I wanted to love this so much, but the writing and choices with the plot did not work for me. The first half was good, but it just got boring and confusing as it continued. It also felt extremely long for a short book.

A cozy fantasy romance with adorable baby dragons, yummy food, and disappointing story telling.

I went into this book with so much hope. Baby dragons! Cute Cafes! What could go wrong? The beginning started out strong with Saphira and her adorable cafe and it's challenges staying running with baby dragons constantly wrecking things. Aiden walks in with a baby dragon and money to fix her cafe, the solution to all her problems if she can train the dragon. But Aiden is insufferable. I really couldn't get behind their romance. Even when his shell starts to break down it is sudden and like his whole personality was changed. And then the story takes an odd left turn with dragon temples, challenges and a fake marriage.

The story had so much potential but it fell flat by the end. There was just such a lack of world building and plot development to make this book solid. I know others had problems with baby dragons being called "draggos" but I thought that was adorable. If you are reading just for vibes this may work for you. Overall, I was just very disappointed.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc for review.

Review: Absolutely loved this…. Cannot explain in words how warming this novel was. I literally have to break it down:

Starting with the storyline, each and every chapter was well thought out and very well written. Each chapter was distinct and different, and came together to make the most beautiful storyline. It just comes to show that what you see on the face of things, does not always pinpoint what you think. A guy may seem arrogant, but deep down is shy, and not comfortable with crowded surroundings. I can truly say that each chapter brought warmth to my heart, and it was always a joy picking this book up each time.

Moving to the characters….. OMG how relatable to how we think nowadays, but what really got me was the nostalgia throughout of nani-ma! Literally Aamna you have my heart right there. My nani-ma was a significant being in my life, and dare I say the very crux of me, and losing her broke me. But when I sat down with this novel, Aamna you have really helped me deal with this feeling, and I am very touched and proud you continued the importance of nani-ma throughout the story, and made her quite an inspiration for Saphira.

Saphira and Aidan together are a dream, their chemistry, their love, their care for each was just bliss. I’m sorry but I want a Sparky of my own!!! Like how can a baby dragon be so cute just through words!!! 😍😍

Hands down smashed this first book, and I am so looking forward to The Baby Dragon Bakery!! I cannot wait till its published, so please can I be on the list for a proof copy @avonbooksuk haha 😍😇

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A cafe with baby dragons? Yes, please! Potential for cute grumphy-sunshine romance with low stakes? Yes, please! The idea behind this book is so good, and I wish that the book lived up to it.

The writing was mediocre at best, the stakes were basically non existent, the romance... existed. Sadly, the entire book felt rushed, and it was a struggle for me to convince myself to finish it.

I will not be continuing this series, but I am curious to read the author's young adult novels, as I am hoping her writing is more suited to a younger audience.

3 stars (barely), but it feels lower than that.

A cosy romantacy set in a small town coffee shop full of baby dragons
An easy to follow plot and likeable characters - Sparky is such a little cutie
I found it a touch cringeworthy and a bit repetitive but if you take it for what it is - it’s a lovely fluffy, escapist read
Thanks @aamna_qureshu @avonbooksuk & @netgalley for the sweet read

A.T. Qureshi's debut novel offers a cozy blend of romance and fantasy, reminiscent of Gilmore Girls with a magical twist. The dynamic between the optimistic Saphira and the brooding Aiden creates a delightful "grumpy-sunshine" pairing. While the world-building introduces intriguing concepts like dragon families and magical creatures, some readers feel the fantasy elements could be more developed. Nonetheless, the charm of baby dragons and the evolving relationship between the protagonists provide an engaging and heartwarming read

This was on the very cozy side of cozy fantasy - I wanted more dragon content but the romance was cute as well. I wish I knew more about what dragon riders have to go through / the governing body of the riders. It acts as the book's political system and seemed to be a big part of owning a dragon. But I understand this was not the main focus and this is not high fantasy

This book has a very cute premise and very fun setting, but I felt that it was very predictable. I couldn’t fall in love with either main character, and I didnt feel motivated to keep reading.

