This was probably not my usual cup of tea but who can resist a baby dragon? Cosy fantasy is so popular right now and I think this is the warm hug in a book you expect from the cover. Very sweet!

Omg this is the cutest book ever. I want a baby dragon. If you like forth wing for the dragons and the likes of legends and lattes for a cute and cozy fantasy story you’ll love this book

Book Information
Title: The Baby Dragon Cafe

Author: A.T. Qureshi

Genre: Romance Fantasy

Pages: 317

Tropes: Grumpy x Sunshine, Small Town Romance, Slow Burn, One Bed, Fake Marriage, Dragons!

Formats: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook

Publishing Information: Due to be published on 16th January 2025 by Avon Books

Available on Kindle Unlimited: No

POVs: Dual POV - Saphira and Aiden

Timeline: Single timeline

Narrative Perspective: 3rd Person

Ending: HEA

Series: Start of a trilogy of interconnected standalones

Trigger Warnings: Please check content warnings before reading, though I personally did not find anything needing a warning.

My Initial Thoughts
I was lucky enough to be approved for an ARC copy of this book on NetGallery and was initially really excited to read it. I mean, who doesn't love a book that's about dragons? I got an initial feeling of coziness and loved how Saphira's cafe was described, along with all the little dragons causing mayhem around her. I imagined Sparky so vividly, like a black version of Spyro.

Plot
I enjoyed the plot but found it lacking and rushed in a few places. I think Mount Echo could have been more in-depth and just a bigger part of the plot. The rest of the plot I enjoyed as a cozy vibe, but sometimes it was just lacking that extra sparkle. That being said, I did enjoy this and plan on continuing the series.

Characters
The characters were my favorite part of the series, and I especially liked the dragons and the pictures my mind painted of them. I enjoyed Saphira's personality and resonated with her masking her feelings and overdoing it for everyone apart from herself. Aiden's persona I loved! He was so different from the rest but true to his own feelings and thoughts, which I personally loved. I enjoyed how both MCs had their own world until they collided into one, but which do either of them belong to?

Recommend
If you're looking for a cozy romance with a touch of dragons, this is the book for you.

Favourite Quotes
"We're yours, the both of us. What is a piece of paper when you own our entire hearts?"

Favourite Chapter/s
I didn't have a favorite chapter per se, but I really enjoyed the end half of the book.

Summed up in one sentence
Dragons, with a side of romance!

Overall Wrap up
This was a good book, although for me it had a few lacking parts, it was enjoyable and I plan on reading the rest of the series. The characters made this book for me. I adore them, especially Sparky!

Stars
3.5

Spice
No spice but there is heat!

This book is adorable and cosy and just so sweet. The Dragon Cafe is a wholesome cosy read, we see Saphira face her struggles as even though her dream has come true she has to fight to keep it going. Aidan needs help after losing his brother and they strike up to make a brilliant team. The stealer of the book is Sparky for sire. I love seeing Aidan and Saphiras relationship grow as they learn to believe in themselves and open up to each other.

Super cute and cosy fantasy romance. Really loved the premise of the book - the idea was really unique and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found it a super easy read. Loved the insight into Dragons and their history etc. I would really like my own Sparky ❤️ Looking forward to the next books in the series!!

Thank you Avon Books for the ARC of this book.

Whole freaking and shining 5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 !!! This is such a cozy romantasy read. Few chapters into the book, the world building just seemed so creative and imaginative to me 🤍. It instantly became my comfort read 💜 from the past few weeks, I'd return from college and read few chapters from this book to relax 🤧✨💗. I read it slowly on purpose...more like I SAVOURED each and every word 💖. The writing is just fabulous and I love love the way the @aamna_qureshi words provide comfort and give heartwarming feelings. I love the sophisticated nature of Saphira, her character felt so relatable and her motherly nature towards baby dragons was so nice 🌸🤍
All the Pakistani/desi references in this book were chef's kiss 💋🥰💞
The romance was so endearing 😫💞. This book made me want to get a cute little baby dragon for myself 🐉😭🤭🤭. I freaking LOVED IT SOO MUCH 💓💓

A sweet little confectionary of a book, with diversity, cutie dragons and a lovely bit of gentle world-building.

I already have high hopes for which side-characters we are getting as main characters in future books.

This is a very cute and cozy read which needs to be added to everyone's tbr.

I was pulled into a cozy world where we follow Saphira tell from opening a baby dragon cafe to her training a baby dragon to earn money to keep the cafe open.

The interactions between Saphira and Aiden had me smiling without realising it.

