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Sugar & Sorcery
In a world where sugar heals wounds, the courage to love might be the most powerful magic of all.
Lempicka dreams of crafting pastries people actually care about.
With golden apples holding a magical sugar that only confectioners can turn into mana-restoring treats for sorcerers, her talent should make her indispensable.
But her grimoire won’t awaken, her gift as a confectioner remains stubbornly silent, her mentor has vanished, and her bakery is a sugary disaster. And now, her string of misfortunes has drawn the attention of the Wish Witch… who’s cursed her.
If Lempicka doesn’t break the spell by the time of winter’s first harvest, she’ll lose her soul forever.
Her last hope lies in the mist-laden woods with the Mist Sorcerer, rumored to transform into a monstrosity. Arawn is every bit as charming as you’d expect a powerful sorcerer to be—cold, cynical, demanding, and definitely not helping out of the goodness of his (nonexistent) heart. He agrees to aid her, but only on one she must craft a confection powerful enough to end his cursed existence.
With a talking lamb and two cursed creatures by her side, Lempicka steps into Arawn’s realm of grumbling Spirits, enchanted orchards, and an overly emotional will-o’-the-wisp for a butler.
Once upon a bite...
A cursed confectioner. A doomed sorcerer.
And the final recipe that might just save their hearts… or break them forever.
But healing hearts is no easy task.
Lempicka dreams of crafting pastries people actually care about.
With golden apples holding a magical sugar that only confectioners can turn into mana-restoring treats for sorcerers, her talent should make her indispensable.
But her grimoire won’t awaken, her gift as a confectioner remains stubbornly silent, her mentor has vanished, and her bakery is a sugary disaster. And now, her string of misfortunes has drawn the attention of the Wish Witch… who’s cursed her.
If Lempicka doesn’t break the spell by the time of winter’s first harvest, she’ll lose her soul forever.
Her last hope lies in the mist-laden woods with the Mist Sorcerer, rumored to transform into a monstrosity. Arawn is every bit as charming as you’d expect a powerful sorcerer to be—cold, cynical, demanding, and definitely not helping out of the goodness of his (nonexistent) heart. He agrees to aid her, but only on one she must craft a confection powerful enough to end his cursed existence.
With a talking lamb and two cursed creatures by her side, Lempicka steps into Arawn’s realm of grumbling Spirits, enchanted orchards, and an overly emotional will-o’-the-wisp for a butler.
Once upon a bite...
A cursed confectioner. A doomed sorcerer.
And the final recipe that might just save their hearts… or break them forever.
But healing hearts is no easy task.
365 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 3, 2025
41 people are currently reading
797 people want to read
About the author
Shanen Ricci
7 books572 followersShanen Ricci likes to think of herself as a witch. Her books are love potions destined to make you fall in love with morally grey villains and alpha males who will burn down the world for the girl. The recipe? A dash of a dark fairytale brewed with mythology. An ounce of drama and angst. A lot of spicy scenes’ magic dust. And she never forget to swirl everything for a passionate romance.
She began her journey by touching millions of readers online. When she's not using her cauldron — aka her computer — she's either acting on set, competing on 5k races, petting her cats, traveling the world, or overthinking her next book.
Follow her if you dare: @authorshanenricci
She began her journey by touching millions of readers online. When she's not using her cauldron — aka her computer — she's either acting on set, competing on 5k races, petting her cats, traveling the world, or overthinking her next book.
Follow her if you dare: @authorshanenricci
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Want to read
November 29, 2025i got the arc and i need all the cozy vibes right tf now!! also the cover is so freaking pretty. i'm so excited
November 12, 2025
Ooh this is such a cute, cozy, sweet romantasy, it feels like Howl's Moving Castle and Sugar Apple Fairy Tale had a baby. There's curses,yearning, the most adorable and lovable side characters! Ate it up like it was one of Lempickas pastries. Thanks so much to the author for the arc 💜
November 29, 2025
For the first time, both my hearts agree on something. At first, I wanted an end. For Zelda. For me. But now…” A dry laugh escaped me. “Now it drives me mad how much I care for her. How much I want to stay alive. For her.”
This book is basically Once Upon a Broken Heart meets magical baking but with SUCH fairytale vibes and I loved it! It’s a nice, light, and airy read, despite the genre being a “dark, cozy YA romantasy.”
My favorite character, Lempica of course, seeing as she’s the FMC and the one we got to see the most. But I also love Aignan. He’s totally the funny, lovable side character. Plus, black lambs are cute. (And yes, he talks. Of course he does).
I do feel like I wanted just a bit more between Awran and Lempicka on the romantic aspect of their relationship, but idk. I love it either way. However, he bought everything she touched. Come on now?! That’s so sweet.
Also Lempicka is so relatable. Take this quote for instance: “No one would mourn me. A tear slid down my cheek. I didn’t want to die. I just wanted… to be loved. For someone to stay.”
I’m so so thankful that I got the opportunity to arc read this! Huge thank you to the author!
“Instead of setting the world aflame for her (which, admittedly, would be far easier), I would create a world filled with beauty and sweets, with sunrises and sunsets, for her.”
This book is basically Once Upon a Broken Heart meets magical baking but with SUCH fairytale vibes and I loved it! It’s a nice, light, and airy read, despite the genre being a “dark, cozy YA romantasy.”
My favorite character, Lempica of course, seeing as she’s the FMC and the one we got to see the most. But I also love Aignan. He’s totally the funny, lovable side character. Plus, black lambs are cute. (And yes, he talks. Of course he does).
I do feel like I wanted just a bit more between Awran and Lempicka on the romantic aspect of their relationship, but idk. I love it either way. However, he bought everything she touched. Come on now?! That’s so sweet.
Also Lempicka is so relatable. Take this quote for instance: “No one would mourn me. A tear slid down my cheek. I didn’t want to die. I just wanted… to be loved. For someone to stay.”
I’m so so thankful that I got the opportunity to arc read this! Huge thank you to the author!
“Instead of setting the world aflame for her (which, admittedly, would be far easier), I would create a world filled with beauty and sweets, with sunrises and sunsets, for her.”
November 22, 2025
5 GORGEOUS SHINING STARS!!!!! 🌟
Buckle up gang, this one’s long🥰💗💗
First of all, I would like to thank Shanen and her team so so much for providing me with this beautifully enchanting ARC. I am so so honoured to have the pleasure of reading this before it releases and I am eternally grateful for it💗
Overall Review & my (very strong) feelings for this book:
This book has one of the most unique magic systems I have come across, the concept of sorcerers consuming pastries to survive and fuel their magic is so ridiculous and yet so so understandable, of course baked goods are magical and obviously the most dark and dangerous sorcerers need to stuff their faces with pastries and cookies and deliciously sweet syrups to have access to their magic😭. Absolutely adorable, the fact that they need confectioners to survive and that confectioners being the only ones who aren’t affected by their magic, being able to cook it themselves so that sorcerers can access their own magic? Chef’s kiss (literally). it reads like a whimsical fairytale with the classic quirks and weirdly wonderful details of any studio ghibli movie. That is the only way to describe the masterpiece that this is😭🙏🏼. The world building was absolutely enchanting- I felt like I was floating the entire time I was reading it, my brain felt fuzzy with the promise of bubbling magic and adventure in the best possible ways! I just knew I was gonna have a great time with the book the moment it was announced😭. This book is deliciously dark and wonderfully cozy at the same time. It will make you want to curl up in a corner and read all day and also have you clutching your pearls and whispering prayers at the same time😭🙏🏼. The author promised all these things in her posts and after reading it as an ARC, I can confirm that OH SHE DELIVERED GUYS🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼.
This book was so so beautiful like words cannot express just how much I loved this book😭💗
I cried my heart out coz that’s all I could do, but the ending made up for it. I loved how the climax was paced and it had my heart racing the entire time😭 I was speeding through so much that I had to stop myself and go back to read the lines again and again, that was such a rollercoaster😭💗🙏🏼. The story was so beautiful that I couldn’t even be even a little mad at Shanen for making me go through all of that😭.
Also, the epilogue was the sweetest, most precious thing ever and it tied everything up so so perfectly I was left a giggling, crying, breathless mess.
Overall 10/10 experience- would 100% recommend. Go read this on 3rd December when it releases.
The plot:
The story follows two characters and an absolutely adorable group of animal companions. (Warning- one particular death absolutely crushed me, it’s been 4 days since I finished the book and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it constantly 😭🙏🏼)
Back to the narrative-
Lempicka is a confectioner who doubts her skills but thrives in persistence. She gets cursed for having a “small heart” and she has until the first day of winter to break it, failure to do so will turn her rotten from the inside.
Arawn is a powerful sorcerer, arguably the most powerful and dangerous in their realm. Cursed to be a monster who has to eventually lose his humanity and become a mindless creature forever- the more he uses his magic, he comes across Lempicka, forging their paths together. Arawn tasks her to make a specific recipe that will kill him. (She is the only one who has the power to kill him and also break her curse) together they embark on this journey of salvation whilst trying to fight off their crushing feelings for each other.
Tropes:
Grumpy x Sunshine
“Touch her and you’ll die” mmc
Soft hearted fmc
Yearning x 1000
Sarcastic and dark mmc x sweet and kind fmc
Curses and hearts
Fairytale meets Ghibli
They are each other’s salvation (they save each other)
Magic system based on sugary confections
Adorable animal companions
Forbidden romance
They dislike each other at first-to- Reluctant allies-to-angsty lovers
Favourite moments: (I have so many so buckle up!)
