Great to pick up where we left off with Saphira and Aiden celebrating their engagement. Love the way they describe Sparky as though he's their child. They are a good part of the story but the focus has shifted over to Lavinia and Theo.

Theo's family aren't as warm to him as they should be so it's quite sad given his nature and how well regarded he is by everyone else. He gets on amazingly well with Alfie and the rest of Lavinia's family 😊 I'm not sure why Theo's parents are so cold towards him as he's doing really well but they clearly seem to think he's not doing well in life.

Theo's longstanding relationship with Lavinia is his saving grace after the coldness shown to him by his own family. It was inevitable that the hinges would turn out the way they did. The Patrick Swayze moment between Lavinia and Theo did make me chuckle.

I also liked how Saphira continues to support her staff who are also her closest friends. She is very supportive which enables Theo to build his confidence and try out his ideas. The gulab jammun cheesecake sounds good 😋 The business venture between her and Theo sounds great too.

Like the Baby Dragon Cafe, this makes you hungry and kinda broody for a baby dragon. 😂 The drinks at the cafe sound good - Saphira's blackberry mint cocktail sounds delicious 🤤 it's a good escape into a mix of fantasy, romance, community and friendship. Can't wait for the next book in the series 🤩

I loved the first book in this series so I expected to love this one too. However where the first one felt cozy and sweet, this one came up a little flat and boring. I thought I was going to love the friends to lovers but I think as I grow older that trope annoys me lol. Still cute just not my cup of tea in the end.

I loved this book. I have read the first the baby dragon cafe and it had me hooked so I was very excited to read this book and it did not disappoint. I love the characters and the world build. It’s a cosy read with romance and of dragons which is what I love.
Thank you A. T. Qureshi , publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchanged for my honest review.

Review: The Baby Dragon Bakery
2/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC!

This cozy fantasy romance had such a sweet premise—magical vet school, a charming cafe, and an adorable baby dragon. Lavinia and Theo’s friends-to-lovers story had all the ingredients to be something special.

That said, this one didn’t quite work for me. While the setting was enchanting and the dragon utterly delightful, I found the story a bit repetitive. The central conflict relied heavily on miscommunication, which became frustrating over time. I really wanted the characters to simply talk things through rather than spiral into avoidable confusion.

Fans of gentle, whimsical romances might still enjoy it, especially if you’re in the mood for a magical world with a cozy vibe. I just hoped for a little more emotional depth and clarity between the leads.

The Baby Dragon Bakery is a sweet and tender story about two childhood friends who slowly realize that they might want to be more than just friends. This book could be a perfect introduction to the genre for someone who hasn't read romance novels and wanted to start with something easygoing and light. As for me, well, I found the book sweet, yes, but I also found the pacing too slow and I kept hoping that our main characters would just take the plunge and open their mouths, or something, to make it a bit more intriguing. The ending was wonderful, however.

So, to sum up my thoughts, there was nothing really wrong with the novel, but in my opinion nothing to wrote home about either and for a moment I even considered not finishing the book, which is unfortunate.

Ahh where do I start. I absolutely loved this book. It follows on from the previous book 'baby dragon cafe' which was another of my favourite reads. I would describe this as warm hug, it is heart warming and will be the perfect read for autumn. It follows the relationship between two main characters Theo and Lavinia with their will they or won't they vibe. Their friendship made the dynamic a lovely read. Another cosy romance with twist, turns and of course, dragons. What more could you want?

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchanged for an honest review.

I read the first book and when I saw this on net galley I applied and prayed! And well here I am
This book was the most perfect sequel I adored the yearning (bring back yearning) the tension the shared moments.
I really love when books have a nod to the culture of the mcs so the integration of south Asian culture had me melting (the hair oil scene to be exact)
I really believe this book is the perfect cozy read that makes you want to curl up in front of a fire a nice cup of whatever you like book in hand.

🐉🧁 Whimsical, warm, and frosted with just enough magic—The Baby Dragon Bakery serves up a cosy friends-to-lovers romance with a hint of fantasy and a whole lot of heart.

Lavinia and Theo have been inseparable since childhood, but when unspoken feelings bubble up, their inability to communicate sends things into a spiral of awkwardness, jealousy, and missed chances. When Lavinia starts dating someone else, Theo’s jealousy grows—but neither of them seems ready to have the honest conversation they desperately need. While their dynamic is endearing, the heavy reliance on the miscommunication trope makes for some frustrating moments along the way.

This sequel to The Baby Dragon Café dials down the fantasy in favour of a cosier, romance-first story. Magical touches remain—like Lavinia’s vet school for mythical creatures and caring for an adorable baby dragon called Biter—but the focus stays firmly on the emotional journey.

Fans of book one will enjoy seeing Saphira and Aiden again, now happily in love and engaged—adding an extra dose of warmth and continuity for returning readers.

✨ If you enjoy low-spice, friends-to-lovers romance with just a sprinkling of whimsy, The Baby Dragon Bakery makes for a charming, if slightly predictable, comfort read. A soft, cinnamon-sweet story perfect for romantasy fans who prefer gentle magic and emotional comfort reads.

The Baby Dragon Bakery has an undeniably cute and whimsical setting—baby dragons, magical baking, and a cozy shop that feels like it belongs in a fairy tale. I was initially drawn in by the charm of the concept and the delightful cover art.

However, as I got into the story, I realized I wasn’t the right audience for this book. The writing style felt more suited to a younger demographic, and I struggled with the pacing and dialogue, which didn’t quite resonate with me. Most importantly, I couldn’t connect with any of the characters, which made it hard for me to stay invested in the story.

