The cover is what drew me in to check out this book and I’m so glad I did! I didn’t know I needed a cozy Halloween fantasy romance but it was perfect. Nettie and Rowena were absolutely adorable and the mysteries were fun, really enjoyed this one!

I thought this was a really cute, cozy story! Nettie and Rowena feel like a grumpy x sunshine pairing, and I really liked how their friendship and relationship developed throughout the story. The setting description was beautiful, and I loved the world-building and supernatural elements that were worked into the story.
This was a fun story with an air of mystery. Definitely something I'm looking forward to re-reading during the fall and I hope to see more from this series!

The literal definition of a cozy witch story. I loooooooved this book! It's got werewolves, witches, sapphics, AND a cafe?? HELLO COUNT ME IN!

I enjoyed the characters, the world, story; honestly every part of the book. Rowena and Nettie are absolutely adorable, and the elementals were such a nice touch (I love that they had their own personalities, and I think I'd get along with Mavro since I also like to snooze).

The only reason I didn't give it a 5 stars is because I felt that some of the plot twists were a little predictable and that the story moved a bit too fast for my liking after the first half of the book. I wish it was a little more in depth, but that's only nitpicking! It's insane the author managed to write something so heart-warming in only a couple of months.

Major, major praise for this book! I'm looking forward to buying the physical copy when it releases, and will definitely be reading the second book when it comes out next year. 4.5 Stars rounded up to 5.

A massive thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me a copy of The Lone Wolf Café

I DEVOURED this book just like I would devour Nettie’s baking if I could try it😋

The story was incredibly well-written, not too slow or too fast paced and had a great concept!

I got quickly attached to Nettie, Rowena and the elementals! (Especially Aria, literally the cutest). I also did not expect the end and was pleasantly surprised!

I would highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a cosy, lighthearted sapphic fantasy!
I cannot wait for book 2 to come out now! 🤩

There's nothing like a cozy fantasy to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside and this sweet sapphic story does just that!

After Nettie runs away from her home in Hollenboro, she stumbles upon a witch village called Wisteria Grove.

Here she meets Rowena Hawthorne, a herbalist and a café owner, who offers Nettie a job after tasting her blueberry scones.

Both of them however have secrets that become difficult to hide from the rest of the village.

When I first read the synopsis, I was so excited to read this. I immediately thought of Legends & Lattes, but after reading both, they’re actually not similar at all.

The Lone Wolf Café sounds good on the paper, but I really struggled with the writing style. This book is unfortunately the prime example of telling not showing and the characters suffer because of it. This book lacks depth, and the characters feel very one dimensional (I also feel like Nettie has a slight main character syndrome).

There were some good moments between Nettie and Rowena, but I wish we got more dialogues between them instead of unnecessary descriptions.

Rowena is mostly here to be the love interest and plot device, and the rest of the minor characters are just there.

There were a few things I found weird - we were told that Nettie was sneaking out to the human city throughout the years, yet she doesn’t know that people use money or what phones are? And the main characteristic of a werewolf is that they have a really good hearing, yet when she spies on Rowena with a strange man, she can’t hear what they’re talking about (and they’re not even that far)?

This book feel like a first draft instead of a finished book, which I would get if this was a debut novel, but it’s not.

I’m still deciding whether to rate this 2 or 3*. There’s definitely a potential here, and the familiars are really cute. It’s also a little bit spicy, which I didn’t expect.

I appreciate the focus on mental health that’s in the later chapters, and the recipes at the end of the book are a really nice touch.

Overall - not that great, but not terrible. It is a low stake story, with a little bit of action, so if you like these kind of storie, I think you’ll enjoy The Lone Wolf Café too - especially if you’re looking for sapphic Halloween reads.

Disclaimer: A free e-arc was provided by the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This was a sweet and atmospheric book that I unfortunately read at the wrong time of year! I would recommend reading this with a hot drink and a baked good, under a blanket, in the week running up to Halloween. It follows a runaway werewolf baker who has to hide her identity when she stumbles into an enchanted witch village (and meets a grumpy, but lovable cafe owner), and the book follows their relationship.

This book felt warm, while it didn't shy away from more serious topics (e.g. abandonment and complicated feelings toward family were explored). There was a good balance of plot to romance, with a little spice to keep things interesting. There were also a couple plot twists that were harder to guess and engaging.

My main complaint about this book would be the side characters- the main couple was well fleshed out, but most of the other characters felt a bit 2D. Maybe there could've been less, with more page time dedication.

Overall, a good read that definitely fits into the cozy fantasy genre =) 3.5 stars, rounded up

Thank you Netgalley for the free ARC. This was such a cute read and I loved the characters, the setting, the magic. It was such fun!

