The Blue Moon Café & 24-Hour Occult Emporium

by Lexie Sharabianlou

A magical witness protection program, a town in need of saving, and a sorceress-in-training . . . oh, and the human woman she’s not supposed to fall for. The Blue Moon Café has a little bit of everything (except, you know, decent coffee).

In the tiny town of Pine Hollow, barista and fledging sorceress Talula Smith runs The Blue Moon Café & 24-Hour Occult Emporium, aka the worst coffee shop in town. The café’s horrible reputation hides its true providing new identities and safe passage to at-risk magical beings while keeping humans far, far away. That is, except for town local Dahlia. Dahlia’s devastating dimples, addiction to Talula's cocoa recipe, and keen observation skills keeps the smitten barista scrambling to ensure that her magical abilities (or, lack thereof) stay a secret.

But when big game hunters start preying on magical beings, her powerful sorceress mother is called away to track them down, leaving Talula and her barely-there magic in charge of The Blue Moon. With the impending Samhain festival to organize, magical refugees to help, half of the town turning against her, and her ever-growing feelings for Dahlia, Talula’s magical destiny feels further away than ever. But as the hunters set their sights closer to home, it’ll be up to Talula to master her craft, trust her heart, and bring her magical and human communities together . . . before she loses everything she loves.

Genres: Fantasy, Cozy Fantasy, Cozy, Queer, Fiction, Lesbian, LGBT

448 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 18, 2026

About the author

Lexie Sharabianlou earned her Master’s in Creative Writing from the University of Edinburgh. She has sold cupcakes, taught high school English literature, and written audio tours for zoos and museums. These days, she writes stories about magic, mischief, and falling in love. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. Tell your dog she says hi.

The Blue Moon Cafe & 24-Hour Occult Emporium is her debut novel.

Reviews

[EmJustReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Now that I’ve finished crying after that ending (I can’t believe you did that to us Lexie) I want to explain how much happiness I got from this book. As a self proclaimed Halloween obsessed person, this book was immensely satisfying and gave me fall fever.

Sara, Talula’s mother, is responsible for the Blue Moon Cafe, which houses a secret, magical portal. Talula is a barista at the cafe that acts as a safe house for magical beings that need help. We meet Dahlia, who is the only regular at the cafe, and we get to watch Talula be oblivious and trying to determine if the interest is mutual.

The big conflicts in this book:
-Self doubt (in her magic and belonging)
-Romantic questioning
-Samhaim vs. Pine Hollow council
-The threatening & kidnapping of magical creatures

Simon quickly becomes my favorite character because of his killer one liners. I imagined he has a British accent — specifically the voice of Maxwell Sheffield in The Nanny — and I highlighted at least 20 lines that made me laugh. His obsession with Emilio is adorable (who was also a hilarious addition) #QAFD&DG

This was such an easy, cozy read. And there were a lot of elements that are relatable and endearing. From doubting yourself, comparing yourself to your parents, and being scared of failure. There were some surprises throughout the story, and the twist involving Mrs. Bochart made my jaw drop.

This book was perfectly scheduled to be published in the fall (August 18th) and I’d highly recommend you pre-order this. If I have one suggestion, or really just a wish, it would be that I want recipes to follow along with the story — because all of the food sounded mouth watering.

Some of my favorite lines/ insults:
“Co-chair of the Bashful Armadillo Preservation Society”
“Sometimes … you’ve just got to chuck some jackalopes”
“that reptilian flatulence incarnate”
“basically, in bisexuality years, Talula was a teen queer”
“So peasants— Simon began.”
“and mayo was magical no matter where it came from”
“you besotted mongoose”
“a geriatric nematode could have told you that”

Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC

[tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me reference the magical Jinn cookbook to determine the ingredients for a 5 star read:

1. Impossibly ancient magical sorcerer whose current corporeal vessel is a very fluffy corgi
2. PORTALS
3. Depiction of the power (and magic!) of community
4. Impeccable one-liners, often delivered by aforementioned corgi (see 1)
5. An ooey-gooey queer romance
6. Meditation on accepting yourself and what it means to not feel like you’re enough (or that you’re too much!)
7. MAGICAL CREATURES

The Blue Moon Cafe & 24-Hour Occult Emporium read like a nostalgic cross between the Halloweentown films of my youth and Sabrina the Teenage Witch (albeit, instead of a talking cat, we have a talking corgi). It also felt like a warm hug on a chilly fall day, when summer is in the rearview mirror and the excitement of Halloween is just around the corner.

