A Taste of Tea and Tenderness: A Cozy Fantasy Thumbelina Retelling

Enchanting Confections

by Gabrielle Landi

A pinch of fake dating, a dash of fundraiser mayhem, and a love that rises when their future is on the line.

Running the Cozy Cat Café while its owner is away would have been enough work, but apprentice Linnea added another catering the local school’s fundraiser. Surviving the week seems debatable…until the quiet schoolteacher she might be falling for offers to help her. Faking a relationship to avoid one of his students is only the icing on the cinnamon roll.

Conrad hasn’t been able to take his eyes off Linnea since he first saw her, and the fact that she’s on her own with the cafe for a week seems like the perfect opportunity to show her how much he cares. But with more suitors vying for her hand, an encounter with a hive of bees gone wrong, and clingy students that he can’t shake, proving that he’s the man for her is turning out to be more work than he expected.

Between batches of pastries and mugs of tea, can Conrad and Linnea's fake relationship rise to the occasion, or will they both end up burned?
A Taste of Tea and Tenderness, a no spice fairy tale retelling of Thumbelina, is a standalone novella, complete with tropes such as fake dating, he falls first, and wound tending. It is part of The Enchanting Confections series, a collection of clean and cozy stories guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth. Perfect for fans of whimsical fairytale romance, cozy Hallmark vibes, and sweet & swoony heroes.

Genres: Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retellings, Romance, Retellings, Young Adult, Clean Romance, Fairy Tales

120 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 22, 2026

About the author

Gabrielle Landi lives in Southern Indiana with her husband and children and has a soft spot for every stray cat that ends up on her front porch. When she’s not writing, she spends her time chasing children, wishing there was more coffee, and eating chocolate like it’s her job. If she had to write her own love story in tropes, it would include second chance romance and a secret relationship, and would be entirely unbelievable.

Reviews

[Jacquelyn 💐 {This Rapunzel Reads} [Jesus Christ, my Living Hope] · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ebook arc in exchange for an honest review. This is a sweet retelling of Thumbelina and the second time I’ve read that retelling. I loved how it’s connected to her other fairytale retelling series which is really good! Linnea was a sweetheart! I love her name! Conrad (what a cool name!) was kinda tough on the outside, but sweet inside. They were really cute together once they finally told each other. I was like would you just finally tell each other?! There was a bit too much thoughts of kissing in my opinion. But overall, this was a sweet retelling!

[Viola Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very adorable and super cozy. The characters were honest and always assumed the best of the other. I liked how it was obvious that the town already had a history and was a normal setting for the world. The Cozy Cat Cafe seemed especially lovely, and all the mention of cinnamon rolls was delightful.

[Sarah B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal Rating: 3

Content Rating: 4
Romance: 2 (light kissing; hand holding; medical touching)
Violence: 2
Faith: -0.5 (there's a character who makes magical potions)
Profanity/Language: 2
Youth Appropriate: 0.5 (written for general audience)


Thoughts:
A sweet, cozy, clean read! Having this interlude between slightly longer books in the series is cool, and any fan of Gabrielle Landi's series world will enjoy this!

I really really appreciate the ARC copy of this book!

The reason my personal rating is lowish is really only because I personally didn't feel a huge connection to the characters, and the story didn't really pull me in. But the story line, the contents, even the characters are cool, and I'm sure many many people will love it!

[Jennalee Conner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweetness… when I think of this book, I think of sweet characters and a sweet romance. While I wish the plot had a little more of a climax, it definitely had an endearing romance. The two main characters were sweet on each other from the beginning, yet it took a few incidents for them to discover how the other person felt. And, since the majority of this story took place in a cafe, the theme certainly was sweet. It made the reader think of cinnamon buns, or blueberry muffins, and a cup of hot tea. Coziness and sweetness. This was certainly an enjoyable read.

I received this as an ARC book, but the thoughts and opinions are completely my own.

