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Death Meets Cute
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Expected 28 Apr 26Win a free print copy of this book!
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25 copies available
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"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
Expected publication April 28, 2026
26817 people want to read
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March 16, 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 fast 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 fast 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.*
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 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
✮✮✮✮
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
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.
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.
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.
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. 💀✨📚
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!
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
J. Penner does it again with a feel-good cozy fantasy romance. This may be my favorite one yet!
Short and sweet, this book is perfect for fans of the author's Adenashire books, or books like Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis and Which Witch? by Eva Ibbotson. The former, in particular, shares the themes of, “I must be terribly evil and intimidating because… REASONS!” found in this book, to emotional and humorous effect.
I enjoyed the complex relationship between the sisters, and the recognition of how difficult it can be to exist in a tense family dynamic and not be overwhelmed. That, while those relationships can be taxing, they are still worth having.
As usual, the book comes with a heavy helping of descriptions of delicious-sounding dishes and even includes some recipes at the end of the book to help you when you find your stomach growling after reading.
This was a welcome and sweet read as a palate cleanser after some recent emotionally heavy books on my TBR, and I feel recharged and ready once more. If you’re looking for a restful, restorative read you can finish during the week or over a weekend, definitely curl up with this one (just make sure you have tea and a sweet treat as well!).
Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Short and sweet, this book is perfect for fans of the author's Adenashire books, or books like Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis and Which Witch? by Eva Ibbotson. The former, in particular, shares the themes of, “I must be terribly evil and intimidating because… REASONS!” found in this book, to emotional and humorous effect.
I enjoyed the complex relationship between the sisters, and the recognition of how difficult it can be to exist in a tense family dynamic and not be overwhelmed. That, while those relationships can be taxing, they are still worth having.
As usual, the book comes with a heavy helping of descriptions of delicious-sounding dishes and even includes some recipes at the end of the book to help you when you find your stomach growling after reading.
This was a welcome and sweet read as a palate cleanser after some recent emotionally heavy books on my TBR, and I feel recharged and ready once more. If you’re looking for a restful, restorative read you can finish during the week or over a weekend, definitely curl up with this one (just make sure you have tea and a sweet treat as well!).
Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
November 18, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up
I really love this authors Adenoshire series and this book also hits the cozy fantasy beats; sassy animal companion (I’m pretty sure Quince steals the show here), baked goods, and witchy magic. I like that this took a spin on the grumpy/sunshine and added a wee bit of darker magic.
I was excited to read this in the fall because I thought there would be super witchy vibes and fall atmosphere but it was actually kind of lacking. There wasn’t much for world building and all the descriptions seemed to be about everyone’s outfits rather than the surroundings. There writing is a little juvenile and this is not this authors first book either, it could’ve used some elevation. I think this book was having an identity crisis and couldn’t decide if it was more romance or more witchy sisters leaning and unfortunately I didn’t get enough of either one out of it.
As far as recommending, it could go either way. It was cute and super short, but it’s hardly the only cozy witch story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author/publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really love this authors Adenoshire series and this book also hits the cozy fantasy beats; sassy animal companion (I’m pretty sure Quince steals the show here), baked goods, and witchy magic. I like that this took a spin on the grumpy/sunshine and added a wee bit of darker magic.
I was excited to read this in the fall because I thought there would be super witchy vibes and fall atmosphere but it was actually kind of lacking. There wasn’t much for world building and all the descriptions seemed to be about everyone’s outfits rather than the surroundings. There writing is a little juvenile and this is not this authors first book either, it could’ve used some elevation. I think this book was having an identity crisis and couldn’t decide if it was more romance or more witchy sisters leaning and unfortunately I didn’t get enough of either one out of it.
As far as recommending, it could go either way. It was cute and super short, but it’s hardly the only cozy witch story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author/publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 19, 2025
🔮 Bookish Thoughts
One of my favorite reads of the year. I went in expecting to love it because this author never misses for me and this book proved that again. Iris was everything. She was melodramatic, messy and very set on being a villain. Naturally I adored her for it. She also absolutely needed a Talon in her life and I cannot blame her because I want a Talon in my life too.
