For readers drawn to cozy fantasy — magic paired with baked goods, found-family dynamics, slow-burn romance, and a setting that functions almost as a character — The Faraway Inn is a strong recommendation. Kirkus Reviews calls it 'an irresistible cottagecore fantasy with all the right ingredients,' and the novel debuted as both a #1 New York Times and #1 national bestseller, reflecting significant reader enthusiasm at launch. Fellow YA authors C. B. Lee, Axie Oh, Kamilah Cole, and Tricia Levenseller all praised it with notable specificity. The honest caveat is that readers who prefer high-stakes supernatural tension or darker, more complex YA fantasy are unlikely to be satisfied — this book is designed to comfort, not to unsettle.

Best for ages 17 and up, per the publisher's listed reading age — though the novel's gentle, comfort-first tone makes it accessible to confident teen readers somewhat younger than that who enjoy atmospheric YA fantasy. The story centers on family estrangement, self-discovery, and a slow-burn romance; there are no flagged heavy content themes, and the supernatural elements are woven into a warm domestic frame rather than used to generate dread or graphic tension. Adult readers of cozy fantasy will find it equally enjoyable.

The Faraway Inn

by Sarah Beth Durst

$8.99 on Amazon Read our full review

At a glance

First published2026

SettingRural Vermont, supernatural inn, summer

AudienceYA (12-18)

About the Author

Sarah Beth Durst

1 book reviewed

The Faraway Inn

Name: The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst
Author: Sarah Beth Durst

by Sarah Beth Durst

LuvemBooks Verdict

Best for

Teens and adult readers of cozy fantasy who want a warmth-first supernatural story centred on a crumbling Vermont inn, found family, slow-burn romance, and baking — especially those already fond of Durst's cottagecore mode or the broader comfort-fiction wave.

Worth it if

Worth it if you're looking to settle into an atmosphere-forward YA fantasy where the magic deepens the domestic cosiness rather than disrupting it, and where emotional stakes — family estrangement, self-discovery, unexpected connection — matter more than escalating supernatural peril.

Skip if

Skip it if you prefer high-tension YA fantasy with morally complex world-building or darkness woven alongside the light — the novel's deliberately gentle, comfort-first approach is a feature, not an accident, and it won't satisfy readers expecting expansive supernatural stakes.

4.6from 1,372 Amazon ratings— reader ratings, not a LuvemBooks score

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The Faraway Inn is a young adult cozy fantasy by Sarah Beth Durst in which sixteen-year-old Calisa discovers her great-aunt's Vermont bed-and-breakfast is harboring supernatural secrets — and must keep the inn running while unraveling them, with only a groundskeeper's son, her baking skills, and a grumpy cat named Portia as her allies. A #1 New York Times bestseller greeted with enthusiasm by fellow YA authors, the novel delivers warmth, found-family dynamics, and slow-burn romance with genuine craft. The key caveat: readers seeking high-tension supernatural stakes or morally complex world-building will find Durst's deliberately comfort-first approach unsatisfying — this book is calibrated to settle readers in, not unsettle them.

