Member Reviews
Thank you to NetGalley and Jenny Sandiford for providing me with an ARC! I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What to expect:
- Cozy romantasy
- Hidden identity
- Only one room
- Quest to save her mother
- LGBTQ+ representation
- Witches, fae, vampires, exc.
- Young adult
- Standalone
My thoughts:
Man, this book was so good. I honestly have no problems with it. The characters were chef’s kiss. The mmc, Kit, is a fae in disguise who was sent on a quest per his father’s orders. The tiny details the author includes make him such a fleshed out character. I mean he has a dog, shoutout to Pepper, and he likes birdwatching/sketching!?! It was super refreshing from the typical romantasy mmc.
Elsie, our fmc, was also great. She was unique and a breath of fresh air I didn’t know I needed! Elsie is a sweet yet strong character, she knows when to pick her fights and acts her age. Their relationship was flawless! Standalones typically aren’t something that I read, especially fantasy books. To me the world building seems to be underdone and the relationships are sometimes rushed. But this book had a perfect balance. I was always eager to pick it up and never once felt the relationship was being rushed!
Totally recommend!
I'd like to thank NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Jenny Sandiford for a free copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Winterfrost Market is an adorably cozy read guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit. The overall spirit of adventure, bravery, and generosity are weaved throughout this book. I do have to say I think Pepper is definitely my favorite character in the book!
Yes there are some mild perspective corrections needed, but overall this is a worthwhile cozy, fantasy read.
This book absolutely captivated me! It had me up way past my bedtime trying to just get another few pages in.
I loved the cozy winter vibe and setting for this story. The atmosphere carried well through the entire book. However, one point of improvement I wish is for the book to use a greater variety of elements to support the vibe. I sometimes feel like the book relied too heavily on winter themed place (eg WinterFrost, WinterFae, MidWinter) names to carry the vibe. Not to mention that its easy to confuse setting names when they all roughly mean the same thing.
I found Kit and Elsie to be wonderfully developed. I was really rooting for both of them through the story. I also really liked how their relationship grew, it had the right tension and credibility to it. I also liked how Elsie was smart and was able to piece secrets together. I'm not a fan of books who have a purposefully dumb main character as a way to (often unconvincingly) build tension, but that wasn't the case for this book at all.
Another place that I think could be improved is the foreshadowing or hinting at events. I found that things were either hinted at too heavily and too early on or came out of nowhere at all. For example, the revelation around the <spoiler> fungi </spoiler> felt like it came out of nowhere.
Despite all of my gripes above, this was overall an enjoyable read for me and I'm really looking forward to the next book!
Thanks Velikor Publisher, Jenny Sandiford and Netgalley for approving my ARC copy.
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet and cozy fantasy romance! Our main characters were charming & just so adorable together, and I loved the wintry vibe, which made everything feel as warm as a cup of delicious tea. I could see myself returning to this story every winter - it’s just so lovely!
Thank you to netgalley, Jenny Sandiford, and Velikor Publishing for letting me read and ARC of Winterfrost Market.
This was such a joy to read! I think it was funny that I read it during spooky season. Definitely more of a winter time by the fire with tea or hot cocoa type of book. If a hallmark Christmas movie had a baby with a fantasy book this would be what you get! also..yet there is the romance of a hallmark movie too. It gave me small town Christmas vibes. This is in dual-POV. I adored this book and all the cozy yet adventurous story. I felt the characters were as fleshed out as needed.
Now, it is about Elise whose mother has gone missing after trying to get spices from Midwinter Haven. Elise her sister Marie and their mother have a tea house in Winterfrost. They are getting ready for Midwinter.
Then there is Kit and his wolfhound Pepper. He wears a glamour as he is… fae Prince SWOON! we find him in need of a healer when we meet him.
I don’t want to give too much away but if you want a quick read with some snuggle up cozy vibes..this is the book for you.
Winterfrost Market is the perfect blend of cozy romance and wild fantasy. This was such a cute one to kick off the winter season!
I loved this charming and cozy fantasy read! The writing was immersive with great descriptions and Elsie was my favorite character. This is a cute, fluffy, and engaging read for anyone who loves the coziness of magical beings.
Thank you to Netgalley and Velikor Publishing for allowing me into Kit, Elsie and Peppermint’s world. This title releases on 10/24/24. This book is also suitable for teen readers.