Coziness aside, we also have some very real stakes - our FMC, Talula, and her cosmic immortal goddess of a mother, Sara, are responsible for overseeing and protecting the Volta, a magical wayportal that transitions magical creatures to safer pastures. When a nefarious magical creature hunting party crops up and Sara is pulled into the investigation, Talula is left behind to manage the portal and protect the magical community - worse, her town is campaigning to get the Blue Moon Cafe and their annual Samhain festival shut down.

The problem? Well, she hasn’t QUITE mastered her magic as of yet (though she’s trying her best and I love her). Annnnd she has an evil ex-girlfriend plotting on her destruction.

Not all hope is lost, however - after all, Talula has the power of a magical cookbook, community (both human and magical) a talking corgi, and her kickass crush, Dahlia, on her side.

And what’s more magical than the friendships and relationships we spend our lives cultivating and nurturing?

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book was such a wonderful cozy adventure! This is the perfect read to escape into a magical small town cafe with a nice cup of hot cocoa 📖☕️ All the characters are so well developed, the friendship between Talula and Dahlia is heartwarming and their chemistry is electric! If you are at all interested do yourself the favor and just read it (I would especially recommend around Summerween-Halloween to maximize on the cozy witchy autumnal vibes) 👻🎃

Note: I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley.

[Victoria | Victoriabooklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so good.

Fall vibes 🍁
Cafes ☕️
Magic ✨
Romance 👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👩🏾
Talking Corgi 🐾
Portals🚪

I loved all of it!!! My only note is that it dragagdd a liiiitle bit for a cozy book. If it was a tad bit shorter I’d have loved it even more.

[BookishKB]

☕🔮 The Blue Moon Café & 24-Hour Occult Emporium 🔮☕

📖 Bookish Thoughts

My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.

✨ What to Expect
• Cozy Fantasy
• Magical Café
• Witchy Magic
• Small Town
_ _ _

📅 Pub Date: August 18, 2026

Thank you to Dell, Ballantine, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Cierra Diedrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ what a debut!!

A cozy fantasy that delivers on a love story, a genuine conflict, and developed characters. This book was so fun to read. Talulah is the daughter of a sorceress and has yet to come into any magical prowess. She is expected to live up to her mother’s reputation, but when the magical community is threatened, she will have to overcome a lot of challenges to succeed. Trials include: a crush on a local girl, a community divided on all things occult and running a cafe with really bad coffee.

Loved this, loved the relationships and was giggling throughout the book. Thanks to Netgalley and Ballentine Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Sydney Hagerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love the video game Coffee Talk and want to live inside that cozy “café” setting, you need to read this. The LGBTQ+ representation is great and feels so natural, and the characters are incredibly easy to root for. The food and drink descriptions are so vivid they made me hungry the entire time, which normally doesn’t happen when I read a cozy fantasy. It’s the perfect blend of supernatural slice-of-life comfort and immaculate cozy energy. Highly recommend picking it up!

[Siavahda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't a bad book by any means (at least, what I read of it), but it wasn't wowing me either. It's fine? Perfectly fine? The writing rhythm is a bit off, character names are repeated too often, and the prose in general is a little over-written - quotes taken from my advanced reader copy, so they might be edited/removed from the published version of the book.

She always wore something a little eye-catching and different, like a horde of golden butterfly hairclips holding back her black, spirally tresses or a pair of brightly embroidered loafers.

