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The Faraway Inn
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Expected 31 Mar 26Win a free print copy of this book!
8 days and 15:41:17
5 copies available
U.S. only
After a devastating heartbreak, a teen girl decides to spend her summer helping her eccentric great aunt manage her quaint Vermont inn--but this fixer-upper is hiding a magical secret--in this cozy and irresistable new fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop.
Sixteen-year-old Calisa is desperate for a change of scenery after her lying ex ruins her perfect Brooklyn summer. When her parents suggest she head to rural Vermont to help her great-aunt run her cozy bed and breakfast for a few months, she jumps at the chance.
But when Calisa arrives at the B&B, she's shocked to find a rundown inn with only a handful of guests. And to make matters worse, upon meeting with her great-aunt it quickly becomes clear that Calisa was not invited. Auntie Zee is determined to keep anyone from messing with her beloved inn…even if it is clear she needs the help.
To earn her keep, Calisa sets to work fixing up the inn, enlisting extra help from the groundskeeper's (handsome) son. But the longer she stays, the more it becomes evident that there is something strange about the B&B—and its residents. Something almost…otherworldly.
The inn is keeping a magical secret—but to protect the place she's come to love, Calisa must unravel the truth of it, and her aunt, before it's too late.
Sixteen-year-old Calisa is desperate for a change of scenery after her lying ex ruins her perfect Brooklyn summer. When her parents suggest she head to rural Vermont to help her great-aunt run her cozy bed and breakfast for a few months, she jumps at the chance.
But when Calisa arrives at the B&B, she's shocked to find a rundown inn with only a handful of guests. And to make matters worse, upon meeting with her great-aunt it quickly becomes clear that Calisa was not invited. Auntie Zee is determined to keep anyone from messing with her beloved inn…even if it is clear she needs the help.
To earn her keep, Calisa sets to work fixing up the inn, enlisting extra help from the groundskeeper's (handsome) son. But the longer she stays, the more it becomes evident that there is something strange about the B&B—and its residents. Something almost…otherworldly.
The inn is keeping a magical secret—but to protect the place she's come to love, Calisa must unravel the truth of it, and her aunt, before it's too late.
384 pages, Paperback
Expected publication March 31, 2026
59 people are currently reading
15438 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Beth Durst
39 books7,384 followersSarah Beth Durst is the New York Times bestselling author of over twenty-five books for adults, teens, and kids, including cozy fantasy The Spellshop. She's been awarded an American Library Association Alex Award, as well as a Mythopoeic Fantasy Award. Several of her books have been optioned for film/television, including Drink Slay Love, which was made into a TV movie and was a question on Jeopardy! She lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her husband, her children, and her ill-mannered cat. Visit her at sarahbethdurst.com.
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January 19, 2026
So far, I’ve read every single book this brilliant author has released, and once again, she’s swept me off my feet. I’m sticking with my decision to crown her latest masterpiece with another magical, enchanting five stars. This novel transported me through shimmering portals into magnificent worlds, bursting with incredible creatures and dreamlike universes described in such vivid, lyrical detail that I felt like I was walking through them myself. At the heart of this adventure are two utterly adorable main characters: Calisa, a good-hearted, selfless, curious, and wonderfully adaptable young heroine; and Jack, a sweet, caring, and capable boy whose kindness and knack for fixing anything make him the perfect companion. Together, they stumble upon the strangest bed-and-breakfast inn imaginable, a place brimming with eccentric guests who come seeking healing, seclusion, and the safety of secrets.
The story opens in Brooklyn, where sixteen-year-old Calisa believes her whole future is planned around her boyfriend Ethan—until she catches him cheating and promptly dumps him. Heartbroken but determined to heal, she follows her two moms’ advice and heads to rural Vermont to spend the summer with her great-aunt Zee. Calisa hasn’t seen Zee or her beloved inn since childhood, but instead of warm memories, she finds a dilapidated shell of the place she once adored. Worse, her aunt greets her with hostility, telling her to return to the city, insisting she’s not a good fit for the inn or its secretive guests. Zee lays down strict rules: don’t pry into anyone’s life, don’t ask questions, and absolutely don’t open any closed doors. Yet curiosity—and a certain handsome boy—make following those rules impossible.
Enter Jack, the groundskeeper’s charming son, whose easy smile and hidden worries make him instantly captivating. Jack encourages Calisa to stay, even when Zee’s frosty demeanor suggests otherwise. As Calisa helps with chores—scrubbing dusty floors, rescuing gardens from invading weeds, baking cakes to serve with tea—she begins to uncover the inn’s mysteries. Its guests are unlike anyone she’s ever met: Mulligan, a night-dwelling gentleman who speaks like he’s stepped out of a Shakespearean tragedy (and may or may not be a vampire); Melidor, a green-haired girl with the unnerving ability to communicate with beavers and unleash ear-splitting screams; and Kendra, a commanding yet elegant woman who seems deeply tied to the sea. Each guest’s room, Calisa discovers, is more than it seems—each door opens to another world, a shimmering threshold between reality and dream.
As she digs deeper, Calisa realizes the inn is more magical—and more endangered—than she ever imagined. The thin veil between universes is fraying, her aunt is hiding family secrets about their ancestors, and the inn itself is on the brink of ruin. Determined to restore the inn to its former glory, Calisa throws herself into the project, even as Zee prepares to give up. Jack, of course, stands loyally by her side, and their friendship—perhaps even something more—blooms amid crumbling walls and enchanted doors.
Overall: I adored every page of this story. The tone is sweet yet mysterious, tinged with fairy-tale wonder, and the setting feels like a character in its own right. The cast is marvelously drawn—eccentric, layered, and endlessly fascinating. This is a book that made me smile, ache, and dream all at once. I highly recommend it to fantasy lovers craving a story filled with magic, heart, and discovery. I cannot wait to dive into Sarah Beth Durst’s next creation and see what wonders she shares with us next.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books / Delacorte Press for providing this enchanting fantasy’s digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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The story opens in Brooklyn, where sixteen-year-old Calisa believes her whole future is planned around her boyfriend Ethan—until she catches him cheating and promptly dumps him. Heartbroken but determined to heal, she follows her two moms’ advice and heads to rural Vermont to spend the summer with her great-aunt Zee. Calisa hasn’t seen Zee or her beloved inn since childhood, but instead of warm memories, she finds a dilapidated shell of the place she once adored. Worse, her aunt greets her with hostility, telling her to return to the city, insisting she’s not a good fit for the inn or its secretive guests. Zee lays down strict rules: don’t pry into anyone’s life, don’t ask questions, and absolutely don’t open any closed doors. Yet curiosity—and a certain handsome boy—make following those rules impossible.
