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The Between-Worlds B&B
Have you ever wanted to experience magic? Have you ever wanted to get away from everyone and everything? Do you enjoy baked goods?
Then come and stay at the Between-Worlds B&B!
‘Utterly delightful … Everything I want in a cosy fantasy!’ A. T. Qureshi, author of The Baby Dragon Cafe
‘Endlessly charming and heartfelt, I wish I could read it for the first time again!’ Axie Oh, author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea
Margo is bored. It’s the summer before she graduates and she has no idea where her life is going. When she gets locked out, and checks into a lovely B&B, Margo is greeted by surprisingly handsome receptionist, Finn. The rooms are cosy, there’s a grand library and a huge swimming pool, and the breakfast smells amazing.
But Margo soon suspects that it’s all too perfect, and that magic is in the air. She’s fairly sure that one of the other guests is a fairy princess, for one thing. Is this a B&B for magical beings? But Margo doesn’t have a magical bone in her body, so what is she doing there?
Then come and stay at the Between-Worlds B&B!
‘Utterly delightful … Everything I want in a cosy fantasy!’ A. T. Qureshi, author of The Baby Dragon Cafe
‘Endlessly charming and heartfelt, I wish I could read it for the first time again!’ Axie Oh, author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea
Margo is bored. It’s the summer before she graduates and she has no idea where her life is going. When she gets locked out, and checks into a lovely B&B, Margo is greeted by surprisingly handsome receptionist, Finn. The rooms are cosy, there’s a grand library and a huge swimming pool, and the breakfast smells amazing.
But Margo soon suspects that it’s all too perfect, and that magic is in the air. She’s fairly sure that one of the other guests is a fairy princess, for one thing. Is this a B&B for magical beings? But Margo doesn’t have a magical bone in her body, so what is she doing there?
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
March 30, 2026
Thank you to the team at Harper Fire for approving me for this earc through NetGalley.
I had a really hard time getting into this book and I’m not 100% sure why. This is a very cute book and if you like cozy YA fantasy you should definitely try it out. I just think I’m a little bit too old to relate to the main character and then her way of doing things made me cringe a little bit too much.
Margo does struggle with anxiety and I loved to see that rep in books like this especially when teenagers that are coming of age might see themselves in her story. I just could not handle her instant-love with Finn or the way she meddled in everyone’s business at first.
The side characters were really nice but it feels like they could’ve been developed a little bit more just to get more feelings when the end came. But I still enjoyed them all.
I had the most fun reading from 75% and to the end, I feel like the story really started progressing more and I did really enjoy the ending.
Overall, cute book but it lacked in the story department for my liking and I was not a fan of the insta-love that happened over the course of like… 5 days?
The cover is extremely cute though.
I had a really hard time getting into this book and I’m not 100% sure why. This is a very cute book and if you like cozy YA fantasy you should definitely try it out. I just think I’m a little bit too old to relate to the main character and then her way of doing things made me cringe a little bit too much.
Margo does struggle with anxiety and I loved to see that rep in books like this especially when teenagers that are coming of age might see themselves in her story. I just could not handle her instant-love with Finn or the way she meddled in everyone’s business at first.
The side characters were really nice but it feels like they could’ve been developed a little bit more just to get more feelings when the end came. But I still enjoyed them all.
I had the most fun reading from 75% and to the end, I feel like the story really started progressing more and I did really enjoy the ending.
Overall, cute book but it lacked in the story department for my liking and I was not a fan of the insta-love that happened over the course of like… 5 days?
The cover is extremely cute though.
Did Not Finish
April 12, 2026I’m really sad to say this wasn’t the right fit for me, because The Between-Worlds B&B has such a fun, creative premise. A magical B&B acting as a gateway between worlds?? I was so ready to love this.
Unfortunately, I ended up DNF’ing fairly early on. The writing style and tone leaned much more YA than I’d expected, and I think that just made it harder for me to fully connect with the story and characters. Nothing was bad at all - it just didn’t quite click for me personally, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged.
That said, I can absolutely see this working really well for readers who enjoy lighter, more whimsical fantasy with a younger voice and cosy vibes. The concept is genuinely charming, and I did like the idea of the setting and the magical elements.
This just feels like a case of “right book, wrong reader.” Nevertheless, a big thank you to Amy Mae Baxter, Harper Fire, and NetGalley for the eARC 💛
Unfortunately, I ended up DNF’ing fairly early on. The writing style and tone leaned much more YA than I’d expected, and I think that just made it harder for me to fully connect with the story and characters. Nothing was bad at all - it just didn’t quite click for me personally, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged.
