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Enchanting Confections
A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos: A King Midas Retelling
A spoonful of green peas.
A sprinkle of cocoa nibs.
And a melting pot of opposites attract.
Princess Una of Lamera has a secret.
In a prosperous kingdom known for its cheerful citizens, flowing wealth, and ever-laden tables, she is a rare thorn. The courtiers don't say it to her face, but she knows what they whisper. The scowling princess who leaves every banquet early. Too delicate for her own good. Impossible to please.
And sometimes, when her stomach is churning after a single bite of honeyed pastry, she believes them.
Una learned long ago to avoid the foods that left her ill for days. But when a foreign diplomat arrives bearing trunks of a delicacy Thornwood has never tasted—chocolate—she finds herself intrigued despite her suspicions. Matthias is too charming, too generous, and far too interested in gaining her father's favor.
His homeland overflows with cacao, and he claims his family is rich beyond measure. But something about his story does not add up.
When Matthias discovers Una's secret, he offers her something no one else ever a simple chocolate dessert that won't leave her sick for days. For the first time, Una tastes sweetness without pain.
But as she discovers a world of flavor she can finally enjoy, she feels her bitter defenses beginning to melt. Matthias sees past her thorny exterior to the lonely woman beneath and she’s not sure whether to savor his attention or fear it.
Can she temper her suspicions long enough to crack Matthias' own facade?
A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos is loose retelling of The Princess and the Pea and King Midas. This standalone novella is full of sweet delicacies, hilarious conversations, and the perfect amount of true love. It is part of the Enchanting Confections series, a collection of cozy stories with no-spice romance guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth.
A sprinkle of cocoa nibs.
And a melting pot of opposites attract.
Princess Una of Lamera has a secret.
In a prosperous kingdom known for its cheerful citizens, flowing wealth, and ever-laden tables, she is a rare thorn. The courtiers don't say it to her face, but she knows what they whisper. The scowling princess who leaves every banquet early. Too delicate for her own good. Impossible to please.
And sometimes, when her stomach is churning after a single bite of honeyed pastry, she believes them.
Una learned long ago to avoid the foods that left her ill for days. But when a foreign diplomat arrives bearing trunks of a delicacy Thornwood has never tasted—chocolate—she finds herself intrigued despite her suspicions. Matthias is too charming, too generous, and far too interested in gaining her father's favor.
His homeland overflows with cacao, and he claims his family is rich beyond measure. But something about his story does not add up.
When Matthias discovers Una's secret, he offers her something no one else ever a simple chocolate dessert that won't leave her sick for days. For the first time, Una tastes sweetness without pain.
But as she discovers a world of flavor she can finally enjoy, she feels her bitter defenses beginning to melt. Matthias sees past her thorny exterior to the lonely woman beneath and she’s not sure whether to savor his attention or fear it.
Can she temper her suspicions long enough to crack Matthias' own facade?
A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos is loose retelling of The Princess and the Pea and King Midas. This standalone novella is full of sweet delicacies, hilarious conversations, and the perfect amount of true love. It is part of the Enchanting Confections series, a collection of cozy stories with no-spice romance guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth.
130 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 3, 2026
About the author
Emily Deady
14 books165 followersEmily Deady was as an avid reader who hated writing. But one day she realized that most authors loved cats and tea, her two favorite things. So, she stopped fighting the inevitable and she began to write. She loves a good romance, her real life hero who patiently listens to all her plotlines, and hitting the trails for light hike in sunny San Diego.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 14, 2026
3 stars ⭐️ Clean Fiction - Fairytale Retelling (no magic)
I’ve never read a King Midas retelling before, so I quickly skimmed the internet before reading to have a general idea besides “a king where anything he touches turns to gold” because that’s basically all I knew about it. 😂 I would say this book was a light retelling as it was more along the lines that Una, our Female Main Character, is known for her strong reputation and opinion—any dessert she deems good gains popularity. Other than that, I didn’t really catch any of the King Midas story.
The “Codex” is mentioned a ton and based on content, I had to assume it was some special cookbook or guideline for the bakers? I’m honestly not sure which made my brain have a lot of question marks while reading and trying to figure it out as I read.
Matthias, the MMC, was rude and kind of a jerk at the beginning so I didn’t care for him, but I liked him a bit better by the end. There romance was pretty fast from “I don’t like you” and being suspicious to having feelings, which I think was because of the page length.
The food sensitivity/Celiac representation was interesting and definitely the main part of the book. While I’m not allergic to wheat, I do try to avoid it so I could understand some of what Una experiences. I wouldn’t be super interested in reading a longer book that heavy featured a food sensitivity—I think that would be a little much, personally, as someone who already reads a lot of food labels—but for the size of this book, it worked. I particularly liked the scenes of Una’s gardening and making tea with herbs.
The author shares this at the beginning of the book: “This story does involve allergy-induced hives, and it follows a heroine whose fear of food stems from a sensitivity that no one around her understands—not from a disordered relationship with eating.”
Main Content-
Language + Negative-
No language stronger than ‘stupid’; Some eye rolling & sarcasm.
Mentions of a counterfeit item with lies (*Spoilers* ).
Mentions of lies & lying; A mention of the death of a parent (Una’s mother).
Food sensitivity/allergy-
Una has an unknown food allergy that causes her to break out in hives and rashes (this happens on on-page a few times very soon after she eats something or touches flour-based products).
Romance/Sexual-
1 kiss lasting 3-5 sentences.
Touches, Hand holding, Nearness, (up to a few sentences); Noticing & Staring (up to a few sentences).
I’ve never read a King Midas retelling before, so I quickly skimmed the internet before reading to have a general idea besides “a king where anything he touches turns to gold” because that’s basically all I knew about it. 😂 I would say this book was a light retelling as it was more along the lines that Una, our Female Main Character, is known for her strong reputation and opinion—any dessert she deems good gains popularity. Other than that, I didn’t really catch any of the King Midas story.
The “Codex” is mentioned a ton and based on content, I had to assume it was some special cookbook or guideline for the bakers? I’m honestly not sure which made my brain have a lot of question marks while reading and trying to figure it out as I read.
Matthias, the MMC, was rude and kind of a jerk at the beginning so I didn’t care for him, but I liked him a bit better by the end. There romance was pretty fast from “I don’t like you” and being suspicious to having feelings, which I think was because of the page length.