[Cat Bowser · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet and adorable take

I love me some cozy fantasy and I almost never see Thumbelina retellings! That, plus this lovely series having a lot of stories that sound absolutely delectable was enough!

Linna is a wonderful protagonist. I love how she is both awkward but also confident. She’s genuinely kind and I enjoy how that is one of her key underlying traits🥹

Conrad is also a delight. I might be biased as my hubby is also a teacher but his interactions are a pleasure to read. One of his key traits is also kindness so it’s fun to see multiple ways it’s expressed!

The side characters and setting are grand as well. I really enjoy everyone here and there is just enough description without being overwhelming.

I absolutely now crave muffins and cinnamon rolls.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.5 stars, rounded to 5 ⭐️

As always, Landi has given us another cute and cozy fairytale retelling that is perfect for when you need a light and sweet read. I love how so many of her books connect, and can't wait for the next ones!

I received an ALC copy of this book, and I highly recommend the audiobooks for all of the Gabrielle Landi books I've listened to. They are delightful! 😊

All opinions in this review are voluntary and my own.

Content: clean romance, lightly detail kisses, thinking about wanting to kiss, two women see an unconscious man shirtless when tending a wound and one tends to wounds on his back,

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

~ARC Review~
This book was the absolute sweetest! Conrad and Linnea are adorable and their love story was such a joy to read I read it in one sitting 🥰 If you enjoy uncomplicated romances, cozy cafes, and cinnamon roles as well as characters, then I highly recommend A Taste of Tea and Tenderness

Age: 12+
Spice: 0
Language: 0

[Jessica Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabrielle Landi has become an automatic author for me. I love the cozy feel of all her books! Sometimes life is just too heavy to handle so when I need a light hearted feel good escape I read Gabrielle’s books. These series is one I would let younger girls read, Kisses only. I only wish they were a little longer. I can’t get enough! I absolutely love the reader she has for these books too! She does a fantastic job. I can’t wait…seriously can’t wait for the next book in this series!

Thank you for the ALC copy! All opinions are my own.

[Anna_Reads_Writes · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW OF ADVANCED READERS COPY RECEIVED FROM AUTHOR


What an adorable read!! This is my third book by Gabrielle Landi and I love her books so much!! She weaved such a sweet retelling of thumbalina into this story. Linnea and Conrad were such an adorable and sweet couple and their story was absolutely enchanting!! If you want a sweet cozy story with no-spice, then grab a cup of coffee, or tea if that’s what you prefer, your favorite sweet treat and sit down, pick up this book and enjoy!!!

[Thoroughly Clean Indies]

This is directly connected to the Galamere Chronicles series. It takes place after the end of Beastly Dreams, another multiauthor-series entry.

Genre: Cozy fantasy
Setting: Cafe, tavern, school
Writing style: Dual POV (alternating chapters), 3rd person, past tense
Tone: Light
Character- or plot-driven: Character-driven

Romance: Yes
Clean level:
• 1 mouth kiss minimally described over one paragraph, including butterflies and her hands on his chest
• 1 near-kiss lightly described over about two paragraphs + a few lines later
• 2 mouth kisses barely described
• 1 instance of thoughts of kissing over about three paragraphs; 1 discussion between two women about it over a few paragraphs
• 1 hand kiss, 2 head kisses
• 1 instance of hands brushing, butterflies; one paragraph
• 1 instance of rubbing circles on hand.1 instance of cupping cheek
• Light flirting
*See caveats below

Sensitive aspects:
• Linnea and Guinevere have to take his shirt off to put salve on his torso after an allergic reaction to bee stings, and it takes up an entire scene
• 1 mouth kiss that though minimally described includes taste

Another review described this as Hallmark style, and I’d say that fits with the simplicity of the story, though without even the low angst drama of the typical Hallmark film. There isn’t any real plot; it’s entirely character focused and 100% cozy.

This is marked as a Thumbelina retelling, but there’s nothing Thumbelina about it. Linnea’s just short. I don’t see how it could even be called Thumbelina-inspired.

