I loved this so much! It had me immediately with the cozy fantasy and baking. It was so cute and comforting, and I absolutely loved the characters. Honestly, it's the perfect book to get comfy on the couch with a cup of tea.

It even has actual recipes in it! I need to try baking them as soon as possible.
Arleta had me rooting for her right away, and the descriptions of the baked goods were so well done!

If you enjoy cute and cozy books or love baking and competitive baking shows, you definitely need to give this one a read!

I sat down wanting to snuggle up with a fun cozy read, and this hit the nail on the head. I absolutely love this fun read. The author made it so enjoyable and easy to love the characters. I look forward to reading more from this author.

This was the perfect cozy fantasy romance for me. As a fellow baker this book not only made me giggle at the romance (I love a slow burn) but make me hungry and wanting to bake at the same time. Such a fun and enjoyable read.

I found this to be a very cozy fantasy quick read full of yummy baked goods, a woman with a magic touch for baking (though she is human and has no powers), very low self esteem, and feeling stuck in Adenashire since her parents died in a carriage accident. But lucky for Arleta, she has very caring orc neighbors to help her along and she meets a handsome (and single) elf by the name of Theo who invites her to the baking contest. Cue new found friends (Jez and Doli are awesome!), realizing that she doesn't need magic to find happiness and make the most delicious goodies (despite the competition and a certain nasty mother who is a judge) and figures out what she wants in her future (which may or may not include one handsome elf). So delightfully cozy and comfy though it may make you hungry while reading it. Thankfully there are recipes at the back so you too can bake like Arleta! I think I will enjoy reading this series to see what happens next because it looks like Arleta's found friends will be the next ones to find their happy ever afters!

Happy publication day! I love the Goodreads cover, and this one makes it more open minded. What hooked me was the joke that "A human, a dwarf and an elf walk into a bake-off…" like okay I'm subscribe because I need to watch this because it liteerally took the cake!
The side characters are funny as hell.
The romance was so sweet and gentle like learning how to bake for first time.
The pacing and the plot felt very easy to read and i loved the whimsical factor about it all.
The writing did not read like a debut; it read like the author know how to set the world and smells with tastes just right. Chef's kiss!

Perfect if you want a taste of:
Slowburn Enemies to Lovers/ Rivals?
Elemental Magic/Fantasy
Competition
Different beings and Fun(ny) friendships

Thank you so much to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this arc! She better bake more books after this; she had me starving!

Bake off set in a fantasy world.

I liked that Arleta was a magicless baker and seeing the challenges she faced because of it was really interesting. Her low self esteem did get a little much after a while - how many people do you need to tell you you’re good before you believe it?? Our girl needs some therapy immediately. Which magical being is qualified? I loved the found family and how many people Arleta had in her corner.

The descriptions of the baked goods were so good - I wanted to eat everything. The cake to romance ratio was perfect.

Delightful low stakes cozy fantasy - recommend!

I enjoyed this fantasy read. The discrimination between the magical and those without magic is presented via Arleta, a magicless baker. It's told with touches of humor but the pain it causes can still be felt. Some might find Arleta difficult to like. She's stubborn, avoids relationships, has low self esteem, and typically refuses help from others unless she's somehow forced to accept it. I admit, it was a little annoying at first but someone living alone under her circumstances would likely be unwilling to trust and behave the way she does, so I empathizd with her more than it bothered me. The world built is realistic and I craved for the desserts. I really enjoyed the story and thought it was well written so will definitely read the next in this series.

Within Adenashire there is a hierarchy of beings, and humans are at the bottom of that list. So Arleta Starstone has a distinct disadvantage when selling her baked goods – no magic, no reputation, and no parents to support her. So when her loving neighbors secretly submit Arleta’s treats to the Langheim Baking Battle and she gets in, her world is totally upended.

Arleta travels to Langheim feeling underprepared and alone, but the friendships she makes and the revelations of who her family is give her all the support she needs to bake at her best. She’ll face tough competition, discrimination, and self-doubt on her journey, but the relationships she creates will lead her to victory no matter the outcome of the competition.

