SUMMARY
Will romance be the plot twist?
Emmy has an enemy, and his name is Luke. The good news? She rarely sees him. The bad news? When she does, she (and her pet dragons) are reminded just how handsome he is.
Besides, Emmy is too busy focusing on her dragon-fuelled business to have time for love. But when both she and Luke approach the same local investor for funding, she’s suddenly unable to avoid him. The kookie investor insists they must compete for the cash by working at the local failing baby dragon bookshop to prove their magical business knowledge.
Determined to win the funding, Emmy dives into the task. But making a very flammable bookshop fit for baby dragons is no small feat, and it seems these rivals may need to join forces. Could Luke and Emmy’s fiery animosity spark something more between them?
Image and summary from Goodreads.
REVIEW
I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of visiting Starshine Valley.
After reading The Baby Dragon Cafe and The Baby Dragon Bakery, I couldn’t wait to pick up The Baby Dragon Bookshop. I decided to listen to this one as an audiobook and before I knew it, I’d finished the whole thing in just a few hours. It’s one of those cosy stories that’s so easy to sink into that time seems to disappear while you’re listening.
One of my favourite things about this series is the world itself. Starshine Valley has become one of those fictional places I’d happily move to if it actually existed. The magical little shops, the close-knit community and, of course, the baby dragons all come together to create such a comforting atmosphere. Every time I start one of these books, it feels like returning somewhere familiar.
I also really enjoy Aamna Qureshi’s writing style. It’s warm, easy to read and perfectly suited to the cosy fantasy genre. The audiobook made it even easier to become immersed in the story and I found myself listening until I’d reached the end.
As with the previous books in the series, I loved the slower pace and focus on relationships, community and everyday life rather than huge, world ending stakes. Sometimes that’s exactly the kind of book I’m in the mood for, especially after reading heavier fantasy or emotionally intense romances. It feels like wrapping yourself in a blanket with a hot drink and honestly, that’s one of the reasons I keep coming back to this series.
That being said, this wasn’t quite a five star read for me. There were a few sections that felt a little repetitive and I found myself thinking that some scenes didn’t really add much to the overall story. While I understand that cosy fantasy often leans into quieter moments, there were times when I was waiting for the plot to move forward again. I think tightening up a few of those sections would have made the story feel a little stronger without losing its charm.
Even so, I genuinely enjoyed my time with this book. The slower moments never stopped me from wanting to keep listening, they just made the middle feel slightly longer than it needed to be.
Overall, The Baby Dragon Bookshop was another lovely visit to Starshine Valley. It may not have been my favourite book in the series, but it still delivered everything I’ve come to expect: a cosy atmosphere, loveable characters, adorable baby dragons and a magical setting that’s impossible not to fall in love with.
This was a low 4 star read for me. If you’re looking for a comforting cosy fantasy that’s perfect to listen to over an afternoon, I’d definitely recommend giving this series a go. I’ll happily keep returning to Starshine Valley for as long as Aamna Qureshi keeps writing stories set there.
-Rachelle
I’m on Instagram at @rachellesbookshelf
