Heart of Iron

CaFae Latte Series #1

by C.M. Alongi

Supernatural meets Two Broke Girls in the start of a new urban fantasy series, based off of the TikTok series CaFae Latte.

Jennifer Charles (JC) has sort of figured out their life. They’re two months out of prison, clean, and sober, and just got a job at a CaFae Latte, owned by the mysterious and powerful fairy who goes by Violet. They’re getting along with their knife-happy coworker and have even started dating one of the regulars who practices witchcraft.

But JC is not the only one with a dark past. When Violet’s Fae Realm enemies come for revenge, they frame JC for their crimes, putting their new life in jeopardy. With Violet missing and everyone blaming the ex-con, JC will have to face their own checkered past, Confederate vampires, and shapeshifting fairies to save their boss and themself.

Meanwhile, Violet would like to remind the Fae why they call her the Iron Witch.

Genres: Fantasy, LGBT, Audiobook, Queer, Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Adult

Audible Audio

Published October 7, 2025

Reviews

[dobbs the dog · Rating 1 out of 5]

Received from NetGalley, thanks!

CW: racial slurs

I think it’s fairly obvious that I did not enjoy this book. It was recommended to me, based on the TikTok series, which I haven’t seen, and I really didn’t like it.

Plus, how the fuck, in the year 2025, is a white author using the N-word multiple times for no apparent reason? I removed a star rating for that reason, because it was so shocking to come across. There are certain situations, when reading certain books, that I may not be surprised to see that word, but to find it in a fantasy novel written by a white person was fucking appalling. And lazy! In one instance it was used to show how racist the colonial vampires are, and the other was to explain how a made up slur was to the fae what the N-word is to Black folks. And there was absolutely no reason for it. Other words are available.

Aside from the racial slurs, the book was too long and felt really confusing. Perhaps this is where I would benefit from having followed the story on TikTok? There are about a thousand different characters, who I could not keep straight, a weird kidnapping plot, as well as a secondary plot to lure one of the MCs back into making illegal drugs? And the kidnapping plot is never really explained? Other than to introduce us to yet another character at the very end of the book, who will presumably be in the second book.

There was also some transphobia, which I didn’t enjoy. Like, this is a fantasy story, choose to not have transphobia in your fantasy world.

There were some interesting discussions in the book around life after being released from jail, being on probation, living in a group house, and how everything is stacked against you. This is something I know, but it was nice to see it in a book. Though even that wasn’t enough to make this any better.

I had really wanted to DNF, but I powered through the audio at 2.5x. I probably should have just DNF’d, as it just never got better.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free audio book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

Had I been reading this on Kindle or print, I would have finished this probably in a single day, maybe two. However, audio books take me so much longer that I was tempted to just buy the book (and would have if I had the disposable income). I can't say enough good things about this book. It was absolutely amazing. Having read several books by C.M. Alongi, in the past, I can definitely say this is my favorite so far. Really hope this turns into a book series at least as long as the TikTok series!

For those wondering about the audio version, the narrator is amazing!

Definitely would recommend!

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of C.M. Alongi’s TikTok series CaFae Latte. When I heard she was doing a novel with the same characters, I rushed to join the Kickstarter.

Because of various policies and algorithm limitations, the novel gets a chance to do things Alongi can’t in her videos. Think MCU vs the comics. We meet a lot of the same characters but the roles and relationships are different.

I enjoyed seeing the brutal realities of JC’s former life, of the savagery that earned Violet the name of The Iron Witch. They weren’t lifestyles that brought peace or let you leave quietly.

In the TikTok series, we get a slower burn between JC and Nicole. I was hoping for a tiny bit more of that but it didn’t fit with the breakneck pace of the plot. Alongi does great banter so I’m hoping we get to see a bit more of that as this series continues. Because the world is not 1:1, I’m curious to see if the characters will make the same mistakes, form the same bonds, etc.

