Blog - Amanda the Bookworm

My Fave Dark Rom Coms

This isn’t a genre I have delved SUPER duper deep into yet but I’ve read a fair amount and a good dark romantic comedy book (especially audiobook) will always have me sat. I love a giggly goofy time and these books served that up in spades for me. With anything dark romance, please make sure to check your trigger warnings for each of these!

And in total transparency, I may earn commissions if you make any purchases from links below, and I thank you earnestly for doing so. It allows me to keep putting together lists of recommendations like this for you!

Butcher & Blackbird

📗 Book 1 in the complete Ruinous Love trilogy of interconnected standalones
🔪 Dark romantic comedy
🎧 Duet narrated audiobook
🔥 Spicy

Plot: 2 serial killers meet and then have a gruesome murder competition each year. And he’s obsessed with her from the jump.

Why it’s a favorite: So as a Dexter girl through and through I was bound to love this, BUT I laughed out loud so many times in this book it’s ridiculous. Both of the leads are SO charming, it’s a complete golden retriever x black cat dynamic and I loved it. Also the spice is hot, y’all.

Where to Read:

Lights Out

📗 Book 1 in the Ruinous Love trilogy of interconnected standalones
🔪 Dark romantic comedy
🎧 Duet narrated audiobook – HIGHLY RECOMMEND
🔥 Spicy

Plot: He’s a thirst trapper posting videos of him in a mask online and she’s his fan. He discovers who she is and decides, yeah… he likes that. So, casual, he starts stalking her.

Why it’s a favorite: This is probably the funniest book I’ve ever read and the audiobook is to date still probably my favorite. How this dark romcom stalking his new love became a comfort read for me I’ll never know, but it did. This is genuinely so funny.

Where to Read:

Loving a Vampire is Total Chaos

📗 Book 1 in the incomplete Total Chaos trilogy of interconnected standalones
🧛🏼 Dark comedic romantasy/paranormal
🎧 Duet narrated audiobook
🔥 Spicy

Plot: He’s a vampire draining Chicago of bad guys and she’s on the police squad trying to find him, though she doesn’t know it’s him. He becomes obsessed with her after seeing her out one night and let’s just say, it takes off from there.

Why it’s a favorite: I’m not even finished with this book yet and I just know this is so much fun. It’s got the twisted sense of humor and insane-yet-delightful man I love in my dark romance reads.

Where to Read:

The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating (and Other War Crimes)

📗 Book 1 in the incomplete Guides to Villainy and Love trilogy
🐉 Dark comedic romantasy
🎧 Dual narrated audiobook
🔥 Spicy
✅ on Kindle Unlimited

Plot: He’s the villain and needs her bloodline so he can do extra villain things, like getting more power. So he kidnaps her. But she realizes she can turn lemons into lemonade by agreeing to this marriage. Oh, and they think each other are super hot.

Why it’s a favorite: This was just a fun ass ride and the chapter titles actually had me laughing. It’s got solid banter, two quite likable love interests, fun fantasy elements, and is just a grand ol’ enemies-to-lovers time.

Where to Read:

Mate

📗 Book 2 in Bride series of interconnected standalones
🧛🏼 Dark paranormal romantic comedy
🎧 Duet narrated audiobook – HIGHLY RECOMMEND
🔥 Spicy

Plot: After finding out she’s half werewolf, she makes a public statement in order to take the brunt of public scrutiny. So in addition to that pressure, she also discovers she is mates with the alpha of the Northwest pack. And SOMETHING ELSE happens that makes her feel the need to seclude herself away, but that turns out to maybe not be such a great idea.

Why it’s a fave: This made me feral I could NOT stop listening to it. I was rather mid on Bride (book 1 in this series) but absolutely DEVOURED Mate. Like I’m convinced she put drugs in this. I highly recommend the audiobook because it was exceptional.

Where to Read:

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February 2026 • 6 Books

Okay I didn’t get to read as much as I normally do in the winter months BUT I still did in fact read some bangers. I also focused on Black authors this month (though the first book isn’t a Black author because I was finishing it from January) and that as super fun! Here’s your reminder to aim to read diversely all year long!

BUT ANYWAY, below is my breakdown as always, which includes my rating, what I liked, and where to read. I also will earn commissions if you make any purchases from links below, and I thank you earnestly for doing so. It allows me to keep putting together these recaps for you!

Let’s get into this February reading breakdown:

Songs of the Wicked

📚 book 1 in complete A Dreamer’s Misfortune romantic fantasy trilogy
❤️‍🔥 has spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 3.75 rounding up to 4 (my full review)

My Thoughts: The premise of this book is genuinely so damn awesome. She’s a soul reaper who takes people to the afterlife, but she lives in this weird, fake version of the human realm and things are just odd. There’s a lot of fate vs. choice examination which was really fun. I do think I’ll continue this because I think my main complaint was basically an odd pacing/book 1 issue. Like I’m very interested in where the overall story and characters are going.

This book has: fates and gods, demons/monsters/etc., found family, assassin MMC and soul reaper FMC

Where to Read:

Shadows of the Crimson Crown

📚 Book 1 in incomplete Eclipsed Empires series
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.25 (my full review)

My Thoughts: I wanted to like this more than I did. The STORY was cool; I’m a total sucker for political fantasy stuff and was really interested in the plot, I just think the execution was a little lacking for me personally. The constant POV shift paragraph to paragraph did throw me for a loop, even if I adapted. I think this just didn’t quite hit what I wanted it to for me personally.

This book has: slowww burn, political maneuvering and intrigue, prophecies

Where to Read:

Ring Shout

📚 Low fantasy standalone
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 (my full review)

My Thoughts: This was VERY good and my only complaint is that I actually just wanted it to be longer so we could unfold some stuff even further! But basically in this world, the KKK aren’t just monster people but like REAL monster monsters too and our main girly pop is hunting them down.

This book has: themes of racism/oppression, feels like Black The Witcher takes on KKK monsters, low fantasy setting

Where to Read:

An Arcane Inheritance

📚 standalone romantic fantasy
🎧 solo narrated audiobook
❤️‍🔥 extremely low spice, more referencing it than describing

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.25 (my full review)

My Thoughts: I LOVED this. It’s such a vibe. Our girl gets a scholarship to this prestigious university but weird shit starts happening when she’s there. If you liked Memento and the feeling/vibes of The Covenant, I think you’ll LOVE this. My only complaint was the somewhat muddy magic system (which… sort of makes sense for the plot actually but read my full review if you want more in that). But all in all I loved this!

This book has: secret societies, academic rivals to lovers???, low fantasy academia, really clever writing

Where to Read:

The Maid and the Crocodile

📚 YA standalone romantic fantasy in the Raybearer world
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook (EXCELLENT)

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.25 – 4.5 (my full review)

My Thoughts: This was probably one of the best audiobooks I’ve ever read, the narrator REALLY nailed it I genuinely just had to double check she was the only one. But this is so fun AND it also made me want to punch characters who were ever mean to our main girly. BUT our girl is an orphan with a hidden power that she decides she may or may not need to publicize in order to keep her job. But she also accidentally bonds to a god. She’s having a weird time, and I love it.