I’m happy to see that Guinevere’s story is next — I’ve been waiting on it!

____________________________________

“I am glad to be able to help educate our children, because I believe that they are the future. Having educated children increases opportunities for everyone and improves their life.”

“Our children are the future” isn’t a belief, it’s a fact. The fact that the younger generation will become the next leading generation is precisely why it’s vital to teach them. It sounds trite as a sentimental statement — the undeniable truth of it is what gives it weight.

His mother grimaced. “I’m sorry, dear,” she said. “I forgot you don’t like your nickname anymore.” Linnea was chuckling, and Conrad gave her a dirty look. Traitor. “What?” she asked in mock innocence. “Your mother is the one who said it, not me.”

You’re the one laughing!

____________________________________


*There’s a bonus epilogue that includes one barely-described kiss and one nondescribed interrupted kiss.


(I received a free ARC of this book from the author and am gratefully—voluntarily—leaving a review.)

[Gailanna Riverwrenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Voluntary honest ARC review.

Im sad to say I wasn't a huge fan of this story.

Some things I liked:

-I liked the cat: Ginger. I only wish we had seen more of her!
-The names were pretty interesting.

Some things I didn't like:

1. I felt like a lot of the characters were rather flat. In this book, I'd say Guinevere (a sort of healer with magic) was probably my favorite of them all, as she seemed to have a bit more personality and some mystery concerning her own life.
2. There didn't seem to be much real conflict in this story to really feel very interesting to me. Everything felt rather boring as a consequence. The one part that did seem to have more conflict was a few chapters where a character had an allergic reaction.
3. The romance felt very much like insta love without friendship first, at least as far as we’re shown in the book. There was a lot of attraction (mainly physical) without much thought for realistic consequences and the life that would follow. There was also a lot of thought about kissing and then also the kissing towards the last third of the book.
Romance seems to be all anyone in this town thinks about? They’re nearly always talking about it.
Romance is the whole dish in this book with what felt like was minuscule seasonings of anything else. It was like the personalities were exchanged for romance.
4. There was not very much baking or things related to the whole Café idea. What was there was barely described at all.
5. The descriptions felt flat, it leaned very much into telling instead of showing, and many times the paragraphs felt like they took a long time to say what they were trying to say or rephrased it unnecessarily to say the same thing twice.
It was sometimes hard to picture the places and things going on in the story due to lack of description in that area.
6. The asthetic was more that of the modern world than of the medieval or fantasy asthetic it seemed to claim it would be with the nobility and taverns and such.

Thank you for the ARC, Gabrielle Landi.

[Makayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I received this book as an ARC, the review below reflects my own thoughts and opinions.

Gabrielle Landi's books have been on my tbr list for quite some time. When I had the opportunity to dive into this sweet, clean, and definitely cozy book I knew I couldn't pass it up. Gabrielle Landi writes the sweetest clean romances that will definitely tug at your heart-strings. While this was the first book I picked up by this author, I will definitely be returning. I do know that A Taste of Tea and Tenderness is set in a world where you see re-occuring characters, though I had no issue reading it as a standalone. I'm eager to read the stories of some of the other characters mentioned in this book!

Linnea, the apprentice at Cozy Cat Cafe, has her hands very full. Tasked with running the cafe while her boss and good friend is away on her honeymoon she's determined to keep the cafe running smoothly and efficiently until her friend returns. However, not only is Linnea running the cafe, she's agreed to provide baked goods for her friend Conrad's school fundraiser. As Linnea wonders what she's agreed to and how she is going to get everything ready for the fundraiser while keeping the cafe running smoothly Conrad immediately offers to help. However, Linnea's deepening feelings for Conrad might cause him to be an unnecessary distraction.

Conrad has been interested in Linnea since he first took over the local school's teaching position. However, he's never been able to confess how he really feels. When the perfect opportunity presents himself, he dives into helping her at the cafe in the hopes that he can eventually share his true feelings towards her. Things become even more complicated when the two are thrust into a fake dating relationship due to an encoutner with some of Conrad's students. Add in an unexpected encounter with bees that leads to some interesting confessions, sweet treats, and friends to more and this is a sweet story that you will not want to miss!

