Member Reviews
I needed a cute, easy read this week and Winterfrost Market was exactly what I needed. It’s a cozy fantasy with fae, mortals, witches and vampires. I think this book has the potential but just needed a little fine tuning with the dialogue between the two characters. I believe this is going to be a series so I’m excited to see how the writing and characters develop. If you need a light fantasy to read this winter, this book would be perfect.
Thank you to NetGalley and Velikor Publishing for the advanced reader copy.
Thank you net Gallery for providing me with an ARC.
Winterfrost Market is a charming, cozy fantasy perfect for a winter night. The festive, magical atmosphere is the book’s strongest asset, bringing a warmth and cheer that’s ideal for the holiday season. The story features a mix of sweet, endearing characters and a whimsical world filled with fairy-tale creatures and hidden secrets, which adds to its charm.
However, the dialogue felt a bit awkward at times, with characters often speaking in short, stilted sentences that didn’t feel entirely natural. While this may not bother everyone, it did make some conversations feel a bit clunky. Despite this, the lovable cast of side characters really helped keep the story engaging and enjoyable.
Overall, this is a cute, lighthearted read, great for cozying up with during winter. If you’re looking for a low-stakes fantasy with a feel-good vibe, Winterfrost Market might be just the book for you!
I felt like this book would have been a lot better in first person, i didn’t really feel attached to the characters. Having said that it was a cute cozy fantasy book, bit predictable at times.
A map would have been nice and easier to visualise the kingdoms/lands.
Some questions I had while reading:
How can elsie have not seen fae if this city is only two days away?? Are there only there since they can freely travel around ?
Why assume fae kidnapped her dad if she hasn’t met any supernatural creatures? What actually happened to him?
Why does his dad need this crystal if the city and the fae are peaceful? What’s the purpose of these wards that can be destroyed by the crystal if fae can freely walk in the city supposedly protected by them?
Details are failing. How do the cities look like?
When she first arrives at the north and has to stay the night in the in with Kit, she’s being introduced to “magic” by Liri which in this case is a normal shower, a clean toilet and a fresh towel? Doesn’t sound that magical to me.
Then she eats a salad “she’s never seen anything like before “ , followed by a description of a normal salad with lettuce , tomatoes and figs? By the following description “I’ve never seen something so amazing, so magical” etc in a fantasy book, I expect something that either doesn’t exist or it’s hard to obtain. It’s time to use your creativity and build your own special magical world . Clean toilets and regular salads are not it.
In general , it did bring a cosy feeling but the story lacked depth. I felt lost , trying to add details myself . Couldn’t properly visualise how the characters looked like, I didn’t see much point of the “war” this cruel king wanted to start against a small city with a market.
I didn’t understand why the fae and the people hated each other. I also saw no point to include other creatures like werewolves and vampires since they weren’t really a part of the story.
Overall it’s a three star read for me .
4.5 stars! Winterfrost Market is a cozy fantasy and a tea lovers dream..
You are submerged into this story with easy world building as you watch a romance between Fae and mortal blossom while on a search and rescue mission with plenty of action and adventure on the way, including encounters with witches, elves, vampires, sprites and more!
The way the FMC so effortlessly crafts and brews all of her unique teas just added to such a perfect setting. ‘Their famous tea with the secret ingredient was known for its unique spicy warmth, perfect sweetness, and the calming, euphoric feeling that came after drinking it.’
The writing was lovely to read, descriptive and whimsical. Such a heartwarming, romantic fantasy that I truly adored! Highly recommend!!
When in doubt, make tea!
Winterfrost Market by Jenny Saniford is the literary equivalent of a warm hug on a snowy day! This book sweeps you into the heart of a cozy, bustling holiday market where twinkling lights, festive treats, and a bit of winter romance make everything feel magical. Saniford has a way of creating a world so enchanting that you can almost smell the cinnamon in the air and hear the soft jingle of holiday bells.
Winterfrost Market, filled with charming characters, handmade gifts, and a sprinkle of holiday mystery. It’s impossible not to fall in love with this cozy winter wonderland and the delightful, heartfelt journey that unfolds.
Thank you to NetGalley. Winterfrost Market is the perfect holiday read!
if you’re in the mood for a easy going, wintry fae romance where you can get cozy under blankets with a cup of tea then i would definitely recommend this lovely little book!
the plot was paced nicely, it pretty much got straight to the point and kept that pace throughout. it had themes of hidden identity, a great quest, standing up for what you believe in, a cute little romance and looooots of tea!
if you’re not into world building then this is great for you, you get the general gist of who is who and what is where etc. i do wish there was a little more plot/building around some of the events in the book but that’s just a personal preference.
this was an easy read, i devoured most of it in one sitting. it was nice to give my brain a little rest and reward haha. ill deffo be reading the next instalment of the tales of winterfrost market.
