Fall is the absolute best time of the year to curl up with a good book. But finding that book can be challenging . . . until now. In today’s post I’m sharing some of the best books to read in the fall. Each of these books will give you all the warm, cozy, and even spicy vibes that fall has to offer. Whether it’s a spooky mystery, a spicy romantic comedy, or just a cozy warm hug of a book – my list has got you covered.
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Juniper Bean Resorts to Murder by Grace Ruth Mitchell
I can honestly say that the first book on the list is probably one of my favorites. It follows indie romance writer Juniper Bean as she moves back to her small hometown of Autumn Grove only to discover that her new roommate is Aidan – the boy she was in love with when she was a teenager – the same boy who definitely didn’t love her back. Aidan’s not very happy about having Juniper as a roommate, but his hands are tied – they’re stuck with each other. But things take an unexpected turn for this unlikely pair when Juniper finds a dead body of someone linked to her past. Now it’s up to Juniper and Aidan to come together and solve this murder. But as they get closer to the truth, will they also discover their feelings for each other? You’ll just have to read and see.
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
This next book is ideal if a spooky fall plotline is more your speed. Twenty-five years ago, Maggie Holt and her family moved into a mysterious Victorian estate called Baneberry Hall. Everything seemed fine at first – but everything at Baneberry Hall was not as it seemed. Within three weeks of moving in, the Holt family fled the estate in the middle of the night, prompting her father to write a book detailing the strange happenings they experienced.
Now an adult, Maggie has no memory of her time at the estate and unlike her father, she doesn’t believe in ghosts. But when she’s forced to return to Baneberry Hall to renovate it and sell it, she’s soon faced with the same strange experiences her father wrote about. Was Maggie’s father telling the truth? And will learning the truth about the house challenge everything Maggie believes? Riley Sager is known for his plot twists and turns and this book is no exception. It’ll keep you hooked from the very first page.
A Wilderness of Stars by Shea Ernshaw
I fell in love with Shea Ernshaw’s writing when I read her book, The Wicked Deep, last Halloween. After I finished that book, I knew I had to get my hands on another piece of her work, which led me to the next book on this list – A Wilderness of Stars by Shea Ernshaw. The story follows Vega, the Last Astronomer, and the only one who can understand the knowledge of the stars. Forbidden by her mother to leave the safety of her home, Vega has lived a somewhat sheltered life but her world is forever changed when she sees an omen in the sky. As she sets out into a world ransacked with a horrible disease, Vega and her newfound friends, Cricket and Noah, search for a cure. But the closer Vega gets to the cure the more she begins to realize that danger might be closer than she thinks.
Fall Too Well by Erin Branscom
This next book rec is for all the Swifties/Gilmore Girls fans out there. It follows Everly, a single mom who moves back to her hometown and starts working for her ex-best friend, Nash. Nash was the one Everly should have married but she didn’t and now she’s having to face all the old memories that come up when she sees him every day. But Nash is always there for her – even when her ex begins to wreak havoc on her life. Can this second chance in Everly’s life be a second chance at love? Ok, so I picked up this book for the title and cover alone, but I was pleasantly surprised how enjoyable it turned out to be. Erin Branscom’s writing is fluid and engaging and the story really held my attention.
Heidi Lucy Loses Her Mind by Grace Ruth Mitchell
Heidi Lucy has a terrible, awful, no good secret . . . the only problem is she can’t remember what it is. Thanks to a mysterious head wound, Heidi has lost her memories, including one of a cryptic voicemail she left for Soren, a faithful (and good-looking) patron of her bookshop. With Soren’s help, Heidi retraces her steps to try and figure out how to get her memory back only to find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery involving her bookshop. Suddenly Heidi is filled with unanswered questions: who killed the woman in her shop? Will she ever get her memories back? And more importantly, is she developing feelings for Soren? Like the other Grace Ruth Mitchell book I mentioned on this list – this book felt like a warm hug. It’s entertaining as well as funny and goes deeper with the characters than you’d think.
Haunted Happily Ever After by Brittany Kelley
When Emma Cross gets the chance to renovate a dilapidated old house in the middle of nowhere, she jumps at the chance. She’s ready for a change and this is her ticket to just that. Now she just needs an investor – que her long time friend, Jack. He’s the perfect man for the job but Emma doesn’t know that Jack has his own plans for the property. The house is definitely creepy with its weird sounds and eerie surroundings – can Emma and Jack work together to find out if the house is infested with rodents or dare I say – ghosts? This book is perfect to read while sipping on a pumpkin spice latte. It’s sweet, the banter between the two main characters is nice, and the setting will give you all the Scooby Doo vibes. But be warned – this book does have some spice so don’t say I didn’t warn you.
The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore
Gilmore Girls fans – this book is for you. It has everything that a Gilmore Girls fan could want – a small town, a grumpy male lead, a cozy cafe, and a will-they-won’t-they love story. The story follows Jeanie, a spunky protagonist who’s just been given her aunt’s Pumpkin Spice Cafe in the small town of Dream Harbor (how cute is that name!). Logan is a local (grumpy) farmer who wants nothing to do with the small town gossip mill or Jeanie. But life keeps throwing them together and Logan can’t help but find himself drawn to her. If you’re a fan of the grumpy/sunshine trope (think Luke and Lorelai), this is the book for you.
