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Spellshop #3
Sea of Charms
Not yet published
Expected 28 Jul 26Marin is a supply runner with her own boat that she sails from island to island, delivering whatever anyone will pay her to deliver: letters, flour, even the occasional enchanted lemur. It’s a lonely life, but it’s hers, and she wouldn’t trade the freedom of the sea for anything. Her only companion is a sea serpent, Perri, whom she saved from a fisherfolk’s net.
One day, she sails to Alyssium and discovers the city is on fire. There’s been a revolution, and the empire has fallen. Marin, with Perri, begins transporting refugees, finding them new homes where they can start over. One such refugee is Dax, a composer who refuses to leave behind his instruments, no matter how much she tries to emphasize the gravity of the situation. Intrigued by his stubbornness, his passion for stories, and his charming smile, Marin discovers perhaps she isn’t saving him ― maybe it’s the other way around.
From the acclaimed author of The Spellshop, Sea of Charms is a delightful cosy fantasy for fans of Travis Baldree and TJ Klune.
One day, she sails to Alyssium and discovers the city is on fire. There’s been a revolution, and the empire has fallen. Marin, with Perri, begins transporting refugees, finding them new homes where they can start over. One such refugee is Dax, a composer who refuses to leave behind his instruments, no matter how much she tries to emphasize the gravity of the situation. Intrigued by his stubbornness, his passion for stories, and his charming smile, Marin discovers perhaps she isn’t saving him ― maybe it’s the other way around.
From the acclaimed author of The Spellshop, Sea of Charms is a delightful cosy fantasy for fans of Travis Baldree and TJ Klune.
384 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication July 28, 2026
34612 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Beth Durst
45 books7,834 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
Want to read
October 1, 2025I KNEW that there would be a book with this character as soon as I heard that she is friends with a sea serpent and a talking sailor plant.
upcoming
October 13, 2025*See Sarah's Newest Book immediately adds to preorder list!*
Want to read
August 15, 2025MARIN IS GETTING A BOOK!! AHHH!!
Currently reading
March 25, 2026🌊🪄 Sea of Charms 🪄🌊
⛵ Bookish Thoughts
I am screaming I am so excited to have gotten approval for this ARC! Sarah Beth Durst is my favorite author and this is my favorite series! I will be devouring this! I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.
🐚 What to Expect
• Cozy fantasy
• High seas adventure
• Fake Dating
• Found family
• Sea serpent companion
_ _ _ _
🎙️ Narration Style: Solo (Caitlin Davies)
📅 Pub Date: July 28, 2026
📝 Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
⛵ Bookish Thoughts
I am screaming I am so excited to have gotten approval for this ARC! Sarah Beth Durst is my favorite author and this is my favorite series! I will be devouring this! I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.
🐚 What to Expect
• Cozy fantasy
• High seas adventure
• Fake Dating
• Found family
• Sea serpent companion
_ _ _ _
🎙️ Narration Style: Solo (Caitlin Davies)
📅 Pub Date: July 28, 2026
📝 Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
Read
December 22, 2025I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this one, and I *loved* it. This magical, gentle, funny and hopeful - but never naïve - story was just exactly what I needed in a stressful month!
"More people should strive to be like passionate shrubbery." <3
This book tells the story of Marin, the resourceful sailor who first popped up as a helpful side character in the first two Spellshop books. It involves more external drama than either of those first books as (unlike the first two heroines, who each escaped the burning city of Alyssium at the beginnings of their own stories) Marin faces serious danger again and again, sailing in and out of the capital city in the midst of a fiery revolution and rescuing everyone she can along the way. But it's also the story of the loving found family she builds across the book (with a sea serpent and a sentient shrub, among others) and the sweet romance she can't resist despite her own traumatic romantic past...
And it's also the story of all the wonders they see in their sailing adventures. Oh, is Sarah Beth Durst good at writing imaginative magical worlds! I loooooved all the different islands Marin and her crew visit, with all their individual amazements. And I really loved the message Marin's own mother tries to give her early in the novel - "That even if there's a lot of terrible in the world, even if there's a lot that can't be fixed, it's okay to try to be happy."
A really beautiful book that made my heart melt. I'm so glad I read it!
PS: Every book in this series has been a standalone adventure, and this one can definitely be read as a standalone, too - but if you have read the first two books, you'll love how beautifully it ties those stories together and builds a larger story around them.
"More people should strive to be like passionate shrubbery." <3
This book tells the story of Marin, the resourceful sailor who first popped up as a helpful side character in the first two Spellshop books. It involves more external drama than either of those first books as (unlike the first two heroines, who each escaped the burning city of Alyssium at the beginnings of their own stories) Marin faces serious danger again and again, sailing in and out of the capital city in the midst of a fiery revolution and rescuing everyone she can along the way. But it's also the story of the loving found family she builds across the book (with a sea serpent and a sentient shrub, among others) and the sweet romance she can't resist despite her own traumatic romantic past...
And it's also the story of all the wonders they see in their sailing adventures. Oh, is Sarah Beth Durst good at writing imaginative magical worlds! I loooooved all the different islands Marin and her crew visit, with all their individual amazements. And I really loved the message Marin's own mother tries to give her early in the novel - "That even if there's a lot of terrible in the world, even if there's a lot that can't be fixed, it's okay to try to be happy."
A really beautiful book that made my heart melt. I'm so glad I read it!
PS: Every book in this series has been a standalone adventure, and this one can definitely be read as a standalone, too - but if you have read the first two books, you'll love how beautifully it ties those stories together and builds a larger story around them.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
ˋ°•*⁀➷ 3.75
This was SUCH a cute read <3 I’m honestly so obsessed with this universe, and Sarah Beth Durst’s writing style never disappoints. I’ve yet to read a book by her that I didn’t enjoy.
Sea of Charms follows Marin, the supply runner we met in previous books, as she navigates love, vulnerability, and what it truly means to let people in. I really loved getting to spend more time with her and learn her story. She’s capable and independent, but watching her slowly open her heart was such a sweet journey. And Ree and Perri??!! I LOVED them. The sentient plants consistently end up being my favorite characters.
Also, I learned my new favorite word from this book: defenestrate (to throw someone out of a window) 🫡😂
Will absolutely be working that into daily conversation somehow.
The romance was super sweet, but was a tad too insta-lovey for my personal taste tbh.
If there are more books coming in this world (which I DESPERATELY hope there are), I would love to move beyond the Revolution timeline. I’ve really enjoyed seeing the same events from different perspectives across the first three books, but I think exploring what happens after would feel so fresh and exciting.
Overall this was such a sweet story. Not my absolute favorite in the series, which is why it lands at 3.75 stars for me, but still such an enjoyable read!! If you loved the spellshop, or cozy fantasy in general, this one is definitely for you.
This was SUCH a cute read <3 I’m honestly so obsessed with this universe, and Sarah Beth Durst’s writing style never disappoints. I’ve yet to read a book by her that I didn’t enjoy.
Sea of Charms follows Marin, the supply runner we met in previous books, as she navigates love, vulnerability, and what it truly means to let people in. I really loved getting to spend more time with her and learn her story. She’s capable and independent, but watching her slowly open her heart was such a sweet journey. And Ree and Perri??!! I LOVED them. The sentient plants consistently end up being my favorite characters.
Also, I learned my new favorite word from this book: defenestrate (to throw someone out of a window) 🫡😂
Will absolutely be working that into daily conversation somehow.
The romance was super sweet, but was a tad too insta-lovey for my personal taste tbh.
If there are more books coming in this world (which I DESPERATELY hope there are), I would love to move beyond the Revolution timeline. I’ve really enjoyed seeing the same events from different perspectives across the first three books, but I think exploring what happens after would feel so fresh and exciting.
Overall this was such a sweet story. Not my absolute favorite in the series, which is why it lands at 3.75 stars for me, but still such an enjoyable read!! If you loved the spellshop, or cozy fantasy in general, this one is definitely for you.
Want to read
March 28, 2026I'm so excited to jump back into this sweet little magical adventure. Please read The Spellshop and The Enchanted Greenhouse, they are full of charming characters. This story now focuses on Marin and her company--Perri the sea serpent and Ree the sailor shrub and of course a heartwarming love interest Dax, a composer friend who refuses to leave behind his instrument while fleeing a newly formed revolution on Alyssium!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and the author for an early ALC!
