If this hadn’t been a review copy, I wouldn’t have finished. There’s a cute story here of a young woman and a baby dragon helping each other grow to who they need to be. Everything else is noise and there’s too much of it. Too many characters with nothing worthwhile to do, including the ‘love interest’; too many events in cross purposes and none of it moving the plot. Doli, the main character, had zero agency in her own story, and apart from a brief moment at the very end, was never in charge. But she did find herself in the end, even if the new her had to be pointed out to her, so I guess it was a happy ending.

(4.5 stars) Cozy fantasy fans, get ready to steep yourself in something magical.

A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons is the literary equivalent of a warm blanket and a steaming cup of spiced tea. Set in the quaint and whimsical town of Adenashire, this story follows Doli Butterbuckle, a delightfully sunshiney dwarf with a gift for tea magic and a heart full of people-pleasing tendencies. Doli’s world is safe, predictable, and just shy of fulfilling, that is until a dragon egg drops into her life, followed shortly by a swoon-worthy gargoyle with secrets of his own.

What unfolds is a charming and heartfelt adventure, rich in whimsy, warmth, and just the right pinch of chaos. The stakes feel personal rather than epic, but that’s what makes it so cozy. There’s magic and mischief, yes, but also emotional depth as Doli wrestles with familial expectations, self-worth, and learning to embrace who she is without apology.

The found-family vibes? Impeccable. The romance? Sweet and soft. The dragon? An absolute handful. And the ending? Had me by the heartstrings.

Also, let’s talk about the recipes at the end. Because yes, this book serves it all.

This is perfect for anyone craving a gentle, magical escape full of lovable characters and self-discovery. I adored it and I’ll absolutely be returning to Adenashire for another cup.

Thank you so much to the author and Net Galley for the ARC of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily with my honest opinion.

Cute cozy fantasy! All the charm of book one. Liked revisiting the characters we had already met and the introduction of new ones.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Spice Level: 0 (just a hint of flirtation and longing)

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the e-ARC of this charming cozy romantasy!

Let’s be honest—A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons had me at the title. I mean, librarians and dragons? That’s an immediate yes. This second installment in J. Penner’s Adenashire series delivers exactly what the name promises: a slow-burning, soft fantasy full of tea magic, found family, and just enough chaos (thanks to one very mischievous dragon hatchling) to keep things interesting.

We follow Doli Butterbuckle, a tea-wielding dwarf with a people-pleasing streak and a cozy little life in the idyllic town of Adenashire—until her overbearing parents arrive with a surprise inheritance: a nearly-hatched dragon egg. Suddenly Doli’s peaceful routine is upended by familial drama, mysterious magical disturbances, and a flirty, possibly untrustworthy gargoyle named Sarson. Throw in a cast of eccentric townsfolk (a fennex, ogres, elves, and more), and you’ve got a recipe for a whimsical, low-stakes adventure that reads like a warm mug of chamomile on a rainy day.

What J. Penner does so well is create a world you want to crawl inside and live in. Adenashire is equal parts charming and quirky—between the magical bookshop It’s About Tome, tea-infused spellwork, and the chaotic adorableness of baby dragon Evvy, there’s plenty of cozy immersion to go around. And while the romance is subtle (this is firmly cozy territory), the tension between Doli and Sarson is delightful, with just enough sparkle to keep romantasy readers happy.

Now, as much as I loved the cozy vibes, the story isn’t without its hiccups. Doli’s character arc is strong—watching her grow into her confidence and assert herself was one of the highlights—but some of the surrounding characters weren’t as easy to love. Her mother is… a lot. Jez, a friend who gets plenty of page time, often came across as unreasonably suspicious and occasionally hypocritical, especially in her treatment of Sarson. While their personalities served the plot, their attitudes dulled some of the warmth that makes cozy fantasy so appealing.

Pacing-wise, this book leans into its low-stakes roots. The plot meanders at times, which is part of the genre’s charm but may not satisfy readers craving urgency or traditional fantasy conflict. There is a villain and some dark undercurrents, but they remain mostly in the background, letting the spotlight stay on personal growth, friendship, and self-acceptance.

You can read this book as a standalone—Penner does a good job weaving in essential context—but I’d recommend starting with A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic to get a deeper feel for the world and its characters.

Final thoughts: If you’re looking for dragons that destroy more doilies than kingdoms, tea magic instead of swordplay, and a cozy village full of misfits and magic, A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons is well worth your time. It’s a heartwarming blend of whimsy, warmth, and a little bit of winged chaos—and exactly what you’d expect from a book with such a delightful title.