That said, I can absolutely see this working really well for readers who enjoy lighter, more whimsical fantasy with a younger voice and cosy vibes. The concept is genuinely charming, and I did like the idea of the setting and the magical elements.
This just feels like a case of “right book, wrong reader.” Nevertheless, a big thank you to Amy Mae Baxter, Harper Fire, and NetGalley for the eARC 💛
July 5, 2026
I really love this cosy fantasy book! 💛 It reminds me of my own book, Magis Perpustakaan: Sarkas Merrily. I had so much fun reading it because the author made all the magic feel so real. I could imagine every magical scene in my mind.
Just imagine… you stay in a cheap hotel, but when you arrive, everything is much better than what you paid for. It feels like staying in a 5-star hotel! ⭐ That is what Margo is going through.
I recommend this book for teenagers who want to start reading fantasy. The language is easy to understand, the story is fast-paced, there is only a little romance, and the friendship is the best part.
I never felt bored while reading. Maybe it’s because fantasy is my favorite genre, but I also think the author did a great job. The story idea is so fun and magical. I really enjoyed it!
May 16, 2026
2.5⭐️
This was such a magical cosy fantasy exactly as it said, unfortunately I don’t think cosy fantasy’s are for me.
The first half of this book I was addicted, loved the whole story magical characters, moving doors/ walls everything was so intricate and filled my imagination to the brim.
Our FMC finishes work and gets locked out at home, she decides to rent a small room at a local b&b for the night until her mum gets home. Then she comes across a sign saying this way to a b&b, little does she know this is a magical b&b that also comes with a shock that magic does exist.
It had such a humerus element to it that had me hooked, unfortunately it didn’t capture my attention for the second half and felt a bit repetitive and not really going anywhere within the plot.
The characters from the b&b were so interesting, and I would recommend this to readers who love a cosy fantasy and an easy read.
This was such a magical cosy fantasy exactly as it said, unfortunately I don’t think cosy fantasy’s are for me.
The first half of this book I was addicted, loved the whole story magical characters, moving doors/ walls everything was so intricate and filled my imagination to the brim.
Our FMC finishes work and gets locked out at home, she decides to rent a small room at a local b&b for the night until her mum gets home. Then she comes across a sign saying this way to a b&b, little does she know this is a magical b&b that also comes with a shock that magic does exist.
It had such a humerus element to it that had me hooked, unfortunately it didn’t capture my attention for the second half and felt a bit repetitive and not really going anywhere within the plot.
The characters from the b&b were so interesting, and I would recommend this to readers who love a cosy fantasy and an easy read.
May 26, 2026
A whimsical YA and coming of age novel. I really loved the characters (especially the guests at the B&B), the overall message was very sweet, but the romance element fell a little flat & was cringey at times. I almost feel it would’ve been better as a friendship. Overall, a fantastic debut from Amy Mae Baxter. I look forward to seeing what she writes next & how her writing develops over time ☺️
May 29, 2026
Not going to lie, I pre-ordered this purely because of the cover because LOOK AT IT.
The Between Worlds B&B was such a cute and cosy read, but I definitely think I’m just a bit too old for the target audience now. I knew going in that it was YA, but this felt very young YA - more aimed at teens or even pre-teens in my opinion.
Because of that, I struggled to really connect with the characters and their emotions, which made it harder for me to fully invest in the story. That being said, I can absolutely see younger me loving this book.
What I did really enjoy was the setting and the whole concept of the inn itself. The world felt warm, magical, and cosy, and honestly, I found that side of the story much more engaging than the characters themselves.
Overall, while this one didn’t fully work for me personally, I do think it completely succeeds at what it’s trying to do for its intended audience. Maybe this is just my sign that I’m firmly in my 30s now.
The Between Worlds B&B was such a cute and cosy read, but I definitely think I’m just a bit too old for the target audience now. I knew going in that it was YA, but this felt very young YA - more aimed at teens or even pre-teens in my opinion.
Because of that, I struggled to really connect with the characters and their emotions, which made it harder for me to fully invest in the story. That being said, I can absolutely see younger me loving this book.
What I did really enjoy was the setting and the whole concept of the inn itself. The world felt warm, magical, and cosy, and honestly, I found that side of the story much more engaging than the characters themselves.
Overall, while this one didn’t fully work for me personally, I do think it completely succeeds at what it’s trying to do for its intended audience. Maybe this is just my sign that I’m firmly in my 30s now.