Is it worth reading?: For readers drawn to cozy fantasy — magic paired with baked goods, found-family dynamics, slow-burn romance, and a setting that functions almost as a character — The Faraway Inn is a strong recommendation. Kirkus Reviews calls it 'an irresistible cottagecore fantasy with all the right ingredients,' and the novel debuted as both a #1 New York Times and #1 national bestseller, reflecting significant reader enthusiasm at launch. Fellow YA authors C. B. Lee, Axie Oh, Kamilah Cole, and Tricia Levenseller all praised it with notable specificity. The honest caveat is that readers who prefer high-stakes supernatural tension or darker, more complex YA fantasy are unlikely to be satisfied — this book is designed to comfort, not to unsettle.
Similar books: Readers who enjoy The Faraway Inn's blend of supernatural atmosphere and cozy domestic setting may find a kindred spirit in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs, which also centers on a young protagonist uncovering mysteries in an unusual, isolated home full of peculiar inhabitants — though Riggs leans considerably darker. For the sweet-romance-and-summer-setting side of The Faraway Inn, The Summer of Broken Rules by K. L. Walther and Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter offer that same warm, slow-burn appeal in a more contemporary vein. Readers drawn to the fantasy side may want to contrast Durst's comfort-first approach with Holly Black's The Cruel Prince, which shows how differently YA fantasy can deploy magic when high stakes and moral complexity take center stage.
Who should read this?: The Faraway Inn is squarely aimed at teen readers, but its appeal extends to adult fans of cozy fantasy — particularly those who gravitate toward books that pair magic with baked goods, found-family dynamics, and slow-burn romance. It's a natural fit for readers who have loved Sarah Beth Durst's earlier work, or who came to cottagecore comfort fiction through the broader wave of atmosphere-forward YA fantasy. Readers who want to settle in to a warm, texture-rich story — as Kamilah Cole puts it, 'brew some tea and settle in' — will find exactly what they're looking for. Those who prefer high-stakes supernatural tension, morally complex world-building, or darkness alongside the light should look elsewhere.
What age is it for?: Best for ages 17 and up, per the publisher's listed reading age — though the novel's gentle, comfort-first tone makes it accessible to confident teen readers somewhat younger than that who enjoy atmospheric YA fantasy. The story centers on family estrangement, self-discovery, and a slow-burn romance; there are no flagged heavy content themes, and the supernatural elements are woven into a warm domestic frame rather than used to generate dread or graphic tension. Adult readers of cozy fantasy will find it equally enjoyable.
Is this appropriate for teens?: The Faraway Inn is designed as an unabashedly cozy read — the review flags no graphic violence, sexual content, or other heavy themes. The emotional stakes center on family estrangement, self-discovery, and a sweet slow-burn romance, all within a comfort-first framework. The publisher lists the reading age as 17 and up, which reflects the YA audience positioning; the tone and content make it broadly appropriate for teens who enjoy atmospheric, warmth-oriented fantasy.
Where should I start with Sarah Beth Durst?: The Faraway Inn is one of Durst's most warmly received works to date and is a natural entry point for readers new to her — its #1 New York Times bestseller debut and strong critical reception make it a representative showcase of her cozy fantasy strengths. The review notes that Durst has built a sustained reputation as a reliable voice in the genre, so readers who enjoy The Faraway Inn's warmth and domestic magic are likely to find her broader catalogue rewarding. Ice is among the related titles associated with this book, suggesting it as a further Durst title worth exploring.

Summarize this book

Is it worth reading?

Who should read this?

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Is this appropriate for teens?

Where should I start with Sarah Beth Durst?

Summarize this book

When sixteen-year-old Calisa is sent from Brooklyn to rural Vermont for the summer, she expects a cozy bed-and-breakfast run by her great-aunt Zee — and instead finds a rundown inn, a weed-filled garden, a dusty library, and an Auntie Zee who makes it clear she doesn't want Calisa there. After inexplicable magical events and strange encounters with quirky guests, Auntie Zee disappears entirely, and Calisa must team up with Jack — the groundskeeper's son — to keep the inn running and bring her great-aunt back. Calisa's baking skills and Jack's innkeeping knowledge prove to be a quietly perfect pairing, while an unexpected slow-burn romance and supernatural discoveries deepen the story's emotional stakes around family estrangement and self-discovery.

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Age & Reading Level

Recommended age

Ages 12–18

Reading level

Young adult

Browse all 12–18 books

Best for: Ages 17+ — publisher-listed YA reading age; the story's emotional complexity around family estrangement, self-discovery, and romance suits older teen and adult readers.

Skip if you prefer high-stakes supernatural tension, morally complex world-building, or YA fantasy that prioritizes darkness alongside warmth.

