Title: Hazelnut Latte and Something to Say
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: Cauldron Coffee Shop #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Hazelnut Latte and Something to Say follows closely behind Pumpkin Spice and Something Nice. Azil and his curse were revealed, and now Willow and Azil are trying to unravel a little more of his curse and give him a little more freedom. They succeed in part, but it does take them a little while to actually figure things out. Then, alongside this, there is the romance that is slowly and very sweetly unfurling. These might be shorter stories, but they are enjoyable from the very first page until the very last.

I can’t imagine having to adjust to the modern world with no warning. I mean, I live in this world and I think that it’s entirely insane. Which meant that I loved that Willow spent the majority of this story trying to find ways to make Azil feel comfortable in the world he’s found himself in. She is a very sweet individual who spent the time to try and figure out what makes Azil tick and how to help him be comfortable in this world. The fact that she is also dating him at the same time just made it a little cuter.

Towards the end of this story, Mona manages to work her magic and help Willow and Azil with a degree of separation from his teapot. I can’t wait to see what some of the ramifications to this spell are going to be. And how that’s going to impact those coming after Azil and trying to recurse him. Plus, it’s fun to read a little about Mona after the conclusion of her series (which I haven’t actually finished yet). It’s yet another piece of this world that has drawn me in happily and with a whole lot of fascination.

Any story with a plucky animal sidekick is going to draw me in. I love that, in this case, it’s Spooky the cat. I always find cats to be an intriguing and fun animal sidekick (even if I do prefer dogs), and Spooky is the quintessential cat. I mean, he’s great, he’s opinionated and highly independent. Now I can’t wait to see how he’s going to work into Willow’s life and just… help. Like all good familiars.

Image source: Bookbub

Title: Pumpkin Spice and All Things Nice
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: Cauldron Coffee Shop #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

I’m really enjoying stories written by Greenwood, they are simple and enjoyable, with enough action that they’re really not simple at all. And in the case of Pumpkin Spice and All Things Nice, the couple at the centre of the story is absolutely adorable. I love that Willow is a coffee shop owner who is also paranormal. And you know, all of the paranormal bents that there are on coffees and how they are drank / used as pick me ups. Then, there’s Azil. Who is definitely the coolest genie I’ve ever read about! I mean, something about him is just completely enjoyable and adorable. And, I love the mystery that he presents to start off this fantastic series.

This story definitely had a bit of a cozy mystery vibe to it, but without as much of the crime – but, I can’t wait to find out just how the people who like to recurse Azil are going to continue to show up. We’ve already had one culprit, and I can’t wait to meet more of them. Plus, there’s also just the general day to day running of a coffee shop and existing in a paranormal world – I could honestly read a series just based on this. The mystery and curse are just a great extra story line to spice up my experience.

I loved Sabine in Unfortunate Decrees and Iced Coffees, so it was nice to have a bit more time with her. And there were also a couple of scenes that were retold from Willow’s point of view. Although I might have really enjoyed her, I actually loved having her as a secondary character who helps to build on Willow’s story and acts as the catalyst for Willow and Azil’s adventures together. Plus, Sabine acts as a nice connection to the Grimalkin: Kittens series. One of the other reasons I’m loving Greenwood ­– how interconnected and clever her worlds are.

To top off all of the great characters, fantastic setting and intriguing plot line, there is the cat. I’m not entirely sure why the cat is as important as it is. But, I love any kind of animal sidekick / familiar. Especially one that just doesn’t really care about how their contrary presence impacts on others. I mean, this is exactly the thing that everyone loves about cats… now to dive in and find out more about what this trio can accomplish.

Image source: Goodreads

Title: Unfortunate Decrees and Iced Coffees
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: Cauldron Coffee Shop #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

This was such an adorable and fun second chance romance. And, I really like that although the couple split when they were younger, there were ultimately no hard feelings. It made this story so much sweeter and cuter. Plus, it meant, that although I was totally barracking for the couple, I could focus a little more on the archaeological mystery.

This was a nice little introduction to another spin-off series in the world of Greenwood. I like that it mentions Mona (from First Time’s a Charm). Plus, it introduced the Cauldron Coffee Shop. A fantastic way to introduce readers to the world and some lovely and loveable characters.

I love that there is the mystery of the giant stone and all of the mayhem that follows. But that it doesn’t actually get solved. I mean, I love a good conclusion as does everyone else, but I also love when things are a little open ended and unsolved. This did so beautifully and made me want to know more about the different magical artifacts that people come across in Greenwood’s writing.

There is a lot of crossover in this story, and multitudes of world building. It’s why I have so many of Greenwood’s stories on my TBR at the moment – they are all wonderfully interconnected and built wonderfully.

Image source: Goodreads