Enter Jack, the groundskeeper’s charming son, whose easy smile and hidden worries make him instantly captivating. Jack encourages Calisa to stay, even when Zee’s frosty demeanor suggests otherwise. As Calisa helps with chores—scrubbing dusty floors, rescuing gardens from invading weeds, baking cakes to serve with tea—she begins to uncover the inn’s mysteries. Its guests are unlike anyone she’s ever met: Mulligan, a night-dwelling gentleman who speaks like he’s stepped out of a Shakespearean tragedy (and may or may not be a vampire); Melidor, a green-haired girl with the unnerving ability to communicate with beavers and unleash ear-splitting screams; and Kendra, a commanding yet elegant woman who seems deeply tied to the sea. Each guest’s room, Calisa discovers, is more than it seems—each door opens to another world, a shimmering threshold between reality and dream.
As she digs deeper, Calisa realizes the inn is more magical—and more endangered—than she ever imagined. The thin veil between universes is fraying, her aunt is hiding family secrets about their ancestors, and the inn itself is on the brink of ruin. Determined to restore the inn to its former glory, Calisa throws herself into the project, even as Zee prepares to give up. Jack, of course, stands loyally by her side, and their friendship—perhaps even something more—blooms amid crumbling walls and enchanted doors.
Overall: I adored every page of this story. The tone is sweet yet mysterious, tinged with fairy-tale wonder, and the setting feels like a character in its own right. The cast is marvelously drawn—eccentric, layered, and endlessly fascinating. This is a book that made me smile, ache, and dream all at once. I highly recommend it to fantasy lovers craving a story filled with magic, heart, and discovery. I cannot wait to dive into Sarah Beth Durst’s next creation and see what wonders she shares with us next.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books / Delacorte Press for providing this enchanting fantasy’s digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sarah Beth Durst really is in her cozy fantasy era and I can only approve of that. This year she even provides cozy goodness for multiple audiences by publishing two books - another Spellshop companion novel and this young adult standalone. As the title suggests this book is all about a magical inn, but the main character Calisa has to be introduced to its otherworldly qualities at first. After a dramatic break-up she travels from Brooklyn to Vermont to stay with her estranged aunt for the summer. Her plan is to busy herself with working around the inn to keep her thoughts as far away from her heartbreak as possible. But upon arrival the inn is less charming than she remembered, not to say shabby, with only a few quests who barely make an appearance and her aunt is also not exactly welcoming. But the groundkeeper's son Jack is nice enough and Calisa is determined to stay and so she just starts cleaning and baking and talking to the guests. She only slowly realizes strange things, like the tea making itself or guests coming out of the broom closet or a huge lizard that's totally not a dragon. I personally think that the introduction to the magic takes a bit too long. It really only starts a third of the way through and while I really enjoyed the inn as a magical place, it is only fully utilized late in the book. That's also why I prefer both The Spellshop and The Enchanted Greenhouse to this new cozy novel by the same author. They both take place in a fantastical world and while the characters still have to learn about magic, they are not oblivious to it like Calisa is. It still was a cute and lighthearted read. Nothing outstanding to me, but a nice palate cleanser with charming characters and cozy magic. I especially liked that the inn was a calm place of recovery for people who just need a break. Sure, the characters stayed kind of shallow under their quirky surface, and I really don't understand why there had to be a romance when Calisa literally just had the worst breakup ever apparently, but I had a very pleasant time with this book anyway. I would totally read more stories about the inn, because there are basically endless possibilities and now that Calisa is familiar with everything, another book would have the potential to be truly great. I will keep my eyes and ears open for some news about that.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books | Delacorte Press for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books | Delacorte Press for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2026
༄˖°..ೃ࿔*:･༄˖°..ೃ࿔*:･༄˖°..ೃ࿔*:･༄˖°..ೃ࿔*:･༄˖°
Edit: The realese date changed
Thank you to Netgally and the publisher for this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Buddy read with my sweet friend Mildly Mad Hatter
The cover is so beautiful, I love it! I want to stay at 'The Faraway Inn' even though it's in the middle of nowhere and is kinda falling apart, lol. This is a great summer read (Even though I read it in the fall) I liked the writing style snd the characters were pretty good as well.
Calisa and Jack were so awkward around each other and had a few slightly cringe-worthy moments, but other than that I liked them both. The humor in this book was great! in my opinion anyway, I was laughing every few pages. I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future. You should consider reading this when it comes out March of 2026.
I loved how quirky all the guests were. I also really liked the magic system. When I was reading this with Mildly Mad Hatter we were just messaging back and forth about everything and it was so fun! I love buddy reading with her, she's the sweetest!
TL;DR this has a great magic system and tons of humor it's really a great summer read.
The characters
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Calisa ~ she did annoy me at times with how she refused to follow the simple rules given to her, but other than that I did really like her.
Jack ~ I really liked him he was so awkward and funny, but at the same time he was really sweet and protective towards Calisa.
Auntie Zee ~ she was grump. But she did eventually warm up to Calisa and become slightly less grumpy.
Mulligan ~ He was hilarious! I loved how he took simple normal things and made them sound so magical. But i didn't like his relationship with Zef.
Kendra ~ she was kinda stuck up and posh so I didn't like her as much as the other characters.
Melidor ~ I loved seeing how she grew and decided what she wanted to do with her life.
What to expect
🪻Cozy Fantasy x contemporary
🪻 Magical Portals
🪻 Summer vibes
🪻 Friends to lovers
🪻 A hilarious magic mirror
🪻 Awkward Cinnamon Roll MMC
Quotes
~~~~~~~
(All quotes may be subject to change because this is an arc)
☕ She glanced at him, and he was smiling at her, his warm brown eyes like a mug of hot chocolate.
💖 "Is it helping?" Melidor asked. Given that she hadn't so much as thought the name Ethan in days... He didn't fit into a place with portals and cake and magic and a friendly winged lizard and an infuriatingly hot groundskeeper who may or may not have the answer to every question she wanted to ask. "Definitely yes."
🍰"Can we stop talking about murder and talk about cake instead?"
Content
~~~~~~~
❤️🔥Romance| several semi detailed kisses, Calisa wonders if Jack would be "a gentle kisser or one of those kissers who want to swallow you whole" and she can't decide which one she wants him to be,
🤬Language| Hell, -sshole, -ssholery, bullsh!t, God used as a curse word,
🗡️Violence| None this was really cozy!
🏳️🌈LGBTQ| Calisa has two moms, she wonderers if Jack likes girls or boys, a character is upset because he is separated from his partner who is also a guy (They talk about how much they love each other and they hug) A realm has two queens I think they are like a couple but it doesn't actually say
✝️ Religion/spirituality | Calisa keeps saying that Jack is Angelicly beautiful,
⚠️Other| Calisa's ex boyfriend cheated on her (she walked in on him with his hand up some girl's shirt, which is referenced multiple times), gaslighting (past), Calisa says if her ex boyfriend wants to fix things between them he should go to the local veterinarian to "fix" himself so he won't be tempted to cheat anymore,
Edit: The realese date changed
Thank you to Netgally and the publisher for this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Buddy read with my sweet friend Mildly Mad Hatter
The cover is so beautiful, I love it! I want to stay at 'The Faraway Inn' even though it's in the middle of nowhere and is kinda falling apart, lol. This is a great summer read (Even though I read it in the fall) I liked the writing style snd the characters were pretty good as well.
