Arleta is human, but her baking is magical because she knows how to add just the right flavors to each bake. Arleta find that being human is not easy when you are surrounded by magical creatures and considered less than any of them. When her ogre neighbors enter her in the baking contest, she is hesitant at first. The elf who delivered the invitation to her escorts her to the contest town. If she wins the contest, she could open her own bakery!
This is such a fun cozy fantasy story. Arleta becomes close friends with magical creatures she meets at the contest, finds love, and learns what others have always known…that while she is not magical, her baking is.
Thanks to Poison Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

Loved this book it’s like a bake off mixed with cozy magic , it was such a fun and warm read , I just wish the main character had just something a little extra , I would definitely recommend this as a read though

Author J. Penner has written a wonderful fantasy combining baking, romance and a journey. A lonely young woman travels with an elf escort to participate in a baking contest. On the way, our travelers meet all kinds of whimsical and magical characters; and everyone seeks to help our insecure baker get to the contest. Penner creates a believable world and populates it with enchanting creatures. There’s much to enjoy about this book, the first in a series, and it is suitable for a YA audience. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

- cosy fantasy
- romance subplot
- human x elf
- bake-off
- slow-paced

It is no surprise that pulling off a cosy fantasy is no easy feat - while you want to keep the stakes low and the story light, you need that perfect balance between pacing and character development.

A Fellowship of Bakers and Magic has a great premise, unique characters, and a cosy bake-off that reminds me of all the cooking shows I watched growing up — there's not a lot you can do wrong with a bake-off! (Except, maybe, start it almost close to the middle of the book.)

While the descriptions of the baked treats are mouth-watering, and the side characters are oh so endearing, I'd personally have enjoyed more magical baked treats? We see a myriad of fantasy races, elves, dwarfs, and the like, however, the bake-off could have been even more whimsical if we were to see more magic involved in the competition. (Yes, our main character is a human, still, there could be some sort of magic incorporated in the setting, if not in the challenges themselves?)

And speaking of the main character, the side characters felt more charismatic than her to me which made some of the slower parts more annoying than cosy.

The setting though, is remarkably cottagecore, and I would love to spend a week in Adenashire and sample those fun markets. This one is a cute and cosy fairytale-like respite from your "oh-no-the-world-is-ending" books, however, if you need a lot to be happening on the page to keep you going, I'd give this a pass. ALSO, I AM A SIMPLE BEING AND THAT IS A CUTE COVER.

(I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review)

I loved, loved, loved A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic. This book is a fantasy romance version of The Great British Baking Challenge (and I love this cooking show) and romance very nicely blended. The story revolves around Arleta, a non-magical person in a world where everyone tends to have some magical property. Arleta however, is a magical baker, and with the help of her 2 neighbors, she becomes a contestant on the very famous Langheim Baking Battle. The invitation to participate is brought to her by Theodmon, a very handsome elf.
You can guess that there is an immediate attraction between them but not one that is immediately acknowledged or acted upon. The story follows the individuals to the battle and Arleta’s adventures within same. There are new friends to be made, new recipes to try and it’s a warm and lovely romance between them. Yet it also focuses on Arleta’s need to resolve her past and to build her confidence in herself. The descriptions of both the characters and the locations within the story are vivid, fun and even when they’re of a family of magical beings, they’re relatable to any human family, just in a different form.
I truly enjoyed this story and the characters created. I hope there is another story from this author for me to enjoy in the future.

Arleta es una talentosa panadera humana en el encantado mundo de Adenashire, donde los elfos y enanos dominan el arte de la repostería mágica. Cuando su vecino orco, su mayor fan, la inscribe en el prestigioso concurso de repostería Langheim Baking Battle, Arleta se enfrenta a un dilema: solo las criaturas mágicas pueden participar, y ella no tiene magia. Sin embargo, debido a su apellido, que pertenece a una familia de magos, la confunden con una hechicera.

Necesita el dinero y la fama que le traería ganar, por lo que decide fingir ser mágica y participar en la competencia. Durante su aventura de deliciosas recetas y desafíos, Arleta no solo tendrá que enfrentarse a la competencia, sino también a sus propios miedos y dudas sobre sí misma. En el camino, conocerá a un atractivo elfo que podría ser su alma gemela, pero surgen preguntas sobre cómo funcionaría una relación entre una humana sin magia y un ser mágico.

