4 Cozy Fantasy Books for Autumn
The spicy scent of chai fills the air.
A cute mug warms your hands as you snuggle beneath a blanket. Orange and fiery red maple leaves blow past the window. Only one thing remains: what to read?
Cozy fantasy books are popular for a reason. It’s like getting a hug from a book. Seriously! Every ending is an HEA. Cats, magic, and quaint bakeries abound.
In other words: cozy fantasy books are the perfect way to wind down from summer and ease into autumn.
Some of the books on this list are more prominently romantic than others. Many cozy books are low-spice or completely clean, including the ones on my list.
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
Emily ventures into a frost-bitten tundra armed with a plan to catalogue undiscovered Fae species. Things are off to a rocky start, but it gets worse when her spotlight-stealing, sickeningly gregarious academic rival shows up to ruin her expedition.
Emily struggles to prove her theories about the Fae with Wendell underfoot. Worse, she struggles to keep him off her mind.
This book is popular for a reason. Everyone loves Wendell—except for Emily! He drives her nuts. If you love books with dangerous Fae and secretive love interests, this one is for you.
Top Qualities
Straight-laced Protagonist
Dangerous Fae
Grumpy/Sunshine
Clean Romance
Series
An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
Isobel provides for her family by painting portraits for Fair Folk. When she makes a mistake on a portrait, the enraged Fae kidnaps her.
As Isobel struggles to escape, she fears that this supposedly soulless Fae is slowly stealing her heart.
I genuinely cannot recommend this book enough. The structure needs some fine-tuning in the middle, but the sweet romance and worldbuilding make it worth reading.
It is perfect for readers who love forced proximity, headstrong protagonists, and autumn worldbuilding.
An Enchantment of Ravens has a stronger emphasis on romance than others on the list.
Top Qualities
Forced Proximity
Dangerous Fae
Intelligent and Stubborn Protagonist
Clean Romance
Shady Hollow by Juneau Black
Vera Vixen isn’t your average news reporter. And Shady Hollow? It’s a perfectly enchanting little village. At least, it is until a toad’s mysterious death shatters the charming illusion and puts Vera hot on the case.
As Vera struggles to unearth the truth, one thing becomes certain: it took a murder to put her on the case, and it will take another murder to stop her.
This book is utterly charming.
It’s like Mayberry, Lois Lane, and singing animals from a Disney Princess movie all got together to create a 1930s noir murder mystery.
Perfect for a rainy evening with a slice of spice cake.
Top Qualities:
Intelligent and Stubborn Protagonist
Murder Mystery
Series
Non-Romantic Storyline
Tea and Empathy by Shanna Swendson
Elwyn is desperately struggling to outrun her past when she stumbles into Rydding, a hidden village where there’s more than meets the eye.
Elwyn slowly rebuilds her life, but it’s going to take more than an adorable houseguest and a cozy village to keep her past from catching up.
This book is perfect if you love fantasy villages, found family, and quaint magic powers.
I especially liked the element of mystery that unites the series. Each entry in the series features a different protagonist.
Top Qualities:
Quaint Magic Powers
Slow-Burn
A-DORK-able Love Interest
Clean Romance
Series
Everyone needs more cozy, more romance, and more fantasy books in their life. Be sure to subscribe for emails to get more book reviews and recommendations!