19 Best Royal Romance Books That Will Make You Swoon

royal romance books
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Obsessed with the royals? If you answered yes, then you’ll love these royal romance books: Kings and queens, royal heirs, backstabbing nobles, diplomatic relations, cutthroat assassins and power beyond belief. No one ever said the royal life was easy. 

Royalty has a certain appeal which makes it the perfect setup for stories, especially in the romance genre. Think rags-to-riches trope. 

People love a story where the “commoner” catches the eye of a noble, falls in love, is met with blatant disapproval from the kingdom, manages to overcome these challenges and eventually comes out on top. Of course, there are many variations and add-ons to this story, but that’s the bare bones of the typical royalty trope. 

These must-read royal romance books will sweep you off your feet and dazzle your mind. Enjoy!

Royally Screwed by Emma Chase

Crown Prince Nicholas Pembrook of Wessco may seem to have it all, but he’s facing an ultimatum from his grandmother: Find a wife within the next five months, or else. To escape the pressure, Nicholas flees to New York City and right into the path of Olivia Hammond, a girl struggling to keep her family’s coffee shop and bakery afloat. Despite a less-than-ideal introduction, Nicholas and Olivia embark on a whirlwind romance that forever changes their lives. 

Emma Chase’s Royally Screwed is a sexy and delightful twist on a classic fairy tale, perfect for readers searching for the best royal romance books.

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The Unlikely Heir by Jax Calder

Callum Prescott, an insurance claims agent from California, finds himself at the center of a royal drama when almost half of the British royal family is stripped of their titles, leaving him as the unexpected heir. 

With mounting pressure and public dissent, Callum’s promise to his gran, the Queen of England, to fulfill his birthright proves nearly impossible, especially with his feelings for Oliver Hartwell, the Prime Minister, complicating matters.  

Ready for a royal romance that’ll make your heart race? Then dive into The Unlikely Heir and follow Callum’s journey as he navigates forbidden love, scheming royals, and an unexpected future. Get your cup of tea ready because you’re in for an enthralling ride!

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Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder, a gifted mechanic and cyborg overlooked and belittled by her step-family, struggles to claim her place in human society. When fate brings her and Prince Kai together, their lives intertwine and they soon find themselves in a race against the clock to save not only themselves, but the entire world. 

Follow Marissa Meyer into a world of political intrigue and fairytale love with Cinder. Readers seeking the best royal romance books will be swept away by this charming and captivating tale.

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The Selection by Kiera Cass

With a rebel attack always on the horizon and a throne to be won, America Singer’s pursuit of true love in The Selection series is a thrilling race against time.

When America discovers she’s one of the thirty-five Selected girls competing for the attention of Prince Maxon, she realizes it means ending her forbidden relationship with the boy she loves. But as America gets to know Maxon, she discovers an honest and sweet boy. With scheming competitors and escalating rebel attacks, it’s a high-risk game of The Bachelor with a chance of losing your heart, and readers’ hearts, to boot. 

Fall hopelessly in love with this breathtaking young adult romance, full of courtly intrigue and a swoon-worthy love story. Kiera Cass’s dazzling young adult romance is an inspiring story of courage and determination as America battles to win Maxon’s affection. For readers searching for the best royal romance books, look no further than The Selection.

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The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Jude’s world is thrown into chaos when she and her sisters are forced to leave their home and live in Faerie. Ten years pass and all Jude wants is to fit in. However, in the tumultuous world of Faerie, danger lurks around every corner and soon Jude finds herself tangled in a deadly game of politics. With lives on the line and cunning faeries, Jude will have to stay one step ahead to come out victorious. 

For those who seek royal romances with political intrigue and boundary-breaking scheming royals, Holly Black’s page-turner is the book for you. With relentless twists, high stakes, and deadly foes, The Cruel Prince is a thrilling, mesmerizing read.

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The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

When a pirate attack leaves the kingdom believing the prince, Joran, to be dead, nobleman Connor comes up with an audacious plan: to find an orphan boy and train him to pose as the long-lost prince. To carry out his machinations, he recruits four orphans – including the sly and wily Sage – to compete for the role. Will Connor’s risky gambit pay off, or will his false prince be found out? Find out in this captivating tale of twists and turns.

Brimming with subversive schemes and courtly deception, The False Prince is the perfect read for those who crave drama and intrigue in their royal-themed books. 

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The Controversial Princess by Jodi Ellen Malpas

As the third in line to the British throne, Princess Adeline Catherine Louisa Lockhart may have the appearance of living a fairytale life, but for her it feels more like a prison. Dubbed the Controversial Princess, Adeline takes her 30th birthday as an opportunity to shake off her family’s traditions and falls into the arms of Hollywood heartthrob, Josh Jameson, the World’s Sexiest Man Alive. Could this forbidden union between a princess and a celebrity ever work? 

Get swept away in the intense, unputdownable royal romance that is The Controversial Princess, full of steamy drama, forbidden love, and scheming royals. Enter Adeline’s world for a fairytale journey that you won’t soon forget.

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The Bird and the Sword by Amy Harmon

Are you a fan of royal romance with a dash of fantasy? Look no further than The Bird and the Sword by Amy Harmon. Featuring a shape-shifting king and a girl with a mysterious power, this novel will fulfill your wildest dreams. 

Its slow-burn storytelling style will leave you rapt as you follow the story’s epic journey of love and adventure. Be captivated by Harmon’s mesmerizing prose and unlock an exciting new world. 

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The Royal Treatment by Melanie Summers

In Melanie Summers’ The Royal Treatment, readers find themselves immersed in a romantic royal comedy full of witty banter, hilarious situations, and a dazzling fairy-tale love story.

