7 Cozy New Books for Fall That Feel Like a Warm Hug—Which Will You Curl up With First?

The chilly air, steaming mugs of cider or mulled wine and the kaleidoscope of colors outside our windows…we can’t really think of a better season than fall for curling up with a good book. And lately on bookish social media pages, there’s a lot of debate about what kind of reader you are: a repeat reader, a nonfiction reader, a comfort reader, a seasonal reader and more. 

Here at Woman’s World, our staff is made up of all sorts of readers, but if you consider yourself a comfort reader or a seasonal reader, you’re in luck! In honor of the snuggly fall season and the upcoming holiday weekend, we gathered up seven of the best new cozy books that will feel like a warm hug or an autumnal stroll down main street in Stars Hollow. These hand-picked reads provide a picturesque sense of place, hopeful moments and life-affirming lessons.

Keep reading for all of our must-read new cozy book recommendations! 

‘Wreck’ by Catherine Newman 

If you loved Catherine Newman’s 2024 novel Sandwich, you’ll want to check out the sequel, Wreck. In this new release, Rocky’s dad moves in with her family, her daughter comes home from college and her son has a new job in New York. Then a devastating accident in their hometown and a health scare force Rocky to think about the true meaning of love and family. A powerful novel perfect for fans of cozy family sagas. 

What readers are saying: “What makes Wreck so heartwarming isn’t just the humor or the relatable anxiety—it’s the way Catherine Newman allows her characters to be flawed and still deeply lovable. Rocky’s family doesn’t always say the right thing. They bicker, they worry, they fall short. But they show up. Again and again. And in that showing up, Newman reminds us what love really looks like.” 

‘We’ll Prescribe You Another Cat’ by Syou Ishida 

When Syou Ishida wrote the award-winning Japanese novel We’ll Prescribe You a Cat, it became part of a buzzy literary trend known as “Healing Fiction.” Originally popular in Japan and Korea, this niche genre offers readers cozy stories filled with magic and life lessons. Her new novel, We’ll Prescribe You Another Cat, revisits a medical clinic known for prescribing cat companions to their patients as “medicine.” With interconnected tales, this novel highlights the beautiful bond between cats and people. 

What readers are saying:  “As a self-proclaimed cat lady, this has quickly become one of my comfort series! If you’re looking for a book that feels just like a warm hug, I highly recommend picking this book up, and taking a journey to the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul.” 

‘The Black Wolf’ by Louise Penny

The latest installment in Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series follows Gamache and team after they arrest a man in Montréal who they believe tried to execute a terrorist attack. After learning these attacks are far from over, Gamache, still recovering from injuries in a previous attack, attempts to catch the real criminal before they strike again, but he must do it from the village of Three Pines—beloved in many of Penny’s books for its comforting small-town vibes, quirky characters and feelings of true community.  

What readers are saying: “The twists and turns just kept coming—I genuinely didn’t know which way it was going to go. This is a continuation of The Grey Wolf, so I’d definitely recommend reading that first. Even better to start at the beginning of the series and become well entrenched in the Three Pines community before reaching these books, which play at a much larger scale. If you’re into well-written thrillers with a literary twist—and especially if you’ve enjoyed Penny’s books before—this one’s well worth picking up.”

‘It’s Me They Follow’ by Jeannine A. Cook

Sprinkled with magical charm and romance, Jeannine A. Cook’s unique debut novel, It’s Me They Follow, is an emotional ode to book lovers. The story follows the main character, known only as The Shopkeeper, who runs a bookstore in Philadelphia and has an extraordinary ability to bring soulmates together—through books. But when the time arrives for her to find love, it’s not quite as easy. As she begins to lose hope, she’s drawn to a handsome customer. Will she find the key to love after all?

What readers are saying: “This novel doesn’t just tell a story—it witnesses one. It invites readers into a space of transformation, where care is power and history is alive. I’ll be thinking about this book for a long time—and giving it to anyone who believes in the magic of self-authorship.” 

‘The Austen Affair’ by Madeline Bell 

Fans of Pride & Prejudice and Regency-era love stories will flip over Madeline Bell’s swoon-worthy debut, The Austen Affair. Tess Bright is ecstatic. She just landed a starring role in an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. There’s only one hitch: The arrogant Hugh Balfour is her co-star. But when a whimsical electrical accident sends them back 200 years in the past, Tess and Hugh have to fake their way through the Regency period together in order to make it back home.

What readers are saying: “Think Bridgerton meets Back to the Future, with witty nods to Jane Austen to make anyone swoon. This is the perfect time traveling enemies-to-lovers rom-com that’s heartfelt and will have you staying up late just to read the last page.” 

‘The Impossible Fortune’ by Richard Osman

In the newest installment of Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club series, the gang decides they want to have a quiet, crime-free year. But that all changes when a new resident named Nick moves in, only to disappear shortly after. Can the four friends crack the case one last time? Only time will tell. 

What readers are saying: “When I retire I want to live at Coppers Chase and join the Thursday Murder Club. I am so happy that we are back with this group of crazy retirees again after a break last year. It’s always such a joy to catch up with them all. These books are just so much fun to read and lose yourself in.”

‘The Irish Goodbye’ by Heather Aimee O’Neill

Complex characters and coastal Long Island scenes come together in Heather Aimee O’Neill’s debut novel, The Irish Goodbye. Sisters Cait, Alice and Maggie Ryan have been distant from one another for decades, after their brother is involved in a tragic boat accident, which changed everything for the family.  But when the siblings return home to their parents for Thanksgiving, secrets begin to emerge that could heal the three sisters’ relationship. A heartfelt tale of family, forgiveness, grief and second chances. 

What readers are saying: “I was hooked from the first moment. The journey of grief and family that Heather Aimee O’Neill takes us on is rich with imagery and moving moments. I laughed, I cried, and I connected to each sister in different ways.”