- Arawn and Lempicka’s first meeting LMFAOOO
- How ‘she went to Arawn’ for help after being cursed
- Them at the sorcerers market (esp Arawn when he was being the quintessential book bf and Lempicka for being the absolute sweet angel and buying something for Arawn)
- The forest picnic scene where Arawn ‘helps’ her
- The ostrich and Yeun
- Their first kiss
- Arawn saving her and taking care of her when she was sick
- Their love confessions
- Arawn yearning desperately for her, the angst and the temper tantrums that he ended up throwing 😭
- Yeun and Arawn
- The scene at the witch’s castle
- Lempicka saving Arawn
- The epilogue
- Basically every interaction with Aignan
- The cursed trio
Ok I know that was a lot but It was so hard to choose just a few when the entire book was basically my childhood dreams embodied 😭😭🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Fav quotes:
“I had never seen a curse so….radiant” (pg 65)
“she believed that as long as someone watched the stars for her, she’d live on a little longer. So I can do that for her.” (Page 142)
“I followed her with all the enthusiasm of a man dragged to his own execution.” (Page 166)
“Do whatever you want with my kingdom—burn it, paint it pink, declare a dictatorship, I don’t care. In fact, it will give me something to occupy myself with when I return.”; “He stepped closer, closing the space between us. His fingers found my chin. He lifted my face slightly, forcing me to meet his gaze. “But… for pity’s sake, if you’re so intent on risking your life, wait until I come back to do it, alright? I have no desire to feel that horror you humans call worry.” “ (page 240)
“She didn’t even realize. Not for a single moment did she understand how completely and easily she brought me to my knees without the faintest effort. Without even trying. I ached for her. I would kill for her. Worse still—I had even considered living for her. She tortured the pitiful scraps left of my heart.” (Page 311)
“I’ll spend the rest of my life being worthy of your heart, as you’ve been of my hearts.” (Page 368)
“So if one evening you open your window at twilight, you may perhaps glimpse this magical shop. Its lamb-shaped legs stepping softly, its butterfly wings (an eccentricity of the sorcerer who guarded it) unfolding across the sky. And on its terrace, where a vast golden apple tree bloomed, you might just make out two silhouettes: lovers, carried by the wind, exchanging a kiss while the world rolled by beneath their feet.” (Page 375)
“To all those who have lost an animal, know this: you gave them the most beautiful life. No matter if some do not understand your grief—they loved you, and as long as their memory lives within you, they never disappear.” (Acknowledgments- page 376)
Playlist:
1. Prologue (from beauty & the beast)
2. Sugar, honey, love- Kali Uchis
3. Blissful- prod txmy
4. Once upon a december (from Anastasia)
5. I wanna be yours- arctic monkeys
6. Caribbean Blue- Enya
7. Die with a smile- bruno mars & lady gaga
8. Love story- Indila
9. The fate of Ophelia- Taylor Swift (literally Arawn to Lempika lmfao)
10. Wildflower- Billie Eilish
End note: God I love how magically angsty this is😭🙏🏼💗
Thanks for coming to my ted talk🥰 (check out my kindle notes and highlights for more insight into my mental state😍)
Alright Just go read this book, you don’t need me to convince you anymore 🥰💗✨.
xoxo, Jade 💋
Buckle up gang, this one’s long🥰💗💗
First of all, I would like to thank Shanen and her team so so much for providing me with this beautifully enchanting ARC. I am so so honoured to have the pleasure of reading this before it releases and I am eternally grateful for it💗
Overall Review & my (very strong) feelings for this book:
This book has one of the most unique magic systems I have come across, the concept of sorcerers consuming pastries to survive and fuel their magic is so ridiculous and yet so so understandable, of course baked goods are magical and obviously the most dark and dangerous sorcerers need to stuff their faces with pastries and cookies and deliciously sweet syrups to have access to their magic😭. Absolutely adorable, the fact that they need confectioners to survive and that confectioners being the only ones who aren’t affected by their magic, being able to cook it themselves so that sorcerers can access their own magic? Chef’s kiss (literally). it reads like a whimsical fairytale with the classic quirks and weirdly wonderful details of any studio ghibli movie. That is the only way to describe the masterpiece that this is😭🙏🏼. The world building was absolutely enchanting- I felt like I was floating the entire time I was reading it, my brain felt fuzzy with the promise of bubbling magic and adventure in the best possible ways! I just knew I was gonna have a great time with the book the moment it was announced😭. This book is deliciously dark and wonderfully cozy at the same time. It will make you want to curl up in a corner and read all day and also have you clutching your pearls and whispering prayers at the same time😭🙏🏼. The author promised all these things in her posts and after reading it as an ARC, I can confirm that OH SHE DELIVERED GUYS🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼.
This book was so so beautiful like words cannot express just how much I loved this book😭💗
I cried my heart out coz that’s all I could do, but the ending made up for it. I loved how the climax was paced and it had my heart racing the entire time😭 I was speeding through so much that I had to stop myself and go back to read the lines again and again, that was such a rollercoaster😭💗🙏🏼. The story was so beautiful that I couldn’t even be even a little mad at Shanen for making me go through all of that😭.
Also, the epilogue was the sweetest, most precious thing ever and it tied everything up so so perfectly I was left a giggling, crying, breathless mess.
Overall 10/10 experience- would 100% recommend. Go read this on 3rd December when it releases.
The plot:
The story follows two characters and an absolutely adorable group of animal companions. (Warning- one particular death absolutely crushed me, it’s been 4 days since I finished the book and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it constantly 😭🙏🏼)
Back to the narrative-
Lempicka is a confectioner who doubts her skills but thrives in persistence. She gets cursed for having a “small heart” and she has until the first day of winter to break it, failure to do so will turn her rotten from the inside.
Arawn is a powerful sorcerer, arguably the most powerful and dangerous in their realm. Cursed to be a monster who has to eventually lose his humanity and become a mindless creature forever- the more he uses his magic, he comes across Lempicka, forging their paths together. Arawn tasks her to make a specific recipe that will kill him. (She is the only one who has the power to kill him and also break her curse) together they embark on this journey of salvation whilst trying to fight off their crushing feelings for each other.
Tropes:
Grumpy x Sunshine
“Touch her and you’ll die” mmc
Soft hearted fmc
Yearning x 1000
Sarcastic and dark mmc x sweet and kind fmc
Curses and hearts
Fairytale meets Ghibli
They are each other’s salvation (they save each other)
Magic system based on sugary confections
Adorable animal companions
Forbidden romance
They dislike each other at first-to- Reluctant allies-to-angsty lovers
Favourite moments: (I have so many so buckle up!)
- Arawn and Lempicka’s first meeting LMFAOOO
- How ‘she went to Arawn’ for help after being cursed
- Them at the sorcerers market (esp Arawn when he was being the quintessential book bf and Lempicka for being the absolute sweet angel and buying something for Arawn)
- The forest picnic scene where Arawn ‘helps’ her
- The ostrich and Yeun
- Their first kiss
- Arawn saving her and taking care of her when she was sick
- Their love confessions
- Arawn yearning desperately for her, the angst and the temper tantrums that he ended up throwing 😭
- Yeun and Arawn
- The scene at the witch’s castle
- Lempicka saving Arawn
- The epilogue
- Basically every interaction with Aignan
- The cursed trio
Ok I know that was a lot but It was so hard to choose just a few when the entire book was basically my childhood dreams embodied 😭😭🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Fav quotes:
“I had never seen a curse so….radiant” (pg 65)
“she believed that as long as someone watched the stars for her, she’d live on a little longer. So I can do that for her.” (Page 142)
“I followed her with all the enthusiasm of a man dragged to his own execution.” (Page 166)
“Do whatever you want with my kingdom—burn it, paint it pink, declare a dictatorship, I don’t care. In fact, it will give me something to occupy myself with when I return.”; “He stepped closer, closing the space between us. His fingers found my chin. He lifted my face slightly, forcing me to meet his gaze. “But… for pity’s sake, if you’re so intent on risking your life, wait until I come back to do it, alright? I have no desire to feel that horror you humans call worry.” “ (page 240)
“She didn’t even realize. Not for a single moment did she understand how completely and easily she brought me to my knees without the faintest effort. Without even trying. I ached for her. I would kill for her. Worse still—I had even considered living for her. She tortured the pitiful scraps left of my heart.” (Page 311)
“I’ll spend the rest of my life being worthy of your heart, as you’ve been of my hearts.” (Page 368)
“So if one evening you open your window at twilight, you may perhaps glimpse this magical shop. Its lamb-shaped legs stepping softly, its butterfly wings (an eccentricity of the sorcerer who guarded it) unfolding across the sky. And on its terrace, where a vast golden apple tree bloomed, you might just make out two silhouettes: lovers, carried by the wind, exchanging a kiss while the world rolled by beneath their feet.” (Page 375)
“To all those who have lost an animal, know this: you gave them the most beautiful life. No matter if some do not understand your grief—they loved you, and as long as their memory lives within you, they never disappear.” (Acknowledgments- page 376)
Playlist:
1. Prologue (from beauty & the beast)
2. Sugar, honey, love- Kali Uchis
3. Blissful- prod txmy
4. Once upon a december (from Anastasia)
5. I wanna be yours- arctic monkeys
6. Caribbean Blue- Enya
7. Die with a smile- bruno mars & lady gaga
8. Love story- Indila
9. The fate of Ophelia- Taylor Swift (literally Arawn to Lempika lmfao)
10. Wildflower- Billie Eilish
End note: God I love how magically angsty this is😭🙏🏼💗
Thanks for coming to my ted talk🥰 (check out my kindle notes and highlights for more insight into my mental state😍)
Alright Just go read this book, you don’t need me to convince you anymore 🥰💗✨.
xoxo, Jade 💋
December 15, 2025
“𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖘𝖚𝖈𝖗𝖊𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖙 𝖜𝖆𝖘 𝖇𝖔𝖗𝖓 𝖋𝖗𝖔𝖒 𝖆𝖓 𝖆𝖕𝖕𝖑𝖊 𝖗𝖔𝖙𝖙𝖊𝖓 𝖙𝖔 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖘𝖔𝖚𝖑, 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖋𝖗𝖔𝖒 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖈𝖗𝖚𝖊𝖑𝖙𝖞 𝖔𝖋 𝖒𝖊𝖓. 𝕭𝖚𝖙 𝖎𝖙 𝖉𝖔𝖊𝖘 𝖓𝖔𝖙 𝖊𝖝𝖎𝖘𝖙 𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖍𝖔𝖚𝖙 𝖑𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙. 𝕱𝖔𝖗 𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗𝖞 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖉𝖔𝖜 𝖎𝖘 𝖇𝖔𝖗𝖓 𝖋𝖗𝖔𝖒 𝖆 𝖘𝖕𝖆𝖗𝖐."
