Julia’s Favourite Self Published SFF Books – A Giant List – Part 4 – Cosy / Cosy-Dark & Cute SFF

Wholesome necromancy with a wicked grin. It is cosy dark in the best way, full of bones, banter, and a warm found family thread that holds it all together. I kept highlighting quotable lines and smiling through the grisly bits. If you like your undead with heart, this one delivers

A cosy dark sci fi that mixes sharp humor with found family and just the right pinch of heartache. I liked how the lighter moments sit next to darker beats without clashing. The world feels fun to spend time in and the character dynamics did a lot of the heavy lifting. Comforting, a bit cheeky, and who doesn’t love people going against their families greed.

A very cosy read where almost nothing happens plot-wise, but the tone and characters make it shine. Mulligan is a stoic and likeable lead, his polite but quietly cheeky way of dealing with people hooked me right away. The relationship with his elderly wizard employer is touching and full of warmth, balanced with tiny magical details and everyday minutia that somehow feel delightful. It is the kind of book that leaves you smiling with that warm, fuzzy feeling.

A murder mystery with a sardonic necromancer and his snarky skull sidekick. It blends humour, banter, and absurd moments (like a skull happily eating poisoned cake) with darker backstory and grief. The mystery itself was a bit too easy to solve, but the charm lies in the characters and their interactions. Funny, dark, and full of heart, it sets up a series I definitely want more of.

A cosy LitRPG romp that felt like a love letter to Legend of Zelda. The main character is a clever young girl who refuses to wait for the chosen hero and instead takes matters into her own hands, using wits and loopholes rather than brute force. I adored her voice and the banter with her new companion, which kept me smiling all the way. Light, funny, and full of nostalgia, it left me wishing there was a lot more of it.

A cosy slice of life about leaving behind the danger of a cultivation sect to become a peaceful farmer. The humour and sentient animals made it a delight, keeping me smiling and laughing all the way. I loved the friendly, open tone and the sense of community and nature. It does have darker mentions in the background, but inside the farm bubble it’s a warm and happy read.

Cosy fantasy with a bartender protagonist and a story that mixes slice of life with a bit more action than usual. I liked the worldbuilding and how it felt like just one small slice of a bigger place. The darker backstory gave the characters some depth without overwhelming the cosy tone. Warm, funny, and definitely one that left me craving an actual cocktail.

A super cute cosy fantasy full of animals and small town charm. I liked the main character a lot, timid but relatable, and watching her slowly grow into her magic was fun. The friendships and the way the whole town pulled together gave the book its heart, even if not everyone was always perfectly nice. With a touch of slow burn romance and plenty of warmth, it left me smiling all the way through.

Much heavier on romance than I usually pick, but Kingfisher’s humour and weirdly broken characters won me over. The paladin who knits socks and the perfume maker with a difficult past were both awkward and endearing, and their struggles felt authentic. The book mixes cosy vibes with murder mystery, political scheming, and plenty of witty dialogue that made me laugh out loud. Dark pasts aside, it was ultimately comforting and very hard to put down.
And teh sequels only get better!

A hilarious yet surprisingly dark story about Mona, a 14-year-old with the magical ability to command dough. Think dancing gingerbread men and bread that refuses to burn, until a murder drags her into intrigue, traitors, and danger. The humour and sheer weirdness balance out the darker, sadder parts really well, making it both comforting and engaging. Light, quirky, and definitely one for readers with a taste for dark(ish) humour.

I didn’t expect to enjoy a Regency England book with zombies, but this turned out to be so much fun. It mixes banter, quirky twists, and a very original take on the “afflicted” with a cosy murder mystery feel. The balance between comedy and brain-eating horror somehow works perfectly, and the main duo of investigator and mage daughter is easy to root for. A quick, entertaining, and charmingly weird read that made me want to dive straight into the next in the series. I devoured the whole series.

Pure delight in book form, with a Jane Austen style setting, a fabulous heroine, and dragons of all sizes. Moire is a kind and hopeful character, easy to root for, and her connection to dragons was one of the highlights for me. The tone is warm and charming, with plenty of humour and a little science woven in too. The romance wasn’t my favourite due to the miscommunication trope, but overall it was cosy, uplifting, and so satisfying.
Maybe a bit too much perfection in the main character.

A cosy murder mystery with just a dash of magic (more in sequels), set around a dressmaker in new zealand who finds herself caught up in trouble. I liked the mix of fashion details, supernatural touches, and the light mystery plot. It never gets too heavy, keeping the focus on character and charm. A fun and easy read with plenty of cosy vibes.