This book is a hug in a mug and I can't wait for book two.

The Baby Dragon Cafe is the ultimate cosy fantasy romance read!

I devoured this book! It was very easy and comforting to read. It felt exactly like a warm hug of a book!

The characters were adorable, both separate and especially together. The exchanges between Saphira and Aiden had me grinning from ear to ear. They were just the cutest! Also, who doesn't love a guy who cooks?!

The baby dragons were the sweetest, and now I want one for my closest companion (is it too farfetched to add one to my Christmas wishlist? Seems like a realistic gift idea, right?) Especially Sparky, who just made me laugh with how opposed to Aiden he was in the beginning!

I need the sequel, (as in, I needed it yesterday) and can't wait to get my blanket and peppermint tea and snuggle up to read more from this wonderful world filled with the cutest dragons imaginable!

This is cute and cosy low stakes romance making it the perfect palette cleanser for something different and wholesome but still with some fantasy elements. Think Hallmark Christmas movies but swap Christmas for dragons.
If you don't want to live in a world where there are baby dragon cafes at the end of this I'll be surprised.
Grumpy sunshine MMC and a FMC you cannot help but love it’s a couple you are rooting for.
AT Qureshi writes wonderfully about the town, the café and the dragon lore that it doesn’t feel overwhelming and feels like its real
Thank you Netgallery for the advanced reader copy
4 stars

such a fun cosy read!!!
highly recommended for any lover of legends and lattes, how i do wish i could teleport to the baby dragon cafe myself i was enthralled 🥰

“Gilmore Girls meets... Baby Dragons?”
If you enjoyed the Laurie Gilmore books but found yourself reaching to your fantasy TBR... look no further. This series of books is SURE to hit the sweet spot! I found this book an adorable, sweet, hug of a book! From adorably imaginable baby dragons to all your favorite tropes, The Baby Dragon Cafe was just what I ordered! I cannot wait to explore more tales within this adorable world that Qureshi has built! Seriously, this was such a lovely palette cleanser cozy fantasy that is the perfect sweet spot for those who enjoy the cozy romances that rage on tiktok like The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, to those who need a sweet fantasy to relax into after the psychological trauma of The Poppy War, or those who want something even sweeter than Legends & Lattes. Thank you Harper Collins as ever for my gorgeous copy of this sweet treat!

Saphira Margala runs The Baby Dragon Café, an inviting small-town spot that allows customers to bring their baby dragons in to snack and relax. As cute and cuddly as that sounds, though, young draggos are a handful, often setting furniture on fire or knocking things over. But Saphira doesn’t mind; she just wants to be around them as much as she can. Even when one of the little monsters destroys her café’s espresso machine and threatens her livelihood.

Aiden Sterling is from a wealthy, respected family who raises and races dragons. They have high expectations and a legacy to pass on; Aiden, however, is an introvert who would much rather spend time in his garden. But when his beloved brother passes away and leaves him with a baby dragon, he finds himself questioning everything.

Cue the meet-cute: Aiden’s adorable but badly-behaved dragon Sparky virtually crashes into Saphira’s life, and Aiden asks her to train the baby monster. She needs money to repair her café; he needs help with Sparky…and so a deal is struck that will change their lives in all the best ways. Ohhh, how I love a forced proximity trope, especially when it involves a grumpy but shy guy and a loving and bubbly girl. The chapters alternate between Saphira and Aiden’s perspectives so you get to see them fall for one another from both sides (this is not a spoiler, the promise of HEA is baked right in). You also get to see how they both see themselves and how they present to the world, even when there are so many more layers to explore.

The Baby Dragon Café is an endearingly cozy read that will keep you smiling all the way through. The story hits many popular romance tropes that feel familiar but are never tiring; while some parts verge on saccharine sweetness, it’s a refreshing respite from all the darkness and strife that seems to be pushing in from all sides right now. But while it is a warm & fuzzy story, that doesn’t mean our leads don’t have emotional depth. Their pasts are filled with pain and doubt—but instead of being bitter, everyday they choose to live and do better, for themselves and others. And that’s what makes you root for them every time.

Having a desi lead in Saphira is a joy; it’s lovely to see the ways she honors her dearly departed grandmother Nani-Ma by opening a café and following her dreams. The small details and nods to her heritage are woven in with care, especially when it comes to the delicious drinks and sweet treats. You’ll soon wish you could visit Saphira’s café for real (or at least wish there was an accompanying recipe book). And the way Saphira is welcomed into Aiden’s family with open arms is incredibly healing; to be accepted and loved just as you are is a beautiful thing, and The Baby Dragon Café plays right into that feeling.

