Tempests and Tea Leaves Book Review

Synopsis

Bridgerton meets cozy fae fantasy with a dash of Pride & Prejudice in this sparkling, no-spice tale of magical debuts, an enchanted tea house, and banter-filled romance.

In a world where both race and magic determine one's place in society, half-fae Iris Starspun has always known she doesn't belong. Having a human mother is bad enough, but being magicless as well? That’s simply unforgivable.

But when Iris unexpectedly manifests magic at age nineteen, her parents see it as their chance to save the family from financial ruin. Never mind that her silly paper-folding magical ability is considered frivolous at best, useless at worst. And never mind that she decided long ago not to marry. The Bloom Season has begun, and Iris must attempt to secure a match—or watch her family's future crumble.

Enter Lord Jasvian Rowanwood, heir to the most powerful family in the United Fae Isles. His ability to calm the deadly magical tempests that form in his family's lumyrite mines is revered by all, and he takes that responsibility very seriously. Perhaps too seriously, if you ask his meddlesome grandmother. But Jasvian knows exactly what magic should practical, purposeful, and definitely not involving delicate paper creations or half-human debutantes with razor-sharp tongues.

But then Jasvian's grandmother—the formidable Lady Rivenna—does the unthinkable and offers Iris the coveted position of apprentice at The Charmed Leaf Tea House, the most influential establishment in all of Bloomhaven. Now Iris must navigate both her new role and the scorn of Lady Rivenna's grandson, all while trying to secure a match that might save her family.

Set in a whimsical world of paper magic, mischievous gossip birds, and a tea house with a mind of its own, this charming romantasy serves up a perfectly steeped blend of swooning romance and delightfully barbed banter.

REVIEW

Tempests and Tea Leaves is a delightful blend of magical charm, sharp banter, and slow-burn romance—think Bridgerton (season 2!) meets fae fantasy, with a dash of Pride and Prejudice. The tension (and eventual yearning) between the main characters is very reminiscent of Anthony and Kate. Rachel Morgan has truly crafted a world where magic is everything, but it’s also about navigating society’s expectations, personal growth, and, of course, falling in love when you least expect it.

At the heart of the story is Lady Iris Starspun, a half-fae with a human mother and, at first, a complete lack of magic. When Iris suddenly manifests a very peculiar, and honestly, kind of impractical magical talent (paper folding), it sets the stage for a series of events that could save her family’s future. Add to that the pressure of finding a suitor during the Bloom Season, and Iris is juggling a lot—especially since she has absolutely no interest in getting married.

And that’s where Lord Jasvian Rowanwood comes in. He’s the complete opposite of Iris in every way—serious, practical, and tasked with controlling powerful magical tempests. His initial disdain for Iris’ “inferior” magic is so rude, and yet, it’s exactly what sets the tension between them. Watching their relationship evolve from hateful dislike to something much deeper was one of my favorite parts of the book. Morgan does an excellent job building that slow-burn attraction, and Jasvian, despite his initial rudeness, finds himself absolutely head over heels for Iris by the end.

He imagined leaning down to whisper in her ear the truth that burned inside him: I miss you. I want you. I am only half alive without you near.

But what really stood out to me was the writing, especially the interactions between Iris and Jasvian. Their back-and-forth banter had me grinning the whole time. I’m a sucker for sharp, witty dialogue, and these two do not disappoint.

“You caused a scene,” he said through gritted teeth.
“Did I? How mortifying.”

“I would appreciate some quiet while I work, if you can manage it.”
“I’ll try not to breathe too loudly while sampling aromatic herbs.”
“I’m sure the effort would strain your capabilities,” he muttered, just loud enough for her to hear.
“About as much as basic courtesy appears to strain yours,” she replied in a similar tone.

And there’s even a “Darcy” moment (you know the one!)—

He flexed his hand at his side, opening and closing his fingers as if trying to rid himself of the sensation of touching her.

I loved how their relationship developed through little moments, particularly secretly written notes, especially since, for a large portion of the book, they couldn’t figure out how to just talk to one another.

How peculiar that they could share thoughts so freely through the distance of ink and paper, yet standing here beside one another, words seemed to evaporate before reaching her lips.

There’s something so endearing about them slowly peeling back the layers of each other’s personalities as they go from bickering to really getting to know and like each other.

“Even now, you wish to argue with me?”
“I wish to argue with you always.”
“Always?” he repeated. “Is that a promise?”

Lady Rivenna, Jasvian’s grandmother, deserves a mention too. She’s the kind of character who quietly manipulates everything from behind the scenes, but in a way that makes you like her even more. Her words of wisdom, specifically to Iris, were surprisingly touching for a woman of her “status” and added depth to the story.

“Something you would do well to remember: if you do not feel you belong anywhere, then you must make a place in which to belong.”

“Society’s attention is remarkably fickle, my dear.”

The magical world itself is just as charming as the characters. The Charmed Leaf tea house, where Iris becomes an apprentice, is almost a character in itself, with a quirky personality and plenty of magical moments. I also really enjoyed the magical commentary that popped up throughout—kind of like Iris’ own personal fae version of Lady Whistledown. It added an extra layer of fun and insight, giving readers a glimpse into Iris and Jasvian’s evolving relationship from a more mischievous, third-party perspective.

Well, well. Progress, it seems, is indeed possible. Even for the terminally stuffy.

Overall, Tempests and Tea Leaves is a cute book about finding your place in the world, learning to be true to yourself, and discovering love in the most unexpected ways. Whether you’re into magical worlds, witty banter, or slow-burn romances, this one checks all the boxes—and I would absolutely recommend it.

P.S. I especially adored the last chapter!

Publication date was 17 April 2025.