Stay for a Spell

by Amy Coombe

A joyful, cosy fantasy romance for anyone who's ever wished they could live in a bookshop.One curse, seven princes, and a bookshop that you’ll never want to leave…

Princess Tanadelle of the Widdenmar longs to build a life of her own making. During a royal visit to the cosy town of Little Pepperidge, Tandy’s dream comes true when she finds herself cursed to remain in a run-down bookshop until she finds her heart’s desire.

More than a little thrilled, she hires a new assistant, teenage goth Sasha, and settles into life among the stacks. Despite the infuriatingly handsome pirate, Bash, who keeps showing up at the shop with his good looks and his own curse to figure out, Tandy’s new life might just make her happy.

There are just seven, minor, problems. With her royal duties unfulfilled, the frantic King and Queen send the seven princes of the realms to bestow upon Tandy a kiss, each one hoping to break the curse.

After all, what more could a princess want, than a prince?

A whimsical, heart-warming fantasy romance for fans of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, Legends and Lattes and The Princess Bride.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Cozy, Cozy Fantasy, Romantasy, Adult, Books About Books

384 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication April 14, 2026

About the author

Born and raised in California, Amy is an award-winning writer, editor and publisher. She has lived all over the United States and is now based in London, where she uses her degrees in Law and Modern History to do neither of those things. She’s an avid reader, a licensed mudlarker, an enthusiastic fossil-hunter, a fledgling birder, and a font of useless trivia.

Reviews

[✨Julie✨]

It’s giving Rapunzel/Princess and the Pea in a bookshop and I am here for it. 🙌🏻

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5 stars*

This is an absolutely charming fairy tale for adults, starring a busy (and lonely) working princess who should be on the road nonstop but sneaks away for a moment of joy to explore a cozy bookshop - and then finds herself cursed (cursed!) to stay there, taking over as its new proprietess, surrounded by fabulous books and unable to go back to her duties. WHAT a shame!

Needless to say, she is *far* less distressed by this news than her royal parents, who immediately start sending a stream of royal princes to attempt to break the curse through kisses and true love - but the only person stirring her heart in that particular direction is the also-cursed pirate who keeps wandering into her shop for flirtation and mild robbery.

The world-building is extremely thin, but honestly, quibbling over that seems unfair because it is so very much beside the point of the whole story. It reminded me in a very good way of M.M. Kaye's The Ordinary Princess, and I enjoyed it a lot. I also REALLY hope there will be a sequel starring the princess's supremely competent assistant!

[Lauryn Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.75

Tanadelle is a princess who accidentally gets cursed and is now trapped inside a bookshop. Her parents send the seven princes of the land to break the curse with true love’s kiss. Chaos, of course, ensues.

The characters were fun. Tandy was relatable, Sasha the goth draconae was funny, and Bash the sailor was an endearing kleptomaniac.

I do wish we got more details into the magic of the world and how it worked, but I think that’s just the epic fantasy reader in me.
There were a few scenes that I didn’t really care for; The random blurting out of the f-word felt very weird and took me out of the story (especially with the fact that that was practically the only instance of cursing in the book), the scene where a character gets a little too drunk and decides to go in the rain was a bit hard to read, there was a very suggestive romantic scene near the end that I didn’t care for, and then one of the princes being a princess was a bit weird as well.

I did still enjoy this book a lot, and I stayed up a little too late finishing it. Definitely one of the better cozy fantasies that I’ve read. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC!

[Aamna Qureshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this!!! so cozy and comforting!!

official blurb:

"Coombe has created an utterly enchanting world and cozy story set against the backdrop of a lovely bookshop and adorable village. Readers will root for Tandy to discover her heart’s desire and find the courage to seize it; as well as root for her banterful romance with a charming pirate. Stay for a Spell is ridiculously fun!"

[Astrid Willow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giggling, squealing, kicking my feet! This was the cutest, coziest book EVERRRR! I laughed so much i gave myself an asthma attack! 15/10

[BookishKB · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 Bookish Thoughts
Absolutely obsessed with this cozy fantasy. It was low angst and full of feel good moments. I loved Princess Tandy right away because she felt so real in her internal thoughts. She has lived such a controlled and scripted life as a working royal and I could feel how badly she wanted freedom. She was also the best bookshop owner 😍🥰

Bash was a whole vibe and I was here for it. The reveal of how he got cursed had me cackling.

Tandy’s mom drove me up the wall and her dad was a bit useless, but they did come around. I did love that one of the princes who tried to break the curse was a woman.

I am hoping the ending means this will turn into a series because I need more of Honey.

