I love a good fallish book, l mean who doesn’t. Add in that this is a cozy romance with some magic and I was ready to love it. I didn’t hate this book but I didn’t fall so in love that I would add it to my Top Reads list either. Which is sad because I had such high hopes for it. The biggest issue I had with this book is that it is so full of dialogue that there didn’t seem to be enough world building. I felt like I just didn’t get enough description of the things around what is being said. I know that sounds harsh and it is certainly not meant to be. I loved every little tidbit we got but felt there could have been a little more. That being said, it did get a bit better the longer I read.
The Cinnamon Spellbook Bakery by Ella Cook
Series: The Magic of Hudsbury #1
Genres: Romantasy, Cozy Romance, Small Town Romance

Chattering pumpkins, magical pastries, a cosy village and an unexpected love story...

Aiden arrived in Hudsbury hoping for peace and quiet – but the sleepy little town has other ideas. Nestled among golden leaves, crisp fall air he’s drawn into a peculiar shop—filled with the scent of cinnamon and a hint of magic… and is convinced to become the town’s newest baker.

The residents, and especially a mysterious grey cat named Mist, seem to know more than they let on. Whispering trees, heart-soothing teas, and jack-o-lanterns offering playful romantic advice make Hudsbury a place where the ordinary and magical intertwine.

Then he meets Mia, the practical local nurse. One playful night grows into a friends with benefits arrangement—but under the glow of autumn leaves and cackling pumpkins, sparks are impossible to ignore, blurring the lines of their friendship. As Aiden’s magic grows wilder and long-held secrets from his past begin to surface, he realises that love—and a little enchantment—might be exactly what he and Mia need to finally open their hearts.

A heartwarming, magical tale of scones, spells, and second chances, The Cinnamon Spellbook Bakery is a cozy fantasy full of charm, emotion, and the healing power of love—with just a dash of chaos.

goodreads

Add to Goodreads

get the book

BUY ON AMAZON

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

One of the things that kept me reading was the atmosphere Ella Cook created. Even though I wanted more description to bring Hudsbury to life, there was still plenty of charm packed into the story. The magical bakery, the cinnamon-filled air, and the quirky little details made it easy to understand why people would never want to leave this town.

Mist, the gray cat, completely stole every scene. I don’t care what anyone says, that cat was running the bakery and probably the entire town. The magical touches throughout the story, from opinionated teas to pumpkins that seemed to know everyone’s business, gave the book a fun personality without taking itself too seriously.

Aiden was an enjoyable hero. He arrives in town looking for a quiet place to escape everything, only to discover he’s landed in one of the least ordinary places imaginable. Watching him slowly accept both the bakery and the magic around him made for an entertaining journey. Mia balanced him well. As a nurse, she’s practical and grounded, which made her reactions to everything happening around her feel believable.

I liked the relationship between Aiden and Mia, although I would have liked to see it develop a little more outside of their conversations. Their chemistry was there, but I found myself wanting more quiet moments that showed them falling for one another instead of simply talking about it.

The cozy autumn atmosphere is easily the strongest part of this book. If you’re someone who loves magical bakeries, small towns full of eccentric characters, fall weather, cinnamon rolls, and just enough magic to make you wonder what might be hiding around the next corner, this delivers that cozy feeling very well.

While I wanted more world building and richer descriptions throughout, I still had a good time with this story. It felt like curling up with a warm drink on an autumn afternoon, even if I occasionally wished I could have lingered in Hudsbury a little longer.