[Rosalyn Nightshade · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book I'm reading in the Enchanting Confections series and we're off to a great start already!!! A Taste of Tea and Tenderness is such a sweet, cozy, and adorable little novella! The characters were such cinnamon rolls! I was so excited for Conrad and Linnea's story after I finished reading Beastly Dreams (which was the first book I had the pleasure of ARC reading by Gabrielle Landi!) and their story definitely did not disappoint!!

Conrad is so possessive of Linnea, but willing to let her go if she decided that she wanted to be with Kellan instead. I love that trait of his; the ability to let her go if she thinks she'll be happy with someone else even though he loves her so much and wants her all to himself. Conrad's love of teaching and obvious care for his students, wanting them to grow and learn, was also extremely endearing. He's definitely a good match for Linnea!

Linnea is very independent and a hard worker, and I love those traits! She's a great baker and I desperately wanted to eat a strawberry muffin as I was reading this book 🤣! She and Conrad fit together so perfectly. And that kiss at the end... 😉!

I was also so happy to get to see previous characters again. Seeing Roan and Abigail again was amazing!!! Roan might be my favourite character because of his grumpy exterior... Favourite quote: "Grow up. You might spend all your time around children, but that doesn't mean you have to act like one. Be a man and ask her to be your partner at the event." - Roan 🤣.
And then there was also Thea and Nathaniel, who we get to see at the end of the story when they come back from their honeymoon, as well as Kellan and Gideon. I was curious about Gideon when I first read Once Upon An Apple, and that curiousity has just increased even more... I can't wait for Gideon and (possibly?) Guinevere's story!!

Thank you so much Gabrielle for giving me the privilege of an ARC for this book! It is truly amazing!!!

[Mariahs_BookNook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gut rating: ⭐⭐⭐
CAWPILE rating: TBD
Spice: Kisses
ARC publication date: May 22nd 2026

Tropes: Fairytale retelling, Thumbelina retelling, dual POV, instalove, first love, fake dating, cosy cafe setting, wound care, matchmaking, small country village life

Quote: She smiled up at him, and it felt as if the world stopped moving for a moment. Her smile was the prettiest thing he'd ever seen.


My synopsis
When apprentice baker Linnea offers to run the Cosy Cat Café while the owners are away, she knows it'll be a long tiring week. Especially after she promised the cute 26yo schoolteacher Conrad a huge delivery of baked goods for his school fundraiser. What she wasn't anticipating was for her love life to be on the menu, too. Juggling matchmaking villagers, flirtatious customers, and the huge workload with Conrad's after hours help, will Linnea follow her heart?


My review
This was a sweet fluffy story that was cosy and cute. The map and illustrations at the start were stunning!

However, the story was very YA, with an immature FMC paired with an MMC who felt much older. The story didn't have a natural flow, with many things introduced hurriedly at the start. There were too many plotlines to keep track of, as well, and most weren't explored because of the limited space in this novella. While I understand this is a Thumbelina retelling, I didn't like how the story constantly pointed out how tiny the FMC was compared to the MMC, especially with him protesting his dislike for the young girls he teaches.

With thanks to the Author and Enchanting Confections for providing me with this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Trigger warnings: Sexual harassment, injury detail, stalking, medical content, classism, animal death

[Essentially Bookish Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s something so comforting about returning to a familiar world and finding yourself even more attached to the side characters you were curious about before — and A Taste of Tea and Tenderness absolutely delivered on that for me. This ended up being such a cozy, heartfelt read that easily earned a strong 4.5 stars in my opinion.
After reading Once Upon a Cat by Gabrielle Landi, I was so excited to spend more time with Conrad and Linnea.

