Fantasy Romance Novels You Won't Be Able to Put Down

If you’re anything like me, then there is nothing you enjoy more than curling up in your favorite reading chair on a chilly day, your coffee or tea steaming next to you, and a good fantasy book in your hands. When life gets a little too real, I find so much peace and joy in jumping into the world of a good fantasy romance book aka romantasy. BUT there is nothing more disappointing than thinking you are starting a great fantasy romance only to read ten pages and you find the writing or story to be lacking. That’s why I’ve curated this list of some of my favorite romantic fantasy novels that are guaranteed to pull you in and not let you go until the last page. Whether it’s witches, faeries, vampires, or dragons, this list will deliver the escapism and spicy content you’ve been hoping for.

1. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

This is a relatively new release, but one I found absolutely addictive. Fourth Wing follows Violet Sorrengail as she navigates Navarre, a brutal war college that trains its cadets to ride dragons (if they manage to bond with one). The problem is she never wanted this life. Violet was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, where she would live a life of safety as she studied books. But thanks to her mother, a commanding general of the army, she’s been forced to compete against other cadets to become a dragon rider.

Death at this competitive college is almost a promise, especially when there are people like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant interested in killing you. Will weak yet fierce Violet graduate, or die?

I loved this book, it’s steamy and exciting, and the world-building is great. I would like to note that its sequel, Iron Flame, while continuing the story, didn't quite reach the heights of its predecessor. Sometimes, even in the fantastical realms, lightning doesn't strike twice.

2. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Mass

No list of captivating fantasy romance novels would be complete without mentioning the Sarah J. Maas's masterpiece, A Court of Thorns and Roses. This five book series is going to give you everything you have ever wanted in a romance novel about the world of the Fae. Royaly, check. Darkness, check. Multiple love interests, check. You may enjoy some of the books more than others but at the end of the day you have to read them all.

Here is a brief summary:
Feyre, a skilled huntress, relies on the sale of wolf skins to provide for her sisters. However, her latest kill proves to be a fateful mistake when she unknowingly slays a magical creature. As a consequence, Feyre is drawn into the perilous and enchanting realm of the Fae. In this captivating journey, she'll grapple with matters of the heart, confront her inner demons, and discover the depths of her true capabilities.

3. The Daevabad Trilogy (The City of Brass, The Kingdom of Copper, The Empire of Gold)

I am not lying when I say this series changed me. I truly believe this is one of the best fantasy series to exist. This culturally rich series follows Nahri, who lives on the bustling streets of 18th-century Cairo. Nahri, a skilled con artist with a mysterious gift for healing, accidentally summons a powerful djinn warrior named Dara. This summons propels Nahri into the hidden world of the magical city of Daevabad, where ancient feuds between magical beings and political tensions shape the destiny of nations. As Nahri navigates this complex world, she discovers her true heritage and becomes entangled in the intricacies of Daevabad's power struggles.

If you are looking for a fantasy romance novel with exceptional world building that isn’t about the fae or witches this one is for you. The djinn are captivating, and the magical system is fascinating. You truly won’t want to put this one down.

4. From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Looking for an enemies to lovers novel with fated mates and an entirely addicting plot? You will love From Blood and Ash. Poppy's 18 years of life has been dictated by her role as the Maiden. Isolated and constrained by the need to remain proper and untouched, she exists solely to prove her worthiness to the gods during her impending Ascension. As her Ascension date approaches she becomes increasingly uneasy. And it isn’t helped by the unrest coursing through the kingdom, fueled by the ambitions of the Dark Lord, Prince Casteel of Atlantia, and his followers seeking to reclaim their lost land. Simultaneously, a dreaded mist, harbinger of unspeakable horrors, inches closer to the kingdom's walls. In the face of these uncertainties, Poppy is assigned a new guardian, Hawke. Annoying, insanely attractive, and entirely forbidden. The stakes are high, and Poppy must navigate a treacherous path, balancing the expectations of her role with the yearnings of her heart.

Looking for high spice level? The following novels definitely bring the heat.

5. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Witches and vampires living in the everyday word? Count me in. A Discovery of Witches isa dark academia lovers dream. It follows historian and reluctant witch Diana Bishop as she unwittingly unlocks a magical manuscript, setting off a chain of events that entangles her with vampires, daemons, and the enigmatic powerful vampire Matthew Clairmont. Against a backdrop of ancient alliances and supernatural tensions, Diana and Matthew's forbidden love transcends convention, propelling them into a world of political intrigue and mystical complexities. If you love long books that let you live in the world for a good amount of time then this one is for you.

6. A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair

Is anyone else a sucker for Greek Mythology? There is something about fantasy novels where the magic system stems from powerful gods. And the drama between the Olympians? Chefs kiss!

But, you don’t need to be a Greek Mythology nerd to love this dark reimagining of the Hades and Persephone myth. In A Touch of Darkness, the gods and goddesses live and play among the mortals, especially the god of the dead, Hades who has built a gambling empire in the mortal world.

After playing cards in his nightclub, Persephone, the Goddess of Spring, whose only power is shriveling flowers, finds herself in a contract with the God of the Dead. His terms? Persephone must create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom forever. The bet does more than expose Persephone's failure as a goddess, however. It also sews the seeds of love.

These fantasy romance novels, each with its own magical allure, offer readers the chance to escape into worlds where love knows no bounds. From the enchanting realms of Fourth Wing to the mythological allure of A Touch of Darkness, these novels will undoubtedly leave you spellbound and eager for more. So, grab your favorite reading nook, immerse yourself in these captivating tales, and let the magic unfold.