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Books, Iced Coffee & a Side of Dragons: A Graphic Novel
A struggling bookstore, a budding new romance, and a mischievous coven of dragons, what could possibly go wrong? Find out in this sugary sweet debut graphic novel from USA Today bestselling author and your favorite cozy witch, Amanda Lovelace!
Welcome to Sea Witch Cove!
Lucinda (call her Luci!) is the owner of Little Lighthouse Books, an adorable bookstore in a defunct lighthouse in her small Jersey Shore town. Everything in her life would be perfect if only Aster, the trans woman who runs the coffee shop next door, would notice her. But with a little bit of luck--and the help of Dandelion, the tiny, curious wind dragon that Aster helps her rescue--this might be the summer that Aster and Luci finally find love.
Amanda Lovelace’s debut graphic novel—brought to shimmering life by illustrator Raquel Trave—Books, Iced Coffee & a Side of Dragons is the perfect time capsule of sapphic summertime sweetness.
Welcome to Sea Witch Cove!
Lucinda (call her Luci!) is the owner of Little Lighthouse Books, an adorable bookstore in a defunct lighthouse in her small Jersey Shore town. Everything in her life would be perfect if only Aster, the trans woman who runs the coffee shop next door, would notice her. But with a little bit of luck--and the help of Dandelion, the tiny, curious wind dragon that Aster helps her rescue--this might be the summer that Aster and Luci finally find love.
Amanda Lovelace’s debut graphic novel—brought to shimmering life by illustrator Raquel Trave—Books, Iced Coffee & a Side of Dragons is the perfect time capsule of sapphic summertime sweetness.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2026
About the author
Amanda Lovelace
116 books7,696 followersAmanda Lovelace is a bestselling American poet who rose to fame through her poetry posted to Tumblr and Instagram. She is the author of the women are some kind of magic series, including the Goodreads Choice Award-winning the princess saves herself in this one and women are some kind of magic.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 599 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and Amanda Lovelace & Raquel Travé for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
ahh this was the coziest summer sapphic graphic novel ever!! 💖💗🥰💞 lucy & aster were 👩❤️💋👩cutie patooties👩❤️💋👩 and the summery palette was pure ⋆˚࿔🍬⋆˙⟡eye candy⋆˚࿔🍬⋆˙⟡. i loved the book references, the creative indie bookstore events, and the adorable baby dragons. also i need to borrow aster's wardrobe asap 💗
*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 🧸ིྀ☁️*ੈ♡⸝⸝☕⋆
"sweet, sapphic summertime romance" with books, iced coffee, and dragons? SOLD
ahh this was the coziest summer sapphic graphic novel ever!! 💖💗🥰💞 lucy & aster were 👩❤️💋👩cutie patooties👩❤️💋👩 and the summery palette was pure ⋆˚࿔🍬⋆˙⟡eye candy⋆˚࿔🍬⋆˙⟡. i loved the book references, the creative indie bookstore events, and the adorable baby dragons. also i need to borrow aster's wardrobe asap 💗
*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 🧸ིྀ☁️*ੈ♡⸝⸝☕⋆
"sweet, sapphic summertime romance" with books, iced coffee, and dragons? SOLD
August 31, 2026
" . . . I yearn for the lifestyle of a hobbit - slow and cozy with a sprinkle of adventure."
Oh, what a wonderful, dreamy, warm & fuzzy, cozy fantasy! Lovelace's story combines the sweetness of The Tea Dragon Society with the reality of operating a brick and mortar small book store (meaning lack of customers), and Raquel Travé's artwork is sublime. There are challenges to be met, and moments of strife and fear, but love conquers all in this magical tale of the Jersey Shore. I must buy my own copy of this for any time I need to feel happy.
Fall in love, drink coffee, read books, and emulate hobbits = everything you need for a beautiful life.
Thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for sharing, though my review is of the lovely finished hardcover purchased for the library where I work.
Oh, what a wonderful, dreamy, warm & fuzzy, cozy fantasy! Lovelace's story combines the sweetness of The Tea Dragon Society with the reality of operating a brick and mortar small book store (meaning lack of customers), and Raquel Travé's artwork is sublime. There are challenges to be met, and moments of strife and fear, but love conquers all in this magical tale of the Jersey Shore. I must buy my own copy of this for any time I need to feel happy.
Fall in love, drink coffee, read books, and emulate hobbits = everything you need for a beautiful life.
Thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for sharing, though my review is of the lovely finished hardcover purchased for the library where I work.
October 17, 2026
Acabo de encontrar mi novela gráfica favorita de la vida. Estoy derretida de amor por esta historia y sus personajes. Para mí, esto está al mismo nivel que Pirouette into My Heart, y eso es decir muchísimo en mi radar.
Esta es una novela gráfica sáfica dulce ambientada en verano que te va a encantar; te la recomiendo mucho si te gusta Heartstopper, The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich y, sobre todo, The Tea Dragon Society.
El estilo de dibujo y la paleta de colores son preciosos. De hecho, me llamó muchísimo la atención la portada cuando la solicité en NetGalley, y ya después me di cuenta de que era la misma autora de unos poemarios que tengo pendientes hace rato (los he aplazado porque no siento que la poesía sea lo mío o no he leído la adecuada). Yo no me esperaba la preciosidad que es esta historia visualmente; es de lo más bonito que he visto en mi vida: el tipo de dibujo, los colores, todo me encanta.
Al comienzo tienes un mapa para ubicarte y una lista de reproducción buenísima para entrar en ambiente. Además, la dedicatoria, todo que ver.