If you’re a fan of her content or want a slightly different take on fantasy in a modern world, visit the CaFae. 5/5

[Abbey Lancaster · Rating 1 out of 5]

So I was going along, minding my own business, and boom.
N word. Written out. The whole thing. Hard r.
I immediately flipped to the back of the book, and the checked the author’s socials, and yes, the author is very white.
In a state of confusion, I investigated. No queer slurs that I could think of are used. The hard r n word is used twice. Once from the mouth of the villain, and once in the head of the pov character, who is supposed to be good. In their mind, the pov character uses it to explain why an in universe slur is so bad: “jick was almost as bad as n*****”
(But with the n word completely typed out)
I conferred with my mutuals, specifically my Black mutuals, because I was immediately disgusted, but I am also extremely white, and we all agreed that there is not reason for it to be there.
So yes, this is an entire review to warn you that 145 pages in, the n word is in this book, and then again about 344 pages in. I know, because I searched in the Kindle book.
White people, every day you disappoint me.
(And it’s unfortunate, because I was having fun before this, but then you had to throw around a racial slur)
Somehow, this has really high ratings everywhere? Did y’all not see the jarring slur?!?!???!?!???

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

a fucking slur! like that! in the good year of 2026?! why on gods green earth does this have so many positive ratings? a white author using the n word with a hard r for quite literally no justifiable reason is wack as fuck.

I was listening to the audiobook and so I'm unsure if this is censored in the book itself but the narrator pronounces it with his full chest. The context with which it is used is a villain throwing the slur at the black autistic fat witch and I literally could not believe what I was hearing. I quit the book right then and there. I am not platforming any story or author that thinks it is okay to use that word. it makes it so much worse to me too that the author is white and that this is a fantasy book which means that everything is already made up. there is not a single reason in hell to use a slur like that.

[Liz Ervin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I NEED MOORRREEE 😭😭

[Via Between The Lines · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing for the ARC.

I will be refraining from writing a full review of this book for now. While I enjoyed the story, I was uncomfortable by the use of the N-word by a white author.

[Benjamín Contreras · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alongi’s writing style continues to captivate. I absolutely adore the protagonists in this book, though that may be the heavy bias from having followed the web series (which you don’t need to have seen to read the book).

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as fun as the skits

I originally found the online skits that eventually led to this book. Although they may not match up quite the same this is a wonderful story and it's great to see some characters I've already love, go on another adventure and how we get to see different sides of the characters than we get to see in her skits! I can't wait for the next one.

[Rian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need the second book immediately. Also ACAB

[Finn Lampe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked it, nicely paced. But the chapters were rather short and changed a lot in pov. Which is understandable since it's based in the world of Cafae Latte, a tiktok series. But it made the book sometimes a bit hard to read or stay in the flow

[Claire Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came from the TikTok series and I really love the world-building. It feels like a prequel and I’m really excited for Book 2 to round out the cast. The few criticisms I have are REALLY specific because overall, I thought it was masterfully (and carefully) written. However, I don’t know how to feel about an author inventing a slur and then using it repeatedly, not to mention a white author using the n-word without censoring it. It felt unnecessary. Second, I have Type 1 diabetes and I can’t really tell if JC is meant to have type 1 or type 2. I have a feeling it’s meant to be type 2, despite type 2 diabetics needing way more doctor approval for an insulin pump/continuous glucose monitor. If it is meant to be type 1, though, that could be problematic, since JC says they got their diabetes from the sugar in the marbles, which is a common and harmful misconception about Type 1. Obviously, I didn’t let these two minor details prevent me from enjoying the rest of the book, but they did throw me off a bit.

[Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had an excellent time reading this! Got here from the tiktok series, but I adored seeing the differences between the tiktok version of the characters vs the Heart of Iron characters.

[Nyx Cavalier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. can't wait to read more. so many things I could say but I need to chew on them a bit.

[EDIT]

Fresh out of prison and recently sober Jennifer Charles must embrace their new life as the baker for Cafae Latte, the fae-owned café in their small town, if they want to leave their troubled past behind. But Violet, the owner of the café, has many enemies, who have no qualms about ex-con, human, collateral damage.

Ever since getting word that C.M. Alongi was writing a book in the universe of her viral TikTok series Cafae Latte, I've been waiting to get my grubby little hands on it. To be clear, you don't need any knowledge of the series to read the book. C.M. compared the Cafae Latte multiverse to Marvel or DC; the TikTok skits are one parallel universe, and the book series another. After devouring it, I can confirm that the two are independent story lines and even the worldbuilding is slightly different.