Narrator: Caitlin Davies
Duration: 13 hours 12 min
Publication date: July 28, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and the author for an early ALC!
Narrator: Caitlin Davies
Duration: 13 hours 12 min
Publication date: July 28, 2026
Want to read
September 11, 2025This cover is gorgeous!!!! I need to not be lazy and review the other two books in this series. These books make my heart happy. Also, if Sarah makes the next one autumnal I would be ecstatic.
Want to read
September 6, 2025Why do these covers just get more and more beautiful?!?!? Can't wait for this one!
September 29, 2025
So lucky to get to read this incredibly uplifting story early. I needed this.
I will be rereading this series when I need a lift. As a retired library worker, tip of my hat to the author.
I will be rereading this series when I need a lift. As a retired library worker, tip of my hat to the author.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It's hard to find the words to describe how I feel about this book. It was everything I wanted it to be and more. I have to admit I was a little hesitate to start it because I am not a water person and sea is in the title. I thought there's no way this is going to grab me like the previous two books did. Boy, was I wrong. I could not put this book down. I can't say too much without giving spoilers but I will say this book grabbed my librarian's heart and wouldn't let it go until the very end.
I received an advance copy of this book.
I received an advance copy of this book.
March 20, 2026
ARC Review
Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sea of Charms is everything I love about cozy fantasy, whimsical, heartfelt, and quietly powerful beneath its gentle surface.
Marin has built a life on the sea, running deliveries between islands while trying to outrun both her past and the debt tied to it. Her world is already full of charm thanks to her unforgettable crew. Perri, a fiercely loyal (and slightly musical) sea serpent, and Ree, a sentient shrub with dreams far bigger than their roots. But when a routine stop in the capital city throws her into the middle of a revolution, Marin’s carefully balanced life begins to shift in ways she can’t ignore.
Enter Dax, a composer with a stubborn streak and a deep love for music, who unexpectedly becomes part of Marin’s journey through a fake-dating arrangement that slowly, beautifully turns into something real. Their dynamic is tender and compelling, balancing Marin’s independence with Dax’s quieter, rule-following nature. Watching their relationship unfold felt natural and deeply satisfying.
What makes this installment stand out is how it blends cozy fantasy elements with heavier themes. While the story still carries warmth, humor, and found-family goodness, it also explores power, choice, and the ripple effects of political unrest. Marin’s perspective, especially as someone who frequently moves between worlds—adds a layer of emotional depth that makes the stakes feel more immediate than in previous books.
The worldbuilding continues to shine. The Crescent Isles feel alive, filled with imaginative creatures, rich cultures, and small magical details that make every stop along Marin’s journey feel special. The inclusion of music as both a theme and storytelling device adds an extra layer of beauty to the narrative, it’s woven into the heart of the story in a way that feels meaningful rather than decorative.
I especially loved how this book expands the series while still standing firmly on its own. Returning characters add a sense of continuity, but this is undeniably Marin’s story, and it’s a rewarding one. Her growth from a solitary sailor to a true captain of her own found family is one of the most satisfying arcs in the series.
Despite its cozy label, this book doesn’t shy away from emotional weight. Marin’s past, particularly her toxic ex, brings a tension that contrasts with the softer elements and gives the story real impact. It made the moments of joy, love, and connection feel even more earned.
By the end, I was completely swept up, laughing one minute, tearing up the next. This is a story about finding your people, claiming your independence, and allowing yourself to be loved along the way.
Honestly, this might be my favorite in the series. And I’m already wishing for more time with Marin and her wonderfully strange, lovable crew.
Sea of Charms is available on July 28, 2026. A huge thank you to Netgally and Tor for providing this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sea of Charms is everything I love about cozy fantasy, whimsical, heartfelt, and quietly powerful beneath its gentle surface.
Marin has built a life on the sea, running deliveries between islands while trying to outrun both her past and the debt tied to it. Her world is already full of charm thanks to her unforgettable crew. Perri, a fiercely loyal (and slightly musical) sea serpent, and Ree, a sentient shrub with dreams far bigger than their roots. But when a routine stop in the capital city throws her into the middle of a revolution, Marin’s carefully balanced life begins to shift in ways she can’t ignore.
Enter Dax, a composer with a stubborn streak and a deep love for music, who unexpectedly becomes part of Marin’s journey through a fake-dating arrangement that slowly, beautifully turns into something real. Their dynamic is tender and compelling, balancing Marin’s independence with Dax’s quieter, rule-following nature. Watching their relationship unfold felt natural and deeply satisfying.
What makes this installment stand out is how it blends cozy fantasy elements with heavier themes. While the story still carries warmth, humor, and found-family goodness, it also explores power, choice, and the ripple effects of political unrest. Marin’s perspective, especially as someone who frequently moves between worlds—adds a layer of emotional depth that makes the stakes feel more immediate than in previous books.
The worldbuilding continues to shine. The Crescent Isles feel alive, filled with imaginative creatures, rich cultures, and small magical details that make every stop along Marin’s journey feel special. The inclusion of music as both a theme and storytelling device adds an extra layer of beauty to the narrative, it’s woven into the heart of the story in a way that feels meaningful rather than decorative.
I especially loved how this book expands the series while still standing firmly on its own. Returning characters add a sense of continuity, but this is undeniably Marin’s story, and it’s a rewarding one. Her growth from a solitary sailor to a true captain of her own found family is one of the most satisfying arcs in the series.
Despite its cozy label, this book doesn’t shy away from emotional weight. Marin’s past, particularly her toxic ex, brings a tension that contrasts with the softer elements and gives the story real impact. It made the moments of joy, love, and connection feel even more earned.
By the end, I was completely swept up, laughing one minute, tearing up the next. This is a story about finding your people, claiming your independence, and allowing yourself to be loved along the way.
Honestly, this might be my favorite in the series. And I’m already wishing for more time with Marin and her wonderfully strange, lovable crew.
Sea of Charms is available on July 28, 2026. A huge thank you to Netgally and Tor for providing this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 26, 2026
I loved the Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst and Sea of Charms was just as charming. Like in the Spellshop with the lovable sentient spider plant, Caz, we have a sea serpent friend, Perri, in this story and a sentient wax myrtle, Ree. I also loved how this was connects to The Enchanted Greenhouse, but you don’t really need to have read it first to appreciate/understand the story.
“Come on new deckhand, the waves wait for no man, no woman, or shrubbery.” - Marin.
Marin is a strong and interesting FMC. She’s also very adventurous and cares deeply about those she loves. She also has a very good sense of humor.
“You know, there are a whole bunch of ballads about fake relationships that transform into true love. It’s a common trope.” - Dax.
Dax, although a people pleaser, is a good balance to Marin. He’s a composer learning to the sea (while fake engaged to Marin). He is, I guess, what folks would call a cinnamon roll man.
Reading this story had a lot of Stardew Valley (the video game vibes), just on the ocean. Lots of little side quests in pursuit of a bigger goal, all with the familiar backdrop of the revolution in the capital and a newer exploration of Marin’s story.
✨4 sea serpent stars 🐍 This book was as cozy as it was fun!
Thank you NetGalley, Tor, and Bramble for this e-arc. Sea of Charms comes out July 27, 2026.
“Come on new deckhand, the waves wait for no man, no woman, or shrubbery.” - Marin.
Marin is a strong and interesting FMC. She’s also very adventurous and cares deeply about those she loves. She also has a very good sense of humor.
“You know, there are a whole bunch of ballads about fake relationships that transform into true love. It’s a common trope.” - Dax.
Dax, although a people pleaser, is a good balance to Marin. He’s a composer learning to the sea (while fake engaged to Marin). He is, I guess, what folks would call a cinnamon roll man.
Reading this story had a lot of Stardew Valley (the video game vibes), just on the ocean. Lots of little side quests in pursuit of a bigger goal, all with the familiar backdrop of the revolution in the capital and a newer exploration of Marin’s story.
✨4 sea serpent stars 🐍 This book was as cozy as it was fun!
Thank you NetGalley, Tor, and Bramble for this e-arc. Sea of Charms comes out July 27, 2026.
