11 Cozy Romance Books to Read In the Fall
If The Summer I Turned Pretty has left a seasonal swoon-shaped hole in your heart, look no further than these 11 books.
When the air turns crisp, there’s no better feeling than lighting an apple-spiced candle, curling up in your coziest blanket, and cracking the spine of a beloved autumn-inspired book. As an autumn gal, as someone who thrives in the fall, as someone who spends most of her time reading, a fall-inspired romance book is the perfect addition for a cozy fall day.
Begin Again by Emma Lord
If you’re looking for a young adult romance, Emma Lord is an author to check out. Not only is this novel a similar title to a classic Taylor Swift song, but the message is spookily similar. The main character, Andie Rose, begins a new chapter of her life at the university she’s always dreamed of attending, but when she gets there, her plan doesn’t begin the way she planned. She begins again, turning over the page to a new, unexpected chapter, and forms a tight-knit circle of friends. There’s a fun setting at a campus radio station, with a challenge for the characters to keep the story moving along. (Hint: the challenge has to do with ribbons and secret societies.)
I liked the concept that we can always start over and that change is inevitable. There was an element of grief in this one, but it was more late-stage grief. Andie continued to grieve her late mom, who passed away years prior, but those feelings rose back to the surface once Andie started attending her mom’s alma mater.
Overall, the campus setting made for an engaging book to read in the fall. There were a lot of baking references—what the author is known for—which made me want to get into the kitchen and bake Taylor Swift’s famous chai cookies.
Better Than Fiction by Alexa Martin
For anyone who loves reading books about books and bookstores. Alexa Martin set this romance at a bookstore in Denver, at which the female main character, Drew, inherited from her late grandmother. The twist? Drew doesn’t like books (gasp!) and craves adventure. So when Jasper, a new romance author, comes into town and is working on a new book, he enlists Drew to help show him around town and her sense of adventure. In return, he helps her read more and find good books to read. As always, romance ensued.
While the romance was more low-stakes, elements of grief and abandonment popped up. Alexa Martin, to me, is known for her witty and humorous writing in other books, but in this one, those serious topics helped shape it into a heartfelt, emotional story about a woman realizing her full potential. The bookstore setting had me curling underneath my most comfortable blanket with my favorite warm bev by my side.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Sneaking in one of Jane Austen’s most famous works in this list, because if you were to read anything by Jane Austen in the fall, it would be this classic enemies-to-lovers tale. Pride and Prejudice is probably her most well-known book, am I wrong? The story mainly focuses on romance, but it also weaves a tale of sisters, classism, and the societal pressure for women to marry. Channel Kathleen Kelly, the main character in You’ve Got Mail who reads this every fall. Then go watch the 2005 version (arguably, the best one).
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Romantasy lovers, anyone? If you loved You’ve Got Mail and can’t get enough of it, Rebecca Ross took that story and made something of her own. This is a magical realism fantasy romance peppered with mythology (the only slightly confusing part of the story) that follows two rival journalists, who while they despise each other at work, communicate via magical typewriters and an enchanted wardrobe — without knowing the other’s identity. The storytelling was impeccable and concise; it ebbed and flowed so well. I was swept away. The story is peppered with talks of war and rebellion, but overall, love is the central motivator.
You, Again by Kate Goldbeck
Not to mention another classic movie made by Nora Ephron again, but if you’re more into “When Harry Met Sally” gal, then “You, Again” may be the book for you. This, to me, is the quintessential romance book to read in the fall. The setting of New York is the cherry on top.
Take the classic Nora Ephron movie, and reverse the gender roles. The woman, Ari, is a free-spirited, struggling comedian who loves all things casual. Josh is ambitious and a hopeless romantic, hoping to find the love of his life and marry her immediately. The story takes readers throughout multiple time jumps, like the movie, which made it long, but engaging. The main characters and their antics, particularly Ari, made it messy, relatable, and fun, while also emotional, vulnerable, and downright funny. The backdrop of fall in New York City makes it perfect to read in the fall.
The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
If you need a fun, light-hearted romantic comedy to read this fall, don’t sleep on Danica Nava’s debut novel. I found myself laughing out loud at Ember, the female main character, and her antics — particularly the lies she spun just to feel an ounce of control in her life.
Danica’s conversational writing style had me connecting to the character and empathizing with her as she deals with sexism, racism, and discrimination in the workplace, but also laughing alongside her when she keeps it light. The workplace setting makes way for a slightly forbidden workplace romance between Ember and her colleague, Danuowa, so it clears for exciting banter, romantic connections, and spicy scenes. Besides the romance, Ember and Danuowa’s connection and chemistry was incredible. Ember felt… relatable, authentic, and genuine — she has flaws, like any complicated female character.
You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle
This romantic comedy had me both laughing out loud and actively on edge wondering how these two characters loved each other. The book follows the classic enemies to lovers trope, although with a twist: the two main characters are engaged. Like, engaged to be married. Though, they don’t want to be, but neither wants to call off the wedding themselves, so they partake in antics to get the other to call off the wedding. The book was short and sweet. The humor, the conversational writing style, the very bold and opinionated female main character, kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore
If you’re looking for a small town like Stars Hollow to escape to this fall, with a little bit of spice, then pick up Laurie Gilmore’s Dream Harbor series. The first book follows Jeanie, who inherits her aunt’s “Pumpkin Spice Cafe.” She jumps at a fresh start. That’s where she meets Logan, a grumpy local farmer, who wants nothing to do with the cafe owner. Yet they can’t ignore their attraction. The banter and chemistry between these two will have you gripping the pages for more.
The Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming
For those obsessed with Twilight, Supernatural, and Vampire Diaries, and all things supernatural, then Kimberly Lemming’s hilarious, romantic, and spicy book with an outrageous title is for you. Cinnamon wants a stable, quiet life tending to her spice farm. When she returns home one night in a wine stupor, she inadvertently saves a demon, Fallon, who has a hidden agenda that he ropes Cinnamon into. The two whisk off on an adventure, meeting many demons and other supernatural creatures. The story was engaging and fast-paced, making it a quick read, and the humor kept me howling out loud. If you’re looking for a low-stakes romantasy with supernatural elements to read as Halloween nears, then this one (and the rest of the series) is for you.
Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree
Have you ever imagined if mythical creatures lived normal lives? In Legends and Lattes, Viv, a battle-weary orc, decided to open a coffee shop. The problem only stands when no one knows what coffee is. Throw in old and new rivals to challenge Viv, and this cosy romance weaves a heartwarming tale of a found family.
If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia
Julie Olivia’s debut novel is nothing short of dreamy and swoony — while still carrying heavier themes like grief, divorce, and loneliness. Set in the late 90s, it has the recipe for something delicious like Gilmore Girls, but don’t wave it off as Gilmore Girls fanfiction — it stands on its own. Cliff, the male main character, reminded me so much of Jude Law’s character in The Holiday.
As a single dad of two daughters, he’s just getting by in a small town he loves. Michelle (the female main character), looking for a fresh start, just inherited her late mom’s inn. Michelle was a character who I could empathise with, as someone who always had to take up the responsibilities at home and prove her worth and independence. She would love track 5 on Taylor Swift’s newest album. Besides the romance main plot, and the “will they or won’t they” that made for such great tension, banter, and an engaging story, their individual developments shone. This swoony romance set in the late 90s, peppered with many 90s references, feels like a warm, nostalgic hug.