The romance will keep you blushing, remaining super cute and sprinkled with magic. You’ll feel safe in its embrace and giggle as Aiden and Saphira go back and forth in their feelings. Aiden is a classic romantic hero; handsome and shy but wonderfully devoted underneath his grumpy façade. And Saphira is the plucky heroine who brings sunshine wherever she goes—it’s a match made in romantasy heaven. The stakes never feel super high when the characters are faced with obstacles but it fits within this fantasy world. Sometimes you need to sink into the pages of guaranteed HEA and enjoy its comforting small-town charm—and at The Baby Dragon Café, you’re always welcome.

I liked this book. It was hard to get into at first, but it was a very cute story overall. I will definitely be buying a physical copy for my shelf.

I thought this was a really cute, cosy read. At times a little cheesy, best described as Hallmark vibes.
There were some lovely characters , the romance within was a sloooow burn but ultimately really sweet

The Baby Dragon Cafe is a super cosy, cute, low stakes Romantasy story. Marrying How To Train Your Dragon and The Pumpkin Spice Cafe (when it comes to vibes at least), it’s a fun, sweet, smile-inducing read that will warm your heart.

Saphira lives in a world where mythical creatures are part of everyday life. After her grandmother passes away, she uses her inheritance to follow her dream and open a baby dragon cafe. As she’s not part of the dragon elite, this is as close to owning a dragon she’ll get. That is until Aiden walks in. The moody, socially awkward stud has a baby dragon who needs training, and when Sparky has a spark with Saphira, Aiden proposes she trains him. But as Saphira gets closer to Sparky, will the gap close between her and Aiden?

Though there is more sexual tension than narrative tension, The Baby Dragon Cafe provides a sense of wonder that drives the story. I wanted to know more about this land of magical realism filled with dragons, griffins and phoenixes, which sucked me further and further in.

The grumpy/sunshine element was gorgeous. Though obvious, it wasn’t overdone and I was rooting for them with a bashful grin on my face.

Though it is low stakes, it does include references to prejudice, self acceptance, classism, and belonging, which is handled lightly and beautifully.

This is a joyful, delightful read and I can’t wait to read the next two in the series.

Definitely a simple sweet, warm and cosy read, but unfortunately fell a bit flat for me. It didn't grip or hold me and felt the plot just sort of fell flat

Although The Baby Dragon Cafe is sweet and cozy with beautiful world building, it doesn't really go anywhere. It was a little bit TOO sweet and dragged in parts. Not bad, but I wasn't gripped.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

3.5 stars

This book was every bit as cosy as the title suggests. The plot was cute, the romance was cute. I loved the little references to South Asian culture. My only problem was everything felt a little flat.

Saphira opens up a baby dragon cafe after her nani-ma dies and leave her some money. Her nanny-ma is the last member of her family, leaving Saphira all alone. While this was mentioned several times, I think the emotions weren’t fully explored. I can understand why the author might have shied away from this, because I think it would have negated the ‘cosy’ part of the cosy fantasy genre, but I also think delving deeper into those emotions would have strengthened the romance more.

I was also not quite sure where this world was set. Originally, I thought it was a completely made up world that resembled ours but was not ours. But then the author mentioned Pride and Prejudice and that threw me a little. There was also someone who went to school to study mythology, but mythical beings are literally part of the world, so what were they actually studying?

If you are looking for a cosy book that will make you smile, this will certainly fit the bill, but if you want something with a bit more substance, you might be a little disappointed.

Lovely idea for a cozy autumnal read! I adore coffee shops, I adore dragons and I adore a little town romance. The cover is also very fitting so overall a very marketable book for sure.
Saphira felt really fleshed out, she felt like a friend. I loved her dream for the cafe, her memories about her grandma and the little moments of culture. The friendship between Saphira and Lavinia was so wholesome too. It definitely gave me a relaxing reading experience - think blankets and candles.
I wasn’t as sold on Aiden or the romantic connection. I think he maybe just wasn’t as bold in my mind. His lack of connection with Sparky also meant it took a while really to warm to him.
Besides been cozy, there’s not a lot of plot - which is fine it you love a more vibey book (which is popular atm). No stakes, not even a rumble of trouble. Everything breezes by like capturing a few months of someone’s life.
It’s a cute story, just not my personal go to type of read. I needed a little more pace, something to keep me reading. Maybe more baby dragon antics too? Hehe