The days are getting longer, and we’re slowly entering the winter thaw! While the cozy weather is a fantastic opportunity to curl up with a good book, spring offers just as many chances to fall into a new favorite read. And what better vibe for spring reading than a comforting and pastoral cottagecore book?
To help you settle into the charm of springtime and find your next book, here is a list of the ten best cottagecore books. A mix of numerous new and recent reads, as well as a few timeless classics, these delightful novels are sure to help you wake up to the beauty of spring.
Here are the ten best cottagecore books for spring.
10. Wildwood by Colin Meloy
Perhaps best known for his role as the frontman of indie-rock icons The Decemberists, Colin Meloy is also a wildly inventive writer.
Wildwood, filled with beautiful illustrations by artist Carson Ellis, tells the story of friends Prue and Curtis as they uncover a secret world filled with magic. As they dig deeper, they realize their new paradise is in deep trouble.
Can they help their new friends in the struggle to be free?
Why we recommend it: I loved the voice and atmosphere of this cottagecore novel, which was whimsical and charming. A must-read for anyone who loves The Decemberists.
9. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
This cozy cottagecore fantasy follows Mika Moon, one of the few witches in the U.K. She keeps a low profile until one day, she is whisked away to a mysterious destination called Nowhere House, where she meets other witches.
There’s also a librarian who, in spite of his standoffish nature, is devastatingly handsome: will Mika find love?
Why we recommend it: This romance novel is a satisfying blend of meet-cute love story and magical adventure. So satisfying.
RelatedMagic & Mystery: 5 Best Mystery Books With A Magical Twist
8. Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett
Emily Wilde is one of the world’s leading experts on faeries. When she and her fiance Wendell assume the royal thrones of the Faerie kingdom, Emily is conflicted.
That is, until Wendell’s stepmother uses dark magic to condemn the kingdom to doom. Can the couple use their magic to save the faeries?
Other books in the series:
- Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries
- Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands
Why we recommend it: Combining elements of fantasy and royal intrigue, this cottagecore book is a fantastic choice for fans of cozy mysteries.
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter7. Garlic and the Witch by Bree Paulsen
Graphic novels are making an incredible impact on children’s readership rates, but they’re not just for kids.
This enchanting book follows Garlic, who lives happily tending her garden with her neighbors Witch Agnes, Carrot, and the Count.
But when Garlic starts learning magic, she begins a mysterious transformation… Is she ready?
Other books in the series:
- Garlic and the Vampire
Why we recommend it: This delightful cottagecore new release is a fantastic choice for anyone who loves children’s literature and a little bit of magic.
RelatedThe Thinking Woman’s Guide to Real Magic
6. The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields
This cottagecore romantasy novel tells the story of Marigold, a loner who is training to become the next Honey Witch. When she meets Lottie, however, sparks begin to fly, and Marigold’s entire world is shifted.
Why we recommend it: This LGBT romance novel is a great choice for fans of magic, lighthearted tension, and fantastical worlds.
5. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
This classic novel is a must-read for fans of cottagecore books. It tells the story of Anne, an imaginative young girl growing up in a rural cottage and searching for love.
Other books in the series:
- Anne of Avonlea
- Anne of the Island
- Anne of Windy Poplars
- Anne’s House of Dreams
- Anne of Ingleside
- Rainbow Valley
- Rilla of Ingleside
- The Blythes Are Quoted
Why we recommend it: This timeless cottagecore book is a must-read for dreamers, for romantics, for loners, and for anyone who’s ever longed for a real sense of belonging.
4. Weyward by Emilia Hart
This absolutely incredible cottagecore novel follows the lives of three women across five hundred years: Kate in 2019, Violent in 1942, and Altha in 1619.
Winner of numerous 2023 Goodreads Choice Awards, Weyward is a powerful testimony to the strength of the feminine spirit and the healing power of nature.
Why we recommend it: This cottagecore novel perfectly mixes mystery, historical fiction, and magical realism. It’s absolutely and profoundly charming.
RelatedSurvival & Glass Slippers: Review of Liar’s Kingdom by Christine Calella
3. The Tea Dragon Tapestry by Kay O’Neill
In this final installment in the Tea Dragon trilogy, we embark with heroines Greta and Minette. As the two girls continue to work toward their dreams, they uncover powerful and heartwarming truths about friendship, passion, and transformation.
Other books in the series:
- The Tea Dragon Society
- The Tea Dragon Festival
Why we recommend it: This graphic novel is exactly the cozy cottagecore vibe I needed. I loved the queer characters and the uplifting messages.
2. Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, love is in the air…
This cottagecore novel follows Clara, a young woman with magical powers which are theoretically harmless. That is, until she accidentally causes poisonous flowers to take root in her father’s heart.
When Clara turns to her childhood best friend Xavier for help, she embarks on a journey of discovery filled with secrets, love, and of course, magic.
Why we recommend it: I loved the mysterious and intriguing romantic tension which led throughout this book, as well as the balance of fantasy and magic.
1. The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
This stunning debut romantasy novel, which was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award in 2024, is sure to become a cottagecore classic.
Kiela is shy and awkward, which makes her solitary library job a perfect fit for her personality. But when a revolution sparks in her city, Kiela and her assistant Caz, a talking plant, are forced to flee and rescue as many magic spellbooks as they can.
When they return to Kiela’s hometown, they find themselves in a wholesome adventure of secret spellshops, gardening, and baking.
Why we recommend it: This cottagecore novel perfectly blends romance, warm magic, and cozy adventure.
While these are our ten best cottagecore novels for the spring, we always love to hear your opinions. What are your top picks? What are you most excited to read on this list? Let us know in the comments.
Happy spring and, as always, happy reading!