Los dragones son hermosos. Luci y Aster son demasiado hermosas; todo es extremadamente hermoso. Me gusta mucho su relación porque se va desarrollando poquito a poco y no vemos en sí el romance en una línea que esperaríamos normalmente, sino que aquí todo el tiempo ellas están en una relación y lo que vemos es cómo es su relación y cómo evoluciona. Ellas son lo más wholesome y green flag de la vida.
Me encantó todo: los personajes secundarios son increíbles como mi niño hermoso August y su novio, y no olvidemos a George, que tuvo un desarrollo abismal. Además, tiene referencias pop que van desde música, clichés, lugares y palabras, y lo que más me gustó fueron las referencias a libros y autores actuales. Recuerdo un chiste sobre una nueva novela de Emily Henry con el que solté una carcajada. Me encanta (sé que lo he dicho mucho, pero estoy emocionada). Aquí te dejo un ejemplo random:
Hazme un favor, léelo. Es una novela gráfica, así que tiene un inglés sencillo (por si esa es tu excusa jajaj) y te puedes guiar perfectamente con las ilustraciones. Luci y Aster son la definición de amor. 🤷🏻♀️💗
P. D.: Los epilogos quedaron tatuados en mi alma.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I have decided to write this review in Spanish to better express my thoughts and introduce this book to Spanish-speaking readers. 𖹭
Esta es una novela gráfica sáfica dulce ambientada en verano que te va a encantar; te la recomiendo mucho si te gusta Heartstopper, The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich y, sobre todo, The Tea Dragon Society.
El estilo de dibujo y la paleta de colores son preciosos. De hecho, me llamó muchísimo la atención la portada cuando la solicité en NetGalley, y ya después me di cuenta de que era la misma autora de unos poemarios que tengo pendientes hace rato (los he aplazado porque no siento que la poesía sea lo mío o no he leído la adecuada). Yo no me esperaba la preciosidad que es esta historia visualmente; es de lo más bonito que he visto en mi vida: el tipo de dibujo, los colores, todo me encanta.
Al comienzo tienes un mapa para ubicarte y una lista de reproducción buenísima para entrar en ambiente. Además, la dedicatoria, todo que ver.
Los dragones son hermosos. Luci y Aster son demasiado hermosas; todo es extremadamente hermoso. Me gusta mucho su relación porque se va desarrollando poquito a poco y no vemos en sí el romance en una línea que esperaríamos normalmente, sino que aquí todo el tiempo ellas están en una relación y lo que vemos es cómo es su relación y cómo evoluciona. Ellas son lo más wholesome y green flag de la vida.
“That's part of the reason why I wanted to open a bookstore. Queer stories can help readers figure out who they've been all along. At least, that's what happened with me.”
Me encantó todo: los personajes secundarios son increíbles como mi niño hermoso August y su novio, y no olvidemos a George, que tuvo un desarrollo abismal. Además, tiene referencias pop que van desde música, clichés, lugares y palabras, y lo que más me gustó fueron las referencias a libros y autores actuales. Recuerdo un chiste sobre una nueva novela de Emily Henry con el que solté una carcajada. Me encanta (sé que lo he dicho mucho, pero estoy emocionada). Aquí te dejo un ejemplo random:
“— Those two are so...
— Instalove?
— Yeah, well you two are so friends to lovers! And excruciatingly slow burn on top of that!!!
— Okay? We both love all of those tropes!
— Sure do! ”
Hazme un favor, léelo. Es una novela gráfica, así que tiene un inglés sencillo (por si esa es tu excusa jajaj) y te puedes guiar perfectamente con las ilustraciones. Luci y Aster son la definición de amor. 🤷🏻♀️💗
P. D.: Los epilogos quedaron tatuados en mi alma.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I have decided to write this review in Spanish to better express my thoughts and introduce this book to Spanish-speaking readers. 𖹭
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The character creation is fine, I like them the world building is great almost perfect I also love the illustration a lot so full of life and whimsy and girly, books and coffee literally adorable, however the plot or just let's say the story is really really weak it lacks tension and bonding everything just happened out of blue that's what makes it weak but honestly the other things that I mentioned about it are so well created I hoped the story was as well as them, don't mind me you can still read it and enjoy maybe it wasn't my taste after all or just my opinion about it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Books, Iced Coffee & a Side of Dragons was a fun read! I had a great time watching Luci and Aster's relationship grow. Their story was laid out differently than I'm used to in graphic novels, more slice of life chapters instead of a fluid story from chapter to chapter, but it really worked here. I love the vibes, the representation, and accessibility of a YA queer romance story. The artwork is also gorgeous - I love the color pallet! The dragons may have been one of my favorite parts of the story; not only did they create the best whimsical atmosphere, they helped move the plot along in the most enjoyable chaotic way. Also, the way this is set in Jersey? I'm truly obsessed.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I should have known this book wasn’t for me the second I read the dedication. Honestly, I should’ve known even earlier because I already dislike Amanda Lovelace’s writing. Her “poetry” reads like recycled Tumblr quotes pretending to be deep, and this graphic novel had the exact same energy. But the cover was gorgeous, there were dragons, and unfortunately that was enough to trick me into picking it up.
The only genuinely good thing about this book was the art. The dragons were adorable, the illustrations were beautiful, and that’s where my praise ends.
Before people start assuming otherwise: I have absolutely no issue with queer books. Some of my favorite books of all time are full of queer characters. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is literally my favorite novel. The problem here is that this book doesn’t treat representation like something natural. It treats it like a checklist. Every single character is queer, every possible identity is included, and instead of feeling organic, it feels painfully forced and artificial. It genuinely feels like the author threw every label and every ethnicity into the story so everyone could “see themselves” in it, without bothering to create actual depth, personality, or realism.