This was a fun read! Baking, magic, and self-realizations combine to create a cozy fantasy. I really enjoyed the unique characters and how their conflicting personalities meshed together. I’m excited to know there is a follow up book coming. A dash of magic, a pinch of love, and a sprinkling of caring combine to create a wonderful story!

this is a story about Arleta Starstone who is a talented baker that unfortunately gets discriminated against daily because she is magic-less. however, luck seems to be on her side and she gets pulled into a baking competition with a grand prize that might just put her on the map and allow her to get her own bakery, set in a fantasy world with a sub-plot of romance. This was a delightful cosy fantasy that had my attention throughout. i’m starting to realise how much i like cozy fantasy. Theo, the love interest shows Arleta that she has her own ‘little magic’ that is apparent in her cooking skills and that she is enough, even without magic. I think most people could see themselves in Arleta; having a dream and wanting more than what you currently have, whilst also having self insecurities and doubt. the baking competition wasn’t high stakes but i loved it just the same and i’m definitely going to try the recipes written at the end of the book because i happen to like baking. the friendships that Arleta develops and how her story concludes with her competitor was enjoyable and i do love me a full circle moment. Though, i felt like we could have used another 100 pages to flesh out the world building and characters more and it would’ve been a perfect read but nonetheless i enjoyed my time with it.

╰┈➤ I would recommend this to anyone interested in cosy fantasy and found family.

thank you to netgalley and poisoned pen press for providing me an e-arc of this book in exchange of an honest review <3

This book is the reader’s equivalent of watching the coziest season of The Great British Bake Off but with magic, the power of friendship and found family, and taking a chance on love.

This story is incredibly entertaining and easy to move through. Yes, there are some common troupes (fated mates, only-one-bed, “I’m different from my family”) but all of them are well written and just adorable. I smiled the entire time reading this book.

Additionally, the included bonuses of a nice map, a character drawing, and recipes at the end of the book really tied this together as a thoughtful and wonderful story. Based on the ending, I hope there’s another part of these wonderful characters adventures!

What an absolute delight of a read! A wonderful cozy fantasy, its heartwarming, whimsical, and full of charm. I’m so glad it’s getting traditionally published, and will definitely be reading the rest of the series!
The story follows Arleta Starstone, a magicless human baker in a world of magic. Her baking is often overlooked or dismissed as its not made with magic - despite this, Arleta pours her heart into perfecting her bakes, creating incredible things through her skill, passion and ingenuity.
This is a bit of a mix of Great British Bake Off and small-town happenings. The story centres around an elven baking competition which Arleta has long dreamed of entering, but she’s never had the courage to and believes, as usual, she’ll be dismissed merely because she doesn’t have magic.
One of my absolute favourite elements is found family - I’m a total sucker for it, and this book delivered beautifully. Arleta’s kind-hearted orc neighbours have looked out for her, since her parents passed and their dynamic is just the sweetest. Ervash, one of the orcs (who I adore), secretly enters her into the competition, which sets off a journey of self-discovery, courage, and of blossoming confidence.
The romance subplot is lovely, and there are plenty of fun side characters and genuinely funny moments that add to the book’s charm. The bonus chapter at the end was a lovely surprise!
Also, fair warning…. this book will absolutely make you hungry! The food descriptions are beyond mouthwatering. I could almost literally smell them through the pages. And there are actual recipes at the end! I’m still thinking about those lemon bars and can’t wait to make them myself.
If you're looking for something light and comforting, especially between heavier fantasy reads, this one’s a gem. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

DNF at 25%

I don't read much cozy fantasy, but I usually adore the ones I do read (Legends & Lattes, Emily Wilde). Unfortunately, A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic was not for me, though I do think many people would enjoy it as a low-plot, low-stakes cozy read.

My main issues with this book are that I couldn't connect to the main character (which is very important to me), and the insta-love/insta-attraction was a bit much. The premise of a human baker entering a magical baking competition is cute, and the writing wasn't bad, hence 2 stars.

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

A Fellowship of Bakers and Magic is a charming, whimsical fantasy that blends cozy baking vibes with a dash of magic, a generous helping of heart, and just a sprinkle of romance. J. Penner crafts a delightful tale set in the enchanting land of Adenashire, where elvish elegance and dwarven craftsmanship are the norm—but it’s one determined, magicless human who rises to stir up the status quo.