I loved the fast paced story of magical pupper Peppermint, her owner Fae Prince Kit and loveable human Elsie. Jenny Sandiford’s vivid description of Midwinter Haven and the Winterfrost Market were amazing. This book is so cozy and perfect to read while enjoying a cup of tea.
I have just finished this book and I rate it 5/5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I couldn’t put it down. It was a very lovely cozy fantasy/ romance read. Winterfrost Market is book one in the Tales of Midwinter Haven series and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Winterfrost Market is releasing October 24, 2024. Thank you so much for to Netgalley and Jenny Sandiford for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
I read this in one sitting I loved it so much, a cosy mystery with some fantasy and romance sprinkled on top, the plot is well paced and kept me engaged but what stood out was the characters and how lovable they are, this was a completely enchanting read, for fans of cute, sweet and cosy stories
3.75 on StoryGraph
This was a cute, quick read. Winterfrost Market is a fluffy holiday story that reads like a magic infused Hallmark movie. There aren’t too many surprises, but it’s sweet.
I liked the world building in this book, the world of magic and the tensions between the humans and magical beings was interesting. I really liked how those biases were broken down through the book. There are a number of supporting characters that could easily have stories told so there’s a lot of depth to the world here.
The main relationship between Elsie and Kit interested me as I was intrigued by the human/fae pairing but I wasn’t as invested in their relationship which is where I took some points off. This is where the book felt most Hallmark-esque. I didn’t feel like they were in a real strong relationship in the end, they were cute, but their reason for staying together felt a bit tenuous.
Overall, this was cute, and an enjoyable read. If you’re looking for something easy to peruse during the holiday season you’ll be in good hands here.
Winterfrost Market by Jenny Sandiford is such a good book. I really liked the way the author put everything in place in this story. 5 stars from me.
This book was absolutely lovely and cozy and at the same time action packed and mysterious. It’s the perfect story for sitting down with a cup of tea (you’ll see why!), a fireplace going, a snack, and immersing yourself in the story. Elsie was wonderful and caring and brave. Kit was the perfect counterpart to her. I adore them! Can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy and read this every December.
Jenny Sandiford's "Winterfrost Market" is a charming blend of cosy fantasy and a little romance sure to warm your heart and take you on a delightful adventure through a magical winter wonderland. The story follows Elsie, a tea-loving human, as she sets off on a heartfelt quest to find her missing mother, with the support of Kit, a mysterious and sometimes charming tracker.
Spice: 🌶️
🍵 Tea-loving heroine
🧝♂️ Mysterious fae tracker
🐕 and his cute dog
🏰 Enchanting winter wonderland
The author's vivid world-building brings the Winterfrost Market to life, creating an immersive setting that readers will dream of visiting. From the quaint town where Elsie and her family live to the magical realm of Midwinter Haven, every location is described with lovely detail.
One of the highlights of this novel is the careful balance between character development and plot progression. Elsie’s quest to find her mother, Kit's quest to foil his father, and their blossoming relationship are woven together perfectly.
The pacing is just right, blending action, romance, and mystery in a way that encourages you to keep turning the pages. I started at lunch and stayed up late finishing this book in one day. The rich and atmospheric writing style perfectly captures the cosy winter vibes that make this book a wonderful seasonal read.
"Winterfrost Market" is a great choice for fans of fantasy romance, cosy mysteries, and anyone who treasures a heartwarming story filled with magic, adventure, and a sprinkle of romance. It’s a lovely read for those who enjoy escaping into enchanting worlds and cherish the themes of love, family, and a comforting cup of tea.
Thank you NetGalley and Velikor Publishing for the ARC of this book.
This book is the written equivalent of curling up in a chair by a roaring fire and enjoying a cup of your favorite tea. Perfect if you are looking for a nice winter / holiday read that is a sweet cozy romantasy with faeries and tea shops. This book starts with a map and we all know that means that the book is going to be amazing. There is a secret identity, epic quests, an adorable puppy and a blossoming love. Watching the wonder of experiencing magic from the eyes of Elsie made it so relatable because I would have been the same if I saw the same things in person. The only downside I could give to this book (and not enough of one to make it not rated 5 stars) is that given the gorgeous map I wish there was more backstory / world building shown on page rather then just loosely alluded too. However, given this is the first story in what will be a serious perhaps the reason for the focus on the one section of the map is because the other books will be able the other areas of the world. This is a stand alone novel though, it doesn’t end on a cliff hanger or with unanswered questions.
