Published By: HarperVoyager
Pages: 384
Released On: 23/04/2026
Princess Tanadelle of the Widdenmar longs to build a life of her own making. During a royal visit to the cosy town of Little Pepperidge, Tandy’s dream comes true when she finds herself cursed to remain in a run-down bookshop until she finds her heart’s desire.
More than a little thrilled, she hires a new assistant, teenage goth Sasha, and settles into life among the stacks. Despite the infuriatingly handsome pirate, Bash, who keeps showing up at the shop with his good looks and his own curse to figure out, Tandy’s new life might just make her happy.
There are just seven, minor, problems. With her royal duties unfulfilled, the frantic King and Queen send the seven princes of the realms to bestow upon Tandy a kiss, each one hoping to break the curse.
After all, what more could a princess want, than a prince?
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperVoyager for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
This was a victim of my “I have no money so must cancel pre-orders” cull so was thrilled to be sent a digital copy.
It is very magical.
The Amazon listing says its for fans of Legends and Lattes and The Princess Bride. Well I really didn’t like the former, and the latter is one of my favourite books of all time, so I had high hopes for it but I was also a little wary.
Personally, I felt it was like a Sarah Beth Durst book – who I absolutely adore.
It has magic and fantasy and fun, but it’s also about independence, finding yourself, speaking up, loyalty, friendship, community, dreams, and loves. And who wouldn’t want to be stuck in a bookshop?
I felt the pacing, overall, was okay. The introduction was just right, we get to know everyone and everything before the thing happens so you don’t feel like you’re waiting long for it. The middle was a little flat, but I think that’s because it’s set in a very small location with the same characters and so it was a little drawn out. But I liked the end so it balances out.
Honey was a great side protagonist, a great foil to Princess Tandy, who herself was a wonderful main character. Even though she is this rich princess, she felt so normal and relateable.
It’s not really anything new, but I don’t think that’s a negative. It’s got everything I wanted from a cosy magical fantasy; likeable characters, magical land, fancy frocks and riches, spells and curses and it’s just a lovely book to read.
It’s like riches to rags and riches again – but the secondary riches re not necessarily the obvious one. It’s the richness of love and friendship and belonging.
Whilst the romantic interactions were good to read and quite funny, I actually preferred reading about Tandy and her relationship with Honey, there was something that felt very special there.
My one complaint is the world building is a little flat. What is there is lovely, but the characters and the plot take over and I’d have liked a slightly firmer footing on the setting.
Books By Your Bedside 