This book was so cute. Cosy and whimsical fantasy vibes. Very beautifully written.
I loved this one a lot!

I am so in love with this sweet, whimsical book! Found it impossible to put this one down, and I honestly cannot wait to read it again. Everything about this was so elegantly crafted, from the characters to the story, and the emotional moments really hit me like a truck. Tao! I want to hug her - I want to hug everyone in this lovely found family, actually. Please don't miss this one! My eternal gratitude to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in advance!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
5 stars
A very satisfying and wholesome book. The protagonist is a
Touches on the struggle all of us feel when part of us belongs oneplace but also elsewhere, as a British born Indian descendant I wholeheartedly get it and feel that the author portrayed the feelings of loss of our past, unsure where we belong, but also the joy of double the cultures to play and dabble with. I loved the book, it could've very easily read young however the lack of a romantic interest for the protagonist, I think, saves it. The storyline was fab, full of adventure and again just so heartwarming and wholesome. A great warm read to set you up for joy.

I loved this book! It was quirky, interesting and heart-warming, and a total antidote to all the dark things I've been reading recently. Highly recommended if you are looking for something a little different.

Cosy and utterly charming. I loved the premise and this delivered beautifully. Highly recommend if you enjoy cosy fantasy. I will be look out for more from this author.

I’m a critical reader (with a heart of stone) who’s not got on with popular ‘cozy fantasy’ in the past. I was floored at how much I enjoyed this - there’s something so genuine, so special about this story!

🥠 We have a cast of likeable and interesting characters. These folks feel human and I loved the group dynamic. I think Kina was my favourite but there’s something to root for in everyone.
🥠 There are a few threads in this story that illustrate healing. I particularly liked watching Tao expand her horizons and change her perspective on things as she grew, learned, and experienced new things.
🥠 The book had a plot and light conflict. While a positive and comforting read, our characters still had to go through things, learn, fail, and manage conflict. The addition of (manageable) struggles and conflict kept the story pacing on track and prevented it from being saccharine.
🥠 The food writing - Kina’s bakery theme - was awesome. I’ve never craved baked goods more than when I was enjoying this book.
🥠 As an ex-pat, I deeply appreciated the commentary about racism and immigration threaded throughout this book. Parts of Tao’s experience were heartbreakingly relatable and handled in an honest, but conscious, way.
🥠 Without giving spoilers, I loved the lecture that Kina gives Silt!
🥠 A slightly magical cat is always a win!
🥠 Both the UK and the North American covers are stunning. They’re very different but both suit the story and are a joy to look it.

In case it helps: I was almost put off requesting this book because it was catalogued as romance on NetGalley. But, when I looked on the Goodreads and Storygraph tags, it wasn’t, so I took a leap of faith… which really paid off. This story is a lot of things but it’s not a romance (in fact, it’s got ace/aro rep!).

This book is a weighted blanket and a cup of hot cocoa when you need it most. I confidently recommend this to readers who might need some respite from the world and invite you all to escape into the comforting and cozy world that Leong has gifted us in The Teller of Small Fortunes.

I was privileged to have my request to read this book accepted through NetGalley. Thank you so much, Hodderscape!

Reading this book is like being hugged and handed warm cocoa. It's a brilliantly crafted story with appealing characters you'll fall for. I enjoy everything about this book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. I do enjoy a good cozy fantasy and have read several already this year, but this is one of them that really stood out to me. For one thing, the focus of the story was not on romance, but rather weaving a tale of found family. I loved how each member of the band had their own issues and felt like very realistic people, and I loved how they all came together to help each other overcome them. The book has some D+D likes vibes as well, and I would absolutely love to read more about these characters and their adventures!

This was truly so, so lovely. It reminds me a lot of Becky Chambers’ Monk and Robot series if it were a little more plot heavy, which for me is definitely appreciated.

The characters were a pleasure to be with for their stories, and the themes of friendship, family and forgiveness were enough to make me tear up at times.

this is a truly special addition to the cosy fantasy genre, if not one of the best I’ve read so far. I would love to see where else we could go with this story and am waiting with anticipation for a potential sequel!

This book was honestly such a treat to read! Full of cosy side quests and low stakes journeys it’s the perfect book to curl up with a cup of tea. Going into it I wasn’t expecting to be so emotional but this got me in the feels!

This book was completely unexpected. I didn't know what to anticipate when I started reading and I certainly didn't know where the book was going to end up.
Much like the main character Tao's meandering route, in her wagon, through Eshtera it took the reader along for an unexpected journey that picked up some odd acquaintances along the way who became fast friends by the end.
The book slowly unveiled Tao's motivation and reasons for travelling solo through a foreign land as a young vulnerable female, viewed with suspicion by the people she was trying to help and sell fortunes to.
It dealt with complex themes such as loneliness, estrangement, prejudice, racial discrimination and the importance of the bonds of friendship and family.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and felt like I was on an emotional journey with the main character that made me evaluate how some of those themes affect my life.
I felt it was extremely apt given the current racial dissonance occurring in the UK and globally and it provided a unique insight into the emotional exploration that this young woman experiences.

Thanks so much for an early copy of this book!!

This was such a wonderful and cosy read! It was such a lovely escape with light conflict and characters that you become so invested in.

The UK cover is stunning and I think this book should be read by all to escape from reality and fall in love with magic. And maybe a slightly magical cat .....

You know how there are certain books that you just know that you are going to love? That was me when I started reading The Teller of Small Fortunes . This book is so delightfully charming and so full of heart, which made it so easy to fall in love with. To me, this book had the vibes of a Studio Ghibli film mixed with a cozy fantasy-esque DND campaign. There’s just this comforting quality about Teller, which makes you feel like you are being wrapped up in a warm embrace.

