Book two in the Adenashire series by J. Penner tells the story of Doli the dwarf baker that follows Arleta home after the baking championship. Doli leaves behind her Dwarven home and family seeking her own path in life. She has never felt like she fits in. Instead of mining and gem craft and traditional dwarven magic, Doli has tea magic. She can make any kind of tea with milk, sugar or honey from magic. She likes bringing warmth and comfort to those she loves. Her family has never really understood that. Her parents worry for her future.

In Adenashire, Doli is working at the book store of Areleta’s two orc fathers along with Jax. She helps out in Arleta and Tae’s bakery sometimes. One day while working in the shop a tall and handsome gargoyle walks in and sweeps Doli off her feet. Gargoyles though rarely leave their homeland and are very secretive or private people. What could this gargoyle be hiding or hiding from? Doli is then thrown for a loop by a surprise inheritance from an Uncle and a surprise visit from her parents. Can she survive this stressful week and find her path in life, and maybe love too?

Adenashire is a clean cozy romance set in a fantasy realm.

This was sweet, though a little too heavily in the "heartwarming" direction for my taste. I'd recommend for younger readers, but I definitely enjoyed the subject, just wished it was over-explained or repeated less frequently.

I loved this book! I was a big fan of legends and lattes and this book gave similar vibes. The cozy high-fantasy world building with medium stakes storyline. I read this book during a rainy afternoon and this was perfect companion to my coffee. 10/10 would recommend.
However, The writing felt a little clunky in places so I deducted a star for that.

This was a super cute story! Very cosy Romantasy with really endearing side characters. Love the dragon and the way they talk to their bond

Unfortunately I decided to DNF this one at 50%. I love a good cozy fantasy as much as the next person but this one was just not it for me. I didn’t read the first one in this series but I also checked and even the author says it isn’t necessary. But somehow I felt like I was missing out on something the entire time I was reading this. Like I was from another friend group trying to hang out with a friends group of friends.
I also really struggled with a lot of the dialogue. It felt a little too cheesy and unnatural for me, and everyone felt a bit like a caricature instead of an actual “person”, especially Doli’s parents.
And I was frustrated with the stakes in this book. Am I supposed to be stressed about the dragon? Or is it really not that big of a deal? Because it felt like I should be really worried for Doli and what she’s going to do with this dragon, but then she spends a morning in a bakery with friends or having dinner with her parents instead of trying to figure out what to do with this animal she’s now linked too.

Overall I was just frustrated and uninterested in picking this book up which ultimately led me to stop reading.

OK, so this one was still cute but I'm conflicted with this one - mainly because I liked everything about it except one teeny tiny thing (ok, major thing).

I liked the plot (it is a bit higher stakes than the first one). It felt more detailed and thought out like Penner went back and actually made changes to the story once it got picked up by a big publishing house. It also could be that, because it's the second in the series, I'm just more familiar with the characters and realm we're in. Who knows?

I feel like each of the books in this series will have some sort of "mental health" issue and, honestly, I did identify a lot with Doli's - that need to always have a pleasant exterior; to not lean on anyone for support; everything's "fine." So, again, plot is great. Underlying issue is relatable.

HOWEVER, don't you hate when you connect with every aspect of a book BUT the actual main character? I don't dislike Doli at all. It's more a general ambivalence; she just doesn't do anything for me. I can't even really explain it.

Take this review for what it is then - this really came down to just a character I didn't feel a connection with but, if you liked her in the first book and you liked the first book in general for it's plot/story, there's a good chance you'll like this book. That being said, I still want to read the next couple books and I am looking forward to Jez's story!

Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this advanced reader of copy. As always, I appreciate it!!

This book was a perfect follow-up to Bakers and Magic! i loved the cameos and the way it let the story continue without taking away from Dolis our new main character!

I just simply love the development and having that cute introduction of this world that we already new but we are seeing through fresh eyes

the new characters as much as seeing our old ones made this journey great! just like the last one the book is definitely more character driven than plot but I love it! cant wait to see the next book

Love Adore Fabulous Fascinating GOSH that's my top book for june , I did find book preview amazing despite my dislike to the cover but as they say don't judge a book by its cover so HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BOOK

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press (Sourcebooks Inc.)for providing this e-book for review. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.

I absolutely loved the first book in this series, so I was super excited to have the opportunity to read this ARC. I loved the second book as much as the first and will definitely be reading the rest of the series. And even though I’ve already read them, I will definitely be purchasing the Deluxe Editions for my physical library.
The story was just as cozy and fun as the first one. All of the characters were charming and had purpose. The world that the author has created is whimsical enough to keep it light, while never losing the magic of high fantasy. I loved how the story flowed and was easy to follow. I also always appreciate when an author writes a series that you can follow without reading all of the stories. It helps, but it wasn’t necessary. I can’t wait to see what happens with the character stories in the rest of the series.