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic by J. Penner offers a unique blend of magic, baking, and light fantasy, but unfortunately, it doesn’t quite reach its full potential. The premise is intriguing—a magical world where baking is intertwined with magical powers—and the setting of Adenashire is enchanting in its own right. The idea of magical bakers competing in a high-stakes Elven Baking Battle, where both baking skills and magical abilities are tested, is undeniably creative and gives the book an interesting foundation.

The protagonist, Arleta Starstone, is a relatable and sympathetic character. She’s a young woman with a strong sense of duty and a passion for baking, and watching her grow as both a baker and a person was enjoyable. Arleta’s interactions with the various members of her fellowship—each with their own magical talents—create a sense of camaraderie that feels warm and genuine. The relationships she forms throughout the book, particularly the bond with her mentor, are heartening, and there’s a sense of loyalty and teamwork that resonates.

However, while Arleta’s personal growth is well-handled, the romance in the story falls a bit flat. Theo, the love interest, has potential but lacks depth. Their relationship feels rushed, and the chemistry between them never fully materializes in a way that made me emotionally invested in their connection. Theo’s character seems more like a plot device than a fully fleshed-out person, and their romance, while sweet, doesn't add much to the overall story. This left me feeling that the romantic subplot didn’t elevate the book in the way it could have.

Another area where the book doesn’t quite hit the mark is in its exploration of some of the more serious themes it touches on, such as discrimination and prejudice. While these are important themes that could have been explored in more depth, the book addresses them in a rather surface-level way. There’s potential to delve deeper into the societal structures and inequalities within the world of Adenashire, but instead, the story keeps things relatively light, perhaps to maintain its cozy tone. This choice might appeal to readers looking for a more relaxed read, but it left me wanting more complexity and nuance.

On a positive note, the magical elements, particularly the way magic is incorporated into baking, are fun and inventive. The descriptions of the magical recipes and their outcomes are whimsical and make the world feel rich and immersive, even if the rules of magic aren’t always fully explained. The author does a good job of blending the fantastical with the everyday, creating a world where the magical is just as natural as the flour and sugar used in the bakery.

In terms of pacing, the book is solid. It moves along at a steady clip, with enough twists and challenges to keep the reader engaged. However, the ending felt a little too neat and tidy for my taste, especially considering the potential for a more dramatic conclusion or a deeper exploration of the stakes involved.

Overall, A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic is a fun, lighthearted read with a lot of charm, but it doesn’t fully capitalize on the intriguing premise. The world-building is enjoyable, the main character is likable, and the magical baking concept is fun. Unfortunately, the lack of depth in the romance and the surface-level handling of more serious themes prevented it from being the standout story I hoped it would be. It’s a nice, cozy fantasy read for those who enjoy a sweet escape, but it doesn’t offer much more than that.

fun story. the protagonist was definitely nice, and the baking was fun, but the real charm of this book came in the friends, the LI, and all that. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review! This novel is its cozy, with its charming atmospheric setting. The descriptions of enchanted kitchens and spell-infused ingredients were super fun. I did find the pacing to be a bit lacking, but I still enjoyed this story!!!

This book was very cute! I always love books about baking competitions, and I think that the fantasy setting gave this one a fun twist. I looked forward to seeing what Arleta would bake in each part of the competition, and I plan on trying to make some of the baked goods myself because they sounded so good.
My favorite part of the book was definitely the side characters. I felt as though most of the side characters felt more complex and fully developed than Arleta and Theo, and so I would have liked to see a little more complexity in the main characters as well. Despite that, I still enjoyed the story, and thought it was an overall solid read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reader's copy of the book. This was a cute and cozy book. I'm going to be honest, I loved all of the characters except the main one. She was alright, but the other characters were more interesting. Loved the whole baking challenge. It was a fun read and I'm excited to read the rest of the series.

This was a cute, cozy little fantasy romance. I loved the mishmash of different characters/creatures. This low stakes fantasy was all about the vibes! As someone who loves to bake, that aspect alone really drew me in. I will likely continue with the series.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cute, cozy book! I really loved the premise of a magical bake-off, and the characters are fun. I enjoyed following Arleta's journey, and I really loved the treats Penner cooked up for the story. There were no major surprises, which worked for my cozy-not-stressful mood, and I just found the book charming overall. I'll look for more from Penner!

This book was exactly what I needed. After so many high-stakes fantasies and thrillers, this was the perfect comfort read. The worldbuilding is charming and so easy to sink into, and the characters are all so loveable with their own little quirks and backstories. It’s the kind of book that just makes you feel good while you’re reading it.

