A pinch of fake dating, a dash of fundraiser mayhem, and a love that rises when their future is on the line.

Running the Cozy Cat Café while its owner is away would have been enough work, but apprentice Linnea added another complication: catering the local school’s fundraiser. Surviving the week seems debatable…until the quiet schoolteacher she might be falling for offers to help her. Faking a relationship to avoid one of his students is only the icing on the cinnamon roll.

Conrad hasn’t been able to take his eyes off Linnea since he first saw her, and the fact that she’s on her own with the cafe for a week seems like the perfect opportunity to show her how much he cares. But with more suitors vying for her hand, an encounter with a hive of bees gone wrong, and clingy students that he can’t shake, proving that he’s the man for her is turning out to be more work than he expected.

Between batches of pastries and mugs of tea, can Conrad and Linnea's fake relationship rise to the occasion, or will they both end up burned?

A Taste of Tea and Tenderness, a no spice fairy tale retelling of Thumbelina, is a standalone novella, complete with tropes such as fake dating, he falls first, and wound tending. It is part of The Enchanting Confections series, a collection of clean and cozy stories guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth. Perfect for fans of whimsical fairytale romance, cozy Hallmark vibes, and sweet & swoony heroes.

Published
May 22, 2026
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Enchanting Confections

The series

Full series details →

There is something comforting about a small-town bakery, the scent of fresh pastries drifting through the air, familiar faces gathering each morning, and recipes passed down through generations. Enchanting Confections takes that warmth and adds a touch of magic, creating a cozy fantasy mystery series where every treat may hold a secret and every day brings the possibility of the unexpected.

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Set in a charming community where the supernatural exists just beneath the surface of everyday life, the series follows a baker whose talents extend beyond flour, sugar, and frosting. What begins as the simple task of running a confectionery soon becomes intertwined with magical mishaps, puzzling mysteries, and the unique challenges that arise when spells and sweets share the same kitchen.

The appeal of the series lies in its inviting atmosphere. Rather than relying on world-ending stakes, the stories focus on personal connections, local intrigue, and the small moments that make a community feel alive. Customers arrive carrying more than orders, they bring secrets, problems, and sometimes clues that lead to mysteries waiting to be unraveled. Along the way, friendships deepen, relationships evolve, and the bakery becomes a gathering place where magic and everyday life blend seamlessly.

The magical elements are woven naturally into the setting, adding wonder without overshadowing the human heart of the story. Enchanted recipes, supernatural neighbors, and unexpected discoveries create a sense of delight that complements the mystery-driven plots. Each installment offers a balance of cozy fantasy, light suspense, and character growth, making the world feel both comforting and full of possibility.

Readers who enjoy paranormal cozy mysteries, magical baking, witchy small-town settings, and character-driven storytelling will find themselves right at home. The series captures the charm of a close-knit community while delivering enough mystery and magical intrigue to keep readers turning pages long after the last pastry has cooled.

Enchanting Confections is a celebration of found family, second chances, and the quiet magic hidden within ordinary lives. Sweet, whimsical, and gently suspenseful, it invites readers into a world where a bakery can become the center of adventure and where every recipe may contain more than its ingredients reveal.

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10/10

This was a really sweet story about Conrad & Linnea. This story can be read as a standalone but it's nice to have a little more familiarity with the town and background characters. Conrad & Linnea were really cute together and I enjoyed seeing the two of them find their HEA. I didn't see a lot of Thumbelina references but may have missed them but either way I loved the story. I look forward to reading more books in this town including Guinevere and Gideon's upcoming story Once Upon A Bear.

Steam Rating: Glimpses and Kisses

The Galamere Chronicles Series
Tales of Cake And Comfort: A Cozy Fantasy Omnibus: Thea & Nathaniel
Once Upon An Apple: Sophia & Lord Caspian Rendon
Once Upon A Rose: Beatrice & Lord Alexander Dunham
Once Upon A Pumpkin: Dietrich & Ella
Once Upon A Cat: Thea & Nathaniel
Once Upon A Bear: Gideon & Guinevere

Also Connected:
Beastly Dreams (Displaced Fairytales Series): Roan & Abigail

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the Enchanting Confections ARC Team and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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