Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea – Rebecca Thorne
The Cosiest Book With the Strangest Stakes: Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea
When your life has already been mapped out for you, every duty assigned and every future decided, what right does your heart have to want something different? And when the path to happiness is almost certainly the path to your death… how do you choose? That is the dilemma Reyna faces from the very first pages of Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne.
Billed as “a cosy fantasy steeped in love”, the story follows Kianthe and Reyna as they attempt to carve out a life of their own built around a quiet bookshop, good tea, and the simple hope of being together without fear. It is cosy… and yet, at the same time, not quite.
The setting delivers exactly what you would expect from the genre. The bookshop is warm and inviting with soft, overstuffed chairs, lush, thriving plants, and a steady supply of tea and cake. At the same time, the village itself is populated by friendly locals who welcome newcomers without hesitation. On the surface, it’s everything a cosy fantasy should be. However, cosy fantasy traditionally implies low stakes, and that is where this story edges out of its lane. As events unfold, the stakes climb steadily higher, with Kianthe and Reyna repeatedly finding themselves in situations that are anything but gentle or low-risk.
There is a strong central mystery running through the narrative, and it has all the ingredients for something truly gripping. However, it never quite reaches its full potential. Much of the investigative work is handed off to side characters, who then relay the important details back to our protagonists. It creates an odd sense of distance, especially when the tension is otherwise built so effectively. Moments that should feel sharp and impactful are instead resolved quickly and a little too easily, leaving the overall payoff feeling slightly hollow.
The relationship between Kianthe and Reyna is undeniably sweet. There is a softness to them, that almost giddy, newly-together energy that comes with finally being free to love openly. At first glance, it may seem a little too far along in their relationship for that level of intensity. Still, when you consider that their relationship has been long-distance and secretive, with very little real time spent together, it does make sense. That said, because we never witness those early foundations being built, the emotional connection never fully lands. There’s a noticeable lack of chemistry on the page, not helped by the fact that the writing often tells rather than shows. We are informed when a character is anxious or afraid, rather than being allowed to sit with those emotions and experience them alongside them.
There is also a thread of humour running throughout. Some of the puns lean a little towards the cringeworthy, but they are very much in keeping with the character themself.
Over time, they do begin to feel oddly endearing. Where the book truly shines, however, is in its overall inclusivity. Gender diversity is seamlessly woven into the world; pronouns are respected without question, and they/them characters exist naturally, without explanation or fanfare. Relationships, too, are varied and balanced, with both same-sex and mixed-sex couples represented as the norm. It’s thoughtful, effortless world-building that adds depth without ever drawing attention to itself.
All things considered, Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea is an enjoyable read. Its cosy aesthetic is easy to sink into, even if the story itself doesn’t fully sit within that label. It feels like a gentle entry point into fantasy. Particularly suited to younger readers, or those looking for something welcoming and not overly demanding, while still offering a touch of intrigue and tension. It will likely hold particular appeal for readers exploring their own identity or simply seeking a warm, sapphic-leaning story with a little more going on beneath the surface.
Buy Direct from the author
Buy from Amazon
See what others think on Goodreads
