that makes you smile like an idiot while you're reading, with a magical world that is both whimsical and real. This one adds some social commentary to the mix, too, a world where magic and race render you valuable and Iris—our half-fae, newly magical, very miserable debutante—is trying to navigate it all without losing herself.
I'll confess, before I picked up this one, I had a teensy second of hesitation. I figured I'd outgrown Rachel's writing style. But no. Not even a chance. It turns out I'm still just as obsessed as I was in 2014. This book was like a cup of something warm and sweet and a little fizzy. I was hooked the moment I started reading, and already can't wait for more of this world.
If you’re in the mood for cozy magic, slow-burn romance, and a heroine who’s clever, stubborn, and totally endearing, definitely give this one a try. Bonus points for the tea house with a personality of its own—absolute scene-stealer.
Rachel does what she's always done so beautifully: writes the kind of YA romance that makes you smile like an idiot while you're reading, with a magical world that is both whimsical and real. This one adds some social commentary to the mix, too, a world where magic and race render you valuable and Iris—our half-fae, newly magical, very miserable debutante—is trying to navigate it all without losing herself.
I'll confess, before I picked up this one, I had a teensy second of hesitation. I figured I'd outgrown Rachel's writing style. But no. Not even a chance. It turns out I'm still just as obsessed as I was in 2014. This book was like a cup of something warm and sweet and a little fizzy. I was hooked the moment I started reading, and already can't wait for more of this world.
If you’re in the mood for cozy magic, slow-burn romance, and a heroine who’s clever, stubborn, and totally endearing, definitely give this one a try. Bonus points for the tea house with a personality of its own—absolute scene-stealer.
September 15, 2025
I enjoyed about 90% of this book - my only real complaint is I felt like Jasvian was a little too harsh/biased to start. I wish there had been an earlier POV showcasing that he thought his original opinions were wrong, vs. it feeling a little dragged out. However, that being said, he did acknowledge it eventually, and his dynamic with Iris was fun to read. I appreciated that both of the main characters had personal challenges they needed to overcome first before they could fall in love fully. Overall, a cute book!
March 14, 2026
This is a fun, light read, and I enjoyed it. The world building feels complete without being convoluted. The characters are likeable, though I thought Jasvian's character was a bit overdone- he was a bit too stiff and harsh for my taste. Plot flow felt inconsistent to me, and I felt like I was missing parts of the story. But overall, a great read!
February 3, 2026
This was charming! Bridgerton meets Pride and Prejudice but set in a fae world tea shop. If you’re looking for cozy romance THIS IS FOR YOU!!! There’s a bit more depth than your average cozy because it deals with discrimination / adversity. Our FMC is half-fae which makes her “lesser” in the eyes of the fae gentry. Fae talk about her behind their backs. They look down on her. But she fights for her place in society. The enemies to lovers arc between Iris and the Jasvian is perfection. It follows a fairly clean pride and prejudice storyline, which I love. Complete with the hand twitch!!! Because we all love a good hand twitch. IYKYK!
Overall this was very sweet and I enjoyed it immensely. It didn’t get five stars because the beginning was a little slow. I struggled to connect until our two love interests meet. I almost set it down / DNF’d at chapter 3 or 4 but then it got GOOD. Mainly it was because there was a too much info dump for me that I felt could have been removed. We learn so much about the world as the story goes along I didn’t feel it was necessary. But I’m so glad I stuck with it.
Overall this was very sweet and I enjoyed it immensely. It didn’t get five stars because the beginning was a little slow. I struggled to connect until our two love interests meet. I almost set it down / DNF’d at chapter 3 or 4 but then it got GOOD. Mainly it was because there was a too much info dump for me that I felt could have been removed. We learn so much about the world as the story goes along I didn’t feel it was necessary. But I’m so glad I stuck with it.
February 20, 2026
4.5/5
This is soooo 2005 Pride & Prejudice coded and here's why:
-poor first impressions based off an overheard conversation
-HAND FLEX SCENE
-steamy confession scene in the rain
that's right guys, when it comes to drawing parallels to my favorite movie of all time, I'm a freakin artist
This is soooo 2005 Pride & Prejudice coded and here's why:
-poor first impressions based off an overheard conversation
-HAND FLEX SCENE
-steamy confession scene in the rain
that's right guys, when it comes to drawing parallels to my favorite movie of all time, I'm a freakin artist
March 16, 2026
I will never say no to a pride and prejudice retelling
-1 star because his name is 'Jasvian'??
-1 star because his name is 'Jasvian'??
