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The Adventures of Norrit and Hale: A Breadcove Bay Collection

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Join Norrit and Hale for stirring adventures on land and across the sky.
The lives of Norrit and Hale, patron saints of grandparents, usually run gather star dust and moon dust in a big red balloon by night. Use the harvest to fuel wish-granting machinery at Starry-Eyed Station that serves requests of grandparents for their grandchildren (and sometimes requests of grandchildren for themselves).
But occasionally, surprises knock them off their typical ways of doing things . . .
This collection of five original fantasy stories—first published here—explore the magical adventures of Norrit and
Norrit and An Origin Story, reveals what happens when Hale decides to take his old friend Norrit a birthday gift on an eventful day.
In Norrit and Hale and the Ash on the Wind , the two old friends fly through smoky air on one of their nighttime flights. What they find in the morning surprises them.
In Norrit and Hale and the Great Balloon Race, the two old friends return from their night flight to find unexpected visitors at Starry-Eyed Station.
In Norrit and Hale and the Knitting Brigade, Norrit receives an unusual letter with a surprising request.
In Norrit and Hale and the Dance of the Gods, Norrit and Hale visit Tinsleberry Town for planned errands and a life-changing conversation.
Buy this collection and receive all five of the above stories, published for the first time in this book.

207 pages, Paperback

Published August 27, 2021

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15 people want to read

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R.S. Kellogg

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for BookishKB.
1,215 reviews322 followers
March 31, 2026
✨🎈 The Adventures of Norrit and Hale 🎈✨
This was such a cute and cozy slice of life novella! It is very short but still delivers a heartwarming cozy fantasy.

💫 What to Expect
• Grumpy x sunshine
• Grandparents
• Cozy fantasy
• Found family
• Magical quests
_ _ _ _

📅 Pub Date: December 1, 2026
📝 Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Em Hathaway.
44 reviews10 followers
May 1, 2026
I was grateful to receive an advance copy of The Adventures of Norrit and Hale: A Breadcove Bay Collection by R. S. Kellogg via NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts.

There’s something really softly comforting about The Adventures of Norrit and Hale: A Breadcove Bay Collection by R. S. Kellogg—it feels like a collection that would happily sit you down with a warm drink and insist you stay a while.

At its heart, this is a cozy fantasy centred on friendship, purpose, and the quiet magic of helping others. Norrit and Hale are such a lovely, balanced pair—Norrit bringing the practicality (and, let’s be honest, probably the “are we sure this is a good idea?” energy), while Hale leads with warmth, openness, and a willingness to say yes to just about anything that might help someone. Together, they’re the kind of duo you warm to very quickly.

What I loved most was the feeling of these stories. They have that nostalgic, read-aloud quality—like something you’d return to on quieter days, or share with someone curled up beside you. There’s a softness to the world, where small kindnesses matter, wishes are handled with care, and even the simplest moments feel meaningful.

As with many short story collections, there were moments where I found myself wanting a little more depth or variation between the stories, and a few felt like they wrapped up just as they were really getting going. There’s also a bit of repetition in places—but in a way that sometimes feels like the storytelling itself is gently echoing its own rhythms.

If you enjoy cozy, low-stakes fantasy with heart, humour, and a focus on connection, this is a lovely one to spend time with.

And honestly? This is exactly the kind of book I would love to read to my nephew one day. ✨
Profile Image for The Lit .
264 reviews30 followers
March 29, 2026
This latest review has me feeling a bit conflicted! The Adventures of Norrit and Hale takes us into the cozy Breadcove Bay Story World for the first of a trilogy, but it didn't quite land the way I hoped.
​I’m giving this a 3-star review! ⭐⭐⭐
​A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this story! As always, all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
​The Review:
I’m honestly not sure what I was expecting from this one, but what I got wasn't quite it. While the story is good and the setting is charming, it didn't manage to pull me in enough to go higher than a three-star rating. It’s a decent start to a trilogy, but it just didn't spark that "must-read" feeling for me.
​The Good:
The "cozy fantasy" vibes are definitely present. If you enjoy low-stakes adventures and getting lost in a specific story world like Breadcove Bay, there is a lot of world-building here to appreciate. The friendship and partnership between Norrit and Hale serve as a solid anchor for the plot.
​The Not-So-Good:
The pacing felt a bit off for my personal taste. Because it’s the first of three books, it felt like it spent a lot of time setting the stage without delivering a punchy enough hook to keep me gripped. It’s a pleasant read, but perhaps a bit too quiet for what I was looking for
Profile Image for Alu.
171 reviews
April 18, 2026
The Adventures of Norrit and Hale is a collection of adventures by two immortal grandpas. Norrit and Hale are the patron saints of grandparents; that is, they fulfil the wishes of grandparents for their grandchildren.

