THE FARAWAY INN

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.