The best fantasy books with a touch of romance

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been fascinated with fantasy novels for as long as I can remember. Growing up I was an avid reader, always getting lost within these new worlds. My favorite stories were always those that had a little romance to them. I have always been such a hopeless romantic. Something about discovering new fantasy worlds and the magic within, excited me. After a while I decided to follow my dreams, and write a fantasy book of my own, that incorporated all of the romance aspects I love in other books. I really hope you love the books on this list as much as I do! 


I wrote...

Promised Shadows

By M.K. Ahearn,

Book cover of Promised Shadows

What is my book about?

Promised Shadows is a new adult fantasy novel. Rae is a skilled thief. After coming face to face with a powerful prince, Rae makes a bargain that thrusts her into fighting to save the kingdom. Gavriel is the crown prince, set to rule one day, that is, if the shadows don’t rise again. Alongside his sister and friend, the three work to find a solution that’ll end the shadows. Their prayers seem answered when they’re forced into a bargain with Rae.

Together the group races to locate a lost artifact that might be the key to saving their kingdom. Will the group be able to beat the odds and find a crown before it's too late?

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The books I picked & why

Book cover of Justice in Magic

M.K. Ahearn Why did I love this book?

This book is an amazing fantasy novel with romance aspects written into the plot. It dives into a world that exists beyond our own, where those with magic exist. In this book the main character, Adelynn, discovers she has had magic all her life and is fated to attend a school for those like her. The book does a wonderful job showing the darker sides of main characters. The romance in the book will draw you right in. 

By Ky Venn,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Justice in Magic as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

All she wants is to be normal.

What if she wasn’t born to be?

It’s senior year and all Adelynn wants is to feel normal after her assault. One day, she uncovers the secret of who she truly is. She is presented with two choices: living a normal life, or attending Linden Academy, a school for the magically gifted in an unknown realm.

Normalcy is hard to obtain at Linden when she is surrounded by royalty and advanced gifted students, and she has not shown any of her own gifts yet. But Adelynn won’t let anyone doubt her, and she…


Book cover of The Last Storm

M.K. Ahearn Why did I love this book?

This book is a fantasy romance novel that takes place in a world where humans live alongside fae. Except the fae and humans are at war and living in a divided world. The lives of the king of the fae and the daughter of a human general end up intertwined and the story that develops between them is wonderful. This book is for those who love enemies-to-lovers tropes and new magic systems.

By J.D. Linton,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Last Storm as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Ara Starrin’s entire life has been a lie.

Hidden in the shadow of her controlling father, General Evander of Auryna, Ara has never tasted true freedom. For most of her life, she’s been locked away in his estate as he is determined to protect her from the bloodthirsty Fae across the border.

But as her twenty-sixth birthday comes and goes, he decides it's time for her to marry, against her wishes and completely unbeknownst to her.

Ara’s fate is sealed the moment he announces her engagement.

Rogue Draki’s entire life has been a painful truth.

Raised at the hands of…


Book cover of The Awakening

M.K. Ahearn Why did I love this book?

This book is the first in the Zodiac Academy series, which is a fantasy romance series. They follow two twin sisters who discover they are the long-lost princesses of the fae world. They are brought to the world to claim their place, and learn how to control their own magic. There are many romance stories that develop throughout the series, giving readers many couples to cheer on as it progresses. The world has werewolves, vampires, pegasuses, and more wonderful beings to learn about. 

By Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked The Awakening as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Amazon.com and Wall Street Journal #1 bestselling dark fantasy romance series from authors Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

I’m a Gemini. Impulsive. Curious. Headstrong. A twin. Heir to a throne I know nothing about. And it turns out, I’m Fae.

But of course there’s a catch - all I have to do to claim my birth right is prove that I’m the most powerful supernatural in the whole of Solaria. And sure, technically that’s true as I’m the daughter of the Savage King. But the bit they didn’t put in the brochure was that every single Fae in this…


Book cover of Throne of Glass

M.K. Ahearn Why did I love this book?

This book is the first in a series of young adult fantasy novels. Although this book is a young adult fantasy, it still has a very sweet romantic subplot that will draw you in. There are many amazing characters to fall in love with, and an entirely new whimsical world filled with fae, magic, and wyverns. This book is for those who love epic adventure and crave a bit of romance within the main plot line. 

By Sarah J. Maas,

Why should I read it?

11 authors picked Throne of Glass as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

#1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas started a worldwide phenomenon when she published her debut novel, Throne of Glass. To date, Sarah's books have spent more than 92 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and she has hit #1 on charts around the world. Her books have sold more than seven million copies and have been translated into 36 languages. Throne of Glass alone has sold over one million copies. Now you can own this epic fantasy classic in a deluxe hardcover collector's edition. Throne of Glass begins the sweeping saga of assassin Celaena Sardothien,…


Book cover of Of Shadow and Moonlight

M.K. Ahearn Why did I love this book?

This novel is a fantasy romance that follows a young woman facing a chronic illness. Fated to die young, Cassie is torn after meeting Damien and wishing to pursue a relationship with him. This novel combines vampires, Greek mythology, and more to create such a fantastic and new world. This book dives straight into the romance plot line wasting no time. It provides a refreshing new perspective on love and fantasy.

By Luna Laurier,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Of Shadow and Moonlight as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Take a story inspired by Black Dagger Brotherhood's vampires, add a dash of a modern twist on A Court of Thorns and Roses/Throne of Glass and a splash of Greek mythology and you get Of Shadow and Moonlight. Vampires, Monsters, Greek Mythology, Gods, Magic, Heartbreak, and more!


A woman fated to die young, a man cursed to live forever, and a darkness that threatens to destroy everything they love.



Cassie was never able to experience the life that many take for granted, the freedom to dictate her own journey. No, her life had been spent sheltered, protected from an inevitable…


You might also like...

Captain James Heron First Into the Fray: Prequel to Harry Heron Into the Unknown of the Harry Heron Series

By Patrick G. Cox, Janet Angelo (editor),

Book cover of Captain James Heron First Into the Fray: Prequel to Harry Heron Into the Unknown of the Harry Heron Series

Patrick G. Cox Author Of Ned Farrier Master Mariner: Call of the Cape

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

On the expertise I claim only a deep interest in history, leadership, and social history. After some thirty-six years in the fire and emergency services I can, I think, claim to have seen the best and the worst of human behaviour and condition. History, particularly naval history, has always been one of my interests and the Battle of Jutland is a truly fascinating study in the importance of communication between the leader and every level between him/her and the people performing whatever task is required.  In my own career, on a very much smaller scale, this is a lesson every officer learns very quickly.

Patrick's book list on the Battle of Jutland

What is my book about?

Captain Heron finds himself embroiled in a conflict that threatens to bring down the world order he is sworn to defend when a secretive Consortium seeks to undermine the World Treaty Organisation and the democracies it represents as he oversees the building and commissioning of a new starship.

When the Consortium employs an assassin from the Pantheon, it becomes personal.

Captain James Heron First Into the Fray: Prequel to Harry Heron Into the Unknown of the Harry Heron Series

By Patrick G. Cox, Janet Angelo (editor),

What is this book about?

The year is 2202, and the recently widowed Captain James Heron is appointed to stand by his next command, the starship NECS Vanguard, while she is being built. He and his team soon discover that they are battling the Consortium, a shadowy corporate group that seeks to steal the specs for the ship’s new super weapon. The Consortium hires the Pantheon, a mysterious espionage agency, to do their dirty work as they lay plans to take down the Fleet and gain supreme power on an intergalactic scale. When Pantheon Agent Bast and her team kidnap Felicity Rowanberg, a Fleet agent…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in vampires, war, and fairies?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about vampires, war, and fairies.

Vampires Explore 269 books about vampires
War Explore 1,850 books about war
Fairies Explore 127 books about fairies