March 23, 2026
This was a great continuation of the Spellshop series. I enjoyed following Marin in this story as she finds herself with a small crew. I loved seeing more of the magical world in this installment. I loved the cast of characters and the found family dynamic between them. Overall this was a really cute, cozy read.
Read this if you like:
📖 Forced proximity
📖 Found family
📖 Slow burn
📖 Lovable characters
Thank you to @brambleromance & @netgalley for the gifted arc.
Read this if you like:
📖 Forced proximity
📖 Found family
📖 Slow burn
📖 Lovable characters
Thank you to @brambleromance & @netgalley for the gifted arc.
November 7, 2025
4.5 stars
So charming! I just really love these books and this world; it's so cozy and heartwarming.
So charming! I just really love these books and this world; it's so cozy and heartwarming.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Just as magical and incredible as Spellshop!
I loved seeing Marin and Ree again and learning what drove them. Dax was just perfect and I love him so much. And I think we all need a Perri in our lives.
This book gave me all the vibes of Moana crossed with Pirates of the Caribbean lol and all the fuzzy emotions. I just adored it.
I loved seeing Marin and Ree again and learning what drove them. Dax was just perfect and I love him so much. And I think we all need a Perri in our lives.
This book gave me all the vibes of Moana crossed with Pirates of the Caribbean lol and all the fuzzy emotions. I just adored it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The story was beautiful and a great interconnected story to the other two books. It's nice getting to see the old friends again and go on many adventures expanding this world. It also talked a lot about politics and the overuse of power by those in control. It also explores the importance of choice. Overall, this is a good feeling cozy book that also goes deep. Pun intended.
Thanks Netgalley!
Thanks Netgalley!
future-releases
March 22, 2026So glad this exists because I NEED MORE
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love Sarah Beth Durst’s writing. I will make no apology for being an unabashed fan of her rich world building, her complex characters, and her ability to pull on my heart. This is my eleventh Durst book (including two series and four stand alone) and her writing always makes me laugh, makes me cry, and makes me imagine. Sea of Charms was as creative and clever as I had hoped it would be.
Our story follows Marin, the captain from the second book who delivers packages and takes aboard Ree, a sentient shrubbery who dreams of being a sailor. Joining them are Dax, a prominent composer working towards his grand master status, and Perri, a colorful sea serpent. The crew goes on adventures across the isles, meeting friends, getting into adventures, and earning money to pay back Marin’s debt. What Spellshop did with baking and Enchanted Greenhouse did with gardening is what Sea of Charms does with music, using the task as both a means and an end in the story to convey feelings of warmth.
As always, Durst’s worldbuilding stands out. Her creativity in expanding the Crescent Isles never ceases to amaze me, from the descriptions of animals and foliage to the differing cultures. Her deceptions are vivid without being boring, immersive without being overwhelming. I would love another book that’s simply a series of short stories of Marin and her crew exploring the islands and discovering new cultures and saving animals or sentient plants or something, because her world building is creative and complex while still being accessible. It’s a mark of a truly great writer to make a world feel tangible without being too verbose.
All three of our books have had romance plotlines, but this one in particular felt more prominent than the previous two. The primary conflict of the story centered around the romance plot, and the pacing felt more in line with a romance than a fantasy novel. The story’s first half engages in a lot of typical romance tropes, including the fake dating trope and the one bed trope, but both are done with a self-awareness and a wink. There’s a cheekiness to the romance, but also a sweetness and a vulnerability, and Marin’s growth within the relationship is well done. The conflict and her growth in the story are primarily around the romance, unlike the previous stories where their understandings of magic and their respective skills (gardening, baking, jam-making, etc) are our characters’ catalyst for growth. Still, the found family and the romance in this story are both excellent and worth it.
That being said, Sea of Charms feels much less cozy than the previous two in this series. There are definitely cozy moments: extended musings on sunsets, the savoring of a fresh pastry, a variety of magical plants and animals, and a lot of music. But Sea of Charms is thrust headfirst into the revolution in a way that the previous books do not; Marin has to regularly enter the city to make deliveries, so the revolution that Kiela escapes at the beginning stays a prominent part of the story. Marin often muses about the reasons for the revolution, including her own thoughts on power imbalances that feel a little too close to home in 2026. The story also has a prominent theme about Marin’s abusive exboyfriend, who plays a prominent role one of the conflicts of the story. The setting and stakes feel heavier than the previous stories, for good reason; Marin has a reason to see the revolution unfold in a way that Kiela or Terlu do not, and it would feel disingenuous for her to skip those parts. But it does make for a more serious conflict; I can’t imagine either of our other characters stumbling across a dead body in the road, but it does happen in this story. The book still has a lot of cozy elements, and the larger conflict remains relatively low stakes, but the backdrop of the story is much more tense than the previous books. This story also did not have the extended epilogue that Enchanted Greenhouse did, which I thought was a really nice touch and I hoped Durst would continue doing.
I love Durst’s writing. I love this book, and wish I could continue to adventure with Marin. The found family is quirky and compelling, the romance is well done, and Marin is an enjoyable main character. I laughed out loud (my husband gave me a very odd look), I cried happy tears and I cried sad ones. This story is romantic and creative and musical and lovely. This book does feel less cozy and more timely than our previous stories, but the story ends exactly in the right place and has lots of cozy moments to sink into.
A huge thank you to Tor for providing this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Our story follows Marin, the captain from the second book who delivers packages and takes aboard Ree, a sentient shrubbery who dreams of being a sailor. Joining them are Dax, a prominent composer working towards his grand master status, and Perri, a colorful sea serpent. The crew goes on adventures across the isles, meeting friends, getting into adventures, and earning money to pay back Marin’s debt. What Spellshop did with baking and Enchanted Greenhouse did with gardening is what Sea of Charms does with music, using the task as both a means and an end in the story to convey feelings of warmth.
As always, Durst’s worldbuilding stands out. Her creativity in expanding the Crescent Isles never ceases to amaze me, from the descriptions of animals and foliage to the differing cultures. Her deceptions are vivid without being boring, immersive without being overwhelming. I would love another book that’s simply a series of short stories of Marin and her crew exploring the islands and discovering new cultures and saving animals or sentient plants or something, because her world building is creative and complex while still being accessible. It’s a mark of a truly great writer to make a world feel tangible without being too verbose.
All three of our books have had romance plotlines, but this one in particular felt more prominent than the previous two. The primary conflict of the story centered around the romance plot, and the pacing felt more in line with a romance than a fantasy novel. The story’s first half engages in a lot of typical romance tropes, including the fake dating trope and the one bed trope, but both are done with a self-awareness and a wink. There’s a cheekiness to the romance, but also a sweetness and a vulnerability, and Marin’s growth within the relationship is well done. The conflict and her growth in the story are primarily around the romance, unlike the previous stories where their understandings of magic and their respective skills (gardening, baking, jam-making, etc) are our characters’ catalyst for growth. Still, the found family and the romance in this story are both excellent and worth it.
That being said, Sea of Charms feels much less cozy than the previous two in this series. There are definitely cozy moments: extended musings on sunsets, the savoring of a fresh pastry, a variety of magical plants and animals, and a lot of music. But Sea of Charms is thrust headfirst into the revolution in a way that the previous books do not; Marin has to regularly enter the city to make deliveries, so the revolution that Kiela escapes at the beginning stays a prominent part of the story. Marin often muses about the reasons for the revolution, including her own thoughts on power imbalances that feel a little too close to home in 2026. The story also has a prominent theme about Marin’s abusive exboyfriend, who plays a prominent role one of the conflicts of the story. The setting and stakes feel heavier than the previous stories, for good reason; Marin has a reason to see the revolution unfold in a way that Kiela or Terlu do not, and it would feel disingenuous for her to skip those parts. But it does make for a more serious conflict; I can’t imagine either of our other characters stumbling across a dead body in the road, but it does happen in this story. The book still has a lot of cozy elements, and the larger conflict remains relatively low stakes, but the backdrop of the story is much more tense than the previous books. This story also did not have the extended epilogue that Enchanted Greenhouse did, which I thought was a really nice touch and I hoped Durst would continue doing.
