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Death Meets Cute
"Filled with so much love, heart, and delicious baked goods." —Rebecca Thorne, USA Today bestselling author of Can't Spell Treason Without Tea
I am more than capable of being evil today. I think…
Iris Weyward wants to be bad. Truly bad. Terrifyingly, gloriously villainous. But after helping her sisters unleash a spell to throw the realm into chaos, Iris is left feeling strangely empty—and still not the villain of her dreams. So, she sets off for the quiet town of Fraywell to build her wicked legacy alone.
Things start a crooked little cottage, a reputation for curses and potions, and a healthy dose of fear from the locals. But when her ogre bodyguard disappears, Iris needs new muscle. Good thing a fearsome orc just toppled over in her yard. Naturally, she decides to reanimate him. It's a perfect solution.
Only, Talon isn't the brooding warrior she was hoping for. He's gentle. He bakes. Worst of all, he's nice. But Iris can't possibly have a thing for her new employee. She's supposed to be the most wicked witch in town!
While Iris struggles to turn Talon into the enforcer she deserves, her sisters arrive seeking help—their magic is fading, and the cause may be closer than any of them realize. The timing couldn't be worse, and falling for an orc wasn't supposed to be part of her villain era, but it might turn out to be the best spell she's ever cast…
I am more than capable of being evil today. I think…
Iris Weyward wants to be bad. Truly bad. Terrifyingly, gloriously villainous. But after helping her sisters unleash a spell to throw the realm into chaos, Iris is left feeling strangely empty—and still not the villain of her dreams. So, she sets off for the quiet town of Fraywell to build her wicked legacy alone.
Things start a crooked little cottage, a reputation for curses and potions, and a healthy dose of fear from the locals. But when her ogre bodyguard disappears, Iris needs new muscle. Good thing a fearsome orc just toppled over in her yard. Naturally, she decides to reanimate him. It's a perfect solution.
Only, Talon isn't the brooding warrior she was hoping for. He's gentle. He bakes. Worst of all, he's nice. But Iris can't possibly have a thing for her new employee. She's supposed to be the most wicked witch in town!
While Iris struggles to turn Talon into the enforcer she deserves, her sisters arrive seeking help—their magic is fading, and the cause may be closer than any of them realize. The timing couldn't be worse, and falling for an orc wasn't supposed to be part of her villain era, but it might turn out to be the best spell she's ever cast…
304 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 463 reviews
April 20, 2026
This was such a cozy and fun fantasy book. I enjoyed it so much, but I wish we got more of it, it went by so quckly!!
Iris is determined to be wicked, building her evil reputation without her sisters. She needs a new bodyguard, so when an orc winds up dead in her garden, she decides to bring him back to life. Talon looks the part, but after she brings him back, he's nothing like she imagined him to be.. He cooks, he cleans, he takes care of her.. After her sisters come with news of their magic fading and they need to find a solution quickly, everything might be changing for better of for worse.
Iris was a complicated, messy and endearing character. She wanted to be evil, but she cared about people and Talon played a big part in her realising that. Her bond with her sisters wasn't easy or straightforward. They were so different, but they loved one another.
Talon was such a sweetheart, he was gentle and helpful and he cared about Iris. He was there for her and helped her in every way possible.
Quince, Iris's familiar, was adorable and funny!!
Iris and Talon were so cute together, the inn and the picnic, the chickens and the bench, the way he showed up for her and that scene at the market was incredibly heartwarming!!! He was truly a perfect partner for her and I loved the way she was able to be vulnerable with him.
Also, seeing how Iris and her sisters repaired their bond was so special.
The setting was absolutely amazing, the small town and it's inhabitants. Kate, Herman and Lysander were a great addition.
The writing suited me perfectly, it was rushed though.. I wish we got a little more, more scenes, a little more depth. Everything developed rather quickly, but it was still an enjoyable experience.
I have to say reading about Talon baking all those delicious treats made me hungry and I love that we got two of the recipes.
This was my first encounter with this author, but it will definitely not be my last.
*Thank you to Netgalley and to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an ARC.*
Iris is determined to be wicked, building her evil reputation without her sisters. She needs a new bodyguard, so when an orc winds up dead in her garden, she decides to bring him back to life. Talon looks the part, but after she brings him back, he's nothing like she imagined him to be.. He cooks, he cleans, he takes care of her.. After her sisters come with news of their magic fading and they need to find a solution quickly, everything might be changing for better of for worse.
Iris was a complicated, messy and endearing character. She wanted to be evil, but she cared about people and Talon played a big part in her realising that. Her bond with her sisters wasn't easy or straightforward. They were so different, but they loved one another.
Talon was such a sweetheart, he was gentle and helpful and he cared about Iris. He was there for her and helped her in every way possible.
Quince, Iris's familiar, was adorable and funny!!
Iris and Talon were so cute together, the inn and the picnic, the chickens and the bench, the way he showed up for her and that scene at the market was incredibly heartwarming!!! He was truly a perfect partner for her and I loved the way she was able to be vulnerable with him.
Also, seeing how Iris and her sisters repaired their bond was so special.
The setting was absolutely amazing, the small town and it's inhabitants. Kate, Herman and Lysander were a great addition.
The writing suited me perfectly, it was rushed though.. I wish we got a little more, more scenes, a little more depth. Everything developed rather quickly, but it was still an enjoyable experience.
I have to say reading about Talon baking all those delicious treats made me hungry and I love that we got two of the recipes.
This was my first encounter with this author, but it will definitely not be my last.
*Thank you to Netgalley and to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an ARC.*
April 25, 2026
“You’re the perfect amount of wicked for me.”
Okay this was precious! If you enjoyed Legends and Lattes, you’ll love this!
Iris is a witch with ambitions to be evil and malevolent, and she’s also in need of a new bodyguard. When a strapping orc shows up dead in her yard, she brings him back to life to fill the position. Unfortunately (?) for Iris, all Talon wants to do is be unendingly helpful around the house, bake her cinnamon rolls, and tell her she’s pretty 🤭
This was sweet, low stakes, and cozy as anything! I loved the sister bonding, and as a fellow middle child I related to Iris HARD. Her determination to be villainous was so charming, and I loved her inner dialogue. Talon was too adorable for words, and I truly loved everything about him!
The pacing got a little thrown off with some overly descriptive passages that took me out of the story. It’s just around 300 pages, so the timeline is a bit rushed, but ultimately I had a great time and flew through this!
If nothing else, let Quince the hedgehog and Talon the baking orc convince you to give this a try. You also get 2 of Talon’s recipes at the end and they look ✨delicious✨ 🫶🏻
Pre Read:
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advance copy! This is going to be adorable, I just know it 😍
Okay this was precious! If you enjoyed Legends and Lattes, you’ll love this!
Iris is a witch with ambitions to be evil and malevolent, and she’s also in need of a new bodyguard. When a strapping orc shows up dead in her yard, she brings him back to life to fill the position. Unfortunately (?) for Iris, all Talon wants to do is be unendingly helpful around the house, bake her cinnamon rolls, and tell her she’s pretty 🤭
This was sweet, low stakes, and cozy as anything! I loved the sister bonding, and as a fellow middle child I related to Iris HARD. Her determination to be villainous was so charming, and I loved her inner dialogue. Talon was too adorable for words, and I truly loved everything about him!
The pacing got a little thrown off with some overly descriptive passages that took me out of the story. It’s just around 300 pages, so the timeline is a bit rushed, but ultimately I had a great time and flew through this!
