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Christmas With The Elf King: A Cozy Christmas Fantasy
A Deal with the Elf King meets a Hallmark Christmas Movie in this cozy romantic fantasy featuring a handsome brooding Elf King, a quirky human baker, and delightful baking magic.
They said the Elf King had lived a thousand years. They said he was the most beautiful creature anyone had ever beheld. They said he took whatever he wanted. And Noelle was no exception.
For six hundred years, the elves have taken human masters of craft and maidens back to the Undying Lands of Ravensong as part of an uneasy treaty between human and elf. To be chosen is seen as a gift, as the families are richly rewarded. But to Noelle Baker, it is a curse. She wants only to bake all of her Christmas favorites with her family, until the Elf King comes for her.
Forced to leave her family behind and bake for the cold yet frustratingly handsome king, Noelle is thrust into a world of strange elven magic where she learns of a curse on the land. Infected by this shade curse, Noelle must hone her new baking magic to cure the dying land before it takes her life and the life of the king her heart is beginning to thaw toward.
They said the Elf King had lived a thousand years. They said he was the most beautiful creature anyone had ever beheld. They said he took whatever he wanted. And Noelle was no exception.
For six hundred years, the elves have taken human masters of craft and maidens back to the Undying Lands of Ravensong as part of an uneasy treaty between human and elf. To be chosen is seen as a gift, as the families are richly rewarded. But to Noelle Baker, it is a curse. She wants only to bake all of her Christmas favorites with her family, until the Elf King comes for her.
Forced to leave her family behind and bake for the cold yet frustratingly handsome king, Noelle is thrust into a world of strange elven magic where she learns of a curse on the land. Infected by this shade curse, Noelle must hone her new baking magic to cure the dying land before it takes her life and the life of the king her heart is beginning to thaw toward.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 21, 2025
179 people are currently reading
758 people want to read
About the author
Lenore Stutznegger
9 books83 followersLenore grew up running barefoot in the woods of Virginia with a dog at her side, five crazy siblings, and creative parents. She learned from a young age to hone her talents in art, trust in her voice, and compete for the most marshmallows in “Lucky Charms”. She graduated from Brigham Young University in Visual Art, married the love of her life, and now resides in Northern California with her handyman husband, four spirited children, a golden retriever, two cats, and backyard chickens in a new kind of crazy paradise. Lenore loves all things fantastical. Supernatural and humor play equal parts in everything she writes. She is an avid baker and Christmas bakes are her favorite of all.
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December 24, 2025This is the perfect cozy and whimsical Christmas fantasy that’s suitable for both YA and adults! I loved the baking and food, the worlds of humans and elves mixing, and the goal of spreading Christmas cheer while on a journey to save the kingdom.
Content: Kissing and attraction, loss of loved ones, mild violence and injuries, magic and curses (Over all mild)
Content: Kissing and attraction, loss of loved ones, mild violence and injuries, magic and curses (Over all mild)
December 5, 2025
Picked this up because of the glowing reviews and because it's Christmas season. Was expecting a cozy romantasy- what I got was a very vanilla romance (this is an overstatement) + mercurial leads+ non existent chemistry + shoddy writing + repetitive statements.
I would have loved a feisty heroine who had more belief in her ability, lesser use of the word 'male', tighter editing, better character development, alternative povs and fleshed out chemistry.
This one did not work for me despite the wonderful plot.
I would have loved a feisty heroine who had more belief in her ability, lesser use of the word 'male', tighter editing, better character development, alternative povs and fleshed out chemistry.
This one did not work for me despite the wonderful plot.
November 19, 2025
I’ve finished reading it now, and it’s without a doubt a 5-star read — easily one of my new Christmas favourites. The vibes? Immaculate. The flirting? Perfection. The coziness? Off the charts.
By the end, I genuinely wished this book had a movie adaptation because every scene plays out so vividly in your mind. And as a LOTR fan, I was absolutely destined to fall head over heels for this story.
✨ Add it to your TBR if you love:
🎄 LOTR vibes
❄️ He falls first
🎄 Enchanted library
❄️ Christmas magic
🎄 Found family
❄️ Snowball fights
🎄 Baking magic
❄️ Traveling across a magical elven realm
🎄 Only one bed (of course)
By the end, I genuinely wished this book had a movie adaptation because every scene plays out so vividly in your mind. And as a LOTR fan, I was absolutely destined to fall head over heels for this story.
✨ Add it to your TBR if you love:
🎄 LOTR vibes
❄️ He falls first
🎄 Enchanted library
❄️ Christmas magic
🎄 Found family
❄️ Snowball fights
🎄 Baking magic
❄️ Traveling across a magical elven realm
🎄 Only one bed (of course)
December 28, 2025
DNF at 51%
Why are there cinnamon rolls in a fantasy?
