Thaumaturgic Tapas

Hidden Dishes #3

by Tao Wong

With Magic Comes Mayhem

For the Nameless Restaurant, once a discreet hole-in-the-wall meant for a cast of supernatural regulars, the increasing levels of background magic has brought with it that most dreadful of locusts - new customers.

The staff of the Nameless Restaurant are finding the influx of new customers - both mortal and magical - to be a challenge. They're reaching a breaking point and something has to give.

The only question is, will it be Mo Meng's rules on magic or the restaurant itself?

Thaumaturgic Tapas is the third standalone novella in the cozy cooking fantasy series Hidden Dishes.

The Hidden Dishes series is a cozy cooking fantasy perfect for fans of Travis Baldree's Legends & Lattes and Junpei Inuzuka's Restaurant to Another World. Written by bestselling author Tao Wong, his other series include the System Apocalypse, A Thousand Li, Climbing the Ranks, Hidden Wishes and Adventures on Brad series.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Cozy Fantasy, Fiction

140 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2025

About the author

Tao Wong is the author of the A Thousand Li progression fantasy series and the System Apocalypse LitRPG series, among others. His work has been released in audio, paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats, and translated into German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and several other languages. He was shortlisted for the UK Kindle Storyteller Award in 2021 for A Thousand Li: The Second Sect. In 2026, the first three books in the A Thousand Li series will be republished in hardcover by Ace Books.

When he’s not writing or working, he enjoys practicing martial arts, reading, and dreaming up new worlds. He lives in Toronto, Canada.

Reviews

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful novella set during one night at a magical restaurant. The chef makes different, creative dishes and no night is the same. But tonight is tapas using leftovers from previous creations. We get descriptions of cooking the food and the tastes, which sound amazing. But there are also political and magical machinations happening among the dinner guests. And the new busboy seems to have a mysterious past. Fun cozy fantasy and a quick read! The audio narration is done well. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

[Alyson Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read another review here that stated, 'never mind fusion cooking, this is fusion writing', and I feel this perfectly encapsulates this book.
Another adventure into Mo Mengs' restaurant sees us meeting Damian, a new member of staff, with plenty of teasing towards his background and reason for seeking work with Mo. Kelly is here, and it was great to see her character develop. Again, not to be read whilst hungry for food, but this book will feed your desire for some relaxing reading.
I received an advance review copy for free from booksirens.com, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in the mood for familiar cozy reads, so I decided that was the perfect time to listen to this third book in the Hidden Dishes series. This series follows the happenings in the Hidden Restaurant as well as the dishes made there. I've been really enjoying this series, it has cozy vibes and there are a lot of food descriptions. This one certainly made me hungry, especially the spring rolls and I want to try and make those again sometime soon.

If you like reading about food, how it's prepared as well as people eating those dishes I can definitely recommend this series. The cozy atmosphere and focus on food create a nice vibe that I enjoy. There are also some magical plot lines that progress throughout the series. There are recurring patrons in the restaurant as well as new characters. I have to admit that I felt like I missed some of the plot things that got hinted about and discussed in this one as I wasn't at my sharpest, but I really enjoyed this book nonetheless.

I liked reading more about Kelly as well as chef Mo Meng. There is a new help in the restaurant in this book and it was interesting seeing a new character get added to the staff at the restaurant and how that influenced things. The restaurant has been getting more popular and they have to deal with the results of that success. This book features multiple small dishes Mo Meng makes from leftovers, which was an interesting twist compared to previous books.

I enjoyed listening to this one again and think the narrator is a good fit for this one and does the different voices well.

To summarize: I really enjoyed this one. It's a fun cozy fantasy book with a focus on food. I really enjoy hearing all the descriptions of the dishes, how chef Mo Meng makes them and descriptions of those that eat the dishes. There are some magical beings that visit the restaurant and plot lines related to them. I did feel some of those plot lines went a bit over my head in this one, but I still really enjoyed this one. I liked hearing more of Kelly, chef Mo Meng and the restaurant, there are familiar patrons as well as new ones and even a new character that helps staff the restaurant. This book felt familiar and cozy with both familiar elements and new ones, like the new characters and different dishes the chef makes. All in all I can definitely recommend this one to fans of cozy fantasy who like books with a heavy food focus.