April 6, 2026
I absolutely adored this story so much!!
In this story we follow Margo, who accidentally ends up in a magical B&B. While trying to find her way out, will she discover her true self?
I was a bit unsure how this story was going to go from the premise, but this story was so fun and magical and I loved every second. The setting was whimsical and the characters were great to follow along. I loved the little friends’ group. The personal growth of Margo was also amazing to follow and I loved how it ended for everyone involved. This is exactly what I am looking for in a cozy fantasy.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
In this story we follow Margo, who accidentally ends up in a magical B&B. While trying to find her way out, will she discover her true self?
I was a bit unsure how this story was going to go from the premise, but this story was so fun and magical and I loved every second. The setting was whimsical and the characters were great to follow along. I loved the little friends’ group. The personal growth of Margo was also amazing to follow and I loved how it ended for everyone involved. This is exactly what I am looking for in a cozy fantasy.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 10, 2026
4⭐️
This is such a cosy fantasy book and exactly what I needed to refresh!
This cute little BnB has you following characters on their quests to find out something about themselves in which they never knew before while also making friendships they didn’t see coming.
It did drag a little bit however still amazing and I read in 1 sitting
🩷
This is such a cosy fantasy book and exactly what I needed to refresh!
This cute little BnB has you following characters on their quests to find out something about themselves in which they never knew before while also making friendships they didn’t see coming.
It did drag a little bit however still amazing and I read in 1 sitting
🩷
June 29, 2026
this was SOOO cute!!! i had a blast reading this!!!
longer rtc!
longer rtc!
February 28, 2026
This was so much fun! Just loved it.
July 12, 2026
The first half was okay, she was a bit annoying, but the second half was cute and the found family was so nice 💖
May 31, 2026
This was a really cute, cosy YA fantasy that I enjoyed overall even if it didn’t fully hit for me.
The strongest part by far was the setting. A magical bed & breakfast between worlds where guests stay until they’ve learned something important about themselves? Such a fun concept. The inn itself felt whimsical, comforting and full of charm and I honestly could’ve spent way longer exploring all the magical rooms, hidden corridors, and strange guests.
The story follows Margo, who stumbles into the inn at a point where she feels a bit lost in life and it becomes a coming-of-age story about figuring out who you are, where you belong, and what comes next. I really liked that focus on self discovery and found family more than the romance.
That said, this definitely read younger than I expected. I had a harder time connecting with Margo in the beginning, and some of her inner monologue felt repetitive enough that it pulled me out of the story a few times. The romance also didn’t fully work for me personally as it felt very instant and I wasn’t fully convinced by the chemistry.
The pacing took a while to settle, but once the story found its rhythm I enjoyed it much more, especially towards the end. The final stretch was definitely my favourite part and left me feeling much more positive overall.
I do think younger YA readers would absolutely adore this. Younger me probably would’ve loved it. For me it didn’t land perfectly but it was still a sweet, comforting read with a magical atmosphere I really enjoyed spending time in.
The strongest part by far was the setting. A magical bed & breakfast between worlds where guests stay until they’ve learned something important about themselves? Such a fun concept. The inn itself felt whimsical, comforting and full of charm and I honestly could’ve spent way longer exploring all the magical rooms, hidden corridors, and strange guests.
The story follows Margo, who stumbles into the inn at a point where she feels a bit lost in life and it becomes a coming-of-age story about figuring out who you are, where you belong, and what comes next. I really liked that focus on self discovery and found family more than the romance.
That said, this definitely read younger than I expected. I had a harder time connecting with Margo in the beginning, and some of her inner monologue felt repetitive enough that it pulled me out of the story a few times. The romance also didn’t fully work for me personally as it felt very instant and I wasn’t fully convinced by the chemistry.
The pacing took a while to settle, but once the story found its rhythm I enjoyed it much more, especially towards the end. The final stretch was definitely my favourite part and left me feeling much more positive overall.
I do think younger YA readers would absolutely adore this. Younger me probably would’ve loved it. For me it didn’t land perfectly but it was still a sweet, comforting read with a magical atmosphere I really enjoyed spending time in.
Did Not Finish
May 22, 2026Thank you to Netgalley and HarperFire for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion in anyway.
DNF @ 21%
I was drawn by that absolute gorgeous cover that screamed a good cozy fantasy. Unfortunately I was just bored. I found no compelling characters in this. Finn has some potential but because the rest was so uncompelling, he fizzled out pretty quickly.
