What in the Romantasy? We’re Talking About MUST Read Books!
The romantasy genre has taken over social media by storm. Today, we’re talking about books you need to add to your bookshelf and to your never ending TBR list. The books listed in this post are from indie authors, or indie authors who recently or are soon to be going traditional with publishing.
If you’ve been living under a rock or haven’t been searching for book recommendations on social medai, first – where do you get your book recs? Just kidding…but really….
So what in the world is ‘romantasy?’ Romantasy is the combination of the genres romance and fantasy. This new category has taken over the BookTok and Bookstagram communities, and I’m so here for it.
Romantasy has created fandoms and influencers, and has given brand new authors, as well as established ones, the ability to make writing their full-time job. This genre has helped some writers land contracts with traditional publishers, expanding their audience, reach and influence. Also, it’s probably the reason why we’re seeing such an influx of books based on novels on all of our streaming platforms.
Whether you’re looking for a romantasy book to read at the beach or one to read on your next road trip, I’ve got you covered with the best romantasy book recommendations. Some of you may have heard of them since they’ve gone viral, whereas others are from first-time authors that are well on their way to making a name in the romantasy space.
Independently published books
I have had the pleasure of reading some truly amazing books this summer and fall, including a few advance reader copies (ARCs). Also, of the authors featured, four are debuting their first books. All of these completely blew me away, and a few of them I stayed up until 3 and 4 a.m. to finish reading because I couldn’t put them down.
Child of Shivay by JR Cathers
“Child of Shivay” is an epic fantasy set to break the current genre trends in romantasy and redefine the lines between love and betrayal. JR Cathers has crafted something truly original, a story of self-discovery written with deliberate prose that forces the reader to question the weight of a decision. This book is an epic unveiling of propaganda and how our lives are defined by every choice we make. Launching Oct. 16, 2025, this stunning debut, written in rural North Idaho, is being hailed as the next big thing in romantasy.
Blood & Betrayals by Jeanette Rose & Alexis Rune
Jeanette and Alexis met completely by chance in an online book club and became fast friends, which quickly led to them being inseparable. They first wrote a Hades and Persephone retelling, but soon were inspired to delve into the dark and mysterious world of dark academia. They enjoyed sprinkling spice, murder mystery and found family into “Blood & Betrayals,” which quickly became their heart book.
The book’s characters are messy, complex and wildly imperfect, but that’s what makes them so lovable and relatable. “Blood & Betrayals” will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions, but remember, neither Rose nor Rune will pay therapy bills for trauma inflicted by their writing.
The Sky Called Her Home by B.J. Wilde
B.J. Wilde is an Australian romantasy author whose debut novel, “The Sky Called Her Home,” launches readers into a richly woven world of prophecy, politics and cosmic magic. Following Elyssara, a heroine torn between survival and destiny, and Kael, the brooding warrior bound to her by fate and choice, the story blends lyrical prose with edge-of-your-seat tension, a love that endures and a found family readers will ache to fight beside.
With themes of fate versus free will, immersive worldbuilding and a fated romance that spans a trilogy, Wilde’s work is perfect for fans of “The Plated Prisoner” series and “Quicksilver.” Read my full review.
In the Blood by Kristen Cari
Kristen Cari is the author behind “In the Blood,” the first in the four-book romantasy series, “The Forgotten Fae.” Kristen lives in Milwaukee, Wis., where she’s a family photographer, a wife and a mama to a 3-year-old daughter and two rowdy dogs.
“In the Blood” follows Marigold, the future Queen of Aurelius, as she falls into a world of faeries who have been cursed. She lives in a society similar to Regency-Era, “Bridgerton,” but quickly finds herself in a tropical world more like “Vampire Diaries” meets “A Court of Thorns and Roses.” After being rescued by three faerie Princes, she discovers a world of magic, love and betrayal. Did I mention there are dragons, unicorns and even a shadow daddy?
Oaths & Vengeance by Susan Illene
Aella is a powerful half-elf, half-druid in her 30s, trapped for much of her life by an evil uncle who uses her rare portal magic for his own gains. When her young cousin develops a deadly illness, her family’s greatest enemy is the only one with the means to cure the girl. Aella will have no choice but to secretly marry and ally with a dangerous dark-elf, Darrow, who will open her eyes to the underbelly of the vicious fae world and some uncomfortable truths kept from her.
“Oaths & Vengeance” is written by Susan Illene. She is a former combat veteran and Arabic linguist who has settled down with her husband and two sons to live a semi-peaceful life. The author enjoys gardening and annoying her children with her sarcasm.
