Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Fantasy, adventure, magic, LGBTQ+, romance.
Children’s book title: Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe.
Children’s author: C.B. Lee.
Genre: Cosy fantasy.
Published by: Hot Key Books.
ISBN: 9781471419379.
Recommended for young adults aged: 14+.
First published: Paperback July 2025.
This children’s book is ideal for: Fantasy fans.
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Our review:
I, Brenda Nguyễn, high school senior in a small no-name suburb, am going to save the world.
That’s the plan at least, and super-organised Brenda is very keen on plans. As the only daughter of second-generation Vietnamese immigrants, she’s determined to make her family proud by getting into UCLA in order to conduct world-saving research with the prestigious Fields Forward Industries.
Running uncharacteristically late due to a delay with one of her references and with just half an hour until the scholarship deadline, Brenda’s internet goes down. Desperate for a temporary connection to submit her application, she stumbles into a quirky new coffeeshop where she meets cool, confident and very cute Kat, who seems genuinely interested in Brenda’s 19-point plan to save the world.
The more energy you put into believing that your dreams are possible, the more motivation you have to go after them – the more the universe will respond in kind and make you more in tune to see those opportunities.
What should have been the perfect meet-cute turns rather more complicated when the girls realise that they actually live in different universes, somehow connected by a portal in the coffeeshop. Brenda’s universe may have Prom committees, college applications and Dungeons and Dragons tournaments, but Kat’s has magic, deadly prophecies and actual dragons! And Kat just happens to be the Chosen One, doomed to save the world at the likely expense of her own life. As earthquakes in Brenda’s LA and magic surges in Kat’s grow in intensity, the girls’ connection becomes stronger than ever as they face danger across their merging universes.
Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe is a delightful LGBTQ+ romance. The fantasy elements are well developed and mesh well with the real-world narrative. Told from their alternating perspectives, Brenda and Kat are endearing, powerful heroines who the reader will quickly root for – both for their blossoming romance and as strong protagonists in their own right. The references to fanfiction and Dungeons and Dragons give the book a strong fandom appeal, with a welcome dose of inclusivity.
Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe is a charming romantic tale of chasing your dreams and the power of love to conquer all – or at least to help with dragon-fighting. Fantasy fanfic fans will find much to enjoy and the book will have particular appeal for fans of Malindo Lo and K. O’Neill.
Many thanks to Hot Key Books for the review copy.
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