DNF @ 21%
I was drawn by that absolute gorgeous cover that screamed a good cozy fantasy. Unfortunately I was just bored. I found no compelling characters in this. Finn has some potential but because the rest was so uncompelling, he fizzled out pretty quickly.
May 11, 2026
3.5 stars - YA cosy fantasy.
After being locked out by her Mom, Margo stumbles across a B&B and checks in for the night. Whilst getting breakfast she notices a ghosts and promptly faints. When she wakes she is told the B&B is magical and when checking in she signed the t&cs stating she must stay for a minimum of 5 nights before she can talk to the wizard about what she has learned from her time. Whilst at the B&B time doesn't move in the "human" world". During her stay she meets a ghost, a wizard, a fairy princess and a demon - why is Margo here, does she have magic of her own?
First off the cover is absolutely gorgeous!
This was a cute and short, cosy fantasy read. There is little romance and the story focuses on friendship and feeling lost in life. The B&B had a fun vibe with magical rooms and disappearing corridors.
I think I struggled to connect to the story due to the younger nature / themes of the story but I think it would make a great teen / pre-teen read. Younger me would have loved it but as a older YA reader it was a bit basic for me too rate any higher.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a chance to review a copy of the eBook.
After being locked out by her Mom, Margo stumbles across a B&B and checks in for the night. Whilst getting breakfast she notices a ghosts and promptly faints. When she wakes she is told the B&B is magical and when checking in she signed the t&cs stating she must stay for a minimum of 5 nights before she can talk to the wizard about what she has learned from her time. Whilst at the B&B time doesn't move in the "human" world". During her stay she meets a ghost, a wizard, a fairy princess and a demon - why is Margo here, does she have magic of her own?
First off the cover is absolutely gorgeous!
This was a cute and short, cosy fantasy read. There is little romance and the story focuses on friendship and feeling lost in life. The B&B had a fun vibe with magical rooms and disappearing corridors.
I think I struggled to connect to the story due to the younger nature / themes of the story but I think it would make a great teen / pre-teen read. Younger me would have loved it but as a older YA reader it was a bit basic for me too rate any higher.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a chance to review a copy of the eBook.
May 8, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I had a lot of fun and I’m rating it 4.0 stars.
This is a little different to my usual reads lately, but I really enjoyed it. This story brings magic and whimsy to the forefront as we follow Margo on a journey of discovery and friendship.
The world building inside this inn is FUN, it’s creative and you can feel how vibrant and exciting it must have been for our FMC as she experiences it all for the first time. The plot expands with figuring out why margo is at the B&B and why the other characters don’t seem to want to leave.
I really recommend this for a light fantasy read that’s creative and wholesome at its core.
This is a little different to my usual reads lately, but I really enjoyed it. This story brings magic and whimsy to the forefront as we follow Margo on a journey of discovery and friendship.
The world building inside this inn is FUN, it’s creative and you can feel how vibrant and exciting it must have been for our FMC as she experiences it all for the first time. The plot expands with figuring out why margo is at the B&B and why the other characters don’t seem to want to leave.
I really recommend this for a light fantasy read that’s creative and wholesome at its core.
May 20, 2026
The Between Worlds B&B was such a heartwarming read. The author completely immerses you in the story, creating a cast of characters that feel so real and making their individual growth throughout the book incredibly rewarding to follow.
It was an easy, comforting read and a refreshing break from high-action plots and intense romance. Even though the story has a slower, gentler pace, it never felt boring. It keeps moving just enough to stay engaging, and I found myself unable to put it down.
I’ll admit I was a little worried because I had been waiting so long for this book to come out and was scared my expectations might be too high—but it absolutely did not disappoint. It was everything I hoped for and more.
It was an easy, comforting read and a refreshing break from high-action plots and intense romance. Even though the story has a slower, gentler pace, it never felt boring. It keeps moving just enough to stay engaging, and I found myself unable to put it down.
I’ll admit I was a little worried because I had been waiting so long for this book to come out and was scared my expectations might be too high—but it absolutely did not disappoint. It was everything I hoped for and more.
May 13, 2026
This was so cute and fun 🫶🏻✨
The story follows Margo as she decides to not go to her aunties when her mum is working late but instead stumbles upon a magical B&B 🥹
The Inn helps her not only discover if she has any and if so what type of magic she may have but also helps to discover herself in ways that she will only understand after her stay
The concept of a B&B in between worlds was truly so interesting and whimsical and I loved how much of a sentient being the Inn was (it definitely had its character!)
Mr Wesley was the most adorable character (and Frank) and I nearly cried reading his letter!
