romance and fantasy have always gone hand in hand, even if there are some non-romance fantasy book series. Recent years have seen a rise in the popularity of raunchy content in speculative fiction, as the use of fantasy escapism complements the romantic tension of these more explicit scenes. Fairies and magical creatures often play a role in these narratives, as authors use the more mystical and inviting parts of the fantasy genre to draw readers in and create an immersive world. These books are written for the female gaze, with strong female protagonists exploring their sexuality.
Many books seamlessly blend fantasy and romance, but these titles aren’t shy about using plot as a means of delving deeper into the central love story by focusing on the intimate moments. However, that doesn’t mean there is no story as it would make boring reading. Instead of, all the stakes and character motivations work to elevate the main relationship, with authors sometimes employing classic romance tropes to place characters in steamy situations. Common plot devices are enemies-to-lovers arcs, the characters embarking on an epic journey or marriage to save a kingdom that becomes much more than political.
10
House of Earth and Blood (2020)
Written by Sarah J. Maas
THE Crescent City The books are one of well-known fantasy author Sarah J. Maas’ most plot-heavy series, but that doesn’t mean she skimps on the steamy content. House of Earth and Blood follows the romance between Bryce Quinlan and Hunt Athalar, who must work together to solve the murder of Bryce’s best friend. Maas strives to explore the urban fantasy genre, building the depths and dark secrets of the Crescent City to be a strong backdrop for Bryce and Hunt’s dynamic.
As the investigation heats up, the stakes of the story complement the growing tension between the two protagonists and their overall arc.
Bryce’s character in Crescent City is divisive because her strong and confident personality can sometimes make her overly arrogant, especially towards Hunt. However, the reason the chemistry between the characters hits the mark is that Bryce and Hunt are willing to push each other, leading to explosive scenes together. As the investigation heats up, the stakes of the story complement the growing tension between the two protagonists and their overall arc.
9
Of Blood and Ashes (2020)
Written by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Jennifer L. Armentrout gets the exposition out of the way quickly in Of Blood and Ashes so the reader can understand the world of the story and dive right into the epic love between Poppy and Casteel. However, Of Blood and Ashes It’s more of a slow romance, with steamy scenes happening between Poppy and Cas a few times throughout the book. Despite this, every time they are together is extremely memorable. Plus, the reward for time spent together is even better as the relationship develops over time.
The writing style makes the growing tension between them and the moments where they don’t touch equally compelling. Unlike some of the other books on the list, Of Blood and Ashes uses vampires instead of fairies and successfully differentiates itself from many vampire romances out there. Although the twist at the end of the book calls into question the nature of Poppy and Cas’ relationship, Of Blood and Ashes It’s an exciting read that includes some good action scenes in addition to the spice.
8
King of Battle and Blood (2021)
Written by Scarlett St.
The plot elements in King of Battle and Blood are few and far between, but the backdrop of an epic war between a kingdom of humans and vampires creates a strong backdrop for the story. Isolde, the protagonist, is forced to marry Adrian, the vampire king, but it turns out that she is more attracted to him than to any other love interest in her life. Although they are enemies and Adrian is hiding more than a few secrets, it’s easy to get lost in the drama of their epic romance.
Adrian is a classic bad boy love interest who has a dark side but would do anything to protect and please Isolde, which only makes her more confused about his loyalty.
King of Battle and Blood is one of the most explicit books on the list, with Isolde and Adrian’s sex scenes taking up much of the page count. Adrian is a classic bad boy love interest who has a dark side but would do anything to protect and please Isolde, which only makes her more confused about his loyalty. Jealousy is an important theme throughout King of Battle and Blood, since Isolde and Adrian are not always able to express their feelings without getting excited.
7
What Lies Beyond the Veil (2021)
Written by Harper L. Woods
Although the human world is separate from that of the Fae in What lies beyond the veilthe rigid caste system and poor conditions that Estrella faces every day do not make life easy. However, when When the veil keeping the Fae at bay falls, Estrella faces a new set of challenges. Her love interest, Caelum, is not subtle about her feelings or intentions towards Estrella throughout the narrative. However, Estrella resists her feelings and tries to pretend she hates them while he protects her from the Fae.
Much of What lies beyond the veil is an itinerant narrative, with Estrella and Caelum forced to fight and work together to survive as they walk towards their destiny. Caelum is a more direct and blunt love interest, which isn’t for everyone, but is part of the escapist fantasy of What lies beyond the veil. As Estrella discovers that what humans say about the Fae is not entirely true, she struggles to balance her own freedom with her growing feelings and loyalty for Caelum.
6
Kushiel’s Dart (2001)
Written by Jacqueline Carey
As one of the oldest works on the list, Kushiel’s Dart is the model for many contemporary romance books that aren’t afraid to fill their stories with spice. The book is the first of Kushiel’s Legacy series, which explores the lives of Phèdre, a young woman who trains to serve as a courtesan, which is part of the religious system of history, in a fictional medieval society. Phèdre’s story begins when the secret of her abilities is revealed and she realizes that pain is a source of gratification for her.
