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The Librarian's Secret
Every librarian has secrets. Hers just happens to breathe fire.
Beatrice Ashcroft would rather sip tea and shelve books than cause a stir. But this sixty-three-year-old librarian is hiding more than a sharp tongue and a secret stash of cookies—she’s also hiding dragon fire underneath her tweed jacket.
Her quiet life in Warm River unravels when Marcus, a mischievous foster kid, barges into her library and her heart. Between flying bookshelves, a talking cat with too many opinions, and a case worker who thinks Beatrice is too eccentric to care for anyone, she suddenly has more to protect than just her secret.
Because if Marcus is sent away, she won’t just lose the boy who’s made her laugh again—she’ll lose her last chance at family.
For fans of Legends & Lattes and The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, this cozy fantasy short story is a heartwarming tale filled with humor, cookies, and a found family you’ll never forget. Set in the same world as Tea, Tomes, and Dragons, this cozy fantasy can be enjoyed as a standalone—or as part of a larger story.
Beatrice Ashcroft would rather sip tea and shelve books than cause a stir. But this sixty-three-year-old librarian is hiding more than a sharp tongue and a secret stash of cookies—she’s also hiding dragon fire underneath her tweed jacket.
Her quiet life in Warm River unravels when Marcus, a mischievous foster kid, barges into her library and her heart. Between flying bookshelves, a talking cat with too many opinions, and a case worker who thinks Beatrice is too eccentric to care for anyone, she suddenly has more to protect than just her secret.
Because if Marcus is sent away, she won’t just lose the boy who’s made her laugh again—she’ll lose her last chance at family.
For fans of Legends & Lattes and The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, this cozy fantasy short story is a heartwarming tale filled with humor, cookies, and a found family you’ll never forget. Set in the same world as Tea, Tomes, and Dragons, this cozy fantasy can be enjoyed as a standalone—or as part of a larger story.
87 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2026
About the author
Maggie O'Connor
3 books9 followersMaggie O’Connor is the author of cozy fantasy novels where magic hums quietly beneath everyday life.
Her work blends gentle enchantment, bookish heroines, and small-town charm, often exploring themes of belonging, resilience, and the difference between power and connection. She has a particular fondness for bookshops, secret magic, and characters who would much rather be left alone—until they discover they can’t be.
When she’s not writing, Maggie can usually be found biking quiet paths, reading near bodies of water, or keeping dubious company with her two pet ducks.
Her work blends gentle enchantment, bookish heroines, and small-town charm, often exploring themes of belonging, resilience, and the difference between power and connection. She has a particular fondness for bookshops, secret magic, and characters who would much rather be left alone—until they discover they can’t be.
When she’s not writing, Maggie can usually be found biking quiet paths, reading near bodies of water, or keeping dubious company with her two pet ducks.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 23, 2026
Good contemporary fantasy short
Beatrice is a believable character of a certain age, except she's a dragon with a teacup pig. She's set in her ways, grumpy, and loves pastry. The story is well-written, but I admit I had difficulty liking Marcus, which is the point. He has definite issues in a system unable to deal with those issues. The story is a good introduction to Beatrice.
Beatrice is a believable character of a certain age, except she's a dragon with a teacup pig. She's set in her ways, grumpy, and loves pastry. The story is well-written, but I admit I had difficulty liking Marcus, which is the point. He has definite issues in a system unable to deal with those issues. The story is a good introduction to Beatrice.
January 11, 2026
This little darling is a prequel novella, and provides an insightful introduction to characters in her book “Tea, Tomes, and Dragons”.
Beatrice is a dragon shifter and a librarian. She has a familiar named Catrick Swayze, formerly cat-shaped, who has recently been bespelled into a pig. He provides much in the way of banter and is the cause of no small amount of unwanted distraction. We find Beatrice and Catrick at work on a day when teacher has brought her seventh grade class into the cozy, mellow library. The children are loud and they wreak havoc while the teacher stays distracted with her cell phone and makes condescending remarks as Beatrice attempts to corral the chaos.
One student in particular named Marcus Greene is a wild man. He is very into the comic SpiderGuy, and although his manners are atrocious, Beatrice senses that his acting up is fueled by a deeper issue. When he damages some expensive books and she asks for his parents contact information, she finds out that he has a caseworker and is in foster care. She requests that he be allowed to work in the library so that he can pay off the damages. As he spends more time in the library, they forge an unlikely friendship.
