Summer can be long and too hot… reading in a park or by the pool is great, but the anticipation for fall just keeps on growing. So there is no better time to curl up with a comforting story filled with magic, wonder, and warmth.
Cozy fantasy books offer the perfect escape, blending enchanting worlds with gentle narratives that soothe the soul while we all wait for those cool fall days. Therefore, we’ve carefully curated this selection as part of our best book lists, ensuring you’ll find captivating reads that beautifully embody the charm of the fantasy genre.
Dive into these five delightful novels guaranteed to carry you through the final summer days and straight into the cool days of fall that are just around the corner.
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7. The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
It would be difficult to talk about recent cozy fantasy releases without discussing Sarah Beth Durst’s much-talked-about addition to the genre. When Kiela has to flee to her hometown – toting all of the spellbooks she’s been entrusted to protect along with her – she finds a purpose she didn’t think she needed, and a new romance she never saw coming.
Durst’s bestseller even has more entries expected to be set within the same universe, beginning with The Enchanted Greenhouse being published this July.
Why we recommend it: The novel is packed full of witty humor and magical bakery shenanigans… not to mention a sentient spider plant. What’s not to love?
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter6. This Will Be Fun by E.B. Asher
Lovers of The Princess Bride will likely be big fans of this entry on our list. 10 years ago, four friends saved the kingdom of Mythria from certain doom. The heroes may have stopped their kingdom from being destroyed, but their epic quest led to broken friendships and betrayals all around.
The group hasn’t spoken in the past decade, but when an invitation to the royal wedding arrives at their doors, they’ll find themselves thrust back into a world of adventures and danger around every corner. They’ll have no choice but to put aside their differences to stop Mythria from being corrupted again, whether they want to or not.
Why we recommend it: This story is filled with banter, epic adventure, and a plethora of happily ever afters for its reluctant heroes.
5. Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis
If you’re in the market for a cozy fantasy that thrusts the villain to the center of the story, look no further. When Gav wakes up in a half-destroyed laboratory with no memory of who he is or how he got there, he can’t help but wonder why the villain hasn’t shown up to murder him yet. However, he’s in for quite the surprise when he realizes that he himself is, in fact, the villain. More specifically, the Dread Lord Gavrax.
Now, he has to retrace his steps while not letting anyone know about his memory loss. And where the castle full of goblins came from. And why does he have a princess locked in his dungeon? No pressure.
Why we recommend it: Dreadful manages to present multiple aspects of self-reflection and overcoming toxic masculinity while also being laugh-out-loud funny. It’s the perfect combination for the reader looking for a healthy blend of coziness and cynicism.
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4. Forged by Magic by Jenna Wolfhart
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better name for a cozy fantasy series than Falling For Fables, am I right? The first entry in the series follows a half-orc named Daella searching for her freedom in a world that tries to keep her locked away.
After a storm sends her ship off course, Daella will form a hesitant agreement with a handsome elf named Rivelin, who offers her shelter when she needs it most. Their bickering soon turns to something more, and the two will have to navigate their own secrets and decide whether or not they’re able to move forward together.
Forged by Magic kicks off the Falling for Fables series, which has been followed by 3 sequels:
- Brewed in Magic
- Mined in Magic
- Built by Magic, which was recently published in March of 2025!
Why we recommend it: This series provides readers with a heaping of epic fantasy, a decent amount of spice, and low stakes for folks looking for a cozy adventure.
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3. The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill
The perfect respite for folks looking for fantastical cottagecore vibes, The Tea Dragon Society kicks off a sweet, fun series for readers of multiple age groups.
The first book in the series sees blacksmith Greta, who stumbles across a lost tea dragon while in the marketplace. Befriending the owners of the tea shop, Greta will learn about the dying art of caring for tea dragons and their benefits. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns about the lost art as well as herself.
Why we recommend it: This series is chock-full of gorgeous illustrations and sweet characters. The Tea Dragon Society is followed by two sequels, The Tea Dragon Festival and The Tea Dragon Tapestry.
2. The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst
After burning out in her career, Lark escapes to her late aunt’s wild and tangled estate. There she discovers that the greenhouse isn’t just alive with plants—it’s sentient, enchanted, and a touch passive-aggressive. The more care she gives its strange flora, the more it reveals a legacy of magical gardening and long-buried family secrets.
Durst weaves a story full of quiet magic and bittersweet charm. Lark’s bond with the greenhouse reflects her own recovery from exhaustion, with talking vines and mischievous mushrooms lightening the mood. It’s a cozy fantasy about setting boundaries, finding growth, and making peace with your roots.
Why we recommend it: Perfect for readers who love green spaces with attitude, if you’re drawn to gentle magic, healing journeys, and stories that feel like a literary hug, this one belongs on your shelf, no gardening gloves required.
1. The Magician of Tiger Castle by Louis Sachar
Louis Sachar makes his adult fantasy debut, and it’s exactly what fans could hope for: quirky, heartfelt, and tinged with mystery. At the center is Tiger Castle, a decaying estate brimming with secrets, inhabited by a magician who might not exist at all. When a doubtful librarian arrives to catalog the library, the boundary between reality and illusion begins to slip.
This is a cozy fantasy laced with magical realism, where Sachar explores memory, perception, and the shifting line between story and truth. The result is a quiet kind of wonder, the sort of tale that settles in your mind long after you’ve closed the book.
Why we recommend it: Whimsical yet slightly eerie, this book is perfect for readers who like their childhood favorites with an edge. Imagine Coraline crossed with The Little Prince, and yes, that’s as high a compliment as it sounds.
We hope these cozy fantasy reads bring you warmth and joy, helping you get through those last days of summer.
Happy reading!