In this first book, we follow Jennifer Charles, a non-binary ex-con who's still on parole and looking for a new job. They get hired by Cafae Latte, a café owned by a fairy, Violet, who has become a positive influence on the small town where she settled with her ward, Cyrus. It's immediately clear that Violet has been a key figure in the history of fairy kind in the immortal realm until she was exiled and decided to settle in the mortal world, and that the powerful enemies she made along the way will stop at nothing to harm her.

The characters in Heart of Iron were a work of art. The two main POV characters were J.C. and Violet, and they both had very distinct voices. There was something ancient, otherworldly, and utterly lovable about Violette. J.C. was also incredibly endearing and relatable; their struggles are some that many of us know intimately. The cast of characters is also very diverse, and C.M. Alongi has been very transparent about the fact that she hired as diverse a cast of sensitivity readers to ensure that her depictions were respectful and true to life.

There's an adorable sapphic romance between J.C. and Nicole, part-time witch and loyal patron at the café. I was so happy to see it happen once again in a different way in the novel after seeing it in the TikTok skits. It's a subplot, but well-crafted.

This book confirms for me that C.M. knows how to set a tone then adjust it as needed. I was pulled from the very first page and couldn't put the book down until I was done with it, not even to eat - lucky I had pizza that day, because I was in no state to cook. I started it at 5pm and finished it at 3am, then contemplated the fact that the sequel, Heart of Silver, doesn't even have a completed first draft yet and that it'll likely be over a year until it comes out.

The plot did keep me incredibly engaged, as previously mentioned. Yes, I did see a few things coming, but I was still surprised plenty of times. Most of all, I delighted in the details, in the weave of so many storylines and backstories into one complex tapestry.

If you're looking for me, I'm currently budgeting to get my paws on the rest of C.M. Alongi's back catalogue, to tide me over until Heart of Silver.

[Taaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Technically this is a good book. Not really my taste - I find the things that give other people suspense utterly boring, all those fights and scheming. It did suffer a bit from me having watched the skits (more than once), because the changes in world-building - making Bob more powerful in battle magic while less powerful in what makes the character fun (cursing entitled people) - just meant that the one thing that made the world so special and welcoming was gone.

But all that could've been ignored, if it hadn't been for some really problematic stuff that on top came with no content notes. Like the use of the n-word - SPELLED OUT -, once even in a chapter from JC's POV, meaning JC had no restrictions thinking that word.

The second big problem is something I wouldn't even have noticed if not a fellow autistic had pointed out in the skits already that the autistic characters are all more monotone in their voices than the NTs. Now as a person who grew up wanting to be a Vulcan, I always thought that would be a good thing, that it showed autistics are more logical than NTs. That they had succeeded, where I am still failing. But oh no, apparently us having flat voices is actually a harmful stereotype that is in no way meant to show how much more mindful we are about our emotions. And here in the novel it comes through even more than in the skits. And again, no content notes.

But also the ebook formatting was really weird. That comes on top, even if it's the smallest problem of them all.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many others I came from the tik tok series (mind you I consumed it through the YouTube compilations) and for the most part, I wasn’t disappointed! The characters were as endearing as I expected, the plot kept me interested throughout and the small bits of slice of life and working in the cafe that we did get were a highlight for me. It was great to see all the characters I was already so familiar with explored in a more in-depth realistic and dare I say mature kind of way. My only issue with this story is- like many others have said- the somewhat unnecessarily use of racial slurs. I think having the vampires be old time confederates was an interesting, believable and unique take, however I think that their racism could have been expressed without the loud and somewhat random use of the N slur. It felt unnatural and just kind of like the author was trying to show “hey! Look how bad these guys are!” But I feel like there could have a been a more dignified way of showing that.

4/5

[Kiana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review has very mild spoilers, nothing that’s not revealed within the first 30ish pages!
My friend is a huge fan of the author’s TikTok skits of this book’s characters, making an entire party for the arrival of her preorder. Obviously, this peaked my interest. I knew I probably wouldn’t be too into it as cozy fantasies have never really interested me but this being a cozy fantasy was Not this issue. Let’s get into it shall we.

Pro:
The characters (other than Violet and not for the reason many others dislike her) were fleshed out and felt very real. I cared for most of them by the end of the book.
Con:
The AMOUNT of characters. There’s at least 3-4 main characters who you spend a good chunk of the book in their perspective, and one of these chunks focused on the mercenary group. The thing abt this mercenary group, the fae group and human group within it, is that there are so. many. characters. I’m sure it would be made better if I’ve seen the skits but the authors note said I would be fine having not watched any of them and I believed her. Yes, there are only maybe 5 of up to 15-20 characters in this group you actually have to pay attention to, but with a STACKED main cast of characters, most background characters coming back with little reminders of who they are, it’s so hard to remember all of these 15-20 characters that I believe I’m supposed to remember??