Why are we trying to merge modern holidays with a clearly fictional world?
You’re going to quote the Bible but then the focus of Christmas is consumerism and “baking joy.”
The romance is vanilla ice cream but without the sugar.
The FMC Noelle… well, her biscuit’s not done in the middle, and I hate a raw pastry.
Adult’s acting like juveniles.
Edit. Edit. Edit.
OVERALL:
This would be good for a young teenager who hasn’t read a lot of fantasy and might want a simple Christmas vibe book.
Why are there cinnamon rolls in a fantasy?
Why are we trying to merge modern holidays with a clearly fictional world?
You’re going to quote the Bible but then the focus of Christmas is consumerism and “baking joy.”
The romance is vanilla ice cream but without the sugar.
The FMC Noelle… well, her biscuit’s not done in the middle, and I hate a raw pastry.
Adult’s acting like juveniles.
Edit. Edit. Edit.
OVERALL:
This would be good for a young teenager who hasn’t read a lot of fantasy and might want a simple Christmas vibe book.
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December 23, 2025"He looked young [...] he seemed to be close to my age. Eighteen, maybe nineteen"
ew, that's a baby.
Maybe I was delulu-ing too close to the sun but when I read "Elf King" I thought I would get a Thranduil-looking dilf ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
ew, that's a baby.
Maybe I was delulu-ing too close to the sun but when I read "Elf King" I thought I would get a Thranduil-looking dilf ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
December 17, 2025
Christmas With The Elf King by Lenore Stutznegger is the perfect cozy romantasy for the chilling winter season.
Elden and Noelle’s story was so much fun to read with all the whimsical Christmas vibes. The story had the perfect heaping of adventure, elves, and magic. I loved every page of this book and could easily see re-reading every year as a bookish Christmas tradition.
The realm and characters were beautifully described and well written and I just loved the baking aspect of the story - it really added an extra spoonful of magic. The slow-burn romance between Elden and Noelle was so sweet it really tied everything together and made this book a favorite of mine.
If you are wanting something warm and cozy to read for this holiday season while you sip hot-cocoa and munch on gingerbread men then Christmas With The Elf King is a must-read holiday romance that will have you wishing you were spending your own Christmas with the Elves.
Elden and Noelle’s story was so much fun to read with all the whimsical Christmas vibes. The story had the perfect heaping of adventure, elves, and magic. I loved every page of this book and could easily see re-reading every year as a bookish Christmas tradition.
The realm and characters were beautifully described and well written and I just loved the baking aspect of the story - it really added an extra spoonful of magic. The slow-burn romance between Elden and Noelle was so sweet it really tied everything together and made this book a favorite of mine.
If you are wanting something warm and cozy to read for this holiday season while you sip hot-cocoa and munch on gingerbread men then Christmas With The Elf King is a must-read holiday romance that will have you wishing you were spending your own Christmas with the Elves.
December 6, 2025
Like a holiday pastry: familiar, sweet, and warm.
December 9, 2025
I once wrote a story in my Creative Writing class in high school — I forgot what the assignment was, but we all wrote a short story. Mine obviously was about two best friends who ended up realizing they love each other. She went out to party, got roofied, he saved her, and they fell in love. I remember finding the story in my folder years ago and I reread it, and man, was it criiiinge. The writing was so cheesy, so obvious, so “high school.”
This is what that felt like.
This is what that felt like.
October 5, 2025
They said he was the most beautiful creature anyone had ever beheld. They said he took whatever he wanted.
That’s why today, when the last leaf fell, I was to hide away while the other girls were primped and painted.
Christmas with the Elf King is such a cute holiday read for cozy fantasy lovers! This was very Beauty and the Beast meets a Hallmark Christmas movie with a sprinkle of adventure from LOTR.
This book follows Noelle, who was taken from her home by the Elf King and brought to the Undying Lands of Ravensong. She quickly learns that there is a curse upon the lands and that she herself has magic. Only problem is she does not know how to use it or what causes it to work---sometimes. It could very well be the cure to this dying land and finding herself now infected by the curse, she must work diligently with the elf king.
What you Can Expect:
📖Cozy Fantasy with a Holiday Setting
📖Sweet Treats
📖Curse
📖Unexpected Love
📖Fairytale Vibes
I would also like to add that I normally do not like the inclusion of children in books. Just a preference, especially when they make so many appearances, but for this particular book I thought it added an extra bit of magic to the story. I loved all the little ones we met throughout the book.