The food sensitivity/Celiac representation was interesting and definitely the main part of the book. While I’m not allergic to wheat, I do try to avoid it so I could understand some of what Una experiences. I wouldn’t be super interested in reading a longer book that heavy featured a food sensitivity—I think that would be a little much, personally, as someone who already reads a lot of food labels—but for the size of this book, it worked. I particularly liked the scenes of Una’s gardening and making tea with herbs.
The author shares this at the beginning of the book: “This story does involve allergy-induced hives, and it follows a heroine whose fear of food stems from a sensitivity that no one around her understands—not from a disordered relationship with eating.”
Main Content-
Language + Negative-
No language stronger than ‘stupid’; Some eye rolling & sarcasm.
Mentions of a counterfeit item with lies (*Spoilers* ).
Mentions of lies & lying; A mention of the death of a parent (Una’s mother).
Food sensitivity/allergy-
Una has an unknown food allergy that causes her to break out in hives and rashes (this happens on on-page a few times very soon after she eats something or touches flour-based products).
Romance/Sexual-
1 kiss lasting 3-5 sentences.
Touches, Hand holding, Nearness, (up to a few sentences); Noticing & Staring (up to a few sentences).
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June 30, 2026
I received this ebook arc from the author in exchange for an honest review. First, let me just say that this book made me crave chocolate. They constantly talked about it and ate it. Hmm…I’m having a hard time deciding on what to rate this one. This is no hate to the author or anything. I liked certain parts and didn’t like others. It took me a bit to like both Una and Matthias. They were both kinda grouchy. But I did love how Matthias was determined to help her and figure out what she was allergic to. That was so sweet! I did feel for Una and how hard it was to find food that didn’t react to her. I didn’t love the fight between Una and Matthias. They were both in the wrong. It felt a bit quick to go from where they were mad at each other to liking each other again. But I did really like Una and Matthias together. They were a cute couple. The story felt a bit short to me and would’ve benefited from being longer. I would’ve loved a bit more. Maybe even an epilogue. Overall, it was a short and sweet read. But make sure you have chocolate near by cause you’re going to want it. 😉
July 5, 2026
ARC Review - A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos by Emily Deady.
A very sweet short story and King Midas retelling. Part of the Enchanting Confections series.
Following the story of Matthias who must do his best to become a Master baker to save his parents bakery and the very difficult Una who has his future in her misunderstood hands.
It was a cute story, easy to read and flows well. Recommended to any reader who enjoys a fast paced short story and clean, no spice fairytale retelling.
A very sweet short story and King Midas retelling. Part of the Enchanting Confections series.
Following the story of Matthias who must do his best to become a Master baker to save his parents bakery and the very difficult Una who has his future in her misunderstood hands.
It was a cute story, easy to read and flows well. Recommended to any reader who enjoys a fast paced short story and clean, no spice fairytale retelling.
July 2, 2026
Oh my goodness I devoured this so fast! As one who suffers from food allergies & intolerances i love that Emily does her best to represent the difficulties of eating and navigating food. Personally I think she did this representation perfect. I felt so seen and understood. I was so excited to see the truffle recipe at the end of the book. And because I actually do keep a lot of dried herbs on hand due to one of my medical issues I decided to go ahead and make the truffles. I love that she added substitutions because it made me feel confident that I could make the necessary adjustments to the recipe so I could eat it. I have an intolerance to dairy and I am allergic to lemon so I definitely traded out the lemon for spearmint instead of peppermint (like she suggests) and still followed those directions adding half because it is a strong scent. I also used silk brand almond milk heavy whipping cream as my cream base, and it worked perfectly. These truffles are good. The spearmint is still a little strong… and I’m not sure I like the lavender (but that’s a personal preference). Soo next time I’ll just pick mint. The texture is perfect! I am going to have to hide them from myself so I don’t eat them all in one sitting. Emily thank you so much for this book. It means so much to this reader.
July 4, 2026
Short and Sweet
I liked that I could read this story in less time than it would take to bake one of their masterpieces. Una is the daughter of the royal baker in a country famous for their wheat and pastries. She has to be careful about what she eats, but until Matthias comes along as a new apprentice, she doesn’t truly understand what’s making her sick. He was very focused and self serving at first, but I loved how his focus was eventually turned to helping her.
I liked that I could read this story in less time than it would take to bake one of their masterpieces. Una is the daughter of the royal baker in a country famous for their wheat and pastries. She has to be careful about what she eats, but until Matthias comes along as a new apprentice, she doesn’t truly understand what’s making her sick. He was very focused and self serving at first, but I loved how his focus was eventually turned to helping her.
July 1, 2026
Rating: 4.8 stars
I received an ARC copy of this novella and it was a cute King Midas retelling! It introduced me to celiac disease, what Una has, and loved how Una and Matthias were able to navigate the different ingredients there were just to try and find the perfect combination that would be perfect for her to ingest! Only reason I gave it 4.8 stars is because I felt more could’ve been added to the story, but other than that? Pretty good read to get through!
I received an ARC copy of this novella and it was a cute King Midas retelling! It introduced me to celiac disease, what Una has, and loved how Una and Matthias were able to navigate the different ingredients there were just to try and find the perfect combination that would be perfect for her to ingest! Only reason I gave it 4.8 stars is because I felt more could’ve been added to the story, but other than that? Pretty good read to get through!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Gut rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
CAWPILE rating: TBD
Spice: Kisses
ARC publication date: July 3rd 2026
Tropes: Antagonists to lovers, betrayal, dual POV
Quote: Before his apprenticeship was over he would make her eat her words. And an entire dish of his best cocoa creation.
My synopsis
The kingdom of Lamera is celebrated for two things - its golden wheat and the palace's prestigious Royal Academy of Flouriers.
For poor apprentice baker Matthias, winning an Academy scholarship is his only chance to continue his apprenticeship and earn the right to one day run his family's bakery. When he beats the competition and moves into the royal palace, his dream finally feels within reach.
But life inside the palace kitchens is far from sweet. While the Royal Flourier technically makes the decisions, the kitchen is ruled by his fierce perfectionist daughter, Una. Yet behind her cold, demanding exterior, Una is guarding a dangerous secret. Though she pretends to taste and judge the palace's baked goods, the devastating truth is that she breaks out in severe hives whenever she eats or even touches them. As Matthias strives for perfection under her watchful eye, their paths inevitably collide. Can Matthias unlock the secrets of the Royal Flourier's daughter and win her over? And can Una trust an apprentice with secrets of his own?
