Dusted in Snowflakes

Halflings of Smallburrow #2

by T.M. Mayfield

After Kaida moved out of the farm and started her own bakery, she quickly realizes how lonely she is now that Eilaen isn't at her side constantly. But when a newcomer named Elkhean comes into her shop, her cozy winter companionship may be closer than she thought. Will she be able to juggle the demands of her bakery while exploring her future with the dwarf of her dreams?

Genres: Fantasy, Cozy Fantasy

143 pages, ebook

Expected publication February 24, 2026

About the author

T. M. Mayfield is a small town author who loves all things fantasy. She is currently working to make her dream of being a fantasy author come true. When she isn’t writing or editing, you can find her snuggling her cat, homeschooling her children or picking fights with her cinnamon roll husband. She’s also waiting for the day that Sonic: America’s Drive-In realizes she can give them plenty of advertising and decides they want to sponsor her editing comfort drink.

Reviews

[Lover of books · Rating 4 out of 5]

If ya love cozy fantasy this is the book for ya! This the second book in the series and as fun as the first one!! I loved getting to be back with these characters and having it from a different pov was fun!!

[Kristie Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cozy sweet tale picks up after Ellie and Kaida have moved into a farmhouse. And are buying a building to start a bakery. When Elkhean shows up and appraises the property, telling her that he can complete the work, Kaida begins to feel the reality of her bakery.

From found family to love, Kaida has found it all in this little town of Smallburrow. Eilaen has been supportive of Kaida the whole way, truly shining a light on their bond and friendship. This was so sweet, just like Kaida's treats!

[Tayler Marie Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute, cozy read!! I loved this one even more than Buried in Friendship! T. M. Mayfield outdid herself!! Can't wait to continue watching what these halflings are up to!!

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, heart warming, and cozy this was such a an enjoyable, quick read to enjoy on a cold, snowy day!

I loved experiencing Kaida's journey in building her bakery. The strengthening and building of new relationships was so heart warming. I love that Kaida and Eilaen were able to grow not only their friendship, but their found family as well. I totally wish Kaida's Place was a real place I could visit, because everything she baked sounded so good! I was craving baked goods the whole time I was reading!

I definitely recommend this one and can't wait for the series to continue! Thank you Taylor so much for the ARC!!

[Lainey Mullins · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I have to say is Elkhean is an ANGEL & I cannot stop crying. This is just as cute and wholesome as the first book and the sprinkle of romance in this one set me over the edge and I’m crying my eyes out from pure bliss and sentimental overload 🥰🥹😭

I hope we get more books about these two halfling girls because I NEED IT. I need to know what happens next 🙌🏻😭

If I could give this book 10 stars, I would. If you like cozy fantasy, READ THESE BOOKS. You will NOT regret it!!!

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet YA romance about found family and finding love. Self-discovery, growth, and love are solid themes in the smallburrow series, making it a great YA recommendation.

[Yvonne Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.25

Just as I thought book 1, Buried in Friendship, was cute and cozy, I thought this book delivered the same.

This series has, so far, been a one of a kind experience. I appreciate the author for keeping that vibe flowing throughout.

I was hoping to see all of the characters have a shared spotlight like in the first book, but I do understand that Kaida's story was different from Eilaen.

I was not expecting this to go the way it did, but that is what I love about authors like this. Keeps you on your toes.

Curious to see what else the author has for this world, and if not, I will be looking out for more of their work.

[AussieBookAddict (Mel) · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating: ★★★★☆

Dusted In Snowflakes by T.M. Mayfield is a delightful cozy romance that provides a refreshing change of pace from the darker, more intense fantasy romances that dominate the genre. Published by Smallburrow Publishing Co. on February 1, 2024, this charming tale is perfect for those looking for a heartwarming read.

The story follows Kaida, who has recently moved out of the farm to start her own bakery. Though she finds success in her new venture, she quickly realises how lonely life has become without her close friend Eilaen by her side. Enter Elkhean, a newcomer to her shop who brings the promise of cozy winter companionship and possibly, the dwarf of her dreams. As Kaida navigates the challenges of running her bakery, she must also explore the possibilities of a future with Elkhean.

One of the standout qualities of Dusted In Snowflakes is its gentle and heartwarming narrative. The book eschews the typical spicy romance elements, offering instead a pure and wholesome love story. This approach is a breath of fresh air, providing a welcome break from the intensity of more graphic romance novels. The absence of spice makes it a safe and enjoyable read for anyone in the family to pick up without fear of judgment.

