Who doesn’t love a little mystery with their romance? And what’s more mysterious than a house full of things that go bump in the night?
Spice is great, but there are other ways of kicking up your romance. With fall fast approaching, we’re headed toward every book lover’s favorite time of year — cold weather time! Warm drinks, fluffy blankets, and a delightful autumn chill — all the makings for the perfect day. The only thing missing is a cozy read to bundle up with, but never fear! We have the perfect list for you. Without further ado, here are our picks for romances that are equal parts cozy and spooky.
(And yes, a little spicy because we just can’t resist.)
Pumpkin Spice & Poltergeist by Ali K. Mulford and K. Elle Morrison
Maple Hollow is more than just a spooky tourist trap. It’s a town brimming with magic and magical beings. Beings like Jordyn, an apothecary witch, who accidentally conjured the ghost of her ex-girlfriend. Now Jordyn is stuck with her former love from the beyond until she finds someone new.
Harlow, the new girl in town, wants nothing to do with magic. All she wanted was a job at her sister’s café, but she didn’t expect the job to come with strings like running into vampires and having daily magical mishaps. Just when Harlow is ready to hightail it out of Maple Hollow, she’s persuaded to stay when a charming witch asks her out on a date.
Will Jordyn and Harlow be able to create some magic of their own? Or will a pesky spectral ex put a stop to their budding romance?
If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens
After an unfortunate event with her arch nemesis, horror author Penelope Skinner is shunned from the publishing world and has a massive case of writer’s block. Her problems seem to be solved when her friend invites her to a writing retreat. What could be better for a horror author than an exclusive writer’s retreat in a haunted Scottish castle?
Meanwhile, Neil is facing some serious self-doubt after scathing words from Penelope. Neil attends the retreat in hopes of some inspiration, but Penelope’s presence poses nothing but problems.
As the retreat begins, Pen and Neil realize they may be the ones stuck in a story. Those alleged ghosts? Perhaps more real than either of them thought. If they want to survive the castle and the ghosts within, they’ll have to rely on each other. Is it possible they aren’t the enemies they thought themselves to be?
Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca
To stay afloat, the small coastal town of Boneyard Key leans into its ghostly shtick. For residents like Nick Royer, owner of the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop, ghost tourism keeps the town running and business hopping. And it gives him something to talk about with his dead roommate.
Cassie Rutherford might have made a mistake when she bought the historic cottage in this small town. The town’s history is fascinating and the grumpy coffee shop owner certainly has his own appeal, but she may be in over her head. After all, what does a girl from Orlando know about owning a flipped historic house? Not to mention the unusual happenings going on in said house.
Nick and Cassie start to get closer as they explore the history of Cassie’s house. The more time they spend together, the more their feelings grow. But is Cassie ready to be a haunted homeowner? And is Nick ready to pick up the pieces of his heart if Cassie leaves?
Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper
Magic awakened inside Riley Everett as soon as she came to Starfall Point. But with only her late aunt’s journals and a grouchy ghost butler as her guides, Riley’s new witch life is off to a rocky start. If she can find a coven of her own for support, maybe things won’t be so bad.
Edison Held, the head librarian and town encyclopedia, knows almost everything about Starfall Point. Except for the history of Shaddow House. The new owner, Riley, may be the perfect way to access the house that used to be off-limits. But as he gets closer to Riley, he finds there is much more to her than an old, haunted house.
This Fatal Kiss by Alicia Jasinski
Gisela is a water nymph cursed to haunt the very river she drowned in. To break the curse and get back her humanity, all she has to do is kiss a mortal. But it’s hard to kiss a mortal when everyone in town thinks she’s a monster.
Kazik, a local spirit hunter, is determined to thwart Gisela’s chances of getting her life back. But opportunity knocks when Gisela learns Kazik’s secret — he’s losing his magic. Gisela strikes a deal: if he helps her kiss a mortal, she’ll keep his secret. But trouble arises when Gisela and Kazik fall for the same handsome mortal.
Rules For Ghosting by Shelly Jay Shore
It’s not easy growing up in a funeral home when you can see ghosts. For Ezra Friedman, his ability means his living and dead relatives constantly judge him. So it’s no wonder he ran from the family business as soon as he could. But after he loses his dream job and his mother declares she’s running away with the rabbi’s wife, he has no choice but to step in and save the Friedman Family Memorial Chapel.
On top of dealing with ghosts no one else can see, there’s also Ezra’s unfortunate crush. Jonathan, a handsome volunteer at the funeral home, lives downstairs from Ezra’s apartment. But Johnathan also has his own ghosts–literally. Jonathan’s late husband, Ben, is along for the ride, and he’s unlike any other ghost Ezra has seen.
Happily Haunted Afters by Brittany Kelley
Emma Cross wants to get her life together, and that means doing two things: owning a hotel and making up with her former best friend, Jack Colson. Emma needs Jack’s investor skills to snag the property of her dreams, even if it means working past their bumpy history.
Things start out surprisingly well. She gets to stay at her dream property and Jack is actually on board with the plan. But there’s no denying the place has its quirks. Like a creepy doll resident, mysterious noises, and an eerie abandoned hotel with a scary high price.
But all those quirks will mean nothing if Jack finds out Emma has feelings for him. Again. Can they work together and get over their past? Or will their history come back to haunt them?
Not all ghosts are scary. Some are even downright charming. What do you think? Do you find yourself falling under the spell of any of these cozy fall reads? Let us know your thoughts on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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