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A Barista's Guide to Love & Larceny
This cozy fantasy romance combines magic, college life, and first love into a sweetly brewed and delicious read about a girl roped into investigating a company's dangerous product!
Dani Lionet is no stranger to working hard. But now she’s attending her dream university, and must manage classes, shifts at the local cafe, and maintaining her partial scholarship—all while trying to keep her unique ability under wraps. That way, no one else can take advantage of it like her parents used to.
So when a visiting professor calls Dani out on her ability, she’s terrified. Yet, it seems Professor Silva just wants to pay her to use it to help investigate a soon-to-be-released lucid dreaming product with horrible side effects. Dani is hesitant, but she needs the money, and it would help her new friend who was part of the product’s clinical trials. Meanwhile, she has a swoony distraction in Kass, her endearingly cute new regular at work.
But then Silva’s plan evolves into stealing the formula. Can Dani help with this “group project,” learn to embrace her ability, and get to know Kass? Or will it all fall apart?
Dani Lionet is no stranger to working hard. But now she’s attending her dream university, and must manage classes, shifts at the local cafe, and maintaining her partial scholarship—all while trying to keep her unique ability under wraps. That way, no one else can take advantage of it like her parents used to.
So when a visiting professor calls Dani out on her ability, she’s terrified. Yet, it seems Professor Silva just wants to pay her to use it to help investigate a soon-to-be-released lucid dreaming product with horrible side effects. Dani is hesitant, but she needs the money, and it would help her new friend who was part of the product’s clinical trials. Meanwhile, she has a swoony distraction in Kass, her endearingly cute new regular at work.
But then Silva’s plan evolves into stealing the formula. Can Dani help with this “group project,” learn to embrace her ability, and get to know Kass? Or will it all fall apart?
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 13, 2026
34 people are currently reading
14905 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Bonin
1 book63 followersCaroline Bonin writes books about big, magical feelings and girls who glow in the dark. She studied the Irish harp and creative writing at Oberlin College, and received a master’s degree in digital marketing from Arizona State University. When not writing or reading, you can find her playing video games, hiking, sewing, or exploring local coffeeshops. She lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains with her partner and their three cats: Poptart, Nightingale, and Laura Bailey. A Barista’s Guide to Love & Larceny is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
Review of advance copy
oh my goodness this book was so good!! thank you to Girl's Life for the ARC! i started this book expecting a pretty decent book and ended it with one of my new favorite books! i fell in love with Dani the second she described her hair color (dying my hair purple has been a dream of mine) and talked about her working at a coffee shop (another dream of mine). Kass was a perfect book boyfriend. i was rooting for him and Dani all the way through. i loved the mission they were sent on and the plot twist at the end is WILD! props to the author for that twist because its one of those where all the clues were there.
pre-read
oh this looks really cute and OH MY GOSH THIS IS AN ARC (its my first ARC if you can't tell) i want to start it immediately
post-read
does this author have any more books? that i must read immediately? answer: no 😭
perfect for those who like
spy mission books
books with good plot twists
cute romances
fantasy stories (around star signs and astrology)
stories about college life
books with SO MUCH world building
in closing
i am definitely going to reread this book for years to come and enjoy it fully every time. thank you Caroline Bonin for this masterpiece of a story with SO MUCH world building that puts the reader in a world totally different from our own that also makes total and complete sense. the plot had a lot of things happen but it all tied up in a bow at the end and everything was resolved (much appreciated). GO READ THIS BOOK!
xoxo
emma
pre-read
oh this looks really cute and OH MY GOSH THIS IS AN ARC (its my first ARC if you can't tell) i want to start it immediately
post-read
does this author have any more books? that i must read immediately? answer: no 😭
perfect for those who like
spy mission books
books with good plot twists
cute romances
fantasy stories (around star signs and astrology)
stories about college life
books with SO MUCH world building
in closing
i am definitely going to reread this book for years to come and enjoy it fully every time. thank you Caroline Bonin for this masterpiece of a story with SO MUCH world building that puts the reader in a world totally different from our own that also makes total and complete sense. the plot had a lot of things happen but it all tied up in a bow at the end and everything was resolved (much appreciated). GO READ THIS BOOK!
xoxo
emma
October 28, 2025
A Barista’s Guide to Love & Larceny was a fun and cozy read. I really enjoyed the mix of college life, cafe vibes, and unique magical elements, it felt creative and different. Dani was a likable main character, and I especially loved her friendship with McKenna and the sweet, healthy romance with Kass. The story had a nice balance of cozy moments and deeper themes about corporate greed, though the ending did feel a bit rushed. Overall, it was charming, well written, and I’d happily read more set in this world..especially if Gingerbread is there! Truly the best character in the book!
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
February 19, 2026
This was a really fun cozy YA romantasy debut that follows Demi, a gifted mage slash barista going to a magical academy who gets caught up in a heist scheme to help a friend only it means betraying her new boyfriend. Torn between doing what's right and helping a friend everything blows up as the final plot comes to a head. Full of found family, spunky familiars, secrets, lies and romance, this was just a great read and good on audio too. Perfect for fans of books like Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe.
