It’s officially pumpkin spice season! And I say “officially” because Pumpkin Spice Day is on October 1st! Let’s face it: pumpkin spice is a fall icon, and no one can deny it. There are pumpkin spice lattes, tea, donuts, cupcakes, cereal, cookies, yogurt, oatmeal, bagels, pretzels, and the list goes on forever!
Pumpkin spice is the fall flavor that everyone craves while cuddling a big warm blanket. But you know what would make it even cozier? A book! There is nothing more comforting than grabbing a pumpkin spice flavored sweet treat and indulging in a good book. So here are your next romance and mystery reads that will make your pumpkin spice season way more cozy!
The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore
Jeanie had her life set in the big city of Boston, but her life takes a quick turn. When her aunt retires to Florida, she decides that a different lifestyle wouldn’t be so bad. She moves to a small New England town and inherits her aunt’s cafe. She meets Logan, a local farmer, but he isn’t too keen on her arrival. However, when mysterious and suspicious happenings begin in the cafe, Jeanie and Logan find themselves getting closer and closer. Although Logan is cold and grumpy, he quickly realizes that he can’t resist her cheerful personality. They work together to reveal the mysteries that lurk behind the coffee counters.
Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc
Lucy lives in a small town in New England that tourists overrun during the fall season. She works at Cup o’ Jo, the local coffee shop her mom owns. Cup o’ Jo hasn’t been getting the best business, but they expect a bunch of tourists since fall is approaching. However, a coffee chain named Java Junction opens across the street, which causes the unexpected. Jack is Lucy’s school crush and he also happens to be the owner’s son. She hates how popular pumpkin spice is, but she finds herself obsessed with it as the pumpkin spice latte competition is right around the corner. She knows she has to save her mom’s coffee shop and beat Jack.
Death by Pumpkin Spice by Alex Erickson
Krissy Hancock owns Death By Coffee, a bookstore cafe — where she plans to spend Halloween night. But when Will invites her to the Yarborough mansion costume party, she finds herself in the middle of a rich crowd. Just as the party is picking up, a woman is found strangled to death in one of the mansion’s rooms. No one can leave or enter the estate until the killer is found. Detective Paul Dalton is tasked with revealing the mystery and asks Krissy for help. She used to solve mysteries as a hobby and has a long-time crush on Paul. Krissy and Paul work together to uncover the secrets that hide behind the mansion’s walls.
Pumpkin Everything by Beth Labonte
Amy Fox is a horror novelist who just called off her fall wedding. She’s stuck in writer’s block with a broken heart. However, her grandfather got in a terrible car accident, and if he doesn’t get back to his normal self, then her childhood home will be put up for sale. Amy returns to her hometown of Autumnboro, New Hampshire, after years of being away. As she works to help her grandfather recover and save her childhood home, she runs into a part of her past. Kit Parker used to be her childhood best friend and first love. A second chance seems possible, but Kit is hiding a major secret that could ruin their reconnection.
Potions, Poison, and Pumpkin Spice by Stephanie Damore
Angelica Nightingale is a witch who lives in Silverlake, a town full of mythical creatures. She owns Mystic Inn and is preparing it for the Annual Fall Decoration Contest. She is determined to win the Best Fall Getaway award for Witch Reader’s Magazine. However, things start to get rocky when a journalist who is covering the contest turns up dead. And to make matters worse, he was a guest at Angelica’s inn. Now, she is determined to get to the bottom of his death. Angelica and her friends quickly realize that there may be a killer inside Silverlake. They are playing with fire as they work to reveal the truth.
The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice by Donna Kauffman, Allyson Charles, and Kate Angell
This book follows three different stories that tie together at the end.
Sweet Magic by Donna Kauffman highlights the story of Bree and Caleb. Bree works in her family’s bakery, Bellaluna’s, and they often use magic to sweeten their desserts. One of their best treats is a cookie that makes people fall in love. Unexpectedly, Caleb, one of her regular customers, takes a bite.
Love Spells Disaster by Allyson Charles features Cassie and Chip. Cassie plans to score a date with her boss using two magical cookies from Bellaluna’s. However, Chip accidentally ruins her plan by eating one of the cookies. He isn’t her type, but his sweet personality makes it difficult for him to resist.
Sweet On You by Kate Angell focuses on Lara and Jack. Lara’s bad day started by getting dumped and an increase in her rent. However, she scores a job at Bellaluna’s through Mayor Jack Hanson. As they work together to plan fall festivities, they quickly begin falling for each other.
Pumpkin Spice Murder: A Frosted Love Cozy Mystery by Summer Prescott
Everly was a peaceful town until Jeremiah Fisher was murdered after the Graystone Estates Open House. Lucas Graystone, a detective, was quickly pulled from investigating the murder since his family owned the business. However, he secretly works to reveal the truth since his father is the number one suspect. Belle Baron, Lucas’ friend, also tries to help him find out who is the killer. However, they must inspect in secret since Mona, the new detective in town, has been assigned to the case. So, who was Jeremiah Fisher’s killer? And how do they confirm Lucas’ dad’s alibi? Who gets to the bottom of this mystery first?
Now that you have seven books to read during pumpkin spice season, you better get a move on! Grab your pumpkin spice treat and start reading these cozy mysteries and romances. And don’t forget to celebrate Pumpkin Spice Day on October 1st! Imagine cuddling a big warm blanket with a pumpkin spice latte (donut … or cupcake) and reading one of these books. You can’t get any better than that! It’s the perfect way to kick off your pumpkin spice season!
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