The setting and atmosphere are beautifully crafted, enveloping readers in a cozy winter wonderland that enhances the romantic plot. Kaida's journey from loneliness to finding love and companionship is both relatable and endearing, and the blossoming relationship between her and Elkhean is depicted with genuine warmth and affection.

T.M. Mayfield's writing shines in its simplicity and elegance, making Dusted In Snowflakes a pleasure to read. The characters are well-developed and relatable, with Kaida's determination and Elkhean's charm making them a delightful pair to root for.

In conclusion, Dusted In Snowflakes is a wonderfully cozy and uplifting romance that stands out for its lack of explicit content, making it an ideal read for those seeking a more wholesome love story. T.M. Mayfield has crafted a beautiful tale of love and companionship that will leave readers with a warm and fuzzy feeling. Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this enchanting ARC.

[Fedythereader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so so much to the author and Bound By Mischief for sharing an ARC of this book with me !!

"Now let's go home. We've got a kitchen to design."

“This was what her life had forever been missing. This was what she'd found when she'd moved to Smallburrow.”

Small town fantasy romance with contemporary and sweet winter vibes … perfect for whenever you feel like you need a lighthearted book or story to lift up your spirit a bit
So so cute and so so beautiful !!! The whole time I only wanted to stay under a blanket with some hot chocolate, watching the snow fall from the window while reading !!! The best feeling ever !!!
Kaida is an halfling and after moving in a small town with her best friend she decides to make her dream come true. She wants a bakery since her magic has always been connected to baking!! She is a bit of a messy mouthful and she is always a sunshine. And then she meets a very cute and sweet dwarf who can help her with restructuring the place she wants to use. The least she can imagine is to fall in love with that one!! This romance was cute and sweet and wonderful and innocent and unique and all with the most perfect fantasy creatures vibes. Loved every second of it!

“But whether you realize it or not, you could never be too much. Not for Eilaen, not for Smallburrow, and definitely not for me. You will never be too much for me, Kaida. So if me bein' able to spend my days with you means that I have to spend every day remindin' you o' that, then I'll gladly do so."

[Bevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC copy!

Grab a snack and get comfy; this adorable little story is going to give you all the warm and fuzzies.

Kaida and Eilaen have settled into Smallburrow, and now it’s time to get to work on Kaida’s new bakery. The building needs some work, but fortunately Jareth knows just the right dwarf for the job.

This story was absolutely delightful! It was so, so cute and just radiated cozy, lovely vibes. It’s short and sweet, and perfect for when you want your read to feel welcoming and comfortable. There’s no drama, the stakes are low, and it’s the perfect opportunity to just go with the flow for a little bit. Kaida is the sweetest FMC I’ve read about in a long, long time (possibly ever), and you’re going to love her. This one’s a fast read at right around a hundred pages, so there’s not necessarily a lot of extra information to build out the world, but it’s really not needed. If cozy fantasy stories are your thing, you should definitely check this one out. Seriously though, just go ahead and grab a ton of fresh cookies and some hot chocolate, because this one is going to leave you *hungry.*

[Maxine · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was such a cute sequel to the first book. This still has the cozy fantasy vibe but there is a little romance in this book which only added to the cuteness. You still have the beautiful platonic soul sister relationship with Elaine in this book and I just loved reading about the two of them and the way they supported each other.

In this book it focuses on Kaida's journey to open her bakery which the location turns out to be in worse location than originally thought. So, she has to hire this dwarven crew who headed by Elkhean who promises to get her bakery back and up and running before she knows it. While struggling to meet the demands for her baked goods out of her home, she now has added a renovation and startup of her bakery. While juggling these two things she is also realizing that she has come to rely on Elkhean and has started to develop feelings for him as well.

This was cute all around and the way the characters supported each other was so sweet. Perfect little novella palette cleanser.

[Hannah Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dusted in Snowflakes was everything I hoped it would be! Its main character, halfling Kaida, has baking magic. If that sounds like the best magical ability ever, then you would absolutely be right. Kaida plans to open a bakery, but her building isn’t ready yet perfect. Almost everything in the store needs to be repaired. Fortunately, a handsome and capable dwarf contractor named Elkhean shows up ready to save the day. Kaida and Elkhean’s romance is adorable and sugary sweet. The friendships established in the first book aren’t neglected, though they take a back seat to Kaida’s bakery and romance. There’s magic, love, and plenty of helpful dwarves. Most importantly, there are cookies, muffins, and baked goods galore.

If you are a fan of friendships, cozy fantasy, and sweet romance, you need to read the Smallburrow series! If you love strong men, fell for Thorin, Kili, and Fili when watching The Hobbit, and want to dream of owning a magical bakery, Dusted in Snowflakes is a must-read!

Thanks to the author for an advanced review copy!

[Sam.the_reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was as sweet as the first one .. loved seeing Eilaen and Kaida friendship and support for each other grow. This book is cosy and fun to read, it made me hungry from all the baked goods they mention, you can almost smell everything through the book 🫠 loved to see how their found family was growing. Loved the relationship between Kaida and Elkhean ❤️ The atmosphere of the book just makes you feel happy and hopeful. Looking forward to the next books.
Thank you to T. M. Mayfield for giving the opportunity to ARC read her book. ❤️

Loved these quotes of the book

“Stars shining in her eyes, she saw her vision come to life”

“Kaida’s bakery was her Pride and joy”

“For as long as I live, you will always be my kindred sister, my platonic fated mate. I love you.”

“It was as if you were a familiar song callin’ out to me and I couldn’t resist humming along. Dwarves don’t even hum, ya know.”

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kaida is one of those special characters that makes me feel so seen. The ADHD representation, hyperfixations, and loud excitement fill me with joy. The insecurity of being “too much” and trying to mask in public are saddening, but a very real representation of how those with ADHD can be viewed, especially women who are late-diagnosed or maybe never receive the diagnosis.
The day to day routine is one that can just be melted into, with mouth watering descriptions of snacks and heart-filling moments of tenderness and friendship.
I was encouraged by the ability for Eilaen and Kaida to make time for each other even in how busy their independent pursuits have been, and know they support the other in every way they can.
A comfortable, lived in, magical little town of Smallburrow.
(Spellcheck corrected Kaida’s name to “Kaila” when I wrote this last night, should be fixed now!)

[lauren dedinsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

What To Expect:
- gilmore girls x stardew valley
- quiet mmc x adhd fmc
- halfling x dwarf
- grumpy x sunshine
- cozy fantasy
- platinic soulmates
- found family

4.25 ⭐️

i finished this in one sitting because i just couldnt stop reading! also i really related to kaida with having adhd too and i act just like her, especially when she keeps rambling on 😂

i was not expecting it to be as short as it was. when i got to the epilogue i was like "what? there's no more?". it was just so cozy and sweet and i didnt want it to end.

i really hope we get more books because i need more. i definitely want and need to go and read book 1 now.

thank you so much T.M. Mayfield for giving me this amazing opportunity to read this and review this arc!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy, small town fantasy with found family and wholesomeness. This is the second book in The Halflings of Smallburrow series. Both are short, indie reads and can be read as stand alones.

I really enjoyed Dusted in Snowflakes! I loved the halfling main characters, Kaida and Eilaen, and their sisterly friendship. I also loved the friend group they built in their small town community. This book was so cozy! With delicious food descriptions and lots of good vibes in exemplifying following your dreams with the right people by your side. It also had a sweet little romance. Definitely check it out!

[Lyz Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.8 stars.
Definitely very cozy, just the right book I need in my life right now, but the romance is somehow rushed. I wasn't a bit comfortable with the sudden romance. Haha. It's like the editor wanted Kaida to marry at the end of the book with a dwarf that she barely knows, so bibidi babidi boo! They got married! 😅 I'd say it's rushed and forced. haha.

Eilaen and Jareth had the most development and these two were the ones who should marry each other. ❤️
But I am here for the coziness and cuteness, and pastries and cinnamon rolls, and cozy blankets, and this book gave me that, so yes, 4.8 stars. ❤️

[Angela Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I really enjoyed Kaida's story and the adventures that she went through. I can relate so much to Kaida and the feelings that she goes through. It's really nice to read about best friends that will do anything for each other. And the Found Family that they both discovered is very heartwarming. And as always, Tillard and his POV is a must for this story. We could never forget about him! I enjoyed all the love and support that was within the story as well as the message of 'no matter how hard you think something might be, with the right support and encouragement, anything is possible.' This story is a must read! Happy Reading Everyone!