This book was just as sweet as Lempika's confections. It's a story of self-discovery, perseverence and learning to love again.
The Ghibli vibes went so hard in this - the entire bakery/mysterious forest setting, the duo having to overcome their own individual challenges, the spontaneous cursing, the ominous looming villian, the cute but wild spirits, the talking animals. Think Howl's moving castle x Princess mononoke x Kiki's delivery service.
I came for the vibes but I stayed for the plot because it all fell into place so nicely. It was really well thought out with the folklore and backstories. There was a baking focus on the magic system and I really adored the whole concept of food, emotion and magic being tied together, and how confectioners play such a powerful role in creating spells in food.
“𝕿𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊 𝖎𝖘 𝖓𝖔 𝖇𝖔𝖓𝖉 𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖊 𝖆𝖇𝖘𝖔𝖑𝖚𝖙𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖔𝖓𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖙𝖎𝖊𝖘 𝖆 𝖈𝖔𝖓𝖋𝖊𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖊𝖗 𝖙𝖔 𝖍𝖊𝖗 𝖘𝖔𝖗𝖈𝖊𝖗𝖊𝖗”
Above all, this story was about the characters and their own journey. Lempicka is stubborn and earnestly optimistic but held back by self doubt. It was just so heartening to come along the journey of finding confidence in yourself and what you love.
And the mysterious Mist sorcerer. For Arawn it was about learning how to trust and open up again. Bro fell first and harder. It wasn't insta love and really built up so naturally. Add in a doomed tragic tale that started as a bargain and it's just all so poetic in a fairytale esque way (apples play a big part of the lore!!) The side characters were charming and each grew on me in their own way.
The illustrations, the art, the chapter headings all wrapped it up into the most delightful treat.
Thank you to the author for this arc in exchange for an honest review xx
December 16, 2025
Lempicka dreams of baking pastries that matter in a world where sugar itself is magic. Instead, her bakery is failing, her grimoire refuses to awaken, her mentor has vanished, and a curse from the Wish Witch is ticking down toward winter’s first harvest. Desperate, she turns to Arawn, the infamous Mist Sorcerer rumored to be more monster than man. He agrees to help her break the curse - on the condition that she create a confection powerful enough to end his own cursed existence.Though she agrees, the two of them soon have to confront hard truths about themselves and each other, and their carefully laid plans become anything but simple.
Sugar and Sorcery walks a surprisingly perfect line between dark, cozy, and romantic. The magic system, and its relationship to enchanted sugar and confectionery, feels fresh and thoughtfully developed, and I loved learning how it functioned in the world. The writing is descriptive without stalling the plot, and the tone balances whimsy and grimness perfectly. Lempicka and Arawn’s relationship unfolds naturally, with a rhythm that allows trust, friction, and affection to grow in a way that feels real. Their flaws are clear, well-explained, and most importantly, earned in how they evolve over the course of the story.
The side characters deserve praise as well: quirky without being intrusive, and they actively support the plot and deepen the emotional stakes rather than distracting from them. While the pacing occasionally slows, it never lingers long enough to dull momentum, making this a quick and engaging read overall. There’s real heart here, paired with sharp edges and just enough darkness to keep things interesting. This is a story about broken people, difficult magic, and the quiet bravery it takes to care anyway. And it absolutely worked for me. Many thanks to MTMC Tours for this ARC. This is my honest review.
5/5 “Some hearts are made of sugar and spice. Others are forged in blood and ashes.”
Sugar and Sorcery walks a surprisingly perfect line between dark, cozy, and romantic. The magic system, and its relationship to enchanted sugar and confectionery, feels fresh and thoughtfully developed, and I loved learning how it functioned in the world. The writing is descriptive without stalling the plot, and the tone balances whimsy and grimness perfectly. Lempicka and Arawn’s relationship unfolds naturally, with a rhythm that allows trust, friction, and affection to grow in a way that feels real. Their flaws are clear, well-explained, and most importantly, earned in how they evolve over the course of the story.
The side characters deserve praise as well: quirky without being intrusive, and they actively support the plot and deepen the emotional stakes rather than distracting from them. While the pacing occasionally slows, it never lingers long enough to dull momentum, making this a quick and engaging read overall. There’s real heart here, paired with sharp edges and just enough darkness to keep things interesting. This is a story about broken people, difficult magic, and the quiet bravery it takes to care anyway. And it absolutely worked for me. Many thanks to MTMC Tours for this ARC. This is my honest review.
5/5 “Some hearts are made of sugar and spice. Others are forged in blood and ashes.”
November 24, 2025
Her books always start off in a charming way. Sweeping you in early on with attachment directly to the characters lives. Well, Lempicka’s in Sugar And Sorcery. Lempicka, I love the strangeness and beauty of the name. This was a delightfully whimsy world from the character description’s, Lempicka’s vibrant hair, and the magic behind confections.
Yeun has a creepy grasshopper leg description. The Bakery is fluff, gorgeousness, and heartwarming.
Some beautiful details of the sorcerer, “His eyes were drowned in shadows.” This was a little high fantasy for my taste in spots, but I love the whimsy light hearted Ghibli vibes.
Another favorite quote of mine.
“A confectioner without her grimoire was like a cake without sugar.”
I am always noting quotes from Shanen’s books. Sugar And Sorcery is cutesy cake chaos.
“My fingers seemed woven from threads of sugar, as if coated in stardust.”
This magic story ended up wrapping into curses much like other fairytales or Grimm fairytales. I recommend you read this if you loved Kiki’s Delivery Service because magic, bakery, and grimoires go together like frosting on cake.
Lempicka was the stand out character for me. Arawn was interesting and had some hunchmen. I did get Howl vibes from him with a bit darker edges. Lempicka is just plain cute about everything and the whole time I was rooting for her.
Yeun has a creepy grasshopper leg description. The Bakery is fluff, gorgeousness, and heartwarming.
Some beautiful details of the sorcerer, “His eyes were drowned in shadows.” This was a little high fantasy for my taste in spots, but I love the whimsy light hearted Ghibli vibes.
Another favorite quote of mine.
“A confectioner without her grimoire was like a cake without sugar.”
I am always noting quotes from Shanen’s books. Sugar And Sorcery is cutesy cake chaos.
“My fingers seemed woven from threads of sugar, as if coated in stardust.”
This magic story ended up wrapping into curses much like other fairytales or Grimm fairytales. I recommend you read this if you loved Kiki’s Delivery Service because magic, bakery, and grimoires go together like frosting on cake.
Lempicka was the stand out character for me. Arawn was interesting and had some hunchmen. I did get Howl vibes from him with a bit darker edges. Lempicka is just plain cute about everything and the whole time I was rooting for her.
December 24, 2025
❤️🩹🌸🎀🧸✨️💌
She didn’t even realize. Not for a single moment did she understand how completely and easily she brought me to my knees without the faintest effort. Without even trying.
I ached for her.
I would kill for her. Worse still—I had even considered living for her.
She tortured the pitiful scraps left of my heart. I had never been so powerless… yet a laugh escaped me.
She didn’t even realize. Not for a single moment did she understand how completely and easily she brought me to my knees without the faintest effort. Without even trying.
I ached for her.
I would kill for her. Worse still—I had even considered living for her.
She tortured the pitiful scraps left of my heart. I had never been so powerless… yet a laugh escaped me.
December 22, 2025
4/5 ⭐️
A mostly-cozy wintery romantasy fairytale dusted with powdered sugar. I liked the concept of sugar fueled magic a lot. Confectioners serve Sorcerers by creating pastries that not only have their own unique magical properties but also contain a variety of sugar that enables Sorcerers to use their power. If a Sorcerer tries to do magic without having a sufficient amount of the sugar in their system, it can do them harm. Lempicka is a lonely Confectioner with a sunny disposition who obstinately tries her best no matter what… But her morale has taken a bruising because of her failures, leaving her prone to being cursed. Unbeknownst to her, she’s been serving the infamous ‘Mist Sorcerer’, a cruel (and also very cursed and lonely) villain sequestered in an old castle in the mist cloaked Forbidden Forest, in possession of a tragic past and an excellent wardrobe. Turns out, the solution to both their curses may ultimately be found with each other. Yes, yes, you know where this is going. It’s definitely cheesy, but that’s part of the fun! The author’s love for fairytales really came through with the writing, and the illustrations were also a lovely touch that added to the coziness. I recommend this to those who love Sugar Apple Fairytale, fairytales in general, sweets, villain redemption, magical creature sidekicks, stories with curses, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Jinu’s character from Kpop Demon Hunters. This is a no spice romance. Mild warning for a smidge of b*dy h*rror, just a bit, nothing too distressing. Thank you to MTMC Tours for the eARC!
A mostly-cozy wintery romantasy fairytale dusted with powdered sugar. I liked the concept of sugar fueled magic a lot. Confectioners serve Sorcerers by creating pastries that not only have their own unique magical properties but also contain a variety of sugar that enables Sorcerers to use their power. If a Sorcerer tries to do magic without having a sufficient amount of the sugar in their system, it can do them harm. Lempicka is a lonely Confectioner with a sunny disposition who obstinately tries her best no matter what… But her morale has taken a bruising because of her failures, leaving her prone to being cursed. Unbeknownst to her, she’s been serving the infamous ‘Mist Sorcerer’, a cruel (and also very cursed and lonely) villain sequestered in an old castle in the mist cloaked Forbidden Forest, in possession of a tragic past and an excellent wardrobe. Turns out, the solution to both their curses may ultimately be found with each other. Yes, yes, you know where this is going. It’s definitely cheesy, but that’s part of the fun! The author’s love for fairytales really came through with the writing, and the illustrations were also a lovely touch that added to the coziness. I recommend this to those who love Sugar Apple Fairytale, fairytales in general, sweets, villain redemption, magical creature sidekicks, stories with curses, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Jinu’s character from Kpop Demon Hunters. This is a no spice romance. Mild warning for a smidge of b*dy h*rror, just a bit, nothing too distressing. Thank you to MTMC Tours for the eARC!