My review
This was such a sweet, unique story that beautifully addressed food sensitivities, but I was missing the retellings it purported to include.
What I enjoyed:
- The book beautifully addresses the issues of food sensitivities and how they can deeply impact a person's relationship with food, which felt very grounded and relatable.
- It was so lovely to watch Matthias experiment with different ingredients to thoughtfully compile a list of things Una could and couldn't safely eat.
- I loved how baking was so central to the narrative, complete with vivid descriptions of the baking process.
- Watching Una try to win over the affection of Sable, the wild crow, was another delightful highlight of the story!
- Including the recipe for lavender and lemon balm truffles at the end was a very sweet touch, though I do wish the truffles had featured within the story itself.
What didn't quite work for me:
- While this book was purported to be a retelling of King Midas and The Princess and the Pea, I struggled to see where either of those classic stories had actually been represented.
With thanks to the author and Enchanting Confections for providing me with this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Trigger warnings: Eating disorder, chronic illness, death of parent, abandonment
CAWPILE rating: TBD
Spice: Kisses
ARC publication date: July 3rd 2026
Tropes: Antagonists to lovers, betrayal, dual POV
Quote: Before his apprenticeship was over he would make her eat her words. And an entire dish of his best cocoa creation.
My synopsis
The kingdom of Lamera is celebrated for two things - its golden wheat and the palace's prestigious Royal Academy of Flouriers.
For poor apprentice baker Matthias, winning an Academy scholarship is his only chance to continue his apprenticeship and earn the right to one day run his family's bakery. When he beats the competition and moves into the royal palace, his dream finally feels within reach.
But life inside the palace kitchens is far from sweet. While the Royal Flourier technically makes the decisions, the kitchen is ruled by his fierce perfectionist daughter, Una. Yet behind her cold, demanding exterior, Una is guarding a dangerous secret. Though she pretends to taste and judge the palace's baked goods, the devastating truth is that she breaks out in severe hives whenever she eats or even touches them. As Matthias strives for perfection under her watchful eye, their paths inevitably collide. Can Matthias unlock the secrets of the Royal Flourier's daughter and win her over? And can Una trust an apprentice with secrets of his own?
My review
This was such a sweet, unique story that beautifully addressed food sensitivities, but I was missing the retellings it purported to include.
What I enjoyed:
- The book beautifully addresses the issues of food sensitivities and how they can deeply impact a person's relationship with food, which felt very grounded and relatable.
- It was so lovely to watch Matthias experiment with different ingredients to thoughtfully compile a list of things Una could and couldn't safely eat.
- I loved how baking was so central to the narrative, complete with vivid descriptions of the baking process.
- Watching Una try to win over the affection of Sable, the wild crow, was another delightful highlight of the story!
- Including the recipe for lavender and lemon balm truffles at the end was a very sweet touch, though I do wish the truffles had featured within the story itself.
What didn't quite work for me:
- While this book was purported to be a retelling of King Midas and The Princess and the Pea, I struggled to see where either of those classic stories had actually been represented.
With thanks to the author and Enchanting Confections for providing me with this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Trigger warnings: Eating disorder, chronic illness, death of parent, abandonment
July 9, 2026
*I received an ARC from the author, and all opinions are my own.
A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos was a sweet King Midas meets Princess and the Pea retelling!
This novella was absolutely adorable! The main characters, Una and Matthais, were so cute and I loved the story.
Una was a wonderful character! She was aloof and kind of grumpy, but she also was sweet and secretly inquisitive. She was dealing with a severe food allergy, which as the daughter of one of the head bakers, really affected her. She was also judged by the court and baker apprentices, which influenced how she responded to other characters.
As I mentioned above, Una has a severe food allergy. This book has wonderful celiac representation! I loved that this was included in the book and how it was shown. I also really like how this was included in a baking book, and that the characters worked to make a sweet treat Una could safely enjoy!
Matthais was another lovely character! He was a hard worker and was willing to do just about anything to maintain his position as an apprentice. He did seem a little suspicious in the beginning, but he quickly grew into a lovely, sweet character. This did cause some conflict between him and Una, but they also worked through their differences. At first, he was just trying to win Una’s approval, but as the story continued, he was a really excellent friend to her.
The romance in this book was definitely a slow burn. This is also one of the few books in the series where the characters are not engaged or married by the end of the book. I am perfectly happy with that, and it fits their story better. They are very sweet together and I loved them together. Hopefully we get more of them in the future!
The animal companion in this book was a little crow named Sable, and he was one of the best parts of this book! He was such a wonderful addition to the story, and I liked how our main characters first bonded over him. You also don’t see crow companions very much, so I loved that a crow got a special spot in the story!
A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos is a clean romance retelling novella full of baking, crow friends, and chocolate!
A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos released on July 3, 2026.
A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos was a sweet King Midas meets Princess and the Pea retelling!
This novella was absolutely adorable! The main characters, Una and Matthais, were so cute and I loved the story.
Una was a wonderful character! She was aloof and kind of grumpy, but she also was sweet and secretly inquisitive. She was dealing with a severe food allergy, which as the daughter of one of the head bakers, really affected her. She was also judged by the court and baker apprentices, which influenced how she responded to other characters.
As I mentioned above, Una has a severe food allergy. This book has wonderful celiac representation! I loved that this was included in the book and how it was shown. I also really like how this was included in a baking book, and that the characters worked to make a sweet treat Una could safely enjoy!
Matthais was another lovely character! He was a hard worker and was willing to do just about anything to maintain his position as an apprentice. He did seem a little suspicious in the beginning, but he quickly grew into a lovely, sweet character. This did cause some conflict between him and Una, but they also worked through their differences. At first, he was just trying to win Una’s approval, but as the story continued, he was a really excellent friend to her.
The romance in this book was definitely a slow burn. This is also one of the few books in the series where the characters are not engaged or married by the end of the book. I am perfectly happy with that, and it fits their story better. They are very sweet together and I loved them together. Hopefully we get more of them in the future!
The animal companion in this book was a little crow named Sable, and he was one of the best parts of this book! He was such a wonderful addition to the story, and I liked how our main characters first bonded over him. You also don’t see crow companions very much, so I loved that a crow got a special spot in the story!
A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos is a clean romance retelling novella full of baking, crow friends, and chocolate!
A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos released on July 3, 2026.
July 4, 2026
3.5 stars
A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos by Emily Deady
I was very interested to go into this story due to it containing food sensitivities (A fact I relate to immensely). Also, King Midas? It’s an interesting combination. So, let’s get into it!