Calisa and Jack were so awkward around each other and had a few slightly cringe-worthy moments, but other than that I liked them both. The humor in this book was great! in my opinion anyway, I was laughing every few pages. I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future. You should consider reading this when it comes out March of 2026.
I loved how quirky all the guests were. I also really liked the magic system. When I was reading this with Mildly Mad Hatter we were just messaging back and forth about everything and it was so fun! I love buddy reading with her, she's the sweetest!
TL;DR this has a great magic system and tons of humor it's really a great summer read.
The characters
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Calisa ~ she did annoy me at times with how she refused to follow the simple rules given to her, but other than that I did really like her.
Jack ~ I really liked him he was so awkward and funny, but at the same time he was really sweet and protective towards Calisa.
Auntie Zee ~ she was grump. But she did eventually warm up to Calisa and become slightly less grumpy.
Mulligan ~ He was hilarious! I loved how he took simple normal things and made them sound so magical. But i didn't like his relationship with Zef.
Kendra ~ she was kinda stuck up and posh so I didn't like her as much as the other characters.
Melidor ~ I loved seeing how she grew and decided what she wanted to do with her life.
What to expect
🪻Cozy Fantasy x contemporary
🪻 Magical Portals
🪻 Summer vibes
🪻 Friends to lovers
🪻 A hilarious magic mirror
🪻 Awkward Cinnamon Roll MMC
Quotes
~~~~~~~
(All quotes may be subject to change because this is an arc)
☕ She glanced at him, and he was smiling at her, his warm brown eyes like a mug of hot chocolate.
💖 "Is it helping?" Melidor asked. Given that she hadn't so much as thought the name Ethan in days... He didn't fit into a place with portals and cake and magic and a friendly winged lizard and an infuriatingly hot groundskeeper who may or may not have the answer to every question she wanted to ask. "Definitely yes."
🍰"Can we stop talking about murder and talk about cake instead?"
Content
~~~~~~~
❤️🔥Romance| several semi detailed kisses, Calisa wonders if Jack would be "a gentle kisser or one of those kissers who want to swallow you whole" and she can't decide which one she wants him to be,
🤬Language| Hell, -sshole, -ssholery, bullsh!t, God used as a curse word,
🗡️Violence| None this was really cozy!
🏳️🌈LGBTQ| Calisa has two moms, she wonderers if Jack likes girls or boys, a character is upset because he is separated from his partner who is also a guy (They talk about how much they love each other and they hug) A realm has two queens I think they are like a couple but it doesn't actually say
✝️ Religion/spirituality | Calisa keeps saying that Jack is Angelicly beautiful,
⚠️Other| Calisa's ex boyfriend cheated on her (she walked in on him with his hand up some girl's shirt, which is referenced multiple times), gaslighting (past), Calisa says if her ex boyfriend wants to fix things between them he should go to the local veterinarian to "fix" himself so he won't be tempted to cheat anymore,
November 6, 2025
huge thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own honest thoughts
3.5🌱
‧₊˚ 🍮thoughts
⋅ ☆
while this book was cute and cozy, it was lacking in a few things that made it not as enjoyable to me, mainly in the way some of the relationships were handled (such as our fmc and her love interest and our fmc and her ex-boyfriend, etc) i wasn't a fan of the way the romance was set up but that was completely a me thing! all in all it was a cute cozy read but not one i'd be re-reading again. it also felt very textbook set up in the way that i could practically feel the air of 'heres the stuff i explained it for you' and it felt very childish.
i wasn't a fan of the romance between jack and calisa but i'm not the hugest fan of a friends to lovers set up that way so if you like friends to lovers this will probably slay for you !! it's just not my personal fav and i didn't like how much camisa focused on jack's outward appearance. like we get it, he's hot. understood. but he had no personality or interests!
like babes we need a man with a personality.
all in all this was a cozy read but not cozy enough for me to give it higher than 3 stars.
✩°｡🧸𓏲⋆.🧺𖦹 ₊˚
pre~reviewfull review to come tomorrow morning 🌱💮🍵
3.5🌱
‧₊˚ 🍮thoughts
⋅ ☆
while this book was cute and cozy, it was lacking in a few things that made it not as enjoyable to me, mainly in the way some of the relationships were handled (such as our fmc and her love interest and our fmc and her ex-boyfriend, etc) i wasn't a fan of the way the romance was set up but that was completely a me thing! all in all it was a cute cozy read but not one i'd be re-reading again. it also felt very textbook set up in the way that i could practically feel the air of 'heres the stuff i explained it for you' and it felt very childish.
i wasn't a fan of the romance between jack and calisa but i'm not the hugest fan of a friends to lovers set up that way so if you like friends to lovers this will probably slay for you !! it's just not my personal fav and i didn't like how much camisa focused on jack's outward appearance. like we get it, he's hot. understood. but he had no personality or interests!
like babes we need a man with a personality.
all in all this was a cozy read but not cozy enough for me to give it higher than 3 stars.
✩°｡🧸𓏲⋆.🧺𖦹 ₊˚
pre~reviewfull review to come tomorrow morning 🌱💮🍵
Currently reading
January 25, 2026AHHHH I am so glad I got sent an ARC of this. I really cannot wait! Thank you for Netgalley for sending me a copy.
July 20, 2025
[Advanced reader copy]
Cozy. Cute. My kind of easy comfy read.
I did keep getting confused around the protagonists age. I imagine this is intended to be YA. But I kept thinking she was 18+ but acting younger. However, for someone exploring the summer before their senior year, the character is feasible in a cozy comfy novel.
I was surprised this title and cover look so much like her “The Spellshop” series but are set in an entirely different world.
Unless… they are ultimately linked?
The first two in that series were obviously the same world/realm. This is more modern day, current universe.
Will continue to look forward to Sarah Beth Dursts releases and hope this one proves to be a success for her.
4.5? I’d come back to this world / characters again.
Cozy. Cute. My kind of easy comfy read.
I did keep getting confused around the protagonists age. I imagine this is intended to be YA. But I kept thinking she was 18+ but acting younger. However, for someone exploring the summer before their senior year, the character is feasible in a cozy comfy novel.
I was surprised this title and cover look so much like her “The Spellshop” series but are set in an entirely different world.
Unless… they are ultimately linked?
The first two in that series were obviously the same world/realm. This is more modern day, current universe.
Will continue to look forward to Sarah Beth Dursts releases and hope this one proves to be a success for her.
4.5? I’d come back to this world / characters again.
December 1, 2025
I want to start by giving huge thank you to Booktrovert for the ARC! 🥰
Almost every single book I’ve read by Sarah Beth Durst has swept me off my feet. The Farawy Inn is just another one that I can add to the list! The book is cozy and whimsical, leaving the reader wishing they could hop right into the pages. The imagery has stunning and I absolutely loved the characters, especially Steve and the statue! You. An help but fall in love with all the quirky guests visiting the inn and wanting to learn everything about them. I just wish I could read this for the first time again. I’ll be patiently waiting to see what Sarah has in store for us next!
