This was, essentially, a bake-off with D&D characters.

There was very minimal fantasy which disappointed me. The protagonist bemoans her lack of magic and human racism but we didn't really get many examples of that beyond the greedy and racist stallkeeper.

Why does magic make a difference in a baking competition? Spoiler: It doesn't. No magic is needed to bake a stupid cookie so the whole thing is ridiculous. Girl thinks she can't enter the competition because she's human but a magic-less human makes no difference when all competitors are simply making cookies.

Arleta is a very annoying and whiny protagonist--constantly bemoaning her lack of magic and it almost seems like she doesn't even like baking in the first place if she has so much anxiety around it. I couldn't root for her at all.

The romance was awful! The elf guy just insta-loved her and the two of them had no chemistry. She belittled him often and was pretty rude to him even though he was pretty sweet and kind toward her.

Although this is advertised as cozy fantasy, it didn't feel very cozy to me. Arleta had some SERIOUS anxiety issues that made this anxiety-inducing and as a result--not cozy at all. At some point she loses the herb bag that she wanted to use for the competition and that was stressful. She was also almost late to entering the competition and arrived at the last second, very stressful. Too many stressful elements in this book for it to really be dubbed "cozy fantasy". Not to mention the lack of magic!

I enjoyed this book; it had many of my favorite features like magic, magical/fantasy creatures, and a cozy feel. At times it was hard to get into the scene of what was going on but overall it was a pleasant read with engaging characters. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next!

NB this was an advance review copy of the title from the publisher. All the thoughts above are my own.

A lovely cosy fantasy with a focus on found family and overcoming struggles. The characters felt well developed and relatable, I really liked their dynamics. The worldbuilding was great and had many cosy settings. The story had some light drama, but it wasn’t too much. I enjoyed the baking part, it felt like the great british bake off with a little magic.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨ 4.5 stars

🍞 This is an example of a book that the author originally self published and then gained a lot of popularity until it got picked up! I was very happy to see picked up by Poisoned Pen Press an imprint of Sourcebooks, as I have read a book in this series before and enjoyed it!

🍪 I read the second book (A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons) for a book bingo in 2024 and I really liked it. It stood on its own but I could tell I would have benefited from having read the first book first. I’ve been intending to go back and read this first book, so when I saw it pop up on NetGalley, I got excited and got it!

🎂 This is a short (a little over 200 pages) cozy fantasy about a baking competition and it is sooo up my alley. The author also adds a strong dash of Romance. I enjoyed the fated mates (elvish) story line! ♥️

🥧 For me, it was a good move after reading sunrise on the reaping and watching episode 2 of the last of us 😂 I NEEDED a cozy fantasy about a baking competition!

🧁If you like Legends and Lattes / Bookshops and Bonedust, the Spellshop & The Enchanted Greenhouse, and other similar cozy fantasies, I think you will enjoy this!

🎂 The main character, Arleta’s, feelings of being “less than” for being magicless in a magical world will resonate with anyone who has experienced imposter syndrome or has trouble fitting in one time or another.

🍪 The ending comes together nicely but a few storylines felt a little shortchanged. I still will read more books in the series. The epilogue of this book leads directly into book 2!

🍞 You also can’t beat the recipes at the end of the book - I think it’s a really nice touch. And I just might try one or two because they sound so good!

✨ Thanks to the author, Netgalley, and the publisher for this advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨ “Time. She just needed more time in the day. But there was never enough time.”

Honestly… same, girl, we ALL need more than 24 hours—especially for reading and baking 📚🧁

This book had me hooked from page one. We follow Arleta, a human baker living in a magical world filled with elves, dwarves, orcs (her super sweet neighbors 🥹), and more. Humans don’t have magic, so they’re kind of looked down on—and even though Arleta always gets the worst stall at the Adenashire market she still pours her heart into her baking every day.

Then one day, a very cute elf named Theo shows up and invites her to a prestigious magical baking competition. Turns out, her last name makes her sound like she’s from a magical family, so no one realized she’s actually human. Arleta didn’t even enter the competition herself, and she’s terrified she’ll be exposed as a fraud.

But with the support of her orc neighbors and Theo, she sets off on a journey she never expected. Along the way, she meets new friends—quirky Doli and grumpy Jez—who couldn’t care less that she’s human. 🥰 The competition is fierce, and to make things worse... the head judge? Yep. Theo’s mom 😳

Will Arleta be able to keep her identity a secret? Will she figure out what her feelings for Theo really mean? Can she bake her way to victory—or maybe something even better, like true friendships? 💛

📺 If you’ve ever wished MasterChef had elves, orcs, and a sprinkle of magic, this is the cozy fantasy for you!

✨ Bonus: there are actual recipes at the end!! My little bookish baker heart is SO full!