The food allergy situation was handled very thoughtfully. I felt very empathetic towards Una, especially upon learning that her whole kingdom thrives on the things she’s allergic to. Una is prickly but it’s understandable once you understand the story.
I enjoyed the almost rival feeling between the two main characters. I would have liked them to be more flushed out, however. I am a very visual person when reading and certain things (like the character’s appearances) felt like they were not really elaborated on, aside from a few vague descriptions. I feel like this is a fact that might not bug most people, but I REALLY like character descriptions. I am, however, obsessed with Sable. He’s adorable!
The storyline was interesting. It felt like a very loose retelling of King Midas. There were hints of the original tale but it almost felt like its own unique fantasy, or even historical. The baker/chocolatier was neat for a fairytale. There were some incredibly sweet moments throughout the story that stood out above everything. They were, by far, my favorite parts. I would have liked an epilogue to show something like a flash-forward but this IS a shorter novella and I feel like it was paced very well. Overall, A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos was an enjoyable little story despite a couple of nitpicks on my part.
Thank you to Emily Deady for an ARC of A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos! All opinions are my own.
No-Spice Rating: 1
Language: Clean
Faith-Elements: None
A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos by Emily Deady
I was very interested to go into this story due to it containing food sensitivities (A fact I relate to immensely). Also, King Midas? It’s an interesting combination. So, let’s get into it!
The food allergy situation was handled very thoughtfully. I felt very empathetic towards Una, especially upon learning that her whole kingdom thrives on the things she’s allergic to. Una is prickly but it’s understandable once you understand the story.
I enjoyed the almost rival feeling between the two main characters. I would have liked them to be more flushed out, however. I am a very visual person when reading and certain things (like the character’s appearances) felt like they were not really elaborated on, aside from a few vague descriptions. I feel like this is a fact that might not bug most people, but I REALLY like character descriptions. I am, however, obsessed with Sable. He’s adorable!
The storyline was interesting. It felt like a very loose retelling of King Midas. There were hints of the original tale but it almost felt like its own unique fantasy, or even historical. The baker/chocolatier was neat for a fairytale. There were some incredibly sweet moments throughout the story that stood out above everything. They were, by far, my favorite parts. I would have liked an epilogue to show something like a flash-forward but this IS a shorter novella and I feel like it was paced very well. Overall, A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos was an enjoyable little story despite a couple of nitpicks on my part.
Thank you to Emily Deady for an ARC of A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos! All opinions are my own.
No-Spice Rating: 1
Language: Clean
Faith-Elements: None
July 4, 2026
Genre: Cozy myth-inspired [of Kind Midas]
Tropes: Enemies-to-lovers
Writing style: Dual POV, 3rd person, past tense
Character- or plot-driven: Plot-driven
Romance: Yes
Clean level: 1 mouth kiss minimally described
This isn't so much a retelling as myth-inspired. The king loves gold and wants only gold/"gold"-colored dishes. There's no greed or things turning to gold.
The story is centered on Una's mysterious food sensitivity and someone finally knowing how to figure out exactly what it is she actually can't eat. Rather than the allergy just being part of a main character, it is the plot itself. I'd say the theme is about being trapped in some proverbial prison for your whole life until someone determines to find the key. Matthias came to earn the power for his parents to be paid in full for all the work they do after years of toil for only half their earnings. In the end though, he changes the lives of three people.
I'm not clear on why Una and her father felt the need to hide the fact that she couldn't eat certain things. I understand her not wanting people to see her allergic reactions, but why would it matter to anyone that she can't eat the food in the first place? I don't know if perhaps it's something that people would have been sensitive to way back or if that's something people are even now embarrassed about.
Favorite quotation: [His deep brown eyes] were flecked with small shards of gold. It was like looking into a pool of dark cocoa with the tiniest hint of wheat.
(I received a free ARC of this book from the author and am gratefully—voluntarily—leaving a review.)
Tropes: Enemies-to-lovers
Writing style: Dual POV, 3rd person, past tense
Character- or plot-driven: Plot-driven
Romance: Yes
Clean level: 1 mouth kiss minimally described
This isn't so much a retelling as myth-inspired. The king loves gold and wants only gold/"gold"-colored dishes. There's no greed or things turning to gold.
The story is centered on Una's mysterious food sensitivity and someone finally knowing how to figure out exactly what it is she actually can't eat. Rather than the allergy just being part of a main character, it is the plot itself. I'd say the theme is about being trapped in some proverbial prison for your whole life until someone determines to find the key. Matthias came to earn the power for his parents to be paid in full for all the work they do after years of toil for only half their earnings. In the end though, he changes the lives of three people.
I'm not clear on why Una and her father felt the need to hide the fact that she couldn't eat certain things. I understand her not wanting people to see her allergic reactions, but why would it matter to anyone that she can't eat the food in the first place? I don't know if perhaps it's something that people would have been sensitive to way back or if that's something people are even now embarrassed about.
Favorite quotation: [His deep brown eyes] were flecked with small shards of gold. It was like looking into a pool of dark cocoa with the tiniest hint of wheat.
(I received a free ARC of this book from the author and am gratefully—voluntarily—leaving a review.)
July 5, 2026
Received Advanced Copy from the author!
This book A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos is a retelling of the King Midas story. At first I didn’t see how this was related to the story of King Midas. However, after reading the book I realized that the gold in this book wasn’t physical gold but instead the kingdom was known for its famous pastries made with all sorts of wheat & flour. This ends up posing a challenge to the kings daughter, because while the kingdom is famously known for these pastries and she’s the daughter of a well known baker she can not eat any of them herself or she’ll break out in hives.
Compared to one of the original versions of this tale, where the kings daughter died due to being turned into a golden statue, I very much appreciated your retelling and your representation of celiac disease and gluten intolerance, I don’t think that is something that is seen very often in fairytales or even writing in general so that is cool that you make it a general theme in the story.
I also loved how this story read like a mystery, and that I got to follow along with Matthias. As he made his observations about Una and then recorded them into his trusty notebook. I definitely like the take that she wasn’t just a spoiled brat who was refusing to eat what she had been given but that there was a valid reason for her pickiness and her harsh demeanor as long as someone chose to see beyond the facade.
And one of my favorite parts of the book was seeing both Una and Matthias befriend the bird in the garden awww that was sooo cute.
Thanks again for the great read, and I can’t wait to read more of your work in the future Emily Deady, till next time!