I gave it 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5. Much like the first in the series, the story was great, and memorable, but just shy of what I like in order to give 5 stars. I think if you are comparing it to other books in this genre, it is definitely top tier.

Favorite quote from the book: “And I’m tired of pretending to be someone I’m not. I am a cheerful person, but not always. Sometimes I’m frustrated and angry. And I don’t want to pretend that I don’t care when you or anyone else puts me down, or underestimates me.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5 rounded up to 4)
Cozy, whimsical, and quietly magical—a gentle fantasy tale of self-growth and unexpected companionship.

Set in the quaint village of Adenashire, A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons feels like the literary equivalent of curling up under a heavy knit blanket with a cup of spiced tea. The story follows Doli Butterbuckle, a dwarf bookseller who stumbles into an unplanned adventure when she inherits a mysterious dragon egg. What follows is not so much a sweeping fantasy epic as it is a tender, low-stakes journey into self-discovery, magical mishaps, and the unpredictable joys of found family.

J. Penner’s writing continues to shine in the cozy fantasy space—accessible, sincere, and infused with warmth. There’s a delightful, almost storybook charm to how the narrative unfolds, with a magical village full of eccentric personalities and magical oddities. Doli’s struggle to balance her love for routine with the chaos brought by a baby dragon (the adorable Evvy) was both endearing and relatable.

While the plot meanders more than it marches, I appreciated that this wasn’t trying to be high fantasy. It’s about emotional growth over action, quiet courage over spectacle. Doli’s evolving relationship with her new gargoyle love interest is subtle and sweet, though it occasionally felt underdeveloped. That said, Penner does explore Doli’s internal conflicts well—particularly around familial expectations, identity, and the pressure to maintain appearances.

Where the book stumbles a bit is in its pacing and depth. Some key plot threads (particularly the dragon lore and magical mechanics) are introduced with promise but not fully explored. Certain scenes—especially involving friendship dynamics—felt a little too tidy or emotionally shallow for the stakes involved. I wanted a bit more depth to those connections, and a few moments could have benefited from slowing down to let emotions breathe.

That said, this book does deliver what it promises: comfort, whimsy, and a cozy escape with heart. The inclusion of recipes at the back is a lovely touch—it bridges the world of Adenashire to the reader’s own kitchen and adds an extra layer of charm.

Final Thoughts:
If you’re looking for a soft, no-stress fantasy that celebrates everyday magic, emotional healing, and warm community vibes—with dragons, librarians, and tea—this might be your next comfort read. It may not break new ground, but it plants its feet firmly in cozy territory and wraps you in its gentle charm.

Recommended for fans of:
•T. Kingfisher’s lighter works
•Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
•Books with tea magic, found families, and small-town fantasy feels

Thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and J. Penner for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It was great to be back in this world. It again fits the whimsical cozy fantasy genre perfectly. I think it may border on almost being too cozy, as I did sometimes wish that there was a little more going on in the story.

The characters were so cute and I absolutely adored Evvy!

Charming, witty, and full of heart!
A Fellowship of Librarians and Dragons was an enjoyable sequel to A Fellowship of Bakers and Magic. The dynamic between Doli and Evie was a highlight—with Doli demonstrating her nurturing nature, and full of warmth. Their interactions and the evolving trust gave the story an emotional center that really pulled me in.
Then there is the gargoyle, Sarson. A bit of an introvert and an avid reader, he’s perfect for Doli and she completely agrees immediately. The sweet, innocent flirting between Doli and Sarson is exactly what is expected of shy types.
The mischievous dragon? Absolutely adorable. I found myself grinning every time it popped up with another clever (or slightly chaotic) moment. Penner has a real talent for blending whimsy with depth, and while some parts of the plot felt a bit predictable, the charm of the characters more than made up for it.
Perfect for readers who enjoy found family, clever magic, and dragons with a sense of humor. Will happily return to this world for the sequel!

I think the intention of this book is fantastic - extremely cozy and magical. But sadly, the delivery fell very flat. There was not enough to keep me entertained - it felt very stagnant. I also struggled to connect with the characters. This may be someone else's cup of tea.

4.3
It was such a good cozy story that is perfect for light chill read. I don’t have many words. Cause the moment we had baby dragon in story … I mean I knew it was good time and I read it literally in one day. Even that story was predictable it felt as you were wrapped in blanket with cup of hot cocoa
Thanks NetGalley for that cutie, I enjoyed that reading and yes, as usual, all opinion are my own!

The second book in the Adenashire series by J. Penned is a cozy, low-stakes fantasy romance featuring a very cute dragon called Evvy!

Our main character Doli, a dwarf with tea magic and a set of highly frustrating parents, is sweet and kind but struggles with the desire to always be seen as perfect. Her partner-to-be is a gentle gargoyle librarian who has a massive wingspan. The author's words, not mine ;)

I found this to be a very gentle book, and despite not having read the book before this, it was fairly easy to pick up the new characters and setting.

However, I do prefer my books to have more conflict and much stronger angst, and many of the issues Doli faced were resolved with not enough emotional weight for my taste. It's low stakes, I know I know, but I read this book in fits and starts because it just wasn't compelling enough to make me read it in one sitting. There were times when I would definitely have liked to see more of the process of how things went down, and I had a hard time connecting emotionally with the characters. The exception was Doli's struggles with her parents. That was really well-written and will be (unfortunately,) highly relatable for many people!

As part of the Deluxe edition, we got an extra scene at the back of the book was very cute, and I also loved the recipes provided, as well as the story behind them!

I do think that some people will greatly enjoy A Fellowship of Librarians and Dragons, so if any of this sounds interesting to you, check this book out! It's available wherever you normally source books :)

DNF. Unfortunately it was a miss. Just not for me. Very whimsical and didn’t resonate. Hoping for more from the beginning of the book, but it just didn’t hold my interest like I wanted it to.

If you are looking for a cozy, fantasy world to melt into and feel like everything is right, this series is perfect for you.
I absolutely adore these books. The found family, the magical creatures, the cute little town, the food—my gosh, the food makes me literally drool.
This series is literally pure vibes, and I am all here for it. Plus, a cute little romance is the magical cherry on top!
What to expect:
Found Family
Magical Creatures - our FMC is a Dwarf, and MMC is a Gargoyle.
Dragons
Bookshops and Bakeries
Low Stakes
Delicious Food

Thank you so much to J Penner, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for my EARC.

This was a nice cozy fantasy read. It was a great palette cleanser from my typical fantasy/romantasy genre. This dwarf, Doli, moved to Adenashire to get away from her parents and that life. Her uncle ended up passing away and was gifted a box of inheritance items. One of these items is a dragon egg. Doli is very confused why she was gifted a dragon egg. As she’s figuring it out, she learns about self discovery and what one can be capable of. This story includes a new found family and a little bit of romance!

I had a little bit of trouble getting into the story at the beginning, but after awhile, I was finally into the book and wanted to know what happens with Doli and the dragon. I’m glad I stuck around to read the ending.

When happy-go-lucky dwarf, Doli, is unexpectedly bequeathed a dragon’s egg and notice of an impending visit from her overbearing parents, she begins to feel not so happy or lucky. When her egg hatches and she must care for Evvy, a rambunctious baby dragon, while simultaneously entertaining her parents she feels downright overwhelmed. Enter Sarson, a handsome gargoyle with extensive dragon knowledge. The two work together to care for and protect the rare dragon from a sinister plot and find their own magic in the process.

This book was so sweet and I loved little Evvy. I found that in many ways caring for the baby dragon very accurately represented what it’s like raising a human toddler.

The closed door romance that blossomed between Doli and Sarson was charming and added to the overall appeal of the story. I also loved how Doli found her voice to advocate for herself with her parents, show her feelings for Sarson, and protect Evvy. A fantastic story about being true to yourself and finding your own happiness.

Read this if you like spunky dragons and lighthearted fantasy with a touch of romance. Pairs well with lavender cream tea and jam filled spice cookies.

Thank you Netgalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and J. Penner for sending me this advanced review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a good blend of cozy, with a lot of fun chaos. I loved that we got to hang out with a ton of the characters from the previous book. It is the perfect found family, and everyone is so supportive of each other.

It was great to watch Doli grow more willing to express her feelings instead of hiding them to make everyone happy. I would have loved to see more growth in the relationship with her parents, but it fell a little flat for me. Hopefully that will come in future books.

Evvy the little dragon was so much fun! I loved the adorable chaos, and her ability to eat an endless amount of tasty treats.

I loved Sarson too. His quiet broodiness, balances Doli's enthusiastic energy. They are so good for each other. I wish there had been more depth to his backstory, it felt like it was just suddenly dropped on our laps. I'm sad he couldn't take the time to come to terms with it, and share it on his own.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, flaws and all. It was a great quick read with a cozy, yet chaotic vibe.