Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy!!! I don't think this was my type of cozy. I just got very confused about the world. And I know, I know, cozy fantasy does not need a lot of worldbuilding or really any, but I might have hyper-focused on it. I just couldn't shut my brain off and enjoy this one myself. It is very cozy though.

I absolutely adored this cosy story! I mean what else can you ask for other than baby dragons!! This book feels like a warm blanket on a wet rainy day, I cannot wait for it to be out in the world for everyone to read!

In this adorably cozy book, Saphira owns her own café where she serves baked good and coffee, and allows dragon riders to bring in their baby dragons. She deals with putting out little fires (sometimes literally) but ultimately loves her life, as she's living what used to just be a dream. She misses her grandmother, who she recently lost, and is doing the best she can to make her proud.
Aiden Sterling is not only dealing with the grief of losing his brother a couple of years ago, but also is stressed with the responsibility of his new baby dragon that recently hatched. He comes across the Baby Dragon café in town, and decides to hire Saphira to train his Sparky.
Saphira and Aiden wind up completely changing each other's lives and helping each other grow. This is a cute, cozy, fantasy rom-com (a comedic romantasy?) - I'm excited to read the rest of the books in the series!!

The Baby Dragon Cafe is everything you want in a cozy fantasy—sweet, whimsical, and utterly heartwarming. From the adorable chaos of baby dragons in a café to a slow-burn romance that leaves you smiling, this story is pure delight.

Saphira is a lovable protagonist whose determination to make her café work is as charming as her sunny outlook on life. The dragons are a highlight, full of mischief and cuteness, and the idea of dragon-roasted coffee adds a fun magical twist. Aiden, with his gruff yet caring demeanor, makes the perfect counterpart to Saphira, and their blossoming romance is as comforting as a cup of hot coffee on a chilly day.

This book is perfect for fans of Legends and Lattes or anyone who loves cozy, lighthearted fantasy stories filled with humor, romance, and just the right amount of magical mayhem. Highly recommend for a happy, feel-good read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Baby Dragon Café was the adorable romance that I’d been craving! Firstly, baby dragons. Secondly, the two main characters were ones I could get behind, and finally even the supporting characters and setting added charm to this story. Actually an extra finally goes back to the baby dragons. Not really traditional fantasy, past the dragons of course, this book is welcoming and sweet absolutely guaranteed to be the equivalent of slipping into your coziest PJs.

The story focuses on Saphira, who is finally seeing her vision for the cafe come to life with support from her grandmother who left her the money, after believing in her prior to her death, to make it a reality. Unfortunately given her vision was to cater to baby dragons and people alike in a cozy setting the damages from the non human patrons have her concerned about the ability to operate the cafe long term. Enter Adrian, a landscaper who, unlike the eager to grab life loudly Saphira, is more reserved and not into baby dragons though he now is the owner of one who desperately needs training Adrian just can’t provide. You can guess the setup for these soon to be lovebirds and their fall into love is speedy but sweet, with some challenges the two are able to fave with the other’s support.

I loved this unconventional cozy romance and as someone who is particular about fantasy reads, I appreciated the more simplistic elements brought in that still saw the story rooted in the very conventional. In other words, this romance is wrapped up in enough baby dragons to make you go ‘aww’ but not so much dragon world building that you may be intimidated to read it.

The balance between adorable dragons and building romance was so well juggled. I loved that Sephira never faltered on what was important to her.

I had the hugest grin on my face while reading every page of this book! It's the sweetest most adorable book! You guys, there are BABY DRAGONS! Like sweet little rambunctious puppies that breathe fire. And Saphira and Aiden are so perfect together even if little Sparky isn't sure about letting Aiden get close to his girl at first. If you want a charming cozy fantasy romance to brighten a gloomy winter day, this is the perfect story! Be right back, I've got to put baby dragon to my Christmas list!

How could I resist a cosy fantasy with a title like The Baby Dragon Cafe? It sounds absolutely adorable. And the dragons in this book certainly are. Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me and I DNFed at 30%. However, I feel like I should start reviewing some of the review books that I’ve DNFed on here, as you all want to hear my negative opinions too. I received an e-arc of this from the publisher on NetGalley.

Saphira runs her town’s only Dragon cafe. A place where residents can bring their baby dragons and have a drink or a snack whilst they also get to play. Aiden, on the other hand, is a gardener who recently took in a baby dragon named Sparky. One he doesn’t know how to train. After stumbling upon the beautiful Saphira one night, he gets the idea that she could help him out by training Sparky and he can help her out by paying for it.

So why did I DNF this book 30% in rather than carrying on?

The first thing was that I wasn’t really a fan of the writing. It felt a little too like this happened then this happened and so on. Plus it was definitely repetitive in places. The characters would tell you the same things about their reasoning over and over. It was very blah.

My main issue though?

Aiden.

He’s our MMC, our baby dragon owner…and, also, the guy who was being horrible to his pet.