At the centre of this story is a cast of truly amazing characters. There’s Tao, the teller of small fortunes, Mash the former mercenary, Silt the (maybe) reformed thief and Kina the baker. There is also a magic animal companion; a wonderful, clever cat. They are a found family in every sense of the world; all of them so very different, having very different goals but coming together as one in the end. And no spoilers, but this is one found family that you want to read about.

I found this to be such an incredible cozy fantasy tale, with some hefty stakes (including the search for a missing daughter) and I know I will be thinking about this for the foreseeable future. Julie Leong’s writing is so impressive and so wonderful, and also very immersive, taking you straight into the adventures of Tao and her newfound family.

A cozy fantasy full of heart, hope and the determination to not give up on your goals and letting yourself change, The Teller of Small Fortunes is an incredible debut. I, for one, cannot wait to read more of what Julie Leong has in store for us.

Thank you Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I love a good cozy low stakes fantasy and this one upped the game and hit the spot. If you’re craving all the feel goods, The Teller of Small Fortunes is your gal. This book was like a warm fire and a cup of hot chocolate for the soul. Tao and her charming “small fortunes” (that a lot of the time inadvertently revealed much bigger answers) are so thoughtfully constructed and well written it made the book hard to put down. Also, I realize the enormity of what I’m getting ready to say, but I’m gonna say it any way… This might be my very favorite found family story ever. I know, but it’s true. There’s just something about this book that hit home and never has a similar journey felt more deserved and genuine. I’ll 100% be buying a copy of this when it comes out, 5 stars

this book was an absolute delight to read!
I had been in a slump where i'd read 4 disappointing/unreadable books in a row, and i just needed something to get me out of that slump. this book was perfect!
it is, at it's core, a tale about unlikely friendships and found families. About being there, supporting and being willing to do anything (within reason) to help those you love (platonic or more).

first, the characters are great. we mainly follow Tao, Kina, Silt and Mash, who are each very different personality wise, an unlikely bunch of friends, but ultimately, the perfect combination. they were all very distinct and I never found myself (as i have with other books) thinking 'which character is this?' because often some writers end up with character clones. but there's none of that here!

the story is so lovely too. It has it's moments of peril, a little darkness, but nothing too over the top that makes this too dark a read. I've seen it described as 'cosy' and honestly, it is. reading it is like a nice little warm hug in a book. it has some wonderful morals too, and a deeper look into government than i've seen in many other books, without going too deep. there's just one section later on in the book that really made me think, and i appreciated it's simple addition to the tale.

it's honestly hard to explain why i enjoyed this so much, but just trust me, it's worth a read if you're needing something pretty relaxed. Not fraught with violence, war, sex etc. it's just chill and so, so enjoyable.

I loved this so much that I've already pre-ordered myself a copy. I didn't know cosy fantasy was my thing until I read this book. It was a hug in a book. I've read one other popular cosy fantasy before and didn't enjoy it. This was different. The different characters and the different stories made me fall in love with cosy fantasy and I'll be looking out for more.

I loved the whole group of characters. There was enough adventure and activity to keep me interested in the story. I can't say enough good things about this book.

I recommend this book to any fans of cosy fantasy.

This book was incredibly cosy and charming. It's one of those books I wish I could leap into and live. Excellent work! I can't wait to recommend it to everyone!

What an absolute burst of joy. The characters are vivid and diverse, the dialogue flows beautifully and has so much humour. The ending was great and I shed more than a few tears so how could I ask for any more! Highly recommend for fans of a cosy fantasy!!

'We're not always cheerful and funny. We've sadness and anxiety, and all these other bitter things wrapped up inside, too, and that's what makes the sweetness all the sweeter.'

I absolutely adored this book! Perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree and was even reminiscent of Becky Chamber's Monk & Robot duology (with a more developed plot).

The author did a great job creating well-rounded characters who's stories were touching and relatable. I'm a very fussy reader when it comes to 'good' writing and I very much enjoyed the clean prose. The author had a clear vision for the plot and this was executed well.

An absolute pleasure to read and a great addition to cosy-fantasy genre. If you enjoy reading about a rag-tag band of characters questing around the countryside and magically-inclined felines this is a must read!

Huge thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this lovely book. 4.5 stars round up!

Delightful cosy fantasy - just what I was after.
The story follows the titular Teller of Small Fortunes, Tao, as she travels around telling (small) fortunes, and collects some new friends.

It's told against a backdrop of international tension, but most of the story is focused on the group and their character journeys.

Thank you to the publisher for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The cover alone sold me on this book but I honestly love everything about it. The characters, the world, the tiny moments of drinking tea or eating pastries.

Tao and her four new friends travel the world as they discover more about who they are and the things they seek. Tao's fortunes help to guide them but it's her love for her friends that helps her get what she wants in the end.

The Teller of Small Fortunes is the perfect cozy read to go with a cup of tea and a cat by your side. Don't forget to look at your fortune in the tea leaves once you finished your cup. Maybe you'll find a small fortune.

The Teller of Small Fortunes is a beautifully written, cozy, light fantasy and I loved every second. I don't really know what else to say about it, except that I adored it and would recommend it to anybody looking for a book to fall in love with!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

I loved this! Cozy fantasy is very hit and miss for me so I wasn't sure about this going in, but I loved every second and will definitely be rereading at some point.