Pro:
The world building. It is so vast and dense and you can really see that Alongi thought of every little detail.
Con:
The world building (are you sensing a trend?). Interspersed in the actual book is the Gialdonian History Book, sections that, while interesting, feel wholly unnecessary. Most things the history book go into are talked abt characters in the actual book, making these sections just fluff for information we’ve already learned about or will learn about through character’s conversations. On top of this is the fact so much of the lore is repeated at nausea, I’m sure they’ve said magical instruments were illegal and banned at least a million times! Like I think I get it!! Along with the specie list that exists in this world just kept growing as the book continued. Halfway through this book I was looking at reviews and saw that vampires come into play. Vampires?? There has been mention of witch, dwarf, giant, goblin, fae, but no vampires??? DRAGONS??????

Pro:
The amount of diversity. JC, our main character, has diabetes and is nonbinary in a way that feels natural, contrasted by other novel’s nonbinary characters that can veer onto preachy and annoying. Nicole, secondary main cast (if not main cast?? It’s really hard to define in this book, see above), is autistic and black. Most fae change their names and, Cyrus reveals, are actually genderneutral, having picked up gender through interaction with humans.
Con:
Now. I wanna start this out w, I’m an autistic, disabled, trans, queer, certified ‘too woke friend’ and this book…if there was a contest for being too woke and this book was my competition, I’d have to leave the room. Nicole’s autism veers onto offensive which could be JC’s perspective as someone who never met an autistic person before Nicole, but my god it gets worse the longer you read it. There are things said and mentioned that just made you get transported to the Tumblr days of mogai and make you wish to hold the hand of Alongi and go “oh my sweet summer child. It is simply NOT that serious.” Up to SEVEN Black sensitivity readers and yet JC saying that dreadlocs is an offensive term cuz of it having the word dread in the name so they’re going to call it locs, as they’ve been told to do (a sentence that made me pause and open google cuz I’ve never heard this take ever in my life, found out no one else has either and it’s VERY situational on family and location), that made me sigh every time JC referred to Nicole’s locs. And they did a Lot. No one else’s hair gets referred to as much as Nicole’s (the only character with explicitly Black hair) and every time it felt like a big blaring sign that said “oh look!! She’s black!!!” I remember. Thank you. Along with. With SEVEN. SEVEN!!!! Black sensitivity writers. May I remind you seven? The entire n-slur, hard-r and all, typed fully on page appeared in the book Twice. For no reason. Once was to compare a fictional slur for the fae that is used Liberally and the other to be racist. Mind you, this book had no other slurs in the entire book unless you count cripple (which I do but again. I’m the too woke friend who’s physically disabled), and every single character is queer in some way. Every single one and not a single f-slur?? But TWO n-slurs???? THAT THE WHITE. WHITE!!! AUTHOR CANT SAY??????? Okay. Sure. Yeah.

Also side note there was like a shocking amount of typos, ik this is self-published so I can’t be too harsh but this is bro’s like 6th book. Also it did take me over a month to read which says something abt my motivation to read it. Sorry friend of mine, the other books I borrowed from you were better 3

[Dahlia Rejon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be the first actual review I do of any book I have read before, so please be patient with me, also english is not my first language so sorry for any trouble.

I bought this book as an early birthday gift to myself (just turned 26 five days ago yay), and I was really excited to read this book. Or well having anything from C. M. Alongi in general, I have read one of her other books "To Kill a Necromancer" in ebook, but holding an actual physical something from this person was some of the most joy I've had in a while, I'm from Mexico and I'm broke so it felt like destiny when the hardcover version got a discount in Amazon.


Anyways, too much about me, my thoughts:

Heart of Iron is definitely a great book, obviously made for fans of the CaFae Latte Series, but honestly?, you don't have to be a fan, like the author said, "It's like Marvel Comics and the MCU, there's some overlap, but they are different", so if you're a fan of fantasy stories with a lot of world building details and lovable characters a lot of representation (Specially queer) this might be worth your time.