That’s why today, when the last leaf fell, I was to hide away while the other girls were primped and painted.
Christmas with the Elf King is such a cute holiday read for cozy fantasy lovers! This was very Beauty and the Beast meets a Hallmark Christmas movie with a sprinkle of adventure from LOTR.
This book follows Noelle, who was taken from her home by the Elf King and brought to the Undying Lands of Ravensong. She quickly learns that there is a curse upon the lands and that she herself has magic. Only problem is she does not know how to use it or what causes it to work---sometimes. It could very well be the cure to this dying land and finding herself now infected by the curse, she must work diligently with the elf king.
What you Can Expect:
📖Cozy Fantasy with a Holiday Setting
📖Sweet Treats
📖Curse
📖Unexpected Love
📖Fairytale Vibes
I would also like to add that I normally do not like the inclusion of children in books. Just a preference, especially when they make so many appearances, but for this particular book I thought it added an extra bit of magic to the story. I loved all the little ones we met throughout the book.
January 5, 2026
DNF I have gotten to the 43% mark with this book and instead of the cozy Christmas vibes I was promised, all I got was the feeling of my precious time on this earth being fed to the void one minute at a time.
The "heroine" has done very little but complain about the Elf King this entire time. And steal food from his table. And get his orders wrong on purpose. And lecture him on multiple occasions. And talk badly about him to his staff. (I'm not even from a monarchy and I know that even most benevolent monarchies would probably have to punish you on principal if you did these things. Yet she skips off with no punishment except a mocking smile and a verbal jab to FUEL her endless tirade against the King, blissfully unaware that her toddleresque tantrumage should have earned her and/or her family a punishment way worse than personal embarrassment if he were a smidgeon as evil as she keeps ranting) She does wind up "punishing" herself getting injured by ignoring a safety warning.
It's true that taking her from her family with little explanation was a pretty jerk move. I'll grant that. But even after he finally confesses why he took her, proving that he's not a bad dude, in spite of being a jerk, she's still complaining about him and putting him down at every turn.
Why are female leads that act like adults with dignity and grace such a monumentally huge ask?
Oh and in spite of her being such a whiny graceless turkey this entire time, the elf king's already displaying signs of crushing on her, so she is probably going to wind up complaining her way right into being queen.
=D
Yay!!
The "heroine" has done very little but complain about the Elf King this entire time. And steal food from his table. And get his orders wrong on purpose. And lecture him on multiple occasions. And talk badly about him to his staff. (I'm not even from a monarchy and I know that even most benevolent monarchies would probably have to punish you on principal if you did these things. Yet she skips off with no punishment except a mocking smile and a verbal jab to FUEL her endless tirade against the King, blissfully unaware that her toddleresque tantrumage should have earned her and/or her family a punishment way worse than personal embarrassment if he were a smidgeon as evil as she keeps ranting) She does wind up "punishing" herself getting injured by ignoring a safety warning.
It's true that taking her from her family with little explanation was a pretty jerk move. I'll grant that. But even after he finally confesses why he took her, proving that he's not a bad dude, in spite of being a jerk, she's still complaining about him and putting him down at every turn.
Why are female leads that act like adults with dignity and grace such a monumentally huge ask?
Oh and in spite of her being such a whiny graceless turkey this entire time, the elf king's already displaying signs of crushing on her, so she is probably going to wind up complaining her way right into being queen.
=D
Yay!!
December 22, 2025
2.5 ⭐️ I went in expecting this to be somewhat ridiculous, and boy, did it deliver. The author does a great job painting visuals of the castles and elven world, but beyond that, everything else was lacking. The journey at the center of the story worked far better for me than the "at home" scenes at the beginning & end, but my biggest complaint is the writing itself. FAR too many uses of certain words (namely "male" & "reticule"), the obvious nods to LotR were cringe, and the clear stealing of the confession-to-my-parent moment from Pride & Prejudice was a huge eye-roll. Repetitive, overly simplistic, and occasionally just wrong (either grammatically or syntactically)...Hallmark vibes reviews are accurate. And the sudden, giant conflict that's immediately resolved with Sam at the end? Entirely too contrived. ALL THAT being said, it delivers on some (somewhat forced) Christmassy vibes and baking coziness - I just think it could've been developed into something much more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2025
Such a great and cozy read!! My first ever fantasy Christmas book and wow it was so good! For readers who used to (or still do) read lord of the rings fanfics or simply love Tolkiens Elves, this book is up your alley!