I love Durst’s writing. I love this book, and wish I could continue to adventure with Marin. The found family is quirky and compelling, the romance is well done, and Marin is an enjoyable main character. I laughed out loud (my husband gave me a very odd look), I cried happy tears and I cried sad ones. This story is romantic and creative and musical and lovely. This book does feel less cozy and more timely than our previous stories, but the story ends exactly in the right place and has lots of cozy moments to sink into.
A huge thank you to Tor for providing this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When I got the email inviting me to read Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst, I was in the middle of some upheaval and only had time to glance at the email. "Oh nice", I thought, "A new book to read!", as I carried on with what I was doing. A few days later, I was sitting with a loved one in the hospital and remembered that I had a new book. As my loved one slept, I opened up the NetGalley app and audibly gasped. I had to bite back an actual squeal to avoid waking up my loved one. I have never been so excited about a new book in my life, I'm pretty sure. I immediately downloaded it and jumped in headfirst. I don't recommend trying to read this one in the hospital, way too many interruptions, but I definitely DO recommend reading it. Immediately, if not sooner!
Sea of Charms is the third book in the Spellshop series. If you haven't read those, let me hit you with some background:
The Spellshop is the first in the series. I was NOT interested. Like....AT ALL. I'd heard it described as a cozy fantasy romance, and as we've discussed previously, I don't love spice. And it feels like almost all "romance" books are very spicy indeed lately. However, I was desperate for new books to take on vacation so I caved and picked it up. Day 1 of my beach vacation, I packed it into my beach/pool bag and headed out.
Readers, when I tell you I was hooked, I do not exaggerate. Sarah Beth Durst quickly became my current favorite author. She is an excellent storyteller and I was drawn in right away. I fell in love with this beautiful universe she has created.
The second in the series is The Enchanted Greenhouse. I grabbed this one at the library because I have to wait for it to come out in paperback before I can buy it. (Because I have to have matching editions, obviously.) And of course it was amazing. I'm convinced Sarah Beth Durst couldn't write a terrible book if she tried. This series is not one that continues the same storyline through all three books. Rather they each stand independently while taking place in the same universe. I adore how Durst weaves our previously met characters into the story as brief encounters.
And now to Sea of Charms. I can not adequately describe how very very much I adore this book. It may be my favorite in the series, even. This one follows Marin, a boat captain that we met in The Enchanted Greenhouse, and her small eclectic crew. They are supply runners and we follow their adventures as they work to pay off a debt. We get to meet loads of new creatures and characters, and watch Marin adjust from sailing alone to being the captain of her little crew.
The writing is gorgeous. I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy (paperback, of course, so I have a looooooong wait. Unless I decide I need to upgrade my copy of The Spellshop and get all three in hardcover...)
I don't know if it is because I'm going through some things right now, but my eyes got misty more than once. Two scenes in particular made me actually unable to hold those tears back. My only possibly negative thought is that Marin's internal struggle was simultaneously annoying and relatable. Probably because it so closely relates to my own, to be honest.
Sea of Charms comes out in July (as does the paperback edition of The Enchanted Greenhouse) and is available for pre-order now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Probably other places as well, but those are the two places I personally looked. Go pre-order. Seriously. Go now!
Obviously, I give this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level 0. (Thank you for that, Sarah Beth Durst!)
I can't help but wonder if one of those new characters may lead to another foray into the Spellshop universe. (PRETTY PLEASE?!? 🤞)
**Thank you Tor Publishing Group for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own**
Sea of Charms is the third book in the Spellshop series. If you haven't read those, let me hit you with some background:
The Spellshop is the first in the series. I was NOT interested. Like....AT ALL. I'd heard it described as a cozy fantasy romance, and as we've discussed previously, I don't love spice. And it feels like almost all "romance" books are very spicy indeed lately. However, I was desperate for new books to take on vacation so I caved and picked it up. Day 1 of my beach vacation, I packed it into my beach/pool bag and headed out.
Readers, when I tell you I was hooked, I do not exaggerate. Sarah Beth Durst quickly became my current favorite author. She is an excellent storyteller and I was drawn in right away. I fell in love with this beautiful universe she has created.
The second in the series is The Enchanted Greenhouse. I grabbed this one at the library because I have to wait for it to come out in paperback before I can buy it. (Because I have to have matching editions, obviously.) And of course it was amazing. I'm convinced Sarah Beth Durst couldn't write a terrible book if she tried. This series is not one that continues the same storyline through all three books. Rather they each stand independently while taking place in the same universe. I adore how Durst weaves our previously met characters into the story as brief encounters.
And now to Sea of Charms. I can not adequately describe how very very much I adore this book. It may be my favorite in the series, even. This one follows Marin, a boat captain that we met in The Enchanted Greenhouse, and her small eclectic crew. They are supply runners and we follow their adventures as they work to pay off a debt. We get to meet loads of new creatures and characters, and watch Marin adjust from sailing alone to being the captain of her little crew.
The writing is gorgeous. I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy (paperback, of course, so I have a looooooong wait. Unless I decide I need to upgrade my copy of The Spellshop and get all three in hardcover...)
I don't know if it is because I'm going through some things right now, but my eyes got misty more than once. Two scenes in particular made me actually unable to hold those tears back. My only possibly negative thought is that Marin's internal struggle was simultaneously annoying and relatable. Probably because it so closely relates to my own, to be honest.
Sea of Charms comes out in July (as does the paperback edition of The Enchanted Greenhouse) and is available for pre-order now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Probably other places as well, but those are the two places I personally looked. Go pre-order. Seriously. Go now!
Obviously, I give this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level 0. (Thank you for that, Sarah Beth Durst!)
I can't help but wonder if one of those new characters may lead to another foray into the Spellshop universe. (PRETTY PLEASE?!? 🤞)
**Thank you Tor Publishing Group for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own**
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
5 stars. Would give 4.5 but Goodreads doesn't do halves and this book earned the round-up.
Sea of Charms is the finale the Spellshop series deserved, and Marin is the heroine I didn't know I needed until she was already living rent-free in my chest.
She's two years out from a man who loved her in theory and dismantled her in practice. She has her sailboat, a sea serpent who decided they were friends without asking her permission, and a personal policy that goes something like: the sea doesn't ask you to be small, so neither will I. Then a revolution splits the empire open, a purple-haired musician with zero survival instincts ends up on her boat, and the carefully constructed life she's built starts asking inconvenient questions.
What this book does right:
Marin is not waiting to be healed. She got out. She rebuilt. The work now is figuring out that choosing someone doesn't mean losing yourself — and watching her get there, slowly and stubbornly and on her own terms, is deeply satisfying. Dax is everything her ex wasn't: forward without being pushy, earnest without being naive, and smart enough to step onto her boat and never once try to tell her how to sail it. He says the embarrassingly sincere thing directly to her face and means every word of it. I was not immune.
The world is stunning. Durst writes atmosphere like she's been there — painted cliffs blazing red and gold, a conservatory rising above the canals like a sugar-art cake, a sailboat bigger on the inside with enchanted lights arranged like private constellations. You don't read descriptions so much as feel them.
And Perri. Perri. The sea serpent who chose Marin when she saved his life and never left. His storyline in this book will wreck you quietly and completely and I will not apologize for telling you that in advance. You need to be prepared.
One honest caveat:
This is YA, and the romance lives within those limits. The slow burn is more wistful than dangerous. For readers who need their tension to feel genuinely threatening, this one leans warm rather than electric. It didn't bother me. The emotional payoff is real. But worth knowing going in.
The ending:
Marin doesn't let Dax buy his way onto her crew. She asks him to buy half the boat. Partners. Equals. The way her parents always were. It is not conventionally swoony. It is exactly right. And the final confrontation with the man who tried to break her — no dramatic speech, no explosion of power, just the quiet realization that the fear is simply gone — hit harder than any battle scene could have.
This series has always been about freedom as the prerequisite for love, not the reward. Sea of Charms closes that argument beautifully.
Read the whole series. Start with The Spellshop. Feel your feelings about Perri.
You are allowed.
Want the full breakdown? The complete Dragon Reads review — vibes, scores, quotes, and all my feelings about Perri — is live now: Sea of Charms | Dragon Reads
And if you loved this series, the full Spellshop playlist — one continuous score from Book 1 through Book 3 — drops at the end of March. Come find your people.