2.8/5 Rounded Up
This story had a nice setting, snowy town with fantastical creatures and cozy atmosphere. I just felt that the interactions and dialogues felt a bit awkward and stiff, hence my rating. Some conversations between the main characters ended in a weird way like they cut off. And they didn't see to have that much chemistry. The world need some more development and backstory. It had a low stakes fantasy element and some nice side characters though. It is a series so maybe we will get more on that as they progress but overall it was an easy read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Velikor Publishing for this ARC, all opinions are my own.
Really cozy, wintery fantasy read - no real gripping or scary bits so would be a great read for someone who likes fantasy without the fear, or YA - due to this, it did occasionally feel immature, but was a pleasant read
This is a cosy, magical story about a mortal tea shop owner trying to find her mother and an in disguise fae prince finding a way to stand up to his father and protect the people and town he loves.
I liked the atmosphere of this book and would love to read more about the magical lore of the world it's set in. I think the pacing isn't quite right, and it means some elements of the story feel underdeveloped such as the romance between Elsie and Kit.
The story gave me the feeling of watching films like Barbie & The Nutcracker from when I was kid, it had a fun cast of characters and premise but I'd have liked to see elements of the story expanded more
Overall I enjoyed this tale, and would give the book 3/5 stars, recommending it to anyone looking for a light and wintry cosy feeling read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eArc of this book.
~Romance, Fantasy, Cozy, Magic, and more!~
Winterfrost Market by Jenny Sandiford is a cozy romance fantasy following Elsie, who helps run her family's traveling tea shop with her sister and Mother in the town of Winterfrost. After Elise's mom doesn't return from her journey to Midwinter Haven, a dangerous place rumored to be overrun with magical creatures, Elise is willing to do anything to get her back, even traveling there herself. With the help of Kit, a tracker who is strangely knowledgeable about the town of Midwinter Haven, Elsie makes the journey to find her mother. But all is not as it seems as Elsie realizes maybe the rumors aren't all true and, there is beauty to magic, and there may be more to her traveling companion Kit than meets the eye.
3.5| This was a cozy and quick read I finished in one sitting. The story itself was good, a quick read that grabs your attention and keeps you reading more. Though I didn't find the story super memorable I did have a good time reading it. This book would have been rated higher if it included a few things. I was desperate for more world-building. It seems like we are just placed into this world without explaining why things are run the way they are. I would have loved some more backstory to explain everything. I hope things are described in more detail throughout the series. Another significant point I wanted more of was Elsie's relationship with her mom. We got little to no backstory of their dynamic, so it was hard to connect with the characters. I'm not usually a fan of flashback scenes, but they would have significantly enhanced the story here. The story is fast-paced, but sadly, that came at the expense of depth. I enjoyed Kit and Elsie's dynamic so much, but I did wish we had gotten more scenes when they were traveling to Midwinter Haven. It seemed like a lot of that relationship-building was skipped.
My main qualm is Elsie's mom's explanation. It seemed like an afterthought. I wanted a more prolonged reason. It was far too rushed for my liking and didn't seem realistic. One aspect I loved was the description of the scenery. I love a good atmospheric book, and this is delivered in that aspect. This is a series, so I won't judge harshly, but I did want a better tie-up towards the end. I look forward to that explanation in the next book. I enjoyed Elsie's character; she was optimistic but not naive, which is hard to pull off. I loved her wonder in exploring this new world she was taught to fear. She was smart, and I was amused by her and Kit's witty back and forth. I also enjoyed Elsie's relationship with her sister and wished I had seen more of them together.
Overall, this was a cozy and fast read. It was interesting and fun to read. My issue is how one-dimensional the book felt. It seemed far too rushed at specific points. I enjoyed the characters and the descriptions, and I definitely look forward to the next book in the series. I just hope things are fleshed out more. I did enjoy the writing and the concept and am excited for more!
3.5 ⭐️ Such a fun, cozy, adventurous read!!
The plot centers around Elsie, whose mom goes on a quest to find a secret ingredient for their tea shop but doesn’t return home. Elsie, worried about her mother’s disappearance, sets off to find her, which leads her on an unexpected adventure. Along the way, she meets a mysterious man who later turns out to be a fae prince—though, at first, she doesn’t know that he’s fae, let alone a prince. This part of the story was really engaging, with a nice blend of mystery, adventure, and magic. Overall, I thought this book was great, I just felt at times it lost my attention. This is the perfect cozy read for when it's cold and your nice and warm with a blanket and hot cocoa.
Thank you Netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review.