The Faraway Inn

By: Sarah Beth Durst

Narrated by: Soneela Nankani

#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A teen girl decides to spend her summer helping her eccentric great aunt manage her quaint Vermont inn—only to discover that the fixer-upper is hiding a magical secret—in this cozy and irresistible new young adult fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop.

“Frosted with whimsy and sprinkled with joy, The Faraway Inn is a testament to why Sarah Beth Durst is the queen of cozy fantasy!”—Tricia Levenseller, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Darkness Within Us

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 keeping a magical secret—but to protect the place she’s come to love, Calisa must unravel the truth before it’s too late.

Critic reviews

★ "The magical worldbuilding’s original details, creative characterization, and the charming protagonist who treats others with respect, make this a binge-worthy read....All the right ingredients combine to create this irresistible cottagecore fantasy." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"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." —Booklist

"The stakes are high, though never overwhelming, and Durst brings in her signature cozy aesthetic, creating a world within our own that is sure to entice romance and fantasy readers alike." —The Bulletin

"Durst’s charming fantasy is as cozy as a mug of hot cocoa....Recommended for libraries where Durst’s other cozy fantasies are popular, as well as titles like A.R. Capetta’s The Heartbreak Bakery." —School Library Journal

“Frosted with whimsy and sprinkled with joy, The Faraway Inn is a testament to why Sarah Beth Durst is the queen of cozy fantasy! It will also, consequently, make you crave cake.” —Tricia Levenseller, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Darkness Within Us

“Filled with magical mysteries, whimsical surprises, and a dash of sweet romance, The Faraway Inn is the perfect cozy read.”—Axie Oh, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea

“Whimsical, charming, and heartfelt, Sarah Beth Durst gives readers the perfect balance of familiar and fantastical. I could live in The Faraway Inn forever!” —Kristy Boyce, New York Times bestselling author of Dating and Dragons

"A heartwarming cozy fantasy like only Sarah Beth Durst can write. Brew some tea and settle in." —Kamilah Cole, Lodestar Award finalist and bestselling author of the Divine Traitors duology

“A soothing balm for any aching heart, The Faraway Inn offers a comforting respite for any weary adventurer and for those looking for an escape through its otherworldly doors. Durst's cozy storytelling is at its best here, radiating joy and love on every page.” –C. B. Lee, New York Times bestselling author of Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe

Cozy, magical story

Sarah has a way of transporting the reader directly into the story and this book was no different. I loved the aspect of other worlds, found family, snarky magic mirror, and the grumpy aunt. By the end of the story, I was wishing I could book a stay at the Faraway Inn.

AS ALWAYS-SARAH BETH DURST SHINES!

NEW REALMS, GREAT CHARACTERS, NICELY PACED SWEET COZY THAT HER FANS ADORE!!

Bad breakup..
Summer with her unknown great-aunt
Her realizing she is a travel cat-witch...
New romance with Jack
Finding Jack's father
The portals to realms.
The wondrous sentient ppl/creatures that come to the inn! .
Venders at the "night market"
The re-opening of "The FARAWAY Inn"
Self growth & new life

Great fantasy for all ages!! If you liked Spellbook or Enchanted Forest, you'll love it🥰
5/5 *

Delightfully light and cozy

This was a delightful listen. SBD is a master at warm and cozy fantasy. It was a tad bit slow the first few chapters, but picked up to a nice steady paced momentum without any lagging elements. Nice character development. I like think the author was intentionally vague on physical descriptions for the main characters so readers can imagine themselves as characters, or create whatever mental image they desire. I love this newer trend in writing.

Nice plot. Predictable in areas but that doesn’t bother me. I love the premise of the inn, and everything it represents to its guests. Magical, warm, comfortable. Conflict in the plot had just the right amount of tension to keep the story light, and loose ends are tied up nicely by completion.

Appropriate for adults, teens, and a bit younger for an advanced tween reader. No spice, just a bit of awkward young love kissing. The main character is a female teen raised by two moms, so is LGBTQ+ friendly. This doesn’t affect the story in any way, for more conservative readers. I loved it.

I look forward to more by this author! This is the 3rd title I’ve read by SBD.

Loved it!

Interesting and unique story. I could not stop listening to it. I loved the doors to other worlds and wished I could travel them myself.

Fun, yet mysterious!

How could you not enjoy a magical Inn with magical inanimate objects with a dash of mystery and romance? I loved every moment!