I accidentally picked up the fat free half & half at the grocery store so I was sorely in need of a cozy comfort read to make up for that tragedy.
Librarian Kiela and her trusty assistant Caz firmly believe all books are useful. But when those books are spellbooks rescued from the Great Library in the middle of a revolution in a land where magic is outlawed for the common folk but desperately needed… they are both useful and extremely dangerous. Kiela and Caz sail to her childhood home where they’ll be quietly safe making jam. And doing just a teeny tiny bit of unsanctioned magic. And avoiding their extremely handsome neighbor. And maybe doing just a little bit more magic to help the island. Probably no one will notice.
I would have read this book for Caz the sentient spider plant alone. He is a lovely character and a wonderful friend to Kiela. Kiela is no slouch herself though; she’s an introvert who is full of knowledge but severely lacking in experience. It’s a delight to watch her unthaw and make friends among the islanders. The stakes here are relatively small but certainly big enough for the average person. Kiela isn’t out there single handedly quelling the revolution with newfound magic or falling into a torrid toxic romance with a new emperor. She and her best friend get themselves to safety and set up a whole new life. They choose kindness every time when they could just isolate themselves. That’s plenty difficult to me.
Now as Bryn the baker and my grandma used to say- go eat something sweet, it’ll make you sweeter. Put a blob of heavy whipping cream in your coffee. That’s really living life on the edge!