And the worst part? There’s barely even a plot. This entire graphic novel is basically just a collection of overly sanitized, cringey “cute gay moments” that don’t feel believable in the slightest. Nothing happens. There’s no emotional depth, no compelling conflict, no real character development, just scene after scene designed to be screenshotted and praised online for being wholesome and progressive.
Some moments made me physically cringe, especially the period stain scene and the shaving scene. They added absolutely nothing to the story and felt like they existed purely so the book could get points for being “bold” and “modern.” It came across as incredibly try-hard.
In the end, this felt less like an actual story and more like social media bait wrapped in pretty artwork. Beautiful illustrations, cute dragons, and absolutely nothing underneath. Definitely not my cup of tea.
The only genuinely good thing about this book was the art. The dragons were adorable, the illustrations were beautiful, and that’s where my praise ends.
Before people start assuming otherwise: I have absolutely no issue with queer books. Some of my favorite books of all time are full of queer characters. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is literally my favorite novel. The problem here is that this book doesn’t treat representation like something natural. It treats it like a checklist. Every single character is queer, every possible identity is included, and instead of feeling organic, it feels painfully forced and artificial. It genuinely feels like the author threw every label and every ethnicity into the story so everyone could “see themselves” in it, without bothering to create actual depth, personality, or realism.
And the worst part? There’s barely even a plot. This entire graphic novel is basically just a collection of overly sanitized, cringey “cute gay moments” that don’t feel believable in the slightest. Nothing happens. There’s no emotional depth, no compelling conflict, no real character development, just scene after scene designed to be screenshotted and praised online for being wholesome and progressive.
Some moments made me physically cringe, especially the period stain scene and the shaving scene. They added absolutely nothing to the story and felt like they existed purely so the book could get points for being “bold” and “modern.” It came across as incredibly try-hard.
In the end, this felt less like an actual story and more like social media bait wrapped in pretty artwork. Beautiful illustrations, cute dragons, and absolutely nothing underneath. Definitely not my cup of tea.
May 26, 2026
This is a sweet sapphic summertime romance takes place in an alternate reality where dragons are as commonplace as cats or dogs? Sign me up! We are in Sea Witch Cove, New Jersey and it is pretty much the same except now there are dragons. We meet Lucinda who is the owner of a cute bookstore, Little Lighthouse Books, that is in the towns abandoned lighthouse. Then there is Aster, the trans woman who runs the neighboring coffee shop, The Seafoam. This graphic novel has books, coffee and dragons, what else do you need?
This was such a cute little fun summery read! I jumped straight into this as soon as I got it. Not to mention I adore books with maps (this one was colorful too) and playlists. I thought this was perfect as a graphic novel, made the story even more majestic. The artwork was so beautiful, bright and I loved how the characters were illustrated.
I picked up this graphic novel because of the representation and it did not disappoint. We met so many different queer side characters who were celebrated throughout the book. Along with it touching on so many topics such as sexuality, PCOS, and family.
The nerdy dialogue and banter between Luci and Aster TOO CUTE. These two were ADORABLE I feel material over them. The dragons! Ahhhh I LOVED the dragons and how they contributed to the story. Little Blueberry the snow dragon, Chili the fire dragon who heats the coffee, and the one Luci and Aster found together the yellow wind dragon, Dandelion.
Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc. All opinions are my own!
This was such a cute little fun summery read! I jumped straight into this as soon as I got it. Not to mention I adore books with maps (this one was colorful too) and playlists. I thought this was perfect as a graphic novel, made the story even more majestic. The artwork was so beautiful, bright and I loved how the characters were illustrated.
I picked up this graphic novel because of the representation and it did not disappoint. We met so many different queer side characters who were celebrated throughout the book. Along with it touching on so many topics such as sexuality, PCOS, and family.
The nerdy dialogue and banter between Luci and Aster TOO CUTE. These two were ADORABLE I feel material over them. The dragons! Ahhhh I LOVED the dragons and how they contributed to the story. Little Blueberry the snow dragon, Chili the fire dragon who heats the coffee, and the one Luci and Aster found together the yellow wind dragon, Dandelion.
Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc. All opinions are my own!
Did Not Finish
May 28, 2026Unfortunately this was not the best graphic novel I read.
I feel like we needed more world building? Information? Relationship development? There was nothing.
It was just cozy sapphic with dragons
I feel like we needed more world building? Information? Relationship development? There was nothing.
It was just cozy sapphic with dragons
September 15, 2026
3.5 stars. This was really cute. An adorable, cosy sapphic slice of life graphic novel about a bookshop owner and a coffee shop owner in a small town, in a world where dragons are ubiquitous as cats and treated as house pets. Luci and Aster have stores next to each other and have been friends for some time. The graphic novels starts up with them finding a new baby dragon and going on their first date. And it continues on as a cosy little read from there.
I have to admit, I didn't fall in love with the format. Instead of one continuous narrative, what we got was a bunch of mini comics, little vignettes, that told the story of their romance, their dragons, their friendships, and the ups and downs with their stores. There was a clear indication of the passage of time, but still, it ended up feeling more like a collection of short stories (or short comics). Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Just not what I would have preferred.
Still, I enjoyed it. All the little dragons were super adorable. The romance was sweet and pretty conflict free, with not a lot of bumps along their road. Luci is fat and has PCOS, and Aster is trans, and there are a few scenes showing them dealing with and discussing tougher issues, which was appreciated. But for the most part, there was a lot of joy and whimsy, and I had a fun time with it.
