School Library Journal Review
| Gr 8 Up--After catching her boyfriend cheating on her, Calisa doesn't want to spend the summer trying to avoid him at the local bodega. So, when her parents offer to send her to her great-aunt's bed-and-breakfast in Vermont, she gladly flees Brooklyn to heal her broken heart. But the Faraway Inn isn't anything like the idyllic oasis in the woods that Calisa remembers. The gardens are overgrown, and the house looks abandoned. What's worse is that Auntie Zee tells Calisa she can't stay for long. Calisa only has three days to convince her to change her mind. Almost immediately, unexplainable things start happening, piquing Calisa's interest. Enlisting the help of the groundskeeper's son, Jack, Calisa tries to win Auntie Zee over by cleaning the inn and making baked goods for the guests. Then Auntie Zee disappears, and with Jack's help, Calisa begins to learn the truth of the Faraway Inn and Auntie Zee. The worldbuilding and the nonhuman characters Calisa and Jack encounter in their explorations are well written. Calisa's journey of healing from heartbreak is relatable, and the relationship she builds with Jack is sweet. Main characters cue as white. Nankani's soothing voice fits Durst's writing style very well, though there isn't much differentiation between the characters' voices. VERDICT Durst's latest delivers the cozy fantasy vibes readers have come to expect, though this may appeal more to adults than teens.--Susan Elbag |
Booklist Review
| Calisa's expecting to find a cozy Vermont B & B when she decides to flee Brooklyn after a painful breakup and spend the summer with her estranged great-aunt. But instead of a peaceful reset, she encounters a crumbling inn, a mysterious guardian determined to keep secrets, and a place that quietly hums with magic. As Calisa settles into daily repairs alongside the groundskeeper's kindhearted son, Jack, she begins to notice that the guests, and their locked doors, might hold some unexpected stories and even more secrets. Durst excels at blending cozy fantasy with emotional healing, creating an inn that feels both comforting and uncanny. Each task Calisa takes on pulls her deeper into a web of hidden worlds, eccentric residents, and family history that refuses to stay buried. The romance unfolds at a perfect pace, complementing the story's themes of trust, belonging, and second chances. Light, immersive, and richly imagined, this novel invites readers to linger in its enchanted hallways long after the final page, making it a perfect pick for fantasy fans craving warmth, wonder, and heart. |
Kirkus Review
| A teenager's summer job takes a supernatural turn. When rising senior Calisa leaves Brooklyn--sent by her parents, Mom-Kate and Mom-Elise, to work at her great-aunt's bed-and-breakfast in Vermont--she quickly realizes that the Faraway Inn needs her help. The broken porch, weed-filled garden, and dusty library clearly deserve attention; but, confusingly, Auntie Zee makes it clear she doesn't want her there. Still, the inn feels like the perfect getaway for nursing her broken heart after a nasty breakup. After a few inexplicable magical events and close encounters with the inn's quirky guests, Calisa makes some supernatural discoveries that answer her questions and spark further curiosity. But then Auntie Zee disappears, and the inn can't run without her magical talents. Calisa and the handsome Jack, son of the resident groundskeeper, must figure out how to bring Auntie Zee back without worrying the guests. As it turns out, Calisa's delicious bakes and Jack's innkeeping know-how make them the perfect team. The cozy setting of the inn, complete with a grumpy cat named Portia, enriches this supernatural fantasy. As Calisa and Jack restore order and take care of business, kind, caring Calisa's narrative voice adds humor and energy to the coming-of-age storyline that blends mystery, romance, and fantasy. The magical worldbuilding's original details, creative characterization, and the charming protagonist who treats others with respect, make this a binge-worthy read. Calisa and Jack present white. All the right ingredients combine to create this irresistible cottagecore fantasy.(Fantasy. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission. |
