Cozy Fall Reads: Lemonberry Book Club Picks

Fall is peak reading season: cooler air, warmer blankets, and the smug satisfaction of putting your phone in time-out. These ten picks - curated by Ashley @life_with_books - deliver cozy romance, witchy whimsy, and dark, twisty thrills. Use the categories to jump to the kind of story you want tonight.

If you’re going full hygge, pair your book with something soft from Lyla & Luxe sweaters
See past picks on the Lemonberry Book Club hub

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COZY ROMANCE & SMALL-TOWN CHARM

Lease on Love — Falon Ballard

Down-on-her-luck Sadie Green loses out on a promotion and impulsively mis-uses a dating app—actually a roommate app—and finds herself unexpectedly moving into a charming brownstone with the handsome Jack. As they learn to live under one roof, their initial annoyance gives way to warmth, support, and surprising romance. It’s a witty, cozy “roommates-to-lovers” tale filled with found family vibes.

The Pumpkin Spice Café — Laurie Gilmore

City-dweller Jeanie inherits a cozy café in the fall-festooned town of Dream Harbor and embraces the change from her dull desk job. She clashes sweetly with Logan, a grumpy local farmer, and as the town’s seasonal charms swirl around them, their connection deepens. Cozy, autumnal romance with a grumpy-sunshine dynamic and small-town magic, complete with pumpkin-spice vibes.

The Cinnamon Bun Book Store — Laurie Gilmore

Hazel, a reserved bookseller turning thirty, begins finding mysterious notes hidden among the books, sparking a playful clue-hunt through town. She enlists local fisherman Noah—who happens to be someone she’s been quietly crushing on—to help follow the trail. Their cozy scavenger romance unfolds amidst literary charm, small-town warmth, and a dash of whimsical mystery.

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WITCHY & WHIMSICAL ESCAPES

The Ex Hex — Erin Sterling

Vivienne “Vivi” Jones accidentally curses her ex-boyfriend with magic while drowning her heartbreak in alcohol—and then is surprised when he moves back to town years later. As strange, spooky events start happening, forcible hex consequences arise, blending supernatural chaos with lingering chemistry. The result is a witty, witchy rom-com brimming with ghosts, curses, talking cats—and second chances.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches — Sangu Mandanna

Mika Moon, who has hidden her magical nature her whole life, is surprised to be invited to Nowhere House to help train three orphaned young witches. There, she finds companionship, a quirky chosen family, and the surprisingly sweet grumpy-sunshine romance with Jamie, the librarian. This heartwarming tale celebrates belonging, healing, and finally living openly as oneself.

Weyward — Emilia Hart

Spanning three timelines—from a 1619 witch trial to a repressed 1940s girl and a modern woman fleeing abuse—this novel binds together the lives of women connected through intuitive, nature-based magic. Each woman struggles against patriarchal oppression, guided by ancestral power rooted in the natural world. “Weyward” is a richly atmospheric, feminist saga weaving witchcraft, resilience, and intergenerational strength.

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THRILLERS & DARK MYSTERIES

All the Dark Places — Terri Parlato

Molly Bradley, hiding a traumatic past, believes she has found stability—until she awakens to her psychologist husband Jay’s brutal murder in their home. Detective Rita Myers joins the case, uncovering the secrets buried within their close circle of friends, and the truth Molly hid from herself. A tense psychological thriller where past scars and dark secrets collide in a deadly unraveling.

The Maidens — Alex Michaelides

Group therapist Mariana Andros travels to Cambridge after her niece’s friend is brutally murdered—a case tangled with a charismatic professor and a secret society known as “The Maidens.” Convinced of the professor’s guilt, Mariana pursues the truth amid campus intrigue, mythological clues, and mounting danger. A cerebral, atmospheric thriller where obsession, Greek mythology, and smart suspense bring an unsettling twist.

The Unmaking of June Farrow — Adrienne Young

After her grandmother’s death, June Farrow uncovers cryptic clues tied to her mother’s mysterious disappearance and begins seeing and hearing things others cannot in their haunted small town. Torn between family curses and her own fragile sanity, she steps through a strange, spectral threshold that may lead to truth—or madness. This atmospheric blend of mystery, family legacy, and romance compels June to confront a haunting past.

The Book of Cold Cases — Simone St. James

True-crime blogger Shea Collins serendipitously reunites with Beth Greer—the eccentric woman once accused and acquitted of two decades-old murders—and secures an interview that promises to unravel chilling local mysteries. As she digs deeper, disturbing paranormal and psychological secrets surface, blending supernatural dread with the unease of true crime. The story becomes a haunting meditation on past horrors, truth, and the costs of unearthing buried evil.

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Your Fall Reading Ritual Starts Here

No matter which one you pick first, these stories are your ticket to a quieter, cozier season. Make a cup of something warm, grab a blanket, and dive in. For more of Ashley’s recommendations, visit the Lemonberry Book Club
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