True Load by L. Austen Johnson is a modern fairytale inspired by tone, plot, structure of Balkan folklore.

Riley works in a bakery and one day was asked by a mysterious customer for a very specific ingredient. Unfortunately the bakery did not have it so,Riley sets out late in the twilight to search for it. Will she be able to complete this strange man's order?

True Loaf was a quick audio book but I loved every minute of it. I definitely would love to read more! I did not realize it was a very short story until it was already over. I actually listened to it twice because I liked it so much.

The cover is super cute, it gives me cozy fall vibes. It was what drew me to this audiobook book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher of True Loaf by L. Austen Johnson for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

True Loaf is short story inspired by Balkan Folklore. We follow Riley, who is working in a bakery when a strange man comes in with an odd request. Not wanting to let him down Riley ventures into the forest to obtain a Yarrow Plant at twilight. The plot develops quickly from there and with this being a short story I don't want to say any more and keep this spoiler free.

I was drawn to this purely by the cover I think it it is so pretty and very sweet. Once I realised it was based on Folklore I knew this would be something I could enjoy. The story it's self very much feels like a mildly dark fairytale, but still very magical and whimsical. It is a very short read but it is an enjoyable one. The printed edition is only 19 pages long and the audio only 15 minutes long. I listed to the audio version of this and I think the narrator did a very good job and it felt like someone was telling you a bed time story.

My only issue with this was that I felt like there was something missing. The story is very much just a series of events that just happen I fell like folklore and fairytales always have a lesson to be learned in them. This however could be something that went over my head not being well versed in Balkan Folklore.

My review may seem low but I rarely give short stories a 5 star unless they totally blow me away and the story was just missing that one element for me to give it a 4 star rating. Thank you to NetGalley and the author to make this available in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first ever audiobook. Short and sweet. What better way to dip a toe into that particular pool than with a short story?

It had very strong fairytale vibes, but of the mildly dark variety. It was very whimsical and magical in its setting and descriptions. However, I feel there was something missing story wise. Typically, these short, fantastical stories are supposed to leave the reader with a message or teaching. Listen to your elders, don't walk alone in the woods, don't trust strangers, etc. And, at one point, I even thought I knew what the moral of the story was going to be. But it turned out I was wrong, and there was no real moral. The ending was very open, and kinda confusing. Things escalated quickly, seemingly out of nowhere, and were resolved just as lightening fast. Or, actually partially resolved, since I was left with more questions that answers.

Is there symbolism attached to different types of yarrow in Balkan Folklore? Is it believed magical creatures inhabit those magical forests? Are people not warned not to go traipsing throw the woods at night? I wish the story would have delved a little deeper into the lore aspect. Also, I feel like the title, which I assume is a play on "True Love", is a little misplaced, since there's no real romantic aspect to this story in the least.

I really liked the narration, however. I kept feeling like Mrs. Potts from Beauty and the Beast was reading me a bed time story.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review*

An interesting story based on folklore. There were moments of intrigue and suspense, even action. I would definitely love to read more!

I am shocked that I was so invested in such a short book because I loved this quick story and definitely need more of this!!

This was short and sweet--well, maybe short and spooky--It was perfect for my morning rainy walk and perfect for starting to warm up the Halloween vibes I always want to feel as we draw deeper into August. I would definitely recommend this for someone who just wants a quick story and likes darker, slightly spooky fairytales.

Listened to this audiobook in the car on the way to the supermarket with my mini me in the car too. I didn't like the narrators voice for the first minute or so but I quickly came to love it. This short story felt like the beginning of a much longer story which I would love to read. My son enjoyed the story and it was a perfect short car journey family listen.

This Balkan fairytale inspired short story is about a baker who finds herself in the woods looking for an ingredient for a special request from a customer.

I’m not sure I’ve ever had such a hard time deciding on a rating before. Initially, I wanted to go with 3 stars because I have so many questions, I want more story, all that good stuff, but, then I checked myself because this is a short story (and why I usually don’t like short stories - they always leave you wanting more).

I would love a who books of short stories that are all connected to this.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Lore and Lyre, and L. Austen Johnson for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Have you ever sat in front of a fireplace and had your elder tell you a story? No? Umm... Have you ever sat around a campfire and told stories with your friends, in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the night? Again, no? Wow, I'm sorry... Well, imagine this... you're sitting in a warm dark room, and there's a fire in the fireplace. The winter winds are knocking at the window panes, but you don't mind because you have a nice cup of hot chocolate, a fire, and a cozy blanket. Then, your grandmother comes in and starts to weave a tale from her childhood. As you sink into her words, the feeling of warmth starts to come from within, and you find yourself hanging on her every word... That's the feeling True Loaf gave me. Far too short but wonderfully told.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC.


I didn’t realize that the book was an novella at first. I was surprised when the recording stopped at 15 min. The book was good and it had a fairy tale feel (story, narration, mc added well to give a nice fairy tale feeling) to it. But I didn’t understand the ending. The story felt like a prologue or introduction to other tales than a stand-alone story.

