Thank you, J. Penner, and Poisoned Pen Press, for the eARC!

I've really gotten into cozy fantasies this past year, and A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons falls right into that niche. There's something so comforting about reading these kinds of stories, especially one that has my favorite trope (found family). Doli's journey with her friends was sweet and now I want my own dragon, too.

If you enjoyed Emily Wilde or Legends & Lattes, definitely pick this series up!

This was a fun and cozy read, a great change from my typical epic fantasy! I enjoyed the themes of self discovery, magic and a touch of some romance. It's a very joyful and fulfilling story!

I think some parts were a tad rushed and could've been worked out a little more, but I had a great time overall reading this novel. Such a sweet little world that I stumbled into!

I also feel like the recipes were a beautifully added touch. It definitely gives a bit of inspiration to try some new things rather than the same old same old!

(Please note this book is a 3 1/2 stars for me not just 3)
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press anf Netgalley for allowing me to read this book!
It was so feel good and whimsical! It also got me to pick up the whole series, which I will be purchasing all the deluxe copies of! This was a beautiful cozy fantasy/romance!
Our Dwarf FMC is just pure chaotic sunshine in a teacup and I love her! The Gargoyle MMC keeps you on the fence for most of the book, he's seems so sweet and intellectual but the mystery of him has you wondering if you should fall! I found my self giggling, sighing, and getting so frustrated right along with our FMC. And if the title didn't already hook you, there are books and dragons and even some delectable recipes that were inspired by stuff the characters made in the book! Please do yourself a favor and pick up this sweet deluxe edition on June 3, 2025! Not only that but dive into the whole series! J. Penner made a breathtaking and beautiful world and I want to move to Adenashire myself!!!

This book had such amazing potential but unfortunately it fell flat. Nothing really happened till around the 75-80% mark and then the ending was very very rushed.

I understand that this supposed to be cozy fantasy but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring or repetitive. Take for example book one in this series, the main plot was the baking championship and that was very nicely incorporated into the book so you get a good balance of plot and character story and growth.

However in this one there was no main plot. In the beginning doli wants to find and stand up for herself yet nothing in the book happens for that to actually happen, she just randomly stands up to her parents at the end of the book and it’s all fun and dandy. Speaking of the parents, I expected to see more of them considering how much doli mentioned how bad they treated her and stuff and expected that subplot to be the driving force behind doli finding herself but they take a back seat for most of their one week visit and we never really see much of them except the last and first day they arrived.

Another thing is that I wish we had MORE, more of that main romance building on page not only off page, more of a growth, more of a plot, more of growth of the bond between doli and her dragon yet I wish we had LESS, less repetitiveness, less descriptiveness.

I think the main issue is that the author wanted to add different aspects to the book to make more interesting but sadly it was TOO many aspects that the book was pulled in multiple directions that ended nowhere or with an unsatisfactory result that the book just felt chaotic and flat and dare I say a bit boring. The baby dragon, the other dragons, the wizard, the random man that wanted to buy the dragon, the random unicorn stampede, doli’s parents, doli’s personal journey, sarson’s backstory, the random badgers at the inn, etc, etc this is what I meant, a lot of things were completely unnecessary and aided in nothing but making the book lose direction.

If the book only focused on the romance, only on the bond between the dragon and doli, only on doli’s personal growth and her expressing her feelings to her parents, the book would’ve been wayyyy better.Heck even two of these elements together would still make a good cozy fantasy book with a clear structure and storyline.

Overall the idea was there however the execution fell short.

This was such an enjoyable cozy read. The low stakes vibe of the book made time breeze by. The characters were sweet and relatable. I feel this book would do very well as an audiobook.

I had never read anything from this author before and I truly enjoyed this sweet little gem.
Don’t ask me how, don’t ask me why, and I barely understand it myself, but the book reminds me of the Big Bang theory. You get cozy vibes, and off-the-wall characters with lots of bickering and a little hijinks.
It’s a completely closed door romance with the barest hint of spice.

READ IN ONE SITTING!!!!
YES- YOU SHOULD READ THIS!! ☕️📚✨

• Should you read this? YES, but read Book #1 first, def. Made it so much more enjoyable since you felt ‘part of the group’ already

• Is it good and cozy? YES-ish. I’ll admit, there’s some non cozy themes and some things that kinda stressed me out (family arguments being one of them- as someone who has family related trauma it kinda it sorta took me a bit out of the cozy mindset but that was a ‘me’ thing plus it sorta gets resolved)

• Was it better than Book #1? YESS! I just discovered this author and I know ‘cozy fantasy’ in itself is new-ish. I feel that even though the book wasn’t perfect (which book is?) I found it way more engaging than Book #1 where I found myself rolling my eyes a bit at Arleta haha not only that but the relationship in this book is def more developed than Theo/Arleta were.

