I received an ARC of this ebook from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I loved reading about the baby dragons. That was definitely the redeeming factor of the book. I just could not get into the main characters. Lavinia seemed very immature. Her obsession with meeting her soul mate by age 24 was very weird. Theo was just kind of meh. The author also has a tendency to over explain things, which can seem tedious.

The Baby Dragon Bakery is a adorable follow up from the Cafe. This one is Lavinia and Theo's story and the chemistry is electic. I loved seeing all the characters again and the gorgeous dragons. The cutest series ever!

2.75 stars. I did enjoy the cozy feel and the pure easiness of this read. It’s something you’d want to pick up after an intense fantasy or heavy romance. This book is a good way to decompress for a bit and cleanse the palette.

I would have liked this significantly more had it been marketed for and written entirely as YA instead of an adult romance. The storytelling, dialogue, and characters felt very juvenile; the main character was too immature to be searching for a life partner. Maybe it’s just my age, but being on a marriage timeline, settling for any partner who shows interest, and not being honest with your true feelings is more the functioning of a teenager; her thoughts, way of speaking, and sense of humor didn’t feel like those of an adult getting her Masters degree. With this type of writing style, I think the book would have fit better with high school characters, focusing on coming of age or family dynamics, versus dating/marriage.

That being said, I did love the premise of it - cozy, small town romance with cute, mythical creatures and delicious food? Who doesn’t want that?! But the execution here fell flat and I was really, really hoping for more from this. I don’t feel like the typical person my age would connect with this book, but I still may recommend this to a specific type of person under certain circumstances!

Thank you to Avon Books, NetGalley, and A.T. Qureshi for the early copy of this book!

This was such a cosy, cute fantasy read! It was lovely to be back with the characters but have it’s focus on Lavinia and Theo. The yearning in this book was incredible and it gave me butterflies throughout. I could literally feel the pain that Theo was in while watching Lavinia be with someone else. It was a beautiful story of young love and finding it in your best friend. I wanted to put Theo in my pocket and protect him from everyone. All the food and recipes were making my mouth water, I wish I could jump into this world just so I can try all the food that is made.. There was a lot less focus on the dragons in this book, they were spoken about but it felt quite separate from the story, whereas in the first book it was the baby dragon that got the couple together and the we had the subplot of Saphira training with Sparky- it definitely focused more on the romance and less on the fantasy aspect which is fine if you are someone that wants to read this for the romance. I still really enjoyed it and it was a lovely easy cute book that I read in a day!
Perfect for a cosy romance lover!
3.5 stars!

A warm, sweet friends-to-lovers story wrapped in autumn vibes and sprinkled with dragons. The Baby Dragon Bakery is the perfect comfort read. Lavinia and Theo’s journey from friendship to love is heartfelt, emotional, and just the right amount of magical. 🐉💛

This is the sequel to Baby Dragon Café. The first book was so charming, and it's not so say that this one disappointed but it wasn't focused that much on the baby dragons as the first book. This story was much more focused on the main couple. The story focuses on how Lavinia and Theo's relationship is evolving from friends to love interests and during this transition there's a lot of miscommunication that brings challenges along the way. That awkward transition from friends to love interests is funny, and the authors builds a good tension. Overall It's just a heartwarming, cozy fantasy, slowburn romance story.

I was an idiot and requested this one as I started the first book. I thought I was going to love this series but sadly it isn't for me.

Have rated 3 stars because I feel super bad.

Another lovely book from this author.
This is the second in this series and focuses on Lavinia and Theo, but we still get to see our favourites from the first book.
As best friends, these two tell each other everything, but now they are grown up and more mature, is there maybe something a little more between them?
As they navigate life’s twists and turns they each misunderstand each other’s intentions and end up suffering a lot of miscommunication! At time I did feel like shouting and one or other of them to see sense!!

The characters are all lovely and well developed, as is the setting and world around them.

I must admit I would have liked a little more of the dragons, but the focus is very much on our main characters.

I definitely enjoyed getting lost in this world again, so if you like a cosy, romance, with some sweet dragons along for the ride, this one is for you!

Having been a veterinary nurse myself, I loved that Lavinia was training to work with all the mythical creatures.

