Romance andfantasyhave always gone hand in hand, even if there are somefantasy book series without romance. The past few years have seen an increase in the popularity of spicy content within speculative fiction, as using the escapism of fantasy complements the romantic tension of these more explicit scenes.Fairies and magical creatures often play a part in these narratives,as the authors use the most mystical and inviting parts of the fantasy genre to draw readers in and create an immersive world. These books are written for the female gaze, with strong women protagonists exploring their sexuality.
Manybooks perfectly blend fantasy and romance, but these titles are unashamed of using the plot as a means to further the central love story, leaning into the intimate moments. However, this doesn’t mean there’s no story, as this would make for a boring read. Instead,the stakes and motivations of the characters all work to uplift the main relationship,with authors sometimes employing classic romance tropes to put the characters in steamy situations. Common plot devices are enemies-to-lovers arcs, the characters embarking on an epic quest, or marriage to save a kingdom that becomes much more than political.
10House Of Earth And Blood (2020)
Written by Sarah J. Maas
TheCrescent Citybooks are one of the more plot-heavy series by the well-known fantasy author Sarah J. Maas, but that doesn’t mean she skimps on the spicy content.House of Earth and Bloodfollows the romance between Bryce Quinlan and Hunt Athalar,who must work together to solve the murder of Bryce’s best friend. Maas pushes herself to explore the urban fantasy genre, building the depths and murky secrets of Crescent City to be a strong background for Bryce and Hunt’s dynamic.
As their investigation heats up, the stakes of the story complement the rising tension between the two leads and their overall arc.
Bryce’s character inCrescent Cityis divisivebecause her strong and confident persona can sometimes make her overly arrogant, especially with Hunt. However, the reason the chemistry between the characters hits home is thatBryce and Hunt are willing to push each other, leading to their explosive scenestogether. As their investigation heats up, the stakes of the story complement the rising tension between the two leads and their overall arc.
9From Blood And Ash (2020)
Written by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Jennifer L. Armentrout gets the exposition out of the way quickly inFrom Blood and Ashso the reader can understand the story’s world and get right into the epic love between Poppy and Casteel. However,From Blood and Ashis more of a slow-burn romance,with the spicy scenes happening between Poppy and Cas a few times throughout the book. Despite this, each time they’re together, it’s extremely memorable. Additionally, the payoff of their time together is even better since their relationship develops over time.
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The writing style makes the growing tension between them and the moments they don’t touch each other just as compelling. Unlike some of the other books on the list,From Blood and Ashuses vampires instead of fairies and successfully differentiates itself from the many vampiric novels out there. While the twist at the end of the book brings the nature of Poppy and Cas' relationship into question,From Blood and Ashis a thrilling read that includes some good action scenes in addition to the spice.
8King Of Battle And Blood (2021)
Written by Scarlett St. Clair
The plot elements inKing of Battle and Bloodare few and far between, but the background of an epic war between a kingdom of humans and vampires makes a strong setting for the story.Isolde, the protagonist, is forced into a marriage with Adrian, the vampire king,but it just so happens that she’s more drawn to him than any other love interest in her life. Though they’re enemies and Adrian is hiding more than a few secrets, it’s easy to get lost in the drama of their epic romance.
Adrian is a classic bad boy love interest who has a dark side but would do anything to protect and please Isolde, which only makes her more confused about her allegiances.
King of Battle and Bloodis one of the most explicit books on the list, with Isolde and Adrian’s sex scenes making up a good portion of the page count. Adrian is a classic bad boy love interest who has a dark side but would do anything to protect and please Isolde, which only makes her more confused about her allegiances.Jealousy is a major theme throughoutKing of Battle and Blood,as Isolde and Adrian can’t always express their feelings without getting heated.
7What Lies Beyond The Veil (2022)
Written by Harper L. Woods
Though the human world is separated from that of the Fae inWhat Lies Beyond The Veil, the strict caste system and poor conditions that Estrella endures every day don’t make life easy. However, whenthe veil that keeps the Fae at bay comes down, Estrella faces a whole new set of challenges.Her love interest, Caelum, isn’t subtle about his feelings or intentions toward Estrella throughout the narrative. However, Estrella resists her feelings and tries to pretend she hates them as he protects her from the Fae.
Much ofWhat Lies Beyond The Veilis a traveling narrative,with Estrella and Caelum forced to fight and work together to survive as they make their way to their destination. Caelum is a more direct and forceful love interest, which isn’t for everyone, but this is part of the escapist fantasy ofWhat Lies Beyond The Veil. As Estrella learns that what the humans say about the Fae isn’t entirely true, she grapples with balancing her own freedom with her growing feelings and loyalty toward Caelum.
6Kushiel’s Dart (2001)
Written by Jacqueline Carey
As one of the older works on the list,Kushiel’s Dartis the blueprint for many contemporary romantasy books that are unafraid to fill stories with spice. The book is the first in theKushiel’s Legacyseries, which explores the life ofPhèdre, a young woman who trains to serve as a courtesan, which is part of the religious systemof the story, in a fictional medieval society. Phèdre’s story begins when the secret of her abilities is unlocked, and she realizes that pain is a source of gratification for her.
The entire premise of the narrative and conceit of the society inKushiel’s Dartrevolves around physical pleasure and the elevation of all forms of love.
The entire premise of the narrative and conceit of the society inKushiel’s Dartrevolves around physical pleasure and the elevation of all forms of love.Kushiel’s Dartwas well ahead of its time in terms of providing LGBTQ+ representation within its fictional world and promoting openness surrounding discussions of sexuality and intimacy. WhileJacqueline Carey’s writing style is more dense and complex than other romantasy novels,this uplifts the overall themes and provides a little more substance with the spice.
5Rhapsodic (2016)
Written by Laura Thalassa
Book one ofThe Bargainerseries,Rhapsodic, pulls the reader into Laura Thalassa’s incredible world of fae, sirens, and the mysterious Bargainer. Callypso is entangled with the Bargainer and keeps going back to him for favors, even though one day he’ll ask for repayment.The Bargainer, Desmond, needs Callypso’s help with a problem in the fae world,and the time they spend together solving this issue leads to an unbelievable love story. Throughout the book, the importance of Callie and Des' relationship becomes clear through flashbacks to the past.
There are some content warnings forRhapsodicthat readers should be aware of before delving into the story, but most of the narrative revolves around romance and more positive storylines.Rhapsodicis more a love story than anything else,with the thrust of the plot quickly falling away as Desmond and Callypso get wrapped up in each other. Though the world is a little underdeveloped, this doesn’t take away from how gripping the relationship is.
4The Witch Collector (2021)
Written by Charissa Weaks
The protagonist ofThe Witch Collector, Raina, is driven by grief and revenge. Her sister was taken by the Collector years before and has been trapped with the Frost King ever since. However,the Collector isn’t the horrible villain she thought him to be,and on their travels together, he starts to become someone she might even fall in love with. Alexus, the Collector, isn’t afraid to come up against Raina’s sharp tongue and attitude, making them the perfect pair.
Though it takes some time for Raina and Alexus to get to the meat of their quest, their journey sparks exciting discoveries about each other.
As far aswitchy romance booksgo,The Witch Collectoris much more than a cozy read to curl up with, as there’s plenty of action and intrigue to accompany the romance.The Witch Collectordraws comparisons to other enemies-to-lovers fantasy storieslikeUprootedbut leans much further into the spice and budding love story. Though it takes some time for Raina and Alexus to get to the meat of their quest, their journey sparks exciting discoveries about each other.
3A Court Of Thorns And Roses (2015)
A Court of Thorns and Rosesmight be one of the most famous romantasy series of the past several decadesand are Maas' most famous books by far. From the beginning, it’s clear thatACOTARis something special, as readers might be familiar with the many plot points and dynamics that have influenced the spice-filled fantasy love stories that have come after. Feyre is the protagonist of the first few books and one of the best characters. She comes to be the object of desire for many of the Fae she encounters throughout the story.
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Part of the reason thatACOTARis an entry point for so many new readers within the romantasy genre is that the characters are interesting and well-developed. Feyre sees her loyalties questioned and pushed to the breaking point, and the Fae realm is a well-built world that doesn’t get too complex or take away from Feyre’s many romantic entanglements. Manyromantasy books deserve TV shows likeACOTAR, as the hit book will soon get a screen adaptation.A Court of Thorns and Roseshasplenty of spice but is approachable for fantasy readers dipping their toes into more intimate stories.
2Glint (2022)
Written by Raven Kennedy
Raven Kennedy uses the familiar myths and legends about King Midas to set the stage forGild, a dark retelling from the perspective of the heroine who Midas imprisons. However,the sequel,Glint, is the installment that delivers the spice and romancethat audiences were waiting for.Gildis a more intense and violent start to the series, as the protagonist, Auren, must escape her cage in King Midas' castle and find her way to freedom.
While Rip and Auren’s romance is more on the slow-burn side, it allows Auren to come into her own and makes her development satisfying.
It’s inGlintthatAuren meets the Fae, Commander Rip, who becomes the object of her desireand makes for a great companion during the book’s spiciest scenes. For readers beginning the series withGild, there are some content warnings that Kennedy provides about the darker content in the books, butGlintmostly leaves these aspects behind and explores Auren’s character further. While Rip and Auren’s romance is more on the slow-burn side, it allows Auren to come into her own and makes her development satisfying.
1Serpent & Dove (2019)
Written by Shelby Mahurin
The first of theSerpent & Doveseries, the titular book by Shelby Mahurin, rewrites the dynamic between witches and their persecutors through Lou and Reid.Lou is a witch in hiding, and Reid is a member of the church that hunts herand any other witch who comes across his path, making them sworn enemies. A twist of fate leaves the pair unhappily married. However, that close proximity over time quickly leads to feelings developing, even though the war between the church and the witches is escalating.
Serpent & Doveis a slightly more tame introduction to the spicierfantasynovels, with Reid and Lou building up to their intimate scenes over time. As the novels progress, the world becomes better fleshed out, and even though Lou and Reid spend a lot of time being angry at each other, they can’t help being drawn together.Serpent & Doveis a book that’s easy to devour and get sucked into as Reid and Lou try to balance their inconvenient feelings while their identities put them at odds.