That said, I think this book could really shine for younger readers or anyone looking for a light, fantastical read with lots of heart and sweetness.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

This was such a wholesome and utterly adorable book, and of course had the added essences of dragons and magic! A lovely cosy fantasy read!

Adorable and wholesome with just a sprinkle of magic. Perfect for fans of cozy fantasy. The bakery descriptions made me hungry, and the dragon was delightful.

Part of what I really loved about The Baby Dragon Cafe was the mix of fantasy in the romance. I felt like The Baby Dragon Bakery had less of the fantasy element but I oddly wasn't disappointed by this. I actually think I read this one faster than the previous book!

If you're looking for a cosy romance with loveable characters I can't recommend this enough. While the story is more character focused than plot, it was entertaining, had good pacing, and I truly enjoyed it. Much like the previous book I look forward to reading it again!

Just finished Aamna Qureshi’s The Baby Dragon Bakery and it was such a cozy delight! I don’t come to the Baby Dragon series for epic plot twists - I come for the charm, the comfort, and the characters that feel like friends. And this one delivered exactly that.
That said, I do have two (loving) critiques:
1. I need MORE dragons. Always.
2. Lavinia! Girl, you’re so smart… how are you this clueless sometimes?! I actually had to put the book down and remind myself she’s fictional and her chaotic love life isn’t my problem.
Even with the minor critiques, I adored this read. Aamna has such a gift for writing characters with heart and depth. Yes, it can feel a little immature at times, but honestly, that’s part of its charm. If you loved book one, you’ll enjoy this just as much.
And Aamna, if you happen to see this - please give us MORE dragon content in book 3!

The cozy follow up to the Baby Dragon Cafe, we’re now getting Lavinia and Theo’s story. Best friends since childhood, they realize they may have feelings for the other, but without communicating this, they assume the other isn’t interested and make things incredible awkward, as one does. Lavinia feels rejected by Theo and starts seeing someone else and naturally, he gets a bit jealous. This all happens as they’re also in the midst of their own dreams. She’s at vet school and working part time at the cafe, while also helping to care for a baby dragon Biter. He’s weighing a future between his degree and the baking he finds passion in.
It’s a cozy cute read for anyone that’s a fan of romance and light fantasy. I got frustrated with the main characters’ lack of communication, as well as not quite as many baby dragon experiences in this edition (cmon, they’re so cute!) but overall it was a fun, sweet read.
Thank you to Avon Books UK for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

3/5!

A cute romance more than a fantasy romance which is fine if that’s what you were expecting, I on the other hand was expecting the magic aspect to be part of the story more.

The romance aspect was ok and quite entertaining but nothing really special.

Thankyou Netgalley and Avon Books Uk for the arc!

The Baby Dragon Bakery is the perfect cosy fantasy for any fans of friends to lovers! Lavinia is a whirlwind of energy, a vet-in-training and barista at The Baby Dragon Cafe. Theo is a baker and her best friend. Lavinia believes she must find her great love on a deadline, and Theo doesn't believe he's good enough for anyone. Can they get together before it's too late? I loved seeing Theo's progression through this and his healing from some deep emotional trauma. I also loved the descriptions of Lavinia's family life - it's so wholesome and all of the food sounds delicious! I'm not normally a bug fan of friends to lovers and I didn't like the third act break up in this but I am excited to read Emmeline's book next!

I absolutely adored the first instalment in this trilogy by A.T. Qureshi (The Baby Dragon Cafe), so feel extremely lucky to have been able to read this second book so early!

From the moment I started reading, just like with the first instalment, I felt such a deep sense of happiness and comfort and that feeling never stopped! I already loved Starshine Valley and The Baby Dragon Cafe so it was wonderful being back in this world again, but this time with a focus on a different member of the Baby Dragon team, Lavinia. She is in love with her best friend Theo, except he doesn't seem to realise! We are there with Lavinia as she tries to distract herself from her feelings, busy with her studies, interning at the local animal hospital and working one day a week at the Baby Dragon. We also got to see things from Theo's point of view too, and his struggles with his family and work at the Rolling Pin Bakery. His heart just isn't in it anymore, although he does still make treats for the Baby Dragon Cafe (I wish that I could go and visit to see the cute baby dragons and try some of Theo’s creations)!

This story is so cosy and magical and the beautiful descriptions made this world come to life. I especially loved Biter, the cute baby dragon who Lavinia’s family are looking after and I was invested in Lavinia’s and Theo’s journeys as the story progressed. I was forever highlighting little sections and my favourite quotes! It was great to get to see how Saphira and Aiden are getting on too, as I came to love them both so much after reading book one in the series.

I honestly cannot recommend this series enough and I’m so glad that there is another instalment in January 2026 to look forward to!

I thought the first one was cute, and the second one is just as cute!

Cozy, easy read with friends to lovers. I'll for sure be reading the third book in the series when it comes out!

3.5
So so happy to get Theo and Lavinias story! I loved the best friends to lovers. The secret yearning and the tension was so cute. I really liked the childhood throwbacks in this book, which really helped solidify the development of their relationship.
I liked this just a tiny bit more than the first book. I really loved the bakes that Theo would make and I found myself waiting to see what his next creation would be!
There writing is very simple and doesn’t hold much depth, however it is perfect for a cute, cosy read that you can switch off with. This book and series as a whole feels like a warm hug.
Perfect for fans of legends and lattes and the pumpkin spice cafe series, that want to dive into the coziest fantasy world.
I cannot wait for the story with Tales and tails bookshop!
Thank you to Avon Books for sending me the ARC, and I am so grateful to be part of The Baby Dragon Club!

What a sequel to the Baby Dragon Cafe. Low stakes cozy fantasy. Such a cozy read. Loved the storyline