
Member Reviews

I found this book interesting and as I haven’t read the first book in this trilogy I found it hard to follow on from the first book without knowing the back stories of the characters.
The story was interesting and I found that overall I enjoyed the story. I loved how Dolí was able to figure out she really was and the type of dwarf she wanted to be, with the help of Evvy the dragon.
If you have read the first book in this series you will find that the stories flow on from that first book, and you might enjoy it.
Overall it was a good read for me.

*****Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons (Deluxe Edition) by J. Penner in exchange for an honest review.
I’d been stuck in a reading slump for a while, but this book gently pulled me out of it. Lately, everything I’ve read has been filled with struggle, war, and loss, and after a point, it just became exhausting. This story, however, was a breath of fresh air. I absolutely loved Doli’s journey of self-discovery and her relationship with Evvy. The way food and Adenashire were described was so vivid and comforting. I could almost taste the cookies and feel the warmth of the tea Doli prepared. This was such a cozy, soothing read. I loved it

Thank you for this ARC!
When I saw the title and description of this book I was so excited to dive in. I was not disappointed.
This is such a cozy read with wonderfully diverse and unique characters. I love tropes but I’m not a fan when they’re glaringly obvious. I thought the author did a great job of incorporating them without solely relying on them. And the found family trope is always one of my favorites.
The ending and the bonus chapter are so sweet! I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

This was such a cozy and heartwarming read! I devoured it in a day and let me tell you: I loved the characters. If you're into the found family trope this will be right up your alley and you should definitely check it out! The recipes at the end of the book were also such a cute and thoughtful touch which i really appreciated. can't wait to see how this story continues.

I’d like to first say WAY TO GO YOU BEAUTIFUL, TALENTED AUTHOR!!!!!!!!!! I found your books a while ago and have absolutely loved all of them. Thank you for writing such cozy, happy, inspiring stories.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for a copy of this eARC. I will say that Doli, Evvy, and Sarson are some of my favorites in the entire series. When I met Doli in book 1 I just emotionally attached myself to her and knew I’d read her book and love her the most. Her story of bravery and learning to forgive and love herself is beautiful.

A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons is the second installment in the cozy fantasy Adenashire series.
I think the book main theme was more focused on self discovery on Doli, a tea-magic-wielding dwarf who inherits a dragon egg.
This is a cozy and quite book for me, its comforting because theres bookshop, tea and magic. plus its kinda a slow burn so you can read and just take your time with it because its healing. and because of that some says that the first book better then this one, it depend on reader preferences. for me I take my time with this book and no rush, I pick it when I need to calm during the time of reading it.
so, If you're in the mood for a lighthearted fantasy that emphasizes personal growth and community over action-packed sequences this might be for you.

Adenashire is a quaint little town with a quirky cast of characters. This is a super cozy read and I found it to be overall enjoyable, however something about the pacing was off to me. I have not read the first book in the series, but I don’t think that mattered all that much. There were several aspects that I assume are call backs to the previous book, but there wasn’t anything I missed or wasn’t able to understand having not read the previous story. It’s clear the first book is the romance between friends of the FMC, so I’m sure if you read the first, it would be fun to catch up with their characters! Super cute and fun read.

A cozy warm hug, a cute and adorable romance, an adorable pink dragon, and some of the most delicious food I've ever read in a book. this super cozy fantasy will leave you feeling relaxed and charmed as you sink into the world of Adenshire once more for a brand new cozy adventure starring Doli, a tea making dwarf with a love for books, a baby dragon with an absolute love for pastries, and a gargoyle on the run from a past he cannot fully escape.
thought this was a really fun read, though i do wish it was a lot longer so we could explore more of the characters personalities, and get in some more world building. it was fast paced, which i really enjoyed, but there were a number of mentions into things that never seamed to go anywhere. the whole book felt a bit rushed, i think because it was short, but i really enjoyed all the really great baking and food scenes. and best of all, there are RECIPES in the back!!! Really good ones! all in all this was delightful, charming, and all around gave me the vibe of wrapped up in a comfy blanket on a rainy day with a mug of something hot and a really good book to whisk away all your worries.

I’m loving cozy fantasy right now and really enjoyed this (didn’t know this was book two in a series so I plan to read book 1 next).
Loved the characters (especially the MC Doli and how much she likes to read), the friendships, the baking, and just the all around vibes. This was such a feel good story and perfect for anyone who enjoys cozy fantasy.

Thank you NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advanced copy of A Fellowship of Librarians and Dragons. I think I read this book at the exact right time. I was in the mood for something cozy and cute and this book definitely delivered. I loved all of the side characters but reading about Doli, Sarson, and Evvy was of course the best part. I enjoyed the simplicity of the story and the little bit of excitement thrown in at the end, even if I did see it coming. This was just a fun and sweet read. 3.75 sars

*Received as a free ARC*
Delightful cozy fantasy romp! This was the title that got me interested in this series (before it was being republished). Anything librarian is worth a peek! It would have been nice if there had been a bit more focus on that, but oh well. He was only the love interest, not the main character. Keeping an eye out for the next book!

I'm yet to make myself comfortable with cozy books so this review is 'it's me, not you' kind of scenario. The setting for this book is perfect, it called out to me. I love the cover too. As soon as we get into the book, we get this sketch of the dwarf girl and the gargoyle which is so perfect. I liked the beginning, the immediate introduction of characters and sort of a found family trope. The story is quite laid-back which is expected for a cozy fiction but I think the coziness stretched out a bit too far making the plot very thin for my taste. Despite the introduction of a dragon, the story failed to engage me enough because the characters didn't come through to make any impression on me. It was an okay read but enjoyable for those days when you want no adventure or action, just simple things.

