What I Look for in a Good Book

When it comes to picking up a book, I’ll admit, I’m a bit of a romantic. Give me a cozy Hallmark-style romance or a whimsical fantasy adventure, and I’m hooked. Time period pieces? They’re like lullabies for the soul. Self-help books? I need to be in a very specific mindset for those (usually around New Year’s).

Now, I know not everyone shares the same taste, and that’s totally okay. But when it comes to my 5/5 reads, these are the things that make a book go from “just okay” to “tell all my friends and reread it every year” levels of greatness.

1. A Cute Cover (Yes, I Judge a Little)

Let’s get the controversial one out of the way. I know the saying—“don’t judge a book by its cover”—but I absolutely do. If a book has a cute, cozy, or aesthetic cover, I’m far more likely to give it a chance. Does this mean I’ve been burned before? Oh, absolutely. But I keep coming back. It’s like falling for the same red flag with a pretty face,I know better, but I do it anyway. 

2.Easy-to-Read Character Names

Listen, I shouldn’t need a linguistics degree or a Rosetta Stone subscription just to pronounce a main character's name. I’m all for unique and creative names,but help a reader out! A pronunciation guide in the front of the book? That would be a game-changer. I don’t want to spend half my reading time trying to decode names instead of following the actual story.

3. Spice Level Warnings, Please

This is a big one for me. I am not a spicy book reader. Open-door scenes? Hard pass. If there’s going to be intimacy, give me a heads-up. Like a movie rating,just a little note saying, “mild fade to black” or “spicy with plot-relevant consequences.” And please don’t bury major plot developments inside those scenes. I want a time jump or a sweet summary, not a pivotal twist hidden in a chapter I’m skipping.

4. Set the Scene,Let Me Feel the World

If you’re going to mention that your main character is a barista, tell me about their regulars. Who’s the guy that orders the double espresso at 7 a.m. every morning? What’s the vibe of the shop? Is there a bakery next door? If it’s a small-town setting, I want to feel the small town. I want the local bookstore owner, the annual pie-eating contest, the nosy neighbor who knows everyone’s business.

I pick up cozy books for the cozy, and it’s frustrating when I get 90% spice and 10% plot. Let me live in the world you’re creating!

5. Characters With Lives Outside of Romance

This is huge. I want characters with actual personalities, hobbies, quirks, and struggles, not just people wandering around waiting to fall in love. What do they do on a Friday night alone? What are they passionate about? Give me two people who are already whole, and who compliment each other when they come together. Not two halves just trying to complete one love-shaped hole.

6. More "When Harry Met Sally," Less "Romeo and Juliet"

Give me the slow burn. The friends-to-lovers. The neighbors who slowly get to know each other and fall in love after sharing actual life experiences. I’m not into the “locked eyes at a grocery store and now we’re getting married” whirlwind. That’s a rollercoaster. I want the Ferris wheel. Predictable, steady, and full of meaningful moments.

7. If It’s a Standalone, Wrap It Up

I don’t need every book to end with wedding bells and babies. But if it's a standalone, I do want a clear ending. If the couple fights—do they come back together or move on? Don’t leave me hanging like a canceled TV show. I need some form of emotional closure. Let me close the book knowing that the story I signed up for is complete.

Books are personal. What works for one person might totally turn off another and that’s the beauty of reading. But for me? I’m always chasing that perfect blend of warmth, charm, and a little touch of magic. Give me relatable characters, a cozy setting, and a story that feels like a hug, and I’ll be a fan for life.

Always Stay Warped and Twisted as Ever,

Eve