Death Meets Cute

by J. Penner

"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…

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Adult, Fantasy Romance, Cozy Fantasy, Cozy, Romantasy

Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 28, 2026

Reviews

[SJARR ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Emily Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Eve Rever de livre · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Lyndsay Juhl · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Katie May · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[BookishKB · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔮 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.

[Yen · Rating 2 out of 5]

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 cost 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.

[Em ☽✦ღ · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Kristen Salomon · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 ch 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!

[Rochell Temple · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute and fun read!

[Nelly]

WOOOAAh what a beautiful cover!!! I NEED THIS ON MY TBR ASAP.

[Bevany · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. a cozy fantasy. I loved the hedgehog familiar so cute. the story was sweet but felt really slow.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

J Penners books are fast becoming my go to books for book slumps and reading fatigue. This new offering sold me on the kooky,cozy premise of an aspiring “wicked witch”, Iris,reanimating a half orc named Talon so that he can be her bodyguard. Shenanigans ensue! And of course there is baking involved (has anyone ever actually baked using the recipes included at the back of the book?) Death Meets Cute was an easy read with short chapters that have an oddly consistent page count. It’s a good stepping stone book before I move on to weightier things.


Thanks to Poison Pen Press for making this available on NetGalley

[Hannah Keyser · Rating 4 out of 5]

First my thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an ARC copy of this novel 🫶

I adored the Adenashire series so when I saw that J Penner had a new book in the works I knew I had to read it!

Iris is a witch who knows what she wants from life- evil domination. But when her and her sisters encounter some problems she has to consider— is there more to life than just being evil?

What ensues includes an always hungry hedgehog familiar, an orc bodyguard whose best work ISN’T scaring off unwanted visitors, and figuring out what really matters in life.

If you’re looking for a low-stakes, cozy read then this book is for you!

[Quilted.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. 💀✨📚

[Shelby]

Thank 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.

[Tre' · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is tough to establish yourself as a feared villain when your undead bodyguard is more interested in baking cinnamon rolls than crushing your enemies. Death Meets Cute takes the classic “wicked witch” archetype and forces it into a full cottagecore intervention, asking what happens when you desperately want to be the bad guy but are, in fact, very awful at being bad.

Iris Weyward is the middle sister in a trio of witches who are meant to inspire terror. She even begins her mornings with affirmations about destroying anyone who stands in her way. Unfortunately, her magic is fading, her sisters are estranged, and a half-orc mercenary named Talon has just collapsed and died in her garden. In a moment of panic, Iris performs a necromancy spell to resurrect him. It works, just not as planned. Talon wakes up with no memory of his past life and an aggressively sunny, domestic personality. Instead of menace, he brings baking, cleaning, and unsolicited friendliness to a neighborhood Iris actively avoids. At the same time, she scrambles to uncover what is wrong with her magic and what to do with a hired blade who refuses to be violent.

The book’s greatest strength is its playful inversion of the “monster boyfriend” trope. Talon is physically imposing, tusked, and built like a threat, yet written with the energy of a golden retriever who has just discovered the joy of fresh bread. Watching Iris cling to her grumpy, villainous persona while Talon happily names her chickens (Viola, Valentina, and Valeria) creates a consistently funny dynamic without feeling forced. The humor is situational rather than punchline-driven, which suits the cozy tone well.

The supporting cast adds another layer of warmth. Quince, Iris’s hedgehog familiar, is perpetually hungry, sarcastic, and more than willing to comment on her questionable decisions. The banter between the three Weyward sisters feels grounded in real family history, full of small resentments, affection, and arguments about mundane things like laundry. These moments help anchor the magical elements in something emotionally recognizable.

The general vibe is best described as the literary equivalent of a warm vanilla scone. The pacing moves quickly but never creates stress, and even when curses or death enter the narrative, the tension remains comfortably low. This is a story where the stakes are personal rather than world-ending, focused on Iris learning to be vulnerable and accepting that she may not actually want to be a villain after all. Food descriptions are frequent and vivid, ranging from garlic-roasted potatoes to chocolate cupcakes, and they significantly contribute to the sense of comfort. As a personal note, my daughter and I made the cupcake recipe included at the end of the book, and they were amazing, which only added to the charm of the reading experience.