What I loved most was how gentle and natural their relationship felt. The chemistry between them wasn’t overly dramatic; instead, it unfolded through quiet support, teasing moments, and genuine care for one another. Conrad’s patience and kindness made him incredibly easy to love, especially in the way he encouraged Linnea without ever overshadowing her independence. And Linnea herself was such a wonderful heroine — hardworking, determined, and carrying the weight of the café on her shoulders while still trying to take care of everyone around her.

The cozy atmosphere was one of my favorite parts of the book. Between the café setting, fresh baked treats, and soft romantic tension, this novella felt like wrapping up in a warm blanket with a cup of tea. It was sweet without being overly sugary, and the emotional moments landed perfectly.

I also really enjoyed revisiting familiar characters from the series. Those little appearances made the world feel even more connected and charming without taking attention away from Conrad and Linnea’s romance.

Overall, this was a delightful, comforting read with lovable characters, tender romance, and all the cozy vibes I look for in a novella. Definitely recommend for anyone wanting a quick, wholesome fantasy romance with heart.

Thank you so much to Gabrielle Landi for the opportunity of reading her book in advance.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reader’s Notes:

*Series or Connected Books?* part of a series but meant to be read as a stand-alone

-it is set in the same world as Gabrielle Landi’s Galamere Chronicles series, as well as Beastly Dreams

*Point Of View:* Linnea & Conrad

*Any Cursing Or Possibly Offensive Language?* None!

*Romance?* Yes! Just sweet kisses

*Things To Know:*

–there are two girls harassing Conrad (constantly being by him under the guise of needing help with their schoolwork, but they truly are hoping to get a marriage proposal out of him)

-a character accidentally gets stung by multiple bees & has an allergic reaction to them

Review:

This was a really cute story! I loved getting to see Gabrielle Landi’s Galamere world and it makes me excited to read her other books (as this was the first one for me)!

I loved how quick and cozy this particular read was. Linnea and Conrad were cute and I loved that the townspeople who knew them were rooting for them to get together. I loved how a few different situations also pushed the two of them closer together and opened them up to telling each other their feelings.

And now I’m curious about a few different characters that I think may be getting stories of their own based off what was shown in this story!

Summary:

Linnea just may have gotten in over her head by agreeing to help cater the local school’s fundraiser while her boss is on vacation. But if given the chance, she also wouldn’t rescind her offer. Because she’d had her eye on the cute schoolteacher for awhile now and any chance to spend time with him is time well spent.

Conrad doesn’t like his student admirers, but he begrudgingly has to give them credit for helping him find Linnea. Had he never hid in her shop, they may have never met. But now Conrad spends as much time as he can visiting the shop just for a glimpse of her. And though he has a lot on his plate already for getting the school fundraiser up and running, Conrad can’t help but offer to join Linnea in making the treats for the event…

[Cassidy Nye · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC and ALC without expectation of review.

This was my first time reading a Gabrielle Landi book, and while there were things I liked, I find myself having mixed feelings.

First off, this book does have a very cozy setting and a sweet plot, so if you're someone who loves Hallmark movies, this is about that level. The MMC is a cinnamon roll who loves cinnamon rolls, which I adored, and the FMC is cheerful and hardworking. The Thumbelina retelling portion is very loose, but it is there, and the story was cute overall.

For me, it was a bit jarring to read due to some unclear worldbuilding. There is clearly much more that's been going on in this world and with these characters that is never really explained. I'm assuming some of these things take place in other books, but it made it a bit confusing as a standalone, as to me, that term implies that you don't have to have read the other books to understand what is happening. In addition, the pacing was a bit quick, possibly due to it being a novella, and the climax didn't feel... climactic? That could simply be a preference thing on my end, however. (The fake dating also only lasts for about a scene, and I was hoping for more, but it was cute for the time it lasted!)

Also, Guinevere was fun! It seems she'll be coming back in a future book, and I am here for that. :)

Overall, if you enjoy sweet, no spice romances with a calm, slice-of-life feel (and a very fun wound tending scene that remains my favorite part of the book), then this book may be the right fit for you!