Overall, a solid, whimsical, fun read 💖
The story follows Margo as she decides to not go to her aunties when her mum is working late but instead stumbles upon a magical B&B 🥹
The Inn helps her not only discover if she has any and if so what type of magic she may have but also helps to discover herself in ways that she will only understand after her stay
The concept of a B&B in between worlds was truly so interesting and whimsical and I loved how much of a sentient being the Inn was (it definitely had its character!)
Mr Wesley was the most adorable character (and Frank) and I nearly cried reading his letter!
Overall, a solid, whimsical, fun read 💖
May 23, 2026
4.5 stars - this was the perfect escapist book to sink into when I needed comfort, literal cinnamon rolls and a B&B filled with magical characters including a blue cat with fins.
May 26, 2026
3.5 stars
June 8, 2026
I’m not the target market for this and read it only because I wanted to see if it was suitable for a 14 year old - it is! I found the story sweet but lacking depth.
June 15, 2026
Overall an enjoyable story. Would have liked a bit more background about the B&B and the other characters. Took a while for the main character to get past her initial reactions, which became a bit annoying. The author could've moved things on a bit quicker on that regard.
June 30, 2026
The scenery was absolutely stunning, and I loved how whimsical everything felt. However the romance just wasn't giving. It felt forced but sometimes it's cute thoo LAHHH MANA SATU KAU NAK KATA🌝🙈
July 1, 2026
This was such a cosy and comforting read. Friends, cinnamon buns and magic so nostalgic it felt like watching a classic barbie movie. Loved it
July 10, 2026
This wasn't a bad read but it's definitely aimed at an older teenage bracket rather than adults
May 24, 2026
This book had me right from the beginning. I actually brought it because the cover was so pretty but the story was great. I devoured.it in one and a half days! I loved how the characters were with each other. Despite all being very different they gelled very well.
I was constantly picking up the book at every opportunity. Lovely story about finding yourself and accepting others
The inn sounds like such a wonderful place I wish it existed in real life (although I think it would be fully booked for months)
I was constantly picking up the book at every opportunity. Lovely story about finding yourself and accepting others
The inn sounds like such a wonderful place I wish it existed in real life (although I think it would be fully booked for months)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of an Advanced Reader Copy.
Thank you to Harper Collins and Amy Mae Baxter for the opportunity to discover this book early in exchange of my honest review !
The Between-Wolds B&B follows Margo, a teenager a tiny bit lost in life and among her peers, as she embarks on her self-discovery journey, magic and all. Luckier than most of us, Margo gets to explore her identity in a magical, sentient inn, surrounded by a few magical creatures on a journey of their own, and a blue cat. As it turns out, Margo might have more to discover than she initially expected...
"More than once, I'd caught myself hoping that one of them would start drowning, just so I'd have something to do. Not do death, of course, I'm not a monster, but anything to end my boredom."
RATING : 1.5/5 (rounded up to 2/5)
I think it's important to note that while i regularly read and enjoy both YA and cosy fantasy, I (25F) am likely older than the target audience for this book, which may have influenced my experience of it...
That being said, and to be completely honest, I struggled quite a lot with this novel. I'm a firm believer that there are two essential ingredients to a good cosy fantasy : a well developped, interconnected and relatable cast of characters + a rich and immersive magical atmosphere. Unfortunately, I found both aspects lacking here.
Ingredient n°1 : Characters.
I had difficulty connecting with or caring about most of the characters. Many of them actually felt bland, especially the two main protagonists. I ended up enjoying the side characters way more, especially Frank and Mr. Wexley, and I wish they had been explored more in depth.
Beyond what I felt for the characters, their own interactions and dynamic as a group felt very unnatural to me. I always felt like I was missing a part of the conversation, like the different scenes were stitched together more than built as an emotionnally coherent whole. Interactions seemed disjointed. As a result, their growth as individuals and as a group didn't hit for me the way I think the author intended it to.
Ingredient n°2 : Atmosphere.
That was probably my favorite part and the strongest aspect of the book. I enjoyed discovering the Between-Worlds B&B, with its many rooms and distinct personnality. However, something still felt incomplete. While being ever-present, the inn felt underdevelopped. I believe it comes down to the fact that it was written as a setting, as a place for the characters to be, and I really wanted and expected it to feel more like a character in itself. I spend the whole book in it, and yet I closed the book feeling disappointed that I did not get more of it.
Now for the plot, I kept hoping for something that would actually hook me and keep me engaged until the end. That moment never came. Besides, the main storyline was all but revealed in the first chapters of the book. It was all rather predictable, and so, lacked tension and fell flat again, at least for me.