I have to admit, I didn't fall in love with the format. Instead of one continuous narrative, what we got was a bunch of mini comics, little vignettes, that told the story of their romance, their dragons, their friendships, and the ups and downs with their stores. There was a clear indication of the passage of time, but still, it ended up feeling more like a collection of short stories (or short comics). Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Just not what I would have preferred.
Still, I enjoyed it. All the little dragons were super adorable. The romance was sweet and pretty conflict free, with not a lot of bumps along their road. Luci is fat and has PCOS, and Aster is trans, and there are a few scenes showing them dealing with and discussing tougher issues, which was appreciated. But for the most part, there was a lot of joy and whimsy, and I had a fun time with it.
August 21, 2026
I had such a great time with this sweet, cozy summertime sapphic romance, and the story delivered exactly the kind of warm and whimsical vibes I was hoping for. Luci and Aster were both a pleasure to follow, and I especially loved watching their relationship grow. Their nerdy conversations, banter, and overall dynamic were absolutely adorable, and I found myself rooting for them from the beginning. I also appreciated how the story is structured. Instead of following one continuous narrative, it is divided into more slice-of-life chapters, which worked surprisingly well for this kind of cozy story and made it feel like we were simply spending the summer alongside these characters.
The dragons were so cute and added so much charm to the graphic novel! Dandelion, Chili, and Blueberry brought plenty of chaos to the story while also helping move the plot forward in some really fun ways. I also loved the concept of a world where dragons are commonplace and live alongside humans—it added such a whimsical touch to the setting.
The artwork is absolutely gorgeous. I loved the bright color palette and the beautiful range of colors throughout the panels, which really helped capture the summery, magical atmosphere of Sea Witch Cove.
Another highlight for me was the LGBTQ representation. There are several queer side characters whose identities are celebrated rather than simply treated as a plot point, and I appreciated the range of representation throughout the story. The book also touches on topics such as sexuality, PCOS, and family, which adds some additional depth to the characters.
My issue was that some of the worldbuilding and topics introduced felt a little underdeveloped. The concept of dragons being common companions to humans raised a few questions for me, especially since we mostly see them around the main characters. I also would have liked to see more of Luci’s health journey and spend more time getting to know Aster as an individual before her relationship with Luci developed. Some of these elements felt like they were introduced but not explored as deeply as I would have liked.
Because of that, while I enjoyed the cozy atmosphere and the characters, I sometimes felt that the story was a little too light on development. Still, the beautiful artwork, adorable dragons, lovable characters, and wonderful LGBTQ+ representation made this an enjoyable read overall.
A sweet sapphic summer romance that is perfect for a cozy afternoon with an iced coffee in hand. I just wish there had been a little more room for the characters and world to breathe.
Copy provided by Edelweiss
The dragons were so cute and added so much charm to the graphic novel! Dandelion, Chili, and Blueberry brought plenty of chaos to the story while also helping move the plot forward in some really fun ways. I also loved the concept of a world where dragons are commonplace and live alongside humans—it added such a whimsical touch to the setting.
The artwork is absolutely gorgeous. I loved the bright color palette and the beautiful range of colors throughout the panels, which really helped capture the summery, magical atmosphere of Sea Witch Cove.
Another highlight for me was the LGBTQ representation. There are several queer side characters whose identities are celebrated rather than simply treated as a plot point, and I appreciated the range of representation throughout the story. The book also touches on topics such as sexuality, PCOS, and family, which adds some additional depth to the characters.
My issue was that some of the worldbuilding and topics introduced felt a little underdeveloped. The concept of dragons being common companions to humans raised a few questions for me, especially since we mostly see them around the main characters. I also would have liked to see more of Luci’s health journey and spend more time getting to know Aster as an individual before her relationship with Luci developed. Some of these elements felt like they were introduced but not explored as deeply as I would have liked.
Because of that, while I enjoyed the cozy atmosphere and the characters, I sometimes felt that the story was a little too light on development. Still, the beautiful artwork, adorable dragons, lovable characters, and wonderful LGBTQ+ representation made this an enjoyable read overall.
A sweet sapphic summer romance that is perfect for a cozy afternoon with an iced coffee in hand. I just wish there had been a little more room for the characters and world to breathe.
Copy provided by Edelweiss
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was very cute from start to finish.
The dragons were such an adorable touch, too.
I love the community and how they all came together after the hurricane.
But i especially enjoyed the romance as it was just so sweet.
Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced reader copy
The dragons were such an adorable touch, too.
I love the community and how they all came together after the hurricane.
But i especially enjoyed the romance as it was just so sweet.
Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced reader copy
May 27, 2026
5/5 Stars
Thank you to Andrew McMeel Publishing for providing me with an arc.
Whenever I see cute graphic novels on netgalley I grab them and this is a new favorite. I was hoping it would give Tea Dragon society vibes and it does but modern. It has PCOS representation and a trans love interest as well as other representation. It was so cute and I wish it was longer because I just wanted to hang out in this world with the characters for longer. There were so many adorable scenes and I plan on buying this one when it releases. If you love cute graphic novels with diversity and adorable dragons, pick this one up.
Thank you to Andrew McMeel Publishing for providing me with an arc.
Whenever I see cute graphic novels on netgalley I grab them and this is a new favorite. I was hoping it would give Tea Dragon society vibes and it does but modern. It has PCOS representation and a trans love interest as well as other representation. It was so cute and I wish it was longer because I just wanted to hang out in this world with the characters for longer. There were so many adorable scenes and I plan on buying this one when it releases. If you love cute graphic novels with diversity and adorable dragons, pick this one up.
