10 Romantasy Books That Are Taking Over Bookshelves in 2025
In the literary landscape of 2025, one genre has risen to unprecedented popularity, captivating readers across demographics and dominating bestseller lists: romantasy. This portmanteau of “romance” and “fantasy” represents the perfect marriage between magical worlds and passionate relationships, offering readers an irresistible escape into realms where love stories unfold against backdrops of epic adventures, magical systems, and fantastical creatures.
The explosive growth of romantasy isn’t merely a publishing trend—it’s a cultural phenomenon. Driven largely by BookTok and other social media platforms, romantasy has transformed from a niche subgenre into a mainstream literary force. Readers are flocking to these stories that combine the emotional satisfaction of romance with the imaginative worldbuilding of fantasy, creating reading experiences that offer both escapism and emotional depth.
Based on current bestseller lists, social media buzz, and search trends, here are ten romantasy books that are defining this genre and captivating readers in 2025—from established series that continue to dominate to breakthrough debuts that are reshaping expectations.
1. “The Midnight Court” by Liora Blake
The first installment in Blake’s “Twilight Realm” series has become the definitive romantasy novel of 2025. Following Elara, a mortal woman who accidentally stumbles into the dangerous world of the fae, this story combines political intrigue with a slow-burn romance between Elara and Kieran, the enigmatic lord of the Midnight Court.
What sets this book apart is Blake’s masterful balance between romance and fantasy elements. Neither aspect feels subordinate to the other—the complex fae politics and magical systems are as meticulously developed as the evolving relationship between the protagonists. The novel’s exploration of power dynamics, consent, and agency has sparked countless discussions online, with readers particularly praising how the romantic relationship evolves alongside the protagonist’s growing understanding of her own strength.
Key takeaway: The most successful romantasy doesn’t sacrifice worldbuilding for romance or vice versa—it weaves both elements together to create stories where the fantasy and romantic elements enhance and complicate each other.
2. “Thorns and Flames” by Elara Moon
This enemies-to-lovers tale between a fire mage and a cursed prince has become a BookTok sensation, with thousands of videos featuring quotes, fan art, and passionate reactions to the book’s most emotional scenes. Moon’s debut novel stands out for its unique magic system, where elemental powers are tied to emotional states—creating natural tension as the protagonists’ growing feelings for each other directly impact their magical abilities.
The novel’s popularity demonstrates how romantasy appeals to readers seeking both emotional catharsis and imaginative worldbuilding. The slow-burn romance is punctuated by magical duels, political conspiracies, and life-or-death stakes, creating a reading experience that keeps pages turning while delivering the emotional payoff romance readers crave.
Key takeaway: Romantasy thrives on tension—both the romantic tension between characters and the external tensions created by magical conflicts, with each aspect amplifying the other.
3. “Wings of Ash” by Kieran Hart
Hart’s tale of a warrior assigned to protect a kingdom who falls for the mysterious stranger they’re tasked with guarding has resonated particularly with readers seeking LGBTQ+ representation in romantasy. The novel features a non-binary protagonist navigating both their duties as a royal guard and their growing feelings for someone who may be connected to the kingdom’s enemies.
“Wings of Ash” exemplifies how romantasy is expanding beyond heteronormative traditions, creating inclusive magical worlds that reflect diverse experiences. The book’s success highlights readers’ hunger for stories where characters of all identities can experience both epic adventures and profound love stories.
Key takeaway: The romantasy genre is evolving to embrace diverse representation, creating magical worlds where everyone can see themselves as both heroes and romantic leads.
4. “A Crown of Shadows and Stars” by Nadia Reeves
The final installment in Reeves’ bestselling trilogy delivers on the promises of the earlier books, bringing the slow-burn romance between a reluctant queen and her enigmatic advisor to a satisfying conclusion while resolving the overarching conflict between warring magical realms.
What makes this series particularly notable is how it has maintained reader engagement across multiple books, with the romantic and fantasy elements evolving in tandem. The relationship that began as mutual distrust in the first book has developed alongside the protagonist’s growing magical abilities and political acumen, creating a romance that feels earned through shared trials and growth.
Key takeaway: Series-based romantasy can build particularly devoted followings by developing both the romantic relationship and the fantasy world across multiple books, allowing for deeper character development and more complex worldbuilding.
5. “The Hurricane Wars” by Thea Guanzon
This Southeast Asian-inspired romantasy has captured readers’ imagination with its unique setting and magic system based on weather manipulation. The enemies-to-lovers romance between a storm mage and the daughter of a rival clan unfolds against a backdrop of generational conflict and environmental crisis.
Guanzon’s novel represents the growing globalization of romantasy, moving beyond the European medieval settings that once dominated fantasy to explore magical worlds inspired by diverse cultural traditions. Readers have responded enthusiastically to this expansion of the genre, with many citing the fresh perspectives and innovative magic systems as key to the book’s appeal.
Key takeaway: Romantasy is increasingly drawing inspiration from global cultural traditions, creating more diverse magical worlds and relationship dynamics that offer fresh perspectives on both fantasy and romance.
6. “Heartless Hunter” by Kristen Ciccarelli
This dark romantasy follows a cursed hunter tracking a legendary beast, only to discover that the monster and the person they’re falling for may be one and the same. Ciccarelli’s novel blends elements of gothic romance with high fantasy, creating an atmosphere of brooding tension and forbidden desire.
The book’s exploration of monstrosity, transformation, and acceptance has struck a chord with readers, particularly those drawn to morally complex characters and relationships that challenge conventional notions of heroism and villainy. The novel doesn’t shy away from darker themes, demonstrating romantasy’s capacity to explore complex emotional and ethical territory.
Key takeaway: Dark romantasy is carving out a significant niche within the genre, appealing to readers who appreciate morally complex characters and relationships that explore the boundaries between light and shadow.
7. “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas
Though not a new release, Maas’s series continues to dominate romantasy discussions and bestseller lists in 2025, particularly as new readers discover it through BookTok recommendations. This Beauty and the Beast retelling that evolves into a complex tale of fae politics and passionate romance remains the gateway series that many readers credit with introducing them to the romantasy genre.
The enduring popularity of this series demonstrates how foundational works continue to shape the romantasy landscape, with new releases often compared to and inspired by Maas’s worldbuilding and romantic dynamics. The series has effectively become the measuring stick against which many readers evaluate other romantasy offerings.
Key takeaway: Certain cornerstone works continue to define readers’ expectations of romantasy, serving as entry points to the genre and influencing both reader preferences and author approaches.
8. “The Jasad Heir” by Sara Hashem
This Egyptian mythology-inspired romantasy follows a young woman who discovers she’s the last surviving member of a magical dynasty, thrust into a dangerous world of ancient powers and political intrigue. The slow-burn romance between the protagonist and her reluctant protector develops against a backdrop of identity discovery and magical awakening.
Hashem’s novel exemplifies the trend toward romantasy that draws on non-Western mythological traditions, creating magical systems and romantic dynamics that feel fresh and distinctive. Readers have particularly praised the book’s immersive setting and the way the romance complements rather than overshadows the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery.
Key takeaway: Romantasy based on diverse mythological traditions is gaining significant traction, offering readers new magical frameworks and relationship dynamics beyond familiar Western tropes.
9. “A Language of Dragons” by S.F. Williamson
This debut novel features a linguist who can communicate with dragons becoming entangled with a dragon shifter hiding among humans. The unique premise combines scholarly fantasy with fated-mates romance, creating a story that appeals to readers who appreciate both intellectual worldbuilding and passionate relationships.
Williamson’s novel demonstrates how romantasy is expanding to incorporate elements from other speculative subgenres, creating hybrid stories that appeal to diverse reader interests. The book’s success highlights the genre’s flexibility and its capacity to evolve beyond established formulas.
Key takeaway: Innovation within romantasy often comes from blending elements of different subgenres, creating fresh combinations that appeal to readers seeking new twists on familiar tropes.
10. “The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy” by Mia Carter
This playful, contemporary romantasy follows a witch who finds herself magically bound to her coven’s rival, forcing them to work together despite their mutual animosity. Carter’s novel stands out for its modern setting and lighter tone, proving that romantasy can thrive outside of historical or secondary-world settings.
The book’s popularity points to the expanding boundaries of romantasy, which is increasingly incorporating elements of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and even romantic comedy. Readers have responded enthusiastically to this more accessible approach to magical romance, particularly appreciating the book’s witty dialogue and contemporary references.
Key takeaway: Contemporary romantasy is gaining ground alongside more traditional secondary-world settings, offering readers magical love stories that feel more immediately relatable to modern experiences.
Conclusion
The romantasy boom of 2025 represents more than just a publishing trend—it reflects readers’ desire for stories that combine emotional depth with imaginative escape. By blending the relationship focus of romance with the worldbuilding of fantasy, these books offer readers a perfect balance of heart and wonder.
What makes romantasy particularly compelling is its versatility. From dark, politically complex secondary worlds to lighthearted contemporary settings with magical elements, the genre encompasses a broad spectrum of tones, settings, and relationship dynamics. This diversity ensures that readers of various preferences can find romantasy that resonates with their specific interests.
As the genre continues to evolve, we’re seeing increasing diversity in representation, cultural influences, and narrative approaches. Authors are drawing inspiration from global mythological traditions, incorporating LGBTQ+ characters and relationships, and blending romantasy with elements from other genres to create fresh, innovative stories.
Whether you’re new to romantasy or a dedicated fan, these ten books offer a window into why this genre has captured the imagination of readers worldwide in 2025. Each delivers the perfect blend of magical adventure and emotional connection that defines the best of romantasy—stories where both the heart and the imagination can take flight.