Susan F. (scoutmomskf) - , reviewed on 9/8/2022 + 2558 more book reviews

What a fun book! I don't think I've read a cozy since Annette Blair's Vintage Magic series and Karen Olsen's Tattoo Shop series, but this was a great reintroduction to the genre. This one caught my eye with its combination of bookstore, tea shop, and magic. It is set in a small town in Washington with quirky residents and interesting shops. As the first book in the series, the introduction of the characters, setting, and situations was done smoothly without feeling like the first few chapters were an infodump.

Newly divorced Phoebe has just inherited most of her Aunt Eudora's estate, from her home (and cat!) to her thriving business. Phoebe has fond memories of summers spent with her aunt, hanging out in the bookstore, and learning to mix tea varieties. She's not sure how she'll do now that it's hers, but she's looking forward to the new start. I loved Phoebe's memories of her aunt and the adventurous life she led. I enjoyed seeing Phoebe explore her new surroundings and her puzzlement at some of the things she learned. Not the least was the realization that her aunt's reputation as a witch may have been more literal than the New Age hippy variety that Phoebe initially believed.

Her first encounters with some of her neighbors set the tone for the book. First up is Dierdre, who claims to be a good friend of Eudora's but was warned against by Eudora herself in a letter to Phoebe. After first trying to suck up to Phoebe and offering to buy the properties, she quickly turns angry and insulting when Phoebe firmly refuses those offers. Dierdre doesn't give up and shows up later, accompanied by a big brute of a man, still trying to bully Phoebe into selling. Phoebe later meets the man renting the apartment above the store in a scene that made me laugh out loud. You can see an immediate connection between them, one that is explained when it turns out he is her old childhood friend, Ricky (now Rich). Some flickers of attraction also bode well as a romantic touch. She also meets Amy, who owns the bakery next door, and becomes an instant friend.

Matters become complicated when Phoebe receives a call from the police about a dead body outside the back door of her store. She's disturbed to identify the body as the man who had been with Dierdre and wonders why he'd been behind her store. Does it have something to do with Dierdre's desire to buy the properties? She's determined to do what she can to find out.

This is where some of the magic comes in. Phoebe uses some of her aunt's Truth Be Told tea in a batch of scones, hoping that someone will let something slip after eating one. The first taker is Dierdre, of all people, and the next scene is hilarious. Phoebe decides that maybe she'd best hold off on trying anything else until she's more comfortable with what she can do. Other happenings soon convince Phoebe that Eudora wasn't the only witch in the family. The realization is startling, to say the least, and sends Phoebe looking for answers. Her conversation with Honey at the New Age store was eye-opening and stirred up more questions.

As Phoebe delves more into Eudora's life, she becomes more convinced that she is exactly where she's meant to be. But the questions surrounding the murder stir doubts about whether she can trust her judgment. When she discovers Eudora's long-held secret, she has to decide who she can trust. The final confrontation comes quickly after this discovery. I was on the edge of my seat as Phoebe faced the killer. The resolution was intense, with a unique method of foiling the killer's intentions. The book concludes with a sweet scene between Phoebe and Rick and a hopeful feeling for the future.

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