The Lone Wolf Café is a cozy, character-driven story with a lot of heart. Sydney Wilder creates a charming small-town atmosphere that’s easy to sink into, and the found-family themes really shine. The café setting adds a warm, comforting backdrop to the emotional journey of the characters.

While the pacing was a bit uneven in parts and some character dynamics could’ve used a little more depth, there’s still a lot to enjoy here. The main characters are likable, and the story hits some genuinely heartfelt notes along the way.

If you’re looking for a low-stakes, feel-good read with a touch of emotional depth, this one is worth checking out. I’m curious to see what Wilder writes next!

📖 Bookish Thoughts:
This was a cozy little sapphic Halloween read! I really liked the slow build between Nettie and Rowena. Their relationship was soft and sweet. I also really loved the witchy and Halloween-town setting.

That said… the last 15% kinda lost me. It felt like everything got wrapped up a little too conveniently. Still, I had a good time with it overall, and I’d definitely read more from this author.

🎃 What You Can Expect:
• Witch x werewolf
• Cozy Halloween vibes
• Slow burn sapphic romance
• Baking + magic
• Mild spice
• Small town secrets

Release Date: September 9, 2025
Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

I loved this novel! It was a fun and easy read, and I had a lot of trouble putting down. I have a lot of nice things to say about it, and honestly nothing negative to say. It was cute and fun, but also serious and had substance. I loved the protagonist and enjoyed following her journey from clueless fish out of water (she tried to buy something with scones, because what’s money?), to someone who has found her place in the world. This book had multiple layers, and I think most readers would enjoy peeling them back.

Highlights:
-Great writing. It flows well, the pacing was well done.
-Nice worldbuilding; simple and accessible, yet creative and original.
-Awesome witchy vibes.
-Cute elementals, being adorable.
-Solid mystery(s) to be uncovered that keeps you engaged in the story and wanting to read more.
-Lots of baking, and descriptions of food (if you like that).
-Plot twists! That you might actually not see coming!
-Well balanced: romance, action, adventure, found families, etc.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.

Thank you so much to Sydney Wilder and NetGalley for the ARC!

I first saw the cover of this on instagram when the author was talking about it and I immediately ran to put in my request.

This is so cute and cozy. The perfect book to sit and read with your favorite drink and get lost in. I plopped down in my chair and didn't get up until I was finished.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the eARC of The Lone Wolf Café.

Ever since I saw the author promoting The Lone Wolf Café on her Instagram I knew I needed to read it. I was so hyped to find out more about the wolf girl and the witch.
So when the eARC popped up I rushed over to grab it and I started reading as soon as.
I absolutely love Nettie (wolf girl), her character was created with realism and lots of dimensions to her, the anxiety she suffers was presented realistically and I really liked how inclusive the characters were.
Rowena was created equally as good, her character for me had a bit of mystery and the air of will they won't they in the beginning kept the romance spark alight.
The writing in this novel is engaging, the way it told the story and built the world up was really fun and cosy.
The plotline I felt was great and I loved the direction it took, especially with the twists I didn't see coming. I felt those were an interesting taking. The romance aspect, I thought was obvious from the start so was a little taken back when Nettie found it a "surprise".. maybe I read that aspect wrong to start with. Either way it didn't damage the plotline and I felt their developing relationship was sweet to see it all unfold.
I enjoyed reading The Lone Wolf Café and really loved the ending, it was cosy and satisfying.

4.75 stars rounded up

This is a fun, soothing werewolf x witch Sapphic romance with a lovely focus on mental health.

Nettie's journey from sheltered werewolf hiding from the witch town to embracing her heritage and her sexuality is healing in a lot of ways. There's a lot about this book that have the cozy cafe/bakery feel, but there are still some elevated stakes with the relations between the witches of Wisteria Grove and the local werewolf pack. For those of you who enjoy hurt/comfort, you'll find that within these pages as well.

There were a couple of worldbuilding plot holes that stood out to me that prevented this from being a full five stars. *Redacting spoilers from NetGalley review*

Where this book really shined for me was the inclusion of mental health. Nettie's anxiety presents itself in partial shifting, and Rowena is there to help with anxiety attacks. There's also a mention of what sounds like postpartum depression and the way it was mishandled due to lack of knowledge, despite best intentions. I also absolutely adored the elementals!

Fans of queer cozy fantasy will enjoy this one. I'd gladly read more of the Mainely Magic series!

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

I first fell in love with the beautiful cover and after a few pages I was soooo in love with the story. Oh my god, I really didn't expect that, especially because I rarely read fantasy books. The atmosphere the author created was just incredibly beautiful. Wow, wow, wow! The characters, the village of Wisteria Grove, the forest, I could visualize everything so well. Sydney Wilder's writing is amazing! This book really is the surprise of the year for me so far!

