A Barista’s Guide to Love & Larceny

Gr 9 Up–After escaping her con artist parents, Danica “Dani” Lionet worked hard to get provisionally accepted as a freshman in the oracular studies program at prestigious Fox’s Leap University. She soon realizes that staying at university will be just as challenging given the realities of juggling coursework, work shifts, and personal relationships. A run-in with a visiting professor of oneiromany (divination by means of dreams) at a clandestine card game exposes Dani’s secret ability to influence others’ candidness. Rather than expose her, Professor Silva offers Dani $250 if she agrees to pose as a student journalist at OneiroLabs to learn more about a lucid dreaming drug in development. Questions raised by the visit result in a new offer from Professor Silva: assist in a heist of the formula, get $25,000. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime; what could go wrong? This charming debut romantasy is set in a modern world infused in magical arts and technology where university students submit assignments on quartzpads and major in specializations like spellcraft, arcanobotany, and arcane technology. Rea-ders will eagerly follow along as the narrative shifts halfway from a new adult personal journey into a secret-laden heist plot. Though a bit predictable, the outcome will likely satisfy. Dani reads as a realistic main character struggling with ethical quandaries as well as relatable academic and financial issues. The smattering of profanity within the text feels appropriate given the collegiate setting. Dani’s budding romance with mage Kass is wrought more with secrets than sexual tension. Diversity exists in the form of synesthesia, LGBTQIA+ representation, and instances of class divide.