I feel the author has really upped her game with this one, the first was well written, but this just seemed even better.

All in all a great read. 4.5 stars

Book Review: The Baby Dragon Bakery by A. T. Qureshi
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

If you’re a fan of cozy fantasy, romance, and a sprinkle of magic, The Baby Dragon Bakery is an absolute treat that will leave you craving more. This enchanting sequel to The Baby Dragon Cafe continues the delightful story of Lavinia, a magical animal vet-in-training, and her best friend-turned-love-interest, Theo, the local baker with a mysterious streak.

Set in a whimsical small town where dragons (yes, baby dragons!) and magic are as commonplace as a morning cup of tea, The Baby Dragon Bakery blends the sweetness of romance with the warmth of fantasy. Lavinia has everything a girl could want: a loving family, a dream career, and a job at the charming Baby Dragon Cafe. But what she doesn’t have is Theo—the one person who’s always been by her side. Their friendship has always been effortless, but when Lavinia finally gathers the courage to confess her feelings, Theo pulls away, leaving her heartbroken and unsure of where their relationship stands.

What follows is a beautifully crafted journey of self-discovery, friendship, and the slow burn of friends-to-lovers romance. Qureshi’s writing is as warm and inviting as the magical bakery at the heart of the story. The dual POVs allow readers to experience both Lavinia and Theo’s emotions, making the buildup to their inevitable romance feel authentic and satisfying.

The setting is just as magical as the characters. The Baby Dragon Cafe, with its adorable pet dragon and charming atmosphere, feels like a character in itself, creating a cozy, inviting world that’s easy to get lost in. The world-building is rich, but not overwhelming—just enough to make the magic feel real and grounded in this small town.

As for the characters, Lavinia and Theo are a joy to root for. Lavinia is strong, independent, and full of heart, while Theo is the perfect combination of sweet and a bit complicated. Watching them navigate the awkwardness of shifting from friends to something more is both hilarious and heartwarming. The tension between them is palpable, and when they finally work through their issues, it feels like the most rewarding payoff.

The romance is heartwarming, and the slow-burn nature of their relationship will have you cheering for them from the very first page. The book also excels in its portrayal of their supportive friendships and their love for their magical community. It's cozy, sweet, and utterly addictive. The "low spice" element means that the focus is more on emotional connection than physical attraction, which works perfectly for this kind of story.

If you're looking for a book that combines the comfort of a small-town romance with a bit of magic, The Baby Dragon Bakery is exactly what you need. Whether you're a fan of cozy fantasy, sweet romances, or just need a feel-good story to escape into, this book checks all the boxes.

Final Thoughts: This book is a delightful, heartwarming addition to the Baby Dragon series, and I can’t wait for what’s next! With its charming characters, magical world, and irresistible romance, The Baby Dragon Bakery is an absolute must-read for fans of friends-to-lovers tropes and cozy fantasy.

Absolutely loved this book from start to finish, the minute I started reading it I just couldn’t stop! The relationship developing between Lavinia and Theo was so lovely and I really felt myself loving both characters journeys.

If you are looking for the ultimate cozy read I definitely recommend this!

I really wanted to like this book but it fell flat of the mark for me. It felt very juvenile and a “he said she said type story telling”. Not a lot of dragons and I can’t even say it was tension build up. It was like reading a high school journal/diary. It took till 80% before they finally realised their feelings it was a tad underwhelming. 2.5 stars

I liked it more than the first book. The characters were more likable. The only thing that annoyed me was the amount of times Lavinia mentioned how she HAS to find the love of her life before winter (this was mentioned upto 20 times in this book!). The miscommunication trope created a lot of drama for this book, and I was totally here for it 😂 The mention of all desi foods were as always the best!! I got so many new dish ideas lol

Thank you to Avonbooks for the early ARC. I loved this book as much as the first however, I did find some parts repetitive. I loved the characters, Lavinia and Theo and it was great to go back in their childhood to see how they became close. It was also good to continue with the rest of the characters developments.

The dragons are still lovable and mischievous, and love that Saph, Aiden and Sparky are a little family unit now.

I’d love to see more about Saph becoming a dragon rider, and hope to see more live develop in book 3.