An alternate Victorian England where the royal houses of Europe are literal monsters, and England alone claims to remain human. Elizabeth Sharp, scarred but sharp-witted after surviving a werewolf attack, makes for a brilliant heroine. Practical, snarky, and easy to root for. The murder mystery is tightly plotted, with danger, politics, and humour in just the right balance. Atmospheric, fun, and the kind of historical fantasy that hooks you straight away

The first book I called cosy-dark, and the beginning of a new addiction…

A wonderful surprise that mixed action, adventure, and cosy village life with necromancy. Morana, a boneweaver living with arthritis, and her healer husband Percy made a strong, refreshing couple whose bond never wavered. I loved the humor, the attitude-filled chicken, and the beautiful plant sketches in the book. It balanced grief, hope, and laughter so well that I breezed through it in no time.

The first half was exactly my cup of tea, or rather my cauldron full of potions. A cosy fantasy full of found family, banter, and the charm of small magical shops, it had a lovely slow pace that made me want to linger in the world. The balance of slice-of-life calm with a few adventures and suspenseful moments worked really well. The romance was a bit heavy for me in the second half, but still sweet, and overall it was a heartwarming and very enjoyable read.

Utterly delightful and charming, even if I wouldn’t call it purely cosy. The story touches on serious topics like the suffering of the poor and the dangers of the fae, yet it remains comforting thanks to the warmth and loyalty between the characters. I especially enjoyed the romance, which is straightforward and sweet without needless drama. A captivating read that left me eager for more of Atwater’s books.

A cute and comforting novella about a young scholar forced into marriage with a vampire lord, who may not have wanted it either. I loved both main characters, strong-willed but willing to admit when they were wrong, and their banter made the story sparkle. It’s short, sweet, and as refreshing as a cool drink on a hot day.

A delightful Regency romp where a penniless cousin suddenly has to pretend to be a lady of standing, helped by the adorable dragon she rescues. Watching her come out of her shell was a joy, and the dragon sidekick was a highlight. There’s mystery, romance, and humour in just the right amounts. I finished it wanting a sequel right away.

One of those rare collections I wanted to give more than five stars. Every story hit the mark, whether cosy, funny, thoughtful, or dark. They all share a touch of romance but always bring something more. Clever worldbuilding, witty dialogue, and themes of justice and defiance. A must-read collection that felt like it was written just for me.
And just look at that cover!

A charming collection of quirky, whimsical stories featuring a necromancer, a metal worker, and plenty of odd creatures. The shorter tales are quick, fun, and perfect little pick-me-ups, while the longer ones dig deeper into the characters and their pasts. I especially enjoyed how the tone stays hopeful and full of light, even with higher stakes and more action. A definite feel-good read that brightens the day.

At first I wasn’t sure this one was for me, the over the top opposites-attract setup felt too tropey. But slowly it won me over, and I found myself giggling instead of eye-rolling. The cosy dark tone with blood, ghosts, murder, and a silly but sweet romance really worked in the end. Funny, a little twisted, and way more charming than I expected.

A brilliant mix of Victorian romance, mystery, and gothic suspense. I liked Clara even more than Sybil as a heroine. Practical, determined, and always fighting for the people she loves. The characters felt real and made believable choices within their world, which kept me hooked from the first page. Even though I guessed the big secret, puzzling it out alongside Clara was satisfying, and I’m already itching to read more from this author.

A strong-willed, sarcastic heroine in a gothic Victorian setting made this an instant hit for me. Sybil is loyal, clever, and determined to look out for herself, while the romance sparkled with banter and headstrong clashes. The story blends mystery, ghostly atmosphere, and regency-style romance in a way that’s fast and fun to read. A few moments could have used more depth, but overall it was a fantastically entertaining book that left me eager for the rest of the series.

A lovely, slower regency fantasy about Mildred Percy, a spinster who suddenly finds herself caring for a baby dragon. She doesn’t magically turn into a bold heroine, but grows gently and stays true to herself, which I loved. The banter, scandalous family drama, tasty baked goods, and Austen-like setting made this a delight. Cosy, charming, and full of heart, with a main character I adored spending time with.

Overall I really loved this, even though I had a few small quibbles. It is a cosy dark story with plenty of entrails and gruesome bits, but it still manages to be funny and comforting at the same time. I enjoyed Maud as a character, along with the odd mix of crafting, community, and undead mischief. It is exactly that blend of warm and gory that makes cosy dark work so well for me.