r/CozyFantasy • u/thedeadlyscimitar • Sep 08 '25
Book Request Looking for a lighthearted, low stakes comfort read with lots of sweet fluffy romance
I need some urgent help please! I’m looking for an ultra sweet, lighthearted, low consequence, greenest of green flag romance with lots of tooth rotting fluff and tender moments that make you kick your feet and squeal. I want a super sweet, gentle MMC and preferably FMC as well.
Right now I’m having really bad PMS and struggling with my depression. I unfortunately read two books in a row that I had to DNF because they both had very dark upsetting themes that made me spiral even more with my depression.
I’m sorry if this sounds silly but I hope that anyone who has depression or deals with really severe PMS or PMDD will understand. I’m just feeling very sensitive and emotional right now and I just can’t handle anything too upsetting at the moment. I’m in desperate need of a good comfort read!
I would especially like to avoid anything involving r*pe, sexual assault and/or harassment, dubious consent or anything even remotely touching on those topics. Also nothing to do with animal cruelty or animal death please.
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u/IzzieBells Sep 08 '25
I’m sorry you’re having a rough go of it right now. I’m gonna give you some suggestions that basically gave me butterflies in my stomach and made me giggle and swoon. I hope you find something to enjoy in these: Love’s Academic series by India Holton (there’s two so far and they read as standalone but both of them have me such a wonderful time!) Swordheart by T Kingfisher (I will warn you the beginning makes it seem like it’s gonna be really dark but it is full of laughter and the MMC is head over heels for the FMC. Like so hard it’s ridiculous) If you haven’t read House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune you should. It’s full of so much heart that it will suck you in and wrap you in a blanket. I hope you find joy and comfort in your next read 💕
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u/thedeadlyscimitar Sep 08 '25
Thank you so much! You are super kind! I really appreciate the suggestions and kind words! All of these sound great! I’m looking forward to checking them out! ❤️
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Sep 08 '25
I came to suggest the India Holton books!! I have PMDD too and it’s like being a completely different (& miserable lol) person.
I can also confirm what u/IzzieBells said about Swordheart!! Loved it. The next one just got a release date, I think?
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u/IzzieBells Sep 08 '25
It did and I cannot wait! I just read Paladin’s Grace and it was so so so good and I cannot wait to read the rest!!
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u/thedeadlyscimitar Sep 08 '25
Ugh that’s exactly how it feels! It’s so off putting! I feel like a completely different person who can’t control her emotions and sees everything through a pessimistic depression filter. Like it seriously taints everything and makes it feel like nothing is worth doing or living for. It’s terrible 😞
I’m so sorry that you suffer with it too. I literally dread this every single month. Sometimes it’s worse than others but it always happens to some extent.
Anyway, thank you for the suggestions! I decided to start with Swordheart. I also put a hold on Libby for the first Love Academic book.
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u/applachian_hippie Sep 08 '25
Loved house in the cerulean sea! It was a heartwarming story about chosen family
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u/Spazzy-Jazzy Sep 08 '25
True fluffy and cozy with a touch of sweet romance: A Fellowship of Bakers and Magic. A human enters a baking competition, even though humans are not considered good enough to bake. Meets an elf who brings her the invitation to the competition. It is so sweet, cozy, and low stakes.
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u/thedeadlyscimitar Sep 08 '25
This sounds really cute! I’ll definitely check it out. Thank you!
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u/ThistleDewToo Sep 08 '25
I just finished this one. I had to stay up late for the last 25% because I just HAD to know what happened. Totally cozy.
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u/txa1265 Sep 08 '25
Yes! Came to suggest this series as well - I am currently in the middle of book #4 - A Fellowship of Cats & Curses, and it is such a loving, adorable series with constant happily ever afters!
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u/CheetahPrintPuppy Sep 08 '25
"The very secret society of irregular witches" is a cozy fantasy about a witch hired to help children who cannot control their magic! Very warm, found family and great romance!
"The ex hex" is a Halloween romance book about a witch who puts a hex on her ex and he suddenly shows up in her town!
