Queer Cozy Fantasy

Dark romantasy is the BookTok trend of the moment, but are you looking for something a little gentler, with a guaranteed happily ever after? Check out these cozy queer fantasies. Read with Pride all year long!

 

 

Linus Baker is leading a humdrum life as a caseworker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth when he's suddenly given a dangerous classified assignment. He's sent to inspect the orphanage at isolated Marsyas Island. It's the home of six strange magical children: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, a green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus is meant to be judging whether the latter could bring about the end of the world, but he can't help feeling at home with them and their handsome, mysterious caretaker. This is a delightful, heartwarming story of found family and second chances. And there's a sequel! 

 

Reyna is the bodyguard of the mercurial Queen. Kianthe is the most powerful mage in the universe. But they've fallen in love, and they just want to open a cozy bookshop that serves tea. The Queen won't let Reyna go without a fight, so the couple flees in the dead of night to the farthest reaches of the kingdom, near dragon country, and settle down to open the shop of their dreams. Slowly, and not without some mishaps (and the occasional dragon attack), they share their secrets and become part of their new community. This sweet, sapphic romance is first in a series. 

 

The cover quote for this silly, trope-filled, friends-to-lovers romantasy is "Two heroes. One brain cell." Juniper and Mo are theoretically platonic best friends. But when Juniper volunteers them for a quest to kill a fearsome monster, he can't help noticing that Mo looks really good in his questing pants. There are mishaps galore as they discover that the fearsome beast is not so fearsome, and they maybe fall in love along the way. This is an absolute romp. 

 

Marigold's grandmother has offered to train her as the next Honey Witch, but there's a catch: no one can fall in love with the Honey Witch. Marigold's never been interested in the suitors who've come calling, so she's happy enough to trade love for magic and independence. But then Lottie - a skeptic who doesn't believe in magic - arrives on the island, and Marigold can't help trying to convince her, and she catches feelings in the process. When dark magic awakens, Marigold must protect her magic, her home, and her new love. This is a delicious, whimsical, grumpy-sunshine sapphic romance.

 

Oaklin Nettlewood has just left an evil cult, where they were forced to do a villain's bidding under mind control for six years. They plan to settle down in Mossley's Rest and never use their magic again in an attempt to make up for the harm they've done. However, the ghost of a granny who haunts their new farm is determined to help them heal from their trauma. Slowly Oaklin gets to know the local baker, a bard, and an attractive paladin-librarian, but when an inspector arrives looking for former cult members, can Oaklin trust them? This sweet fantasy has been compared to Studio Ghibli films and the game Stardew Valley.