A Cozy Escape Into Magic: A Review of The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst

2 days ago
3 min read

Author: Sarah Beth Durst

Publisher: Random House Children's Books

Rating: 4.5★

There’s something undeniably special about sinking into a story that feels like a warm cup of tea on a rainy afternoon — soft, magical, and just a little bit healing. That’s exactly what I found in The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst.

This cozy fantasy feels like peeling wallpaper hiding something luminous underneath. It’s gentle but meaningful. Whimsical but grounded in very real emotion.

And I absolutely adored it.

The Story

The Faraway Inn follows sixteen-year-old Calisa as she spends her summer helping her great-aunt restore a rundown bed-and-breakfast. At first, it seems like nothing more than chipped paint, dusty furniture, and a fresh start after heartbreak.

But the Faraway Inn isn’t just old.

It’s magical.

As Calisa begins to notice that the inn has secrets woven into its walls, the story slowly unfolds into something richer — a mystery tied to the inn’s survival and a deeper understanding of what “home” really means.

Running From Heartbreak (and Finding Growth)

What makes this story shine isn’t just the magic — it’s the emotional honesty.

Calisa isn’t spending her summer at the inn purely out of selflessness. She’s running. From heartbreak. From conflict. From the uncomfortable messiness of being sixteen and hurting. She’s focused on herself in a way that feels incredibly authentic for her age.

And that’s what makes her growth so satisfying.

When she realizes the inn might need saving — truly saving — she pours herself into it. Watching her shift from self-protection to connection felt organic and heartfelt. Durst captures that tender in-between stage of adolescence so beautifully: when you’re learning that healing sometimes means showing up for others, too.

Found Family & Side Characters

The side characters are where this book really glows.

Each one feels layered, carrying their own quiet struggles and histories. They aren’t just background figures in Calisa’s journey — they’re mirrors, lessons, and reminders that everyone has something they’re carrying.

The found-family element wrapped around this story like a soft blanket. The inn stops being just a setting and becomes a sanctuary. A place of belonging. A space where broken pieces can settle.

The Softest Romance

The romance between Calisa and Jack is exactly what it needs to be: gentle, innocent, and full of quiet sweetness. After heartbreak, it doesn’t feel rushed or dramatic. It feels safe.

It complements the story rather than overtaking it — a soft thread woven through the larger tapestry of healing and growth.

Final Thoughts

I’m giving this one 4.5 stars.

The beginning felt slightly slow at times, but the mystery of the inn kept me turning the pages. I also found myself wishing for more about Thomas and Evela — their story intrigued me, and I would happily read an entire companion novella about them.

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