I get that he didn’t want a dragon, that he didn’t want to be involved in his family’s illegal business and he didn’t want Sparky to get hurt. But constantly snapping at him? Not wanting to bond with him? I just felt so bad for Sparky all the time. He was only keeping him as it was the last thing he had of his brother, but that feels so selfish with the way he behaves.

He should have just given Sparky to Saphira.

I flicked through more of the book to see what happens, and clearly, he does become better later in the book. But I just didn’t like him and I didn’t want to see him become happy. I just felt so very blah about it all. Which is such a shame, as I was very excited about this one.

I’m sure there are people out there who would like this book, but if you do it’s likely because you just want a no-spice cutesy romance with a lot of adorable dragons.

A Cozy, Heartwarming Tale of Friendship and Acceptance
The Baby Dragon Café by A.T. Qureshi is a delightful read that warms the heart and soothes the soul. This charming tale introduces us to a relationship between two contrasting characters brought together by a baby dragon named Sparky.
Aiden’s struggles with social anxiety, unresolved grief, and his fear of the unknown are portrayed with sensitivity and authenticity. His introspective nature allows readers to empathize with his quiet strength and gentle spirit. Saphira, on the other hand, is the vibrant and energetic Baby Dragon Cafe owner, who loves to socialize and explore. Her boundless enthusiasm and infectious joy bring a burst of color to the story.
The contrast between Aiden and Saphira creates a dynamic and endearing romance. Their differing personalities complement each other perfectly, allowing them to learn and grow together. Aiden's calm demeanor helps Saphira focus her energy, while Saphira's exuberance encourages Aiden to step outside his comfort zone.
Qureshi's writing style is both heartwarming and humorous, making The Baby Dragon Café a perfect cozy read. The story is filled with whimsical details and charming characters that will captivate readers. Whether you're looking for a quick escape or a longer, more immersive read, this book is sure to bring a smile to your face.
The Baby Dragon Café is a feel-good story that celebrates the power of friendship, acceptance, and individuality. It's a reminder that even the quietest among us can find their voice and make a difference.
M. Roberts
With the help of AI

The cover of this drew me straight in! I’m not a massive fantasy fan but I love the occasional romantasy and this was such a great fun read. Saphira and Aiden were really endearing and the descriptions of the dragons I adored! The book was as cosy as a mug of dragon roasted coffee! Grumpy sunshine, small town, fake relationship and closed door.
Thank you to the publishers and the author for this arc in exchange for mr honest review.

Reviews

Thank you so much to AvonBooksUK and NetGalley for proving me with the opportunity to read this proof in exchange for my honest review. I’m truly grateful!

If you’re looking for a cosy read featuring dragons, a cafe, and a grumpy MMC, then this is the perfect read for you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Story follows our FMC Saphira, whose life long dream is to open up a baby dragon cafe. It also follows our MMC Aiden, who comes from a family of dragon riders and has a baby dragon called Sparky.

Aided isn’t fond of the idea of being a dragon rider, and has always wanted to maintain his business in landscape gardening and looking after the small town, meaning his bond with Sparky isn’t the strongest.

The two meet and Aiden offers Saphira money for her cafe in exchange for her help with training up Sparky as she is so knowledgeable with baby dragons.

The two form a business relationship, but of course things get closer to comfort.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Wow. This book is officially part of the 6 star read club for me!

For me, a 6 star read is a book that I have personal connections with, and for me,
I absolutely adored the characters in this book as they reminded me of myself and my own fiancé! Saphira is very outgoing, positive and caring which is a lot like myself (and I’ve always wanted to open a book cafe) and Aiden is so sweet and caring and is a landscape gardener which is what my fiance is too haha!

Both characters brought so much to the story. They were relatable, considerate towards one another’s feelings and extremely passionate about what they love in their life.

I also loved the small town vibes. It felt like everyone knew each other and really enhanced the relationships between characters. The banter and friendships between characters was amazing and truly made me fall in love with all the characters as they all had such great personalities. Yes this also includes our little Sparky, what a mischievous but fun little dragon!

The story telling was so beautiful. Everything felt super cosy and dreamy, which is something I love as a reader. I’ve never wanted to jump into a book so much!

I also loved the culture references in this book, and I loved how much Aiden cared for Saphira and her culture and what she loved and cared for. A compassionate and considerate character always steals my heart.

And then of course, I absolutely loved the relationship development between our main characters. It was slow burn done perfectly. I was fully invested in their friendship and I couldn’t wait to see it blossom!

Overall, a fantastic book that you will read with a huge smile on your face.

Thank you so much for an incredible book! ❤️

Saphira has had a long time dream to open a baby dragon cafe, as someone who isn't part of one of the families who is automatically allowed access to a dragon, she knows this is her best chance to be around them. But running a cafe is hard, especially with baby dragons causing chaos and destruction...

Aiden is from a dragon family but is reclusive and never wanted a dragon of his own, but when his brother leaves him an egg and his family hatch it, he needs to step up...