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

I defy anyone reading this, and previous entries in this low stakes cozy series about magical chef Mo Meng and his little restaurant that serves members of the magical community, to not get really hungry while reading.

This time Mo Meng decides to use only what he has available to create a succession of small dishes for his customers. Author Tao Wong takes us through Meng's many decisions about how to prepare the dishes, which all sound soooo good!

We also learn that Kelly has concerns about service slipping as they have so many more customers each night than they used to. (And there's something about Kelly's heritage that hasn't yet been revealed, but I hope is explored in an upcoming entry.)

A young man, Damian, turns up in response to a request for help. The author teases out a little of Damian's background, and his presence intrigues some of Meng's guests, a pair of whom seem engaged in some sort of machinations, while another pair try to out eat the other.

As said earlier, this is a low stakes series, but has a nice, relaxing feel to it. I also love the small references to Toronto, as it's always such a pleasure reading a story set in a Canadian city.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for this ARC in exchange for my review.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book I enjoyed the .magic and all the food creations the audio book was a fun experience

[Tao Wong]

The eagle eyed among you might have noticed that the name of the book changed somewhere in the middle of the year. That was because I had been busy working on recipes and the book itself, and both ran together to push the work into a series of dishes with smaller plates, rather than my initial concept.

While I do all of the recipes that show up in the Hidden Dishes universe, only a few make their way into regular rotation at home. There are reasons for that, chief amongst them the degree of fondness for the dish at home and ease of production. Some items - like the satay and other kebabs - require the BBQ which is available only half the year. Others, like the garlic smashed potatoes, are simple enough to do and a major hit.

Of course, the French Onion Soup takes forever; but during winter months can be a sweet and cold comfort. Utilizing a second pair of hands - the spawn - to deal with the many, many onions also helps matters, though the need for broth can be a major limiting factor. Unlike Mo Meng though, I can - and will - cheat; utilizing both store bought broth and mixed bone broth. The taste might be muddied a little, but it's still warm and comforting.

Which is perhaps how I would describe this series and it's place in my writing calendar. Not challenging per se; but warm and comforting. A mental hug to my creative juices, as I struggle through more complex world building tasks in my other work.

I hope you enjoyed the novella and will continue on with me. While there's no major, world shaking events happening; I do have an 'end' plot in mind for this series which should happen in another 3-4 novellas.

Want more now? Download the bonus epilogue!

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fusion cooking is a thing, so to for Tao Wong is fusion writing. Defies the fantasy genre norm. These books are so good. A fantasy book with supernatural leanings (and taxes to pay), a restaurant & somewhat cookbook, with such satisfying food (a magical Chef who avoids using magic to cook, but from experience knows his customers, and in willing to experiment for their enjoyment - and ours - we see a bit more of his character) and humour shared between all the customers and staff perfectly mixed in. You could read this as a standalone, but I think you will enjoy the whole experience more by reading the series’ books in order. Thank you to Tao Wong, Starlit publishing and BookSirens for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given

[GenH · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't quite what I expected - my fault for not reading the book type description. For those who like detailed descriptions of cooking, recipes and the many tasks of running a restaurant - you will probably love it. The descriptions are very detailed.

I only gave 3 stars for 2 reasons - even if using some magic I find it difficult to believe that you couple run a very busy restaurant with only 2 people - although they did recruit a bus boy for this book. 2nd reason was the author's seeming love of the em dash to highlight words - I get that this is what it is being used for but it became quite irritating and tended to disrupt my reading, even though I have used a version of the dash above. I received my free ARC version via BookSirens and this is my honest opinion.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[claudia reads it all · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another lovely entry in the nameless restaurant series, and now that people know about it, problems begin to arise.

Mo Meng, who runs the whimsical establishment that caters to fantastical beings, has his rules and traditions and must now deal with an influx of customers as well as a new busboy.

I love these novellas, they offer a brief but vivid respite from longer books while still creating a fully fleshed world and characters.

