Author: Heather Fawcett
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries
Description:
Emily, a fae scholar with zero social skills, ventures to a snowy village to study the Fair Folk and ends up finding more magic — and human connection — than she expected.
Why I Recommend It:
Grumpy/sunshine energy, soft fae magic, and an unexpected emotional arc. It’s the kind of book that feels like forest air and quiet wonder.
Tropes:
Grumpy/Sunshine, Academia & Field Research, Magical Creatures (Fae), Remote Village
📕 Hardcover:
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Author: Sangu Mandanna
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
Description:
A solitary witch is invited to tutor three magical children in the countryside, where she finds found family, gentle magic, and a place to finally belong.
Why I Recommend It:
Warm, witchy, and full of heart. A story about letting people in, set in a magical house you’ll wish you could visit.
Tropes:
Found Family, Hidden Magic, Cottagecore Vibes, Grumpy Caretaker
📗 Paperback:
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Author: Travis Baldree
Legends & Lattes
Description:
An orc adventurer trades her sword for a coffee shop and learns that starting over can be just as heroic as any battle.
Why I Recommend It:
Low stakes, big heart. A story about cinnamon rolls, new beginnings, and creating a life of your own.
Tropes:
Found Family, Small Business, Low-Stakes Fantasy, Orc Main Character
📕 Hardcover:
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📗 Paperback:
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Author: Travis Baldree
Bookshops & Bonedust
Description:
Recovering from an injury, a young orc ends up in a quiet town with a struggling bookshop, a crabby bookseller, and a story that slowly wraps around her.
Why I Recommend It:
A cozy prequel full of bookish charm, quiet moments, and slow-growing connection. Just as heartwarming as its sequel.
Tropes:
Injury Recovery, Bookshop Setting, Enemies-to-Friends, Gentle Romance
📕 Hardcover:
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Author: TJ Klune
The House in the Cerulean Sea
Description:
A reserved caseworker is sent to evaluate a home for magical children — and discovers a life far richer and more meaningful than the one he left behind.
Why I Recommend It:
A story about magic, purpose, and quiet transformation. Filled with warmth, wonder, and a found family you’ll never forget.
Tropes:
Found Family, Magical Children, Whimsical Setting, Self-Discovery
📕 Hardcover:
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📗 Paperback:
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Author: S.T. Gibson
A Dowry of Blood
Description:
A lyrical and atmospheric retelling of Dracula’s brides told as a love letter from one of them — full of haunting beauty, quiet power, and emotional unraveling.
Why I Recommend It:
Dark, dreamy, and poetic — this is a gothic tale of devotion, freedom, and reclaiming your voice. Perfect for those who want their fantasy cozy, but with bite.
Tropes:
Vampires, Found Family (Companions), Gothic Romance, Emotional Liberation
📕 Hardcover:
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📗 Paperback:
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