...The butterfly hairclips also hold back her loafers?

The woman's face could certainly launch a thousand ships, but she could just as easily sink them with the effort it took to twirl a lock of her silky hair.

Runs too long!

Dahlia searched her human brain for words that would hold up to Sara's etherealness.

Specifically her human brain, huh.

If these quotes don't bother you, great! You do not have whatever deeply weird, impossible-to-articulate THING I have that makes me hear prose like music and gets Very Upset if the 'music' is 'out of tune'. You can completely disregard my dislike of the prose here!

I'm also not a fan of mind-control being a casual magical thing that no one acknowledges is a violation. Possibly this comes up later in the book! But I'm not betting on it, going from the context of its use in the first chapter.

Dahlia, the love interest, stole my heart immediately: she's adorable and ridiculous in the best kind of way, and I adore her. Talula, though...calling her a wallflower would be putting it kindly. She doesn't seem to have a lot of personality, and is also maybe a bit of an idiot: it is specifically her job to make all the coffees etc undrinkable and inedible, to keep humans away from the magical witness-protection waystation the cafe is a cover for. But she sees a pretty face and just throws all that out the window, making her an incredible hot chocolate just because? Ma'am. What. WHY. You just. Compromised the safety of the waystation for nothing at all???

That's how Dahlia and Talula meet, and I was surprised that that occurred before the start of the book. Which means the first chapter is very tell-don't-show, because instead of seeing the events take place on the page, we're being told about the events, because they happened earlier. I thought that was an odd writerly decision.

I really wish Dahlia and Talula had met in some other way: I can't really forgive Talula making Dahlia's drinks delicious, given what's at stake. It would have been so funny if it turned out that Dahlia LIKED the deliberately-terrible hot chocolate, for example!

Talula's not a character I want to spend time with, and the prose here is making me twitchy, so I'm calling it quits!

[Beth | Bookwyrm.Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Dell for the gifted book and PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook!

✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 ✦
The Blue Moon Café & 24-Hour Occult Emporium was a charming, cozy, small town fantasy with so much heart. The atmosphere felt like a brisk, sunny fall morning, while the tone was very mellow despite a high stakes plot. I thought that the story was a great blend between quirky, small-town charm, emotional exploration, and light, supernatural elements, while the author’s sensory forward writing style brought the whole thing to life.

Protagonist Talula really holds everything together, while remaining relatable, believable and strong willed. I connected to her struggle to see her own self-worth and appreciated her growth throughout the story. I loved that these heavier emotional themes were balanced really well with the more whimsical elements.

But what I enjoyed the most about this was the slow burn, sapphic romance between Talula and Dahli. Their connection unfolds through quiet moments and sweet, yearning tension that feels entirely earned. I loved how real their pull to each other felt, and just how positive the relationship was. I think sapphic love stories tend to lean more toward “two broken people finding each other” and while I do enjoy those too, I loved how mature these characters were and how natural and positive the romance felt.

There were some lovely, heavy themes regarding community and the importance of standing up to oppression, as well as grief and trauma. The author approaches all of these subjects with care, but also balances their weight with the cozy tone of the story expertly. I loved the message that simply a safe space can feel magical for some.

My only real gripe with this book was the immensely slow pacing. I think that this extended the length of this book longer than it needed to be, and if I wasn’t listening to the audio I may not have been able to finish it.

Overall, I think this was excellent and perfect for any cozy fantasy lover - just keep in mind that it is slower paced!

✦ 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 ✦
An excellent, charming audio performance from Awni Abdi-Bahri. She captured the tone of this book perfectly and kept me engaged despite the slower pacing. I loved her more animated moments and all the various voices she used for the supporting case. Excellent sound quality and clear audio!

𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚:
Found Family
Grumpy x Sunshine
Slow Burn
Cozy Fantasy
Identity and Acceptance
Grief and Healing
Sanctuary and Community

✄----------
Genre: Cozy Fantasy, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
✄----------

[Mantagray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited for this one and it exceeded my expectations!! A cozy queer story following our main character, Talula, strive to live up to her magical destiny when it matters most. Hunters are kidnapping magical creatures and the Council is trying to figure out who it is and put a stop to it. Talula is the daughter to the most powerful sorceress of all time who is the guardian of the magical portal in the basement of their coffeeshop which are some big magical shoes to fill. When Talula’s mom is called away on official Council business, Talula and her community must band together to save their town. Talula’s has been shown her whole life that in order to fulfill her magical destiny she must keep her human emotions under wraps, which would be easy if not for the lovely, tempting Dahlia whom Talula has a fat crush on. It’s a push and pull between planned and chosen destiny, found and blood family, unlikely allies and people with whom the damage is irreparable. Don’t worry, there is a healthy serving of wholesome romance thrown in to the town saving as well 😉

The only way I rate a book five stars is if it makes me cry (a lot of books make me cry, it's not a very strict criterion) and this book made me cry. I didn’t think it would, but stories have a funny way of connecting with their audience when they need it most. You’ll have to read the novel to understand. Sharabianlou does a superb job of creating a world that isn’t too complicated with characters who have rich stories and backgrounds, weaving in allegories of things going on in the real world right now. This is the comfort book to end all comfort books. I feel satisfied, like I just had a big meal with the people I love most and now it’s time to go to sleep, tucked in under my blankets next to my partner. Like things are going to be okay. I'd be remiss to not mention that this is a beautiful and diverse cast of characters.

Thank you to the author, Dell publishing, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Star1468 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a delightfully fun and cute entry into the cozy genre. The title caught my eye, and I'm a big fan of cozy fantasy, and the book delivered. It reminds me of A Curious Kind of Magic by Mara Rutherford crossed with Sarah Beth Durst's books, but with its own special blend of magic.

Talula is the daughter of a powerful immortal sorceress, half-sorceress and half human. She's spent her entire life living between the magical and mundane worlds, helping her mother run the Blue Moon Café, a coffee shop and occult emporium whose terrible coffee hides a secret: magical beings, from hellhounds to forest nymphs, come to the shop in the guise as customers to seek refuge from persecution and a new life.

At the start of the story, Talula's mother Sara has to go away to pursue a ring of trophy hunters seeking magical beings, leaving Talula to run the shop without her mother for the first time. She's not alone though - she has Dahlia, her only regular customer and newfound love interest, and Simon, her new magical mentor in the form of a wonderfully snarky corgi. Talula has always struggled to master magic, something that weighs on her as the daughter of a powerful sorceress, but she finds that she must come into her powers as the threat of the trophy hunters looms. She also faces threats from her human side as well - religious zealots are trying to shut down the town's annual Samhain festival, run every year by the Blue Moon Café, and Talula finds help from the most unexpected of places as she fights to preserve her home and the people she's come to love.

I'd happily spend a day or two, or maybe an entire week, in Pine Hollow, eating some delicious pastries (Talula is an excellent cook) and getting to meet some new friends. Sometimes you just need an escape from the world, and this book's a cozy and fun way to lose yourself for a while.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.

[Bookish Emili Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blue Mon Cafe & 244-Hour Occult Emporium is the kind of book that feels like stepping through a hidden doorway into a world that's equal parts whimsical, mysterious, and deeply comforting. Lexie Sherrabianlou creates a setting so vivid and inviting that I never wanted to leave. The café and occult emporium are more than just locations. They become characters in their own right, filled with charm, secrets, and unexpected magic around every corner.

What makes this novel shine is its atmosphere. The blend of the ordinary and the supernatural feels effortless, creating a world where the impossible seems completely believable. Every scene is layered with detail, from the cozy warmth of the café to the intriguing oddities that fill the emporium. The result is a story that constantly sparks curiosity and wonder.

The characters are equally memorable. They are quirky, relatable, and wonderfully human despite the magical elements surrounding them. Their relationships develop naturally, and the emotional moments carry real weight. Whether dealing with friendship, self-discovery, or the challenges that come with embracing the unknown, the characters feel authentic and easy to root for.

Sherrabianlou also strikes an impressive balance between humor, heart, and mystery. The story keeps readers engaged with intriguing twists and magical discoveries while never losing sight of the emotional core that makes the journey meaningful. Every revelation feels earned, and the pacing keeps the pages turning.

By the final chapter, I was completely enchanted. The Blue Mon Cafe & 244-Hour Occult Emporium is a delightful blend of cozy fantasy, magic, and heart that leaves a lasting impression. For readers who love imaginative worlds, lovable characters, and stories that feel like a warm cup of coffee on a rainy day, this is an easy five-star read. Highly recommended.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t usually read cozy fantasy. It’s never been my thing, ya know? But gods above this book changed everything. I’m this close to moving to a small town to open a magical cafe of my own.

This book felt like a warm blanket on a cold autumn day, wrapping you up and giving you a cup of hot chocolate to sip on. It’s the taste of pumpkin spice and the smell of apple candles. It’s that magical feeling you get as a kid when Halloween is coming and your only concerns are what costume you’ll wear and how much candy you’ll get.

I went into this book with low expectations because I’m not a fan of cozy fantasy. I’m also not a fan of urban fantasy. This book was about a half-sorceress who runs a cafe, a human wannabe-author who frequents the cafe, a magic talking dog who isn’t really a dog, and all the magical creatures they meet along the way. Note to all readers: do NOT read this book when you’re hungry, because our MC does a lot of kitchen witchery.

I just loved this book. I loved the sleepy small town Halloween vibes. I loved the magical creatures. I loved the plot twists. The characters. The magic. All of it. My only complaint is that I read this book in February (not ideal for the Halloween vibes. Ugh. Remind me to reread in eight months). Also, sapphic! This book was so sapphic and mushy gushy and sweet it practically gave me cavities. The hot chocolate warm vibes this book brought? Yeah, now add ten pounds of sugar to that and you’ll get the sweet romance of this book.

I’m off to look at small towns to move to and how much work it is to raise a corgi because I need a “Simon” of my own now thank you very much.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so sweet and had some of the best on page flirting. I could feel the tension between Talula and Dahlia. There were times I was literally kicking my feet at how cute they were together. From the start of Dahlia coming to the cafe and throwing out her ideas for a novel. Their back and forth was just so cute. I also really liked that the characters were in their late 20s and still figuring out their lives. A lot of people don't come into their own until later in life and I liked that this story honored still figuring yourself out.

I think this book was probably a little to action packed for it to truly be considered a cozy book, but it was cozy to me. You know when you read a blurb for a book and it compares it to Gilmore Girls? This was like witchy Gilmore Girls if the Gilmore Girls actually communicated with each other. Yes, I have some beef with the Gilmore Girls. Talula's mom is a powerful ancient magical being and Talula feels like she can never live up to the legend. Part of the book is Talula figuring out herself and part of it is her having bi panic about Dahlia, which honestly, I get it.

Also, there is a talking corgi as a magical teacher. A talking corgi! I think one of the few things I didn't love about this book is the negative self-talk. Talula spends a lot of time really talking herself down and I just didn't love it. Obviously, she comes out of it, but I just felt like that portion dragged on. Also, this book had such gooey sweet moments that I did cry. I think if you're looking for a queer witchy book, this is a great find.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Dell for the advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

[Charlene (Char) ❤︎ ❀˖° ❤︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is an absolute gem for the fall and cozy season, beautifully woven around Samhain in a small town brimming with magic and mystery. If you're looking to lose yourself in a captivating story, then this book is definitely for you. The epilogue had me in tears—just the sheer raw emotion was overwhelming. This book is definitely a must-read!