Almost every single book I’ve read by Sarah Beth Durst has swept me off my feet. The Farawy Inn is just another one that I can add to the list! The book is cozy and whimsical, leaving the reader wishing they could hop right into the pages. The imagery has stunning and I absolutely loved the characters, especially Steve and the statue! You. An help but fall in love with all the quirky guests visiting the inn and wanting to learn everything about them. I just wish I could read this for the first time again. I’ll be patiently waiting to see what Sarah has in store for us next!
November 10, 2025
— 4 stars
sarah beth durst you have done it again
full rtc!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Delacorte Press/Penguin Random House, for the ARC!
sarah beth durst you have done it again
full rtc!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Delacorte Press/Penguin Random House, for the ARC!
October 11, 2025
Buddy read with my amazing and wonderful friend Jaida!!🥰 I’m so glad that I got to read this with you! It was so much fun!
What I liked:
The magic mirror, I wish there was more of it! It had me cracking up whenever it appeared.
The romance was sweet and had some cute moments. Steve.
All the cake.
What I didn’t like:
All the language, h*ll 2, *sshole 4, b*llsh*t 3, taking the Lords name in vain 2. A girl wonders if a guy is from h*ll.
LGBTQ: the main character had two moms who were mentioned quite frequently throughout the book.
A guy is in a relationship with another guy and it was honestly just very weird.
Possibly a third couple, two queens who were probably together.
The main character had a boyfriend cheat on her, it was said that he had done it multiple times with multiple girls. He had his hand up another girls shirt.
It was kinda like the girl was obsessed with Jack’s outward appearance for most of the book, that’s all she would think about and it felt very shallow, until later on that it grew and became cute.
The main girl did one of the things that really really annoys me, she broke a very clear rule for no other reason than she wanted to.
So while I did like several parts of this book and it was cute and cozy, the content in it made it hard for me to enjoy it. I can’t personally recommend it because of the content.
Check out Jaida’s review of this book:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book!
What I liked:
The magic mirror, I wish there was more of it! It had me cracking up whenever it appeared.
The romance was sweet and had some cute moments. Steve.
All the cake.
What I didn’t like:
All the language, h*ll 2, *sshole 4, b*llsh*t 3, taking the Lords name in vain 2. A girl wonders if a guy is from h*ll.
LGBTQ: the main character had two moms who were mentioned quite frequently throughout the book.
A guy is in a relationship with another guy and it was honestly just very weird.
Possibly a third couple, two queens who were probably together.
The main character had a boyfriend cheat on her, it was said that he had done it multiple times with multiple girls. He had his hand up another girls shirt.
It was kinda like the girl was obsessed with Jack’s outward appearance for most of the book, that’s all she would think about and it felt very shallow, until later on that it grew and became cute.
The main girl did one of the things that really really annoys me, she broke a very clear rule for no other reason than she wanted to.
So while I did like several parts of this book and it was cute and cozy, the content in it made it hard for me to enjoy it. I can’t personally recommend it because of the content.
Check out Jaida’s review of this book:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book!
February 3, 2026
Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the arc!
4.5 stars
Rtc!
4.5 stars
Rtc!
December 7, 2025
Sarah Beth Durst creates a gorgeous world with just as beautiful characters. The Faraway Inn is a Cozy Fantasy Young Adult novel that is both magical and cozy. Calisa, the main character, heads to Vermont to spend the summer with her Great Aunt Zee. She arrives to find her Great Aunt's Inn is in terrible shape. And so is her Great Aunt Zee. I enjoyed the journey that followed and highly recommend this book for fans of family secrets, magic, friends to lovers, Durst writes vivid scenery and I enjoyed her phrasing and timing of the book. It was a joy to read and I adore the art on the cover as well!
Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Children's Books for this advanced ready copy in exchange of my honest review.
Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Children's Books for this advanced ready copy in exchange of my honest review.
November 6, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Sarah Beth Durst for the opportunity to read this e-ARC!
Sarah Beth Durst writes the coziest and most comforting novels. From the intricate world building and characters you can’t help but love to story twists you didn’t see coming. I find myself becoming equally invested in side characters as the main characters. This one started at a slightly slower pace than her previous novels but the mysteries kept me in pursuit of unraveling their secrets. This held all the magic for me as The Spellshop and The Enchanted Greenhouse. I couldn't help but become invested! Cannot wait to own a physical copy with the gorgeous cover and stenciled edges!
Sarah Beth Durst writes the coziest and most comforting novels. From the intricate world building and characters you can’t help but love to story twists you didn’t see coming. I find myself becoming equally invested in side characters as the main characters. This one started at a slightly slower pace than her previous novels but the mysteries kept me in pursuit of unraveling their secrets. This held all the magic for me as The Spellshop and The Enchanted Greenhouse. I couldn't help but become invested! Cannot wait to own a physical copy with the gorgeous cover and stenciled edges!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This story is just as enchanting as the cover! I absolutely loved the story - Calisa's summer stay at her aunt's inn is at once fun, heartfelt, and reflective. I loved the magic of the inn - it was pretty easy to guess early on what was going on with the 'mystery' of the guests coming and going from the inn, but I loved finding out more and more details nonetheless!
The inn isn't what it seems, and neither are its guests. The characters are an absolute treat to read about - each one has a distinct personality, and I loved the fantasy elements that were brought into the characters and house as a whole (the mirror was one of my favorite 'characters'). I loved the character depth and development for some of the main side characters, such as Mulligan and Melidor. They're all quirky and unique, with their own backstories, 'worlds,' ways of being, and struggles. The magical inn is 'for' everyone who needs it in its own unique way. At the same time that the inn is framed as an escape and solution, I actually found myself more so loving how, while this is true (offering each guest a reprieve from their world/realm and struggles), the true magic seemed to come from how the characters helped one another. The character and world building was done really well - if anything, I wanted to spend more time in all of the different worlds!
Like many cozy fantasies, this is full of found family. Calisa was so incredibly compassionate for the guests, and the way she was determined to help them and all future guests of the end was endearing beyond measure. To talk about endearing - Jack is such a fun character. His vibes are like a golden retriever, but he has a lot of depth because of the issue of his father having been missing. I also felt for Jack because he is passionate about the life he's built at the inn and the future he sees and wants there to be for himself. The romance that builds between Calisa and Jack was something I was rooting for from beginning to end! I loved how it was more than just a meet-cute or surface-level teen attraction. Rather, there was a genuine and deep-seated emotional connection between them, and Calisa's character did a great job of explaining her feelings for him. He is 'new' for her - after the disaster of her last relationship, she is finally finding something new in Jack. She finds someone who sees her, respects her, listens to her, asks her what she wants, trusts her, and gets to know her on a deeper level.
