Imagine a modern world where instead of pet dogs, most people have dragons! This cozy, slice-of-life, romance story features Aiden, who needs help training his baby dragon, and Saphira, who owns a cafe catered for baby dragons, as they embark upon the perfect partnership.

This is a slow burn, closed door romance that will have you smiling over the sweetest gestures. Qureshi offers us the perfect balance of work life and romance for adults, while maintaining that sweet spark of fantasy.

The slice-of-life element shows Aiden and Sephira working together to conquer some real grievances and embrace the challenges of accepting your true essence for yourself and not for the opinions of others.

The banter and friendship between not only the main couple, but between their friends and family was realistic and amazingly enjoyable. Especially Sparky (Aiden’s baby dragon) with his mischievous and adorable behaviour throughout the book.

Having a desi lead within Saphira was a delight to read, as she embraces her departed grandmother in her everyday life and around the cafe. She is also a ball of sunshine and strives every second to make her cafe into a success.

Aiden is an introvert who would rather spend his time gardening than raise his dead twin’s baby dragon. But throughout the story, Aiden slowly becomes comfortable enough in training his dragon and caring for Saphira that he starts to open up and expresses himself more.

However, there was a few moments towards the last 20% that made Aiden seem very uncharacteristic literally overnight… for example, using pet names and kissing in public all of a sudden. Fortunately, it does mellow back into more of a smooth character development plot by the end.

Despite this small hiccup, the story was beautifully written, with well executed main and side characters, realistic feelings and has a homely feel from start to finish.

This can be read as a standalone story, but keep an eye out for the future instalments in this amazingly cozy world that Qureshi has brought to life.

I so wanted to love this book, and I was so excited to have received an ARC copy since it boasted similar vibes to legends and lattes and the like…

Unfortunately, I’m just disappointed. It wasn’t what I hoped it would be at all, and I found myself bored with the romance and the plot a lot of the time. The writing itself is very basic and to me not sophisticated at all, which cool I understand it’s a cosy fantasy but I wouldn’t say I’m overly impressed.

I didn’t resonate to any of the characters… maybe with the exception of Sparky.

I kind of wish the focus was more on The Baby Dragon Cafe, and less on Saphira spending her time trying to convince Aidan to love the dragon.

I did not realize I wouldn’t be able to download this to my kindle. I definitely should have checked before I requested it but I won’t be reading this on my phone. I’ll maybe try and source a copy from the library after release! Sorry about that
Only out 3 star because you have to leave a star rating!

This book was an enjoyable read for the lovers of cosy romantasy. Loved everything about it and will definitely be purchasing a copy upon release

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
This was a super cute / cozy book, this is a perfect fun and much needed pallette cleanser after getting yourself into a reading slump.

When you’re looking for a light but entertaining book to get you peeking back up again!

The Baby Dragon Café was a really cute fantasy romance with a cosy vibe. I loved the concept of a café for baby dragons!! How adorable. I found that the story was overall quite light-hearted and easy to read/follow, and the main characters kept me mostly engaged.

But, I did find that the storyline/plot was a bit predictable; and that the romance, whilst sweet, was lacking a bit. I'm not sure exactly what, but it just read a bit plain to me! While this has been labelled as a fantasy romance, I definitely think that it was more so a romance with light fantasy elements for the plot. I did rate this a 3-star but it definitely feels more like a 3.5, but not quite there for a 4-star rating.

Overall, it was an easy, cosy, sweet romantic read. I think that cosy romance/fantasy fans would enjoy this best!

✨🫶🏼ARC Review🫶🏼✨
🐉☕️The Baby Dragon Cafe☕️🐉

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Release Date: 16 Jan 2025

If you love small town, cozy romantasy stories then this one is for you!
Meet Saphira, who fulfils her lifelong dream of opening a cafe welcome to baby dragons and their owners, but all isn’t perfect with untrained dragons about.

And then there’s Aiden, the local recluse gardener with an unruly dragon named Sparky. He gets the idea for Saphira to train Sparky and in return she can use the funds to keep her cafe afloat.

I really loved this book - the world building made me really wish dragons were real! The progression of Saphira and Aiden’s relationship wasn’t rushed at all and the bond that was formed with Sparky was such a highlight.
No spice, but honestly the book doesn’t need it

Tropes:
Grumpy x Sunshine 😡☀️
No spice 🍭
Small town 🍂
Pretending to be married 💍

Thankyou Netgalley and Harper Collins AU for this eARC in exchange for an honest review 🩷✨

Thank you infinitely to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review!!

Words truly cannot capture the warmth that this beautiful story filled my heart with!!

I absolutely ADORED Saphira, Sparky and Aiden, they all are such gorgeously written characters!!

This is the cozy fantasy of my dreams, and to know that this is just the first in a series? I am BEYOND EXCITED!!

I highly recommend checking out this wonderful book!!