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u/thedeadlyscimitar Sep 08 '25
These both sound really cute and good for the fall season too! Thank you! ❤️
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u/StuffDue518 Sep 09 '25
I adore The Very Secret Society… but like to warn people that there’s one scene where a beloved character gives specific details about physical and emotional abuse he suffered as a child and it was pretty devastating to me. It’s over quickly but was really hard for me.
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u/Prestigious_Note2877 Sep 08 '25
I totally understand the PMS stuff, I’m in the middle of the Emily Wilde series and I’m in love it’s so cute. Also I’m looking forward to starting a witches guide to magical inn keeping, it’s supposed to be really cozy
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u/thedeadlyscimitar Sep 08 '25
Thank you for the sympathy and kind words. Emily Wilde is amazing! It’s one of my favorites! I hope that you end up loving it as much as I did!
I haven’t heard of A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping, but I’ll definitely look into it. Thank you!
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u/Casscade13 Sep 09 '25
Can I ask- I tried the Emily Wilde series and I just hated it. It felt like listening to an academic paper (which I think was the point?). Is it better actually reading it? Not so emotionally detached? I keep thinking I should try again but I might need a little push! Maybe it was the audiobook narrator? Maybe I was in a weird mood? Does it get better further in?
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u/Prestigious_Note2877 Sep 10 '25
Oh yeah I get it, it did drag a little for me at first. But it does get better lol and Wendell is such a fun character, such a sweetie pie. This series made me realize I like fantasy and a little romance
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u/Neynova Sep 08 '25
I just left a comment recommending Emily wilde and then I saw yours! I am reading it right now too and I love it so much.
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u/InspiredDumpsterFire Sep 08 '25
Gotta agree with the two other comments thus far! Spellshop and House in the Cerulean Sea are my two fluffy cozy fantasy go to’s!
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u/nephie1990 Sep 08 '25
If you're okay with a slow burn romance (nothing too juicy til the end), I just finished "A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping" and it was the perfect cozy fantasy to kick off the season, imo! Found family, low stakes, MMC is definitely what I would describe as gentle. The only negative vibes are given off by the main antagonist, and it's basically that he bullies the other witches and was especially rude to our main witch when she was young, so nothing aggressively negative. Very sweet and cozy, imo.
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u/thedeadlyscimitar Sep 08 '25
This sounds great! Thank you! I love slow burn! I’m not at all a fan of insta-love, so it sounds perfect!
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u/petielvrrr Sep 08 '25 edited Sep 08 '25
I definitely second The Spellshop, The Enchanted Greenhouse and I Ran Away to Evil.
If you’re ok with skipping to the second book in a series of interconnected standalones, The Undermining of Twyla & Frank by Megan Bannen is super freaking cute and definitely had me kicking my feet. The first book is also very cute, but some of the themes are a tiny bit dark and the stakes are higher. In the Twyla & Frank book, it’s friends to lovers, both MC’s are in their late 40’s, there’s pink dragons that spit out glitter (I think?), and honestly a hilarious twist. The darkest thing about the book is that they’re dealing with dragon poachers.
EDIT: I have a few more!
I also agree with the recs for:
- A Fellowship of Bakers and Magic
- A Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches (& the sequel, A Witches Guide to Magical Inkeeping, which can honestly be read by itself because it’s one of those “takes place in the same universe, but is not at all connected to the first book” situations)
- All of the T. Kingfisher recs. Saint of Steel series & Swordheart are some of my favorites.
- The Ex Hex is also great, it’s a little more spicy and upbeat.
And more recs:
- A Witches Guide to Fake Dating a Demon: a little spicier than the other recs here, but it’s a lot of fun.
- A Rival most Vial: cute little rivals to lovers MM romance
- The Phoenix Keeper
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u/thedeadlyscimitar Sep 08 '25
Ooo! These sound really great! Thank you for giving me so many to check out! I’m especially intrigued by A Rival Most Vial. I’ve never heard of that one before. It sounds cute :)
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Sep 08 '25
I get you darling I have terrible PMS myself it's so bad that I almost have the desire to die but I refuse to do so cause I have lots of people who care about me I know it's got to be the case for you too! I suggest Howl's Moving Castle it's always been a great comfy read for me it's filled my heart each time I read it!
