Books, Iced Coffee & a Side of Dragons: A Graphic Novel

by Amanda Lovelace, Raquel Travé (Illustrator)

A sweet, sapphic summertime romance.
A struggling bookstore, a budding new romance, and a mischievous coven of dragons, what could possibly go wrong? Find out in this sugary sweet debut graphic novel from USA Today bestselling author and your favorite cozy witch, Amanda Lovelace!

Welcome to Sea Witch Cove!

Lucinda (call her Luci!) is the owner of Little Lighthouse Books, an adorable bookstore in a defunct lighthouse in her small Jersey Shore town. Everything in her life would be perfect if only Aster, the trans woman who runs the coffee shop next door, would notice her. But with a little bit of luck--and the help of Dandelion, the tiny, curious wind dragon that Aster helps her rescue--this might be the summer that Aster and Luci finally find love.

Amanda Lovelace’s debut graphic novel—brought to shimmering life by illustrator Raquel Trave—Books, Iced Coffee & a Side of Dragons is the perfect time capsule of sapphic summertime sweetness.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Romance, Queer, LGBT, Fiction, Lesbian

160 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication August 25, 2026

About the author

Amanda Lovelace is a bestselling American poet who rose to fame through her poetry posted to Tumblr and Instagram. She is the author of the women are some kind of magic series, including the Goodreads Choice Award-winning the princess saves herself in this one and women are some kind of magic.

Reviews

[labibliofille]

Rtc!

[cara ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet sapphic summertime romance takes place in an alternate reality where dragons are as commonplace as cats or dogs? Sign me up! We are in Sea Witch Cove, New Jersey and it is pretty much the same except now there are dragons. We meet Lucinda who is the owner of a cute bookstore, Little Lighthouse Books, that is in the towns abandoned lighthouse. Then there is Aster, the trans woman who runs the neighboring coffee shop, The Seafoam. This graphic novel has books, coffee and dragons, what else do you need?

This was such a cute little fun summery read! I jumped straight into this as soon as I got it. Not to mention I adore books with maps (this one was colorful too) and playlists. I thought this was perfect as a graphic novel, made the story even more majestic. The artwork was so beautiful, bright and I loved how the characters were illustrated.

I picked up this graphic novel because of the representation and it did not disappoint. We met so many different queer side characters who were celebrated throughout the book. Along with it touching on so many topics such as sexuality, PCOS, and family.

The nerdy dialogue and banter between Luci and Aster TOO CUTE. These two were ADORABLE I feel material over them. The dragons! Ahhhh I LOVED the dragons and how they contributed to the story. Little Blueberry the snow dragon, Chili the fire dragon who heats the coffee, and the one Luci and Aster found together the yellow wind dragon, Dandelion.

Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc. All opinions are my own!

[Ranash_books]

Unfortunately this was not the best graphic novel I read.
I feel like we needed more world building? Information? Relationship development? There was nothing.
It was just cozy sapphic with dragons

[Zoe Holborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for an advance digital copy


This was adorable. You had me at dragons. I absolutely adored this.

Following book shop owner Luci and coffee shop owner Aster and their dragon companions, this is a series of small tales that tells of their love story and the different struggles they have in their day to day lives.

This touches on so many different topics including women’s health, sexuality and accepting familial differences as you get older.

The artwork was absolutely stunning. I did find some of the pop culture references to be a bit too cheesy and try hard but overall the story itself was touching and easy to relate to.

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 Stars

Thank you to Andrew McMeel Publishing for providing me with an arc.

Whenever I see cute graphic novels on netgalley I grab them and this is a new favorite. I was hoping it would give Tea Dragon society vibes and it does but modern. It has PCOS representation and a trans love interest as well as other representation. It was so cute and I wish it was longer because I just wanted to hang out in this world with the characters for longer. There were so many adorable scenes and I plan on buying this one when it releases. If you love cute graphic novels with diversity and adorable dragons, pick this one up.

[Erelah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! Very lighthearted and cute

[avishag turgeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a bit too booktoky for me, the story felt choppy ..
I did love the art style!!

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had all of the perfect ingredients to be a favourite book of mine yet it still exceeded my expectations!

Books, Iced Coffee and a Side of Dragons was sweet, magical and heartwarming. I had the most fun reading this enchanting graphic novel and I can’t wait to buy a physical copy.