I am so glad that I randomly stumbled upon these series in my local Waterstones last month. I’m a huge fan of Legends & Lattes, and since reading that haven’t managed to find something that is like it to give me that cozy fantasy fix, until picking up FOB&M. These books are like a warm hug, especially the found family aspect and the emphasis put on friendship. I don’t know how but both books in this series have made me cry at some point which is the real marker of a good book for me!
Thank you to PoisonedPress, J.Penner & NetGalley for the eARC!

A very cozy read with delightful extras
This book is a warm hug in fantasy form! A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons delivers peak cozy vibes with its charming setting in Adenashire and the lovable Doli Butterbuckle—a sunshine dwarf with tea magic and a heart full of kindness. The Deluxe Edition truly shines with the added bonus chapter and fun, flavorful recipes that make the reading experience even more immersive.
The story is whimsical yet meaningful, full of friendship, self-discovery, and just enough magical mischief (thanks to a certain dragon!). Doli’s journey of embracing her true self, standing up to her overbearing family, and finding unexpected love is both heartwarming and empowering. Perfect for fans of cozy fantasy with a splash of tea and dragon fire.

This sequel was SO cute and cozy. I love J. Penner's writing - I felt like I was friends with the characters while they interacted. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a light and fun read!

Overall 4 stars!
Premise: A dwarf book store employee gains a dragon egg as part of her inheritance. A cozy story filled with baking, dragon rearing and falling in love with a good looking gargoyle!
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
This book is what one would expect the feeling of snuggling into your cozy blanket with a warm drink and fresh pastries, in a literary form. A beautiful cozy fantasy with lovable characters, a cute dragon and delicious pastry recipes!

Okay, listen. On paper, this book is everything I should have adored. We’ve got a sunshiney tea witch dwarf who just wants to vibe with her friends, a dragon egg that crashes into her life (literally and emotionally), a broody gargoyle with secrets, and family expectations heavier than a cast iron kettle. That should have been my cozy fantasy dream.
But in practice? It just didn’t fully land for me. I kept wanting to feel swept up in the whimsy and warmth, but the writing style made it hard for me to stay engaged. There was something about the pacing and flow that kept tugging me out of the story. It wasn’t bad, it just didn’t have that spark I was hoping for. Like the vibes were right, but the flavor didn’t steep long enough to be strong.
That said—I can easily see why this would be a five-star favorite for others. If you love gentle fantasy, quirky magical towns, and a low-stakes adventure filled with heart, this might be your next favorite cozy read. I’m honestly a little bummed it didn’t work for me, but not every cup of tea hits the same for everyone, right?

This book is like a cozy hug! We follow the same characters from book one, but focus on Doli's story this time! Doli inherits a dragon egg, which promptly hatches. I love everything about the way Evvy (the dragon) is written. If you are looking for a cozy fantasy with a low-stakes plot, dragon mischief, bookstores, and baking then this is it! Thanks to NetGalley, J. Penner, and Poisoned Pen Press for the chance to read and review!

If you like all things cozy, this book is a must read. It is a heartwarming continuation of the characters we came to love from A Fellowship of Bakers and Magic and in this book we get to know more about Doli’s story and why she always goes out of her way to be a ray of sunshine in her friend’s lives. I read this book in a day and loved every minute of it.

Review: A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons by J. Penner
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3.0/5)
Vibes and Tropes: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5.0/5 for Cozy Fantasy Vibes and Tropes)
Trope Tags: #FoundFamily #ReluctantCaretaker #TeaMagic #BabyDragonChaos
Vibes: Teacups and banter, cottagecore drama, cute dragon shenanigans, emotional repression with sparkles.
Overview:
This follow-up to The Fellowship of Bakers returns us to Adenashire—a charming magical village full of memorable characters. Doli Butterbuckle, a tea witch with a people-pleasing problem, unexpectedly inherits a dragon egg and becomes a reluctant dragon keeper. Also on the scene? A gargoyle librarian with a murky past, visiting parents who act like a stress spell incarnate, and a cast that doesn’t quite know what to do with any of it. Including Doli.
What Worked:
Penner has a real gift for conjuring cozy atmospheres and charming magical details. The dragon’s personality is adorable and Evvy is pure wish-fulfillment fantasy if you’ve ever wanted a chaotic magical creature. The tropes are all here, and honestly, they’re some of the best parts. Found family, gentle non-toxic romance, healing arcs, and magical small-town charm? Check. Check. Check.
The book also wants to do meaningful emotional work: themes of self-worth, boundaries, and healing parental wounds are baked in from page one. And that’s no small feat. This kind of emotional scaffolding is often skipped in low-stakes fantasy, so I give Penner credit for including it.
Room to Grow:
The story unfortunately tries to do too much, which means a lot of threads don’t land the way they could. Doli’s parents, Sarson’s backstory, the romance arc, the emotional payoff with Evvy... they’re all there, but lightly explored, and often resolved too quickly or not at all. This might leave some readers feeling a bit aimless or underwhelmed.
This could’ve been stronger with a sharper focus: pick two major arcs and develop them fully. Right now, everything competes for space and ends up feeling thin, even when the setup, and Doli herself, is great.
Final Thoughts:
This is a book that knows the cozy genre and delivers the mood—but sometimes mood isn’t quite enough. I still think there’s value here, especially for readers who love a whimsical setting and aren’t too fussed about deep plot cohesion. If you go in expecting soft vibes, quirky companions who banter, and light magical hijinks, you’ll likely enjoy the ride, just don’t expect all the pieces to click into place in a gloriously satisfying way by the end.
My cozy take?
Cute concept, strong cozy vibes, and an adorable reluctant dragon egg caretaker story? Yes. But the story’s magic would’ve been stronger with fewer threads and more follow-through.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the eARC.