If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia
I absolutely love the opposites attract trope and the 90s, so you can imagine how excited I was to get my hands on this next book. Set in autumn of 1997, the story follows Michelle, who’s husband just announced their divorce at her mother’s funeral (the worst place possible). With her life in shambles, Michelle decides to make a change, leaves the big city, and moves to a small town to take over the inn her mother left behind. While there, she meets Cliff, a single dad who owns a bakery in town and the two of them slowly form a friendship that helps Michelle see that her best days are not behind her. This book is very sweet and perfect to snuggle up with after a long day. It even comes with a 90s fall playlist.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
This next book is set in 1687 colonial Connecticut and is perfect for anyone who’s interested in the Salem Witch Trials. The story follows Kit Tyler, a 16 year old girl who’s forced to leave her family’s home in Barbados and live with her aunt and uncle in a Puritan community in Connecticut. Things begin to look up when Kit befriends an elderly woman named Hannah, but things take a dark turn when both Hannah and Kit are accused of witchcraft. As tensions rise in the community, Kit has to decide if she should follow her heart or her duty. If you’ve been looking for a book that will grab your attention and make you think of it long after you’ve closed it, this is the story for you.
Given Our History by Kristyn J. Miller
This book recommendation is for all the autumn academia enthusiasts. It follows an assistant college professor named Clara as she settles into her dream job at a private liberal arts college right out of grad school. She gave up the love of her life to follow her dream of teaching history and now that she’s up for tenure, her dream is just in reach. But her world is turned upside down when her ex, Theodore “Teddy” Harrison, shows up as a visiting scholar. Clara hasn’t spoken to Teddy since she broke his heart 10 years ago and she’s not sure if she can handle working with him. But as Clara and Teddy get reacquainted, Clara starts to realize that maybe there is room in her life for someone else and maybe that someone else is Teddy.
A Love Worth Waiting For by Lara Van Hulzen
A digital Advanced Reader’s Copy (ARC) was sent to me by the author for this next book and once I started reading it I knew I had to include it on this list. I’ve been a big fan of Lara Van Hulzen’s writing for a while so when I got the opportunity to read the first book in her new series, I jumped at it. This book is absolutely delightful and perfect to read in the fall. The story follows Sadie Woods, an antique shop owner who’s facing some hard times. Her aunt is battling breast cancer and the bills just keep on coming, but she’s not giving up hope for better days just yet.
James Larsen is a former professional football player who just wants a quiet life with his teenage daughter, Maddie. They’re both trying to heal from the death of his wife and he’s not looking to expand his family any time soon. As Deputy Sheriff, he has more than enough tasks to keep him busy.
Sadie and James’ paths cross when her antique shop gets broken into and old memories of attending high school come flooding back for both of them. But with Sadie distracted with saving her store and James distracted with protecting his heart and daughter, can these two open their hearts to love? You’ll just have to read and find out. This book will capture your heart with its sweet romance, relatable characters, and small town setting.
Unbearably Yours by Elodie Colliard
This book follows Charlee, an adventurous journalist who’s dedicated to her work and not looking for love. When she gets the chance to shoot a documentary in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest, she’s psyched . . . that is, until she meets who she’ll be working with, Oliver Reynolds.
Oliver works for Wild Planet, the network where the documentary will air, and when he’s presented with the opportunity to show the documentary crew around town, he doesn’t think twice – until he sees Charlee. As it turns out, Charlee and Oliver have history – a history that neither one of them wants to revisit. But since they’ll be spending the next two weeks together it’s the perfect time to get some answers and start again. This book was really enjoyable. I loved how relatable Charlee was as a character and the romance between her and Oliver.
Autumn by the Shore by Dr. K. Marlowe
This next book will transport you to autumn by the sea. It follows Emily Bennett, an overworked marketing executive who moves to the charming seaside town of Seabreeze Haven to renovate her late grandmother’s house. But she can’t do it alone. So, with the help of her old high school sweetheart, Jack Turner, Emily begins to breathe new life into the house. The more time Emily spends with Jack the more Seabreeze Haven begins to feel like home. If the synopsis hasn’t sold you on this book, maybe this will: it has pumpkin-carving contests and a Harvest Festival. Need I say more?
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Mika Moon is a witch but she has to hide that fact by staying away from other witches so as not to draw attention to herself. She’s kept her identity secret . . . except for online, where she posts videos “pretending” to do magic. Suddenly, an unexpected message arrives, inviting her to the mysterious Nowhere House, where she will train three young witches to control their powers. While there, Mika meets the witches and a cast of unique characters, including Jamie – the handsome but prickly librarian who’s not very fond of her . . . yet. Everything seems to be going well but danger still lurks in the shadows. If you just want a warm, sweet, low-states story, this book is the perfect addition for your collection.
Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc
As for the last recommendation, I wanted to share a YA book. This one is set in a quintessential New England village called Briar Glen, where the townspeople take the fall season very seriously. Almost everyone loves the festivities and tourists, everyone except for 16 year old Lucy Kane. Lucy works in her mom’s coffee shop – Cup o’ Jo – which is having some financial struggles. Things start to improve in the fall but the improvement comes to a screeching halt when a multinational coffee chain moves in right across the street. And to make matters worse, Lucy’s crush, Jack, is the owner’s son and now her mom’s biggest competition. Can Lucy find a way to save her mom’s shop and more importantly, can she work up the courage to approach Jack?
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