November 25, 2025
Very grateful to have been given the chance to read the arc for this book which was so cozy and has the perfect fantasy vibes for this time of year! 🌲🍂❄️
“After all, anything could be turned into poison. It was only the dose that decided whether it was a remedy or venom.”
“Sorcerers had no power over the soul. But confectioners did. We had always underestimated their gentle magic.”
“There is no bond more absolute than the one that ties a confectioner to her sorcerer. A sorcerer has only one confectioner who resonates perfectly with his magic, and no other could ever fill that flawless echo.“
Lempicka and Arawn face a desperate choice: help each other survive or succumb to their cursed fates. In this enchanting world, sorcerers can only live on through the aid of a talented confectioner and her curations—unfortunately, Lempicka is still in the making. The story intensifies as our confectioner battles to defeat a curse bestowed by The Wish Witch. With everything at stake, she must find her true purpose while supporting a grumpy sorcerer on his own perilous pursuit to conquer his inner demons and fight for survival.
- Cozy Romantasy 🧚♀️
- Fast-paced plot, happy of this because I had to see where this story was going! ✨
- Grumpy MMC 💜🖤 x Sunshine FMC 💛💕
- Dark Sorcerer 🖤
- Confectioner 💖
- Found Family 🥰
- Curses (but not all of the kind you would think 🤭) ~ by far my favorite part of this book!!! 👏🏼❤️ most hilarious part and I would gladly take more of all the smart remarks 💀 literally… maybe 😭😭 it’s just gonna be one of those iykyk moments 🥺
- No spice and this story did not need it! This is plot driven in the best way. I didn’t miss it because I was still kicking my feet at certain parts for this couple and their relationship 🖤🖤
💖 Tremendous thanks to the author for the chance to read this story early, I absolutely adored it 💖
“After all, anything could be turned into poison. It was only the dose that decided whether it was a remedy or venom.”
“Sorcerers had no power over the soul. But confectioners did. We had always underestimated their gentle magic.”
“There is no bond more absolute than the one that ties a confectioner to her sorcerer. A sorcerer has only one confectioner who resonates perfectly with his magic, and no other could ever fill that flawless echo.“
Lempicka and Arawn face a desperate choice: help each other survive or succumb to their cursed fates. In this enchanting world, sorcerers can only live on through the aid of a talented confectioner and her curations—unfortunately, Lempicka is still in the making. The story intensifies as our confectioner battles to defeat a curse bestowed by The Wish Witch. With everything at stake, she must find her true purpose while supporting a grumpy sorcerer on his own perilous pursuit to conquer his inner demons and fight for survival.
- Cozy Romantasy 🧚♀️
- Fast-paced plot, happy of this because I had to see where this story was going! ✨
- Grumpy MMC 💜🖤 x Sunshine FMC 💛💕
- Dark Sorcerer 🖤
- Confectioner 💖
- Found Family 🥰
- Curses (but not all of the kind you would think 🤭) ~ by far my favorite part of this book!!! 👏🏼❤️ most hilarious part and I would gladly take more of all the smart remarks 💀 literally… maybe 😭😭 it’s just gonna be one of those iykyk moments 🥺
- No spice and this story did not need it! This is plot driven in the best way. I didn’t miss it because I was still kicking my feet at certain parts for this couple and their relationship 🖤🖤
💖 Tremendous thanks to the author for the chance to read this story early, I absolutely adored it 💖
January 5, 2026
I felt this story was the perfect balance of high stakes and cozy warmth. While it wasn’t actually dark, there was a shadow of danger and tension that underscored the love and warmth of found family and friendships. The magical system was interesting and I absolutely love the imagery and meaning of the apple trees.
Over the course of the year I have read many cozy bakery-themed witchy books, but it was wonderful how the baking is actually foundational to the narrative for Sugar and Sorcery.
Over the course of the year I have read many cozy bakery-themed witchy books, but it was wonderful how the baking is actually foundational to the narrative for Sugar and Sorcery.
December 5, 2025
5 ⭐
This book was amazing! Beautiful and well-written, it gave off cozy vibes and was very interesting. It felt so similar to Howl's Moving Castle ( and that is my absolute favorite Ghibli movie)
I'd like to thank the author for giving me this opportunity to ARC read this wonderful story 🫶🏻💕
This book was amazing! Beautiful and well-written, it gave off cozy vibes and was very interesting. It felt so similar to Howl's Moving Castle ( and that is my absolute favorite Ghibli movie)
I'd like to thank the author for giving me this opportunity to ARC read this wonderful story 🫶🏻💕
November 26, 2025
I love the calm and cozy way Shanen manages to introduce the beginning of her stories. It gives me a feeling of comfort and tranquility, which makes me turn page after page, losing track of time.
January 13, 2026
An easy read, not so much as enemies to lovers. More like when will they get together.
This is an enjoyable and easy read. However, there weren't any WOW/OMG moments where you stopped and think wow I love that or made your stop and think. It was just an enjoyable, easy read, no spice. That's all I can say
This is an enjoyable and easy read. However, there weren't any WOW/OMG moments where you stopped and think wow I love that or made your stop and think. It was just an enjoyable, easy read, no spice. That's all I can say
December 4, 2025
A super cute, cozy Ghibli-ish fantasy. I really enjoyed the world and the magic system, especially the relationships between the confectioners and the sorcerers. All the magical sweets were such a fun touch, and the story kept me interested the whole way through. The MMC gives off a more broody less friendly Howl vibe, and the side characters are all ridiculously lovable. Overall, a really fun and easy read.
Thank you to the author for the ARC 💕
Thank you to the author for the ARC 💕
December 23, 2025
Sugar and Sorcery by Shanen Ricci was a cute cosy-ish (but also kinda “dark-lite”) story. I loved that the sugar from golden apples replenishes the mana (or energy) of sorcerers.
👩🏻🍳 Lempicka, the FMC, had such a growth arc in this book - from being an orphan, raised by a pâtissier, to… well, *spoilers*
🪄 The magic in this universe was also really cool, and I liked how it tied in with the skill of a pâtissier and their confections.
👩🏻🍳 Lempicka, the FMC, had such a growth arc in this book - from being an orphan, raised by a pâtissier, to… well, *spoilers*
🪄 The magic in this universe was also really cool, and I liked how it tied in with the skill of a pâtissier and their confections.
November 22, 2025
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a delectably dark confection, sprinkled with sugar in all the right places. I am a sucker for a food-based magic system, and the pastries Lempicka whips up enthrall me just as surely as if I’d tasted them myself. Fans of Beauty and the Beast or Howl’s Moving Castle (or people who just love to bake) will devour this new fairytale in one sitting.
Lempicka and Arawn make a compelling couple - forced to work together until the indifference turns to desire. As imposing as Arawn is, one of my favorite scenes was him following Lempicka through the market, buying everything her eye lingered on just in case it would make her happy. And he literally gives her his heart, which…what’s more romantic than that?
A very special shout-out to the companions - Yeun is my favorite, jumpy and sweet as he is, but I want to scoop Éclair up and dress him in cute little outfits. Aignan made me laugh out loud, and Chouquette gave me a few giggles. They make Lempicka feel like a forgotten Disney princess.
All in all, this book was a magical read and a wonderful time. I hope we see a sequel/spin-off with the prince in the near future! (With maybe a cameo or two?)
This book was a delectably dark confection, sprinkled with sugar in all the right places. I am a sucker for a food-based magic system, and the pastries Lempicka whips up enthrall me just as surely as if I’d tasted them myself. Fans of Beauty and the Beast or Howl’s Moving Castle (or people who just love to bake) will devour this new fairytale in one sitting.
Lempicka and Arawn make a compelling couple - forced to work together until the indifference turns to desire. As imposing as Arawn is, one of my favorite scenes was him following Lempicka through the market, buying everything her eye lingered on just in case it would make her happy. And he literally gives her his heart, which…what’s more romantic than that?
A very special shout-out to the companions - Yeun is my favorite, jumpy and sweet as he is, but I want to scoop Éclair up and dress him in cute little outfits. Aignan made me laugh out loud, and Chouquette gave me a few giggles. They make Lempicka feel like a forgotten Disney princess.
All in all, this book was a magical read and a wonderful time. I hope we see a sequel/spin-off with the prince in the near future! (With maybe a cameo or two?)
December 18, 2025
I’m usually not a cozy fantasy reader but this one packed punches.
It reached straight for my heart and made me feel the way I did as a young girl, completely in awe of fairytales. The kind that felt magical and dangerous all at once.
This book is what happens when a fairytale grows teeth… and then holds your hand while it breaks your heart. It had magic, high stakes, curses, villains and animal companions. Sugar and Sorcery is a gorgeously tender romantasy about cursed hearts, quiet resilience, and the radical idea that softness is not weakness, it’s survival. From the very first pages, this story feels like a love letter to the fairytales many of us grew up on, the ones that understood darkness and still chose hope.
Lempicka our FMC, is a confectioner whose magic doesn’t roar or dominates, she is clumsy and struggles to be a confectioner. We watch her grow in her journey of trying to live up to being a successful confectioner and to solidify her dreams. The bakery element brings such a whimsical, unexpected twist to the story—turning pastries, sugar, and recipes into vessels for magic, memory, and healing. It adds warmth and charm without ever undercutting the stakes, making the world feel lived-in, cosy, and quietly enchanting.
Lempicka doubts herself. She gives too much. She feels everything. And the world tells her, again and again, that this makes her weak. But that so-called weakness becomes the most powerful force in the story. Where others harden, she remains kind. Where others control, she chooses. Where others see a weapon, she sees a heart still beating.
