The Rise of Romantasy: From Niche to BookTok Sensation
Welcome to Mom Needs a Chapter! Dive into the enchanting world where romance meets fantasy in today’s hottest subgenre: romantasy.
Whether you’re a longtime fantasy fan or a romance reader looking to explore magical new realms, this guide is for you. In this post, I’ll dive into the irresistible allure of romantasy, how it evolved into the genre we know and love today, and five must-read romantasy series that deserve a spot on your bookshelf (and maybe even your heart).✨
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What Is Romantasy? (And Why Are We Obsessed?)
Romantasy—a blend of fantasy and romance—is a subgenre that we simply can’t get enough of. But what makes it so addictive?
Romantasy books combine high-stakes magical worlds with emotionally driven love stories. Think fae courts, deadly dragon academies, enchanted realms, and fierce heroines falling for morally grey antiheroes who might kiss you or kill you (maybe both 😏). These fantasy romance novels deliver the drama, the angst, the spice, and the escapism—all in one beautifully immersive package.
Top romantasy book tropes we can’t resist:
Enemies to lovers in magical realms
Forbidden love under ancient curses
Slow burns with epic stakes and tension
Court intrigue and royalty in peril
Dragons, fae, witches, and other supernatural twists
If you’ve ever Googled “best romantasy books,” “spicy fantasy romance series,” or “fantasy romance recommendations,” you’re not alone—those search terms are trending like crazy in 2025!
My Journey Into Fantasy Romance
Confession time: I didn’t grow up a fantasy fan. As a kid, I didn’t care about dragons, chosen ones, or made-up languages. When I ventured into the romance genre, I was solidly Team Contemporary Romance—give me a quirky small-town rom-com and I was happy.
That all changed in adulthood when I tried Twilight, which was a gentle introduction into the genre. Suddenly, I was devouring romantasy books late into the night, wondering how I had ever lived without fae politics, magical war colleges, and enemies-to-lovers slow burns.
Fantasy romance became my escape, my comfort, and—let’s be real—my obsession. And I know I’m not alone.
A Quick History of Romantasy
Before BookTok exploded and romantasy took over our TBR piles, fantasy and romance were mostly kept separate on bookstore shelves. Fantasy was seen as epic, cerebral, and world-driven, while romance was often unfairly dismissed as “fluff.”
Then came the game-changers:
Anne Rice gave us erotic, gothic vampire tales in The Vampire Chronicles.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer showed us that romance and monsters could coexist on screen.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer redefined teen fiction and brought paranormal romance into the mainstream.
True Blood (based on Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse books) added steamy Southern Gothic spice to our screens.
Fast forward to today, and romantasy is everywhere—with titles like Fourth Wing and From Blood and Ash dominating bestseller lists and TikTok feeds.
Why Romantasy Has Taken Over BookTok (and Our Hearts)
Today’s romantasy readers crave more than just a kiss in the moonlight. We want complex worldbuilding, emotionally rich character arcs, and high-stakes romance that feels earned. That’s why this genre hits so hard—because it delivers:
Emotional tension that builds across books
Spicy romance that fits organically into the plot
Powerful heroines who fight for love and justice
Epic storytelling that keeps you turning pages at 2 a.m.
In short: romantasy isn’t just about love—it’s about transformation. And who doesn’t love a good glow-up?
Spice Level Guide
1 — Sweet & Subtle: Flirty tension, kisses, and fade-to-black scenes. Just a hint of heat.
2 — Lightly Flirty: Suggestive moments, heated kisses, and a little steam — but the door mostly stays closed.
3 — Medium Heat: On-page steamy scenes that balance sexy and emotional. Just enough to make you blush but still leaves a little to the imagination.
4 — Hot & Heavy: Multiple detailed steamy scenes, lots of physical chemistry, and very little left to the imagination. Definitely NSFW reading.
5 — Scorching: Explicit, frequent, and blazing. These books bring the heat hard — you’ll need a fan (and maybe a cold shower).
5 Must-Read Romantasy Series
Whether you’re brand new to fantasy romance or a seasoned fan, these series are perfect starting points. Each one offers rich worldbuilding, captivating characters, and the kind of romance that makes your heart ache in the best way.
1. A Court of thorns and roses
by Sarah J. Maas
Summary: Feyre, a mortal huntress, is dragged into the perilous world of the Fae as payment for killing a wolf. There, she finds herself entangled in court politics, ancient curses, and a fierce, enigmatic High Lord.
Spice Level: 4/5 Delivers plenty of spice alongside its epic fae intrigue.
Best Book Of Series: A Court of Mist and Fury
2. Blood and Ash
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Summary: Poppy, the Maiden, is destined for a life of seclusion and purity—until the day's end when she meets Hawke, a golden-eyed warrior with secrets of his own. Their chemistry ignites as darkness threatens the realm.
Spice Level: 5/5 Turns up the steam with bold, intimate scenes.
Best Book Of Series: A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire
3. Fourth Wing
by Rebecca Yarros
Summary: Violet enters the brutal world of dragon riders at the Basgiath War College. With a sickly body and unwilling heart, she must rely on her wit—and a certain deadly instructor—to survive.
Spice Level: 3/5 More of a slow build, balancing action and moderate heat.
Best Book Of Series: Fourth Wing
4. Lux
by Jennifer Armentrout
Summary: Katy’s life changes when she meets her new neighbor, Daemon Black—and discovers he’s an alien with incredible powers. Their enemies-to-lovers ride is out of this world.
Spice Level: 2/5 The Lux series plays up the sweet, alien‑enemies‑to‑lovers vibe with lighter spice.
Best Book Of Series: Obsidian
5. Throne of Glass
by Sarah J. Maas
Summary: Assassin Celaena Sardothien is offered freedom if she wins a deadly contest to become the king’s champion. High-stakes magic, political intrigue, and a slow-burn romance await.
Spice Level: 3.5/5 Slow burn that balances action with heat.
Best Book Of Series: Queen of Shadows
For more romantasy reads, check out these posts:
Join the Conversation!
Romantasy has come a long way—from a taboo niche to the hottest trend in romance fiction. I’d love to hear from you: what are your favorite romantasy series? Drop your recommendations in the comments below!
About the Author
I’m a mom of two spirited girls and one oversized Saint Bernard. I have a degree in English from the University of Wisconsin. By day, I work in health care as a Health Literacy expert; by night, I’m off wandering swoony fictional worlds, chasing plot twists and happily-ever-afters. I’ve been in love with the romance genre for as long as I can remember—I've read thousands of love stories and even had my own meet-cute with my library director husband… in a bookstore, of course.
-Frances
Mom Needs A Chapter