i like how relatable this is. the scholarship search is so real. as a college student who has lots of loans. i need scholarships. also win for band kid representation

also it’s cute to have fanfiction mentioned in a book, makes it real to me. normalize teens being nerds in fiction.

a lot of this humor is based on dnd which is so cute, but kinda alienates the audience that doesn’t know, but i still kinda like it bc i can appreciate nerd things (even though i know jack shit abt dnd.)

the magic systems were very well thought out.

“As the use of Western pre-made spells rose exponentially, original spell development around the world decreased.”

I had such a great time with Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe! The book is deliciously geeky and cozy –and queer– but it’s also so much more than that!
I loved the many references to geek culture, from Doctor Who to DnD, and how the universe was built around that but also completely original. How the author uses earthquakes as a major element was super interesting, as much as their interpretation of “Magic is everywhere”. As an example “The” scene in Target might be among my fav’ scenes… ever. That created a mirror effect between both words in the book (which book is its own AU? This one!), but also between the book –and, more generally– pop culture and our reality. All the parallels and interconnections are fun and never ending, always full of clever findings.
Both characters are complete opposites, yet they get lost into each other at first sight. I loved their evolutions, who they reassess their lives, goals and prejudices during the whole story. I don’t want to go too in depth about the MCs or their relationship to avoid spoilers, but I truly enjoyed that part. I also loved Brenda’s friends, how supportive they were, and their full geek-attitude.
But this book also introduces more deep subjects, like the cultural erasing at the benefit of a globalized hegemony, to enrich only a few at the detriment of the majority. I loved how the author presented that and integrated it to their magical system and politics, and how they used all the mystery elements to keep the reader engaged.

Thank you to the author, Feiwel & Friends and Colored Pages PR for the access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
4.5/5

While this is definitely a YA level book, it was still a fun and enjoyable read. It reminded me a lot of "Legends and Lattes." Cute, cozy, full of sweet characters.

Brenda is a geeky overachiever with a multi-step plan to save the world. Step 16 is to obtain a great scholarship so she can pay for the amazing school she chooses. But moments before her most important application is due, her internet goes out. Desperate for WiFi, she stumbles into a cutesy coffeeshop that is owned by Kat and her dad. Kat who lives in a universe fueled by magic, and which she is the prophesied chosen one of. A destiny that she vehemently fights against. Unaware of the portal that has made this meeting possible, Kat and Brenda have an instant connection. But how will they find each other for their next date?

I was pleasantly surprised by how much attention was placed on the magic system and world building. When I heard this described as a cozy fantasy, I assumed it wouldn’t go much deeper than a glancing overview. However this had a lot more adventure and mystery than I originally assumed. Brenda and her friends’ absolute delight around magic leads to their geeky curiosity around learning magic themselves. There are moments when they brainstorm theoretical magic application. I found it funny how in Kat’s world spell craft is treated like math. Something most people feel ambivalent too despite it being a necessary part of their world. Seeing the ways Kat and Brenda’s worlds diverged but also closely mirrored each other was really interesting.

The romance between Kat and Brenda was really sweet and wonderful. The way they both felt misunderstood and like nobody cared about the true parts of themselves. And then in one conversation they got each other so easily and appreciated the parts that everyone usually overlooked. They fit together so perfectly and I really liked watching their bond grow deeper.

I do wish the side characters were a little more developed. Since D&D was a big part of Brenda’s life and friendships I wanted more from her party. I didn’t feel like we got to know Erica, Jenn, Ryan, and Adib outside of Brenda. They were more like stand-ins, just really hollow despite there being so many opportunities for them to shine.

The ending was definitely a little cheesy but I think it fit in nicely with the vibe of the story. The power of friendship and love being the answer in the end played well with the geeky D&D inspirations. So despite it being a little eye roll worthy, it was still cute. I had a really fun time with this!

I ended up putting this book down at the 40% mark. Not because it was bad, it wasn't. It was really cute. But, I'm an old lady and just had a hard time relating. I'm sure there are lots of people who will absolutly love this book. Especially, if they like alternate universes and D&D. Very cute story. Well written. 3.5 stars, cause I'm not completely heartless. Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I’m on a roll with excellent YA reads. I enjoyed this author’s Not Your Sidekick story and picked up their new book because even the blurb made me smile. Brenda Nguyen plans on saving the world and I mean she practically has a PowerPoint presentation of what she needs to do to be this hero but with the understanding that prom and getting into a good college should happen first. Then one particularly frazzled day in LA, Brenda stumbles into a coffeeshop and is dazzled by the cute barista, Kat Woo. What neither of them knows is that their alternate universes have somehow crossed wires.