The world is a simple and familiar fantasy setting, but holds up the story and has enough details to feel lived in. The characters are flawed but very lovable, and the dialogue is funny and purposeful. The story is tropey but well executed - especially the found family trope, which I often find lacking in other books which include this trope in their marketing.

The plot is simple but gripped me early on. It's not quite as low stakes as other cozy fantasies (maybe that's why I enjoyed it) but still small scale. There is no real violence but serious topics such as racism and family member death are part of the themes. There are cats.

I would recommend this to everyone, except maybe people who need their fantasy worldbuilding to be very elaborate. The ending made me cry, so this gets an automatic 5 stars from me. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

With thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book is cosy, comforting, and was such a joy to read. The descriptions of everything was so clear and vivid that it felt like I was watching a beautiful movie. The characters were incredible, and felt so real. The writing is like being wrapped in a big hug and given a good cup of tea and a delicious scone. It’s the perfect autumnal read!

The found family aspect of this was my absolute favourite. All of the characters interacted with each other so naturally, and the ending was exactly what I wanted with this little group!

This was such a beautiful book to read and I can’t wait to get my own copy.

A fortune teller, a merchant, a thief, a baker and an entity of chaos... uh...I mean magical cat.
A quest, a dark past an handful of worst laid plans.
All wrapped in the lovely embrace of found family.

This is basically all this book is, and frankly it's all this book needs.

Bonus: if you ever wanted to know how Fortune Cookies were invented, you're lucky.

Cozy fantasy at its best with real good characters, low stakes - but also serious themes like prejudice and being treated badly for simply being different.

4,5/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @hodderbooks for the eARC!

#TheTellerOfSmallFortunes #Netgalley #Bookstagram

A wonderful fairytale for adults! I loved every moment of this book, there was a bit of everything mystery, friendship and magic! Hoping to read more from Julie Leong, as this was fantastic!

This was the most delightfully adorable book I've read in a long, long time.

I loved the slightly mysterious storyline, the charming characters and the found family aspect.

It was whimsical, funny, emotional and just completely and utterly wholesome. The most perfect book to get lost in.

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong is a beautiful entry into the cozy fantasy genre that feels like being wrapped in a warm hug. The story follows Tao, an immigrant fortune teller who only predicts small fortunes to avoid big consequences. Her life takes a turn when a thief and an ex-mercenary recruit her to help find a lost child. Along the way, they're joined by a baker and a slightly magical cat, creating a charming and unlikely group of companions.
The strength of this book lies in its heartfelt exploration of found family, a theme that resonates deeply with me. The characters are distinct and wonderfully developed, each bringing out the best in one another. As they lower their defenses and form bonds, they create a sense of warmth and camaraderie that feels genuine and touching. There were moments where I found myself crying as the story struck just the right balance between big, emotional scenes and quiet, character-driven moments.

Julie Leong's writing is both tender and evocative, perfectly capturing the essence of these small yet meaningful interactions. The story’s pacing allows for a deep dive into each character’s personal journey while still maintaining a compelling plot. I felt every moment of Tao's struggle as she faced her past and the decision to risk everything for a future she never thought possible.

Both the UK and US cover images are stunning and capture the spirit of the book in different ways, enhancing the reading experience from the moment you pick it up. While I’d love to read more stories set in this enchanting world, I’d still be satisfied if this was the only tale we get to experience.

The Teller of Small Fortunes is a story about finding a family in the most unexpected places and learning to embrace the risk that comes with love and connection. It’s a must-read for anyone who loves cozy fantasy or simply enjoys stories that celebrate the power of human (and slightly magical) connection.

Recommendations: If you enjoyed The Teller of Small Fortunes, I recommend The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, another heartwarming story with strong themes of found family and magic. For a movie recommendation, try The Magic of Ordinary Days, a Hallmark film that captures a similar warmth and focus on meaningful connections.

Pick up this book and go on a cosy, relaxing adventure right now! The Teller of Small Fortunes is a chill fantasy adventure focusing around Tao, a Seer, who chooses to see only small fortunes as to avoid both the troubles and woes that comes with big prophecies and her family who are trying to sign her up to the Magic Guild. On her travels, she comes across Mash, a mercenary searching for his daughter, and Silt, a somewhat reformed thief looking for love. Together with Kina, a baker in need of travel and inspiration, the four embark on a journey to find what they are all looking for.

I absolutely love this story - the found family aspects, the healing, the overarching themes were all beautiful and a true pleasure to read. Leong's detailed descriptions throw you straight into the setting and don't let you out. Thoroughly recommend!

4.5/5 stars

The Teller of Small Fortunes is an Asian-inspired cozy fantasy following a traveling fortune teller. Tao lives a lonely life with only her wagon and mule as she travels along the rural countryside telling small fortunes for a small price. But when she is joined by an ex-mercenary, a not-so reformed thief, and a baker’s apprentice, her careful existence becomes more complicated as they search for a missing little girl while Tao’s past comes chasing after her.

This was just such a joy to read, and it had me from the very first chapter. It was incredibly heartwarming, endlessly charming, and entirely cozy. Despite being set in a kingdom on the brink of war and with increasing ethno-hostility, the book never feels too dark and tells a small story with a big impact. And while the story may be simple, the delight it elicits and the emotionality it evokes aren’t. In the midst of all the tea drinking, baking, journeying through unfamiliar places, and forming new friendships, a found family is formed, and I can never not love a found family.