So, what's my conclusion ?
I think that, as much as I wanted to be, this book was not for ME and can feel underwhelming to older and more seasoned readers. Maybe younger me would have eaten it up.
I think it had a lot of potential and includes some cute reflections about what it's like to be a young person trying to figure out life and to find your own place in the world.
And, as always, if the premise appeals to you, I would still encourage you to give it a try.
No review can replace the perosnal experience of reading, and the most meaningful opinion you can form is the one you build for yourself. :)
Thank you to Harper Collins and Amy Mae Baxter for the opportunity to discover this book early in exchange of my honest review !
The Between-Wolds B&B follows Margo, a teenager a tiny bit lost in life and among her peers, as she embarks on her self-discovery journey, magic and all. Luckier than most of us, Margo gets to explore her identity in a magical, sentient inn, surrounded by a few magical creatures on a journey of their own, and a blue cat. As it turns out, Margo might have more to discover than she initially expected...
"More than once, I'd caught myself hoping that one of them would start drowning, just so I'd have something to do. Not do death, of course, I'm not a monster, but anything to end my boredom."
RATING : 1.5/5 (rounded up to 2/5)
I think it's important to note that while i regularly read and enjoy both YA and cosy fantasy, I (25F) am likely older than the target audience for this book, which may have influenced my experience of it...
That being said, and to be completely honest, I struggled quite a lot with this novel. I'm a firm believer that there are two essential ingredients to a good cosy fantasy : a well developped, interconnected and relatable cast of characters + a rich and immersive magical atmosphere. Unfortunately, I found both aspects lacking here.
Ingredient n°1 : Characters.
I had difficulty connecting with or caring about most of the characters. Many of them actually felt bland, especially the two main protagonists. I ended up enjoying the side characters way more, especially Frank and Mr. Wexley, and I wish they had been explored more in depth.
Beyond what I felt for the characters, their own interactions and dynamic as a group felt very unnatural to me. I always felt like I was missing a part of the conversation, like the different scenes were stitched together more than built as an emotionnally coherent whole. Interactions seemed disjointed. As a result, their growth as individuals and as a group didn't hit for me the way I think the author intended it to.
Ingredient n°2 : Atmosphere.
That was probably my favorite part and the strongest aspect of the book. I enjoyed discovering the Between-Worlds B&B, with its many rooms and distinct personnality. However, something still felt incomplete. While being ever-present, the inn felt underdevelopped. I believe it comes down to the fact that it was written as a setting, as a place for the characters to be, and I really wanted and expected it to feel more like a character in itself. I spend the whole book in it, and yet I closed the book feeling disappointed that I did not get more of it.
Now for the plot, I kept hoping for something that would actually hook me and keep me engaged until the end. That moment never came. Besides, the main storyline was all but revealed in the first chapters of the book. It was all rather predictable, and so, lacked tension and fell flat again, at least for me.
So, what's my conclusion ?
I think that, as much as I wanted to be, this book was not for ME and can feel underwhelming to older and more seasoned readers. Maybe younger me would have eaten it up.
I think it had a lot of potential and includes some cute reflections about what it's like to be a young person trying to figure out life and to find your own place in the world.
And, as always, if the premise appeals to you, I would still encourage you to give it a try.
No review can replace the perosnal experience of reading, and the most meaningful opinion you can form is the one you build for yourself. :)
May 14, 2026
𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿: Younger readers and cosy fantasy lovers who enjoy whimsical magical settings, growing-up stories, and imaginative worldbuilding without heavy romance or darker YA themes.
This is one of those books where I immediately knew the idea of it would work on me.
A magical inn between worlds already sounded dangerously tailored to my interests. And honestly, the book is filled with the sort of cosy whimsical details I love. The magic feels playful rather than grand, and the world has that kind of atmosphere that makes you want to wander hallways, peek through doors, and spend far too long exploring tiny little details.
The inn itself completely stole my heart. Moody and cosy at the same time, full of warmth and strange little touches that made it feel alive. I only wish the story had lingered there even more. Sometimes it felt like the inn was patiently waiting in the background while the coming-of-age story stood in the spotlight, and personally I would happily have traded a little plot for more wandering, more guests, and more quiet magical moments inside the inn itself.
The story reads much younger than a lot of modern YA fantasy, and honestly I think that works in its favour. The romance stays very soft and innocent, and the focus is much more on growing up, finding confidence, and figuring out where you belong in the world.
