Cozy Court is In Session

Written By Tessa Woods

As I embark on my cozy WIP, I’ve been on a mission to consume as much cozy content as possible.

Cozy is surprisingly difficult to find!

Some books labeled “cozy” are surprisingly not. So, I’ve compiled an analysis of the coziness factor of various candidates. Please note that my opinion is worth the same as anyone else’s: exactly two cents.

My rulings will be as follows:

  • Cozy: Fully conforms to the cozy contract and has plentiful cozy vibes.

  • Cozy Enough: Breaks the cozy contract in a minor way, but cozy vibes abound.

  • Cozy Adjacent: Has cozy vibes, but breaks the cozy contract in one or more meaningful ways.

  • Not Cozy: Breaks the cozy contract and is light on cozy vibes.

What is the cozy contract?

Much like romance’s HEA, the cozy contract defines what readers should expect from books in this genre. Most importantly, cozies must have low stakes. That means the bakery might be in peril, but the protagonist’s life should not be.

What are cozy vibes?

  • Sensory comforts like steaming hot beverages, fresh baked goods, and crackling fires

  • Community and found family

  • Satisfaction in daily tasks such as constructing a cottage or serving coffee

What’s not cozy

I’m defining this as, essentially, “mortal peril.” If the hero’s mission is to save the world from destruction, it’s not cozy. If the central conflict is good vs. evil, it’s not cozy. Example: Lord of the Rings has many cozy elements, such as hobbits, delectable feasts, and whimsical pranks. But as a “save the world” / “good vs. evil” story, my ruling for LotR is Not Cozy.

Let’s dive in!

A judge's gavel in front of an open book.

Photo by Sasun Bughdaryan on Unsplash‍

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

Aptly, the front cover blurb says “it’s like being wrapped in a big, gay blanket.” This cozy fantasy follows Linus Baker, a pencil-pushing bureaucrat, all the way to the end of the train tracks, where sunshine and found family await. Delightful.

Verdict: Cozy

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

The sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea takes on a more serious tone; it’s almost “good vs. evil.” I didn’t find this one as enjoyable, mostly because of the themes, but also because the writing felt rushed. I’ve heard good things about the audiobook.

Verdict: Cozy Adjacent

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

Another cozy fantasy, this slow-paced story is “high fantasy and low stakes.” The prologue is jarringly un-cozy, and honestly, you can skim it without missing anything later in the story (that’s what I did!) But the remainder of the book is a sweet café caper.

Verdict: Cozy

Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree

The prequel to Legends and Lattes, this one amps up the pace, stakes, and drama. It borders on cozy horror because of a certain skeletal someone. There are moments of peril, including the prologue, but overall vibes make this a soothing read…except when it’s too exciting to put down.

Verdict: Cozy Enough

Brigands and Breadknives by Travis Baldree

The sequel to Legends and Lattes with a new (but familiar) protagonist. I had a hard time categorizing this one because mortal peril is not infrequent. Ultimately, I couldn’t rule “Not Cozy” for a book with a named breadknife. Minor spoiler: Unlike the other two Legends and Lattes stories, this does NOT include a sapphic romance.

Verdict: Cozy Adjacent

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

A standalone with human characters only, set in contemporary England. This one is billed as a “cozy romantic fantasy” and it is on the sensual side of romance. I bet it would be particularly accessible to readers unaccustomed to fantasy.

Verdict: Cozy

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

Another standalone set in contemporary England with (mostly) human characters. I liked this one even better than The Very Secret Society for overall world-building and story arc. My only pet peeve with Mandanna’s writing is that, at least a few times per book, some history is unearthed in the same scene as it’s resolved, which robs the reader of suspense at best and feels convenient at worst. Otherwise, it’s basically perfect.

Verdict: Cozy

Inhale Exhale by Nicole MacPherson

Full disclosure, this one is written by a friend! The daily rhythms of owning a yoga studio and cooking dinner lend cozy vibes to this middle-aged romantic novel. However, do mind the content warnings.

Verdict: Cozy Adjacent

The Crescent Moon Tearoom by Stacy Sivinsky

Unlike most other cozy fantasies, which are British or British-ish, this witchy debut is set in late 1800s Chicago. It’s a slow-paced tale of self-discovery; my favourite character was the whimsical house.

Verdict: Cozy

This session is hereby adjourned!

I focused heavily on cozy fantasies in this installment, but general cozy fiction is coming up soon. Most of the candidates for general cozy fiction are translated from Japanese or Korean. I’m looking forward to reading as many examples of contemporary cozy fiction as possible!

Up next on the docket:

  • The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

  • Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

  • Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

  • The Convenience Store by the Sea by Sonoko Machida

  • We’ll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida

  • Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Tessa Woods
Next

On Rewriting