A Pirate's Life for Tea

I loved the first book of the series, Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea, so I went into this sequel with high expectations. Thankfully, it exceeded them in all the right ways. Right from the start, Rebecca Thorne sets the tone with a dedication that honestly deserves applause : “To the people who gave me one-star reviews because the first book ‘had lesbians.’ I doubled the lesbians in this one. Just for you.” This had me cackling . That alone put me in a great mood and told me exactly what kind of ride I was in for. This sequel expands the world set in the first book beautifully. What started as a tale in a tiny village, with dangerous queens on the horizon and dragons now opens up into something much bigger: the high seas and pirates. And a baby gryphon! Who doesn’t want a book filled with baby gryphon moments?! It’s a cozy, queer, pirate-filled adventure and that combination just works. It’s also a fun read with lovely characters in it. And for readers who enjoy a little extra spice, the epilogue definitely delivers: it’s essentially one long, spicy chapter.

I listened to this one as an audiobook, and while I enjoyed the writing and the cozy atmosphere, I felt like something was missing. There is action, but for me, the story lacked a strong central conflict or a confrontation that would really raise the stakes and keep me invested. Everything was pleasant enough to listen to, but I never felt particularly excited about what would happen next. I actually listened to it twice to make sure I hadn’t missed something, but my impression remained the same. Overall, a nicely written and enjoyable cozy fantasy, just a little too low-stakes for my taste. I can appreciate its charm, but I personally needed more tension to make it memorable.