I didn’t connect especially deeply with most of the characters, including the main character, though she felt believable for her age. I think I’ve simply aged out of emotionally connecting to this kind of protagonist. But even so, the book stayed comforting and easy to sink into from beginning to end.
I did wish the ending had been given a little more room to breathe, especially compared to how cosy and slow the rest of the story felt.
Still, I walked away from this book smiling more than disappointed. More than anything, it made me wish this inn actually existed somewhere hidden away between worlds. Honestly, I would play the life out of this as a cosy exploration game.
✨ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱:
• The magical inn and its cosy atmosphere
• The creative whimsical details woven throughout the world
• The absolutely delightful fantasy cat that completely stole the show 🌿🐈✨
🌧️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱:
• I struggled to emotionally connect with most of the characters
• The inn and world often felt more interesting than the actual plot
• I wished the ending had been given a little more room to breathe
⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
This is one of those books where I immediately knew the idea of it would work on me.
A magical inn between worlds already sounded dangerously tailored to my interests. And honestly, the book is filled with the sort of cosy whimsical details I love. The magic feels playful rather than grand, and the world has that kind of atmosphere that makes you want to wander hallways, peek through doors, and spend far too long exploring tiny little details.
The inn itself completely stole my heart. Moody and cosy at the same time, full of warmth and strange little touches that made it feel alive. I only wish the story had lingered there even more. Sometimes it felt like the inn was patiently waiting in the background while the coming-of-age story stood in the spotlight, and personally I would happily have traded a little plot for more wandering, more guests, and more quiet magical moments inside the inn itself.
The story reads much younger than a lot of modern YA fantasy, and honestly I think that works in its favour. The romance stays very soft and innocent, and the focus is much more on growing up, finding confidence, and figuring out where you belong in the world.
I didn’t connect especially deeply with most of the characters, including the main character, though she felt believable for her age. I think I’ve simply aged out of emotionally connecting to this kind of protagonist. But even so, the book stayed comforting and easy to sink into from beginning to end.
I did wish the ending had been given a little more room to breathe, especially compared to how cosy and slow the rest of the story felt.
Still, I walked away from this book smiling more than disappointed. More than anything, it made me wish this inn actually existed somewhere hidden away between worlds. Honestly, I would play the life out of this as a cosy exploration game.
✨ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱:
• The magical inn and its cosy atmosphere
• The creative whimsical details woven throughout the world
• The absolutely delightful fantasy cat that completely stole the show 🌿🐈✨
🌧️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱:
• I struggled to emotionally connect with most of the characters
• The inn and world often felt more interesting than the actual plot
• I wished the ending had been given a little more room to breathe
⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Actual rating is 3.25 stars*
The Between-Worlds B&B is the magical inn where time doesn’t exist and as such you are free to take the time to discover yourself and your purpose. Sounds like an absolute dream, and the perfect setting for a YA cozy fantasy. Sometimes you just need a little magic in your life.
First of the setting of the inn was one, if not my absolute, favourite part of the book. The atmosphere was impeccable, and it honestly serves a character in its own right. How could it not with its sense of humour? Also it’s enchanted in the best way, with infinite rooms to quench your every desire and need, and able summoning whatever you ask. If there ever was a book I wish had illustrations in it, it’s this one. The inn is so magical and so descriptive, and I wish I could just visually see the things as well! Another thing I liked with the book was the fact that it had chapter titles. So you know what was in store in each chapter.
Now onto the less enjoyable parts of the book - the characters. This book was said to contain my all time favourite trope - found family. But the vibes just weren't there. I think mostly this was due to the underdevelopment of basically any character besides the main character Margo. Who, for the record, is such an annoying character. The inn literally throws a big hint at her from the very start about why she’s there, but she’s too self-centered to care much about it. While I really liked most of the side characters, especially Mr. Wexley. But with them not getting much characteristics to them and Margo being annoying, their relationships felt more like they were just stated on the page than actually existed within the story. This also affected the romance. I really wanted to love Finn, but there wasn’t enough time spent with him to develop any strong feelings towards him. Which is a shame since the romance could have been really cute.
This book has both its strengths and weaknesses, and I think your enjoyment of it will depend on how much you like Margo.
—
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Fire for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Between-Worlds B&B is the magical inn where time doesn’t exist and as such you are free to take the time to discover yourself and your purpose. Sounds like an absolute dream, and the perfect setting for a YA cozy fantasy. Sometimes you just need a little magic in your life.
First of the setting of the inn was one, if not my absolute, favourite part of the book. The atmosphere was impeccable, and it honestly serves a character in its own right. How could it not with its sense of humour? Also it’s enchanted in the best way, with infinite rooms to quench your every desire and need, and able summoning whatever you ask. If there ever was a book I wish had illustrations in it, it’s this one. The inn is so magical and so descriptive, and I wish I could just visually see the things as well! Another thing I liked with the book was the fact that it had chapter titles. So you know what was in store in each chapter.
Now onto the less enjoyable parts of the book - the characters. This book was said to contain my all time favourite trope - found family. But the vibes just weren't there. I think mostly this was due to the underdevelopment of basically any character besides the main character Margo. Who, for the record, is such an annoying character. The inn literally throws a big hint at her from the very start about why she’s there, but she’s too self-centered to care much about it. While I really liked most of the side characters, especially Mr. Wexley. But with them not getting much characteristics to them and Margo being annoying, their relationships felt more like they were just stated on the page than actually existed within the story. This also affected the romance. I really wanted to love Finn, but there wasn’t enough time spent with him to develop any strong feelings towards him. Which is a shame since the romance could have been really cute.
This book has both its strengths and weaknesses, and I think your enjoyment of it will depend on how much you like Margo.
—
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Fire for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Harper Fire and NetGalley for an early e-copy of this book!
I really enjoy the occasional YA, especially when I'm promised a unique magic system, found family and a cat! However, this one read alot younger than I expected. I had to double check I didn't accidentally request middle grade without knowing it. In the beginning of the book Margo's boredom and inner thoughts were insufferable. She was "bored, and that wasn't good because when she was bored, bad things tended to happen".
The strongest point for the book was the atmosphere. I loved the idea of the magical inn between worlds. I enjoyed the brief discriptions we got of some rooms and settings. I wish we could have spent more time exploring.
The writing is probably where it was weakest for me. Scructurally, the six comma long sentences drove me insane. Some words would show up so many times back to back ( I think I read "bored" eight times in the first handful of pages)
The side characters were - okay.
Now, the love interest. These two have the chemistry of oil and water. Incredibly lackluster, almost to the point where I wish he wasn't there and the whole book was about Margo's self discovery.
They were insta-love almost, and had immediate "feelings" for each other. But other than this being spelled out, I found little evidence.
All of this to say, dispite it being marketed as a YA romance, the story isn't super focused on their relationship (in a good way). Then they intend to make life altering decisions because of how much they love each other after maybe two conversations.
A plot point that I found amusing is when Margos excited to stay at the B&B so she can watch TV uninterrupted - as a single child of a night shift working mum.
Also, the tone change of when she finds out *new* to her information, and in the next breath she's speaking about it as if she wrote the Wikipedia page.
To conclude, there was so much potential, and so much I wanted this story to be. I had expected it to be something it wasn't and that severely affected my enjoyment. The concept was fantastic, and with further books I'd definitely give the author another try.
I really enjoy the occasional YA, especially when I'm promised a unique magic system, found family and a cat! However, this one read alot younger than I expected. I had to double check I didn't accidentally request middle grade without knowing it. In the beginning of the book Margo's boredom and inner thoughts were insufferable. She was "bored, and that wasn't good because when she was bored, bad things tended to happen".
The strongest point for the book was the atmosphere. I loved the idea of the magical inn between worlds. I enjoyed the brief discriptions we got of some rooms and settings. I wish we could have spent more time exploring.
The writing is probably where it was weakest for me. Scructurally, the six comma long sentences drove me insane. Some words would show up so many times back to back ( I think I read "bored" eight times in the first handful of pages)
The side characters were - okay.
Now, the love interest. These two have the chemistry of oil and water. Incredibly lackluster, almost to the point where I wish he wasn't there and the whole book was about Margo's self discovery.
They were insta-love almost, and had immediate "feelings" for each other. But other than this being spelled out, I found little evidence.
All of this to say, dispite it being marketed as a YA romance, the story isn't super focused on their relationship (in a good way). Then they intend to make life altering decisions because of how much they love each other after maybe two conversations.
A plot point that I found amusing is when Margos excited to stay at the B&B so she can watch TV uninterrupted - as a single child of a night shift working mum.
Also, the tone change of when she finds out *new* to her information, and in the next breath she's speaking about it as if she wrote the Wikipedia page.
To conclude, there was so much potential, and so much I wanted this story to be. I had expected it to be something it wasn't and that severely affected my enjoyment. The concept was fantastic, and with further books I'd definitely give the author another try.
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