The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst Review

Title: The Faraway Inn

Author: Sarah Beth Durst

Age Group: Teen/Young Adult

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Standalone

Star Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

I received an advanced reader’s copy through Booktrovert, run by Netgalley. Thank you to the author and the publisher!

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that Sarah Beth Durst is one of my very favorite authors, and so when the opportunity came to claim a copy of her newest book, due out in March, I jumped at it. It took me a little over a week and a half to finish this book, and I wanted to go slowly, so as to savor it. I love fantasy books, but this one was unique, fresh, and romantic. It was a sweet, believable coming of age story, and I was rooting for Calisa the whole time. This book is one of my favorites of 2026, and I really loved it! Sarah Beth Durst has outdone herself with The Faraway Inn! I’m so happy that I was lucky enough to read an early copy of this!

Calisa has been sent from New York to Vermont after an ugly breakup to help her great aunt Zee with her old and run down inn. However, her aunt is less than receptive to the help. Slowly but surely, Calisa begins to find her feet in helping with the inn, and she meets the sweet and kind groundskeeper’s son, who has more than one secret of his own. But the inn is old, and though it is falling apart, it is full of secrets, and more than one patron with their own unique needs and desires. Will Calisa be able to help her great aunt? Or will she be sent back to New York exactly the way she left it?

I really loved this book! I love coming of age stories, and this one was one of a kind. The pacing was nice and smooth, and I was immediately drawn in by the premise of this novel. I love portal fantasies, and this one might just be one of my favorites. I loved all of the characters in this book, especially Calisa, Jack, and the various patrons of the hotel. I was constantly laughing and kicking my feet the whole time, and I loved the ending. What else can I possibly say about this book? This book is one I wish I’d written myself; it was so cozy and warm and atmospheric, and it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I loved it so much. The bottom line: Rich with detail, warm and cozy, I loved The Faraway Inn! Next on deck: The Luxe by Anna Godbersen!