[Stacey Markle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you hungry? You will be when you read this 3rd installment in the Hidden Dishes series.
The author takes us on another journey to the small, magical Nameless Restaurant run by Mo Meng in the heart of Toronto. The dishes are incredible and the guests are out of this world. We are treated to a menu of delights....this time of leftovers! We get a new devilish staff member and some familiar faces sitting at the tables. This is low stakes but there is always something happening on a deeper level that keeps me intrigued.
I love this series and I'm looking forward to the next!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this fun story. My thoughts are my own.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This third book in the mouthwateringly delicious Hidden Dishes series (after The Nameless Restaurant and Chaotic Aperitifs) was supposed to be titled Sorcerous Plates. Magical chef Mo Meng’s ‘plates’ absolutely are not sorcerous – no matter what each book might be called – but the dishes he serves on those mundane plates are definitely magically delicious. And all without the use of any charms, lucky or otherwise, in his cooking process.

Not that he isn’t using a bit more magic in his cooking than he promised himself he would in the early days of his Nameless Restaurant. When the series began, Mo Meng served a small and self-selecting clientele of mostly supernatural diners – or at least those in the know about the supernatural world.

Until a chaotic visit from a newly awakened jinn changed all that which is the story in The Nameless Restaurant, and now Mo Meng and his human jill-of-all-trades-except-cooking, Kelly, have way more diners than they can handle or the tiny restaurant can actually hold.

Bowing to the necessity that either Kelly or himself – and someday both – need help before they are run literally off their feet, he has placed magical ‘Help Wanted’ signs around Toronto’s magical district. Those signs bear strange fruit in the person of a young demon looking to get out from under his infamous sire’s very large and possibly downright sulfurous thumb.

As long as Damian doesn’t set either the restaurant or its patrons on fire – literally – his help is very much needed as part of this evening’s crew at the restaurant, as Mo Meng has chosen to challenge himself by creating a menu consisting entirely of ‘leftovers’.

Which leads to a lot of small plates attempting to fill some supernaturally large appetites, some upset mundanes who don’t like the lack of a fixed menu, a reservation system, a waiting list and especially the lack of electronic outlets for their ever-present gadgets.

But the real story at the Nameless Restaurant is all about the creation of this quirky community of ultimate insiders, along with the inside joke of a vampire lawyer negotiating a contract between a very young demon and a very old witch, while a pair of government agents look on trying to determine whether it is, or is not, their circus and whether they should or are even capable of doing anything about this particular bit of magical ‘monkey business’.

It’s all in a day’s, or an evening’s, work at the Nameless Restaurant, a truly magical place to spend an evening. If only there were a way to magically pull the meals Mo Meng prepares out of the book and onto one’s own table!

Escape Rating A-: First, this series needs a trigger warning – but not the usual kind. Because reading and/or listening to Mo Meng’s meditations on cooking as well as his descriptions of the ingredients he’s using and the meal he’s preparing are guaranteed to make anyone hungry. This warning particularly applies to listening in the car on the way to the grocery store!

Howsomever, Mo Meng’s thoughts and observations about his long life and experience as a chef, as well as his meditations about available ingredients and exactly how he plans to use them in that night’s recipes are very, well, meditative. In the voice of the narrator of the series, Emily Woo Zeller, I could have listened to Mo Meng for hours – which I did.

Having listened to the first book, The Nameless Restaurant, and this latest, Thaumaturgic Tapas, while having read the second, Chaotic Aperitifs, I would personally recommend that if you enjoy audiobooks at all you get this series in audio if you can. It’s still very good as a book, but the audio adds something special, at least IMHO.

The format of each entry in the series so far is that of a ‘day in the life’ of Mo Meng and his restaurant. He begins the day deciding what he’ll serve that night, shopping for ingredients, and often having a conversation with his front-of-house manager (and jill of all trades), Kelly, about how things are going.

This entry in the series begins with both of them admitting out loud, for each other if not for themselves, that they are being run off their feet and that something has got to give. In this case, what gives is his wish to not add another employee. Mo Meng is immortal and he can use magic to help himself in the kitchen – although he’d rather not. But Kelly is mortal and she can only run but so fast in a tiny restaurant filled with tables.

So change has come, and Damian the young demon sweeps in with it, lowering himself to starting at the bottom – as a mere busboy – even as he battles the pride that seems to be one of his besetting – or perhaps inherited – sins.

Most of the story, however, is taken up with the bustling hours of the evening, when the restaurant is open and filled with customers – as well as with customers’ impatience and egos. But the mundane customers who chafe at the restrictions are mostly there to add a bit of heat and spice to the recipe.

