If you looked up “cozy fantasy” in the dictionary, this is what you would find. Or at least it should be. A low-stakes, low-angst story about two somewhat older men finding or following their passions and opening a bar together in a fantasy world. They make drinks and they pick out furniture and they buy a magical freezer for their ice and they try to figure out a mysterious rodent problem and they just do all these sorta normal things. And they’re just kind to each other and supportive of each other, and they make each other blush just by giving genuine compliments. And it really does have just cozy vibes all-around. This story was a warm fire, and I was just basking in its glow.

I was really touched by the time I finished. This wasn’t a perfect world, there were still people struggling, the main character himself had a sort of magic-based disability with chronic pain, but the story was just this lovely ideal of settling down, following a dream, helping people, finding friends and community and love, and people supporting each other.

The audiobook narration by Eric Jason Martin was great. He had a nice voice that suited the cozy vibes and sounded natural.

I don’t really feel like I need to say more. If you want what I described above, just read it. It’s a lovely book!

*Rating: 4.5 Stars // Read Date: 2024 // Format: Audiobook*