20 Books For Readers Who Want More Fantasy Romances In Their Life

What I would give to get lost in the woods and be found by a fae king.

1. Radiance by Grace Draven

Grace Draven

Why you should read it: I'm a huge fan of an enemies-to-lovers romance book, especially if it's in the fantasy genre. But Radiance quickly changed my mind. Best friends to lovers trope? There's something about you that just makes me swoon. Ildiko and Brishen are about to get married. When they first see each other, they both think the other one is ugly, but to keep their kingdoms safe, they agree to it anyway. What first starts as a marriage of convenience soon turns into a friendship that changes their lives forever. But assassination attempts, dark magic, and court life messes up their plans for a happily ever after.

Get it from Amazon.

2. King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair

Bloom Books

Why you should read it: If you loved the relationship between the Darkling and Alina in Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, you will for sure love Adrian and Isolde in King of Battle and Blood. It's dark. It's steamy. It's full of high-stakes (if you know what I mean). Isolde is a human princess who needs to marry Adrian, the king of the vampires, in order for their kingdoms to be at peace. He's deadly and feared by many, but somehow Isolde is the only one who can make him let his guard down — to make him feel again. Living inside the vampire court is not going to be an easy thing to do, but Isolde is ready to use her knives when necessary.

Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound here.

3. Gild by Raven Kennedy

Raven Kennedy

Why you should read it: The Plated Prisoner series is a fantasy series about a girl's journey to freedom, and it's definitely worth reading. Auren is someone everyone needs to meet, and you'll meet her when you start Gild, the first book in the series. I view Gild as a sort of prologue when it comes to Auren's journey. It's definitely the darkest installment in the series, so please read the content warnings below before you begin.

The Plated Prisoner series follows Auren, a young woman who has been kept inside a golden prison by King Midas. He once saved her, so she knows that safety means staying behind the gold bars. But when she finally steps outside those walls, outside that castle, she'll realize that she was led to believe lies and pretty words. The world hasn't treated her right, so this time, she'll show everyone what she's made of.

Content warning for attempted rape/rape, violence, abuse, Stockholm syndrome, murder, grooming, and the topic of trafficking. 

Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound here.

4. For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten

Orbit Books

Why you should read it: Whitten's debut fantasy novel showed us all that legends and myths make for a great love story. In For the Wolf, you get to meet Red, the Second Daughter who has been told all throughout her life that she's a sacrifice to the Wolf. She wasn't born a First Daughter, so she doesn't get to sit on the throne. Her life belongs to the monster who lives inside the woods. Two characters rooted in legends get to finally meet and find out for themselves if what they have been told was real. They are more than their legends. Together, they can create rather than destroy.

Content warnings for self-harm for magic purposes, blood, emotional abuse, and gore.

Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound here.

5. The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen

Orbit Books

Release date: August 23, 2022

Why you should read it: This book reminded me of Zombieland (2009) but if it was made as a rom-com. It's the perfect mix of fantasy meets romance, and Bannen really knocked it out of the park. Mercy is an undertaker whose life revolves around her family business. Her days get worse whenever Hart, the grumpy marshal, walks through her door to deliver a dead body. Everyone knows they can't be in the same room without arguing, but because of their jobs, they have to see each other often. When Mercy receives an anonymous letter from "A Friend," their relationship slowly changes, even though they don't realize they are the ones behind the writing.

Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound here.

6. The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton

Berkley Books

Why you should read it: One of my absolute favorite books of 2021, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels delivers in an enormous way. It's Pride and Prejudice meets Pirates of the Caribbean. Prim and proper Cecilia Bassingwaite is the ideal Victorian lady. But she's also a thief. She desires to be in the Wisteria Society crime sorority with all the other ladies who steal and acquire rare treasures. But alas it hasn't happened...yet. When the ladies of the Wisteria Society are suddenly kidnapped by pirates, Cecila takes that opportunity to show them that she's ready to become a true thief. Of course, this comes with the help of the sometimes-assassin, sometimes-pirate Ned (who has tried to kill her once...possibly twice already).

Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound here.

7. Mistlefoe by Kimberly Lemming

Kimberly Lemming

Why you should be reading it: If what you need in your life is a cute little novella with spice and hilarious moments, nothing fits better than this book. Mistlefoe has the laughs, the adventure, the romance, and you are not ready for it. Once upon a time, Ruby's dad angered a powerful fox demon, so the fox demon cursed his whole family. Now all the weaponry they make can't stop making crude jokes! And no one wants to buy swords that can talk. Ruby decides to apologize to the fox demon, but he's not that easy to persuade. Although Lucca, the fox demon himself, does need a fake mate for this week-long festival. 

Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound here.

8. Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle

Putnam

Release date: October 4, 2022

Why you should read it: The most chaotic holiday rom-com you will ever read! Just Like Magic is like a punch of sprinkles and holiday cheer with a side of a sweet romance. Bettie hit rock bottom. Right before going to spend the holidays with her family, she accidentally summons The Holiday Spirit named Hall. He's cheerful, joyful, and full of magic. And Bettie takes advantage of that. You see, she has made everyone think she still has money and lives a successful life, when in fact she's broke and living in a dead woman's house. Hall, with his magic, is ready to make every wish of hers come true! 

Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound here.

9. Wish Out of Water by Holley Trent

Holley Trent

Why you should be reading it: We don't get a lot of merfolk romances around here, so when Holley Trent announced she was releasing one, the sun shone brighter for me that day. Brook Williams was taught to avoid drawing attention to herself, but when she saves a stranger from a careening truck, her life suddenly changes. The stranger she saves is none other than Cooper Koning, the future king of Souersland, and he thinks Brook should be the one to free him from his rise to the throne. They make a deal: she marries him, and he's tossed from the line of succession. In return, he gets a load of cash for her struggling swim school, and they both go their separate ways. Except that's not what happens.

Get it from Barnes and Noble.

10. Heroine Complex by Sarah Kuhn

DAW

Why you should be reading it: I constantly talk about this series because I truly believe it's perfect for every single person. Perfect for fans of superheroes. Perfect for fans of rom-coms. Perfect for fans of the found family trope. The Heroine Complex series is such a comforting romance series that feels like a warm hug every time you open a new book. In the first book, you meet a whole cast of characters you'll end up loving. Evie Tanaka is the personal assistant to superhero Aveda Jupiter. Blending into the background and handling her boss's diva tantrums is part of her everyday life. But when she has to pose as her boss for one night, her secret comes out into the light: she has powers too! Now it's up to her to fight the evils of this city and save the day.

Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound here.

11. Foxen Bloom by Parker Foye

Tenebrosity Press

Why you should be reading it: For the ones who love mythology and godly creatures, take a look at Foxen Bloom as soon as you can. With its beautiful prose and endearing story, this book will sweep you off your feet instantly. Whoever enters the forest won't often come out. People enter for various reasons — mainly to capture the white-tailed stag. Many say its capture will bring hope and prosperity to the land, which is needed because the land is dying. But everyone keeps failing to do so, and the one who continues to watch is Fenton, the god of the forest. Then, Prior enters the forest. But he doesn't do it for hope and prosperity — he wants to save his sister from the sickness sweeping the land. Though Fenton doesn't help anyone, he'll help Prior for something in return. For revenge.

Content warnings for violence, bodily injury, minor self-harm, death, and body-horror.

Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound here.

12. The Book of Azrael by Amber Nicole

Amber Nicole

Release date: March 29, 2022

Why you should be reading it: When I'm told that a book has a female villain protagonist, I'm there, ready to one-click buy every single book. The Book of Azrael has the vibe to end me and resurrect me over and over again. A thousand years ago, Dianna gave her life to save her sister. But her life now belongs to Kaden, a monster that is far worse than any nightmare she could conjure. She does what he asks and right now, Kaden needs her to secure an ancient relic from the creatures that hunt her. On the other side, there is a king long forgotten who has been hiding from the world. He's the World Ender, a myth himself, and he's ready to come out and play.

Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound here.

13. The Dragon's Bride by Katee Robert

Katee Robert

Release date: March 29, 2022

Why you should be reading it: Katee Robert is coming for our money (again!) If you're a fan of monster romance books, The Dragon's Bride will be your cup of tea. Even though Briar Rose has a name that belongs in fairytale books, her life isn't one. She is trapped in a marriage with a very horrifying man, for instance. So she does the only thing she can do to save herself: she makes a deal with a demon. Freedom for seven years of servitude. She expected the servitude to be gruesome, but she never expected to be auctioned off to the highest bidder...in a room full of monsters.

Get it from Barnes and Noble.

14. Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent

Carissa Broadbent

Why you should be reading it: Perfect for fans of The Plated Prisoner series, Daughter of No Worlds is the start of The War of Lost Hearts series where you'll follow the life of Tisaanah as she searches for her freedom. Tisaanah learned to survive from a young age. When she tries to buy her freedom, she barely escapes with her life. She's not about to leave her friends behind, so she journeys to the Orders, the most powerful organization of magic, in order to save them. But it's not that easy to join them. She first has to complete an apprenticeship with Maxantarius Farlione, a reclusive fire wielder.

Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound here.

15. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

Berkley

Release date: August 23, 2022

Why you should be reading it: Witches are big right now, and with good reason! Magic in chaotic situations makes for a grand love story, and you'll find it here in The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. With an exploration of found family, this title starts with Mika Moon, a young witch who knows that her magic must stay hidden in order to not draw attention. An orphan from a very young age, Mika has basically been living with strangers, following the rules. Unless you count having an online account, where she posts videos of her "pretending" to be a witch to be "following the rules." If not, then she has one exception. Mika is then anonymously contacted to come and teach three young witches at the remote Nowhere House. There she finds more than just herself, she finds a family. And even love.

Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound here.

16. Imperfect Angel by Christi Barth

Entangled: Amara

Release date: July 26, 2022

Why you should be reading it: If you're like me, you're always searching for fantasy rom-coms. Imperfect Angel is a paranormal rom-com that will introduce you to a grumpy, by-the-book Nephilim and a ray of sunshine, always-chaotic woman. Maisy's life is definitely not put together. Juggling two dead-end jobs, she knows that she isn't the only one struggling to live a good life. But when she inherits an old key from an uncle she doesn't even know, things change drastically. First, a grumpy hottie, who claims to be a Nephilim, (half-angel, half-human) knocks on her door and reveals demons are real. The key she just inherited is the thing that can save them. Too bad Maisy just gave it away to a demon...

Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound here.

17. The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

Orbit Books

Why you should be reading it: Tasha Suri is best known as an author who creates beautiful, engrossing worlds with intriguing slow-burn romances. The Jasmine Throne is her latest book with a sequel coming out very soon, The Oleander Sword. In a story inspired by the history and epics of India, we find an imprisoned princess who is ready to seek revenge against her dictator brother. Malini has been imprisoned inside an ancient temple with only the faces of the maidservants who come to clean her chambers as companionship. Priya is one of them, and she likes to keep her anonymity if that means that no one gets to know the power she harbors inside. But when Malini bears witness to Priya's power, their fates are forever intertwined.

Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound here.

18. The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid

Del Rey

Why you should be reading it: Inspired by Hungarian history and Jewish mythology, The Wolf and the Woodsman will for sure give you everything you've ever wanted in a fantasy romance. When soldiers from the Holy Order of Woodsmen come to Évike's village to claim a pagan woman as a blood sacrifice for the king, her fellow villagers betray and surrender her to them. Soon after, monsters attack the Woodsmen, leaving only Évike and the cold, one-eyed captain alive. But the captain is no ordinary Woodsman — he's the disgraced prince, Gáspár, whose father needs pagan power to consolidate his power.

Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound here.

19. Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

Harper Voyager

Why you should be reading it: Everyone should read this beautiful debut fantasy romance book. The story is inspired by the legend of Chang'e, the Chinese moon goddess, and it follows Xingyin, a young woman who grew up in the moon because unbeknown to her, her mother has hidden her from the feared Celestial Emperor after her mother stole his elixir of immortality once upon a time. When Xingyin's power awakens, she must flee while leaving her mother behind. Now, alone and afraid, she embarks on a journey to the Celestial Kingdom in order to save her mother.

Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound here.

20. A Fate of Wrath & Flame by K.A. Tucker

K.A. Tucker

Why you should be reading it: Imagine getting transported to a whole new world where magic exists, but you're a gifted thief in New York City working for a crime boss. Oh, the good old times. This is what happens to Romeria when she encounters an enigmatic woman who secures her services. This woman wants Romeria to steal a stone from Islor's sacred garden without anyone discovering her true identity. The thing is, she's now assumed the identity of the captured Ybarisan princess who poisoned the beloved king and queen of Islor when she was about to marry the crown prince.

Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound here.