The plot was extremely well developed and with great attention to detail. But not only the development of the sweet sapphic romance was very good, but also the mystical - the situation of a werewolf ending up in a hidden witch village, trying to live there and then falling in love with a witch. It has to be said that witches and werewolves are not really on the same page in this book. It was so sweet and romantic on the one hand and very exciting on the other. The story was really captivating and it was so hard to put the book down. There was also a surprise at the end: Nettie's baking recipes. I will definitely try them out!!

It's a cozy, heartwarming read in a charming sweet village with lots of great characters (and sweet elements), tender love and the right amount of suspense. Highly recommended! I can't wait for part 2!

Thank you to Sydney Wilder and NetGalley for giving me an ARC.

Wow, I did not expect myself to love this book as much as I do but it is SO GOOD!! It’s an easy read and I was on the edge of my seat at multiple points, dying to know what happens next. And the cherry on top—there are recipes at the back of the book!!!

The characters are very well done. They really feel like people, not just characters. The descriptions of the characters are so vivid, I could picture exactly what they looked like in my head. The romance was developed really well too. Everything felt very realistic: the romance, the characters, the community. I won’t shut up about how good everything in this book was.

The plot is surprisingly very captivating. For being a cozy romance, I was a little worried that I would be bored at some points but that was not the case at all. I was loving every second of this book. The plot twists are good and I was not expecting them. The world is creative and makes me want to live in this small, cute witch town.

The descriptions are a part of what makes this book fantastic. I have never read a book that is this descriptive about everything without it being boring. I honestly don’t know how the author did it but her descriptions are just so captivating and intriguing. She could describe grass to me and make it interesting.

I seriously cannot wait for the next book, I will definitely be looking out for it!


Thank you so much to Sydney Wilder and NetGalley for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

*Review will be posted to my blog, GoodReads, Fable & Storygraph

If you're in the mood for a cozy fantasy with a sapphic romance, this is an excellent choice! The characters are charming, the magic is exciting, the plot (though a little predictable at times) is still interesting, and the romance is adorable.

I loved the balance the author used of cozy tea shop romance and mystery. Watching Nettie trying to adjust to her new life and discover the secrets of her town and heritage (particularly Rowena's) kept me very invested.

As well, I really enjoyed seeing Nettie falling for Rowena. The way their relationship built was fairly slow, although they seemed to have a connection from the beginning. Rowena was an intriguing character, reserved but not shy. I loved seeing them finally get together, although I have to say the sex scene wasn't my favorite. Things felt a little awkwardly written and the characters seemed not quite themselves. Despite that, it is still a very sweet romance, and the bond between Rowena and Nettie shines strong throughout the book.

Another of my favorite aspects was the elementals. I absolutely adored their presence and the way that they helped our characters throughout the story. They are such a fun inclusion that really made the magic stand out for me.

Overall, this definitely achieves the cozy fantasy romance vibe it is going for. It's not so complex as some other fantasy novels, but has charm and is perfect for a quick easy read when you need a comfort novel. 4.6/5 rounded up.

If you're looking for a super cute and cozy sapphic romance, you're looking at it! this one was a quick read that felt like a big hug. I loved how both MCs had been outcasts (but in different ways) and how they found comfort within one another.

Things I loved:
🖤 shifters and witches (who don't like one another)
🖤 a tea shop
🖤 acts of service
🖤 secrets (but not of the queer kind)
🖤 black cat/golden retriever

overall, I rated this one a 4.5 star (rounded up), 1🌶️.

Thank you so much to Sydney Wilder and NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for giving me an ARC.

This is one of my favourite books I've ever read. I loved the characters, the world-building was amazing, and the sapphic romance was so cute.

Firstly, the opening chapter is absolutely beautifully written. The prose and imagery is so good that I can still vividly picture it the day after I finished the book. The author clearly has lots of strengths, but their prose and ability to capture such a vivid atmosphere, and then convey it in an intriguing and evocative way is one of their best. That first page will stay with me for a long time!

I loved both Nettie and Rowena as characters. Nettie was extremely relatable, it can be really suffocating to grow up in a small town, and I love how her anxiety was portrayed so realistically but also so gently. Whilst her anxiety affected her, it wasn't her whole personality, and I really loved the representation. Rowena was also fantastic. I completely get why she distanced herself from Nettie originally and why she seemed aloof one moment, and then intimate the next. Her backstory was really sad but I'm glad she got a happy ending.

The depiction of the elementals was so cute and such a lovely detail. Especially Aria, she was so adorable, and Nettie thanking Aria for being her friend was just so sweet.

This was the perfect cozy fantasy, in that enough plot happened to keep me engaged and eagerly reading for what was going to happen next, and yet it still felt relatively low stakes, with some tense moments, but nothing too much.