Stay for a Spell

by Amy Coombe

A cursed princess must discover what her heart truly longs for in this charmingly cozy romantic fantasy for everyone who’s ever lost – or found – themselves in a bookshop.

Princess Tanadelle of the Widdenmar is disillusioned with life as a princess. She longs for real conversation, the chance to build a life of her own making, and uninterrupted reading time.

During a routine royal visit to the town of Little Pepperidge, Tandy’s dream comes true when she finds herself cursed to remain in a run-down bookshop until she unlocks her heart’s desire. Certain that someone will figure out how to break the curse eventually, and delighted by the prospect of an entire bookstore of her own, Tandy settles into life among the stacks. She finds it easy to exchange balls and endless state dinners for teetering piles of books and an irritatingly handsome pirate who seems bent on stealing her stock.

She even starts to believe she's stumbled into her very own happily ever after.

There's just one, minor problem: as Tandy's royal duties go unfulfilled, her frantic parents start sending princes to woo her, each one of them certain their kiss will break the curse. After all, what more could a princess want but a prince?

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Cozy Fantasy, Cozy, Romantasy, Adult, Young Adult

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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surely no princess has ever welcomed a curse with as much enthusiasm as Tandy does when one effectively releases are from her boring royal duties and confines her to a bookstore until she finds the source of true happiness.

Unfortunately, her parents are less inclined to accept this stroke of misfortune (misfortune for them maybe, since Tandy is perfectly happy with her change in circumstances), and turn to the cure-all so ubiquitous in fairy tales - namely a kiss from a prince. Or seven, if necessary...

With a lavish helping of magic and other charms, this is a story that will be enjoyed by readers who like reading this genre. It gets 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Katy Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a little obsessed with this cozy fantasy. It is perfect if you are looking for something light and fun, but with a great message about living your life for you as opposed to duty. Tandy was a sweet MC and felt very relatable as she navigated finally having to put herself first in her life. Bash was delightfully charming, and I couldn’t help but think of him like a big lazy cat stretched out on those stairs.

The story did drag a little for me in the middle especially with the princes, but it picked right back up and held me to the end. I would recommend this book for someone who wants a low angst, low spice, cozy fantasy with a lot of heart.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light and sweet, this one was such a fun read! A princess cursed to live in a quaint bookshop until she can figure out her heart's true desire-if I could be so lucky! Take a slightly angsty teenager under your wing, endure a host of princes from across the kingdom sent to try to break the curse with a kiss, and add in an adorably annoying and sexy pirate cursed with a fear of water. I loved the charming little bookshop, the bits of magic, the quirky characters, and the smidge of romance.

[Rebecca Millerjohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book - it felt like Ella enchanted for a slightly older audience. A wonderful heroine, a great shop assistant, and all the joys and satisfaction of tidying up a bookshop in need of love. Who doesn’t want to break a curse by falling in love with a pirate and speaking your mind to your parents? Can’t recommend this cozy fantasy enough.

[Nicole P · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

This story leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy, truly the perfect cozy fantasy read! It had an absolutely fantastic premise; the plot had a great integration of whimsical magic and fantasy that kept me hooked for the entire story. I adored all of the characters and the family they found in each other. I loved seeing how each person played a role in Tandy learning more about herself and her heart's desire, and it brought me so much joy watching the characters grow both individually and in relation to each other throughout this story. Coombe's writing created such a warm, cozy atmosphere that just draws you in, I absolutely adored this story and it is definitely a must read for any cozy fantasy lover!

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the eARC!

[Mya Olivo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usually not a big fan of cozy fantasy but this book really changed my mind! I loved Tandy’s character and the point-of-view she carried in the story was totally different compared to other cozy fantasies I’ve read. The worldbuilding was pretty underdeveloped when it came to kingdom and people descriptions but I still enjoyed it!

[Sarah Schrock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely ADORED this book! This is exactly what I want from a cozy fantasy. Easily one of the best books I’ve read this year. If you are looking for a book to get lost in and escape reality, this is the book for you.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Trixie McMeeking · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely, feel good, cozy story. Loved it!

[Kerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a great story! Stopped in for the bookstore and stayed for the self discovery. Anyone have a bookstore key they need to hand off?

[Addison · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Stay for a Spell is the kind of story that feels like a warm blanket and a cup of tea on a rainy afternoon. Princess Tanadelle, or Tandy, is a delightfully relatable heroine, bookish, weary of her royal expectations, and quietly yearning for something more authentic than a crown. When a curse traps her inside a dusty little bookshop, the twist feels more like a wish granted than a punishment. Surrounded by stacks of stories and the tantalizing presence of a roguish pirate with a knack for getting under her skin, Tandy’s world shrinks and expands in all the best ways.

Amy Coombe crafts a cozy, whimsical atmosphere that hums with gentle humor and slow-blooming romance. The writing sparkles with warmth, and the premise cleverly balances fairytale magic with introspective charm. What makes Stay for a Spell truly shine is how it celebrates self-discovery and quiet rebellion, the idea that fulfillment is not found in grand gestures or royal titles but in embracing one’s own story. It is tender, hopeful, and utterly enchanting, the kind of book that lingers long after the last page.