Whoever said you could have too much of a good thing clearly never heard about genre blending. Readers who love both fantasy and romance have no shortage of great books to choose from these days, so we’ve rounded up a handful of upcoming releases to help you choose your next read. Here you’ll find romantic fantasies (books heavy on the fantasy with a light touch of romance), fantasy romance (romance novels where fantasy elements or settings enhance the story), and romantasies (books that weave together both genres equally).
No matter what you’re looking for—high-heat or zero steam, dangerous stakes or cozy vibes—there’s a book here for you.
Our Vicious Oaths by N.E. Davenport
A warrior princess and a king from a rival fae court team up to take down the ruler of all Dominions. Kadeesha never imagined her wedding day would end with the mysterious stranger she slept with the night before attempting to murder her betrothed. When Malachi fails to kill the High King as planned, he takes Kadeesha hostage to use as a pawn in his plans once more. Little does he know, she disliked the High King as much as he did, and is willing to work together to take him down.
Throne in the Dark by A. K. Caggiano
Looking to start a new series? Jump into the first Villains & Virtues book. Damien Maleficus Bloodthorne is destined to destroy the realm. What more could be expected from the son of a demon? But there’s a hiccup in his evil plans: He’s been accidentally magically chained to a thief. Even worse, the more time they spend together, the more he fears he may be developing feelings for her—the non-murderous kind!
For No Mortal Creature by Keshe Chow
Keshe Chow’s latest is a gothic YA fantasy inspired by Wuthering Heights. Despite having the power to move between life and death, Jia Yi wants nothing to do with the spirit realm. But when unanswered questions linger after her grandmother’s strange death, Jia must enter the afterlife to save her. At her side to help are Lin, the boy who once betrayed her, and Prince Essien, her lifelong enemy. Even as she fears she can’t trust them, Jin can’t help but be drawn to them both.
This Gilded Abyss by Rebecca Thorne
This book had us at “lesbian fantasy where Arcane meets Titanic.” Sergeant Nix Marr is looking to leave her past behind, but life seems to have other plans. She’s roped into being her ex Kessandra’s bodyguard on a mission to visit the city of Fall, where a massacre recently occurred. Nix has her hands full trying not to fall back into her usual rhythms with Kess, but they’re both soon distracted by the revelation that the massacre was caused by a mysterious illness that sends the infected into a violent rage.
Son of the Morning by Akwaeke Emezi
Akwaeke Emezi spins a forbidden paranormal romance set in the Black South in this novel. Galilee Kincaid grew up knowing in her bones that she was different, and though others could clearly sense it, only Lucifer Helel seems to instantly recognize who (or what) she truly is. He sees that, like him, she isn’t human. But their connection draws the attention of a prince of Hell, and soon the battles that have been waged between Heaven, Hell, and earth are on Galilee’s doorstep.
The Crimson Throne by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis
Prepare to be transported to a Scottish court during the Elizabethan era, where a spy and a fae guardian cross paths. Samson jumps at the chance to become a royal spy and make a name for himself in Queen Elizabeth’s court, while Alyth (the bastard of a fae prince and a human woman) has been working undercover for years in Queen Mary’s court to keep the barrier between the fairies and the fae intact. Little do they know, there’s a plot that’s been brewing for centuries—one that will destroy both of their lives if they can’t stop it.
The Keeper of Magical Things by Julie Leong
If cozy fantasy is what you’re craving, Julie Leong has you covered. The road to magehood has been paved with challenges for Certainty Bulrush, so when the chance to earn it through an outwardly simple assignment, she jumps at it. Soon she’s on the road to the boring village of Shpelling with a catdragon, magical artifacts that need storing, and Aurelia, a stunning and talented mage with a history of alienating those around her. What could go wrong?
Ember Eternal by Chloe Neill
Readers who enjoy court secrets and political intrigue with their romance and fantasy won’t want to miss the first installment in the Souls Burn Brightest series. Fox is a thief with a moral compass, only taking from those who can afford to lose a little and only enough that she can survive life as an indentured servant. But when her magical ability allows her to spot an assassin and help a royal bodyguard save the prince, she’s brought into a world with more danger than she could’ve imagined.
We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark
Get ready to be whisked away to a Roman-inspired world ruled by dangerous vampires when you dive into this first book in a new series. With her back against the wall, Arvelle makes a vow to kill an ancient vampire. To do so, she’ll first have to enter a deadly competition to become one of the emperor’s elite guard. She seemingly has help from two vampires—the mysterious Primus and the ruthless Rorrik—but she can’t decide whether they’ll lead her to survival or ruin.
A Wild Radiance by Maria Ingrande Mora
Maria Ingrande Mora’s YA romantic fantasy is set in a world on the cusp of a magical industrial revolution. After graduating from the House of Industry, Josephine is sent to the remote town of Frostbrook. She knows that she was all but banished due to her inability to control her emotions and radiance (an electricity-like magic), and Julian, who she’s working under, won’t let her forget it. But as she gets more involved in the Mission at Frostbrook, she begins to question the teaching of the House and everything she thought she knew.
What’s the best romantasy you’ve read recently?
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