The good: the rep in this book! Both FMC and MMC are bisexual and the FMC is plus size. It was a quick read with some humor, making it a good palate cleanser. I loved our MMC Barra - such a sweet baby angel!

The bad: this book was 10% plot, 50% sex, and 40% nothing happening. I’m someone who needs a good plot to keep me invested and this book really didn’t have that. I was also put off by some of the wording in the book - it feels weird to have a fantasy world (not modern/urban) and have the FMC refer to baddies.

If you’re looking for a spicy cozy romantasy palate cleanser with an MMC who’s got it down bad for the FMC, maybe give this one a try.

Thank you to Forever and Hachette Audio for an ARC & ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Spicy? Yes! Fantasy? Yes! Cozy? I guess.

Aside from the fact that there is magic and magical creatures, this could just be a contemporary romance. Most of the plot is about how the two main characters feel as if they are not worthy of love.

However, it is a well-written and fun book.

It does get a bit weird hearing about his lavender skin. And I am not sure how I feel about a giant purple.... well, you get the point.

All in all, this is a cute and fun romance that also happens to be a fantasy. It felt less cozy than other books I have read, but I can see how some could call this cozy.

Solid 4 stars.

Thank you to Net Galley, Grand Central Publishing, and Forever for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Elikki is a jewelry maker who travels a lot, rarely staying in the same town for more than a few days. She's only a couple days into her stay at the current town when a customer berates her and tries to underpay for a piece. In retaliation, she uses her magic to teach him a lesson—and accidentally goes a bit too far. It turns out the customer is well-connected, so Elikki has to go on the run—accompanied by Barra, a stranger who witnessed the interaction and also harmed the customer to protect Elikki.
I really liked the premise of this story, and the fact that both protagonists have their own deep-seated trauma around relationships, which make them both hesitant to jump into anything. I thought the spicy scenes were great, and really liked the unfolding of the relationship.
I did struggle quite a bit with the prose—it was overall pretty simplistic in a way that left me wanting more, and there were multiple moments where I wasn't sure if something was an error or a stylistic choice that I just didn't like.
Overall, I enjoyed this read well enough even though it wasn't quite what I had hoped, and I think the foundations are all there. I know this is the author's debut, and I'm excited to see what else she writes—I do think the potential is here for me to really love her future works.

Huzzah! A cozy fantasy adventure awaits in A TALE OF MIRTH AND MAGIC!

This world is delightful! Each character is so vividly alive, the scenery lush, and the joy palpable. Elikki and Barra's adventure treks from bustling fantasy towns to cozy inns and intimate road side stops along the way. But it's their emotional journeys that kept me turning pages. And their chemistry?!? Hotter than a metalsmith's forge!

A TALE OF MIRTH AND MAGIC is an immersive, inclusive fantasy romp you're sure to love.

Thank you Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing | Forever for the advance copy to read and review.

I DNFed this at 20%. At first I thought I would be ok with the insta lust but when we got to the first smut scene I just didn’t like it and I found our main female character unlikable in some ways.

A Tale of Mirth & Magic was so fun! This book is the definition of cozy fantasy. But don't let that fool you, it was SPICY! I love how Elikki and Barra bring out a new side in each other, and I loved seeing their relationship develop. I also loved how diverse the characters were in every way! 
Quick read and super fun book! I hope we get to see more in this world ✨️

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing), NetGalley, and Kristen Vale for the opportunity to read and review this e-ARC!

I honestly don’t read enough cozy fantasies and that’s a darn shame because I almost missed out on this gem! We’ve got fantastic queer representation, inter species relationships, a sprinkle of action, and a plus size sex positive FMC!

A Tale of Mirth and Magic follows Elikee, a half elf jewelry maker who’s had a bit of a rough go in life thanks to her non committed parents. When she gets into trouble after dealing with a rude and handsy customer, she ends up on the run with a seven foot tall half giant named Barra. Together they travel to different towns to escape the bounty hunters all while developing quite the crush on each other. But both have their hesitations about relationships albeit for different reasons. Will they be able to resolve their differences?

This was such a fun read. I absolutely loved the world, all the unique characters, the queer community, and just the overall coziness of the story. No too high stakes or heavy drama, just two characters falling in love while on an adventure.
Barra was absolutely adorable. So caring and kind to everyone but especially Elikee, even if he was scared to show it. I do wish we got to see some more confidence with him as I found myself getting a little frustrated with his constant negative self talk and pushing his desires away.
Elikee was a freaking powerhouse and the way she’s described reminded me of myself so it was easy to connect with her. I loved that she could hold her own but also that she appreciated the help that Barra was willing to give (after some thought of course). Similar to Barra, Elikee’s reluctance to let things progress was irritating. She’s had her struggles sure but I felt so bad for Barra when she kept pushing him away or not telling him the truth.
The story itself was well paced, although I honestly forgot that this all happened over the span of week so I guess I can’t be too upset with the characters not making up their mind about each other. It was fun having a little bit of action with the bounty hunters and Elikee’s metal magic, and watching her confidence grow with her magic was done really well.

