A Fellowship of Bakers and Magic is an utterly charming and lighthearted read that brings a delightful mix of whimsy, warmth, and sweetness. The story is set in a magical world where baking and enchantment go hand-in-hand, making for a cozy and silly adventure that’s perfect for anyone looking to unwind with a feel-good read.

The heart of the book lies in its lovable characters and the found family they create. Each member of the fellowship is unique and brings something special to the group, making their bond feel genuine and heartwarming. Their dynamic is both comforting and endearing, and you can't help but root for them as they navigate both their magical mishaps and the everyday challenges of life.

The writing is easy and engaging, making it the perfect escape for those who want to curl up with something light and fun. The blend of magic and baking adds a touch of whimsy without being overwhelming, making the story a delightful escape into a world where kindness, laughter, and a little bit of magic can solve almost anything.

Overall, A Fellowship of Bakers and Magic is an enjoyable, easy read with an emphasis on community, friendship, and the simple joys of life. If you're in the mood for a sweet, magical story that will leave you smiling, this is definitely the book for you!

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic by J. Penner is a delightful and cozy fantasy that strikes the perfect balance between charm and excitement. The story follows Arleta Starstone, who leaves her hometown of Adenashire to compete in the prestigious Elven Baking Battle. As one of the few magicless participants, she faces numerous challenges, all while forging new friendships, encountering a budding romance with Theo, and coming to terms with her own identity and self-worth.

The book is a quick, enjoyable read with a seamless writing style that makes it easy to get lost in the world of Adenashire. The dynamics between characters, especially Jaz, Doli, and the orcs, are heartwarming, and Arleta’s journey of personal growth adds depth to the narrative. Though the romance felt a bit rushed due to the book’s shorter length, it didn’t detract from the overall enjoyment.

The food and baking elements are especially fun and tangible, making the story a mouthwatering treat. A perfect read for those who love found family, fated romance, and a heartwarming happy ending.

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press, J. Penner and NetGalley for providing me with an arc. This review is entirely my own and honest opinion.

I love cozy fantasy so I really expected to love this but it was just OK for me.

I did really enjoy the coziness and all the baking. The food sounded so yummy and magical. The baking competition was fun but it felt really rushed.

I LOVED the side characters and found family vibes. I also thought Theo was very very sweet.

I had a really hard time liking the FMC, Arleta. She came off as kind of whiny and I couldn't keep up with her constant emotional changes. I didn't really understand her self doubt.

Overall, this was a quick fun read for fans of cozy fantasy.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC.

What a fabulous, clean and LGBTQ+ friendly bake off read.
Right away I was drawn into the book! It is the second book I've read that was a bake-off, but first with magical creatures and non-magical humans. It was a super quick read with elements from the bake-off shows we love, drama included.
Arleta has lost her parents, but knows if she keeps doing what she loves (baking), she can keep her head above water. One day Theo, an elf, finds her and drops off an invite for a bake-off competition. She is beyond confused as she did not apply or send in a bake, she is also non-magical despite having a wizard's last name. She still makes the journey to the city to be a part of the show, assuming she will be kicked out in the first round. Along the way she meets some amazing friends and the story gives you this fuzzy feeling.

In the back of the book there are recipes that were mentioned in the book. I love cookies so I'll be making these.

This book was a cozy breath of fresh air. It was sweet and just fun. I might have gained 10 pounds just reading the book but it was worth it:) Very atmospheric and I loved that there were recipes at end of it. So fun!

"A human, a dwarf and an elf walk into a bake-off….."

If you're a fan of fantasy like I am, how could you read that sentence and NOT get excited! Arleta is the human in this equation, an exceptional baker who feels a bit "less than" because in this world of magic, she has none. She lost her parents when she was younger and has since kept everybody at arms length, including the Orc couple who live next door. They try to step in and help Arleta, but she's too guarded to let them in. There is a huge baking competition coming up that Arleta would love to enter, but she doesn't because she assumes humans aren't eligible because they have no magic, so when her neighbors enter her, and she gets in, she's excited, but she tries to keep her expectations low. When a very attractive elf turns up at her door to escort her to the competition, she decides to give it a go, at least until they realize she's human and kick her out.

Arleta's journey through this book is such a joy to watch. The story is an enjoyable one, the pace is perfect, and the characters are likeable and well written. The world building is phenomenal, and the ending is satisfying. This was a quick read because I really couldn't put it down! I'm looking forward to seeing where this story takes us in the next book in the series.

All in all, I really enjoyed this cozy fantasy and highly recommend it.

5/5 stars

*** I would like to thank NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and J. Penner for the opportunity to read and review A Fellowship of Bakers and Magic.

