Addicted to “A Court of Thorns and Roses”? Devoured “Fourth Wing” in record time? We don’t blame you. There’s something deliciously satisfying about a good romantasy. I’ll readily admit my Kindle is packed with more of these books than I can count.
Wait a second...what’s “romantasy”?
“Romantasy” combines the words “romance” and “fantasy,” and it’s a bit of a buzzword for readers. Romantic fantasy as a genre is nothing new, but it’s exploded over the last few years.
Book reviews all over TikTok, Goodreads, and more dig into the “fantastical worldbuilding meets love story” phenomenon, but the simple truth of it is this: Both romance novels and fantasy novels are wildly popular and beloved.
Combining the two genres is a no-brainer. Who wouldn’t want to explore the sensual and steamy alongside the heart-racing and magical? Fantasy is rife with layered subplots and enchanting settings while romance is known for focusing on the emotional depth of the characters.
Fantasy romance books also span every subgenre from paranormal romance to romantic science fiction, and there are plenty of young adult fantasy series that don’t get hot and heavy but have plenty of delectable tension.
Whether you prefer darkly sexy vampires in familiar places or you’re looking to discover a new world full of fae and witchcraft, your next romantasy must-read awaits.
Here are 8 popular fantasy romance books that will get you started (or feed your addiction)!
1. “Bride” by Ali Hazelwood
Even if the word “Omegaverse” means nothing to you, this is still a worthy read. (And if it does mean something to you, we should probably be friends. Gosh, I miss early 2000s Tumblr.)
Misery Lark is the daughter of the most powerful councilman in the Southwest, yet she somehow always finds herself on the outskirts of her own world. Misery is expected to uphold an ancient alliance between the Vampyres and their long-time enemies, the Werewolves. So, she agrees to marry their Alpha, Lowe Moreland.
Lowe, of course, doesn't trust Misery for a second, constantly watching her every move. He’s not exactly wrong to be suspicious. Misery has her own agenda, one that has nothing to do with alliances or peacekeeping. She’s after something deeply personal, something she’ll stop at nothing to reclaim, even if it means living among the Weres—and under Lowe’s penetrating gaze.
Danger? Power plays? Simmering attraction within an arranged marriage between two supernatural creatures who definitely shouldn’t like each other as much as they do? The tropes write themselves, don’t they? We’re not complaining...
2. “When the Moon Hatched” by Sarah A. Parker
Oh, how I adore a good dragon story.
Imagine a world where ancient dragons once ruled the skies, only to turn into moons when their time ends, floating just beyond reach—until they start falling.
Raeve is a fierce warrior, part of the rebellion group Fíur du Ath, tasked with killing, following orders, and never getting caught.
When a bounty hunter is hired to take down someone from her crew, she’s suddenly caught in the clutches of the Guild of Nobles, a powerful group with plans to use her as nothing more than a political pawn. Kaan is on a relentless search for a moonshard, something that might finally ease the pain of his long-held grief.
This quest brings him to a notorious prison, where a furious, bloodstained woman with a past as dark as his own threatens to shake his world.
Give me a second. I think I need a minute to swoon.
3. “A Deal with the Elf King” by Elise Kova
The Married to Magic series is full of just about every fantasy creature you can think of, but Kova’s decision to start with elves is one I truly appreciate.
War and wives are the only reasons elves have to enter the human world, and both lead to death. For thousands of years, humans have lived under the shadow of an ancient treaty, one where the elves take a girl to become their Human Queen. As far as humans know, it's a death sentence.
For 19-year-old Luella, it’s a fate she’s been relieved to avoid—until the Elf King arrives and selects her.
Luella has spent her life studying herbs and healing, content in her role as the village’s only healer, but she might end up being the only one who can save the mysterious, dying world of Midscape, her new home. Meanwhile, an undeniable, unexpected passion sparks between her and her new husband.
Married to Magic is a series of standalone fantasy romance books with little to no crossover, which means you don’t have to read them in order. If you prefer fae or even sirens, Elise Kova’s got ‘em. Her take on werewolves just came out earlier this year, too. Adds to cart.
4. “Wings of Winter” on Dipsea
This is easily one of my favorite audiobooks out there—it isn’t just magical, it’s immersive. There’s truly nothing in the world like having Rowan whisper his affections into your ear, and the entire story is framed as him recounting your adventures together.
In a realm frozen in endless winter, the King of Aurora holds a deadly competition each year known as the Gleaning. Immortals and mortals alike fight for a chance to restore the seasons to their province. Rowan, the son of the fae king, is determined to win this year and end the eternal cold, but his attention is immediately captured by you, a human.
Humans don't typically survive the Gleaning, and your presence raises questions he can’t ignore even as he finds himself captivated.
Desperate to change the future of a frozen kingdom, the two of you encounter all kinds of danger and turmoil as you become reluctant allies, then something more.
5. “House of Earth and Blood” by Sarah J. Maas
The first book of the Crescent City series, “House of Earth and Blood” is the sort of bestseller that clings to the depths of your soul.
After her best friends are murdered, Bryce Quinlan goes on a mission for revenge. Hunt Athalar, a fallen angel (yes, really) who is forced to work as an assassin, is offered a deal: Help Bryce catch the killer in order to finally earn his freedom. Digging into the city’s dark secrets, the two can’t help but grow closer.
If you’re looking to dive headfirst into an epic series full of intrigue and some serious chemistry, don’t pass on this one.
While you don’t have to read through the entire SJM bibliography in order to enjoy these, I do recommend starting with her “A Court of Thorns and Roses” series. Jumping right into the more complex world building of Crescent City tends to have readers posting on Reddit asking for help understanding the world.
Then check out the “Throne of Glass” books, if only to fall madly in love with...a few of the characters, come to think of it.
6. “Divine Rivals” by Rebecca Ross
In a world torn apart by war among gods, 18-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to keep her family together.
Her mom is battling addiction, her brother is missing at the front lines, and her best shot at stability is winning a promotion at the Oath Gazette. To cope, she uses her old typewriter to write letters to her brother and slips them under her wardrobe…only for them to mysteriously end up with Roman Kitt, her cold, handsome rival at the paper.
As they exchange anonymous letters, their bond grows, leading Iris to the battlefield, where love and fate collide.
The first book in a duology devoted to a yearning, slow burn romance, “Divine Rivals” reaffirmed my belief that some of the best storytelling is rooted in two of my favorite things: mythology and the opposites attract trope.
7. “Avalon Academy” on Dipsea
If a little steamy fantasy academia is what you’re after (and I don’t blame you a bit), this audiobook is absolutely worth a listen. It’s giving grown-up “Harry Potter” meets “Fourth Wing”!
Evie Blackwell is starting fresh at Avalon Academy with dreams of becoming a Healer, but when her Seeing ability suddenly appears in the middle of sorting, she’s assigned to the infamous Blackthorn Tower instead.
Between a lifelong dream she might have to give up completely, her boyfriend Elliot’s expectations, and the undeniable spark she feels toward her rebellious classmate Rory, Evie can only handle so much. Dark magic, hidden secrets, and heaps of sizzling tension had me clicking “add to queue” so fast.
8. “Half-Blood” by Jennifer L. Armentrout
If you thought “From Blood and Ash” was the only fantasy romance book JLA had up her sleeve, I’ve got a spoiler for you: It only scratches the surface.
Gods and mortals once came together to create those known as Hematoi. If both of your parents happen to be Hematoi, you’ve got serious powers.
If you’re a half-blood, though, your options are limited: either train to become a Sentinel and fight daimons or spend your life as a servant to the purse.
Alexandria would definitely rather be out fighting, but rule #1 is that relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. So it kind of sucks that Alex has a huge crush on pure-blood Aiden.
Looking for more romantasy stories? Dipsea’s collection of audiobooks has even more to get utterly lost in.
Or download the Dipsea app for the best listening experience.