I truly loved everything about this story! Our two main characters, Luci and Aster, were just wonderful. I absolutely adored the bond between the two of them. I always love a slow-burn love story and these two shared a beautiful, slow, friends to lovers romance. Although, it doesn’t take too long for them to go on that first date so luckily, we get to share so many gorgeous moments between the two of them. I love the way that they see each other and show up for each other, in the big moments and the small throughout the story. Their love is tender, genuine and deep. I believe Lovelace has perfectly captured the concept of soulmates within these pages. That moment when two people realise they were made for each other always makes my heart so full.

Can we also take a moment to appreciate Aster’s wardrobe? I want everything she wears for myself please! While we’re at it, I’ll take August’s tees too because they were equally outstanding.

The side characters added so much to this graphic novel. I loved August, the ever-supportive and optimistic friend. I also adored George and the little insight we get into his own journey.

I love how many queer identities were celebrated within the pages of this graphic novel. It made my heart so full to see so much queer joy.

The dragons add so much character and heart to this story. I loved searching for them on every page to see what kinds of mischief they were getting up to or what mood they were in. I love that they each had such distinct personalities. On multiple occasions, they made me laugh out loud. I reread multiple scenes involving them just to experience the pure joy they inspired a second time around.

I want to visit Little Lighthouse Books and The Seafoam every single day! I wish they could just open in my town (WITH the dragons please). I love that the two independent businesses felt so real and welcoming. As a book and iced coffee lover, I had the cosiest time within this book. I loved the bookish references made throughout and would LOVE to try a coffee made by Aster in real life.

As beautiful as the story and characters are, the art style is what helps to tie it all together into a dream of a novel. Raquel Través’ illustrations are truly stunning. The colours were beautiful and there was such incredible detail in every frame. I loved looking for extra writing and details in the background of each page and am sure I’ll spot even more when I reread a physical copy.

Amanda’s storytelling and characterisation were truly captivating. This story was so beautiful and enchanting that I just want to climb inside its pages. Coupled with Raquel’s gorgeous art style, Books, Iced Coffee and Dragons has firmly become a favourite graphic novel of mine. I had the biggest smile on my face whilst reading and I only hope that the two work together again in future. In the mean time, I will be telling everyone I know to read this graphic novel.

Thank you so much to Net Galley for the e-arc. All opinions shared are my own. I cannot believe I was lucky enough to get my hands on an early copy of this gorgeous read.

[Violet Bernier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me absolutely sob in all of the best ways. As a trans girl in a sapphic relationship, I genuinely felt so emotional about this whole thing. There was something so beautiful in the art style, Raquel Travé's art literally knocked it out of the park, half of the notes I took about this were just me cooing at the dragons in this book.

There are some light warnings, including one genuinely troubling scene of fatphobia and medical negligence about women's health. It hurts. It sucks. It genuinely made me feel horrible. There is also some transphobia, shitty family mentions, but nothing too bad.

Alright, quick recap: This is a small town in New Jersey, in a world where dragons are essentially the quintessential house pets. Luci owns a little indie bookstore with her artistic gay coworker August (who, by the way, is a delightful ray of sunshine, and so accurate to the gay man vibe), and she starts to date the cute trans girl from the coffee shop, Aster. There is no slowburn, this is exactly how the lesbian experience goes. They clearly have history, but we immediately get thrown into their beautiful romance.

Look, I'm a trans lesbian, I want to own a bookstore, and I love dragons. This was THE BEST GRAPHIC NOVEL I could've possibly been approved for. This is a SAPPHIC romance, and the trans girl love interest is never presented as anything other than a girl. The body types are varied, with Luci being chubbier and with Aster getting to wear feminine clothes without any mention of her body. They also have some fade to black sex, and they just pull out a condom without anything more. It's a wonderful thing, it's so freaking wholesome, and it's perfect in my eyes.

The DRAGONS. Okay, the freaking dragons. Guys, I cannot talk about it enough, the DRAGONS ARE SO CUTE. There's a fat sleepy gal, a chaotic trickster guy, and a cute little windy gal that spooked me. All of the dragons are adorable, they're literally housecats but with elemental powers. I NEED a remarque from the artist in my copy of the book, because all of it was literally so cute. There's nothing cuter than silly, cute dragons. The artstyle overall is a strong, strong part of why this book is amazing. The lighting is soft, always rendered very cutely with vibrant colours, signifying the vibrancy of their romance.