#NetGalley #AFellowshipofBakersandMagic

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC. The story starts off with Arleta being entered into a baking competition by her adoptive fathers. Arleta hopes to win so that she can open her own bakery, but doubts her baking as she doesn't possess magic. She then hits the road to the competition with Theo, who delivered her the invitation to the competition. They immediately strike up a friendship and start to develop feelings for each other. Once they reach the competition, Arleta is still full of self doubt and now confusion over Theo. She then meets Doli and Jez who help Arleta discover how good a baker she actually is and provide the perfect found family. This book was full of heart, friendship, and great characters that keep you hooked wanting to know who wins the competition. If you love Great British Bake Off and cozy fantasy, then this is the book for you. :)

Cosy, Exciting and Delicious!

I was enthralled by the world of Adenashire, the baking competition and the folk that we meet along the way, For fans of found family, fated romance (without the ugliness of obligation) and a wonderful happy ending.

I am so excited to continue the series, and enjoy everything that Adenashire has to offer! I can imagine curling up on a chilly evening with a cup of tea, and a dog-eared copy of Fellowship of Bakers and Magic :)

If you're looking for a feel-good cozy story - look no further! J. Penner beautifully creates a group of characters that will live in your heart long after you finish the story! I loved the world building, and sometimes a low-stakes fantasy is exactly what you need to escape the stress of everyday life. Highly recommend!

3.5 stars out of 5, rounded up.

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic is a quick and easy read, following Arleta Starstone as she makes the decision to leave her hometown of Adenashire to participate in the prestigious Elven Baking Battle. It's a whirlwind of first times for her : meeting new friends, a love-interest in the form of Theo and steeling herself in the face of being one of few magicless to ever participate in the Baking Battle.

I liked the writing of this, J. Penner has a style that is just so seemless to read and made the book very enjoyable as the story moved forward. I also loved the dynamics between the characters, particularly Jaz and Doli, but also the quite heartwarming developments with the orcs. Taenya's story was a highlight as well and the challenges Arleta has to face throughout the Battle - coming to terms with who she is and what she deserves to have - were nicely woven in.
I can't say I particularly cared for the romance aspect of it, in part because I'm not an avid romance lover but also because the length of the book made it so it felt a bit rushed at times. It wasn't bad at all though and did not taint my enjoyment of the story, even though it is reflected in my rating of it, from a personal preferences standpoint.

You'll enjoy reading A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic if you've enjoyed the likes of the Legends & Lattes series, or the Secrets & Scrabble one, as it is just as cozy and engaging.

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press, J. Penner and NetGalley for providing me with an arc. This review is entirely my own and honest opinion.

I'm a sucker for cozy fantasies, but I'm also incredibly picky with them. Sometimes they're incorrectly labelled and aren't sufficiently cozy. Sometimes they're so low stakes they're downright boring. This book, was a great balance though.. When the plot was lacking thrilling action, it was made up for with perfect humor. The food was mouthwatering and the baking was tangible. Such a fun little read.

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic will definitely be loved by most. It's a cute and cozy little fantasy, but the main character leaves a lot to be desired. I didn't like Arleta whatsoever, which made this book drag for me.

Thank you Netgalley for providing the e-arc to review.

What a beautiful story!
The author made me fall in love with the FMC and then with all the other characters too.
The world in AFoBaM was immersive, stunning, and made me want to jump through the pages and sit on a chair with some of Arleta's fresh baked bread and butter.
I was hungry a lot while reading this book. I also cried...several times.

I have added Adenashire to my list of imaginary places to visit before I die.

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic is a charming and cosy fantasy that blends delicious pastries with a touch of enchantment. J. Penner creates a heartwarming world in Adenashire, where baking isn’t just a craft—it’s a form of magic.

Arleta Starstone is a relatable and endearing protagonist, and her journey from a simple baker to a competitor in the prestigious Elven Baking Battle is both fun and inspiring. The side characters, especially her orc neighbours, add warmth and humour to the story, making it a delightful read. The world-building is whimsical, and the descriptions of baked goods are so vivid that I found myself craving sweets while reading! The romance was solid and caring.

That said, I would have loved more time spent developing the friendships in the story. The bonds between characters form quickly—sometimes within just a few days—which made them feel a little rushed especially as it seemed Arleta had not formed any friendships before. A slower build-up would have made these relationships even more rewarding.

Despite that, the blend of magic, friendship, and self-discovery makes this book a perfect choice for fans of cosy fantasy. If you love books like Legends & Lattes or A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking* this is a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this magical story!

Rating: 4.5⭐️
Character development: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I liked this book for its uniqueness. The story focuses on Arleta and her simple life in Adenashire as a baker. She lives alone but has two orcs next door who always check in and make sure she's not lonely.
Arleta is a human baker with no special powers to help her fit in this magic-filled world. Her dream is to open her own bakery and make her parents proud.
This could become possible when Ervash signs her up for the annual Baking Battle.