✨ What to Expect
• Cozy fantasy
• Cursed Princess
• Pirate MMC
• Bookshop
• Royal family drama
_ _ _

⭐ Final Score: 5 Stars
📅 Pub Date: April 14, 2026
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[M. Stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming and warmhearted fairy tale for anyone who’s ever thought a bookshop feels like home. Stay for a Spell is a potpourri of cozy fantasy elements—princes and pirates, a magical cat, found family, and of course a delightful bookshop—that will enchant readers looking for a gentle place to land.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully charming and very whimsical!! Will appeal to fans of Legends & Lattes and Violet Thistlewaite

[Tiana Jazmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ABSOLUTELY fell in love with this book!!! The characters are so loveable and interesting even minor characters stand out. The magic was so interesting and the vibes cozy!!

[Bonnie Deering · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won an ARC of this book. It was a nice little cozy read. My only negative point for this book is the use of titles the author chose. Ex: Crown Prince and Lord Mayor regardless of gender. It was a little confusing at times to understand who was being talked about. I feel using Crown Princess and Lady Mayor would’ve been better.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thanks to NetGalley and Ace for an advanced reader copy!

This was every bit as cosy and funny as I had hoped. I thoroughly enjoyed myself through the whole book. I fear I am starting to like cosy romances 😂
Also, spice level basically zero, which I appreciate 🥳

[Briana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a book that isn’t what I would normally read, but glad I did. I devoured the entire book in less than 24 hours

[Jennybeast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was an absolute delight — I feel like princess lit can go either way and this one just amused the heck out of me. Great characters, from the snarky goth teen dragon to the barn pirate, to the various princes. Greatly enjoyed the vicarious cleaning and arranging of the bookstore. Loved the nonhuman denizens. Loved the theme of heart’s desire. Altogether frothy and delicious.

Advanced Readers Copy provided by edelweiss

[Laura Noble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edelweiss arc review: Such a joyful story about fulfilling a duty to yourself and not just others. It has a sweet, cute, and soft atmosphere in a magical world.

[Gali · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Stay for a Spell" by Amy Coombe is a charming cozy fantasy following a cursed princess who needs to find her heart's desire to break the curse. I adore cozy fantasy with fuzzy vibes, and this book was really everything I want from a cozy fantasy novel.

Princess Tanadelle of the Widdenmar doesn't like being a princess. Most girls dream of being princesses. Not she! As a second-born princess, the duties of the royal family — traveling around the kingdom, kissing babies, cutting ribbons — fall on her, and she is tired of it. During a routine royal visit to the town of Little Pepperidge, she enters the local bookstore and unwittingly is cursed to remain there until she unlocks her heart’s desire. But she wonders if it's really that bad. She will have freedom, plenty of books, more reading time, and time to figure out what she wants out of life while running the bookstore and learning to do basic magic.

Her loyal secretary, Honeyrose, goes back to report to her parents and figure out a solution. Her peace and quiet are soon interrupted by a thieving barn pirate — Bash — cursed with a fear of water, a 15-year-old gothic dracone girl — Sasha — and a procession of princes her parents keep sending in hopes of breaking the curse. Add in Bluecaps (a helpful breed of will-o'-the-wisps who know where each book is located) and an illusioned cat, and the bookstore is anything but quiet. After all, what is a bookstore without a cat?? And I am a dog person, at that.

I loved the book immensely. The world-building may be thin — more info about the magic and the races wouldn't go amiss — but it was enough for me. I enjoyed the quirky characters, the banter between them, the slow-burn romance, the exploration of human nature, found family, family relationships, friendships, angst, freedom, and life choices.

Tanadelle/Tandy was too nice, too accommodating, and eager to please, and I am glad she developed a spine and learned to stand up for herself. I loved that she wasn't the typical damsel in distress needing others to save her. I like that she wasn't spoiled and, with the help of Sasha, turned the bookstore around. She was tied to the store, but was freer there than in her previous life. Honeyrose was also delightful, although she wasn't present in most of the tale.

Her mother really irritated me — the way she loaded all the royal duties on her daughter to the point of breaking, failing to see the effect it had on her. I loved the interactions between Tandy and the pirate. It was sweet that he left something in the store for every item he took. His kleptomaniac tendencies did lead him into trouble occasionally, though. I love that each visiting prince was different — but it was a bit odd that the one princess among them was also referred to as prince of the realm.

I found the ending was a bit abrupt. Not all loose ends were satisfactorily tied up — hopefully a sequel is planned which will tie up those ends. Also, a few practical details felt slightly underdeveloped — there was no bath in the living quarters, and the princess seemed to live solely on turnips. I couldn’t help wondering why she couldn’t at least send for food from the inn. I know, it’s nit-picking, but still...

