The Cozy Hollow [Cozy Fantasy Slice-of-Life]

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Amelia becomes caretaker of a neglected cottage in an enchanted wood. Follow along as she makes friends and eats snacks while dungeon cores and the forces of darkness mold her into their new dark lady.

Primarily a cozy fantasy slice-of-life, with only hints of dungeon core and progression. More-or-less lighthearted.

Available on Amazon in eBook and Paperback (PoD) formats!

Volume 1 (Chapters 1-30)

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2024
Author: GoblinHorde

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.6/ 5.0
Followers: 569
Views: 147,485

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(10)

Pen RoninRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I’m on Chapter 5, but thought it was worth doing a preliminary review. I plan to read on and do a more thorough one.
Let’s get to the biggest selling point: the writing is beautiful. I haven’t read this good prose anywhere on RR. The choice of words in its descriptions and focus creates a vivid, dreamlike experience. The flow is pleasant and spacious, aided by fairly long sentences, yet never feels bogged down, not for a second.
I’ll discuss story elements in more detail as I progress. For now, I just want to live in the cottage, meet the wisp, work while the birds warble, and talk to the oak tree.
Class: JonathonRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Like the title says, this story really is so good.
I read the first two chapters and then left the story... but over a couple of days it kept nagging at me. So I came back and I'm fully hooked.
It IS cozy. But it isn't JUST cozy... it's really an awesome story, every few chapters open up some new and unexpected scope.
It's a treasure.
sp0nt101Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Okay, so I just finished reading the first chapter of "The Cozy Hollow," and I'm already hooked! From the very first line, I was drawn into Amelia's world. The description of the muddy, overgrown path immediately set the scene – a bit rough around the edges, but also hinting at something magical hidden within. I felt like I was right there with her, squelching through the mud and trying to avoid the puddles. The contrast between the noisy city she left behind and the quiet, rural lane was really well done, creating a sense of both isolation and peace.
Amelia herself is a character I instantly connected with. She's clearly had a tough time, but she's not whiny or self-pitying. Instead, she's got this quiet determination and a sense of adventure that I admire. Even when she arrives at the dilapidated cottage – and let's be honest, it sounds like a dump – she doesn't give up. She rolls up her sleeves and gets to work, and I loved that about her. The way she transformed the messy, leaf-filled cottage into a cozy, habitable space was satisfying to read. It makes you feel like you've accomplished something too!
The mystery surrounding the cottage and Amelia's Gran also adds an intriguing layer to the story. What exactly is Hearth Haven Hollow? And why did her Gran choose Amelia to be its caretaker? There's definitely more to this story than meets the eye, and I'm eager to find out what secrets the hollow holds. The mention of "Hag's Hollow" by Sandy, the market owner, adds another layer of intrigue and suggests that there are local legends and stories associated with the place. I wonder what those stories are and if they'll play a role in Amelia's experience.
And then there's Whisper! The glowing ball of light that appears at the end of the chapter totally blew me away. It's such a cool and unexpected twist, and it leaves me with so many questions. What is Whisper? Where did it come from? And what role will it play in Amelia's life? The way Amelia just accepts the superna
I Love BS Wise CharactersRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Mine just happens to be characters that are slightly ignorant of just what powers they have.
This is not a high steaks story however, it has the right amount of charm and little hints about what is going on.
This is not a high steaks story however, it has the right amount of charm and little hints about what is going on.
Don't go thinking it's going to be incredibly deep. Don't read this expecting a Dark fantasy. Go into this with a warm blanket in a great arm chair, near fire and a cup of tea
KrisarnaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Slow Life at the beginning, nice and cozy homemaking with a touch of magic as the home is more than it appears.
But Amelia makes friends with a lot of very scary beings and doesn't have a clue how powerful she is becoming partially.
I love pancake the goat he is hilarious.
Strictly WorseRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This isn't your typical dungeon core story instead it's slice of life through and through, with a dungeon core there to facilitate the MC as she renovates the cottage she was left and prepares for visitors of many shapes and sizes, most of which are friendly.
If you like cozy slice of life don't miss out on this one.
AzureWhaleRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
This story reminds me, most pleasantly, of the various British fables I read as a child. The sense of wonder invoked by the MC is especially fun. I suspect that said MC will be spending a great deal of time at her dentist, given her addiction to cookies (crisps) and sweets in general.
I feel that this is going to be of great interest to those interested in fairy tales of bygone days in the countryside of Great Britain.
This could be a great bonding story for parents and children - ie. read aloud to the little ones before bedtime. (The target audience does seem to be children from about 5 up.) It should also work well for older children who are getting comfortable reading a book by themselves.
tearlessPizzaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
If you’re in the mood for a comforting escape, The Cozy Hollow is the perfect cozy fantasy read. This story masterfully balances slice-of-life charm with light fantasy elements, offering readers a soothing yet engaging experience. The pacing is gentle, allowing you to soak in the warmth of its setting and the small but meaningful adventures of its endearing cast of characters. It’s a story that emphasizes the beauty of quiet moments, focusing on themes of community, personal growth, and the simple joys of life.
The heart of this story lies in its atmosphere and relationships. The interactions between the characters feel natural and often bring a smile, creating a sense of belonging that makes the reader feel right at home. The stakes remain low, but that’s part of the appeal—it’s about savoring life’s simple pleasures rather than racing toward a climactic battle.
The writing style is straightforward yet evocative, perfectly suited to creating an immersive and peaceful world. There are a few slow moments where the plot meanders, but they feel intentional, reinforcing the story’s relaxing pace.
Overall, The Cozy Hollow is a delightful read that wraps you in a warm embrace. I’m only around chapter 28, but I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where this cozy adventure takes me!
DefinitelyNotAReptileRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
The quality of the writing is great, It reads like a published novel almost so I have nothing to say here.
The concept is very fun, in a world with hidden fae magic, we find our protagonist more or less accidentally befriending the darker side of the magic realm through unbreakable optimism. If like me you've read plenty of fantasy you'll recognize that ''young lady who charms powerful forces through the goodness of her heart'' is not a particularly unique concept. It is however very well done in this case. The MC isn't just succeeding through luck and just existing as she is, and her story is one she shapes instead of being something that just happens to her. The atmosphere is also excellent, and the cozy slice of life feeling is well conveyed to the reader.
The story begins a bit slowly but quite comfortably. The MC starts to work towards her goals and she gets familiar with the house and the first few characters she encounters. It paints a cozy portrait into which you can add the first elements of adversity.
After that is when I thought this story went in a direction that degraded the experience. Instead of using the established setting to tell more stories, we get introduced to more and more characters and the setting explodes from a cozy cottage slice of life to an unfocused tale of management with so many different characters that they cannot all be fleshed out properly. It's still a relatively fun read, but not what I wanted from this read...
NatalieNelson777Royal Road
★★★★ 3.5
I've only read the first chapter but it was fun. I like the world building so far. It gives me serious Stardew Valley vibes, but with a bit more magic. I like the fire friend. Reminds me of Howl's Moving Castle. Very cozy. Also liked that Amelia tries to be polite to the glowing fire ball.