After the events of the Langheim Baking Battle (related in A Fellowship of Bakers and Magic), the friends have settled down in Adenashire, a quite little town. Everything is going well, until Doli Butterbuckle, a dwarf who’s magic allows her to make perfect cups of tea, receives a note that she’s inherited a dragon egg from her uncle, and her parents are coming to visit. While Doli loves her parents, she’s never quite lived up to their expectations: how can a dwarf be interested in BAKING rather than gems and gold? Things get even more chaotic when the dragon egg hatches, making her mom to an curious, flying, baby. There’s also a new charming, handsome gargoyle in town which makes her pulse race.

I throughly enjoyed this book. I’ve very easy to read, very PGish in tone - I think there’s only one four letter word? And the characters are charming! Orcs who act like everyone’s step father and elves that make magical baked goods - honestly, what’s not to love?

Highly recommended. A peaceful, perfect for curling up with a cup of tea book! I received a copy of this from netGalley.com that I voluntarily chose to review.

🫖 A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons ☕️
✍🏼 J. Penner
📚 Adenshire #2
⭐️ 4/5
Pub Date: June 3

What a delightful read! This book was the perfect palate cleanser for me. It was cozy, easy to read, and very wholesome. I have not yet read the first book of the series but I still felt able to follow along the story without any difficulties. If you enjoyed Legends & Lattes and are looking for a low stakes adventure with low spice, this book will be perfect for you!

Our story follows a lovely Dwarf named Doli who works in a bookstore and has the gift of tea magic. She is surrounded by a beautiful found family trying to find her way, and happiness, in the world away from her parents unfair expectations. When she receives a surprise inheritance from her Uncle, Doli’s whole life takes some unexpected turns. Doli is a people pleaser, which is extremely relatable for me. I enjoyed watching her build self confidence, get stronger at communicating, and begin enforcing healthy boundaries. It was a lovely journey to read!

Enter our love interest, the charming and very blue gargoyle Sarson. He is gentle, kind and the perfect match to Doli. I adored him instantly! Did I mention he also loves books? Who doesn’t love a well read man? Their courtship was gentle and wholesome and had me smiling ear to ear.

I thoroughly enjoyed the eclectic collection of characters in this book and their interrelationship dynamics. They all showed up for each other and it was obvious how much love is in their found family.

All-in-all it was a quick read and exactly what I needed. Thank you to J. Penner and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC!

TL/DR: Hopefully you have read the synopsis. Besides the inheritance box coming from a distant uncle with a letter from her parents, it more or less offers a good overview. If you are looking for a cozy fantasy, filled with rich world building, learning it’s ok to not be ok sometimes and oh yeah, a dragon (a lot of laughs for readers, not so much for the characters) and to learn to truly embrace who you are, get the book. It is still enjoyable even if you haven’t read the first one, but you can always start the series and already have book 2 waiting. So yeah, I highly recommend the deluxe edition of this book.

I read this book in one sitting and was sad when it ended. The bonus chapter helped as did the recipes for a couple of the delicious sounding desserts in the book. Thank you J. Penner!
Now the synopsis of the book is a little off. Yes, FMC Doli, inherits a dragon egg, but it comes in the form of an inheritance from an uncle she barely knew, with a letter from her parents. Her parents arrive soon after, upset that she had already opened the box. Through no fault of her own, she didn’t know she was supposed to wait.

Anyway, I was thoroughly enchanted with this story. Each character has their own stories interwoven with Doli’s, but not distracting from it. Now Doli is a dwarf, expected to work the mines and collect jewels and go into the family business. As far as she is concerned her sisters can have it, along with her parents. Now, don’t get me wrong, she loves them, but she feels they don’t truly see her for who she is, nor do they understand her tea magic and love of baking. Her grandmother did though and showered her with love, making her feel seen until she no longer could.

Also her parents are EXTRA. It just made everything feel more real and I loved the author for including details and scenarios which I think on some level, some of us can definitely relate to.