The story follows Tessa Sharpe, a reporter-turned-blogger of The Royal Watchdog, whose life turns upside-down after having a brief romance with her boss. In an attempt to convince the people of Avonia to keep the monarchy, Prince Arthur announces a challenge for their biggest public hater: to live in the palace for two months and change their opinion. That’s where Tessa comes in—but not without a series of embarrassing events along the way. 

Whether you’re a fan of the monarchy or not, you’ll be captivated by the charming Prince Arthur and the roller coaster of love and laughter that ensues. Royal romance fans won’t want to miss out on the ultimate feel-good story that is The Royal Treatment.

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Radiance by Grace Draven

Fans of royal romance books will delight in Grace Draven’s phenomenal novel, Radiance. Human princess, IIdiko, and alien prince, Brishen, arrange a marital union to unite their kingdoms. However, marriage is no easy feat when both races find each other physically repulsive. But as this unlikely couple grows closer, their friendship forges a connection beyond physical attraction. 

With sparkling banter and a connection that’s stronger than either of them can resist, Radiance is an unforgettable read for anyone who loves a story about a couple determined to make their love story work, no matter how difficult the odds.

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The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

In 1521 England, Queen Catherine of Aragon’s inability to provide a male heir places a strain on her marriage to King Henry VIII. As the cracks in their marriage become noticeable, the Boleyn family sets out to grab the crown. With help from Anne and George Boleyn, Mary quickly captures his attention. But when Henry’s interest wanes, it’s up to Anne to take charge. Ambitious, witty, and assertive, she sets out to win over the King’s affection – no matter what the cost. 

Philippa Gregory’s The Other Boleyn Girl follows the Boleyn siblings and their riveting entanglements. Rich with court intrigue and drama, The Other Boleyn Girl offers readers a thrilling experience and is sure to be a hit among fans of royal romance books.

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A Curse So Darkly and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

Prince Rhen’s life is cursed: every autumn of his eighteenth birthday he turns into a vicious monster, destroying his family and his kingdom. In order to break the curse, he must fall in love. 

Enter Harper, a girl from Washington D.C. who, after foiling a kidnapping, finds herself in the Kingdom of Emberfall. Despite her cerebral palsy and absentee father, Harper quickly becomes an invaluable asset as she helps Rhen and his commander Grey battle against a powerful enemy. 

A Curse So Dark and Lonely is a romantic and thrilling fairy tale, full of magic and adventure. Perfect for readers who love royal romance books with a unique twist, this is one story you won’t want to miss.

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The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh

Every night, eighteen-year-old caliph Khalid takes a new bride only for them to die the following morning. When Shahrzad’s friend becomes another statistic, she sets out to avenge her, putting her on a dangerous path. 

Fans of royal romance books won’t want to miss The Wrath and the Dawn, the captivating tale of Shahrzad’s daring revenge against the powerful Caliph Khalid. Renée Ahdieh’s stunningly vivid writing transports readers to a treacherous yet beguiling world, creating a breathtaking love story. 

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Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Mare Barrow’s world is ruled by the elite Silvers, who possess god-like abilities and keep the commoners like Mare in a state of servitude. But when Mare finds herself at the Silver Palace, her life takes an unexpected turn when her own powers begin to rival those of the Silvers.

Declared to be a long-lost Silver princess with a betrothal to a prince, Mare’s life is suddenly on the line. Now, she must take extreme care to make sure she doesn’t fall victim to the ongoing deception and betrayals.

Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen is a thrilling royal romance packed with danger and intrigue. If you’re a fan of books full of love and manipulation, you’ll love this captivating story.

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Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Alex Claremont and Henry, the Prince of England, have a love-hate relationship that reaches a boiling point when U.S./British relations take a turn for the worse. Forced to play nice, what begins as a fake friendship soon blossoms into something deeper. 

Red, White & Royal Blue captures all the banter, hilarity, and swoon-worthy romance between the two rivals turned lovers. For readers eager to experience the magical tension between an American first son and a British prince, this royal romance novel is the perfect choice.

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A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre accidentally shoots a wolf, she quickly realizes she made a deadly mistake—the wolf isn’t just a wolf. With no way out of her predicament, Feyre is taken captive to a magical kingdom where she develops a passionate love for the mysterious, green-eyed High Fae, Tamlin. But Feyre’s love will come at a price when a sinister evil lurks in the shadows and forces her to make a life-altering decision that will determine the fate of not only her future, but of the magical realm.

Fans of royal romance books won’t want to miss out on Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses. The enthralling saga is rich with captivating foes, forbidden love, thrilling intrigue, and magic. 

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The Iron King Julie Kagawa

Meghan Chase is a high school student who discovers her half-faerie nature and sets out to rescue her younger brother, Ethan, from Nevernever. Along with Puck, her mischievous faerie best friend, she finds herself in the deadly center of a war, with the attention of a cold-hearted young prince threatening her life. 

Readers looking for a fantastical royal romance need look no further than Julie Kagawa’s The Iron King. Brimming with wicked princes, deadly fae, and a lush world and mesmerizing love story, this romantic fantasy is not one to miss.

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Cheeky Royal by Nana Malone

Penny’s dream of joining the Royal Guard is derailed by a series of mistakes, but a special assignment from the King gives her another chance. Unbeknownst to the kingdom, however, the King’s son Sebastian is on his own mission to find his long-lost brother and abdicate the throne. Yet as he gets closer to accomplishing his task, Sebastian finds himself getting closer to a mysterious, artsy neighbor called Len. From there, they embark upon a swoon-worthy, comedic romance as they battle secrets, chemistry, and the looming crown.

Join Penny and Sebastian on a delightful and dashing journey as they navigate the perils of royal life and learn to trust their hearts. For royal romance readers, Cheeky Royal is an unmissable adventure.

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