What do you think?
Rate this book
Tales of the Ardent Veil #1
Sanctuary and Spices
Sometimes you have to lose everything to find what your heart needs.When I destroyed my career in spectacular fashion, I thought I'd never cook again. Then fate and a questionable transport decision landed me at the Wanderer's Rest—a peculiar café on the edge of known space where plants dance to crystal songs and nothing is quite what it seems.
I didn't expect to find a home among the eclectic residents of the Ardent Veil station. I definitely didn't plan to fall for Ronhar, the enigmatic alien gardener whose glowing markings pulse brighter every time we touch. Between experimental recipes, station festivals, and a found family of chaos-prone regulars, I'm learning that sometimes the sweetest things in life are the ones that can't be measured or weighed.
But as our connection deepens and strange powers awaken between us, I'm discovering that some bonds transcend species—and some loves are written in the very fabric of space itself. Now if only I can be brave enough to let this unexpected love transform me completely...
I didn't expect to find a home among the eclectic residents of the Ardent Veil station. I definitely didn't plan to fall for Ronhar, the enigmatic alien gardener whose glowing markings pulse brighter every time we touch. Between experimental recipes, station festivals, and a found family of chaos-prone regulars, I'm learning that sometimes the sweetest things in life are the ones that can't be measured or weighed.
But as our connection deepens and strange powers awaken between us, I'm discovering that some bonds transcend species—and some loves are written in the very fabric of space itself. Now if only I can be brave enough to let this unexpected love transform me completely...
188 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2025
44 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 15, 2025
3✨
1.5🌶️
A sweet love story, but the slow storyline and repetitive dialogue weighed it down a bit.
🍵cozy sci-fi romance
🍵human chef FMC x alien gardener MMC
🍵FMC’s fresh start
🍵he falls first
🍵mating bond
Don’t be fooled by the cover, this is a cozy sci-fi romance versus a fantasy or urban fantasy romance, which is what I assumed by the cover!
The subversion of subgenre actually worked in its favor here; it was really interesting to see classic fantasy elements applied to a space setting with aliens. The was some infodumping in the world building though, I would’ve preferred a more organic integration into the setting.
I would’ve particularly enjoyed more exploration of the alien differences between the main couple. The alien anatomy/learning each other’s differences trope is one of my absolute favorites and why alien romances will always be on top for me. But this book didn’t really take the time for the characters to have those discussions. It was more scene description related, so that was a missed opportunity to relationship build between the characters.
However, the romance between the main characters was very, very sweet. And a surprising amount of spice scenes. I think the pair really balanced each other out, and I could see how they would be compatible. Maybe it was that ease that made this slightly boring for me, but don’t want to say that for certain.
I think readers who are fans of adorable romances and alien settings could give this a chance, but it was something I didn’t fully engage with.
1.5🌶️
A sweet love story, but the slow storyline and repetitive dialogue weighed it down a bit.
🍵cozy sci-fi romance
🍵human chef FMC x alien gardener MMC
🍵FMC’s fresh start
🍵he falls first
🍵mating bond
Don’t be fooled by the cover, this is a cozy sci-fi romance versus a fantasy or urban fantasy romance, which is what I assumed by the cover!
The subversion of subgenre actually worked in its favor here; it was really interesting to see classic fantasy elements applied to a space setting with aliens. The was some infodumping in the world building though, I would’ve preferred a more organic integration into the setting.
I would’ve particularly enjoyed more exploration of the alien differences between the main couple. The alien anatomy/learning each other’s differences trope is one of my absolute favorites and why alien romances will always be on top for me. But this book didn’t really take the time for the characters to have those discussions. It was more scene description related, so that was a missed opportunity to relationship build between the characters.
However, the romance between the main characters was very, very sweet. And a surprising amount of spice scenes. I think the pair really balanced each other out, and I could see how they would be compatible. Maybe it was that ease that made this slightly boring for me, but don’t want to say that for certain.
I think readers who are fans of adorable romances and alien settings could give this a chance, but it was something I didn’t fully engage with.
March 21, 2025
Sanctuary and Spices by Elin Wyn
Jani is a high-level Chef in space when she loses her ability to take a complaint and loses her job. She is shipped to another spacecraft where she meets Ronhar who takes care of a special garden on the ship. There is a spark between Jani and Ronhar This story is interesting and has twists and turns. I enjoyed this wonderful store, so if you like space alien stories or sweet love stories I highly recommend this story to you. I received an advance review copy for free for Book Funnel and am leaving this review voluntarily. This is my honest opinion.
Jani is a high-level Chef in space when she loses her ability to take a complaint and loses her job. She is shipped to another spacecraft where she meets Ronhar who takes care of a special garden on the ship. There is a spark between Jani and Ronhar This story is interesting and has twists and turns. I enjoyed this wonderful store, so if you like space alien stories or sweet love stories I highly recommend this story to you. I received an advance review copy for free for Book Funnel and am leaving this review voluntarily. This is my honest opinion.
May 2, 2025
I loved the story. The world building was excellent. The flow was good. This is a stand alone story, and the first in series. We get a touch of a background story also. Perfect HEA for them. Jani finding home and Ronhar finding his fated mate. The journey was fun to read.