A easygoing read that was sweet and fun, A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic does exactly what it says on the tin. Readers are submerged in a world of magic and wonders, followed with a familiar theme of baking competitions. Delightful!

I **adored** this baking themed fantasy book. I think fans of legends and lattes will really enjoy it. It has a similar tone and cozy world building, with a charming variety of species and experiences.

Verdreth and Ervash’s relationship with each other and with Arleta was so heartwarming.

The blanket fort scene?? Stop. I am fully in love. And then the later reference when Theo was talking about his backstory was just so lovely.

I flew through this book in a way I haven’t in a while. I couldn’t put it down.

I can’t wait to read the next one!!

I was grateful to receive a copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This charming Cinderella retelling delivered low stakes romantasy that was as captivating as it is sweet. The mouthwatering dessert descriptions had my stomach growling while reading, which I don't know if that's a complaint or kudos to J Penner for describing them so well. The small-scale story about a human baker navigating an elven competition delivered a cozy comfort with surprising depth. While the love interest initially lacks dimension and the fantasy race dynamics occasionally stumble into oversimplified territory, the story's warm heart and refreshing take on proving yourself in a magical world you don't quite fit into makes this a perfectly satisfying literary treat worth savoring.

I made a few attempts to make it through this book but I'm not sure when the baking part even starts. I never made it that far. This one just didn't work for me.

I received an advance copy via NetGalley.

This is my kind of cozy fantasy: a secondary world tribute to the Great British Bake Off, wherein beings like elves, dwarves, and humans are competing for the prize. Lead character Arleta is a human struggling to sell her amazing baked goods, and often facing bigotry because of her magicless nature. She has no confidence whatsoever, and this is one of the book's main flaws: she can't commit to anything and is outright exasperating. She's almost too realistic, and that drags out the plots (especially the romance subplot) in a way that feels forced instead of organic. But when her ADORABLE surrogate dads--the two gay orcs who live next door--submit her as a candidate for the baking bout, she makes the cut, and then has to practically be kidnapped into participating by the super-hot elf Theodmon who works on behalf of the tournament.

The book has an awesome vibe. The descriptions of food are amazing--and the book has several recipes at the back! The sense of found family is wonderful, too. Arleta makes two close friends out of fellow contestants, and they have great banter. This isn't a book where you want to think too hard about the worldbuilding because it won't hold up at all, though this book deals with that better than some other cozy fantasies because it completely ignores the issue of ingredient origins. I just wish Arleta hadn't been quite so aggravating, that she had more external conflicts that gave her pause.

Arleta Starstone is a human confectionist who lives in Adenashire, a place full of Elves and Dwarves. She works very hard at her trade but would never put her goodies up against those who are magical. She is shocked when a.neighbor secretly enters her in a baking competition. She worries that those who are magical won't like her being a part of such a prestigious competition. She decides to jump in feet first so she can prove just what a great baker she is. Follow along as Arleta takes herself on a journey of self discovery and shows who she is with her baked goods.

Thanks to Netgalley and Poison pen Press for a copy of A Fellowship of Bakers and Magic. I laughed and I cried which means I had a good time reading this - this book was really wonderful! I'm a sucker for a cozy fantasy and this hit all the marks for me. If you're looking for a cozy, fantasy mashed with Great British Bakeoff and topped with romance, here you go!

Arleta is human, but has an otherworldly gift for baking, but her confidence does not match her skills. Someone secretly enters her into the Langheim Baking Competition, where the best of the best are invited to compete, and where a human has never been. Delivering that invitation, a gorgeous elf named Theo that Arleta can't stop thinking about. Will she come out on top and as forces outside make her question every step?

There's a lot to Arleta that I think many of us reading this book will be able to understand, the fear of what could happen, or big dreams we have. So while I was frustrated with her at times, I also understood her and where she was coming from.

Everyone in this book that surrounds Arleta were just so damn loveable too. I cannot wait to collect this whole series for my shelves and to reread again.

Cozy fantasy lovers will not want to skip this one!

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic is a cozy read for those looking to stay in a fantasy realm but with low stakes. I would advise against reading this book if you’re in the mood for a sweet treat, because Penner’s descriptions of Arlete’s baking and the scrumptious treats she makes throughout the book will make your mouth water (there is even a recipe guide at the end!). While I very much enjoyed the cozy setting and the premise of a magical baking competition which left me wanting to visit Langheim and see the Baking Battle myself. I found Arleta, our FMC, to fall a bit short. While she is magicless in a world built for those with magic, rather than really facing adversity, she instead became a bit whiny and "woe is me," which is not my cup of tea for a FMC. There is some non-spicy romance woven in, and it almost felt rushed at the end of the book, as if it were an afterthought. I really appreciated the LGBTQI+ representation in the book; it complemented the story and gave more depth to the other characters.
A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic by J. Penner is a 3/5 star read. Perfect for those wanting a low-stakes cozy fantasy to curl up with, along with a cuppa and a sweet treat.