Brenda and Kat are incredibly cute and charismatic. They both have backstories that include the grief of missing parents and the weight of heady expectations. The world building is fun and whimsical, a mix of modern pop culture and nerd visuals like wyverns, magical spell casting, and steampunk fashion. Plus, some super funny shenanigans, quirky twists, and a dash of danger. Meanwhile, Kat and Brenda are falling for each other in the midst of battling the evil adults of the world. But what I like best about the story is seeing how the love of family and friends empower Kat and Brenda. They never were never alone and that’s something beautiful for them to learn. Lastly, Kat is of Chinese heritage and Brenda’s family is Vietnamese. The story is infused with the countries’ histories, cultures, and food. So much food. I’m already missing Kat, Brenda, and the magic filled Los Angeles. A cat called Fancy and a dragon named Ana might have stolen some scenes.

Thank you to publisher and Netgalley for the ARC and for having my on the promotional tour for Coffeeshop In An Alternate Universe!

What to expect from this novel?
💕 Sapphic romance
✨️ Magic portal between parallel universes
💕 A girl who wants to save the world
✨️ A girl who wants to escape her destiny
💕 A cozy coffeeshop
✨️ Interesting magic
💕 D&D references

This standalone fantasy novel is really enjoyable, with its lighthearted tone and intriguing twists as the situation evolves! Coffeeshop is a blend of fun, teenage romance with some of the ups and downs of high school life, and a fantasy adventure trying to figure out portals and parallel universes. I loved getting to know the two very different, yet so compatible, main characters, their families and their friends. And their blossoming romance was absolutely adorable!! It was also fun to follow them in the discovery of each other's world, and the development of their plans.

The author created an interesting world (or two!), based on the real Los Angeles and added fun, unique twists to its magical counterpart! The fantasy plot woven into it was also really catchy, although some things felt like they happened a bit too easily.

If you enjoy cozy fantasy and parallel worlds, you should definitely check this book out.

4.5 stars
A cute Sapphic fantasy about getting a girlfriend from an alternate universe and saving the world.

I really enjoyed the way Kat and Brenda complemented each other. Their lives were similar enough to easily see how they related to each other but different enough to have that point of contention and growth. I think the stakes (save the world high) are a little too high for cozy, but it makes for a great story. Also, Ana has my heart, completely.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

Brenda is a type A overachiever, determined to follow her 19-point plan that will lead to the right college, the right career, and eventually, saving the world through science. Kat is a troublemaker, rebelling against the expectations placed on her as “The Chosen One” who will end the series of mana (magical energy) surges that have been endangering the city. Both girls live in Los Angeles… but not the same Los Angeles. When a portal between their universes brings Brenda to Kat’s father’s coffee shop, the girls find that opposites most definitely attract. Will they be able to navigate unreliable portals, wyvern attacks, earthquakes, and a dark conspiracy to be able to save both worlds… and actually be able to date? Funny and heartfelt, this is a great read for teens looking for cozy fantasy and sapphic romance.

Coffeeshop in an alternative universe follows Brenda and Kat, two teenage girls from parallel universes with the quest of saving their respective worlds. By chance, their paths collide and an inter-dimensional romance is blossoming, but things are never easy when magical creatures, a secret society and navigating two worlds stand in their way.

Since the book features two parallel worlds, our world and a similar one where magic rules instead of electricity, it was very interesting to learn about the similarities and differences between them. There was so much to explore, especially in the magical world that there wasn’t enough space to properly explore or explain. There were a lot of creative ideas that at times were rushed through by inconsistent pacing. Especially in the second half of the book.

The book is told through two first person POVs. As someone who cares alot about the characters in order to enjoy a book, the dual pov didn’t quite work for me. While I enjoyed Kat’s narration, Brenda’s was a bit of hit and miss, as it often came off as pretty childish. Something that felt in contrast to her overall personality. Aside from Kat, I also enjoyed Brenda’s friend group and I wish we could have seen more of them.

The book didn’t quite hit the mark for me, even if there were parts I really enjoyed. One of the major factors for this was the fact that it was marketed as a cozy sapphic romance fantasy, and while it started out like that it soon became something else. The majority of the story didn’t even take place in a coffeeshop. It’s more a story about two girls trying to save their worlds, while also trying to make their inter-wordly relationship work.

Imgur link goes to Instagram graphic scheduled for July 3rd
Blog post goes live July 4th
Amazon and Barnes&Noble reviews are up, pending system approvals
Youtube Review in Friday Reads on July 4th


**TL;DR**: A very cute sapphic romance with alternate universes.
**Source**: NetGalley - Thank you to the publisher!!

**Plot**: Two girl discover portals between their worlds and have to work to stop disaster but also fall in love.
**Characters**: They were very cute and by the end I loved the girls, but we might have also spent too much time with them.
**Setting:** For such a big part of the story this was pretty well drawn early out but left alone for the later half.
**Fantasy:** The ideas here were very cool. I liked them a lot.

**Thoughts:**

I really wanted this to be a five star, I really did! But I think maybe I’m just a little too old for this pacing and style to work for me. The driving plot of this story is the idea of these portals opening between Kat and Brenda’s worlds. They seem to be connected to the surges of mana on one side and earthquakes on the other.

