I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I enjoyed this little folklore retelling! It has the feeling of an old fairy tale, while at the same time the writing style and details are very modern, like the main character getting into her car and using her cell phone. I did wish that there was more to the story. I would love to know what ended up happening with the main characters and who those brothers really were.

Overall, a great listen and would definitely read more stories by this author.

True Loaf reminds me of the stories my grandparents would share with the family when I was a child. The story itself is simple and can entertain children from beginning to end. It also includes quips to engage adults too.
I chuckled when Riley mentioned how she hated running as she was running to find the whitest yarrow.

In a classroom setting, True Loaf can be adapted for a short story unit for various grades. While the print version may seem "too long" for a short story for students, the audiobook version can make the text accessible.

Very short story! Liked listening it to it but definitely would have liked it to be even more developed, to a short novella rather than super short story. Enjoyable nonetheless!

Okay, let’s talk about this stunning new short story by L. Austen Johnson: True Loaf

☆☆☆☆☆

➼ The cover: this is definitely what first attracted me to reading this, I mean please look at how gorgeously stunning this is!! As an absolute sucker for a good cover, I was swooning with this read before I even had a copy and knew it was going to be a five star read. While only available online, I’d honestly love a physical copy just so I could own an amazing story with such a lovely cover that warms my heart.

➼ The literary aspects: inspired by Balkan Folklore, but as the author specifies it is moreso in the literary sense with its tone, plot, and structure that is common in the region and unlike what is typically found in books. With structure, the story normally follows an introductory sequence, body, donor sequence, and hero’s return, which is exactly what the author describes amid the bonus content and explains that similarities can absolutely be seen, which I found very easy to point out and loved! From its inclusion of imagery, sequences, villains/heros, varying archetypes, diction, and folklore, I honestly see this as the perfect short read for high school students in their English classes during the short story units, it was just such a fantastic read in which you could analyze every sentence in the same way one would towards a story such as The Lottery or The Yellow Wallpaper. Moreover, I was so obsessed with the symbolism behind Yarrow and the bond present between the main character Riley and Aiden!! As a 19 page fast read, if you’re looking to stimulate your imagination in the best ways possible with a fast read that will also boost your goodreads goal, this is the read for you.

➼ The story: True Loaf follows the protagonist Riley as she is asked by a stranger to utilize Yarrow from the forest, which she can also only get at twilight. Quickly, the plot advances from there, in an eerie yet fascinating way that will have you eyes glued to the page. The writing style and literary aspects really aid in bringing this story to life in all the best ways.

➼ The read: Short and sweet. Honestly, the best type of read. You’ll be engaged from the get-go with no regrets after reading from its engaging plot to the wit and intellectual writing by the author; a perfect read for any day, time, or place, and absolutely worth your while.

Thank you to the author and Booksirens for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

“Go around the tree nine times, and on the ninth time, you’ll be at the edge of the forest. There, you’ll find the Yarrow with the whitest flowers and most silver stems. Only that Yarrow should be eaten. Any other won’t be good.”

Received a copy of this short novella via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

It was an interesting short read that kept my attention from beginning to end.

didn’t realize how short this short story was until i was done reading it in less than 10 minutes! for what it was, i enjoyed the cute little story. makes it more interesting that it was inspired by balkan folklore and it does read like a fairytale. a fun short read!

— digital arc provided via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Short but sweet and slightly weird, it did make me chuckle once or twice and the narration was spot on.

True Loaf is a very short Balkan Folklore story by Lauren Johnson, Narrated by Penny Scott-Andrews with a beautiful cover.

Riley is a bakery in a small village. One day a stranger made a request for a loaf of bread made with a special ingredient found in the woods. She seeks help in wood from a man and bargains with him. The next day, she bakes the bread and waiting for the two new mysterious customers.

"You lost?
Lost?! I prefer to think I'm just not find."

