Cozy, Spooky, and Swoony Romances for Fall

Autumn has a way of pulling us toward love stories—whether they’re warm and wholesome, witty and time-bending, or laced with spooky Gothic vibes. For the 2025 Fall Reading Guide, I’ve rounded up three standout romances that each bring something special to the table: queer ghosts and burlesque, Austen-inspired time travel, and haunted Regency passion. These romance books made me smile, swoon, and in some cases, shiver, and I can’t wait for you to meet them too.

Top 3 Romance Books

The Most Unusual Haunting of Edgar Lovejoy by Roan Parrish

Roan Parrish’s The Most Unusual Haunting of Edgar Lovejoy is somehow both tender and scorchingly hot. Edgar has lived his whole life seeing ghosts, but when he meets Jamie, a genderqueer burlesque performer and haunted-house designer, he’s challenged to step beyond fear and isolation. Together, they not only face the paranormal but also the complexities of family expectations and personal courage. I picked this one because it’s the perfect mix of cozy queer love and gothic edge—ideal for readers who loved Boyfriend Material but wanted more ghosts and heat. It left me with that rare warm-and-chilled-at-the-same-time feeling, like sipping cider at a Halloween bonfire.

You can get a copy on Amazon.

The Austen Affair by Madeline Bell

If you love a grumpy/sunshine dynamic and Jane Austen references, The Austen Affair is going to be your autumn treat. Actress Tess Bright and her prickly co-star Hugh Balfour can’t stand each other—until a freak electrical shock whisks them back to Regency England. Forced to pose as betrothed while navigating balls, country estates, and social expectations, they begin to uncover tenderness behind the tension. I chose this book because it honors Austen with wit and charm but isn’t afraid to turn up the modern steam. For fans of Outlander or Mr. Darcy retellings, this one was equal parts romantic escapism and heartfelt grief healing, and I was completely swept away.

You can get a copy on Amazon.

Ladies in Hating by Alexandra Vasti

Alexandra Vasti delivers Gothic romance perfection with Ladies in Hating. Lady Georgiana and Cat, once infatuated with each other as young women, are now rivals—both writing Gothic novels and stumbling across each other at every haunted corner of Regency England. Their animosity reignites into undeniable passion, all while they’re caught in eerie settings and even a murder mystery. I selected this book because it marries slow-burn rivals-to-lovers with spooky haunted-house atmosphere, making it a perfect fall read for fans of Mexican Gothic who also crave sizzling queer romance. It left me flushed, thrilled, and convinced that haunted gardens are the best places for rekindling forbidden love.

You can get a copy on Amazon.

Why These Romances Belong on Your Fall TBR

These 2025 fall romance picks remind us that love comes in many forms: tender healing, witty time-bending banter, and smoldering Gothic passion. They’re perfect for evenings when you want your heart to race—whether from swoon-worthy kisses, Regency intrigue, or the chill of things that go bump in the night.