Fantasy is having a moment—and romance readers might just find their next favorite story nestled between spellbooks and cinnamon rolls. Cozy fantasy offers the emotional warmth, character depth, and satisfying endings romance fans already love. Here’s why this booming genre might be your perfect next read—and where to start exploring.
Fantasy is booming—and not just for Gen Z. Whether you’re swooning over dragon-riding romantasy or savoring the quiet charm of a magical coffee shop, the genre is exploding with new titles. But with the tidal wave of new releases comes reader overwhelm, quality dilution, and trend fatigue. How do you navigate the boom without burning out? By refining your taste, following trusted curators, and embracing the magic that speaks to you.
I adored Season 1 of The Last of Us—not because it echoed the game (I’ve never dared touch the game), but because it gave us that rare, aching dynamic: a broken man given one last chance to do right, and a broken girl who just might live through it. Then Season 2 came along and killed Joel with a golf club. In Episode 2. And just like that, the show lost its soul.
We all have our limits. Some writers say they’ll never write a love triangle. Others swear off the “Chosen One.” Me? I have declared, with great solemnity (and perhaps a touch of arrogance), that I will not fall into certain well-worn fantasy tropes.
I’m excited to introduce Ash and Angel, the first story in The Scorched Lands Saga. Released earlier this week, it marks the start of a spin-off series that branches from the Magorian and Jones books, stepping boldly into a dystopian fantasy world I’ve wanted to explore since completing The Divine and Deadly. This post isn’t so much a release announcement as it is a look behind the curtain—a look at what inspired this story and where it all might lead.
