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The Dazzling Magic of a Petit Four
Serena Vandenbusch arrives in Paris with a black cat on her shoulder and an urn in her arms. On the hunt for a secret mausoleum, she must be careful not to reveal her identity as a witch and finds refuge in a flower shop called Le Dahlia Noir, run by an older woman named Marie who also practices the craft. The era of jazz, cocktails, and the debauchery she knew from New York has followed her to Paris, and in early 1923, Serena is desperate to forget what happened on New Year’s Eve and the tragedy that brought her to the City of Lights.
But the past has not escaped Serena yet. Through the spellwork, potions, and tarot readings of Marie and her coven, Serena learns her past is on its way to find her, and though she has been able to lie low in Paris by selling charmed cakes that promise love, luck, and happiness, the time to find a secret mausoleum for the urn’s final resting place is running out, and the only one who can help might very well be Alexandre, Serena’s handsome customer with a secret of his very own.
A cozy yet dark tale for fans of Practical Magic, The Great Gatsby, and Chocolat, The Dazzling Magic of a Petit Four is the perfect book for a wintery night full of love, magic, and desserts.
But the past has not escaped Serena yet. Through the spellwork, potions, and tarot readings of Marie and her coven, Serena learns her past is on its way to find her, and though she has been able to lie low in Paris by selling charmed cakes that promise love, luck, and happiness, the time to find a secret mausoleum for the urn’s final resting place is running out, and the only one who can help might very well be Alexandre, Serena’s handsome customer with a secret of his very own.
A cozy yet dark tale for fans of Practical Magic, The Great Gatsby, and Chocolat, The Dazzling Magic of a Petit Four is the perfect book for a wintery night full of love, magic, and desserts.
372 pages, Hardcover
Published August 25, 2026
About the author
Kathryn Rose
5 books102 followersKathryn Rose was born in Toronto, Canada, and grew up in the Kitchener-Waterloo region of Southern Ontario. After graduating with honours from York University, where she studied literature and philosophy, she relocated to Los Angeles, California. She lives on the west coast with her partner and their two cats.
Kathryn is the author of the METAL & LACE series, a YA Arthurian legend retelling with a steampunk twist, from Flux Books, and CITY OF LIGHTS AND SKULLS, a YA historical fantasy with dark academia vibes set during the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. In 2024, she founded Château Boho Books, an imprint for her fantasy novels.
Kathryn is the author of the METAL & LACE series, a YA Arthurian legend retelling with a steampunk twist, from Flux Books, and CITY OF LIGHTS AND SKULLS, a YA historical fantasy with dark academia vibes set during the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. In 2024, she founded Château Boho Books, an imprint for her fantasy novels.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 23, 2026
I had such a fun time with The Dazzling Magic of a Petit Four. This is one of those books that takes a handful of things I already love: witches, Paris, baking, a little mystery, a black cat with plenty of personality, and throws them all together into something wonderfully magical.
Set between 1920s Paris and New York, the story follows Serena, a potions witch whose magic happens to come in one of the best possible forms: cake. And honestly, enchanted petit fours might be one of my favourite magical concepts I’ve come across in a while. I loved discovering what the different ingredients could do, the rules surrounding Serena's magic, and especially the idea that even something as lovely as a cake can carry consequences depending on the spell baked into it.
But underneath all that beautiful, whimsical magic is a story about grief, guilt, friendship, and learning how to move forward after losing someone you love.
Astrid and Serena's friendship was actually my favourite relationship in the book. So much of Serena's journey is shaped by her love for Astrid and the guilt she carries to Paris, and I loved slowly discovering what happened between them through the New York storyline.
Paris itself was another highlight for me. Hidden witch establishments, glamoured doors, flower shops, secret covens, séances, magical trains, ancient cemeteries... There were moments when I just wanted to climb straight into the book and go exploring. Le Dahlia Noir in particular sounded like exactly the sort of shop I would enter and then refuse to leave.