Tao carries much of the burden and bulk of the story as it is told nearly entire from her perspective. She is an immigrant in a foreign land whose mystical occupation can easily be perceived as hostile. She is easy to root for, complex, and relatable (especially as a few generations down immigrant myself and as someone of Chinese descent). Alongside her are a cast of entirely lovable characters: Mash who is valued for his strength if not his poetic prowess desperately searching for his missing daughter; Silt whose carefree and cavalier persona hides a man who doesn’t know who he can be aside from a thief; and Kina, a woman who has lived a sheltered life seeking both adventure and the betterment of her baking. I’d read more of their journey should there be sequels.

The Teller of Small Fortunes is a heartwarming and delightful Asian cozy fantasy.

The Teller of Small Fortunes is the story of Tao the fortune teller and her travels across the Kingdom of Eshtera. It's a cosy tale of found family, delicious, if misshapen baked goods and healing.

This was a cosy and emotive read with wonderfully fleshed put characters that you couldn't help but love! You rooted for them, laughed with them and wept with them. They were incredibly relatable!

The plot was fun, mostly low stakes but with plenty of adventure. Delightfully whimsical and I'm hoping that the author has left an opening for a potential sequel (I certainly think it's possible)

Overall this is a warm hug from a friend, a cosy blanket and a warm drink on a cold day....an utter delight from start to finish 🥰

The Teller of Small Fortunes is a wholesome cosy fantasy that's exactly what I need to read right now. This book has everything I'd love like found family, animal companions, low stake quests, and delicious food. I adore every single character. It is an amazing debut novel and I can't wait to read the author's future works. Also, both book covers are amazing and perfectly capture the wholesomeness of the story. I highly recommend this book to every reader. Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Title: The Teller of Small Fortunes
Author: Julie Leong
Pages: 336
Rating: 5/5

Arc Copy (gifted) - review left voluntarily
Publish date - 5th November 2924

Oh my gosh what a cosy beautiful comforting read. This was just a big fluffy blanket of loveliness. The relationships between the characters. Comradeship and loyalty is so lovely. You can smell the tea when fortunes are told and the delicious baked goods.

I felt I was invested in the storyline and what happened to the characters. It ended nicely but still with an opportunity for sequels should the author wish to carry on their journey. (I'd love to know what the conflict was about in a reading!)

I enjoyed these misfit adventurers and I was sad when I came to the end of the book. I absolutely inhaled this read from start to finish.

Beautiful!!

You'll love this book if you like
- heart warming friendships
- little to no romance
- cats
- cosy fantasy
- low stakes high reward
- comrade and kinship
- no cliff hangers/stand alone reads

Thank you @netgalley, @hodderbooks and @hodderscape for allowing me to review.

Will you be putting this on your tbr? Have you read it already, what were your thoughts??

Absolutely delightful storytelling, with all the warmth, charm and heart that cosy fantasy deserves.
Tao is a teller of small fortunes that finds family and friendship whilst travelling around the countryside.
I loved the characters, the world building was fabulous and the plot was perfect. It was especially satisfying to have every lose thread caught
From small fortunes come great things.

Thank you so much to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review!

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4,5 stars - make some tea, get comfortable and experience a magical heartwarming hug of a book.

“And what was a home but somewhere you wouldn’t have to feel quite so alone?”

I had such a lovely time with this book. It’s easy and fun to read, with an incredibly heartwarming story. The stakes rarely felt overly high, so it wasn’t stressful to read, but it also never felt boring or like things stood still - there was always something going on, either a problem to solve or an emotion to get through. I was worried cosy fantasy wouldn’t quite be my thing, as I am a lover of drama and angst, but this book more than allayed those fears.
The characters were all so loveable, and I found myself rooting for them from the moment I first met them.

“She was a cup of tea, overflowing with warmth and wrapped in loving hands.”

The story, and characters, is overall very cosy with heavier emotions and topics in the background - without that lessening the impact or importance of them. I cried, I laughed, I cheered, and was left with such a full heart at the end.

The vibes reminded me of a mix of Howl’s Moving Castle and a low magic roadtrip style D&D campaign. Found family, love and acceptance are all major themes. I would highly recommend it to all fans of fantasy, who need a little break from stress and having to think too hard while reading to remember who’s who and what’s what, or who just needs a hug and a story where everything turns out alright.

“And… There are cinnamon buns?”

Thank you to NetGalley, Hodderscape and author Julie Leong for this eARC

The Teller of Small Fortunes gets all the stars from me!

It is cozy, it is brilliant, whimsical, comforting, funny, cute and charming.

Next to beautifully written, well formed and quirky characters to fall in love with and an exciting new world to discover we get a sassy cat companion, a trusty (if slightly judgy) mule, a philosophical troll and an itchy magic finder.

The found family is perfection and Leong masterfully incorporates the subjects of racism, immigration, grief & healing without sacrificing the lightness or coziness.

One of, if not the best cozy fantasy I have read so far and by the end I was craving some warm, delicious (if slightly wonky) buns.

Cute, heartwarming and hard to put down.
Tao is a teller or small fortunes, and only small fortunes. She learned that the hard way. After telling a seemingly not so small fortune, Tao is joined by a former mercenary and a reformed thief.

This book was so well written that I couldn’t put it down. It is a loving journey of found family and friendship and kindness. You become apart of the travelling band and don’t want the story to end.
This book is not my typical book, there is no epic romance or battles. There is a girl, her friends and a journey that will leave you feeling happy and content.
A perfect feel-good story for when you feel down.


Thank you to NetGalley and Hooderscape for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

2024 has really felt like my 'year of cosy fantasy' and 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘀 by Julie Leong might just be my favourite yet!