There's humor, whimsy, and magic throughout the whole story, but there's also reflective depth. Just like the inn's guests have their own struggles (which Calisa helps them recognize and overcome), Calisa is struggling with finding out who she is and where her future is headed. At the same time, Auntie Zee is struggling in her own way with herself, accepting help, and figuring out the future of the inn. Jack is struggling with longing for his lost father. The mystery and suspense of the inn and its magical portals falling apart is more and more compelling as the story goes on. Once Calisa and Jack truly had to step up and figure out how to save both the inn and Auntie Zee as the inn and magic fall apart, I was hooked and couldn't put the story down. The ending is a beautiful end that brings family of all forms together and reinforces themes surrounding friendship, too! Each characters' arc[s] were perfect journeys to understanding themselves.
While the direction of the story was predictable, I still really enjoyed the messages that came through it as everything unfolded.
I'd absolutely recommend this to cozy fantasy fans - it is perfectly cozy, fun, whimsical, magical, and heartfelt all in one.
*Thanks to NetGalley, Random House, and Delacorte Press for the eARC to read and review!
The inn isn't what it seems, and neither are its guests. The characters are an absolute treat to read about - each one has a distinct personality, and I loved the fantasy elements that were brought into the characters and house as a whole (the mirror was one of my favorite 'characters'). I loved the character depth and development for some of the main side characters, such as Mulligan and Melidor. They're all quirky and unique, with their own backstories, 'worlds,' ways of being, and struggles. The magical inn is 'for' everyone who needs it in its own unique way. At the same time that the inn is framed as an escape and solution, I actually found myself more so loving how, while this is true (offering each guest a reprieve from their world/realm and struggles), the true magic seemed to come from how the characters helped one another. The character and world building was done really well - if anything, I wanted to spend more time in all of the different worlds!
Like many cozy fantasies, this is full of found family. Calisa was so incredibly compassionate for the guests, and the way she was determined to help them and all future guests of the end was endearing beyond measure. To talk about endearing - Jack is such a fun character. His vibes are like a golden retriever, but he has a lot of depth because of the issue of his father having been missing. I also felt for Jack because he is passionate about the life he's built at the inn and the future he sees and wants there to be for himself. The romance that builds between Calisa and Jack was something I was rooting for from beginning to end! I loved how it was more than just a meet-cute or surface-level teen attraction. Rather, there was a genuine and deep-seated emotional connection between them, and Calisa's character did a great job of explaining her feelings for him. He is 'new' for her - after the disaster of her last relationship, she is finally finding something new in Jack. She finds someone who sees her, respects her, listens to her, asks her what she wants, trusts her, and gets to know her on a deeper level.
There's humor, whimsy, and magic throughout the whole story, but there's also reflective depth. Just like the inn's guests have their own struggles (which Calisa helps them recognize and overcome), Calisa is struggling with finding out who she is and where her future is headed. At the same time, Auntie Zee is struggling in her own way with herself, accepting help, and figuring out the future of the inn. Jack is struggling with longing for his lost father. The mystery and suspense of the inn and its magical portals falling apart is more and more compelling as the story goes on. Once Calisa and Jack truly had to step up and figure out how to save both the inn and Auntie Zee as the inn and magic fall apart, I was hooked and couldn't put the story down. The ending is a beautiful end that brings family of all forms together and reinforces themes surrounding friendship, too! Each characters' arc[s] were perfect journeys to understanding themselves.
While the direction of the story was predictable, I still really enjoyed the messages that came through it as everything unfolded.
I'd absolutely recommend this to cozy fantasy fans - it is perfectly cozy, fun, whimsical, magical, and heartfelt all in one.
*Thanks to NetGalley, Random House, and Delacorte Press for the eARC to read and review!
October 5, 2025
Well this was just delightful!!
I finished this in one day, it was quick and easy to understand and the concept was so fun. I love the way that Sarah Beth Durst writes her characters, each and every one is vital to the story. I think I loved the side characters more than the main characters, they just brought such a quirky and fanciful side to the story and it wouldn't be complete without them.
There was a good sprinkle of humor throughout the story that I really enjoyed as well. It didn't take away from the story and wasn't cringy at all, I appreciate that Sarah is able to do this well and not in a forceful way.
The overall story and journey that Calisa went on was enjoyable, although predictable. That's what you can come to expect with a YA story through! The constant referencing of her "tragedy" was a little overdone and felt forced. I get that she's a teenager and Sarah didn't want to introduce so much hardship to the story but I feel like it could have been played a different way.
The magic in this story was fantastic. I absolutely loved the premise and Sarah executed it so well. I honestly wish this was a series because it would be SO FUN to continue with all of the characters and the magic system.
Sarah Beth Durst's books are just so lovely, cozy, and fun. If you're looking for a simple, YA, magical realism read, definitely check out The Faraway Inn!
I finished this in one day, it was quick and easy to understand and the concept was so fun. I love the way that Sarah Beth Durst writes her characters, each and every one is vital to the story. I think I loved the side characters more than the main characters, they just brought such a quirky and fanciful side to the story and it wouldn't be complete without them.
There was a good sprinkle of humor throughout the story that I really enjoyed as well. It didn't take away from the story and wasn't cringy at all, I appreciate that Sarah is able to do this well and not in a forceful way.
The overall story and journey that Calisa went on was enjoyable, although predictable. That's what you can come to expect with a YA story through! The constant referencing of her "tragedy" was a little overdone and felt forced. I get that she's a teenager and Sarah didn't want to introduce so much hardship to the story but I feel like it could have been played a different way.
The magic in this story was fantastic. I absolutely loved the premise and Sarah executed it so well. I honestly wish this was a series because it would be SO FUN to continue with all of the characters and the magic system.
Sarah Beth Durst's books are just so lovely, cozy, and fun. If you're looking for a simple, YA, magical realism read, definitely check out The Faraway Inn!
September 2, 2025
I was excited to have a chance to read an advanced copy of this novel.
Already a fan of Sarah Beth Durst, this cozy read was hard to put down.
Reeling from heartbreak, Calissa escapes New York City to spend the summer at her great-aunt’s bed-and-breakfast. But the moment she arrives, it's clear something has changed. The once-charming inn she remembers is eerily quiet, seemingly abandoned—and before she can even knock, the rotting front porch gives way beneath her feet.
Undeterred by a little hard work, Calissa rolls up her sleeves and sets out to conquer the dirt, dust—and her own heartbreak. With help from the groundskeeper’s charming son, she begins restoring the inn to its former glory. But as the summer unfolds, strange occurrences begin to stir. And then there are Auntie Zee’s only two rules: Don’t open any doors. Don’t ask questions. But how long can Calissa follow the rules when Auntie Zee goes missing?
Already a fan of Sarah Beth Durst, this cozy read was hard to put down.
Reeling from heartbreak, Calissa escapes New York City to spend the summer at her great-aunt’s bed-and-breakfast. But the moment she arrives, it's clear something has changed. The once-charming inn she remembers is eerily quiet, seemingly abandoned—and before she can even knock, the rotting front porch gives way beneath her feet.