I loved the 4 main voices we are given: JC's, Violet's, Red wolf's, and the lore fragments, it felt almost like a videogame to some extent (I almost want to make a 8 hour Interview with CM only to have every drop of lore from her).

I've always been a fan of JC as a character, but honestly reading them and their thoughts on paper felt much different than seeing C. M. interpreting them on the videos, like somehow I felt more connected to them than usual. Maybe the self deprecation I usually partake on, maybe the curvy witchy partner in my life, or maybe cause I'm trans (she/they), either way J.C. will always be my fave.

Violet's (or Bob's) POV was very interesting too. She definitely is a teacher even in her inner monologue, she feels like a spider or a cat, analytical and precise. I would love to have as a boss (one can only dream when working Customer Service -sigh-).

Red Wolf was a very interesting antagonist to be fair, I don't love him, but I felt a lot of pity for him after knowing his reasons for vengeance.

Also, I will add that I had two subjects in my mind when C. M. said there would be character's cameo on the book... I called it.

The flights left me breathless a lot of the time, especially the final act was perfect.

My biggest critique to the book has to be that there're too many characters for my mushy brain to keep up with, however, other than that, to me personally is a great book and I can't wait for the next books to come out, and I wish any of her books were on Spanish, heck I offer as translator if needed. I have managed to convince a lot of my coworkers (funny enough I work in a bookstore) to read the book, and I would love to show it to others who don't speak English.

First book I'll rate 5/5 stars in this platform.

[Hone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio courtesy of Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks and NetGalley.)

4.5 rounded up⭐

I've been following C.M. Alongi and the CaFae Latte TikTok Series off and on for a while, but I had no idea it was being turned into a book—or that the book was now out!

This is excellently written, and works beautifully whether or not you’re familiar with the TikTok series. It was fun having some background on the characters and seeing them fleshed out, but it’s absolutely not required to enjoy the story.

JC as the main character is both likeable and oddly relatable despite having just been released from prison for murder (which, it may surprise you to know, is not in my personal backstory). Their romance with Nicole? Fantastic. It's a slow burn, which I always love, and refreshingly low angst.

And somehow…it stays slow burn even after the characters have sex. Pulling that off is rare, but Alongi nailed it.

The author has also built a complex, nuanced world, which naturally means dedicating a good amount of space in the narrative to said worldbuilding. In no way is this a problem nor does it detract from the story, but I was chomping at the bit to get back to the characters!

It's clear that Alongi is a talented writer, but you can also see potential for growth. For example, her commitment to sensitivity is obvious and very much appreciated. At times, though, those details aren’t as seamlessly woven into the narrative as the rest of her prose, so they can stick out a bit. But given how much care she shows, I have no doubt this will smooth out in future books. And importantly, it doesn’t hinder the story at all.

My only real gripe about Heart of Iron? I want MORE!

Audio-Specific 🎧: While dual narrators aren’t unusual, this setup felt refreshingly unique! One voice handled the characters, while the other was dedicated to history, lore, and worldbuilding. Obviously this created sharp tonal shifts throughout, but they were always really well timed, and I loved the rhythm of it. Kenneth Fuentes and Em Grosland both gave really strong performances. And for fellow audiobook speed-listeners: I tested it — this one holds up cleanly all the way to 1.75x.

📌 TL;DR: More than just a TikTok Series—this is perfect for those who like a hefty helping of fantasy with their caffeine.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been following this author on social media for a little bit but haven't read any of their previous work. I don't usually enjoy fiction in audio formats but saw that this had two narrators and thought it might be dual narration like The Switch. It is not.

I think the writing was clunky, tending toward the obvious description or plot progression. That's not awful, it just means language isn't the doorway into this book. It's hard to tell, because of how the narrators did the reading, but I suspect there were a lot of grammatical errors-- dangling modifiers, participle problems, that sort of thing. It *could* be that there were few or no errors and the narrators just broke up the sentences really oddly.

The narration was split into one narrator reading the main story, and the second narrator reading sections ascribed to other works (chapters or sections from fictional books inside the universe, news articles, blog/social media posts, etc.). The second narrator didn't provide anything critical to the reading, these sections were clearly marked and would have been fine with one narrator. It's not a problem, but doesn't add much.

The primary narrator could have been a lot better. It's hard to fault him if the writing was full of grammatical errors, but the reading didn't make it clear whose idea some of the weird breaks or pauses were.