Nickname: Little Baker 🥰🍞🥐
Lots of: 🥰🥰😍😄🤩🥺🥐🎄🥯☕️
Nickname: Little Baker 🥰🍞🥐
Lots of: 🥰🥰😍😄🤩🥺🥐🎄🥯☕️
January 1, 2026
Just the coziest Christmas fantasy romance a girl could hope for, complete with a handsome, misunderstood elf king, and literal baking magic! ✨🥧
This story is inspired by Beauty and the Beast and that inspiration shows most strongly in the first 1/3 of the book then tapers off into more original plotlines as the characters embark on a quest to cure a curse that is destroying elf and human lands alike. I liked this twist even though it was unexpected and it opened the way for a myriad of Christmasy things like snowball fights, festive feasts with dancing and music, and, of course, plenty of holiday treats!
One of my favorite parts of the book was the spooky-whimsy atmosphere, especially at the beginning. In some ways it reminded me of the Emily Wilde series, although it leans much more cozy than creepy as Noelle gets to know the elves and their magic better. I also LOVE how much actual baking there is in the book! It wasn't just a few scenes here and there for 🫴 Vibes ✨, but was instead an integral part of the plot and Noelle's character. The baking descriptions were accurate too, and as a hobby baker myself this made me very happy ☺️ After finishing this story, I'm craving all the Christmas goodies! 😋
There are so many lovely side characters! To me, this was the coziest element, even amidst plenty of very Christmasy scenes and activities, because community and kindness are the heart of Christmas. The characters all face hardships and sorrows, but overcome them in authentic ways that lends just the right depth to the story to make it feel anchored but not trite.
I also loved that the romance was based on shared values and that the elf king and Noelle both demonstrated admirable traits before falling in love. I'm not a big romance reader, but I'm still pretty picky when it comes to "shippable" couples and the elf king's generosity and humility were big green flags! Both characters have to overcome their rough start in true Beauty & the Beast fashion, and I loved watching them grow soft for each other.
Both characters appreciate each other's appearance and there's occasional flirting, a few "one bed" moments, and a night spent sharing a bedroll for warmth (fully clothed) it never gets suggestive or uncomfortable. If no-spice romance is important to you, this one is safe! 😉
I did find myself wondering about the last 40 pages or so because the main plot fully resolves by that point and the rest felt a little out of place, but I do have a preference for very tight pacing, so that could have just been me!
Overall, this is the perfect Christmas story for clean fantasy readers, especially if you love:
✨ Mysterious curses
✨ Magic tied to virtues
✨ Magic through creativity like baking and writing
✨ Wholesome romance
✨ Elf realms & lore
✨ Abandoned castles filled with secrets
✨ Beauty and the Beast retellings
✨ Adventures with heart
This story is inspired by Beauty and the Beast and that inspiration shows most strongly in the first 1/3 of the book then tapers off into more original plotlines as the characters embark on a quest to cure a curse that is destroying elf and human lands alike. I liked this twist even though it was unexpected and it opened the way for a myriad of Christmasy things like snowball fights, festive feasts with dancing and music, and, of course, plenty of holiday treats!
One of my favorite parts of the book was the spooky-whimsy atmosphere, especially at the beginning. In some ways it reminded me of the Emily Wilde series, although it leans much more cozy than creepy as Noelle gets to know the elves and their magic better. I also LOVE how much actual baking there is in the book! It wasn't just a few scenes here and there for 🫴 Vibes ✨, but was instead an integral part of the plot and Noelle's character. The baking descriptions were accurate too, and as a hobby baker myself this made me very happy ☺️ After finishing this story, I'm craving all the Christmas goodies! 😋
There are so many lovely side characters! To me, this was the coziest element, even amidst plenty of very Christmasy scenes and activities, because community and kindness are the heart of Christmas. The characters all face hardships and sorrows, but overcome them in authentic ways that lends just the right depth to the story to make it feel anchored but not trite.
I also loved that the romance was based on shared values and that the elf king and Noelle both demonstrated admirable traits before falling in love. I'm not a big romance reader, but I'm still pretty picky when it comes to "shippable" couples and the elf king's generosity and humility were big green flags! Both characters have to overcome their rough start in true Beauty & the Beast fashion, and I loved watching them grow soft for each other.
Both characters appreciate each other's appearance and there's occasional flirting, a few "one bed" moments, and a night spent sharing a bedroll for warmth (fully clothed) it never gets suggestive or uncomfortable. If no-spice romance is important to you, this one is safe! 😉
I did find myself wondering about the last 40 pages or so because the main plot fully resolves by that point and the rest felt a little out of place, but I do have a preference for very tight pacing, so that could have just been me!
