What is a RomCozy? 10 Books that Bring Together Romance and Cozy Mystery Tropes

When Mimi Lee opens a pet salon called Hollywoof in Los Angeles, she can’t wait to do what she loves full-time with her cat Marshmallow by her side. But soon after discovering a local breeder mistreats his Chihuahuas, she is framed for his murder. Now, Mimi must juggle proving her innocence with running her new business and pursuing a potential romance with her neighbor Josh.

After establishing her dream winery in Colorado, Parker Valentine hopes for smooth sailing in business and in her relationship with her new boyfriend Reid. But the latter is put to the test when Reid is framed for murder. Parker must prove his innocence while navigating his strained relationship with his family, who are in town for the opening of his new restaurant.

This series includes recipes with wine pairings at the end of the book, which can make for a romantic and bookish date night meal.

Magic runs in Daisy Ellery’s family, and hers manifests in the form of baking. What she most often bakes are pies, which she uses to bring vigilante justice to abusive men.

But when Daisy is blackmailed by a stranger who knows her secret, she must catch the culprit while protecting the women whose lives are endangered by his threats. Along the way, Daisy grows close to Noel, a local farmer who dreams of opening a cidery.

Sophie Katz is mystery writer who often finds herself entangled in unusual and at least a little comedic crimes. In this installment of the series, Sophie investigates the murder of her best friend’s unfaithful husband while flirting with her old flame, private investigator Anatoly Darinsky.

This novel is a bit less of a “whodunit” than a “what-do-I-do-now,” but the humorous, quirky plot and the second chance romance at the story’s heart bring to mind elements of a romcozy.

After Meddy Chan accidentally kills her blind date, her mother and three aunties waste no time in helping her hide the body. But after a series of mishaps, the corpse ends up in a cooler headed for a destination wedding that Meddy’s family was hired to plan. And to make things even more chaotic, who is she to run into at the hotel but her college sweetheart Nathan?

Weddings make an excellent setting for both romance and cozy mysteries. They bring people together and sparks can fly between unassuming guests. They’re also a hotbed for drama — leading to, if you’re the protagonist of a cozy mystery, the occasional murder to solve.

When Sonoma Valley cheesemonger Willa Bauer is hired to cater a wedding, however, murder is the last thing she expects. But before the couple can walk down the aisle, the groom is found dead. Now it’s up to Willa to solve the crime while navigating sky-high family tensions and the possibility that Roman, a local meadery owner who Willa has feelings for, may somehow be involved.

Like a few other cozies mentioned, the romance in the Cheese Shop Mysteries is a slow burn developed through the series.

Queer couple Valor and Bishan enjoy a quiet life running a biscuit shop in Grasmere, England. But their cozy routine is upended when Bishan is framed for the murder of an old classmate. Valor loves watching classic mysteries on TV, but can he use his armchair sleuthing skills to catch a killer in real life and protect his partner?