This was a very cute and short romantasy book, with a lovable main couple! I found them to be really unique and I loved the bi4bi rep. The plot was very simple in a really nice way, which let me relax into the romance. Loved it!

🏳️‍🌈Queer rep: blBi/pan female MC, bi/pan male mc. Secondary FF couple, MM couple, nonbinary character, NB/NB couple.

This is a short cozy romance fantasy that’s full of charm and adventure, and I love the feel good sense this provides. The pacing feels consistent and the world is easy to grasp. There is a fun and lovable dynamic between our main characters that kept the story engaging and I enjoy the alternating povs so we are in both of their heads and fully immersed in the story. I feel like I don’t see too many traditionally published cozy fantasy books with spice, and the spice felt natural.

I like both characters, I love how Elikki was independent and feisty and Barra is protective and sweet, however, there did feel like a lack of chemistry and tension and I would have liked more growth with the characters. Also at times it felt like some things were being too descriptive while other times we lacked details.

This is definitely my kind of story. The only reason I did not give five stars because sometimes you just find a main character unlikable for most of the story which is what happened here. We meet Elikki who is a magical jewelry maker who travels from town to town. Her temper gets her in trouble with the law, and she must run or get arrested. The sweet Barra who is a half giant saves her and decided to travel with her. Elikki is brash, childish, selfish, bad with emotions, and hurtful to Barra who deserves the absolute best! He puts himself out there and is used to getting crushed. While Elikki does get her crap together eventually and helps Barra feel more confident in himself, he was such a well written character that is hurt to see him hurt! Otherwise, the story was cute and exciting. The worldbuilding was great and I can't wait to see what this author does next.

I love this book so much. It's cozy and escapist but also very emotionally layered and thoughtful. The romance is so authentic and smoking hot. This book is perfect for the reader who always wants more fantasy in their romance and more romance in their fantasy.

A cozy delight! The characters were complex with realistic intimacy issues on a cozy adventure with zany side characters that kept things light hearted.

What an absolute delight this was!
The body positivity was exceptional. Our FMC was a fiesty plus size elf working through childhood trauma which honestly resonated with me so much as a child with parents who seemingly couldn’t be bothered. I loved how Barra was willing to just be with her even though he wanted to move much faster; he gave her the space.

But this was also a super fun read of two people seemingly on the run while obviously not trying to fall for each other.

A Tale of Mirth & Magic is a cozy, feel good read with the perfect amount of spice! I absolutely adored the dynamic between Elikki and Barra. Both characters deal with their own baggage and insecurities, and I appreciated that the relationship wasn’t some magical fix but rather a support system for their individual growth.

The story moves at a great pace but still cozy and comforting. There’s a lot of humor woven in, but it never undercuts the emotion. This world felt charming and cozy without being overly simplistic.

The dual POV worked really well for me and it added a lot of depth to the story.

If you’re in your cozy fantasy era like me and love a mix of charm, chaos, and sweet romance with a little heat, this one is a great pick. I read it quickly and enjoyed every minute. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from Kristen Vale!

Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

A fun, magical romp. I'm not usually a fan of insta-lust, but it works in this one. Both characters have some development in their view of both themselves and their relationships throughout the story. This was a cute and enjoyable read.
I appreciate the publisher reaching out to me and offering me an advance copy to review.

First, thank you to Lauren at Book Huddle, Orbit, and NetGalley for the ARC!

This cozy romantasy had a lot of charm and was a quick, enjoyable read. However, I found it a bit difficult to connect with the main character, and the plot felt somewhat disjointed at times. The story often focused more on meals and descriptions of food than on advancing the narrative, which left me wanting more substance and development. I didn't love it, but could have if there had been a little more depth to the story and characters.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was an engaging read! I enjoyed the plot and would read it again.

4⭐️ 3🌶️
Love a good journeying together across the kingdom together vibe for some forced proximity. Elikki, the curvy elf magical jewelry maker baddie was a fun FMC This cozy low stakes adventure brings Elikki together with Barra, a lavender-skinned half-giant golden retriever of a hunky man. Swoon! Barra is such a gentlemanly giant that knows how to sweep a woman off her feet and Elikki is chaotic and charming and bubbly on the outside but definitely traumatized on the inside with her walls up, unable to let anyone in fully. Elikki is a lover but a leaver, she never expected to catch feelings. Will this sweet hunk be able to crack through her shell before they have to part ways on their journey?
The spice came in strong and flowers throughout the book, but it was well done.
Everything I need in a cozy spicy palette cleanser!

Thank you to Netgalley and to the author for letting me read this book in advance, in exchange for an honest review!

I tried to get into this one, really I did, because I love a good fantasy romance and the cover looked so cute!! But, the writing style of this story just wasn’t for me. I unfortunately had to dnf it after giving it several tries to grow on me.

This was so cute! It was mysteriously magical and a fun time! The cover drew me in and I’m so glad I gave it a read! One of my faves now!

'A Tale of Mirth & Magic' is a cozy fantasy romance that brims with charm, mischief, and just the right amount of heat. Kristen Vale brings readers into a world of enchanted crafts and unexpected alliances, led by a feisty magical jeweler named Elikki and a kind-hearted half-giant, Barra, whose patience may be the most magical thing of all.

The novel opens with Elikki in trouble - again. She's bold, impulsive, and fiercely independent, which makes her dynamic to read but also prone to the kind of chaos that draws attention. When Barra steps in to help her out of a tight spot, the two embark on a journey that's equal parts perilous and playful. What follows is a delightful unfolding of opposites attracting, full of banter, adventure, and emotional depth.

Vale excels at weaving lightness and levity into a world that still feels grounded and real. The magic system is charming without being overly explained, and the romantic arc is well-paced - never rushed, but never dragging. Elikki's arc, in particular, is satisfying as she slowly lets down her guard and begins to believe she's worthy of both love and partnership. And Barra? Utterly swoon-worthy in a quiet, grounded way.

This was a really fun read. Vale was able to maintain a perfect balance between cute and sexy. The plot was fun, the characters were great, and the aforementioned spice was HOT. Will definitely be recommending this to friends.

Y'all, I absolutely LOVED A Tale of Mirth & Magic ! It's the perfect cozy romantasy read I didn't know I needed. The interactions between the main characters are sweet and filled with spice and humor.

Metalworking elf Elikki and gentle half-giant Barra find themselves thrown together and leaving town in a hurry after Elikki's interaction with an extremely rude client.

Elikki and Barra travel from town to town fleeing incompetent bounty-hunters and receiving help from a madcap group of supporting characters. On the journey they grow closer together and learn to be the best versions of themselves.

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

I loved every second of this book! I have a major crush on both Elikki and Barra. The character designs are great and I love their dynamic. Elikki being the sexually assured one is refreshing. Barra is the cutest thing ever. A true gentle giant.

A Tale of Mirth & Magic is pure joy in book form—equal parts spicy, heartwarming, and wildly entertaining. From the first page, Elikki had me hooked. She’s fiery, independent, a little bit unhinged (in the best way), and completely unapologetic about her power, her attitude, and her worth. I adored her chaotic energy and how she never once tried to shrink herself for anyone. Watching her butt heads with the world and charm her way through trouble was so much fun.

And then there’s Barra—my gentle, purple, cinnamon roll of a half-giant who stole the show with his sweetness and soft strength. Their chemistry is off-the-charts, but what really got me was the way their journey together brought out deeper layers of healing, self-worth, and belonging. Between the steamy scenes, the dangerous run-ins, the laugh-out-loud banter, and all the cozy inns and mouthwatering meals, this book felt like the perfect mix of fantasy adventure and romance comfort read. Kristen Vale has created something special here, and I already know I’ll be thinking about these two for a long time.

A Tale of Mirth & Magic is a warm, whimsical fantasy romance with a tender heart. Elikki and Barra make a delightful pair—her spark and sass balance beautifully with his quiet strength and sweetness. Their journey is full of cozy inns, gentle humor, and intimate moments that feel both playful and genuine. The story leans more on vibes than high-stakes action, which makes it a relaxing, feel-good read perfect for when you want something soft and romantic. While it’s a bit more of a gentle wander than a tightly plotted adventure, the charm and chemistry between the leads make the trip worthwhile.

This book was exactly what I needed right now. I’ve been having a hard time and my energy is really off so finding a book to match that energy was hard until I found this cozy romantasy. This was such a quick read and the fantasy was so much fun. The characters were lovable and so great to follow. Overall a fantastic read!