Recommended for:
📚 Fans of Legends & Lattes and The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
🐉 Readers who prefer their dragons adorable and unhinged
🫖 Lovers of tea magic, found family, and magical small towns
💛 Those seeking gentle character growth and a sprinkle of romance

Unfortunately giving this book 2.5* and I did not finish it… In all fairness, I don’t believe it’s the book’s fault, but rather, I may not enjoy cosy fantasy genre as much anymore. Putting my personal feelings aside, I can’t help but praise the good feel read A Fellowship of Librarians and Dragons actually gives and it can offer a perfect break from heavier epic fantasy reads.

The FMC Doli is a people pleaser and a dwarf. For eagle-eyed fans of the series, we got a small introduction to her in book 1 (Fellowship of Bakers and Magic). As she inherits a dragon egg from her family, all the craziness and chaos ensues. Add to that cute gargoyle MMC who may be living with a secret and you got a recipe for fun chaotic cosy fantasy.

As with previous instalment, the themes of friendships and cute romance are well explored and if you’re looking for a fun entry into world of fantasy and like a cosy read, it’s perfect. However if you prefer a lot more world building and realism to your fantastical reads, it’s not the one for you.

I’ve recommended the series to a number of my cosy fantasy loving friends and they adored it, so don’t let my grumpy review puts you off. It’s not book’s fault, it’s mine!

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and publisher for the e-ARC.

This is the second book in a really cute fantasy series. I found it warm and cozy. I enjoyed connecting with the characters again and spending more tine with them!

This was so cozy and the atmosphere was spot on! It was equally mysterious and comforting. I loved the story and characters so much! This book has planted itself in my heart! What a wonderful surprise!!!

Doli was such a fun character. I loved watching her growing confidence throughout the story and her interactions with each character. This was such a cozy story, basically the magic equivalent of small town feel

A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons is book two 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.

I enjoyed this book just as much as the first one! Loved seeing previous characters. This gave all the cozy feels. I adored Doli so much! She's a people pleaser but her growth was so nice. Can we talk about the dragon? Such a perfect addition to the story!

3⭐️ Cute, cozy fantasy. A little slow for me, but if you want something light and easy to read, I’d say give it a chance.

Doli is a dwarf that would rather make tea and have her friends close by. But her family always wanted more. Sometimes family doesn’t always know best. Like when on family member leaves her a dragon egg. Thankfully, the library has lots of information on dragons. The handsome gargoyle librarian is a plus too. Love, adventure, and devoted friends/family are what help Doli find her own strength in many ways.

Thank you @netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced copy.

A Fellowship of Librarians and Dragons is the second in J. Penner's cozy romantasy series set in Adenashire, a quaint fantasy town. Poison Pen Press is republishing the novels in deluxe editions. This novel focuses on Doli Butterbuckle, a dwarf with a sunny personality, who has struck out on her own leaving her wealthy family behind to work in a book store. Doli has the unusual ability to create any sort of tea with accompaniments for herself or her friends, which seems a small and unimpressive form of magic, so she is surprised when a relative gifts her a dragon egg which hatches when she touches it, which means she is the dragons guardian till it is ready to join the other dragons. Doli and her baby dragon are both delightful and her relationship with a shy gargoyle hiding some secrets is also very sweet.

With a low heat level and themes of believing in oneself, finding one's own path, and not pressuring oneself to always be cheerful this would appeal and be a good read for both teen as well as adult readers looking for a lighter gentle read. Doli learns her magic and inner strength is greater than she ever imagined, an important lesson for any age.

Probably one of my favorite books I’ve ever read! I love this series so much! It has everything! Not only is it cozy and fun but it also deals with some real life struggles. I love Doli and her journey and I really can’t wait to see where the rest of the Baking Battle gang ends up!!

This cozy fantasy had all of my favorite elements and was such an enjoyable read. Doli, our FMC, is a dwarf who works in a book store and has magical powers related to tea. She receives a box from her uncle which unexpectedly has a dragon egg in it. The egg hatches, and suddenly Doli is the caregiver to a pink baby dragon that she names Evvy. Her family and friends help her with the dragon, and she even finds romance with a gargoyle along the way. This book is full of magic, fantastical characters, and found family. Evvy was such a fun little dragon character, who was always up to shenanigans. She was definitely my favorite, but I also loved how gentle and kind Sarson was. This was definitely cozy and low stakes, which made it refreshingly relaxing. I also really loved that the author included recipes at the end of the book. They sound delicious and I can’t wait to try them!

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the advance copy!

Received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. This book is definitely cozy family if you like legends and lattes. I also didn't realize this was book 2 but I didn't feel too lost since I believe book 1 has different main characters but they show up in this book. I thought this book was cute and short. Also, I love dragons.