This book A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos is a retelling of the King Midas story. At first I didn’t see how this was related to the story of King Midas. However, after reading the book I realized that the gold in this book wasn’t physical gold but instead the kingdom was known for its famous pastries made with all sorts of wheat & flour. This ends up posing a challenge to the kings daughter, because while the kingdom is famously known for these pastries and she’s the daughter of a well known baker she can not eat any of them herself or she’ll break out in hives.
Compared to one of the original versions of this tale, where the kings daughter died due to being turned into a golden statue, I very much appreciated your retelling and your representation of celiac disease and gluten intolerance, I don’t think that is something that is seen very often in fairytales or even writing in general so that is cool that you make it a general theme in the story.
I also loved how this story read like a mystery, and that I got to follow along with Matthias. As he made his observations about Una and then recorded them into his trusty notebook. I definitely like the take that she wasn’t just a spoiled brat who was refusing to eat what she had been given but that there was a valid reason for her pickiness and her harsh demeanor as long as someone chose to see beyond the facade.
And one of my favorite parts of the book was seeing both Una and Matthias befriend the bird in the garden awww that was sooo cute.
Thanks again for the great read, and I can’t wait to read more of your work in the future Emily Deady, till next time!
July 5, 2026
What a charming story! I loved the sweet treats and sweet romance!
I admired Matthias’s determination and focus. He really wanted to achieve mastery and was willing to put in the time to discover how to get there. He was thoughtful and could be single-minded. Matthias had his own secrets I really felt for Una! She was really struggling with her food sensitivity and it was isolating for her. She hid behind a persona of cold perfectionism, but sincerely wanted connection and clarity.
I loved seeing Una and Matthias’s discovery of who the other truly was, as well as the opportunity of trying delicacies she had never dreamed of. They both learned about each other as Matthias tried to uncover Una’s secrets. Especially as it seemed they learned about Una’s sensitivity and the possibility of all she could eat, Una had to trust Matthias, even with her suspicions. I loved Sable too! It was so sweet to get to see different aspects of Una as she interacted with the crow and her dedication to her own hobbies. I also really appreciated Una’s relationship with her father. Even though he did not understand all of her struggles, he truly cared for her.
This was a sweet cozy story loosely inspired by King Midas. It has a character dealing with gluten intolerance that leads to hives and only kisses.
I received an ARC.
I admired Matthias’s determination and focus. He really wanted to achieve mastery and was willing to put in the time to discover how to get there. He was thoughtful and could be single-minded. Matthias had his own secrets I really felt for Una! She was really struggling with her food sensitivity and it was isolating for her. She hid behind a persona of cold perfectionism, but sincerely wanted connection and clarity.
I loved seeing Una and Matthias’s discovery of who the other truly was, as well as the opportunity of trying delicacies she had never dreamed of. They both learned about each other as Matthias tried to uncover Una’s secrets. Especially as it seemed they learned about Una’s sensitivity and the possibility of all she could eat, Una had to trust Matthias, even with her suspicions. I loved Sable too! It was so sweet to get to see different aspects of Una as she interacted with the crow and her dedication to her own hobbies. I also really appreciated Una’s relationship with her father. Even though he did not understand all of her struggles, he truly cared for her.
This was a sweet cozy story loosely inspired by King Midas. It has a character dealing with gluten intolerance that leads to hives and only kisses.
I received an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I enjoyed reading this short and sweet romance. Mathias and Una were both fun point of view characters to follow. I loved watching them learn about each other and soften as their feelings grew. The characters, world, romance, and plot were all well written and kept me immersed in the story from start to finish. All of the food descriptions were enjoyable and well.
I'm not as sure about the King Midas retelling part. It's been a long time since I've read the original story, but I didn't recognize any major plot points from the original in this story. I can see a few things that may have been inspired by the story of King Midas, but unless my memory has failed me, I don't think this is an actual retelling. However, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story, so I haven't faulted the book for the lack of hitting expected plot points.
The story tackles the issue of food sensitivity in a way that felt genuine and true to the characters and world.
There's also a truffle recipe in the back that made my mouth water when reading it. I can't wait to find time to try making it.
I received an advanced copy from the author, but my opinions are my own.
I'm not as sure about the King Midas retelling part. It's been a long time since I've read the original story, but I didn't recognize any major plot points from the original in this story. I can see a few things that may have been inspired by the story of King Midas, but unless my memory has failed me, I don't think this is an actual retelling. However, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story, so I haven't faulted the book for the lack of hitting expected plot points.
The story tackles the issue of food sensitivity in a way that felt genuine and true to the characters and world.
There's also a truffle recipe in the back that made my mouth water when reading it. I can't wait to find time to try making it.
I received an advanced copy from the author, but my opinions are my own.
July 4, 2026
I paid extra close attention to this book and even at that higher level of critique, I loved it
I've read Emily Deady's Fairytale Royals series before. But recently, I've discovered that I didn't finish it, and I read it before I learned how important reviews are to authors. (I will never understand why, since I have yet to read one myself, but at least I write them now.) So since I was reading this series anyway, I paid extra careful attention to this one to see if it could hold the weight of my attention and get a reread added to my list. Several of my reviews for this series have been rather harsh, simply because I find the unhealthy premise offensive. However, this novella was absolutely charming. Una was so incredibly relatable, even while her rigid armor was off-putting, because who among us hasn't struggled with the pressures of what to eat when people are watching? And even with the short length there was still enough time to watch her gradually come to trust Mathias and his truly excellent instincts. Their lives unfolding together will be beautiful, and I'm sad there's no epilogue to say how that will go!
I've read Emily Deady's Fairytale Royals series before. But recently, I've discovered that I didn't finish it, and I read it before I learned how important reviews are to authors. (I will never understand why, since I have yet to read one myself, but at least I write them now.) So since I was reading this series anyway, I paid extra careful attention to this one to see if it could hold the weight of my attention and get a reread added to my list. Several of my reviews for this series have been rather harsh, simply because I find the unhealthy premise offensive. However, this novella was absolutely charming. Una was so incredibly relatable, even while her rigid armor was off-putting, because who among us hasn't struggled with the pressures of what to eat when people are watching? And even with the short length there was still enough time to watch her gradually come to trust Mathias and his truly excellent instincts. Their lives unfolding together will be beautiful, and I'm sad there's no epilogue to say how that will go!
July 9, 2026
3.5 stars!
This was a sweet and short read!
