
Member Reviews

This was a fun sapphic read that I enjoyed but didn’t really love. I thought the book read more on the younger YA than older YA. Sometimes the characters felt more immature than being high school seniors. At times there were comments from the main characters about how they were “so young” in their relationship and I had to laugh cause it meant they were talking about being in middle school.
The wolf mystery was pretty easy to guess right off the bat but the break-in mystery was a little more difficult to figure out.
Enjoyable read but would recommend to those that enjoy a younger YA vibe. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC. All opinions are my own.

DNF at 20%. This had fun and engaging writing, but unfortunately was a bit more on the younger side of YA than I anticipated. The side characters and magic system were really interesting, but the main characters were a bit too immature and the mystery was obvious as well.

This novel absolutely falls into the category of cozy fantasy! Even more, it's sapphic! A win on all fronts - love this book!

"Brewed with Love" by Shelly Page is a delightful and cozy novel that expertly blends romance with the comforting allure of a small-town café. The story follows the journey of its protagonist, who finds solace and a fresh sense of purpose in her family-owned coffee shop. Page’s writing is warm and inviting, much like the setting she creates, and her portrayal of the close-knit community adds a layer of charm to the narrative. The romantic storyline, while sweet, is grounded in genuine emotional growth, and readers will likely find themselves rooting for the protagonist as she navigates both love and self-discovery.
Despite its many strengths, the novel occasionally falls into the trap of predictability. The romance, while enjoyable, follows a well-trodden path, and some readers may find the plot too familiar. The character development, particularly of the romantic leads, can also feel a bit shallow at times. While their chemistry is evident, the depth of their relationship could have been explored with a bit more nuance. Additionally, the pacing of the story can sometimes be uneven, with the central conflict taking a backseat to the more leisurely moments in the café, which, though pleasant, may cause the narrative to lose momentum.
Nevertheless, "Brewed with Love" is an engaging and heartwarming read that will likely appeal to fans of feel-good romance and small-town charm. Shelly Page’s talent for creating a cozy atmosphere and relatable characters ensures that the novel remains an enjoyable experience, even if it doesn't venture far beyond the conventions of the genre. Perfect for readers seeking a lighthearted and comforting escape, this book offers a satisfying blend of love, community, and the magic of coffee.

I absolutely loved this book. It was such a good balance of a light hearted teen love story and a captivating mystery set in the most charming world. I love the way that the author was able to build this very modern, magical world and provide interesting details without becoming overwhelming. I'd love to see more books set in this town and maybe following other characters (I need Nana and Tiva's love story!) All around, the characters were lovable, the lore was interesting, and the break-in mystery kept me on my toes throughout. Thank you for letting me read and review!

Brewed with Love by Shelly Page is a charming, feel-good romance that’s as warm and comforting as a cup of coffee. With a heartwarming storyline and relatable characters, Page weaves a tale of second chances, self-discovery, and the magic of love. A perfect blend of sweetness and depth, this novel is a delightful escape for fans of lighthearted yet meaningful romance.

Brewed with Love is a sweet, lower stakes YA story about first loves/first hurts. This story had a few small twist that had we wondering who could be responsible for the robbery at the shop. This novel is a bit on the slower side but still enjoyable.
Thank you to Random House Children's, Joy Revolution & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest book review.

4.5 rounded to 5 on GR
—
Very much cozy sapphic! The reason it was more of a 4-4.5 stars for me is because I forgot it was a YA book 😅 and I’m aware that it being YA doesn’t mean adults can’t enjoy it… However, it def felt a little too ‘young’ for my taste (27yo) so I thought I’d share in case other people feel similar to me.
That being said, it was super cute and cozy! I got an eARC for this book and found myself smiling throughout. Kinda made me feel giddy about what a younger self would’ve felt like or thought had i grown up with books like this one.
def recommend as a sapphic read, more so if you don’t mind YA

Cozy, witchy, AND sapphic? What a treat. I love a small town setting, especially when characters have to team together to save a small family business. This story is full of mystery, magic, apothecary potions, werewolf lore, childhood nostalgia, friends to lovers, and comes with cute potion recipes! A very delightful YA read.

Brewed with Love was a perfect queer witchy cozy read for October! It included a mystery that wasn't super high-stakes (at least compared to mysteries I'm used to reading) but still kept you interested in reading to find out what happens. The magic system was cute and interesting too. I also enjoyed and appreciated the romance with Ximena and Sage, although the development felt a little awkwardly paced to me at times.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in a cozy sapphic witch romance/mystery.

A very sweet treat from author Shelly Page: a mystery and a story about love and redemption, about being, and loving, your true and whole self. Sprinkle in some magic and what's not to love?

Thank you for the opportunity to read an e-ARC for Brewed with Love. Ah, it was such a fun read that just made me feel warm and fuzzy.

This is definitely a cute and cozy read. I enjoyed the world building with the different types of magic the various witches in the coven practice. I liked how much thought went into brewing potions. And I liked the growth the main character had as she was forced to work with ex best friend.
The love interest has a big secret I was able to call early on, but I am so glad I was right. It was such a fun twist and I liked how it added depth to the story.
Overall if you’re looking for a cozy mystery with a big heaping side of paranormal romance, this book is perfect for you!

