Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe by C.B. Lee

This October, BookSwell’s Read Local SoCal pick is Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe by C.B. Lee, a cozy, sapphic YA fantasy romance in which two universes collide in one magical coffeeshop. We’re reading it together all month, and C.B. reads live at WeHo Reads on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Read along with us.

Buy on Bookshop.org → Get the free discussion guide ↓

About the book

Cover of Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe by C.B. Lee

“A geeky overachiever determined to save the world through science and a troublemaking chosen one lashing out against her destiny meet and fall in love in a magical coffeeshop as their two very different universes begin to collide… C.B. Lee’s fun, sapphic, cozy fantasy YA romance.”

“Epic world-saving plotting mixes with intimate star-crossed love and touches of magic and mischief, making for a satisfying and cozy read.”
Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Told in alternating POV chapters, Lee’s latest is a delight… sweet, tender, and high-stakes all at the same time—a true triple threat.”
Booklist (starred review)

Published by Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan), July 2025. Young Adult Fantasy / Romance. Winner of the Lodestone Award for Best Young Adult Book.

Meet C.B. Lee

Photo by Caroline Tran

C.B. Lee is a New York Times bestselling author of young adult and middle grade fiction, including Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe, A Clash of Steel, and the acclaimed Sidekick Squad series. Their works have received seven starred reviews and been finalists for multiple awards, including the Lambda Literary Award.

A Los Angeles book, twice over. Readers meet two versions of the same places in Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe, including UCLA and Echo Mountain. And C.B. reads at WeHo Reads: Into the Unknown on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., online and free, with four more queer fantasy and YA authors.

Follow C.B. on Instagram at @cblee_cblee and at cb-lee.com.

In the guide: a Q&A with C.B. Lee

This month’s free discussion guide includes a Q&A with C.B. on hope, destiny, and how a story can feel cozy while the universe is at stake.

“But the amazing thing is you don’t need a great prophecy or destiny to do that. You can get up and choose to solve a problem.”
C.B. Lee, in the October Read Local SoCal discussion guide

Companion reads

Two more by C.B., and two by fellow WeHo Reads: Into the Unknown authors. Bookshop.org affiliate purchases support the author and independent bookstores.

Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee. The first book in C.B.’s Sidekick Squad series, a queer YA superhero adventure.

A Clash of Steel by C.B. Lee. C.B.’s YA remix of Treasure Island, reimagined in the South China Sea.

Cover of The Hearth Witch’s Guide to Magic & Murder by Kiri Callaghan

The Hearth Witch’s Guide to Magic & Murder by Kiri Callaghan. Book one of the Hemlock Saga, sapphic fantasy that’s both cozy and a little macabre. Kiri reads with C.B. at WeHo Reads on Oct. 14.

Cover of Charmed and Dangerous by Shelly Page

Charmed and Dangerous by Shelly Page. YA fantasy romance from another Oct. 14 WeHo Reads author.

How to participate

Get the book on Bookshop.org, which supports independent bookstores.
Download the free discussion guide, built for book clubs or reading on your own.
Meet C.B. live at WeHo Reads: Into the Unknown, Wednesday, Oct. 14, online and free.
Join the conversation. Follow @bookswellclub and tag your thoughts with #ReadLocalSoCal.

Get the free discussion guide

Sign up and we’ll send you the Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe discussion guide, plus a mid-month question and a wrap-up as we read along together.

About Read Local SoCal

Read Local SoCal is BookSwell’s monthly celebration of local authors, with a special spotlight on Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latinx, LGBTQ+, women, nonbinary, and indie writers. One book a month, January through mid-November. Think globally, read locally.

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