If nothing else, let Quince the hedgehog and Talon the baking orc convince you to give this a try. You also get 2 of Talon’s recipes at the end and they look ✨delicious✨ 🫶🏻
Pre Read:
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advance copy! This is going to be adorable, I just know it 😍
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a sweet read. Literally and figuratively. Cozy romance, sisterhood, food, and a big scary orc who bakes and names your chickens. What's not to love?
In this book, we follow Iris, a witch who wants to be a wicked but maybe isn't great at it. After a falling out with her sisters, they're reluctantly reunited because their magic is failing—and there’s also the minor detail that Iris has just reanimated an orc bodyguard who turns out to be the opposite of what a wicked witch needs to uphold her fearsome reputation.
The vibe is totally there: cozy cottages, a charming little town (shops named 'Tis Sew Sweet and Something Wicker This Way Comes, I’m not immune), and enough food descriptions to ruin your day if you're hungry. Talon's gooey cinnamon rolls definitely ruined my day. The grumpy x sunshine dynamic is fun, especially when the sunshine is a massive intimidating orc. The familiars, the townspeople, the food. It’s all there.
Where it falls short is mostly in the things I wanted more of. More connection between Iris and Talon (I feel like their relationship developed solely on conversations about food and Iris giving him orders. Why do they even like each other?), more world building, more context around the magic system and how it all works together. And a bit less of Iris bouncing back and forth between her sisters and Talon mostly just to avoid whichever one is annoying her at that moment. It started to feel circular after a while.
The bones are good. I just wanted more meat on them.
P.S. Puck is the best character. I love them. Can we get a whole book where Puck is the main character?
A big thanks to Netgalley, Poisoned Pen Press and author J. Penner for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
In this book, we follow Iris, a witch who wants to be a wicked but maybe isn't great at it. After a falling out with her sisters, they're reluctantly reunited because their magic is failing—and there’s also the minor detail that Iris has just reanimated an orc bodyguard who turns out to be the opposite of what a wicked witch needs to uphold her fearsome reputation.
The vibe is totally there: cozy cottages, a charming little town (shops named 'Tis Sew Sweet and Something Wicker This Way Comes, I’m not immune), and enough food descriptions to ruin your day if you're hungry. Talon's gooey cinnamon rolls definitely ruined my day. The grumpy x sunshine dynamic is fun, especially when the sunshine is a massive intimidating orc. The familiars, the townspeople, the food. It’s all there.
Where it falls short is mostly in the things I wanted more of. More connection between Iris and Talon (I feel like their relationship developed solely on conversations about food and Iris giving him orders. Why do they even like each other?), more world building, more context around the magic system and how it all works together. And a bit less of Iris bouncing back and forth between her sisters and Talon mostly just to avoid whichever one is annoying her at that moment. It started to feel circular after a while.
The bones are good. I just wanted more meat on them.
P.S. Puck is the best character. I love them. Can we get a whole book where Puck is the main character?
A big thanks to Netgalley, Poisoned Pen Press and author J. Penner for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Huge thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for a chance to review this arc!
My reading experience for this one was a little disjointed.
From 0-25% I wasn’t invested at all and considered dnf’ing (I put it down for a while and tried at a later time)
From 25-80% mild interest
From 80-100% absolute snooze-fest. I fell asleep twice
I think this cozy fantasy has elements that in theory; should work well together. A cozy enchanting setting, witches, spells & animal companions, etc. Unfortunately, the execution, slow pacing and quick resolutions made for an underwhelming reading experience.
I didn’t hate or dislike the book, I just think it didn’t have enough going on for it. The problems were resolved insanely quickly and the climax of the story was underwhelming. I really loved the animal companions (Quince the hedge-hog) and I didn’t mind the characters but their interactions felt shallow (between Iris & Talon and Iris & her sisters). Talon was in adoration with Iris right from the start and their relationship moved really quickly. The ‘I love yous’ gave me whiplash. The interactions between the sisters were never straight to the point and this was repeated throughout the entire book so it was a little irritating. There’s a lot of repetition.
Essentially, I think I expected more from the magic system, the interactions, relationships and world building. I did think that Iris’s moral dilemma was well done… especially regarding her self doubts. She was the most fleshed out character. I do still recommend this one if you like cozy fantasy ; especially if you’re new to the genre.
My reading experience for this one was a little disjointed.
From 0-25% I wasn’t invested at all and considered dnf’ing (I put it down for a while and tried at a later time)
From 25-80% mild interest
From 80-100% absolute snooze-fest. I fell asleep twice
I think this cozy fantasy has elements that in theory; should work well together. A cozy enchanting setting, witches, spells & animal companions, etc. Unfortunately, the execution, slow pacing and quick resolutions made for an underwhelming reading experience.
I didn’t hate or dislike the book, I just think it didn’t have enough going on for it. The problems were resolved insanely quickly and the climax of the story was underwhelming. I really loved the animal companions (Quince the hedge-hog) and I didn’t mind the characters but their interactions felt shallow (between Iris & Talon and Iris & her sisters). Talon was in adoration with Iris right from the start and their relationship moved really quickly. The ‘I love yous’ gave me whiplash. The interactions between the sisters were never straight to the point and this was repeated throughout the entire book so it was a little irritating. There’s a lot of repetition.
Essentially, I think I expected more from the magic system, the interactions, relationships and world building. I did think that Iris’s moral dilemma was well done… especially regarding her self doubts. She was the most fleshed out character. I do still recommend this one if you like cozy fantasy ; especially if you’re new to the genre.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✮✮✮✮
This book was so incredibly cute and sweet! I read it super quickly since I was having such a fun time with it.
The characters were amazing, the family dynamics and the plot were fun to read about, and the romance was incredible! The most interesting part of the book to me was Iris's relationship with her sisters. It felt very real how even with all their differences they still love and cared for each other.
I loved how Iris was an extremely strong character in some parts but in others she was able to make herself vulnerable and "ask" for help, specially from Talon. I also loved how kind Talon was to everyone and how much he loved and cared for Iris.
My favorite character was definitely Quince! I loved how all witches have companions in this story and how Iris's was a hedgehog. Quince was very funny and cute throughout the whole book. He was also very supportive of Iris and was always there for her when she needed. It was beautiful seeing how much they both trusted and relied on one another.
Overall, I am extremely thankful for getting the ARC of this book since I love J.Penner's works and I would recommend this book to anyone, specially if you're looking for a cozy spring fantasy book.
₊✩‧₊˚౨ৎ˚₊✩‧₊✩‧₊˚౨ৎ˚₊✩‧₊
౨ৎ pre-read:
˚⟡ started: feb 23rd
°˖➴ I am snowed in and have no power, so might as well try catching up to some of my unread ARCs! I have read A Fellowship of Bakers and Magic by J. Penner and absolutely loved the book, so I have very high expectations for this one!!
This book was so incredibly cute and sweet! I read it super quickly since I was having such a fun time with it.
The characters were amazing, the family dynamics and the plot were fun to read about, and the romance was incredible! The most interesting part of the book to me was Iris's relationship with her sisters. It felt very real how even with all their differences they still love and cared for each other.
I loved how Iris was an extremely strong character in some parts but in others she was able to make herself vulnerable and "ask" for help, specially from Talon. I also loved how kind Talon was to everyone and how much he loved and cared for Iris.
My favorite character was definitely Quince! I loved how all witches have companions in this story and how Iris's was a hedgehog. Quince was very funny and cute throughout the whole book. He was also very supportive of Iris and was always there for her when she needed. It was beautiful seeing how much they both trusted and relied on one another.
Overall, I am extremely thankful for getting the ARC of this book since I love J.Penner's works and I would recommend this book to anyone, specially if you're looking for a cozy spring fantasy book.
