Cozy Books I Read in June

Murderbot, tea, and two seaside bakeries

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Dear Cozy Reader,

It’s time for my monthly reading round-up, which is a peek at what I’ve been reading lately and an invitation for you to share the cozy reads you’ve been loving, too!

This June, I curled up with a sci-fi novella, a cozy mystery, and a cozy lit-fic. As always, these are books I actually finished—which for me means I liked them! If a book’s not clicking, I tend to DNF, because there are so many good books out there waiting to be read.

Without further ado, here are the three charming and cozy books I read in June!

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Artificial Condition by Martha Wells

This is the second novella in the beloved Murderbot Diaries series. The story continues the tale of our favorite rogue Security Unit who mostly just wants to binge-watch media but keeps getting pulled into saving humans. Though the world is gritty and there’s some violence, the series feels more thoughtful than gruesome.

What I loved:

• ART! A new character appears. It’s an intelligent, sarcastic cargo ship AI who becomes a kind of friend and sparring partner for Murderbot. Their banter was a highlight, and ART is a perfect addition to the series.

• Deeper Themes: This installment dives more into Murderbot’s past, and the emotional undercurrents gave it added depth without ever slowing the pace.

• Short & Satisfying: I love a novella I can read in an afternoon. This was a perfect Sunday treat.

What didn’t work:

• Honestly? No real complaints. There’s a short scene with some medical trauma that was a bit intense, but otherwise this one really hit the mark.

What made it cozy:

The charm of this book comes from Murderbot’s voice. The world is rough, full of scammers and danger, but Murderbot’s dry wit, grumpiness, and underlying care for others makes the whole thing feel unexpectedly tender. It just wants to be left alone to binge shows, but duty (and low-key compassion) keeps pulling it in.

Tea & Treachery by Vicki Delaney

Set on the bluffs of Cape Cod, this cozy mystery follows Lily, who runs a traditional tea house next door to her grandmother Rose’s Victorian B&B. When a pushy real estate developer winds up dead, Rose is the prime suspect, and Lily has to clear her name.

👉 See this Sleuth Hero Alien post where I featured Tea & Treachery and gushed about all the delightful TEA content!

What I loved:

• Classic Cozy: This hit all the cozy mystery beats: charming setting, lovable (if quirky) cast, and a light, satisfying mystery with no on-page violence.

• Tea and Baking Details: I adored the behind-the-scenes look at the tea house and the B&B kitchen. If you like stories full of scones, tea trays, and bustling hospitality scenes, this one delivers.

• Community Tensions: The plot involves the threat of a big hotel development, and these added stakes made me root for the preservation of the charming coastal setting.

• Solid Mystery Structure: Plenty of suspects, just enough twists, and a satisfying resolution.

What didn’t work:

• Rose: The grandmother character grated on me at first. She was controlling and demanding, especially with Lily, and that dynamic felt frustrating. But as the story progressed, it mellowed out a bit, and Rose’s forceful personality ended up fitting well with the mystery arc.

What made it cozy:

The charming seaside tea house, the warm scent of scones baking, the breezy coastal setting, and a cast of delightfully quirky characters—all the cozy ingredients I love in a mystery.

Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

After a painful breakup and financial collapse, Polly retreats to a crumbling seaside town in Cornwall and starts over. She rediscovers her love of baking, meets quirky locals, finds romance, and even befriends a puffin.

What I loved:

• Peak Colgan: If you enjoy Jenny Colgan, this one brings all her signatures: an endearing heroine, a coastal setting, found family vibes, and a community you’ll want to move into.

• The Puffin: I love puffins. The puffin sidekick alone was enough to win me over.

• Atmosphere: Windswept coastal walks, salty air, and the smell of fresh bread. This book fully delivered on seaside coziness.

• The Romance: I won’t spoil it, but I liked the love interest. There were a few angsty chapters, but overall it was sweet and hopeful.

What didn’t work:

• Audiobook Narration: The narrator gave most of the characters a kind of gravelly Hagrid-esque voice that felt odd at first. I got used to it, but if audio is important to you, maybe go with the print version.

• The Loveable Billionaire Trope: Colgan loves writing slightly self-centered but ultimately goodhearted billionaires. It’s not my favorite trope, but in this case, the character wasn’t central enough to ruin anything for me.

• Gluten Snark: As someone with Celiac, I rolled my eyes at a few early snide remarks about gluten allergies. It’s a personal pet peeve, and probably won’t bother most readers, but it stood out to me.

What made it cozy:

Fresh bread, sea air, puffins, and small-town healing. It’s cozy through and through, with a generous helping of emotional growth baked in.

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📚 Up Next in My Cozy TBR

Here’s what I’ve got lined up:

• Tea You at the Altar by Rebecca Thorne

• The Rushworth Family Plot by Claudia Gray

• The Crescent Moon Tea Room by Stacy Savinski

Have you read any of these? Let me know in the comments—and tell me what cozy reads you’re enjoying as summer settles in.

Happy reading,
Emma 🌿

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Hi there! I’m Emma Veritas, your cozy reading enthusiast. I delight in escaping to small towns filled with endearing characters—and a touch of mystery, dragons, or aliens! When I'm not sharing bookish musings here, you’ll find me crafting fictional tales in my notebooks, spending quality time with my adorable pet bunny, or savoring a steaming cup of hot chocolate.

You might also enjoy my other newsletter, Mystics Reading Society, a welcoming space where books, personal growth, and magic intertwine, nurturing your soul one page at a time. Read the most recent post: When Things Fall Apart: A Slow Reading Journey