The Ascended by Grenwich and Lennox
If you’ve read Riftborne and Duskbound, the first two in the Esprithean Trilogy, you need to buckle up and get ready to read The Ascended which is book 1 of The Aesymarean Duet which is interconnected to the series. This book is an infinity star read for me. The book is thiccccc, but honestly it could be 100 more pages and I wouldn’t mind. I was enthralled by this book. The plot, the angst, the action, romance, all of it. I couldn’t get enough!!
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and it’s set to be released October 7, 2025. Check out my full review.
Raven Minder by Lindsay Cummings
In the war-torn kingdom of Lordach, Ezer has spent two years imprisoned as the Ravenminder of Rendegard, haunted by dreams of her own death and marked by strange, otherworldly magic. When a Sacred Knight recruits her to fight the Acolyte, she discovers a rare affinity with birds and is tasked with helping the Prince tame a raphon—half raven, half panther, and loyal only to darkness. As Ezer’s bond with the beast deepens, so too does her struggle between loyalty, love, and the shadows of destiny, forcing her to question whether the darkness has been her fate all along.
I was very fortunate to be an ARC reader fort this book. I devoured it in under 2 days. I literally couldn’t put it down. Check out my Raven Minder book review.
October 23, 2025 release date.
Souls in Ruin – Jacqueline White
When Princess Mireille is wed to a foreign king with cold eyes and colder intentions, she expects distance, perhaps cruelty, not chains. Kept imprisoned within her own kingdom’s walls, she learns her father’s past sins are not easily buried. But neither is she.
Souls in Ruin is the first book in a dark fantasy romance series about survival, obsession, and the quiet fury of a woman who refuses to be forgotten. For readers who love myth-drenched romance, morally dark men, and heroines who rise from ruin.
I was fortunate enough to be an ARC reader for Souls of Ruin. This book will make you feel every emotion and question your sanity. 6 Star read. Full review to come!
October 30, 2025 release date.
The Magicless Mage – B. L. Lewis
Clutch your broomstick, The Magicless Mage is a dark and twisted Wizard of Oz retelling about a wolf who lost his heart and a witch finding her way home. It’s especially unhinged, full of twists, and has the slowest of slow burns. Expect morally grey characters, explicit content, knife-to-throat tension, and overall weirdness. Full review to come, but check out my ARC review on my IG in the meantime.
October 3, 2025 release date.
More Indie Books to add to your TBR
- A Wolf of War – Juniper Hartmann
- Death’s Kiss – MM Reeves
- The Wolves of Crescent Creek series – Tessa Hale
- Spark the Flames – Ivy Asher
- Heir of Time series – Audriana Christian
- Academy of Villians series – Ever King
- Above – Brea Lamb
Books that recently went traditional or will in the near future
These books have been making headlines and have been popular across TikTok and Instagram. They’ve recently been traditionally published or will be in the near future, and you can expect to see them at your major bookstores and hopefully some indie bookshops too!
On Wings of Blood and The Bond that Burns by Briar Boleyn
Briar Boleyn used to teach high school students in the Canadian Arctic. But after writing her first romance novel in 2021, she quickly turned to writing full-time to support her growing family of demon-hybrid children. She’s recently gone traditional with her series “Bloodwing Academy.” “On Wings of Blood” was traditionally published earlier this year, with the second book scheduled for release this November. The third book in the series is expected to arrive in March 2026.
Metal Slinger by Rachel Schneider
“Metal Slinger” was traditionally published on June 17, 2025, and shocked the entire Booktok community with its insanely out-of-the-blue plot twist and cliffhanger. Many of us are still surprised by (check out my thoughts on that here) it and are in desperate need of book two, “Light Wielder,” which is scheduled to be published in May of next year.
Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen
“Dire Bound” is written under the pen name Sable Sorensen, who are two good friends and fantasy fangirls, who teamed up to write books that feature strong heroines, spicy romances and the never-ending fight between those in power and those who would defend the weak and vulnerable. “Dire Bound” was their debut novel and was just recently traditionally published on Aug. 26, 2025. Book two is set to be published on May 5, 2026.
The Wolf King and The Night Prince by Lauren Palphreyman
Scottish countryside, castles, men in kilts and werewolves, what more can you ask for? Book one, “The Wolf King,” is set for traditional publication this November, and book two is scheduled for February of next year.
More Indie Authors Going Traditional
So many of my favorite authos have recently gone traditional. Below are a few more to check out.
- Leave Me Behind & Once Upon a Demon’s Heart – KM Moronova
- Nocticadia, Anathema, & Eldritch – Keri Lake
- Vows of Vengenace series – Alexis Menard
- Spellcaster – Jaymin Eve
- Blood of Hercules & Bonds of Hercules – Jasmine Mas
- Gods & Monsters series – Amber V Nicole
- The Otacian Chronicles – Kylie Snow
- The Silversmith – LJ Claren
Who are some of your favorite indie authors, or authors that recently went traditional?
