# Can't Spell Treason Without Tea

By Rebecca Thorne · Tomes & Tea, book 1

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/can-t-spell-treason-without-tea-bf7b9b1f/

Reyna has spent her life protecting a queen who treats her guards as disposable. Leaving is treason, but she and her girlfriend Kianthe, a powerful mage, want a home of their own. Their plan takes them to Tawney, where they set about opening a bookshop that serves tea, within inconvenient reach of dragons and unfinished obligations.

## What makes it funny?

Kianthe can command enormous magical power and still find a tree pun irresistible. Reyna supplies the dry reply, which only encourages another pun. Their teasing carries into the ordinary work of making a life together.

### The comedy at work

Reyna’s weary perspective gives the court scenes a sharper edge. A queen demanding faster dancing while an assassin approaches makes royal service look as exhausting as it is dangerous. Away from court, Kianthe’s enthusiasm and Reyna’s restraint keep the couple’s conversations playful.

### Try this if…

Books, tea and settling into a new community take up plenty of space here. The romance follows women who are already together and have to work out how to share a home, set boundaries and run a business. Readers who enjoy domestic details alongside magic have a clear reason to linger.

### Good to know

The cozy setting comes with bloody violence, including a decapitation in the opening chapter. Thorne also flags injury, swearing and near-death experiences. Kirkus describes the romance as closed-door.

## What to expect

- Genre: Fantasy · Romance
- On the shelf: Cozy fantasy · Romantasy
- Kind of humor: Banter · Wordplay
- The atmosphere: Cozy · Warmhearted
- Format: Novel
- Length: 352 pages
- Audiobook: 11 hr 26 min
- Published: 2022

## Questions readers ask

### Was this inspired by Legends & Lattes?

Thorne says Legends & Lattes inspired the shop-centered story. She also wanted more combat, so expect danger alongside the fireside conversations.

## Sources & further reading

- Library catalog: [Grand Rapids Public Library lists Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne as a 2024 downloadable audiobook, explicitly Unabridged, published by Macmillan Audio and narrated by Jessica Threet.](https://grpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S158C47447728)
- Publisher: [Pan Macmillan lists Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne as a paperback, ISBN 9781035031016, with 352 pages.](https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/rebecca-thorne/cant-spell-treason-without-tea/9781035031016)
- Author commentary: [Rebecca Thorne's official Tomes & Tea page lists Can't Spell Treason Without Tea as Book 1 and gives an audiobook listening length of 11 hours 26 minutes, narrated by Jessica Threet.](https://rebeccathorne.net/cozy-fantasy)
- Review: [Miss Print review](https://missprint.wordpress.com/2025/04/28/cant-spell-treason-without-tea-by-rebecca-thorne-a-review)
- Publisher: [Publisher](https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/rebecca-thorne/cant-spell-treason-without-tea/9781035031023)
- Review: [Kirkus review](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/rebecca-thorne/cant-spell-treason-without-tea)
- Author commentary: [Author](https://rebeccathorne.net/cozy-fantasy)
- Reading sample: [Publisher excerpt](https://reactormag.com/excerpts-cant-spell-treason-without-tea-by-rebecca-thorne)
- Review: [Bookshelf Fantasies review](https://bookshelffantasies.com/2025/08/29/book-review-cant-spell-treason-without-tea-by-rebecca-thorne)
- Author commentary: [Author Q&A](https://www.reddit.com/r/CozyFantasy/comments/y6cpcq/hey_folks_im_rebecca_thorne_the_author_of_cant)