Death Meets Cute will strongly appeal to readers who loved Legends & Lattes or who enjoy cozy fantasy with romantic comedy structure. It leans into familiar tropes like Grumpy x Sunshine, with the twist that the witch is the grump and the orc is the sunshine. It does so without irony or cynicism. Fans of Penner’s previous cozy work, particularly the Adenoshire series, will feel right at home here, as the book stays true to her tone and strengths.

This book knows exactly what it is and never tries to be anything else. The plot is straightforward and occasionally predictable, which keeps it from reaching a full five stars. Still, the charm of the characters and the consistency of the tone make it a delightful read regardless. It works perfectly as a palate cleanser between heavier books. You will likely finish it smiling and with a strong urge to visit the nearest bakery.

Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC

[Sandra Emes · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10

I really enjoy J. Penner's books, so the announcement of her next title excited me. The description added a touch of intrigue – her warm and humorous writing style was perfect for a cozy fantasy about pastry chefs or small-town librarians. But did it work for a story about an aspiring villain? Yes and no. On the one hand, book is full of funny scenes, charming interactions, and likable characters. On the other hand, I think I'd prefer if this story had a slightly larger percentage of "Death" in the "Cute" - this way something more innovative and fresh could emerge.

The plot isn't particularly complex, though that doesn't mean it's not fun. However, if you prefer multi-layered intrigue with plenty of plot twists, this title probably won't be the best choice. On the other hand, which cozy fantasy would be? The story focuses more on mood, relationships, and character development than action, and we learn about most of the bad deeds through the bragging of the Wayward sisters rather than witnessing them.

This is perhaps my biggest criticism of this book - the story treats the main character's desire for crime rather symbolically. Iris's transformation would have been much more tangible if the reader had the opportunity to experience a few instances of her being even slightly villainous, let alone truly evil with a capital "E”.

Meanwhile, her being a "villain" is more of a label than an actual feature and boils down to a "grumpy-sunshine" dynamic with Talon. In a "darker" book, this would certainly be more disappointing - here, it leaves a hint of dissatisfaction but doesn't completely ruin the experience. After all, readers approach cozy fantasy with certain expectations, and these are met.

Even this "minimal" satisfaction wouldn't be possible without engaging characters, and here "Death Meets Cute" did well. Interestingly, it's not Iris who shines, but Talon. The amnesiac mercenary reinventing himself, though written in a style typical of the genre (with all its advantages and disadvantages), has that touch of "something new" that was missing from the overall story.

The supporting characters were mostly just there – aside from Iris’ sisters, Dahlia, and Poppy, no one really stood out. Some of them seemed a bit too similar to the characters from the Adenashire series, but I wouldn't call that a flaw – more of a cute easter egg.

---
ARC review via Netgalley

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iris Weyward is a witch, along with her two sisters, they are a coven who has done some pretty evil things. The witches in Macbeth? Yes, that is them, pulling the strings and dropping rhymes. Anyhow, lately Iris feels like something is off and she needs space away from her sisters, so she breaks up with them and moves to the outskirts of Fraywell, a small village and sets up shop as a potion, poison, and curse worker. Her life in Fraywell seems to be going fine. Lonely? Who's lonely? Not Iris--the villagers largely leave her alone except when they need a potion, poison, or curse and she has an ogre bodyguard to menace people and help her look scary, and that's the way she likes it. But when her ogre bodyguard goes on vacation with his family and hasn’t returned, she needs to find a new one, and what is an evil witch to do? Make a new bodyguard from the body of this hot half orc who just dropped dead from stab wounds in her garden!