I picked this book because it said it had LGBTQ+ representation. While we had one same-sex couple and one non-binary minor character, I felt it was a bit misleading since the story is not focused on a member of the community.

Nevertheless, the story was delicious, much like Arleta's bakes and cakes and the wonderful friends she finds along the way to the competition.

The story started a bit slow, but by the middle, I was hooked. I would recommend this book to anyone who needs a cozy fantasy to fill their weekend and to everyone who's not hungry 😅

Thank you netgalley for letting me read this. I loved this cute little story about a baker with no magic living in this fantastical world just trying to make her way and open up a bake shop. When she gets entered in to this baking contest. the relationships that came and the journey of this entire story were so good. I loved it so much.

I loved this sweet, fluffy, bake-off, fantasy romance!!! I mean I read it in one day! As a girl who grew up watching every baking show out there, I knew this was right up my alley + fantasy & romance?!? Automatic winner!!!

It was like I was watching The Great British Bake Off but set in another realm with Orcs, Elves, Dwarves, and a plethora of other cutie mythical woodland creatures. It wasn’t plot heavy, but it didn’t need to be. Just cozy!

Arleta Starstone is a human confectionist in a magical world where she’s not taken seriously and is almost shunned because she’s magic-less. All she wants to do is open her own bakery in her small hometown but she barely makes enough to cover her ingredients for her bakes in the market. When she’s unexpectedly entered into the prestigious Elven Baking Battle not only does she face some tough competition but she really struggles deeply with self doubt.

The only thing I wish I had more of was the romance!!! I simply need MOOOOREEE! There was so much potential for more there but I loved this book regardless.

If you’re wanting a beautifully written story, that’s cozy, sweet and enchanting! This book is for you!

Thank you NetGalley, J. Penner, and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC! My opinions are my own!

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic is the definition of a cozy fantasy read! It is a delightful story following a young woman who does not have any magic, in a world full of magical creatures. What she does have is incredible skill at baking. She ends up entering a baking competition (or very caring neighbors enter it for her lol), and we have a fascinating Great British Bake off style competition in a wonderful, magical world. If you are looking for a cozy read, this is definitely the one! It is not plot-heavy, but it absolutely does not need to be. One of those books that feels like a warm hug. PLUS, the food descriptions were incredible and made me want to bake the entire time I was reading it.

Thanks to NetGalley, J. Penner, and Poisoned Pen Press for the chance to read and review! My opinions are my own!

Amazon and Barnes & Noble reviews submitted
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Will be discussed in Youtube Friday Reads 4/4

**TL;DR**: Good bones with a terrible main character.
**Source**: NetGalley, thank you to the publisher!

**Plot**: Arleta wins entry into a famous baking competition but she’s magicless and scared.
**Characters**: I’m going to be honest, Arleta ruined this for me.
**Setting:** I actually really liked the setting on this one!
**Fantasy**: A very light fantasy touch and I enjoyed that.

**Thoughts**:

A Fellowship of Bakers and Magic has been on my radar since it was self-published some time ago. So when I finally got a chance to read the new deluxe edition I jumped at it. Unfortunately this one just didn’t work for me at all.

Arleta bakes for a living and sells her goods in the local market to make ends meet and ends up through the meddling of her neighbors entered into a famous baking competition (think Chopped). The story is short, her quick journey there and the seemingly even quicker competition. Through it we listen to her cry, repeatedly about being magicless. She has no magic in a world of magic beings and wizards and for her that is the end of the world. This girl has no identity besides ‘magicless’ and sadly I think it’s a self inflicted identity.

Perhaps this is meant to be a flaw of the world but we saw almost nothing to indicate that anyone besides herself and the grouchy man at the market cared. We also had a romantic lead who was about as interesting as a piece of white paper. This one didn’t work for me, it was a lot of crying from a character who had little else going for her. The bones here were good, I liked everything around Arleta but I was so happy to close the book on her. Thank goodness.

The Fellowship of Bakers & Magic is a cozy fantasy romance set in the delightful world of Adenashire. The story introduces Arleta Starstone, a human trying to thrive in a land filled with Orcs, Elves, Dwarfs, and other magical beings. Arleta's lack of magic puts her at a disadvantage, but she works hard at baking and would love her own bake shop someday. Arleta's journey begins when she reluctantly agrees to participate in the Elven Baking Competition. This seemingly small decision leads her to form new friendships and discover romance. The story is as much about her self-discovery as it is about mouthwatering baking descriptions and lovely side characters. Arleta is stubborn and prone to negative self-talk. She often makes assumptions, holding firm to opinions that hinder her. Her interactions with Theo, the romantic interest, are laced with these same challenges in their budding relationship. Arleta's flaws can also be exasperating at times, however the story wraps up with a heartwarming and satisfying conclusion.


Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.