Once Upon a Café

The Galamere Chronicles #0.5

by Gabrielle Landi

A cozy café, a determined woman, and the kitten that loves them both.

Lost and alone in a bitter snowstorm, the tiny orange kitten has no home, no food, and no name, until she’s scooped up by the new arrival in town, Thea. Snuggled into warm, loving arms for the first time, she’s given the name Ginger, and the two of them set out to make Thea’s dream of owning a café a reality.

But the local tavern owner is determined to have no competition in town, and Thea's persistence may not be enough to carry them through. Can Thea and Ginger make the Cozy Cat Café come to life, or will they be forced to leave the safe haven of the Northlands?

Once Upon A Café is a cozy fantasy novella in the Galamere Chronicles told from the point-of-view of a cat, featuring the wholesome and heartwarming feeling of cozy fantasy and the comfort of a found family of friends.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Novels, Retellings, Fairy Tales, Clean Romance

ebook

Published March 22, 2024

About the author

Gabrielle Landi lives in Southern Indiana with her husband and children and has a soft spot for every stray cat that ends up on her front porch. When she’s not writing, she spends her time chasing children, wishing there was more coffee, and eating chocolate like it’s her job. If she had to write her own love story in tropes, it would include second chance romance and a secret relationship, and would be entirely unbelievable.

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having a kitten's point of view is such a cute idea! It was well written and so enjoyable. I'm looking forward to obtaining the accompanying books!

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read and reviewed this one with the prior novella in the collection, "Tales of Cake and Comfort".

Review with content info Here!

[Smasher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content:

Language: None.

Violence: None.

Sexual: None.


This is around 40 pages, and it felt more like a prologue or an extra side story for the main series for those who have already read it. As a stand alone, I suppose it can give you a glimpse into the tone and set up for the series, but it really doesn't have much of a point? It's cute and I smiled at it being from the cat's perspective, but I was neither wowed or disliking it. It was solidly average. I may try the series out of curiosity at some point, because who doesn't need more cozy fantasy in their life?

[Rubi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was in a cats pov but bring in characters from the series. The story was about when Thea started her café and the struggle it was to get it settled once it became an issue between an old love of hers and his brother. All ended well but left me with a lot of questions and left the romance unsettled. Dont remember much more of this story in Once Upon an Apple so just wish it had more and a better ending.

[Phi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute and cozy short story! I love how much sweetness this author fits into her stories. They're just adorable and absolutely delightful!

[DJWman · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Once Upon a Café** is a cozy tale centering around Thea, a determined woman with a dream of owning a café, and Ginger, a tiny orange kitten she rescues from a bitter snowstorm. The bond between Thea and Ginger is immediate and touching, and their journey to bring the Cozy Cat Café to life is charming. The story is told from Ginger’s point of view, adding a unique and endearing perspective that enhances the novella’s overall charm.

Gabrielle Landi masterfully creates a warm and inviting atmosphere in the cold Northlands, where the Cozy Cat Café begins to take shape despite challenges posed by the local tavern owner. Thea's persistence and the support from her found family of friends provide a wholesome and comforting narrative, perfect for a short cozy read and setting the stage for the upcoming series by introducing plenty of characters to explore.

This was my first time reading work from Gabrielle Landi, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m eager to read more of her work in the future.

**Once Upon a Café** is part of the new Galamere Chronicles series, with each standalone book offering a retelling of a beloved story or fairy tale. This novella sets a high bar, and I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the series.

Gabrielle Landi’s storytelling is sure to leave you feeling warm and fuzzy, and eager for more adventures in the Galamere Chronicles.

[Cierla McGuire Sams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cozy little novella to introduce the characters in Once Upon an Apple!

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and quick short story told mainly from the perspective of a kitten named Ginger who becomes the cozy cat of the Cozy Cat Cafe. This story can be read as a standalone but also works as a nice introduction for the Galamere Chronicles Series since several characters in the series are introduced in this story. I have added several books from this series to my TBR List and look forward to getting to know them better in the future.

The Galamere Chronicles Series
Once Upon An Apple: A Cozy Fantasy Snow White Retelling: Sophia & Lord Caspian Rendon
Once Upon A Cake: A Cozy Fantasy Little Mermaid Retelling: Thea & Nathaniel
Once Upon A Rose: Beatrice & Lord Alexander Dunham

I received a free eBook copy of this book from the author with newsletter sign up and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute story. I mean, it was sad at first and I hope the mama cat is okay... This was such a a cute little story, in general. I really love the characters. I am wondering if Beatrice and Dietrich will end up together. Thea is so sweet...and Dietrich saving Sophia and taking her to the Cafe... Love it. I can't wait to see how Sophia finds her place in the little town and what fun things transpire. I am so glad I am on the ARC team for Once Upon an Apple so I don't have to wait long to find out..this is definitely going to be a cozy, read by the fire, type of series.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun cozy fantasy novella. It’s short and sweet. Being told from the cat’s perspective is fun, but I feel like I haven’t really gotten to know the characters very well. On the other hand, maybe Ginger is right and all you need to know is if they like cats or not.