Arleta Starstone is a baker with passion, grit, and a talent for mixing apothecary herbs into delectable pastries. Though she lacks magical abilities in a realm brimming with enchantment, Arleta proves that true magic can come from creativity, courage, and a well-timed tart. When her well-meaning orc neighbor enters her into the elite Langheim Baking Battle without her knowing, Arleta is pushed far outside her comfort zone—and into the heart of an adventure that’s as delicious as it is daring.

Penner’s worldbuilding is cozy and vivid, offering readers a charming backdrop full of fantastical creatures, magical traditions, and competitive baking with high stakes (and high-calorie temptations). What makes this story shine, though, is Arleta herself: relatable, humble, and quietly powerful. Her journey of self-belief is inspiring, and watching her carve out her own space in a society that undervalues the magicless is deeply satisfying.

The supporting cast is equally delightful—from the lovable orc neighbor to the swoon-worthy woodland elf whose charm never overshadows Arleta’s own strength. Their budding romance adds a soft sweetness to the story, complementing the themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the power of following one’s passion.

Perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes and The Great British Bake Off with a fantasy twist, A Fellowship of Bakers and Magic is a feel-good story that celebrates the quiet strength of underdogs, the joy of community, and the magic that can rise—one pastry at a time—from even the humblest oven.

A cozy, enchanting read that will leave you hungry for more—both pastries and adventures.

If you loved Legends and Lattes, chances are that you’re going to enjoy this too!

A baking competition in a fantasy world with a dash of romance thrown in? Say no more! This was a delightful cosy fantasy that kept me turning the pages (and writing down the recipes provided at the end of the book). I feel like we could have used another 100 pages to flesh out the world building and characters even more, but I loved the medley of characters we encountered and the additional chapters in the deluxe edition were a welcome addition.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for my e-copy of this book!

What a cozy read! I went into this one pretty blind and honestly I loved it! The main character is a baker with a sad back story and not many people she can rely on but the found family trope is STRONG in this one! We’ve got not only found family but fated mates AND surprise, surprise there’s only one bed left at the inn! Lol I really truly enjoyed this read and all the fun side characters in it as well. I can’t wait to read the next!

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for my e-copy of this book!

I loved the cooking aspect of this book.

I love the storyline between Theo and Arleta and how no matter what, they are always there for each other.

I wasn't quite sure who was the lgbt+ character was in the book, maybe Doli or Jes.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

You had me at Bakeoff! A fantasy world baking competition? Sounds like my perfect book. Add in herbs and a magic romance and I was so on board. And I'm really sorry to say, this one was a bit of a let down for me.
Truly, I found our main character Arleta to be insufferable. Having anxiety and being discriminated against is one thing, but being incredibly annoyingly stubborn about every single thing, and self deprecating and believing that nothing can go your way, even after you already took the moral high ground and gave up your win, that's a complete other. The story, the world building, and the other characters were great! I could get past the overly descriptive writing and interesting pacing, but Arleta I just couldn't stomach. If the man of your dreams is there and telling you you're his soul mate, you're just gonna what? Ignore it? Crazy.
This book had a lot of potential, and I would be interested in reading other things by this author. The food writing was lovely, as were the descriptions of gardens, although I don;t actually think the author knows much about gardening. It had me aching for lemon bars and to get my hands in the soil. All in all, a fine book, but a let down nonetheless.

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic is book one in the Adenashire series by J. Penner. And it was amazing.
I can’t wait to start book two A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons.
This cozy fantasy made me feel warm and happy, I really loved the found family and the descriptions of the baked goods.

The first cozy fantasy I can remember reading was Legends and Lattes. And I loved it. Imagine everyday stories taking place in a fantasy setting. No epic battles or long quests, just the toils and struggles of everyday life. Wait…that can’t be fun or exciting…can it? It most definitely can, and I have to say right from the start, I loved A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic by J. Penner. Our non-magical human heroine getting entered into a baking competition is honestly just the break from reality I needed. Great characters, and an engaging story of friendship, romance, and the everyday struggles of an underdog, it’s just pure fun. Penner has crafted a world I will glad return to again and again. I’d like to thank Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic.

https://www.amazon.com/review/RYMDBMH27D7WA/ref=pe_123899240_1043597390_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Very Legends and Lattes -esque but I won't lie, I liked this more! So cute and cozy and sweet. I loved the characters, the romance, the found family and the worldbuilding