CW: some explicit language, kissing only
CW: some explicit language, kissing only
February 13, 2026
4.75⭐️ I did not go into this book thinking I was going to love it as much as I did — but WOW! It’s hard to believe this is the authors debut novel. Where to begin with this review?!
I loved the vibes of the college lifestyle and the cozy cafe setting. It captured my attention from the very beginning and had me reminiscing my post-secondary days. I can also always appreciate LGBTQ+ representation🏳️🌈❤️
Dani was so easy to love as a FMC and her special powers were unique and made her interactions with all the side characters entertaining. I also love how she coped with her powers and her shy personality, but did not love how people took advantage of her powers! JUSTICE FOR DANI!
Kass, our MMC, is SUCH a golden retriever gentleman and I loved him from beginning to end.
Oliver might also be one of my favourite side characters to date; WHAT. A. CUTIE. I just wanted to wrap them in a hug the entire book. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed all the side characters and thought the diverse personalities really added to the storyline
The stakes were high enough for me to keep turning the pages and read this in one sitting, and the romance was truly swoon worthy.
I firmly believe this is a perfect introduction to YA Romantasy! I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy❤️
I loved the vibes of the college lifestyle and the cozy cafe setting. It captured my attention from the very beginning and had me reminiscing my post-secondary days. I can also always appreciate LGBTQ+ representation🏳️🌈❤️
Dani was so easy to love as a FMC and her special powers were unique and made her interactions with all the side characters entertaining. I also love how she coped with her powers and her shy personality, but did not love how people took advantage of her powers! JUSTICE FOR DANI!
Kass, our MMC, is SUCH a golden retriever gentleman and I loved him from beginning to end.
Oliver might also be one of my favourite side characters to date; WHAT. A. CUTIE. I just wanted to wrap them in a hug the entire book. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed all the side characters and thought the diverse personalities really added to the storyline
The stakes were high enough for me to keep turning the pages and read this in one sitting, and the romance was truly swoon worthy.
I firmly believe this is a perfect introduction to YA Romantasy! I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy❤️
November 10, 2025
Title: A Barista’s Guide To Love & Larceny
Author: Caroline Bonin
Synopsis: Dani Lionet is no stranger to working hard. But now she’s attending her dream magic university, and must manage classes, shifts at the local cafe, and maintaining her partial scholarship—all while trying to keep her unique ability under wraps. That way, no one else can take advantage of it like her parents used to. So when a visiting professor calls Dani out on her ability, she’s terrified.
Yet, it seems Professor Silva just wants to pay Dani to use it to investigate a soon-to-be-released lucid dreaming product with horrible side effects. Dani is hesitant, but she needs the money, and it would help her new friend who was part of the product’s clinical trials. Plus, she has a swoony distraction in Kass, a mage and her endearingly cute new regular at work. . .even if she can't tell him about her ability or extracurricular activities. The fact that he seems just as interested in her is very uncharted territory for Dani since, thanks to her parents, she's never lived in one place long enough to have a real crush.
Can Dani help with the professor's “group project,” learn to embrace her ability, and get to know Kass? Or will it all fall apart before the semester is over?
Review: I couldn’t get enough of this delightfully cozy book! For anyone wondering this is a standalone although I wouldn’t mind a sequel with the same characters I couldn’t get enough of them! Everyone in the book felt so real and genuine! I loved the found family aspect of this book as well! This book was a mix of genre’s and it works so well! There was so much warm and heart that was put into this book! I could tell the author put so much care into it! The romance was sweet and didn’t feel forced! The characters were genuinely sweet and I was rooting for them! I’m so happy I picked this up when I did! It made me feel so happy and warm!
Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publish for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance!
Author: Caroline Bonin
Synopsis: Dani Lionet is no stranger to working hard. But now she’s attending her dream magic university, and must manage classes, shifts at the local cafe, and maintaining her partial scholarship—all while trying to keep her unique ability under wraps. That way, no one else can take advantage of it like her parents used to. So when a visiting professor calls Dani out on her ability, she’s terrified.
Yet, it seems Professor Silva just wants to pay Dani to use it to investigate a soon-to-be-released lucid dreaming product with horrible side effects. Dani is hesitant, but she needs the money, and it would help her new friend who was part of the product’s clinical trials. Plus, she has a swoony distraction in Kass, a mage and her endearingly cute new regular at work. . .even if she can't tell him about her ability or extracurricular activities. The fact that he seems just as interested in her is very uncharted territory for Dani since, thanks to her parents, she's never lived in one place long enough to have a real crush.
Can Dani help with the professor's “group project,” learn to embrace her ability, and get to know Kass? Or will it all fall apart before the semester is over?
Review: I couldn’t get enough of this delightfully cozy book! For anyone wondering this is a standalone although I wouldn’t mind a sequel with the same characters I couldn’t get enough of them! Everyone in the book felt so real and genuine! I loved the found family aspect of this book as well! This book was a mix of genre’s and it works so well! There was so much warm and heart that was put into this book! I could tell the author put so much care into it! The romance was sweet and didn’t feel forced! The characters were genuinely sweet and I was rooting for them! I’m so happy I picked this up when I did! It made me feel so happy and warm!
Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publish for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance!
January 31, 2026
Gingerbread forever.