Undeterred by a little hard work, Calissa rolls up her sleeves and sets out to conquer the dirt, dust—and her own heartbreak. With help from the groundskeeper’s charming son, she begins restoring the inn to its former glory. But as the summer unfolds, strange occurrences begin to stir. And then there are Auntie Zee’s only two rules: Don’t open any doors. Don’t ask questions. But how long can Calissa follow the rules when Auntie Zee goes missing?
January 6, 2026
This was a warm hug wrapped in a book! I love everything Sarah Beth writes! We meet Calisa who runs off from her ex (who of course is the worst) to her aunts inn and finds more than she bargained for. I loved seeing Calisa grow and come into who she was supposed to be, a coming of age story really. Her aunt was just the grumpiest but it made sense as to why. I loved how everything wrapped with a sweet little bow and just filled all the places I needed. Every character in this story was just the best. There were definitely some fun characters and who I was cheering on just as much as Calisa. If you are looking for a cozy coming of age fantasy then highly recommend this one! Thank you to Delacorte and NetGalley for the early copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much Random House Children's Books / Delacorte Press for the eARC in exchange for a review.
Cozy friends, unite! Much like Sarah's other books, The Faraway Inn is no exception to the warm and cozy feelings her writing envokes. The Faraway Inn is filled with magic, whimsy and a cast of diverse & loveable characters, I especially loved Steve! This is a perfect cozy YA title - Calisa is very much a 16 year old and acts as such (for the folks who are on the fence about YA, I know you're out there!)
I also need a recipe book for this one because ALL of these treats from this book sound so, so delicious.
Cozy friends, unite! Much like Sarah's other books, The Faraway Inn is no exception to the warm and cozy feelings her writing envokes. The Faraway Inn is filled with magic, whimsy and a cast of diverse & loveable characters, I especially loved Steve! This is a perfect cozy YA title - Calisa is very much a 16 year old and acts as such (for the folks who are on the fence about YA, I know you're out there!)
I also need a recipe book for this one because ALL of these treats from this book sound so, so delicious.
October 19, 2025
Firstly, thank you NetGalley for the incredible opportunity to read this book as an ARC. I absolutely loved this story. Every character just made my heart so happy. Even Auntie Zee who was incredibly stubborn, but I knew there was more to see! The mirror and Steve may have stole the show for me! What a fun magical place Sarah Beth Durst has created, I look forward to everything she writes!
October 7, 2025
This was such a great comfort read! There is conflict throughout, but the stakes are low and everything gets wrapped up neatly by the end. My only small complaint is that there were some silly YA references thrown in that didn’t feel necessary or fit the vibe. I was rooting for the characters throughout the entire story and think the ending was really perfect for them all.
November 14, 2025
4.25/5
Durst has secured her spot as an auto-buy author for me with this book, and she's officially the cozy queen of my heart. For real, if you need a low-stakes, cozy, sweet read, she's the author for you!
The Faraway Inn is a wonderful magical realism story about a girl who escapes for the summer to her great-aunt's inn, and she quickly discovers not everything is as it seems. We follow her and Jack, the handyman of the inn, while they work together to try and revive the once glamorous Faraway Inn back to its former glory. The setting takes place in the coziest inn in rural Vermont, and while it does take place during summer, it can go well with any season because it's just that cozy!! I love Durst's characters, especially all her side characters; once again, her non-human friends just take the cake for me (no pun intended, but also, all pun intended).
The way she wrapped up this story was wonderful. While it can sit as a standalone, there's enough here to elaborate on in the future, and I hope that's the case! I would love to be back in this world with these characters to see what else could happen.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books / Delacorte Press for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest thoughts and review!!
Durst has secured her spot as an auto-buy author for me with this book, and she's officially the cozy queen of my heart. For real, if you need a low-stakes, cozy, sweet read, she's the author for you!
The Faraway Inn is a wonderful magical realism story about a girl who escapes for the summer to her great-aunt's inn, and she quickly discovers not everything is as it seems. We follow her and Jack, the handyman of the inn, while they work together to try and revive the once glamorous Faraway Inn back to its former glory. The setting takes place in the coziest inn in rural Vermont, and while it does take place during summer, it can go well with any season because it's just that cozy!! I love Durst's characters, especially all her side characters; once again, her non-human friends just take the cake for me (no pun intended, but also, all pun intended).
The way she wrapped up this story was wonderful. While it can sit as a standalone, there's enough here to elaborate on in the future, and I hope that's the case! I would love to be back in this world with these characters to see what else could happen.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books / Delacorte Press for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest thoughts and review!!
January 12, 2026
The Faraway Inn is a truly whimsical fantasy that transported me back to a time when I wholeheartedly believed in magic and make-believe. From the moment I opened the book, I felt swept through shimmering portals and across hidden realms. The vivid imagery created such a strong connection to the characters, the plot, and their emotional growth that I felt completely immersed. This wholesome, low-stakes fantasy was everything I didn’t know I needed. It felt like childhood — a warm hug, a cozy winter’s day spent huddled by the fire. I felt less like a reader and more like a secret character, watching everything unfold through the looking glass of the words inked onto the pages.
Calisa, a sixteen-year-old reeling from heartbreak after catching her boyfriend cheating, is desperate for an escape — somewhere far away from Ethan and the pain he left behind. Seeking comfort and healing, she travels to Vermont to stay with her Great Aunt, whom she hasn’t seen since she was very young. Her memories of the bed and breakfast are faint, but when she arrives, the inn is nothing like she remembered. The building is falling apart, there are no guests in sight, and the gardens and grounds are overrun, as if the groundskeeper has been gone for far too long.
Her arrival is far from warm. Auntie Zee wants nothing to do with her and insists Calisa return to New York immediately. Through persistence and determination, Calisa manages to secure a three-day stay but only under two strict rules: do not open doors, and do not ask questions.
Determined to change her aunt’s mind and earn a place at the inn for the summer, Calisa begins cleaning, weeding, and making small repairs. It’s during this time that she starts noticing that something about the inn is… off.
Enter Jack the shy, sweet son of the groundskeeper who also lives at the inn. Jack offers to help Calisa with the work and quickly becomes her quiet companion. He explains that his father is away gathering supplies and, like Auntie Zee, avoids questions while dutifully helping keep the inn afloat.
As Calisa settles in, the strangeness escalates. People appear from what look like broom closets. There are no cars to suggest anyone ever arrives or leaves. And she becomes convinced that the statue on the property is moving on its own. Unable to ignore her growing suspicions, Calisa begins to question everything and ultimately breaks both rules.
After discovering something unimaginable in one of the guest rooms, Calisa confronts Jack, demanding answers and threatening to go straight to Auntie Zee if he refuses. Jack immediately caves, revealing the truth behind the inn’s secrets. From that moment on, Calisa becomes more determined than ever not just to uncover the magic of The Faraway Inn, but to save it and help both Jack and Auntie Zee in the process.