[Angela Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I really enjoyed Kaida's story and the adventures that she went through. I can relate so much to Kaida and the feelings that she goes through. It's really nice to read about best friends that will do anything for each other. And the Found Family that they both discovered is very heartwarming. And as always, Tillard and his POV is a must for this story. We could never forget about him! I enjoyed all the love and support that was within the story as well as the message of 'no matter how hard you think something might be, with the right support and encouragement, anything is possible.' This story is a must read! Happy Reading Everyone!

[Bryanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and cozy - this is a direct continuation of the story from book one, but from Kai's point of view. It shares the same found family vibes and follows the MC's goal of opening a new bakery, navigating her low self confidence and anxieties, and opening up her heart to love.

I found the character was developed a bit more than in the first book, but as the novella is still pretty short, many events were breezed past. I still really enjoyed the laid back and low key atmosphere though, and I will be picking up volume three!

[Lariza · Rating 4 out of 5]

After moving out of the farm, Kaida embarks on a new journey where she builds and opens up her bakery. Going solo, she finds she misses her best friend and lonesomeness sinks in. She soon finds companionship that blooms into romance.

Though spice is not evident in this book, it brings the reader a very wholesome love story. The narrative is simple with consistency in the author’s writing, but that’s what makes this a cozy and easy short story.

Another sweet and quick read to recommend for young adult readers who enjoys fantasy.

[Read.and.Blossom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this is such a cute book! Second in the series and we follow the POV of the best friend from the first book!

I loved how they both feel for each other. They are sister and the best of friends!! They really are able to pick one up from a bad moon and know what the other one is thinking!

This time we have a love interest and their interactions were just too cute!! 🥰 I loved how they were together and the small moments they had one another

I really am enjoying this series about friendship 🤭 I cannot wait for more!!

[Angelic · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5

I loved this cute slice of pie of a cozy fantasy!!! This one felt like a warm hug on a winter night. Highly recommend drinking hot chocolate or eating something sweet because Taylor will have you craving that with this book.

The found family in this book is strong and I thought it was absolutely adorable!! Especially when everyone works together to bring Kaida’s vision to life!! Plus we meet a cinnamon roll of MMC who steals our FMC’s heart.

I’m so excited to dive into the next books in the series. 🥹

[Distracted_Magpie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this halflings of Smallburrow book we get Kaida's side and follow along her journey of opening up her dream bakery. Grab a snack again for this read, cause your going to get hungry! Every time Kaida bakes I want to go Google a recipe. You meet a group of new people, and of course you got all your old friends of Smallburrow. And that dang pig Tillard. This read is so nice and cozy, I just love it. 

[Bookworm_acre · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and sweet read which takes you again into a world of halflings, gnomes, fae and other magical creatures.

Dusted in Snowflakes picks up where the first book ended and tells us Kaida's story. She loves to bake and while she tries to open her backery she gets help from a lovely dwarf called Elkhean.

If you like books with some magic and a litte bit of romance, this is the book for you.

[Cheyenne Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

great kids book

Just like the first book the language is simple and easy to read and understand. Characters, setting and plot are all very straightforward. I feel that there is a large lack of conflict with the story. There is a romantic story line complete with a happy ending but the two characters never even share a proper kiss (or maybe one) but like I said this reads like a children’s story.

[ThatBookishWriter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet again it was another cute and fun cozy fantasy! I love seeing Kaida having her dream come true with the bakery! This just makes me wanna curl up with a blanket, enjoy a coffee with a nice baked pastry.

I love Elkhean. He worked hard to help Kaida. He is so sweet and would do anything did her. 🥰🥰 They are just too cute!!

[Katey Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5/5

This book is exactly what I needed on a cold and gloomy day! The book is a the sequel to Buried In Friendship and picks up where we left off with Ellie and Kaida. I really enjoy watching Kaidas character develop and grow stronger in herself! Perfect cozy read! #cozyreads #nospicebooks #foundfamily #fantasybookstagram #romancebookstagram

[Courtney Shevchenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! T.M. Mayfield has created a beautiful fantasy world with characters that you can't help but love. Parts of this book had me laughing out loud, and others made me go "awww". ❤️ Definitely a fun cozy read for winter.

Looking forward to reading the next one and continuing on with the Smallburrow Halflings' stories!

[Elisabeth Valienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that was adorable!! I am completely obsessed with this sequel. It was cozy, romantic, and felt like a hug or a mug of cocoa! I'm so excited for book 3 and more adventures with these little halflings and how they continue to grow in their new town.