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Tales of Winter and Whimsy: A Cozy Fantasy Anthology
Nine fantasy and romantasy authors. Nine delightfully cozy tales.
This enchanting collection of short stories will have you traveling through snow-covered landscapes, winter solstice balls, small town universities, seaside cottages, and time itself. From a grumpy blacksmith and a chicken cult to a budding romance in the most unlikely of places and everything in between. Each tale offers low stakes, varying spice levels, and whimsical winter worlds that are sure to fill your soul with joy.
So pour yourself a warm brew, wrap up in a cozy blanket, and step into these ten wintery, whimsical tales.
This enchanting collection of short stories will have you traveling through snow-covered landscapes, winter solstice balls, small town universities, seaside cottages, and time itself. From a grumpy blacksmith and a chicken cult to a budding romance in the most unlikely of places and everything in between. Each tale offers low stakes, varying spice levels, and whimsical winter worlds that are sure to fill your soul with joy.
So pour yourself a warm brew, wrap up in a cozy blanket, and step into these ten wintery, whimsical tales.
- GenresChristmas
425 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2025
25 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
K.C. Smith
6 books202 followersMy only goal in writing is to create adventurous stories full of magical worlds that allow the reader an escape from the real world for a while. I want you to have fun when reading one of my books!
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 25, 2025
I always struggle with novellas or stories of this length because everything is so rushed. I received an ARC of this from Hillary Raymer and unfortunately, I just didn’t vibe with her story, mainly because- rushed. I was going to read fully read L.R. Friedman’s short story but I realized it wasn’t about Jax and Jolie so I skimmed it (don’t judge me lmao)
Overall, I wanted more Winter Whimsy but it was mostly just spice.
Overall, I wanted more Winter Whimsy but it was mostly just spice.
November 22, 2025
Quite enjoyed this anthology of short and cozy romantasy stories! These authors are so talented to be able to tell such complete stories in only a few chapters! There’s a wide variety in this book so something for everyone and I’m sure you’ll find some you love :) I think my favorite was “In the Depths of a Dream” by V.B. Lacey which was about the parents of the generation in “In the Wake of the Wicked” and it was so lovely to get a glimpse into Leo and Rissa’s parent’s love story! There are elements of all the stories I enjoyed and this really is a great book to curl up with in front of a warm fire with a nice cup of tea or hot chocolate (and a fuzzy blanket of course!)
December 3, 2025
I was here because V.B Lacey has a story in this and I was not disappointed 👏 TYSM for giving your Street Team the ARC of this because it was so high on my TBR and I had it on preorder. 4 stars because some stories were great and others were just not it for me.
Here's my thoughts for each story because that makes the most sense ⬇️
Story #1 - A Misfit's Guide to Chickens and Courtship was very odd and not my cup of tea TBH. It was about a girl who has magic (mostly glitter spells) who is responsible for the chickens, and one of them is like a god/cult leader so when they stage a coop (see what I did there) and the ringleader escapes, she has so go find him and of gets stuck in a cave with a male she has had a crush on for years.
Story #2 - The Last Page of Us was really cute. I loved this story and definitely want more. Their love was so tender and I loved the mystery of trying to find out what happened to this family. A man coming out of a photograph was really cool and I would definitely read a much longer story of this.
Story #3 - The Magic of Mistletoe was so cute! It was both spicy and sweet about a courtier wanting to find the ideal man to lose her flower to and learn the art of pleasure so when she finally got a husband she could please him. Ofc, the man she chooses is the perfect man and could be her future husband.
Story #4 - Embers in the Snow was perfection. This 100000% should have been the intro story for this anthology. It had a mysterious being from another land, danger, slow-burn romance, a cozy seaside cottage, snow storms, and confections. I loved this story so much and it was the first one that really gave winter vibes and painted an amazing scene.
Story #5 - Fate of Frost
This one was okay. A Fate rejected her mate but the bond is still there and they have one night of being together and she may or may not break the rules to change their fate.
Story # 6 - A Fable of Fortune and Fire
I really enjoyed this story but it felt very unfinished and also not wintery. I think I just expected more cozy winter stories for all of these based on the title.
Story #7 - The Sovereigns Bride
This was okay. It definitely was part of another book or existing story it just kind of was there. It skipped over what would have been the coolest part of the story - the storm.
Story #8 - In the Depths of a Dream is addicting!!! Branock and Evadine are so cute 😍 I love the Veridian Empire series from V.B Lacey, and this is the whole reason I read this anthology. Even as a standalone standalone just this mini story, you'll be obsessed. 2 heirs in an arranged marriage are already enemies from their first meeting and they get thrown into this dreamlike state from a crazy old Alchemist that brings them together on this journey and OMG. Im addicted. I need more. This needs to be a whole novella.
Story #9 - The Enchanted Library was good and had more depth to it than most of the others. It didn't feel incomplete so that was cool. I really liked the 2 main characters.
Here's my thoughts for each story because that makes the most sense ⬇️
Story #1 - A Misfit's Guide to Chickens and Courtship was very odd and not my cup of tea TBH. It was about a girl who has magic (mostly glitter spells) who is responsible for the chickens, and one of them is like a god/cult leader so when they stage a coop (see what I did there) and the ringleader escapes, she has so go find him and of gets stuck in a cave with a male she has had a crush on for years.
Story #2 - The Last Page of Us was really cute. I loved this story and definitely want more. Their love was so tender and I loved the mystery of trying to find out what happened to this family. A man coming out of a photograph was really cool and I would definitely read a much longer story of this.
Story #3 - The Magic of Mistletoe was so cute! It was both spicy and sweet about a courtier wanting to find the ideal man to lose her flower to and learn the art of pleasure so when she finally got a husband she could please him. Ofc, the man she chooses is the perfect man and could be her future husband.
Story #4 - Embers in the Snow was perfection. This 100000% should have been the intro story for this anthology. It had a mysterious being from another land, danger, slow-burn romance, a cozy seaside cottage, snow storms, and confections. I loved this story so much and it was the first one that really gave winter vibes and painted an amazing scene.
Story #5 - Fate of Frost
This one was okay. A Fate rejected her mate but the bond is still there and they have one night of being together and she may or may not break the rules to change their fate.
Story # 6 - A Fable of Fortune and Fire
I really enjoyed this story but it felt very unfinished and also not wintery. I think I just expected more cozy winter stories for all of these based on the title.
Story #7 - The Sovereigns Bride
This was okay. It definitely was part of another book or existing story it just kind of was there. It skipped over what would have been the coolest part of the story - the storm.
Story #8 - In the Depths of a Dream is addicting!!! Branock and Evadine are so cute 😍 I love the Veridian Empire series from V.B Lacey, and this is the whole reason I read this anthology. Even as a standalone standalone just this mini story, you'll be obsessed. 2 heirs in an arranged marriage are already enemies from their first meeting and they get thrown into this dreamlike state from a crazy old Alchemist that brings them together on this journey and OMG. Im addicted. I need more. This needs to be a whole novella.
Story #9 - The Enchanted Library was good and had more depth to it than most of the others. It didn't feel incomplete so that was cool. I really liked the 2 main characters.
December 2, 2025
This was a cozy and fun anthology! I enjoyed the wide range of stories, even the ones that were connected to a world I wasn't familiar with. I especially enjoyed Hillary Raymer and LR Friedman's stories as they were fun to revisit those worlds for me!! These are a good time and each one is short and sweet so you can fit in a story in a small amount of time. And you never know when you are going to find your new favorite author from an anthology! I can't wait to read more from the authors that I wasn't as familiar with!
November 22, 2025
This was the perfect compilation of cozy short stories with a little bit of everything! They range from no spice to super spicy! The stories from Hillary Raymer, VB Lacey, and Morgan Gauthier were my favorites because I've read the original series so it was amazing to get a little extra time with some favorite characters. It was also a great way for me to discover some authors I didn't have on my radar that I now definitely want to go back and read more of their books!!
Some of the themes you can find in the various stories are forbidden love, fated mates, time travel, forced proximity, banter, magic, shifters, and of course tension, yearning, and all the swoon! These stories are sure to warm your heart so grab a cozy blanket and enjoy the fun!!
Some of the themes you can find in the various stories are forbidden love, fated mates, time travel, forced proximity, banter, magic, shifters, and of course tension, yearning, and all the swoon! These stories are sure to warm your heart so grab a cozy blanket and enjoy the fun!!
December 2, 2025
I absolutely loved this collection of stories! Some from my favourite authors and other authors new to me that I was very impressed by!
Stand outs for me were the stories by VB Lacey and Hillary Raymer, I have already read the existing series these stories tied into so it was so fun to get a little glimpse into some of the side characters we don't see so much of in the main series'!
Each of these stories is beautifully written, and isn't missing a single aspect of the authors' usual flair and dedication despite the shorter word count. They all have a lovely cosy, festive vibe, but can of course be enjoyed at any time of year without being "too wintry".
Stand outs for me were the stories by VB Lacey and Hillary Raymer, I have already read the existing series these stories tied into so it was so fun to get a little glimpse into some of the side characters we don't see so much of in the main series'!
Each of these stories is beautifully written, and isn't missing a single aspect of the authors' usual flair and dedication despite the shorter word count. They all have a lovely cosy, festive vibe, but can of course be enjoyed at any time of year without being "too wintry".
November 26, 2025
The perfect collection of cozy stories. Each other was delightful in its own right, loved that spice variety from each story as well.
November 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I was lucky enough to get an early copy of this anthology from author Hillary Raymer. The spice in the short stories ranges from 0 (none) to 4 (spice intertwined with plot; descriptive). Overall, it was a fun seasonal read. I enjoyed some stories more than others, but I enjoyed all of them. My feelings on each individual story is below.
Regardless of my feelings on each individual story, I loved that every story had beautiful character art. 😍🤩
A Misfit’s Guide to Chickens & Courtship: Absolutely ridiculous in the best ways. At first, I wasn’t too sure about it because a content warning page from the POV of the FMC? But it quickly changed my mind and I loved it. It was absurd and ridiculous and fun to read.
The Last Page of Us: I'm a sucker for sweet stories with an early 20th century MMC apparently because I always go into them thinking they're not for me and I always end up loving them. Oliver and Beck were so freaking cute and I would love to read a longer story with their love story. 💚
All the Magic of Mistletoe: I love Hillary Raymer’s fictional fae world, she's a new favorite author of mine, so naturally, her short story was the one I was most looking forward to. I enjoyed Cyra and Reif.
Embers in the Snow: This one didn't capture my attention the same way as the previous stories, but it was still sweet overall.
Fate of Frost: A bittersweet second chance for Fate and Jack Frost…
A Fable of Fortune & Fire: Oh, Eris… 💔 But Finn? What can I say? He wanted to burn the world down for her after one chance meeting. 🥰
The Sovereign’s Bride: Worst stowaway sailor ever. So so seasick lol Captain Smartass amused me though. And I related to Cariad, I can't handle being on the ocean either…
In the Depths of a Dream: I immediately liked Evadine and Branock – bratty, spoiled children 😂
The Enchanted Library: A forbidden princess/bodyguard romance and it's in a library? Perfect. I would read a full length book of them. 🖤
I was lucky enough to get an early copy of this anthology from author Hillary Raymer. The spice in the short stories ranges from 0 (none) to 4 (spice intertwined with plot; descriptive). Overall, it was a fun seasonal read. I enjoyed some stories more than others, but I enjoyed all of them. My feelings on each individual story is below.
Regardless of my feelings on each individual story, I loved that every story had beautiful character art. 😍🤩
A Misfit’s Guide to Chickens & Courtship: Absolutely ridiculous in the best ways. At first, I wasn’t too sure about it because a content warning page from the POV of the FMC? But it quickly changed my mind and I loved it. It was absurd and ridiculous and fun to read.
The Last Page of Us: I'm a sucker for sweet stories with an early 20th century MMC apparently because I always go into them thinking they're not for me and I always end up loving them. Oliver and Beck were so freaking cute and I would love to read a longer story with their love story. 💚
All the Magic of Mistletoe: I love Hillary Raymer’s fictional fae world, she's a new favorite author of mine, so naturally, her short story was the one I was most looking forward to. I enjoyed Cyra and Reif.
Embers in the Snow: This one didn't capture my attention the same way as the previous stories, but it was still sweet overall.
Fate of Frost: A bittersweet second chance for Fate and Jack Frost…
A Fable of Fortune & Fire: Oh, Eris… 💔 But Finn? What can I say? He wanted to burn the world down for her after one chance meeting. 🥰
The Sovereign’s Bride: Worst stowaway sailor ever. So so seasick lol Captain Smartass amused me though. And I related to Cariad, I can't handle being on the ocean either…
In the Depths of a Dream: I immediately liked Evadine and Branock – bratty, spoiled children 😂
The Enchanted Library: A forbidden princess/bodyguard romance and it's in a library? Perfect. I would read a full length book of them. 🖤
November 21, 2025
✨Tales of Winter and Whimsy✨
A sweet and spicy compilation of short stories, Tales of Winter & Whimsy gives you cozy Romantasy with no shortage of yearning and swooning. It is a perfect opportunity get a taste of authors new and loved. The stories are each 20-50 pages or so and stuffed full of so much goodness that you don’t feel like your missing out on the full novel, other than just wanting to spend that amount of time with each of these characters. Spice levels vary and are posted up front AND we get a character art piece of each couple at the start of each story.
Three stories particulary stuck out to me: Hillary’s and Morgan’s, because I already knew and cared for these characters, so I greatly appreciated and loved getting to be with them again. The other was by Amanda Aggie; I hadn’t read anything by her before but her humor, quirkiness, and adorable tension brought me such joy that I’m now very intrigued and eager to read more from her.
That being said, I enjoyed ALL the stories and I’m so proud of each of these authors because short stories are difficult and to create ones that give us all the feelings we’d want in a full length is true talent.
If you’re wanting Romantasy without having to slog through 600+ pages for that pay off or your heart just needs some yummy goodness like a warm tea, jammies, fuzzy blanket, snowed in kinda day: this is perfect.