Overall, besides the personality irks and slight miscommunication trope, this book was so cute and fun and one that I wouldn’t mind picking up again as a comfort read. I hope to see more from this author for sure!

Intro/synopsis:
“A Tale of Mirth and Magic” by Kristen Vale was set in a magical world of elves, dwarfs, humans and giants. Elikki is a jewelry maker who travels from town to town selling her metal jewelry forged by her magic and skill. Barra is in town on business for his families armoury business. He is taken by Elikki and steps in to help when a customer tries to take advantage of her. They both find themselves on the run and forced to rely on each other despite trust being difficult for both of them based on past trauma. Soon the chemistry between them starts to bridge some of that hurt and bring healing. How long can that last under such stressful circumstances and with their days together potentially numbered?

My thoughts:
I really liked the magical world Vale created. Barra was such a great MC, kind and gentle. He was focused on trying to be fair with Elikki while protecting himself as well. The writing style was fluid and easy to read. I really liked the secondary characters that added a lot to the plot and the storyline was original and fun. I didn’t mind Elikki most of the time but I found her emotional immaturity hard to bear at times especially in contrast to Barra. A good story but not one I am likely to pick up a second time.

This book was so fun! I loved the plot and the characters! Elikki and Barra are a perfect compliment to each other. The conflict feels very meaningful and the spice is great and varied, I really hope that the author writes more in this world because I really enjoyed it!

A Tale of Mirth & Magic is a standalone novel that follows Elikki & Barra. This was such a cozy yet spicy story. Elikki is fiery, kind, sweet, stubborn, and strong. Barra is shy, quiet, sweet, thoughtful, and protective. They both have pasts that cause them to be cautious and push each other away even though it is the last thing either of them wants. I loved how fiercely they cared for one another from the beginning but didn’t want to admit it. It hurt my heart a bit that she is so scared to get close to another person that she ends up pushing Barra away and hurting them both in the process. He however was willing to do anything to be able to stay with her long term. I loved these characters and felt for them through the good and bad times they dealt with.

One thing I loved about this book is how Barra is so in tune with his emotions and not afraid to show how he feels. It made me fall for this character even more and I loved how he was a total cinnamon roll but not afraid to protect his love.

You will enjoy this book if you like the following:
- Cozy fantasy
- Cinnamon roll MMC
- Fiery FMC
- Queer rep
- He falls first
- She’s an elf & he’s a half-giant


Thank you, Kristen Vale, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing)/Forever for the gifted copy!

Okaaaaaay this was such a cute & spicy, sometimes a little bit silly, cozy little fantasy! I really liked this and future me will happily read anything else this author puts out into the world. It was a really fun read that I know lots of readers are going to have a good time with.

Elikki and Barra are equally wonderful characters. Each deals with a bit of internal struggles throughout the book that they're able to help each other work through, and I loved all the different kinds of representations in here. I don't often love "insta-love", but it kind of really worked for these two? It just kind of fit with their individual backgrounds and how that helped them open up to each other in various ways. Never hurts when the MMC is just a huge cinnamon roll simp either TBH.

The fantasy world is very simply set up, yet I thought that it gave very forest-fantasy whimsy vibes and classic little towns and characters throughout the journey the MCs are on - really, my fav kind of cozy fantasy setting where you can feel yourself walking through the trees and happen upon these things yourself. Not the crazy outlandish landscape you'd find in a high fantasy ( I mean, it's cozy, so duh, lol). Really just a nice background for a fun story.

I read this via NetGalley ARC, and thanks to the publisher, Forever.

Elikki, a feisty jewelry making elf with chaotic magic and commitment issues. Barra, a sweet half-giant who instantly falls hard for the emotionally distant Elikki. He should forget about her, but when trouble comes for her and she is forced flee, he can’t let her go alone.

I so wanted to love this book – it sounded amazing in theory, but in reality, it is a Dual POV, first person narrative with an instalust trope and not much more. To be fair, I don’t care for FPN, and I hate dual POV – it makes for a confusing read and pulls me out of the story with each change of view – so consider me bias. I also felt like this book was just too formulaic and the author was just checking off boxes; Magic – Check, Diversity Representation – Check, Spicy Love Scenes – Check, Miscommunication – Check, Happy Ending – Check. This book was just not my cuppa – I might have liked it more if it was written in the third person, but I doubt it.

2.5 stars

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

First off, this is a great cover. Particularly Elikki.

She's an elf with poor control of her metal magic, and childhood trauma from being rejected by her parents. He's a half-giant with a wonderful adoptive family with trauma about being unlovable because his past relationships weren't great. And they're on the run!

I think what I was hoping for was something else. These two characters (who are very into each other very quickly) spend a lot more time inside their heads dealing with their feelings than they do dealing with the external conflict of bounty hunters and being on the run. The balance was off.

There's also quite a lot of development of side characters, presumably for future books in the series, but that also took focus and momentum away from the two MCs.

It's a solid debut. I just wanted more adventure, more of a romp. So YMMV.

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

DNF @ 47%
I'm struggling through this story, it's not really keeping my interest, and I was already a little annoyed with the insta lust and how the FMC treated the MMC when she found out he's not really into casual sex. Unfortunately it also has a small adoption storyline. I probably could've skimmed past it but tbh I was already sorta looking for a reason to DNF anyway.

2.5 stars rounded up

This had the makings of a book I should have absolutely loved but unfortunately, I didn't.
I love a cozy fantasy and this had a lot of what I love about the genre. I just couldn't vibe with the romance. I didn't enjoy the insta-lust and the progression of the relationship didn't really do it for me either.

I did really like Barra - he was such a sweet half-giant. I appreciated his desire to have open communication with Elikki and didn't like how she kept trying to push him to do more than he was comfortable with.

I do think there are readers who are going to love this.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever and Grand Central publishing for the eARC.

This book is really well written. The writing was easy to get lost in, the descriptions added to my view of the story, and the characters were interesting. But I just could not completely gel with these MCs. I liked them both, but the insta-lust made me like them less..? The author did a great job making them 3-dimensional with their backstories and personalities. I did truly think they cared for one another.. so idk how to explain why this didn’t click. I will be reading this author’s next book because I liked their writing.

Thank you to the publisher for the arc!

This was DELIGHTFUL! I found this story to have the perfect balance of cozy fantasy romance and just enough meatiness to keep the story going! Not to mention, the smutty scenes were absolutely dleightful! I haven't read anything by Kristin Vale before, but I certainly will after this!

3 / 5 Stars
This is a cozy, and spicy fantasy about an anxiously attached half-giant and an avoidantly attached elf. When Barra, our half giant, sees Elikki, our elf, he thinks “I am intrigued by this elven woman because she is so alive and fierce and vivaciously herself.” When Elikki sees Barra, she thinks “I’mma climb that half giant like a tree.” And honestly, get it girl. Forced on the run together after pissing off a noble, Elikki and Barra have to deal with their feelings for each other and their difference in wants and needs.

You will probably like this book if you like:
💜 Sweet and horny fantasy
🤎 Soft boy MMC x independent tough girl FMC
💜 He falls first and harder
🤎 Traveling adventure
💜 Queer rep (both MMCs are queer and queerness is excepted throughout the world)
🤎 Anxiety rep
💜 Fast burn, insta-lust, insta-love (the trifecta)

The magical world is light and low stakes (beyond avoiding the bad guys). Elikki is a jewelry maker while Barra is a book keeper. They talk about their toad phobias and eat lots of desserts. Elikki has to learn to control her magic which has cool metal making abilities as well as murdering abilities (she’s trying to do more of the former and less of the latter). And there’s spice, early and often. Even the insta-lust, a trope I don’t usually enjoy, worked here because of how light everything was.

Ultimately, I didn’t love their relationship. I feel like they just really set themselves up for failure. These two are different sides of the same coin: both abandoned by their biological families in some capacity and now they either bend over backwards for love (Barra) or run before love happens (Elikki). Because of that, Elikki isn’t looking for anything long term because she has a nomadic lifestyle. Barra feels like people use him for sex and he has a tendency to get attached. Do they sound like a good match? Absolutely not. Even when they did talk to each other about their relationship, they didn’t get to the full conclusion. I felt kind of bad for Barra. He would constantly try to progress the relationship and Elikki would freak out and not want to talk about it, and his heart would break. They get to a happy ending because this is a romance but it’s hard for me to believe that they won’t just keep repeating this cycle. Maybe we needed a scene of them seeing the magical version of Dr. Orna from “Couple’s Therapy.” 🤣

Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for providing the eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: August 5, 2025

This book is perfect for the cozy fantasy lovers. Especially ones that love spicy romance. Elikki only needs herself at the end of the day. She doesn’t want to rely on anyone. Romantic attachments are short term and on the fly. That is until she runs into Barra, a shy half giant. When they get tangled up in quite the skirmish, they end up on the run together.

I enjoyed this book. There was a good balance of humor, action, and romance. I didn’t feel very connected to Elikki or Barra. We got to know some details about them, but they weren’t deep enough for me to latch onto. I liked the found family aspect that was being built. I’m interested in future books in this world.

I was expecting so much from this book. Maybe it is unfair of me but I wanted to love this book based on the fact that the main character was represented as curvy. I like curvy and so I was eager to read this. I made it through almost forty percent of the book before stopping.
The book has added way to much spice and it has ruined the dish.
I guess authors like Kemberly Lemming have set the standard so high for me that it is difficult for others to meet my expectations of what spice should be because you could remove all the spicy stuff from Kimberly' books and the story remains solid. There is not a story here, atleast not for the first almost forty percent of the book.
If all you care about is a book with sex, talk of sex, thoughts about sex, remarks from additional characters about sex, and more sex, then this is definitely the book for you. If you fancy a solid story where the spice adds flavor but doesn't take over or detract from the narrative, then look elsewhere because this is not for you.