I loved how cozy this felt while reading and how well I could picture the atmosphere and the characters. I hope you’ll read it!
Beatrice is a dragon shifter and a librarian. She has a familiar named Catrick Swayze, formerly cat-shaped, who has recently been bespelled into a pig. He provides much in the way of banter and is the cause of no small amount of unwanted distraction. We find Beatrice and Catrick at work on a day when teacher has brought her seventh grade class into the cozy, mellow library. The children are loud and they wreak havoc while the teacher stays distracted with her cell phone and makes condescending remarks as Beatrice attempts to corral the chaos.
One student in particular named Marcus Greene is a wild man. He is very into the comic SpiderGuy, and although his manners are atrocious, Beatrice senses that his acting up is fueled by a deeper issue. When he damages some expensive books and she asks for his parents contact information, she finds out that he has a caseworker and is in foster care. She requests that he be allowed to work in the library so that he can pay off the damages. As he spends more time in the library, they forge an unlikely friendship.
I loved how cozy this felt while reading and how well I could picture the atmosphere and the characters. I hope you’ll read it!
March 29, 2026
This is lovely cosy fantasy in a library setting, entertaining and a study in human nature, all in less than 80 pages.
It's a rare thing to have a FMC over 60 and a dragon shifter at that. Beatrice's cynicism won me over quickly, as she continually struggled to contain her exasperation at the world and the frustrating people around her. I could feel it with her and was curling my fingers into fists in sympathy! She really is an enigma though because getting to know her better was a touching revelation of loneliness and a desire for connection. She was so real, and then learning the reasons for her isolation made her even more of a sympathetic character.
Although only brief, this novella still allowed me to feel kinship for her, and the young boy who helped thaw her heart. This is a touching introduction to this world and I am eager to see more of it.
It's a rare thing to have a FMC over 60 and a dragon shifter at that. Beatrice's cynicism won me over quickly, as she continually struggled to contain her exasperation at the world and the frustrating people around her. I could feel it with her and was curling my fingers into fists in sympathy! She really is an enigma though because getting to know her better was a touching revelation of loneliness and a desire for connection. She was so real, and then learning the reasons for her isolation made her even more of a sympathetic character.
Although only brief, this novella still allowed me to feel kinship for her, and the young boy who helped thaw her heart. This is a touching introduction to this world and I am eager to see more of it.
January 16, 2026
This was a very cute, heartwarming short story. It was a great introduction to Beatrice, Marcus, and Catrick. In only a few pages, you were able to get a feel for the characters lives and how it's affected who they have become and how meeting new people can challenge us to change. I can't wait to see what these characters get up to next. Catrick is hilarious!
January 26, 2026
I read this wonderful book in a day. I loved the characters and the development of this prequel. Catrick was a little hard to understand, but he’s full of personality. Beatrice was a character and a half. I enjoyed learning about them and watching as Beatrice took a young boy under her wing. I can’t wait to dive back into this world in the next book.
October 10, 2026
I Love Beatrice so MUCH!! Shes is magical & clever, and more loving than even she knows!! This novel was fun & sweet and very entertaining!! We meet Beatrice, a rowdy boy Marcus, and a cranky cat, Catrick. Theres magic {my favorite thing!} fun, entertainment & delightful characters!! Maggie O'Connor is my new favorite cozy author!!! 5 Stars!! Its dangerous to smoke in a Library!! LOLOL
October 31, 2026
I want more. A troubled and troublesome boy causing havoc in a quiet library has the librarian intervening. The interaction between them gradually develops into something more than they expected. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 30, 2026
free for review:
this is a quick short story about a shape changer librarian and a mischievous young boy....
I look forward to more from this author!
this is a quick short story about a shape changer librarian and a mischievous young boy....
I look forward to more from this author!
February 23, 2026
While I normally do not like stories this short.
I found it to be humorous, and the characters were engaging and fun to read.
I found it to be humorous, and the characters were engaging and fun to read.
July 25, 2026
My problem is with Marcus. If he's a seventh-grader, he would be 12-ish, certainly too tall to be crying into Beatrice's skirt. He acts more like a five-year-old!
September 9, 2026
26-54. This is a short story. Very engaging. I will read one of the books in the series soon since it was so enjoyable. Read September 8, 2026
April 21, 2026
Cute little story that was super sweet.
Heartstrings pulled.
Heartstrings pulled.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews