I grew up reading a ton of fantasy, like many a bookish kid. I remember being obsessed with Diana Wynne Jones, Lloyd Alexander, Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series, and, most of all, Tamora Pierce. (I still have every single one of my Tamora Pierce books, down to my very battered copy of the second installment in the Circle of Magic series.) As a teenager, I devoured fast-paced, high-drama YA fantasy and supernatural romances. I remember YA’s vampire phase and its werewolf phase and even its short-lived mermaid/siren phase. But as an adult, I’ve found myself reading much less fantasy. For one thing, I’m not one for grimdark fantasy. For another, I still harbor deep suspicions of any unfinished series after the many, many hours I spent reading A Song of Ice and Fire. I also found YA fantasy a lot more accessible—and a lot more likely to feature well-developed female characters—than your traditional swords and sorcery adult fantasy fare. But over the last few years, there’s been several delightful developments. There’s been an upswell in cozy fantasy. The books on the shelves have gotten a lot more diverse. And happily for this romance reader, there’s a steady increase in romantic fantasy that delivers compelling characters, fantastical worlds, and heartstopping love stories.
Here are three stand-alone romantic fantasy novels that I adored and that I think could make for perfect end of summer/start of fall reading.
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen
Hart is a marshal patrolling the magical wilds of Tanria in true lone ranger fashion, while Mercy is alone in her own way as she struggles to keep her family business going. They’ve been bickering since the day they met but when Hart sends a letter to “A Friend”, an anonymous letter comes back…from Mercy. This is a fantasy romance Western with You’ve Got Mail Vibes that’s creative, funny, and deeply moving in its discussion of death and grieving. There’s some excellent letter writing, a unique setting that skillfully combines fantasy elements with grounding details, a very good dog, magical talking animals that deliver the mail, and an appealing cast of secondary characters. One of the things I enjoyed most about this book is that it’s willing to get quite weird (see the magical talking animals that deliver the mail) but still keeps its emotional stakes and character arcs very real and present. Bannen is writing another novel in this world, for publication in 2024, and I can’t wait. (Open door, high steam.)
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Every ten years, the wizard known as the Dragon extracts his price for protecting the valley from the menacing Wood: a girl from the village to serve them. Agnieszka know that the Dragon will take her beloved best friend Kasia but when she finds herself unexpectedly chosen instead, she’s plunged into a world of sorcery and legend. This book is pure magic and reads like the richest, best, most spellbinding version of the fairy tales I grew up reading. I was absolutely obsessed the first time I read it, especially when I realized it did in fact contain a romance. The world of this book is absolutely bewitching, the main characters are delightful and have palpable chemistry, and the plot keeps on building and building to a stunning conclusion. I’d also highly recommend Novik’s Spinning Silver, which is a very loose Rumpelstiltskin retelling with an equally magical feel. (Open door, moderate steam.)
The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk
Beatrice Clayborn is a sorceress who secretly practices magic, torn between her desire to pursue magic as her profession and her duty to make an advantageous marriage for her family during bargaining season. This exquisitely written book is a blend of Jane Austen and feminist fantasy that I’ve still never read anything quite like. It's inventive and clever, skillfully crafting an elaborate Regency-esque fantasy world that Polk’s elegant, evocative prose completely plunges the reader into. In a feat of writerly alchemy, the tone is a perfect balance of charm and the absolutely wrenching decisions Beatrice faces. It’s vivid and sparkling and sincere and so very wonderful. (Closed door.)
Writing this post has reminded me that I want to read more fantasy romance this fall so drop your best recommendations in the comments!
Currently reading: During the day, I’m reading The Postcard by Anne Berest, which is gripping and moving and at times incredibly difficult to read. For my bedtime book, I’m reading An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera, which is wonderfully lush and fun.
What’s bringing me joy lately:
Fresh summer fruit and the nectarine and fontina grilled cheese I made with it this weekend. If you have surplus stone fruit and don’t want to commit to using the oven, a grilled cheese is an excellent place for it.
The messy, spiky new Olivia Rodrigio singles and the anticipation of her new album in September.
Once again, my writing group. I feel very lucky to have found such a supportive, creative group of other aspiring authors and their feedback has been invaluable as I head into the third (and hopefully final?!) draft of my book.
I've been meaning to read Milla Vane, but fantasy always falls to the very bottom of my tbr.
I haven’t heard of any of these but they all sound great! I’m similarly only just starting to discover the romantic fantasy stories that suit me. I had incorrectly assumed that only super horny dark stories existed out there.