Overall, this is the perfect Christmas story for clean fantasy readers, especially if you love:
✨ Mysterious curses
✨ Magic tied to virtues
✨ Magic through creativity like baking and writing
✨ Wholesome romance
✨ Elf realms & lore
✨ Abandoned castles filled with secrets
✨ Beauty and the Beast retellings
✨ Adventures with heart
December 30, 2025
What a cute, cozy, and sweet story! 🤍 I really enjoyed reading it.
I loved Noelle and the Elf King! Those two were hilarious when they were bantering 😂 and just... so cute together!
I loved the message this book gave about forgiveness, and love is the most powerful magic of all.
Oh, I wanted to mention that when Noelle used the frying pan as a weapon, it made me think of Rapunzel. 🤣 It is a good choice of a weapon in her defense, haha.
Lovely book, Ms. Lenore Stutznegger. This was a fun read!
❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️
Favorite Quote from the Elf King:
"You warmed my heart little by little every day until I no longer know myself. I no longer see myself alone, but with you — forever."
🥹🥹🫠🫠
And of course, one of my favorite bantering remarks between the Elf King and Noelle:
"Oh yes. Something about a rogue rolling pin, if your mutterings are to be believed."
"I'll whack you with a rogue rolling pin."
These two are the best! 🤣🤣🤣
I loved Noelle and the Elf King! Those two were hilarious when they were bantering 😂 and just... so cute together!
I loved the message this book gave about forgiveness, and love is the most powerful magic of all.
Oh, I wanted to mention that when Noelle used the frying pan as a weapon, it made me think of Rapunzel. 🤣 It is a good choice of a weapon in her defense, haha.
Lovely book, Ms. Lenore Stutznegger. This was a fun read!
❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️
Favorite Quote from the Elf King:
"You warmed my heart little by little every day until I no longer know myself. I no longer see myself alone, but with you — forever."
🥹🥹🫠🫠
And of course, one of my favorite bantering remarks between the Elf King and Noelle:
"Oh yes. Something about a rogue rolling pin, if your mutterings are to be believed."
"I'll whack you with a rogue rolling pin."
These two are the best! 🤣🤣🤣
September 22, 2025
LOTR meets pride and prejudice and ACOTAR in this whimsical, cosy and lighthearted Romantasy.
This will make you want to order one of everything at your local bakery and will absolutely get you in the Christmas spirit.
This is a sweet romance and storyline of hope and love and bringing together Elves and humans at Christmas time. There is nothing that jumps out at you but follows a natural storyline that although predictable still enjoyable.
I was thrown back into the Elven world pictured when reading LOTR.
I read this over two days and could not put it down.
This will make you want to order one of everything at your local bakery and will absolutely get you in the Christmas spirit.
This is a sweet romance and storyline of hope and love and bringing together Elves and humans at Christmas time. There is nothing that jumps out at you but follows a natural storyline that although predictable still enjoyable.
I was thrown back into the Elven world pictured when reading LOTR.
I read this over two days and could not put it down.
September 28, 2025
This was a wonderful, cozy romantasy book! I loved following Noelle and Elden in this story as Noelle was taken from her small village and into the elf lands. I loved the entire cast of characters and overall storyline of this book. Christmas With The Elf King had me smiling throughout the story and rooting for the characters. I absolutely loved every second of this book and I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Read this if you like:
📖 Cozy romantasy
📖 Baker FMC
📖 Elf king MMC
📖 Found Family
📖 Christmas
📖 Sweet Romance
Thank you to the author for the gifted arc.
Read this if you like:
📖 Cozy romantasy
📖 Baker FMC
📖 Elf king MMC
📖 Found Family
📖 Christmas
📖 Sweet Romance
Thank you to the author for the gifted arc.
September 11, 2025
Christmas with the Elf King by Lenore Stutznegger is like snuggling in a warm blanket with a cup of hot cocoa warming next to a fireplace among friends. The characters are adorable, and you can’t help but fall in love with them. This story warms the soul. The dynamic and chemistry between the MCs drew me in, and I loved their interactions. In addition, everything they had to endure and overcome pulled on those heartstrings. It has a great and engaging plot. I really enjoyed the read.