And then there is Sphinx. 🐈⬛
Obviously, the black-cat familiar was going to win me over. I don't make the rules.
The story gets considerably darker than its delicious title might suggest, with witch persecution, dangerous magic, and some genuinely threatening moments, so I also enjoyed that contrast between the cozy, sparkling side of Serena's world and the danger surrounding the witches.
It was imaginative, atmospheric, and genuinely fun to read. I especially loved the magical baking, the female friendships, the covens, and the way the story celebrates finding family and belonging in unexpected places.
And yes, I would absolutely eat one of Serena's petit fours... I would just ask what the spell does first. 😂✨
Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Set between 1920s Paris and New York, the story follows Serena, a potions witch whose magic happens to come in one of the best possible forms: cake. And honestly, enchanted petit fours might be one of my favourite magical concepts I’ve come across in a while. I loved discovering what the different ingredients could do, the rules surrounding Serena's magic, and especially the idea that even something as lovely as a cake can carry consequences depending on the spell baked into it.
But underneath all that beautiful, whimsical magic is a story about grief, guilt, friendship, and learning how to move forward after losing someone you love.
Astrid and Serena's friendship was actually my favourite relationship in the book. So much of Serena's journey is shaped by her love for Astrid and the guilt she carries to Paris, and I loved slowly discovering what happened between them through the New York storyline.
Paris itself was another highlight for me. Hidden witch establishments, glamoured doors, flower shops, secret covens, séances, magical trains, ancient cemeteries... There were moments when I just wanted to climb straight into the book and go exploring. Le Dahlia Noir in particular sounded like exactly the sort of shop I would enter and then refuse to leave.
And then there is Sphinx. 🐈⬛
Obviously, the black-cat familiar was going to win me over. I don't make the rules.
The story gets considerably darker than its delicious title might suggest, with witch persecution, dangerous magic, and some genuinely threatening moments, so I also enjoyed that contrast between the cozy, sparkling side of Serena's world and the danger surrounding the witches.
It was imaginative, atmospheric, and genuinely fun to read. I especially loved the magical baking, the female friendships, the covens, and the way the story celebrates finding family and belonging in unexpected places.
And yes, I would absolutely eat one of Serena's petit fours... I would just ask what the spell does first. 😂✨
Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a joy to write! I hope others enjoy it too!
September 21, 2026
Kathryn Rose’s The Dazzling Magic of a Petit Four is an adult historical fantasy romance steeped in 1920s Paris, witchcraft, champagne, flowers, jazz, and an impressive amount of cake. Serena Vandenbusch arrives in Paris carrying ashes in an urn along with her wonderfully opinionated black cat Sphinx perched on her shoulder. She’s there to find a hidden mausoleum and fulfill a promise, but the search quickly draws her into Paris’s secret magical community and the growing danger posed by the anti-witch Holy Crosses. Rose gives this witchy historical fantasy a strong sense of place, from glamoured flower shops and candlelit gatherings to wintry streets, pâtisseries, speakeasies, and late-night train stations.
The novel’s most distinctive idea is Serena’s magic. She’s a potions witch who works through baking, using ingredients and intention to create enchanted cakes and petit fours that can influence thoughts, emotions, luck, health, and other parts of a person’s life. That makes the food more than atmospheric decoration. Baking becomes part of Serena’s identity, her ethical struggles, and eventually her understanding of what she wants her life to become. The magical system feels tactile because Rose pays so much attention to herbs, flowers, citrus, chocolate, champagne, buttercream, and the properties Serena associates with them. Readers who enjoy culinary fantasy, witchy romance, and cozy magical settings will find plenty to savor, even as the story moves into darker territory involving persecution, death, and grief.