October 20, 2026
Twas freaking adorable.
This is more of a collection of small mini comics that follow an overarching plot rather than a full streamlined graphic novel but it's okay it breaks it up into cute little moments.
This is more of a collection of small mini comics that follow an overarching plot rather than a full streamlined graphic novel but it's okay it breaks it up into cute little moments.
Read
June 4, 2026I received this book from the publisher on Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
How could I resist this book. Dragons? Books? Queer romance? HECK YES! And look at that cover!
What I loved:
💞 Book references, like Legends & Lattes or Emily Henry! So often with bookstore books you get some fictional references which always make me hungry for those books but they don’t exist. These though you can actually read!
💞 Dragons! Dragons in all sorts and sizes. From cute chubby fire dragons to tiny baby wind dragons. I also loved seeing what shenanigans they got up to + how they worked together with their humans.
💞 I loved the romance between our book girl and the café girl. I thought they made such a cute couple and I was rooting for them to get even closer. I loved seeing them go to festivals, read books, dance on the beach, and more. They had such a spark and it was the cutest. I also loved how they supported the other through each tough time.
Perfection!
💞 Loved that our cafe girl was trans. I already had a suspicion (the flag, the way she didn’t feel safe with her mom’s boyfriend), but when she pulled out a condom + talked about not being ready for mini versions of her or our cute book girl I knew for certain.
💞 The fact that it took place in a book store and in parts also at the café. I just LOVE a bookstore story and I live for them. I wouldn’t mind working at this cute little place. I mean, there is dragons, books, and that is all I need!
💞 George, well, at first I really didn’t like him and how he just rudely reads in the store without buying or how he doesn’t get closing times, but as the story continued I started liking him more and more and I loved seeing him open up and help out.
💞 The person helping Luce with her bookstore, they were such a fun character and I also love that we got some cute moments with them and their boyfriend.
💞 Loved it when the girls had to improvise and that they went full out on things with the help of their friends. Plus, I loved the dragons delivering books and I would love that delivery service in real life. Imagine getting a basket of fun books from a super adorable dragon?
💞 The epilogues? One for each season? YASSSS. I loved those so much!
💞 The art, OMG I am dead, it was such a sweet and cute style and I love the colours. The character designs were also A-plus.
💞 And thank you for adding bonus sketches! I just adore it when graphic novels add those to the mix!
What didn’t work:
🤔 I expected a more woven together story instead of short vignettes/short snippets. I mean, I loved the romance, I loved seeing the bookstore/cafe and see various things going on around all that, but I just wanted more depth, more flow. I mean we do get a story, but it feels like we blink in and out of things instead of one continuous flow .
🤔 I did feel it was kinda bad that the community didn’t start to rally or visit the bookstore until something terrible happened and they had to improvise. I mean come on, you all know there is a bookstore, why did you never visit?
All in all… I just loved this one. Yes, I would love to have a more woven/one flow story, but there were so many elements that did work for me and I had so much fun reading this one. It is cute, adorable, sweet, fun, and more! I would recommend it.
Review also posted on https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
How could I resist this book. Dragons? Books? Queer romance? HECK YES! And look at that cover!
What I loved:
💞 Book references, like Legends & Lattes or Emily Henry! So often with bookstore books you get some fictional references which always make me hungry for those books but they don’t exist. These though you can actually read!
💞 Dragons! Dragons in all sorts and sizes. From cute chubby fire dragons to tiny baby wind dragons. I also loved seeing what shenanigans they got up to + how they worked together with their humans.
💞 I loved the romance between our book girl and the café girl. I thought they made such a cute couple and I was rooting for them to get even closer. I loved seeing them go to festivals, read books, dance on the beach, and more. They had such a spark and it was the cutest. I also loved how they supported the other through each tough time.
Perfection!
💞 Loved that our cafe girl was trans. I already had a suspicion (the flag, the way she didn’t feel safe with her mom’s boyfriend), but when she pulled out a condom + talked about not being ready for mini versions of her or our cute book girl I knew for certain.
💞 The fact that it took place in a book store and in parts also at the café. I just LOVE a bookstore story and I live for them. I wouldn’t mind working at this cute little place. I mean, there is dragons, books, and that is all I need!
💞 George, well, at first I really didn’t like him and how he just rudely reads in the store without buying or how he doesn’t get closing times, but as the story continued I started liking him more and more and I loved seeing him open up and help out.
💞 The person helping Luce with her bookstore, they were such a fun character and I also love that we got some cute moments with them and their boyfriend.
💞 Loved it when the girls had to improvise and that they went full out on things with the help of their friends. Plus, I loved the dragons delivering books and I would love that delivery service in real life. Imagine getting a basket of fun books from a super adorable dragon?
💞 The epilogues? One for each season? YASSSS. I loved those so much!
💞 The art, OMG I am dead, it was such a sweet and cute style and I love the colours. The character designs were also A-plus.
💞 And thank you for adding bonus sketches! I just adore it when graphic novels add those to the mix!
What didn’t work:
🤔 I expected a more woven together story instead of short vignettes/short snippets. I mean, I loved the romance, I loved seeing the bookstore/cafe and see various things going on around all that, but I just wanted more depth, more flow. I mean we do get a story, but it feels like we blink in and out of things instead of one continuous flow .
🤔 I did feel it was kinda bad that the community didn’t start to rally or visit the bookstore until something terrible happened and they had to improvise. I mean come on, you all know there is a bookstore, why did you never visit?