I loved the concept behind this, as there is certainly a lack of heroic older people in stories. I agree with the author that Norrit and Hale seem like characters worth exploring. The world-building is quite imaginative. I liked the concept of the station in the air and the balloon. However, at times, I felt the descriptions were a bit repetitive and a little too elaborate.

I love reading adventures about older characters. The Hundred-Year-Old Man duology is one of my all-time favourites. However, I couldn’t connect to the story or the writing style as much as I wanted to. That said, I did enjoy parts of it, especially when stories about making a grandma into a legend came up. Perhaps I couldn’t fully connect because these characters are based on an earlier story written by the author.

Overall, while the concept is imaginative and refreshing, the story didn’t fully resonate much with me.
Profile Image for Charissa Wilkinson.
973 reviews13 followers
April 21, 2026
I received this book courtesy of Netgalley for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Overview: Norrit and Hale have been friends for a long time, much longer than the lifespan of normal men. Due to a birthday wish, they've been the patron saints of grandparents. What do they do with their new lives? Well, they gather stardust to grant wishes. This gives them time to fulfil more than what their job strictly demands. What all will they get done in this episode? Let's find out.

Story Telling: This is a collection of short cozy fantasy stories, set near Tinsleberry, that follows Norrit and Hale. It's part of a potential trilogy.

Dislikes: Some more stories would have been great. I guess I'll have to wait for the sequel.

Voly had a big ego, nothing that works well for a hot-headed god of Volcanos.

Likes: The odd couple can really accomplish a lot. And they are simply happy to help.

The hot air balloon race was fun. Especially once the two minor gods started flirting.

Conclusion: This was a fun book. If you are a fan of cozy fantasy, then this collection is for you. Enjoy the read.
21 reviews
April 21, 2026
This was such a fun, light read with a cozy, feel-good vibe from start to finish.

I loved Norrit and Hale, their personalities, and especially their friendship. There’s a great balance between them, and their dynamic was my favorite part of the book. The characters overall are genuinely lovable, and that warmth carries through every tale.

Because this is a collection of short stories following the same characters, each adventure felt lighthearted and fun. Perfect for when you want something comforting and upbeat.

That said, even though I knew going in that this was a short story collection, it did start to feel a bit repetitive at times. Some of the recurring descriptions (like the balloon, how it was made, and related details) were repeated in multiple stories, and I found myself wishing those sections had been trimmed back so the collection could feel a little fresher from story to story.

Overall, this is a super feel-good collection with a cozy tone and a cast that’s easy to adore. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, gentle, and fun, it’s definitely worth picking up.

Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours for this digital ARC!
Profile Image for Jordan.
69 reviews1 follower
April 8, 2026
Cozy Fantasy • Short Stories

A big thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for this ARC.

This was a short, cute read following the story of two best friend Grandpas who stumbled into becoming immortal legends. Norrit is a practical, grumpy introvert who is best friends with Hale, the always happy, understanding and social extravert. Their dynamic is very sweet and gives way to very cozy adventures. It only took an hour or two to read all five stories included in this book. I haven't read any other stories in the Breadcove Bay Collection but this was a nice introduction to the town and characters you can find there.