Cute and cosy fantasy. What more could you want from a book about dragons? The cover art is absolutely beautiful too

A super cute, cozy, fantasy romance!!! This book just made me so happy, and I reeeeaallllly want a baby dragon now!!!

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book, but I was very pleasantly surprised. I ended up finishing the book in just a few sittings and really enjoyed the story and characters.

I was so excited for this book, from the title to all the hype on social media. I even purchased a special edition with all the cute sprayed edges.
However, when I began reading, I quickly became frustrated by how repetitive the writing was: how many times do you read need to say 'baby dragons' in one sentence?!

Despite this obstacle, I really tried to persevere with the story, but there was just not enough in it to hook me in. I'm sad to say that I unfortunately will be adding this to my DNF pile.
Kudos for the clever marketing, mega hype building and social media storming. Looking at the other reviews, this book clearly has some fans, I wanted to join team baby dragon, but needed more from this book to sprout my wings.

The Baby Dragon Cafe invites readers into a whimsical world where Saphira, the owner of a unique cafe, welcomes baby dragons and their human companions. Running a cafe for magical creatures isn’t without its challenges! To keep her dream alive, Saphira must find creative ways to manage her mischievous patrons and the financial strain they bring.

Enter Aiden, a local gardener with a disobedient baby dragon of his own. When he seeks Saphira’s help, their partnership sparks a series of events that intertwine their lives in unexpected ways. The story unfolds with a mix of lighthearted moments, magical mishaps, and a touch of personal growth.

This is a delightful and imaginative story that brings a unique concept to life. The book has plenty of heartwarming, cosy moments and a magical atmosphere that’s easy to get lost in.

While it’s a light and breezy read, it’s perfect for anyone looking for a touch of fantasy and charm. The characters and setting have a sweet appeal that makes this world feel cosy and inviting.

If you’re in the mood for something fun, uplifting and not too serious, The Baby Dragon Cafe is a lovely little escape that will leave you with a smile.

The Baby Dragon Café is such a cute little gem! This book totally nails that fantasy-meets-romance vibe in the most adorable way possible. The romance had just enough sizzle and sweetness to keep me invested in the characters—definitely found myself cheering them on! But let's talk about that magical dragon café setting because WOW! So imaginative and downright charming that I was seriously wishing I could book a table there myself! Who doesn't want tiny dragons serving them coffee?! Not gonna lie though—there were definitely moments where things dragged a bit.

Bottom line: it's a super charming, feel-good escape with characters you'll fall for and a world you'll want to visit. A few slow spots, sure, but if you're in the mood for something cozy with a sprinkle of magic and a dash of romance—this is your book!

Auch an interesting concept to work around dragons in modern life. I really enjoyed reading it. It was sweet and more focused on the chemistry between the protagonists rather than the world and the dragon aspect.

I missed the archive date on this one but ended up getting a copy through the library and so thankful i did I'm obsessed with cozy fantasy and this was perfect.

I really thought I was going to love this one. From the synopsis this one has everything I love but I just could not get into this one. I'm gutted but this one just wasn't for me and I ended up dnfing

This was such a light hearted read, not like anything I’ve read before with the involvement of baby dragons and in the romance between Saph and Aiden. I sped through this book just in time for receiving a copy of book 2!

Before meeting Aiden, Saph is a shy cafe owner who has recently lost her grandmother leaving her with no family of her own. As her cafe becomes more popular and her relationship with Aiden blossoms, her confidence continues to grow.

I definitely recommend reading this, straight on to book 2!

Another winner from Aamna Quereshi, THE BABY DRAGON CAFE is a cozy, romantic fantasy with charm meant to be read with an open heart curled up with your favorite tea .

The Baby Dragon Cafe is an okay read. It did take me a while to get into the third person narrative, especially with how frequently the main characters name was used but I’m aware this is down to personal preference.

I would note that this reads very much like a contemporary romance and not the only way it can be described as fantasy is due to the fact it has dragons (but might as well just be dogs).

I thought the premise of the book had potential but ultimately missed the mark.