This book was everything I hoping it would be and more. A rich world filled with interesting characters, found family and love. There is also an underlying theme for Doli primarily, but also our MMC, Sampson, that you can’t judge a book by its cover (yes, that was an intentional pun) and it’s ok to have more than one facet of your personality that the outside world can see. In Doli’s case, she doesn’t have to always be sunshine and the perfect hostess. Is that a spoiler? I don’t think so.

I fully recommend this book even if you happened to miss the first one in the series. I am sure there are nuances that might be missed, but this book is wonderful even on its own. Of course you could start with the first book “A Fellowship of Bakers and Magic” and then you can continue straight on to the second book in the series.

I would like to thank the author, J. Penner; Poisoned Pen Press, Deluxe Edition and NetGalley for a copy of this book. It is important to note that the author self-published this book in 2004. I read the Deluxe Edition, expected for sale on June 3, 2025. All opinions are my own and my review is voluntarily given. As always, I wish you happy reading!

I had the privilege of reading this book ahead of its upcoming release, so thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced reader’s copy.

Overall this is a light and sweet story, that does what it tries to do very well. If you want a cozy small-town fantasy story with cute baby dragons and tea-magic, then this is what you need. It isn’t trying to be the next world-saving epic fantasy - it’s a cute and wholesome story about finding one’s own voice and confidence.

It is listed as a romance, but if you're just here for that this is not the book for you. It wasn’t really given much attention in the plot, so keeping it a friendship with Sarson wouldn't have made much of a difference - it might even have felt a little less forced.

My biggest nitpick is that I think in general it could have been a little shorter. At times it had a bit too much “filler” for my preference, most of it really being about the food (I’m really sorry, but I just don’t need to know the details of all the 17 meals and snacks you’re eating throughout the day).

A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons is a cozy fantasy filled with charm, whimsy, and a sprinkle of tea-based magic. It's the second in a series, but I read it as a standalone without feeling lost—which is always a win.

This story follows Doli, a quiet but capable protagonist who receives a mysterious box from her late uncle. What unfolds is a light, magical adventure filled with found family, magical mischief, and even a bit of closed-door romance. The magic system—centered around different kinds of tea—was creative and fun, and the overall vibe was soft and comforting.

That said, this was more of a like than love read for me. While I appreciated the kind characters and cozy atmosphere, the story moved a bit too quickly in places. I often wanted to linger longer—to get more emotional depth, more connection with the side characters, and a bit more tension in the plot.

It’s a great fit for readers craving low-stakes fantasy with a warm heart and whimsical worldbuilding, but if you're looking for deep character arcs or slower, more immersive pacing, this might not fully hit the mark.

Thank you to J. Penner, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be released on June 3rd, 2025.

I really enjoyed the first book of the series so I had high hopes for this read! Book 2 was cute and I loved it was about Doli! She was such a fun character in the first book. However, I did not enjoy this book compared to the first one. I know it is a cozy read, but it was a bit too boring at parts of the story that I almost DNF'd. I am hoping the third book will be good since the FMC will give black cat vibes.

A Fellowship of Librarians and Dragons by J. Penner
⭐⭐⭐.5

This was a perfectly, cozy read - The main characters are a dwarf and a Gargoyle and I LOVED that. Best part: Recipes!!!! At the of the book! That are developed and tested and loved!

4.5 stars

*Note: This is book 2 in a series.

I thoroughly enjoy cozy fantasy as a genre, and I absolutely love books and dragons, so this sounded exactly like the kind of book I'd love. I liked seeing more of Doli, and I love the whole guardian to a dragon angle. The entire main story takes place over the course of a week-ish, and it simultaneously feels meandering while other parts feel very rushed. The romance seems a little instalove, which is not my favorite, and the last three chapters seemed very, very rushed. I was expecting Evvy to be around for a while, but I guess the author didn't want to leave a loose ending.

If you want fast-paced, this is not the book for you. But if you want to enjoy a cozy story about a dwarf and a dragon with a cup of tea, definitely check this out.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

After reading The Fellowship of Bakers and Magic, I was so excited to get started on Doli's perspective. I absolutely loved her as a side character in Book 1. While I still love Doli after reading this book, I had some major problems with the pacing in this book. In general, the pacing just felt off. Something was missing, it felt as though there were weird gaps between events and not enough polished transitions. While I was expecting low stakes, some of the higher stakes moments felt forced and rushed. I left the book feeling like it needed *more.*

On a more positive note, this book still is such a cozy read. I loved getting to learn more about Doli, her inner battles, and the ways she finally accepts who she is and creates healthy boundaries for herself. The baking made me so hungry and I finished the book full of warmth fuzzy feelings and recipe ideas for baked goods.

This was a super cute, cozy sequel to A Fellowship of Bakers and Magic. I loved Doli as a side character in the first and I loved her even more as the main character.

Perfect for fans of low-stakes, cozy fantasies. Think of the coziest anime/manga (I’m thinking of Delicious in Dungeon, and you’ve got this book.

I do love a little more action in my books, but this wasn’t pitched as that, so I didn’t expect it.

In the village of Adenashire lives a baker dwarf named Doli who spends her days imbuing cups of tea with magic and comfort for her friends. When she inherits some gifts from an uncle, Doli soon finds herself in possession of a baby dragon whose destiny is somehow tied to hers. With her parents stopping by for an unexpected visit, a new gargoyle residing in the village, and suspicious visitors lurking around town, Doli's life is about to change.

This was a cozy read but the pace was quite slow and lacked much of a plot. The characters were cute, but without having read the first book in this series, I lacked understanding of the different dynamics in their relationships. While Doli and the dragon were cute, I wish more had happened. It felt like they mostly sat around, drank tea, and ate pastries.

*** I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. ***

This is a sequel to a book that I have not read, so much of it was a bit lost on me. I did try tracking diwn a copy of the first book, but with little success, if I was going to get a review in in a timely fashion. But I can say that the writing is solid, the characters seem interesting, and I definitely want to read the first novel and revisit this whole series again later. Nothing terribly original or groundbreaking, but a solid book for cozy fantasy readers.

This was such a fun follow-up to A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic. I loved reuniting with the familiar baker crew and seeing how they all made the move to Arleta’s hometown after the competition. Much like the first book, this one was delightfully cozy, laugh-out-loud funny, and sprinkled with a sweet, slow-burn romance. And I have to say—this love interest was totally my type. Hunky, book-loving batboy? Yes please!

The story has the same kind of comforting charm as the Dream Harbour series (TikTok fans, you’ll know what I mean), but with a cozy fantasy twist. It’s warm, whimsical, and packed with characters you can’t help but root for. I especially loved getting a POV from all my favorite characters while also being introduced to someone new in town. Doli, Sarson, and Evvy stole my heart—but I’m already counting down the days to get grumpy old Jez’s story in book three.

Yes, some parts of the writing were a bit cheesy, but honestly? That’s part of the charm. My nickname growing up was Mouse, so you know I’m all about the cheese. This series knows exactly what it is—cozy, magical comfort reading—and it delivers that in spades.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I’m fully invested in this charming world and can’t wait to see where the series goes next.

This was a very cozy, low stakes read!

The positive: The world was fun and filled with a diverse cast of wonderful characters. I love that Doli had a tea based magic system. I loved the intro of Evvy and all the hijinks that followed. Doli is a very sunshine-y character, and it was good to see her realizing she can't please everyone. This is my first cozy fantasy read, and I love it! I didn't feel lost with not reading the first book.

The cons: The love did feel a little instant love-y, but that's not worst thing in my book! I also wish the ending was a bit more fleshed out - a lot happened in the final chapter or two that I wish was explored more.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book and would love to revisit this world again someday!

Thank you the J. Penner, Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press/Sourcebooks for an opportunity to read this ARC. This review is left voluntarily.

🦇🦇🦇🦇
A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons by J. Penner

This was such a cute and cozy read, a true “swing in a hammock with a cup of tea” kind of book. J. Penner continues to keep alive the inviting world in Adenashire, filled with charm, soft magic, and a lovable dwarf protagonist named Doli Butterbuckle who brews enchanted tea, adopts a dragon egg, and befriends a gargoyle named Sarson. The Deluxe Edition’s added recipes were an extra sprinkle of magic, making this feel like a full sensory experience.

