A cozy little fantasy adventure with queer representation! The Baker and the Bard by Fern Haught follows two friends, Juniper and Hadley. They work at a bakery and sometimes perform at an inn. One day their boss at the bakery sends them on a mission to get some glowing oyster mushrooms in a big forest for a big order a rich customer places. The friends get notice that several crops nearby are failing. They find out the cause is because of giant caterpillars that belong to a fey (fairy) named Thistle. It turns out, the fey caterpillars have some problems of their own. Juniper and Hadley find a way to help Thistle and get the mushrooms they need for the bakery. I gave it 5 stars. It's such a simple, but magical story! I think this book is perfect if you're in the mood for some adventure but with not very high stakes. Kind of like Legends and Lattes! There is also queer rep in this book. Hadley and Thistle are nonbinary, and Juniper and Hadley become a Sapphic couple.