At the center of the book is Serena’s relationship with Astrid, and that friendship gives the story much of its emotional weight. Flashbacks to their life together in New York gradually reveal the history behind Serena’s guilt and the urn she refuses to let out of her sight, while the Paris storyline shows her trying to build a future without pretending the past has disappeared. Her growing relationships with Marie, the Paris coven, and Alexandre turn the novel into a story about chosen family as much as magic. The romance with Alexandre has real heat, but it also grows naturally out of their shared connection to Astrid and their need to decide what comes after loss. That blend makes the book work particularly well as a queer historical fantasy romance with found-family themes rather than treating romance, friendship, and grief as separate parts of Serena’s life.
What stayed with me most was the way The Dazzling Magic of a Petit Four pairs indulgence with emotional consequence. The beautiful dresses, cocktails, Parisian food, flirtation, talking cat, and enchanted desserts give the novel an inviting sparkle, while Serena’s grief keeps the story grounded in something much more vulnerable. Sphinx supplies plenty of dry humor, Marie brings warmth beneath her prickly personality, and Serena herself is allowed to be clever, impulsive, sensual, guilty, frightened, and determined all at once. By the end, the novel’s 1920s historical fantasy, romantic fantasy, magical baking, and witchy found-family elements come together around a satisfying idea: carrying love forward can be its own kind of magic.
The novel’s most distinctive idea is Serena’s magic. She’s a potions witch who works through baking, using ingredients and intention to create enchanted cakes and petit fours that can influence thoughts, emotions, luck, health, and other parts of a person’s life. That makes the food more than atmospheric decoration. Baking becomes part of Serena’s identity, her ethical struggles, and eventually her understanding of what she wants her life to become. The magical system feels tactile because Rose pays so much attention to herbs, flowers, citrus, chocolate, champagne, buttercream, and the properties Serena associates with them. Readers who enjoy culinary fantasy, witchy romance, and cozy magical settings will find plenty to savor, even as the story moves into darker territory involving persecution, death, and grief.
At the center of the book is Serena’s relationship with Astrid, and that friendship gives the story much of its emotional weight. Flashbacks to their life together in New York gradually reveal the history behind Serena’s guilt and the urn she refuses to let out of her sight, while the Paris storyline shows her trying to build a future without pretending the past has disappeared. Her growing relationships with Marie, the Paris coven, and Alexandre turn the novel into a story about chosen family as much as magic. The romance with Alexandre has real heat, but it also grows naturally out of their shared connection to Astrid and their need to decide what comes after loss. That blend makes the book work particularly well as a queer historical fantasy romance with found-family themes rather than treating romance, friendship, and grief as separate parts of Serena’s life.
What stayed with me most was the way The Dazzling Magic of a Petit Four pairs indulgence with emotional consequence. The beautiful dresses, cocktails, Parisian food, flirtation, talking cat, and enchanted desserts give the novel an inviting sparkle, while Serena’s grief keeps the story grounded in something much more vulnerable. Sphinx supplies plenty of dry humor, Marie brings warmth beneath her prickly personality, and Serena herself is allowed to be clever, impulsive, sensual, guilty, frightened, and determined all at once. By the end, the novel’s 1920s historical fantasy, romantic fantasy, magical baking, and witchy found-family elements come together around a satisfying idea: carrying love forward can be its own kind of magic.
Review of advance copy
In The Dazzling Magic of a Petit Four by Kathryn Rose, one tragic night changes Serena’s life forever, including where she thought it would lead her. Will she be able to find what she is looking for before others find out what she is?
It is 1923 when Serena arrives in Paris on a mission to fulfill a promise that she hopes will help alleviate the pain of her past. Carrying a black cat, an urn, and her belongings, she searches for a safe place to stay in the city. Being a witch, she has to be careful of where she is and whom she trusts because a group called the Holy Crosses is attempting to purge the city of all magic users.
Through Serena’s memories, we learn about the magical bakery she ran and what she had to leave behind in New York City. As the story unfolds, we eventually discover whose ashes are contained in the urn and what really happened on New Year’s Eve.
