Cozy Fantasy Books To Lower Your Stress Levels

We were so lucky to host Meg Shaffer in conversation on the Book Gang podcast TWICE! Be sure to tune in to discover more about the literary seminar with Richard Russo that refined this story idea.

In West Virginia, two boys go missing during an end-of-school field trip to Red Crow State Forest. They have been gone so long that people no longer refer to them as "missing" but only as "lost."  The boys are wearing pants six inches too short, no shirts, and no shoes, which is unseasonably strange for November. 

Readers uncover an entirely enchanted portal to another world with these beautiful characters. The world-building is light but offers a gorgeous love story with gorgeous surprises as you uncover where the boys have been, what holds them to this world now, and why they feel called to return. 

Related- 2024 Summer Reading Guide

Once a powerful witch, Sera Swan lost her magic after a resurrection spell gone wrong.

Now running an inn with her resurrected aunt and a talking fox, Sera stumbles upon an ancient spellbook that could restore her powers—if she can team up with Luke Larsen, a frosty historian and former one-night stand.

Full of magic, mischief, and unexpected cozy romance, Sera's journey shows that the best magic might just be the quirky family she's found.

Release Date- 29 April 2025

Related- Best One-Bed Trope Books

Tao is a fortune teller who only deals in "small" fortunes—simple predictions about weather, love, and livestock—because she knows too well that bigger fortunes lead to more significant consequences.

But Tao's solitary life changes when she's roped into a search for a lost child by a reformed thief and an ex-mercenary.

Joined by an adventure-seeking baker and a slightly magical cat, she is now forced to confront the shadows of her past. As danger looms, she must decide if she will risk everything for the family she never thought she could have.

Release Date- 5 November 2024

In the third installment of the Emily Wilde series, the brilliant but prickly scholar Emily finds herself in her most perilous adventure yet—as queen of a faerie realm.

Alongside her fiancé, the enigmatic Wendell Bambleby, Emily is swept into the treacherous politics of Faerie as they seize the throne of Wendell's long-lost kingdom.

But a deadly curse, left by Wendell's vengeful stepmother, threatens their reign. To save their new home, Emily must use all her faerie lore while navigating her own doubts about being a queen in this dazzling and dangerous world.

Release Date- 11 February 2025

In this upcoming summer release, Vivian finds herself navigating the chaotic world of magical New England aristocracy after her kindergartner, Aria, is bitten by a werewolf.

As they settle into their new life, Vivian faces a whirlwind of challenges—from choosing the right sacrificial dagger and managing the demands of a PTA that includes sirens and fire-wielding parents to confronting the terrifying trials of magical school.

Release Date- 27 May 2025

Readers rejoiced that The House in the Cerulean Sea sequel has finally hit shelves.

In this next installment in the Cerulean Chronicles series, Arthur Parnassus has created a loving home for six extraordinary kids alongside his partner Linus.

But, when the government demands Arthur share his traumatic past, their true intent is clear: to enforce rigid rules and take the children away.

But Arthur and Linus know their children are brave, kind, and ready to stand against those who would suppress their magic. With the arrival of a new housemate, their found family learns even more about love and resilience.

Related- Found Family Trope Books

In this cottagecore book, Kiela, a reclusive librarian with a magically sentient spider plant as her only companion, escapes a burning library and a brewing revolution with armfuls of stolen spellbooks.

Fleeing to her childhood island home, she's determined to keep to herself—until a nosy, charming neighbor and a little forbidden magic lead her to open a secret spellshop filled with enchanting jams.

Durst is a seasoned author with over twenty-five books for adults and this slow-burn romantasy has been another big hit with readers.

Related- Books About Libraries

When reclusive E. discovers something extraordinary outside her underwater home, she exchanges letters with renowned scholar Henerey Clel.

Their shared passion for the ocean grows into a deep love, leading them to uncover a mystery from the depths that could transform their world.

But when a seaquake destroys E.'s home and the pair vanish, their siblings, Sophy and Vyerin, must piece together the clues left behind to solve their disappearance—and uncover secrets that could change everything.

"He woke up with no eyebrows and no idea how he'd gotten into such a position," is certainly a fresh way to start a story.

In this novel, Gav wakes up in a chaotic wizard's workshop with no memories, eyebrows, or a clue about why he's now the infamous Dread Lord Whomever.

Stuck in a castle full of goblins and a locked-up princess, he must navigate the absurdities of his weirdly dark legacy while piecing together his past.  

I was craving a book like Bridgerton when I dug into this novel this summer, and loved this swoony passage that says it all, "I have known many human beings with a full soul to their name who do not have half so much compassion or practicality as you".

Theodora Ettings, cursed by a faerie, has lost her ability to feel fear, embarrassment, or joy, leaving her prone to scandal.

Determined to navigate the London Season quietly, her plans go awry when she crosses paths with Lord Elias Wilder, the eccentric and impossibly talented Lord Sorcier of England, who offers to help restore her missing emotions.

As she gets drawn deeper into the world of magicians and faeries, she must juggle her curse, her growing connection with the least-liked man in society, and the intrigue of high society itself.

If you love the story, you can continue the Regency Faerie Tales Series with the next two books Ten Thousand Stitches and Longshadow.

This low-stakes cozy fantasy novel lowered my blood pressure to dangerous levels and is a beautiful entry point for any reader craving a sweet reading escape.

Tired of battle and bloodshed, Viv the orc retires to open a coffee shop in a sleepy town, where she faces challenges from local businessmen and magical foes alike.

The town's vivid descriptions, from the delectable bakery treats to the fragrant air, provide readers with an immersive reading experience.

Mika Moon has always lived by the rule: keep your magic hidden and stay away from other witches. Her only outlet is posting playful videos online, pretending to be a witch for laughs.