Reading about Una’s celiac disease, her struggles with food, and how people saw her because of it was super interesting to me. I’ve only read one other book with this representation, so I was glad to learn more about it. I also loved how dedicated Matthias was in helping her narrow down the foods she could eat and the ones that made her sick.
While they were great together, in my opinion, their feelings for each other came a bit out of left field. They progressed pretty quickly from disliking each other, to having a civil conversation, to kissing, and that bothered me a little. I also would have liked to see more regret/guilt over something Matthias did.
But even though I had a few issues with it, overall, this book was a quick and cute diversion from reality, and I enjoyed it!
_______________________________
Brief overview of romance content...
- Light noticing
- A bit of lead up and a kiss lasting 4 sentences
Brief overview of other content...
- Una gets hives/rashes if she eats something made with wheat.
_______________________________
Personally I would feel comfortable recommending this book to ages 13 and up. Thanks to the author for the ARC copy!
This was a sweet and short read!
Reading about Una’s celiac disease, her struggles with food, and how people saw her because of it was super interesting to me. I’ve only read one other book with this representation, so I was glad to learn more about it. I also loved how dedicated Matthias was in helping her narrow down the foods she could eat and the ones that made her sick.
While they were great together, in my opinion, their feelings for each other came a bit out of left field. They progressed pretty quickly from disliking each other, to having a civil conversation, to kissing, and that bothered me a little. I also would have liked to see more regret/guilt over something Matthias did.
But even though I had a few issues with it, overall, this book was a quick and cute diversion from reality, and I enjoyed it!
_______________________________
Brief overview of romance content...
- Light noticing
- A bit of lead up and a kiss lasting 4 sentences
Brief overview of other content...
- Una gets hives/rashes if she eats something made with wheat.
_______________________________
Personally I would feel comfortable recommending this book to ages 13 and up. Thanks to the author for the ARC copy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Short, sweet, and full of heart!
This was such a cute novella! I loved Matthias' determination to win, even though he seemed a little devious in the beginning. I enjoyed watching his character grow to become a better person and help Una with her mysterious ailments. I also loved Una, how hard and precise her character was in the beginning and how she tried to protect herself from the scrutiny of the court, while using it to her advantage. I enjoyed watching them come out of their shells and be more open with each other, especially their late nights brainstorming new creations to try. I loved their interactions with Sable, the crow that Una had been befriending for weeks. I appreciated that Matthias came clean to Una's father about his entry into the academy and how sweet it was that he was doing it for his family. I definitely recommend this if you're looking for something short and deliciously sweet!
I received an Advanced Reader Copy with no expectation of a review.
All opinions are my own.
This was such a cute novella! I loved Matthias' determination to win, even though he seemed a little devious in the beginning. I enjoyed watching his character grow to become a better person and help Una with her mysterious ailments. I also loved Una, how hard and precise her character was in the beginning and how she tried to protect herself from the scrutiny of the court, while using it to her advantage. I enjoyed watching them come out of their shells and be more open with each other, especially their late nights brainstorming new creations to try. I loved their interactions with Sable, the crow that Una had been befriending for weeks. I appreciated that Matthias came clean to Una's father about his entry into the academy and how sweet it was that he was doing it for his family. I definitely recommend this if you're looking for something short and deliciously sweet!
I received an Advanced Reader Copy with no expectation of a review.
All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a delightful little love letter to all the people who deserve to eat delicious foods that won't make them physically ill or put them in pain!
This is a very quick read, and was just lovely. Una is the daughter of the highest ranked baker in the land - her word is law with her father, and can make or break careers. Matthias is the poor baker that scraped into the academy by the skin of his teeth, and earned an apprenticeship with the famed head baker based on his extraordinary skills. As he works in the kitchens, and gets to know Una, he realizes what nobody else has: she is not snobby or snooty or judgemental. She is physically unable to eat many things, and has no idea why.
I loved this, and as someone who has dealt with food issues (and has many loved ones who have food issues), this was fantastic. I may have teared up at the end.
Content notes for food aversions, adverse reactions to foods, and some light lying and deceit. Also, there's a crow friend.
This is a very quick read, and was just lovely. Una is the daughter of the highest ranked baker in the land - her word is law with her father, and can make or break careers. Matthias is the poor baker that scraped into the academy by the skin of his teeth, and earned an apprenticeship with the famed head baker based on his extraordinary skills. As he works in the kitchens, and gets to know Una, he realizes what nobody else has: she is not snobby or snooty or judgemental. She is physically unable to eat many things, and has no idea why.
I loved this, and as someone who has dealt with food issues (and has many loved ones who have food issues), this was fantastic. I may have teared up at the end.
Content notes for food aversions, adverse reactions to foods, and some light lying and deceit. Also, there's a crow friend.
July 8, 2026
So sweet!
I never would have thought of combining King Midas and the Princess and the Pea, but it works exquisitely. Una and Matthias are both skilled, creative, and dealing with high stakes situations. Una has turned judging baking into a survival skill while also making creative yea blends and befriending a unique pet. Matthias is trying to gain a baking title so he can save his family’s business, but he is also observant and trying to get past the prickly exterior of his mentor’s daughter.
I appreciated getting to see a character who is gluten free. I also enjoyed the chemistry between Una and Matthias. In some ways it reminded me of Pride and Prejudice as they both judge each other in different ways in their enemies to lovers romance. As they grew closer, one of their scenes had me positively melting in warm happy feelings. Definitely a clean no spice romance fairy retelling mashup you won’t want to miss. By the way, have lots of chocolate on hand 😂.
I never would have thought of combining King Midas and the Princess and the Pea, but it works exquisitely. Una and Matthias are both skilled, creative, and dealing with high stakes situations. Una has turned judging baking into a survival skill while also making creative yea blends and befriending a unique pet. Matthias is trying to gain a baking title so he can save his family’s business, but he is also observant and trying to get past the prickly exterior of his mentor’s daughter.
I appreciated getting to see a character who is gluten free. I also enjoyed the chemistry between Una and Matthias. In some ways it reminded me of Pride and Prejudice as they both judge each other in different ways in their enemies to lovers romance. As they grew closer, one of their scenes had me positively melting in warm happy feelings. Definitely a clean no spice romance fairy retelling mashup you won’t want to miss. By the way, have lots of chocolate on hand 😂.
July 21, 2026
I really, really enjoyed this story. It was my first book by Emily Deady, and I will definitely check out more of her works. I really love that a wheat allergy/celiac was included in this story. It was written and handled well.
