The Faraway Inn coming March 31st, 2026 from Delacorte Press; 384 pages
Content Warning: Foul language, infidelity, gaslighting, abandonment
About the Author: “Sarah Beth Durst is the New York Times bestselling author of over twenty-five books for adults, teens, and kids, including cozy fantasy The Spellshop. She’s been awarded the American Library Association’s Alex Award, the Libby Book Award for Best Fantasy, and the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award. Several of her books have been optioned for film/television, including Drink Slay Love, which was made into a TV movie and was a question on Jeopardy! She lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her husband, her children, and her ill-mannered cat” (Bio from author’s website).
Find Sarah Beth Durst on the following platforms:
After breaking up with her cheating boyfriend, sixteen-year-old Calisa is sent to her Auntie Zee’s inn in Vermont. When she arrives, the inn is in a state of disrepair with only Auntie Zee and the groundkeeper’s son, Jack, working there. Despite the clear need for extra help, Auntie Zee is not thrilled by Calisa’s arrival. So, Calisa decides to help around the inn to try and prove herself with the help of Jack. However, strange things continue to happen that suggest a magical nature about this inn. Eventually, Calisa uncovers secrets about the inn and Auntie Zee that allow her to save the inn she has grown to love.
The Faraway Inn was an exceptionally cozy read. While I was reading, I desperately wished I too could go visit this inn and travel through portals into fantastical realms. I loved the inn setting that contributed to the cottagecore vibes, and how the inn was a refuge for people from all different realms to escape their duties and pressures at home. The magical elements effectively added whimsy and mystery to the book that really made it come alive. From very early on, there were mysterious undertones that helped keep me engaged, wanting to learn all the secrets of this place alongside Calisa. One of my favorite magical elements was the sentient mirror, because it was just so sassy and funny. Also, the little dragon, Steve, is so delightful. He really made me jealous of Calisa because I also want a cute dragon to follow me around and sit on my shoulder. The writing style was very descriptive and immersive as well. Instead of just focusing on the magical elements of the story, the author really dives into quaint, cozy scenes of Calisa making pancakes and baking cakes. All of the characters were delightful and quirky in their own way, and I enjoyed every single one (well, besides Calisa’s cheating ex). I particularly enjoyed the character development of Auntie Zee, who starts off as this grumpy, mysterious, and independent woman but eventually comes to accept help and embrace Calisa. It was extremely sweet watching all of these different relationship dynamics in the story come to a happy conclusion, making this a feel-good story I would return to when in need of a comforting book.
The Faraway Inn releases on March 31st, 2026.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Delacorte Press for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Katelyn Burklow, Pine Reads Review Writer