Calculated Whisk by Lindsay Buroker:

4 stars

The war is over, and Rylana is looking for the familiar and reassuring. Her faith in her work has faltered. She will not continue on as a mercenary and returns to her hometown. But that comes with its own difficulties; she needs a job. The only business that’s hiring is owned by a dragon she wounded in the war. If she can convince him that she’s not there to finish what she started, they might make a pretty good team.

I have read Lindsay Buroker’s work since the very first installment of the Emperor’s Edge, and every one of her books has her unique voice, whether it’s adventure fantasy or cozy fantasy. Calculated Whisk is no exception, and my expectations were fully met.

I found the beginning a bit abrupt and slightly lore-heavy, but once I settled in, I immediately understood the world. Rylana is Buroker’s quintessential heroine: smart, feisty, compassionate, and just reckless enough to keep things interesting. Who else would try applying for a job a second time after the first ended with attempted murder? The characters are distinctive and personable, ripe for humorous situations…although the dragon displayed a startling lack of business sense.

The plot could have followed a well-trod path—family comeuppance, instant chemistry, under-estimated daughter saves all—but it didn’t. Buroker wrote a light, easy-to-read tale that has hidden depths. At its heart, this story is about returning home, facing the past, and being open to unexpected possibilities. The emotional impact in Calculated Whisk is subtle; it isn’t delivered through grand declarations, but quietly opening the door to something more.

If you enjoy fantasy that’s fun, a little goofy, a little cozy, but character-driven and with an unconventional romance, this is an excellent choice. If you’re new to Ms. Buroker’s work, you’re in luck. She’s an auto-buy with many worlds to explore!