January 25, 2026
So my main takeaway from this is: do crimes, you never know what opportunities it may lead you to. Its a pretty solid message, I like it.
Its a simple, cosy YA read to end a rough week.
Its a simple, cosy YA read to end a rough week.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2026
Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Feiwel & Friends for the ARC!
A Barista’s Guide to Love & Larceny is a perfect blend of cozy fantasy, light mystery, and sweet romance. Dani is an earnest protagonist, balancing school, barista life, and a magical ability she tries to keep hidden. The café setting is warm and inviting, while and heist-style plot and magical elements add just the right amount of intrigue to keep the story moving. Kass is a swoony, thoughtful, and refreshingly grounded love interest. Dani's relationship with him blossoms naturally, with chemistry and tender moments that never feel forced. I also adored Dani's friendship with McKenna and Oliver, their bonds are genuine and supportive.
This is exactly the kind of cozy fantasy that I love, and I look forward to reading more books by this author!
A Barista’s Guide to Love & Larceny is a perfect blend of cozy fantasy, light mystery, and sweet romance. Dani is an earnest protagonist, balancing school, barista life, and a magical ability she tries to keep hidden. The café setting is warm and inviting, while and heist-style plot and magical elements add just the right amount of intrigue to keep the story moving. Kass is a swoony, thoughtful, and refreshingly grounded love interest. Dani's relationship with him blossoms naturally, with chemistry and tender moments that never feel forced. I also adored Dani's friendship with McKenna and Oliver, their bonds are genuine and supportive.
This is exactly the kind of cozy fantasy that I love, and I look forward to reading more books by this author!
December 20, 2025
This book was so magically cozy and charming! I adored Dani with all of my heart and was rooting for her every page. She was so relatable in many ways and I especially loved her friendship with McKenna who was also AMAZING (I wouldn’t mind a sequel focused on her!) I really enjoyed the magic system in this book and thought it was super cool. Even though Dani’s university was set in the magical world, I still felt like it explored the hardships and stress of working while trying to make it through school so well. Also, KASS. KASS was so dreamy and I loved how down bad he was for Dani. This was such a fun and adorable book and like I said before, I would not mind more stories in this world!
Thank you to Feiwel & Friends for the digital reader’s copy!
Thank you to Feiwel & Friends for the digital reader’s copy!
dnf
November 10, 2025DNF @71%
There weren’t enough stakes to make me care. I liked the overall idea of the plot and the message of the book is good, but I just didn’t care much. In the beginning, I really cared about the mc, but her powers were so obviously being taken advantage of by her teacher, and I wanted better for her. If you’re looking for a cozy ya fantasy, I’d suggest Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe instead. Very similar vibe, but better characterization and plot imo.
There weren’t enough stakes to make me care. I liked the overall idea of the plot and the message of the book is good, but I just didn’t care much. In the beginning, I really cared about the mc, but her powers were so obviously being taken advantage of by her teacher, and I wanted better for her. If you’re looking for a cozy ya fantasy, I’d suggest Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe instead. Very similar vibe, but better characterization and plot imo.
Read
August 2, 2025rtc
June 28, 2025
In A Barista's Guide to Love & Larceny, Caroline Bonin has woven a captivating tale exploring the ways corporations exploit the working class, the ups and downs of romance, and the building of enduring friendships. There are so many wonderful things about the relationships portrayed in this story! I love Dani and McKenna's friendship, the romance with Kass, and the budding friendship with Oliver. McKenna and Oliver support Dani when the going gets tough, and she supports them right back! Even when it seems like the world is about to end (figuratively), the three stick together and stand together. Their friendship is the stuff of dreams, I swear. The relationship of Dani and Kass is also so well written, and so healthy! They help each other, they accept each other, flaws and all. They actually talk to each other, which is a really good foundation for a relationship. While Dani's relationships are the kind of magic a person can hope to find in the real world, the other magic is truly otherworldly.
The concepts of magic introduced are just so interesting, like talking to plants? Different woods having different magics? Dream magic? Can I move to this world? And the characters are so passionate about their areas of study, adding to the wonder of the magic. When someone who absolutely loves something talks about that thing, it inherently makes the thing more interesting (at least in my opinion). The passion leaks over, in such a wonderful way. This applies to Dani being a barista too. She clearly enjoys her craft, which not only develops her character a bit, it adds some fun to certain cafe scenes. The healthy relationships, magical disciplines, and passionate characters are the wonderful highlights of the story though the undertones about the corporate exploitation of the working class are also pretty interesting! Readers of good romance (actually healthy romance), well written characters, and interesting magic will enjoy A Barista's Guide to Love and Larceny.
Thank you to the author and to Netgalley for providing me an ARC for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own!
The concepts of magic introduced are just so interesting, like talking to plants? Different woods having different magics? Dream magic? Can I move to this world? And the characters are so passionate about their areas of study, adding to the wonder of the magic. When someone who absolutely loves something talks about that thing, it inherently makes the thing more interesting (at least in my opinion). The passion leaks over, in such a wonderful way. This applies to Dani being a barista too. She clearly enjoys her craft, which not only develops her character a bit, it adds some fun to certain cafe scenes. The healthy relationships, magical disciplines, and passionate characters are the wonderful highlights of the story though the undertones about the corporate exploitation of the working class are also pretty interesting! Readers of good romance (actually healthy romance), well written characters, and interesting magic will enjoy A Barista's Guide to Love and Larceny.