It’s a fun introduction to what I hope will be a larger series. I’m looking forward to reading the full length novel Once Upon and Apple.

[Beatriz Barros · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a delight! Once Upon a Café by Gabrielle Landi is told from the POV of an adorable kitten, making for a unique and charming experience. The kitten’s witty sarcasm about humans had me laughing out loud, and the heartfelt moments between Thea, Beatrice, and Dietrich made me nostalgic for Once Upon an Apple.

Now, I can't wait to read Once Upon a Rose! If you haven’t checked out Landi’s books yet, you absolutely should—they’re pure magic! ✨🐾

[Thoroughly Clean Indies]

My review of book 0.1

Genre: Set in a fantasy series
Setting: Inn
Writing style: 2nd POV in last chapter, 3rd person, past tense
Tone: Light
Character- or plot-driven: Neither

Romance: No

Nothing really happens in the story. There’s a conflict set up but quickly torn down. It’s a good thing this prequel of sorts is free, because it would have to be paired with something else to be worth spending money on. It introduces some of the characters in the series and sets up the plot for book 4. Something went wrong in Thea and Nathaniel’s relationship after the previous story, but you have to wait for their book to find out what. Also to find out why he went back home when he’d had no intention of doing so.

Favorite Quotations:
• Ginger uncurled herself and stretched out, arching her back, allowing the man to scratch under her chin. “Aren’t you a pretty girl,” Dietrich said quietly. Ginger turned her head to the other side. You couldn’t trust humans to scratch both sides on their own. They didn’t understand the proper way to do it.
• “Dietrich was our next door neighbor growing up. When he went away to work for the Duke, I thought my life was over.” “You always were a melodramatic five year old,” Dietrich said with a grin.

[Coco Deane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This takes place years after Cake. Wth happened to Thea and Nathaniel?? Why aren't they married?? He hurt her, but how??? She opened the Cafe in the building owned by her ex BF. I thought Nathaniel wasn't going back to his family? What happened to Thea's bakery? Did she sell it after her parents died?? I hope we get another story about what happened.

[Samantha In Fantasy World · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic and quick read by Gabrielle Landi! The way her world and settings are written make you want to be where they are. The FMCS are always written to be strong and smart. I want to be friends with the FMC’s. I loved this quick novella and wish there was more to the book since I enjoyed the storyline so much!

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Once Upon a Cafe. Ginger’s POV is unique and so accurate in the cat’s opinions. I kind of feel like Once Upon a Cafe sucked all the fun out of Once Upon a Cake with knowing how things went from perfect to depressingly sad. Still a good novella that sets up questions and a story for Once Upon a Cat as well as Once Upon an Apple!

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟

🚫🌶

📱📖

How cute! I just read this in about an hour to pass time on a road trip since I had it downloaded and had read once upon an apple. I really loved the cat's perspective in this story and it was super cute and cozy. Its a great read before or after the first full-length book of the series to give context for everything that happens and the setting. No complaints here!

[Kate Lawhon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable cozy fantasy novella about taking chances, making friends, and love. And it's told from a cat's perspective and that was really cute. I loved Gabrielle Landi's writing style. It is humorous and sweet. I can't wait to read more!

[Ashley Hobsonreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little novella follows after Once Upon a Cake where we find out how Thea and Ginger the cat come to open up the Cozy Cat Cafe. Again, very short and sweet and definitely cozy. Enjoyed reading the POV of a cat!

Favourite quotes include:
Roan, you may see yourself out

[elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun easy read, enjoyed much

[aem · Rating 3 out of 5]

a short intro to some fairytale retellings?

[Riella Cristobal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute and cozy!

[nx74defiant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little story. Told from the point of view of a kitten. Lost and alone Ginger is rescued. We what she thinks of the people and the new Cafe.

[J.S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a novella, it is simple and cute and I enjoyed it. I am excited to read more, but this was almost too short to justify more than 3 stars.

[Jennifer]

Super cute short story

[D'anah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting short story

[Isabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

very cute very cozy

[Bibliomania143 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute and short story! Love the characters especially our Ginger, so freaking cute🥰

[Bryanna Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick and cozy read that is a nice addition to the other books in the Galamear Chronicles. 😊

[Ariana Copeland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely want to know more of what comes from this! My heart goes out to Thea and Nat. I need them together!

[One Last Petal Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Puss in Boots Retelling

Ginger is a tiny kitten, lost in a snowstorm. Thea is a baker, newly arrived in town. Together, they face a new life in a town that’s giving them the cold shoulder in more ways than one. Despite the new friends who offer help at the cafe, the landlord seems intent on making life difficult for Thea — and Ginger just wants an uninterrupted nap.

“But for now, she would enjoy the coziness of the Cozy Cat Cafe, and pet the cat.”

I’m not 100% sure this is a Puss in Boots retelling, but I’m going to call it one anyway. It’s a delightful cozy fantasy short story that’s full of winter vibes that makes you want to sit by the fire with a hot drink and a good book — this one, if you’re looking for one!

5 Roses
No swearing
No violence
No romance