And then there is Arawn - our Mist Sorcerer. He is cold. Cynical. Overpowered. Cursed into monstrosity and convinced he exists only to destroy. He is the kind of MMC who believes love is a liability—until Lempicka dismantles that belief piece by piece. The yearning here is exquisite and restrained, the kind that hurts because it’s earned. Every moment between them carries weight because it costs something and ultimately he feels he has no love or heart to give and is undeserving of it as well.
We watch him crack and his heart develop over Lempicka and his devotion is never loud or possessive, it’s reverent, aching, and devastatingly self-aware.
Some of my favourite quotes:
“Absurd, isn’t it? To finally understand the worth of being human, just when I must renounce the only dream I’ve ever had. In my dreams, it’s not so terrible.”
"She didn’t even realize. Not for a single moment did she understand how completely and easily she brought me to my knees without the faintest effort…
I ached for her. I would kill for her.
Worse still—I had even considered living for her. She tortured the pitiful scraps left of my heart. I had never been so powerless…"
"It was her. Fierce yet tender. Bold and sincere. Magical. Exquisite. You are cruel, Sugarplum.
Cruel, because I could have devoured her whole and the hunger would still persist. Cruel, because I would never have enough of her."
"I was under a new curse this time: luck. The luck that she loved me.
I kissed her with the silent vow that I would never break her heart … I would hold it in my hands as the most precious treasure, not as a weapon…
Instead of setting the world aflame for her (which, admittedly, would be far easier), I would create a world filled with beauty and sweets, with sunrises and sunsets, for her."
What elevates this story even further is how the Spirits and the Cursed are woven into the narrative. They aren’t just window dressing or quirky side characters — they carry memory, grief, and fractured pieces of humanity. Their presence deepens the themes of loss and healing, blurring the line between monster and victim, curse and consequence. You begin to understand that being “Cursed” is not about evil, but about what happens when pain is left to rot.
And that’s where the story truly shines: the real villain is not the one you expect. Sugar and Sorcery quietly dismantles the idea of obvious evil. Power, control, and cruelty wear many faces and sometimes the most terrifying antagonist is not the monster in the shadows, but the one who believes they have the right to own another’s heart.
The magic system mirrors the emotional core of the book: soft, lyrical, and rooted in balance. Confections become metaphors for the soul poison or remedy depending on intent. Healing is slow. Love is chosen daily. Power is never free.
The found family, spirits, cursed companions, enchanted creatures, and one gloriously grumpy black lamb IYKYK, adds warmth and quiet humour without diluting the stakes. The world feels Ghibli-esque: mist-laden forests, enchanted orchards, spirits heavy with forgotten humanity.
And the ending… I cried. Not because it was tragic, but because it reminded me of the fairytales I loved as a child, the ones that knew love and sacrifice were inseparable. When Arawn accepts the role the story demands of him, it lands with a touching inevitability:
“For in every story, there must always be a monster.
And if it meant that no other would bear that role, he accepted it willingly.”
And that is why this story broke me because sometimes love looks like becoming the monster so someone else never has to.
This book didn’t just tell a love story.
It reminded me why these stories mattered in the first place.
Thank you MTMC for a copy of this story to review - I absolutely loved it and Shanen may have changed my perception on cozy romantasies!
It reached straight for my heart and made me feel the way I did as a young girl, completely in awe of fairytales. The kind that felt magical and dangerous all at once.
This book is what happens when a fairytale grows teeth… and then holds your hand while it breaks your heart. It had magic, high stakes, curses, villains and animal companions. Sugar and Sorcery is a gorgeously tender romantasy about cursed hearts, quiet resilience, and the radical idea that softness is not weakness, it’s survival. From the very first pages, this story feels like a love letter to the fairytales many of us grew up on, the ones that understood darkness and still chose hope.
Lempicka our FMC, is a confectioner whose magic doesn’t roar or dominates, she is clumsy and struggles to be a confectioner. We watch her grow in her journey of trying to live up to being a successful confectioner and to solidify her dreams. The bakery element brings such a whimsical, unexpected twist to the story—turning pastries, sugar, and recipes into vessels for magic, memory, and healing. It adds warmth and charm without ever undercutting the stakes, making the world feel lived-in, cosy, and quietly enchanting.
Lempicka doubts herself. She gives too much. She feels everything. And the world tells her, again and again, that this makes her weak. But that so-called weakness becomes the most powerful force in the story. Where others harden, she remains kind. Where others control, she chooses. Where others see a weapon, she sees a heart still beating.
And then there is Arawn - our Mist Sorcerer. He is cold. Cynical. Overpowered. Cursed into monstrosity and convinced he exists only to destroy. He is the kind of MMC who believes love is a liability—until Lempicka dismantles that belief piece by piece. The yearning here is exquisite and restrained, the kind that hurts because it’s earned. Every moment between them carries weight because it costs something and ultimately he feels he has no love or heart to give and is undeserving of it as well.
We watch him crack and his heart develop over Lempicka and his devotion is never loud or possessive, it’s reverent, aching, and devastatingly self-aware.
Some of my favourite quotes:
“Absurd, isn’t it? To finally understand the worth of being human, just when I must renounce the only dream I’ve ever had. In my dreams, it’s not so terrible.”
"She didn’t even realize. Not for a single moment did she understand how completely and easily she brought me to my knees without the faintest effort…
I ached for her. I would kill for her.
Worse still—I had even considered living for her. She tortured the pitiful scraps left of my heart. I had never been so powerless…"
"It was her. Fierce yet tender. Bold and sincere. Magical. Exquisite. You are cruel, Sugarplum.
Cruel, because I could have devoured her whole and the hunger would still persist. Cruel, because I would never have enough of her."
"I was under a new curse this time: luck. The luck that she loved me.
I kissed her with the silent vow that I would never break her heart … I would hold it in my hands as the most precious treasure, not as a weapon…
Instead of setting the world aflame for her (which, admittedly, would be far easier), I would create a world filled with beauty and sweets, with sunrises and sunsets, for her."
What elevates this story even further is how the Spirits and the Cursed are woven into the narrative. They aren’t just window dressing or quirky side characters — they carry memory, grief, and fractured pieces of humanity. Their presence deepens the themes of loss and healing, blurring the line between monster and victim, curse and consequence. You begin to understand that being “Cursed” is not about evil, but about what happens when pain is left to rot.
And that’s where the story truly shines: the real villain is not the one you expect. Sugar and Sorcery quietly dismantles the idea of obvious evil. Power, control, and cruelty wear many faces and sometimes the most terrifying antagonist is not the monster in the shadows, but the one who believes they have the right to own another’s heart.
The magic system mirrors the emotional core of the book: soft, lyrical, and rooted in balance. Confections become metaphors for the soul poison or remedy depending on intent. Healing is slow. Love is chosen daily. Power is never free.
The found family, spirits, cursed companions, enchanted creatures, and one gloriously grumpy black lamb IYKYK, adds warmth and quiet humour without diluting the stakes. The world feels Ghibli-esque: mist-laden forests, enchanted orchards, spirits heavy with forgotten humanity.
And the ending… I cried. Not because it was tragic, but because it reminded me of the fairytales I loved as a child, the ones that knew love and sacrifice were inseparable. When Arawn accepts the role the story demands of him, it lands with a touching inevitability:
“For in every story, there must always be a monster.
And if it meant that no other would bear that role, he accepted it willingly.”
And that is why this story broke me because sometimes love looks like becoming the monster so someone else never has to.
This book didn’t just tell a love story.
It reminded me why these stories mattered in the first place.
Thank you MTMC for a copy of this story to review - I absolutely loved it and Shanen may have changed my perception on cozy romantasies!
December 8, 2025
Going into Sugar & Sorcery, I anticipated enjoyment, but I didn’t expect to uncover yet another 5-star gem that would evoke a rainbow of emotions. The author, Shanen Ricci, demonstrates remarkable growth in her writing since the last book I read by her, Nevermore, which also earned my 5 stars.
Sugar and Sorcery is a warm, cinnamon-scented delight of a cosy YA “dark” fantasy that beautifully intertwines the themes of found family and trauma recovery. It features a compelling grumpy x sunshine dynamic between the main characters with traumatic pasts who entangle themselves in a slow-burn romance full of yearning and an emotional journey of self-worth. We also can’t forget the cute creatures that are roaming around. Shanen Ricci successfully blends cosy cottagecore charm with high-stakes magic, creating a whimsical world where sugar stitches wounds and love might just be the strongest spell of all. She connects consuming pastries to the livability of the sorcerer's magic; if that’s not original, then what is?
At the story’s centre is Lempicka, a confectioner whose magical gifts have inexplicably failed her. Surrounded by half-collapsed pastries, an empty bakery, a missing mentor and a talking lamb, she’s a heroine who feels refreshingly real; anxious, self-doubting, and utterly determined to prove herself. When a curse from the enigmatic Wish Witch threatens her very soul, Lempicka’s misfortunes transform into a desperate, and unexpectedly tender, quest.
Now enter Arawn, the Mist Sorcerer, cold, cynical, beautifully broken, and hiding a monstrous secret. His reluctant alliance with Lempicka crackles with tension and refreshing banter. Their dynamic is an irresistible contrast; her soft sunshine to his stormy midnight. As they journey through his mist-shrouded world of grumbling tree Spirits, enchanted orchards, and a weepy fairy butler, the novel shines brightest in the way it merges cosy fantasy aesthetics with real emotional stakes.
The supporting cast, particularly the talking lamb, Aignan (the star of the book for me), and other cursed creatures, adds a playful charm without ever tipping into frivolity. Ricci’s writing is lush and sensory; you can practically taste the pastries and feel the chill of the winter harvest on your skin. Beneath the honeyed magic, though, the story strikes a deeper chord. It’s about crafting your own worth, confronting the curses life places on your heart, and finding love not as a reward for perfection but as a balm for brokenness. All of the characters were so nicely fleshed out that they really felt real. All of their emotions became mine as well, and I must say, I haven’t read about such lovable characters in so long.
The romance is a slow simmer, never rushed, always earned, and the final chapters offer a confection of sweetness and ache that lingers long after the last page. I definitely wasn’t emotionally prepared for the plot twist before the ending, and surely I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.