Thank you to the author and to Netgalley for providing me an ARC for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own!
February 12, 2026
A favorite! I love the relationships between the characters so much, both the romance and the emphasis on the friendships. The plot is a delightful blend of genres, cozy fantasy romance meets high stakes heist, and I thought the pacing zinged along perfectly, with the different arcs balancing each other beautifully and all contributing to Dani's growth.
January 13, 2026
A Barista’s Guide to Love & Larceny is one of these books you need to finish to truly understand the whys. That resulted in quite an ambivalent experience while reading this one, as it took me a long time to understand why some characters (one in particular) acted like they did —until the final twist.
I loved how the book is cozy and challenging all at once, and it felt like a beautiful summary of the college experience, especially for someone who isn’t privileged. Dani discovers a new life, has her first crush, has to deal with her job and all her classes… but she also has this adventure around the pharmaceutical lab.
And that questions a lot of things about the world we live in, especially about education. Which risks would you agree to take to hope for a different future when money is the thing lacking in the balance? How can you possibly deal with everything? Would you accept the risk of losing everything to help a friend?
All these themes were pretty well balanced here, as was the pacing (I never felt bored or anything) and I loved Dani’s trajectory, especially her decision at the very end. I just might have liked a bit more worldbuilding and magic, especially as some elements were introduced but never came back, feeling like a lost potential.
Thank you Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for the access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
3.5/5
I loved how the book is cozy and challenging all at once, and it felt like a beautiful summary of the college experience, especially for someone who isn’t privileged. Dani discovers a new life, has her first crush, has to deal with her job and all her classes… but she also has this adventure around the pharmaceutical lab.
And that questions a lot of things about the world we live in, especially about education. Which risks would you agree to take to hope for a different future when money is the thing lacking in the balance? How can you possibly deal with everything? Would you accept the risk of losing everything to help a friend?
All these themes were pretty well balanced here, as was the pacing (I never felt bored or anything) and I loved Dani’s trajectory, especially her decision at the very end. I just might have liked a bit more worldbuilding and magic, especially as some elements were introduced but never came back, feeling like a lost potential.
Thank you Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for the access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
3.5/5
January 17, 2026
Thank you so much to Fierce Reads and Toppling Stacks Tours for the gifted copy!
I love a good cozy romance, and this one was such a perfect mix of that and exciting heist! It’s such a cool setting. The book kind of tosses you in at the beginning, so it definitely took some focus to understand how the university worked and what kind of magic was used, but it didn’t take long to figure out. And now I would love to learn more!
I absolutely loved the relationships between characters in this one. Dani’s relationship with Kass was so sweet. Her relationship with McKenna was perfect and heartwarming, and I loved how Oliver fit into their friendship as well.
On a personal note, as a barista I loved Dani. I loved the various experiences and lingo the author put in there. Especially the part where someone asked for room for cream in their breve. Because I’ve had similar experiences and it just made me smile.
I love a good cozy romance, and this one was such a perfect mix of that and exciting heist! It’s such a cool setting. The book kind of tosses you in at the beginning, so it definitely took some focus to understand how the university worked and what kind of magic was used, but it didn’t take long to figure out. And now I would love to learn more!
I absolutely loved the relationships between characters in this one. Dani’s relationship with Kass was so sweet. Her relationship with McKenna was perfect and heartwarming, and I loved how Oliver fit into their friendship as well.
On a personal note, as a barista I loved Dani. I loved the various experiences and lingo the author put in there. Especially the part where someone asked for room for cream in their breve. Because I’ve had similar experiences and it just made me smile.
November 10, 2025
4.3 stars!
Thank you to Feiwel and Friends, Caroline Bonin and Netgalley for the ARC!!
This was so cute and cozy, I devoured this!
I think this was such a fun, low-stakes sort of romance novel, with a lot of coming to age elements and strong friendships! I loved how individualistic the side characters were, they all felt strong on their own and the bonds felt very real and solid
I enjoyed the romance too, I thought it was very sweet!
But I really enjoyed the feeling I had uncovering the plot, and going along for the ride :D I couldn't put it down!
It was interesting to see the writing style be a mix of juvenille but also transitioning into being an adult, so it wasn't feeling too much of either!
Overall it just felt like a fun, cozy time
Thank you to Feiwel and Friends, Caroline Bonin and Netgalley for the ARC!!
This was so cute and cozy, I devoured this!
I think this was such a fun, low-stakes sort of romance novel, with a lot of coming to age elements and strong friendships! I loved how individualistic the side characters were, they all felt strong on their own and the bonds felt very real and solid
I enjoyed the romance too, I thought it was very sweet!
But I really enjoyed the feeling I had uncovering the plot, and going along for the ride :D I couldn't put it down!
It was interesting to see the writing style be a mix of juvenille but also transitioning into being an adult, so it wasn't feeling too much of either!
Overall it just felt like a fun, cozy time
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2026
Oh my gosh!!! What a very delightful read! I knew I would want to read this due to it being fantasy and also, who am I to deny it involving a cafe?