₊✩‧₊˚౨ৎ˚₊✩‧₊✩‧₊˚౨ৎ˚₊✩‧₊
౨ৎ pre-read:
˚⟡ started: feb 23rd
°˖➴ I am snowed in and have no power, so might as well try catching up to some of my unread ARCs! I have read A Fellowship of Bakers and Magic by J. Penner and absolutely loved the book, so I have very high expectations for this one!!
October 6, 2025
Have you ever wanted to have a hedgehog as companion? I certainly would like one.
Highlights:
- Grumpy witch x sunshine orc
- Necromancy
- Cozy fantasy
- Sisterly bonding
Does J. Penner ever sleep? With the way that she is contiously putting these out- I think the answer is no.
She has to be working overtime to give us all of the cute, cozy fantasy stories. I so appreciate that.
Iris has a goal, she wants to be the most evil witch in the land!
And every evil witch needs a mean, scary bodyguard. Who could be better than an orc?
It’s too bad the orc she chooses, Talon, would rather be baking delectable sweets, gardening and talking to chickens instead.
This is cute.
A super quick and light read, with tons of cuteness and vibes.
Is it filled to the brim with insane plot points? Not necessarily, but it isn’t supposed to be.
We’re all about having a good time here, and this gave me a good time.
So I think that’s a win.
I just love a story that feels warm, and everything this author writes gives me that feeling. I want to live in this little village so badly.
As always, we don’t just get the warmth and coziness, but we also get lots of lovable side characters and a tasty baking theme!
I like the sisterly bonding theme here.
There are 3 witch sisters working together, so it really reminded me of Charmed or Hocus Pocus.
So if you’re into that- you might like this!
The romance is light, but adorable.
Talon slowly rubbing off on Iris- making the mean evil witch laugh at his jokes, and smile when he does something dumb, gives off good energy.
I just love when grumpy x sunshine becomes a little less grumpy x sunshine.
I have to mention the hedgehog again.
His name is Quince. He talks. He likes to drink tea and eat sugar. He is my favorite.
What else can I say?
* Major bonus points for the cover of this book. Iris is SO PRETTY!!!? Round of applause for the cover artist Emma Gillette.
Thank you to Netgalley, Poisoned Pen Press and author J. Penner for providing me with the eARC of “Death Meets Cute”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: April 28, 2026
Highlights:
- Grumpy witch x sunshine orc
- Necromancy
- Cozy fantasy
- Sisterly bonding
Does J. Penner ever sleep? With the way that she is contiously putting these out- I think the answer is no.
She has to be working overtime to give us all of the cute, cozy fantasy stories. I so appreciate that.
Iris has a goal, she wants to be the most evil witch in the land!
And every evil witch needs a mean, scary bodyguard. Who could be better than an orc?
It’s too bad the orc she chooses, Talon, would rather be baking delectable sweets, gardening and talking to chickens instead.
This is cute.
A super quick and light read, with tons of cuteness and vibes.
Is it filled to the brim with insane plot points? Not necessarily, but it isn’t supposed to be.
We’re all about having a good time here, and this gave me a good time.
So I think that’s a win.
I just love a story that feels warm, and everything this author writes gives me that feeling. I want to live in this little village so badly.
As always, we don’t just get the warmth and coziness, but we also get lots of lovable side characters and a tasty baking theme!
I like the sisterly bonding theme here.
There are 3 witch sisters working together, so it really reminded me of Charmed or Hocus Pocus.
So if you’re into that- you might like this!
The romance is light, but adorable.
Talon slowly rubbing off on Iris- making the mean evil witch laugh at his jokes, and smile when he does something dumb, gives off good energy.
I just love when grumpy x sunshine becomes a little less grumpy x sunshine.
I have to mention the hedgehog again.
His name is Quince. He talks. He likes to drink tea and eat sugar. He is my favorite.
What else can I say?
* Major bonus points for the cover of this book. Iris is SO PRETTY!!!? Round of applause for the cover artist Emma Gillette.
Thank you to Netgalley, Poisoned Pen Press and author J. Penner for providing me with the eARC of “Death Meets Cute”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: April 28, 2026
April 7, 2026
☆ 2 stars
Death Meets Cute is an endearing, low-stakes fantasy by author J. Penner which has unfortunately missed the mark for me. I’m truly so sad that this hasn’t worked for me as it was the stunning cover that grabbed my attention and the enticing story premise that hooked me in. My main issue with this story is that the entire experience felt surface level and aimless as I felt like it never delved deeper into the world nor our primary cast of characters in the way that I’d hoped.
The world-building doesn’t really exist outside of the cheery small town that Iris finds herself residing in after a falling out with her two sisters which ultimately doesn’t matter as it has no negative impact in terms of the context of the plot. The premise of the story granted me expectations that weren’t met (probably my own misinterpretation) as I had been anticipating a story that yes, would be cosy and whimsical, but would also have enough stakes and grit to wholly explore the tale of a want-to-be villainess who comes to experience a major crisis in identity. Instead the low-stakes environment found me struggling to feel invested or connected into any element of the story. I feel horrible admitting this because I genuinely do love a cosy story… but ultimately in this one I was bored. I couldn’t find myself to care about the majority of the characters which is (for me) one of the most important aspects in keeping my interest piqued and this resulted in a feeling of disconnect from the story as a whole.
Iris Wayward had the groundwork to be a compelling and complex character with a strong narrative voice who finds herself on a journey duelling with her sense of purpose. Instead I just found her character to be very underwhelming with the ‘tell not show’ approach. It is repeatedly pointed out to the reader that Iris is evil. Dastardly. A woman who yearns to be feared and respected for her unlawful ways. However there is zero action or indicator on-page to support this narrative other than the fact that she glowers and scowls at the innocent townsfolk of Fraywell for the ‘sake of her reputation.’ You can’t even argue that her dabble in necromancy makes her evil… because she contacted Talon’s spirit and asked for his permission first to be resurrected with the purpose in being her new bodyguard. I had really been rooting and anticipating a journey of self-reflection for greater emotional impact and development for Iris which did not happen in a pace that I would have preferred. I did appreciate her growth by the end as Iris finally seemed content within herself and the life that she has claimed for herself, but ultimately this revelation didn’t have the lasting experience that I had been hoping for due to the slow progress and minimal overall exploration of her character. My favourite aspect of Iris’s character is the wholesome bond that she shares with her hedgehog familiar, Quince. Quince was a such delight to experience and I really feel like his personally and love for Iris (and food) vividly shone through the pages.
Talon was a sweet and dependable aspect to the story which I wholly enjoyed from beginning to end. I loved that this intimating half-orc was in-fact a soft, gentle soul that enjoyed baking and being domestic at home. His character says consistent throughout but this ties in well for his story and the role that he plays throughout. However, I will say that the descriptors of his baked goods was excessive. Beyond excessive. I began to feel like the purpose of the plot was to make me hungry and crave the food that I cannot access as opposed to an actual storyline that I was supposed to feel invested in. I sadly found my attentions waning as a result and had to commit into the picking back up a book that I had wholly been expecting to love and devour within one sitting.
The lack of character development also resulted in me feeling like the romantic sub-plot wasn’t earned or believable enough for me to want to root for Iris and Talon as a couple. I felt like they had finally began to plant the roots of friendship which could later be used as a foundation for their romantic connection, however love declarations came rather swiftly after this which isn’t my personal preferred approach. I’m admittedly a slow-burn romance defender for life and I had been excited to see Iris and Talon seem to take this initial approach… however everything within the second half of the story seemed to move rather quickly without effort and was over before I had the time to blink.
