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If you’re anything like me and have a slight obsession with all things royal—castles, crowns, forbidden love, and the drama that comes with it—then you’re going to be totally hooked on these royal romance books.
Whether it’s a commoner falling for a brooding prince, a rebellious princess defying the throne, or political games that turn into passionate affairs, there’s something so deliciously escapist about royalty in fiction. It’s the perfect mix of power, glamour, and heartache.
These books lean hard into the royalty romance trope—the rags-to-riches stories, the disapproving kingdoms, the slow-burn tension between royals and outsiders. And honestly? I eat it all up. Some are swoony and sweet, others full of courtly betrayal and fantasy kingdoms that will blow your mind.
So if you’re craving romance with a royal twist, these are some of the best royal romance books to add to your TBR. Let the royal drama begin!
Royally Screwed by Emma Chase
If you’re a sucker for a modern royal-meets-commoner love story with sizzling tension and laugh-out-loud moments, Royally Screwed needs to be on your radar. Prince Nicholas, hot and hopelessly charming, flees his royal duties and crashes straight into Olivia, a no-nonsense New Yorker trying to keep her family bakery alive. Their banter is electric, the chemistry is off the charts, and the fairy tale chaos? Utterly addictive. This one’s basically a royal Hallmark movie—but with way more steam.
The Unlikely Heir by Jax Calder
This one is The Crown meets Red, White & Royal Blue, and I was hooked. Callum’s just your average insurance guy until—surprise!—he becomes heir to the British throne. Add in some delicious slow-burn tension with the Prime Minister (yes, really), and you’ve got a story full of political messiness, forbidden feelings, and SO much pining. It’s queer royal drama at its finest.
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
A cyborg mechanic. A dreamy prince. A plague. And a secret that could blow the whole empire apart. Cinder is like if Cinderella lived in a sci-fi dystopia with androids and lunar politics—and it works. She’s the kind of underdog you root for instantly, and her dynamic with Prince Kai? Chef’s kiss. If you like royalty with rebellion and a side of fairy tale reimagining, don’t miss this.
The Selection by Kiera Cass
This is The Bachelor but make it royal. America Singer (yes, that’s her actual name) enters a competition to win the prince’s heart, but she’s not thrilled about it because her heart’s kind of already taken. But then she meets Maxon and, well… the drama begins. This series is pure popcorn—messy love triangles, dresses, royal drama, and rebels. It’s YA comfort at its chaotic best.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
This book is what happens when royal court drama meets enemies-to-lovers perfection. Jude is one of my all-time favorite heroines—stubborn, smart, and absolutely ruthless when she needs to be. If you want a romance where the main couple literally tries to kill each other and you still root for them? This is it.
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Okay, imagine a royal game of The Bachelor… but instead of roses, it’s orphans competing to pretend to be the missing prince. Sage, our clever (and slightly mischievous) pick, is in way over his head, and every twist feels like a total “OMG, what now?!” moment. If you’re into political scheming with a side of clever kids trying to survive the palace chaos, this one’s a winner.
The Controversial Princess by Jodi Ellen Malpas
Princess Adeline is not your typical royal damsel—in fact, she’s the exact opposite. She’s fed up with palace rules and ready to shake things up by falling hard for a Hollywood heartthrob (yes, really). It’s steamy, messy, and full of those “can they make it work?” vibes. If you love royals breaking the mold and crashing into modern love, this one’s your jam.
The Bird and the Sword by Amy Harmon
Fantasy lovers, this one’s for you. Picture a world where kings can shape-shift and a girl’s got mysterious powers that might just save the day. The romance here is slow and simmering — the kind that sneaks up on you and then totally wrecks your heart. If you want royal fantasy with depth and emotion (plus some epic world-building), The Bird and the Sword is a gorgeous escape.
The Royal Treatment by Melanie Summers
If you want royal romance with a comedy twist, this is a must-read. Tessa’s a snarky reporter who gets voluntarily stuck living in a palace (say what?), tasked with giving the monarchy a PR makeover. Meanwhile, Prince Arthur’s charm and awkward moments will have you giggling and swooning at the same time. It’s like The Prince and Me meets a rom-com with royal flair.
Radiance by Grace Draven
This one flips the royal romance script with a union between a human princess and an alien prince who really don’t like each other at first. The beauty here is in the slow-build friendship that turns into something way more. If you’re tired of insta-love and want something with actual chemistry, witty banter, and unique world vibes, Radiance hits all the right notes.
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
History buffs and royal drama lovers, this one’s for you. The Boleyn family is all about grabbing power, and Anne Boleyn is playing the ultimate game: winning over King Henry VIII—no matter the cost. If you want scheming, secrets, and scandal straight from Tudor England, this novel delivers the royal tea.
A Curse So Darkly and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Prince Rhen has a nasty curse—every year on his birthday, he turns into a monster. To break it, he needs to fall in love. Enter Harper, a tough girl from D.C. who’s definitely not your typical fairy tale heroine. It’s a fresh, magical spin on Beauty and the Beast with heart and a heroine who doesn’t quit.
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh
If you love revenge plots with a dash of romance, this one’s a must-read. Shahrzad volunteers to marry a caliph who kills his brides at dawn—but she’s got a plan. Expect lush world-building, danger, and a love story that will keep you glued to the pages.
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
In a world split between Silver elites with powers and powerless Reds, Mare Barrow’s life flips upside down when she discovers she’s got powers too. Now she’s tangled in royal betrayals and deadly secrets. This one’s got all the twists, action, and drama royal romance fans live for.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
American First Son Alex and British Prince Henry start off as rivals, but fake smiles quickly turn to real feelings. This witty, swoony, and hilarious story is perfect if you want your royal romance with a big dose of humor and heart.
If you’re obsessed with this kind of witty, swoony royal romance, I’ve got a whole list of books like Red, White & Royal Blue that you’ll definitely want to check out. Dive into those here!
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
This one’s a wild ride! Feyre’s life changes when she accidentally shoots a wolf who’s way more than he seems. Suddenly, she’s trapped in a magical kingdom with a swoon-worthy, mysterious fae prince. If you’re into high-stakes romance with fantasy, danger, and a bit of angst, this series is a total must.
Also, if you’re not over ACOTAR and want more recs like it, you’ll want to check out these similar books.
The Iron King Julie Kagawa
Meghan Chase finds out she’s half faerie and has to rescue her brother from a deadly fae world. Throw in a snarky fae bestie and a dangerously handsome prince, and you’ve got a royal romance with action and heart. If you want a mix of adventure, magic, and romance, this one’s right up your alley.
Cheeky Royal by Nana Malone
Penny’s dream to join the Royal Guard hits some bumps, but a special mission leads her right into the arms of a prince on a secret quest. There’s plenty of laughter, swoons, and royal secrets in this one—perfect if you want your royal romance with a cheeky, comedic twist.
FAQ Royal Romance Books
What is the royal romance genre?
Royal romance is basically any love story involving kings, queens, princes, princesses, or anyone with a crown or a throne in sight. It’s about the glitz, the glam, the power plays—and of course, the heart-fluttering romances that happen behind palace doors. Whether it’s a modern-day prince or a fantasy kingdom, these stories mix romance with royal drama for maximum swoon.
What is the royalty romance trope?
The royalty romance trope usually centers on the classic “commoner meets royalty” setup—think someone ordinary catching the eye of a prince or princess, then facing all sorts of drama like disapproving families, political pressure, or secrets that could ruin everything. It’s the ultimate rags-to-riches or forbidden love story, and it’s a total crowd-pleaser because who doesn’t love a fairy tale come to life?
Which royal romance books are best for young adults?
If you’re looking for royal romance with all the feels and none of the spice, YA is the perfect place to start. Books like Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, Cinder by Marissa Meyer, and The Selection by Kiera Cass are classics for a reason—they’ve got high-stakes romance, rebellious princesses, and love triangles galore. They’re also great gateway books for readers who want royal drama without diving into heavier adult themes.