The author obviously made efforts to include a very diverse cast; the characters felt authentic and were handled, generally, respectfully. A few (bad guy) characters use startlingly racist language about or at some of the primary characters. This always felt jarring and the purpose isn't clear: the reader can easily believe they are the bad guys from their other actions. The reader is aware that, unfortunately, real people use equivalent language -- I think most anyone interested in this book is well aware of how awful some aspects of society are.

For readers of paranormal adventure-- this could fall under a Reluctant Heroes trope or similar variation.

eAudioARC from NetGalley.

[Noel Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart of Iron is an urban fantasy novel by C. M. Alongi based on her successful 'Cafae Latte' Tiktok series about a Cafe ran by a fairy sorceress and her ward. The book itself follows Jennifer Charles, J.C. for short; A nonbinary ex-con on probation looking to turn their life around from their checkered past. This attempt is pulled into question when her fairy boss, nicknamed Bob by J.C, is kidnapped and J.C.'s past puts them at the top of the list of suspects. Helped by Bob's ward, Cyrus, and local witch, Nicole, J.C. has to dive back into the criminal underbelly of the twin cities to find her boss before its too late.

As Alongi has stated in past interviews, while this book contains the same characters as the Tiktoks, is not just a written retelling of her adored video series. Instead Alongi uses her characters from her series to tell a darker toned story separate from the cannon of her video series. Initially, I was worried that this would lead to a far more grim tone that brings down the quality of the book, similar to those stories that claim to be 'x but darker!'. However, Alongi is able to strike a perfect balance between moments of charming sweetness and grim sadness, dappled with moments of laugh out loud humor. The characters in Heart of Iron each feel like real people each with their own pasts and traumas. Every interaction between the characters is gripping, and each of their pasts are relevant to the situation, none more so than Bob's.

The plot itself does take a few chapters to get going, but this is in service of establishing character relationships and doesn't overstay its welcome. However, once it gets going the plot does not stop until it reaches its final crescendo, culminating in a thrilling ride that I did not want to put down. My only critique is that the budding relationship between J.C. and Nicole does build a little faster than expected, but this isn't out of character for either party and doesn't detract from the story itself. Overall, a fantastic outing from C. M. Alongi, and I can't wait for her next book in the series. 5/5 stars.

[Chas Hileman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will be a mostly spoiler free review. I'll start with the TLDR up front: Read this book. It's suburb urban fantasy with enough lore built in to how Alongi laid out the story, that you get this intricately fleshed out experience. Even if you've never watched any of her Cafae Latte series, Heart of Iron is a wonderful and intense adventure.

I loved this book. I've read both Citadel and The Witch Who Trades With Death also by Alongi. Both are very good books. Heart of Iron though? This book is phenomenal. I absolutely loved it. I'm already trying to convince people to put it on their TBR. The fact that there's also excerpts from what's essentially an historical accounting of the creation of the nation of Gialdon in the Fae realm was a brilliant and interesting way to help give background info and also flesh out the universe, without feeling like an info dump. I was excited every time we got a new passage.

The only spoiler I will talk about is a particular chase scene where a character is being shot at. Whenever they get to safety, they're asked if they can describe the shooter. They explicitly state that when being shot at, if you turn to look, you're dead. This stuck with me so intensely, because yeah they're absolutely right. I'm just so used to characters in media doing the stupid thing, that when a character with experience being in a situation like that, is actually smart about it, I'm shocked. Alongi had the forethought to explicitly show this character not being dumb in the heat of the moment and being able to explain why without it feeling weird or out of place.

[Megan Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this advanced e-audiobook.

This was so good! I'm going to have to get a physical copy.

In Heart of Iron, we have basically two overlapping stories. JC (Jennifer Charles) has recently been released from prison and is ready to turn their life around. They've made some self-discoveries and are looking for a brand new path forward. They get a job at CaFae Latte, a coffee shop run by an incredibly powerful fairy named Violet and her son Cyrus. JC becomes their baker and is finding happiness with their new colleagues and a spicy clairvoyant named Nicole. BUT... forces from Violet's past come roaring in and they frame JC for kidnapping Violet. Red Wolf is a former friend with a grudge and he intends to make good on his promises of retribution. We go on a journey through multiple viewpoints to free Violet and clear JC's name. There are shootouts and cops and glamours and dragons. We also get history lessons about Violet's past in the fae realm.

I enjoyed this story immensely. My only real complaint was that sometimes the history bits made me zone out for a few moments. I think those would have been better for me to read physically. I had to scramble to keep track of the fae politicians and how her backstory meshed with the people in the "present" story. The narrators weren't my favorite, but they did a decent job.

I also maybe think that there could have been fewer members in the Red Wolf team. It was sometimes hard for me to keep all the members and their powers in line in my head.

Recommend if you want a wild ride with intriguing characters and representation.

[Tales with Atticus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into Heart of Iron already familiar with C.M. Alongi’s CaFae Latte TikTok series and honestly, the novel version somehow manages to be both bigger and sharper without losing the charm that made those videos amazing.

The story follows JC, freshly out of prison and desperate to start over. They land a job at CaFae Latte, a coffee shop run by Violet who is a fae with a dark past and a reputation. When Violet is kidnapped and JC is framed, the book turns into a fast-paced urban fantasy adventure full of chaos, found family, and second chances.

What surprised me most is how much heart this book has beneath its magic and mayhem. JC is a fantastic main character. They're flawed, funny, and trying so hard to do better when the world keeps stacking the odds against them. I loved how Alongi handled redemption without ever sanitizing it; JC’s past isn’t erased, it’s something they live with.

The tone walks that perfect line between snark and sincerity, the kind of writing that can make you laugh and still sucker-punch you a page later. The world-building feels lived-in. It's modern, messy, and full of little details that make it feel real. And Violet is absolutely worthy of the title The Iron Witch. I could read an entire spin-off about her.

If you like urban fantasy with morally gray characters, found family, queer rep, and a touch of chaos magic, this one belongs on your TBR. It’s witty, heartfelt, and brimming with character.. like Legends & Lattes, if the barista had a criminal record and the fae were actually terrifying.

What to Expect:
-redemption arc
-found family
-fae + witches
-queer urban fantasy
-coffee shop chaos
-action + heart

[Sara Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley as an audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and were not affected by the free copy.

JC is read to get their life together. Fresh out of prison and sober, JC applies for a job at CaFae Latte, owned by a powerful fairy sorceress, Violet. Unfortunately for JC, they make the perfect patsy when beings from Violet's past come back for revenge.

To start off, I am a huge fan of the CaFae Latte skits on TikTok. I also went in with a wide open mind, knowing this is the not the same, it's more like an alternate universe of CaFae Latte, which I was very excited for. And for the most part, I loved it. I enjoyed the lore of the fairy realm and Violet's history, watching JC grow, and the beginning of a relationship with Nicole. I also enjoyed hearing little hints towards the original skits. I also really enjoyed how the dual POV was set up, especially in the audiobook, with one narrator reading all of the scenes, and the other reading the lore/history sections.

My only issue with this book was that the we didn't get to see much of a reason why these relationships came together. Instead of searching for Violet out of loyalty and friendship, it felt like JC was doing it to save themselves (which, valid, they really don't want to go back to prison). There just wasn't as much character developement as I wanted. I'm hoping that will change in the sequel, because I will definitely be reading it.

[Christopher Organ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be able to get this book early by backing the authors kickstarter. I have watched the CaFae Latte series since joining TikTok and absolutely loved the series. This book was on a whole different level. I really enjoyed getting more insight into Bob’s backstory and I also really enjoyed that the book universe is different than the video’s universe. This being the first book I’ve read of C.M. Alongi I was curious if I would enjoy their style of writing and I must say I do think I’m going to have to take a look at some of their other works. I also really enjoyed seeing how the magic system worked in the book universe and was pleased at the hints of other favorite characters of mine that I’m sure will appear as the book series progresses. I do think it seemed toward the end that things moved really quickly, but honestly battle scenes and fights are kind of always like that to the reader it seems like the action sort of flys by, but I’m sure from the characters perspective it seemed like an eternity. I would highly recommend this book for any fans of the videos or if you enjoy more modern style fantasy ( the feel was very similar in tone to Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files at least in my opinion). I am a bit sad that I finished it somewhat quickly and will have a long wait before the next book will be on the horizon. I’ll just have to reread it before the next one to refresh myself.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a lucky early reader, as I backed this book on Kickstarter and got it as an ARC.