While reading this I kept thinking that these stories would be perfect for a younger age group. I think they could even be read as bedtime stories. Short, sweet, and cozy.
Profile Image for Shane.
373 reviews
April 13, 2026
This was an ARC from NetGalley, I thank the author and publisher for providing this advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was a cute collection of short stories introducing Norrit and Hale, the newest immortal legends, the patron saints of grandparents. Norrit, the curmudgeon, and his best friend, the happy-go-lucky Hale gain immortality after a chance encounter with the Tooth Monster and are tasked with answering grandparent's (and sometimes grandchildren's) wishes. These stories all had a kind of steampunk/fantasy feel with a low-stakes cozy plot centered around family, found family, and the wonders of youth. I enjoyed these stories and wouldn't mind seeing more from this world. I'm giving it 3 stars because it didn't suck me and keep my attention but it's a nice pallet cleanse.
Profile Image for Jini Sam.
84 reviews
April 22, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

A cosy and fun read, this book feels especially well-suited for a younger audience, particularly preteens. It follows two granddads who become something like patron saints of grandparents, embarking on simple, heartwarming adventures as they travel in their hot air balloon granting wishes.
The story unfolds as a series of short episodes that branch off from a central premise, rather than building a deeply developed world. Because of this, it’s an easy, low-effort read; perfect for days when you don’t want anything too heavy and just want something that will leave you smiling.
While I found it enjoyable, the simplicity of the storytelling and the limited world-building make it feel more tailored to a younger readership.
Profile Image for Teresia Fredriksson.
9 reviews
May 4, 2026
This is a collection of short stories with a pair of unlikely main characters Norrit and Hale. By chance the two elderly grandfathers have been assigned a divine status, and spend their days in a hot air balloon collecting moon dust and star dust. The dust is then used to grant wishes to children and especially their grandparents. Through their adventures they meet children, people and creatures such as the Tooth Fairy. The stories are whimsical and enjoyable, but is perhaps more suitable to be read as short stories with long intervals, as the content is somewhat repetitive and does not provide much depth. That said, the stories are sweet and lend to some quiet chuckles whilst reading. Not a bad read, so perhaps suitable when in the mood for some light reading.

Thank you, Xpresso Book Tours, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
387 reviews13 followers
March 25, 2026
This is such a great little book of stories of Norrit and Hale - they are Immortal Patron saints of grandparents.

The first story is about the time when they were still mortal - and we meet both characters and Norrit's family - and the tooth fairy. Then we get to when they are immortal.

I know there will be more books about how that came about- in a longer story - I kind of missed Norrit's family but finally towards the end they mention a sixth generation grand daughter.

Overall very cute - I don't think I have ever read anything quite like this - There are still lots of plot lines that are answered, at least to me, and I know I will be looking forward to more books to figure out what is going on :)
Profile Image for Anita.
21 reviews
April 5, 2026
This is a great fairy tale type collection of short stories about friendship and passing down time and tales to our younger generations. Norrit and Hale are old friends that are also patron saints of grandparents, granting wishes to other grandparents for their grandchildren. Each short story is a different tale of an adventure that these two share, This collection to me feels very much like tales your grandparents read you at bedtime. Gifting their time and histories to us with love. A little mix of fantasy mixed with great wordplay and nostalgia. If you are looking for a book to share with your children or grandchildren this may be fir you. There are also really cute photos throughout the stories.
Profile Image for TheAmyrlinSofaReads.
18 reviews2 followers
April 10, 2026
3.5/stars

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

I am not sure what to think about this book. It was tagged under science fiction but these stories felt more like children stories and fairytales to me. I don't mind children's stories but I did not expect to be reading one.

The stories are cute, short and whimsical. Great if you are looking for that sort of thing but I felt the worldbuilding missed depth. I feel it's better to read each one separately as a short, cosy read.

The grandfathers, Norrit and Hale, were very loveable and had a great dynamic together. They were my favourite part of the story.

Definitely a cute amd wholesome book, just be prepared that it seems to be aimed at children.
Profile Image for Joan.
750 reviews4 followers
April 8, 2026
I was expecting a cozy fantasy, but I wasn't expecting a middle grade cozy fantasy. I like a YA book as much as the next person, but it really wasn't clear what I was getting into.

It was a very sweet collection of short stories about Norrit and Hale, including their origin story. Some of the stories had no clear ending and the world building was just OK. I think, as a reader of non middle grade books, I'm being a bit too critical about that, and if the reader is in the right demographic they are going to love it.

