An Inn of One's Own: A Sapphic Cozy Fantasy Romance

by E.K. Cozy

Roan MacKenna never wanted to be an innkeeper.

After years of adventure and questionable enterprises, the last thing she expected was to inherit The Lantern & Latch, a countryside inn with a mind of its own. Doors open when needed, lost items reappear, and the kitchen always has a surprise simmering, much to Roan's frustration.

When a mysterious traveler arrives searching for a lost family heirloom, the inn's magic begins to draw them together in ways Roan isn't prepared for. Alongside Thom, the steadfast assistant from the nearby village, and Montgomery, a sharp-tongued cat who was once a nobleman, Roan finds herself at the heart of an unlikely household, and falling for a woman whose past is as complicated as her own.

As the seasons turn, secrets unravel, bonds deepen, and four lost souls must return to the lives they knew, or embrace the family they never expected to find.

A Sapphic cozy fantasy about second chances, found family, and discovering that sometimes the best adventures happen when you finally stop running.

Perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, and The House in the Cerulean Sea.

Genres: Fantasy

323 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 29, 2025

About the author

Before E.K. Cozy started writing fiction, she spent decades as a news writer, editor, and arts and culture journalist — which mostly means she got very good at telling stories on deadline and very bad at not eavesdropping.

Now she writes Amazon #1 bestselling paranormal cozy mysteries and cozy fantasy novels, including the Brickstone Paranormal Cozy Mystery series — think small-town secrets, a mid-life heroine with psychic powers, and a sassy talking pug sidekick — and the Lantern & Latch Chronicles, where a reformed thief inherits a magical inn, a sharp-tongued cat, and a second chance she didn't see coming.

E.K. lives in Northern California with her wife and dogs, and a dangerous BritBox habit.

Keep up with her at https://ekcozybooks.com/

Reviews

[Simone11 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 - 5 ⭐️

[Sarah Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up for three reasons: 1) I have a three month free trial for Kindle Unlimited since getting my new-to-me device and have been looking for things to read using the service; 2) the title is similar to another book that was recommended to me by the internet, and I liked the look of the cover; and 3) the subtitle: "Sapphic Cozy Fantasy." The book certainly delivered on all three of those subtitle words. I felt very cozy reading it, the fantasy elements were charming, and the sapphic romance was cute. The book didn't blow me away, and I'm not sure I'm invested enough to read the sequel that came out this year, but it was nice to have this book as a balance to The Killer Question, which I was reading at the same time.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute book.

This was a good read though I am very interested in what happened to Maris’ aunt. It is a cute little slow burn romance and I really enjoyed the details about the inn. Montgomery was my absolute favorite. His sass was great.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roan, a thief who has spent her life on the road, never staying any place too long, can’t understand why her friend and former mentor would bequeath her an inn – the Lantern and Latch. Arriving with every intention of selling the place just as soon as she can find a buyer, she discovers the inn has other ideas. With just enough quiet magic to nudge circumstances in its desired direction, Roan finds herself settling in for a week or two, that becomes a month or two, that becomes a season or two.
When Lady Maris Locke arrives at the inn travelling under the pseudonym, Miriam, she adds a little mystery and unexpected skills to the running of the old place. Believing she is seeking a family heirloom that will help her escape her stultifying life, she eventually discovers the inn has other ideas for her, too.
And then there is Montgomery, the arrogant nobleman cursed to live as a black cat until he learns humility – only humility turns out to be different from the concept he believed he was seeking.
This is the point where I will honestly say, I hadn’t read the description well enough to realise this was a cozy fantasy romance, and not a mystery. There are enough mysterious threads that I kept expecting something untoward to happen, which is did not.
This is a beautifully written, gentle story of people coming to terms with themselves, guided by the subtle magic of the inn. I’ve not read much romance, and what I have read has mostly involved misunderstandings and crossed wires that must be overcome before love can blossom. Not so here. The gradual unpacking of the characters’ feelings and motivations is linear, without sidesteps, and despite Maris’s often mentioned fearsome father, and the fact she has been gone far longer than planned, there is no interference from that quarter. I found it both charming and frustrating, but that’s probably just me, because my expectations were incorrectly based. I cannot fault the writing, the character development, the dialogue, or the charm of the setting, so please don’t let me put you off if this type of romance is to your taste.

[Glenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely Cozy. Perhaps a little too Cozy? There was no suspense or big challenges. Often the characters had repetitive internal dialogs and I don't like that. The author made reference to upcoming milestones but didn't return to the milestone and note it's passing - other treatments of time were just odd. It's like the author forgot what was being written. Anyway - I'm not going to stick with the series.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun read

I really enjoyed this book. A magic inn love it. The characters are interesting and likable. I'm !looking forward to book two to see what other magic the inn has in shore for the characters. Found family good read thanks

[Kate Ennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This warmed my heart.

I adored this novel. It was truly a very heartwarming story with wonderful characters including the Inn itself. I'm looking forward to further adventures.

[Nh lakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this magical story. Looking forward to the follow-up .