If anything, read this book for the art. But, you'll stay for the cute romance, the little bit of angst, and the comfort of warm dragons, iced coffees and nice books, wrapped up in a neat little sapphic package.

[The Sapphic Nerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** Thank you to the publisher/author for an ARC through Netgalley ***

This is a sweet, cozy read that'll go perfectly with a hot beverage. It's full of little moments of daily life, with their struggles and triumphs. Raquel Travé's art is absolutely delightful - whimsical, cute, and with lovely colours.

I love that on the first page, Luci complains about her period cramps. It's so real and such a thing to commiserate over together. Our main characters having PCOS and IBS are icing on the realistic cake. I relate too hard to them - especially the ruptured ovarian cyst! Speaking of realistic, there's a red hats reference - oof, that's, yeah. I totally sympathize with how uncomfortable and unsafe Aster felt as a trans person at her mom's boyfriend's place and how she'll be avoiding it as long as she can. The tension between her and her mom, who has different beliefs, is so relatable.

There's so much diversity in this book. It's nice to see different body types, skin tones, gender identities, etc. I also appreciate that Luci and August are physically affectionate as platonic friends.

The reference to Legends & Lattes was a nice treat! It WOULD be something mentioned in a cozy books and coffee fantasy story. The discussion of other real-world books, like Ash by Malinda Lo, is fun. I think it's cute that the writer has made tarot decks and included little scenes that involve tarot reading in the comic. There's even a secret Rumi and Mira cameo from Kpop Demon Hunters!

Luci and Aster's relationship is so loving and healthy. Seeing their everyday life moments and how they resolve little problems together is so wholesome. Like Luci worrying about her period leaking onto the bedsheets and Aster not making a big deal out of it and helping clean up. Or Luci forgetting to shave her face (it grows hair because of her PCOS) and Aster simply joining her to shave her own facial hair. They're "little" things we don't see in media about relationships, but they're such real and meaningful interactions that reaffirm trust and comfort between a couple.

I feel like this graphic novel healed a part of me. Seeing such wholesome content is good for the soul. "Cozy" doesn't mean nothing happens. Things do happen here. The characters have some struggles, but they're overcome together and with support from their community. This book manages to show depth and complexity in people and in relationships while also keeping the reader feeling safe and comforted. I can't recommend this book enough, and I'll be reading more from this author!

[Eve Rever de livre · Rating 3 out of 5]

ENGLISH/FRENCH

So, so, so... I have mixed feelings about this title because I thought there was a book with that name.after this one. Let me explain.

At first, I was really scared because everything is... sooooo idyllic, almost totally disconnected from the reality of what it’s like to be queer today and unfortunately, the world isn’t that sweet. A total heartstopper x100, you know what I mean? But then, eventually, I got attached to the world, the characters, and their personalities, as well as the storytelling and the art. So in the end, I was pretty much like, “Okay, cool !!!! "

But I always had this lingering feeling of “it’s too fast-paced, it lacks detail.... hmm, it must be better in the book,” but at the time, I told myself, “Okay, it doesn’t matter,” and I really enjoyed reading it in the end !

Then came the letdown...no novel... So.... in the end? Is it really that good? In the end, can I overlook the flaws? The excessive speed? The narrative shortcuts? The lack of information? ... Unfortunately, well, I’m left with a “meh” after this read. It was good, nothing more, despite everything.

The idea is good but executed too quickly.

Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher, for letting me read this title in advance.

--------


Alors Alors Alors.... je suis assez mitigée sur ce titre car je pensais qu'il y avait un livre à son nom. Je m'explique.

Au début, j'ai eu super peur car tout est ... hypeeeeeer idyllique voir totalement déconnecté de la réalité sur ce que c'est d'être queer aujourd'hui et que malheureusement, le monde n'est pas aussi doux. Un hearstopper x100 tu vois le truc ? Puiiiiiiiiis finalement, je me suis attachée à l'univers, aux personnages et à leur caractère mais aussi aux représentations ainsi que les dessins. Donc finalement j'étais plutôt sur un okey cooool.