In it, we travel with a small band of misfits - Tao, the lonely fortune teller fleeing the consequences of her magic; Silt, a semi-reformed thief; Mast, a mercenary searching for his missing daughter; and Kina, a baker's apprentice who wants to see the world. (And a rapacious cat.)

As you guys know, found family is my absolute favourite trope, and my does Leong do it well. Each character has their own fleshed-out backstory and character arc within the wider story. We really get to see this little found family grow and bond - from a place of real mistrust, Leong shows us how they grow together, support each other, and open up to one another, becoming better people because of the friends they've found along the way. It's truly heartwarming.

Like 'Can't Spell Treason Without Tea', another of this year's cost fantasy highlights for me, I felt that 'The Teller of Small Fortunes' had a really nice balance of having lower states without sacrificing drive and meaning. Key for me is that the characters still feel like they have agency over their own fates, rather than just stumbling into solutions - in both of these books, even if the focus isn't on world-shattering action, our characters still have to make difficult decisions to ensure their happy endings, it won't just fall into their laps.

So did I enjoy this book? The answer is obviously an emphatic yes. Even for readers not already into cosy fantasy, I think 'The Teller of Small Fortunes' would be a great entry-point - there are still meaningful stakes, you still go on a journey and face dangers monsters, and some tricky choices must be made; you just get to do it all alongside a cast of loveable characters (and a cat), and will be desperately craving a pastry by the end, which I think is the defining feature of the genre, no? 🥠 🍵 🔮

Thank you NetGalley for the early access!

This story was a balm to the heart. The coziest read I have picked up this year. The characters are all extremely lovable and I got attached to each of them, along with their personal stories and drive. The pacing can sometimes be a little slow but overall I like enjoyed it far to much for this to be an issue.
Lovers of tea and soft adventures, attaching characters, the theme of the book engage with some strong matter but in a very adapted and lovely manner.

This is a new favorite of mine and I can not wait to get my hands on a physical copy !

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

A book that feels like a soft, warm hug, The Teller of Small Fortunes is a cosy adventure fantasy with a ramshackle found-family. I adored the vibes of the book from the very beginning, and while I wouldn't call it low-stakes, it's definitely a gentle read. Tao travels alone telling small fortunes, and eventually finds herself adopting strays along the way, from a retired mercenary and his reformed thief sidekick, to a disillusioned apprentice baker and a grumpy cat. I loved their story and would happily read 10 more books about their adventures.

Thank you NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the ARC!

This book was one of my warmest reads of 2024, simply adorable and touching! I loved Tao and her found family <3

Tao is a fortune teller. She roams the kingdom with her faithful mule and cart and stops in villages to read tea leaves and palms. For a small fee she tells people about insignificant events that may or may not turn out to be important. Tao doesn’t deal in grand schemes and destiny-smattering omens. Those can often do more harm than good and may have been the reason why she fled her home in the first place. Since then, Tao has been happy keeping her own company. Or has she ? When she finds unlikely travelling companions, life becomes that little bit sweeter, and burdens can be shared, even if that means confronting the reason why Tao is on the run.
This cosy fantasy novel is really lovely. It does tackle difficult themes like racism, but in a gentle manner. The cast of characters is very cute and the way the travellers become their own kind of family is very endearing to witness. This is very light fantasy, so you won’t get a ton of world-building and some elements will require you don’t look too closely, but I have absolutely no problem with that when the focus of the story is on feelings, specifically belonging and opening yourself to new possibilities. The narrative moves on at a steady pace, with an underlying tension that is alleviated by much baking and friendly chats. And a cat, of course. One chapter felt a little disjointed from the rest, but it was fun and let the characters demonstrate the full range of their personalities so I’m not mad about it.
I’ll just say the ending (for which the author all narrative arcs were tied with a neat bow) left me a little frustrated on Tao’s part, but that is spoiler territory so I won’t go into more details here.
Rep: MC of Asian-inspired ancestry, who is also aro-ace coded. Hints of queer characters in a world that isn’t queer-friendly for the most part.
CW: racism, xenophobia, death of parent.

I fell in love with the lovely cover and then fell in love with the heartwarming and cute story.
Loved it
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

this is a heartwarming and cozy escapist read. the world building is minimal and the story unfolds slowly and really lets you immerse yourself. it is very character driven and explores themes of loss, loneliness, friendship and hope

Such a beautiful book. I've already recommended to colleagues and they've enjoyed.

Absolutely loved it. I would recommend it for anyone who enjoyed A Psalm for the Wild-Built or a cosy fantasy story with found families.

Usually I'm not a fan of travelling books and this one is full of travelling, but it's very character driven and kept me interested.

Follow Tao, a teller of small fortunes - not big! Only small. She is alone in the world, a minority. She gets by by reading tea leaves/palms/fortune stones. She ends up befriending two men on the highway on their own mission and a baker.

This story filled my heart - I hope there's another.

And yes, the ending did make me cry!

Thank you to the publishers for sending me a copy in exchange for a review.

This cosy fantasy had everything I've ever wanted; a found family, romance, a mystery, reflection on past lives lived, fellowship and love (platonic or otherwise). Each character had their own voice, background and troubles. This was the perfect bit of escapism for anyone that wants to have some quiet, calm and comforting moments with characters that will stay with you for a long time.

Perfect cosy vibes that I think fans of Legends & Lattes and Emily Wilde will love.

I could have stayed in this fantastical world forever. I loved it!

