Listen, I hate to say it as much as you hate to hear it: this one was just not for me. Maybe it's because I can't make heads nor tails of D&D lingo, or maybe it just wasn't meant to be, but this book could not hold my attention no matter how hard I tried. It had all the ingredients of a book I would love (interdimensional travel and sapphic romance), but the execution just failed to keep me engaged. DNF'd at 46%. Fans of D&D, I hope y'all love this one. <3

This is a wholesome, cozy, romance, and fantasy novel. If you like a whimsical feeling stories then this book is for you. The interaction between the couple is very wholesome. I love a delicate and well written clean novel that combines romance and fantasy. I'm buying this book when it comes out! It has a nrefy feel to it too, so if you like nerdy romances, then read this!!

ARC eview for Netgalley. Expressions are my own.

If you are excited for a super cute and cozy romantasy, then you’ll love this! I always love stories about alternate universes and dimensions. The world building was so fun and the interaction between all the characters was fun. Kinda wished more went into the ending though. Also, I’m sure the D&D fans would appreciate more D&D in the book!

Zero spice YA sapphic romance. Kat and Brenda are so cute and I loved reading the parts where they kept trying to get ahold of each other. Get it when it comes out! So cozy.

COFFEESHOP IN AN ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE was cozy, charming, sweet, and incredibly fun. Seriously. When I think of cozy this is it.

3/5
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing for an arc. All opinions are my own.

This is a very cute, feel-good, cozy fantasy. I liked both main characters, and I thought their romance was sweet. I also loved how much detail was put into the Chinese and Vietnamese cultural aspects. I always think it’s great to see lighthearted YA touch on important topics like immigration.

However, this book didn’t quite hit the mark for me personally. There were a couple continuity errors and plot holes which I found a bit frustrating. For example, at the very beginning Brenda uses the wi-fi in the alternate coffee shop to submit a college application, but then we learn that their world doesn’t have wi-fi.

Soft, charming, and delightfully nerdy, this felt like a warm hug wrapped in a portal fantasy. The stakes stay relatively low-key despite the multiverse angle, but the chemistry between Brenda and Kat makes it all work

Whimsical, warm, and quietly profound, Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe blends cozy romance with speculative twists in a way only C.B. Lee can. With a dash of parallel worlds and a whole lot of heart, this story invites readers to believe in love across timelines—and the power of finding home in unexpected places. A comforting read for fans of soft sci-fi and even softer love stories.

4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Coffee Shop on an Alternate Universe was such a surprising and clever YA read.
At first, I expected a cozy romance between Brenda and Kat set in a cute café, but this book took that premise and ran with it, in the best way. The parallel universe twist added real depth and intrigue, turning what could’ve been a light love story into a layered tale full of mystery and unexpected emotional weight.

The relationship between Brenda and Kat was heartfelt and refreshingly honest, and both characters felt like real teens navigating not only young love but the pressure of impossible expectations, especially with Kat as the reluctant “chosen one.”
The blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and contemporary life was handled with a light, witty touch, and the writing kept me turning pages. I also loved how magic and science coexisted in this world, super creative without feeling overcomplicated.

A great pick if you’re looking for something that’s part sweet romance, part alternate-reality adventure, and all-around smart and fun. Would definitely recommend to fans of cozy fantasy with unexpected depth. 💖

Thank you to Macmillan for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Loved it! Really great character composition and the juxtaposed or overlapping timelines was a really cool, and I feel well executed concept.

This book wasn’t only cute but it was incredibly clever. I honestly thought I would get a cozy read but this was way more. When I read the meet cute between Brenda and Kat, I did think this was a cozy read. But when I learned of their two parallel worlds, I thought we would get simple plot. But then it grew and it grew, saw Kat’s mom’s death (or disappearance) as a mystery plus a mysterious conspiracy theory of why two Los Angeles cities are in different worlds. I was very hooked and although for me some elements were a bit obvious it was extremely fun to read them. At the same time, I enjoyed reading the young relationship between Brenda and Kat. I very much loved Kat’s character of her being “the chosen one” and how the expectations for her were high, she had a very unique perspective. Very clever book!

cozy queer fantasy! even when it gets super dramatic at the end (although still quite predictable), it always feels cozy. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

This one had all the ingredients I usually adore: sapphic romance, cozy fantasy, multiverse shenanigans, and a magical coffeeshop setting. Brenda, a science-driven overachiever, and Kat, a reluctant Chosen One, meet-cute across universes, promising a blend of heart and hijinks. ​

But alas, the brew didn't hit the spot for me. The narrative felt more like a gentle simmer than a rolling boil, and I found myself repeatedly putting it down, unable to stay engaged. While the premise was intriguing, the execution lacked the spark I was hoping for.​

Maybe it's a case of "right book, wrong time." Perhaps if I revisit it later, the magic will resonate more. For now, though, it's a DNF.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Sometimes, even the most promising blends don't suit every palate.

Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe is a delightful sapphic meet-cute set in two parallel realities. The story is both comforting and thought-provoking as it delves into the pressures and expectations faced by new adults. Told from alternating points of view, we explore the differences and similarities of both worlds while encountering witches, werewolves, and dragons. I loved the clever D&D references, the sweet and tender romance, and the cozy adventure that serves as a delightful backdrop! CB Lee does a great job balancing whimsy and depth, making this an engaging read.

This was a great YA fantasy romance that was equal parts cozy and action packed. Brenda and Kat both felt full realized and like real teenagers, even given their fantastical circumstances. The writing was easy to read, quick paced, and funny, keeping me hooked on the book. The world building was also really impressive, both of our world and far beyond it. The blending of magic and science was super interesting and unique, and felt utilised to its full potential.

Brenda falls for Kat when they meet in a coffee shop. However, the two soon discover that they're from different universes and must use portals to see each other.
This was a cute and fun read! Brenda and Kat's relationship was very sweet. The world was well-built and the plot engaging. Delightful.

This was the cutest little fantasy sapphic romance, as cozy and comforting as a warm cup of coffee. Both Brenda and Kat were likable, and Ioved the added complication of dating someone in an alternate universe—talk about a long distance relationship! The critters were adorable too. Fancy the cat was fun and Ana the dragon stole my heart.

The one major thing that threw me was that it didn’t really make sense that Brenda could get wi-fi in the alternate universe, especially since in a later scene other people from her universe couldn’t get wi-fi at that same cafe. I also felt people in the regular world accepted magic a touch too easily and the resolution went down a little too smoothly, but I was willing to suspend my disbelief about all of those things for the sake of enjoying this sweet story.

I give this 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.

This is such a cozy, sapphic YA fantasy with just the right mix of magic, mystery, and heart. The romance between Brenda and Kat was so sweet and genuine, it really felt like the kind of connection that helps both people grow into better versions of themselves. I loved how soft their relationship was, even while the world around them was full of chaos and tension.

There’s definitely more here than just the cute “coffeeshop meet-cute”. You get an alternate universe, magic and tech blending together, a bit of a murder mystery, and some deeper themes about identity, loss, and rewriting history. It’s LGBTQ+ friendly and includes great representation, all woven in naturally without feeling forced.

While I figured out a few of the twists early on, I still really enjoyed the journey. If you’re into cozy fantasy with a little edge and a lot of heart, this one’s definitely worth picking up.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

When Brenda’s internet goes out right before an important scholarship deadline, she stumbles right into Kat’s family’s coffeeshop. Brenda is swept away by cool, confident Kat, who actually cares about Brenda’s 19-step plan to save the world through science. Meanwhile, Kat can’t stop thinking about Brenda, who is smart, passionate, and doesn’t seem to care that Kat is the prophesized Chosen One.

The only problem? Kat and Brenda are from different universes. Like need-to-find-a-portal-to-go-on-a-second-date different universes.

I thought this book was interesting! I think readers will enjoy the premise of the book and the characters are quite lovable. With Brenda, and her 19-step plan to save the world... and Kat-the "chosen one".

I look forward to the release of this book!

I am obsessed with C.B. Lee's books and have been ever since Not Your Sidekick, and I am so glad this one did not disappoint! So much fun whimsy and lighthearted humor with a sweet romance that will make you swoon.

With quirky Asian-American main character energy reminiscent of To All the Boys I've Loved Before, sapphic cozy fantasy vibes à la Legends and Lattes, and a fast-paced, fun writing style that feels like Scalzi-turned-YA, Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe is a joy to read.

The book tackles a lot of heavy themes with grace, while remaining very fun and lighthearted. The love story between Kat and Brenda is sweet and wholesome. The pair bring out the best in each other and they both grow as young adults under the other's influence. The importance of the power of love and friendship is cheesy in the best way.

CB Lee's worldbuilding is excellent, and the plot is compelling. I found the foreshadowing heavy-handed, but it left me wanting to see how it all played out, and there were still twists I wasn't expecting. There are a few gaps in the worldbuilding that I was questioning as an adult reader (mostly around the global politics involved with cross-universe portals), but the depth with which the author addresses those areas is appropriate for the intended age range.

I also loved the neurodivergent, queer, and ethnic-minority representation in the book. Those identities shape the character's experiences without being too on-the-nose, which I found refreshing.

There was one plot hole I noticed that bugged me - the explanation contains soft spoilers, so check out my Goodreads review to see it.

Overall this book exceeded my expectations. I thoroughly enjoyed it as an adult and would have absolutely loved it when I was a teen.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for the ARC!