That said, I absolutely recommend it and give it full stars. The pace is steady, and although the plot is relatively simple, it was well written and engaging. Fans of sweet cozy fantasy will fall in love with the characters and the setting. I know I did! I came for the curse, and stayed for the spell.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review on my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2026...

[celestialpixels_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

🕯️ A curse, a bookshop, and a quiet kind of magic ✨️

Amy Coombe’s "Stay for a Spell" is a gentle, heartwarming fantasy that feels tailor-made for readers who love stories about self-discovery, found comfort, and love that blooms in the unlikeliest corners of the world.

Rather than leaning on big battles or sweeping stakes, this story thrives in its quieter spaces: the hum of a small village, the scent of well-loved books, the tentative spark between two people learning how to trust again. I found myself smiling through the soft humor and the tender awkwardness of it all. Coombe writes with a warmth that wraps around you like candlelight, reminding you that even in confinement - literal or emotional - there’s room to grow, to dream, and to fall a little bit in love.

Tandy’s arc isn’t just about romance; it’s about reclaiming joy after disappointment and learning to value the simple, human parts of herself. The slow-burn connection she builds with her mysterious, often infuriating companion adds a lovely balance of tension and comfort.

✨ "Stay for a Spell" is perfect for readers who enjoy the quiet whimsy of T. Kingfisher, the warmth of Olivia Atwater, or the introspective sweetness of Margaret Rogerson. It’s soft, clever, and full of heart; a cozy escape that lingers like the last page of a fairy tale you don’t want to end.

🙏 Thank you to Amy Coombe, Berkley Publishing Group, Ace, and NetGalley for the ARC. This book felt like curling up with a cup of tea and a cozy blanket.

[Gold Bunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stay for a Spell is a found family, cosy fantasy romance which explores the duties and traditions of royalty through the eyes of a princess cursed to remain in a small-town bookshop. I liked elements of both covers, although the UK cover was my favourite. Curses, small everyday magic and hunting for your heart's desire made it similar to Legends & Lattes, and Magic, Maps, and Mischief.

The characters are so sweet and felt like they truly became friends. I would have loved to see more of Honeyrose, as she seemed like such an interesting, fun person to get to know. Tandy's friends in Bash, Sasha and Amarith created a lighthearted, funny dynamic that kept me laughing the whole way through. I did find the character descriptions a little lacking, as they're often only described briefly or as a particular species, which, without any prior knowledge of those mythological species, made them difficult to imagine - I would've loved illustrations of these, it would've been so cool to add those! I thought that playing around with the genders of princes, and therefore the traditional male-female relationships was a really positive addition, but was done subtly enough that it didn't make too much of itself, making it seem totally normal.

Overall, it's a lovely lighthearted fun read, perfect for cosy days and those who love a little everyday magic. Thank you to NetGalley, Amy Coombe and HarperCollinsUK for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jasmine Cracknell · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5*
As expected - cute and cosy.

Stay for a Spell tells the story of book loving, people pleasing princess, Tandy, who accidentally becomes cursed to remain within a book shop until she can find what her heart desires. Her family send what they assume will be the remedy to the curse - a prince’s kiss. Along the way she befriends a cursed pirate and some local teens who end up transforming the shop for her.
To me it was quite obvious what her heart desired but Tandy doesn’t realise.

The book gave me similar vibes to “The Spellshop” as it was the same level of cute but I felt like there was less happening in this story. Although the romance doesn’t dominate the story, I just didn’t really feel any chemistry or tension between pirate Bash and Tandy.

All the way through I felt like I wanted more from the story and more from the characters. Opportunities to dive into the magic system, the characters, the friendships, the romance, the town and the family dynamic felt like they were missed. Everything was just touched upon. Nevertheless, this was an easy and relaxed read that most could enjoy.

Thank you Harper Collins UK and Amy Coombe for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[nika.ex.libris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC!

The cover and the synopsis totally sold me on this one. I mean, a cursed princess stuck in a bookstore with a cat, a friendly dragon, magic, and a pirate? It sounded like the ultimate cozy dream.

​The concept is great, and the writing style is actually pretty good, it’s an easy, breezy read. But for me, the execution of the plot just fell flat. It started off strong and kept me hooked at first, but then I started feeling like the story was both standing still and dragging on at the same time.

​The romance... honestly, it didn't make much sense to me. There was zero chemistry. The pirate felt a bit one-dimensional, and the way the fmc described her feelings for him eventually started to grate on my nerves (but that’s just my personal take!). On the bright side, the friendships and the side characters were sweet, though I still found myself wanting more from them.