A cosy series which will have you smiling throughout.

If you’re looking for a cosy, sweet, small town romance set in a world where dragons exist - this will be perfect for you :)

This is purely a romance story between two people, their individual struggles, hopes and dreams. It is very light-hearted, really! I read this book in just under three days - quick and easy read!

Some themes: small town, cosy romance, childhood best friends, opposite family trope, bakery (and mentions of sooo many tasty treats!), dragons in a modern setting

If you’re looking for a heavy fantasy book - this won’t be for you. The dragons are mentioned, but not much other lore is revealed unlike really deep fantasy novels, so keep that in mind!

Spice level: 🌶️/5 - mentions of it, slight descriptions, but not a lot and it doesn’t go into detail :)

The only reason it was a 4/5 personally was because there were moments of the miscommunication trope, which could be easily avoided since they were adults, BUT this could still be your next 5/5 read!

Thank you to Avon Books UK for this cosy EARC, I loved every second I spent with it 🥰

First, thank you so much for the eArc and for being a prestige member of The Baby Dragon Club 🤭🤎

"If he lived a hundred lives, he'd find her in every one; the way sailors unerringly found the North Star in the night sky no matter the century."

GENRE: Cozy Fantasy
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
FORMAT: eBook Arc

Would I recommend to others?: YES! This book is a friendship to lovers trope with found family, cozy fantasy and romance. It is about finding love in your favourite person and loving them just the way they are. It is about seeing your favourite person as the perfect person in the world and not wanting to change anything about them.

Long Review:
The Baby Dragon Bakery is book two in The Baby Dragon series and I know I have yet to write my book one review but in summary: I LOVED it, finished it in 24 hours and would have been less if I didnt have to deal with life and responsibilities

Book Two or The Baby Dragon Bakery was just as GOOD and I LOVED it too. I loved getting to go through the experience with Theo and Lavinia, watching their friends-to-lovers trope thrive and oh boy, did Aamna take us on an adventure and a roller coaster hahah

This book is perfect for Autumn or Fall theme, which is around when it will be released and I think it will be a new Cozy Fantasy, Romantic Comedy Favourite:
"She loved the cafe's fall menu and all the fall flavours."

Lavinia definitely gets a lot of character development and we see her struggle with relationships, dealing with the fact that she may have to live her adult life alone, with no partner like she grew up seeing with her family. Not only that, she has enforced a timeline on finding a partner in order to meet someone and embrace the same life her parents have built for each other:
"In her mind, because Lavinia wanted a love lik her parents', she needed to follow a similar timeline."
"She loved love! Even so, loneliness echoed through her, a dull ache. She yearned for that desperately."

On the opposite end, we have Theo, who grew up alone with his parents never truly paying attention to him and always making him feel like he was the problem. He was put in a terrible position and ultimately, his parents made him feel like he was unwanted and they did not embrace nor love him as parents should. Throughout the story, Theo admires Lavinia and her positivity and it is like she is his little sunshine:
"In a way, he admired how hopeful she was, the positive outlook she had. It was a beautiful way to look at the world. He could be too pessimistic; he sometimes wished he had more wonder."
"He knew if he fell, there would be no one there to catch him, so he was always twice as careful. What if - in being so careful - he had missed his chance?"

Lavinia & Theo met when they were young and have built a friendship that has them together and keeps them going. Theo is a part of Lavinia's family and is just as close to her parents and brother. Together, they have found love, friendship and more in each other:
"It was like he was a part of her, and every time he was gone, there was an undeniable sense of something missing, but whenever he was with her again, everything felt right, how it was supposed to be."

Aamna meshes two people who grew up in different environment: one in an environment that enriched her, allowed her to become herself and provided her with examples of how to grow. However, Lavinia maintains her humanity because no matter how perfect your environment is, you are always going to have insecurities and we see these insecurities seep into her friendship & then relationship with Theo. On the contrary, you have Theo, who grew up in an environment that was toxic and placed doubt, pressure and lack of self confidence in him. Because of this, he appreciates Lavinia even more; however, he lacks the confidence to believe that he is right for her and ENOUGH for her.