I will lastly note something minor that caught my attention with mild annoyance… I don’t understand why Iris had to censor the words ‘killing/dying’ and instead used the term ‘unaliving’ for herself? This just felt slightly off to me as this is something I expect to see on social platforms where creators want to avoid being flagged/punished for using the actual word. It just struck me as an odd use of wording that I couldn’t place as to why, but again this is just a pet peeve more than an actual issue.
I feel awful that I’ve found myself outlining a lot of the things that didn’t work for me during Death Meets Cute but at the same time… what doesn’t work for me could be exactly what another reader is looking for. I clearly wasn’t the right intended audience for this as I still highly recommend picking up this story if you’re looking for a warm and cosy, low-stakes fantasy with a touch of romance and a plethora of descriptive sweet treats that will leave your mouth salivating. Oh, and the endearing familiars and complex familial relations of course.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.
Death Meets Cute is an endearing, low-stakes fantasy by author J. Penner which has unfortunately missed the mark for me. I’m truly so sad that this hasn’t worked for me as it was the stunning cover that grabbed my attention and the enticing story premise that hooked me in. My main issue with this story is that the entire experience felt surface level and aimless as I felt like it never delved deeper into the world nor our primary cast of characters in the way that I’d hoped.
The world-building doesn’t really exist outside of the cheery small town that Iris finds herself residing in after a falling out with her two sisters which ultimately doesn’t matter as it has no negative impact in terms of the context of the plot. The premise of the story granted me expectations that weren’t met (probably my own misinterpretation) as I had been anticipating a story that yes, would be cosy and whimsical, but would also have enough stakes and grit to wholly explore the tale of a want-to-be villainess who comes to experience a major crisis in identity. Instead the low-stakes environment found me struggling to feel invested or connected into any element of the story. I feel horrible admitting this because I genuinely do love a cosy story… but ultimately in this one I was bored. I couldn’t find myself to care about the majority of the characters which is (for me) one of the most important aspects in keeping my interest piqued and this resulted in a feeling of disconnect from the story as a whole.
Iris Wayward had the groundwork to be a compelling and complex character with a strong narrative voice who finds herself on a journey duelling with her sense of purpose. Instead I just found her character to be very underwhelming with the ‘tell not show’ approach. It is repeatedly pointed out to the reader that Iris is evil. Dastardly. A woman who yearns to be feared and respected for her unlawful ways. However there is zero action or indicator on-page to support this narrative other than the fact that she glowers and scowls at the innocent townsfolk of Fraywell for the ‘sake of her reputation.’ You can’t even argue that her dabble in necromancy makes her evil… because she contacted Talon’s spirit and asked for his permission first to be resurrected with the purpose in being her new bodyguard. I had really been rooting and anticipating a journey of self-reflection for greater emotional impact and development for Iris which did not happen in a pace that I would have preferred. I did appreciate her growth by the end as Iris finally seemed content within herself and the life that she has claimed for herself, but ultimately this revelation didn’t have the lasting experience that I had been hoping for due to the slow progress and minimal overall exploration of her character. My favourite aspect of Iris’s character is the wholesome bond that she shares with her hedgehog familiar, Quince. Quince was a such delight to experience and I really feel like his personally and love for Iris (and food) vividly shone through the pages.
Talon was a sweet and dependable aspect to the story which I wholly enjoyed from beginning to end. I loved that this intimating half-orc was in-fact a soft, gentle soul that enjoyed baking and being domestic at home. His character says consistent throughout but this ties in well for his story and the role that he plays throughout. However, I will say that the descriptors of his baked goods was excessive. Beyond excessive. I began to feel like the purpose of the plot was to make me hungry and crave the food that I cannot access as opposed to an actual storyline that I was supposed to feel invested in. I sadly found my attentions waning as a result and had to commit into the picking back up a book that I had wholly been expecting to love and devour within one sitting.
The lack of character development also resulted in me feeling like the romantic sub-plot wasn’t earned or believable enough for me to want to root for Iris and Talon as a couple. I felt like they had finally began to plant the roots of friendship which could later be used as a foundation for their romantic connection, however love declarations came rather swiftly after this which isn’t my personal preferred approach. I’m admittedly a slow-burn romance defender for life and I had been excited to see Iris and Talon seem to take this initial approach… however everything within the second half of the story seemed to move rather quickly without effort and was over before I had the time to blink.
I will lastly note something minor that caught my attention with mild annoyance… I don’t understand why Iris had to censor the words ‘killing/dying’ and instead used the term ‘unaliving’ for herself? This just felt slightly off to me as this is something I expect to see on social platforms where creators want to avoid being flagged/punished for using the actual word. It just struck me as an odd use of wording that I couldn’t place as to why, but again this is just a pet peeve more than an actual issue.
I feel awful that I’ve found myself outlining a lot of the things that didn’t work for me during Death Meets Cute but at the same time… what doesn’t work for me could be exactly what another reader is looking for. I clearly wasn’t the right intended audience for this as I still highly recommend picking up this story if you’re looking for a warm and cosy, low-stakes fantasy with a touch of romance and a plethora of descriptive sweet treats that will leave your mouth salivating. Oh, and the endearing familiars and complex familial relations of course.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.
October 31, 2025
A great choice in hedgehog-related literature. Possibly the only choice in hedgehog-related literature. I'm not sure. That needs researching. Also, a great choice in reanimated corpse romance. Definitely not the only choice in reanimated corpse romance. I'm not sure what it says about me that I've read several books with reanimated corpse romances in them. OK, I am sure what it says about me, and I like myself anyway.
Back to the book: This is a breezy and fun cozy fantasy read with romance and sisterhood. It's been a while since I read a book about a main character who wants to be a villain but is bad at villainy.
I'm giving it four stars because I feel there is a tiny smidge missing from the romance. Namely, while I know why the main character loves the orc, I do not know why the orc loves the main character. He says she's beautiful. Which is nice and all, but not a complete basis for a romance.
Other than that, I really enjoyed this one and hope to see what this author has in the future.
I received this book as a digital ARC for free.
Back to the book: This is a breezy and fun cozy fantasy read with romance and sisterhood. It's been a while since I read a book about a main character who wants to be a villain but is bad at villainy.
I'm giving it four stars because I feel there is a tiny smidge missing from the romance. Namely, while I know why the main character loves the orc, I do not know why the orc loves the main character. He says she's beautiful. Which is nice and all, but not a complete basis for a romance.
Other than that, I really enjoyed this one and hope to see what this author has in the future.
I received this book as a digital ARC for free.
May 1, 2026
I’m shouting this from the rooftops but I FREAKING LOVE COZY FANTASY!!! I loved this story so much & don’t come for me with my 5 star rating! I loved Iris, I loved Talon but I especially loved Quince the hedgehog! Highly recommend if you like cozy fantasy!
May 5, 2026
Ok loved Talon, but hated everyone else. The other characters just felt so shallow/childish/static. The whole story felt very “cutesy”/“cosy” and didn’t delve too deeply into making this any kind of epic fantasy.
I don’t think these type of stories are for me- I want the romance to be a sub plot, not the main driver. I want life or death stakes, and well developed characters that make me want them to beat the odds. I want depth to all aspects of the fiction I’m reading. This was not even close to what I want to be reading right now.
Thank you anyways to the author, NetGalley, and Poisoned Pen Press for a copy!
I don’t think these type of stories are for me- I want the romance to be a sub plot, not the main driver. I want life or death stakes, and well developed characters that make me want them to beat the odds. I want depth to all aspects of the fiction I’m reading. This was not even close to what I want to be reading right now.
Thank you anyways to the author, NetGalley, and Poisoned Pen Press for a copy!