Sea of Charms is the finale the Spellshop series deserved, and Marin is the heroine I didn't know I needed until she was already living rent-free in my chest.
She's two years out from a man who loved her in theory and dismantled her in practice. She has her sailboat, a sea serpent who decided they were friends without asking her permission, and a personal policy that goes something like: the sea doesn't ask you to be small, so neither will I. Then a revolution splits the empire open, a purple-haired musician with zero survival instincts ends up on her boat, and the carefully constructed life she's built starts asking inconvenient questions.
What this book does right:
Marin is not waiting to be healed. She got out. She rebuilt. The work now is figuring out that choosing someone doesn't mean losing yourself — and watching her get there, slowly and stubbornly and on her own terms, is deeply satisfying. Dax is everything her ex wasn't: forward without being pushy, earnest without being naive, and smart enough to step onto her boat and never once try to tell her how to sail it. He says the embarrassingly sincere thing directly to her face and means every word of it. I was not immune.
The world is stunning. Durst writes atmosphere like she's been there — painted cliffs blazing red and gold, a conservatory rising above the canals like a sugar-art cake, a sailboat bigger on the inside with enchanted lights arranged like private constellations. You don't read descriptions so much as feel them.
And Perri. Perri. The sea serpent who chose Marin when she saved his life and never left. His storyline in this book will wreck you quietly and completely and I will not apologize for telling you that in advance. You need to be prepared.
One honest caveat:
This is YA, and the romance lives within those limits. The slow burn is more wistful than dangerous. For readers who need their tension to feel genuinely threatening, this one leans warm rather than electric. It didn't bother me. The emotional payoff is real. But worth knowing going in.
The ending:
Marin doesn't let Dax buy his way onto her crew. She asks him to buy half the boat. Partners. Equals. The way her parents always were. It is not conventionally swoony. It is exactly right. And the final confrontation with the man who tried to break her — no dramatic speech, no explosion of power, just the quiet realization that the fear is simply gone — hit harder than any battle scene could have.
This series has always been about freedom as the prerequisite for love, not the reward. Sea of Charms closes that argument beautifully.
Read the whole series. Start with The Spellshop. Feel your feelings about Perri.
You are allowed.
Want the full breakdown? The complete Dragon Reads review — vibes, scores, quotes, and all my feelings about Perri — is live now: Sea of Charms | Dragon Reads
And if you loved this series, the full Spellshop playlist — one continuous score from Book 1 through Book 3 — drops at the end of March. Come find your people.
March 16, 2026
sea of charms by sarah beth durst ⛵️☀️🌊
“It’s nice to not go through life alone,” Surot said. “Don’t deny yourself that joy. Share your sunrises and your sunsets.”
★★★★★
The way I screamed (no, seriously) when an 8 PM NetGalley ARC approval hit on a Friday night and I immediately dropped ALL my current reads to start Sea of Charms. Many, many thanks to Tor Publishing Group for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Spellshop series is the epitome of cozy fantasy, and Sea of Charms delivers the same charm as the first two books. This time, instead of enchanted greenhouses and secret spell shops, we set sail on an adventure with a musically (seriously, it felt like a musical at times) talented cast of characters so wholesome you’ll be grinning ear to ear the entire time.
Marin. I KNEW and WANTED her book the moment she was introduced in the series, and we are so spoiled to get this adorable story. Marin owes a lot of money, and somehow her toxic, manipulative ex-fiancé is now the one in charge of collecting that debt and holding it over her head. So she spends her days at sea, taking on runs to pay it down and secure her parents’ future.
Along the way, we meet the best ensemble of characters. Dax, a composer who dreams of singing waterfalls. Ree, our sentient plant who has always wanted to be a sailor. And Perri, the musically inclined sea serpent with a fiercely protective streak for our captain. We also get to explore different islands, meet new people, learn more lore, and even encounter a dragon who hoards sailboats.
This story weaves beautifully with the first two books, giving us more insight and updates on the city of Alyssium. I adored revisiting past characters. I did wish we got a little more time with some of them, but this was Marin’s story, and I’m glad we still got those cameos when we did.
Surprisingly, for a low-stakes cozy fantasy, this one carries a little more intensity thanks to the toxic ex-fiancé and the betrayal that comes with him. But we’re also blessed with a beautiful fake dating trope AND ONE BED. OMG. I AM GAGGED.
I’m absolutely obsessed with this beautiful, enormous story. I haven’t even covered the surface of the purest, most enduring love story 🥺
My only complaint is that it’s over. I hope we get to see even more built from this world, because I will absolutely be revisiting this series
“It’s nice to not go through life alone,” Surot said. “Don’t deny yourself that joy. Share your sunrises and your sunsets.”
★★★★★
The way I screamed (no, seriously) when an 8 PM NetGalley ARC approval hit on a Friday night and I immediately dropped ALL my current reads to start Sea of Charms. Many, many thanks to Tor Publishing Group for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Spellshop series is the epitome of cozy fantasy, and Sea of Charms delivers the same charm as the first two books. This time, instead of enchanted greenhouses and secret spell shops, we set sail on an adventure with a musically (seriously, it felt like a musical at times) talented cast of characters so wholesome you’ll be grinning ear to ear the entire time.
Marin. I KNEW and WANTED her book the moment she was introduced in the series, and we are so spoiled to get this adorable story. Marin owes a lot of money, and somehow her toxic, manipulative ex-fiancé is now the one in charge of collecting that debt and holding it over her head. So she spends her days at sea, taking on runs to pay it down and secure her parents’ future.
Along the way, we meet the best ensemble of characters. Dax, a composer who dreams of singing waterfalls. Ree, our sentient plant who has always wanted to be a sailor. And Perri, the musically inclined sea serpent with a fiercely protective streak for our captain. We also get to explore different islands, meet new people, learn more lore, and even encounter a dragon who hoards sailboats.
This story weaves beautifully with the first two books, giving us more insight and updates on the city of Alyssium. I adored revisiting past characters. I did wish we got a little more time with some of them, but this was Marin’s story, and I’m glad we still got those cameos when we did.
Surprisingly, for a low-stakes cozy fantasy, this one carries a little more intensity thanks to the toxic ex-fiancé and the betrayal that comes with him. But we’re also blessed with a beautiful fake dating trope AND ONE BED. OMG. I AM GAGGED.
I’m absolutely obsessed with this beautiful, enormous story. I haven’t even covered the surface of the purest, most enduring love story 🥺
My only complaint is that it’s over. I hope we get to see even more built from this world, because I will absolutely be revisiting this series
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sea of Charms is the third book in the Spellshop series (1st: The Spellshop, 2nd: The Enchanted Greenhouse). All three books are set in magical island world full of flying cats, hoarded magic, and political intrigue. If you have read the second book then you will recognize the protagonist of Sea of Charms, Marin, who is the sailer who interacts with Yarrow and Terlu in The Enchanted Greenhouse. In fact, this story overlaps with the events in the first two books in a really interesting way, giving us a different point of view for a number of important events in the fall of the Crescent Island Empire.
Marin, the fmc of Sea of Charms, is a supply runner moving goods and supplies on her sail boat between islands. She is joined by another sentient plant, Rae, who is a wax myrtle (a halophyte!) and an adorable sea serpent. (I too would love to have a sea serpent and sentient plant sidekicks…) We soon learn she has a bit of a crush on Dax, a grad student at the Music Conservatory of Alyssium, whom she sees when drops off supplies there. (Alyssium is the capital city, where the government and the library where Terlu and Kiela worked at.) As you know if you have read either of the other books in this series, there is a great deal of political unrest in Alyssium, and Marin ends up taking Dax and several of his peers out of the capital for their safety. At the same time, she is running from her own past and debts and afraid to let anyone, even Dax, in. She does make a deal with him to trade passage on her boat in exchange for being her fake boyfriend though, and of course, hijinks ensue!
A beautiful story on its own, and a really rich addition to the world of the Spellshop. It is low/ no spice with romance. This book, more than the first two, felt very politically relevant to current events and was an interesting read in addition to its general coziness. It’s a super summery book imho, and I am always keeping an eye out for cozy summer books, because they are generally harder to come by then cozy fall and winter reads. It comes out just in time to add to your cozy summer tbr!
Sea of Charms comes out July 28, 2026.