This sweetly romantic, mystery-tinged story charmed me from the start. Shelly Page has a way with words, and each sentence rooted me to every aspect of the story, from the characters, the world portrayed in the book, and the carefully built magic system within it. I loved the roll-out of information in regards to Sage's past and her relationship (and the cause of her terrible heartbreak) with her former bestie, Ximena. I was rooting for Sage to get to the bottom of the mystery *and* find a cure for her heartbreak the entire time, and was never disappointed with the clues leading up to the big reveal. This book is cozy, it is romantic, and it is everything I've ever wanted in a contemporary witchy fantasy. I will be shouting about this book for years to come.

This was just so cozy and the small town magic worldbuilding really worked here. I adored Sage and Ximena's relationship buildup and I thought it was going to be very predictable but it wasn't, it just the right amount of trope and sweetness to make for an incredible read.

4.5 stars
An adorable second chance Sapphic romance with cozy fantasy elements and a mystery alongside it.
Sage Bishop wants nothing more than to forget the reappearance of her ex-best friend and former crush Ximena Reyes, especially at the apothecary Sage's grandmother owns, so Sage works on a tonic to cure her heartache. When a break-in at the shop reveals someone has swiped the tonic attempt and used it on a student, wiping her memory, Sage and Ximena team up to investigate.
I loved a lot of the aspects of this book. The cozy town feel, the magical worldbuilding, and the sweet Sapphic romance between Sage and Ximena were absolutely fantastic. The mystery was interesting, if not a bit predictable, as was the revelation with Ximena, but it didn't detract from the enjoyment of reading. I think this is a perfect witchy read for teens! (Be warned, it looks like a fall read, but it takes place in spring.) I'm excited to read more from Shelly Page after this magical debut!
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

This book was extremely perfect for the season! It was funny, atmospheric and easy to get into. A quick read but one that will stick with me. Loved the adorable characters and the story was so fun!!

Before I begin, I would like to thank Shelly Page for allowing me to read a Net Galley copy of her upcoming work, Brewed with Love, which will be available on Amazon on January 13th, 2025.
Seventeen-year-old Sage Bishop’s goal is to take over her family’s apothecary from her nana in the future. To make that happen, she’s devoted a lot of her time trying to develop a tonic that could attract more customers to Bishop Brews and give them more stability. Sage wants nothing to do with the latest hire- her ex best friend Ximena Reyes. When she takes a break during their shift at the apothecary, it gives someone the opportunity to break into the shop and steal the tonic Sage has been working on. Determined to figure out who the thief is, Sage starts investigating with Ximena to right wrongs and finds herself battling old feelings that she swore were gone. Can Sage and Ximena find the person responsible and get along with each other, perhaps better than Sage thought?
I absolutely loved this book. You have Sage, a creative, protective, and talented plant witch that loves her family and community. You have Ximena, a charismatic, lovely young girl that distanced herself from Sage years ago and severed their friendship. Mercer and Nana were iconic, and I loved seeing how magic was being formed throughout the book, especially how it could be tied to surroundings and intentions. The complex feelings that Sage was struggling to reconcile with, especially in regard to Ximena, were definitely relatable and I cheered for both of them throughout the story to heal their wounds and potentially renew their friendship, if not deepen it into something more. There were a lot of twists and turns that were wonderfully woven in, and every part was an absolute delight. Overall, if you like magic, witches, tonics, mysteries, complex characters, fantastic worldbuilding, and sweet ex-friends-to-lovers small town romance with low amounts of spice, then I would highly recommend this book. Here’s a link for more information: Amazon.com: Brewed with Love eBook : Page, Shelly: Kindle Store

I was in love with this book from the very first page and have been thinking about it constantly since finishing it. I never knew a cosy mystery romance with werewolves and witches and potions and more was what I needed in my life but this was FANTASTIC.
The romance was utterly delectable, the characters were immediately loveable and flawed but remained compelling throughout. If you want the vibes of 'This Poison Heart' in regards to the plant magic and apothecaries but want more cosy, more romance and just all around good vibes then this book is one you'll adore.
The mystery itself was simple but was fun, easy to follow along and worked well alongside other background plots and adventures. I'm so sad this'll likely stay a standalone because I'm so in love with this world and small town and wish I could explore every rival apothecary and every small family owned shop on its rows. This story is just so good, so wonderful and one I'm very eager to own physically in my hands so I can reread it over and over again.

This book is a cozy, witchy, sapphic romantasy and a YA romp with a fun mystery plot. In Brewed with Love, the main character Sage Bishop is a plant witch who wants to run her family's old apothecary, and who is up against their biggest competitor who keeps drawing away customers. To help, Sage's nana hires Ximena Reyes, who happens to be Sage's ex-best friend and first crush. At first, Sage tries to ignore her feelings, but things get complicated when during one of their shifts together, someone breaks into the apothecary and steals many tonics - including one Sage had been laboring over. Sage and Ximena begin to investigate together. And more than just the mystery is uncovered!
The book was well-written, and the style was fun and fast-paced, and the romance was very enjoyable in this book. This is a great read for queer and sapphic teens wanting a perfect fall read! Or anyone else who enjoys YA, paranormal, and sapphic romance stories.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Shelly Page for providing this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.