May 10, 2026
3.5
this was the epitome of a cozy fantasy!
it was such a comforting read and unlike anything i’ve personally read before!
we follow Iris, a witch and her familiar Quince, as well as Talon who is an orc!
i love familiars in general but Quince was an especially cute character!
Iris and Talon were such lovely characters and i really enjoyed seeing their dynamic and watching their relationship grow!!
the stakes were very low which made it the perfect book to read before bed, truly such lovely cozy vibes!!
my only negative is that everything felt a bit rushed and i would have loved to be able to savour the world and story more!
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review
this was the epitome of a cozy fantasy!
it was such a comforting read and unlike anything i’ve personally read before!
we follow Iris, a witch and her familiar Quince, as well as Talon who is an orc!
i love familiars in general but Quince was an especially cute character!
Iris and Talon were such lovely characters and i really enjoyed seeing their dynamic and watching their relationship grow!!
the stakes were very low which made it the perfect book to read before bed, truly such lovely cozy vibes!!
my only negative is that everything felt a bit rushed and i would have loved to be able to savour the world and story more!
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review
Did Not Finish
March 19, 2026Arc from NetGalley
Unfortunately I did not finish this. This was my mistake for choosing this based on the cover. I assumed that it would be more DnD fantasy than satire fantasy similar to Ella Enchanted. The tone did not work for me as a novel, but would as an anime. This felt less cozy fantasy and more satirical.
Unfortunately I did not finish this. This was my mistake for choosing this based on the cover. I assumed that it would be more DnD fantasy than satire fantasy similar to Ella Enchanted. The tone did not work for me as a novel, but would as an anime. This felt less cozy fantasy and more satirical.
April 9, 2026
I love witches, orcs, familiars, sister bonds, coziness, and baking. And they were delivered, okay. I just had high high hopes for this one that weren’t reached. I still give it 3 stars. I wanted a more fleshed out story and romance outside of those aspects.
Yeah, lots of cute and enjoyable elements that never went past surface level for me. I kept waiting for it to **start** after those lively (no pun intended) first few chapters. Talon is so sweet but he’s hardly an active and full fledged character on the page, often just baking in the background with no memories. By the time their romance progressed and we got to the good stuff I just wasn’t that invested. I kinda liked the non romantic plot we had going on here, but it never felt fully realized and the wrapup was anticlimactic, even for a cozy fantasy.
I still liked enough to read more from this author and cross my fingers.
Yeah, lots of cute and enjoyable elements that never went past surface level for me. I kept waiting for it to **start** after those lively (no pun intended) first few chapters. Talon is so sweet but he’s hardly an active and full fledged character on the page, often just baking in the background with no memories. By the time their romance progressed and we got to the good stuff I just wasn’t that invested. I kinda liked the non romantic plot we had going on here, but it never felt fully realized and the wrapup was anticlimactic, even for a cozy fantasy.
I still liked enough to read more from this author and cross my fingers.
February 26, 2026
2 stars = 'it was okay'
I once again judged a book by its cover - the second time I've done that this year, and the second time it has failed me. the odds are not in my favour, I should really stop doing that. the artwork is just lovely though, and I've never read fantasy with orcs/ogres and other 'monsters' so wanted to give it a go.
in the interest of keeping things short and sweet, things I liked:
• The world
• Talon, the MMC, being an absolute sweetie pie angel
• All the baking and the recipes at the end of this book - I saw that Penner's other books have a similar thing. I have yet to try the recipe but I do like devils food cake.
• witchcraft and magic (with actual cauldrons!)
things I didn't like
• the FMC....for so many reasons but mainly her insistence that she's an 'evil' character that can't do x, y or z because she needs to protect her wicked image. I love an evil character, but were Iris and her sisters even evil? I needed more evidence of her evil deeds beyond brief and loose remarks about inciting exactly one civil war and some debacle with the old woman who used to live down the road from them to make her character or character development believable or substantial. it felt like she was playing make believe and she's supposedly nearly 30! I also found her to be quite selfish and judgemental.
• the writing - seemed aimed at middle grade, and fluffed out with purple prose descriptions and interactions that weren't really necessary if the intention was to make the setting cosier.
• the insta-love - a personal dislike admittedly, but the story is over such a short period with quite minimal interaction between the love interest besides gorging on food. also Talons storyline should've at least thrown things into question more? I suppose it's cosy fantasy with low stakes though so
sadly it wasn't a very cosy read for me. I seem to be the minority though, so maybe cosy fantasy is just not my thing.
thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and J. Penner for this eArc in exchange for my honest review.
I once again judged a book by its cover - the second time I've done that this year, and the second time it has failed me. the odds are not in my favour, I should really stop doing that. the artwork is just lovely though, and I've never read fantasy with orcs/ogres and other 'monsters' so wanted to give it a go.
in the interest of keeping things short and sweet, things I liked:
• The world
• Talon, the MMC, being an absolute sweetie pie angel
• All the baking and the recipes at the end of this book - I saw that Penner's other books have a similar thing. I have yet to try the recipe but I do like devils food cake.
• witchcraft and magic (with actual cauldrons!)
things I didn't like
• the FMC....for so many reasons but mainly her insistence that she's an 'evil' character that can't do x, y or z because she needs to protect her wicked image. I love an evil character, but were Iris and her sisters even evil? I needed more evidence of her evil deeds beyond brief and loose remarks about inciting exactly one civil war and some debacle with the old woman who used to live down the road from them to make her character or character development believable or substantial. it felt like she was playing make believe and she's supposedly nearly 30! I also found her to be quite selfish and judgemental.
• the writing - seemed aimed at middle grade, and fluffed out with purple prose descriptions and interactions that weren't really necessary if the intention was to make the setting cosier.
• the insta-love - a personal dislike admittedly, but the story is over such a short period with quite minimal interaction between the love interest besides gorging on food. also Talons storyline should've at least thrown things into question more? I suppose it's cosy fantasy with low stakes though so
sadly it wasn't a very cosy read for me. I seem to be the minority though, so maybe cosy fantasy is just not my thing.
thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and J. Penner for this eArc in exchange for my honest review.
January 8, 2026
Death Meets Cute is a sharp, cozy fantasy romance about a witch who desperately wants to be a terrifying villain and accidentally builds a soft slightly unhinged found family instead. Iris Wayward sets off to a quiet town to craft her wicked legacy with curses, potions, and a fearsome reputation only to reanimate a fallen warrior who turns out to be kind, bakes, and is absolutely not the menace she ordered.What follows is a delightful clash between villain ambition and inconvenient feelings, wrapped in humor and just enough chaos to keep things magical. Iris’s struggle between who she wants to be and who she’s becoming is funny, touching, and wildly entertaining, especially as her sisters arrive and bigger magical stakes unfold.
This author is one of my top favorites of the year I’ve nearly read everything she’s written and this was hands down my favorite book of 2025. She just gets my reading taste and consistently writes stories I completely devour. Death Meets Cute was absolutely everything: cozy, clever, heartfelt, and impossible to put down. 💀✨📚
This author is one of my top favorites of the year I’ve nearly read everything she’s written and this was hands down my favorite book of 2025. She just gets my reading taste and consistently writes stories I completely devour. Death Meets Cute was absolutely everything: cozy, clever, heartfelt, and impossible to put down. 💀✨📚
May 2, 2026
My rating 4.5
I LOVED THIS!
