Fantasy Romance Books for Adults: My Cozy Reading List

Let’s face it, Romantasy has taken over a lot of our TBRs in recent years. There have been recent releases that are just too good to pass up. Here are some suggestions of magical romance books that I’ve read, am currently reading, and are also in my own TBR, ready to be explored.

Knightly Reading Print - Even knights love to sit at the coffee shop and get some reading done.

Shop it as a print download here or a TTRPG token here.

Fourth Wing: The Empyrean Series

Okay, this is an easy pick. It’s the most popular series in the romantasy genre with its compelling characters and almost “too real” political drama setting. Also, I am not afraid to admit it, but Xaden and Violet are just amazing (and hot). Though I do agree with Ridoc, the man himself, they really need to just stop the dumb trust issues. 

Fourth Wing follows Violet Sorrengail as she beats the odds of both the War College she was forced into and the limits of her own brittle body to become one of the most important dragon riders of her generation. She finds herself in the middle of the political turmoil of her country, the secrets they’re keeping, and also the most dangerous of all, Xaden Riorson.

Three out of the planned five books are available to read right now! 

A Little Too Familiar

Going into more of the romance side of cozy, any fans of the forced proximity trope? A Little Too Familiar follows an apprentice animal mage (think veterinarian with magical powers) named Louise as she and her little family of friends find themselves with a new roommate, who happens to be a wolf-shifter. 

Yup, we got werewolves here, too. But, don’t worry, the insane (and disgusting) omegaverse trope is not off the rails here; it’s a little more palatable in this story. It’s more of a cozy read about finding your found family with some stakes involved, thanks to Declan’s family history. It is on the spicy side after a little bit of a slow burn, just warning you now.

I had fun reading this book, and there’s a second one in the series as well! I’ll be reading that as well. 

The Spellshop

Wouldn’t you like to live in a cottage on top of the cove with the greatest view on the island, along with all the books you rescued while working in your library job during a revolution? The Spellshop follows Kiela, a librarian, as she begins anew in her hometown of Caltray, after living in the capital for so long, and the empire was raided by revolutionaries. The books she stole? Magic was monopolized and kept away from the common folk. 

What does she do with these books? Begins to learn magic and find ways to help her little island home, while also learning how to be social. Kiela is so precious as we see her mind wander, learning how to use magic to grow plants to create jams for sale with her mother’s old recipe book. It also includes a sweet little romance with the handsome neighbor who runs a merhorse farm. Larran is just a sweet man who wants to help Kiela in any way he can, but she doesn’t understand that. 

This cute little cottagecore book is a sweet little story with some stakes, and focuses more on Kiela restarting her life. I highly recommend those who aren’t so keen on the very romantic, spicy side of the romantasy genre. 

Currently Reading: Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea

As of writing this, it’s PRIDE month! Happy Pride to all those in the LGBTQ+ community! Want a sapphic love story to read this month? Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea is the book for you. Reyna and Kianthe leave their lives behind serving a self-centered queen to open their own bookshop with tea. 

This cozy tale of mishaps, comfort, and just a very committed, healthy relationship has been a joy to read so far, and I can’t wait to finish and read the other two books in the series.

In the TBR: Brighter than Scale, Swifter than Flame

Continuing to showcase books for Pride Month, I came across this title. Brighter than Scale, Swifter than Flame is an Queer, asian-inspired fantasy novel that was released in May of this year. It’s got dragons, it’s got strong female leads, and in the words of Goodreads, “Brighter than Scale, Swifter than Flame reads like She Who Became the Sun meets The Mandalorian, with dragons!” So, it sounds like it’s gonna be good. 

Reviews of this book are positive, so this book is definitely in my TBR for now! Fingers crossed I get to read it soon. 

Does this aesthetic resonate with you, and want more?

Thanks for joining me in discussing some romantasy novels with me. I hope you found some good reads for your TBR list as well. If you’re looking for even more whimsical vibes, such as artwork, you can explore my full portfolio here. Want more cozy recommendations straight to you? Join my biweekly newsletter below!