Mais j'ai toujours eu cette arrière gout de " c'est trop rapide, ca manque de détails ....mmh ca doit être mieux dans le livre " mais sur le moment, je me dis okey c'est pas grave et j'ai bien aimé ma lecture à la fin !

Puis désillusion, pas de roman... Donc .... finalement ? Est ce que c'est si bon que ça ? Finalement est ce que je peux oublier les défauts ? La rapidité excésive ? Les facilités narratives ? Le manque d'information ? ... Malheureusement, bah je finis sur un mouais à cette relecture. C'était bien sans plus malgré tout.

L'idée est bonne mais trop rapidement exécuté.

Merci Netgalley et à la maison d'édition de me permettre de lire ce titre en avant première.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was SOOOOO cute!

First off, my favorite thing was the artwork. It's so cheerful, brightly colored, and the characters are adorably illustrated. I also love the message that all the LGBTQ community is accepted and can find a home in one another. This features a cast of ALL LQBTQ characters. (The 2 main love interests plus the side characters as well.) The dragons were super cute as well, I want a little dragon as a pet after reading this.

That being said, I think the world building could use a bit more work. It's very cheesy - it takes place in our world but with no explanation why there are dragons for pets. The characters mention things like Iceland, New Jersey, and super popular books in the real world like Emily Henry (author) and Legends and Lattes (book). I think it would have made more sense to have this in a different world if you weren't going to explain the dragons, and gotten rid of the pop culture references. Additionally, while the dragons were cute, they didn't really add anything to the story. You could have had the same story without them or replace them with real pets. I just really wish there were more world building to explain the different types of dragons and where they come from. I also think the author was VERY heavy handed in the beginning to make sure the reader KNEW without a doubt that the characters were LGBTQ. It could have been introduced more naturally, but instead the author points it out DOZENS of times. This is fine, but "show, don't tell" would be a better way of introducing the cast. I also noticed a few plot points are introduced but never really culminate (PCOS + the trans girls mom not accepting her). Like I'd like a follow up to those things.

That being said, I think this book is adorable and follows the relationship of the 2 main girls and how it progresses over a year or 2. This book is great for LGBTQ readers and teen readers, and the author makes a point that books like this could help a young reader understand their sexuality (again, very heavy handed, I think this could be inferred). But ultimately it won my heart over with how sweet the love story was.

4/5 stars

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Lucy · Rating 2 out of 5]

☕️ Arc review ☕️

⭐️⭐️ |

This review is honestly a disappointing one for me to write, because on paper this graphic novel sounded absolutely perfect for my taste. Queer representation, dragons, books, and iced coffee all seemed like a combination I would immediately fall in love with.

And to give credit where it’s due: the artwork is genuinely beautiful. 🥹♥️ The dragons are adorable, the illustrations are charming, and the overall aesthetic perfectly captures the cozy atmosphere the book is clearly aiming for.

Unfortunately, the story itself did not work as well for me.

I want to emphasize that I absolutely love (and even prefer!) queer romance in books. However, in this particular case, the representation and messaging often felt overly emphasized to the point where it started to overshadow the actual story and character development. Rather than feeling naturally woven into the narrative, many moments came across as overly intentional or performative, which made it difficult for me to fully connect emotionally with the characters and their relationships.

That was ultimately my biggest issue with the book. I kept wanting more emotional depth, more subtlety, and more genuinely grounded interactions between the characters. While the story delivered plenty of wholesome and aesthetically pleasing moments, I rarely felt emotionally invested beyond the surface level.

That being said, I do think there is absolutely an audience for this graphic novel. Readers who primarily enjoy cozy comfort reads, wholesome queer representation, cute dragons, and lighthearted storytelling may still have a wonderful time with it.

What worked for me:
🐉 Adorable dragons
🎨 Beautiful illustrations
☕ Cozy café atmosphere
🌈 Warm and wholesome aesthetic

What didn’t fully work for me:
📖 Lack of emotional depth
💭 Underdeveloped character dynamics
✨ Representation and messaging sometimes felt overly forced
⏳ Minimal plot progression

Final thoughts:
I genuinely wanted to love this graphic novel because the premise had so much potential for me personally. While the artwork was lovely and the atmosphere undeniably cozy, the story itself unfortunately lacked the emotional depth and natural character development I had hoped for.

