Stay for a Spell by Amy Coombe

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✦ BLURB ✦

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?

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A magical, gentle fantasy about books, curses, and finding your own happily-ever-after.

Pre-Reading Thoughts:
A spellbound bookshop and a princess who’d rather read than rule? Yes, please. I was expecting cosy humour, whimsical magic, and maybe a touch of mischief - all the little things that make a fantasy world feel like home.

Post-Reading:
As I thought... this was utterly charming. Tandy is relatable and clever, and the bookshop setting makes for a warm, immersive space. The spell device is clever but never cruel, keeping the tone light and joyful.

It surprised me by... just how much heart there is beneath the fluff. The royal obligations, parental pressure, and the attention of princes give the story stakes without turning anyone truly villainous. Even the irritating pirate has layers, and the small-town interactions sparkle with humour and sweetness. I’d happily revisit this world - or get a companion story in the same tone.

Music Pairing:
🎵 Featured Song: “Home” – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
🎶 Vibe Album: Folklore – Taylor Swift
🎧 Artist Recommendation: Ingrid Michaelson (light, charming, whimsical)

Vibe Check:

• 🎨 Colour Palette: dusty rose, sunlit gold, cream

• 🎬 Soundtrack: soft chimes, turning pages, the occasional seagull (from the pirate’s distant antics)

• 🌤 Season: early spring, a bright, gentle thaw

• 💭 Mood: cosy, whimsical, quietly mischievous

• 🌹 Scent: old books, vanilla, a touch of sea breeze

Tarot Pull: Page of Cups. Gentle, whimsical and romantic, this card perfectly suits Tandy and her longing for a different kind of life.

For fans of: The House in the Cerulean Sea and A Wish in the Dark (for whimsical charm and gentle worldbuilding)

Stay for a Spell publishes on the 23rd of April, 2026. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.

🃏 The deck had opinions: [Card Name] — [Comment about how it fits the book]

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