With magical worlds, gods and fairy tale creatures, fantasy romance books are some of the best-loved in the genre. These books are often part of a series and include elements of suspense.
Love magic, cutthroat villains and forbidden enemies-to-lovers? Check out this unputdownable slow-burn fantasy romance. It’s full of espionage, deception and poisons.
1. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Fantasy romance books often depict the battle between good and evil so they can be quite suspenseful and involve lots of drama. Many of these types of books are also part of a series so you can really sink into the magical world the authors have created.
Set in futuristic China where androids and human beings co-exist, Cinder is the story of a cyborg mechanic who was indentured to her wicked step mother and stepsisters. Cinder’s hardy tenacity and headstrong nature make her a compelling character. She’s not the typical pretty princess and she refuses to let anyone, especially her ex-stepbrother Kai, control her life. The theme of destiny versus choice is present throughout the book as Cinder and Kai struggle with their own internal and external conflicts.
2. Poppy by Sarah Reese
Named Best Romance Book at the 2020 Goodreads Choice Awards, this high-octane fantasy romance combines action, adventure and slow burn forbidden love. Maiden Poppy must choose between duty, her god-given destiny and the desire awoken in her by her personal golden-eyed guard Hawke.
A Grittier, Modern take on Faeries
If you like your fae with a distinctly urban feel then this is the genre for you. This story features a girl with mystical powers, time travel and a hot elf hero. The romance element here is less central than in other fantasy books but it’s still strong and a major part of the overall story. It also works on the premise of an open world, where magic exists in the real world alongside us, rather than being hidden or secret.
3. A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
A Marvellous Light is a murder mystery, love story, and a look into the darker side of magic. It’s part of a series and perfect for those who love complex world-building, intricate history, and a battle between good and evil.
A food taster for the Commander, Yelena finds herself in a dangerous world of politics and assassination attempts. She’s thrown into the middle of a war between rival factions and must rely on her taste for danger to keep herself alive. Loaded with espionage, deception and a deadly poison that requires daily antidotes, Poison Study is unputdownable slow-burn romance.
4. Rhapsodic by Leigh Bardugo
When it comes to romance in fantasy novels, the story is often used to symbolize some larger theme or message. In these stories, romance is more than just a love story it’s about overcoming hardship and finding your way in an uncertain world.
This steamy, enemies-to-lovers romance features a succubus doppelganger and a mercenary soldier. A perfect read for anyone looking to escape into a steamy magical fantasy world.
Laia must enter Blackcliff Military Academy as a spy to help the resistance against the tyrannical Commandant. She soon meets a rebel fighter named Brekker who may be everything she’s not. This is a must-read for fans of slow-burn romances and badass heroines. Fantasy romance is a genre that has grown in popularity. The best fantasy romance books are those with a good blend of romance, fantastical settings, and a touch of magic or mythical creatures.
If you like this list we found another list of 23 Fantasy Romance Books of 2023 You’ll Keep Reading These All Night Long.
5. The Awakening by Nora Roberts
Nora Roberts is a bestselling author that has a certain formula for her fantasy romances. There’s usually a strong female protagonist, two equally strong female sidekicks and a powerful hero that needs to be saved by his soulmate. There’s also a villain to defeat, powerful magick and a forbidden enemies-to-lovers romance.
The Awakening is the first book in her Dragon Heart Legacy trilogy and follows Breen Kelly who discovers she’s a keeper of a hidden magickal world. It’s filled with dragons, elves and witches and if you’re looking for an easy read that will give you butterflies, then this is the book for you. It’s also a series so you can really sink into the magical world and understand all its struggles. It’s a great read for any fan of Nora Roberts!