[ฅ^•⩊•^ฅ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should have known this book wasn’t for me the second I read the dedication. Honestly, I should’ve known even earlier because I already dislike Amanda Lovelace’s writing. Her “poetry” reads like recycled Tumblr quotes pretending to be deep, and this graphic novel had the exact same energy. But the cover was gorgeous, there were dragons, and unfortunately that was enough to trick me into picking it up.

The only genuinely good thing about this book was the art. The dragons were adorable, the illustrations were beautiful, and that’s where my praise ends.

Before people start assuming otherwise: I have absolutely no issue with queer books. Some of my favorite books of all time are full of queer characters. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is literally my favorite novel. The problem here is that this book doesn’t treat representation like something natural. It treats it like a checklist. Every single character is queer, every possible identity is included, and instead of feeling organic, it feels painfully forced and artificial. It genuinely feels like the author threw every label and every ethnicity into the story so everyone could “see themselves” in it, without bothering to create actual depth, personality, or realism.

And the worst part? There’s barely even a plot. This entire graphic novel is basically just a collection of overly sanitized, cringey “cute gay moments” that don’t feel believable in the slightest. Nothing happens. There’s no emotional depth, no compelling conflict, no real character development, just scene after scene designed to be screenshotted and praised online for being wholesome and progressive.

Some moments made me physically cringe, especially the period stain scene and the shaving scene. They added absolutely nothing to the story and felt like they existed purely so the book could get points for being “bold” and “modern.” It came across as incredibly try-hard.

In the end, this felt less like an actual story and more like social media bait wrapped in pretty artwork. Beautiful illustrations, cute dragons, and absolutely nothing underneath. Definitely not my cup of tea.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books, Iced Coffee, and a Side of Dragons was such a sweet and cozy reading experience.

The artwork was absolutely adorable, especially the scenery and the dragons themselves. Every page felt warm and inviting, and the visual storytelling added so much charm to the overall experience.

One of my favorite parts of this graphic novel was the support system surrounding Luce. Aster and August felt like the kind of people anyone would be lucky to have in their corner. I loved how they never allowed Luce to remain trapped in pessimism or give up on herself, and watching those relationships unfold gave me all the warm fuzzies.

The romance between Luce and Aster was especially cute. Their chemistry felt gentle and genuine, and I really enjoyed the pages showing the passage of time and the quiet sweetness of their growing connection.

I also appreciated that the story touched on real frustrations many readers will recognize. One particular scene involving Luce at the doctor’s office stood out to me, especially the dismissive advice and added pressure surrounding weight, an experience that, unfortunately, felt all too familiar.

The pacing worked really well for me too. I was able to fly through this graphic novel quickly while still feeling emotionally connected to the story and characters.

Overall, I think this is a graphic novel that could appeal to many different readers. Cozy, heartfelt, and full of charm, it was such an enjoyable little read.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts are my own.

[Alison Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books, Iced Coffee & a Side of Dragons is a cozy graphic novel full of heart. Told through a series of vignettes over the course of a summer, we follow Luci and Aster falling in love while trying to keep their respective small businesses alive. Their adorable pet dragons are always by their sides, usually helping, but occasionally creating some adorable chaos. The artwork is absolutely stunning and brings the colorful settings and characters to life.

I really enjoyed reading this graphic novel! The little dragons were so cute and the love story between Luci and Aster was so sweet. The vignette style did cause the story to feel a bit choppy in spots. We don't get to delve much into the back stories of any of the characters except for passing mentions here and there, and points of conflict are introduced that will then be absent until they pop up again many scenes later. I understand this choice was probably made to maintain the overall cozy vibes, however it felt a bit disjointed at times. Given how short the graphic novel is, it left me feeling a few of the issues were unresolved. Overall, I thought it was a cozy, sweet, and funny story that I had a fun time reading, but I found myself wanting a bit more at times.

If you are looking for a quick, cozy, queer love story, this is the perfect choice to pick up!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an eARC to review!

[Frank Chillura (OhYouRead) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I just want whimsy. Sometimes I just want a cosy little cuddle of a book with gays, girls, and dragons that bring smiles and whimsy into my life. And that is what Books, Iced Coffee, and a Side of Dragons did.