This book has: cool African folklore, found family, lovely writing, sweet romance

Where to Read:

Chain-Gang All-Stars

📚 dystopian standalone
🎧 full cast narrated audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 4.5 (my full review)

My Thoughts: Wow. This was a kick in the dick, truly. It is so good and so thoughtful and what a reflection on modern society. In this, prisoners can opt to enter Gladiator-esque games, which just so happens to be the most popular sports league in the US. It’s brutal, it’s brilliant, it should maybe be required reading. The only reason it isn’t 5 stars for me is because there were a couple of POVs that felt unnecessary and I didn’t care about them nearly as much. But man, what a triumph.

This book has: critique of the prison industrial complex, racism, slave experimentation, propaganda, capitalism, parasocial relationships, and literally everything when you look around and just squint at things in the world that sucks… this is shoving that in your face

Where to Read:

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January 2026 • 10 Books

New year new books AMIRITE?! Had some REAL BANGERS this month and one gem that made ya girl tear up. Plus another that had maybe my all-time favorite animal sidekick?

Below is my breakdown as always, which includes my rating, what I liked, and where to read. It’s also possible I earn commissions if you make any purchases from links below, and I thank you earnestly for doing so. It allows me to keep putting together these recaps for you!

Let’s get into this January reading breakdown:

I, Medusa

📚 Greek mythology fantasy standalone
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rounding up to 4 (my full review)

My Thoughts: I LIKED this but I didn’t LOVE this. It was a really cool take on a story I’m glad I read, and the themes of making a monster were super interesting. But there were a couple of character behavior things that took me a little bit out of the story/made me not buy some directions the plot took. But the writing was great and I did enjoy my read!

This book has: Greek mythology, Medusa origin story, female rage, beautiful writing

Where to Read:

Quicksilver

📚 Book 2 in incomplete Fae & Alchemy trilogy
🎧 Duet narrated audiobook
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🔥 Med spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 3.75 (my full review)

My Thoughts: I’m gonna be honest, this took me forever to get through. The voice actors are phenomenal, but I think I’m just not invested in this series. If you loved book 1 you’ll love this. If you were mid on book 1 (like I was) then it’s probable you’ll be mid on this too. It’s not BAD, I just feel like I don’t care enough to continue? But I do care deeply about Carrion, so who knows actually.

This book has: shadow daddy, vampires and fae court politics, found family, animal sidekick, incredible side character

Where to Read:

Freckled Fate Saga

📚 Complete romantasy trilogy – book 1 is A Broken Promise
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🔥 Lower spice

My Rating: This whole trilogy was between a 3.75 – 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟

My Thoughts: This was a good time, fun romantasy trilogy. I did feel some inspiration from other big, famous series but not in a way that was like, copying. Just “ah I can see what books she loved when writing this”. But it’s a fun time, a TRULYYYYY morally gray MMC, an FMC figuring out her shit, and a big world developing. Oh, and a truly sassy assassin bff.

This book has: assassins, humans, elves, villainous magic, multi-POV over time, slowwww burn

Where to Read:

The Bone Houses

📚 YA standalone fantasy with romantic subplot
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 (my full review)

My Thoughts: I loved this, this was so much fun. It has maybe my favorite animal sidekick ever in the form of a goat, the writing was lovely, the characters were amusing, and it was such a fun quest story. Basically there are zombies and we gotta beat the zombies and she somehow ends up on a zombie quest with a map maker.

This book has: you guessed it… zombies, great animal sidekick (check triggers), quests

Where to Read:

The Poet Empress

📚 political fantasy standalone
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 4.75 (my full review)

My Thoughts: This was incredible. I loved this so much, and the only reason it isn’t 5 stars is a minor writing thing but truly, this was fabulous. It also made me cry… I thought I was going to get away with not crying and then goddamnit, it got me. The character development in this is actually so incredible, and I couldn’t recommend this enough.

This book has: brutal political maneuvering, patriarchy, unique magic system

Where to Read:

The God and the Gwisin

📚 Book 2 in Fate’s Threads romantic fantasy duet
🎧 Dual narrated audiobook
🔥 Low spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.25 (my full review)

My Thoughts: Just like book 1, this was just such a fun time. You start with a crazy new story given the wild ending of book 1, and this is on a cruise ship of all places. it proved to be a hilarious setting with a fun new cast of characters and I just think this duet is a blast.

This book has: Korean folklore urban fantasy, buddy cop/detective vibes, allies to lovers, smart FMC, broody MMC

Where to Read:

The Ninth Element

📚 Book 1 in incomplete Legend of Nohvan romantic fantasy series
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook
🔥 No spice yet

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 (my full review)

My Thoughts: This was a really fun time! It started a tad slow for me but once it got going I really couldn’t put it down. The FMC was super easy to root for and the 2 romantic options were each so solid I genuinely was like WAIT WHO DO I WANT?! Plus the world is very clearly Persian-influenced and I thoroughly enjoyed that.

This book has: FMC navigating a world of misogyny, sorceresses, unique games and trials, a love triangle (not why choose)

Where to Read:

Cold Stars Midnight Glow

📚 Book 4 in 5 book incomplete Godkissed Bride romantasy series
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🔥 Med spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️ 2.49 stars (my full review)

My Thoughts: I’m so deeply bummed by this, because IYKYK I’m a huge fan of this series so far but honestly… wtf. You simply cannot pull this stunt so deep into a series. There was a story decision made that contradicts 3.75 books worth of plot, character, and relationship development. And that decision somehow solves all conflict that arose in this book between multiple characters? It made 0 sense and was genuinely so, so dumb. I didn’t sleep on my 10 hr overnight flight because I was so annoyed the author could make this decision. ON TOP OF IT MAKING NO SENSE, IT WAS BAD. If *this* was going to happen at least make it good?? Ugh, writing this got me re-mad hahaha.

This book has: fae gods, humans, characters coming into their own, a huge betrayal from the author that again makes 0 sense

Where to Read (if you feel you must):

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My Top 18 Books of 2025

I read over 150 books in 2025 and this is an impossible task of choosing my 10 favorites but alas, I will do it for you all. This list is going to be stuffed to the brim with fantasy, romantasy, and the like, so know that’s what you’re getting into! Also forgive me because this list does say 18 but it could be 18 standalones or 18 series YOU CAN’T MAKE ME CHOOOOOOOSE!

And in total transparency, I may earn commissions if you make any purchases from links below, and I thank you earnestly for doing so. It allows me to keep putting together lists of recommendations like this for you!

In no particular order, let’s get into my top 18 favorites of 2025:

Blood Over Bright Haven

📕 Fantasy standalone
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook

Plot: A woman is working to become the first high mage of her city – a city that does not like women or immigrants – and she is forced to work with an immigrant to advance. Thus making her address her own prejudices while having to work against the ones the world has on them.

Why it’s a favorite: this fucking book broke me in half. I sobbed. I love it so much, it’s so beautiful and unfortunately resonant and I just couldn’t love this more. I think it should be required reading and it made me want a tattoo.

Where to Read:

The Everlasting

📘 Romantic fantasy standalone
🎧 Dual narrated audiobook
🔥 Low spice

Plot: A scholar is tasked with writing the story of a famed knight and in order to do so, he must go back in time and live alongside her. However, he’s not allowed to change any of her path, which doesn’t necessarily have a happy ending. And not intervening becomes harder and harder for him to do

Why it’s a favorite: This book is a masterpiece and was immediately added to my god tier list. The way this was written? Stunning. The story that was told? Incredible. I cried, and I rarely cry y’all. This became an all-timer for me.