Verdict:
A cosy, magical, atmospheric novel with emotional depth and a deliciously grumpy-sunshine pairing. Sugar and Sorcery is perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes, Studio Ghibli, Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy, and romantasy readers who love enchanted food, prickly sorcerers, heartfelt growth, and fairy-tale worlds with teeth.
A charming feast for the senses and the heart.
A heartfelt thank you to the author, Shanen Ricci, for providing a digital ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Sugar and Sorcery is a warm, cinnamon-scented delight of a cosy YA “dark” fantasy that beautifully intertwines the themes of found family and trauma recovery. It features a compelling grumpy x sunshine dynamic between the main characters with traumatic pasts who entangle themselves in a slow-burn romance full of yearning and an emotional journey of self-worth. We also can’t forget the cute creatures that are roaming around. Shanen Ricci successfully blends cosy cottagecore charm with high-stakes magic, creating a whimsical world where sugar stitches wounds and love might just be the strongest spell of all. She connects consuming pastries to the livability of the sorcerer's magic; if that’s not original, then what is?
At the story’s centre is Lempicka, a confectioner whose magical gifts have inexplicably failed her. Surrounded by half-collapsed pastries, an empty bakery, a missing mentor and a talking lamb, she’s a heroine who feels refreshingly real; anxious, self-doubting, and utterly determined to prove herself. When a curse from the enigmatic Wish Witch threatens her very soul, Lempicka’s misfortunes transform into a desperate, and unexpectedly tender, quest.
Now enter Arawn, the Mist Sorcerer, cold, cynical, beautifully broken, and hiding a monstrous secret. His reluctant alliance with Lempicka crackles with tension and refreshing banter. Their dynamic is an irresistible contrast; her soft sunshine to his stormy midnight. As they journey through his mist-shrouded world of grumbling tree Spirits, enchanted orchards, and a weepy fairy butler, the novel shines brightest in the way it merges cosy fantasy aesthetics with real emotional stakes.
The supporting cast, particularly the talking lamb, Aignan (the star of the book for me), and other cursed creatures, adds a playful charm without ever tipping into frivolity. Ricci’s writing is lush and sensory; you can practically taste the pastries and feel the chill of the winter harvest on your skin. Beneath the honeyed magic, though, the story strikes a deeper chord. It’s about crafting your own worth, confronting the curses life places on your heart, and finding love not as a reward for perfection but as a balm for brokenness. All of the characters were so nicely fleshed out that they really felt real. All of their emotions became mine as well, and I must say, I haven’t read about such lovable characters in so long.
The romance is a slow simmer, never rushed, always earned, and the final chapters offer a confection of sweetness and ache that lingers long after the last page. I definitely wasn’t emotionally prepared for the plot twist before the ending, and surely I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.
Verdict:
A cosy, magical, atmospheric novel with emotional depth and a deliciously grumpy-sunshine pairing. Sugar and Sorcery is perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes, Studio Ghibli, Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy, and romantasy readers who love enchanted food, prickly sorcerers, heartfelt growth, and fairy-tale worlds with teeth.
A charming feast for the senses and the heart.
A heartfelt thank you to the author, Shanen Ricci, for providing a digital ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.
December 4, 2025
Sugar and Sorcery was such a fun whimsical kind of read, this was a perfect mix of cozy fantasy with some dark elements. I enjoyed all of these characters, some of my favorite side characters have to be the cursed creatures. I loved Eclair, Yuen, and Aignan the most. Eclair is so adorable, I liked seeing how they reacted to things but I also just genuinely adored the whole gentle giant thing they had going on. Aignan is a good tsundere best friend/brother, he was a funny side character. I liked some of his quips and sarcastic humor but I overall really enjoyed the friendship he had with Lempicka, I really enjoyed the scenes where Aignan showed more of his hidden soft side. Yeun is a character that I liked, he made for a good friend to everyone but just the whole will of wisp thing was interesting to read about. Yeun genuine cares for the main characters and the cursed beings and it shows greatly, he’s one of the best, best friends someone could ever have. I was happy to know Arawn has Yeun on his side like Lempicka has Aignan. The found family that all these side characters had together is amazing, the connection between them all is so cozy and adorable.
The romance here is sweet it’s a bit of a mix of a slow burn yet kind of instant lovey/love at first sight but I still enjoyed the romance. I felt that the connection between the two felt rather genuine since the start, I liked their interactions together and even though Arawn seemed cold he still showed he cared for Lempicka through his actions. These two make a good pair together, I think Lempicka is really good for Arawn and that they are going in the right direction together.
The plot of Sugar and Sorcery is just as good as its romance and side characters. This world, magic system, and the baking elements are entertaining and fascinating to read about. I liked the cursed beings, the mist sorcery’s magic, and the spirts but I also really enjoyed reading about the sucre d’or and sucremont, the magic like scenes of Lempicka being a confectioner are another favorite part of mine. Those scenes just felt special to me because it wasn’t just baking, it was making something with love, intention, and memories. This has become one of my favorite cozy fantasy stories, Sugar and Sorcery is a very unique whimsical, deep, and a bit of a tension filled read. This one will definitely have people feeling all of the feels, I know I did! (Side Note: The art work in this book is beautiful, I loved seeing the pictures of Aignan, Eclair, and Chouquette. Plus the chapter breaks with character art of Lempicka and Arawn is adorable. The art work is absolutely stunning and I also loved the included glossary!)Thank you to the publisher and the author for giving me a complimentary review copy.
The romance here is sweet it’s a bit of a mix of a slow burn yet kind of instant lovey/love at first sight but I still enjoyed the romance. I felt that the connection between the two felt rather genuine since the start, I liked their interactions together and even though Arawn seemed cold he still showed he cared for Lempicka through his actions. These two make a good pair together, I think Lempicka is really good for Arawn and that they are going in the right direction together.
The plot of Sugar and Sorcery is just as good as its romance and side characters. This world, magic system, and the baking elements are entertaining and fascinating to read about. I liked the cursed beings, the mist sorcery’s magic, and the spirts but I also really enjoyed reading about the sucre d’or and sucremont, the magic like scenes of Lempicka being a confectioner are another favorite part of mine. Those scenes just felt special to me because it wasn’t just baking, it was making something with love, intention, and memories. This has become one of my favorite cozy fantasy stories, Sugar and Sorcery is a very unique whimsical, deep, and a bit of a tension filled read. This one will definitely have people feeling all of the feels, I know I did! (Side Note: The art work in this book is beautiful, I loved seeing the pictures of Aignan, Eclair, and Chouquette. Plus the chapter breaks with character art of Lempicka and Arawn is adorable. The art work is absolutely stunning and I also loved the included glossary!)Thank you to the publisher and the author for giving me a complimentary review copy.
November 22, 2025
A confectioner and a broody sorcerer? I did not sign up to be this obsessed… but here we are!
Her stories and writing style have this magical way of pulling you in, sweeping you into the world, and making you instantly wish you could live there with all the wonderful characters you grow to love.
✨“I had never seen a curse so….radiant”
Sugar & Sorcery was such a cozy and darkly magical journey! The world-building is so unique and immersive with its magical system, exploring the relationship between confectioners and sorcerers!
✨“Sorcerers had no power over the soul. But confectioners did. We had always underestimated their gentle magic.”
Lempicka and Arawn are such polar opposites! They are forced to work together and their partnership slowly turns from reluctant cooperation to undeniable desire.
✨️ “We all have monsters inside us. But it’s up to us to choose whether we control them or let them control us... it always takes a monster to do what no one else dares. Sometimes it’s in the shadows that the light is born.”
*Sigh* And Arawn, a grumpy sorcerer who secretly cares way more than he lets on, is absolutely irresistible!
✨“I’ll spend the rest of my life being worthy of your heart, as you’ve been of my hearts.”
I also adored the artwork inside, the companions and secondary characters (Aignan 😭); they added so much depth and charm to the story!
If you love darkly charming, enchanting love stories with a touch of fairy-tale magic, your TBR won’t survive this one! And don’t forget to take a moment to look up at the stars once in awhile!
The Vibes:
🌙 Dark Cozy Romantasy | Sunshine Confectioner x Villain Sorcerer | Forced Proximity | Magical Forrest | Grumpy Black Lamb | Touch Her & Die | Magic System | Fairytale Vibes | YEARNING!!!
Favorite Quote(s):
🌙 “There is no bond more absolute than the one that ties a confectioner to her sorcerer. A sorcerer has only one confectioner who resonates perfectly with his magic, and no other could ever fill that flawless echo.“
🌙 “To all those who have lost an animal, know this: you gave them the most beautiful life. No matter if some do not understand your grief—they loved you, and as long as their memory lives within you, they never disappear.”
--‐---------------------------------------------------
Thank you to Shanen Ricci for the incredible opportunity to read and honestly review!
Her stories and writing style have this magical way of pulling you in, sweeping you into the world, and making you instantly wish you could live there with all the wonderful characters you grow to love.
✨“I had never seen a curse so….radiant”
Sugar & Sorcery was such a cozy and darkly magical journey! The world-building is so unique and immersive with its magical system, exploring the relationship between confectioners and sorcerers!
✨“Sorcerers had no power over the soul. But confectioners did. We had always underestimated their gentle magic.”
Lempicka and Arawn are such polar opposites! They are forced to work together and their partnership slowly turns from reluctant cooperation to undeniable desire.
✨️ “We all have monsters inside us. But it’s up to us to choose whether we control them or let them control us... it always takes a monster to do what no one else dares. Sometimes it’s in the shadows that the light is born.”
*Sigh* And Arawn, a grumpy sorcerer who secretly cares way more than he lets on, is absolutely irresistible!
✨“I’ll spend the rest of my life being worthy of your heart, as you’ve been of my hearts.”
I also adored the artwork inside, the companions and secondary characters (Aignan 😭); they added so much depth and charm to the story!
If you love darkly charming, enchanting love stories with a touch of fairy-tale magic, your TBR won’t survive this one! And don’t forget to take a moment to look up at the stars once in awhile!