All in all… I just loved this one. Yes, I would love to have a more woven/one flow story, but there were so many elements that did work for me and I had so much fun reading this one. It is cute, adorable, sweet, fun, and more! I would recommend it.
Review also posted on https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
June 9, 2026
MY NEW FAVORITE BOOK! This graphic novel is the most beautiful hug in book form. The colors and illustrations are STUNNING. All of the magical, cozy vibes that can bring warmth even on your coldest days. The characters were unbelievably perfect. Watching them fall in love was an honor. Truly. And I was so grateful to see each character grow. Oh, and dragons?! Absolute perfection. I need moreeeee immediately. Perfect Graphic Novel for any cozy magical sapphic lover. I can't wait to read this again and again all year long.
Thank you Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
May 27, 2026
I loved this book!! Very lighthearted and cute
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2026
It was a bit too booktoky for me, the story felt choppy ..
I did love the art style!!
I did love the art style!!
July 31, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the AMAZING eARC of Books, Iced Coffee & a Side of Dragons!
Dear Amanda Lovelace, thank you for writing a story where both my partner and I saw ourselves represented! Now give us our privacy or make the dragons real! Lol
I immediately preordered this book once I finished the eARC. There are so many moments in these pages that made my heart feel so big and full. So many moments where I was frantically tapping my partner going “AWE!!!!” Or “Look! It’s us!”. This is the perfect queer cozy read to share with loved ones and enjoy with a nice iced lavender oat milk latte (iykyk). Absolute cozy queer perfection.
Dear Amanda Lovelace, thank you for writing a story where both my partner and I saw ourselves represented! Now give us our privacy or make the dragons real! Lol
I immediately preordered this book once I finished the eARC. There are so many moments in these pages that made my heart feel so big and full. So many moments where I was frantically tapping my partner going “AWE!!!!” Or “Look! It’s us!”. This is the perfect queer cozy read to share with loved ones and enjoy with a nice iced lavender oat milk latte (iykyk). Absolute cozy queer perfection.
November 6, 2026
my 100th book of the year! yippee!
what a lovely, beautiful book. the art style is absolutely stunning and perfectly suits the story. the main characters are so lovable and their relationships are so sweet. amazing representation for sapphics, pcos, trans women, asexuals, plus size women, and poc main characters. there’s dragons! there’s coffee! there’s books! what more could you want?
there’s a healthy dose of unfortunate realism (medical misogyny/fatphobia, transphobia, financial stress) but it all comes together at the end. really emphasizes the importance of community and friendship when you’re going through tough times.
what a lovely, beautiful book. the art style is absolutely stunning and perfectly suits the story. the main characters are so lovable and their relationships are so sweet. amazing representation for sapphics, pcos, trans women, asexuals, plus size women, and poc main characters. there’s dragons! there’s coffee! there’s books! what more could you want?
there’s a healthy dose of unfortunate realism (medical misogyny/fatphobia, transphobia, financial stress) but it all comes together at the end. really emphasizes the importance of community and friendship when you’re going through tough times.
August 2, 2026
This was adorable! The art was spectacular and as a companion to the narrative, really had me understanding the place and the people!
I’ve followed the author since the Golden Age of Tumblr, so I found myself recognizing parts of the story where she showcases bits and pieces of herself and her wife and their fur-family, which was really sweet.
Reading this while at the Jersey Shore just made it that much sweeter!
I can’t wait for this to be available to everyone and they can experience this little slice of queer joy and Jersey supremacy!
I’ve followed the author since the Golden Age of Tumblr, so I found myself recognizing parts of the story where she showcases bits and pieces of herself and her wife and their fur-family, which was really sweet.
Reading this while at the Jersey Shore just made it that much sweeter!
I can’t wait for this to be available to everyone and they can experience this little slice of queer joy and Jersey supremacy!
October 18, 2026
unha novela gráfica absolutamente perfecta, este libro é todo o que está ben. sen deixar de lado críticas sociais super importantes e moi ben integradas, é un romance sáfico super blandito no que unha ten unha librería nun faro e a outra unha cafetería. e ademais teñen dragóns!!! 0 drama, simplemente páxinas de felicidade absoluta dunha historia de amor perfecta que me fixo rir e chorar; e cuns personaxes secundarios super carismáticos <333 enamorada ademais dunhas ilustracións preciosísimas
October 15, 2026
Omg this was the cutest. 😍
October 26, 2026
This was a cute and cozy sapphic romance and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I especially loved the charming illustrations. It wasn't very heavy on plot or storyline - this graphic novel was more of a vibe. A bookshop owner and a coffee shop owner in New Jersey have a friends to lovers romance one summer and help each other through ups and downs, slow business days, and rowdy dragons. Did I forget to mention dragons? While this graphic novel is set on the East Coast, there are inexplicably dragons. They are just part of the story and they are adorable. This is a very quick read and it's light, enjoyable, and very very sweet.
May 21, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley for an advance digital copy
This was adorable. You had me at dragons. I absolutely adored this.
Following book shop owner Luci and coffee shop owner Aster and their dragon companions, this is a series of small tales that tells of their love story and the different struggles they have in their day to day lives.
This touches on so many different topics including women’s health, sexuality and accepting familial differences as you get older.
The artwork was absolutely stunning. I did find some of the pop culture references to be a bit too cheesy and try hard but overall the story itself was touching and easy to relate to.
This was adorable. You had me at dragons. I absolutely adored this.
Following book shop owner Luci and coffee shop owner Aster and their dragon companions, this is a series of small tales that tells of their love story and the different struggles they have in their day to day lives.
This touches on so many different topics including women’s health, sexuality and accepting familial differences as you get older.
The artwork was absolutely stunning. I did find some of the pop culture references to be a bit too cheesy and try hard but overall the story itself was touching and easy to relate to.
August 26, 2026
First off, I am a chubby cis girl in love with a beautiful trans woman, so this book immediately appealed to me. There are so few stories written about relationships like ours. Even though this is so different from what I usually read (apocalyptic/dystopia, philosophy, classics), I wanted to give this a try with low expectations.
First, some technical stuff, since I studied comics in college. The drawings are of a weird resolution; the text is very obviously sharper than the images. Are they under 300ppi? Also, the balloons aren’t inked, so sometimes the tails are hard to see on light backgrounds. Other than that, the art is beautiful, if a little bit sterile. I adore the drawings of various body types, especially Luci as a fat woman. What can I say—I fall prey to good representation.
The meat of the “story” is as bland as I expected it to be. Told discontinuously via chapters that can be as short as a page and often irrelevant to the main plot, tension does not build properly, nor is it ever dispelled. Honestly, because of the length of the book, I find the lack of plot development excusable, but what I find completely jarring is the lack of relationship development. None of the scenes show growth in the relationship: learning about one another, butting heads, making changes in your life to fit each other. From first date to marriage (yes, marriage!), nothing seems to change about either character or their relationship.
On inclusivity: I thought it would bother me more than it actually does. I suppose queer people should have some things, and there are plenty of background straights in this book, like there are background queers in most books. It’s funny though that this story about diversity doesn’t escape from the gay best friend trope LOL. However, I do have a few words, as someone with a trans woman in my life.
Luci’s PCOS is brought up incessantly: her struggles with it, her trauma, her gf having to comfort her over it all the time, how it impacts her appearance, how she has to take medicines and go to the doctor, how she cries over it, etc. Meanwhile, Aster’s transness is referenced TWO (2) times, not counting the trans flag on her wall. Once with the condom, once in stubble trouble. In both instances, it is put directly in contrast to Luci’s PCOS. Aster is also drawn entirely like a cis woman, the only clocky thing about her being her name. I don’t know how I feel about that by itself, but in combination with the former complaint, it really feels like Aster’s transness is barely relevant. Trans women have different struggles than cis women, and having a character with PCOS (a similar ailment, both hormonal) should’ve brought out some of her struggles for discussion. The issue here is that all these characters are CALLED queer, they SAY they’re queer, but they never act it or talk about being it, because that would probably be too much. A trans girl talking about her dysphoria, maybe bringing up her height or her build in comparison to her short, well-endowed girlfriend, might alienate an audience of cis women (or worse, break the “light summer read” vibe, whatever that means). I wish I didn’t have to choose between meaningful conversations on queer identity, and lighthearted, fun reading material. The two should not be fundamentally opposed.
First, some technical stuff, since I studied comics in college. The drawings are of a weird resolution; the text is very obviously sharper than the images. Are they under 300ppi? Also, the balloons aren’t inked, so sometimes the tails are hard to see on light backgrounds. Other than that, the art is beautiful, if a little bit sterile. I adore the drawings of various body types, especially Luci as a fat woman. What can I say—I fall prey to good representation.
The meat of the “story” is as bland as I expected it to be. Told discontinuously via chapters that can be as short as a page and often irrelevant to the main plot, tension does not build properly, nor is it ever dispelled. Honestly, because of the length of the book, I find the lack of plot development excusable, but what I find completely jarring is the lack of relationship development. None of the scenes show growth in the relationship: learning about one another, butting heads, making changes in your life to fit each other. From first date to marriage (yes, marriage!), nothing seems to change about either character or their relationship.
On inclusivity: I thought it would bother me more than it actually does. I suppose queer people should have some things, and there are plenty of background straights in this book, like there are background queers in most books. It’s funny though that this story about diversity doesn’t escape from the gay best friend trope LOL. However, I do have a few words, as someone with a trans woman in my life.
Luci’s PCOS is brought up incessantly: her struggles with it, her trauma, her gf having to comfort her over it all the time, how it impacts her appearance, how she has to take medicines and go to the doctor, how she cries over it, etc. Meanwhile, Aster’s transness is referenced TWO (2) times, not counting the trans flag on her wall. Once with the condom, once in stubble trouble. In both instances, it is put directly in contrast to Luci’s PCOS. Aster is also drawn entirely like a cis woman, the only clocky thing about her being her name. I don’t know how I feel about that by itself, but in combination with the former complaint, it really feels like Aster’s transness is barely relevant. Trans women have different struggles than cis women, and having a character with PCOS (a similar ailment, both hormonal) should’ve brought out some of her struggles for discussion. The issue here is that all these characters are CALLED queer, they SAY they’re queer, but they never act it or talk about being it, because that would probably be too much. A trans girl talking about her dysphoria, maybe bringing up her height or her build in comparison to her short, well-endowed girlfriend, might alienate an audience of cis women (or worse, break the “light summer read” vibe, whatever that means). I wish I didn’t have to choose between meaningful conversations on queer identity, and lighthearted, fun reading material. The two should not be fundamentally opposed.
July 3, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
Anythings legal in New Jersey. I still cannot believe I'm supposed to think this world takes place there with a MAGA adjacent moms boyfriend and a lighthouse bookstore that the town doesn't like but the coffee place right next to it does well? Okay....