After a chance encounter with Saphira, Aiden realises she may just be what he is looking for, in life and to help with Sparky.. his dragon who is a bit troublesome

However, neither of them could have realised what a different a baby dragon could make to their lives and how it will change because of it

Very cutesy romance, bit of a falling quick vibe which I'm not usuaal a fan of but I really throughly enjoyed this story... and the dose of dragons didn't hurt either

Would happily continue this series and thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the review copy - all opinions my own

Out January and would highly recommend you get those preorders in!

This book was like a warm hug. The Baby Dragon Café is a cosy fantasy with a wonderful romance, that does not contain a third act breakup.
Saphira was a ray of sunshine, while still dealing with inner insecurities and finding a sense of belonging. Her and Aiden both had great character development through helping each other and bonding with the cutest baby dragon, Sparky. Although Sparky could not speak, he was so full of character and gave the vibes of a chaotic, adorable puppy.
The theme of grief was dealt with really well and overall left me feeling hopeful. Highly recommend.

A cutesy, cosy fantasy romance that will have your tastebuds popping off it’s so sweet. A little too much cringe for me personally, but if you’re looking for a lighthearted story with very little peril and a pretty easy going plot, this hits the spot. It has a lovely premise, with baby dragons, a cute and quiet owner, a cafe and a few more dragons. Overall I was hoping for a little bit more, of what I’m not sure… but it just left me wanting.

This is an adorable cozy romantasy, but unfortunately, it was not my cup of tea. I think this could have worked better as a young adult or new adult novel. Much of the language felt more juvenile than an adult book. It felt like it was a YA with some sexiness thrown in. It was an enjoyable quick read. I do look forward to reading more of this author's YA books, as it seems that is where they thrive.

I was really excited when I got the email through for this eARC as I absolutely loved the premise and for the most part, I really enjoyed this book!

It’s a super cosy read absolutely filled with wholesome and heartwarming moments - and can’t forget about all the baby dragons! They truly are absolutely adorable and the way they are woven into the modern world makes you feel as thought living amongst them could totally happen!

My favourite part of this book was the bonds created between the characters; whether it be between Aidan and Saphira or Saphira and Sparky the baby dragon. These bonds form in the beginning pages and go from strength to strength as the story progresses. Very heartfelt and genuine 🥰

My only criticism is I feel like the author just tried to add in a bunch of popular tropes and themes but then didn’t really expand or develope any of them to their full potential. The book touches on grief, loneliness, there’s a fake marriage trope, feelings of not belonging or not being good enough. If one of these had been picked to then be further explored through the story I think this would have been a more well rounded book.

A Sweet, Lighthearted Fantasy Romance—But Not Quite My Cup of Tea

This cozy fantasy tale certainly serves up a generous helping of sweetness. With adorable baby dragons, a warmhearted café, and two people gently falling in love against a whimsical backdrop, it’s hard not to smile while reading. The world-building is a pleasant surprise—there’s a subtle hint of complexity in the class system determining who can raise and ride dragons, adding just enough depth to pique my curiosity. I often found myself wishing we could delve deeper into those darker, more complex themes, even though I understand that it's not the time or place in a cozy fantasy.

Unfortunately, while the premise is undeniably charming, the execution didn’t fully connect with me. The author’s style didn’t pull me in, and the frequent reintroductions of characters felt a bit patronizing, as though the book wasn’t entirely confident in my ability to keep track of who’s who. These elements kept me at arm’s length from fully immersing myself in the story.

Still, there’s plenty here for readers who enjoy gentle romance, cozy settings, and fantastical twists. Even if it wasn’t a perfect fit for me, lovers of warm-hearted tales and a dash of magic will likely find this a cute, comforting read.

<i>’In a world where dragons flew through the air, nothing was too far out of reach.’</i>

This was a super adorable cosy read! Pick this up If you want a comforting hug with:
🐉Dragons
☀️Grumpy x sunshine
🏡 Small town
👩‍❤️‍👨 Forced proximity
🤤 Delishious food and drink

I personally couldn’t massively get on with the writing style- I found the short sentances and lack of description made me feel like I was watching the story through a hazy window, not able to fully immerse myself in the story. I feel like the world building could have been built upon a bit more. Saphira and Aidan were both sweet characters, I just don’t find myself caring for them sadly 🙈.

A sweet story which I’m sure many will love- and I think it would be fantastic to add some recipes to the back of the physical book as some of the drink and cakes sounded super yummy!

***Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review ***

The Baby Dragon Cafe is the coziest, warmest hug of a book I’ve ever read. I could feel my anxiety ease as I read Saphira and Aiden’s (and Sparky’s) story. The low-stakes plot is not something I usually gravitate towards but I enjoyed it here. I also appreciated the emphasis on grief in the story.

*The Baby Dragon Cafe* by A. T. Qureshi is a heartwarming and whimsical tale that beautifully blends magic, adventure, and human connection. Set in a charming café where mythical creatures come to life, the story follows the journey of an unlikely hero who discovers a world of wonder and self-discovery. Qureshi’s writing is rich with imagination, creating a vibrant setting filled with quirky characters and delightful surprises. The book offers a perfect mix of lighthearted moments and deeper themes of belonging and resilience. *The Baby Dragon Cafe* is a charming, feel-good read that will enchant readers of all ages.