A huge, huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for providing this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Calisa, a sixteen-year-old reeling from heartbreak after catching her boyfriend cheating, is desperate for an escape — somewhere far away from Ethan and the pain he left behind. Seeking comfort and healing, she travels to Vermont to stay with her Great Aunt, whom she hasn’t seen since she was very young. Her memories of the bed and breakfast are faint, but when she arrives, the inn is nothing like she remembered. The building is falling apart, there are no guests in sight, and the gardens and grounds are overrun, as if the groundskeeper has been gone for far too long.
Her arrival is far from warm. Auntie Zee wants nothing to do with her and insists Calisa return to New York immediately. Through persistence and determination, Calisa manages to secure a three-day stay but only under two strict rules: do not open doors, and do not ask questions.
Determined to change her aunt’s mind and earn a place at the inn for the summer, Calisa begins cleaning, weeding, and making small repairs. It’s during this time that she starts noticing that something about the inn is… off.
Enter Jack the shy, sweet son of the groundskeeper who also lives at the inn. Jack offers to help Calisa with the work and quickly becomes her quiet companion. He explains that his father is away gathering supplies and, like Auntie Zee, avoids questions while dutifully helping keep the inn afloat.
As Calisa settles in, the strangeness escalates. People appear from what look like broom closets. There are no cars to suggest anyone ever arrives or leaves. And she becomes convinced that the statue on the property is moving on its own. Unable to ignore her growing suspicions, Calisa begins to question everything and ultimately breaks both rules.
After discovering something unimaginable in one of the guest rooms, Calisa confronts Jack, demanding answers and threatening to go straight to Auntie Zee if he refuses. Jack immediately caves, revealing the truth behind the inn’s secrets. From that moment on, Calisa becomes more determined than ever not just to uncover the magic of The Faraway Inn, but to save it and help both Jack and Auntie Zee in the process.
A huge, huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for providing this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 31, 2025
4.25/5 ⭐️ 0🌶️
Release date: March 31, 2026
YA
Netgalley E-ARC from Random House Children's Books
Queer representation
Self discovery
Romance
Building self confidence
Cool magic system
Sassy sentient mirror
Soiler Free Review-
This is a really sweet and cozy ya book with family dynamics of a very cute love story and a wonderfully done magic system. This author is one of my auto reads on this book just proves why.
The story starts with Clarissa wanting a break from life after a breakup. Her solution is to spend the summer before her HS senior year and her grandmother's b&b, however things do not go as planned.
This book explores a lot of fun family dynamics between Clarissa and her grandmother. There is an adorable and awkward love relationship (they are so cute). The guests who come to stay at the inn are all very unique and fun characters and there is a sassy mirror.
Note: if you liked the Innkeeper Chronicles by Ilona Andrews, you're going to love this series.
#netgalleyreview #arc #arcread #bookreview #booktok #bookstagram #bookrecs
Release date: March 31, 2026
YA
Netgalley E-ARC from Random House Children's Books
Queer representation
Self discovery
Romance
Building self confidence
Cool magic system
Sassy sentient mirror
Soiler Free Review-
This is a really sweet and cozy ya book with family dynamics of a very cute love story and a wonderfully done magic system. This author is one of my auto reads on this book just proves why.
The story starts with Clarissa wanting a break from life after a breakup. Her solution is to spend the summer before her HS senior year and her grandmother's b&b, however things do not go as planned.
This book explores a lot of fun family dynamics between Clarissa and her grandmother. There is an adorable and awkward love relationship (they are so cute). The guests who come to stay at the inn are all very unique and fun characters and there is a sassy mirror.
Note: if you liked the Innkeeper Chronicles by Ilona Andrews, you're going to love this series.
#netgalleyreview #arc #arcread #bookreview #booktok #bookstagram #bookrecs
October 18, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an arc through NetGalley and the publishers.
The Faraway Inn is a very sweet and gentle YA fantasy romance from Sarah Beth Durst.
Our MC Calisa retreats for the summer to her great-aunt inn in Vermont. There to work and heal she can’t help but notice some unusual things.
This book feels like a warm hug. It’s low stakes but intriguing enough to keep you moving on.
The Faraway Inn is a very sweet and gentle YA fantasy romance from Sarah Beth Durst.
Our MC Calisa retreats for the summer to her great-aunt inn in Vermont. There to work and heal she can’t help but notice some unusual things.
This book feels like a warm hug. It’s low stakes but intriguing enough to keep you moving on.
Review of advance copy
This was my first book by Sarah Beth Durst, and I can absolutely tell you that it will not be my last.
This book was so cute, warm, and whimsical. I truly loved everything about this world, and I cannot wait to read the rest of her books that appear to be related to it.
I want to go The Faraway Inn asap. Where can I make my booking?? Also, how do I get a pessimistic mirror and a Steve??
This book was so cute, warm, and whimsical. I truly loved everything about this world, and I cannot wait to read the rest of her books that appear to be related to it.
I want to go The Faraway Inn asap. Where can I make my booking?? Also, how do I get a pessimistic mirror and a Steve??
October 19, 2025
A little dragon named Steve, a magical inn, and a lot of quirky, wholesome guests. 🥹 Such a cozy, cute YA read.
November 2, 2025
*ARC Review* Thank you NetGalley and Publishers for an ARC for an honest review!
This was the first time I've ever read a cozy fantasy and can I just say I am so happy that this was it. This story was so fun and quirky! All the characters are memorable and the way they are written makes you want to know everything about them! This story felt like coming home or a hug from someone you love. I want to read everything written by this author now! I really hope we get to come back to this story and learn more about the characters and the world!
This was the first time I've ever read a cozy fantasy and can I just say I am so happy that this was it. This story was so fun and quirky! All the characters are memorable and the way they are written makes you want to know everything about them! This story felt like coming home or a hug from someone you love. I want to read everything written by this author now! I really hope we get to come back to this story and learn more about the characters and the world!
September 28, 2025
This was an advanced reader copy and is my opinion. This is a cozy book just the way I like it. I will read anything that she puts out. The books are always so good. This book sent me to a magical world with amazing magical creatures that I felt like I was there with them everything was described in such vivid, lyrical detail that I felt like I was walking through them myself. I really enjoyed the book and can’t wait to get my physical copy.
December 6, 2025
Thank you to Delacorte Press for the eARC.
4.5 stars.
I loved both The Spellshop and The Enchanted Greenhouse, so I immediately snagged this one, even though I knew it was a standalone.
It definitely has a different vibe. Our teenage FMC, Calisa, is spending the summer helping out at her great-aunt’s inn—all to avoid the boyfriend that cheated on her and broke her heart. But this is no normal inn, and while Calisa lives in a world where magic is fake…she has her suspicions.
I really enjoyed all the characters, from the grumpy Auntie Zee, groundkeeper’s son Jack, and all the guests. I loved Calisa and Jack working together to solve the problems of the inn, watching their friendship flourish.
The Faraway Inn was just a heartwarming tale about friendship and family, learning to both ask for and accept help, and discovering the differences between us all that make the world a better place.
4.5 stars.
I loved both The Spellshop and The Enchanted Greenhouse, so I immediately snagged this one, even though I knew it was a standalone.