Not only did our two MC’s give us so much representation, but they were just pure joy incarnate. Lucy is plus-size, a ginger (which is like a unicorn IRL), and owns a book store. Aster is trans, has more melanin (her ethnicity isn’t specified and I won’t be guessing), and owns a coffee shop. They are Sapphic and the immediate cast of characters brought us an Achillean pairing and an Asexual grump of an older man. There are health and mental issues discussed and seen on page as well.

I love that for this being a made up version of the real world where dragons exist, we still got real books and an author that we know: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree, Ash by Malinda Lo, The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien, and Emily Henry (her newest book is mentioned, not by name, just by “the new Emily Henry”). There are also little tidbits added where they discourage someone from reading “that one male author because I hear he’s a jerk.” Which made me wanna know the tea… but this is a book with coffee in it.😭

I appreciate how perfect this felt. If you enjoy K O’Neill’s The Tea Dragon Society, this will be a book you cherish just as much.

Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for my gifted eARC.

[willow · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was slice-of-life in a way that didn’t work for me. The highlight of this graphic novel are the beautiful, cozy illustrations; however, the story and writing didn’t deliver on that front. This book seems to follow somewhat of a story (a bookstore owner and barista fall in love and have dragon pets)… but that’s about it. Cozy, but on a surface level. The chapters are mini vignettes that feel rather meaningless and didn’t impact me in any sort of way. The bookstore owner x barista is of course a classic trope but the book starts off with the characters getting together, so it felt less romance and more… here, reader, are two cute characters that are together! Combined with terms used IN BOOK like “sapphic” and “boi”, I couldn’t help but cringe/be taken out of the story (which… there wasn’t really one anyway). I don’t even mind slice of life, or general wholesomeness—I’m a wholesome gal at heart—but it lacked substance in character development and relationships. Finding out the author writes instagram poetry… yeah it all makes sense.

Again, the art is really cute and gorgeous—absolute highlight for me, and I’ll definitely keep an eye out for more of the illustrator’s work! The dragons were really cute. The rep was also cute—sapphic relationship with a transfemme love interest. But I wasn’t invested in their relationship. Sadly, the story missed the mark for me.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc

[Kasey Szamatulski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Andrew McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for this lovely ARC!

In a world not too different from our own, where dragons can appear like cats stranded in trees, Luci is trying her best to keep her bookstore afloat, keep her dragon Blueberry from tearing up books, and flirt with the cute barista Aster. While Luci and Aster are able to start their romance, the bookstore continues to struggle to bring in customers, but with each other, their dragon companions, and some unexpected help, they may just make it work out after all.

The story feels more like a vignettes or series of stories as Luci and Aster navigate their summer romance while as the story gets more of a plot with the reveal of the bookstore struggling and their attempts to save it. I love the scene/chapter titles that appear such as “The First of Many” or “Imprinting, Not like Jacob, like Ducks”.

The dragons are so cute with their own personalities. Raquel Travi’s art style gives them the sometimes funniest, sometimes sweetest expressions. They really shine at moments whether they are being menaces, helpful little delights, or even just sleeping and piling themselves on Luci!

Travi’s artstyle is also just so perfect with this story, adding a lovely charm to the story! She adds so many cute details, like all of August’s-Luci’s employee-shirts, I wish I could have all of them!

Of course, this world isn’t a queer fantasy utopia-it’s very much like ours with chain book stores threatening independent ones, certain political beliefs around, but it feels all the more cozy that the characters find strength in each other and their community. I feel like the story could have worked without the dragons, but they add a lovely mix of whimsy, charm, and hilarity to it.

This is such a sweet story, just the thing you can curl up to after a long hard day. It feels like a delicious, cool iced coffee after being out in the humid summer heat! I hope that we’ll get to visit this lovely world Lovelace has built again!

[K.C. Norton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty cute. I think it bordered on the saccharine at times, and I would have liked a bit more character development. This felt like it was very middle grade in places, but then there are a few references to things like using condoms (there is no actual sexy content, just a small conversation about consent) and occasional curses used in chapter titles that made me think that the intended audience was older...? But with the way the problems are resolved was extremely fast and basic.

So, overall, if you're looking for depth, this may not be the one. If you want something cute and sapphic, though? Absolutely. It's like a coffeeshop AU of the Tea Dragon Society. There's trans love interest, a generally queer cast, and adorable little dragons. It's sweet, even the bad events in the story are presented in a pretty lighthearted way. I found this charming, and it's certainly a quick read. I suspect that I will also find it forgettable given how generic the story and characters were.