[LeeEllen Belcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute story of falling in love and getting the courage to admit it. Conrad and Linnea's relationship formed so sweetly and I loved watching it unfold. The teasing between them and the way they helped each other was delightful. The narration was perfect and each voice inflection was spot on. Jess's voice for Conrad when he had a reaction to bee stings was so humorous. This was a quick, feel-good read, with kisses and holding hands towards the end, that I thoroughly enjoyed!

Linnea is taking care of the Cozy Cat Cafe while Thea and Nat are on their honeymoon, and she doesn't want to let them down. Between the baking, the cleaning, and running the cafe, she's a little overwhelmed at first. Plus, she volunteered to bake the goods for Conrad's school fundraiser, but she'd do anything for him...if only she had the nerve to tell him.
Conrad wants Linnea to succeed, and helps whenever he can at the cafe. Never mind that he regularly hides in the cafe from two of his students who are always vying for his attention. But, when Linnea stakes her claim in front of them he realizes that his feelings for her might actually be returned...if only he had the nerve to tell her.
Will the love of cinnamon rolls finally bring them together?

I received an Advanced Reader Copy and an Advanced Listening Copy with no expectation of a review. All opinions are my own.

[Jennie Jae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very sweet, clean/no-spice, fantasy romance novella that made me laugh multiple times, smile to myself constantly, and end the book happy to have experienced it.

The two main characters are both so likable, I was rooting for them the whole time and enjoyed every interaction. The wound-tending scene(s) were certainly entertaining, and I have to give a shout-out here to Jess Moran, the narrator of the audio book, for not only nailing the masculine voice of the MMC, but for successfully portraying the wide range of emotions he goes through while also quite afflicted!

I really appreciate that the romance in this book did not feel rushed or like “insta-love,” as can be common in novella length romances, but rather it flowed naturally and felt very realistic.

This is a Thumbelina retelling, however, I am sadly only slightly familiar with the original tale and cannot speak to how closely it follows that story or what elements from it appear here, other than it is mentioned that the FMC is a very petite young woman.

If you are looking for a shorter, cozy fairytale story that will leave your heart happy, I highly recommend this cutie of a book. It’s also fantastic as an audiobook!

Thank you to the author for providing me with both an ARC and ALC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given willingly.

[OliJaneReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Gabrielle Landi delivers an adorable book and Jess Moran gives it an amazing narration. I have to listen to each story for the first time because I’m so enchanted by the audiobooks. If you haven’t listened to the Galamere books on audiobook, I believe it is a necessity.

In the Galamere realm, Thea’s Cat Cafe is the focal point. We all know it’s the best place. Once Upon a Cat felt magical to me because it took place primarily in The Cat Cafe. A Taste of Tea and Tenderness is the second book to take place in The Cat Cafe, and it felt just as cozy as the first.

I’ve been excited for Gabrielle Landi to explore Conrad’s story, and Linnea is so sweet! I enjoyed their friendship and how they teased each other. The way they care for each other was the best. Those bees though…

Experiencing married Abigail and Roan was perfect. The two other Galamere Chronicles characters that made an appearance are Kellan and Guinevere. We haven’t gotten to see much of Kellan, and I’m hoping we get a story for him one day. I know Guinevere is set for her story next, and I can’t wait! She’s such a sweet friend and deserves her own happy ending.

-

I received an arc copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own!

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Taste of Tea and Tenderness picks up where Beastly Dreams and Once Upon a Cat ended. With Thea leaving her Cozy Cat Cafe for a week on her Honeymoon, Linnea steps in to keep the place running. This also turns out to be the best timing for her and Conrad to grow together. As this is a cozy retelling, there are no real stakes or danger present, but the book is far from dull. I loved reading about Linnea's baked goods and watching her and Conrad spend time together. There is definitely a lot of waffling and second-guessing each other's motives and actions throughout this book, but the alternating POV chapters and the quicker pace made it cute rather than frustrating. These two characters are a perfect match for each other.

Clean in language and content, I highly recommend A Taste of Tea and Tenderness. It's a wonderful, quick, cozy story. While it is losely based on Thumbelina, the novella has its own take on the classic fairytale. The novella ties into the world of Galamere, but it is also a good entry point to readers unfamiliar with Landi's other stories.

*I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Beloved · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Taste of Tea and Tenderness by Gabrielle Landi is part of The Enchanting Confections series, a collection of clean and cozy stories. This standalone novella is a retelling of Thumbelina.

​While I am not familiar with the original fairy tale, I found this novella to be a quick, delightful read. It feels more like a glimpse into the broader world of Galamere, seamlessly tying in with the setting of Landi's other Cozy Cat Café books.

​The story kicks off with an apprentice named Linnea, who is tasked with surviving a week running the café by herself while also catering a local school fundraiser. Surviving the week seems debatable—until Conrad, a quiet schoolteacher she might be falling for, offers to help. To avoid an awkward situation with one of his students, the two end up faking a relationship.

​True to the title, we get a taste of tea after Conrad has an unfortunate encounter with a hive of bees and Linnea tenderly helps him recover. However, the real stars of the show are Linnea's confections, specifically her mouth-watering muffins and cinnamon rolls.

​This book is recommended for anyone who enjoys fairy tale retellings, cozy café settings, and sweet romances.

[Anisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as an audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I want to start off by saying that I actually don't know the story of Thumbelina so I can’t comment about how well the author reinterprets this story in her novel. I thought that the story was enjoyable overall but the characters felt a bit flat to me. Conrad and Linnea’s relationship seemed a bit rushed and shallow and while I liked that they ended up together, it didn't feel like there was a lot of substance there. The most interesting bit was the bee stings/Conrad’s allergic reaction but otherwise it was okay. I really liked Guinevere and the couple that owned the tavern but otherwise I wasn't really interested in most of the characters.

This is my first time reading one of Gabrielle Landi’s books and I know that this book is part of a series so I think that has some influence on my rating. I probably would have enjoyed this more if I was reading it as a part of the series. Other than that, I found the book to be relatively lighthearted and fast paced. If you’re in the mood for a quick cozy read then I would say that this would be a good book to pick up.

Thank you for the ARC Gabrielle Landi.

[Riella Cristobal · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a charming story! I love this world of Galamere and it was so sweet to read Conrad and Linnea’s story.
Linnea was so lovely. She felt very real with her insecurities and struggles, but also her earnestness and determination. She had been trusted with the cafe and wanted to do right by Thea and Natheniel. I felt for her as she struggled with her background and feeling enough. Conrad was a sweetheart! I loved his genuine care for Linnea. He really tried to be there for her and support her. He also had to take some steps of courage for Linnea.
Conrad and Linnea together were so sweet! They complemented each other and encouraged each other forward. I loved returning to this cozy town. It was fun to see some old characters again and Eugenia is hilarious! I loved the meddling and antics. The story had a gentle cozy vibe and I also enjoyed the hints of future stories. This is a standalone in the MAS Enchanting Confections and in the world of Galamere. There is only kisses.
I received an ARC.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review
A Taste of Tea and Tenderness by Gabrielle Landi
Landi’s stories just keep getting better. I can always rely on her books for comforting retellings. Between Tea and Tenderness and Beastly Dreams, I just want to passionately *chef’s kiss*. This story was cuteness overload! I adored the cozy feelings and troublesome matchmaking. I also loved seeing more of the cafe and Ginger!

Linnea and Conrad are the cutest! They are such a soft and caring couple. Really though, all of Landi’s novels have very green flag relationships. The bees and the reason behind the bee scene was so sweet.

A Taste of Tea and Tenderness is a retelling of Thumbelina. It is a very loose retelling and I might not have made the connections if not for a few elements. The mentions of toad and mouse really cracked me up. I cannot wait to see what retelling is next in the series!!!