Thank you to Tor Publishing/ Bramble for providing this arc copy for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Marin, the fmc of Sea of Charms, is a supply runner moving goods and supplies on her sail boat between islands. She is joined by another sentient plant, Rae, who is a wax myrtle (a halophyte!) and an adorable sea serpent. (I too would love to have a sea serpent and sentient plant sidekicks…) We soon learn she has a bit of a crush on Dax, a grad student at the Music Conservatory of Alyssium, whom she sees when drops off supplies there. (Alyssium is the capital city, where the government and the library where Terlu and Kiela worked at.) As you know if you have read either of the other books in this series, there is a great deal of political unrest in Alyssium, and Marin ends up taking Dax and several of his peers out of the capital for their safety. At the same time, she is running from her own past and debts and afraid to let anyone, even Dax, in. She does make a deal with him to trade passage on her boat in exchange for being her fake boyfriend though, and of course, hijinks ensue!
A beautiful story on its own, and a really rich addition to the world of the Spellshop. It is low/ no spice with romance. This book, more than the first two, felt very politically relevant to current events and was an interesting read in addition to its general coziness. It’s a super summery book imho, and I am always keeping an eye out for cozy summer books, because they are generally harder to come by then cozy fall and winter reads. It comes out just in time to add to your cozy summer tbr!
Sea of Charms comes out July 28, 2026.
Thank you to Tor Publishing/ Bramble for providing this arc copy for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
November 17, 2025
Electronic ARC provided by Edelweiss.
This is my favorite installment yet of Sarah Beth Durst's cozy fantasy series. Sea of Charms follows Marin, the sailor first introduced in The Enchanted Greenhouse, and parallels the time period of the first two books. Each new book has expanded the world of the Crescent Isles, and Marin's story, for me at least, is what finally snaps the series into a fully realized world.
Marin has always wanted to be a sailor, a dream that her parents fully support. However, a brush with an ex-lover who turned out to be a different person from what he first portrayed has caused her to run from home, cynical, in debt, and certain that romantic relationships can only lead to ruin. Her parents poured all of their savings into buying her amazing boat so that she can sail freely, and with her sea serpent friend Perri Marin is attempting to earn enough money via trade routes to pay back her family's debt. Of course the more she sails into the capital city of Alyssium the more clear it becomes that something is desperately wrong, and that she may end up having to choose between paying her debts and doing what she knows is right. It also doesn't help that her gorgeous friend Dax--a composer in training at the Imperial conservatory--might need help fleeing the city.
One of the things that I loved about Marin's story is that her life as a sailor allowed her to travel in and out of the main plot threads woven in the first two books, showing a different perspective and putting the stories firmly into a larger world building context. I also liked that Marin came off as a bit less sheltered and naive then either of the two previous protagonists. Dax was also a delight, as were Perri and Ree (the sentient wax myrtle introduced in the previous book).
Sea of Charms was a delight from start to finish, complete with some pointed commentary about current political events and a lovely resolution that leaves the reader feeling warm and optimistic. I'm growing fonder of the Crescent Isles with each new book, and I'm looking forward to whatever the next journey might be (I have a guess, but we'll have to wait and see if I'm right!).
This is my favorite installment yet of Sarah Beth Durst's cozy fantasy series. Sea of Charms follows Marin, the sailor first introduced in The Enchanted Greenhouse, and parallels the time period of the first two books. Each new book has expanded the world of the Crescent Isles, and Marin's story, for me at least, is what finally snaps the series into a fully realized world.
Marin has always wanted to be a sailor, a dream that her parents fully support. However, a brush with an ex-lover who turned out to be a different person from what he first portrayed has caused her to run from home, cynical, in debt, and certain that romantic relationships can only lead to ruin. Her parents poured all of their savings into buying her amazing boat so that she can sail freely, and with her sea serpent friend Perri Marin is attempting to earn enough money via trade routes to pay back her family's debt. Of course the more she sails into the capital city of Alyssium the more clear it becomes that something is desperately wrong, and that she may end up having to choose between paying her debts and doing what she knows is right. It also doesn't help that her gorgeous friend Dax--a composer in training at the Imperial conservatory--might need help fleeing the city.
One of the things that I loved about Marin's story is that her life as a sailor allowed her to travel in and out of the main plot threads woven in the first two books, showing a different perspective and putting the stories firmly into a larger world building context. I also liked that Marin came off as a bit less sheltered and naive then either of the two previous protagonists. Dax was also a delight, as were Perri and Ree (the sentient wax myrtle introduced in the previous book).
Sea of Charms was a delight from start to finish, complete with some pointed commentary about current political events and a lovely resolution that leaves the reader feeling warm and optimistic. I'm growing fonder of the Crescent Isles with each new book, and I'm looking forward to whatever the next journey might be (I have a guess, but we'll have to wait and see if I'm right!).
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
🎧 Audio Review: Really enjoyed the narration! Helped bring the main character cast to life!
📝 Story Review: While this can be read as a standalone, it’s book 3 in the series and you’ll understand events and connections a bit better if you read the books in order. But totally up to you!
The FMC in this story is very much in love with the sea and being on her special boat, but even her parents know it’s not good for her to be alone all the time. So it’s a good thing that in addition to Perry the sea serpent who tags along with her, she now has a sentient plant that wants to be a sailor and soon winds up with a friend of sorts, on board. But due to a past failed relationship that ended badly, she doesn’t trust easily and keeps her heart guarded. So the question is, when their seafaring adventure amidst an empire collapse comes to an end, will she open her heart up to a chance to love again or sail off on another adventure with regret trailing after her?
As with each book in this series, this gave fun, cozy warm feels, but you also have adventure and found family with a variety of fantastical creatures! I felt this one had a bit more real life depth to it, due to her ex fiancé who was manipulative and narcissistic. She really had a lot of ptsd from the number he did on her and her family, and it was prevalent throughout the story.
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 4.5/5
Vibes: Sea adventure with laughs and companionship; Trying to overcome trauma from an ex who is still trying to ruin you. Cozy, yet deep.
Tropes 👇
- Seafaring adventure
- Found family
- Learning to love again
- Golden retriever MMC
- Sentient plant companion
- Winged cats, Dragons & More!
- FMC w commitment/relationship issues
- Musically inclined MMC
- Family obligations
CW’s 👇
- Death
- Revolution/empire burning
- Manipulative/narcissistic ex
- Trauma/ptsd from failed relationship
Audio Release Date: July 27, 2026
Audio Run Time: 12 hrs, 34 mins
Narrated By: Caitlin Davies
Series: Spellshop, Book 3
Genre: Cozy Fantasy
POV: Third Person; Single
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC in return for my honest review!
📝 Story Review: While this can be read as a standalone, it’s book 3 in the series and you’ll understand events and connections a bit better if you read the books in order. But totally up to you!
The FMC in this story is very much in love with the sea and being on her special boat, but even her parents know it’s not good for her to be alone all the time. So it’s a good thing that in addition to Perry the sea serpent who tags along with her, she now has a sentient plant that wants to be a sailor and soon winds up with a friend of sorts, on board. But due to a past failed relationship that ended badly, she doesn’t trust easily and keeps her heart guarded. So the question is, when their seafaring adventure amidst an empire collapse comes to an end, will she open her heart up to a chance to love again or sail off on another adventure with regret trailing after her?
As with each book in this series, this gave fun, cozy warm feels, but you also have adventure and found family with a variety of fantastical creatures! I felt this one had a bit more real life depth to it, due to her ex fiancé who was manipulative and narcissistic. She really had a lot of ptsd from the number he did on her and her family, and it was prevalent throughout the story.
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 4.5/5
Vibes: Sea adventure with laughs and companionship; Trying to overcome trauma from an ex who is still trying to ruin you. Cozy, yet deep.
Tropes 👇
- Seafaring adventure
- Found family
- Learning to love again
- Golden retriever MMC
- Sentient plant companion
- Winged cats, Dragons & More!
- FMC w commitment/relationship issues
- Musically inclined MMC
- Family obligations
CW’s 👇
- Death
- Revolution/empire burning
- Manipulative/narcissistic ex
- Trauma/ptsd from failed relationship
Audio Release Date: July 27, 2026
Audio Run Time: 12 hrs, 34 mins
Narrated By: Caitlin Davies
Series: Spellshop, Book 3
Genre: Cozy Fantasy
POV: Third Person; Single
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC in return for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
5⭐️ 🫑
Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst is just as the title suggests: absolutely charming and the cozy, warm hug that I needed!
Marin has always loved working on the big blue sea, and after a disastrous relationship, she flees. Now working as a supply runner using her own boat - Silver, she hops from island to island transporting goods. With the help of her trusty friends Perri the sea serpent and Ree the shurb, she embarks on a routine trip to the capital, Alyssium, where she finds herself caught in the midst of a revolution. She takes pity on the members of the local music conservatory and helps them escape, including her composer friend Dax. With the closer proximity between them and a fake fiancée agreement, they become closer, and maybe she isn't saving him after all; instead, maybe he is saving her.
Sea of Charms is solidly my favorite book in The Spellshop series of interconnected standalones. It skillfully blends the friends-to-lovers trope into the magical background of the Crescent Islands Empire and takes Marin one of my favorite side characters in The Enchanted Greenhouse and gives her the story she deserves, while widening the scope of the world.
It was also so nice to revisit main characters from The Spellshop and The Enchanted Greenhouse, through their cameos in the story. It provides a nice little snippet into their lives after their love stories, and I was so excited to see Caz the spider plant again!
I also love how Dax's love of music was portrayed in the story. As someone who finds both listening to and playing music to be my happy place, it was one of the best portrayals of the feelings music gives me.
Finally, I was so happy when I saw that Caitlin Davis had returned to narrate Sea of Charms after the excellent job she did with The Spellshop and The Enchanted Greenhouse. Her performance was excellent as always. I especially enjoyed her portrayal of Ree in this book; she perfectly performed his essence!
Thank you to Sarah Beth Durst, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the Advanced Listener Copy of this book. I will definitely be buying a physical copy for my collection. This review is left voluntarily.
Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst is just as the title suggests: absolutely charming and the cozy, warm hug that I needed!
Marin has always loved working on the big blue sea, and after a disastrous relationship, she flees. Now working as a supply runner using her own boat - Silver, she hops from island to island transporting goods. With the help of her trusty friends Perri the sea serpent and Ree the shurb, she embarks on a routine trip to the capital, Alyssium, where she finds herself caught in the midst of a revolution. She takes pity on the members of the local music conservatory and helps them escape, including her composer friend Dax. With the closer proximity between them and a fake fiancée agreement, they become closer, and maybe she isn't saving him after all; instead, maybe he is saving her.
Sea of Charms is solidly my favorite book in The Spellshop series of interconnected standalones. It skillfully blends the friends-to-lovers trope into the magical background of the Crescent Islands Empire and takes Marin one of my favorite side characters in The Enchanted Greenhouse and gives her the story she deserves, while widening the scope of the world.
It was also so nice to revisit main characters from The Spellshop and The Enchanted Greenhouse, through their cameos in the story. It provides a nice little snippet into their lives after their love stories, and I was so excited to see Caz the spider plant again!
I also love how Dax's love of music was portrayed in the story. As someone who finds both listening to and playing music to be my happy place, it was one of the best portrayals of the feelings music gives me.
Finally, I was so happy when I saw that Caitlin Davis had returned to narrate Sea of Charms after the excellent job she did with The Spellshop and The Enchanted Greenhouse. Her performance was excellent as always. I especially enjoyed her portrayal of Ree in this book; she perfectly performed his essence!
Thank you to Sarah Beth Durst, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the Advanced Listener Copy of this book. I will definitely be buying a physical copy for my collection. This review is left voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A friendly sea serpent, a singing shrub, and their captain sail through islands in this cozy fantasy story. The eccentric crew of the Silver make new friends, create new memories, and discover new creatures as they make deliveries and rescue people. Captain Marin knows better than to become distracted as she lives out her dream of sailing in her beloved boat. She desires nothing than what the sea can provide. When a trip to the burning capital of Alyssium leads her crew to rescue their friend Dax, she can’t help but become distracted by his kindness and charm. Marin struggles to contain her growing feelings for Dax, and the realization that they live in two different worlds deepens as they spend more time together.
Sara Beth Durst does it again! She brings us another whimsical story that plucks its readers from reality and gently places them back in the Spellshop series universe. This cozy story brings back the adorable sentient plants we’ve come to love and follows the story of the hardworking captain we met during The Enchanted Greenhouse (Spellshop book 2). The story follows the captain on her many adventures and gives us a glimpse of what occurred around the same time as book two of the series. While Sea of Charms runs concurrently with the second book, it can also be read as a standalone story.
It is a perfect book to dive into if you’re looking to escape into a low-stakes cozy fantasy world full of fun creatures and heartwarming scenes. You'll enjoy the book's quaint settings and the found family dynamics around the main characters. The romance plot is sweet and develops gradually throughout their adventures together. It’s a girl night in, cozying up with a mug after a long day kind of book!
For readers who enjoy the Spellshop series!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is an advance reader copy (ARC) and may contain errors or changes before final publication. My review is voluntary and reflects my personal thoughts.
Sara Beth Durst does it again! She brings us another whimsical story that plucks its readers from reality and gently places them back in the Spellshop series universe. This cozy story brings back the adorable sentient plants we’ve come to love and follows the story of the hardworking captain we met during The Enchanted Greenhouse (Spellshop book 2). The story follows the captain on her many adventures and gives us a glimpse of what occurred around the same time as book two of the series. While Sea of Charms runs concurrently with the second book, it can also be read as a standalone story.
It is a perfect book to dive into if you’re looking to escape into a low-stakes cozy fantasy world full of fun creatures and heartwarming scenes. You'll enjoy the book's quaint settings and the found family dynamics around the main characters. The romance plot is sweet and develops gradually throughout their adventures together. It’s a girl night in, cozying up with a mug after a long day kind of book!
For readers who enjoy the Spellshop series!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is an advance reader copy (ARC) and may contain errors or changes before final publication. My review is voluntary and reflects my personal thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Description- Marin had always belonged on the great blue sea. When the man she thought was the love of her life schemed to ruin her parents’ business, she did what her heart knew best: she fled to the sea.
Now working as a supply runner on her own boat, Marin sails from island to island, delivering a varied array of goods: letters, flour, stories, and even the occasional enchanted statue. It’s a lonely life, but it’s hers. Besides, she’s got the company of Perri the sea serpent and Ree the sailor shrub. They’re the best crew she could ask for.
On one of her routine trips to the capital of the Crescent Islands Empire, Alyssium, Marin finds the city on fire and a revolution underway—so she offers transportation to Dax, a composer friend who refuses to leave behind his instruments. What starts as a rescue evolves into a deal: Marin will keep Dax on as a (temporary) member of her crew if he becomes her pretend boyfriend at the End-of-Harvest Festival back home.
Against her better judgment, Marin finds herself intrigued by his stubbornness, his passion for stories, his charming smile—and realizes that perhaps she isn’t saving him. Maybe it’s the other way around.
I absolutely loved Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst. It has that perfect mix of magic, emotion, and adventure that pulls you in right from the start. Durst writing style is vivid and immersive. . The characters feel real and relatable while living in a magical world. It’s the kind of book that feels cozy and enchanting at the same time. It is the 3rd book in the Spellshop series. Each book can be reading as a standalone and in any order.
Caitlin Davies provides superb audible performance. Her voice is magical and makes the adventure more enjoyable.
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for my ALC in exchange for my honest review. I highly recommend you grab your copy on the release date of July 28. Until the you should get your copy of The Spellsop and The Enchanted Greenhouse. I've purchased and pre ordered the deluxe edition of all three.
Now working as a supply runner on her own boat, Marin sails from island to island, delivering a varied array of goods: letters, flour, stories, and even the occasional enchanted statue. It’s a lonely life, but it’s hers. Besides, she’s got the company of Perri the sea serpent and Ree the sailor shrub. They’re the best crew she could ask for.
On one of her routine trips to the capital of the Crescent Islands Empire, Alyssium, Marin finds the city on fire and a revolution underway—so she offers transportation to Dax, a composer friend who refuses to leave behind his instruments. What starts as a rescue evolves into a deal: Marin will keep Dax on as a (temporary) member of her crew if he becomes her pretend boyfriend at the End-of-Harvest Festival back home.
Against her better judgment, Marin finds herself intrigued by his stubbornness, his passion for stories, his charming smile—and realizes that perhaps she isn’t saving him. Maybe it’s the other way around.
I absolutely loved Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst. It has that perfect mix of magic, emotion, and adventure that pulls you in right from the start. Durst writing style is vivid and immersive. . The characters feel real and relatable while living in a magical world. It’s the kind of book that feels cozy and enchanting at the same time. It is the 3rd book in the Spellshop series. Each book can be reading as a standalone and in any order.
Caitlin Davies provides superb audible performance. Her voice is magical and makes the adventure more enjoyable.
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for my ALC in exchange for my honest review. I highly recommend you grab your copy on the release date of July 28. Until the you should get your copy of The Spellsop and The Enchanted Greenhouse. I've purchased and pre ordered the deluxe edition of all three.
February 6, 2026
I was given the opportunity to read and review an ARC from Netgalley.
As a teacher-librarian at a public school that has all reading levels --from emerging readers to university bound students--I am constantly looking for appropriate content that will interest my readers. My students are currently reading mysteries and romances.
Sarah Beth Durst is a new author for me. I received The Spellshop as a Christmas gift and instantly fell in love with the main character, Kiela. I mean - a librarian as a heroine? Fantastic! I also loved her companion, the sentient spider plant Kaz.
I picked up the second in the series, The Enchanted Greenhouse and was delighted with the characters and storyline as well.
This novel, Sea of Charms, is the third one in the series set in the same magical land. While I thought that you do not need to read the other novels ahead of this one, it does make more sense since the author discusses events and characters from the previous novels. This novel really fills in the details from those previous novels.
The main character for this adventure is Marin, the sailor that we met in The Enchanted Greenhouse. I feel that she is a female-empowered character getting out of a bad relationship:
“She inhaled deeply and then let out a wild scream with every bit of air in her lungs. No one told her to be quiet. No one told her to return to shore” (page 5). She had basically made herself smaller for someone else and had decided no more. This novel is about Marin travelling the seas and learning to trust others again.
One other part that really spoke to me was about books: “Fear is a jailer. People who have power are often afraid to lose it, and books have the greatest power--they are the culmination of many lifetimes. They grant access to worlds, dreams, thoughts, and wisdom…” (page 313). I won’t reveal the character so it is not spoiled.
What I like about this book and series is that it has a hint of romance and also strong, female characters.
As a teacher-librarian at a public school that has all reading levels --from emerging readers to university bound students--I am constantly looking for appropriate content that will interest my readers. My students are currently reading mysteries and romances.
Sarah Beth Durst is a new author for me. I received The Spellshop as a Christmas gift and instantly fell in love with the main character, Kiela. I mean - a librarian as a heroine? Fantastic! I also loved her companion, the sentient spider plant Kaz.
I picked up the second in the series, The Enchanted Greenhouse and was delighted with the characters and storyline as well.
This novel, Sea of Charms, is the third one in the series set in the same magical land. While I thought that you do not need to read the other novels ahead of this one, it does make more sense since the author discusses events and characters from the previous novels. This novel really fills in the details from those previous novels.
The main character for this adventure is Marin, the sailor that we met in The Enchanted Greenhouse. I feel that she is a female-empowered character getting out of a bad relationship:
“She inhaled deeply and then let out a wild scream with every bit of air in her lungs. No one told her to be quiet. No one told her to return to shore” (page 5). She had basically made herself smaller for someone else and had decided no more. This novel is about Marin travelling the seas and learning to trust others again.
One other part that really spoke to me was about books: “Fear is a jailer. People who have power are often afraid to lose it, and books have the greatest power--they are the culmination of many lifetimes. They grant access to worlds, dreams, thoughts, and wisdom…” (page 313). I won’t reveal the character so it is not spoiled.
What I like about this book and series is that it has a hint of romance and also strong, female characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In general, I liked this book. There were a few issues with the execution, but it is still quite a fun experience.
This book suffers from the way it integrates with the rest of the series. The previous book, The Enchanted Greenhouse, contained references to characters that were in The Spellshop. Those references were subtle. Old readers would catch them, but new readers could experience The Enchanted Greenhouse without feeling like they missed. On the other hand, Sea of Charms has so many references to and even full scenes out of The Enchanted Greenhouse that I got the feeling that new readers would be completely lost. This sort of setup would be fine if the books were printed with some kind of series title or number on the covers encouraging people to read them in order, but these titles lack those kinds of labels. The setting of the book also didn’t work for me, though this issue is purely personal preference. I love the beauty and adventure of an open sea, but for a series that thrives on coziness, the ocean doesn’t quite have the same energy as a cute small town or an island full of magical greenhouses. I liked seeing all the different locations the characters visited, but I never got the “cuddle up with a cat and warm cup of tea on a rainy day” kind of snugness I got from the other two books. Like I said, this aspect is my own personal preference, and this take may not be an issue for other readers. This book also felt more meandery than the previous two. It takes almost halfway through the book for the non-romantic part of the plot to show up. Before that, Marin just travels from island to island, mostly in a pretty relaxed manner. While that makes for some fantastic worldbuilding, the story itself is not that interesting until the debt plot finally shows up.
This book did have a lot of really great aspects. Seeing the transformation of Alyssium before, during, and after the death of the emperor was really interesting, especially since previous books only alluded to the chaos. I also really loved the characters in this one. The two leads have such great chemistry. Dax is so cute and sweet that you just want to hug him. Of the love interests, I can’t decide if I like him or Yarrow more. Marin manages to be both endearing and frustrating at the same time. She’s prickly, but for good reason, and you’ll just want to shake her for downplaying how much she and Dax like each other. The side characters are a lot of fun too, especially Ree, and Marin’s parents might be the cutest couple in the history of the written word. This book also has some amazing worldbuilding. All the different islands have their own unique traits: from wildlife, to styles of dress, to magical natural phenomena. It’s really exciting to see what wonders each location brings.
I definitely recommend this book, but would encourage readers to read The Enchanted Greenhouse so you can get the full context of the story.
This book suffers from the way it integrates with the rest of the series. The previous book, The Enchanted Greenhouse, contained references to characters that were in The Spellshop. Those references were subtle. Old readers would catch them, but new readers could experience The Enchanted Greenhouse without feeling like they missed. On the other hand, Sea of Charms has so many references to and even full scenes out of The Enchanted Greenhouse that I got the feeling that new readers would be completely lost. This sort of setup would be fine if the books were printed with some kind of series title or number on the covers encouraging people to read them in order, but these titles lack those kinds of labels. The setting of the book also didn’t work for me, though this issue is purely personal preference. I love the beauty and adventure of an open sea, but for a series that thrives on coziness, the ocean doesn’t quite have the same energy as a cute small town or an island full of magical greenhouses. I liked seeing all the different locations the characters visited, but I never got the “cuddle up with a cat and warm cup of tea on a rainy day” kind of snugness I got from the other two books. Like I said, this aspect is my own personal preference, and this take may not be an issue for other readers. This book also felt more meandery than the previous two. It takes almost halfway through the book for the non-romantic part of the plot to show up. Before that, Marin just travels from island to island, mostly in a pretty relaxed manner. While that makes for some fantastic worldbuilding, the story itself is not that interesting until the debt plot finally shows up.
This book did have a lot of really great aspects. Seeing the transformation of Alyssium before, during, and after the death of the emperor was really interesting, especially since previous books only alluded to the chaos. I also really loved the characters in this one. The two leads have such great chemistry. Dax is so cute and sweet that you just want to hug him. Of the love interests, I can’t decide if I like him or Yarrow more. Marin manages to be both endearing and frustrating at the same time. She’s prickly, but for good reason, and you’ll just want to shake her for downplaying how much she and Dax like each other. The side characters are a lot of fun too, especially Ree, and Marin’s parents might be the cutest couple in the history of the written word. This book also has some amazing worldbuilding. All the different islands have their own unique traits: from wildlife, to styles of dress, to magical natural phenomena. It’s really exciting to see what wonders each location brings.
I definitely recommend this book, but would encourage readers to read The Enchanted Greenhouse so you can get the full context of the story.
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