6 Romance Books Set In The Fall That Will Give You All The Cozy Feelings

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If you're an avid reader who finds joy in accomplishing your reading goals every year, then you get what people mean when they say they want to read a book that feels a certain way. Maybe it's a cozy mystery that feels like curling up on your couch, or a lighthearted romance that feels like summer in a beach house. It's the same impulse as binging anything Parisian for your very first trip to the City of Love, with hopes of the experience matching the mood. Sometimes readers even crave a story that captures the mood and ambiance of a very specific season. Readers are often looking for something so specific that there's an entire subreddit dedicated to recommending books that make people feel a certain way. 

Come fall, many readers crave a book that gives cozy autumn vibes — chilly evenings, crisp air, and the sound of feet walking through red and brown leaves. Sometimes, readers are ready to embrace a magical story because autumn is the season when the world feels a little enchanted. Whether you're ready to fall in love with the loveliest characters in a town full of witches and wizards or read a story about two people in college who end up trading numbers and end up as digital best friends, this list has what you need. 

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

A common title that came up while our writer researched this list is "The Ex Hex" by Erin Sterling. It was the book that was probably the most mentioned when readers requested books with autumn vibes, which happens quite often (via Reddit). A reviewer on Amazon raved about its cozy fall setting, Graves Glen, "The town is home to both witches and non-magic folks, with themed businesses like Something Wicked and the Coffee Cauldron thriving during the busy fall season when locals and tourists celebrate Founder's Day, the Fall Festival, and, of course, Halloween. Graves Glen seems fun and festive, a place I'd love to visit if it truly existed." This reviewer wasn't alone in their love for the setting, as another reviewer said, "I loved the whole atmosphere of the book. Cozy fall/ Halloween vibes. This is definitely a book to read around October with a hot cider & some candles." 

Set in a small town where magic is part of everyday life, "The Ex Hex" follows Vivienne Jones, a witch navigating both life and love. In a town where fall paints the streets with leaves of golden hues and the townspeople are most excited for fall festivities and Halloween cheer, Vivienne finds herself entangled in a serious magical mishap that upends her life and even sparks some unexpected romance. Now, she must untangle the chaos before her magic and life get completely out of control. Will she be able to do it? 

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

"The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches" has been selected multiple times as a title worthy of your attention for a variety of reasons, from being the perfect witchy romance book for fall to having one of the best book boyfriends of the 2020s. If it isn't already on your radar, this cozy and magical tale deserves a top spot on your fall reading list. Another book that's frequently praised as the ultimate comfort read set in the fall, once you start this story, you'll find yourself curling up on the couch, finishing the book before you know it.

Mika Moon keeps to herself and keeps her magical powers hidden, living quietly to avoid drawing attention. That all changes when she receives an invitation that leads her to Nowhere House, a mysterious place for young witches learning how to use their powers. Surrounded by magic, secrets, and new faces, Mika discovers parts of herself she's never known. Among the faces of Nowhere House is a charming and witty librarian, and the two spark an unexpected connection.

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynn Jones

While many of you may know "Howl's Moving Castle" as a Studio Ghibli original, the beloved film is actually an adaptation of a novel that's the first of a three-book series by Diana Wynne Jones. While the film alone is a masterpiece, the book is simply a magical read. It is perhaps one of our writer's favorite books to re-read when fall is near. 

While the book may not be set exclusively in the fall, many adore it for its cozy, fall-like atmosphere. One Redditor explained that the book likely gives everyone "autumn vibes" thanks to its imagery. "I think it's due to all the orange (like orange autumn leaves), the kettle (like a witch's cauldron), and a chilly night (blanket, fire, and a steamy cuppa). Makes me miss October." And, our writer couldn't agree with this sentiment more. 

Sophie Hatter just might have the quietest life anyone has ever heard of or seen, but it's completely upended when a spiteful witch curses her to live out of life as an elderly woman. To break the spell, she must seek out the mysterious wizard, Howl. The only problem is he lives in a castle that's always on the move. On her journey to this ever-moving castle, Sophie encounters enchanted objects, mischievous spells, and the most colorful characters. Through these encounters, Sophie will begin to understand what it means to have courage, friendship, and love. 

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore

To say "The Pumpkin Spice Cafe" was a favorite among #BookTokers might be an understatement. At one point in 2024, every #BookTok enthusiast seemed to recommend it. Many described the story as one that would be perfect for a spicy Hallmark movie, and they're not wrong. Our writer picked up the book thinking it would be an easy read full of cozy vibes and small-town banter, but she was left floored as the "spice" isn't just in the lattes.

The first of six books in the Dream Harbor series, this is the perfect read for when you just want to relax and get swept up in a story without analyzing every single character detail and questioning why they did something. While readers seemed to either love or hate this book, we'd say it's worth reading solely for the cozy fall vibes. 

Jeanie's life is about to change, and it's all thanks to her aunt retiring and passing down the Pumpkin Spice Cafe to her. With that, Jeanie trades her boring corporate job for cozy mornings filled with baking and lattes. But, she quickly realizes running a cafe is far more demanding and also a bit more exciting than she had ever imagined. Between adjusting to a new life in a small town, juggling all of her new responsibilities that come with the cafe, and navigating an unexpected romance, Jeanie may realize Dream Harbor might be where she belongs after all.

A Match Made for Thanksgiving by Jackie Lau

If Thanksgiving is your favorite fall holiday, then you'll want to read "A Match Made for Thanksgiving." It brings romance, fall holiday vibes, and familiar family chaos together into one heartwarming story. A reviewer on Goodreads gave the book a 4-star rating and said, "This book made me crave bubble tea ... haha! This is a really fun, fluffy holiday book with quirky rom-com coincidences and the BEST meddling family." And the best part? This book is the first of four books in the Holidays with the Wongs series. So, if you fall in love with the quirky characters, you'll have three more stories about them to enjoy. 

Come Thanksgiving, Nick, a carefree bachelor usually living it up in Toronto, is ordered to return to Mosquito Bay to fulfill his familial duties. He braces himself for the usual nagging from his parents and grandparents about marriage, but he's in for a surprise, as this year, they've taken matters into their own hands. The Wong family Thanksgiving table is now filled with potential matches for each of their children. To make matters worse, Nick has a history with his brother's assigned date, and suddenly the holiday gathering becomes far more complicated and chaotic than Nick could have ever expected. With elders busy playing matchmaker, unexpected sparks, and a lot of dumplings, this Thanksgiving just might take Nick completely by surprise. 

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

"The Spellshop" was bestselling author Sarah Beth Durst's debut romantasy novel, and she didn't disappoint with this enchanting romantic comedy. If there's any story that'll give you all of the cozy autumnal vibes, "The Spellshop" is it. It's the kind of book you'll want on your nightstand for chillier nights. 

In an interview with "About the Authors TV," Durst said the book is a "cozy fantasy" and she wrote it because she "wanted to write a book ... that was filled with kindness and delight and wonder."  She also described the book as "a love letter to all of the things that I love." Durst emphasized that she added as many cozy and delightful aspects as she could to the story, and what came about was a magical read. 

After fleeing a revolution, all Kiela wants to do is leave the past behind her and start over. The only place she can think of is the old cottage on the island she grew up on, so she and her magical assistant Caz head back to her childhood home. Hoping to build a new and quiet life, Kiela decides it might be worth opening the town's very first spellshop and begins sharing magic with the locals. Between enchanting the townspeople and dealing with an annoyingly charming neighbor who just wants to make sure she's okay, Kiela may discover that love and magic can show up in the most unexpected places.

How we came up with this list

To curate this list of romantic books set in the fall, we focused on reads that fully capture an autumnal atmosphere. We searched high and low for books with the coziest settings, small-town charm, and even chaotic family holiday gatherings. 

We approached this list the same way as our list of witchy romance books perfect for fall; we weren't as heavily focused on ratings. Instead, we relied more on the buzz of the book. If a book was consistently recommended by readers when asked for romance books set in the fall, we automatically added it to our list. Once we'd gathered a decent number of titles, we looked for more in-depth reviews of each book. The main factor we looked for was whether the readers mentioned feeling fall vibes while reading the book. That could mean vivid seasonal details, or how the author described colors and settings, we just wanted to make sure we only included books that could transport readers into the world of fall. 

Also, just because we didn't prioritize ratings doesn't mean we selected just any romance book set in the fall. We know our readers have high expectations for our lists, so you can trust that these fall love stories won't disappoint in the storytelling department, either. 

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