But when she's invited to Nowhere House to help three young witches control their powers, Mika knows she's breaking all the rules.

Yet, the warmth of the house—and the unexpected family she finds there—begins to change her life.

Related- Stunning Friendship Stories

My husband loved this sweet translated novel that pairs a shy high school student with an outspoken tabby cat.

In this charming novel, Rintaro inherits his grandfather's bookshop and soon launches a magical adventure with the cat Tiger to help rescue books imprisoned by people who have misused or misunderstood their true value.

The story is filled with sweet, quotable, bookish moments, making this a cozy book to unwind in the evenings.

Related- Books About Bookstores
Related- Books About Books

I devoured this audiobook on a day of meal prepping for my family and loved the author's inspiration garnered from Chinese mythology.

Xingyin, the secret daughter of the Moon Goddess, goes on an epic journey to free her mother from eternal imprisonment. Disguised among mortals, Xingyin must hone her magical skills, navigate treacherous politics, and face powerful foes to reclaim her mother's rightful place in the celestial realm.

With lush world-building, sweeping romance, and a fierce heroine, this debut offers a captivating fantasy that I found perfectly cozy for this book list assignment.

If you fall in love with this one, you can continue this fantasy series with the next two books- Heart of the Sun Warrior & Tales of the Celestial Kingdom.

Lucy Hart, a 26-year-old teacher's aide, dreams of adopting a student who has lost his parents—but financial hardships stand in her way.

Then, an extraordinary opportunity arises: Her favorite childhood author announces a contest for his latest and only copy of a new Clock Island book.

To win, Lucy must outsmart fierce competitors in a race of clever riddles, battling ruthless book collectors and unlocking the secret to making wishes come true. Along the way, she reconnects with the magic of childhood and discovers a few unexpected twists of her own.

You can hear Meg Shaffer in her first interview for this novel on the Book Gang Podcast as we head to Clock Island and discover her favorite island books that inspired her novel.

Related- 22 Enthralling Books Set on Islands

This cozy fantasy novella was a book club favorite and a delight on audiobook.

The robots of Panga have decided to leave their jobs and put down their tools, never to be seen again. But, a tea monk's life is upended by the arrival of a robot that has returned, and he won't leave until he can answer this single question, "What Do People Need?"

It's the comforting read I didn't think I needed in a book, particularly in the world's polarizing seasons we have weathered over the last few years. Don't be surprised if you read it every holiday season.

Related- 2022 Book Club Books

If you loved The Snow Child this debut Russian fairytale might be your next best bet.

Vasilisa is a spirited young girl who loves the legends of Frost, the blue-eyed winter demon who steals away unwary souls. After her mother dies, Vasilisa's new stepmother bans their household from honoring the protective spirits, causing dark forces to stir.

As danger closes in, Vasilisa must embrace her hidden gifts to protect her family, even if it means defying everyone she holds dear.

Arden's lush, atmospheric writing weaves a magical escape perfect for fairytale lovers.

You can continue this series with the next two books in the Winternight Trilogy-The Girl in the Tower & The Winter of the Witch.

Emily Wilde is a brilliant but socially awkward professor who is documenting the world's faeries for her encyclopaedia.

In a picturesque Scandinavian village, Emily conducts thorough research that takes her into the secretive and enchanting realm of the fae, where danger and wonder exist side by side.

Readers get to soak in Emily's scientific curiosity with a gradually developing romance as her mysterious colleague begins to complicates her life.

This whimsical fantasy adventure follows Sophie Hatter, a young woman cursed by a jealous witch and transformed into an old lady.

Seeking to break the spell, Sophie ventures into the magical realm and finds herself in the company of the enigmatic wizard Howl and his ever-moving castle.

As Sophie navigates the challenges of her new life, she discovers that the castle is filled with surprises, from a fire demon named Calcifer to a host of other magical beings.

You may not know that the Harry Potter books are frequently compared to the works of Diana Wynne Jones. Many of her earlier children's books were out of print, but were re-issued for the young audience whose interest in fantasy and reading was spurred by the series.

Related- 5 Book Series for Kids Who Love Harry Potter

Mona is a 14-year-old wizard whose magic only works with bread, making her an unlikely hero when she discovers a dead body in her bakery.

As evil forces rise, Mona must use her baking-related magic—like summoning gingerbread men and enchanted dough—to protect her city.

This cozy fantasy is ideal for readers who enjoy unique magic systems and crave a little whimsy in their book stack.

This self-published novel has been a huge hit with fans of Legends & Lattes and the entire Miss Percy Guide series is available on Kindle Unlimited.

In this gentle adventure, we meet Miss Mildred Percy, a spinster who has spent her life in quiet obscurity—until a mysterious inheritance pushes her into an adventure with a dragon's egg.

Unprepared for the chaos of raising a dragon in Regency-era England, Mildred must rely on her wit and an eccentric cast of characters to care for the creature, all while dodging scheming villains and her own insecurities.

This heartwarming fantasy brings Linus Baker, a meticulous government caseworker, to an enchanting and unusual orphanage.

As he grows fond of the extraordinary children and their endearing caretaker, the story beautifully explores finding found family in the most unexpected places.

If you need a great audiobook to listen to while you put together jigsaw puzzles this cozy season, I recommend this as a great family audiobook experience!

Related- Unique Jigsaw Puzzles You'll Fall in Love With

When Robin Blyth, a newly appointed government official, accidentally stumbles into a hidden magical society, he's assigned to work with Edwin Courcey, a prickly but brilliant magician.

Together, they unravel a dangerous conspiracy while contending with a sinister curse. As their partnership deepens into a slow-burn romance, the stakes rise.

If you love this story, you can follow the adventures in The Last Binding series by checking out books 2 & 3- A Restless Truth & A Power Unbound.