I liked both Jani, a human chef and Ronhar a gardener and warrior. Each of their backstories was interesting. I also liked the secondary characters, especially Pix and his explosions.
Loved the plants reaction to Jani.
I wonder who will be next to find true love.
I liked both Jani, a human chef and Ronhar a gardener and warrior. Each of their backstories was interesting. I also liked the secondary characters, especially Pix and his explosions.
Loved the plants reaction to Jani.
I wonder who will be next to find true love.
March 16, 2025
Elin Wyn’s Sanctuary & Spices is an amazing story featuring human chef Jani who has a meltdown during a diplomatic event, ruining her career. She flees to a very old space station and finds a job as a chef, where Ronhar, a prior mercenary, tends the gardens. The two resonate, causing all the crystal’s and plant life to improve so much that all on board notice! What a wonderful new world Wyn has created, but there are hints of further disturbances to come!
March 25, 2025
Cooking was her passion, until it became her frustration. Quitting her job with her father led her to an even better one on another planet. Ronhar had a way with plants but when Jani started working there, they had the same strange reaction with her…. flowing towards her, growing and even flowering. The interaction between the two of them was most unusual. Others figured it out well before they did.
May 6, 2025
A spicy and very romantic sci-fi story. Who knew cooking could go from insane and torturous to amazing and beautiful? Jani is a workaholic and is an amazing chef. But when everything explodes she needs to find a new start and maybe some peace. The Ardent Veil is a mysterious space station that seems to draw to it those that belong there. For Jani it may be just what she needs. Then there is also one green-skinned and handsome as can be male that will bring her what she didn’t know was missing.
October 29, 2025
Such a light fun tale!
This was really a sweet, well done story with a cast of characters that make it fun, interesting, intriguing, and lovely. I truly enjoyed every bit of it. The world is unique and there are numerous options for more in a series. Pix was a super fun character and literally exploded things and kept them all on their toes. Jani and Ronhar are so beautiful together, it is just a great love story. A must read!
This was really a sweet, well done story with a cast of characters that make it fun, interesting, intriguing, and lovely. I truly enjoyed every bit of it. The world is unique and there are numerous options for more in a series. Pix was a super fun character and literally exploded things and kept them all on their toes. Jani and Ronhar are so beautiful together, it is just a great love story. A must read!
January 28, 2026
Softly beautiful
This was cozy, yes, but in a really beautiful way. There's a peacefulness and a comfort level for this that really felt warm. The "scenes" were open door, but not too overdone. Overall just a really lovely low drama read. Definitely makes me curious about some of the background and the other characters!
This was cozy, yes, but in a really beautiful way. There's a peacefulness and a comfort level for this that really felt warm. The "scenes" were open door, but not too overdone. Overall just a really lovely low drama read. Definitely makes me curious about some of the background and the other characters!
April 8, 2025
Good read
Jani blew up at a customer and then walked away from her chef position. She and Ronhar meet at a cafe when he offered her a cup of tea. Plants and crystals, mini explosions and new friends! Enjoy
Jani blew up at a customer and then walked away from her chef position. She and Ronhar meet at a cafe when he offered her a cup of tea. Plants and crystals, mini explosions and new friends! Enjoy
March 13, 2025
Wow. Again I found a good read in this book. I would not mind more stories in this series. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy.
March 14, 2025
This romance among the stars series got off to a good start with Ronhar and Jani really cooking. I loved this sweet romance.
March 16, 2025
Really good book!
This was a good start to a new series. The storyline and characters were easy to read. I would really recommend this one
This was a good start to a new series. The storyline and characters were easy to read. I would really recommend this one
March 22, 2025
New series!
Loved this book. Great main characters and secondary sidekicks. I love Pix! Great beginning to new series. Looking forward to more books in the series!
Loved this book. Great main characters and secondary sidekicks. I love Pix! Great beginning to new series. Looking forward to more books in the series!
March 25, 2025
Sanctuary and Spices
This was an amazingly interesting story. A love story created in a kitchen. Really, in a kitchen with plants that dance. This a truly delightful story!
This was an amazingly interesting story. A love story created in a kitchen. Really, in a kitchen with plants that dance. This a truly delightful story!
April 15, 2025
Jani and Ronhar were a great couple and I enjoyed their story. The Ardent Veil with all its interesting characters and uniqueness is definitely a place I want to visit again!
November 12, 2025
Sweet palette cleanser. Interesting characters and world building. Some things were left unresolved but I'm guessing it'll be taken on in the next book.
January 26, 2026
Beautiful
This book is a warm, cozy hug on a space station. It was a perfect read for this snowy cold day. I highly recommend it.
This book is a warm, cozy hug on a space station. It was a perfect read for this snowy cold day. I highly recommend it.
April 14, 2025
This book gave me all the feels. A low stakes cozy workplace romance that was just sweet and steamy with a charming cast of side characters (and semi-sentient plants) that make the space station a place I want to revisit to catch up with the community. This is a little bit of a departure for Elin Wyn, I usually categorize her romances as action/adventure and even though I knew this was going to be a cozy read, I actually kept expecting something to go sideways and for there to be a mission to accomplish. In our current climate of upheaval, it was so nice to just sit down and read about finding love at the edge of the universe.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews