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There’s just something about fae romance books that hit different. Maybe it’s the magic-drenched worlds, the dangerously beautiful love interests, or the fact that no one does enemies-to-lovers and court intrigue quite like the fae. Whatever the reason, once you fall down the rabbit hole of fantasy romance with fae royalty, winged warriors, and wicked bargains—you don’t come back the same.
If you devoured A Court of Thorns and Roses or couldn’t get enough of The Cruel Prince, this list is for you. These fae romance books bring the angst, the spice, the slow burn, and the high-stakes fantasy. Whether you’re craving morally gray fae princes, strong-willed heroines, or lush worlds filled with danger and desire, these recs are straight from a fellow reader who’s deep in her fae romance era.
More Paranormal Romance Books
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
This is the book that reignited my obsession with fae romance. Jude Duarte is a mortal girl raised in the cutthroat world of Faerie, and she’s not content with just surviving—she wants power. But between scheming royals and cruel fae who loathe humans, nothing comes easy. Especially not her toxic, slow-burn entanglement with Cardan, the infuriatingly beautiful prince who seems to hate her just as much as he needs her.
If you’re into political intrigue, backstabbing fae courts, and enemies-to-lovers that hurt so good, this is a must-read. It’s sharp, twisty, and deliciously dark in all the best ways.
Mortal Skin by Lily Mayne
Ash spent his childhood talking to fae creatures no one else could see… and then they vanished. Years later, he’s kidnapped and dragged into the Unseelie Court, where he discovers he’s not as human as he thought—and his shadowy guardian, Lonan, might just be the only one he can trust.
This is an achingly tender and magical MM fae romance with gorgeous writing and an unforgettable slow-burn. If you’re looking for something atmospheric, angsty, and deeply emotional, Mortal Skin deserves a spot at the top of your TBR.
To Bleed A Crystal Bloom by Sarah A. Parker
If you like your fae romance with gothic vibes, haunting prose, and a morally gray love interest who makes you question everything, this one’s for you. Orlaith has been under High Master Rhordyn’s protection since she was a child—but what begins as gratitude slowly morphs into obsession. And let’s just say… the feeling isn’t entirely one-sided.
This is a dark Rapunzel-inspired tale full of secrets, yearning, and tension so thick you could cut it with a dagger. It’s slow-burn, it’s messy, it’s addictive—and if you’re here for the forbidden guardian dynamic, buckle up.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
This is the series that launched a thousand fae obsessions. Feyre kills a wolf in the woods and ends up dragged to the fae realm by Tamlin, the masked High Fae Lord of Spring. What starts as a Beauty and the Beast retelling quickly becomes so much more—magic, curses, and simmering attraction included.
If you’re new to fae romance, ACOTAR is basically your initiation. It has a slow-burn romance, enemies-to-lovers tension, and a female lead who grows into her power in all the most satisfying ways. Plus, it kicks off a series that only gets spicier with each book.
Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa
Callie made a deal with the devil—or at least, with the Bargainer. Years later, her arm is covered in magical beads, each one a favor owed. When he finally comes to collect, it’s not just about settling a debt—it’s about saving the fae realm. And maybe rekindling something they never quite started.
If you love the “villain gets the girl” vibe, a sexy morally gray fae king, and a slow-burn second-chance romance full of tension, Rhapsodic will have you hooked. It’s book one in The Bargainer series, and it only gets better from here.
A Fate of Wrath and Flame by K.A. Tucker
This one threw me in fast. Romeria is a thief in New York until a mysterious woman yanks her into a parallel realm—one filled with magic, royal drama, and enemies at every turn. The twist? She’s forced to impersonate a princess who was just imprisoned for murdering the king and queen on her wedding night. Talk about an identity crisis.
With political intrigue, enemies-to-lovers tension, and rich worldbuilding, this fantasy romance is perfect if you’re into reluctant heroines navigating dangerous new worlds while falling for the enemy. It’s a little slower on the romance front, but the tension is chef’s kiss.
A Rake of His Own by AJ Lancaster
Marius Valstar, a charming botanist with a knack for trouble, finds a dead body in his greenhouse and somehow ends up working with the rakish fae Prince Rakken to solve the mystery. Cue banter, flirtation, and a second-chance romance that had me grinning like a fool.
Set in the magical gaslamp world of the Stariel series, this standalone works well even if you haven’t read the others. If you love queer romance, mystery, and a good ol’ grumpy/sunshine dynamic, you’ll be hooked.
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
Part murder mystery, part slow-burn romance, part urban fantasy fever dream, it introduces us to Bryce Quinlan, a half-fae party girl whose world falls apart after a horrific loss. Enter Hunt Athalar, the brooding angel forced to work alongside her to track down the killer.
House of Earth and Blood is heavier and more adult than ACOTAR, with layered worldbuilding, real emotional stakes, and a romance that takes its sweet, angsty time. If you’re in the mood for a book that blends grief, vengeance, magic, and sizzling chemistry, this one’s a powerhouse.
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
This is the Nesta and Cassian book—aka the one that broke me and healed me. Nesta’s arc is messy, angry, and painfully real, and watching her claw her way through trauma alongside Cassian, the warrior who refuses to give up on her, is incredibly cathartic.
Expect a deeply emotional enemies-to-lovers romance, intense personal growth, and some of the steamiest scenes in the entire ACOTAR series. If you love morally complex heroines, found family, and redemption arcs, Silver Flames is everything.
Warrior Fae Trapped by K.F. Breene
Charity just wants to pass her midterms, not get dragged into a world of magic, monsters, and fae warriors. But after crashing a fancy college party, she finds herself the center of a supernatural storm—and apparently, she’s a long-lost fae warrior who’s been MIA her whole life.
With nonstop action, swoony tension, and a heroine who doesn’t have it all figured out, this is a fast-paced fantasy romance that reads like a Netflix show. If you love books with hidden identity reveals, fae badassery, and a strong dose of sarcasm, you’ll fly through this one.
The One and Only Crystal Druid by Annette Marie
Saber is the kind of heroine who fights first and asks questions never—snarky, sharp, and fiercely independent. Zac is her complete opposite: a mysterious druid with a haunted past and major grumpy energy. Their chemistry? Off the charts.
Part urban fantasy, part fae romance, this story has action, banter, and a slow-burn connection that builds with every page. If you love reluctant alliances, danger around every corner, and couples who really don’t want to fall for each other (but totally do), this one’s a win.
The Awakening by Nora Roberts
If you love a classic “ordinary girl discovers a hidden magical destiny” arc, The Awakening gives that in spades—with a lush Irish setting and an old-school fantasy romance feel. Breen starts off as a burned-out teacher barely scraping by… until she finds out she’s fae royalty and heir to a powerful legacy in another realm.
This book leans a bit more traditional fantasy, but the worldbuilding is immersive and the journey of self-discovery hits hard. It’s perfect for readers who want a magical escape with slow-burn romance, Celtic mythology, and just the right touch of whimsy.
Savage Lands by Stacey Marie Brown
If you’re into gritty, action-packed fae romance with a dystopian twist, Savage Lands is for you. Brexley is a human caught in a power-hungry fae world where magic is outlawed and trust is a luxury. Sentenced to the brutal Halálház prison, she has to fight tooth and nail to survive—and catch the eye of her dangerous cellmate in the process.
Enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, political unrest, and a heroine who refuses to break—this one is addictive. Just be warned: there’s a cliffhanger that’ll have you one-clicking the next book immediately.
Elemental Fae Academy by Lexi C Foss
Okay, if you’re looking for spicy reverse harem fae romance with a strong paranormal academy vibe—this is the one. Claire finds out she’s fae after accidentally setting a bar on fire with her mind, and soon she’s whisked away to an academy where she must master her chaotic elemental powers… under the guidance of five very swoon-worthy mentors.
This is a medium-burn with plenty of heat, humor, and magical chaos. If you enjoy found family, magical training tropes, and lots of romantic tension across multiple love interests, Elemental Fae Academy is a wild, bingeable ride.
Winter by Audrey Grey
This is Faerie meets dark academia and I was all in. Summer is sentenced to Evermore Academy for trying to steal from the Fae—basically becoming a glorified servant to fae royals. She plans to keep her head down… until she crosses the Winter Prince, her dangerously powerful new Keeper.
This one’s for you if you love fae academy bully romance, forbidden dynamics, and high-stakes magical training. There’s plenty of drama, enemies-to-lovers tension, and secrets simmering beneath the surface. It’s dark, a little messy, and totally addictive.
Zodiac Academy by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
This series is the blueprint for fae academy bully romance—and yes, the hype is real. When twins Tory and Darcy find out they’re the last heirs to a fae throne, they’re dragged into the savage world of Zodiac Academy, where power is everything and trust is dangerous. Oh, and did I mention the four powerful jerks who make it their personal mission to break them?
Think: enemies-to-lovers, magical trials, jaw-dropping twists, and slow-burn reverse harem vibes. It’s messy, dramatic, ridiculously addictive, and somehow impossible to stop reading—even when your heart’s in pieces by the end.