This is the novel based on the Cafae Latte series on the clock app. The author has become one of my favorite authors, and is one of the only reasons I still have the app. That said, I loved this book. I love the grittier portrayal of her beloved characters. The additional background on the fae realm, and the world this all exists in was just what I wanted! I like the heavy description of the characters the author sees in her head, as in the skits, she plays every character, lol. The story was fast paced, well detailed, and easy to get into.

My particular favorite character is the eponymous fae, Bob, AKA Violet, AKA The Iron Witch, AKA etc... As I now know, fae in this universe collect nicknames like I collect hobbies. I found the tidbits of history woven throughout giving me, the reader, more insight into her background really interesting!I hope for more in the next book. I also adore JC and Nicole, and their little meet cute.

The only thing I didn't really like was the depictions of diabetes, but that may be more because of the character coming cross as being type 2 rather than the type 1 I am more familiar with, as my Dad and nephew have it. The treatment described in the book was lacking. This could have been a narrative choice due to the characters background, possibly my unfamiliarity with type 2, or just part of said characters quirks due to their background.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for an ALC. This does not influence my opinion.

To no one’s surprise, I absolutely loved this.
Having followed the CaFae Latte series on Tiktok, I wasn’t as worried about the characters as I probably would have been otherwise. So, while this book felt like a warm hug to me, it was anything but cozy. A lot of stuff goes down, even more of it dark.
But seeing people standing up for their beliefs in a world so similar to ours, and finding ways to be happy, and letting others learn from their mistakes and do better… Let’s just say I cried. Many times.
This book is easy to understand, even for people not watching the TikTok series. It has clear world building, the characters are three dimensional, and you don’t get dropped in the middle of a story without knowing anything. You get to learn gradually, as it should be.
Also, the cast of characters is very diverse and it’s clear the author did her research on all the identities she doesn’t hod herself, so it’s all done beautifully. Seeing all that representation may have also made me cry.
The audio narration was also really good, although some voices did surprise me, especially Rethu’s.
But honestly, I love everything about this book and very highly recommend it, be it as an introduction into the CaFae Latte world, a standalone, or as a prequel to the series. I will be rereading it many times.

[Kyra Carmack · Rating 4 out of 5]

To start, I had never heard of CaFae Latte's on TikTok and I'm glad that I didn't have to know about it to understand that book or I fear I would have been lost. The audiobook has two different narrators, one that focuses on the present story at hand while the other delves into the lore of the world and characters. I found this very interesting and allowed me to engage in a different mindset whenever the switch occurred.

The story itself was very fun to follow. There was so much happening that sometimes it felt a little overwhelming, but overall the pace wasn't horrible. I did find it difficult to get into the narrator during these sections that featured the main story. Not that it was terrible, by any means, but the narration was a little dry making it easier for me to zone out while listening, which was the last thing that I wanted to do while listening to this book.

Another detail was that the author was very mindful of what was put into the book. The explanations didn't always flow with the narrative seamlessly, but it was nice to see all of the representation and the sensitivity of topics that were used in this book.

Overall, I very much enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more by C.M. Alongi. I am excited to see what will be coming next in this series as well as looking into the TikToks for it as well.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the chance to listen to this audiobook.

[muffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been following CaFae Latte since the beginning of 2024 and I've read the first draft back in the day when I was a patreon and I was a little afraid I won't finish this book because it'll be basically the same. And boy, was I wrong!

The premise haven't changed, some plot points were the same but it got twisted. In the good way.

I know this is not the same as the series but it was still good to see the same characters. RETHU!!!! my beloved favourite dragon ❤️
It was good to see them being in the book and when they got dragged into it??? Oh that fight!!!! I love to see a badass dragon, especially this one!!!

Bob's backstory is still soooooo !!! I love it, I love how she has all this bad bad bad past, makes her so much more layered, and her relationship with JC veeeery much understandable.
And when she said "my sins"??? I am wet, I am so here for it, it was such a banger line and just... good. Good writing.

Some of the twists were so twisty I had to read back multiple times and that actually made me just more into the book. It was sooooooo good.

I could talk about this book for ages, I love the characters, I know these characters, they are all my babies and well, maybe Bob is not my baby because I am her baby, she could make dinner out of me in half a second so I won't baby her. She is badass lady and I am down bad for badass ladies.

TLDR: amazing book. I need more of it. I hope there will be more. It's a series, right?