A Fellowship of Games & Fables — J. Penner

From cold rivalry to hot cocoa and warm heartsJez, a grumpy fennex, wants nothing to do with the winter games descending on Adenashire. She'd rather sleep through winter than deal with the snow, the noise, or the swarm of visitors in town. But a drunken boast lands her smack in the middle of the festivities and, even worse, fake dating her endlessly cheerful friend, Taenya, a woodland elf.Plagued by chronic fatigue and past heartbreak, Jez has long guarded her heart. Not to mention she has a secret she'd rather not share. Yet Taenya's warmth and patience begin to melt her icy exterior. Together, the two women tackle challenges—from ice sculpting to scavenger hunts—and their reluctant partnership becomes something deeper, built on laughter, trust, and a shared love of cozy corners and quiet moments.With the help of her quirky friend group and the magic of a town that thrives on togetherness, Jez begins to open up—not just to the festivities but to the possibility of healing, connection, and maybe even joy.