True Loaf is a short sweet tale of a bakers quest for yarrow to bake into bread for a stranger. Evoking a similar tone to the animation Over the Garden Wall, Penny Scott Andrews’ narration is perfectly suited to this folkloric story, it is a warm orange scented narrative evoking fireside ghost stories and fairy tales. I’ve been craving autumn and Halloween recently and this short story was a perfect early hit of October twilight. The illustrated cover drew me in and I’m so glad I listened to this audio version of the story. I’ll be looking out for more from L. Austen Johnson.

True Loaf, A Balkan Folklore Inspired Short Story by L. Austen Johnson Narrated by Penny Scott-Andrews.
Thanks to Netgalley for the copy.
I really enjoyed this short story, it's great for starting audio books .
It was fun and works perfectly for this format.
Now I'm gonna get me some bread. :)
3/5 stars
Maria Lourdes

This short story was a neat idea and story. I don't know which folktale it comes from but to me it seemed like a great way of using the story into a modern retelling. I enjoyed the vibes in the story, it all felt very autumnish and homey from the bakery feel. It is also a great short story for Halloween and fall, might give a reread during that time!

I did find some parts to be confusing and like it should have been longer as things were glossed over and could have been expanded. It didn't wow me and I think if it was longer or more in depth, it would have.

Rating: 4/5
I received this Audiobook copy for my honest opinion.

When a strange man puts in a strange request at the bakery where she works, Riley must go on a mini adventure to find one unusual ingredient. Along the way, she realizes that things are not always what they seem.
A micro-story.

This short story was inspired by Balkan folklore. I really did enjoy this short story, even though it was a lot shorter than I realized. However, it still was able to get the details of Riley and her adventure out there and made me feel like I was a part of the magic. I do wish that there was a little more detail at the ending, it will leave you with a bit of a mystery.

I think Penny Scott Andrews did a wonderful job narrating the story, her voice is what drew me in and made me stop doing everything just so I could listen to every detail. The way she read it made me want more of the tale, and if there ever was, I would love to have Penny narrate it again.

I would recommend this short, sweet fairytale/folklore to anyone.

Thank you NetGalley, as well as Lore and Lyre, Independent Book Publisher Assoc. for this audiobook that I was able to listen to and give my honest review of.

Release Date: 9-27-2021

This book is absolutely adorable - I am going to purchase it! The characters are amazing and the plot of the book is really what drew me into it. I also love the cover art.

This was actually my first audibook, that I have finished listening to, usually English audiobooks are a lot harder for me to understand, but this book was really easy to follow.

I really liked the story, it was adorable and lovely, the perfect thing to listen to before falling asleep. I adored that this story was inspired by the Balkan Folklore, and it also felt really special to me because the special ingredient was a kind of herb that I actually use at home, so I felt a little bit magical after finishing it with my tea.

I think everyone should listen to this story who even a very little bit loves folk tales, or who wants to hear a lovely story about a girl, who goes on an adventure, and discovers that things are not always what they seem to be.

This Balkan folklore inspired short story was nice and fun to listen to. It had good pacing with suspense and mystery elements that fit well in the story considering how short it was. It also has a really cute cover and intriguing description which was what drew me to it at first.

True Loaf is a short story that has the vibe of a modern fairy tale.

The scene is set from the first two sentences; the reader is right away placed in the story's world. It was an interesting story about yarrow bread -- mostly involving hunting for the yarrow.

There's an ambiguous ending; I'm not sure I "got" the story. In general, I prefer endings that are more clear-cut than open-ended. I'd also rather see the girl save herself than see a man save her! But True Loaf was fairly engaging; I think I'd read more from this author.

The audiobook's narrator seemed appropriate for the story; the narrator spoke as if she were telling a modern fairytale.

True Loaf is a modern fairytale short story inspired by the Balkan Folklore.

I didn't like it per se. It was OK, but I want more! It's too short to be judged. And I'll definitely read a long version of it.

4/5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishing team for providing this audiobook-arc!

It was a fun audiobook that wasn't boring to me. It kept me hooked actually! I was a bit confused but i'd love to hear more interpretations of the novel/tale

I thought this was cute but there wasn’t much to it. I wish that we could have spent more time with the characters and in this world because I think this really had promise. The ending kind of seemed abrupt as well.

A short and sweet story, over before I knew it. Definitely exemplified classic story telling. Beautiful cover art.

This is listed as a short story, but I did not realize how very short it would be. I did like the narrator, she did a good job. The story had some interesting elements, but it was not well fleshed out. When the man turned into a beast and attacked her in the shop were there other people around? Even outside? The ending was a spectacular let down as the whole thing seemed meaningless. I am not posting a review online because I don't post negative reviews.

i didnt even realize how short this was until i finsihed listening, it was amazing! really cute and short while still being interesting and i love the fact it was inspired by balkan folklore!

An enjoyable, short fairtale for modern times, about a woman in a bakery who is asked to collect a specific plant to make a particular type of bread. The audiobook narrator was very good.

Riley, who is working in the a bakery, receives a request from a mysterious customer to bake a loaf with a special ingredient. She sets off to the forest to collect the special ingredient, Yarrow Plant, and we watch the rest unfold.

This is a cute short read that is very reminiscent of classic fairytales / folklore -- and is apparently inspired by Balkan folklore. I initially picked this up because of it’s cover which does a good job at reflecting the vibe and feel of this book. I did like the magical elements and audiobook narration though I would’ve liked something a bit longer. Still an interesting read though!

Thanks NetGalley and publisher for my copy!

Ahhhh! I want more! Very fairytale classic theme but blended well to the modern world. This could be a great series or collection of stories.
Well narrated and intriguingly spoken. I can't stand a monotoned narrator and this was not that. Didn't do attempts at character voices but it wasn't missed either.
Great short story and fairly kid appropriate but appealing to my 32 year old fairytale loving self.
I would love to post a review on Goodreads but couldn't find it to gush about the story.

True Loaf is a story inspired by Balkan folklore but set in a modern setting. The main character Riley works in a small town bakery. One day an unknown customer comes by and makes a special order. The story of mysterious circumstances with maybe a little bit of magic unfolds from there.

The story itself is too short to provide a backstory for any of the characters or strong character development. It has this fairy-tale-like quality to it, and it reminded me of good night stories I used to listen to when I was a child. Many things just happen without any given reason or explanation as in a classic fairy-tale. Plus, mysterious atmosphere and a few twists and turns are quite enough to keep the story interesting. I recommend it if you are looking for a good relaxing and cosy story that doesn’t take much of your time.

I want to thank Netgalley for the audio copy of this book for a review.

It was a cute story. I thought it was going to be a children's story, but seemed more young adult/teen. The story flowed really well and had good pacing. I realize its another countries folk tale, but i really just don't understand the point of it. Is there supposed to be a message? It just ended in what felt like the middle. Still a very cute, fun story to listen to. Their are curse words so if you want to listen with kids, and don't really do curse words, beware.

True Load by L. Austen Johnson is a modern fairytale inspired by tone, plot, structure of Balkan folklore.

Riley works in a bakery and one day was asked by a mysterious customer for a very specific ingredient. Unfortunately the bakery did not have it so,Riley sets out late in the twilight to search for it. Will she be able to complete this strange man's order?

True Loaf was a quick audio book but I loved every minute of it. I definitely would love to read more! I did not realize it was a very short story until it was already over. I actually listened to it twice because I liked it so much.

The cover is super cute, it gives me cozy fall vibes. It was what drew me to this audiobook book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher of True Loaf by L. Austen Johnson for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.