Where to Read:

The Strength of the Few

📖 Hierarchy series book 2 – incomplete fantasy series (book 1 is The Will of the Many)
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook

Plot: This picks up after book 1, so I obviously can’t tell you much. But book 1 is about an orphan boy with a mysterious past who lives in a society where people cede their Will (aka their power/energy/etc.) to the status of people directly above them in the hierarchy pyramid. So the higher you go, the stronger people are. But he doesn’t want to cede, however he catches the eye of a powerful man who puts him into a prestigious school for reasons of his own.

Why it’s a favorite: GUYS IT JUST KEEPS BEING SO GOOD. I just love this series. If you love big fantasy with sci-fi elements, I just think you’ll love this. It’s brilliantly written, you’re rooting for everyone, the societal commentary is great, and I can’t wait for more of this series.

Where to Read:

The Daevabad Trilogy

📚 Complete fantasy trilogy – book 1 is The City of Brass
🎧 Solo narrated audiobooks

Plot: She is a con woman living in Cairo with a sliver of secret healing power. One day when walking home from a con a djinn appears out of nowhere asking her why she summoned him. She didn’t, but now they must flee from a cemetery coming to life and they flee to a magical world she never knew existed.

Why it’s a favorite: This is just fucking incredible. This is SUCH a rich world and it’s beautifully written and the characters are just so layered and imperfectly perfect. It also features one of my favorite types of stories which is where everyone is someone’s enemy; good, bad, or otherwise. Double also, it made me sob.

Where to Read:

The Song of Achilles

📙 Romantic fantasy/historical fiction
🎧 Solo narrated audiobooks
🔥 Low spice

Plot: This is a retelling of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus in Greek mythology. It follows them having met, going to training, becoming romantically involved, and then to the Trojan War together.

Why it’s a favorite: This book is everything. It is so beautiful and so masterfully done. I personally can struggle with Greek mythology retellings because for real for real, everyone sucks a lot all the time. Like everything is so brutal and hopeless. But this? This had that brutality but it had these striking moments of brilliance, sweetness, and hope that dug its lovely little claws into my heart. Despite it also being sad? This was just masterful to me.

Where to Read:

A Forbidden Alchemy

📖 Book 1 in incomplete Artisan romantic fantasy trilogy
🎧 Dual narrated audiobook
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🔥 Lower spice

Plot: Our 2 main characters meet as kids when they come to the fancy, semi-uppity city to find out if they have magic or not. If they have magic, they stay and go to the prestigious school. If not, they go back to their rural, blue collar village for a life of tough jobs. But when they’re in the city they accidentally discover the process of magic identification is not what they thought it was and accidentally sort of start a class war.

Why it’s a favorite: I *could not* put this book down to save my life. You may as well have injected it in my veins, it probably would have been nicer to my system. The twists? Great. The banter? IMMACULATE. The leads? So interesting and I’m so in love with them.

Where to Read:

Don’t Let the Forest In

📙 YA queer romantic fantasy/horror standalone
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook

Plot: He is going back for his senior year at this prep school with his twin sister and best friend, who he happens to also be in love with. But his best friend’s parents have gone missing and bestie shows up to the first day of school with blood on his clothes, all while there’s weird shit going on in the forest next to the school.

Why it’s a fave: Guys. The writing in this is so beyond stunning I could barely breathe. I knew this was going to be a 5 star read by page 3. The author is non-binary, the romantic subplot is queer, there’s a mystery afoot, and I’m obsessed. There are actual solid twists I didn’t even see coming, and I ended this book and just wanted to reread it immediately. Loved loved loved.

Where to Read:

The Knight and the Moth

📖 Book 1 in incomplete romantic fantasy The Stonewater Kingdom duology
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook
🔥 Low spice

Plot: She is a Diviner, which means she is a vehicle for messages from the gods via Omens. She and her fellow Diviners are incredibly valuable for them, giving the Abbey they live in political capital. One day, a politician arrives with his knights, and she meets a knight who is beyond unimpressed with her and her role in the kingdom.

Why it’s a favorite: In a word? The gargoyle. The most perfect side character that has ever existed. But aside from the gargoyle, this is just beautifully written in a rich world that is so interesting and unique. It is dark but feels whimsical, and Rachel Gillig is a master.

Where to Read:

Shield of Sparrows

📖 Book 1 in incomplete Shield of Sparrows romantic fantasy trilogy
🎧 Dual narrated
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🔥 Lower spice

Plot: Her sister is promised to wed a foreign prince, but when he shows up he says he wants to marry her instead. So her entire life is changed and now she’s heading on a journey she never expected with a fiancé she doesn’t know, his guard that won’t leave her alone, and monsters all along the way.

Why it’s a favorite: I had… a BLAST with this book. It felt so refreshingly different in a lot of ways, but also gave us just the things we love about romantasy. The ending was actually diabolical and I cannot wait for book 2. I also was a huge fan of the monster hunting in this, that was a major highlight.

Where to Read:

Tress of the Emerald Sea

📗 Standalone fantasy
🎧 Solo narrated but also there’s a graphic audio

Plot: Tress lives on this island and has a crush on a boy who lives there, and happens to be secretly a prince. When one day he is forced to leave, she goes on a quest to get him back.

Why it’s a fave: This has some of the most whimsical and amusing writing I’ve ever read, on top of one of the coolest magic systems ever. I was giggling and so entertained on every page, as well as just wowed by how the magic system worked and the way the world was built.

Where to Read:

The Shattered Crown Trilogy

📖 Incomplete romantic fantasy trilogy starting with Smoke and Scar
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Duet narrated audiobook
🔥 Slow burn to spicy

Plot: Her former lover died in trials with the goal of establishing find peace between the fae and human kingdoms. And when his sister enters said same trials, our girl also does in order to protect her from her brother’s same demise. But when they get there, the humans and other peoples aren’t a fan of them but they have to work together to get through these trials.

Why it’s a fave: 1. The FMC is one of my all-time favorites I love her. 2. The trials in this are so well done and so interesting and felt refreshingly different for a trope that can be done a lot. And 3. the glow-up our MMC has from book 1 to 2 should actually be studied and put in Smithsonian.

Where to Read:

The Prison Healer Trilogy

📚 YA complete romantic fantasy trilogy
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook

Plot: She’s a teenager and has been in this prison for almost a decade, alongside her father. She became the prison’s healer after he passed away to no acclaim or respect. One day a teen boy shows up who doesn’t look like he belongs there at all, and she doesn’t get what he’s doing there or why. They develop a friendship and things take a turn in the prison.

Why it’s a favorite: I absolutely fucking inhaled these books. I was shocked, I was angry, I was excited, I was relieved; I felt all the things on this journey. It is so addicting from the jump and I just loved it. The found family in this is exceptional and the romance in this is just so sweet. Also, how dare Lynette Noni make me fall in (platonic) love with MULTIPLE BLONDE BOYS!?!?!

Where to Read:

Dragon Queen Series

📖 Incomplete romantic fantasy series, book 1 is The Forgotten and the Feared
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook
🔥 Spicy

Plot: After the fae defeat the dragons and humans in a horrific war, they hold deadly trials to remind humans of their place. She and her best friend both get entered into the trials, and they start to find out things are even worse than they thought. This one is also incredibly dark, so please check your triggers.

Why it’s a favorite: This has multiple FMC POVs and I adore when romantic fantasy books do that. This is epic in its scope and could live entirely without the romance in my opinion, but the romance(s) are truly solid. It’s dark, it makes you angry, it makes you sad, and it’s an absolute rollercoaster of an experience. I loved it.

Where to Read:

The Eating Woods Trilogy

📖 Incomplete romantic fantasy trilogy that starts with Anathema
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Duet narrated audiobook
🔥 Spicy

Plot: She lives in a hyper-religious village on the edge of the woods that no one who enters ever returns from. When something crazy happens to her family, she ends up in the woods and finds out just why no one ever returns. Trigger warnings galore, this trilogy is SUPER dark.

Why it’s a fave: This world is so creepy, so rich, and so dark and I absolutely love it. I’m a huge fan of a gothic setting as well as Keri Lake’s writing and she just knocks it out of the park. Then you get an FMC I’m rooting for DOWN and an absolute smoke show of an MMC (who is extremely well explored and more than just a hot guy obsessed) and I am just beyond in love with this.

Where to Read:

Peaches & Honey Duology

📚 Complete duology, book 1 is These Immortal Truths
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook
🔥 Lower spice

Plot: One day she’s in the forest and stumbles across a mystery person who offers her a bite from a magical peach that turns out, gives her immortality.

Why it’s a fave: I am such a sucker for any “I’ll love you in any and every lifetime” story for real, and this is just a super well done one. I like how it examined humanity across centuries and how we evolved as people. I love the romance in this, and I adored the writing as well.

Where to Read:

Hazelthorn

📙 YA standalone romantic fantasy horror
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook

Plot: He is an adopted son of a rich man living on his old, secluded estate when something happens and he now has to work with a boy who tried to off him 4 years ago.

Why it’s a fave: CG Drews is an auto-buy author for me. This book captures two boys who are so in love against all their efforts because one boy tried to kill the other a few years ago and now they have to work together to solve a creepy mystery. I won’t shut up about this or CG Drews for a long time, I fear.

Where to Read:

Mate

📗 Book 2 in Bride series of interconnected standalones
🎧 Duet narrated audiobook
🔥 Spicy

Plot: After finding out she’s half werewolf, she makes a public statement in order to take the brunt of public scrutiny. So in addition to that pressure, she also discovers she is mates with the alpha of the Northwest pack. And SOMETHING ELSE happens that makes her feel the need to seclude herself away, but that turns out to maybe not be such a great idea.

Why it’s a fave: This made me feral I could NOT stop listening to it. I was rather mid on Bride (book 1 in this series) but absolutely DEVOURED Mate. Like I’m convinced she put drugs in this. I highly recommend the audiobook because it was exceptional.

Where to Read:

The Bones Series

📖 Incomplete romantic apocalyptic fantasy series that starts with Bones
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Dual narrated audiobook
🔥 Spicy

Plot: In a post-apocalyptic USA, she grew up in this super religious village. As a kid, she gets kicked out and also secretly has healing magic. She ends up in the hands of a bad gang and said magic is weaponized for years. Then one day a rival group takes her, and she’s not happy about this.

Why it’s a fave: This is a fave because of book 2 specifically, but also I could not get this world out of my head after I had finished Fangs. Fangs made me cry 3x and the take on grief and trauma was just so well done. This series also has my favorite found family ever, and I just cannot wait for book 3.

Where to Read:

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December 2025 • 10 Books

December started out so normal and was so quickly derailed by Heated Rivalry I don’t even know what happened. I lost all sense of direction and personality and now I exist for these beautiful gay hockey players and their romances. Oh, but I also did read some amazing fantasy, don’t worry.

Below is my breakdown as always, which includes my rating, what I liked, and where to read. It’s also possible I earn commissions if you make any purchases from links below, and I thank you earnestly for doing so. It allows me to keep putting together these recaps for you!

Let’s get into this December reading breakdown:

The Unknown Daemon

📚 Book 2 in incomplete Omnis romantic fantasy trilogy
🗓️ Releases on Jan 26
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🔥 Med spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 3.75 (my full review)

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this, but not quite as much as book 1. There’s also a trope in here that is NOT very well liked, but I doooooo sort of think it’ll be done differently? It feels like it’s not what it seems, so I’m def still interested in book 3 myself.

This trilogy has: witches, demons, unique magic system, “they fell in love as teens and were ripped part”, kidnapping

Preorder:

The God and the Gumiho

📚 Book 1 in incomplete Fate’s Threads romantic fantasy series (books 1 & 2 may be a duet though?)
🎧 Dual narrated audiobook
🔥 Low spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.25 (my full review)

My Thoughts: This book was just such a fun time. If you liked K Pop Demon Hunters I fear you will love this. It’s based on Korean folklore, the FMC is legitimately so funny, & I just had such a blast with this. I need to read the 2nd book stat!

This book has: Korean folklore urban fantasy, buddy cop/detective vibes, enemies to lovers, funny and sassy FMC

Where to Read:

Alchemy & Ashes

📚 Book 1 in incomplete Shadowbound Duology
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🔥 Low spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 (my full review)

My Thoughts: This was fun! I thoroughly enjoyed this and think it was a unique story, it felt like a fun break from stuff I had been reading. I’m particularly interested in the politics involved and then some other pieces. I’m excited for book 2!

This book has: shadow mommy, betrayals and scheming, theater box scene, forced proximity

Where to Read:

Quicksilver Kingfisher Bonus POV

📚 Novella??? in the Fae & Alchemy series
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook

My Rating: I didn’t review this, this was just a weird separate thing

My Thoughts: This was perfectly fine but it does feel like it exists just to set up story that wasn’t set up properly in Quicksilver, so it’s just a tad odd? But Anthony Palmini puts his whole body into the narration as Kingfisher, it’s genuinely impressive.

Where to Read:

The Ten Thousand Doors of January

📚 Standalone fantasy with romantic subplot(s)
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 4.75 (my full review)

My Thoughts: Alix E. Harrow became an auto-buy author; her prose is fucking gorgeous and I will read anything she writes. I didn’t love this as much as The Everlasting, but damn if it isn’t still a beautiful book with a beautiful message and challenging themes. It’s a little slower but it pays off gorgeously.

This book has: multiple worlds/portals, sweeter romances, discrimination and classism

Where to Read:

Game Changers Series

📚 incomplete series of interconnected queer hockey romance standalones (6 books so far)
3️⃣ I read books 1, 2, and 6
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook (note: the accent choice for a character in Game Changer is a little brutal)
🔥 VERY spicy!

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ somewhere between a 3 and 3.5 average for all of them

My Thoughts: These were fun but I am def not a contemporary/sports romance girly, I fear and this wasn’t the series to convert me. I AM however obsessed with the TV show, so I think if you like the TV show and like contemporary romance you’ll probably enjoy this series.

This book has: gay hockey players, awesome female characters, rivals to lovers, forbidden love

Where to Read:

The Second Death of Locke

📚 Book 1 in incomplete The Hand and the Heart series (potentially of interconnected standalones?)
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook
🔥 low spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 (my full review)

My Thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed this but I think I DID go in with just a tad too high of expectations based on what I’d heard. That’s not the book’s fault, but I do think it affected me. It was still a solid 4 star read though, and I REALLLLLLY enjoyed the magic system and the lore of the world. Both super cool and unique!