It definitely has a different vibe. Our teenage FMC, Calisa, is spending the summer helping out at her great-aunt’s inn—all to avoid the boyfriend that cheated on her and broke her heart. But this is no normal inn, and while Calisa lives in a world where magic is fake…she has her suspicions.
I really enjoyed all the characters, from the grumpy Auntie Zee, groundkeeper’s son Jack, and all the guests. I loved Calisa and Jack working together to solve the problems of the inn, watching their friendship flourish.
The Faraway Inn was just a heartwarming tale about friendship and family, learning to both ask for and accept help, and discovering the differences between us all that make the world a better place.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✨ Review: The Faraway Inn — The Ultimate Cozy Fantasy Escape ✨
My heart is just so full and happy after finishing this! 🌲🏠 If you’re looking for the literary equivalent of a warm chai latte and a fuzzy blanket, The Faraway Inn is exactly what you need. It’s a total "comfort read" about healing, finding where you belong, and discovering that a little bit of magic can be found in the most unexpected places. After the year Calisa had in Brooklyn, seeing her trade city lights for the whimsical, misty woods of Vermont was just so therapeutic. 🍃☕
Calisa is such a gem—she starts off so heartbroken and lost, but watching her roll up her sleeves to fix up Auntie Zee’s rundown B&B was so inspiring! 🛠️💖 Speaking of Auntie Zee, she is the perfect "eccentric auntie" character; she’s a bit prickly and fiercely protective of her inn, but you just know there's a heart of gold under all those layers of mystery. And of course, we have the groundskeeper’s son, who is absolutely adorable. Their chemistry is so sweet and slow-burn, providing the perfect "summer love" vibes without taking away from the magical plot. 🚲🌸
The "magical secret" of the inn itself is where this book truly shines. It’s quirky, otherworldly, and so imaginative—exactly what you’d expect from the author of The Spellshop! 🍄✨ Watching Calisa uncover the truth while bonding with the strange residents was such a joy. It’s a story about protecting the things we love and realizing that "home" isn't always a place, but the people (and magical creatures!) we find along the way. I truly didn't want to leave this cozy little world! 🗝️🌙
Final Rating: 5/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My heart is just so full and happy after finishing this! 🌲🏠 If you’re looking for the literary equivalent of a warm chai latte and a fuzzy blanket, The Faraway Inn is exactly what you need. It’s a total "comfort read" about healing, finding where you belong, and discovering that a little bit of magic can be found in the most unexpected places. After the year Calisa had in Brooklyn, seeing her trade city lights for the whimsical, misty woods of Vermont was just so therapeutic. 🍃☕
Calisa is such a gem—she starts off so heartbroken and lost, but watching her roll up her sleeves to fix up Auntie Zee’s rundown B&B was so inspiring! 🛠️💖 Speaking of Auntie Zee, she is the perfect "eccentric auntie" character; she’s a bit prickly and fiercely protective of her inn, but you just know there's a heart of gold under all those layers of mystery. And of course, we have the groundskeeper’s son, who is absolutely adorable. Their chemistry is so sweet and slow-burn, providing the perfect "summer love" vibes without taking away from the magical plot. 🚲🌸
The "magical secret" of the inn itself is where this book truly shines. It’s quirky, otherworldly, and so imaginative—exactly what you’d expect from the author of The Spellshop! 🍄✨ Watching Calisa uncover the truth while bonding with the strange residents was such a joy. It’s a story about protecting the things we love and realizing that "home" isn't always a place, but the people (and magical creatures!) we find along the way. I truly didn't want to leave this cozy little world! 🗝️🌙
Final Rating: 5/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
October 22, 2025
[ ARC READ: 4.75 / 5 ⭐️ ]
You know how some modern day magical/fantasy novels the main character is isolated from the real world, and they can't use their phone to contact anyone? Like not talk to anyone other than the people that are in the magical/fantasy place? Yeah, that's not how this novel is. Even though Calisa is in the middle of nowhere in Vermont, she's still able to contact her moms with the landlines at the inn. This was one of the things that I loved about this novel. (I don't like how some novels make the main character isolated from their friends/family, and are only able to talk with the people where they are at.)
The people that Calisa meets at the Faraway Inn are unique beings that Sarah Beth Durst hasn't mentioned in her Spellshop series yet. So they are new beings we meet. Such as meeting a sea witch, fairy queens, a centaur, and plenty of other unique magical beings. These people as well that you meet are likeable people and leave you wanting to know more about them. Even some of the animate objects are likeable. Like the mirror that gives attitude all because they want the drama. (Or to me I think the mirror is giving attitude because they want the drama to make their day a little more fun.) In the end of the book, I felt like it had a great conclusion. You get to see Calisa make the decision on where she wants to stand with her ex-boyfriend, her growth after learning what she is after being at the inn for the summer, and her path she chooses for herself with her education.
As I read the novel, I did think there were too many questions. It may be because some of the questions were back to back a lot. But they did seem like necessary questions because I did not think of any of these questions as I was reading.
Finally, there was one thing that bothered me as I read this novel. I felt like the character description for Calisa and Jack lacked some. Like what are the FMC/MMC skin and hair color, or height even? Some people may be able to get a visual idea of what Calisa and Jack look like from the description given but I could not get a good visual idea of them.
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Thank you NetGalley and Sarah Beth Durst for allowing me to be able apart of the ARC readers for this novel.
You know how some modern day magical/fantasy novels the main character is isolated from the real world, and they can't use their phone to contact anyone? Like not talk to anyone other than the people that are in the magical/fantasy place? Yeah, that's not how this novel is. Even though Calisa is in the middle of nowhere in Vermont, she's still able to contact her moms with the landlines at the inn. This was one of the things that I loved about this novel. (I don't like how some novels make the main character isolated from their friends/family, and are only able to talk with the people where they are at.)
The people that Calisa meets at the Faraway Inn are unique beings that Sarah Beth Durst hasn't mentioned in her Spellshop series yet. So they are new beings we meet. Such as meeting a sea witch, fairy queens, a centaur, and plenty of other unique magical beings. These people as well that you meet are likeable people and leave you wanting to know more about them. Even some of the animate objects are likeable. Like the mirror that gives attitude all because they want the drama. (Or to me I think the mirror is giving attitude because they want the drama to make their day a little more fun.) In the end of the book, I felt like it had a great conclusion. You get to see Calisa make the decision on where she wants to stand with her ex-boyfriend, her growth after learning what she is after being at the inn for the summer, and her path she chooses for herself with her education.
As I read the novel, I did think there were too many questions. It may be because some of the questions were back to back a lot. But they did seem like necessary questions because I did not think of any of these questions as I was reading.
Finally, there was one thing that bothered me as I read this novel. I felt like the character description for Calisa and Jack lacked some. Like what are the FMC/MMC skin and hair color, or height even? Some people may be able to get a visual idea of what Calisa and Jack look like from the description given but I could not get a good visual idea of them.
⎯⎯⎯⎯
Thank you NetGalley and Sarah Beth Durst for allowing me to be able apart of the ARC readers for this novel.
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