Romantasy is sweeping through social media and finding popularity on bookshelves everywhere: 232k posts on TikTok are tagged as #romantasy and Goodreads added a Best Romantasy category for its yearly Choice Awards, cementing it as a trending genre. You’ll find well-known authors such as Sarah J. Maas, Carissa Broadbent, and Jennifer Armentrout included in romantasy book lists.
But what is romantasy? You’ll be hard-pressed to find an exact definition anywhere on the internet.
Katie Fraser of The Bookseller magazine said “Broadly [romantasy] describes stories where romance is the driving force of the narrative in a fantasy world.”
This vague definition of the blending of romance and fantasy leaves a lot of room for what books can fall into this genre. What we do know is that readers can expect to find rich worldbuilding, defined magic systems, and the high stakes of a fantasy setting with romance as the central plot. Because who doesn’t love a fairytale happily ever after when the dust has settled?
We’ve rounded up a collection of audiobooks that are perfect for anyone seeking a romantic, yet adventurous read. Whether you’re looking for a new series to dive into or something a bit spicier, there’s something for everyone.
Bound & Barbed
Written by Samantha R. Goode, narrated by Tor Thom and Auri Alden
Evaline Manor was sure she’d lived the worst day of her life when she witnessed the death of her father and narrowly avoided a brutal attack. Now she’s trapped in the kingdom ruled by her aunt and uncle who are desperate to keep her docile and marry her off. She’s determined to utilize her combat training to escape Kembertus and flee to one of the neighboring kingdoms.
Maddox Vicor doubted whether the Goddess of Fate would grant him a mate. Most Kova found theirs in their first hundred years. He’d long passed that mark. But on his first day in Kembertus, he catches Evaline pickpocketing his dagger. In one moment, his world turns on its axis as he feels the bond snap into place, and Maddox knows that this woman with white hair and inhuman reflexes is his mate.
The illusion of freedom that Evaline holds dear is torn away on her new worst day when her aunt proposes an arrangement that she’d kill to escape. With time slipping through her fingers and danger closing in on all sides, she must do the one thing she fears most in order to save herself: she must trust a bloodthirsty immortal.
Please find content warning information at www.samanthargoode.com.
Crown of Blood and Glass
Written by Lucinda Dark and Rebecca Grey, narrated by Carly Robins
Full of intrigue, this first-in-series romantasy title features a hate-to-love forbidden romance between a fugitive princess and a noble barbarian.
My closest friend has lost his mind. He killed my father, took over my kingdom, and despite the blood that now stains his hands, claims that we’re fated to be together.
My salvation comes from the most unlikely of sources.
To reclaim my throne, I’ll have to rely on the one man I’ve hated my entire life for survival.
Solomon Winett is the noble descendant of barbarian warriors and the bane of my existence. He’s obnoxious, stubborn, and the only one who rescued me from a fate worse than death.
I just need to remember one thing: once the line between hatred and passion has been crossed, there’s no going back.
A Crown of Ivy and Glass
Written by Claire Legrand, narrated by Evelyn Rose
Lady Gemma Ashbourne seemingly has it all. She’s young, gorgeous, and rich. Her family was Anointed by the gods, blessed with incredible abilities. But underneath her glittering façade, Gemma is deeply sad. Years ago, her sister Mara was taken to the Middlemist to guard against treacherous magic. Her mother abandoned the family. Her father and eldest sister, Farrin—embroiled in a deadly blood feud with the mysterious Bask family—often forget Gemma exists.
Worst of all, Gemma is the only Ashbourne to possess no magic. Instead, her body fights it like poison. Constantly ill, aching with loneliness, Gemma craves love and yearns to belong.
Then she meets the devastatingly handsome Talan d’Astier. His family destroyed themselves, seduced by a demon, and Talan, the only survivor, is determined to redeem their honor. Intrigued and enchanted, Gemma proposes a bargain: she’ll help Talan navigate high society if he helps her destroy the Basks. According to popular legend, a demon called The Man with the Three-Eyed Crown is behind the families’ blood feud—slay the demon; end the feud.
But attacks on the Middlemist are increasing. The plot against the Basks quickly spirals out of control. And something immense and terrifying is awakening in Gemma, drawing her inexorably toward Talan and an all-consuming passion that could destroy her—or show her the true strength of her power at last.
The Curse of Saints
Written by Kate Dramis, narrated by Devon Sorvari
In the first book of this romantic fantasy trilogy, an elite spy unleashes a power that hasn’t been seen in 500 years, leaving her questioning who―or what―she really is.
As an elite spy and the Queen’s Third-in-Command, Aya has dedicated herself to a life of discipline and duty, using her gods-given abilities to keep dark magic from ever returning to the realm. Her oath ensures she will always act to protect those she fights alongside―including Will, the Queen’s Enforcer and Aya’s bitter rival.
Forced by circumstance to work together, Aya and Will struggle to come to an uneasy truce. But when tragedy strikes, Aya instinctively reacts, unleashing a power that hasn’t been seen in over 500 years. Shaken, she’s confronted with an impossible truth, one that threatens the precious grip she keeps on her control, that forces her to work with Will to discover who―or what―she really is, and that could turn her into a weapon in a war she doesn’t know how to win.
With Will at her side and untold power at her fingertips, Aya will have to decide if she’s been sent to save the realm she loves…or destroy it.
Feathers So Vicious
Written by Liv Zander, narrated Shaina Summerville, Tor Thom, and Tommy Fuller
Feathers So Vicious is a full-length dark fantasy romance novel and the first book in the Court of Ravens duet. The two-part story features two morally gray raven shifters, a young woman at the mercy of their shadows, and a HEA. This world contains dark elements, violence, and themes some may find disturbing. What this book doesn’t contain is a hero—because villains do it better. And two do it better than one…
More detailed information and trigger warnings can be found on the author’s website: LivZander.com.