This book was hilarious, but it also had such a focus on sisterhood and the way community can show up for you. I loved the town and I loved how Talon gently pushed Iris toward actually letting people in 🥺🥺
Talon was the perfect orc for her. And I loved the ending and have already preordered the audiobook!
🖤 What to Expect
• Villain era witch
• MMC who bakes
• Accidental resurrection
• Sisters 🥰
• Small town fantasy
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 5 Stars
📅 Pub Date: April 28 2026
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for the digital and physical ARC. All thoughts are my own.
One of my favorite reads of the year. I went in expecting to love it because this author never misses for me and this book proved that again. Iris was everything. She was melodramatic, messy and very set on being a villain. Naturally I adored her for it. She also absolutely needed a Talon in her life and I cannot blame her because I want a Talon in my life too.
This book was hilarious, but it also had such a focus on sisterhood and the way community can show up for you. I loved the town and I loved how Talon gently pushed Iris toward actually letting people in 🥺🥺
Talon was the perfect orc for her. And I loved the ending and have already preordered the audiobook!
🖤 What to Expect
• Villain era witch
• MMC who bakes
• Accidental resurrection
• Sisters 🥰
• Small town fantasy
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 5 Stars
📅 Pub Date: April 28 2026
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for the digital and physical ARC. All thoughts are my own.
December 5, 2025
Death Meets Cute was a nice, heartwarming read that I genuinely enjoyed, even if it didn’t completely blow me away. It has a cosy, comforting vibe throughout, and I loved settling into the softer moments.
Quince was easily my favourite part of the book. He brought a lot of humour to the plot, and honestly who wouldn’t want a hedgehog as a familiar??? Their interactions had this warm, slightly whimsical energy that kept me invested even when the plot felt a bit predictable.
And it was predictable at times, but honestly, that didn’t bother me too much. It still had enough heart to keep me reading happily.
The ending did feel a little rushed, like everything wrapped up just a bit too fast, but it didn’t ruin the experience. Overall, it’s an enjoyable, feel-good book with characters you can’t help but like, even if it isn’t the most surprising story in the world.
Thank you to J. Penner, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for the eARC!
Quince was easily my favourite part of the book. He brought a lot of humour to the plot, and honestly who wouldn’t want a hedgehog as a familiar??? Their interactions had this warm, slightly whimsical energy that kept me invested even when the plot felt a bit predictable.
And it was predictable at times, but honestly, that didn’t bother me too much. It still had enough heart to keep me reading happily.
The ending did feel a little rushed, like everything wrapped up just a bit too fast, but it didn’t ruin the experience. Overall, it’s an enjoyable, feel-good book with characters you can’t help but like, even if it isn’t the most surprising story in the world.
Thank you to J. Penner, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for the eARC!
October 27, 2025
3.5⭐️ rounded up.
Grumpy witch aspiring to be a villain meets sunshine orc who she’s hired to be her bodyguard. Plus a hedgehog familiar that doesn’t stop eating. What’s not to love? This was a cute and enjoyable cozy fantasy, with lots of baking sprinkled in. The beginning was a bit slow and the bickering with the sisters got a little annoying, but I enjoyed Iris’s developing kindness throughout the book and all the scenes with Talon. He was a great character and I would love to try all his food creations. This book has me wanting to raid a bakery!
Thank you NetGalley and Poisened Pen Press for the ARC!
Grumpy witch aspiring to be a villain meets sunshine orc who she’s hired to be her bodyguard. Plus a hedgehog familiar that doesn’t stop eating. What’s not to love? This was a cute and enjoyable cozy fantasy, with lots of baking sprinkled in. The beginning was a bit slow and the bickering with the sisters got a little annoying, but I enjoyed Iris’s developing kindness throughout the book and all the scenes with Talon. He was a great character and I would love to try all his food creations. This book has me wanting to raid a bakery!
Thank you NetGalley and Poisened Pen Press for the ARC!