Sometimes a book starts strong and just keeps getting better and J. Penner does that here. I was immediately in love with the characters and the cozy offbeat vibes. A little morbid humour doesn't hurt either. The characters are a big part of the fun. A witch and a dead Orc...what could go wrong? Snappy dialogue, a little spooky, a little sweet, both Iris and Talon are terrific. Being evil is a way of life, sort of, for the witch Iris. When her bodyguard takes off she finds herself seeking another. Talon just happens to show up at the right (wrong?) time. It's too bad he's dead. When he becomes something she doesn't anticipate, the fun unfolds. Really good baking ensues and so does the mystery of the waning magic. With help from her sisters and Talon, Iris attempts to fix it, all the while avoiding the truth that she might just be falling for a dead half Orc. So charming!
Samara MacLaren is one of my favourite narrators. She brings the fun...and the snark! I found myself cackling along with her through the chapters. She doesn't forget the emotion though and there were some softer moments that she absolutely nails. So charming!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks UK/Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this title. These thoughts are my own.
I LOVED THIS!
Sometimes a book starts strong and just keeps getting better and J. Penner does that here. I was immediately in love with the characters and the cozy offbeat vibes. A little morbid humour doesn't hurt either. The characters are a big part of the fun. A witch and a dead Orc...what could go wrong? Snappy dialogue, a little spooky, a little sweet, both Iris and Talon are terrific. Being evil is a way of life, sort of, for the witch Iris. When her bodyguard takes off she finds herself seeking another. Talon just happens to show up at the right (wrong?) time. It's too bad he's dead. When he becomes something she doesn't anticipate, the fun unfolds. Really good baking ensues and so does the mystery of the waning magic. With help from her sisters and Talon, Iris attempts to fix it, all the while avoiding the truth that she might just be falling for a dead half Orc. So charming!
Samara MacLaren is one of my favourite narrators. She brings the fun...and the snark! I found myself cackling along with her through the chapters. She doesn't forget the emotion though and there were some softer moments that she absolutely nails. So charming!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks UK/Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this title. These thoughts are my own.
May 2, 2026
The ups and downs of being an evil witch.
What to do when your evil witchy powers are flagging, when you bodyguard disappears, and your finding yourself kindly disposed towards your neighbors?
What Iris Weyward does is worries herself silly trying to solve the problem, brings an orc back to life and binds him to herself as her new bodyguard, and the other? Well…!
With her world turned upside down Iris and her familiar Quince (a hedgehog)(I know even I wondered at that!!)
Then there’s her orc bodyguard who despite his size is cute, endearing…and bakes!
Iris feels all is lost when her sisters visit her. Why? It seems all of the sisters are experiencing magic failure. How to get back their powers?
An absurd bouncy love story with a difference, a cosy romantasy, that leaves you smiling.
A Poisoned Pen Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
What to do when your evil witchy powers are flagging, when you bodyguard disappears, and your finding yourself kindly disposed towards your neighbors?
What Iris Weyward does is worries herself silly trying to solve the problem, brings an orc back to life and binds him to herself as her new bodyguard, and the other? Well…!
With her world turned upside down Iris and her familiar Quince (a hedgehog)(I know even I wondered at that!!)
Then there’s her orc bodyguard who despite his size is cute, endearing…and bakes!
Iris feels all is lost when her sisters visit her. Why? It seems all of the sisters are experiencing magic failure. How to get back their powers?
An absurd bouncy love story with a difference, a cosy romantasy, that leaves you smiling.
A Poisoned Pen Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
April 23, 2026
04/22/2026-04/23/2026
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for the gifted physical proof copy of “Death Meets Cute” by J. Penner 📖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Coming 04/28/2026)
This little YA cozy Romantasy read was not only adorable it made me really hungry! 😂
I swear someone is eating something delicious on every page (and so I was eating something delicious almost every page too 😂)
Seriously the story between Iris discovering she may not be as evil as she wants to be, with the addition of Quince the most sassy hungry 🦔 there must be, plus Talon? Our reanimated mercenary/baker/gardener/bodyguard sweetheart orc? I mean come on straight adorable! 🥹🥀
I really wasn’t expecting that ending either, I had my hunches as to why the big problem existed but I was way wrong! And the resolution was so sweet! 💙
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for the gifted physical proof copy of “Death Meets Cute” by J. Penner 📖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Coming 04/28/2026)
This little YA cozy Romantasy read was not only adorable it made me really hungry! 😂
I swear someone is eating something delicious on every page (and so I was eating something delicious almost every page too 😂)
Seriously the story between Iris discovering she may not be as evil as she wants to be, with the addition of Quince the most sassy hungry 🦔 there must be, plus Talon? Our reanimated mercenary/baker/gardener/bodyguard sweetheart orc? I mean come on straight adorable! 🥹🥀
I really wasn’t expecting that ending either, I had my hunches as to why the big problem existed but I was way wrong! And the resolution was so sweet! 💙
April 27, 2026
⭐⭐⭐.75 | 3.75 stars rounded up
This was a really cute read! Like all J. Penner's books, the plot is somewhat predictable and ambling, and entirely cozy and comforting, which I was what I hoped for going in.
I found the concept Iris, a witch who wants to be a villain and struggles to be evil, really charming, and the world Penner creates in this is perfectly whimsical. I'm always a sucker for animal companions, too.
The romance wasn't as developed as I hoped it would be, and I would have loved to see more character growth from Talon.
Overall, this was super cute.
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the eARC.
This was a really cute read! Like all J. Penner's books, the plot is somewhat predictable and ambling, and entirely cozy and comforting, which I was what I hoped for going in.
I found the concept Iris, a witch who wants to be a villain and struggles to be evil, really charming, and the world Penner creates in this is perfectly whimsical. I'm always a sucker for animal companions, too.
The romance wasn't as developed as I hoped it would be, and I would have loved to see more character growth from Talon.
Overall, this was super cute.
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the eARC.
Did Not Finish
April 1, 2026DNF @ 40%
I honestly probably would have dnfed this after the prologue except that it was an arc. The writing was very middle school and I couldn't connect with the characters or care about what they were going through.
I honestly probably would have dnfed this after the prologue except that it was an arc. The writing was very middle school and I couldn't connect with the characters or care about what they were going through.
November 9, 2025
If you're not hungry while reading this book... it means you might be dead and Iris has to revive you!
* The characters *
I liked the little twist where it's our lady who is grumpy and our gentleman who is a golden retriever. We follow Iris, whose goal is to be the wicked witch of her village. And there's no denying it, she's not an expert, which is very funny! She decides that with all her “wickedness,” she needs a bodyguard. Without a moment's hesitation, she opens her door and adopts a half-dead orc. That's how the novel begins, and it's extremely funny to follow! I really enjoyed following Talon, who is a sweetheart, but I also liked discovering the more down-to-earth Iris. The characters are pretty cool, but I'm missing that spark to really understand why this is a romance. It's missing that certain something, which is a bit of a shame.
* The plot *
At first, I started from scratch, telling myself I would discover things as I went along, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that there is also a plot involving the sisters that is quite realistic in terms of their relationship! The dénouement is quite quick, but the relationship between the three sisters is still realistic and coherent!
* In short *
It's a great novel that
- is a quick read
- is funny
- is about a witch who revives an orc on her doorstep
- is about CAKKKKES
- is about a small village.
- is perfect for fall
Thank you, Netgalley, for allowing me to read this title in advance.
Si tu n'as pas faim en lisant ce livre... c'est que tu es peut être mort et que Iris doit te réanimer !