Thank you NetGalley for gifting me a copy of this. All reviews are my own.
Profile Image for Emma-Louise Wykes.
163 reviews
April 13, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC for review.

This was a cosy, heartwarming and quick read - only around 100 pages.

These are stories of two of Kellogg's characters from a previous book. I haven't read it, and it isn’t necessary to read the source material before jumping into this cute spin-off.

Norrit and Hale are two immortal granddads who collect cosmic matter to grant the wishes of grandparents for their grandchildren. This is a unique and whimsical collection of short stories about N and H's adventures in their magic hot air balloon as they carry out their work.

Fun, lighthearted and quick to read.
84 reviews
March 22, 2026
3.75/5 - arc review from Netgalley

The Adventures of Norrit and Hale is a collection of short stories that was really enjoyable to read.

The stories are easy to get through and flow nicely, which made it a very smooth reading experience. I especially liked how each story added something new while still feeling connected.

The characters were fun and likable, which made the stories even more engaging. It’s definitely one of those books you can just pick up and enjoy without it feeling heavy.

Overall, a nice and cozy fantasy read with charming characters and enjoyable short stories.
Profile Image for Haley Horton.
33 reviews2 followers
April 8, 2026
A thank you to NetGalley for this copy of the book 💜💜
The book definitely has that warm and cozy feeling to it, which I enjoyed. I just could not get into it for it to hold my interest, especially when I felt like it so frequently started sentences out with the main characters name “Norrit” it felt a bit repetitive for my own liking- but that is just a personal opinion and should not discredit that the book has those cozy fantasy feelings in it. Just not my cup of tea kinda book.
Profile Image for Rachel Stansel.
1,476 reviews21 followers
March 17, 2026
A book of short stories about Norrit and Hale. We begin with how these two grandfathers and best friends became the patron saint of grandparents and grandchildren. We then follow them on their hot air balloon and through various interwoven stories. They are sweet and enjoyable stories .

Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Molly Wilson.
7 reviews
March 26, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC!

This was a cute and cozy set of short stories about Norrit and Hale! I really enjoyed how all of the stories built on each other, but since they are in the same book now, I could have done without the recap of what had happened in the last story or who Norrit and Hale are in the stories.
Profile Image for Chelsie.
57 reviews1 follower
April 24, 2026
A true cozy fantasy and a loving tribute to Grandpas everywhere. This is a great read for a day you just want to relax. Sometimes we just need a break from the nail biting, adrenaline rush fantasies with big cliffhangers. This will feel like a warm hug and a jolly adventure. Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours and Netgalley for the ARC.
6 reviews1 follower
May 10, 2026
I think this book series is such a cute idea! It explores just how important a grandparent and grandchild's bond is! It's a fun way to explore a family dynamic without having it be too heavy! It is still a light and fun read. No matter the age!
Profile Image for Caroline.
82 reviews14 followers
March 21, 2026
A series of sweet and cozy short stories about Norrit and Hale the magical patron saints of grandparents. A fun light read.
Profile Image for Antoinetta.
32 reviews2 followers
March 28, 2026
the adventures of Norritt and Hale were cute. I love how the two grandfather's stuck together and balanced each other out. The short stories were a quick read and enjoyable.
Profile Image for Alicia Hendrix.
18 reviews1 follower
April 22, 2026
A cute book of short stories for youngsters that I enjoyed a lot! I can’t wait to read these to my daughter when she gets a little bit older.

Thank you NetGalley and R.S. Kellogg for this ARC.
Profile Image for Lotte.
91 reviews1 follower
April 21, 2026
What could be more cosy than reading short stories about the patron saints of grandparents? Norrit and Hale make a Birthday wish that throw them into a new role of grandparenthood and in this book we follow them through a few adventures. It's warm and comforting with a sprinkling of magic and feel good vibes. The adventures are a little on the light side in terms of action and there is quite a bit of repetition (certain world / technology descriptions). However, it's to be expected with a collection of short stories that follow the same characters in the same world and I think it's less of a problem if you're reading this with children, as I'd expect. I particularly liked the balloon race story with the dynamics between the other characters and the bit of excitement it provoked! I'd recommend it as a sweet, easy read.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews