Blending fantasy elements with a focus on community and even love, cozy fantasy is like a magical hug. Among the snug subgenre’s biggest appeals is the invitation to escape the pains of our own world, sinking instead into the charming settings and delightful dilemmas of spellbinding new worlds. You'll encounter dragons and witches and all manner of magical beings in these audiobooks, but you're also just as likely to discover a teashop, bookstore, or curious small town. And with cozy fantasy's tendency to prioritize character development and relationships, it won't come as a surprise that love stories feature prominently in this subgenre.
This list includes some of the most popular, unusual, and fresh cozy fiction audiobooks out there. Whether you're looking for a super low-stakes story to deliver some much-needed escapist relaxation or a more intense tale to keep you captivated, we've got you covered.
Can you imagine a world without coffee? If the answer's no, then you're in good company with Viv, the main character in Legends & Lattes. An orc who's lost her interest in the battle lifestyle, she's decided to open up the first coffee shop in Thune. No matter that the villagers have never heard of this weird bean juice Viv is so fond of. Before long, trouble shows up on her doorstep and the quiet life she's started to build for herself is in danger of falling apart. Longtime narrator-turned-author Travis Baldree brings this endearing series starter to vibrant, enchanting life.
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea is a swoon-worthy sapphic tale of two women who dream of owning a teashop with a bookstore in it. Reyna is a Queensguard, but the queen she guards is a murderous sociopath. Her girlfriend, Kianthe, is the most powerful mage in the land. When the two choose each other over the expectations of their roles, it's treason for Reyna and a ticking clock for Kianthe. There's so much to enjoy in this sweet story about love and community, and Jessica Threet's lively narration makes you feel like you're in the middle of the action alongside the characters. If you like this one, there's more Tomes & Tea audiobooks to enjoy!
Give me witches and a surly librarian, and you have my undivided attention. Mika Moon in The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches may be bound by the rules of her kind—specifically to keep magic out of the public eye—but she's just having fun "pretending" to be a witch on social media. So when she receives an invitation to head to Nowhere House and teach three young witches magic, she's not sure what to expect. Samara MacLaren's charming narration weaves a spell of its own that'll have you sinking into this witchy love story in a heartbeat.
The Spellshop features an amazing cast of characters—a must-have in any cozy. Librarian Kiela and her talking plant sidekick Caz have found themselves on the wrong side of history. When a revolution destroys the Great Library of Alyssium, Kiela and Caz grab all the spellbooks they can and flee to the remote island Kiela grew up on. The community there (and the smattering of mythical creatures) is a huge part of what gives this book its cozy feel, and Kiela's character growth is highly rewarding. Award-winning narrator Caitlin Davies voices the characters with captivating enthusiasm, making this a super fun listen.
You might think death would be a challenging topic to form the foundation for cozy fantasy, but author TJ Klune would beg to differ. In Under the Whispering Door, Wallace Price is dead. He wasn't a great guy in life, and now he's sitting in Hugo's tea shop trying to figure out how to cross over. But the more he gets to know Hugo, the less interested he is in leaving the charming man. Under the surface, however, there's a bigger darkness lurking in this cozy purgatory, and Wallace is going to have to figure out exactly what he's made of if he wants to help the people helping him. Kirt Graves's skillful narration progresses alongside Wallace's journey, making for a heartfelt and moving listen.
I adore all of Kimberly Lemming's endearing characters; her Mead Mishaps series never disappoints. It's outrageously funny—a fact that Lemming seems to really own in all of her works. That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon kicks this spicy cozy romantasy series off with Cinnamon, a young but confident spice merchant intent on not seeking adventure. But that plan is thrown aside when she saves the life of a gorgeous demon, and the pair embark on a quest to save the world. Hazel Addison's dynamic narration brings the perfect balance of wit and heat to this raucous tale.
This Will Be Fun is a rollicking good time. It gives off strong Princess Bride vibes with its comedy-fantasy combo and its well-crafted and lovable lead characters. Beatrice, Elowen, and Clare are all suffering from their own brand of survivor's guilt a decade after they saved Mythria but lost their fourth quest member, Galwell the Great. When the queen summons them to her wedding, they're forced to reunite and heal old scars. Alexander Cendese, January LaVoy, and Hope Newhouse lend their incredible voices to the three main characters, making for an entertaining and nuanced listening experience. With all the twists and turns this tale throws at you, the heaping helping of comedy only sweetens the journey.
There’s no shortage of teashops and bakeries in the world of cozy fantasy. Cursed Cocktails puts its own spin on that trope. Rhoren is a blood mage whose lifetime of service to the realm has taken a toll on his body. He moves south to warmer climes and opens a bar using his father's book of cocktail recipes. Eric Jason Martin's, ahem, spirited narration is as strong as the bar's beverages, making Rhoren and bartender Kallum's story all the more enjoyable to savor.
If you're looking for a cozy that's on the more intense side of the spectrum, The Last Dragon of the East is a great option. It definitely goes into dark territory (and fair warning, includes depictions of bloodshed), but it also has plenty of moments that retain that cozy feeling. Sai has been struggling to keep the family tea house afloat, but it's been hard, especially with his mother's illness. When a magical cure turns out to be real, the unexpected consequences send Sai on a dangerous quest. Oh, and did I mention he has the magical ability to see the red threads connecting soulmates? This one is a can't-miss cozy romantasy compellingly narrated by Eric Yong and, where the ancient dragons are concerned, Feodor Chin.
The Teller of Small Fortunes is somewhat unusual for a cozy fantasy since it mostly takes place on the road. Instead of developing warm, homey feelings around a small community, this one instead focuses on building connection through found family. Fortune teller Tao is only willing to tell "small" fortunes, the stuff of everyday life and small-town gossip. But when a former mercenary and thief ask for her help finding a missing child, everything changes. Their little band grows to include a baker (one of my favorite characters) and a magical cat. Phyllis Ho's narration captures the gentle feel of this fantasy in a way that'll have you reaching for your favorite hot beverage to complete the mood.
Sometimes you just want a low-stakes cozy read, and The Baby Dragon Cafe is perfect for that. Only a character as quirky as Saphira would think to open a cafe for baby dragons, and those little guys are every bit the fire hazard you might expect. This sweet story also features a darling love story with neighboring gardener Aidan to round it out. Ash Raju and Hunter Johns's engaging voices make for an enjoyable, truly feel-good listening experience.
The events of The Nameless Restaurant: A Cozy Cooking Fantasy unfold over a single night. Magical chef Mo Meng has decided to deliver a Malaysian menu on this particular evening, a sudden menu shakeup sure to cause a kerfuffle among the human and magical clientele alike. But being subject to Mo Meng's curmudgeonly whims is part and parcel of visiting the Nameless Restaurant—that is, if one can even find it. Emily Woo Zeller's calm, dulcet tones capture this story's whimsical feel perfectly.
Anne Mai Yee Jansen is a lifelong lover of weird and wonderful tales. When she’s not reading or writing about books, you can find her on a dragon boat or enjoying a mug of hot chocolate.
