NP. I HATE Tessa Dare. The writing is really not there for me. I am going to try a T. Kingfisher book though based on this thread.

I just finished T. Kingfisher’s A Sorcress Comes to call, and loved it. Not huge on romance but there is a subplot - it’s great. I love all of her books I’ve read (all of the white rat books, nettle & bone, byrony and roses, seventh bride). Of the non-rat books I would say Nettle & Bone probably has the most in common w the white rat books, but I’d recommend them all (this is coming from an almost exclusively romance reader). Her kids book A Wizards Guide to Baking is also really enjoyable - but no romance. Basically I love her.

I do also love Tessa Dare, recommended above, but those books don’t really have the fantasy elements.

Have you tried Naomi Novik? More fantasy than romance too but I love Uprooted and Spinning Silver, and the Scholomance series. The first two are more like T Kingfisher that the Scholomance books, but I also loved them all.

You might like Dragonbound by Thea Harrison for a romantasy, but it is more modern day that Kingfisher. I also really like the Lois McMaster Bujold books in the Chalion series - more fantasy too but the all have romance plots.

Anyways happy reading and I will be following for more suggestions from others!

Tessa Dare is the one that came to my mind. My favorite of her books is When a Scot Ties a Knot, but they are all good.

Showmance by Chad Beguelin had some really funny moments. A writer of a failed Broadway musical returns to his small town and puts on the show with his old community theater.

Here's a whole bunch of recommendation for funny romances from a few years ago.
https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2020/03/ready-set-go-best-funny-romance/

Anonymous wrote:Have you finished The World of the Rat books? I would keep working through her fantasies.

Have you tried The Untertaking of Hart and Mercy by Meg Brennen? It's the first of three (third book comes out soon). It's adorable!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58510253-the-undertaking-of-hart-and-mercy

Also, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches (a little less sophisticated than T. Kingfisher, but still really sweet): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60018635-the-very-secret-society-of-irregular-witches


Goodreads has lots of lists for "Cozy Fantasy":
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/cozy-fantasy

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/176302.Best_Cozy_Fantasy_Books

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/178058.Cozy_Fantasy_Books

Yes, I've read all of the Rat books, finished with Swordheart and loved that so much I reread it immediately and am now on my third read through. I have not branched out into her other books; the level of horror in the Rat books was fine but I don't know that I'd be comfortable with much more, and I really need the guaranteed happy ending that comes with Romance novels. I'll look into the others, though, thanks!

Have you finished The World of the Rat books? I would keep working through her fantasies.

Have you tried The Untertaking of Hart and Mercy by Meg Brennen? It's the first of three (third book comes out soon). It's adorable!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58510253-the-undertaking-of-hart-and-mercy

Also, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches (a little less sophisticated than T. Kingfisher, but still really sweet): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60018635-the-very-secret-society-of-irregular-witches


Goodreads has lots of lists for "Cozy Fantasy":
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/cozy-fantasy

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/176302.Best_Cozy_Fantasy_Books

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/178058.Cozy_Fantasy_Books

I just finished several T Kingfisher books and want more like them! Cozy funny romance with older MCs, and I love the mysteries that drive those plots. Fantasy and horror elements are fine but not required; I also enjoy historical and contemporary romance. Any spice level is fine. I need comfort reads! (Bonus points for good audio versions, but not required.)