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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
This was an ARC
fun concept, but some major plot holes
fun concept, but some major plot holes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you so much to Macmillan Children’s and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.
This book was an absolute delight from start to finish. I am obsessed with this.
It follows Kat and Brenda, two teens from alternate universes who have a chance meeting in Kat’s dads coffeeshop when a portal briefly opens between their two worlds.
I was really glad so little of this book was spent on them trying to find their way back to each other, in all honesty. Their chemistry was immediate and I loved them together so much right from that first meeting.
The world building and plot here are absolutely fascinating. The way magic works and the history of it in Kat’s world versus the complete lack of magic in Brenda’s world was really well done. The gradual collision of these two worlds and their intertwining history had me absolutely hooked.
There’s some really solid side characters in this book, all incredibly loveable and warm and welcoming.
This book balances cosy and exciting plot really well, in my opinion.
This book was an absolute delight from start to finish. I am obsessed with this.
It follows Kat and Brenda, two teens from alternate universes who have a chance meeting in Kat’s dads coffeeshop when a portal briefly opens between their two worlds.
I was really glad so little of this book was spent on them trying to find their way back to each other, in all honesty. Their chemistry was immediate and I loved them together so much right from that first meeting.
The world building and plot here are absolutely fascinating. The way magic works and the history of it in Kat’s world versus the complete lack of magic in Brenda’s world was really well done. The gradual collision of these two worlds and their intertwining history had me absolutely hooked.
There’s some really solid side characters in this book, all incredibly loveable and warm and welcoming.
This book balances cosy and exciting plot really well, in my opinion.
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4 stars...first off thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC of the book. I enjoyed this one a lot. I loved the story between Brenda and Kat. This is a YA/fantasy about two world kind of overlapping each other and causing chaos and magic surges. I thought the plot was great, loved all the characters. It has everything I enjoy in a book; magic, fantastical creatures, alternate universes, D&D, a group of friends that would do anything for each other, a little romance, and a whole lot of adventures. I liked how it ended too. Yes I would recommend readers to read this once it comes out. Great read!
Listen, I hate to say it as much as you hate to hear it: this one was just not for me. Maybe it's because I can't make heads nor tails of D&D lingo, or maybe it just wasn't meant to be, but this book could not hold my attention no matter how hard I tried. It had all the ingredients of a book I would love (interdimensional travel and sapphic romance), but the execution just failed to keep me engaged. DNF'd at 46%. Fans of D&D, I hope y'all love this one. <3
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book wasn’t only cute but it was incredibly clever. I honestly thought I would get a cozy read but this was way more. When I read the meet cute between Brenda and Kat, I did think this was a cozy read. But when I learned of their two parallel worlds, I thought we would get simple plot. But then it grew and it grew, saw Kat’s mom’s death (or disappearance) as a mystery plus a mysterious conspiracy theory of why two Los Angeles cities are in different worlds. I was very hooked and although for me some elements were a bit obvious it was extremely fun to read them. At the same time, I enjoyed reading the young relationship between Brenda and Kat. I very much loved Kat’s character of her being “the chosen one” and how the expectations for her were high, she had a very unique perspective. Very clever book!
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
We know coffee Coffeeshop AU now lets have Coffeeshop in an AU
(Much thanks to NetGally)
(Much thanks to NetGally)
This one had all the ingredients I usually adore: sapphic romance, cozy fantasy, multiverse shenanigans, and a magical coffeeshop setting. Brenda, a science-driven overachiever, and Kat, a reluctant Chosen One, meet-cute across universes, promising a blend of heart and hijinks.
But alas, the brew didn't hit the spot for me. The narrative felt more like a gentle simmer than a rolling boil, and I found myself repeatedly putting it down, unable to stay engaged. While the premise was intriguing, the execution lacked the spark I was hoping for.
Maybe it's a case of "right book, wrong time." Perhaps if I revisit it later, the magic will resonate more. For now, though, it's a DNF.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Sometimes, even the most promising blends don't suit every palate.
This was amazing — impeccably plotted & world built, with a sweet romance and a beautiful ending!