The Last Route

A cozy fantasy series of found family, gentle magic, and slow-burn sapphic romance — following courier Wren Ashwick as she walks the most remote delivery circuit in the realm.

Low-stakes (with teeth) Cottagecore vibes Guild lore A hedgehog named Thistle

The Cozy Promise

No cliffhangers
Warm endings guaranteed
Slow-burn sapphic romance
Found family & gentle magic
No major character deaths
Sweet romance (fade to black)

Perfect for readers who loved:

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree · The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune · Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne · A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher

Books in the series

Read in order for the best slow-burn payoff. Twenty books planned.

Dead Letters cover
Book 1

Dead Letters

The post always gets through.

Snowbound cover
Book 2

Snowbound

When the snows close in, the post still moves.

Spring Forward cover
Book 3

Spring Forward

Some roads flood. The mail goes anyway.

Midsummer Delivery cover
Book 4

Midsummer Delivery

Some lights are worth keeping lit.

Return to Sender cover
Book 5

Return to Sender

Some letters find their way home.

Reading note: Each book is a complete story with a satisfying ending. No cliffhanger. Warm ending guaranteed.

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Meet the characters

The people (and hedgehog) you'll fall in love with.

Wren Ashwick

The Courier

Twenty-eight, bitter, and assigned to the realm's most remote postal route as punishment. Wren arrives expecting to hate it, quit within months, and fade into obscurity. She has strong opinions about tea, a delivery log full of private observations, and a habit of humming when she thinks no one's listening. Her sarcasm is a defence mechanism. Her quiet kindnesses are the truth.

Rowan Thornwell

The Hedge Witch

The hedge witch of Mosshaven, with warm brown skin, dark curly hair escaping her kerchief, and a cottage with a red door where the kettle is always warm. Her garden shouldn't work but does. She finds Wren's grumpiness delightful, refuses to be pushed away, and is working on finding Wren's perfect tea blend. She has a small scar on her chin with a different origin story each time you ask.

Thistle

The Hedgehog With Opinions

A small, somewhat scruffy hedgehog with a perpetually sleepy expression, one slightly crumpled ear, and quills that catch silver in certain light. He communicates through stomps (one for yes, two for emphasis, rapid stomping for danger) and has chosen Wren for reasons he's not yet ready to explain. Everyone mishears his name as "Bristle." Wren has stopped correcting them.

Is this series for you?

A quick vibe-check, so you don't waste a perfectly good evening.

You'll probably love it if…

  • You like cozy fantasy with an emotional backbone (not just vibes).
  • You enjoy slow-burn romance that feels earned.
  • You're here for found family, small communities, and practical magic.
  • You want warmth — but with the occasional moment of danger that matters.
  • You like watching someone who's good at their job.

You might bounce if…

  • You want constant high action, big battles, or grimdark stakes.
  • You prefer romance to resolve in the first chapter.
  • You're allergic to cosy village politics and gentle character growth.
  • You need explicit spice (this is sweet/fade-to-black).

Frequently asked questions

Everything you want to know before you start.

Do I need to read the books in order?

Yes, for the best experience. While each book tells a complete story, the character relationships and world-building develop across the series. The slow-burn romance especially rewards reading in order.

Are there cliffhangers?

No. Every book ends with a satisfying resolution. There are ongoing threads and developing relationships, but you'll never finish a book feeling cheated or left hanging.

How spicy is the romance?

Sweet and slow-burn. The romance is central to the series but unfolds gradually over multiple books. Intimate moments are fade-to-black. If you're looking for explicit content, this isn't the series for you.

Are there any content warnings?

This is cozy fantasy designed to feel safe. No graphic violence, no major character deaths, no on-page trauma. There are moments of peril and emotional difficulty, but they resolve warmly. The series is about healing, not harm.

How many books will there be?

Twenty books are planned, following Wren's journey over twenty years. Each book covers one season, cycling through autumn, winter, spring, and summer as the series progresses.

How often do new books release?

The aim is rapid release — multiple books per year. Sign up for the mailing list below to get notified on release day.

Is this available in Kindle Unlimited?

Yes! All books in the series are available through Kindle Unlimited, as well as for purchase as ebooks and paperbacks.

Want release-day reminders?

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