March 19, 2026
Bridgerton but with magic
March 9, 2026
Utterly delightful✨️
I was in need of some lighthearted fluff after my last books and this book delivered EXACTLY the right vibes. Devoured it in one (work!) day, which is not unprecedented but certainly remarkable for me nowadays.
I cannot count the number of times I literally giggled out loud and kicked my feet while reading. Loved Iris' quick wit and the slowburn romance. So many awww moments in here too (him starting to read poetry at her recommendation, the handholding scene and their declarations at the end ughhh yes)
The triangle situation at the end was a bit unnecessary but thankfully resolved without too much fuss.
I was in need of some lighthearted fluff after my last books and this book delivered EXACTLY the right vibes. Devoured it in one (work!) day, which is not unprecedented but certainly remarkable for me nowadays.
I cannot count the number of times I literally giggled out loud and kicked my feet while reading. Loved Iris' quick wit and the slowburn romance. So many awww moments in here too (him starting to read poetry at her recommendation, the handholding scene and their declarations at the end ughhh yes)
The triangle situation at the end was a bit unnecessary but thankfully resolved without too much fuss.
April 21, 2025
Bridgerton meets Pride and Prejudice in a fae world? Sign me up!😍
This was so magical and dreamy and the tension and banter was top tier. A broody MMC is my fav and this did not disappoint! I was immediately pulled into the story and I was rooting for the characters. Excited for book two!
This was so magical and dreamy and the tension and banter was top tier. A broody MMC is my fav and this did not disappoint! I was immediately pulled into the story and I was rooting for the characters. Excited for book two!
July 14, 2025
Spoiler Free
“Keep your chin up and move with confidence,” she instructed in a hushed tone. “If you carry yourself with purpose, anyone who sees you will assume you have every right to be wherever you are.”
——
First of all if I were to judge a book by its cover then this would be an accurate judgement for sure. Not only does it have the dreamiest cover but the contents match 100%
If you are a fan of Pride & Prejudice or Bridgerton and a dash of Divine Rivals - this is definitely the novel for you.
Lord Brooding meets half-fae Iris and sparks fly. This story carries the perfect amount of yearning without feeling like a drag. It has extraordinary side characters and even more adorable faerie characters making cameos throughout the scenes, for example —
“On the table, the sugar bowl tipped itself over and the dainty sugar cubes arranged themselves into the word RUDE.”
— I giggled so many times while reading this book.
It has the perfect balance of mystery and resolution all the while setting up for future books in the series without maddening the reader. I definitely look forward to reading Deals & Dream Spells next!
“Keep your chin up and move with confidence,” she instructed in a hushed tone. “If you carry yourself with purpose, anyone who sees you will assume you have every right to be wherever you are.”
——
First of all if I were to judge a book by its cover then this would be an accurate judgement for sure. Not only does it have the dreamiest cover but the contents match 100%
If you are a fan of Pride & Prejudice or Bridgerton and a dash of Divine Rivals - this is definitely the novel for you.
Lord Brooding meets half-fae Iris and sparks fly. This story carries the perfect amount of yearning without feeling like a drag. It has extraordinary side characters and even more adorable faerie characters making cameos throughout the scenes, for example —
“On the table, the sugar bowl tipped itself over and the dainty sugar cubes arranged themselves into the word RUDE.”
— I giggled so many times while reading this book.
It has the perfect balance of mystery and resolution all the while setting up for future books in the series without maddening the reader. I definitely look forward to reading Deals & Dream Spells next!
July 29, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Where to begin truly , as a South African author, she has truly outdone herself in all aspect in terms of this book. It is very rare to be hooked from chapter one and to gain insight into a book only from one chapter, but this book did not disappoint!
The magic system , the characters , the banter , the whole historical setting with the courting season was nothing short of perfection even the magical creatures that were mentioned took me by surprise but in the best way possible. I truly had a movie playing in my head while reading this book, which shows how magical I felt this book was. The main story behind this is much more than two people coming together and confessing they love for each but the depth to it of social standards and making yourself vulnerable for the another person to love you was written so beautifully in this book
Where to begin truly , as a South African author, she has truly outdone herself in all aspect in terms of this book. It is very rare to be hooked from chapter one and to gain insight into a book only from one chapter, but this book did not disappoint!
The magic system , the characters , the banter , the whole historical setting with the courting season was nothing short of perfection even the magical creatures that were mentioned took me by surprise but in the best way possible. I truly had a movie playing in my head while reading this book, which shows how magical I felt this book was. The main story behind this is much more than two people coming together and confessing they love for each but the depth to it of social standards and making yourself vulnerable for the another person to love you was written so beautifully in this book
September 7, 2025
Loved
I'm not a read a book more than once type of reader. But when I got done with this story, I was actually like, you know, I think I might read this again. Really enjoyed it. I knew nothing about this author, but I'm a fan now. Looking up book 2 now.