That was an interesting short story with such a wonderful Narrator. I liked it and wish for longer.

Thanks to Netgalley, I have given an honest review of True Loaf by Lauren Johnson.

A short and fun story based on a folklore I'm not familiar with. I wish it was longer, as it read like a prologue to a proper story. Hope it happens.

This is truly a micro story. I loved the folklore feel too it and the writing was whimsical. But it left me wanting so much more. I was just getting into it when it abruptly ended. More magical loaves please!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to listen to this audiobook. Wow. This was short. It was too short, in my opinion. I like short stories, but I feel as though this one did not have enough time put into it to explain everything. I was left confused and wanting answers. Though, it was so short, I was not invested enough to listen again. I might check out other works written by this author, but for me this was just mediocre. Micro-story was correct as this left much to be imagined.

This incredibly short story inspired by Balkan folklore, was a fun read.
Narrated by Penny Scott Andrews, who gave it a west coast inflection and attitude, that shouldn't have worked for the setting of small town Europe but did.
It's a cautionary tale of keeping your word, mysterious men, vulnerable girl, going on a night time adventure in the woods. You get the picture, standard fairy tale fare.
While far too short, the story was more or less wrapped up. Though a lot could be inferred from the ending, which leaves you wanting more. Anyway, let's hope for more.

Format: audiobook
Author: L. Austen Johnson ~ Title: True Loaf ~ Narrator: Penny Scott-Andrews
Content: 3 stars ~ Narration: 4 stars

True Loaf is a very short fantasy story that is based on Balkan Folklore. I don't know the original story, but I'm curious about it. I'm into short stories lately, so I chose this one as my next read. I liked True Loaf, but I felt I was missing something, especially at the end. I would need at least a bit more from this one. I listened to the audiobook version, and the narration was good.

Thanks to the Lore and Lyre for the ARC and the opportunity to listen to this! All opinions are my own.

The story started so so good, but felt too short. I didn't understand the end, it was incomplete for me, something had missed. I would love to know more about Riley and the misery end. Also, it was described as a short story, so maybe I'm complaining for nothing. As a short story is a lovely one.

The narration was great and the story was nice and very different. I just wish it was longer, I know it talks about magic and mystery but still, I wish there were more details to the storyline.

First off, the cover is beautiful. The plot is adorable yet mysterious. I would absolutely adore it had it not felt... unfinished? I was completely living for it until the end, which was simply not it for me. I wish there had been some kind of explanation, but the mystery stayed a mystery.

It’s not that I didn’t enjoy this story, but it’s simply too short.
The audiobook narration was good.

I can't give a long review without giving anything away
This is a very short story which features folklore humour and added ingredients a delightful listen
Thank you netgalley for a free copy for an honest review

#TrueLoaf #NetGalley

Umm … huh? I get that this is a “short story” but it seems more like a story missing the middle. We get introduced to the protagonist. She is given her task. Then, the story ends - no explanations, no climax, a small and vague conflict (but no reason for it).
I selected the story because I liked the cover, I enjoy folk tales, and it sounded like an interesting premise (as a teacher, I’m always looking for new short stories to pair with other things), but I was sadly disappointed. The writing was nice, the narration was fine, but there was just nothing there.
Oh, and it’s set up like a “once upon a time” fairy tale, but the main character is taking about her cell phone and driving her car. I was just confused about so.many.things.

Thank you, the author and NetGalley, for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is my first experience with audiobooks, and I enjoyed it very much.

True Loaf was very well written. The plot was engaging, and the narrator made me feel that I was inside this fantastic fictional world. I always loved fairy tales, and so did my son, and we both enjoyed the beautiful mix between the modern elements “cars and phone” and the “fairy tale” feel of this dark short story.

The book tells the story of Riley, she is a baker who went on a journey in the dark forest to find a particular ingredient so she can make bread that a stranger asked her to make.

Overall, we both recommend this little dark short story to kids who like such stories.