The entire premise of the narrative and the presumption of society in Kushiel’s Dart It revolves around physical pleasure and the elevation of all forms of love.
The entire premise of the narrative and the presumption of society in Kushiel’s Dart It revolves around physical pleasure and the elevation of all forms of love. Kushiel’s Dart was well ahead of its time in terms of providing LGBTQ+ representation in its fictional world and promoting openness around discussions about sexuality and intimacy. While Jacqueline Carey’s writing style is denser and more complex than other romantic novels this elevates the overall themes and provides a little more substance to the seasoning.
5
Rhapsodic (2016)
Written by Laura Thalassa
Book one of The Negotiator series, Rhapsodictakes the reader into the incredible world of fairies, mermaids and Laura Thalassa’s mysterious Negotiator. Callypso is involved with the Negotiator and continues to ask him for favors, even if one day he asks for repayment. The Negotiator, Desmond, needs Callypso’s help with a problem in the Fae world, and the time they spend together solving this problem leads to an unbelievable love story. Throughout the book, the importance of Callie and Des’ relationship becomes clear through flashbacks to the past.
There are some content warnings for Rhapsodic which readers should know before diving into the story, but most of the narrative revolves around romance and more positive plots. Rhapsodic It’s more of a love story than anything else, with the plot’s momentum quickly disappearing as Desmond and Callypso become entangled in each other. While the world is a little underdeveloped, that doesn’t take away from how engaging the relationship is.
4
The Witch Collector (2021)
Written by Charissa Weaks
The protagonist of The witch collectorRaina is driven by pain and revenge. His sister was taken by the Collector years before and has been trapped with the Ice King ever since. However, the Collector isn’t the horrible villain she thought he was, and on their travels together, he begins to become someone she might even fall in love with. Alexus the Collector is not afraid to stand up to Raina’s sharp tongue and attitude, making them the perfect match.
Although it takes Raina and Alexus some time to get to the heart of their quest, their journey yields exciting discoveries about each other.
As far as witch romance books go, The witch collector is much more than a cozy read to curl up in, as there is plenty of action and intrigue to accompany the novel. The witch collector draws comparisons to other enemies-to-lovers fantasy stories as Uprooted but it leans much more towards the spice and the emerging love story. Although it takes Raina and Alexus some time to get to the heart of their quest, their journey yields exciting discoveries about each other.
3
A Court of Thorns and Roses (2015)
Written by Sarah J. Maas
Cutting thorns and roses could be one of the most famous romance series of recent decades and they are, by far, Maas’s most famous books. From the beginning, it is clear that ACOTAR is something special, as readers may be familiar with the many plot points and dynamics that influenced the spice-filled fantasy love stories that came after. Feyre is the protagonist of the first books and one of the best characters. She becomes the object of desire of many Fae she encounters throughout the story.
Part of the reason why ACOTAR is an entry point for so many new readers into the romance genre is that the characters are interesting and well developed. Feyre finds her loyalty questioned and pushed to the limit, and the Fae realm is a well-crafted world that doesn’t become too complex or detract from Feyre’s many romantic complications. Many romance books deserve TV shows like ACOTARas the successful book will soon receive a screen adaptation. Cutting thorns and roses he has plenty of spice, but it’s accessible for fantasy readers delving into more intimate stories.
2
Glow (2022)
Written by Raven Kennedy
Raven Kennedy uses the familiar myths and legends about King Midas to set the stage for Browna dark reinterpretation of the perspective of the heroine that Midas imprisons. However, the sequence, Shineis the part that delivers the spice and romance that the public was waiting for. Brown is a more intense and violent start to the series, as the protagonist, Auren, must escape her cage in King Midas’s castle and find her way to freedom.
Although Rip and Auren’s romance is slower, it allows Auren to develop and makes her development satisfying.
It’s in Shine what Auren meets the Fae, Commander Rip, who becomes the object of his desire and is a great companion during the book’s steamier scenes. For readers who start the series with BrownThere are some content warnings that Kennedy provides about the books’ darker content, but Shine it mostly leaves those aspects behind and explores Auren’s character further. Although Rip and Auren’s romance is slower, it allows Auren to develop and makes her development satisfying.
1
Serpent and Dove (2019)
Written by Shelby Mahurin
The first of Snake and Dove series, the titular book by Shelby Mahurin, rewrites the dynamic between witches and their persecutors through Lou and Reid. Lou is a witch in hiding and Reid is a member of the church who hunts her. and any other witch who crosses their path, making them sworn enemies. A twist of fate leaves the couple unhappy in their marriage. However, this closeness over time quickly leads to feelings developing, even as the war between the church and witches is escalating.
Snake and Dove is a slightly milder introduction to the spicier fantasy romances, with Reid and Lou building their intimate scenes over time. As the novels progress, the world becomes better, and although Lou and Reid spend a lot of time angry at each other, they can’t help but get closer. Snake and Dove It’s an easy book to devour and get sucked into as Reid and Lou try to balance their inconvenient feelings while their identities bring them into conflict.