I'm not a read a book more than once type of reader. But when I got done with this story, I was actually like, you know, I think I might read this again. Really enjoyed it. I knew nothing about this author, but I'm a fan now. Looking up book 2 now.
October 14, 2025
I loved reading this book! The words and descriptions are beautifully done! Morgan created fun and engaging characters that sparkle with wit and charm. It is a fun read while still having serious undertones that are important to think about and discuss. Some (But not all) of the topics delicately balanced in this are; having confidence in yourself, work-life balance, stereotypes about race and culture. Morgan manages to bring up these topics, and more, while keeping the setting light and cozy.
Another thing that makes this book engaging to me is that Morgan writes in a way that is kind to her characters. You can see the way that she cares for them in her descriptions, and also in the way that she allows for character growth. You can very easily see why they are acting and reacting in certain ways. Decisions are not spontaneous and sudden, but grow from moment to moment, making it easy to follow and agree with them, even when I wished that they would make a different decisions.
In all, this book is like a warm cup of tea, soothing, happy, and perfect for a rainy day. I look forward to reading not only further books in this series, but more books by Rachel Morgan.
If you like cozy books full of magic, dancing, and kisses, then this book is for you! Read it and enjoy!
Another thing that makes this book engaging to me is that Morgan writes in a way that is kind to her characters. You can see the way that she cares for them in her descriptions, and also in the way that she allows for character growth. You can very easily see why they are acting and reacting in certain ways. Decisions are not spontaneous and sudden, but grow from moment to moment, making it easy to follow and agree with them, even when I wished that they would make a different decisions.
In all, this book is like a warm cup of tea, soothing, happy, and perfect for a rainy day. I look forward to reading not only further books in this series, but more books by Rachel Morgan.
If you like cozy books full of magic, dancing, and kisses, then this book is for you! Read it and enjoy!
December 5, 2025
3.5 stars.
Very vivid writing, the world building was intricate and well done, a wide cast of characters which I like, the banter - though a bit repetitive at the beginning - was humorous, characters were definitely flawed and their fears were relatable. I was so close to giving this a solid 4.5 stars.
But then the last 50 pages happened.
She JUST got betrothed to his dearest friend and was in a near-kiss with him??? And he rejected her a few days before??? I get he learned his mistake but he should've taken accountability and let it go. It was selfish, and downright physically repulsive. Especially the yearning afterwards. It put me off so bad, and I really wanted to love this book.
Bro, I was literally just rooting for Rosavyn and Hadrian afterwards but they didn't get together (yet, I do hope book 4 is about them).
I started skimming after that and barely cared.
Maybe rivals/enemies to lovers isn't always for me.
Very vivid writing, the world building was intricate and well done, a wide cast of characters which I like, the banter - though a bit repetitive at the beginning - was humorous, characters were definitely flawed and their fears were relatable. I was so close to giving this a solid 4.5 stars.
But then the last 50 pages happened.
She JUST got betrothed to his dearest friend and was in a near-kiss with him??? And he rejected her a few days before??? I get he learned his mistake but he should've taken accountability and let it go. It was selfish, and downright physically repulsive. Especially the yearning afterwards. It put me off so bad, and I really wanted to love this book.
Bro, I was literally just rooting for Rosavyn and Hadrian afterwards but they didn't get together (yet, I do hope book 4 is about them).
I started skimming after that and barely cared.
Maybe rivals/enemies to lovers isn't always for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2025
Super cute.
Loved the characters and the tea house.
Wished that there was more plot in a book of this length - there were SO many interesting things that happened, I was sure they were going to become a plot thread, but they didn't.
The banter was more like bickering, devolving into downright squabbling at times. I was astonished that these characters, especially Jasvian, would be so rude in public. Definitely not in character.
I did not like the meddlesome matchmaking grandma.
In the end - cute, fun, clean. Could have been great, but rated merely "good" for too many elements that made me set it down and take some space from it.
Loved the characters and the tea house.
Wished that there was more plot in a book of this length - there were SO many interesting things that happened, I was sure they were going to become a plot thread, but they didn't.
The banter was more like bickering, devolving into downright squabbling at times. I was astonished that these characters, especially Jasvian, would be so rude in public. Definitely not in character.
I did not like the meddlesome matchmaking grandma.
In the end - cute, fun, clean. Could have been great, but rated merely "good" for too many elements that made me set it down and take some space from it.
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