I've read a bit of Lovelace's poetry, and I feel more or less the same way about this graphic novel that I do about their verse. If you like one, you will probably like the other, so for more dedicated Lovelace stans, this is more likely to be a winner than it was for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Vanna Book-Mage · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The title grabbed me immediately because what would make books and iced coffee better if not DRAGONS!?, and that it’s a graphic novel is also a big point in its favor. I appreciated too that even before getting into the story there was a map of the town and a playlist to fit the story’s vibe if that’s your thing. There are book puns! There are Easter eggs! The art style is beautiful and there’s a definite cozy and soft feel to the story. I appreciated the representation of body types, queerness, chronic illnesses and the normalization of the human body in all its strangeness and wonder.

However, “Books, Iced Coffee & a Side of Dragons” felt like a collection of drabbles; like every other page was a new part of the story and it was hard for me to experience continuity between the scenes. I’m all for vibes, lightheartedness and characters as the focus, but I felt there was a lack of overall narrative depth and transitions that felt too rushed.

But if you want a low-stakes, fluffy, cozy graphic with some dope illustrations, queerness, books, coffee, dragons and a lovable grump then give this a place on your TBR.

Thanks NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing, for this free arc/copy of Books, Iced Coffee & a Side of Dragons by Amanda Lovelace; all opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Abimael Pérez · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s something so effortlessly comforting about a story that understands how love is built not only through romance, but through friendship and all the small beings and moments that make a life feel shared.

What makes Luci and Aster’s romance work so beautifully is that it never exists in isolation. Their slow-burn connection is full of sweetness, humor, and the kind of steady support that makes every high and low feel meaningful. Just as much, I loved the sense of chosen family and community running through it all, and the way the people around them show up when they’re needed most.

Their interactions with the dragons were another highlight for me; they made me think so much of my own three little dogs, which made those moments even more endearing. And the double proposal was the part that moved me most—it made me emotional because it reminded me so much of how it happened for my husband and me. I also loved the small autobiographical touches and Easter eggs woven throughout, which make the story feel even more personal—like both a romance and a love letter to Amanda Lovelace’s own life and love.

A sugary sweet sapphic summer romance where books, iced coffee, and a side of dragons make falling in love feel like magic.

[Elysha Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute and cozy graphic novel that’s a perfect summer read! It follows Luci, a bookstore owner who has been pining after Aster, who owns the coffee store next door. With some help from a dragon they might get their chance at love.

This is a low stakes and very cute sapphic romance! I absolutely loved everything about it! Aster and Luci are adorable together and I loved seeing their romance blossom across the pages. I also loved the supporting cast (including George). The dragons are just adorable and funny, I loved the antics of them!

The book is very slice of life, showing small scenes throughout the summer as everything develops. I really like that and it worked perfectly for the graphic novel format!

I loved the illustrations in the book too! Everything was very cute and bright! The illustrator did a great job bringing the characters to life, especially all the dragons and capturing their chaos.

A great and quick summer read with a very sweet sapphic romance and a side of dragons!

Thank you to the NetGalley and Andrew McMeels Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Alyssia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books, Iced Coffee, and a Side of Dragons by Amanda Lovelace was such an adorable collection of vignettes about Luci and Aster falling in love while navigating the ups and downs of running small businesses. This story was so cozy and had everything I love in it: sapphic romance, coffee, books, and dragons. I knew I was going to love it, and it did not disappoint. I really hope this becomes a series because I would love to spend more time with these characters and dive deeper into this dragon filled modern world. I especially appreciated the large cast of LGBTQ+ characters and the strong message about community woven throughout the story.

I do wish some topics, like Luci’s struggles with PCOS and Aster’s struggles with her mom not fully being supportive and accepting of her, had been explored a bit more deeply, but overall these stories were incredibly romantic and heartwarming. The dragons were absolutely adorable, and now I want a dragon like Chili for myself!

Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel for the eARC.

[Genny · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, rounded up.

