The Faraway Inn – Sarah Beth Durst

Published By: First Ink
Pages: 384
Released On: 09/04/2026

When sixteen-year-old Calisa arrives at her great-aunt’s bed-and-breakfast for the summer, she’s shocked to find it run down rather than cosy. Grumpy and eccentric, Auntie Zee is determined to keep anyone from messing with her beloved inn . . . even though she clearly needs the help.

To convince her great-aunt to keep her around, Calisa sets to work fixing up the inn, enlisting extra help from the groundkeeper’s (handsome) son. But the longer she stays, the surer she is that there’s something strange about the B and B—and its residents. Something almost . . . otherworldly.

The inn is hiding a magical secret—but secrets are like doors. Once Calisa opens this one, she won’t be able to go back . . .

*****

Thanks to NetGalley and First Ink for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I love Sarah’s books so much so this was an auto-read for me.

I loved Auntie Zee straight away. She was rude and short-tempered and mysterious and magical and I loved everything about her.

Calisa is a normal teenager going through her first heartbreak. She felt so real and I think she’s the character that readers will identify with the most. She did annoy me occasionally with her rule breaking, but she’s young and new to this world and so I forgave her.

She meets Jack at the inn. He’s a confusing fellow, clearly hiding something, and yet he was very cute and shy and together, he and Calisa have such great chemistry.

Sarah’s books – this one included – make me feel so comforted that it almost sounds corny to explain. They’re so warm and cosy and uplifting; they’re a tonic to any grief the reader is going through.

Who hasn’t longed for an escape once or twice. A magical escape at that. Somewhere to be safe, to release your emotions, to feel your feelings, and to move forward with your life.

This story shows the veil between worlds, between the mundane and the magical, is thinner than we might think, and there’s always a chance that a bit of magic will leak into the mundane world.

I have her next book – Sea of Charms – on pre-order and I’m already counting down the days till it comes out. I am never disappointed by her work. They are books to read rather than to read about, because I think they will mean something different to each reader.

I have seen some reviews that say it took too long to get going, that that magical elements should have started earlier. And I understand what they mean but I don’t agree. She has given us time to get to know the characters and invest in Calisa’s story and understand this new world. I don’t think the magic comes in too early or too late, it comes in exactly when it’s meant to.

I read it late into the night because it was so addictive.

It’s a fun, cosy fantasy yes, but it’s also about friendship, family, community, love, acceptance, diversity, trust, accepting yourself, and learning to take breaks and accept help.

There’s not necessarily a need for a sequel but I’d love to return to this world.

This is magical and enchanting and immediately goes on the Sarah Beth Durst shelf in my head, dedicated to her wonderful use of language to create such a delightful story.