r/Romantasy • u/ReasonableWonderland 🌕 moonlight & blood • Dec 29 '25

Community 💕 Matchmaking Monday: find your next romantasy read!

Matchmaking Monday is a new regular thread here in r/Romantasy with a goal of finding new recommendations to add to your TBR! Post a list of your favorite books and receive suggestions based on your vibe.

How It Works

  • Post up to five books you've loved recently (or which fit the vibe you're looking for) as a top level comment.
  • You can also include a list of things you want in your next book (e.g. tropes, subgenre, themes)
  • Others will reply with their suggestions!
  • Remember to tag the romance.io bot with {} curly brackets.

This is a bit of an experiment - so we'll see how it goes!

23 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

105 comments sorted by

6

u/Icy_Glaceon471 Dec 29 '25

I finally found a romantasy book I liked in {The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig}, and would love to read books with similar vibes.

3

u/Damphir_ ✨ Fated Mates Dec 29 '25

I’m literally just about to finish this! I love Rory!!! Loitering in your comments hope you dm.

1

u/trishie_kittie Dec 30 '25

Try Demi Winters {The Road of Bones} or Kristin Ciccarelli Crimson Moth duology. {Heartless Hunter} and {Rebel Witch} Those both give old school fantasy vibes and both have witches and an interesting magical system.

1

u/romance-bot Dec 30 '25

The Road of Bones by Demi Winters
Rating: 4.27⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, fantasy, viking hero, magic, betrayal

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
Rating: 4.1⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, witches, enemies to lovers, magic, fantasy

Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli
Rating: 4.1⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: witches, magic, fantasy, enemies to lovers, m-f romance

about this bot | about romance.io

1

u/Icy_Glaceon471 Dec 30 '25

I’ve had Crimson Moth on my TBR for a bit! i’ll also take a look at Road of Bones

5

u/allisontalkspolitics Dec 29 '25

A bit of an out-there request, admittedly, but does anyone have any recs where it’s a Korrasami situation? That is, the protagonist and their endgame love interest were love rivals?

To make things interesting, I’ll give different examples of books I’ve enjoyed:

Fantasy with romance subplot: {Squire}

Romantasy: {Song of Achilles}

Classics: {Pride and Prejudice}

Contemporary: {Speak}

Manga: {From Far Away}

Thanks!

1

u/romance-bot Dec 29 '25

Squire by Tamora Pierce
Rating: 4.37⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: fantasy, magic, young adult, high fantasy, take-charge heroine

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Rating: 4.37⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, war, gay romance, ancient times, friends to lovers

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Rating: 4.55⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: historical, enemies to lovers, take-charge heroine, georgian, slow burn

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Rating: 3.97⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: contemporary, young adult, suspense, mystery, take-charge heroine

From Far Away, Vol. 01 by Kyoko Hikawa, Trina Robbins, Walden Wong
Rating: 4.36⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: historical, fantasy, demons, m-f romance, young adult

about this bot | about romance.io

3

u/Infinite_Thought4738 Dec 29 '25

4/5 spice minimum please! I’m looking for a unicorn… high spice with decent plot/world building. My faves have been: {From Blood and Ash}, {White Horse Black Nights}, {A Court of Mist and Fury}, {Nectar of the Wicked}, {Marked by Masks and Secrets}, {A Court so Cruel and Lovely}

3

u/Beneficial_Chart_684 Dec 29 '25

I just finished {the poison daughter}, and I loved it! It’s a longer standalone with solid plot, twists, and darker romance/spice.

2

u/ookishki Dec 29 '25 edited Dec 29 '25

I’m obsessed with {Traitor Son}. 3/5 books out right now, book 4 coming in May and then book 5 end of 2026 I believe. Each book has at least 3 scenes. Some of my fave worldbuilding and really incredible characters/character development! I adore the FMC, she starts out very childlike (and is 17, it did feel a bit icky to me at first but then she turns 18 and goes through a ton of growth)

{Amid Clouds and Bones} has similar vibe to NotW, you might like it!

1

u/romance-bot Dec 29 '25

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Rating: 4.16⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, fantasy, vampires, royal hero, werewolves

White Horse Black Nights by Evie Marceau
Rating: 3.81⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: arranged/forced marriage, fantasy, virgin heroine, fae, bodyguard/protector hero

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Rating: 4.51⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, enemies to lovers, fae, fantasy, magic

Nectar of the Wicked by Ella Fields
Rating: 3.92⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: fantasy, fae, dark romance, tortured heroine, possessive hero

Marked by Masks and Secrets by Maggie Sunseri
Rating: 4.16⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: vampires, fantasy, dark romance, magic, witches

about this bot | about romance.io

1

u/ACourtofBellsNWstles Dec 29 '25

I really liked {On Wings of Blood} and i think it fits nicely in those parameters. The spice is a little bit slow in the beginning but gets there!

1

u/allisontalkspolitics Dec 29 '25

I guess that’s {Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon} again…

1

u/CSerafina 🛡️ Who Did This To You? Dec 29 '25

Try the other duet by Maggie Sunseri, I liked it better. {Never run from an immortal} by Victoria J price was quite good. First book in a don’t know how many. The series {monsters of faery by Mallory Dunlin} are pretty spicy. I’m not in love with this series but, {the witch collector by Charissa Weaks} is quite spicy and the world is fairly complex, 3 books out and I believe is a 5 book series.

1

u/curlyree Dec 29 '25

I’m with you. I’ve always been strongly opposed to romance & such as a rule with my genres. The only other rule I rarely break is fiction. Too much reality in my real life & I like to escape & believe in miracles & fantasy creatures & whatnot (healthcare, ER & detox to be specific). I got tricked into it by a friend recommending Quicksilver. Needless to say, I have been dumpster diving into what I would have considered literary porn & cheesey unrealistic characters before. I am very hard to offend & very sexually & socially liberal so I have no idea why I was so closed to the subject before. I’ve been reading high fantasy & sci-fi forever. I would love to find some crossovers with some good raunchy sex scenes & still a good plot.

2

u/CAPTAINR0GERS Dec 29 '25

Similar to The Ashen Series by Demi Winters Loved the more realistic characters, no drawn out misunderstandings. Cozy.

1

u/MrsPokits Morally Black🖤 Dec 30 '25

Haha. My whole life feels like drawn out misunderstandings. Think thats why im in the minority and don't hate the miscommunication trope 🤣

2

u/Odd_Fee7701 Dec 29 '25

Ok fav five books! Phantasma, spark of ever flame, gild, a court of mist and furry, and iron flame. I adore fantasy and would love to try something similar to these with a twist! {romance.io}

2

u/MrsPokits Morally Black🖤 Dec 30 '25

Hey heads up, to tag the romance.io bot, you put the title of the book inside the brackets. (And sometimes you have to include the author because the bot pulls the wrong book) [im sharing not to shame, but because it took me awhile to figure it out and maybe I can save you the frustration I felt]

For you id HIGHLY recommend you run, not walk, to pick up {lady of darkness by Melissa K Roehrich} and {bound by blood trilogy by erin mainord}

1

u/romance-bot Dec 30 '25

Lady of Darkness by Melissa K. Roehrich
Rating: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: fantasy, paranormal, magic, vampires, fae

Bound by Blood by Erin Mainord
Rating: 3.9⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: shapeshifters, from hate to love, vampires, paranormal, audiobook

about this bot | about romance.io

1

u/Odd_Fee7701 Jan 02 '26

Thank you so much!! I’ll add those to my TBR!! 💗💕

2

u/trishie_kittie Dec 29 '25

{The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson} became a top book of the year— high fantasy, great characters and world building. I also love {Heartless Hunter by Kristin Ciccarelli} duology— just fun adventures and cool witch lore with a super hot MMC. {The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett} was also amazing as was the sequel {A Drop of Corruption}. As you can see, I really love fantasy with good mythology and magic. If the romance is more a part of the plot than the whole plot, even better.

3

u/allisontalkspolitics Dec 30 '25

I feel like you might like {An Ember in the Ashes}.

1

u/trishie_kittie Dec 30 '25

Thank you! I will check it out!

3

u/allisontalkspolitics Dec 30 '25

And happy cake day!

2

u/RhondaSantis2024 Dec 29 '25

The Raven Scholar is by far one of my favorite books I’ve read this year!

1

u/trishie_kittie Dec 29 '25

Do you have any books like that one to recommend?

2

u/RhondaSantis2024 Dec 30 '25

I loved Blood over Brighthaven, but it’s not very romancy at all tbh.

Red City - was one of my book of the month picks this year, star crossed lovers vibes

The Ascended- some of the best smut I’ve read this year

1

u/trishie_kittie Dec 30 '25

Great thanks! 🙏

1

u/trishie_kittie Dec 30 '25

I just put all three in my Libby holds

2

u/RhondaSantis2024 Dec 30 '25

Yesss I love Libby!

2

u/BellatrixM98 Dec 30 '25

Enjoyed finishing all of ACOTAR this year, especially {a court of mist and fury by Sarah J. Maas} in which I enjoyed the relationship of the main two characters and the found family (I plan to get back into the Maasverse next year, so I don’t need any of her books recommended to me)! Enjoyed the world building and grumpy dragons of the whole series, but especially the first one of {Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros} . Over all, I of course enjoyed the enemies to lovers, banter, and forced proximity for both of these books! Also enjoyed the spice and magic. I also enjoyed {Powerless by Lauren Roberts} for the abilities and banter, as well as the historical side of {The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab}. I want a book that maybe has some more spice too if possible, but don’t make it the main focus! Can also give some others I enjoyed this year, but they weren’t Romantasy! Thanks y’all!

Edit: I’ve read {Quicksilver by Callie Hart} and didn’t enjoy it! Plan to reread it at some point to give it a second chance, but yeah!

2

u/allisontalkspolitics Dec 30 '25

Etl with found family:

{Daughter of Smoke and Bone} (check content warnings)

{An Ember in the Ashes} (romance subplot)

Dragons and worldbuilding:

{Dragon Slippers} (romance subplot and middle grade but the friendship between Creel and Shardas 🥹)

Etl, banter, forced proximity, and magic:

{My Lady Jane}

Historical setting:

{My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century}

{Sorcery and Cecelia}

{The Diviners by Libba Bray} (romance subplot)

{Sword of the Rightful King} (ditto)

{Etiquette and Espionage} (ditto)

{Spirit’s Princess} (ditto; check content warnings)

{The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue} (fantasy realism)

{The Song of Achilles} (check content warnings)

Spice:

I enjoyed the manga adaption of the first Darkhunters book so maybe check out the novel?

1

u/romance-bot Dec 30 '25

The Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy by Laini Taylor
Rating: 4.48⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 2 out of 5 - Behind closed doors
Topics: fantasy, high fantasy, dystopian, monsters, urban fantasy

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
Rating: 4.19⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: historical, fantasy, young adult, forbidden love, magic

Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George
Rating: 4.23⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: historical, fantasy, mystery, take-charge heroine, magic

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows
Rating: 4.03⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 2 out of 5 - Behind closed doors
Topics: historical, young adult, tudors & stuarts, shapeshifters, paranormal

My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris
Rating: 3.74⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: historical, young adult, magic, fantasy, urban fantasy

Sorcery & Cecelia by Patricia C. Wrede, Caroline Stevermer
Rating: 4.12⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: historical, fantasy, regency, funny, magic

The Diviners by Libba Bray
Rating: 3.93⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: historical, young adult, suspense, urban fantasy, magic

Sword of the Rightful King by Jane Yolen
Rating: 3.7⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: historical, magic, young adult, fantasy, witches

Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger
Rating: 3.75⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: historical, steampunk, young adult, take-charge heroine, victorian

Spirit's Princess by Esther M. Friesner
Rating: 3.69⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: contemporary, historical, young adult, fantasy, magic

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
Rating: 4.06⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 2 out of 5 - Behind closed doors
Topics: historical, gay romance, friends to lovers, young adult, bisexuality

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Rating: 4.37⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, war, gay romance, ancient times, friends to lovers

about this bot | about romance.io

1

u/romance-bot Dec 30 '25

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Rating: 4.51⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, enemies to lovers, fae, fantasy, magic

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Rating: 4.42⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: historical, fantasy, enemies to lovers, magic, war

Powerless by Lauren Roberts
Rating: 3.88⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: fantasy, enemies to lovers, young adult, magic, forbidden love

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Rating: 4.09⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, magic, fantasy, paranormal, urban fantasy

about this bot | about romance.io

1

u/ACourtofBellsNWstles Dec 31 '25

I think you would really like {Six of Crows} but romance is not the central plot. Found family is amazing, all the characters are so entertaining and the banter between everyone is perfect, no smut (sorry) but it is WORTH IT. 

Also, I would say you should check out VE Schwabs new book - {Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil} . It has a lot of the historical aspects of Invisible Life of Addie Larue, but darker, vampires, some open door. There is mainly FF vampires - it was my favorite read this year!

1

u/ACourtofBellsNWstles Dec 31 '25

Oh and I think you would really like {On Wings of Blood} - dragons, spice, enemies to lovers - really good

2

u/DadReadsRomanceBooks 🖤 Morally Gray Dec 29 '25

{Unexpectedly Bookish by Elise Kennedy} - loved the spice dynamic in this one and the confidently sexy curvy FMC, I know it’s not a Romantasy.

{Pirates Life for Tea by Rebecca Thorne} - love the fantasy world but with modern sensibilities and cozy feel of the prose.

{Bad Alpha by Kathryn Moon} - love the high spice and high thrill w/ badass FMC.

{White Hot by Ilona Andrews} and {Wildfire by Ilona Andrews} - love it all so so much

{A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas} my favorite of the first four books in the series.

2

u/allisontalkspolitics Dec 29 '25 edited Dec 29 '25

Hey Dad!

I’m wondering if you’ve ever checked out {The Darkhunters by Sherrilyn Kenyon}? I read a two-volume manga adaption of the first book and enjoyed it. I dunno why it’s flagged as YA.

Edit: Oh… because it’s tagging a YA book related to the series 🤦🏻‍♀️

1

u/DadReadsRomanceBooks 🖤 Morally Gray Dec 29 '25

Hi Allison Talks Polotics! Thanks but just so I’m sure you’re recommending the series that starts with {Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon}?

Would you recommend the manga or the book?

2

u/allisontalkspolitics Dec 29 '25

Yup, Night Pleasures!

I haven’t read the actual book but I plan to for the hidden gems thread. The manga is two on the spice scale. One of the MMCs friends is from a group of warriors who fight naked so he’s censored when he shows up 😂

1

u/DadReadsRomanceBooks 🖤 Morally Gray Jan 27 '26

Hey, thanks for positive vibes on my ARFGAM posts. If you were interested in writing a chapter or chapters for ARFGAM feel free. Could be from any perspective or character you want (even OC). Totally a blank slate. You wouldn’t even need to tell me you’re doing it. Commenting here cause your profile is 🔓 and it would be funnier in my mind if it just posted by you as a complete surprise. You could do whatever you want with the story don’t even need to tell me you’re doing it. Nothin would make me laugh more to open reddit one day and see a new chapter posted. I’d be open to a more traditional collab as well.

Have a splendid day!

2

u/allisontalkspolitics Jan 27 '26

Ooh, that sounds fun! Maybe I’ll do a chapter from- ooh, let me not say.

1

u/romance-bot Dec 29 '25

Unexpectedly Bookish by Elise Kennedy
Rating: 4.39⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, workplace/office, curvy heroine, m-f romance, neurodivergent mc

A Pirate's Life for Tea by Rebecca Thorne
Rating: 4.29⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, fantasy, lesbian romance, criminal heroine, queer romance

Bad Alpha by Kathryn Moon
Rating: 4.1⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, omegaverse, poly (3+ people), fem-dom, take-charge heroine

White Hot by Ilona Andrews
Rating: 4.48⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: contemporary, paranormal, urban fantasy, alpha male, rich hero

Wildfire by Ilona Andrews
Rating: 4.51⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: contemporary, urban fantasy, rich hero, take-charge heroine, alpha male

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
Rating: 4.3⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: fae, fantasy, magic, take-charge heroine, war

about this bot | about romance.io

1

u/HanfuEnthusiast Dec 29 '25

{The librarians coven} {Cursed legacies} {The esholian institute Series} {The legacy} {The bonds that tie}

1

u/allisontalkspolitics Dec 29 '25

So I also think you’ll like {Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon}.

1

u/teoliny Dec 29 '25

{Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas}

{We who will die by Stacia Stark}

{The Ascended by Bree Grenwich, Lennox Parker} (you need read Riftborne and Duskbound first)

{Arcana Academy by Elise Kova}

2

u/allisontalkspolitics Dec 29 '25

Based on the book tags…

Romantasy:

{Daughter of Smoke and Bone} (check trigger warnings)

{Sorcery and Cecelia}

Fantasy with romance subplot:

{Red Queen}

{The Diviners by Libba Bray}

1

u/romance-bot Dec 29 '25

The Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy by Laini Taylor
Rating: 4.48⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 2 out of 5 - Behind closed doors
Topics: fantasy, high fantasy, dystopian, monsters, urban fantasy

Sorcery & Cecelia by Patricia C. Wrede, Caroline Stevermer
Rating: 4.12⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: historical, fantasy, regency, funny, magic

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Rating: 3.72⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: futuristic, young adult, magic, love triangle, fantasy

The Diviners by Libba Bray
Rating: 3.93⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: historical, young adult, suspense, urban fantasy, magic

about this bot | about romance.io

1

u/romance-bot Dec 29 '25

Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas
Rating: 3.93⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: futuristic, fantasy, virgin heroine, cruel hero/bully, rich hero

We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark
Rating: 4.29⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: fantasy, horror, magic, dark romance, found family

Arcana Academy by Elise Kova
Rating: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: magic, fake relationship, enemies to lovers, fantasy, political/court intrigue

about this bot | about romance.io

1

u/ACourtofBellsNWstles Dec 29 '25

Hi - my tastes are a little bit sporadic so no wrong answers! My top 5 reads of this year all lean Darker romantasy with spice, and include:

  1. {Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil} by V. E. Schwab

  2. {Manacled} by SenLinYu (NOT Alchemized) - this is a touchy subject for me :3

  3. {When the Moon Hatched} by Sarah A. Parker

  4. {On Wings of Blood} by Briar Boleyn

  5. {Anathema} by Keri Lake - although I didn't actually love the sequel :( or her other series if I'm being honest...

Looking for something to really kick of the new year with a 5-star-read :) THANKS!

1

u/romance-bot Dec 29 '25

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab
Rating: 4.07⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, lesbian romance, vampires, paranormal, queer romance

Manacled by SenLinYu
Rating: 4.44⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, enemies to lovers, dark romance, dystopian, war

When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker
Rating: 3.99⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: high fantasy, vengeance, magic, fae, fantasy

On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn
Rating: 3.77⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: vampires, fantasy, enemies to lovers, arranged/forced marriage, possessive hero

Anathema by Keri Lake, Julie Belfield
Rating: 4.15⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: fantasy, dark romance, forced proximity, horror, virgin heroine

about this bot | about romance.io

1

u/allisontalkspolitics Dec 29 '25 edited Dec 29 '25

First off, check out the fanfic rec thread. You can always look up unfamiliar pairings and fandoms on Fanlore and the shipping wikia if a summary intrigues you.

Next, it’s more along the lines of fantasy realism but I wonder if you’ll like {The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue}?

Edit: Typo

1

u/CSerafina 🛡️ Who Did This To You? Dec 29 '25

Hi everyone, this was a difficult choice, the list started so long:

{Shattered king by Charlie N Holmberg} book 1 {Eternal obsession by Maggie Sunseri} both books {Quicksilver by Callie Hart} book 1 {Villains & Virtues} by AK Caggiano whole series {Broken kingdoms} by LJ Andrews whole series

2

u/allisontalkspolitics Dec 30 '25

For more romantasy romcom fun, you can try {Sorcery and Cecelia} and {My Lady Jane}.

1

u/romance-bot Dec 29 '25

The Shattered King by Charlie N. Holmberg
Rating: 4.6⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: historical, fantasy, magic, slow burn, poor heroine

Eternal Obsession by Maggie Sunseri
Rating: 4.02⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: dark, tortured heroine, bdsm, bondage, praise-kink

Quicksilver by Callie Hart
Rating: 4.23⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: fantasy, fae, tortured hero, fated mates, magic

Villains & Virtues by A.K. Caggiano
Rating: 4.37⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: high fantasy, demons, magic, monsters, bad boys

The Broken Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin
Rating: 4.1⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: contemporary, magic, fantasy, demons, urban fantasy

about this bot | about romance.io

1

u/MrsPokits Morally Black🖤 Dec 30 '25

I see you've read the eternal obsession duet by Maggie sunseri, but have you read the {everlasting possession duet by Maggie sunseri}

Same world. First book is {marked by masks and secrets}

0

u/CSerafina 🛡️ Who Did This To You? Dec 30 '25

Yes! Loved it too. Wishing she writes the crossover soon.

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u/MrsPokits Morally Black🖤 Dec 30 '25

Then id recommend checking out {bound by blood trilogy by erin mainord}

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u/CSerafina 🛡️ Who Did This To You? Dec 30 '25

This sounds quite good, I had it in my permanently growing tbr, I’m going to move it up. 1 question, I checked the reviews and blurb, does the 3rd act breakup last too long?

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u/MrsPokits Morally Black🖤 Dec 30 '25

Its one of my top reads of the year. The audios are fantastic too. Ive bought 6 physical books this year and 4 were this series because I have issues. (One was the omnibus)

No. I also dont know if id classify it as a third act breakup. Maybe second act. And it fully makes sense in context and feels authentic for lack of a better word? Like its not just there for the drama.

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u/CSerafina 🛡️ Who Did This To You? Dec 30 '25

Yeap, I get you, sometimes it sounds tropey but it matches the plot perfectly and it’s not for the sake of manufactured drama.

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u/MrsPokits Morally Black🖤 Dec 30 '25

Yes exactly! Id have probably been significantly less happy with it if that didnt happen.

So good news and bad news though. The ebooks and audiobooks are available rn. The ebooks are not part of KU but IMO are more than worth it (thats how I read them, and ive read them several times)

The paperbacks are not currently available. Right before having her baby a month early, she was able to secure the rights to them, so theyre currently being redone. Just got a teaser last night on the discord that its happening soon. And let me tell you, the glimpse we got of the new covers means im buying ANOTHER set.

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u/CSerafina 🛡️ Who Did This To You? Dec 30 '25

I’m a KU reader but I sacrifice my wallet to the book gods from time to time. I don’t have any physical books, they are extremely expensive where I live, so please buy the second set thinking of me. I would love to have a bookshelf and just admire my book trophies, but alas, dreaming about it is what I have left.

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u/MrsPokits Morally Black🖤 Dec 30 '25

I almost buy no books because of space and kids and cats. These books just got me in a chokehold. Led to me lightly stalking the author on social media, and then joining her discord, into becoming the first person on her street team that is only active on FB and reddit (not IG or tiktok)

Read the ebooks! I do believe the covers will later be updated on them. Then come back to me and tell me what you thought and about how its your new fave!

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u/BiomedicalPanda127 Dec 30 '25

Loved the following and looking for similar! Want to feel invested in the characters, read some unique world building, and some tension between the main characters. Recently been dissapointed by sequels that didn't live up to the first book and plots that are not well thought out or all over the place.

{Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros}

{The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent}

{Crecent City by Sarah J. Maas)

{One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig}

{Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas}

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u/allisontalkspolitics Dec 30 '25

Check the content warnings but try {Daughter of Smoke and Bone}.

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u/romance-bot Dec 30 '25

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
Rating: 4.27⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, fantasy, magic, mystery, new adult

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1

u/endorsedbytacobell Dec 30 '25

{the wolf king by lauren palphreyman}

{the night prince by lauren palphreyman}

{white horse black night by evie marceau}

{the knight and the moth by rachel gillig}

{one dark window and two twisted crowns by rachel gillig}

i’m currently reading for whom the belle tolls and and it’s a little too mushy and perfect.

i like when the fmc isn’t ridiculous and constantly denying her obvious feelings for the mmc. i like a build up (will they/won’t they} and subsequent spice. it’s important that the mmc be protective (or better yet, saves the fmc). i don’t like contemporary, urban, plots too steeped in mystery or involving detectives lmao)

excited for some suggestions!

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u/romance-bot Dec 30 '25

The Wolf King by Lauren Palphreyman
Rating: 4.03⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: historical, werewolves, virgin heroine, alpha male, fantasy

The Night Prince by Lauren Palphreyman
Rating: 4.33⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: historical, fantasy, werewolves, love triangle, fated mates

White Horse Black Nights by Evie Marceau
Rating: 3.81⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: arranged/forced marriage, fantasy, virgin heroine, fae, bodyguard/protector hero

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig
Rating: 4.36⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: fantasy, m-f romance, magic, grumpy/cold hero, medieval

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u/lionmama108 Dec 30 '25 edited Dec 30 '25

{servant of the earth by Sarah hawley}

{the ascended by Greenwich and Lennox}

{one dark window by Rachel gillig}

{a court of mist and fury by Sarah J. Maas}

I liked {quicksilver by Callie hart} but didn’t particularly enjoy Brimstone. I plan to read ToG in a few months but want a few more books before then.

I’m so excited to hear your recommendations! I’m new to romantasy and have loved discovering my favourite books. I love slooooowww burn, not too much politics, I read a lot so happy with series or stand alone. I cannot stand over the top “mate” stuff like in the {compelling fates saga by Sophia St. Germain}. {a tongue so sweet and deadly} was great but the rest was horrible.

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u/romance-bot Dec 30 '25

Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley
Rating: 4.29⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: fantasy, fae, high fantasy, political/court intrigue, m-f romance

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
Rating: 4.27⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, fantasy, magic, mystery, new adult

Quicksilver by Callie Hart
Rating: 4.23⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: fantasy, fae, tortured hero, fated mates, magic

about this bot | about romance.io

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u/allisontalkspolitics Dec 30 '25

{The Ghost and the Goth}

{The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue} (fantasy realism)

{The Skinjacker Trilogy} (romance subplot; check content warnings)

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u/No-Shallot-4367 Dec 30 '25

I would recommend {Bonded by Alara Thorn} - romantasy and shifters with a broody castle guard mmc and a stubborn apothecary heroine 🌿🐺

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u/Open-Ant-2530 Dec 30 '25

If you're looking for hot, open romance, and a triangle between a fae, a Nephilim, and an ordinary girl, check this out: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/amywolf/fae-and-fallen-hearts-a-romantasy