A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic had all the cozy fantasy ingredients: magical baking, found family, sweet side characters, and a dash of romance. The food descriptions were incredible—honestly, I was starving the entire time—and the side characters (orc dads! grumpy fox friend!) totally stole the show.

But I struggled with the main character. Arleta’s constant negativity, indecision, and emotional whiplash made it hard to connect with her, and her romance arc felt forced and underdeveloped. Add in slow pacing (the bake-off starts at 40%!) and a rushed ending, and the book just didn’t hit the cozy sweet spot I was hoping for.

Fun? Yes. Memorable or re-readable? Not really. Still, I’d check out more from Penner—there’s something here worth baking a future story from.

** spoiler alert ** In this book, a young woman named Arleta is pushed to compete in a simplified GBBO style baking competetion. She meets an elf named Theo, who escorts her to the competition. Theo is amazingly hot, amazingly nice, and amazingly compatible with Arleta. Once at the competition, she meets an amazingly nice dwarf fellow competitor who becomes her close friend and also a fennic fox human sort of creature who also reluctantly becomes her friend.

Arleta is her own worst enemy. She wonders if she can possibly compete in the bake-off because as a human, she has no magic. However, there's never any mention of how magic is actually used in this bake-off. Arleta thinks that Theo can't possibly feel romantically toward her even though he's doing everything short of throwing himself at her (because he wants her to be able to make her decision freely, you know, very respectful like that is Theo). Arleta doesn't get the ingredients that she really wants for her bakes because... she's nice, I guess. However, even with all this, Arleta's bakes are AMAZING and she progresses to the end of the competition.

This is one of those books where nothing bad is really going to happen and everything good is eventually going to come our heroine's way. There's an attempt at tension in the book but really, you know it's going to all come out okay. I read this book in less than 2 hours. It's a nice escape into a world of nice people, tasty baked goods, and a wholesome romance. It's not especially well-written but its heart is definitely in the right place. This is a good book for when you just need something very gentle and need no surprises.

This was a delightfully fun and cozy weekend read. Blending the perfect amount of the Great Baking Show of your choice, Romance, and Fantasy the first book in a new series is captivating and enchanting as a magic less human goes head to head in a cooking competition with characters that could populate your favorite high fantasy novel. Filled with writing that is as delightful as a good cake and dialogue as snappy as a perfect cookie this a book that will leave you smiling and longing for the next book.

A Fellowship of Bakers and Magic is a wonderful and charming cozy fantasy book imbued with Great British Bake Off energy and just incredible vibes. Filled with mouth watering desserts and dishes, this book was a treat to read. It combines classic tropes (like only one bed and found family) with a plot that tugs on the heart strings in all the best ways. Including sassy horses, talking cats, a gay orc couple who own a bookstore, plants that tell love stories, and tea, A Fellowship of BaKers and Magic is an essential read for cozy fantasy fans. Another bonus is that the author included the recipes at the end! I read this on an airplane and my only regret is that I wasn’t seated by a fireplace with a mug of tea and my dog next to me. Maybe I’ll just have to wait for the sequel to do that…

This is a lovely book that combines a clever cozy premise with magic when a non-magical human is enrolled in the magical version of the Great British Baking Show. It combines sweet characters, an engaging heroine and clever writing.

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and Source Books for my complimentary eARC of A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a super cute cozy fantasy and just what I needed to read while in the midst of a baking frenzy! I was hungry for (more) baked goods after reading the first page. Thank you very much for including the recipes at the end.
And surprise! I have made the chocolate chunk cookies and they are delicious!

It was so reassuring to see anxiety, grief and panic attacks shown in a MC with compassion and understanding. Arleta has had a lot happen in her short life, but she is able to rise above them with the love and understanding of her (new) friends and her fathers. I am so happy to see this is the first of a new series and look forward to the next installment.

Perfect if you enjoy the following:
Found Family
Standing up for yourself
Dealing with Grief
Fantasy Romance
Mystery
Cozy Fantasy Romance

This book was so enjoyable! A cute premise - a baking challenge plus magic. I read this book pretty quickly. It will be on my re-read list for sure.

This was a quick and very cosy read with a unique premise of a baking show but set in a high fantasy world, however, the execution couldn't convince me fully. The beginning was interesting and a good introduction to the main character and her struggles and background, I adored the quaint town and the idea of the baking show. The found family vibes were sweet and the baking scenes left me with a craving for scones, cookies and other baked goods.

On the other hand many things felt rushed, especially the relationships (both romantic and friendship), where we don't really get to know the other characters a lot but they are immediately best friends/in love.. the female main character was suuper inconsistent, switching from very insecure to confident many times, and much of the book was her inner dealings, which is fine, if they are interesting... In this case they were often redundant, I found her pretty annoying after a while.

The ending felt kinda drawn out and weird, both rushed and anticlimactic somehow, because we all knew what was coming. I think the message the author wanted to get across was fine, just a little too obvious and more told than actually shown how embodying it could look like.

The writing was okay, easy to read and fly through but nothing special. So overall a cute story about baking and finding yourself, nice as a quick book inbetween, but nothing special in the flood of cosy fantasy that's been rushing in. I've read worse but also much better books in this genre 🙈

Thanks to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the e-arc!

This is a fun quick read. A mashup of a fantasy setting with a baking competition. Arleta dreams of opening her own bakery, but as a magic less human in world full of magic, she barely gets by selling her baked goods from a table at the market. When the opportunity arises to compete in a baking competition, she tries to get out of it, and barely agrees to go. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Super cozy with a touch of adventure! If you love underdog stories with found friendship, then this is the one for you!! I loved Arleta and Theo and their dynamic. I also really enjoyed the cozy adventure we went on.
The only thing I would suggest is to have the editor do a final round of developmental edits because we do have some telling rather than showing going on, especially where emotions are involved. Otherwise, this was a gem to read and perfect for fans of Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree and Faerie Tart by Michelle Fritz

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic by J. Penner
Rating: 3.75 rounded up to 4 stars

Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Sourcebooks for an e-arc to review!