This book is so gosh darned cute. It's full of found family, animal companions, friendships, and adventures. It's the only book that's filled that same spot in my heart as Psalm of the Wild-Built.
I adored every second it, and had tears in my eyes from the wholesomeness.
Best book

I loved everything about this book. I loved the cadence, the storyline, and the characters. The characters were very relatable, maybe not in exact circumstances, but in emotions.
This is going right up there into my favorite comfort novels.

The Teller of Small Fortunes is a charming cozy fantasy following Tao, an immigrant fortune teller, who travels alone between villages earning her living telling the small fortunes of the villagers. It’s a lonely life, just Tao and her mule, but it’s the safest life, until Mash and Silt enter her life, former warrior and a former thief, who have been travelling looking for Mash’s missing daughter. Deciding safety in numbers may be bet, Tao travels with them to the next village, where this time they meet Kina the promising baker who too wishes to travel, and before you know it a family emerges on the page, cat included. However the reason Tao always sought less in life, the reason she craved safety, soon reappears when she is followed for her Seer abilities and summoned to report.

There are many reasons to read a book – this book falls into the escapism category and it’s a world I entered when I especially needed it. The stakes feel a little higher than some other cozy fantasy (such as Legends and Lattes where the top threat was where are the next batch of buns coming from) however it’s still incredibly comforting and by the end of the book I even had a happy cry. The heart of this book is in the characters, characters you experience lower their guards for each other and in turn, you learn and love them more. Mash is a big man, a fighter, but he’s actually a protective father who comes to even care for Ta like a daughter, Silt is a former thief who hides insecurity behind swagger but deep down longs to be taken seriously. There’s Kina, my favourite, who longed for adventure and to bake in her small fortune, and across the story she embraces her freedom and finds her talent. Tao herself is a guarded character, she’s travelled alone out of safety, you learn of her family and her reasons for her guardedness and fear, however through her you feel the power of love (sorry to be cheesy) and the strength in having someone by your side.

This is the perfect book to curl up with when you need a hug because it will leave you feeling like you’ve been wrapped up tight. Thank you NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC!

The epitome of a cosy fantasy! I absolutely loved all the characters and their relationships, as well as their personal developments throughout the plot. The plot is cosy but with enough tension to keep you intrigued and the world-building is fully fleshed out adding to the atmosphere.
Also the cover art is absolutely beautiful.

“What was a home but somewhere you wouldn’t have to feel quite so alone?”

This is such a lovely cozy fantasy with a wonderful found family that had me feeling all the emotions.

Our MC is Tao, who travels alone to villages telling small fortunes but along the way she meets Mash & Silt who help her and decide to stick with her on her journey. At the next village they pick up the last of the group, Kina, a baker who wants to explore the world. They also pick up a stray cat that causes chaos along the way.

They travel together in search of Mash’s daughter who had been kidnapped several months ago and the journey leads them to learn more about themselves and learn to open up & be vulnerable with each other developing true friendships. I loved the character dynamics & that they all truly care for & support each other. There isn’t any romance in this but still full of love.

I loved seeing Tao learn that being an immigrant doesn’t mean she can’t have friends & people who care about her & will have her back.

There was some great discussions on being an immigrant and growing up in land that makes you feel othered constantly. Even though you barely know your mother tongue or traditions of your ancestors and hide these parts of you so you fit in. That even though you speak like them and dress like them they won’t accept you because of the colour of your skin. That you have to be alert all the time because not everyone is safe. I felt this all deep in my soul.

I loved how the story developed, it’s very character driven but has a low stakes plot that is resolved by the end. But it’s also open ended so we can imagine what these characters will be doing next.

First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ebook in exchange for an honest review.

The Teller of Small Fortunes is an adult fantasy in which we follow Tao as she travels the world, meets new friends, and embarks on a new quest.

As always, can we just take a second to appreciate the beauty of the cover? I know I often say this in my review, but honestly, the cover of a book is the first element that we see, and consciously or not, it is a huge element that will help to determine whether we want to read a book or not. You know my slight obsession for Asian fantasy, so of course, when I saw the fortune cookie and the teapot on the cover, I was sold and immediately requested this book on NetGalley.

The book is sold as "a cozy fantasy about trying to find yourself – and finding a family instead", and I would not dare find a more perfect sentence to sum up the whole book, because it is exactly what it is. Although I do not consider myself to be a fan of cosy fantasy, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I really enjoyed this book.
Tao is a very mysterious fortune teller, but as the story unfolds, you get to know more about her past, her present, her powers, and her future. The beginning is slow, a sign that she is living a very lonely life, but as the chapters passed and as she met new people that soon became her friends, the pacing felt quicker. The plot seemed really strange because there was no real "main plot", but rather a series of "subplots" and small adventures or small stories that make you want to keep on reading, and that was original in a way.

I am not usually one to recommend reading others' reviews on GoodReads because I almost never read them, but I highly recommend reading Novel Notions/Petrik Leo's extensive review because it tackles some important points concerning cosy fantasy.

My favorite cosy fantasy of the year.
It is a beautifully crafted tale of destiny and found family. Tao, a young fortune-teller burdened by her gift, discovers that fate isn’t just about predicting the future—it’s about shaping it.

As she journeys through a continent that she calls home, Tao encounters a cast of characters who become more than companions; they become her chosen family, teaching her the power of connection and love. The novel delicately weaves themes of self-discovery and the balance between destiny and free will, all while immersing readers in a cosy and at times whimsical, atmospheric setting.

Leung’s prose is heartfelt and poignant, making this a touching exploration of how the bonds we forge can redefine our paths. A must-read for those who cherish stories of hope, growth, and belonging.