OMG WHAT A CUTE STORY - WHERE CAN I GET A DRAGON!!
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this story as a new genre for me to read but I loved it and can’t wait to read many more of the set..
A story full of great characters and a baby dragon that loves causing mischief from the moment of birth as it grows into its wings - but Doli (a dwarf) who is handed some items in an inheritance from a relative in which she finds the dragons egg beginning to hatch. She seeks to find out more on how to care for said Dragon and a fellow gargoyle called Samson agrees to help her with finding out more and to train it too.
One day trouble all begins and the dragon goes missing so all the friends of Doli help to find out where it has gone…

Will they find it in time before any danger or mischief occurs?

Thanks to NetGalley for an e-arc of the republished version of this book.

Rating: 2.5 Stars (rounded up)
Spice Level: 0 (illusion to spice)

A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons by J. Penner is the second installment in the cozy fantasy Adenashire series. The story follows Doli Butterbuckle, a cheerful and people-pleasing dwarf who specializes in tea magic. Her tranquil life in the quaint town of Adenashire is upended when her parents arrive with an unexpected inheritance: a dragon egg. Simultaneously, a charming gargoyle with a hidden agenda enters her life. As Doli grapples with her newfound responsibilities, she uncovers a hidden side of herself and faces challenges from her overbearing family, a sinister plot, and a mischievous dragon. With the support of her loyal friends and a budding romance, Doli embarks on a heartwarming adventure, learning that embracing her true self is the most enchanting path of all.

This book would be perfect for lovers of Legends & Lattes and other similar cozy fantasies. However, this book was personally not for me. The message behind the story of learning to be and embrace who you are without the fear of how others perceive you was great. This book was also written really well. I enjoyed how descriptive the author's writing was and felt I could visualize everything about the world. Adenashire, also, felt like such a cozy, quaint town that I wish it existed and I could live there. The plot was a little slow with very low stakes but it's a cozy fantasy, so I expected that. However, I just couldn't get past how annoying and rude I personally found a lot of the characters to be. My biggest complaints were with Jez and Doli's mother. Her mother was entitled and rude the entire time. Jez was very mistrusting of Sarson in a way that felt almost problematic whereas she didn't give off those vibes for the actual antagonist just because he was a human/elf passing person. I get that these characters were meant to be this way, but with their prevalence to the story and the amount of page time they got, it was hard for me to enjoy the story when two prominent characters were so awful.

That being said, I would absolutely recommend this books to others, especially those I know enjoy cozy fantasy and low-stake books.

This was a cute cozy fantasy, but do be prepared that it's short and takes place over like the course of a week. None of that is bad, it's just important to know because I found myself shocked at how quickly the story was moving until I realized that it was just over the course of a week.

Doli, a dwarf who recently moved to Adenshire in the last book, is working at the bookstore and trying to continue pleasing everyone, including herself. When we pick up on the story, we learn that Doli has an inheritance box from her uncle who passed away that includes a DRAGON EGG??? There is also a newcomer to town, a gargoyle, who has secrets galore, and Doli starts to feel some things for him. Also, Doli's parents arrive unexpectedly which brings up a whole other series of issues/hijinx.

Overall, it's a cute story about raising a dragon, "destiny", coming into your own, and being unapologetically who you are in front of your family and finding a family, if need be.

It was definitely more of a vibes book than a plot heavy book. I definitely enjoyed it though and I thought the world building was cool, it was just a quick story.

This is what you call a cozy fantasy! This book was so freaking adorable. I want a pink dragon that I can communicate with via telepathy. This is book two in a series and I didn’t know that until I was a few chapters in. Characters from the first story pop up often but reading the books out of order didn’t distract from this story. This was a quick read for me too.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

All I knew before starting this book was that it was the second in a series that I had not read before and that with a title like that I had to read it!

I expected it to be cozy, low stakes and possibly a little romantic. It was all those things and more. Among other fun things it featured an adorable baby dragon, which is always a plus :) Having not read the first in the series, I didn't know what kind of intensity to expect and I have to say it was more low-key than I thought. Unexpected twists are popular right now and so I kept waiting for a twist, looking for clues everywhere, mistrusting every character and reading too much into every little thing mentioned. I shouldn't have bothered. This was not that kind of story at all.

I really loved the world created in this story. It feels like a classic fantasy world with orcs, dwarves and magic, but there is so much more to discover. I was utterly delighted to meet a snobbish quokkan, a sullen fennex and many other creatures that I am not used to seeing.

If you love twisty stories, this book is not for you. If you love cute stories full of swishing tails and found families then definitely check this out!

I'll be looking into finding the first book in the series to see what I have been missing!