The pacing was a little slow at times, and I found myself wishing for more character excitement or sharper emotional turns. Still, the heart of the story, centered on personal growth, community, and the magic of quiet resilience, shines through. Penner’s writing wraps around you like a well-worn shawl: comforting, familiar, and perfect for readers who crave cozy fantasy with a gentle narrative arc.

If you love stories that prioritize warmth over wild twists, this one’s worth a read. It may not be a fast paced, page-turner, but it’s absolutely a soul-soother.

#NetGalley #NetGalleyARC #ARC #JPenner #AFellowshipOfLibrariansAndDragons

First my thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an ARC copy of this novel 🫶

Once again J Penner gives us such a fun read! I love getting to dive more into each of the characters and their stories. Fret not, she doesn’t forget our OGs, Arleta and Theo, and we get to see more of how they’ve settled in together.

A *mostly* lighthearted story of friendship, family, romance, and of course dragons; the author touches on some more heavy emotions that Doli has— but don’t worry our favorite Dwarf gets her happy ending by the time it’s all said and done!

I can’t wait to read the next book about Jez and what she gets up to!

A FELLOWSHIP OF LIBRARIANS & DRAGONS • J. Penner • Pub Date: June 3, 2025

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an eARC of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Abridged Goodreads Synopsis: This book is the sequel to A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic ("Book One"). In this story, we follow Doli Butterbuckle, one of the participants in the baking competition from Book One. Dolli is still the same lovable, people-pleasing dwarf, content with her simple tea magic and circle of friends. While it is true she’s never quite lived up to family expectations, her life is just fine...until a charming gargoyle harboring a secret strolls into her life at the same time that her parents arrive, unannounced, with an inherited dragon egg. As Doli grapples with her newfound responsibility and discovers a long-hidden side of herself, she must face an overbearing family, a sinister plot, and a mischievous pink dragon that refuses to stay out of trouble.

Oh, how I missed the whimsical land of Adenashire. It is the perfect setting for a cozy fantasy, and Book One provided us with such a great cast of characters that I was eager to pick up Book Two! However, as badly as I wanted to love this story, it just did not hit the mark for me.

Book One was low-stakes, while still incorporating adventure, competition, and good-natured fun. Unfortunately though, Book Two was not just low stakes; it was borderline boring. The story felt flat, repetitive, and largely unsatisfying. Doli's character felt superficial, resulting in the romance plot coming across as forced (almost like a weak attempt at the "instalove" troupe). Additionally, this book seemed to suffer from the "tell, not show" pitfall.

Ultimately, this book did not live up to its predecessor or my expectations. However, if you are new to the cozy fantasy genre, you might just fall in love with Doli, her adorable pink dragon, and this story of self-discovery and found family.

A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons was an enjoyable, cozy fantasy read. It is the second book in the series but truly works as a standalone!

This book hit all the cozy fantasy boxes with found family, a wonderful cast of characters, and a tea-based magic system!

The second book focuses on Doli receiving an inherited box her late uncle sent her. Without spoiling anything, lots of adventure, shenanigans, and even some closed-door romance ensue.

While I enjoyed the cozy atmosphere and kind characters, I found myself craving a slower pace that allows readers to have more connection and depth into certain characters and plot lines.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press, J. Penner, and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I think I loved the first one more than this one, although Doli endeared me more.  I relate to her scatterbrained way of multitasking, like she is always so overwhelmed, kinda like me 😅 She feels everything so much all at once and that makes her an imperfect yet lovable character.  The story had its ups and downs, but overall I really enjoyed it especially the ending.  The dessert recipes at the end as always, really nice touch.  Don't read without having your sugar fix first!  I can't wait for book 3 because it's Jez's story and I think it's gonna be a sapphic love story, grumpy x sunshine or grumpy x grumpy one and ooh it's gonna be good 🙂

This was a super cosy read! I loved the magic system and was rooting for the FMC the whole time. Her friends were so good and the chosen family theme was really heart warming. However, I think the entire story fell a bit flat for me and did not make me go through the book as fast as I thought I would. I wasn’t hooked at all. Some people may love this, it wasn’t for me.