Tea You at the Altar (Spoiler-Free Review)

My favorite sapphic cozy fantasy series returns, and it's better than ever.

I’ve been a fan of Rebecca Thorne’s writing since the release of Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea, but I’m also the first person to admit that its sequel A Pirate’s Life for Tea didn’t work as well for me. Coming into Tea You at the Altar, I was a little nervous that I would run into the same problems as I did with A Pirate’s Life for Tea, which was a decent cozy fantasy but not as memorable as its predecessor. Fortunately, Tea You at the Altar surpassed both novels to become my favorite book in the series, reinvigorating my love for its main characters and providing a much-needed fresh take on the genre.

One of my biggest qualms with A Pirate’s Life for Tea was that the novel chose to shift its attention away from Reyna and Kianthe’s relationship onto a new pair of characters. I firmly believe that Rebecca Thorne struck gold with Reyna and Kianthe’s characterization. As a former Queen’s guard, Reyna is sturdy and steadfast, good at keeping a poker face and putting on an act when the situation requires it. Kianthe, meanwhile, is more extroverted and approachable. She also struggles with anxiety, stemming from the pressure she feels as the strongest mage on the continent. Reyna and Kianthe have always worked best when they were together, and especially when they’re the nexus of our attention.

In Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea, we saw how these traits complement each other when Reyna and Kianthe are finally together full-time. In Tea You at the Altar, the roles are reversed. This time, Reyna is struggling to believe in herself and anxious about their plans, while Kianthe is determined to be the shoulder her girlfriend (and soon-to-be wife) can lean on. This key difference means that the novel doesn’t tread old grounds, exploring how the lead characters navigate changing expectations and giving us new relationship dynamics to enjoy. In Tea You at the Altar, Reyna and Kianthe finally feel like a whole couple. They’re determined to support each other no matter what happens but also forced to confront the sacrifices they’re willing to make.

I never thought of the plots of these books to be particularly nuanced, but Tea You at the Altar was determined to prove me wrong. When we last left off, Reyna and Kianthe had finally started their new life as bookshop owners in a small town and also taken a small vacation to return some dragon eggs. Meanwhile, in Tea You at the Altar, we have an attempted coup nestled into increasingly exhausting wedding preparations, a secret member of the royal family who refuses to accept the throne, and even the arrival of two dreaded in-laws. Yet somehow, everything just works. All these plot threads slide together seamlessly, giving us a satisfying conclusion while sticking true to the series’ core themes of positivity and comfort. I was blown away.

In summary, if you haven’t read the Tomes & Tea series, what are you waiting for? It’s one of the best cozy fantasy series on the market right now, and a great comfort pick for when you’re in need of an energy booster. But if you’re like me and a little unsure about starting the third entry in the series, then this is your encouragement to go and do it. After reading Tea You at the Altar, I can’t help but think that it’s the best advertisement for the final entry in the series, Alchemy and a Cup of Tea, which comes out in August!

Have you read Tea You at the Altar? Will you add it to your TBR? Let me know in the comments below!