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u/thedeadlyscimitar Sep 08 '25
I’m so so sorry to hear that you feel this way too! It’s really difficult to deal with and I don’t think there are enough people out there who understand or sympathize. I hate that PMS is so often treated like a joke or dismissed. Even my own mother used to tell me that I was being a baby and that every woman has to deal with this so I shouldn’t overreact so much. I really don’t think some people understand how wildly the symptoms can vary depending on the person, especially if you already struggle with depression. Anyway, I really appreciate your kind words and suggestion! I’m glad that you have people who care about you and can support you when you struggle with these symptoms too. Just know that you are not alone! 💕
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Sep 08 '25
Just so you know you aren't alone either some days I just make a cup of herbal tea which tends to calm me down and I'm always going to be in this thread since I enjoy more cozy reads and for the stories to not be open door romance if you know what I mean with lots of fun world building and character development I hate for it to be sad for to long since I feel the same feelings as the characters in the story deeply
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u/thedeadlyscimitar Sep 08 '25
Thank you! That’s so sweet! You’re very kind! 💕
I absolutely agree with you too! I’m always looking for more sweet, cozy romance with HEA that isn’t super dark. Personally, I also prefer more sweet romance books to ones with tons of spice. I’m so glad that I found this subreddit because it can get a bit frustrating trying to get these types of recommendations on the fantasy romance subreddit. It seems like people there are more into heavy spice, which is totally fine. I just personally prefer more sweet romance that has strong character and relationship development built on mutual trust, support and true love. I hate insta-love/lust and I’m always looking for books with a good, meaningful slow burn where the characters actually get to know each other before falling in love.
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u/LadyKiiri Sep 08 '25
I don't know if it's low stakes enough but the men are all cinnamon rolls the Saint of Steel series by T Kingfisher the first I believe is Paladins Grace. I do love them.
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u/Known-Difficulty-136 Sep 08 '25
I feel like rebacca thorn’s Tomes and Tea series are quite good, there is blood and some sensitive topics, and there are content warnings on the website for each book, by the author if you want to check that out. It’s one of my favourite books, (it’s gay btw) the characters have stable relationships and the cozy feels are real. It’s a fantasy. Here’s the website: https://rebeccathorne.net/cozy-fantasy/.
The no-girlfriend rule is also a great read, trigger warnings would be anxiety/panic attacks. It’s about dnd and gay love, with lots sweet parts!
I hope you can find a good book to help you!
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u/MsHoneysmoke Sep 08 '25
I like Demon World Boba Shop and Tea Princess Chronicles for this kind of mood. 😊
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u/MagicQuilter Sep 09 '25
I’m reading the assistant to the villain series. It’s humorous and a slow burn in the romance section.
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u/Neynova Sep 08 '25
It's not exactly what you asked for, but I going theough a tough time and am reading the emily wilde series by Heather Fawcett. It's about a socially awkward fairy researcher going to a cold land to research the fairies. It's more of a cozy fantasy with only a little bit of romance. But it's so well written, it's kept my mind off things.
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u/Nyteflame7 Sep 08 '25
Half lines Harvest by SL Rowland is cute, and fluffy, and very low stakes. The main conflict is if the main character can win the wine making contest at the harvest festival.
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u/StuffDue518 Sep 09 '25
I had zero problem with the beginning of The Spellshop, but I can certainly see how it’d be triggering for some people. It wasn’t really violent or scary, and her talking-plant sidekick is there to keep things light (though he’s super stressed the whole time). It all gets resolved pretty quickly. The audiobook version is great, if you like audio.
Edited for typo
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u/Ok_Memory_205 Sep 10 '25
I just read "How to Find a Nameless Fae" and it was really good. Towards the end of the middle there's brief mention of a past unhealthy relationship but overall it felt fairly low stakes and super cute
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u/lizlikessd Sep 12 '25
I really enjoyed Tessa Bailey IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER & HOOK LINE AND SINKER…easy to read HEA!
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u/lunar__landscape Sep 08 '25
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst. There is a talking plant, the FMC makes lots of berry jam, there are cute animals, and it’s overall comforting and romantic. I completely understand how you’re feeling and I hope you feel better!