This book has: lady knight, friends to lovers, really interesting world and politics

Where to Read:

The Song of Achilles

📚 Romantic historical fantasy greek mythology retelling standalone
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook
🔥 Low spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars all the stars (my full review)

My Thoughts: This book is everything. It is so beautiful and so masterfully done. I personally can struggle with Greek mythology retellings because for real for real, everyone sucks a lot all the time. Like everything is so brutal and hopeless. But this? This had that brutality but it had these striking moments of brilliance, sweetness, and hope that dug its lovely little claws into my heart. Despite it also being sad? This was just masterful to me.

This book has: Greek mythology retelling of Achilles and Patroclus, queer romance (but this is NOT a romance novel)

Where to Read:

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Holiday Gifts for Book Lovers

Are you a bookish babe or shopping for a bookish babe this holiday season? In this bookish holiday gift guide, I’ve got lots of things I personally love that I think would make phenomenal holiday gifts. These gifts will range from being at Etsy, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Libro.fm, and more!

Here are some bookish holiday gifts to get based on category:

And in total transparency, I may earn commissions if you make any purchases from links below, and I thank you earnestly for doing so. It allows me to keep putting together lists of recommendations like this for you! Also photos used in this are likely from the shop’s official listing and are not my own.

Kindle & Accessories

If you want to purchase a Kindle, these are the 2 I have and what I like about each:

ColorSoft

This is super fun but I really only use it for the highlighting feature, because there are 4 different colors. So if you’re a tabber or a highlighter, this might be the one for you!

Get the ColorSoft

Paperwhite 16GB

If you are NOT a tabber/highlighter, the Paperwhite is perfect. This battery lasts forever and it’s great. It’s everything you need if you’re not a highlighter.

Get the Paperwhite

And then once you have the Kindle you absolutely need the necessary accessories, and these are my mandatories!

Kindle Stand

I use this in my bedroom and it’s literally perfect. I tried a few before this one and they all sucked, but this one doesn’t! Like I love it so much!

Kindle Remote

I might actually die without my Kindle Remote. I get to wrap up into a worm in my blanket and just use this remote to flip my pages?! Magic.

Mini Stand

I have this in the living room and I basically spoon it while my husband is watching TV. I put chapstick and other weird things in the bowl.

Get the Mini Stand

Home Library Things

Bookshelf

gold and white bookshelf

This is my bookshelf and I’m legitimately obsessed with it. I think it’s so pretty and so classy and I’m just obsessed.

Library/Office Chair

picture of a green chaise lounge

Oh this thing is a cozy little goddess in my office. Huge fan of her, as is my dog June who commandeers it most of the time.

Book-Themed Candle

gold and white bookshelf

I bought the Rhysand one specifically and it smells GREAT and is def potent!

Get the Rhysandle

Suriel Decor

picture of a green chaise lounge

This little guy is very cute and is made for the ACOTAR lovers.

Get a Shelf Suriel

Jewelry

Book Necklace

gold and white bookshelf

I bought myself this recently as a nice everyday high quality necklace and I really love it. It’s more of a splurge but it’s sturdy and perfect and it goes with everything, no matter what.

Get the Necklace

Romantasy Series Jewelry

picture of a green chaise lounge

My friend @bookish.girls.club also has an Etsy shop where she makes custom jewelry based on popular romantsy series! + use the discount code AMANDATHEBOOKWORM & get 25% off!

Get Romantasy Jewelry

Clothes

Bookish Sweatshirts

That same friend also sells bookish sweatshirts and hats! You can use the same code AMANDATHEBOOKWORM for 25% on anything in her shop!

Get Cozy Cute Sweatshirts

Custom 3D printed Fourth Wing edition with dragon scales and giant eye

Art

Book-Themed Art

art piece hung on a wall that is black and white with a woman reading at a piano

This artist, I’m obsessed. She makes so many gorgeous pieces; some that are maybe your favorite series (SJM or Fourth Wing) and other more generic pieces.

Get the Themed Art

Ethereal Wall Art

multiple book-themed art pieces hung on a wall, some dragons, some women reading, all in a pond

I have 4 of these in my office and am OBSESSED with them. I could get more but then I feel like I’d look crazy? But I love them!

The Reader Tarot Wall Art

a piece of wall art that looks like a tarot card with a skeleton sitting with their book

I bought this for one of my friends and frankly I’m obsessed with it. I’d have it hanging in my house if I didn’t have enough skeleton-themed stuff.

Get the Tarot Art

Special, Foreign, & Custom Editions

Custom 3D Printed Empyrean Series Books

I bought one of these for myself and it’s potentially the coolest book on my shelf. It’s a little bit of a splurge but it’s literally SO cool and I’m in love with it. This artist also has other fun 3D printed Empyrean items you’ll love.

Get A Custom Version

Custom 3D printed Fourth Wing edition with dragon scales and giant eye

German “The Knight and the Moth”

art piece hung on a wall that is black and white with a woman reading at a piano

Shut up, I’m obsessed.

Get the German Version

German “The Road of Bones”

multiple book-themed art pieces hung on a wall, some dragons, some women reading, all in a pond

I could obviously not NOT buy this. Incredible.

Get the German Version

Red Rising Deluxe Edition

a piece of wall art that looks like a tarot card with a skeleton sitting with their book

I bought this before I even read it because it’s so gorgeous.

Get This Edition

Book Gift Cards & Subscriptions

art piece hung on a wall that is black and white with a woman reading at a piano

Bookshop.org Gift Card

Bookshop.org shares a % of its profits with local independent bookshops of your choice, so a gift card here goes far to support!

Get a Gift Card

multiple book-themed art pieces hung on a wall, some dragons, some women reading, all in a pond

Libro.fm Audiobook Bundles

Libro.fm also profit shares with local indie stores as well, plus you can gift someone with a couple of credits!

Get Audio Credits

a piece of wall art that looks like a tarot card with a skeleton sitting with their book

Kindle Unlimited Package

You can gift someone a 6 month, 1 yr, or 2 yr subscription for Kindle Unlimited, getting them access to the whole KU library!

Get Book Updates to Your Inbox

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November 2025 • 12 Books

November may have been one of my best reading months of the year??? Like these books really crushed it.

Below is my breakdown as always, which includes my rating, what I liked, and where to read. It’s also possible I earn commissions if you make any purchases from links below, and I thank you earnestly for doing so. It allows me to keep putting together these recaps for you!

Let’s get into this November reading breakdown:

Daggermouth

📚 Book 1 in incomplete romantic dystopian duology
🗓️ Releases on Dec 5
🔥 Med spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 (my full review)

My Thoughts: This is a hell of a dystopian and I absolutely ate it up. I loved all the characters (except the one you’re supposed to hate WHICH I DID), the world was awesome, the romance was crushing, and I know this book isn’t even out yet but I cannot WAIT for book 2 in this duology.

This duology has: enemies to lovers, multiple couples and POVs, themes of patriarchy, class warfare, rebellion, and propaganda

Preorder for 99 cents:

Mate

📚 Book 2 in Bride paranormal romance series
🎧 Duet narrated audiobook
🔥 Higher spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 (my full review)

My Thoughts: This made me feral I could NOT stop listening to it. I was rather mid on Bride (book 1 in this series) but absolutely DEVOURED Mate. Like I’m convinced she put drugs in this. I highly recommend the audiobook because it was exceptional.