The author uses wonderful descriptions of both Paris and New York City and blends the atmosphere of the 1920s into the story very well. Her descriptions of magic are uniquely subdued, not flashy but still powerful, and her relationships with other witches are portrayed as fraternal and nurturing. The story starts a little slowly, but eventually picks up the pace, drawing you in and leading to a very climactic ending.
The Dazzling Magic of a Petit Four is an enjoyable historical fantasy with a touch of mystery, magic, and found family. I especially enjoyed the unique way magic is woven into the story and the beautiful atmosphere created by the settings. If you enjoy stories about witches, historical settings, and uncovering secrets from the past, this may be a book worth adding to your reading list.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Many thanks to the publisher, Château Boho Books, LLC, the author, Kathryn Rose, and Book Sirens for allowing me to review this book.
It is 1923 when Serena arrives in Paris on a mission to fulfill a promise that she hopes will help alleviate the pain of her past. Carrying a black cat, an urn, and her belongings, she searches for a safe place to stay in the city. Being a witch, she has to be careful of where she is and whom she trusts because a group called the Holy Crosses is attempting to purge the city of all magic users.
Through Serena’s memories, we learn about the magical bakery she ran and what she had to leave behind in New York City. As the story unfolds, we eventually discover whose ashes are contained in the urn and what really happened on New Year’s Eve.
The author uses wonderful descriptions of both Paris and New York City and blends the atmosphere of the 1920s into the story very well. Her descriptions of magic are uniquely subdued, not flashy but still powerful, and her relationships with other witches are portrayed as fraternal and nurturing. The story starts a little slowly, but eventually picks up the pace, drawing you in and leading to a very climactic ending.
The Dazzling Magic of a Petit Four is an enjoyable historical fantasy with a touch of mystery, magic, and found family. I especially enjoyed the unique way magic is woven into the story and the beautiful atmosphere created by the settings. If you enjoy stories about witches, historical settings, and uncovering secrets from the past, this may be a book worth adding to your reading list.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Many thanks to the publisher, Château Boho Books, LLC, the author, Kathryn Rose, and Book Sirens for allowing me to review this book.
August 6, 2026
The Dazzling Magic of a Petit Four - Kathryn Rose
Books in this genre is like crack to me. I eat cozy witchy books for breakfast. I love how the duel timelines are set up in the book with Serena and Astrid in New York in the past and Serena, Alexandre, and Marie in Paris in the present. I also love how the rivalry and enemies The Holy Crosses were written. I thought them and characters like Frankie were well written. The topics and themes of grief and the organized violence was also written well and was done with respect for the subject manner. I grew to love the coven members like Marie and Olivia from Paris and Dolores from New York. I know the next book in this series focus on Olivia, but I need books on each of these witches. The chemistry and dynamics between the characters are just incredible. Sphinx was also hilarious and I thought he was so cute. Serena and Alexander were such a great couple. I love how cute these two are and I loved getting to know them and following along with Serena on her journey in Paris.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Out of 5 Stars ⭐️
🌶️ / Spice Rating ☀️
# of Pages 🌙 372 Pages
Reading Dates ✨ 8/1/26 - 8/6/26
Release Date 🌟 8/25/26
Format 💫 Gifted Digital Copy
Series 🌙 The Witches, #1
Genre/Tropes ✨ Paris Setting, New York setting, historical Romantasy, set in the 1920s, urban fantasy
Triggers ⭐️ On-page death; conversations and thoughts about grief; profanity; violence; organized violence against communities; weapons; alcohol and cigarette consumption.
Representation 🌙 bisexual MC
Favorite Character ☀️ Serena
Favorite Line 🌟 ‘The world continues to turn. Regardless of whether you’re here or not.’