December 17, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book had me laughing, kicking my feet, and crying. The love conquers all trope worked so well in this story, especially with it being a Christmas romance. It is a slow burn and there isn’t any spice, but don’t let that stop you from reading it. I love that we get to see Noelle go from this angry (I mean rightfully so) grieving girl to a loving and understanding person who has found who she is meant to be and has harnessed her magic as well as melted the ice on the elf kings heart. The side characters were lovable and the absolute sweetest people, and the way every place they traveled was described I could see it so vividly in my mind. I definitely recommend this book
This book had me laughing, kicking my feet, and crying. The love conquers all trope worked so well in this story, especially with it being a Christmas romance. It is a slow burn and there isn’t any spice, but don’t let that stop you from reading it. I love that we get to see Noelle go from this angry (I mean rightfully so) grieving girl to a loving and understanding person who has found who she is meant to be and has harnessed her magic as well as melted the ice on the elf kings heart. The side characters were lovable and the absolute sweetest people, and the way every place they traveled was described I could see it so vividly in my mind. I definitely recommend this book
January 3, 2026
dnf at 60% 🙃
I've been checked out for the last fifty or so pages, which I'm taking as a sign to give up. Honestly, my emotional investment was basically non-existent even before the above mentioned fifty pages but I persevered for the sake of Christmas atmosphere. And failed.
The writing is repetitive and dull while the characters are forgettable and lacking personality. The premise of the romance is great but its realisation just isn't; there is no chemistry between the leads, literally none. There isn't much wintery atmosphere either tbh (I really did not like how the Noelle's mom kept pushing the idea of christmas and bringing its "joy" to the elves bc yeah, ancient magical beings need a random human girl to sing them christmas songs and decorate a tree in order to learn goodness bleh)
The cover is absolutely stunning. Perfection.
I've been checked out for the last fifty or so pages, which I'm taking as a sign to give up. Honestly, my emotional investment was basically non-existent even before the above mentioned fifty pages but I persevered for the sake of Christmas atmosphere. And failed.
The writing is repetitive and dull while the characters are forgettable and lacking personality. The premise of the romance is great but its realisation just isn't; there is no chemistry between the leads, literally none. There isn't much wintery atmosphere either tbh (I really did not like how the Noelle's mom kept pushing the idea of christmas and bringing its "joy" to the elves bc yeah, ancient magical beings need a random human girl to sing them christmas songs and decorate a tree in order to learn goodness bleh)
The cover is absolutely stunning. Perfection.
September 19, 2025
this book was truly so enchanting ✨ it felt like a cozy hallmark christmas movie in the best way but make it fantasy with humans and elves 🤭 it was like drinking a warm cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows on top ☕️❄️
i truly loved the small festivities woven in like the mistletoe, the baking 🍪 and the joy of simply being surrounded by people you love ❤️ the found family element was so heartwarming 💌 and it made this feel like the perfect cozy christmas escape 🎄🎁
i truly loved the small festivities woven in like the mistletoe, the baking 🍪 and the joy of simply being surrounded by people you love ❤️ the found family element was so heartwarming 💌 and it made this feel like the perfect cozy christmas escape 🎄🎁
November 14, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars
Sometimes you want a fantasy without the crazy 5 book series so this is just a refreshing read that is PERFECT for the holidays!! ❄️🌲🧝♂️
It’s LOTR vibes and very sweet romance. I believe it’s required to have cozy blankets, fuzzy socks, and hot chocolate while reading. Trust me, it gets you in the right vibe lol
Also this cover just gives me feels of those classic Christmas/winter stories I read as a child. So beautiful! I want a print lol
Sometimes you want a fantasy without the crazy 5 book series so this is just a refreshing read that is PERFECT for the holidays!! ❄️🌲🧝♂️
It’s LOTR vibes and very sweet romance. I believe it’s required to have cozy blankets, fuzzy socks, and hot chocolate while reading. Trust me, it gets you in the right vibe lol
Also this cover just gives me feels of those classic Christmas/winter stories I read as a child. So beautiful! I want a print lol
December 22, 2025
sweet little holiday romance
Clearly inspired by a love of holiday baking & Lord of the Rings. This was a very sweet fantasy romance mixed with all the Christmas magic. No spice.
Clearly inspired by a love of holiday baking & Lord of the Rings. This was a very sweet fantasy romance mixed with all the Christmas magic. No spice.
December 2, 2025
Wonderful Christmas vibes and a compelling story, I really enjoyed this!
October 3, 2025
If you’re looking to pick up a cozy YA Christmas fantasy book this is the one!
It felt like a cross between Beauty and the Beast and a Hallmark movie with a hot Elf King!
The writing style was very atmospheric and perfect for the winter season. The yummy desserts and warm dishes will leave you craving all the traditional holiday snacks! But beyond that I felt like this was a classic true love conquers all in the most wholesome way.
It felt like a cross between Beauty and the Beast and a Hallmark movie with a hot Elf King!
The writing style was very atmospheric and perfect for the winter season. The yummy desserts and warm dishes will leave you craving all the traditional holiday snacks! But beyond that I felt like this was a classic true love conquers all in the most wholesome way.
