Woman’s World Book Club’s 5 Must-Read Halloween Books—From Cozy Fantasy to a ‘Gilmore Girls’ Guide!

‘The Hocus Pocus Handbook’ Ann Aguirre—a whimsical cozy fantasy

‘Tis the season for mischief, magic—and New York Times bestselling author Ann Aguirre’s new novel, The Hocus Pocus Handbook, offers all this and more! Thea Winter is a changeling, which means she was stolen from the mortal world as a baby and raised in the wildlands. She knows everything about this world…except how to stay out of trouble. When her arranged “husband” bolts, she embarks on a quest with a grumpy hunter and sparks fly.

‘Kiss Slay Replay’ by Rachel Harrison—a twisty time-loop

Rachel Harrison has carved out a literary niche readers have dubbed “cozy horror,” with bestselling novels like Cackle and Play Nice. In Kiss Slay Replay, Willa Sullivan is going to her friend’s wedding, but she’s not excited to see her ex with a date. Just as she meets a guy named Danny, a masked killer crashes the party. Willa wakes up the next morning thankful it was a nightmare, only to relive the same day. Now, she must find a way out.

Entertainment

11 Cozy, Spooky and Romantic Reads Perfect for October Nights

October is the perfect month for evenings spent curled up by a flickering fireplace watching spooky classics like Practical Magic or Charmed, baking pumpkin spice cupcakes and reveling in the spirit of the season. With Halloween around the bend, it’s also the ideal month to dive into a festive book. You may not think of […]

‘Grim Tidings’ by B.K. Borison—Paranormal romance packed with yearning

If you’re in the mood to curl up with a fantastical book this season, B.K. Borison’s Grim Tidings delivers the perfect blend of whimsical and haunting. The second installment of her Ghosted series centers on Darcy Moore, who works at the Department of Hauntings & Spirit as a Grim Reaper. Tired of the job, she concocts a scheme. Enter rule-following Guardian Angel Gabriel Aetos. A sweet, sizzling enemies-to-lovers story!

‘Pumpkin Spice Scandal’ by Tonya Kappes—seasonally sweet whodunit

Small-town gossip, sweet treats and simmering danger meld in Tonya Kappes’ latest cozy mystery, Pumpkin Spice Scandal. Set in Honey Springs, Kentucky, Roxy Bloom is prepping her coffee shop for the upcoming fall festival. As droves of people flock to town, Roxy is busier than ever…until a shocking murder turns the celebration into chaos. Can Roxy and her loyal pup, Pepper, track down the culprit and crack the case?

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Laurie Gilmore Recommends 5 Fall Books Full of Millennial Nostalgia

When Laurie Gilmore wrote The Pumpkin Spice Café in 2023, the last thing she expected was for it to go viral. It’s a sweet little rom-com about Jeanie, who inherits the Pumpkin Spice Cafe in Dream Harbor from her aunt and then falls in love with Logan, the town’s resident grump. But to her surprise, […]

‘Fall into Fall: The Unofficial Guide to Cozy Season for Every Gilmore Girls Obsessive’ by Pesala Bandara—a picture-perfect ‘Gilmore Girls’-inspired guide

As the air turns crisp and the leaves transform into a kaleidoscope of colors, it’s the ideal time to escape to Stars Hollow with a Gilmore Girls rewatch. And journalist Pesala Bandara’s new book, Fall into Fall: The Unofficial Guide to Cozy Season for Every Gilmore Girls Obsessive, is the perfect fall companion for fans of the beloved show! It’s filled with seasonal recipes, creative craft ideas and show-inspired tips on slowing down and savoring the season. Plus, you’ll find full lists of all Rory’s favorite books and Lorelei’s go-to movies—it’s a blueprint for autumnal joy!

A version of this article originally appeared in the October 26, 2026 print issue of Woman’s World. 

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