Holy cuteness, Batman! The bright colored and adorable artwork instantly drew me in and the queer inclusivity, body positivity, & PCOS representation kept me reading. I found myself silently smiling at my eReader throughout this graphic novel. All the varieties of pet dragons were absolutely adorable and the setting being a cozy, seaside town filled with coffee and books honestly just set the mood. Each “chapter” is adorable little snippet of a typical day or date between Luci and Aster— beginning with when their relationship starts. The reoccurring side characters of August and George add richness to the story. My only complaint might be that everything was extremely straightforward and spelled out for the reader.

(Sidenote: mad props for the curated companion playlist. It was great!)

Be sure to grab a copy when it’s released on August 25, 2026!

Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing & Amanda Lovelace for providing this eARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Rhiannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.

Books, Iced Coffee & a Side of Dragons is an adorable graphic novel that follows Luci and Aster over the course of a summer. It's told in a series of vignettes focusing on their budding relationship and their efforts to keep their small business (a bookstore and a coffee shop, respectively) afloat. There's a ton of representation in this book: Luci is a lesbian with PCOS, Aster is a queer trans woman, and essentially all of the side characters are some flavor of queer.

Generally speaking, I typically prefer graphic novels that are a little more focused than slice of life, and I do wish some of the challenges that were introduced (e.g., Luci's PCOS and Aster's struggles with unaccepting relatives) had been explored a bit more. Still, I thought this was a charming story with lovable characters and beautiful illustrations. If you're looking for a quick and cozy read, this definitely fits the bill.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Doe Is Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley, however all opinions are my own.

So the reason I wanted to read this is because the cover genuinely caught my eye on Netgalley, and once I saw that it was queer I was sold. As y'all know I'm a sucker for queer graphic novels and this now may be in my top 5 list. This graphic novel was gorgeous, the artwork was stunning, the diversity of characters was something all graphic novels should aspire to and honestly this just warmed my heart so much. As a plus sized girly who has chronic pain with a trans-femme partner I found it really easy to relate to our main characters so much. I found myself giggling, kicking my feet and genuinely tearing up at just how lovely this story was. There are a few moments which could be considered triggering, however they are all listed right at the start of the graphic novel which we love. I genuinely would recommend this to anyone who just wants a cute, heartwarming queer graphic novel to read this summer. I will definitely be picking up whatever Amanda writes next!

[Raelene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so incredibly cute, cozy, and the artwork is incredible. I’m giving this a 4 because I’m not entirely sure if there really was much of a plot aside from just showing a supportive and sapphic romance, but tbh that really was enough for me to still adore this.

The inclusion of the dragons was so good! They all had their own personalities and were totally necessary to the story. The main characters were great. The side characters were great. It was so inclusive, in multiple ways, which is always appreciated.

I love a full colour graphic novel, and this really was just visually stunning. The art style itself is beautiful, and then the colouring just added to that. The panels were also super easy to follow and I definitely plan on picking up a copy for my shelves when it officially releases because this gorgeous book totally deserves a spot.

Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book! I voluntarily read this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cute series of vignettes of Luci, a bookstore owner, and Aster, a coffee shop owner, falling in love and dealing with the troubles of running a small business.

The story itself moves quite quickly and jumps around in time a decent amount. I do wish that it was a little longer so that we could really get into some of the troubles that are happening in the characters personal lives, Aster is having issues with her mother and Luci is struggling with medical neglect due to her PCOS. Though I think if we really got into these it would quickly stray from the cosy vibes.

The art itself is beautiful and was definitely my favourite part of the story. I also really loved all the representation throughout. The story was a bit tropey and predictable but also I feel like that was expected from the title. Nonetheless I had a fun time reading it and would definitely recommend if you’re looking for more queer cosy graphic novels.

Thank you Andrews McMeel and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc. All opinions are my own.

This is an adorable quick read that can relate to so many people. Everyone deserves to be accepted for who they are. I love getting to see LGBTQIA representation with a sprinkle of fantasy. The other characters are all fun and really make the small town perfect. I highly recommend listening to the playlist at the beginning of the book as you read. Love the art style it was so cute and cozy!

I would like to see a bit more world building and some expansion on the dragons being apart of the world. I wish we got to see more of the build up to the relationship of the main couple. Some of the scenes were so quick I could’ve used about 100 more pages in this story. But it was so cute that I probably still would want more.

I really think anyone can read this book but I would strongly recommend it to teen readers. Such a sweet story and I hope we get to see more of this couple. Happy reading!