*The Teller of Small Fortunes* by Julie Leong is pure comfort in book form. Tao, a wandering fortune teller who specializes in life’s small, sweet predictions, feels like the kind of friend who’d wrap you in a warm hug and tell you everything will be okay. Her journey, surrounded by a found family of lovable misfits—a reformed thief, a poetic ex-mercenary, a charming baker, and a magical cat—is as heartwarming as it is quietly magical.

Julie Leong’s writing feels like sipping tea on a rainy afternoon, full of gentle humor and moments that remind you of the beauty in everyday life. It’s a story about connection, kindness, and how even the smallest fortunes can change everything. If you’re looking for a book that feels like home, this is the one.❤️

Thank you Hodderscape for the earc!

A delightful cosy fantasy about family and friendship, baking and fortune-telling, and life as an outsider. While the stakes are low, the emotional beats hit hard.

Such a cosy read, with found family and a fabulous FMC, Tao. Tao is a fortune teller of small fortunes who travels alone and lives alone until she ends up with a proposition to help search for a missing girl.
I thought this was a really funny book, with some cute creature friends and lots of magic. It wasn't too deep but definitely left its mark. A fun, cosy, fantasy read which was perfectly needed.

Thank you netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the ARC!

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️.5

This book has been a true delight to read. So, so, so cozy, atmospheric, vivid in its description and writing style. Such an awesome debut, I am really impressed with how the author pulled out a simple but meaningful story that flows seamlessly without any major turn of event but makes you feel loved and wrapped in a warm blanket in a cold winter afternoon.
What makes it be so? the characters: this is the found family trope at its finest; their dialogues, their backstories, their development arcs are so thought out and well-rounded I couldn't help but smile while reading the last 20% of the book.

This book is absolutely for you if you loved Legends and Lattes but beware, the pace is even slower than that. Keep it in mind and enjoy the journey!

Truly the most beautiful book I've read this year. The Teller of Small Fortunes is a heartwarming, heartfelt, eminently readable delight. I fell for every single character and their realistic development and relationships. Just absolutely a treat. I've already purchased the hardback to keep ready on my shelf for rainy day rereads.

This book will have you wanting to run away from home, for a life full of adventures on the road. I loved how cosy and warming it was. Just a fortune teller, a mercenary, a baker, and a (former) thief on the road with their cat and their mule. It was the perfect cosy read.

It has a really good balance of plot to feel-good cosy vibes. It wasn’t as low stakes as some of the books out there; there was a rumbling of war and a missing daughter to contend with, but it still left you feeling that everything would be all right in the end. I enjoyed the plot a lot and it wasn’t left feeling aimless at all.

I loved the way the fortunes worked as well. How Tao could trace the lines on the palm and look for something small, ignoring all the big stuff. How small fortunes could be changed if you needed to. How the fortunes that she told managed to affect the plot in big ways, even though they were just little things.

If you’re looking for cosy, found family on the road, this is your next read!

found family, cool magic, a band of misfits, cosy vibes, medium stakes: what more can a person ask for?

Tao has spent her adult life alone on the road after running away from home rather than join the Guild. She tells small fortunes for pennies, because big fortunes have consequences she’s not willing to face. On the road she meets a retired mercenary searching for his daughter, a semi reformed thief, and a trainee baker - together they set out to prove her visions true and find the lost little girl.

Along the way they encounter mythical creatures, prejudiced villagers, and a bit of magic.

The story was fast paced and the plot moved quickly. I found the characters extremely loveable - I adored them from the very beginning - and the way their bonds formed had that real cosy energy. The world building and magic weren’t overly detailed, but they provided interest and all the information needed for the story.

I would highly recommend The Teller of Small Fortunes for fans of cosy fantasy.

The describes this as a love letter to the fantasy stories they enjoyed as a child and it felt just like that! I loved the cosy fantasy vibes - it's definitely a trend I am enjoying.
It is ultimately a story about finding joy in the smaller things in life and that resonated with me so deeply. I had a wonderful time reading this and I hope it gets all of the recognition and hype that it deserves.

Tao travels the country in a mule-drawn wagon and tells fortunes. She is a teller of small fortunes, larger fortunes come with consequences and so she sticks to the small ones. On her journey she makes friends with a former mercenary and a reformed thief, who are looking for a lost child, as well as an apprentice baker and her slightly magical cat.

The story is like being on a low stakes D&D campaign. Four heroes travelling together on the quest to find the small girl that was lost. On the way they are telling each other their stories, they talk about the small and big things in life (love, culture, roots,...) and try to be better every day.

I truly enjoyed this story and would recommend it to anyone who wants to escape into a low stakes cosy fantasy world where life is good when you're making tea, baking and try being better every day.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the arc!

🌟🌟🌟🌟✨/5

Charming, comforting, and delightful, this is cozy fantasy at its finest! The Teller of Small Fortunes is pure delight condensed into pages.

I'd highly recommend this for fans of the found family trope. Found family is the only trope I actually look forward in a book, and Julie Leong has mastered it. Following this colorful crew was such a fun experience! The comfort of baked goods exudes from the pages. Oh, and there's a cat. What more could you ask for?! I saw so much of myself in Tao and lived vicariously through her adventures. Her immigrant experience adds a beautiful dimension to the story. I loved how to author subverted certain tropes that are used to raise stakes in high fantasy and tailored them such that the story neither felt too high stakes nor too dull.

Profound and comforting, heartfelt and laugh-out-loud hilarious in equal parts, this novel is sure to find an audience among cozy fantasy fans. I'd also recommend this for fans of Studio Ghibli and would love to see this adapted into a Ghibli-esque film!