No-Spice Rating: 1
Language: Clean
Faith-Elements: None

Thank you to Gabrielle Landi for an ARC of A Taste of Tea and Tenderness! All opinions are my own.

[Yelitz Ramos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an ARC.
Linnea is running the Cozy Cat Cafe while the owner is away. With all her work, she’s also helping catering the local school’s fundraiser, which is run by the charming school teacher, Conrad.
They like each other but neither is doing anything about it, until the day, Lord Kellan set his eyes on Linnea. Conrad needs to prove that he is the right man for her, even if he needs to fight bees to get her flowers.

This story was an easy, fast cozy read.
it is a retelling of Thumbelina. I personally like fairytales and retellings and Thumbelina is one of my favorites. I liked the characters and some of them made me laugh.
This book is part of the series: “Enchanting confections”. It can be read as a standalone, but it mentions characters from the other books, so you might want to read them.
I liked the fact that I was able to read it in one day and sometimes I just need that. A cozy read.
This is the first time I read from this author. I will read the rest of the series for sure.

Thank you to the author for this ARC!

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received an ARC copy of this book from the author; all opinions are my own.


I got this book as an ARC from the author, Gabrielle Landi, and, like all of her books, it was a sweet and cozy read.
It's a Thumbelina retelling which I haven't read retelling of before, but it was handled in such a fun way! The book is very predictable, without much in the way of a plot, but based on the mood I was in when I read the book, i don't think I really needed one.

Also, I really loved the ending! It made so excited for the author's upcoming release Once Upon A Bear

I really enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and cozy read.

[Lj · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a loose re-telling of Thumbelina with many of the elements of the traditional story woven into the narrative, but done subtly enough you may not even notice it is a re-telling at all. As usual for Ms Landi's fairy tale re-tellings it is immensly cosy with lots of sweet baked treats and romance that is just as sweet. Linnea and Conrad were a delightful pair and despite the short length of the story (it's a novella) you got to see them form a believeably strong bond. Despite being set in a fantasy world, much of the daily life seemed very real-world and modern in a cosy, ideallistic small town kind of way with only a small touch of magic in the story, so it would be great for people who are after sweet romance without too much fantasy as well as avid fantasy and fairy tale readers. Overall, it was a sweet, cosy, quick and fun read.

I received an ARC and voluntarily leave an honest review.

[Kenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!
Yet another sweet read from this author! These two were absolutely adorable together, although I was definitely getting a little impatient waiting for them to finally admit their feelings for each other. While I really enjoyed the story, I didn’t necessarily get the feeling that it was a Thumbelina retelling, but that might just be me since I’m not super familiar with the original tale. Also, I think it’s hilarious that the cinnamon roll MMC’s favorite dessert was cinnamon rolls!

I will note that this book includes spoilers for the Galamere Chronicles series as well as a book from another multi-author series called Beastly Dreams, so if you want the best experience, I’d recommend reading those first. However, it still works perfectly fine as a standalone if you haven’t.

Because of the content of this book, I would personally be comfortable recommending it for ages 13-14 and up. Thanks to the author for giving me an ARC copy!

[Chantal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was tender in the best way. Soft, wholesome, and full of those little moments that make your heart melt

The care and attention after Conrads unfortunate run in with some bees was so cute. And he was so funny - delirious and revealing his heart. I was smiling the entire time.

Their dynamic is gentle and sincere, with that he falls first energy that just makes everything feel extra sweet. It’s the kind of romance that doesn’t need spice. It thrives on warmth, connection, and genuine affection.

Every time I step into the Galemere universe, it feels like a reset. It’s grounding, uplifting, and just… good for the soul

🎧 Narration:
Jess Moran absolutely nailed this. The performance added so much charm—especially during the bee sting scene (I was literally laughing out loud and had to message her like HOW did you do that?? 😂👏).

You can really feel her dedication to the craft in every moment.

Overall, this is a cozy, feel good fantasy romance that will leave you smiling long after it ends