And them coming together? The slow yearning, the roller coaster that Aamna takes us on to get these best friends into lovers was a whole emotional ride:
He loved her. He loved her so much that it physically hurt. There was no denying it or running from it."
"She was all he thought about, every moment of every day. He wanted to be around her constantly , and it was obvious, so glaringly obvious that he was in lover with her. He knew that these feelings had been deep inside him for a long time, taking root and growing, and now he was overcome by them."
"She was in lover with her best friend and everyone knew but him."

Its the way Lavinia converts Theo into a destiney, fate beliver:
"He had never believed in things like fate or being written in the stars before, but now, there was no doubt in hismind that there were invisible strings at work. How else could he have gotten so lucky to have her in his life? It was nothing short of a miracle."

And the way they completed each other? The way they shielded each other from other insecurities and filling in the gaps only life leaves in you:
"It was liberating. She didn't need to pretend anything: to be mature or serious or toned down. She could be silly because that was how she had always been around him; he knew her. He knew her completely. There was nothing to worry about. She felt utterly loved."
"With her, he could be himself. Growing up, Theo never knew who he was because his family never liked who he was, so he always tried on different hats, trying to gain their approval (not that it ever worked.) But with Lavinia, he felt his truest self. He liked himself best when he was with her."

This is a beautiful story of insecurities, friendship, love and finding your destined person to make you a better person and I enjoyed the journey so much, I cannot wait for book three already!

Thank you to Avon Books, Aamna and Netgalley for this early eArc in exchange for my honest review. Please keep in mind that all the quotations are from an eArc and may not reflect the final book.

LOVED this.

Just as good as the first book.

The dragons still provide the cute factor and the rest of the cast provide the romance.

Brilliant.

A true comfort read.

This was the most perfect sequel to The Baby Dragon Cafe! I really did love it! This book follows Lavinia and Theo and their blossoming friendship that isn’t without its dramas. The characters felt perfectly flawed yet not unlikeable but with plenty of traits to love. Going into this I knew I would love it as I studied Bioveterinary Science at Uni and Lavinia is at Vet school but I didn’t expect to be kicking my little feet and squealing at how adorable this was throughout! Calahan is a perfect gentleman through this whole story and I did really like him! Overall a fabulous read with so much to love 💖

4.25⭐

Book 2 in The Baby Dragon series was just as cosy and joyful as book 1 and I really did enjoy it just not quite as much as the first book.

Again really likeable characters, appearances from great side characters and the cute baby dragons of course. Theo & Lavinia have been best friends since childhood recently Lavinia has developed a bit of a crush on Theo and after an almost kiss at Saphira & Aiden's engagement where Theo seems to pull away she realises she needs to focus on finding the one like her parents did by the time they were 24.

Theo & Lavinia were what i think of when a partner brings out the best in you and also supports you, there is quite a bit of miscommunication which is probably why it scored a little lower but it does keep you wanting to turn the page.

I cant wait for the next book as I have a feeling its a favorite enemies to lovers....

Thank you Avon Books & NetGalley.

I was a huge fan of the first book, and couldn’t wait to read Lavinia and Theo’s story. This is the second book set in Starshjne Valley, and although the first book isn’t necessary to understand and enjoy this book, I recommend you read it!

This was such a cute, cosy autumnal read. As always, I loved the dragons (I want one so badly). Theo and Lavinia friendship was beautiful, and I enjoyed learning more about them, their passions and their families too. I loved the relationship Lavinia had with her family!! I’m a massive fan of the friends to lovers trope

A very easy to read fast paced book that you don’t want to miss out on!!

I cannot wait for the next book 🐉

Thank you NetGalley and Avonbooks for the early copy of The Baby Dragon Bakery!

This book is about two best friends who are both secretly in love with each other but don't actually realise.
I was really hoping it would be another cute fun read like the Dragon Cafe, but I really struggled to like the main characters. Lavinia has this idea that because her mother met the love of her life at 24 she must do the same and she obsessed over it. Theo's parents are awful people and his self confidence doesn't exist.
There are some very cute moments between Lavinia and Theo and their friendship past and present. As well as with Lavinias family especially her little brother who really steals all the attention.
I personally do not like a 3rd act break up, but that is just my opinion.

Thank you to the Baby Dragon Club for the copy of this book.