This is a book about the little things. You won’t find epic quests or edge-of-your-seat action here, but if you give it a shot, it'll surprise you. Like many cozy fantasies, people describe this book as a “warm hug,” and they’re totally right. It’s one of those stories that warms your heart—but honestly, there’s so much more to it.

It’s a story about destiny and choice, magic and baking, self-discovery and accepting differences, and finding family in the most unexpected places. It balances deeper themes and lighthearted moments that make you think and smile. The found family trope—one of my absolute favorites—is beautifully and realistically done here.

What I loved most was the author’s incredible writing skill—especially impressive for a debut! The dialogues are spot-on, with some clever, humorous asides that made me laugh. Every plot thread is skillfully woven together; even the smallest details find their place, and even briefly mentioned characters get their closure. By the end, everything comes full circle with no loose ends.

All these elements reveal a rare storytelling talent, making this book feel even more precious.

4.5 ⭐️

This is cozy fantasy at its best!

Tao travels from town to town setting up her tent and telling small fortunes. Nothing big, just small things like a new job, or a gift given.
Tao is an immigrant, so she's used to getting strange looks. She gets lonely with only her donkey Laohu for company. But, it's better than living with her step-father.

She had no idea that telling one small fortune could change her life.

After setting up her tent, Tao tells a mercenary his fortune and changes not only his life, but also that of a baker and a thief. Intrigued? You should be!

I loved this so much! These characters wormed their way into my heart and are now new favorites. Definitely one of the best books of the year.

Now I will say I adored this book even without the cat companion. It’s a cosy fantasy that offers a beautiful found family and is honestly the kind of story you’d expect Studio Ghibli to turn into an animation. The writing is beautiful and flows easily, the characters are wonderfully crafted being equally realistic and whimsical and the narrative is perfect.

It was so easy to get lost in this book and I found myself breezing through it and enjoying every minute. The perfect cozy read to snuggle up with on autumn or winter nights. With a memorable cast of characters and beautiful imagery this is a must for fantasy fans.

As always thank you to Netgalley & Hodderscape for the copy to review. My review is always honest, truthful and freely given.

Though I don’t often read cozy fantasy, it’s a genre I deeply appreciate and would love to see more of, especially in times like these. Not every cozy fantasy hits that perfect spot—the one where you feel enveloped by warmth, as if you’re sitting by a crackling fire under a blanket of stars, with nothing to worry about. But this book? It absolutely nails it.

The writing is a delight, and when I say the last quarter of the book felt like a constant warm hug, I mean it. The world-building is intriguing, but it’s the characters and their beautifully woven relationships that truly steal the show. I find myself longing for more books that bring characters to life in such an honest, heartwarming way.

So, without a doubt, this book is a solid 5/5 for me. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy, especially if they’re looking for a refreshing, feel-good escape.

Tao is a fortune teller, leading a lonely sort of existence travelling the lands with just her mule, Laohu, for company. She only tells small fortunes – that your wife is making your favourite pie for dinner, or that your favourite shoes will get muddy next week – nothing that could cause a stir or bring unwanted attention. And even at that, she discovered long ago that once her predictions – however insignificant – start coming true, people start looking at her strangely. So, she keeps moving.

All fine, until one day she encounters two men in the forest. Perhaps it’s relief from discovering that they aren’t out to rob her (although one says he’s a former thief), but when they suggest travelling together she doesn’t find a way to argue. Soon they’ve added a fourth member to their group, and a cat, with a renewed purpose of tracking down a lost child.

But none of the company comes without baggage, and Tao’s in particular may make for a more difficult journey than they want…

There is a lot of place in these unquiet times for the ‘cosy’ genre, and cosy fantasy seems to be growing in popularity. Indeed, this is marketing as ‘perfect for fans of Legends and Lattes‘, another cosy mystery which is at its heart about found family.

The danger with ‘cosy’ is not getting the balance right, sacrificing plot along with peril. But here there is still plenty of conflict to drive the story, in fact it’s probably better than most cosy fantasy in that regards, while still overall being that nice warm hug of a book.

All of the characters are easy to like, with enough background and subplots and personality quirks to make them feel three-dimensional, if not too deeply examined. Tao is the exception, and we get rather a lot more of her backstory.

Overall, I wanted to read this for a bit of light escapism from the world, and found a gentle, thoughtful story full of everything it needed and a surprising amount more, too. Very recommended, especially if you need a bit of a pick-me-up.

This book felt like sitting by a campfire with your friends, roasting marshmallows and exchanging life stories together!!

I loved this book! It made me smile the whole way through and I honestly couldn't have hoped for a better book than this!! Found family, low stakes, fun and cosy.

I am also deeply in love with a mule named after a tiger 😭😭♥️

I'm always afraid when it comes to the cozy fantasy genre, because I have the tendency to get bored easily. Well, let me tell you... I never wanted this book to end!! I was happy-crying by the time I finished it and I was also sad that it was over. It was the most wholesome novel I've ever read and I love it so much I could reread it right now. The Teller of Small Fortunes is so warm and inviting that it felt like I was friends with the characters, gathered together around the hearth and listening to them telling stories about their adventures.

If you love a good cozy adventure, the found family trope, and a small collection of animal sidekicks, this book is definitely for you.

I don't usually include quotes in my reviews, but this one really had so many good ones that I just had to share them:
"Familiarity could look very much like love from a certain angle, if one didn't look too hard."
“One could choose to be nothing, or one could choose to be happy.”
“You’re wrong. There’s no such thing as greater good—there’s just good, and the more of it we can do, the better.”