Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe

Gr 8 Up–Brenda has her life planned out via a 19-step list titled “Brenda Nguyen’s Ultimate Plan to Saving the World.” She does not have time for things like dating. But then, in a rush to find some free Wi-Fi, she stumbles into a coffee shop and meets Kat, who is, unbeknownst to Brenda, not from the same universe. Where Brenda lives in a world with no magic, Kat lives in a very similar world that does. While Brenda dreams of saving the world from things like global warming, Kat wants to escape her destiny as the chosen one. When the two meet, there is an immediate connection. They, along with a group of devoted friends, must figure out how they can stay together and solve the mystery of the two parallel universes before the magical universe is destroyed. This is a standalone cozy fantasy with a sapphic romance. The story is paced fairly well and broken up with action and magic. There are some great humorous moments with a tiny dragon and a giant cat. Readers should take the time for the author’s note, where Lee discusses that while the book is fantasy, it pulls from the real history of Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants coming to America (including Lee’s own family). The cast is diverse. While the characters are older teens and there is romance, it does not move past kissing. Violence is pretty tame and there is no coarse language.