The concept of the baking competition in this story was really fun and unique. The prize for this baking competition was more than money, and it raised the stakes some for the characters.
I also like that there was a unique animal familiar. Typically, you only see ravens and crows in gothic stories or Halloween based stories, so seeing one in a regular, summer story was unique. And while I never mind an animal being in the story just to be there, the familiar in this story played an important part in the story.
If you enjoy baking competitions, cozy stories, and well-rounded, likable characters, this story is for you!
I received an ARC from the author, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The concept of the baking competition in this story was really fun and unique. The prize for this baking competition was more than money, and it raised the stakes some for the characters.
I also like that there was a unique animal familiar. Typically, you only see ravens and crows in gothic stories or Halloween based stories, so seeing one in a regular, summer story was unique. And while I never mind an animal being in the story just to be there, the familiar in this story played an important part in the story.
If you enjoy baking competitions, cozy stories, and well-rounded, likable characters, this story is for you!
I received an ARC from the author, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos by Emily Deady
Can Una temper her suspicions long enough to crack Matthias' facade?
This one is an upside-down retelling of King Midas with just a touch of The Princess and the Pea. I actually had originally thought it was just a Princess and the Pea retelling and was having a hard time finding the story elements, but when, at the end, I realized it was also a King Midas retelling, then that story was much easier to see. My favorite part was definitely the baking competition at the beginning. And I definitely sympathized with poor Una and her eating difficulties. A tad of enemies to lovers in that she's pretty prickly towards him at the beginning. Would recommend!
Genre: Fairytale retelling
Content: no spice or language
Standalone in Enchanting Confections
ARC (will be published July 3rd, all opinions are my own)
Can Una temper her suspicions long enough to crack Matthias' facade?
This one is an upside-down retelling of King Midas with just a touch of The Princess and the Pea. I actually had originally thought it was just a Princess and the Pea retelling and was having a hard time finding the story elements, but when, at the end, I realized it was also a King Midas retelling, then that story was much easier to see. My favorite part was definitely the baking competition at the beginning. And I definitely sympathized with poor Una and her eating difficulties. A tad of enemies to lovers in that she's pretty prickly towards him at the beginning. Would recommend!
Genre: Fairytale retelling
Content: no spice or language
Standalone in Enchanting Confections
ARC (will be published July 3rd, all opinions are my own)
July 12, 2026
A Sweet and Cozy Romance!
Another sweet addition to the Enchanting Confections series. While I found myself wishing it had been a little longer so the story and characters had more room to develop, I still enjoyed my time with Una and Matthias.
Their relationship had a gentle, slow-building feel that made every interaction meaningful. One of my favorite parts was how naturally Matthias seemed to understand Una, even though they had only known each other for a short time. Their banter was adorable.
I also have to mention Sable the crow! Watching Una slowly tame Sable added so much charm and personality to the story, and every scene with that mischievous little bird was a treat.
Thank you, Emily, for the ARC!
I'm excited to see what sweet adventure comes next in the Enchanting Confections series.
Another sweet addition to the Enchanting Confections series. While I found myself wishing it had been a little longer so the story and characters had more room to develop, I still enjoyed my time with Una and Matthias.
Their relationship had a gentle, slow-building feel that made every interaction meaningful. One of my favorite parts was how naturally Matthias seemed to understand Una, even though they had only known each other for a short time. Their banter was adorable.
I also have to mention Sable the crow! Watching Una slowly tame Sable added so much charm and personality to the story, and every scene with that mischievous little bird was a treat.
Thank you, Emily, for the ARC!
I'm excited to see what sweet adventure comes next in the Enchanting Confections series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Una is known for her harsh judgement of every pastry that crosses her path. What know one knows is that her reputation is a cover for the terrible rashes she gets whenever she eats those decadent treats. Know one, that is, until the new apprentice makes it his personal mission to crack her code and win her approval.
This felt like a little taste of home. My dad is a food scientist, so taste testing and mixing a variety of ingredients (some worked, some didn’t) was a normal part of my childhood. I also recently learned that I have a wheat allergy, so I connected with Una in that way, too. I enjoyed cheering on Matthias and Una in their tasting trials.
I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
This felt like a little taste of home. My dad is a food scientist, so taste testing and mixing a variety of ingredients (some worked, some didn’t) was a normal part of my childhood. I also recently learned that I have a wheat allergy, so I connected with Una in that way, too. I enjoyed cheering on Matthias and Una in their tasting trials.
I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A sweet story
A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos is a quick read sure to delight the senses. The pastry and bakery descriptions are rich and paint the scene beautifully. The characters caught my attention. Matthias starts off as a calculating but extremely talented flourier-in-training. Una has a vindictive streak from years of frustration, hurt, and fear. While they start off as enemies, they naturally grow together as they see beyond the misconceptions they had of each other. I really enjoyed how they were able to discover what Una's actual allergy was. The food sensitivity was handled well in my opinion. Highly recommend. It's clean in language and no spice. There's very little romance and more emotional connection with a growing friendship. Readers who enjoy sweet treats and enemies toslightly-more-than-friends will love this book.
*I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos is a quick read sure to delight the senses. The pastry and bakery descriptions are rich and paint the scene beautifully. The characters caught my attention. Matthias starts off as a calculating but extremely talented flourier-in-training. Una has a vindictive streak from years of frustration, hurt, and fear. While they start off as enemies, they naturally grow together as they see beyond the misconceptions they had of each other. I really enjoyed how they were able to discover what Una's actual allergy was. The food sensitivity was handled well in my opinion. Highly recommend. It's clean in language and no spice. There's very little romance and more emotional connection with a growing friendship. Readers who enjoy sweet treats and enemies toslightly-more-than-friends will love this book.
*I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
July 4, 2026
4.5 stars
This was by far the sweetest story!
Princess Una (love this name!!) is the lead baker's daughter and the one who advances apprentice bakers to their doom or success. However, she does it all without eating a bite!
Matthias (read a lot of these this year!) is desperate for the prestigious title of lead baker from the current lead baker. Now he has to figure out how to get around the man's snobby daughter, the one who holds his future in her hands!
I loved how food allergies were handled! As someone with odd food sensitivities (non-gluten), I found this to be such a sweet road to discovery! It opened the doors for Una to live a fuller life by narrowing down her sensitivities to the ultimate culprit!
Quick, fun, sassy read!!
This was by far the sweetest story!