Vibes 💫 Great Gatsby, Practical Magic, Chocolat, Cozy
Moods ⭐️ emotional, heart warming
Books in this genre is like crack to me. I eat cozy witchy books for breakfast. I love how the duel timelines are set up in the book with Serena and Astrid in New York in the past and Serena, Alexandre, and Marie in Paris in the present. I also love how the rivalry and enemies The Holy Crosses were written. I thought them and characters like Frankie were well written. The topics and themes of grief and the organized violence was also written well and was done with respect for the subject manner. I grew to love the coven members like Marie and Olivia from Paris and Dolores from New York. I know the next book in this series focus on Olivia, but I need books on each of these witches. The chemistry and dynamics between the characters are just incredible. Sphinx was also hilarious and I thought he was so cute. Serena and Alexander were such a great couple. I love how cute these two are and I loved getting to know them and following along with Serena on her journey in Paris.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Out of 5 Stars ⭐️
🌶️ / Spice Rating ☀️
# of Pages 🌙 372 Pages
Reading Dates ✨ 8/1/26 - 8/6/26
Release Date 🌟 8/25/26
Format 💫 Gifted Digital Copy
Series 🌙 The Witches, #1
Genre/Tropes ✨ Paris Setting, New York setting, historical Romantasy, set in the 1920s, urban fantasy
Triggers ⭐️ On-page death; conversations and thoughts about grief; profanity; violence; organized violence against communities; weapons; alcohol and cigarette consumption.
Representation 🌙 bisexual MC
Favorite Character ☀️ Serena
Favorite Line 🌟 ‘The world continues to turn. Regardless of whether you’re here or not.’
Vibes 💫 Great Gatsby, Practical Magic, Chocolat, Cozy
Moods ⭐️ emotional, heart warming
Review of advance copy
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Set in the 1920s, this book already started off so interesting where we are following Serena, a witch, and her black cat familiar.
There's intrigue in trying to figure out what happened that sent Serena on this journey from New York to Paris and who, if anyone will help her.
There are two timelines: present day and what happened leading up to the bad thing. However, I do wish there was more clarity when it changed from one timeline to the next. Sometimes I got a little confused thinking we were in one timeline but then reading a name from the other timeline.
The twist about what the bad thing was was completely unexpected 😲
I did have a little problem with the romance and the timing. With all the urgency that was occurring it feels very out of place for them to engage in sexy time and not care about the risks they cared about 5 seconds before.
Overall, I did enjoy this book and had a good time.
3.5 stars
Set in the 1920s, this book already started off so interesting where we are following Serena, a witch, and her black cat familiar.
There's intrigue in trying to figure out what happened that sent Serena on this journey from New York to Paris and who, if anyone will help her.
There are two timelines: present day and what happened leading up to the bad thing. However, I do wish there was more clarity when it changed from one timeline to the next. Sometimes I got a little confused thinking we were in one timeline but then reading a name from the other timeline.
The twist about what the bad thing was was completely unexpected 😲
I did have a little problem with the romance and the timing. With all the urgency that was occurring it feels very out of place for them to engage in sexy time and not care about the risks they cared about 5 seconds before.
Overall, I did enjoy this book and had a good time.
3.5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Sonstiges
The Dazzling Magic of a Petit Four by Kathryn Rose is set in the early 1920s in a world where witches are hunted by a group of men called the Holy Crosses. After a tragic incident, the young witch Serena and her black cat Sphinx leave for Paris to find a secret mausoleum. She finds refuge in another witch's flower shop, where she sells her charmed cakes by day and searches for the mausoleum by night. But danger follows her to Paris. Will she find the mausoleum or will her enemies find her first?
The story switches between Serenas time in Paris and her past in New York, through which we find out more and more about what the tragic incident was and what lead to it. Both timelines are super interesting and contain beautifully written characters and I absolutely love getting to know them better and learn what happend throughout the book. The settings of New York and Paris in the 1920s also gave the book a super cool vibe! I also really like how this book portrays grief, love and friendship and makes emotions feel so real.
