Book Reviews: The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst

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Heartbroken and in need of a fresh start, Calisa escapes to Vermont to help her great-aunt run a struggling bed and breakfast—and what begins as a temporary getaway quickly turns into something far more meaningful. From the moment she arrives, it’s clear this small inn, its people, and its quiet magic have more to offer than she ever expected.

The Faraway Inn Publisher's Blurb

After a devastating heartbreak, a teen girl decides to spend her summer helping her eccentric great aunt manage her quaint Vermont inn—but the fixer-upper is hiding a magical secret—in this cozy and irresistable new YA fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop.
When sixteen-year-old Calisa arrives at her great-aunt’s B&B in rural Vermont for the summer, she’s shocked to find a rundown inn rather than the cozy bed-and-breakfast she was expecting. 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 groundskeeper’s (handsome) son. But the longer she stays, the surer she is that there’s something strange about the B&B—and its guests. 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 . . .

I absolutely loved the premise of this story. Watching Calisa pour her energy into restoring the inn while trying to heal her own heart made her journey feel both relatable and deeply emotional. She’s strong, independent, and determined, even when things feel overwhelming. Her growth throughout the story was one of my favorite parts.

The cast of characters truly brought the story to life. The found-family dynamic was warm and comforting, and the small-town charm added so much heart. Jack, the groundskeeper’s son, was such a standout—kind, attentive, and quietly supportive. His interactions with Calisa felt natural and sincere, and their slow-building connection was incredibly sweet. One of my favorite moments came from this line:

“He said moms, plural. He had been listening when she’d talked about them. He listens not just about goat cheese. It was a very nice trait. She couldn’t help but like him a bit more. Just as a friend.”

That small moment perfectly captured the emotional depth and thoughtfulness woven throughout the story.

The pacing was steady and comforting, allowing the setting, relationships, and subtle magical elements to shine. There’s a cozy, almost whimsical atmosphere to the book that gave me serious Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries vibes—perfect for readers who enjoy gentle fantasy blended with heartfelt character development.

Overall, this was a warm, charming, and quietly magical read. If you love stories filled with found family, healing journeys, small inn charm, and just a touch of magic, this book is absolutely worth picking up. I highly recommend it!

Pre-order Here: Amazon | Books-a-Million