It’s a perfect plan except the orc, named Talon, after the resurrection is the sweetest, gentlest assassin you’ve ever met. He cooks, cleans, and bakes endless pastries. This was not the vicious assassin she interviewed when she talked to his spirit before the resurrection, but she’s kinda into it? I mean, having someone cook and clean for you means you have more time to focus on evil deeds right? But her sisters have come to visit to figure out what is wrong as there is something wrong with their magic–it’s turned unreliable. Can they figure out what is wrong before they lose all of their magic, and also who the heck murder-stabbed Talon in the first place? I’m sure that plot thread isn’t going to return and bite them in the butt later…

This book definitely falls into the category of cozy fantasy. It’s a silly book and made me laugh several times, mostly because of how adorable Talon is and how hard Iris is trying to be EVIL but mostly reads as grouchy cat lady who likes to glare and growl at people. The romance between Iris and Talon is very sweet, she is definitely the black cat and he is the golden retriever. Talon is a classic himbo, “Pure of heart, Strong of Muscle, Dumb of Ass” although I wouldn’t say he’s dumb, he’s just not a very complicated person. He likes baking and taking care of Iris and is kind to people. I love a sweet baking man and we need more of them. But for as much as this is a romance, it’s honestly the relationship between Iris and her sisters that is the core, and ultimately the heart of the story.

If you are looking for a sweet funny romance similar to Legends and Latte’s where the main characters don’t do more than kiss and the family dynamics are like three snarling badgers trapped in a sack, you will enjoy this book. Also it costars one of the best familiars ever, a sassy talking hedgehog who likes to overeat until his stomach hurts and he has to go lay down (...not that I’ve ever done that… *innocent whistles*).

3.5 out of 5 stars rounded up to 4.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC.

[Emelie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up Death Meets Cute expecting something cozy, fun and whimsical and that part is there. The vibe is definitely soft, low-stakes fantasy with baking, small-town energy and cute magical elements. On paper, it sounded like something I could really enjoy. In practice… I struggled more than I expected.

The story follows Iris, a witch who wants to be evil (or at least thinks she does) and Talon, the half-orc bodyguard she resurrects. The premise is charming and I liked the idea of playing with villain aesthetics in a cozy setting.
But pretty quickly I found myself asking a lot of why questions that never really went away. Why do the sisters want to be evil? Why does Iris even need a bodyguard in the first place? Why are certain conflicts treated as big deals when they never fully land emotionally?
I kept waiting for these motivations to click and they just didn’t for me.

While the book leans heavily into the cozy fantasy side, the story itself didn’t hold my attention. It felt very light and repetitive at times and I never reached a point where I felt truly invested in what was happening next.
Unfortunately, the romance didn’t balance that out either. I didn’t feel much chemistry between Iris and Talon. And without a strong plot or a compelling relationship I found myself drifting.

That said, I do understand the appeal. The book is gentle, comforting, and clearly meant to be a feel-good read. There are cute moments, a soft atmosphere and side elements like familiars and baking magic that add charm. If you’re in the mood for something very low-stakes and fluffy, I can see this working really well.

For me, though, it just wasn’t my kind of story. I needed either a more engaging plot or a romance that really grabbed me and I didn’t get either strongly enough to stay fully invested.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Britt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Special thanks to NetGalley and J Penner for the digital ARC of this book.

Overall:
✨ 3/5
🌶️ 0/5

This was a cute book. Not my favorite read this year, and I likely wouldn’t recommend it much to my friends, however we do have darker/smuttier vibes lately. I think I would’ve loved this when I was in high school, but unfortunately for me, I’ve grown out of the uber sweet stuff.

What I liked:
🤍 The cover of this book is stunning for one, it’s what initially drew my attention to it.
🤍 Plot- I liked the concept, it was just very very very slow moving and could’ve read as a novella much more easily for pacing purposes.
🤍Quince- he was adorable
🤍Iris - I liked Iris for the most part, her inner monologue at times was a bit longwinded or saying the same thing a million different ways but other than that I liked her.
🤍 the secret recipes (iykyk) cute touch author - I would’ve almost loved to see them at the start of every chapter!

What I didn’t like:
☠️ the constant mentioning of the word evil or villain. I’m not sure what I expected coming into this book, but I have definitely been on a morally grey, and just plain dark romance book kick lately. What I love about villains is they never think they are the villain, it’s not something they have to go around and boast about. I think that maybe threw me off through this read.
☠️ pacing - gosh this book was SOOOOOOO long for no reason, I think I would’ve enjoyed this book so much more if it were shorter, some of the chapters just felt so unnecessary for me.
☠️ending- it was meh..
☠️ Talon - ok so the ONLY reason I have him on my didn’t like list is simply the fact I have a friend who’s basically my brother named Talon and I couldn’t stop picturing him in my head and it pulled me out of the story (he’ll literally never see this but sorry bro love you)

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

🦔 Grumpy x Sunshine (he’s the sunshine)
🦔 Animal Familiar ( arguably the best)
🦔 Witch x Orc
🦔 Found family

A really sweet cosy fantasy book that really pulled me out of my reading slump in the best way. This book has reignited my love for cosy fantasy and I will be falling down that rabbit hole this holiday season 💅

Iris is evil (or wants to be evil at least) and she needs a bodyguard and who better than the orc that stumbled into her property and died? Sprinkle in some necromancy and we have our two main characters ✨

I adored how much Talon changed Iris’ perspective and how he was so attentive and knew exactly what she needed before she did (including whipping up various baked goods). As a grumpy x sunshine connoisseur I give this my stamp of approval ( I loved how cosy this book was as well 10/10) and I really enjoyed how Talon cared for everyone around him despite most of them being strangers.

Iris left her two sisters to forge her own path so when they show up unannounced it does kind of tilt her world off centre. I really enjoyed the 3 witch aspect as a Charmed lover I’m a sucker for three sisters who seem to be polar opposites but do shine when they’re together ( despite driving each other crazy).

Quince the hedgehog was the star of the show and might have taken to Talon quicker than Iris did ( he’s fueled by baked goods) and literally stole every scene they were in.

I really loved this book, it’s written well, has lovable characters and was a really nice change from romantasy ✨the yearning was done so well✨ and If you’re after a cosy romance that’s got some whimsy you should definitely give this book a chance.

Big thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the arc 🫶🏻

[Dayana Qistina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.25 ⭐️

“Happiness is a good thing, especially if you enjoy it with the right people.”

A cozy book is a perfect choice if you need more than just a cup of tea and a warm blanket. Good news, there’s one bake! Death Meets Cute by J. Penner is such a treat. It centered around Iris Weyward, who’s a witch who wanted to live a villainous life independently away from her two sisters. But a witch life built around reputation and Iris knew clearly that having a bodyguard is a good advantage, only for her bodyguard to disappear which brought Talon Gefroy into the picture who carried more than just a fearsome face into Iris’s life.

It was a sweet, short and light read. The pacing and the structure of the story are nicely balanced for a cozy fantasy. It’s not too long and not too short either. There are a few themes that are explored in the book, such as identity and belonging through Iris’s relationships with the MMC and other side characters. It’s refreshing to see how the author threads everything together. However, I do wish that it was done more thoroughly, since Iris’s development could potentially lead the story even further. Her interactions and dynamics with the villagers are so interesting. I did appreciate the romance subplot and that “you bring the best out of me” dynamic between Iris and Talon. Overall, the execution was fine. I didn’t have high expectations for it, yet it is a nice break from heavy fantasy streaks. I could definitely see cozy readers eating it up.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big dash of cosy, a sprinkle of romance and a splash of… necromancy?

Death Meets Cute is classic J Penner: warm, cosy fantasy with gentle pacing, comforting vibes, and an almost unreasonable amount of lovingly described food. Honestly, if Penner’s books were ever adapted to film, they’d slot straight into a Studio Ghibli lineup. From fat raindrops soaking cobblestones to meals described in such detail you can practically smell them, how she manages to make a beetle pancake sound remotely appetising is a talent in itself. The world feels soft, whimsical, and incredibly easy to sink into.

Our main character, Iris, is a self-proclaimed villain (emphasis on self-proclaimed) who survives on to-do lists, daily affirmations, and the comforting presence of her adorable animal familiar, Quince the hedgehog. She radiates middle-child energy with a solid black-cat personality, competent, a little prickly, and quietly soft underneath. Enter Talon, our golden-retriever MMC: a half-orc mercenary with a baking enthusiasm and the emotional range of a very good boy. Their dynamic is exactly as charming as it sounds.

This isn’t a complex or high-stakes story, and it never tries to be. The plot is mostly predictable, but there are a few moments that genuinely surprised me, and the low-pressure nature of the story is part of its appeal. Death Meets Cute is cosy, easy, and comforting - perfect for when you want something sweet, whimsical, and gently magical without needing to think too hard.