December 11, 2025
Cute, cozy, Christmas story
This was a sweet and cozy Christmas romance! I really enjoyed the story and the creativity! Also the cover is stunning!
This was a sweet and cozy Christmas romance! I really enjoyed the story and the creativity! Also the cover is stunning!
December 20, 2025
DNF at 43%
Feels like the book tried too hard to be something it isn’t. Too much cliche, cringy scenes and nicknames everywhere. Little baker 🤢
Feels like the book tried too hard to be something it isn’t. Too much cliche, cringy scenes and nicknames everywhere. Little baker 🤢
September 30, 2025
This was cozy, sweet, and so festive. I liked the characters- Noelle was very passionate about baking and, as someone who doesn’t bake, I enjoyed reading about her whole process. It took me a minute to warm up to the elf king (he’s a Thranduil look-alike) but I liked him by the end. It was so cute to watch them fall for each other. Overall I think my favorite part of this book was the Christmasy atmosphere set in a Rivendell-like kingdom.
If you’re looking for a sweet love story filled with holiday baking and Christmas cheer, this book will be right up your alley.
*Thanks to the author for the ARC
If you’re looking for a sweet love story filled with holiday baking and Christmas cheer, this book will be right up your alley.
*Thanks to the author for the ARC
September 9, 2025
I absolutely adored this perfect cosy romantasy.
Every year the Elf King takes back Craftsmen and a maiden and this year he has chosen baker Noelle. She hates the king and thinks he takes them for his own selfish use until she gets to know him and that there is a blight on the land that they must cure together.
I love the world building as they go on their quest for the cure. The coziness sinks into your soul and you can almost smell Noelle’s baking. There is enough action to keep you entranced and I think is the perfect balance.
Highly recommend this read
Every year the Elf King takes back Craftsmen and a maiden and this year he has chosen baker Noelle. She hates the king and thinks he takes them for his own selfish use until she gets to know him and that there is a blight on the land that they must cure together.
I love the world building as they go on their quest for the cure. The coziness sinks into your soul and you can almost smell Noelle’s baking. There is enough action to keep you entranced and I think is the perfect balance.
Highly recommend this read
January 5, 2026
[My reviews are generally for me/my memory and can therefore contain spoilers. They're typically not here to provide you with a reason to read or not read something.]
This is my first read of the year, despite it being a Christmas book. I figured it was close enough when I started it on the 1st, and we were getting another few days of cool weather here in Florida, so I might as well enjoy another cozy read. I hadn't gotten around to many of them in December like I'd planned, anyway.
The premise was interesting, and the overall plotting was fine. Unfortunately, the characters were kind of bland and the romance was less than vanilla. I wasn't expecting spice because of the note at the beginning of the book, but I was expecting a bit more than what we got, which was barely more than, "We kissed." There wasn't much actual chemistry between Noelle and Elden, despite being told there was. It was just such a chill, simple read that I didn't drop it despite this and the constant repetition of words and phrases that were driving me nuts:
-"Arraigned" was used instead of "arranged"...twice
-"-insert specific color- gemstone light" was on every page around 50 times. ("The citrine gemstone light glowed between us," which then happened again two sentences later.)
-Noelle's stomach was constantly "twisting with nerves," like, at least once per page. There were instances where it happened, and then again in the very next paragraph. This happened with a lot of other phrases (like the gemstone light) that were obviously meant to occur as a response in one paragraph and not the other, but there was a severe lack of editing or proofing this book.
-Noelle had never had a dinner pie (it was a pot pie)?? There were a lot of food items like this that were new to her, when like half of her baking repertoire didn't fit the setting to begin with. I mostly overlooked it because I was down for cinnamon rolls and Christmas and elves, but a dinner pie seems like the sort of thing that would be supremely normal/common in this setting, especially since she mentioned mincemeat pies when she made the tarts.
There were definitely others, but I didn't take notes until I had like 10% of the book left and was noticing them happening with more frequency.
Overall, this was a cute read. The ending was sweet, and everything was wrapped up tidily with a big ol' Christmas bow. I also think it's awesome that Stutznegger did the cover art as well! It's really beautiful.
I wish this had gone through a few readers or more/better editing before release. I truly don't expect a series' worth of character development and depth to a story that's less than 300 pages, but the fact that I didn't really feel touched or super invested in the characters, and was consistently annoyed by the aforementioned (and other) repetitive lines sort of dampened my experience. The story was cute, but I wasn't blown away.
This is my first read of the year, despite it being a Christmas book. I figured it was close enough when I started it on the 1st, and we were getting another few days of cool weather here in Florida, so I might as well enjoy another cozy read. I hadn't gotten around to many of them in December like I'd planned, anyway.