* Les personnages *
J'ai aimé ce petit twist où c'est notre madame qui est grumpy et notre monsieur qui est un golden retriever. On suit Iris qui a pour but d'être la méchante sorcière de son village. Et y a pas à dire, ce n'est pas une experte ce qui est très drôle ! Elle se dit qu'avec ses " méchancetés ", elle a besoin d'un bodyguard. Ni une ni deux, elle ouvre la porte de chez elle et adopte un orc à moitié mort. Voila le debut du roman et c'est extremement drôle à suivre ! J'ai beaucoup aimé suivre Talon qui est un petit sucre mais j'ai aimé découvrir Iris plus terre à terre. En soit les personnages sont plutôt cool maiiiiis il me manque l'étincelle pour réellement comprendre pourquoi c'est une romance. Ca manque d'un " je ne sais quoi " et c'est un peu dommage.
* L'intrigue *
Au début, je partais de rien en me disant je vais découvrir au fur et à mesure et je suis agréablement suprise de découvrir qu'il y a aussi une intrigue autour des soeurs qui est assez réaliste dans leur relation ! Le dénouement est assez rapide mais la relation des trois soeur est quand même réaliste et cohérente !
* En bref *
C'esy un chouette roman qui
- se lit vite
- qui est drôle
- Qui parle de sorcière qui réanime un orc sur le pas de sa porte
- de CAKKKKES
- d'un petit village.
- parfait pour l'automne
Merci Netgalley de m'avoir permis de lire ce titre en avant première.
* The characters *
I liked the little twist where it's our lady who is grumpy and our gentleman who is a golden retriever. We follow Iris, whose goal is to be the wicked witch of her village. And there's no denying it, she's not an expert, which is very funny! She decides that with all her “wickedness,” she needs a bodyguard. Without a moment's hesitation, she opens her door and adopts a half-dead orc. That's how the novel begins, and it's extremely funny to follow! I really enjoyed following Talon, who is a sweetheart, but I also liked discovering the more down-to-earth Iris. The characters are pretty cool, but I'm missing that spark to really understand why this is a romance. It's missing that certain something, which is a bit of a shame.
* The plot *
At first, I started from scratch, telling myself I would discover things as I went along, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that there is also a plot involving the sisters that is quite realistic in terms of their relationship! The dénouement is quite quick, but the relationship between the three sisters is still realistic and coherent!
* In short *
It's a great novel that
- is a quick read
- is funny
- is about a witch who revives an orc on her doorstep
- is about CAKKKKES
- is about a small village.
- is perfect for fall
Thank you, Netgalley, for allowing me to read this title in advance.
Si tu n'as pas faim en lisant ce livre... c'est que tu es peut être mort et que Iris doit te réanimer !
* Les personnages *
J'ai aimé ce petit twist où c'est notre madame qui est grumpy et notre monsieur qui est un golden retriever. On suit Iris qui a pour but d'être la méchante sorcière de son village. Et y a pas à dire, ce n'est pas une experte ce qui est très drôle ! Elle se dit qu'avec ses " méchancetés ", elle a besoin d'un bodyguard. Ni une ni deux, elle ouvre la porte de chez elle et adopte un orc à moitié mort. Voila le debut du roman et c'est extremement drôle à suivre ! J'ai beaucoup aimé suivre Talon qui est un petit sucre mais j'ai aimé découvrir Iris plus terre à terre. En soit les personnages sont plutôt cool maiiiiis il me manque l'étincelle pour réellement comprendre pourquoi c'est une romance. Ca manque d'un " je ne sais quoi " et c'est un peu dommage.
* L'intrigue *
Au début, je partais de rien en me disant je vais découvrir au fur et à mesure et je suis agréablement suprise de découvrir qu'il y a aussi une intrigue autour des soeurs qui est assez réaliste dans leur relation ! Le dénouement est assez rapide mais la relation des trois soeur est quand même réaliste et cohérente !
* En bref *
C'esy un chouette roman qui
- se lit vite
- qui est drôle
- Qui parle de sorcière qui réanime un orc sur le pas de sa porte
- de CAKKKKES
- d'un petit village.
- parfait pour l'automne
Merci Netgalley de m'avoir permis de lire ce titre en avant première.
January 31, 2026
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley, and Death Meets Cute was such a fun, unexpected read. The concept is clever and playful without losing the paranormal angle, and the story leans into charm and humor while still giving the romance real emotional weight.
I loved how death is handled in this story…not as a traditional character, but as a presence and force that shapes the plot in interesting ways. The supernatural elements blend seamlessly into everyday life, giving the book a cozy-paranormal feel while keeping the tone light and engaging.
The romance was sweet, flirty, and surprisingly layered. The chemistry felt natural, with great banter and moments that genuinely made me smile. I really appreciated how the emotional connection built over time rather than relying on instant attraction.
Overall, this was a charming, cozy paranormal romance with a fun twist and plenty of heart. If you enjoy light paranormal stories with humor, warmth, and a dash of magic, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
I loved how death is handled in this story…not as a traditional character, but as a presence and force that shapes the plot in interesting ways. The supernatural elements blend seamlessly into everyday life, giving the book a cozy-paranormal feel while keeping the tone light and engaging.
The romance was sweet, flirty, and surprisingly layered. The chemistry felt natural, with great banter and moments that genuinely made me smile. I really appreciated how the emotional connection built over time rather than relying on instant attraction.
Overall, this was a charming, cozy paranormal romance with a fun twist and plenty of heart. If you enjoy light paranormal stories with humor, warmth, and a dash of magic, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Who doesn't love an adorable meet cute? Now add a dash of fantasy with a witch and an orc. @jpennerauthor speaks my bookish language. She continously writes adorable cozy fantasy with fun characters and a low risk plot.
Death Meets Cute is a sweet story that includes a cottagecore setting, a grumpy FMC witch who softens with an Orc that is a baker. Giving me all of the grumpy x sunshine feels. The humor baking, and magical charm makes this book a 4/5 ⭐️
Death Meets Cute is a sweet story that includes a cottagecore setting, a grumpy FMC witch who softens with an Orc that is a baker. Giving me all of the grumpy x sunshine feels. The humor baking, and magical charm makes this book a 4/5 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Firstly I would like to thank Poisoned Pen Press, NetGalley and J Penner for this wonderful ARC.
This book was brilliant and I loved every moment of it! I came into it unsure about a romance with an orc - this is my first orc book - but once I got to know the characters, I fell in love with them all. And Quince is the cutest thing ever, I need one!
I loved the small town theme, sister bond, romance, magic and all of the animals! This was the cutest and cosiest book I’ve read in a long time! Also my first 5 star of 2026! I need more!
This book was brilliant and I loved every moment of it! I came into it unsure about a romance with an orc - this is my first orc book - but once I got to know the characters, I fell in love with them all. And Quince is the cutest thing ever, I need one!
I loved the small town theme, sister bond, romance, magic and all of the animals! This was the cutest and cosiest book I’ve read in a long time! Also my first 5 star of 2026! I need more!
April 26, 2026
Cute! Perhaps a bit cloyingly cute considering the characters, but mostly a delight. We have Iris. A pretty witch, with daddy issues and sister squabbles, that is obsessed with being viewed as wicked and aloof. Then, on the other hand, there’s Talon. This handsome generous talented orc lands quite literally on Iris’s doorstep during her lowest point.
Iris has some undeniable quirks. She’s fixated on everyone’s perception of her, is very self-centered, and SURPRISE! has a lot of personal problems. On the upside, there are several truly funny moments with her newly acquired orc companion, animal familiars, and some delightful townsfolk. I have to admit, more from a few of the side characters would have been welcomed. Herman and Lysander had so much potential and grounded other characters with just a few scenes. Then there’s Puck. His shy demeanor and endearing quirks left me wishing for more Puck lore.
Characters aside, the small town had some standouts with winsome shop names and enchanting market days. The baking and gardening vibes also leaned into that quintessential cozy fantasy feel. All in all an enjoyable light read full of magic and whimsy.