* I must add, as a non native English speaker, I really enjoy these books. They’re very nice to read and the way they’re written allows me to get into the ambience without feeling like I’m reading a dictionary (sometimes fantasy books feel wayyyy too verbose for my liking)


SPOILERS AHEAD:

Things I wasn’t a huge fan of was how many times we were reminded about the orcs being Arleta’s ‘fathers’ lol I thought it was odd to be reminded so often. I was like.. yeah.. we know? So it was a minor pet peeve of mine.

Poooor Orc (I always forget his name) but literally felt like he always got the short end of the stick w Doli and her fam lol

My mom is like Solo’s so honestly that whole ordeal stressed me out and having to give up Evvy?? But I guess they’ll see eachother. And I read the epilogue and know it’s fine but that def kinda broke my heart a bit haha

I feel like the end always feels somewhat rushed? I felt the same with book 1 and found this x10 better tbh. But yeah I’m the span of like 20 pages a lot happened. I don’t hate it, just an observation.
I’ll fully keep supporting. Can only get better from here!

This is the second book in the Adenashire cozy series. Doli Butterbuckle, a people-pleasing sunshine dwarf who finds a dragon egg. What pursues is a fun adventure filled with love and magic. I love this series and can't wait for more books in it. Highly recommend!

This was the coziest and fluffiest book I’ve read in a long time: so, so good! Perfect for fans of cozy fantasy and Legends & Lattes!

I was surprised by this book. It's hard for me to get into fantasy romance but this book was very much worth the read.

The second visit to magical Adenashire provides a lot of positive emotions again - the same humor, the same cheerful company, a new pair of main characters.

The theme of the culinary competition is replaced by caring for an unexpectedly inherited little dragon and a "journey" to a better version of oneself - a slightly smaller scale, but no less compelling. The not-so-standard "love interest" also adds flavor to the picture. A very good continuation, I can't wait for the next parts ♥

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for providing me with a copy for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

We revisit Adenashire in this book to delve a little deeper into the story of a character we were introduced to in the first book. I loved Doli in the first book and was excited to learn a bit more about her.

I enjoyed the complexity that was hinted at with her, showing that while sunshine was a part of her personality, it wasn’t the whole of it. Demonstrating this by showing how she navigates several different relationships in her life was a great idea.

I struggled with the pacing in this book a bit, as it seemed a bit rushed. This is a low-stakes cozy romantasy, and I while I wasn’t expecting a thousand page saga, I would have enjoyed a bit more length to provide the characters more time to fully explore some of the relationships and conflict.

These are great books to pick up when you need a break from heavier reads or just need to feel that literary warm hug from a book. It delivers exactly what it promises, and that is a dose of comfortable emotional investment with no heart-wrenching twists or tragedy. I look forward to the other books in the series!

A Fellowship of Librarians and Dragons is a cozy/warm/whismical/romance story. It's a story about Doli, a charming dwarf, who inherits a dragon egg that spawns an adorable baby dragon. The story explores her adventure as she has to take care of it! Along the way she meets a sexy, hunky Gargoyle that becomes her love interest. This is also a story about learning to set boundaries and just doing what makes you happy. Overall, this is a soft fantasy story, where the magical world is beautifully described, and the characters all have rich personalities. I recommend this book for cozy fantasy readers and whimsical story lovers.

Not as much of a will-they/won't-they as the first book, but still a decent cozy read. If you like precocious baby dragons causing trouble - there's a LOT of that here. If you like over-bearing parents causing stress - ditto. There was a whole lot of stress for a cozy fantasy. I like the ROMANCE element and there was not enough of it here. I totally needed more Doli/Sarson moments to bring my star rating up and really feel their connection like I did with Arleta and Theo in the first book.

Also, there wasn't much action after the big plot climax and I'm totally stumped. Even the epilogue and bonus chapter didn't really give me good closure. I guess Penner is bating the hook for the third book which I'm guessing is an LBGTQ romance between T & Jez? I think I'm moving on from Adenashire at this point. Bonus recipes are also included here in case you want to bake the book.

"Spilling the tea has never been so cozy...