What makes the story are the regular customers, who are not so regular at all. They offer a glimpse into the supernatural community, as well as the continuity of their continuing stories. Also, in this particular case, a bit of ballast, as long-time frenemies, Jotun and Tobias, a frost giant and a dwarf, have an eating contest that leaves them both groaning from over-excess.

That the two ‘creatures’ manage to leave their bill in the hands of the government agents set to watch them adds just the right – and light – note to this charming third entry in this delicious cozy fantasy series.

If you are waiting for the next books in either the Legends & Lattes series or The Kamogawa Food Detectives series, these Hidden Dishes will fill the empty spot while you’re waiting.

Speaking of waiting, it turns out those Sorcerous Plates might be magical after all – or at least in possession of a time travel charm. The next book in the Hidden Dishes series is, once again, Sorcerous Plates.

Originally published at Reading Reality

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just think cozy fantasy is just not for me! This is book 3 in the hidden dishes series, I do like the premise and the mysterious aspect of this book but the pacing and coziness of it all is just not for me.

Audiobook review 🎧 | NetGalley ARC

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Annette Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thaumaturgic Tapas is the third book in the Hidden Dishes series by Tao Wong, a series that I started reading following a recommendation from an online friend. These are little slices of comfort reading, all about the cosy vibes so if you are looking for drama or action they are not the right books for you, but if you want amazing food description and a realistic depiction of working in the service industry, even if in a magical restaurant then this series is perfect for you. Though it may be the third in the series it works perfectly well as a stand alone read, so do not let the fact that you haven't read the earlier ones, you will find plenty of cosy joy and comfort here.
For those already familiar with the series this book sees the restaurant getting busier than ever meaning that chef Mo Meng is faced with finding new staff to help as well as figuring out how to keep all his new patrons happy and not at each others throats, especially given their magical natures. Change is always difficult, even if it is for the better and that is something that I think the author does a great job of exploring, especially given how short the book is. The book is also a love letter to food, the descriptions left me salivating and craving so many of the dishes the author describes. I loved that Mo Meng made a decision to cook using only left overs and scraps for the service described here, food waste and people struggling to do more with less are very prevalent problems these days and this book made me think a little more about some of my own choices.
Thaumaturgic Tapas is a book that just made me feel cosy and happy and warm, this series is a go to comfort read for me and I am delighted to add this latest book to the collection.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

[Bear Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great thanks to Dreamscape Media, the American Library Association, and Libro.fm for the ALC.

I can't tell if this falls into the "not for me," "I wanted something different," "is not very good," or "all of the above" category. I think the most telling (and damning) thing I can say is that I played this audiobook at 1.3x speed and it still sounded normal. That isn't an indictment against the narrator Emily Woo Zeller, who did a fine job. I got the strong impression that the direction was to go slowly to evoke the "cozy" vibe this novella was clearly aiming for. It went too far and was instead sleepy. A book about magical cooking and I found the prose dull and lifeless. There were a lot of passages telling us about the flavor combinations and none of it felt, to me, like it had any life. I would say the same about the characters; none of them were particularly memorable. Everything felt like it was whispers of ideas but nothing had any substance.

There was a point where I thought the author was attempting the sort of casual homage to Robert Altman's Gosford Park; the passing through from one conversation to the next with nothing initially adding up... only nothing ever actually added up. There was no plot to speak of. It was a night at a restaurant. People came to eat, people ate, people left. Some of the people were apparently magical creatures, but none of that mattered or added anything interesting to the proceedings. For example, there was some hint of a plot involving the new busboy being some sort of... son of the devil? Maybe? But it wasn't explained and it didn't matter and there was no resolution because there was no real conflict. And while I realize this was a "cozy" fantasy, a story still needs something to propel it. A plot or a character study. This novella provides neither.

[Danni · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is such a delightful return to the world of The Nameless Restaurant—i've read book 1 & 2 two years ago and i enjoyed them because it has a good blending humor, some supernatural elements and the chaos of customer service into a thoroughly entertaining read. this novella follows Mo Meng and his staff as they struggle to maintain order in their once-cozy supernatural eatery, now filled with new customers both human and magical due to the rising background of magical levels.

the story is fun and fast-paced exploration of the challenges of expansion, the clash between old and new, and the struggle to uphold traditions in the face of relentless change. Mo Meng, as always, is a fantastic protagonist—gruff, powerful, and endlessly exasperated by the world around him. his strict rules on magic within the restaurant are being tested like never before, and seeing how he navigates the growing pressures is both hilarious and engaging.

the side characters continues to shine, adding depth and charm to the story. their banter & interactions—whether dealing with unruly magical beings, clueless human customers, or each other—are packed with wit and warmth. the author's signature humor is in full force, making this an easy and enjoyable read for fans of lighthearted urban fantasy. overall this is a fantastic novella that expands the world of The Nameless Restaurant while staying true to its cozy yet chaotic charm. if you enjoy magical slice-of-life stories with a touch of humor and a lot of heart, this is definitely worth picking up!

3.75 ⭐️

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Thaumaturgic Tapas, Tao Wong continues the cosy adventures of a magically gifted chef whose dishes can heal, strengthen, or enchant anyone who eats them. This third instalment focuses on “leftover night” at the restaurant—a practical challenge that turns into a creative opportunity. Tasked with transforming scraps and surplus ingredients into a series of small plates, the chef experiments with new combinations, producing tapas-style dishes that surprise both the staff and the customers.

As the popularity of the restaurant surges, the growing crowds reveal a new problem: the team can’t keep up. The novella follows the decision to hire additional help—a change that brings new personalities, new rhythms in the kitchen, and new possibilities for how the magical restaurant might evolve.

I think this is the strongest instalment in the series so far. Still the same soothing, low-stakes fantasy, but with a noticeable refinement in the food magic. The creativity of the tapas dishes is wonderful, and Wong’s ability to turn ordinary ingredients into magical storytelling moments feels sharper and more confident here. I happened to be reading this while having dinner for one at a Vietnamese restaurant, and I genuinely had to order spring rolls after reading one of Wong’s descriptions. It’s a short book, utterly delightful, and exactly the kind of gentle escapism the series promises at its best.

[Andreea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thaumaturgic Tapas is the third book in the Hidden Dishes series, but the first one I picked up. It works really well as a standalone read, but I enjoyed the universe a lot and will likely pick up the other two to see what references I missed while reading!

This book was exactly what I needed on a cold winter weekend, and it reads like hot soup for the soul. We follow a grumpy chef cooking lots of comfort dishes for a tapas-themed night in his restaurant for magical and mundane folks. He is joined by his trusty assistant and a new addition to the team, and we meet a variety of guests while the yummy foods are being prepared and served. The story happens over the span of a couple of days, and is full of endearing little side stories and mouthwatering descriptions of food.

This is a novella so expect a short, sweet read. If you're a fan of yummy comfort food, cozy low-stakes stories, and a charming blend of ancient magic in a modern setting, you'll love this one.

✨ Disclaimer ✨ I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Pujashree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cozy supernatural eatery novella series that either works for you or it doesn't. It's a very slice of life story and arguably not a lot happens. However, if you're into being a fly on the wall of a hidden eatery run and frequented by immortal and supernatural beings, in a very otherwise mundane Toronto, with lingering descriptions of the menu for the day and musings on the state of humanity and the times, spend an evening at Mo Meng's. At this point in the series, it's much like visiting old friends and new flavors, and just the cozy escape you crave. This one feels the most well-paced and controlled so far despite all the different POVs. That said, my lingering quibble is how oblique everyone's specific flavor of supernatural identity is in this. Feels intentional and coy, but hey, it's still overall, quite literally, a vibe.
Thanks Netgalley for the audiobook ARC.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was something very meditative about this book. I found a lot of joy in reading it and letting everything slow down.


The food descriptions were absolutely amazing. The ethos of minimising waste by using leftovers to create new dishes was really inspiring and there was a lot of love put into this aspect of the book. 


I had not read earlier books in the series so I wasn't sure what to expect in terms of plot. There wasn't much of one. What there was, was not resolved at the end. It felt a little awkward. I would have liked a bit more to keep me engaged. 


I really enjoyed it. It was a cosy, fantasy, slice of life that made me hungry and warm all at once. 


Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC

[The Bookish Chimera - Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Sometimes, nothing was the hardest thing to do.”

Thaumaturgic Tapas is the third book of the Hidden Dishes series. If I had discovered the first two books in their audio version, I’ve read this one and I have to admit that it has less magic in this way.
I also (unfortunately) found themes more like the ones in the first book than the second, with the same diatribes against society, but without a true intention/theme in the book… you just have the feeling that characters think “it was better before”, but nothing more. On the other hand, the book has some nice quotes that I liked, but it’s a bit the same, it lacks coherence and a red thread to put them together.

Thank you to the author and the publisher for the eARC. My opinions are my own.

Rate 2.5/5

[Jill Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a magical (literally and figuratively) series! I love the blending of cookery and politics in the magical/mundane worlds. The characters are such a wonderful mixture of personalities and mythologies, and the ongoing storylines are as engaging as the daily meals presented in the books. I really liked the introduction of Damian to the storyline and am curious to see where things go with him. The political situation appears to be building in tension also, which makes for a nicely anticipatory element.

The narration is really excellent and definitely adds to my enjoyment of the series. I have not tried reading any of the books so far, only listening, and I've not felt like I was missing out on any details (which is often the case when I listen compared to read).

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.

[Madeeha Idrees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another delicious novella from Tao Wong.

Just like the first two we get a peek into the nameless restaurant for a night. Getting a taste of the magical and political worlds as all kinds of guests flock to the restaurant for a meal.
This book we get tapas created from previous meals and it had me foaming at the mouth at the same time. We meet a new busboy who has a mysterious past, which seems to drive home the point that the nameless restaurant is changing, just like the world around it.

Absolutely adored this novella and cannot thank them enough for the gifted ARC.

[Nico · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my version of cozy fantasy. Also over the past couple of years I’ve come to learn I LOVE food fantasy. I hate cooking but I love eating, so following along with cooking when done well really helps elicit the smells and flavors and it just makes me so hungry.

But yeah, another great installment following Mo Meng and Kelly preparing for another night serving Mo Meng’s sought after creations to their mundane and supernatural customers. This night it will be small plates to be shared, which ruffles some feathers of the restaurant’s regulars…surprise surprise.

[Down2Mars · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small plates, big personalities. Another quick journey to Mo Meng’s cozy restaurant. I enjoyed learning tidbits about the new customers in between their exploration of some of Mo Meng’s more experimental dishes. I don’t think anyone expects beef Wellington ice cream for dessert but at the nameless restaurant you never know what you’ll get! More tasty adventure with a side of intrigue served up by Tao Wong. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Mojo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable day in the life of The Nameless Restaurant. If you enjoy cozy, slice of life fantasy and like food, this series is for you.

We follow Mo Meng and his waitress Kelly as they decide they need more help. Enter Damien. After Mo preps the dishes for the day and Kelly shows Damien around, it's time for customers. The regulars continue to be a fun bunch. Magic creatures bickering, what's not to like? The food all sounds delicious. Also a quick, short read.

[Rachel Ringwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I did not read the previous books before this one so I had no clue what this book would be about. However, I did really enjoy this book it was much like reading an episode of the TV show The Bear just with magic. It is something amazing when you can almost smell the food that is being made in the book just by reading. I will be going back at looking to read the books that came before this one. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jenni]

I was given an ARC of this book & my review is voluntary.

I ultimately DNF’d this one at 59%. I kept waiting for a plot or something to happen, but it just…didn’t. It was a cozy restaurant scene, but that’s about it. There wasn’t enough to keep me hooked here. There were also some odd punctuation choices throughout the book that were distracting & inappropriately used. I appreciate the opportunity to have read what I did, but it just wasn’t my jam.

[Bethany Stoddard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is full of lovely descriptions of food, but it just wasn't enough to sell the book to me. If there were a little more meat on the bones and the writing were a little more polished, it'd be a 5 star read. But it's worth reading for the food descriptions alone, and the cozy atmosphere is a nice bonus. Just make sure you have something to nibble or have eaten recently before you read!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jacqie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like audiobooks that keep me either engrossed or relaxed when I'm driving. This was so soothing that it couldn't even hold my attention. I like cooking and hearing/reading descriptions of cooking but this failed to interest me. Maybe it was me this time, but I'm going to move on to something that is interesting enough to focus on.

[Hilarie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was not for me. I was hoping for an urban fantasy, which it is....but the endless descriptions of exactly how every recipe was done was tedious. Although I could see the appeal for someone who wanted a cozy urban fantasy in the vein of "Legends and Lattes." Did not finish.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the audiobook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.