The premise was interesting, and the overall plotting was fine. Unfortunately, the characters were kind of bland and the romance was less than vanilla. I wasn't expecting spice because of the note at the beginning of the book, but I was expecting a bit more than what we got, which was barely more than, "We kissed." There wasn't much actual chemistry between Noelle and Elden, despite being told there was. It was just such a chill, simple read that I didn't drop it despite this and the constant repetition of words and phrases that were driving me nuts:
-"Arraigned" was used instead of "arranged"...twice
-"-insert specific color- gemstone light" was on every page around 50 times. ("The citrine gemstone light glowed between us," which then happened again two sentences later.)
-Noelle's stomach was constantly "twisting with nerves," like, at least once per page. There were instances where it happened, and then again in the very next paragraph. This happened with a lot of other phrases (like the gemstone light) that were obviously meant to occur as a response in one paragraph and not the other, but there was a severe lack of editing or proofing this book.
-Noelle had never had a dinner pie (it was a pot pie)?? There were a lot of food items like this that were new to her, when like half of her baking repertoire didn't fit the setting to begin with. I mostly overlooked it because I was down for cinnamon rolls and Christmas and elves, but a dinner pie seems like the sort of thing that would be supremely normal/common in this setting, especially since she mentioned mincemeat pies when she made the tarts.
There were definitely others, but I didn't take notes until I had like 10% of the book left and was noticing them happening with more frequency.
Overall, this was a cute read. The ending was sweet, and everything was wrapped up tidily with a big ol' Christmas bow. I also think it's awesome that Stutznegger did the cover art as well! It's really beautiful.
I wish this had gone through a few readers or more/better editing before release. I truly don't expect a series' worth of character development and depth to a story that's less than 300 pages, but the fact that I didn't really feel touched or super invested in the characters, and was consistently annoyed by the aforementioned (and other) repetitive lines sort of dampened my experience. The story was cute, but I wasn't blown away.
December 28, 2025
Noelle expects a quiet Christmas spent baking with her family, not to be taken to the Undying Lands by the Elf King himself. For centuries, elves have claimed human craftsmen as part of an uneasy treaty, but to Noelle, being chosen feels more like a curse than an honor. Whisked away to Ravensong, she’s forced to bake for a cold, ancient king while navigating unfamiliar magic, a dangerous curse spreading through the land, and a growing connection she never asked for. With her skill in baking supposedly tied directly to the fate of the realm, Noelle must decide whether she can save a world she never wanted to belong to, and whether the Elf King is worth the risk.
This was a surprisingly cozy yet engaging holiday fantasy that balances warmth with real stakes. It’s lighter in tone but never toothless, making it an excellent palate cleanser without feeling disposable. The pacing is strong throughout, and the dialogue - especially involving child characters - is impressively natural, something many books struggle with. I also appreciated that this leaned more whimsical fantasy than Hallmark Christmas vibes, giving it a distinct identity. The baking magic was charming without being too gimmicky, and the romance unfolded gently, fitting the wintry atmosphere without rushing emotional beats.
That said, Noelle’s characterization felt slightly inconsistent at times, particularly in how mature she seemed from scene to scene, which occasionally pulled me out of the story. There was also some repetition in phrasing and descriptive language that became noticeable as the book went on. Still, neither issue overshadowed the overall experience. This is a cozy, festive fantasy that delivers charm, heart, and just enough tension to keep things interesting, perfect for curling up with during the holidays.
4/5 Sometimes the best Christmas gift is baking your way out of an ancient curse.
This was a surprisingly cozy yet engaging holiday fantasy that balances warmth with real stakes. It’s lighter in tone but never toothless, making it an excellent palate cleanser without feeling disposable. The pacing is strong throughout, and the dialogue - especially involving child characters - is impressively natural, something many books struggle with. I also appreciated that this leaned more whimsical fantasy than Hallmark Christmas vibes, giving it a distinct identity. The baking magic was charming without being too gimmicky, and the romance unfolded gently, fitting the wintry atmosphere without rushing emotional beats.
That said, Noelle’s characterization felt slightly inconsistent at times, particularly in how mature she seemed from scene to scene, which occasionally pulled me out of the story. There was also some repetition in phrasing and descriptive language that became noticeable as the book went on. Still, neither issue overshadowed the overall experience. This is a cozy, festive fantasy that delivers charm, heart, and just enough tension to keep things interesting, perfect for curling up with during the holidays.
4/5 Sometimes the best Christmas gift is baking your way out of an ancient curse.
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