In the quaint town of Adenashire, Doli Butterbuckle, a people-pleasing sunshine dwarf, is content with her simple tea magic and circle of friends. It's true she's never quite lived up to family expectations, but life is just fine - until her parents arrive with an inherited dragon egg and a charming gargoyle harboring a secret stroll into her life.

As Doli grapples with her newfound responsibility and discovers a long hidden side of herself, she must face an overbearing family, a sinister plot, and a mischievous dragon that refuses to stay out of trouble.

But with the help of her loyal friends and newfound love, Doli embarks on a heartwarming adventure, revealing that embracing her true self is the most enchanting path of all."

Dragons! But nice cozy dragons.

3.5 ⭐️
This was such a fun cozy fantasy read! The found family was so cute in this story and it’s a great second book in the Adenashire series.

I really enjoyed the different types of magic in this book compared to the first in the series. Doli is such an adorable character and I really enjoyed her story.

The pace of this book felt a lot slower than the first one and it made the book feel like it dragged on a bit which is why I gave it a slightly lower rating. All in all this was a great read!!🧚🏼‍♀️✨

This book was adorable! We follow Doli as she gets a surprise from an inheritance, an intriguing new neighbor, and an unexpected visit from her parents! This story has all the cozy vibes. I love their little found family 🥰🥰

What a wholesome book! This was a great continuation of the first. I can’t wait for this to continue!

📚🐉✨ A Delightfully Cozy Escape into a World of Magic, Tea, and Tender Growth ✨🐉📚
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

If you're a fan of soft fantasy, comforting found-family tropes, and a sprinkle of magical whimsy, A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons is the literary equivalent of a warm cup of spiced tea on a rainy afternoon ☕🌧️. J. Penner's second installment in the Adenashire Archives series continues to enchant, this time through the perspective of Doli—a tea-witch dwarf with a heart full of compassion and a tendency to put everyone else before herself 💛.

🧙‍♀️ Meet Doli: Our Reluctant (and Lovable) Heroine
Doli is a beautifully written, soft-hearted character who doesn’t seek the spotlight but finds herself in a tangle of responsibility when a baby dragon, Evvy 🐲, quite literally drops into her life. Balancing her job at the magical library 📖, familial obligations with her overbearing brother 🧔🏽‍♂️, and her own desires, Doli's journey of self-discovery is subtle but deeply emotional. Her internal struggles—especially learning to set boundaries and prioritize her happiness—are portrayed with tenderness and realism.

🐲 Dragon-Sitting, Librarian Flirtation, and More
Evvy the dragon is an absolute scene-stealer 💥—adorable, mischievous, and the perfect catalyst for Doli's growth. Her presence leads Doli into unexpected territory, including cozy domestic moments and one particularly swoony slow-burn romance with Sarson, the reclusive gargoyle librarian 💌📚 (yes, you read that right—GARGOYLE LIBRARIAN 😍). Their interactions are gentle, respectful, and full of longing glances and shared baked goods 🍰. It’s a romance that simmers quietly but meaningfully.

🌟 What Shines
Worldbuilding: Adenashire feels lived-in and full of charm. From enchanted scones to community knitting nights 🧶, Penner creates a world that feels both magical and deeply human.
Tone: The story exudes warmth and kindness. There’s no world-ending threat, no epic battles—just everyday magic and emotional growth. Think Legends & Lattes meets Howl’s Moving Castle.
Themes: Self-worth, community care, queerness, and the importance of making space for joy all weave seamlessly through the plot.
🐌 Where It Slows
While the pacing fits the “cozy fantasy” label, some parts do feel repetitive, especially around the middle of the book. A few side plots—like the mysterious unicorn drama 🦄 or Sarson’s secret past—are left underdeveloped, likely setting the stage for the next book but leaving this one feeling slightly unfinished.

📚 Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a story that feels like a gentle hug 🫂, A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons delivers. It’s not trying to be explosive or fast-paced—it’s a slow and steady celebration of quiet magic, healing, and choosing your own joy.

🧁 Ideal reading companion: A hot cup of chai, a cozy blanket, and your fluffiest pet (or plush dragon).
📦 Will I read the next one? Absolutely—Penner has found her stride in this niche, and I’m here for it!

This book is the prefect cozy fantasy with a little romance thrown in. I love that while it's a romance book the main focus is actually more on the growth of the FMC, Doli. I loved her character development and growth throughout the story. There was also strong world building and the supporting characters had depth as well.. This is the second book in the series but you don't have to read the first book to completely understand and follow this story. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. This is a great read if you are looking for a light-hearted escape.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.