Arleta’s journey from a humble baker to competing in the Elven Baking Battle was fun and comforting all the way through. Sometimes, you just want something cozy and charming that won’t raise your blood pressure, and this book absolutely delivered. I’m already looking forward to the next one. I need a whole series, honestly.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

Thank you SO MUCH to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this highly anticipated read. All thoughts are my own.

I can’t get enough of cosy fantasy these days, and this one was utterly delightful.

We follow Arleta and her entry in the Langheim Baking Battle, very reminiscent of contemporary cooking competition shows. She has such a hard time believing in herself, believing she deserves to be there, and I loved her journey towards accepting she’s a wonderful, talented baker worthy of praise, and also her journey towards being more confident in general and figuring herself out.

I LOVED the cast of characters in this. Every single character is so loveable and bursting with personality. It’s always the found family vibes in these books that hook me the most, and this one is no exception.

The romance was lovely even though it was very much a side plot. I enjoyed the exploration of their relationship and what they meant to each other. Arleta and Theo were so, so sweet together.

As a fan of both cozy fantasy, baking shows, and baking, I was so excited to read this book! Also, the cover is so cute!

This book is written in third person and I really wish it had been in first person because Arleta comes across as younger than her age (She is in her 20’s). Arleta’s low self esteem is her main obstacle as she repeatedly says no to opportunities to better her circumstances. Her sweet gay orc neighbors who are always trying to feed her and help her meet so much resistance from Arleta. It gets to be annoying. I’m surprised they don’t just give up after years of Arleta turning them down. It takes an elf, Theo, practically carrying her to the baking completion with his wagon and horse for her to finally take a chance on herself and her skills as a baker.

Racism is a topic of importance as Arleta being human is a disadvantage. The elves and any other magical beings, are given better vender booths and priority in the baking competition. This is unique as I haven’t read many fantasy books where racism is prominent to the plot.

Theo is so kind and caring to Arleta. Their slow burn romance is very slow. This is a closed door romance so other than a kiss, we don’t know any physical aspects of their relationship. I was left with questions as to what Theo does for work other than tend for his garden and fetching Arleta whom he believes is his fated mate, despite him being an elf and Arleta human. Maybe from his mom?

The side characters and description of food were my favorite part about this book. Reading about the treats Arleta bakes made me not only hungry, but want to bake. I loved that there are recipes at the end of the book. The side characters Doli, the orc neighbors, Theo and Jaz have more personality than Arleta. In fact, despite Arleta’s best efforts to stay in her current situation, these characters carry her through that in the end she ends up with what she always wanted.

Overall, a cute read. I feel this would be appropriate for tweens to read. I wish I could connect more with the main character, but I prefer strong female leads. This is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. I’m looking forward to reading about the other characters.

3.5/5 ⭐️
1 🌶️

Currently on the hunt for cozy fantasy books and this book totally met my needs! It was well-paced and included all the elements I needed for a great cozy fantasy read: the diversity of characters, pastries, a sprinkle of magic... The recipes at the end were a very good bonus, cannot wait to try them!

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced reader copy.

I found this to be a fun cozy fantasy. If you love all those baking competitions and a good fantasy, you should really enjoy this book. Lots of concepts to think about here too. I enjoyed it.

This is a very sweet story about love, friendship and wanting to fit in. Arleta is a human who is magicless. She enters a baking competition where she thinks the odds are slim that she will get very far, since she lives in a world where most have magic. Along the way she meets her mate, Theo. I enjoyed the slow burn romance of Arleta and Theo. I also enjoyed watching Arleta gain confidence.
Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

this was cozy, magical, mouth-watering, incredibly wholesome, and (sickeningly) sweet.

there's minimal conflict other than self-doubt and the occasional intervention by secondary characters. the relationships and friendships are very by-the-book but cute (yes, it's insta-lovey, but soul bonds are wont to be, so...). and the overall plot and character arcs are super predictable. all that should mean boring, right?? but somehow, it never lost my interest! there were some lovely, supportive queer characters; despite the fact that Doli and Jez's vibe has been done a million times before, they still felt fresh and important to Arleta's growth; and Theo... I think I have a new book boyfriend. sure, he's pretty one dimensional in his chivalry and appearance, but I still found all his little gestures adorable. and I'm also feeling the itch to bake, which is VERY out of character for me...

overall, I had a really fun reading experience; i devoured it over a 2H flight and may have missed my suitcase going round the conveyor belt once because I had to finish the epilogue 😂 that should really tell you everything you need to know—sometimes, you don't have to reinvent the wheel, you just have to mold it to fit your specific method of narrative transport.

3.75 ⭐️s