Set in the quaint town of Pine Hollow, the story revolves around a unique spot called The Blue Moon Café & 24-Hour Occult Emporium. This café has quite the reputation, especially for its less-than-stellar coffee, as highlighted by some rather scathing reviews. Talula, a young woman in her 20s, runs the café with her mother, Sara, ensuring everything runs like clockwork. Unlike her mother, Talula struggles with the absence of magical powers, which makes living in her shadow quite challenging.

But the café serves a deeper purpose; it acts as a safe haven for magical beings seeking a fresh start, almost like a witness protection program. However, things take a turn when someone starts hunting magical creatures, and no one seems to have a clue about who it is. Sara is dispatched to uncover the identity of this hunter, and her budding friendship with Dahlia might just be the support she needs.

✨Sapphic Romance
✨Small Town Cozy Vibes
✨Magic, Witches and Halloween
✨Fall/ Autumn Feels

Thank you, Netgalley, Dell publishing, and Lexie Sharabianlou for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Katlyn Caswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, Lexie Sharabianlou, and Random House Publishing Group for an opportunity to read this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

The Blue Moon Cafe & 24 Hour Emporium was such a sweet, easy read and leans deeply into the small town, cozy romantasy. Its a novel that deserves to be enjoyed with a warm drink and sweet baked treat. I loved every second of the food, small town farmers market, quippy dog mentor, and bubbly love interest.

The story focuses on Talulas growth as an individual and sorceress. Throughout Talula's journey of self discovery, the story covers familial expectations, identity challenges, the bisexual experience, and bigotry. Not to mention, the cast of characters is pleasantly diverse, which makes this story much more compelling and relatable. There was a plot line that was much higher stakes than I expected, which felt slightly out of place for me. Otherwise, I enjoyed the slower pace, where we can explore the cozy of Pine Hollow, small town conflict, and budding romance.

Overall, if you enjoy the following, you'll love this.
- small town
- foodie galore descriptions
- cheesy comedic relief/banter
- sapphic romance
- finding confidence as an adult

[Stardust Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 24 Hour Café and Occult Emporium was one of those books that completely pulled me into its atmosphere. The combination of a cozy late-night café and a mysterious occult shop created such a unique setting that I honestly didn’t want to leave by the end. The author did a great job blending supernatural elements with emotional, character-driven moments, so it never felt like just another fantasy story. I enjoyed the cast of characters. They all felt layered and believable, especially the main character, whose personal struggles and curiosity made the story easy to connect with. The interactions between customers coming into the café at odd hours added a lot of charm and unpredictability. Some chapters felt almost episodic, but they still tied into the larger mystery in a satisfying way.

The pacing was a little uneven in the middle, which is why I’m giving it 4 instead of 5 stars. A few scenes dragged longer than necessary, and I wished certain side characters had been explored more deeply. Still, the atmosphere and creativity easily made up for those slower moments.

Overall, this was a cozy, strange, and surprisingly heartfelt read. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys magical realism, urban fantasy, or stories with mysterious late-night vibes and hidden secrets.

[Murphy Baisley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Ballantine, Dell, the author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the eARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I had to sit on this for a few days because I went in expecting a cozy sapphic romance. I mean, I did get a cozy sapphic romance, but I also was handed kitchen magic, high stakes mysteries, training arcs, a grumpy mentor, and emotional damage. So much emotional damage. The way the author writes grief and insecurities felt so real, and like we were shown, not told. There were multiple parts of the book where nothing profound was happening plot-wise, but the quote just hit the right way to cause tears to spring to my eyes.

The themes of coming-of-age and finding oneself, learning to be comfortable in one's own skin, and fighting for what you believe in, are perfection in this novel. The writing is evocative and descriptive, and easy to follow along. I really enjoyed going for a ride with Talula and Dahlia. I also enjoyed that while Dahlia supported Talula, our FMC wasn't "fixed" just because of the romance. It felt like a healthy relationship.

Even though it's a bit higher stakes and more romance-forward, fans of Travis Baldree's Legends & Lattes would love this. I should know: its one of my favorites, and now this is too!

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book! Talula is killing it as the barista for her mom's cafe slash waypoint for shuttling magical creatures away from harm... but she really shouldn't be killing it because they're supposed to keep a low profile so people don't want to hang out there too much (refer back to the second purpose of magical ferrying). Unfortunately, when Dahlia comes in, Talula just can't help herself. Little does she know that Dahlia's support for what comes next will be critical, because the town wants to shut down the local Samhain festival which is a huge draw for magical creatures. Talula's mom is off tracking down hunters of magic so it's up to Talula and Dahlia to save the day (oh, and Simon). This reminded me a lot of The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst - a book that I wholeheartedly loved - but with a bit of a queer romance take (pretty much all closed door, very little in the way of spice). I really enjoyed this and will happily be looking out for future books by this author! I'd give this a 4.75 stars, rounded up here to 5. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballentine/Dell for the chance to read this as an advanced reader copy!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received an arc of The Blue Moon Café & 24-Hour Occult Emporium from Netgally. Thank you!

The The Blue Moon Café & 24-Hour Occult Emporium is about a sorceress-in-training who works at a business known for it's magical portal (to the supernatural) and terrible drinks (to the non-supernatural). Talula spends the story trying to live up to her mom's expectations while finding her place in the world. She meets the lovely Dahlia and becomes friends, then more. Talula must work with her magic teacher, a corgi named Simon, to master her magic and save the town's Samhain festival.

Overall, I thought this book was very cute. It read like a YA-cozy fantasy for me up until the last 20% of the book, which then the book started to feel more adult-ish. The writing was really good, just a bit slow for my taste. If you like cozy fantasy, I recommend picking this up around the fall time to read, as it nails the autumnal vibes.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.25 stars

The Blue Moon Café & 24-Hour Occult Emporium is a cozy fantasy about finding love and sanctuary in your community and it was just so so tender and heartwarming. With its small town charm and autumnal ambience, this book feels like a warm cup of coco on a pleasantly chilly day.

We follow Talula as she tends to the Blue Moon Cafe, a sub-par cafe to the humans of the town, but to those who know to look for it, it's a haven that provides safe passage to magical beings seeking refuge. Though Talula is the only progeny to an all powerful (and delightful) immortal being, she has not yet figured out her own magic or how she fits into her community as a half human/half (disappointing) sorceress.

The supporting cast of characters (from a talking corgi to a debonair jinn) are all unbelievably charming and the sapphic love story is the beating heart of the story. This book could have been a little shorter, but overall I was enchanted.

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting story. I thought the magic system was interesting and I felt like I wanted to learn more about the magic politics. I think Simon saved the book for me. His character was so witty and grumpy and all around entertaining that I felt like I was reading just to hear what he would do. I felt this book was touching on hard topics that are currently happening in our world, such as LGBTQ rights, more specifically trans rights, and I love that. However, I felt there was no real turmoil/hardship, at least not like the trans community truly faces in our society today. And maybe that was the point, to give hope and bring up that it’s hard but don’t give out all the dirty horrid truths 🤷🏻‍♀️ I can respect that.

The love story between the two main characters was cute, I could feel the tension at times, but not often. I enjoyed the ending and I loved that this was a standalone, but I think this would have been that much better as a duology.

[Vanessa Konopacki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming and sweet story about finding oneself. Yes it’s wrapped in magic and wonder with a talking dog, but essentially it’s a story about find8ng once’s self and also chosen family. We have a story of tulula. A young woman wrapped in a magical life being the daughter of a super powerful and important responsibility of helping the magical community and keeping them safe. All the while dealing with an attraction to a newcomer to her cafe which is actually supposed to discourage human visitors from hanging around. Working with her self doubt and human emotions and confusion about where she belongs in the world.
Love the world building and the truly enjoyable and unique characters. Sometimes had me laughing out loud and some audible awww of sweet moments. A sweet and enjoyable read.
An arc read