​Atmosphere-wise, this reminded me of The Spellshop, and I really thought I’d love it for that reason, but unfortunately, it just didn't click.

​I’d say this book is for those who enjoy short reads with a small cast of characters, a heavy dose of magic, and a deep love for books and bookstores.

[Flare up Fairy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ Thank you NetGalley for my Arc copy

I really enjoyed this cosy little read — it’s perfect for a rainy day curled up on the sofa.

I typically fly through books, but I found myself slowing down at certain points with this story. While it was sweet and comforting, it felt a little predictable at times, and I kept wishing for just a bit more, more depth to the lore, more character development, and more emotional immersion.

Sasha was definitely the standout for me. I could clearly picture her moody, gothic teenage energy, and she felt the most fleshed out and distinct. I struggled a little more to visualise Tandy and fully connect with her character, and I felt similarly about Bash. I just wanted a deeper dive into who they were and what shaped them.

As someone who usually gravitates toward heavier romantasy and darker fantasy romance, I naturally found myself craving higher stakes and richer world-building. That said, if you’re looking for a quick, cutesy read with cosy vibes and a comforting atmosphere, this will be perfect for you.

It gave me strong The Spellshop vibes, charming, magical, and perfect for readers who enjoy light, whimsical fantasy.

[Sharon Layburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ella Enchanted meets Bookshops and Bonedust in this utterly charming cozy fantasy. Tandy might not be the perfect princess, but she's the best her family's got- evidentially, because her every breath is scheduled with royal duties and obligations, sending her all across the land. If only she had a chance to stay in one place and take moment for herself! Well, wishes have a way of being answered in Coombe's debut, as Tandy ends up accidentally cursed while purchasing a book on her travels. Spelled to remain inside a bookshop for the foreseeable future? Oh, what's a girl to do! While Tandy is enjoying her confinement, however, her parents are determined to get her back to her duties, and maybe even marry her off while they're at it. Figuring the kiss of a handsome prince will do the trick, they begin to send royals her way, but how come the only person she could see making some magic with is the rapscallion pirate who keeps popping into the shop to pester her?
Almost unbearably cute- by which I mean that I loved every page!

Thank you to Ace/Penguin Random House for providing this advanced read.

[Margot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Berkeley and BookBrowse for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Amy Coombe’s Stay a Spell completely renewed my faith in cozy fantasy. From the very first page, I felt wrapped in a world that perfectly balances fairy tale magic with the quiet, comforting charm of an 19th century English village bookshop. Despite most of the story unfolding within the shop’s four walls, I was never once bored. Instead, the setting becomes its own character—full of quirky pets, mutual care, and the peaceful sense of nowhere else you need to be.

What truly makes this story shine is its heart. The found family elements are beautifully woven throughout the narrative, creating relationships that feel authentic and meaningful. Every interaction carries emotional weight, whether tender, humorous, or quietly profound.

And the romance? Sweet, yes—but more importantly, real. Coombe crafts a love story built on vulnerability, respect, and genuine connection, making every heartstring-tugging moment land perfectly. Stay a Spell is a gentle, magical reminder that you don’t have to leave home to have everything your heart desires.

[The Tiny Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stay for a Spell by Amy Coombe is a cozy, witchy romance that’s sweet, easy to read, and full of small-town charm. With its magical vibes and low-stakes conflict, it’s the kind of book that pairs well with a comfy blanket and a cup of tea.

The setting is inviting, and the premise has a lot of appeal—found family, gentle magic, and a romance that unfolds in a warm, supportive environment. There were moments that made me smile, and I appreciated the overall softness of the story, especially the emphasis on community and healing.

That said, the plot felt fairly predictable, and the pacing sometimes dragged, making it hard to stay fully engaged. The romance, while cute, didn’t quite spark for me, and I found myself wishing for a bit more tension or emotional depth to elevate the story.

Overall, Stay for a Spell is a pleasant, comfort-read kind of book, but it didn’t fully cast its spell on me. A solid three-star choice for readers who love cozy fantasy romance and prefer their stories gentle, familiar, and low on angst. ✨📖

[Clairiefaerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to give this one ten stars!

I love cosy fantasy but I haven’t loved one this much since I read Emily Wilde’s first adventure in faerie. I read this while home sick with the flu and it was like a warm hug and a mug of hopefully not turnip tea. There were no villains here, everyone is sweet, ridiculous and a lot of fun, it was just what I needed.

What I loved in particularly:
- the illusionary cat and the blue caps. Absolutely adorable.
- the seven princes. They were ridiculous but all seemed genuinely sweet. I could read an entire book about Driz.
- I loved the banter between Bash and Tandy and the sweet friendship between Sasha and Tandy.
-I really liked the small town atmosphere and the curse based magic.