This was particularly insta love fluff. Limited plot expect when we're getting deep cuts randomly going to the hospital in the calm of their love building. lol. The writing is just very straightforward. Lots of cuteness though. Obsessed with the dragons. I need them all like I need water. I liked all the characters. They're a cute couple. Why are they engaged by the end of summer? One may never know. The art was really pretty and I think that's where the book shined.
Anythings legal in New Jersey. I still cannot believe I'm supposed to think this world takes place there with a MAGA adjacent moms boyfriend and a lighthouse bookstore that the town doesn't like but the coffee place right next to it does well? Okay....
This was particularly insta love fluff. Limited plot expect when we're getting deep cuts randomly going to the hospital in the calm of their love building. lol. The writing is just very straightforward. Lots of cuteness though. Obsessed with the dragons. I need them all like I need water. I liked all the characters. They're a cute couple. Why are they engaged by the end of summer? One may never know. The art was really pretty and I think that's where the book shined.
September 28, 2026
Very good and sapphic. Loved it!
August 25, 2026
3 ⭐️
Yes yes yes! for cute dragons, amazing artwork, cozy vibes and pcos representation.
Luci and Aster are adorable together (I loved their nerdy vibe), but I missed the emotional depth. I had a hard time connecting with them because I felt like the graphic novel wasn’t a fluid story, like the chapters were part of a puzzle with each their own important story and only in the end everything would connect.
But the overal cozy vibes made that I quite enjoyed the story.
Thanks Netgalley & Andrews McMeel Publishing for letting me read this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Yes yes yes! for cute dragons, amazing artwork, cozy vibes and pcos representation.
Luci and Aster are adorable together (I loved their nerdy vibe), but I missed the emotional depth. I had a hard time connecting with them because I felt like the graphic novel wasn’t a fluid story, like the chapters were part of a puzzle with each their own important story and only in the end everything would connect.
But the overal cozy vibes made that I quite enjoyed the story.
Thanks Netgalley & Andrews McMeel Publishing for letting me read this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 6, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for my ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As a longtime fan of Amanda Lovelace's poetry, I was beyond excited to receive this advance reader copy! I went in blind, with no expectations, and not knowing what it could all be about, and I just loved it. This graphic novel beautifully captures the comfort of books, the magic of imagination, and the courage it takes to embrace your own story no matter the hardships that may surround it. The artwork perfectly complements Lovelace's signature heartfelt style, creating a reading experience that feels both whimsical and deeply meaningful. And I think what I loved the most about it was the characters and their development. I truly fell in love with every single one, rooting for their own individual stories, and most of all as they became their very own found family. It left me smiling, reflecting, and appreciating the quiet magic found in everyday moments. Whether you've loved Amanda Lovelace's poetry for years or are discovering her work for the first time, this is a charming and uplifting read that deserves a spot on your shelf or your kindle.
As a longtime fan of Amanda Lovelace's poetry, I was beyond excited to receive this advance reader copy! I went in blind, with no expectations, and not knowing what it could all be about, and I just loved it. This graphic novel beautifully captures the comfort of books, the magic of imagination, and the courage it takes to embrace your own story no matter the hardships that may surround it. The artwork perfectly complements Lovelace's signature heartfelt style, creating a reading experience that feels both whimsical and deeply meaningful. And I think what I loved the most about it was the characters and their development. I truly fell in love with every single one, rooting for their own individual stories, and most of all as they became their very own found family. It left me smiling, reflecting, and appreciating the quiet magic found in everyday moments. Whether you've loved Amanda Lovelace's poetry for years or are discovering her work for the first time, this is a charming and uplifting read that deserves a spot on your shelf or your kindle.
July 29, 2026
Rating: 4.5
Themes / Representation:
Transgender Rep
Trans Femme / Woman MC
LGBTQIA+ Rep
Plus Sized MC
Sapphic
Bookstore Owner
Cafe Owner
Dragons
Cute
Small Town
Cosy vibes
PCOS & IBS Rep
This graphic novel is the definition of cosy! Told in a series of short comics, we follow Luci and Aster through the journey of their relationship - a super sweet couple that made me smile at every page!
Both characters have their own struggles as business owners of two cosy stores (coffee shop & bookstore!) in their small town, but they are there to support each other - along with their friends and adorable dragons!
I’ve been a fan of Amanda Lovelace’s poetry for years, and was so excited when I saw they were coming out with their first graphic novel! I think their storytelling is perfect for this format - and I hope they delve into more graphic novels in the future!
If you’re a fan of the Tea Dragon series by K. O’Neill - this is the perfect graphic novel to pick up next!
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an e-copy via NetGalley of this graphic novel to review.
Themes / Representation:
Transgender Rep
Trans Femme / Woman MC
LGBTQIA+ Rep
Plus Sized MC
Sapphic
Bookstore Owner
Cafe Owner
Dragons
Cute
Small Town
Cosy vibes
PCOS & IBS Rep
This graphic novel is the definition of cosy! Told in a series of short comics, we follow Luci and Aster through the journey of their relationship - a super sweet couple that made me smile at every page!
Both characters have their own struggles as business owners of two cosy stores (coffee shop & bookstore!) in their small town, but they are there to support each other - along with their friends and adorable dragons!
I’ve been a fan of Amanda Lovelace’s poetry for years, and was so excited when I saw they were coming out with their first graphic novel! I think their storytelling is perfect for this format - and I hope they delve into more graphic novels in the future!
If you’re a fan of the Tea Dragon series by K. O’Neill - this is the perfect graphic novel to pick up next!
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an e-copy via NetGalley of this graphic novel to review.
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