Thank you so much to Hillary for this gifted arc! I feel so honored and I’ve never gotten to read an anthology before!
A sweet and spicy compilation of short stories, Tales of Winter & Whimsy gives you cozy Romantasy with no shortage of yearning and swooning. It is a perfect opportunity get a taste of authors new and loved. The stories are each 20-50 pages or so and stuffed full of so much goodness that you don’t feel like your missing out on the full novel, other than just wanting to spend that amount of time with each of these characters. Spice levels vary and are posted up front AND we get a character art piece of each couple at the start of each story.
Three stories particulary stuck out to me: Hillary’s and Morgan’s, because I already knew and cared for these characters, so I greatly appreciated and loved getting to be with them again. The other was by Amanda Aggie; I hadn’t read anything by her before but her humor, quirkiness, and adorable tension brought me such joy that I’m now very intrigued and eager to read more from her.
That being said, I enjoyed ALL the stories and I’m so proud of each of these authors because short stories are difficult and to create ones that give us all the feelings we’d want in a full length is true talent.
If you’re wanting Romantasy without having to slog through 600+ pages for that pay off or your heart just needs some yummy goodness like a warm tea, jammies, fuzzy blanket, snowed in kinda day: this is perfect.
Thank you so much to Hillary for this gifted arc! I feel so honored and I’ve never gotten to read an anthology before!
December 2, 2025
I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Tales of Winter and Whimsy: A Cozy Fantasy Anthology. This book is a collection of 9 short stories by various authors. If you are a fan of novella’s and want to read stories by different authors, this is a good book. Each novella has a different spice level from none to very spicy. My personal favorites were The Last Page of Us by Gabbie Dixon, and In the Depths of A Dream by V. B. Lacey. The Last Page is takes place in an academia setting with one of the most thoughtful MMC’s I have ever read about. In the Depths of A Dream is a prequel novella for the Veridian Empire Series which follows the parents of some of the main characters in the series when they are younger. I highly recommend giving this anthology a read.
December 10, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review. (Release date was December 2nd)
This was an amazing collection of winter and whimsical short stories! I’ve really enjoyed these magical tales and love discovering new authors throughout this anthology.
I do highly recommend reading this if you want to discover new authors while reading current favorites and want something that fits the season.
This was an amazing collection of winter and whimsical short stories! I’ve really enjoyed these magical tales and love discovering new authors throughout this anthology.
I do highly recommend reading this if you want to discover new authors while reading current favorites and want something that fits the season.
December 16, 2025
Full disclosure, I do have a short story in this collection!
However, I've read the other 8 authors stories and can say with confidence that each story is beautifully unique and gave me all the vibes. There truly is something for everyone in this collection. If you are looking for something that is sweet and will make your heart warm this holiday season, look no further than this anthology!
However, I've read the other 8 authors stories and can say with confidence that each story is beautifully unique and gave me all the vibes. There truly is something for everyone in this collection. If you are looking for something that is sweet and will make your heart warm this holiday season, look no further than this anthology!
November 27, 2025
Loved this cozy winter anthology filled with just the right amount of banter, tension, and spice, where applicable. Loved reading more from known to me authors like Hillary and VB, as well as some new favorites in Morgan and LR. If you’re looking for a completion of short stories with a variety of tropes and spice levels, definitely check this one out.
November 25, 2025
Absolutely adored all these stories and discovered new authors that I will be adding on my follow list!!!! Amazing!!! Tysm
December 6, 2025
So much fun to revisit worlds I love and to get to know new ones. All the stories had me smiling and swooning. This should be your next comfort read.
December 17, 2025
Five-stars for the V.B. Lacey story, but collectively it was just ok. It definitely didn’t live up to “Tales of Winter and Whimsy” title.
December 26, 2025
All the Magic of Mistletoe was my favorite! Wish it was longer because I loved the characters.
December 23, 2025
Enjoyed reading these short stories, especially Hillary Raymer’s as the Starstorm series is one of my favourites ❤️
December 15, 2025
If you're looking for a cozy winter read, look no further!! Tales of Winter and Whimay is just that!!
I loved all of the stories in this book! Some of these authors in this anthology I have heard of and read before, and some were new to me, and I really enjoyed the variety of stories, all with a varying level of spice!
Tales of Winter and Whimsy is available now, so definitely check this one out! Several of these stories had me wanting more, and I'll be adding some of these authors' books to my TBR!!
I loved all of the stories in this book! Some of these authors in this anthology I have heard of and read before, and some were new to me, and I really enjoyed the variety of stories, all with a varying level of spice!
Tales of Winter and Whimsy is available now, so definitely check this one out! Several of these stories had me wanting more, and I'll be adding some of these authors' books to my TBR!!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews