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Romantic Fantasy Books
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items I solemnly swear that you can trust my romantic fantasy and romantasy (there’s a difference) recs because my friends drug me kicking and screaming into this genre and I’m very picky.
The beautiful writing is absolutely captivating but the story and characters are remarkable as well. One of my favorites of 2025.
A Forbidden Alchemy
The most beautiful, lyrical prose with thigh clenching tension and an intriguing story. I was surprised by this one.
In the Veins of the Drowning (The Siren Mage, #1) by Kalie Cassidy
I loved everything about this. I think this may be the first “romantic fantasy” I’ve read where I care about the story more than the romance
The Second Death of Locke by V.L. Bovalino
Apparently this is based on dramione fanfic (I am not a fan fiction girlie, had no idea) but you could’ve fooled me. I devoured this in a day. Writing is fantastic. Story is gripping. Tension is off the charts.
Rose in Chains (The Evermore Trilogy, #1) by Julie Soto
She is such a prolific writer. Her prose is so lyrical and ethereal and this story is unlike any others I’ve read.
The Knight and the Moth (The Stonewater Kingdom, #1)
This book shifts some of the main tones in romantic fantasy for me. While that relationship is important I think love in community and political ramifications are almost more intriguing.
The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson
Unpopular opinion: this is one of my favorites of thrones of glass and it’s definitely the reason I got sucked into the series. It was an amazing sequel that really brought me firmly into the world and the reveal at the end was everything.
Crown of Midnight | Throne of Glass Wiki - Fandom
I was fortunate enough to read knight and the moth first, which gave me an unshakable confidence in Rachel’s writing because this took a while to hook me. But it’s SO good. It’s dark, different, has some great tension.
One Dark Window (The Shepherd King, #1) by Rachel Gillig
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I did leave this wish we got more from the budding romance we were rewarded with in this one. I also thought the ending was tied up too nicely but overall I loved this duology and think it’s worth the read.
Two Twisted Crowns (The Shepherd King, #2) by Rachel Gillig
I’ve read this a couple times and listened to the graphic audio more than I can count. I find new incredible details every time. I love this book more than words could provide (don’t worry I’ve linked the copy with bonus chapters)
Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1) by Rebecca Yarros
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Hot take but Iron Flame is a masterpiece. It is multilayered and there is so much going on. Violet’s PTSD and isolation. The rockiness with Xaden that’s hard to resolve due to their distance. Everything people don’t like about this book are the thing...
Iron Flame (Standard Edition) - Yarros
I read this in a day. When I tried to sleep I dreamt about it. It was simply brilliant. The unraveling of inquiries brought about in book one, this slow exploration of the world, the deep complex emotions. The sadness. The rawness.
Onyx Storm (Wing and Claw Collection, 3)
Literally no notes. “Who is free, who loves another?”
The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow
I was surprised by this book. The story is layered and complex and the spice/build up is very hot. Excited for the next one.
The Ascended (The Aesymarean Duet Book 1) eBook
I feel weird about recommending this only because I did not enjoy book 2 at all. Maybe book 3 will redeem the series. With all that being said, THIS book is incredible. It’s interesting and dark with an intricate magic system and a hot slow burn.
Anathema (The Eating Woods, #1) by Keri Lake
This is book two in the Legendborn Cycle and my favorite of the three released books. The story is good but overall the series has some very YA flaws. However, THIS one was amazing.
Bloodmarked (The Legendborn Cycle, #2) by Tracy Deonn
This was gritty and the violence rose off of every page, from every character, from every emotion. Loved it.
Daggermouth: A Dark Dystopian Romance H. M. Wolfe
You don’t understand… I want this injected into my veins
The Poison Daughter eBook : Masterson, Sheila: Books