The Vibes:
🌙 Dark Cozy Romantasy | Sunshine Confectioner x Villain Sorcerer | Forced Proximity | Magical Forrest | Grumpy Black Lamb | Touch Her & Die | Magic System | Fairytale Vibes | YEARNING!!!
Favorite Quote(s):
🌙 “There is no bond more absolute than the one that ties a confectioner to her sorcerer. A sorcerer has only one confectioner who resonates perfectly with his magic, and no other could ever fill that flawless echo.“
🌙 “To all those who have lost an animal, know this: you gave them the most beautiful life. No matter if some do not understand your grief—they loved you, and as long as their memory lives within you, they never disappear.”
--‐---------------------------------------------------
Thank you to Shanen Ricci for the incredible opportunity to read and honestly review!
December 4, 2025
If books were skies, this is a pastel sunrise ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Sugar and Sorcery” is a whimsical romantic fantasy novel by Shanen Ricci. With vibes of Studio Ghibli, “Beauty and the Beast”, and dreamlike worlds, “Sugar and Sorcery” is perfect for readers who want a strong, level-headed heroine with a heart of gold.
When the first Golden apples began to create and fuel magic, the first confectioners were there to make the first desserts. Over the centuries, only pure-hearted confectioners can create powerful treats to strengthen and heal a sorcerer’s mana. When magic began to corrupt, the sucre’mort created the Cursed. Lempicka is a lone confectioner, keeping the store afloat until Nyla, her guardian, returns. Instead, Lempicka is cursed by the Wish Witch to become living sucre d’or as she is corrupted from within. Turning to the charismatic Mist Sorcerer, he agrees to help her if she will help him end his curse.
Ricci’s world of “Sugar and Sorcery” is delightful, combining fairy tales like “Beauty and the Beast” with a fluffy, sweet twist. Our heroine, Lempicka, is flawed but determined. Our hero, Arawn, is broken and isolated. Together, they travel the kingdom, create new desserts, fly broomsticks and turrets like cars, and find a slow-burning romance that feels like there’s never enough time.
Reminding me of pastel skies and floral gardens, this book is so beautiful and light, in a way that envelops you like sunshine breaking through the clouds. I haven’t read something like it. It made me feel nice, warm, and soft. Between our animal (and cursed) companions, a serene land surrounded by mist, and a heroine whose sunshine is contagious, I fell in love with this story and everyone in it. I wasn't ready for it to end.
This story was blissfully soft and elegant. Arawn and Lempicka’s happily ever after was an already perfect end, reminding me of movies you're sad have ended, but are grateful for having watched them. It couldn't have ended any better.
“Sugar and Sorcery” is a whimsical romantic fantasy novel by Shanen Ricci. With vibes of Studio Ghibli, “Beauty and the Beast”, and dreamlike worlds, “Sugar and Sorcery” is perfect for readers who want a strong, level-headed heroine with a heart of gold.
When the first Golden apples began to create and fuel magic, the first confectioners were there to make the first desserts. Over the centuries, only pure-hearted confectioners can create powerful treats to strengthen and heal a sorcerer’s mana. When magic began to corrupt, the sucre’mort created the Cursed. Lempicka is a lone confectioner, keeping the store afloat until Nyla, her guardian, returns. Instead, Lempicka is cursed by the Wish Witch to become living sucre d’or as she is corrupted from within. Turning to the charismatic Mist Sorcerer, he agrees to help her if she will help him end his curse.
Ricci’s world of “Sugar and Sorcery” is delightful, combining fairy tales like “Beauty and the Beast” with a fluffy, sweet twist. Our heroine, Lempicka, is flawed but determined. Our hero, Arawn, is broken and isolated. Together, they travel the kingdom, create new desserts, fly broomsticks and turrets like cars, and find a slow-burning romance that feels like there’s never enough time.
Reminding me of pastel skies and floral gardens, this book is so beautiful and light, in a way that envelops you like sunshine breaking through the clouds. I haven’t read something like it. It made me feel nice, warm, and soft. Between our animal (and cursed) companions, a serene land surrounded by mist, and a heroine whose sunshine is contagious, I fell in love with this story and everyone in it. I wasn't ready for it to end.
This story was blissfully soft and elegant. Arawn and Lempicka’s happily ever after was an already perfect end, reminding me of movies you're sad have ended, but are grateful for having watched them. It couldn't have ended any better.
November 15, 2025
This book was such a magical journey! I'm very grateful to have been able to read the story before it was officially published.🥰
I rarely read cozy fantasy, but I loved this one so much. The world building was very unique, the magical and cute details were well mixed with the eerie, darker vibes, just like in the Ghibli movies, which I love anyway. I think the sugar as the source of magic was an exciting idea and I liked this connection between the sorcerers and the confectioners.
And the characters! Arawn, the grumpy and aloof mist sorcerer, and Lempicka, the slightly absent-minded but determined confectioner, made the perfect grumpy & sunshine couple as the main characters. I loved the tension between them and the hidden attraction that slowly increased throughout the story. They both have their own curses that they want to break, and they are forced to rely on each other to do so, which created many cute or even funny situations between them. Both of them had spectacular character development throughout the story, which is always a big positive for me.
Also, I rarely read books where I even love the side characters, but here that was the case. I liked all of them, but Aignan, the talking black lamb was my favorite with his sarcastic comments.😂
I also really liked the metaphors with sweets and the overall message of the story was also beautiful.
In the last part, events really picked up, it was full of uncertainty and questions about how everything would be resolved. The ending was emotional for me and even now, days later, I am still under the influence of the story. I think I have a new favourite book. ❤️
I rarely read cozy fantasy, but I loved this one so much. The world building was very unique, the magical and cute details were well mixed with the eerie, darker vibes, just like in the Ghibli movies, which I love anyway. I think the sugar as the source of magic was an exciting idea and I liked this connection between the sorcerers and the confectioners.
And the characters! Arawn, the grumpy and aloof mist sorcerer, and Lempicka, the slightly absent-minded but determined confectioner, made the perfect grumpy & sunshine couple as the main characters. I loved the tension between them and the hidden attraction that slowly increased throughout the story. They both have their own curses that they want to break, and they are forced to rely on each other to do so, which created many cute or even funny situations between them. Both of them had spectacular character development throughout the story, which is always a big positive for me.
Also, I rarely read books where I even love the side characters, but here that was the case. I liked all of them, but Aignan, the talking black lamb was my favorite with his sarcastic comments.😂
I also really liked the metaphors with sweets and the overall message of the story was also beautiful.
In the last part, events really picked up, it was full of uncertainty and questions about how everything would be resolved. The ending was emotional for me and even now, days later, I am still under the influence of the story. I think I have a new favourite book. ❤️
January 3, 2026
Sugar and Sorcery is a truly beautiful cozy fantasy, and I couldn’t have asked for a better book to start the new year with. From the very first page, it wraps you up in warmth, whimsy, and heart, like stepping into a bakery filled with magic and comfort.
The story unfolds slowly and intentionally, allowing the relationships to develop naturally. The love between the characters grows the same way a good pastry does: with time, care, and the right ingredients. At its core, this book is just as much about learning to love yourself as it is about learning to love others, and that balance is handled with such tenderness.
The magic system was an absolute delight. Sugar-powered magic is such a fresh and playful concept, and it gives the story a fun, slightly game-like vibe that never feels gimmicky. Honestly, every girl knows that sugary baked goods can solve many problems, and this book fully embraces that truth in the most charming way possible.
The world is rich without being overwhelming, the characters are endearing (including some wonderfully quirky companions), and the cozy fantasy atmosphere never wavers, even when higher stakes creep in. It’s comforting, hopeful, and quietly emotional in all the best ways.
If you love cozy fantasies with gentle romance, found family, unique magic systems, and just the right amount of sweetness, Sugar and Sorcery is an absolute must-read.
A magical, heart-healing story that proves sometimes the strongest spell is love, and maybe a perfectly baked confection. 🍰✨
5 should I dye my hair pink out of 5.
The story unfolds slowly and intentionally, allowing the relationships to develop naturally. The love between the characters grows the same way a good pastry does: with time, care, and the right ingredients. At its core, this book is just as much about learning to love yourself as it is about learning to love others, and that balance is handled with such tenderness.
The magic system was an absolute delight. Sugar-powered magic is such a fresh and playful concept, and it gives the story a fun, slightly game-like vibe that never feels gimmicky. Honestly, every girl knows that sugary baked goods can solve many problems, and this book fully embraces that truth in the most charming way possible.
The world is rich without being overwhelming, the characters are endearing (including some wonderfully quirky companions), and the cozy fantasy atmosphere never wavers, even when higher stakes creep in. It’s comforting, hopeful, and quietly emotional in all the best ways.
If you love cozy fantasies with gentle romance, found family, unique magic systems, and just the right amount of sweetness, Sugar and Sorcery is an absolute must-read.
A magical, heart-healing story that proves sometimes the strongest spell is love, and maybe a perfectly baked confection. 🍰✨
5 should I dye my hair pink out of 5.
December 4, 2025
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review ✨
Sugar And Sorcery promised and delivered! What a treat (puns are definitely intended) 🩷
It is very much a Studio Ghibli movie in book form. It gives Howl’s Moving Castle vibes sprinkled with Spirited Away magic too.
We follow Lempicka, a confectioner with a sunshine personality that gets cursed by the Wish Witch. She must now rely on the scary and evil Mist Sorcerer to break her curse.
The magic system is unique, creating a plot that feels both fresh and comfortingly whimsical.
The world-building is enchanting and so lush! You definitely need to read this with as many cakes, sweets and pastries as you can.
The characters are so loveable that it’s impossible not to root for them. We have everything, from a talking cursed Lamb to shy but chaotic spirits. Aignan, Yeun, Chouquette and Elcair are an absolute delight 😍
The writing is absolutely beautiful and comforting, with every page feeling warm, witty, and wonderfully immersive (I swear Ricci put a spell on this pages!)
And Arawn! The brooding evil and scary sorcerer with two hearts. His dynamic with Lempicka is so vibrant and cosy, it will leave you swooning and smiling at the pages as you read along.
This book will make you laugh, cry, swoon and crave some fancy pastries. If you’re looking for a cosy read, filled with magical adventures and deep character connections, I can’t recommend this book enough!
Sugar And Sorcery promised and delivered! What a treat (puns are definitely intended) 🩷
It is very much a Studio Ghibli movie in book form. It gives Howl’s Moving Castle vibes sprinkled with Spirited Away magic too.
We follow Lempicka, a confectioner with a sunshine personality that gets cursed by the Wish Witch. She must now rely on the scary and evil Mist Sorcerer to break her curse.
The magic system is unique, creating a plot that feels both fresh and comfortingly whimsical.
The world-building is enchanting and so lush! You definitely need to read this with as many cakes, sweets and pastries as you can.
The characters are so loveable that it’s impossible not to root for them. We have everything, from a talking cursed Lamb to shy but chaotic spirits. Aignan, Yeun, Chouquette and Elcair are an absolute delight 😍
The writing is absolutely beautiful and comforting, with every page feeling warm, witty, and wonderfully immersive (I swear Ricci put a spell on this pages!)
And Arawn! The brooding evil and scary sorcerer with two hearts. His dynamic with Lempicka is so vibrant and cosy, it will leave you swooning and smiling at the pages as you read along.
This book will make you laugh, cry, swoon and crave some fancy pastries. If you’re looking for a cosy read, filled with magical adventures and deep character connections, I can’t recommend this book enough!
November 10, 2025
I had the pleasure of receiving a ARC thank you!
✨grumpy broody MMC
💖 touch her and die
✨grumpy black lamb
💖sunshine FMC
✨magical forest
💖villain sorcerer
✨yearning
💖burn the world for her
✨magic system
💖 confectioner
✨cozy romanasty
💖fairytale vibes
✨pastry chef
💖a curse
Ok first of all I’m devastated I finished this book bc it was more than I expected i absolutely loved this book so so much it gave OUABH vibes , I absolutely adored the magic system how so much was reference to baking terms “fragile like spun sugar” the storyline was great, I was hooked immediately , it was such a cozy romanasty vibe, lempicka she was just such a ray of sunshine which was perfect for arawn since he was a dark
Broody grumpy MMC and just how he silently loved and yearned for her. And how he made her dream come true and made the traveling shop for her🥹 all he wanted was for her to be happy “I won’t let you go, sugarplum , so make me suffer, torment me, because I will not give up . Never.” UGH *chefs kiss* “and aignan I loved that grumpy black lamb and I cried so hard at the end for him he didn’t deserve that my baby he was everything 🥹😭 eclair and chouquette were such a fun and silly side character/pets I adored them this book was perfect the vibe of it was just spectacular.
✨grumpy broody MMC
💖 touch her and die
✨grumpy black lamb
💖sunshine FMC
✨magical forest
💖villain sorcerer
✨yearning
💖burn the world for her
✨magic system
💖 confectioner
✨cozy romanasty
💖fairytale vibes
✨pastry chef
💖a curse
Ok first of all I’m devastated I finished this book bc it was more than I expected i absolutely loved this book so so much it gave OUABH vibes , I absolutely adored the magic system how so much was reference to baking terms “fragile like spun sugar” the storyline was great, I was hooked immediately , it was such a cozy romanasty vibe, lempicka she was just such a ray of sunshine which was perfect for arawn since he was a dark
Broody grumpy MMC and just how he silently loved and yearned for her. And how he made her dream come true and made the traveling shop for her🥹 all he wanted was for her to be happy “I won’t let you go, sugarplum , so make me suffer, torment me, because I will not give up . Never.” UGH *chefs kiss* “and aignan I loved that grumpy black lamb and I cried so hard at the end for him he didn’t deserve that my baby he was everything 🥹😭 eclair and chouquette were such a fun and silly side character/pets I adored them this book was perfect the vibe of it was just spectacular.
December 5, 2025
I love baking and i absolutely love the fantasy genre. shanen ricci created a recipe combining the two, resulting in such a delightful and magical story.
in many ways, this book felt like curling up in a blanket with a warm sweet treat in hand. it felt like reading a stephanie garber fantasy meeting a studio ghibli movie (words taken from so many goodreads reviews because i couldn’t word it any better myself).
the characters. like every fantasy ever, the names ended up being pronounced a million different ways in my head but nevertheless, lempicka and arawn are sensational.
in this world, sorcerers need confectioners to essential keep them alive. lempicka is a confectioner…arawn is a sorcerer…you can see where this is going 🙂↕️🙂↕️. from grumpy x sunshine slight enemies to lovers. this book really has pulled me back into the whimsical essence of soft fantasy books and i’m so glad it did.
i cannot wait to read more of shanen ricci’s work and see what else she has in store for us.
thank you so so much mtmc for giving me the pleasure of reading the arc copy! i am now on the hunt to buy a physical copy and reread it!
in many ways, this book felt like curling up in a blanket with a warm sweet treat in hand. it felt like reading a stephanie garber fantasy meeting a studio ghibli movie (words taken from so many goodreads reviews because i couldn’t word it any better myself).
the characters. like every fantasy ever, the names ended up being pronounced a million different ways in my head but nevertheless, lempicka and arawn are sensational.
in this world, sorcerers need confectioners to essential keep them alive. lempicka is a confectioner…arawn is a sorcerer…you can see where this is going 🙂↕️🙂↕️. from grumpy x sunshine slight enemies to lovers. this book really has pulled me back into the whimsical essence of soft fantasy books and i’m so glad it did.
i cannot wait to read more of shanen ricci’s work and see what else she has in store for us.
thank you so so much mtmc for giving me the pleasure of reading the arc copy! i am now on the hunt to buy a physical copy and reread it!
December 3, 2025
4.5 ⭐
I died. Literally. 😭🫸🏻
I have no words to explain how INCREDIBLE this book is. I thought The Kiss of Death was her best work, but I think I was wrong—honestly, Shanen outdid herself, and there's no doubt I’ll keep reading everything she publishes if I possibly can 🤌🏻
A fantasy book with Ghibli and fairytale vibes, featuring a super-powerful villain sorcerer in a monstrous form who literally places HIS HEART in the hands of a baker who might be the very remedy that could kill him… and it ends up being the best thing that’s happened to me in months? 10/10.
I enjoyed it so much. It shattered me into a thousand pieces (I’m not kidding—I cried in THAT chapter 🫵🏻), but it also felt like a little bandage on my heart. There’s found family, an enchanted forest, a soft and easy-to-follow magic system you can dive into immediately, recipes, and a grumpy, talkative lamb that makes the whole reading experience smooth and delightful.
I definitely recommend it 🩷
I died. Literally. 😭🫸🏻
I have no words to explain how INCREDIBLE this book is. I thought The Kiss of Death was her best work, but I think I was wrong—honestly, Shanen outdid herself, and there's no doubt I’ll keep reading everything she publishes if I possibly can 🤌🏻
A fantasy book with Ghibli and fairytale vibes, featuring a super-powerful villain sorcerer in a monstrous form who literally places HIS HEART in the hands of a baker who might be the very remedy that could kill him… and it ends up being the best thing that’s happened to me in months? 10/10.
I enjoyed it so much. It shattered me into a thousand pieces (I’m not kidding—I cried in THAT chapter 🫵🏻), but it also felt like a little bandage on my heart. There’s found family, an enchanted forest, a soft and easy-to-follow magic system you can dive into immediately, recipes, and a grumpy, talkative lamb that makes the whole reading experience smooth and delightful.
I definitely recommend it 🩷
December 4, 2025
This beautiful book, has the perfect recipe for a cozy reading. It has the stunning mix of fairytale vibes together with Ghibli movies. Basically is a hug to the soul. Also, beyond the sweetness it carries there were moments that grip at your heart making it real and where you can see yourself reflected there. The struggles of not being enough or just trying to mold to certain expectations, yet it also shows, you only need to be yourself to create authentic magic✨. The magic here is astounding and the protagonists together with their little friends made it all even more special. Their pasts, are partially the reflection of how they are but not without space to grow which they do. They really found what they were looking for. And just as a perfect bonus that is the cherry on top, the illustrations are amazing. A blanket and a cup of tea is all you need to enjoy and introduce yourself in this wonderful world. 🍏🥧💜🏰🔮
December 11, 2025
Sweet, Sparkly, and Full of Heart
Sugar & Sorcery is an utterly charming blend of whimsical magic and feel-good warmth. Shanen Ricci crafts a world where enchantments taste like sugar, friendships shimmer brighter than spells, and even the smallest acts of courage feel magical. From the first chapter, this story wraps around you like a soft blanket and invites you into a world where sweetness and sorcery go hand-in-hand.
I adored the main character’s journey—full of self-discovery, tiny triumphs, and just enough chaos to keep the pages turning. The magical elements are light, fun, and delightfully creative, and the cozy atmosphere makes this the perfect curl-up-with-a-cup-of-tea read.
My only wish? A little more depth in some moments—but honestly, the charm of the story more than makes up for it. It’s a delightful escape that leaves you smiling long after you close the book.
A sugary, sparkly treat of a read ✨🍬📖
Sugar & Sorcery is an utterly charming blend of whimsical magic and feel-good warmth. Shanen Ricci crafts a world where enchantments taste like sugar, friendships shimmer brighter than spells, and even the smallest acts of courage feel magical. From the first chapter, this story wraps around you like a soft blanket and invites you into a world where sweetness and sorcery go hand-in-hand.
I adored the main character’s journey—full of self-discovery, tiny triumphs, and just enough chaos to keep the pages turning. The magical elements are light, fun, and delightfully creative, and the cozy atmosphere makes this the perfect curl-up-with-a-cup-of-tea read.
My only wish? A little more depth in some moments—but honestly, the charm of the story more than makes up for it. It’s a delightful escape that leaves you smiling long after you close the book.
A sugary, sparkly treat of a read ✨🍬📖
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