Amy Coombe writes gentle humour perfectly. I really hope there is another book set in this world, maybe about one of the princes or Honey. This is cosy fantasy at its absolute finest.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, cozy novel about finding your place, finding your people, and figuring out what's truly important. I loved the friendship/mentorship that developed between Tandy and Sasha, and the setting of the bookshop with the underlying storyline of getting it all organized and cleaned up. The various princes were also an interesting plot device.

Bash was an acceptable love interest, though that was probably the least interesting thing about the whole novel - not much substance to the interactions between him and Tandy, and the romance part was fairly vanilla and mostly off-screen. I'm honestly not sure what purpose the one scene served in the overall plot. I think the book would have been just fine if that had all been left out and instead more work had been put into building emotional intimacy between them via deeper conversations and sharing of true feelings.

*Note: I received an Advance Digital Copy of this title from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

[M Soh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and Ace for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Stay for a Spell is an extremely cozy lighter fantasy that hits on all the fairy tale elements readers will love while adding a compelling mystery to the mix that it’s hard to not want to follow.

A Princess is ‘cursed’ to stay within the confines of a bookstore, not a huge hardship given she loves books and needs a break for her royal duties. While she makes the store her own (and discovers its quirks) she not only finds some new friends, has to deal with Princes sent to see if a kiss can break the curse, but finds herself dealing with a kleptomaniac pirate who is cursed to fear water. If this sounds like the type of fun you’re drawn to (and if you’re looking for a comfort read), trust that this will fill your cup. Perfectly charming and everything I hoped it would be, this is a highly recommended tale.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stay For a Spell is a romantasy about a princess that accidentally gets cursed to stay in an old bookstore until she unlocks her heart's desire. Tandy is the second daughter, and as such spends her life traveling around the kingdom cutting ribbons, kissing babies and officiating at civic celebrations. She hates her life, but cannot bring herself to say no. When she stops in Little Pepperidge for yet another grand opening, she wanders into a quaint old bookstore and while helping the elderly owner, finds herself stuck in the building. There is an adorable cast of characters that become her friends: a barn pirate, an emo teenage dragonesque girl, an invisible cat, a book club of tipsy women and seven princes that arrived to kiss away her curse. The story is one of self discovery and learning to value oneself. This is definitely an adult book. There is brief strong language, a spicy scene and some sapphic moments.

I received a free advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

[CallyMia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m in my cosy fantasy era!

I loved this, it was such a fun, cute, cosy and amusing read.
Princess Tandy, our fmc, find herself cursed to never be able to leave a bookshop unless she can unlock her hearts desire. Queue fixing up a messy bookshop, a mysterious pirate who comes and goes, friends who help run and improve the bookshop, and seven princes who all think a true loves kiss will break the curse!
Honestly I was giggling at each of the princes, they were written with such amusing and over the top personalities which had me laughing. The whimsical cosy vibes were done really well, not being overly heavy on the world building, but giving enough to set the scene. The romance also was sweet and really made for a cute ending to the story.
I really enjoyed this, such a comfy cosy read and I would recommend it to any lovers of cosy fantasy!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Tandy is out touring doing royal duties when she stumbles upon a bookshop and is cursed to never leave until she finds her heart’s desire which, to Tandy, doesn’t seem like much of a curse at all. Right now ive got a pile of laundry can someone please curse me , it sounds like heaven lol.
This was such a cozy read. I loved every cozy minute of it. It’s such an easy, destressing story perfect for when you want something light and magical.It’s full of magic, curses, Magical Beings ,princes, and even a pirate.The princes were absolutely hilarious. I loved every outlandish suitor and their determination to rescue Tandy with true love’s kiss. I was giggling at every encounter.And Bash our slightly kleptomaniac pirate always hovering nearby, always just there. He’s the sweetest and most dashing of them all.

[Ashley Ben-David · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Stay for a Spell' is a delight that both romance and fantasy fanatics alike will enjoy. Princess Tanadelle is every inch a reader and romantic in her own sense, and being cursed to stay in the confines of an eccentric bookstore (surrounded by equally eccentric characters) allows her to, for once in her life, explore who she truly is and what she wants for herself.

While I admit I was skeptical at first, I found Coombe's writing to increasingly charming and witty, creating an expansive magical world while not being overburdened with exposition. 'Stay for a Spell' is perfect for readers who want a cozy and immersive storytelling experience, and I look forward to seeing where Coombe takes her storytelling next.

Thank you Edelweiss for providing an advanced copy!