A cozy fantasy that follows a magicless human, Artleta Starstone, whose dream is to open her own bakery in her hometown, Adenshire. One day Theo shows up to her door inviting her to the Langheim Baking Battle, a renowned competition that Arleta doesn’t believe she’s good enough for. But her neighbors, an orc pair who believe in her magical bakes, entered her without her knowledge.

This was such a cozy, enjoyable story. The Lord of the Rings meets The Great British Baking Show in the absolute best way. The cast of magical beings from orcs to dwarves to elves and more are such a delight. And the baked goods? Mouthwatering descriptions that made me want to try each and everyone one!

I enjoyed meeting each new character that showed up, Doli the dwarf trying to make her own way and Jez the grumpy fennex who is kind and caring. And of course Theo Brylar, a gentle elf who just wants to see Arleta shine. I love a good found family story and this was just that.

The only reason this isn’t a higher rating is because the writing felt a bit lackluster. The food was described in such great detail but I felt other areas could have used more attention. I’ll still be following the series because I want to know more and follow other characters’ stories!

Out Now!
I feel like I might have fallen into the Keebler tree baking battle and a sweet side of romance.
Sweet and cozy just what I needed on a quiet Friday night.
When I was offered this I didn't realize it had already been released and it was a series of 4 books so far!! I can't wait to read the next one in the series

My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

DNF at 25%

I sadly found this title a little bit underbaked. I would have loved to see a little more character development. I found the FMC a little flat and immature and inconsistent. I think that the story premise is excellent and with a little more editing and maybe one more re-write it could really be great. Sadly it didn't work for me.

I really enjoyed this cozy fantasy. I feel in love with the FMC and her found family. I liked how she came into her own. The writing was descriptive and a good pacing. I look forward to reading more in this series.

This was just a cute, cozy romance filled with nods to our favorite baking shows while still being a unique take on the cozy fantasy story.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

DNF at around 50% unfortunately. I tried really hard to like this one, cozy fantasy is a genre that is pretty hit and miss for me but this one was a big miss. I found the FMC to be quite insufferable, and the insta-love was a huge no for me. This novel suffers from lack of substance and at times childish feeling writing, I just couldn’t force myself to continue it

A cozy fantasy perfect for your Easter weekend! A dash British Baking Show mixed with fantasy creatures and sweet romance, "A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic" hit all the right spots! Self-discovery and character growth, the sweetest yearn-iest little star-crossed romance, AND mouth-watering recipes so you can Bake the Book?!! Yes please! I quickly read this in two days and have moved on to an ARC of Book #2 "A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons" which stars one of the secondary characters, Doli.

In this cozy little gem, Arleta, a human orphan and baking savant finds herself invited to compete in a prestigious baking competition for magical creatures (elves, dwarves, animal-like folk). She's invited by and talked into competing by a kind and handsome elf, Theo, who brings her to the big city for the contest. These two have chemistry galore but are fighting it for their own reasons. Arleta has been keeping to herself since her parents died when she was young and through the course of the events in the book learns to risk her heart on love and friendship again to great reward.

It's a story about found family and being true to your inner desires. The world Penner has created is adorable and addictive. You'll want to move right into your own cozy room above the bookshop in Adenashire and ignore reality for as long as possible. 5 stars and I can't wait to try these recipes!

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic- A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic is a cozy fantasy about human baker Arleta Starstone, who lives in a world where magic exists and can be imbued into food and is part of everyday life. However, she possesses no magic yet her cooking is considered magical and sought out at food markets. Even though baking is a saving grace for her, Arleta has not been able to let others in and be emotionally vulnerable with anyone. After the loss of her parents, she has been in a holding pattern that changes when she receives a sought after invitation to the famous Langheim Baking Battle, pitting her against other magical beings for the grand prize of money and prestige. As she competes, she embarks on a journey of self awareness, discovery, heartwarming friendships, and a potential romance. This was a lovely cozy low stakes fantasy with a dash of romance. The focus was definitely on Arleta developing her confidence in herself and her baking abilities. It was very sweet and even paced with set ups for more visits to Adenshire, featuring the characters introduced in the first installment. This is such a sweet comfort read for anyone looking to enjoy a break from the world. If you are looking for a slow fantasy read that highlights emotional growth, fantasy, and mouth watering desserts, pick up A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic by J. Penner. My many thanks to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley, who allowed me to read this book in April 2025 in exchange for an honest review.
Tags: Cozy Low Stakes Fantasy, Cooking Competition, Slow Burn Romance

Five star cozy fantasy! I devoured this book in just a few days and highly recommend it to anyone who loves The Great British Bake Off, cozy fantasies, found family, or sweet romances!

This book is incredibly charming, I just can’t get over it. Arleta is a human who’s been trying to make a life for herself after her parents died by selling baked goods.

When her neighbors enter her in the fantasy version of GBBO, she’s chosen as a contestant and her entire world is opened up. A human has never been selected for the challenge before, so she’s terrified to compete but finds support and courage with the help of the (handsome) elf who comes to escort her.

Over the course of the rounds, Arleta discovers the comfort of opening up to other people and confidence in her skills.

There’s a healthy dose of finding great friendships, being kind to bullies, standing up for what’s right, and opening herself up to love 💕

This is a quick read that will grab you and leave your heart full (and probably a little bit hungry)!

What a fun/cozy read!! I read a lot of reviews that compared this to the GBBO and it was spot on!

Thank you for the opportunity to read this one.