When I saw a short children's story inspired by Balkan folklore I was really intrigued! It's a unique setting that isn't used enough and which has a lot of potential.

I've never heard of yarrow bread before, but I have picked it with my grandma when I was younger to dry it for tea, so it reminded me of some nice memories. I listened to the audiobook and found the narration very lovely, though their accent made a couple words difficult to understand.

I wish it was a bit longer. I think we lacked some details and descriptions of the mystical elements which would truly engross the reader into the book, especially because Balkan folklore isn't as wildly known (which is true for many people from that area such as myself as well). I was just slightly disappointed that the main character's name wasn't a Balkan one, but overall the writing was quite nice and it was an enjoyable short story.

I am a lover of all things “fairy and/or folktale”, so I needed to read True Loaf. This story is short, in the traditions just mentioned, but it is OH SO delightful; and I will now need a book FULL of these kinds of stories.

This was such a cute short story! I have been in a reading slump and it made me excited to read again. I love folklore and fairytales or books that read like them, so this was right up my alley. I would totally recommend this short story!

The modern fairy tale vibe is super well depicted - despite being such a short story the sense of place and world are tangibly present.
The main character also felt very relatable (don't we all hate running) and fleshed-out.

I know some people wanted more but personally I love a story with an ambiguous ending and I loved the way this one wrapped up - with just enough detail to hint at the future.

Specific to the audiobook - I liked the narrator's voice and emotion, but the accent made some words hard to catch and when there are so few words each one counts! I would recommend listening in a quiet environment to be able to pay attention.

Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for access to the eAudiobook ARC.

🍞 Review - True Loaf by L. Austen Johnson

This very (very) short story inspired by Balkan Folklore, recounts Riley’s whimsical adventure to find an unusual ingredient to to prepare a loaf of bread for a mysterious man.

‘True Loaf’ is sweet and magical, and beautifully narrated. Penny Scott Andrews is amazing, giving each characters different voices and using intonations effectively to recreate that

My only complaint is that I would have liked to know more about the story’s magical world and perhaps the moral/ symbolism (if there was any) should have been clearer.

If you are looking for something quick and easy this story will surely put a smile on your face!

Rating: 🌟4/5 stars

TW: Creepy scenes for children, intimidating male presence, use of a mild swear word

*****SPOILERS*****
About the book: When a strange man puts in a strange request at the bakery where she works, Riley must go on a mini-adventure to find one unusual ingredient. Along the way, she realizes that things are not always what they seem.
Release Date: October 1st, 2019
Genre: Folklore
Pages: 10
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

What I Liked:
• I'm a HUGE fan of folklore
• Love a story inspired by folklore

What I Didn't Like:
• Didn't understand the urgency of needing the yarrow tea.

Overall Thoughts: Cute short story! I mean who hasn't worked in retail or the food industry and had that one jerk that comes in and just has to have what he wants. Well in steps our jerk. A rude demands she goes and gets an yarrow tea from the woods so that she can make this bread. I liked where the story was going and I just thought for such a short story it kept me intrigued. My only issue with this book is; why did he need the yarrow tea for the bread? Was he going to change into a monster if he didn't have the one he needed? I felt like that was a little bit unanswered for how short the story was.

Final Thoughts: loved the story and was a nice little refresher of a story. Of course I'm a big fan of folklore tales.

Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Short and good, listened to the audiobook which was a nice break on the bus. I enjoyed the narrator, especially the accent. The pacing and overall story was good

This was a short story, which did have a essence of magic and inspired by Balkan folklore.

I don't want to say to much without giving the plot away, but due to the writting you do get the fairytale vibe with the spooky and mystical setting. The narration keeps you drawn in and sort of spellbinds you into the story.

The story was short and did leave you wanting more, but also think it could have had a little more infomation abouut the strangers and i think that would have helped with some of the unanswered questions.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio copy for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for my audio copy in exchange for an honest review

I loved this, I listened to it just before bed and it really inspired the imagination for folklore and imagination! Usually when I listen to audio books, I get lost in though but I was completely invested in this story! I actually wished it was longer!

I do think i missed some of the symbolism of the story, but i was interested in the adventure, so while i may have missed the point, i still really enjoyed this.

I want to know more about the town as well, because i can't imagine anyone going on an adventure like Riley did, and nighttime, with no questions! what other interesting stories does this town hold? I hope to hear/read more from the author

The narrator, Penny Scott-Andrews, was also perfect for the story, her voice was very emotive and fit the tone of the story perfectly

Oh, I want more! True Loaf is inspired by Balkan Folklore and is a modern-day short story.

Riley works at a bakery when one day a strange man comes in with a special request. To make this bread she needs a particular ingredient from the forest at twilight. Spooky! I get the Hansel & Gretel or Little Red Riding Hood vibes. I have unanswered questions and it was over way too soon. Really enjoyed it!