If you’re a fan of Travis Baldree’s fantasy novels, such as Legends & Lattes, you’ll want to try J. Penner’s A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic.

Arleta Starstone is a human, a baker who sells her goods at the local market in Adenashire. But, since she has no magic in a land that reveres magic, she’s not at all respected. But, the two orcs who live next door, and took her under their care when her parents died when she was sixteen, love her. And, they adore her baked goods. But, when Ervash enters her in the annual Langheim Baking Battle, she’s shocked, and wants to refuse. She has no magical talent to bring to the competition.

When Theodmon Brylar, an elf, shows up with an invitation to the baking battle, she’s reluctant to travel with him. But, between Theo and the orcs, she feels compelled to travel to the battle and compete.

While Arleta feels strangely attracted to Theo, she knows her priority is to bake for the battle while trying to hide that she’s a human in a world of elves, dwarves, ogres, orcs, and magic. But, her feelings for Theo continue to get in her way, although as an elf, he’s “fated” to be with someone. Between baking, and her two new friends, competitors in the battle, Arleta tries to block her feelings.

Penner combines adventure, romance, and baking in the story of a young woman who realizes all her feelings, friendships, and baking have come together as part of her life journey.

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic is a delightful story of a young woman finding her place in life. I have the feeling this might just be the first in a series that focuses on Arleta and her new friends. I hope so.

J. Penner’s website is https://jpennerauthor.com/

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic by J. Penner. Poisoned Pen Press/Sourcebooks, 2025. ISBN 9781464243752 (paperback), 288p.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley from the publisher through NetGalley, with no promise of anything except an honest review.