Bakers and Magic has very Great British Bake Off vibes. It follows in the same vein as Legends and Lattes, with the cozy bakery vibes. It provides enough drama to keep you interested but is low enough stakes to not send anyone over the edge.

I did find Arleta to be slightly infuriating in how self defeatist she was, I just wanted to shake her at times, which is a testament to J. Penner's ability to get you to care about the characters. Sometimes the writing felt a little clunky because some things were explained in great detail then immediately something else would be breezed over, or there'd be an abrupt change (in scene, pace or attitude). I particulalry enjoyed the vivid descriptions of both plants and food. There was an extremely slow burn romance, as well as a lot of well loved tropes, including 'only one bed', enemies to friends, found family (twice) forbidden romance, cosy bakery, sunshine and grumpy friends and then at the end there were real recipes included that had featured in the battle- and they look so good!

Overall though I loved the characters and cared about what happened to them. I loved the ending. 4 stars because I personally found the writing a little clunky but I would read more in this world and with these characters none the less.

3⭐️ Cute, cozy fantasy about a human baker named Arleta. While not magical, she manages to make her own delightful recipes with herbs. Arleta’s neighbor surprisingly enter her into a baking competition. She will struggle through but stay true to herself and the baking she loves. The challenges prove difficult. When a handsome woodland elf shows belief in Arleta, she starts to see she can win. Maybe she will even find her own confidence along the way.

Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and J. Penner for the advanced reader copy.

This book enveloped me like a warm blanket with a delightful treat nearby. It has been some time since I felt such excitement for a book’s characters and story. Our protagonist, Arleta, embarks on an enchanting journey as the sole human contestant in a magical British bake-off style competition. The story features vivid portrayals of her yummy baking creations. Additionally, the story is infused with longing for a certain handsome elf and thrilling adventure. If you're seeking intense action, battles, or shocking plot twists, you won’t find that here. However, you will likely discover a comforting companion within these pages. Fortunately, we won’t have to wait long for the sequel, "A Fellowship of Games & Fables," set to be released in September 2025.

A Fellowship of Magic and Bakers was originally an ebook but was now more broadly published. It’s the first in its series and I LOVED it. Arleta is a human “whose baking tastes magical”. She lives in a world where every year a baking competition is held across the lands and she ends up participating as the first non-magic being. This one was so cozy and while it’s tagged as adult, almost felt YA. The descriptions of food made you hungry. I will definitely read more in the series! Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is so fun! If a cozy, found-family fantasy novel filled with drool-worthy descriptions of baking sounds like something you’d enjoy; look no farther. I absolutely devoured this book (pun intended) and I can almost promise it will have you kicking your feet, giggling the whole time.

Arleta Starstone is a creative and brilliant baker struggling to earn enough money to afford her own bakery without anyone’s help. Unfortunately, as a magic-less human, patrons are less willing to spend money on her pastries no matter how good they are. But new possibilities are opened to Arleta as a curious (and attractive) elf shows up to her door with an invitation to a prestigious baking competition that could pave the way to making her dreams a reality.

Penner’s writing is simplistic, but satisfying. The dialogue and characters are written wonderfully, but the real star of the show is Penner’s mouth-watering descriptions of the baking process (have I mentioned there’s recipes at the end of the book yet?). Every time Arleta and friends made something new, I was ready to get up and start baking myself!

I absolutely loved the characters, but Verdreth and Ervash have my whole heart. I would love to read more about them.

There wasn’t much of anything that I didn’t like about this book and I will be reading all of the other books in this series.

*Thank you to J. Penner, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for honest review.*

I loved this book. I read this in one day...every moment i had free i picked up the book. And I'm sad to see it end, but so happy to know its a series and i can stay in their world a little longer.

It's MasterChef meets beings with magic and beings without magic. A setting with magical beings behaving very much like people in the real world do.

Where this book gets elevated is in the descriptions of the world, and the baking and the very warm and laugh out loud conversations between the friends. I LOVED the way this author writes...first time I'm reading her and i would like to read more from her.

Now the baking sounded delightful, i wish i could see and taste the goodies, her writing is just delicious ❤️

PS. These are the friends i want in my corner! This is the kind of group I want to be a part of! We each have to live through our own lives, but it's so wonderful to have friends in our corner, friends to enjoy that tea & cake with ❤️

Be still, my whimsical little heart! This was a perfect read for me, hankering for cosy romantic books, lovely friendships, characters who go o a gentle internal quest and finish it with more confidence in themselves and their friends.

I've especially enjoyed the fairytale atmosphere with a dash of whimsy, a sprinkle of magic and oodles of recipes and baking. I just want to dive right back in this world and have already requested the second volume in this series.

I'll keep you guys posted !

Thank you Netgalley for this ALC.