The 10 Best Fantasy Romance Books

Are you looking for a new novel to sink your teeth into? We’ve put together a list of the best fantasy romance books, so you can find your next read. There’s something for everyone, from sex-filled sagas, to cheesy YA novels which we all secretly love. There’s vampires and werewolves, faeries and demons, Kings and Queens, and more than your fair share of love triangles in these fantasy romance books.

 

What Is Fantasy Romance?

Fantasy romance books are basically what they sound like: stories set in a fantasy world, with a romantic element to them. The romantic storyline may feature to a greater or lesser degree. For some novels, the main plot may be an enemies-to-lovers romance, whilst in others it’s just a subplot to the protagonist’s overarching story.

It’s a genre that’s growing in popularity, with readers of all ages and genders indulging. If you’re a romance fan, you still get all the drama and allure of a romance novel, but you also get to learn about an enchanting new world as well. And if you’re a fantasy fan, you can still appreciate the rich world building, whilst exploring the intricacies of romantic relationships as well. It truly is the best of both worlds.

 

What’s the Difference Between Romantic Fantasy and Fantasy Romance?

There has been some debate about whether the genre should be separated into romantic fantasy and fantasy romance. A romantic fantasy is basically a romance novel which just so happens to be set in a fantasy world. Whereas a fantasy romance is primarily about the fantasy world, which features a romantic subplot. Whilst there is some merit to this distinction, most critics have agreed that both types can fall under the fantasy romance genre, because the majority of books flip between the two.

 

Are Fantasy Romance Books for Adults?

Yes, fantasy romance books are for adults too! Granted, there are a lot of YA fantasy romance books, but there are a lot of books for adults as well. These typically explore more mature themes and issues, which can make you question your beliefs and alter your perspective.

 

Why We Love Fantasy Romance Books

In general, fantasy novels tend to focus on men (we’re looking at you, Lord of the Rings). Women are only there as passive romantic conquests, who have no real impact on the overall story. Fantasy romance novels, on the other hand, tend to be written by women, from a female character’s perspective. These strong female characters make the fantasy romance genre much more appealing to us than your standard fantasy novel.

 

The 10 Best Fantasy Romance Books

 

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

We couldn’t do a best fantasy romance book list without including the queen of fantasy romance, Sarah J Maas. If you're on Booktok, you've probably heard hundreds of young adults obsessing over this series, and for good reason! The ACOTAR series follows Feyre, a mortal girl who is whisked into the land of the high fae, with faeries, magic, an epic enemy-to-lovers love story and characters you can't help but swoon over. There’s death, murder, loss and love - what more could you want?!

ACOTAR is a great series to get you started in the world of fantasy romance reading.

2. The First Girl Child by Amy Harmon

The First Girl Child is another excellent novel by Harmon, set in a fictional Norse land. The story begins when a dying mother curses the land to have no more girl children. When Bayr meets Alba, the first girl child in years, he knows he must protect her. This is an epic tale, spanning over 20 years in a wonderfully-crafted world. Harmon really captures the depths and intimacy of romantic relationships. Even the sex scenes have a beautiful realism to them.

3. The Serpent and The Wings of The Night by Carissa Broadbent

Carissa Broadbent is a relative newcomer to the genre, who has announced herself with a bang. The Serpent and The Wings of The Night was released in 2022 and has got fans in a fluster, with just the right balance of gore, violence and passion. Oraya is the adopted human child of the vampire King, who sets out to prove herself in the Kejari: a deadly tournament held by the Goddess of Death. Oraya must form an alliance with her father’s enemy to stand a chance of winning. This is the first novel we’ve read in a long time that doesn’t water vampires down, they’re just as cruel and cold as they’re supposed to be.

4. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

A classic novel, made all the more popular by the TV series. This time-travelling fantasy romance follows Claire, a WWII nurse who is transported back in time to 18th century Scotland. Here, she meets rugged Highland warrior Jamie and is instantly drawn to him. Torn between her lover here and her husband back at home, Claire must learn to navigate a very different world to the one she’s used to. This book is sure to get you hot under the collar.

5. The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Another classic of the genre. The Princess Bride is one of our all time favourite fantasy romance books - and the film is good too! Goldman gently pokes fun at the genre, whilst still capturing all the adventure and whimsy that makes it great. Buttercup is the most beautiful princess in all the land, who falls in love with a farm boy, Westley. The two are separated when he is captured by pirates and Buttercup reluctantly agrees to marry Prince Humperdinck. Before her wedding, she is kidnapped and our tale unfolds from there. A must-read for all fans of the genre.

6. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Another series of YA fantasy romance books, which are beloved by tweens and teens everywhere (and secretly adults as well). It follows Clary Fray, as she discovers a hidden world when her mother is kidnapped. She joins the Shadowhunters, who protect the human world against demons. There’s lots of twists and turns in this 6 book series, with more than enough romance to keep us happy.

7. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

You may have seen the film, but have you read the book? The Time Traveler’s Wife is a moving tale about a married couple, Henry and Clare. Henry has a rare condition where his genetic clock resets, and he suddenly finds himself at another point in his life. Clare spends her life waiting for her husband to reappear, at what time and what age she is unsure. The two try to navigate the mundanities of everyday life and face pressing questions that all couples must answer, like whether to have a baby or not. Possibly more of a romance than a fantasy, this book is sure to have an impact.

8. Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Another successful book-to-screen adaptation. Stardust begins as Tristan Thorn swears to bring Victoria, the most beautiful girl in the village, a fallen star. He crosses The Wall into the world of the faerie. But he’s not the only one racing to recover the fallen star and all is not as it seems. It’s a fairytale set in the Victorian era, and like all good fairytales it has a mix of good, bad and evil. Tristan soon discovers that maybe he doesn’t want what he thought after all.

9. A Kingdom of Exiles by S. B. Nova

Serena Smith is a human girl framed for a crime by her cruel stepmother. Found guilty, she is condemned to be sacrificed to the fae. Instead of killing her, the faeries take her back to their land where she is enlisted in an evil Queen’s army. Here, she learns her own strength and resilience, forges unbreakable friendships and gets caught up in a love triangle. Fans of Sarah J Maas should enjoy this one.

10. A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

A Promise of Fire follows our protagonist, Cat who’s hiding in a circus when her past catches up with her. Cat is a Kingmaker, with the power to divine the truth from lies. That makes her both incredibly powerful and incredibly vulnerable, as the people want to use her for their own gain. When a warlord discovers her powers, he kidnaps her to establish his family’s rule in their newly-conquered land. There’s magic, mythology and some seriously steamy sex scenes - everything you want from a fantasy romance book. This is up there with our favourite fantasy romance books.

 

We hope this has helped you find your next fantasy romance book! And remember, once you’re done with your book, you can always sell it to us at WeBuyBooks. Just scan the barcode on our app (or enter the ISBN on our website) and receive an instant offer. Once you’ve accepted the offer, post your books to us for free. We’ll pay you the next day, as soon as we’ve received your books. That means cash in your pocket and more space for new books - it’s a win-win!