We follow Dani as she navigates her life in university, which I greatly appreciated to see the struggles of what everyday life is like and the struggles students endure in reality. Working as a barista to make ends meet while struggling to keep up her grades in order to not lose her scholarship...and still trying to figure out what she even wants to do as a majro in school. Completely relatable, been there myself. And then by chance, she meets Kass, who happens to walk into the cafe she works at. This chance meeting happens to change the trajectory in Dani's life and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop, as well as seeing how they both grow as characters as the story unfolds.
I absolutely loved McKenna!! She is the friend you want in your life, who will give you the unwavering support you need, no matter the circumstances. I also loved Oliver and the quick friendship that they develop with McKenna and Dani. The side characters had their own personalities which stood out so much that I really enjoyed getting to know them all. I also loved seeing the dynamics of everyone together due to their vastly different personalities. I honestly would love to see more of them all and where they go in the rest of their university career (and beyond). Maybe we could see a spin off...?
Once the story picked up, it became very engaging and I found myself not wanting to put this down! I'm really looking to more works by Caroline!
Thank you to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for providing me the opportunity to read this ARC!
We follow Dani as she navigates her life in university, which I greatly appreciated to see the struggles of what everyday life is like and the struggles students endure in reality. Working as a barista to make ends meet while struggling to keep up her grades in order to not lose her scholarship...and still trying to figure out what she even wants to do as a majro in school. Completely relatable, been there myself. And then by chance, she meets Kass, who happens to walk into the cafe she works at. This chance meeting happens to change the trajectory in Dani's life and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop, as well as seeing how they both grow as characters as the story unfolds.
I absolutely loved McKenna!! She is the friend you want in your life, who will give you the unwavering support you need, no matter the circumstances. I also loved Oliver and the quick friendship that they develop with McKenna and Dani. The side characters had their own personalities which stood out so much that I really enjoyed getting to know them all. I also loved seeing the dynamics of everyone together due to their vastly different personalities. I honestly would love to see more of them all and where they go in the rest of their university career (and beyond). Maybe we could see a spin off...?
Once the story picked up, it became very engaging and I found myself not wanting to put this down! I'm really looking to more works by Caroline!
Thank you to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for providing me the opportunity to read this ARC!
January 18, 2026
A Barista’s Guide to Love and Larceny is a fast paced read that takes you on quite the adventure. I think this book has something that everyone could enjoy from college life, a romance to root for, and taking down a corrupt organization with your group of new friends. I was hooked on this story right away and was always wondering what would happen next. The growing relationships with Dani and her group of friends felt very realistic and I was invested in seeing how their stories would end. I like that all the characters were included in the ending which wrapped up the story nicely. Definitely in my top two of books read this month.
December 13, 2025
Adorable, cozy and a great mysterious plot. I loved reading this book. It has this contemporary setting with a magical twist. Dani is in a magical college on scholarship, she works hard and studies in her free time. She has gone through a lot but worked super hard to be where she is. One night when working at the coffee shop, she meets Kass. And they are both just adorable. From their first meeting, to their dates and the ending this is a full sweet romance plot line. But at the same time, Dani hits a crossroads. Her scholarship is being reviewed and she now needs money if she were to lose it. So when a mysterious teacher offers her a job to Dani to use her mysterious secret power , she has to accept. Oneirolabs is a company that designs drugs that help with dreams and sleep and their new product seems problematic. Dani and her group of new teammates, must find out the formula of the new product, to not only save the subject of the clinical trials but to expose the company of wrongdoing. I loved reading about this plot while also getting Dani’s romance story. The end was so energetic I loved seeing it unravel and solved. Again, i loved the combination of heist with romance and Dani and Kass are so cute 🥰
January 6, 2026
I cannot in good conscience finish this book. I DNFed it at 7% purely because of the language used in the book. For a book that was labeled by the publisher for ages as low as 14, why was F**k needed to be used 52 times? Still have some stars because the story is interesting on its own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Barista's Guide to Love & Larceny is a fun, quick read filled with magic, romance, and secrets. The cherry on top and main reason I picked up this book was the heist. I was interested to see how not only the main character would pull it off but also how the author would pull off blending multiple genres.
This book is fast-paced and I loved the relationship Dani had with both Kass and McKenna. The merging of genres was done perfectly in my opinion, but my only complaint would be the predictability of the book overall. The twists that took place weren't as shocking as I would have liked for them to be, however, it did not ruin the book for me.
Thank you NetGalley, Caroline Bonin, and MacMillan Children's Publishing Group for this ARC.
This book is fast-paced and I loved the relationship Dani had with both Kass and McKenna. The merging of genres was done perfectly in my opinion, but my only complaint would be the predictability of the book overall. The twists that took place weren't as shocking as I would have liked for them to be, however, it did not ruin the book for me.
Thank you NetGalley, Caroline Bonin, and MacMillan Children's Publishing Group for this ARC.