Editorial Review

The Faraway Inn is a young adult fantasy novel by Sarah Beth Durst, published by Delacorte Press on March 31, 2026, that blends supernatural mystery, sweet romance, and cozy inn-keeping into a coming-of-age summer story — and has debuted as a #1 New York Times bestseller and #1 national bestseller.

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Books like The Faraway Inn

Curated picks for readers who enjoyed The Faraway Inn, with our reasoning for each match.

If you liked The Faraway Inn

In our catalogue

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Ransom Riggs

A mysterious, isolated residence full of supernatural residents and a teen protagonist uncovering secrets — shares The Faraway Inn's 'strange house, strange guests' core appeal.

Readers who were drawn to The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst because of its atmospheric, slightly eerie inn full of uncanny guests will feel right at home with Ransom Riggs's Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Both novels place a curious, coming-of-age protagonist at the center of a residence that is far more than it appears, populated by residents with extraordinary traits and hidden histories. Riggs leans darker and more gothic than Durst's warmer register, but the fundamental pleasure is the same: peeling back the layers of a strange, sheltered world and discovering the wonders — and dangers — hiding in plain sight. If you're Googling 'books like The Faraway Inn' and want something with more mystery and atmosphere alongside the supernatural setting, this is an ideal bridge read.

In our catalogue

The Summer of Broken Rules

K. L. Walther

Sweet summer romance, a memorable seasonal setting, and a protagonist finding herself — mirrors The Faraway Inn's coming-of-age romantic warmth without the fantasy elements.

The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst works so well because it pairs its magical mystery with a genuinely sweet summer romance and a protagonist who is growing into herself in real time. K. L. Walther's The Summer of Broken Rules captures exactly that same emotional current — a warm, contained summer setting, romantic tension that feels earned rather than rushed, and a young woman navigating grief and identity alongside the fun. If you finished The Faraway Inn and loved the cozy, hopeful mood more than the supernatural elements, Walther's novel is the perfect companion read. It's a great answer to the search query 'if you liked The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst try something with summer romance and emotional depth' — delivering all of that in a grounded, contemporary package.

In our catalogue

The Cruel Prince

Holly Black

YA fantasy with a young heroine navigating a world of supernatural beings and hidden rules — for readers who want The Faraway Inn's magical intrigue turned up to a higher, darker intensity.

The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst draws much of its appeal from a heroine learning to navigate a community of supernatural guests, each with their own rules and secrets. Holly Black's The Cruel Prince operates in similar territory — a young mortal woman embedded in a world of powerful, unpredictable supernatural beings — but with sharper edges and higher stakes. Where Durst keeps the tone warm and the romance sweet, Black leans into political intrigue, moral ambiguity, and a romance that crackles with tension. Readers who loved The Faraway Inn's premise of 'ordinary girl in an extraordinary world' but want that world to push back harder will find The Cruel Prince a thrilling next read. It's a natural recommendation for anyone searching 'books like The Faraway Inn with more fantasy action and romance intensity.'

Not your thing?

In our catalogue

Better Than the Movies

Lynn Painter

If The Faraway Inn's supernatural elements weren't your thing, Painter delivers the same cozy, slow-burn summer romance entirely grounded in contemporary reality — pure romantic comedy payoff.

Not every reader who picks up The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst will connect with the supernatural mystery woven through the romance — some readers just want the cozy setting and the slow-burn love story without the magical guests and eerie atmosphere. If that's you, Lynn Painter's Better Than the Movies is the remedy. It's a warm, witty contemporary YA romance built entirely around the kind of movie-perfect romantic moments and enemies-to-lovers tension that makes a summer read feel genuinely fun. No supernatural elements, no mystery to unravel — just sharp banter, a lovable protagonist, and a romance that earns its happy ending. It's a great answer for anyone who searched 'books like The Faraway Inn' but really meant 'cozy YA romance without the fantasy,' delivering the emotional satisfaction without the genre baggage.