Why Tiny Bookshop Might Be Your New Favourite Cozy Game

Last year I stumbled into the demo for Tiny Bookshop, and I knew right away it was something special.

Instantly, I felt like I’d stepped into a pastel-hued version of my dreams! As someone who’s heart belongs to the seaside, this game felt like home.

I even shared my first impressions live and you can watch here if you’re short on time.

Honestly, it feels like just yesterday I was arranging books and chatting with its colourful customers. Tiny Bookshop really gave me those same warm, friendly feels I get from games like Unpacking or Season: A Letter to the Future.

A Seaside Bookstore Dream

The world of Tiny Bookshop is a coastal village called Bookstonbury, complete with a charming lighthouse straight out of a storybook. It feels immediately idyllic and very cosy; even the pastel colour palette feels very coastal.

As the Steam page teases, you “leave everything behind and open a tiny bookshop by the sea in this cozy narrative management game”. In practical terms, that means stocking your shop with all kinds of books and goodies, then opening your doors for business in some of the most scenic spots imaginable.

From the demo, I learned that Tiny Bookshop has so many cosy ingredients:

Gentle Pace and Relaxing Tasks: The game is easy to jump into and each workday is short and sweet. I never felt rushed or overwhelmed; customers slowly wandered in when the shop was open, and helping someone find the right book felt like solving a tiny, heartwarming puzzle.
Charming Art and Characters: The art style is cute and very easy on the eyes. NPCs come in all shapes and even the seagulls make their familiar low, piercing keow when you click on them (I was thrilled when I found out). The calm music and seaside ambience had me sighing with relief every time I played.
Personal Touches: Decorating the shop was pure joy. I loved customising how my books were laid out on my shelves and picking out new fairy lights or plants to place around the store. It feels rewarding, since every small detail makes the space feel truly mine.

With 7 different genres to stock, over time you’ll learn which genres appeal best to your Bookstonbury’s residents. All the books you sell are based on real-world titles. I wouldn’t really class myself as an avid reader, especially not the classics, but it did lead me to searching up more information on each book.

I’ve played so many management sims, but none like Tiny Bookshop. I can’t wait to unearth more about this town and its history while I live out my dream of running my own business by the sea.

Looking Forward to Launch

The demo was just a taste, but I’m already hooked. The developers announced Tiny Bookshop will be fully released on August 7, 2025 (on PC for now), and I’ve been counting the days. Even the modest demo ended too quickly for me, and I didn’t want it to end.

I keep daydreaming about the stories waiting behind my little counter and can’t wait to play the full game.

It seems this summer is going to be a great one for cosy gaming. Even in other news – like No Man’s Sky Beacon Update – the trend is clear: we’re all leaning into warmer, uplifting experiences. Tiny Bookshop absolutely belongs in that lineup.

If you love curling up with a good book and a hot cup of tea, Tiny Bookshop might just be your next favourite cosy escape.

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Wendy

Wendy is a cozy gaming content creator from the UK who specializes in a sub-genre of video games called 'cozy games'. When she's not playing video games, Wendy likes to go treasure hunting for antiques and spend time with her husband.