This book has: werewolf shifters, cults, Pacific Northwest setting, EXCELLENT banter, forbidden romance, knotting

Where to Read:

As Many Souls as Stars

📚 Standalone sapphic romantic historical fantasy
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook
🔥 Low spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 3.75 – 4 (my full review)

My Thoughts: This was a fun ride. It was about a witch and the demon who wanted to consume her soul, and their love story over the witch’s different lives. It was maybe a tad repetitive but honestly still such a good time and interesting concept!

This book has: demons, witches, “I’ll love you in every lifetime”, enemies to lovers

Where to Read:

Hazelthorn

📚 YA standalone queer romantic fantasy horror
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 easy, probably 6 (my full review)

My Thoughts: CG Drews is an auto-buy author for me. This book captures two boys who are so in love against all their efforts because one boy tried to kill the other a few years ago and now they have to work together to solve a creepy mystery. I won’t shut up about this or CG Drews for a long time, I fear.

This book has: botanical horror, insanely stunning writing, autism rep, gothic environment

Where to Read:

The Will of the Many REREAD

📚 Book 1 in incomplete fantasy/sci-fi Hierarchy series
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 again (my full review)

My Thoughts: Guys, this series is just the best. If you like big, action-packed fantasy with a unique politically-based magic system, you’ll eat this up. It follows our main kid Vis who is an orphan with a secret identity trying NOT to get involved with the magic system, which everyone is forced to do. But then he catches the eye of someone high up and entered into a prestigious academy to help solve a mystery.

This book has: big brain energy, sociopolitical commentary, Roman Empire-based, academia but also deadly trials

Where to Read:

The Strength of the Few

📚 Book 2 in incomplete fantasy/sci-fi Hierarchy series
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 (my full review)

My Thoughts: GUYS IT JUST KEEPS BEING SO GOOD. I just love this series. If you love big fantasy with sci-fi elements, I just think you’ll love this.

Where to Read:

The Six Deaths of the Saint

📚 Short story (31 pages) that precedes The Everlasting
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 (my full review)

My Thoughts: Genuinely how dare she write something so beautiful and so emotional in 31 pages? Like I genuinely don’t understand how this was possible.

This book has: a knight and her legend, romance

Where to Read:

The Everlasting

📚 Romantic historical fantasy standalone
🎧 Dual narrated audiobook
🔥 Low spice

My Rating: ♾️⭐️ all the stars (my full review)

My Thoughts: This book is a masterpiece and was immediately added to my god tier list. He’s a scholar meant to document a famous legend knight’s adventures and in order to do so he ends up going back in time to when she lived and living it alongside her. The way this was written? Stunning. The story that was told? Incredible. I cried, and I rarely cry y’all. This became an all-timer for me.

This book has: timeline jumps, scholar MMC and knight FMC, dual POV, themes of colonialism, power corrupting, and the horrors of war

Where to Read:

Our Vicious Oaths

📚 Romantic fantasy standalone
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Duet narrated audiobook
🔥 Higher spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4 – 4.25 (my full review)

My Thoughts: This was just a spicy good time with a surprisingly solid world and lore for a standalone spice-fest. This is a reaaaaaal enemies to lovers situation and I really liked both of our leads. This brought in fun fae lore I really enjoyed too!

This book has: awesome fae lore and world-building, PROPER enemies to lovers, fae courts and politics, shadow daddy, warrior princess, arranged marriage

Where to Read:

Darkness Births the Stars

📚 Book 1 in incomplete romantic fantasy series
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🔥 Medium spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 (my full review)

My Thoughts: This is just one of my favorite tropes, which is a love story told in current and flashbacks. You start out finding out these 2 gods have fallen from the pantheon and that they loved each other so much but betrayed each other A LOT. She was betrothed to his brother, he wanted to wipe out the kingdom, and after years in “fallen god” status he shows up at her house injured and dying.

This series has: multiple timelines, morally gray/black MMC, badass but thoughtful FMC, gods and all their creations (elves, humans, dwarves, etc.), dual POV, “I had nowhere else to go”

Where to Read:

This Monster of Mine

📚 Book 1 in an incomplete romantic fantasy duology
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook
🔥 Low spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.25 – 4.5 (my full review)

My Thoughts: This was SO MUCH FUN I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. There were multiple murder mysteries, a Roman Empire-based political system, tension out the wazoo, and I genuinely can’t wait for book 2. Someone tries to kill her at this school, and years later she returns to the school and discovers that the person who tried to kill her is her boss.

This book has: fun murder mystery, political intrigue, female rage, MORALLY GRAY zap daddy, critiques of capitalism and the justice system

Where to Read:

The Magnificence of Death

📚 Romantic fantasy standalone
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🔥 V low spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 (my full review)

My Thoughts: This was a bit of a bummer, because it had all the things I really loved but the way they came together just didn’t work. It felt like a FABULOUS message but the plot didn’t deliver on it for me. HOWEVER, I have friends who absolutely LOVED this so if it interests you give it a look! SO if the premise of an immortal woman falling in love with the god of death sounds interesting, give this a try!

This book has: overarching theme of grief, morally gray MMC death god, immortal FMC, curses

Where to Read:

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Romantic Fantasy Books with Vampires

Vampires and romantasy are a perfect combination if you ask me. Like, there’s just something about vampires in a romantic fantasy setting specifically that just get me. Like of course a standard paranormal romance with vampires hit, but add extra magical elements and bring in the fantasy and it’s just extra amazing. So, here are some vampire romantasy books that I personally really enjoyed to add to your spooky season (or… whenever really) TBR. I’ve read more fantasy romance books with vampires in them than the ones listed, but didn’t include ones I didn’t enjoy. So, find your next vampire romantasy here based on story length:

And in total transparency, I may earn commissions if you make any purchases from links below, and I thank you earnestly for doing so. It allows me to keep putting together lists of recommendations like this for you!

Complete Series

The Filthy Duet

📚 Complete paranormal romantasy duology including “All Your Bloody Lies” and “All Your Deadly Truths”
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Duet narrated audiobook
🔥 QUITE spicy

Plot: A succubus is hellbent on violent revenge against the men who buried her alive when a vampire detective is trying to catch her for her crimes.

This duology has: vampires, succubus, shifters, modern/urban setting

Where to Read:

This Ravenous Fate Duology

📚 YA sapphic romantic paranormal fantasy duology starting with “This Ravenous Fate”
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook

Plot: Former best friends who now hate each other – a mob daughter and a vampire – get stuck working together to solve a mystery.

This duology has: vampires, best friends to enemies to lovers?, jazz era New York setting, organized crime

Where to Read:

A Study in Shadows Series

📚 complete romantasy quartet starting with “Reign of Night”
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook

Plot: Lyssandra is a member of the elite vampire hunting unit & is one of the best but she has a secret. She’s bonded to an incredibly powerful & ancient vampire. When sent on a mission by the king, she gets tangled with him as well as other powerful creatures in her realm that make her hunting more difficult & dangerous by the day.

This series has: vampires, vampire hunters, monsters, witches, magial bonds

Where to Read:

Incomplete Series

Immortal Dark Trilogy

📖 Incomplete dark gothic romantic fantasy trilogy; 1 book out so far “Immortal Dark” with the sequel “Eternal Ruin” out as well
🔥 Slow burn spice
🎧 Solo-narrated book 1 with full cast book 2

Plot: Her sister disappeared and she’s positive she’s been taken to the vampire/human community she and her sister fled as children. So she has to figure her way back, where she learns the legacy of her family as well as the vampires she hates so much.

This trilogy has: gothic vibes, Ethiopian lore and unique vampires, female rage, enemies to lovers?, dark academia, magical house

Where to Read Book 1:

Kingdom of Dark Magic Series

📖 Incomplete romantasy series with 1 book out so far – “A Bargain So Bloody”
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🔥 No spice… yet

Plot: She’s been in this prison for half her life and we don’t know why. One day a mysterious vampire shows up and gives her a hope for escape she hadn’t had before.

This book has: vampires, witches, an obsessive MMC, “you came”

Where to Read Book 1:

Fae & Alchemy Series

📖 Incomplete romantasy series with 2 books out so far – “Quicksilver” and “Brimstone”
☑️ Book 1 on Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Duet narrated audiobook
🔥 Spicy

Plot: After a bad interaction with the queen after trying to steal some of her gold, Saeris finds herself catapulted into a fae realm. But the fae realm is full of mysteries, tasks, and grumpy warrior with his own agenda.

This book has: humans, fae, vampires, grumpy dirty mouth MMC, sassy FMC

Where to Read:

Blood Vows Series

📖 Incomplete romantasy series with 1 book out so far – “A Vow of Shadow and Blood”
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🔥 Lower spice

Plot: Adina lives and works as a donor for vampires in what is essentially a high end blood brothel. While many enjoy this job for its perks — especially as a human living in the dangerous world of vampires — she hates it. But between the mysterious presence living in her mind, her sick twin sister, & best friends, she is content enough. Until she learns how she can potentially cure her sister, which involves taking something from the vampires they don’t want taken & in doing this she finds out way more than she thought she knew.

This book has: vampire courts and politics, post-vampire and human war fallout, enemies to lovers, stabby FMC, found family

Where to Read Book 1:

Standalones

A Dowry of Blood

📕 Standalone romantic paranormal fantasy
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Solo-narrated
🔥 Spicy

Plot: Dracula’s first wife writes about their lives together in the form of letters to him.

This book has: beautiful writing, polyamory, vampires

Where to Read:

Vampires of El Norte

📕 Standalone romantic paranormal fantasy
🎧 Dual-narrated
🔥 Closed door spice

Plot: She was the daughter of the lead ranchero his family worked for, and they fell in young love. Then, they were separated as teens after he thought she died from a mysterious monster attack. Years later, multiple types of monsters are back and he learns not only is she alive but also that she despises him for leaving her.

This book has: unique vampires, Mexican setting and lore, ultimate yearning, looming war

Where to Read:

The Nyaxia World

You might be wondering “why is the Nyaxia world separate from the complete/incomplete/standalone section” and that’s because this world is full of multiple duets, a novella, and a standalone. But it’s all part of the same world and has a specific reading order. So I’m going to break that down for you below:

Crowns of Nyaxia Reading order which consists of 8 books

Nightborn Duet
- book 1: The Serpent and the WIngs of Night
- book 2 The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King

Optional novella to read between: Six Scorched Roses

Shadownborn Duet
- book 1: The Songbird and the Heart of Stone
- book 2: The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk

Shadowborn Duet
- book 1: The Lion and the Deathless Dark
- Book 2: name TBD

Books in this world 👇🏼

Nightborn Duet

📚 Complete duet: “The Serpent & the Wings of Night” and “The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King”
📕 There’s also a novella – Six Scorched Roses – that you SHOULD read in between as it introduces characters and is my favorite novella ever
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook
🔥 Spicy

Plot: The adopted human daughter of the vampire king enters into deadly trials in order to gain a wish from the goddess. There, she gains an unlikely ally.

This duology has: vampires, reluctant allies to lovers to ??, games and trials, vampire politics

Where to Read Book 1:

Six Scorched Roses

📕 Standalone romantasy that goes between “Serpent” and “Ashes” in the Nightborn Duet (it’s technically optional but it’s my personal favorite of the 3)
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook
🔥 Spicy

Plot: She’s been slated to die since the day she was born. And while she’s expecting to she’s not expecting to watch her town go down with her due to some mystery illness. So she seeks the help of the vampire on the edge of town everyone’s afraid of.

This book has: vampires, autism rep, super smart FMC, beautiful writing

Where to Read:

Slaying the Vampire Conqueror

📕 Standalone romantasy that goes before the Shadowborn Duet
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook
🔥 Spicy

Plot: She’s devoted her life to her goddess, and her next task is to take down a famed vampire warrior. But to do so, she’s got to get close to him.

This book has: vampires, gods and goddesses, enemies to lovers

Where to Read:

Shadowborn Duet

📚 Complete duet: “The Songbird & the Heart of Stone” and “The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk”
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook
🔥 Spicy

Plot: She’s facing the death penalty for having killed the vampire that turned her against her will. But then another vampire prince decides to save her, in exchange for her help killing a god.

This duology has: vampires, reluctant allies to lovers to ??, forbidden romance

Where to Read Book 1:

Boodborn Duet

📚 Will come out Aug 4, 2026

Plot: A bounty hunter and vampire prince have to work together in order to get revenge

This duology has: TBD but def vampires

Preorder:

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Romantic Fantasy Books with Witches & Mages

I looooove a good romantic fantasy book or series with either witches or mages. Like UGHHH they always hit for some reason. Whether it’s a romantasy standalone or an incomplete fantasy romance trilogy, if you throw some witches in there it’s going to rule. So if you’re looking for romantic fantasy with witches, look no further than this list I’ve put together.

All of the witch and/or mage romantasy books listed below are ones that I personally thoroughly enjoyed. I’ve read more fantasy romance books with witches in in them, but didn’t include ones I didn’t enjoy. So, find your next mage or witch romantasy, fantasy, or beyond read based on length:

And in total transparency, I may earn commissions if you make any purchases from links below, and I thank you earnestly for doing so. It allows me to keep putting together lists of recommendations like this for you!

Complete Series

The Crimson Moth Duology

📚 Romantic fantasy duology including “Heartless Hunter” and “Rebel Witch”
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook
🔥 Low spice

Plot: She’s a vapid socialite moonlighting as a witch vigilante rescuing banished witches and he is the lead witch hunter tasked with finding her.

This duology has: witch and witch hunter, cat and mouse, secret identities

Where to Read Book 1:

Bound By Blood Trilogy

📚 Romantic fantasy trilogy that starts with “The Blood That Binds Us”
🎧 Duet narrated audiobook
🔥 Spicy

Plot: She’s a bloodwitch who grew up with shifters and he’s the king trying to get rid of both of those populations. But when they get stuck working together, they find they have a common enemy.

This duology has: witch and witch hunter, PROPER enemies to lovers, mages, witches, shifters, elves, betrayals

Where to Read:

Incomplete Series

The Eating Woods Trilogy

📚 Incomplete dark gothic romantasy trilogy; 2 of 3 books out including “Anathema” and “Eldritch”
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Duet audiobook
🔥 Spicy

Plot: She lives in an extremely religious village that has treated her as an outcast her entire life. The village is situated next to this forest where no one ever returns from. One day something happens and she ends up entering the woods, only to discover something she never could have predicted.

This trilogy has: dark backstories, dragon-ish creatures, magic users, religious weaponization

Where to Read Book 1:

Witch Walker Series

📚 Incomplete dark romantasy series; 3 of 5 books out including “The Witch Collector,” “City of Ruin,” and “The Wolf and the Witch”
🎧 Dual audiobook
🔥 Spicy

Plot: Her sister was taken to the king by the Witch Collector years ago, and she’s ready to exact her revenge on him.

This series has: witches, gods and nations at war, multi-POV, enemies to lovers

Where to Read Book 1:

Omnis Trilogy

📚 Incomplete dark romantic fantasy trilogy; 1 book out so far “The Knowing Witch” with the sequel “The Unknown Daemon” coming out in January 2026
🔥 Spicy

Plot: Ena is a witch who has been living with the coven matriarch and her sister since they were babies and her parents died. She is about to experience her official summoning, which means she’ll be gifted by their goddess with her specific witch gift. But when she gets a gift that doesn’t seem right, things start to go awry. Including the boy who was just passing through 10 years ago she happened to fall for showing back up, but not in the way she wanted at all.

This trilogy has: gothic vibes, witches and demons, smart/thoughtful FMC, ultimate longing and yearning from romantic leads

Where to Read Book 1:

Mages of the Wheel Series

📖 Incomplete romantasy series of interconnected standalones with 5 books out so far, starting with Reign & Ruin
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Dual audiobook
🔥 Lower spice

Plot: She’s the dying Sultan’s daughter and he wants her to take over when he passes. However, his Council doesn’t think she should and are working behind the scenes to force her to marry one of their sons instead. However, she wants none of this and decides in order to propose an alliance to a neighboring enemy kingdom instead, all while working to fix the broken wheel of magic.

This book has: political strategist FMC (one of my all-time favorites), shadow daddy MMC, politics galore, unique magic system

Where to Read Book 1:

Standalones

Salt & Broom

📚 Standalone witchy Jane Eyre romantic fantasy retelling
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Dual audiobook
🔥 No spice

Plot: She’s a practicing witch who gets sent to care for a wealthy man and help remedy the mysterious presence on his estate.

This book has: witchy Jane Eyre vibes, spooky vibes, grumpy MMC

Where to Read:

The Witch Who Trades With Death

📚 Romantic fantasy standalone
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook
🔥 V low spice

Plot: She was kidnapped and has been a forced concubine to the Emperor for years because of her powers as a witch. She can transfer life from one living item to another, and the Emperor finds this quite valuable. But one day, she decides it’s time to escape and attempts to get as far away as she possibly can.

This book has: found family, themes of imperialism, death god, witches

Where to Read:

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October 2025 • 8 Books

I rounded my spooky season with 8 mostly proper spooky season reads which was FUNNN. Read a few I really loved and I really just do love a good Halloween-y read.

Below is my breakdown as always, which includes my rating, what I liked, and where to read. It’s also possible I earn commissions if you make any purchases from links below, and I thank you earnestly for doing so. It allows me to keep putting together these recaps for you!

Let’s get into this October reading breakdown:

Shrike

📚 Book 1 in incomplete dark romantasy duology
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🔥 Low/med spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.75 – 4 (my full review)
My Thoughts: This is a unique take on dark academia and meddling gods based on Irish folklore and is really unlike anything I’ve really read before. It was dark and gothic and a great spooky season read.

I really liked the FMC A LOT and the lore was fascinating. I didn’t think this was exactly perfect, but I’m genuinely excited for book 2 when it comes out because wow oh wow how things ended.

Where to Read:

Immortal Dark

📚 Book 1 in incomplete dark romantic fantasy trilogy, 2 books out so far
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook but looks like book 2 has a full cast
🔥 V v low spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 3.75 (my full review)
My Thoughts: This is one of my favorite takes on vampires I think I’ve read. They’re based in Ethiopian lore and I LOVE it. Then there’s like a sentient magical house and dark academia and the setting is so cool.

The only thing that kept this from 5 stars for me was it took me awhile to be into either of the leads. But I think futue books won’t have that issue!

Where to Read:

The Bog Wife

📚 Standalone low fantasy
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️💫 1.5 (my full review)
My Thoughts: I’m so sorry but I hated this. Least favorite read of the year. I sent a 4 minute voice note rant to my friends when I was done with it complaining.

The premise was so cool and weird and so was the cover. This family sacrifices their patriarch to the bog, and the bog provides a wife to continue the family, but this year something goes wrong. It’s set in Appalachia and I was so excited for just weird lore and I was so disappointed. Nothing mattered. There was no reason for anything. When something cool did happen it was shoved under a rug and never mentioned again.

Where to Read (if you feel you must):

Vampires of El Norte

📚 Standalone low fantasy with vampires
🎧 Dual narrated audiobook
🔥 Closed door spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 (my full review)
My Thoughts: The allegory in this re: the vampires was awesome. The tension of the two love interests having known each other as kids was delicious; so much yearning.

And I LOVED the Mexican historical fiction setting. Big fan! The only thing that kept this from 5 stars was a bit of excess miscommunication trope for me. I was like, we can settle on this a little. But it was good and I enjoyed it overall.

Where to Read:

The Ascended

📚 Book 1 in incomplete Aesymarean Duet
🌌 Book 3 in the Sundered Realms Universe (read after Riftborne and Duskbound of the Esprithean trilogy)
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🔥 Lower spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 (my full review)
My Thoughts: This is how you do a book that’s a part of a larger fantasy universe! These were unique trials with characters I loved and easter eggs galore you only know if you read the Esprithean trilogy. So if you love big fantasy worlds, I really think you’ll love this.

Need to read Riftborne and Duskbound? I’ve got them listed here.

Where to Read:

A Vow of Shadow and Blood

📚 Book 1 in incomplete Blood Vows romantic fantasy series
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🔥 Lower spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 (my full review)
My Thoughts: I reallllly struggled with the FMC this book. Everything else is solid; vampire courts, an interesting Nightmare-from-One-Dark-Window-esque character, a fun side character, etc. but I just do not like when it feels like most of the conflict is caused by the FMC’s stubbornness and everyone seemingly bending to it in ways that seem extremely unbelievable. If this doesn’t bother you, you’ll LOVE this book. Eat it up!

Where to Read:

The Knowing Witch

📚 Incomplete dark romantic fantasy trilogy; 1 book out so far “The Knowing Witch” with the sequel “The Unknown Daemon” coming out in January 2026
☑️ On Kindle Unlimited
🔥 Lower spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 4.75 (my full review)
My Thoughts: I LOVED this. I couldn’t put it down. I ADORE the trope of 2 teens meeting/falling for one another/whatever it is and then being separated, only to be brought back together and they’re on opposite sides of some conflict, big or small. And this DELIVERED on that.

Plus it was unique! Witches and demons, with cool magic and gods. I’m so pumped for where this is going to go.

Where to Read:

The Witch Who Trades With Death

📚 Romantic fntasy standalone
🎧 Solo narrated audiobook
🔥 V low spice

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.25 (my full review)
My Thoughts: This turned out to be so much sweeter than I anticipated. Because it starts out as “hey so she’s the forced, tortured, and assaulted witch concubine of an evil emperor” you’re like oh shit, brutal. But it turns out into the most lovely found family story and green flag MMC and I just loved it. It was so sweet in the end, and it made me happy amid the dark circumstances.

Where to Read:

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