Princess Una (love this name!!) is the lead baker's daughter and the one who advances apprentice bakers to their doom or success. However, she does it all without eating a bite!
Matthias (read a lot of these this year!) is desperate for the prestigious title of lead baker from the current lead baker. Now he has to figure out how to get around the man's snobby daughter, the one who holds his future in her hands!
I loved how food allergies were handled! As someone with odd food sensitivities (non-gluten), I found this to be such a sweet road to discovery! It opened the doors for Una to live a fuller life by narrowing down her sensitivities to the ultimate culprit!
Quick, fun, sassy read!!
July 19, 2026
I received an ARC for the Enchanting confections series. I was so excited to get the opportunity to read this series.
This one is A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos.
This is Matthias and Una's story...
Matthias is in a baking competition trying to earn the title of a master baker so his family can own their bakery fully.
Una is the daughter of the man that is counting to teach him after he wins.
But Una is the one that has to approve of his food.
He learns that Una refuses to eat certain things. He even watches her pretend to eat his food in the competition. When he learns she cant eat certain things he sets out to find something she can eat.
It was sweet the effort he put in to find out what she couldn't eat.
This one is A Cup of Cocoa and Chaos.
This is Matthias and Una's story...
Matthias is in a baking competition trying to earn the title of a master baker so his family can own their bakery fully.
Una is the daughter of the man that is counting to teach him after he wins.
But Una is the one that has to approve of his food.
He learns that Una refuses to eat certain things. He even watches her pretend to eat his food in the competition. When he learns she cant eat certain things he sets out to find something she can eat.
It was sweet the effort he put in to find out what she couldn't eat.
Read
June 30, 2026I received an ARC.
Una, the kingdoms bakers daughter, has a reputation for having picky tastes and not taking a single bite of anything her kingdom is famous for, but Una has a secret that not even the royal physicans are able to uncover, that she becomes ill when consuming, the heavy and decandent pasteries. Mattias an bakery apprience of a pastry school aims to win her over, because geting her approval means he can finally become a Master Baker and help his village, so when he discovers Una comes after hours to brew herbal tea and has a penchant for gardening. As they spend their times together, they learn exactly what Una can or can't eat.
Una, the kingdoms bakers daughter, has a reputation for having picky tastes and not taking a single bite of anything her kingdom is famous for, but Una has a secret that not even the royal physicans are able to uncover, that she becomes ill when consuming, the heavy and decandent pasteries. Mattias an bakery apprience of a pastry school aims to win her over, because geting her approval means he can finally become a Master Baker and help his village, so when he discovers Una comes after hours to brew herbal tea and has a penchant for gardening. As they spend their times together, they learn exactly what Una can or can't eat.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received a voluntary early ebook. All thoughts are my own.
While this book was short it was such a sweet book. I am so unbelievably hungry after reading this and want all things chocolate. I liked the twists to the King Midas and Princess and the Pea retellings. It was fun to find those in the book.
The way the food allergy/sensitivity was really well handled. It was great to see part of the scope of what some people have to go through. It was fun to see some of the food experiments and see how much goes into baking.
Recommended reading age (12 yrs+)
No spice (just kisses)
No explicit language
No violence/gore
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ a cute story
While this book was short it was such a sweet book. I am so unbelievably hungry after reading this and want all things chocolate. I liked the twists to the King Midas and Princess and the Pea retellings. It was fun to find those in the book.
The way the food allergy/sensitivity was really well handled. It was great to see part of the scope of what some people have to go through. It was fun to see some of the food experiments and see how much goes into baking.
Recommended reading age (12 yrs+)
No spice (just kisses)
No explicit language
No violence/gore
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ a cute story
Review of advance copy received from Author
If I could make this 4.5 stars, I would!!
While at first, I was not a fan of the FMC, she grew on me throughout the story, and her story warmed my heart. Seeing her friendship blossom with the MMC was also fantastic, and the crow is probably my favorite character!
There was a small instance where the POV seemed to shift for a paragraph mid-chapter or where the pacing threw me off a tiny amount, but overall, it didn't negatively impact my ability to enjoy the overall story. The worldbuilding was fun, the characters interesting... I only wish there was more of it to read! It really was a cute story, and I would say it's worth giving a read!
While at first, I was not a fan of the FMC, she grew on me throughout the story, and her story warmed my heart. Seeing her friendship blossom with the MMC was also fantastic, and the crow is probably my favorite character!
There was a small instance where the POV seemed to shift for a paragraph mid-chapter or where the pacing threw me off a tiny amount, but overall, it didn't negatively impact my ability to enjoy the overall story. The worldbuilding was fun, the characters interesting... I only wish there was more of it to read! It really was a cute story, and I would say it's worth giving a read!
July 7, 2026
This was short, sweet, and full of yummy things to eat! I loved the emphasis on honesty and being vulnerable with those who matter. The emotions in this story really hit home for me as I also have people in my life with food allergies.
Matthias is determined to impress the silent girl who judges food without eating it. But as gets to know Una he realizes not everything is as it seems.
Highlights:
The banter in the kitchen
Testing the allergies scene
I love Una for being so strong and so gentle.
I love Matthias for being determined and a man of his word.
This was an ARC, all thoughts are my own.
Matthias is determined to impress the silent girl who judges food without eating it. But as gets to know Una he realizes not everything is as it seems.
Highlights:
The banter in the kitchen
Testing the allergies scene
I love Una for being so strong and so gentle.
I love Matthias for being determined and a man of his word.
This was an ARC, all thoughts are my own.
July 29, 2026
I really liked the idea for the story and I think I liked the main characters? Their fighting seemed unnecessary but overall the story seemed to be missing something.
It may have needed to just be longer or maybe a decent epilogue?
I see how the author was trying to incorporate food allergies, Celiac Disease or maybe gluten intolerance but I also didn’t see how it related to King Midas at all? At the core of the King Midas story is greed and too much of a good thing. I didn’t really see this in any of the characters.
I think that was a miss if you’re trying to relate food sensitivities to that story.
Overall a quick read with some cute moments for sure.
It may have needed to just be longer or maybe a decent epilogue?
I see how the author was trying to incorporate food allergies, Celiac Disease or maybe gluten intolerance but I also didn’t see how it related to King Midas at all? At the core of the King Midas story is greed and too much of a good thing. I didn’t really see this in any of the characters.
I think that was a miss if you’re trying to relate food sensitivities to that story.
Overall a quick read with some cute moments for sure.
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