January 26, 2026
I voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy via an ARC street team. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As soon as I saw this book's cover, I was intrigued. The art style, color palette, and general vibe all culminated into a fantastical read. I didn't know quite what to expect, but I was drawn in by the first chapter. I don't personally know much about witchcraft or coffee, which this novel had both in abundance. The protagonist, Dani, was a bit of an oddball but she was self-sufficient, no thanks to her parents. My favorite character in this entire book was her love interest, Kass. He was so sweet and very charming from his first appearance. As the book progressed I did find my interest flagging. It got very complicated and became apparent that this was mislabeled as Young Adult. The main character was a bit of a pottymouth and this book took place on a college campus. I would classify this as New Adult as it dealt with more serious topics not intended for younger teens. I'm not that much of a prude, but the author became too reliant on the cursing and could have used better words to convey the character's feelings. I'm sure she was trying to be more realistic with college dialogue or it's her own personal vocabulary, but it got old once it kept happening every few pages.
This was definitely a unique fantasy book with elements I hadn't encountered in conjunction in my previous reading. I'm grateful for the Bestie Book Club for this advanced copy and I'm looking forward to reviewing new releases in the future.
As soon as I saw this book's cover, I was intrigued. The art style, color palette, and general vibe all culminated into a fantastical read. I didn't know quite what to expect, but I was drawn in by the first chapter. I don't personally know much about witchcraft or coffee, which this novel had both in abundance. The protagonist, Dani, was a bit of an oddball but she was self-sufficient, no thanks to her parents. My favorite character in this entire book was her love interest, Kass. He was so sweet and very charming from his first appearance. As the book progressed I did find my interest flagging. It got very complicated and became apparent that this was mislabeled as Young Adult. The main character was a bit of a pottymouth and this book took place on a college campus. I would classify this as New Adult as it dealt with more serious topics not intended for younger teens. I'm not that much of a prude, but the author became too reliant on the cursing and could have used better words to convey the character's feelings. I'm sure she was trying to be more realistic with college dialogue or it's her own personal vocabulary, but it got old once it kept happening every few pages.
This was definitely a unique fantasy book with elements I hadn't encountered in conjunction in my previous reading. I'm grateful for the Bestie Book Club for this advanced copy and I'm looking forward to reviewing new releases in the future.
January 18, 2026
Wait a minute... Is A Barista’s Guide to Love & Larceny Caroline Bonin's first novel? Her debut? Impossible!
This story is so well-written, with a fresh and perfect plot, characters so well-developed they seem to leap off the page to speak directly to the reader, truly unexpected twists and turns, a gorgeous cover... In short, this book is one of the best I've read lately!
Please, Ms. Bonin, we need you to keep delighting us with your stories!
This book deserves more than 5 stars... and a great cup of coffee!
I thank the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.
This story is so well-written, with a fresh and perfect plot, characters so well-developed they seem to leap off the page to speak directly to the reader, truly unexpected twists and turns, a gorgeous cover... In short, this book is one of the best I've read lately!
Please, Ms. Bonin, we need you to keep delighting us with your stories!
This book deserves more than 5 stars... and a great cup of coffee!
I thank the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.
February 14, 2026
If there’s one thing to know about me, it’s that I love a heist. Add in cozy fantasy vibes & an academic setting, & I will be very interested. And A Barista’s Guide to Love & Larceny by Caroline Bonin certainly includes all of these vibes (& more).
To be honest, I’m not sure how to describe this book by what just what the focus is, because there really is a lot going on. There’s the heist, obviously, but this story is also a first-love story between Dani & Kass, a mysterious boy who comes into the coffee shop she works at one night. It’s a story about identity & learning who you want to be outside of the definitions that others place on you. It’s also a story of friendships, deeply rooted & brand new. There’s even some classism & capitalism, with a random sprinkle of Stranger Things vibes.
I loved that this was set in “our” world, but was just a version where magic existed. This grounded the world in familiarity, allowing me to focus on other elements of the world-building & not feel overwhelmed. The side characters were diverse & I really loved McKenna, Dani’s best friend & roommate (would have LOVED more of her & their friendship). And so many of the small details were so fun & interesting, like the tarot-based gambling, the door ghost, & the variety of magical abilities.
And while I genuinely enjoyed a lot of this book, it just had too much going on for me to really get fully invested. Maybe this would have been best served as multiple books or to have a few less plot elements, so that each could be better focused on. There were a few things I would have loved to know more about or spend more time on. And some story beats felt repetitive & the pacing was inconsistent, with a very quick third act. But even then, I feel like this books deserves 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because I feel like I enjoyed this book more than I didn’t.
Thank you to Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for providing a digital advance copy of this book. All thoughts & opinions expressed are my own.
To be honest, I’m not sure how to describe this book by what just what the focus is, because there really is a lot going on. There’s the heist, obviously, but this story is also a first-love story between Dani & Kass, a mysterious boy who comes into the coffee shop she works at one night. It’s a story about identity & learning who you want to be outside of the definitions that others place on you. It’s also a story of friendships, deeply rooted & brand new. There’s even some classism & capitalism, with a random sprinkle of Stranger Things vibes.
I loved that this was set in “our” world, but was just a version where magic existed. This grounded the world in familiarity, allowing me to focus on other elements of the world-building & not feel overwhelmed. The side characters were diverse & I really loved McKenna, Dani’s best friend & roommate (would have LOVED more of her & their friendship). And so many of the small details were so fun & interesting, like the tarot-based gambling, the door ghost, & the variety of magical abilities.
And while I genuinely enjoyed a lot of this book, it just had too much going on for me to really get fully invested. Maybe this would have been best served as multiple books or to have a few less plot elements, so that each could be better focused on. There were a few things I would have loved to know more about or spend more time on. And some story beats felt repetitive & the pacing was inconsistent, with a very quick third act. But even then, I feel like this books deserves 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because I feel like I enjoyed this book more than I didn’t.
Thank you to Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for providing a digital advance copy of this book. All thoughts & opinions expressed are my own.
October 12, 2025
I think this was a strong effort for a debut novel. I would have liked more world-building, especially for the magical side and Dani's abilities. I was a little worried it would be a rip-off of Lattes and Legends, but it was very different. The chemistry between Dani and Kass could have been a little stronger. I look forward to seeing what else the author writes in the future.
December 28, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Was looking for a comfy fantasy novel and it definitely delivered. It had an engagement storyline that kept me thinking about the characters in the plot when I was forced to put the book down.
Read in less than 24 hours and would definitely recommend.
Read in less than 24 hours and would definitely recommend.
September 10, 2025
I DEVOURED this book in one day. What an amazing debut novel!
Dani is finally attending her dream magical university on a scholarship, but she’s still struggling to make ends meet. When a visiting professor discovers Dani’s secret ability, Dani is recruited to help expose a huge medical corporation for its mistreatment of its trial participants. It’s risky, dangerous, and could get her kicked out of school, but Dani also desperately wants to help her friend Oliver, who is one of the trial victims. And the money is much better than what she makes as a barista. But as she tries to juggle school, work, friends, this new secret “project,” and date the cute boy that becomes a regular at her coffee shop, one wrong move can lead to Dani losing everything.
I really loved the magic system in this story. Everyone’s personal magical abilities and the structure of the university system were really cool to learn about, and I want to learn even more! I also really enjoyed the beautiful friendships between Dani, her best friend/roommate McKenna and their new friend Oliver. I also loved the romance between Dani and Kass. They’re so cute together, and it made my heart so happy.
However, the protagonist sometimes irritated the hell out of me. Being tardy is one of my biggest pet peeves in real life, and Dani’s constant disregard for punctuality made me want to scream. Especially since being at this school is supposedly so important to her. And she can get kicked out if she’s late enough times. Why is she even risking it?! My anxiety could never.
What a thrilling blend of modern fantasy magic, academia, tech, cozy coffee shop, romance, and a heist! I’m thankful to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the complimentary eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my thoughts.
Dani is finally attending her dream magical university on a scholarship, but she’s still struggling to make ends meet. When a visiting professor discovers Dani’s secret ability, Dani is recruited to help expose a huge medical corporation for its mistreatment of its trial participants. It’s risky, dangerous, and could get her kicked out of school, but Dani also desperately wants to help her friend Oliver, who is one of the trial victims. And the money is much better than what she makes as a barista. But as she tries to juggle school, work, friends, this new secret “project,” and date the cute boy that becomes a regular at her coffee shop, one wrong move can lead to Dani losing everything.
I really loved the magic system in this story. Everyone’s personal magical abilities and the structure of the university system were really cool to learn about, and I want to learn even more! I also really enjoyed the beautiful friendships between Dani, her best friend/roommate McKenna and their new friend Oliver. I also loved the romance between Dani and Kass. They’re so cute together, and it made my heart so happy.
However, the protagonist sometimes irritated the hell out of me. Being tardy is one of my biggest pet peeves in real life, and Dani’s constant disregard for punctuality made me want to scream. Especially since being at this school is supposedly so important to her. And she can get kicked out if she’s late enough times. Why is she even risking it?! My anxiety could never.
What a thrilling blend of modern fantasy magic, academia, tech, cozy coffee shop, romance, and a heist! I’m thankful to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the complimentary eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my thoughts.
July 22, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ebook in exchange for an honest review.
4.5/5 stars, rounded up to 5
This book was a great mix of cozy and suspense. The scenes in the coffee shop, relationship scenes between Dani and Kass, and the friendship moments between the core group were all satisfyingly cozy and comfortable. On the flip side, the heist and prep scenes were tense and nerve-wracking. For me, it managed to hit a good balance between the two.
In terms of the relationship, Dani and Kass are very cute together. I liked their interactions at the coffee shop, and the way they really felt like unsure teenagers when it comes to flirting. My only complaint is that I dislike miscommunication plot points where the couple breaks up because of a simple misunderstanding, but even then, it didn’t bother me as much in this one because it didn’t feel contrived. I could understand why Kass took it the way he did.
My fantasy nerd brain would’ve loved to have even more information about how magic works. Despite seeing Dani use her passive ability in action, we don’t really see her cast spells or do much beyond that. She writes essays about divining the future from scones, but that doesn’t go anywhere. I love when fantasy gets really detailed and the world feels so real. I loved what we got, but I would’ve liked a bit more.
Either way, this was an extremely enjoyable read that I’d recommend to any fans of Legends & Lattes and similar books.
4.5/5 stars, rounded up to 5
This book was a great mix of cozy and suspense. The scenes in the coffee shop, relationship scenes between Dani and Kass, and the friendship moments between the core group were all satisfyingly cozy and comfortable. On the flip side, the heist and prep scenes were tense and nerve-wracking. For me, it managed to hit a good balance between the two.
In terms of the relationship, Dani and Kass are very cute together. I liked their interactions at the coffee shop, and the way they really felt like unsure teenagers when it comes to flirting. My only complaint is that I dislike miscommunication plot points where the couple breaks up because of a simple misunderstanding, but even then, it didn’t bother me as much in this one because it didn’t feel contrived. I could understand why Kass took it the way he did.
My fantasy nerd brain would’ve loved to have even more information about how magic works. Despite seeing Dani use her passive ability in action, we don’t really see her cast spells or do much beyond that. She writes essays about divining the future from scones, but that doesn’t go anywhere. I love when fantasy gets really detailed and the world feels so real. I loved what we got, but I would’ve liked a bit more.
Either way, this was an extremely enjoyable read that I’d recommend to any fans of Legends & Lattes and similar books.
August 3, 2025
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
A Barista’s Guide to Love & Larceny is a beautiful blend of collegiate romance and magical crime. Equal parts cozy and thrilling, Bonin’s debut will enchant you with a quirky cast of characters and a devious plot.
As an insomniac myself, the idea of a company being able to permanently deprive me of a peaceful night’s sleep with no consequences is (pardon my phrasing) my worst nightmare. Ironically, Dani and her crew spend many sleepless nights trying to uncover OneiroLabs’ formula and cure the restless students in a heist entertainingly reminiscent of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. But Dani isn’t just balancing her illicit extracurricular with schoolwork - her romance with a cute boy is brewing, and it's difficult keep steady when she has to keep running out on their dates with no explanation. Despite their obstacles, Dani and Kass make an adorable couple. I love nerdy boys, and Dani letting Kass ramble on topics she has no clue about is simultaneously endearing and hilarious.
With the perfect balance of action, academics, and a sprinkling of first love, A Barista’s Guide is a must-read for anyone who loves a good heist novel. Best enjoyed with your dark roast of choice.
A Barista’s Guide to Love & Larceny is a beautiful blend of collegiate romance and magical crime. Equal parts cozy and thrilling, Bonin’s debut will enchant you with a quirky cast of characters and a devious plot.
As an insomniac myself, the idea of a company being able to permanently deprive me of a peaceful night’s sleep with no consequences is (pardon my phrasing) my worst nightmare. Ironically, Dani and her crew spend many sleepless nights trying to uncover OneiroLabs’ formula and cure the restless students in a heist entertainingly reminiscent of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. But Dani isn’t just balancing her illicit extracurricular with schoolwork - her romance with a cute boy is brewing, and it's difficult keep steady when she has to keep running out on their dates with no explanation. Despite their obstacles, Dani and Kass make an adorable couple. I love nerdy boys, and Dani letting Kass ramble on topics she has no clue about is simultaneously endearing and hilarious.
With the perfect balance of action, academics, and a sprinkling of first love, A Barista’s Guide is a must-read for anyone who loves a good heist novel. Best enjoyed with your dark roast of choice.
July 24, 2025
4.5/5 (Rounded up to 5!)
Caroline Bonin wrote a charmingly adorable and delightfully whimsical entry to the Teen/YA space. A Barista's Guide to Love and Larceny is just cozy enough with a dash of magical realism and a smidgen of corporate espionage and heisting. This book pairs perfectly with your favorite cup of coffee on a rainy day. The magical elements and world building were top teir! I had such a great time getting to know Dani, Kass, and the rest of Dani's heist crew. All the characters felt fleshed out and had a distinct purpose to serve. All in all, this is the type of book that I would be immediately searching to find out if it was a series in the making (McKenna's book or Wyatt's?)! I would love to spend more time in this universe! There is definitely longevity to the material if the author chose to expand the word. Even if she doesn't, this is such a delightful standalone first novel!
For fans of:
Magical College Setting
Quirky Familiars (Gingerbread the Crow is such a vibe)
Soft First Loves
Cozy Coffee Shop Feels on a Rainy Day
Heists and Hijinks
Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC!!
Caroline Bonin wrote a charmingly adorable and delightfully whimsical entry to the Teen/YA space. A Barista's Guide to Love and Larceny is just cozy enough with a dash of magical realism and a smidgen of corporate espionage and heisting. This book pairs perfectly with your favorite cup of coffee on a rainy day. The magical elements and world building were top teir! I had such a great time getting to know Dani, Kass, and the rest of Dani's heist crew. All the characters felt fleshed out and had a distinct purpose to serve. All in all, this is the type of book that I would be immediately searching to find out if it was a series in the making (McKenna's book or Wyatt's?)! I would love to spend more time in this universe! There is definitely longevity to the material if the author chose to expand the word. Even if she doesn't, this is such a delightful standalone first novel!
For fans of:
Magical College Setting
Quirky Familiars (Gingerbread the Crow is such a vibe)
Soft First Loves
Cozy Coffee Shop Feels on a Rainy Day
Heists and Hijinks
Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC!!
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