If you're new to fantasy or fancy a easy read without pages and pages of world building then this book is the book for you. It is such a comfort read with fantasy and a tiny bit of romance that I found to be a very enjoyable read. Yes it isn't a epic fantasy novel but I loved it for the cosy vibes, will they wont they story line with a smidge of action. The spice is very minimal, clean romance which was welcomed and nicely written. The story follows Elsie who along with her mum and sister run a travelling tea shop. Set in winter, Elsie's mum has gone to buy more supplies but hasn't come back. She employs Kit (who isn't who he says he is) as a guide to take her to Midwinter Haven to find her mum. Elsie meets fae, elves and witches for the first time and it's just wonderful. I wont spoil the book, but I really enjoyed it as a comfort read and would love to read more about Winterfrost and Midwinter Haven. I loved the characters, but would like to have seen a bit more depth to them. I've rated this book 3.5. Thank you to Jenny Sandiford and Velikor Publishing for accepting me for this ARC read
4stars, i really enjoyed this book, it had such a cosy atmosphere mixed with some fantasy and a mystery was everything i went in expecting and exactly what was delivered. I really enjoyed Elsie and Kit as characters. I loved the aspect of the travelling tea shop i just thought this set such a cosy vibe right from the start of the book.
**Review: 4/5 Stars**
*Winterfrost Market* by Jenny Sandiford is an utterly charming holiday escape that combines warm romance, a festive fantasy world, and a touch of magic. Set against the enchanting backdrop of the Winterfrost Market and Midwinter Haven, this cozy fantasy invites readers to follow Elsie’s journey as she seeks out her mother and faces unexpected discoveries about love, magic, and trust.
Elsie is a relatable and determined protagonist, and her dynamic with Kit—a grumpy, mysterious tracker with hints of fae charm—adds just the right amount of tension and sweetness. The romance is clean and soft, slowly blossoming as Elsie and Kit grow closer while navigating the wintery, magical land. Sandiford’s world-building strikes a balance between charm and simplicity, making it easy to get lost in the story without needing to track complex plot details.
This book is perfect for a cozy night in, complete with tea or cocoa or coffee, and will appeal to readers who enjoy low-stakes, feel-good fantasy. While the story might lean more predictable than complex, that’s part of its charm, offering an inviting and heartwarming experience for the holiday season.
If you’re after a cozy fantasy romance that feels like a winter hug, *Winterfrost Market* is a delightful choice that will leave you looking forward to more from this series.
"Winterfrost Market" is a delightful blend of fantasy, adventure, and heartwarming moments set against the backdrop of a quaint yet magical winter festival. The story centers around Elsie, a hardworking young woman who operates her family's traveling tea house during the beloved Midwinter celebrations. While the festive atmosphere buzzes with holiday cheer, a shadow looms over Elsie's heart when her mother mysteriously vanishes during a journey to the enchanting Midwinter Haven—a place rumored to be home to elves, witches, and fae.
Elsie is both relatable and compelling. Her worries about her mother add depth to her character and resonate with anyone who has experienced anxiety over loved ones. The introduction of Kit, the enigmatic tracker who becomes Elsie's guide, adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. His charm and allure, paired with a hint of danger and the potential for secrets, create a delicious.
Visually, the storytelling is enchanting, with vivid descriptions transporting readers to a world where magic skims the surface of reality. The exploration of Midwinter Haven and its inhabitants brings the fairytale elements to life, and Sandiford's lyrical prose makes it all the more enchanting.
"Winterfrost Market" is not just a tale of adventure and discovery; it's also a story about love, trust, and the boundaries one must cross to protect the ones they care about. Elsie's growth from a tea house proprietor to a courageous seeker of truth is inspiring and showcases the strength that lies within vulnerability.
With its charming characters, magical settings, and an exploration of themes of love, family, and self-discovery, overall, this book is a perfect read for anyone craving a heartwarming story this winter season. It's sure to leave you with a warm feeling long after the last page is turned. Highly recommend for fans of enchanting fantasies who appreciate a blend of romance and mystery.
A truly charming romantic fantasy read!
The leading characters were endearing, and the storyline was simply wonderful and had me hooked! A must read for my fellow romance/fantasy lovers!
A quick and enticing, cozy fantasy romance that follows Elsie and Kit as they travel to find her mother who never returned from traveling to get more spices for their tea business. There is not a lot of world building, and you do just get thrown straight into the story of Elsie deciding she needs to find her mother, but the magic system and plot weren't too elaborate so I wasn't really confused at all when it came to this. The banter between Kit and Elsie was great and really helped show the progression of their relationship, but I do wish we got to see more of Elsie's relationship with her family, especially her mother. We know that Elsie is willing to risk her life to travel into unfamiliar and dangerous areas to find her mother and save her, but that's really all we got about their relationship for most of the book. I think this negatively affected how invested I was in Elsie saving her mom, and instead I was more focused on areas of the book where we got to see Kit's backstory or other smaller plot points.
Firstly, thankyou Netgalley and Jenny Sandiford for a review copy of Winterfrost Market
This book is a delight!
An easy read; cosy, fantasy romance that I read easily in 2 sittings ✨️
If you're wanting a book that isn't bogged down in heavy world building and a very nice pallet cleanser this is it!
Things I liked the most:
🧚♀️Storyline/plot
🧚♂️The 2 main characters banter and relationship
🧚♀️They're on a quest!!! (To find FMC's Mother)
🧚♂️YA is my most favourite in romantasy books 🥰✨️
Overall I would gladly read this book again and interested in the author's other works!
Winterfrost Market is a good cozy fantasy read that's fun for the coming winter season. I enjoyed the setting and the character dynamics, and the worldbuilding has a lot of potential for development in the later books of the series. However, I found the side characters more interesting than the main characters, who were somewhat flat. The dialogue and writing were also very choppy, and the conversations between the characters were really wooden and lacked emotion. I think this book has potential to be the beginning of a good series, but this particular installment wasn't for me.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the eARC!
I'm not usually one for a festive book, i love Christmas etc but i can never enjoy a festive book without it being overly cringey.
BUT...i really enjoyed this book.
There were lots of hidden truths being unveiled and it was a constant page turner for me, sometimes books can have a super slow start but this had me turning & turning...
Elsie is a great FMC with a no non-sense attitude which i love but she also has a heart of gold. And i love Kit...
It was a super cosy read and the main characters were so charming.
definitely the type of book that you would go back and read.
I first want to thank the author of this book @jennysandifordauthor Velikor Publishing and @netgalley for allowing me to read an arc of this book.
Not only is this my first book by Jenny, it's also my first romantasy. I am a huge fan of romance novels but have previously chosen to actively avoid fantasy novels as I believed it just wasn't my 'thing'. Thankfully, I like to regularly challenge my beliefs and I'm so pleased I chose this book to do it this time.
I'll be honest, the first couple of chapters I was questioning my decision, not being a believer in magic and fae. I persevered though, because I was enjoying the writing style and ended up finishing to book in 1 sitting! I try not to write spoilers in my reviews so, I will just say that Elsie and Kit are 2 of the most beautiful characters I have read about.
#winterfrostmarket #jennysandiford #talesofmidwinterhaven #ebook #NetGalley #bookreview #velikorpublishing
Winterfrost Market is just how it sounds - cosy!! When I heard it was a cosy read, I didn’t know what to make of it. It’s nearly summer here where I am but yet I felt the urge to drink hot tea and pull a quilt over myself as I dived into the story.
I received an ARC of this book and was instantly pulled into the world of Elsie.
Elsie and Kit are fantastic characters and I was drawn to their chemistry as they journeyed together to try and find Elsie’s Mother who has not returned after a solo trip to locate secret ingredients for their travelling tea shop.
This is a lovely romantasy read.
I had a marvellous time sipping tea and reading this book and can’t wait to read more from Jenny.
This is a cosy and quick read where the story grabs you right away and drags you in. It kept my attention, and I loved watching Elsie’s growth throughout the book. The relationship was well crafted, both characters are endearing.
A deeper dive into her mother’s backstory as well as their relationship would go a long way as there are some significant gaps in both.
Definitely recommend!
Cute, wintry, and fun - if a little formulaic. I generally enjoy fantasy but do not gravitate towards fae-centric tales. However, I generally enjoyed this one and thought the dynamic world of multiple fantastical beings was a nice element. Looking for a cozy fantasy to curl up with over winter, this is a good pick.
3 stars
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
In this enchanting story, the world is divided between mortals and creatures. Each is completely separated from the other and humans are scared to wander into the realm of the creatures. The setting is brimming with mystery, magical forests and glittering courts. This backdrop adds a sense of intrigue and danger as characters navigate through both worlds and their boundaries.
We follow the cozy romance story of Kit and Elsie in this book. Kit is a complex and endearing character, he came across as guarded at first. But beneath his exterior, he has a gentle heart. His role in the story is crucial as he opens the story to the wider world from his travels and is connected to both human and creature worlds. He carries a lot of secrets making his presence in the story more interesting. Elsie is warm-hearted but fierce, with a refreshing no-nonsense attitude - she’s not one to be intimidated easily. Her determination and strength are inspiring. Elsie heard many stories of the north and its creatures, she was tentative to travel at first but found herself taking the road with Kit.
The secondary characters are richly curated, each with unique traits to help the story along but most importantly have their individuality. They add depth to the world, representing different powers and philosophies that highlight the complex dynamics between creatures and humans.
However, with all these wonderful themes, the story would benefit from a more developed antagonist. The lack of depth on this front leaves the conflict feeling somewhat one-dimensional. A villain with a more complex backstory and clear motivations could add even greater tension, sharpening the story’s sense of conflict and stakes.
Overall, this beautifully divided world, its complex dynamic, hidden secrets and fragile alliance made the story pop and intriguing throughout. It created a sense of enchantment and suspense to keep turning the pages to uncover secrets and perhaps wish for a change of course of both worlds. This book has captured the whimsical and cozy feels while delivering adventure and romance.