[Zoey M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, and I desperately need more books from Pine Hollow. This was a very cozy novel that was also action-packed. I never felt bored in any of the chapters, or that the plot had slowed too much. I thought that the magic and Talula's journey of building confidence in herself and her magic was very well written, as well as her interactions with Simon (who was very funny). Talula and Dahlia are so cute together, and I really enjoyed watching them get closer and work together. My favorite part of the book was the community that Talula finds, and I think that her interactions with her community really added a lot to the book.
If you're looking for a cozy fantasy fall read, I really recommend that you give this a try!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

[bookish.brietto · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up for the vibes and honestly… it did its job. The whole late-night café + occult shop setting was cozy but a little eerie, and I loved that balance. It felt like a place you’d stumble into and never fully understand, but wouldn’t want to leave either.
The characters were a bit messy in a very human way, which made it easy to stay invested. I liked just sitting in their world more than anything.
The middle did feel a little rough tbh a little. It kind of stayed in the same place for a bit too long, and I wanted just a little more to happen.
But the ending pulled it together. It didn’t over explain, which I appreciated, and it stayed true to the overall tone. Overall: very vibes-heavy, a little weird, a little cozy. If that’s your thing, it works!! 🤌🏽

[Mariah]

I want to preface this with I do not feel I was the right audience for this narrative. It is cozy and whimsical. But there was too much focus on the romance without the fantastical elements. The dialogue is corny at times but fits the realm of the book. If you like world-building and romance, then this is absolutely the read for you! Cute characters, monsters, and very sapphic. Also, one of those moments where I feel like the cover is beautiful like the descriptions. But if you are like me and want a bit more of an adventure, then this is not for you. Very much Spellshop vibes for any fans of that novel thinking of picking this up. For me this was a DNF! Thank you for the opportunity to be an ARC reader.

[Christen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magical witness protection with a witch in training? Who could ask for more. Except this book has so much heart, I couldn't put it down. It was better than anything I could have imagined. It's not quite what I would consider a cozy fantasy, although it did have its moments.

The two leads were so wonderful. Talula was more timid than I would have liked but she had good reason to be! Besides it just made Dahlia sparkle more. They had a good balance between them as a couple.

Also I would move to this town. There's no way around it. I would have thrived in this community. I just need more in this world. And I need more from Lexie, the author.

Thank you Ballantine and Netgalley for the ARC!

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, thank you Lexie Sharabianlou and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

The Blue Moon Café & 24-Hour Occult Emporium is one of my favorite books I've read this year. It just hits all the cozy notes I needed. As someone who has struggled with a tendency to self sabotage, Talula is incredibly relatable.

It gives me Gilmore Girls/Stars Hollow vibes with a magical twist. Each character has their own quirks and it warms my heart to see how they were fleshed out as opposed to being one dimensional side characters.

Overall, this novel is a fun, warm read and I cant wait to see what this author does next!

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sometimes have a hard time describing how I feel about a book because it’s very subtle, but I’ll do my best to do so. First, I just adored Talula. She is such an awkward person with her insecurities and perceived weaknesses. Add in a love interest, some supernatural shenanigans, and a cut corgi, and you have a cozy, cute read. This title focuses more on Talula and her growth, which is not a bad thing, but I like more action, suspense, and mystery in my reading. Yes, it’s me, not the book. LOL! And it did seem to drag a tiny bit in places. However, I will emphatically recommend this book to those who like your books heartwarming, touching, and lots of character growth. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Victoria Elias · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cozy sapphic romance is the perfect fall read! It follows Talula, a fledgling sorceress living in the shadow of her enormously powerful mother, as she struggles to master her powers; protect her magical community from harm; and fight her inconvenient feelings for Dahlia, the irresistibly funny and open-hearted human woman that Talula definitely should not fall for. Chock-full of queer joy, succulent snacks, laugh out-loud one-liners, and unforgettable characters, this book is best enjoyed with a cup of hot cocoa and the cutest girl you know.