At the same time the story really focuses hard in on the romance between these two girls. And honestly, that felt a little bit like a distraction at times. We would have a pretty intense chapter, big information drops or big twists! Then we’d jump to the next and it would be prom, or the coffeeshop, or something slower and I ended up feeling quite frustrated by the end.

The ideas are so cool, and perhaps for a younger or more patient reader this could be a real hit. Give it a shot if you don’t mind that abrupt back and forth. The girls are adorable, I loved their friends and the emphasis on their culture. But the pacing frustrated me to no end.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

Any book that includes Doctor Who references automatically gets extra points from me. I haven't played Dungeons and Dragons before, but I definitely think it's something I would enjoy. Some of those references went over my head, but at the same time, I know enough about the game that I understood most of it. Don't worry about those references, though, if you don't know anything about it. You don't need to understand them to follow the book. Just some references included.

This was an amazing book. Loved it so much. I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in this type of novel.

𝙴𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠
🌟🌟🌟.5
If you are willing to experience a cozy, witchy, fantasy, and sidereal universe vibes, this book, *Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe*, is the book. The physical book comes with purple spray edges, and, omg, it's beautiful. One of my new favorite physical books.
When Brenda’s internet goes out right before an important scholarship deadline, she stumbles right into Kat’s family’s coffeeshop. The only problem? Kat and Brenda are from different universes. Like need-to-find-a-portal-to-go-on-a-second-date different universes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

This was so cute and cozy. I absolutely loved the premise of accidentally discovering an alternate world while meeting the girl of your dreams at a Coffeeshop! Not only was the romance cute, the growth between friends and of each characters was so wonderful. I am also such a sucker for kids saving the world.

This book was a very fun read. I really loved Brenda and Kat as well as the side characters. I thought they were well developed and I really enjoyed Kat and Brenda’s relationship and watching it grow. I do feel like the magic system in this book was sometimes hard to follow. I also feel like The Order should have been a more active antagonist in the book. We always heard about them but we really didn’t get to see them do anything. I also did not enjoy the 3rd act break up. It really made me not like the book as much as I was before. Overall, it was very cute and a great pride month read!!

4.75⭐️

This concept of magic and alternate worlds was so delightful to experience with Brenda and Kat as sapphic Asian protagonists. I enjoyed this even more when I found out that Brenda was also a D&D nerd. This is everything that I could've wanted from this book, cute relationships, immersive world building with the unique magic system, and the pacing was so well done. I'm so glad I read this!

I’ve enjoyed CB Lee’s books since their Sidekick Squad series, and when I saw they had something new coming I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. Some elements of the story were predictable from early on, though that could be a byproduct of being a voracious reader for so many years. This is a case where while the answer was predictable, the execution and reveals were worth it still. I really loved Brenda’s friendships and the development of her romance with Kat. There’s also so many great family moments that filled my heart with so much warmth. I had a lot of fun with this book overall and the audiobook was a great experience.

This was the perfect beach read for me this weekend. Cozy, sweet, and romantic with a unique twist on the chosen one trope, this story absolutely delivered.

Brenda is a geeky overachiever with a 19-step plan to save the world. Kat is the chaotic, reluctant Chosen One. Their paths collide, literally, when Brenda’s internet cuts out and she stumbles into Kat’s coffeeshop… in another universe.

This story was heartfelt and full of charm. I adored both Brenda and Kat, but Kat really stole the show for me. The dual POVs felt distinct, the worldbuilding was seamless, and the plot’s light mystery thread kept me turning the pages.

Whether you're into multiverse hijinks, nerdy meets mystical love stories, or just need something cute and comforting, this one's worth checking out.

3.5 stars

When I say I want to read a cozy fantasy book, THIS IS WHAT I MEAN. Coffeeshop in an Alternative Universe had the cozy feel to it, as it was set in a coffeeshop, but the stakes were also very real.

The idea behind this book was excellent. What do you mean a girl stumbles upon this cafe (meets the cutest girl at the said cafe ) which is actually in an alternative universe and the fate of both the universes is at stake??!!

I absolutely loved the sapphic representation in this book; the author killed it. Brenda and Kat, the main characters, were truly the cutest. I loved the awkward charm their relationship had; it showed how new they were to proper relationships and how sincere their feelings were for each other.

The main characters were surrounded by such fun and loving people that you just keep smiling while reading the book and hoping that everything turns out well and no one ends up dying.

Two things that I wasn’t a fan of in this book were how easily people believed magic is real and I thought it was very obvious who the villain was and the reveal should have been a bit earlier.

If you love cozy fantasy, sapphic ships, fun friend groups and magic, PICK THIS UP.

A cute concept, the description seemed like the perfect book but it just came off too childish for me, Brenda came off at trying too hard to be relatable and Kat was supposed to seen like a rebel but for me it cane off as more obnoxious. I enjoyed the romance aspect and liked the characters together and I enjoyed the families stories but I just couldn’t get into the magic system and the main characters