All in all I can strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a cool witch story that is not set in the middle ages or the past few years!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story switches between Serenas time in Paris and her past in New York, through which we find out more and more about what the tragic incident was and what lead to it. Both timelines are super interesting and contain beautifully written characters and I absolutely love getting to know them better and learn what happend throughout the book. The settings of New York and Paris in the 1920s also gave the book a super cool vibe! I also really like how this book portrays grief, love and friendship and makes emotions feel so real.
All in all I can strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a cool witch story that is not set in the middle ages or the past few years!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 26, 2026
Why, why why?
Despite several typos, this is not a badly written book, but why ruin it with a witch-hunt? Is it a metaphore for the rise of antisemitism in the 1920s? You don't need to. There were so many anti-whatever in that era, just make your protogonist one of them (a jew, a black woman, a lesbian…). And if you want to write a book on witches hunted for their diversity, well, there have been so many witch hunts in the course of history, you don't need to invent one.
Sorry, butthis was a very disappointing read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Despite several typos, this is not a badly written book, but why ruin it with a witch-hunt? Is it a metaphore for the rise of antisemitism in the 1920s? You don't need to. There were so many anti-whatever in that era, just make your protogonist one of them (a jew, a black woman, a lesbian…). And if you want to write a book on witches hunted for their diversity, well, there have been so many witch hunts in the course of history, you don't need to invent one.
Sorry, butthis was a very disappointing read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
This was a long arduous, dangerous journey for Serena and Alex and the other witches to take Astrid to her mother. I found it gratifying how many people felt the need to assist Serena on her mission. There were many intense moments with the white cross soldiers and with Frankie the evil husband to Astrid. Many lost lives for the white cross soldiers , but Alex and Serena rose above. See where it all ends or starts!!
I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.
I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2026
Overall I liked it. The story bounced between past and present which I'm not a huge fan of but it was well told. The setting and characters were well written. If you like stories about bonds between women and overcoming obstacles, this is a good book. It does have a bit of language and spice which doesn't bother me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was enchanted! The story is cleverly written, alternating between the past and the present, with the past gradually catching up to the present for a grand finale. It's a beautiful story about grief and the strength of friendship.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
This story had me immersed from the first chapter. The roaring 20s, magic, friendship, and love. I went through so many emotions while reading; I swear, the longer I read, the longer the book seemed to be. Like a never ending story, that was being played out as I read. Thank you Booksirens for the opportunity to read this spellbinding travel through time.
August 31, 2026
I received an advanced copy of this book. It was a quick enjoyable read for me. Enjoyed the magic, the camaraderie of the coven, and the baking, yum. Hated the “bad” guys, felt like I was reading about Germany in the 2nd world War. Scary, so glad they were not successful in this book. Look forward to reading more.
Review of advance copy
Two girls meet and become great friends. One thing they have in common is being witches. This is the reason that Serena has traveled to Paris, France in 1923.
This is actually two stories in one and I enjoyed how the past was revealed as the present was unfolding.
This is actually two stories in one and I enjoyed how the past was revealed as the present was unfolding.
Review of advance copy
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you BookSirens!
I had so much fun with this blend of historical fiction and magical realism. The details were so immersive and the book was beautifully written. Highly recommended.
I had so much fun with this blend of historical fiction and magical realism. The details were so immersive and the book was beautifully written. Highly recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Absolute delight! If you like witchy and cozy, I highly recommend this one.
September 24, 2026
A witch who bakes her spells into cakes set in 1920's France, what's not to love?
It was genuinely such a cozy fantasy/mystery with some Romance. It took itself seriously where it needed to and made me laugh and awww throughout. I've also never read something where the Magic is baked into the cakes like this, it was so unique, i loved it!! 4 stars 🌟
It was genuinely such a cozy fantasy/mystery with some Romance. It took itself seriously where it needed to and made me laugh and awww throughout. I've also never read something where the Magic is baked into the cakes like this, it was so unique, i loved it!! 4 stars 🌟
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews