You want a book that makes your heart race and your jaw drop; a love story wrapped in magic, with a world so good you forget to put it down. These are the best fantasy romance books to read this spring, and I picked every single one because I couldn’t stop thinking about it long after the last page.
Who this is for: If you love slow burns, enemies-to-lovers tension, fae courts, morally grey love interests, and magic systems that feel alive. This list is yours. Whether you’re a longtime fantasy reader or you just finished your first Sarah J. Maas book and need more, keep reading.
Best Fantasy Romance Books at a Glance
| Book Title | Author | Trope | Vibe | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Court of Thorns and Roses | Sarah J. Maas | Enemies-to-lovers, fae | Dark, lush, steamy | Fae world lovers |
| The Bridge Kingdom series | Danielle L. Jensen | Slow burn, political intrigue | Tense, romantic, smart | Fans of morally grey heroes |
| From Blood and Ash | Jennifer L. Armentrout | Forbidden romance, chosen one | Addictive, emotional | Readers who like fantasy with heat |
| The Cruel Prince | Holly Black | Enemies-to-lovers, fae court | Sharp, dangerous, witty | YA fantasy romance fans |
| Daughter of the Moon Goddess | Sue Lynn Tan | Epic quest, gentle romance | Beautiful, mythological | Readers who love lyrical prose |
| Kingdom of the Wicked | Kerri Maniscalco | Dark romance, demons | Atmospheric, gothic | Dark academia fans |
| The Kiss Curse | Erin Sterling | Witch romance, small town | Cozy, funny, sweet | Spring mood readers |
| These Hollow Vows | Beth Revis | Fae deal, love triangle | Fast-paced, fun | New adult fantasy fans |
| A Heart So Fierce and Broken | Brigid Kemmerer | Royalty, redemption arc | Emotional, character-driven | YA readers who love underdog stories |
| The Midnight Kingdom | Erin Beaty | Political romance, gods | Epic, layered | Fans of mythology-inspired fantasy |
1. A Court of Thorns and Roses — Sarah J. Maas
If you haven’t read this yet, spring is the perfect time to start. Feyre is a mortal hunter who kills a wolf in the woods and gets dragged into a fae realm as payment. What follows is one of the most iconic fantasy romance series ever written.
The world-building is rich and dark. The tension between Feyre and Tamlin builds slowly and then there’s Rhysand, who rewrites everything you thought you knew about this story. This series has sold millions of copies for a reason. It pulls you in and doesn’t let go.
The spring setting of parts of this book makes it a perfect seasonal read. Flowers, courts, magic in bloom, it fits.
Perfect for: Anyone who loves fae worlds, enemies-to-lovers slow burn, and female protagonists who grow into their power.
2. From Blood and Ash — Jennifer L. Armentrout
Poppy is the Maiden — chosen by the gods, protected, untouchable. Hawke is her guard. He’s also the worst possible person for her to fall for.
This book is addictive in the best way. Jennifer L. Armentrout writes banter that crackles and tension that makes you hold your breath. The romance is forbidden and intense, and the fantasy world builds in layers that keep surprising you. This one launched a massive series by the time you finish the first book, you’ll have already ordered the second.
Perfect for: Readers who want fantasy and heat in equal measure, with a love interest who makes every scene electric.
3. The Cruel Prince — Holly Black
Holly Black invented the blueprint for morally grey fae love interests, and Cardan is the proof. Jude is a mortal girl living in the High Court of Faerie. She wants power. Cardan wants to destroy her. Neither of them gets what they expected.
This is a YA fantasy romance that doesn’t talk down to you. The politics are sharp, the romance is slow and painful in the best way, and Jude is one of the most compelling protagonists in the genre. The whole trilogy is worth your spring.
Perfect for: YA readers who love fae courts, enemies-to-lovers with actual enemies energy, and clever heroines.
4. The Spy’s Daughter (The Bridge Kingdom series) — Danielle L. Jensen
Start with The Bridge Kingdom and you won’t stop. Lara is sent to marry the king of the Bridge Kingdom as a spy with orders to destroy it from the inside. Aren is not what she expected. And neither is the truth.
Danielle L. Jensen writes political intrigue like it’s a love language. The slow burn here is real. You feel every page of it. This series is criminally underrated, and spring is the perfect time to catch up before everyone else does.
Perfect for: Readers who love slow burn mixed with political tension and morally complicated characters who do questionable things for understandable reasons.
5. Daughter of the Moon Goddess — Sue Lynn Tan
This one reads like a dream. Xingyin grows up hidden on the moon, raised by her mother who stole an elixir of immortality and was exiled for it. When Xingyin leaves to save her, she enters a world of celestial courts, dragons, and an empire that could crush her.
The romance is quieter here. A slow building connection that earns every moment. The writing is lyrical without being slow. Sue Lynn Tan draws from Chinese mythology and creates something that feels both ancient and completely new. Perfect spring reading when you want beauty over chaos.
Perfect for: Readers who love mythology, lyrical prose, and romances that feel earned rather than rushed.
6. Kingdom of the Wicked — Kerri Maniscalco
Sicily, 1888. Emilia’s twin sister gets murdered, and she summons a demon prince to help her find the killer. That demon is Wrath. He is not helpful. He is also impossibly compelling.
Kerri Maniscalco creates atmosphere like no one else. This book smells like blood oranges, candle smoke, and something dangerous. The romance is slow and antagonistic in a way that’s genuinely delicious. If you’re a fan of dark academia or gothic settings, this one belongs on your spring list.
Perfect for: Readers who love atmospheric gothic settings, dark romance, demons, and mysteries wrapped in fantasy.
7. The Kiss Curse — Erin Sterling
Not every spring read needs to be dark and dangerous. The Kiss Curse is a witch romance set in a cozy small town, and it’s exactly the palette cleanser you need between epic fantasy series. Gwyn is a witch. Wells is a warlock who shows up in town and makes everything complicated.
This book is funny, warm, and genuinely swoony. It’s the kind of read you take outside with a cup of tea and finish in one afternoon. If you’ve been deep in heavy fantasy all winter, this is your spring breather.
Perfect for: Readers who want a lighter, cozy fantasy romance with great banter and a love interest worth the wait.
8. These Hollow Vows — Beth Revis
Blink deals with fae to rescue her sister. She ends up tangled between two fae princes and a bargain she can’t escape. It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s exactly the kind of fae romance that keeps you turning pages at midnight.
If you finished A Court of Thorns and Roses and immediately went looking for more fae romance, this is a solid next pick. The love triangle here actually works because both options feel real. You’ll have feelings about this one.
Perfect for: New adult fantasy romance readers who love fae bargains, love triangles that make you pick a side, and fast-paced plots.
9. A Heart So Fierce and Broken — Brigid Kemmerer
This is the second book in the Cursebreaker series. S tart with A Curse So Dark and Lonely for full context. Grey is a guard, a shadow, someone always overlooked. When he gets his own story, it’s everything.
Brigid Kemmerer writes emotional depth beautifully. This is a YA fantasy romance that focuses on a character you didn’t expect to love as much as you do. It’s a redemption arc wrapped in a love story and it hits hard.
Perfect for: YA readers who love underdog stories, quiet heroes, and romances that grow from deep friendship and trust.
10. The Midnight Kingdom — Tara Sim
Gods, politics, and a romance that builds across an entire war. The Midnight Kingdom follows a woman navigating divine politics while trying not to fall for the wrong immortal. It’s layered in the best way; the kind of book where every chapter adds something new to the world.
This one rewards patient readers. If you love fantasy that takes its world-building seriously while still delivering on the romance, this belongs on your spring list.
Perfect for: Readers who love mythology-inspired fantasy, epic scale, and romance that develops across a long story arc.
How to Pick the Right Fantasy Romance for You This Spring
Ten books is a lot. Here’s how to narrow it down fast.
If you want dark and steamy, start with A Court of Thorns and Roses or From Blood and Ash. Both have intense romance, rich world-building, and long series to fall into. If you want something lighter and perfect for an afternoon outside, go straight to The Kiss Curse. If mythology is your thing, Daughter of the Moon Goddess and Kingdom of the Wicked give you completely different flavors, celestial courts versus Sicilian demons.
For YA specifically, The Cruel Prince and A Heart So Fierce and Broken are the strongest picks on this list. Both have sharp writing and emotional depth that goes way beyond what people expect from YA.
And if you’re new to the genre and want to know where to start? Pick ACOTAR. That’s always the answer.
Why Spring Is the Best Time for Fantasy Romance
There’s something about spring that makes fantasy romance hit differently. The longer days, the open windows, the restless feeling that anything could happen. It lines up perfectly with how these books feel. Magic feels more believable when the world outside is blooming. Love feels more urgent when you have a full afternoon and nowhere to be.
Spring is also the perfect time to start a new series before summer. Get through Book 1 and 2 before July, and you’ll have something to talk about at every book club meeting until fall.
If you’re building your spring TBR, check out my summer reading list too because some of these series go long and you’ll want a plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best fantasy romance book to read if I’m new to the genre?
Start with A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. It’s the book that introduced millions of readers to fantasy romance and it does everything well; world-building, romance, tension, and a series that keeps getting bigger.
Are these fantasy romance books appropriate for younger readers?
Some yes, some no. The Cruel Prince, A Heart So Fierce and Broken, and Daughter of the Moon Goddess are YA and appropriate for teen readers. From Blood and Ash and the ACOTAR series contain mature content and are written for adult readers.
What’s the difference between YA fantasy romance and adult fantasy romance?
YA fantasy romance features teen protagonists and keeps romantic and sexual content age-appropriate. Adult fantasy romance often features older protagonists, more explicit content, and heavier themes. Both are great — it just depends on what you’re in the mood for.
Which fantasy romance book has the best slow burn romance?
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen has some of the best slow burn in the genre. Every page of tension between Lara and Aren is earned, and when the payoff finally comes, it’s worth every chapter of waiting.
Are any of these fantasy romance books part of a series?
Most of them are! ACOTAR has five books, From Blood and Ash has a long series, The Cruel Prince is a trilogy, and The Bridge Kingdom is a duology. If you like diving deep into a world, you’re in luck.
What fantasy romance books are available on Kindle Unlimited?
Availability changes, so always check directly, but From Blood and Ash and its sequels have been available on Kindle Unlimited in the past. I have a full updated list of fantasy romance books on Kindle Unlimited if you want to read for free.
Which fantasy romance is best if I love mythology?
Daughter of the Moon Goddess draws from Chinese mythology and is absolutely beautiful. Kingdom of the Wicked uses Sicilian folklore and demonology. Both are stunning in completely different ways.
What makes a fantasy romance different from paranormal romance?
Fantasy romance is set in a secondary world; an entirely invented world with its own rules, history, and magic. Paranormal romance is set in our world but with supernatural elements like vampires, werewolves, or witches. There’s overlap, but The Kiss Curse is more paranormal romance while ACOTAR is pure fantasy romance.
Which fantasy romance books are best for book clubs?
A Court of Thorns and Roses and The Cruel Prince both generate incredible book club discussions because of their moral complexity and the debates they spark about characters. From Blood and Ash is also wildly popular for group reads because everyone has opinions about Hawke.
What should I read after finishing A Court of Thorns and Roses?
Read the rest of the ACOTAR series first, it gets better with every book. After that, From Blood and Ash scratches a similar itch. The Cruel Prince is another great next read if you want more fae. And if you want something different in tone, Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a beautiful change of pace.
Final Thoughts: Build Your Spring Fantasy Romance TBR Now
Spring doesn’t last forever. Neither does the feeling of starting a new series that completely takes over your life in the best way.
Pick one book from this list today. Start it this weekend. Let a fantasy world pull you in while the real world blooms outside your window; that’s the best way to read, and these are the books that make it happen.
If you write as well as you read, you might also want to check out my post on how to outline a novel; because after reading enough great fantasy romance, you’re going to want to write one of your own.
Which book are you starting first? Tell me in the comments. I read every single one.