My thanks to author J. Penner, NetGalley, and Poisoned Pen Press for the early copy.
Iris has some undeniable quirks. She’s fixated on everyone’s perception of her, is very self-centered, and SURPRISE! has a lot of personal problems. On the upside, there are several truly funny moments with her newly acquired orc companion, animal familiars, and some delightful townsfolk. I have to admit, more from a few of the side characters would have been welcomed. Herman and Lysander had so much potential and grounded other characters with just a few scenes. Then there’s Puck. His shy demeanor and endearing quirks left me wishing for more Puck lore.
Characters aside, the small town had some standouts with winsome shop names and enchanting market days. The baking and gardening vibes also leaned into that quintessential cozy fantasy feel. All in all an enjoyable light read full of magic and whimsy.
My thanks to author J. Penner, NetGalley, and Poisoned Pen Press for the early copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Unfortunately, Death Meets Cute ended up falling flat. The story it tells is simple: Iris, a witch aspiring to evil who has recently left the company of her sisters, needs a new body guard—and is lucky enough to find a orc dying in her yard. She resurrects him, hoping to have the perfect guard to convince the town of her evil, but instead he’s only interested in cooking, cleaning, and chicken feeding. Also, her sisters are in town. That’s pretty much it, and, for me, that was the problem.
Ultimately, this book didn’t work for me because, as much as its premise has potential to be a really great cozy fantasy, it ended up feeling like nothing happened. It’s a fantasy romance, yet I never felt like I learned anything about Talon, the MMC. Aside from being overly cheerly while suffering from brainwash, it’s hard to describe his personality; I’m still not sure if his interest in being a trad-orc is his actual passion after a life-changing event or a result of the spell that brought him back to life. Similarly, Iris never really felt particularly developed; she wants to be evil, but this goal happens primarily in backstory and not on the page. A major conflict of the book is whether or not she should choose to be good to the people in her town (or if she is already good at heart), but, to me, it never felt like she was all that devoted to evil. It didn’t seem to be something she actually struggled with, and, quite frankly, she never felt particularly evil or ill-intentioned. As a result, her plot arc felt flat because it didn’t really feel like she went through any major change. Talon’s plot arc, as far as he can be said to have one, is hardly talked about, making it difficult to get invested in his character.
Furthermore, I never really felt bought in to the romance. Iris is generally prickly with Talon; not necessarily mean, but rarely particularly nice either. By the time the romance starts picking up, its not clear to me if she’s…ever? Been nice to him in a genuine way? I don’t know, it’s fine, it has cute moments, but I struggled to feel convinced of the connection between them. Similarly, a big theme of the book is about the relationships between Iris and her sisters, which also never felt like it was that developed—they spent a lot of time bickering, and at some point they maybe became closer, but I didn’t get to experience enough of them actually changing or overcoming problems to really feel anything about their development.
I am rating this book 3 out of 5 stars. The book didn’t have the depth or complexity I was hoping for, but that doesn’t mean it was bad-- this book is well-written, quick, and easy to get through, so readers looking for something light and sweet should consider picking this one up.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Ultimately, this book didn’t work for me because, as much as its premise has potential to be a really great cozy fantasy, it ended up feeling like nothing happened. It’s a fantasy romance, yet I never felt like I learned anything about Talon, the MMC. Aside from being overly cheerly while suffering from brainwash, it’s hard to describe his personality; I’m still not sure if his interest in being a trad-orc is his actual passion after a life-changing event or a result of the spell that brought him back to life. Similarly, Iris never really felt particularly developed; she wants to be evil, but this goal happens primarily in backstory and not on the page. A major conflict of the book is whether or not she should choose to be good to the people in her town (or if she is already good at heart), but, to me, it never felt like she was all that devoted to evil. It didn’t seem to be something she actually struggled with, and, quite frankly, she never felt particularly evil or ill-intentioned. As a result, her plot arc felt flat because it didn’t really feel like she went through any major change. Talon’s plot arc, as far as he can be said to have one, is hardly talked about, making it difficult to get invested in his character.
Furthermore, I never really felt bought in to the romance. Iris is generally prickly with Talon; not necessarily mean, but rarely particularly nice either. By the time the romance starts picking up, its not clear to me if she’s…ever? Been nice to him in a genuine way? I don’t know, it’s fine, it has cute moments, but I struggled to feel convinced of the connection between them. Similarly, a big theme of the book is about the relationships between Iris and her sisters, which also never felt like it was that developed—they spent a lot of time bickering, and at some point they maybe became closer, but I didn’t get to experience enough of them actually changing or overcoming problems to really feel anything about their development.
I am rating this book 3 out of 5 stars. The book didn’t have the depth or complexity I was hoping for, but that doesn’t mean it was bad-- this book is well-written, quick, and easy to get through, so readers looking for something light and sweet should consider picking this one up.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
October 30, 2025
Thank you to Net Galley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC
I love J Penner’s other series, so I was very excited to read this. I have to say this one didn’t do it for me. I found the premise good but the characters were flat. If you have siblings then Iris and her sister relationship seemed real. But the rest of the characters and their relationship were lacking. Iris was not a compelling or likable character. It seemed she like Talon because he cooked and cleaned for her. I did see the real reason they were drawn to each other. Iris wasn’t really nice to Talon, I saw no reason why he would like her. She kept saying she felt safe around him. But safe from what? Why did she need a bodyguard, there wasn’t any reason for her to.
On a positive note, J. Penners books always leave me hungry. I also really enjoyed the familiars, especially the hedgehog. He was the only one that made me laugh and felt well thought
I love J Penner’s other series, so I was very excited to read this. I have to say this one didn’t do it for me. I found the premise good but the characters were flat. If you have siblings then Iris and her sister relationship seemed real. But the rest of the characters and their relationship were lacking. Iris was not a compelling or likable character. It seemed she like Talon because he cooked and cleaned for her. I did see the real reason they were drawn to each other. Iris wasn’t really nice to Talon, I saw no reason why he would like her. She kept saying she felt safe around him. But safe from what? Why did she need a bodyguard, there wasn’t any reason for her to.
On a positive note, J. Penners books always leave me hungry. I also really enjoyed the familiars, especially the hedgehog. He was the only one that made me laugh and felt well thought
Did Not Finish
November 2, 2025Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was unfortunately a DNF for me. As a monster lover girl the premise seemed cute but ultimately fell flat. The writing itself was juvenile and so were the characters. I was so tired of hearing about how evil Iris was and how she wanted to be the most evil when none of her actions or thoughts really lent herself to this. I know it’s supposed to be a cozy read, but it was just too cozy for what it was trying to do.
This was unfortunately a DNF for me. As a monster lover girl the premise seemed cute but ultimately fell flat. The writing itself was juvenile and so were the characters. I was so tired of hearing about how evil Iris was and how she wanted to be the most evil when none of her actions or thoughts really lent herself to this. I know it’s supposed to be a cozy read, but it was just too cozy for what it was trying to do.
December 9, 2025
This was super cute. While it is giving Disney movie, Shrek was the one that kept coming into my mind. Grumpy x sunshine with a wannabe evil witch and a sweetie pie orc. It's a quick and light read if you're looking for something to fill your time.
I just found that it was kind of meh. Couldn't find myself invested in the storyline or the characters. There wasn't any world building and I found the writing a little awkward. It didn't flow naturally and it felt like I was reading a grocery list at times.
I just found that it was kind of meh. Couldn't find myself invested in the storyline or the characters. There wasn't any world building and I found the writing a little awkward. It didn't flow naturally and it felt like I was reading a grocery list at times.
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