A thoroughly enjoyable read and a solid 4 stars for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Rebi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cozy fantasy book that has low stakes and was, overall, enjoyable. Iris is set on being an independent evil witch after splitting off from her sisters and finding her place in Fraywell. An orc falls dead in front of her house and Iris decides this makes the perfect opportunity to offer this dead orc a job as her new bodyguard. As the last bodyguard left and didn't come back when he was supposed to, Iris thought it fitting to find someone else, despite the fact she lives in a cute little town. I get the vibe she's going for, but definitely the wrong place for it.

Truthfully, I think Iris is lonely and isn't completely sure what she wants in life. She sisters are a bit of a nightmare and drove me a little crazy when they appeared, but the more I read, the more things made sense in that regard. Kate was a random curveball that I could have gone without as she didn't really bring more to the story.

I was hoping there would be more true interaction between Iris and Talon, because their romance didn't feel convincing enough. They just met and truly haven't done very much together. I understand that this is supposed to be comforting, cute read, and for the most part it is, but it's missing something. I also wish there were more moments where Talon could truly shine. Maybe if more attention was given to his baking abilities and him helping others, even a different job there, that would provide more to his character growth of turning a new leaf.

I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Poison Pen Press for an ARC of this book!

Iris is an evil doer, a witch, and following a disagreement with her sisters, she leaves their coven to settle down quietly on the outskirts of a village and sell them solutions. However, recently, her magic has been hit or miss and she's lost her bodyguard to mysterious circumstances.

While preparing to do some magic one day, she's interrupted by banging on her door, and investigating brings her face to face with a near-dead half-orc... who promptly collapses on her lawn.

Sensing opportunity, and because she's a bad guy, Iris says "I can fix him?" And drags him inside to ask if he'd like to be her newly resurrected bodyguard. Talon tells her "okay," and Iris and her familiar, a hedgehog named Quince, bring him back.

Except, hang on, he's not as surly as his departing spirit would have her believe! He wakes up telling her she's the most wonderful thing he's ever seen and her eyes are beautiful. And he's filling her small cottage with the most mouthwatering scents and cleaning the house...

I read this over the course of a few hours while I was sick with the plague and every second of it was a delight. Iris and her sisters relationship, the small town that actually knows a little too much about their outskirts witch, the nosy neighbor. Unpacking everything in an afternoon was wonderful.

I loved the low stakes of it all too: Yes, Iris's magic is on the fritz, but there's nothing to burn you out of reading it in one sitting. The characters are all very cute, small town accurate people. Iris is highly competent and capable, and watching her navigate her current situation while figuring out exactly what she wants from herself and her life is so satisfying and realistic.

This is my first Penner book but will absolutely not be my last. It was like having a warm hug, a cozy blanket, and a hot cup of tea while I was sick.

[Jaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Good luck. Good friends and...worst of all...love. [...] This was undoubtedly the worst news she'd heard in a long time."

morally grey, with a generous, heaping portion of cozy whimsy—this book is as sugary sweet as Talon's cinnamon rolls. If you're looking for something with low stakes and a comfy, simple story, this might be perfect for you. (personally, I sometimes really need a break from all the very serious brooding and looming death present in a lot of the romantasy i read lol)

4.5 starts rounded up. (the prologue felt a little slow and there were a couple things i wish had been expanded on, but overall I enjoyed how cute this was)
no spice- but the sweet romance did make me cry. maybe im in my luteal phase.

the story follows Iris through a very silly, full on identity crisis, wherein she keeps trying to convince herself that she is definitely, for sure, very evil—and Talon, who may or may not even remember who he is (you'll have to discern that for yourself.) but boy can he work some magic of his own in the kitchen. You'll also meet a charming cast of characters who are, to Iris's frustration, very much not afraid of her. To make matters worse, she's losing her magic—and she's not the only one; her sisters seem to have also begun suffering this curse, and they'll have to figure out a way to work together and cure it.

It was a very cute, cozy, easy read. thank you to netgalley, J. Penner, and Poisoned Pen Press for the arc and the opportunity to read and review!