A driven, science-minded teen and a rebellious Chosen One from parallel universes meet in a magical coffeeshop, sparking a sweet sapphic romance as their worlds begin to collide. Blending cozy fantasy, Asian cultural representation, and themes of destiny, grief, and found family, the story explores whether love and friendship can bridge the gap between two realities on the brink of unraveling.

Reader Review Summary

Set in a magical version of Los Angeles, the story follows Brenda Nguyen, a driven, geeky overachiever with a detailed plan to save the world through science, and Kat Woo, a rebellious chosen one from a parallel universe where magic is commonplace. Their worlds collide when Brenda, desperate for WiFi to submit a scholarship application, stumbles into Kat’s family’s coffeeshop—unaware that it exists in a different universe. As the two girls fall for each other, they must navigate the challenges of cross-universe dating, unravel the mystery behind a deadly magical ritual that killed Kat’s mother, and confront the destabilization of both their worlds. The narrative blends elements of cozy fantasy, YA romance, and portal fantasy, featuring a diverse cast, Asian cultural influences, Dungeons & Dragons references, and a mix of magic and modern technology, such as spells sold at Target and runebooks replacing smartphones. Themes of grief, destiny, family, and the pressures of high achievement are explored alongside the girls’ growing relationship and the broader stakes of saving their universes.

Readers praised the book for its engaging and sweet sapphic romance, the chemistry between Brenda and Kat, and the authentic depiction of high-achieving teen anxiety and rebellion against destiny. The world-building was frequently highlighted, with many enjoying the integration of magic as everyday technology, the whimsical and cozy atmosphere, and the infusion of Vietnamese and Chinese cultural elements, especially through food and family dynamics. The inclusion of Dungeons & Dragons, pop culture references like Doctor Who and Sailor Moon, and the depiction of supportive friendships and found family were also appreciated. The audiobook narration, particularly the dual POV and performances by Elyse Dinh and Emily Woo Zeller, received positive feedback for bringing the characters to life and maintaining a light, engaging tone.

Some readers found the pacing uneven, with slow build-up and moments of info-dumping, particularly in the world-building and magic system explanations. Several noted that the side characters, especially Brenda’s D&D party, felt underdeveloped or hollow, and that the emotional stakes—such as grief, loss, and the impact of parallel universes—were sometimes handled too lightly or glossed over. A few felt the romance and reactions to extraordinary events were too quick or underplayed, making it hard to connect emotionally. Criticisms also included a rushed or cheesy ending, lack of depth in the cozy aspect, and occasional confusion with the multiverse mechanics or overuse of certain references (e.g., repeated mentions of Target). Some readers did not resonate with the YA voice, found Brenda’s characterization inconsistent, or were not fans of the writing style.

The book is positioned as a cozy, queer YA fantasy romance with a focus on Asian American representation and themes relevant to immigrant families, high school pressures, and LGBTQ+ identity. It features a blend of adventure, mystery, and light political or environmental commentary, with elements like a murder mystery, magical creatures (including a dragon and a giant cat), and a narrative that balances comfort with real stakes. The story avoids explicit content, making it suitable for younger teens, and does not use explicit labels for sexuality, though some readers interpreted Brenda as being on the aroace spectrum. The book has been released in both print and audiobook formats, with a moderate number of reader ratings and reviews, and is often recommended for fans of cozy fantasy, D&D, and stories with strong friendship and family dynamics.