March 5, 2026
this was such a lovely read, so sweet and cozy! it also made me hungry, and so happy. the cover and title drew me in, but the concept was so unique i honestly couldn’t put it down and read it quite fast because it was so much fun to read.
i loved iris, she was a grumpy witch who wants to be evil more than anything, who surprisingly resurrects a cinnamon roll of an orc named talon. he is sunshine is orc form, and cooks her treats and names her chickens and not at all what she was expecting, but still hires to be her bodyguard. chaos ensues and a curse needs solved! it was so charming and silly, and who doesn’t love an animal companion? her hedgehog familiar was too cute!
i’m so grateful i was given early access, i really enjoyed it! thank you source books for the arc
i loved iris, she was a grumpy witch who wants to be evil more than anything, who surprisingly resurrects a cinnamon roll of an orc named talon. he is sunshine is orc form, and cooks her treats and names her chickens and not at all what she was expecting, but still hires to be her bodyguard. chaos ensues and a curse needs solved! it was so charming and silly, and who doesn’t love an animal companion? her hedgehog familiar was too cute!
i’m so grateful i was given early access, i really enjoyed it! thank you source books for the arc
March 7, 2026
First of all thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an arc of this book, I think this book is perfect for someone who just wants an easy quick cozy springtime read. This was so fun and cute. This is my first J. Penner story so I am assuming we have met Iris and her sisters before in previous books. I think I might would have enjoyed this even more if I had read previous books involving these characters bc I’m assuming previous books might have involved their father and his journey of turning good. But besides that it was very easy to read, the author does an excellent job of imagery I truly felt like I could fully picture this town and cottage and all of the characters really well.
Did not finish
February 8, 2026DNF @ 50%.
This book isn't just the right fit for me, personally. Things were becoming repetitive and essentially going nowhere. Iris keeps telling herself she's evil when we've barely shown what kind of evil stuff she's done, basically all tell and no show. The tone of the book feels a little too YA or even middle-grade, which I wasn't even expecting. Even Talon or Quince, as fun and cozy as their personalities are, couldn't save this for me.
This book isn't just the right fit for me, personally. Things were becoming repetitive and essentially going nowhere. Iris keeps telling herself she's evil when we've barely shown what kind of evil stuff she's done, basically all tell and no show. The tone of the book feels a little too YA or even middle-grade, which I wasn't even expecting. Even Talon or Quince, as fun and cozy as their personalities are, couldn't save this for me.
February 27, 2026
Death Meets Cute was absolutely adorable, it completely and utterly stole my heart. The romance was so sweet, Talon and Iris had me smiling at the pages so often. I fell in love with the characters so quickly. The bond between Iris and her sisters, as well as with the townsfolk really helped lift this book to a 5 star read. It’s the perfect mix of cozy and fantasy, with so moments that made me smile. I didn’t want it to end. Talon and Iris give big golden retriever bf x black cat gf.
March 15, 2026
I love J. penner so much and her cozy fantasy books but this one was not for me. I don’t know if it was the story or the characters or both but I couldn’t stay invested in it.
Essentially our main character loses her body guard and an ogre falls into her way the same time so she tries to get him to be her body guard but he is not actually body guard material despite what he looks like.
I think you could enjoy this if you really like cozy fantasies! But was not hitting for me this time!
Essentially our main character loses her body guard and an ogre falls into her way the same time so she tries to get him to be her body guard but he is not actually body guard material despite what he looks like.
I think you could enjoy this if you really like cozy fantasies! But was not hitting for me this time!
February 12, 2026
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I genuinely truly enjoyed this cute cozy fantasy! I’m so grateful I was granted early access to read this!! If you are into cozy witchy fantasy books, this is right up your alley! And who doesn’t love a pet hedgehog!!! 🦔
I genuinely truly enjoyed this cute cozy fantasy! I’m so grateful I was granted early access to read this!! If you are into cozy witchy fantasy books, this is right up your alley! And who doesn’t love a pet hedgehog!!! 🦔
January 7, 2026
A cute and fun read!
Want to read
October 18, 2025WOOOAAh what a beautiful cover!!! I NEED THIS ON MY TBR ASAP.
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